bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Checkpoint Inhibitors and Other Immune-Based Therapies in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Haddad Fadi , Zeidan Amer M. , Daver Naval
Published: January 2022

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been investigated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with an intent to harness the immune microenvironment components to generate an immune response against leukemia. Anti–cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 and anti–programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 antibodies have been evaluated in combination with low-intensity therapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy, both in the pretransplant and posttransplant settings. Although the objective response rates with programmed cell death 1– and programmed cell death ligand 1–based therapies have been relatively low, durable stable disease and hematologic improvement were noted in a subset of patients, important endpoints in patients with limited therapeutic options. Novel AML and myelodysplastic syndrome–specific checkpoints such as TIM3 antibodies in combination with azacitidine are showing encouraging efficacy, especially durability of response, in ongoing studies. Anti-CD47/SIRPα therapy in combination with azacitidine has shown encouraging efficacy and safety in frontline AML, especially in TP53-mutated AML, a population of significant unmet need. Other T cell–based immune therapies are under investigation. T-cell and natural killer cell bispecific and trispecific engagers have shown modest activity in patients with relapsed and/or refractory AML albeit with frequent cytokine release syndrome. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy showed immense success in many lymphoid malignancies and is being evaluated in AML. Future trials should be designed to select patients based on markers of response and tailor therapies according to predictive biomarkers.
A Detailed Description of Physical Activity Counseling Interventions to Support Physical Activity in People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Tappan Rachel S. , Danilovich Margaret , Yamamoto Emi , Cox Narelle S.
Published: January 2022

Physical activity interventions are recommended for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, adherence is low. This scoping review aimed to provide detailed descriptions of physical activity counseling interventions for people with COPD that have been studied in randomized controlled trials. Common components included the use of pedometers/activity monitors, goal setting, and recording physical activity in a written or electronic diary. Clinicians could consider including these components within their management of people with COPD to promote increased physical activity levels. Additional research is needed to determine the key components that drive physical activity behavior change in this population.
Poststroke Anxiety at 1 Year After Rehabilitation
Authors: Kuptniratsaikul Vilai , Bun-in Jiraporn , Limampai Patchara , Pooliam Julaporn
Published: January 2022

Poststroke anxiety affects rehabilitation outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with anxiety among patients with stroke at the 1 year after rehabilitation from 9 tertiary centers. Anxiety, functional score, and quality of life were evaluated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-anxiety subscale (HADS-A), modified Barthel Index, and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQoL-BREF), respectively. This study reveals 20 (11.7%) patients with stroke who developed anxiety, and 18 from 171 patients (10.5%) were new cases of anxiety, which was more than double the rate at discharge (4.7%). Factors related to anxiety were depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 30.7) and having complications (aOR: 12.48).
Correlation Analysis of Lower-Limb Muscle Function With Clinical Status, Balance Tests, and Quality of Life in People With Parkinson Disease
Authors: Sá Rafael de Almeida , Ferreira Arthur de Sá , Lemos Thiago , de Oliveira Laura Alice Santos
Published: January 2022

Aim:

To investigate the correlation of lower-limb muscle function with clinical status, balance, and quality of life in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD).

Methods:

Twenty-five participants were included. Outcome measures were assessed through scales and questionnaires. Quadriceps muscle function was assessed through a maximal isometric voluntary contraction. Spearman's correlation coefficient (ρ) analysis was performed.

Results:

Quadriceps peak force was negatively correlated with scores of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part III (ρ= 0.610) but positively correlated with scores of the Mini-BESTest (ρ= 0.484) and the Timed Up and Go test (ρ= 0.528). The rate of force development was negatively correlated with scores of the UPDRS II (ρ=−0.437) and III (ρ=−0.577). Force variability was positively correlated with the quality of life (Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire 39; ρ= 0.455).

Conclusion:

Better quadriceps muscle function is associated with better clinical status, balance, and quality of life in people with PD.
Use of Retinal Angiography and MRI in the Diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis With Early Ophthalmic Manifestations
Authors: Dentel Alexandre , Clavel Gaelle , Savatovsky Julien , Vignal Catherine , Senè Thomas , Charbonneau Frédérique , Zuber Kevin , Lecler Augustin , Hage Rabih
Published: January 2022

Background:

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a vasculitis often revealed by visual signs. Diagnosis is challenging and urgent. Retinal angiography (RA) and MRI allow effective diagnosis. We compared those and proposed an imaging-based approach to diagnose GCA in ophthalmological practice.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective study based on the data collected from patients suspected to have GCA on ophthalmological findings. Fluorescein (FA) and indocyanine green (ICG) RAs and MRI were performed and compared with final diagnosis.

Results:

Among the 41 patients included, 25 were diagnosed with GCA. Sensitivities and specificities of FA and ICG were not different. MRI showed a higher sensitivity and specificity. The approach consisting in performing RA followed by MRI provided a better accuracy.

Conclusion:

Our study shows that RA can be supplemented by MRI in a specialized center to provide the most accurate diagnosis in GCA revealed by visual signs.
Stakelama flava sp. nov., a novel endophytic bacterium isolated from a branch of Kandelia candel
Authors: Chen Xiao-Hui , Chen Ming-Sheng , Li Fei-Na , Tuo Li
Published: January 2022

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile, non-spore-forming, short-rod-shaped strain that did not produce diffusible pigment, designated CBK3Z-3T, was isolated from a branch of Kandelia candel, collected from the Beilun Estuary National Nature Reserve in Guangxi Zhang Autonomous Region, PR China, and investigated by a polyphasic approach to determine its taxonomic position. Strain CBK3Z-3T grew at pH 5.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 8.0), 20–37 °C (optimum, 25–30 °C) and with 0–10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2–3 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CBK3Z-3T was closely related to species of genus

Stakelama

and had the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.7 % to

Stakelama pacifica

CGMCC 1.7294T. The DNA G+C content value of strain CBK3Z-3T was 62.6 mol%. The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid and the polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified lipid. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1
 ω7c and C16 : 0. The average nucleotide identity, estimated digital DNA–DNA hybridization and average amino acid identity values between strain CBK3Z-3T and the type strain of

Stakelama pacifica

CGMCC 1.7294T were 80.4, 23.1 and 81.5 %, respectively. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain CBK3Z-3T should be designated as a novel species of the genus

Stakelama

, for which the name Stakelama flava sp.nov. is proposed. The type strain is CBK3Z-3T (=JCM 34534T=CGMCC 1.18972T).
Selective inhibition of goal-directed actions in the mesencephalic locomotor region
Authors: Gut Nadine K , Yilmaz Duygu , Kondabolu Krishnakanth , Huerta-Ocampo Icnelia , Mena-Segovia Juan
Published: January 2022

Dopamine enables purposive behavior and adjusts vigor as a function of the relative value of actions. In Parkinson’s disease, dopamine neurons die and give rise to a series of motor and cognitive changes that interfere with the expression of volitional actions. Here we report a novel inhibitory input to dopamine neurons originated in the mesencephalic locomotor region that selectively blocks purposive behavior. GABAergic neurons of the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) synapse onto dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra and decrease dopamine release in the dorsal striatum. Activation of PPN neurons abolished exploratory locomotion and goal-directed actions while preserved other motor behaviors; furthermore, PPN caused a decrease in movement vigor and interrupted motor sequences presumably by modulating the immediate value of the learned action. Our results reveal an inhibitory mechanism in the midbrain that rapidly and reversibly adjusts the intrinsic value of ongoing actions.
Discovery of a SARS-CoV-2 Broadly-Acting Neutralizing Antibody with Activity against Omicron and Omicron + R346K Variants
Authors: Duty J. Andrew , Kraus Thomas , Zhou Heyue , Zhang Yanliang , Shaabani Namir , Yildiz Soner , Du Na , Singh Alok , Miorin Lisa , Li Donghui , Stegman Karen , Ophir Sabrina , Cao Xia , Atanasoff Kristina , Lim Reyna , Kowdle Shreyas , Carreño Juan Manuel , Rivero-Nava Laura , Raskin Ariel , Moreno Elena , Johnson Sachi , Rathnasinghe Raveen , Pai Chin I , Kehrer Thomas , Cabral Elizabeth Paz , Jangra Sonia , Healy Laura , Singh Gagandeep , Warang Prajakta , Simon Viviana , Sordillo Mia Emilia , van Bakel Harm , Liu Yonghong , Sun Weina , Kerwin Lisa , Palese Peter , Teijaro John , Schotsaert Michael , Krammer Florian , Bresson Damien , García-Sastre Adolfo , Fu Yanwen , Lee Benhur , Powers Colin , Moran Thomas , Ji Henry , Tortorella Domenico , Allen Robert
Published: January 2022

The continual emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, in particular the newly emerged Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant, has rendered ineffective a number of previously EUA approved SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody therapies. Furthermore, even those approved antibodies with neutralizing activity against Omicron are reportedly ineffective against the subset of Omicron variants that contain a R346K substitution, demonstrating the continued need for discovery and characterization of candidate therapeutic antibodies with the breadth and potency of neutralizing activity required to treat newly diagnosed COVID-19 linked to recently emerged variants of concern. Following a campaign of antibody discovery based on the vaccination of Harbour H2L2 mice with defined SARS-CoV-2 spike domains, we have characterized the activity of a large collection of Spike-binding antibodies and identified a lead neutralizing human IgG1 LALA antibody, STI-9167. STI-9167 has potent, broad-spectrum neutralizing activity against the current SARS-COV-2 variants of concern and retained activity against the Omicron and Omicron + R346K variants in both pseudotype and live virus neutralization assays. Furthermore, STI-9167 nAb administered intranasally or intravenously provided protection against weight loss and reduced virus lung titers to levels below the limit of quantitation in Omicron-infected K18-hACE2 transgenic mice. With this established activity profile, a cGMP cell line has been developed and used to produce cGMP drug product intended for use in human clinical trials.
ORIGIN OF THREE RELATED MOVEMENT GENE MODULES IN PLANT VIRUSES: EVOLUTIONARY RADIATIONS OF BENYVIRUS-LIKE RNA REPLICONS
Authors: Morozov Sergey Y. , Solovyev Andrey G.
Published: January 2022

Previous studies have shown that the RNA genomes of some plant viruses encode two related genetic modules required for the virus movement over host body, containing 2 or 3 genes and named as triple gene block (TGB) and binary movement block (BMB). In this paper, we revealed a novel related movement gene module, called Tetra-Cistron Movement Block (TCMB). It was found to be encoded by virus-like transcriptome assemblies of moss Dicranum scoparium and Antarctic flowering plant Colobanthus quitensis. These TCMBs are encoded by second RNA components of the putative two-component viruses related to plant benyviruses. Like RNA-2 of benyviruses, TCMB RNA-2 contains the 5’-terminal coat protein gene. General organization of TCMB is very similar to TGB: it includes RNA helicase gene which is followed by two small overlapping cistrons encoding hydrophobic proteins with a distant sequence similarity to TGB2 and TGB3 genes. However, TCMB includes also forth 5’-terminal gene coding for protein with an obvious similarity to double-stranded RNA-binding proteins belonging to the DSRM AtDRB-like superfamily. Finally, we suggest the proposed involvement of replicative beny-like helicases in evolution of the BMB and TCMB movement genetic modules.
The association between high ambient temperature and mortality in the Mediterranean basin: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Perry Talila , Obolski Uri , Peretz Chava
Published: January 2022

Background

The effect of hot ambient temperature on mortality differs between geographical locations. The Mediterranean basin has been identified as one of the most prominent “hot-spots” in the world in terms of vulnerability to climate change. No recent, large synthesis of the estimated effects in the Mediterranean basin has been conducted.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted across three major databases to retrieve effect estimates from time-series or case-crossover studies on temperature and mortality performed in the Mediterranean basin countries, between 2000-2021. Of all reviewed studies, n=16 were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Estimates were pooled using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed for death-cause, age-group, region, and climate type. Meta-regression was performed with respect to national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, latitude and longitude, and local temperature thresholds.

Results

We found an increased risk of all-cause mortality due to ambient heat exposure in the Mediterranean basin, with a pooled RR=1.035 (95%CI 1.028-1.041) per 1°C increase in temperature above local thresholds (I2=79%). Risk was highest for respiratory (RR=1.063, 95% CI 1.052-1.074) and cardiovascular (RR=1.046, 95% CI 1.036-1.057) mortality.

Conclusions

Hot ambient temperatures increase the mortality risk across the Mediterranean basin. This is increasingly important for public health processes in the Mediterranean basin countries in light of the climate changes already noticed in this area. Further high-quality studies, especially in North African, Asian Mediterranean, and eastern European countries, are needed to bolster regional preparedness against future heat-related health burdens.

Key Messages

High ambient temperatures affect short-term mortality across the Mediterranean basin countries.

Risk is highest for respiratory and cardiovascular mortality.

In light of climate change, this is an increasingly important public health concern. Further high-quality studies, especially in North African, Asian Mediterranean and eastern European countries, are needed to help regions prepare for future heat-related health burdens.
Evidence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in wild mustelids from Brittany (France)
Authors: Davoust Bernard , Guérin Patrick , Orain Nicolas , Fligny Camille , Flirden Fabien , Fenollar Florence , Mediannikov Oleg , Edouard Sophie
Published: January 2022

In the French region of Brittany, mainly in the department of the Côtes d’Armor, during the first semester of 2021, seropositivity for SARS-CoV-2 was detected in five wild mustelids out of 32 animals tested. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG against at least four out of five recombinant viral proteins (S1 receptor binding domain, nucleocapsid, S1 subunit, S2 subunit and spike) were detected using automated western blot technique in three martens (Martes martes) and two badgers (Meles meles). An ELISA test also objectified seropositivities. Although the 171 qPCRs carried out on samples from the 33 mustelids were all negative, these preliminary results (observational study) nevertheless bear witness to infections of unknown origin. The epidemiological surveillance of Covid-19 in wildlife must continue, in particular with the tools of efficient serology.
A conscious leadership competency framework for leadership training
Authors: Kubátová Jaroslava , Kročil Ondřej
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a conscious leadership competency framework to be used in business training as well as in managerial study programs.

Design/methodology/approach

First, using literature review, the current state of knowledge in conscious leadership competency frameworks was examined. Subsequently, a framework analysis on a specific topical book was conducted to find competencies that determine a conscious leader. The output of this analysis was compared with a comprehensive leadership competency framework to propose a conscious leadership competency framework. This conscious leadership competency framework was then verified in interviews with conscious leaders.

Findings

Until now, a conscious leadership competency framework has not been proposed. Yet, there are competencies specific to conscious leaders that are not included in existing leadership competency frameworks. A new conscious leadership competency framework including possible ways of how to train and develop the conscious leadership competencies is suggested for future discussion.

Research limitations/implications

Research limitations are discussed in this paper. More research in this area and further development of the conscious leadership competency framework are suggested.

Practical implications

The proposed conscious leadership competency framework can be further discussed and developed, therefore becoming an effective tool for companies as well as educational institutions.

Social implications

More consciousness in leadership will help tackle many current societal challenges.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the proposed conscious leadership competency framework is the first of its kind.
The impact of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) on patients' health and comfort in Nigeria
Authors: Nimlyat Pontip Stephen , Salihu Bala , Wang Grace Pam
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The most challenging aspect of hospital design is the creation of an environment that heals rather than the one acting as a barrier to healing. Much has not been done in the aspect of ascertaining the level of impact “indoor environmental quality (IEQ)” has on building occupants in healthcare facilities. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of IEQ on patients' health and well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

The study investigates the hypothesis that four IEQ parameters (thermal quality, acoustic quality, lighting quality and indoor air quality [IAQ]) influence patients' overall satisfaction with the performance of hospital wards. Questionnaire responses were sought from the patients as the main occupants of hospital ward buildings. A proposed weighted structural model for IEQ establishing the relationship between IEQ parameters, patients' overall satisfaction and patients' health outcome was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The most influential IEQ parameters on patients' overall satisfaction with IEQ in hospital wards are thermal quality, IAQ and lighting quality. The findings from this study revealed that the parameters of influence on patients' overall satisfaction and health outcomes vary with hospital ward orientation and design configuration.

Originality/value

This study has explored the need for the integration of all factors of IEQ at the building design stage towards providing a hospital environmental setting that reflects occupants' requirements and expectations and also promotes patient healing processes. This should be the focus of architects and healthcare managers and providers.
Intellectual capital disclosure and financial performance nexus in Islamic and conventional banks in the GCC countries
Authors: Akkas Erhan , Asutay Mehmet
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to comparatively examine the impact of the intellectual capital performance on the financial performance of Islamic and conventional banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries by classifying intellectual capital as human capital, knowledge creation and innovation processes.

Design/methodology/approach

Along with the theoretical discussion in essentialising the rationale for intellectual capital formation through Islamic norms, the empirical analysis is formulated through the data generated by disclosure analysis using a panel of five GCC countries examining 408 annual reports from 19 Islamic and 23 conventional banks covering 2010–2019 period. In the analysis of the generated data, both fixed and random effects regression models are used.

Findings

The findings of this paper suggest that Islamic banks perform better than conventional banks in creating intellectual capital through knowledge creation, human capital and intellectual contribution. While the intellectual capital disclosure index and its pillars are significant for Islamic banks, these variables are not significant for the conventional banks in the GCC countries.

Research limitations/implications

Considering that disclosed information may not reflect actual experience and performance, factual data could also be used to overcome potential shortcomings of disclosure generated data.

Practical implications

This paper demonstrates that Islamic banks in the GCC have been successful in their intellectual capital performance, whereby they seem to be performing in line with the Islamic ontology. In addition, the disclosure items used in this paper may guide the Islamic and conventional banks in the process of preparing their annual reports. Importantly, they may use these items as benchmarks in further developing their intellectual capital performance for better financial performance.

Originality/value

This paper essentialises knowledge development and innovation for Islamic banks through the Islamic cognitive system rather than as a requirement of the market mechanism. Secondly, a comparative analysis between Islamic and conventional banks is presented by acknowledging the peculiarities of Islamic banks in the methodology and disclosure index.
Assessing experiences with violence and peace in primary schools in Sierra Leone
Authors: Capistrano Daniel , Sloan Seaneen , Symonds Jennifer , Samonova Elena , Sugrue Ciaran , Devine Dympna
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the construction of two composite indices to assess children’s experiences with violence and peace in primary schools in Sierra Leone.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors provide a conceptual framework based on the three dimensions of the violence index (direct, structural and cultural violence) and the three dimensions of the positive peace index (inclusion, citizenship and well-being). After that, this work proposes an operationalisation of these concepts based on a survey administered with 2,000 pupils and examine the correlates of the indices.

Findings

Results indicate not only a substantial level of violence among the sampled schools but also a considerable level of positive peace. These indices are negatively correlated, suggesting that lower levels of violence are related to higher levels of positive peace. Further analysis also shows that socioeconomic variables and school characteristics such as headteacher experience and teacher qualification are associated with levels of violence and peace. Finally, based on longitudinal evidence, this study also indicates that the prevalence of violence is a significant predictor of reading development among children.

Originality/value

The indicator presented is the first to combine children’s experiences with violence and experiences with positive peace in schools. It is a unique contribution to the measurement of school outcomes that are usually overlooked in the literature.
Ecotourism motivations and segmentation in a Fauna Production Reserve in Ecuador
Authors: Carvache-Franco Mauricio , Carvache-Franco Wilmer , Carvache-Franco Orly , Borja-Morán José
Published: January 2022

Purpose

In recent years, tourists have been progressively increasing their interest in the natural environment and its enjoyment. The objective of this study was: (1) identify the underlying variables or motivational dimensions in ecotourism; and (2) analyze the demand segmentation in ecotourism.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis was carried out in “Puntilla de Santa Elena” Fauna Production Reserve in Ecuador. The sample consisted of 369 surveys obtained in situ. For the data analysis, a factor analysis and a nonhierarchical K-media segmentation were performed.

Findings

The results show six motivational dimensions in ecotourism: “Self-development and Interpersonal relationships,” “Building personal relationships,” “Escape and ego-defensive function,” “Marine nature,” “Terrestrial nature” and “Rewards.” Also, according to their motivations, three segments of ecotourists emerged: “Reward and escape,” “Marine nature” and “Multiple motives.”

Research limitations/implications

The limitation is the temporality with which the study was carried out. Another limitation was the number of the samples used. As future lines of research, it is proposed to investigate the offer related to ecotourism products and services adapted to the demand segments found.

Practical implications

Among the practical implications, operators and companies linked to the tourism sector can plan more efficient strategies, adapted to the specific needs of each segment to improve the satisfaction of tourists and the intentions of returning to the destination, providing greater benefit to the tourists, to the sustainable development of the destination and the community.

Social implications

The findings of this research can help public institutions and private companies to improve the tourism supply, create sustainable plans and potentially develop more efficient marketing planning. Protected areas will benefit from information about demand. The communities will be able to elaborate products according to the motivations and found segments. Administrators will be able to create sustainable management plans for ecotourism.

Originality/value

As ecotourism grows, it is vital to understand the ecotourists' motivations and segmentation to improve each segment service offering. This study presents original results of the motivations and segmentation of the demand for ecotourism based on a reserve area for the production of coastal marine fauna. To obtain valid results, a study was carried out in Ecuador, this being a country with a great variety of flora and fauna ideal for ecotourism.
Self-employment: a means to reduce poverty in developing countries?
Authors: Yerrabati Sridevi
Published: January 2022

Purpose

With self-employment providing earning opportunities to many working poor in developing countries, the study examines its role in alleviating poverty.

Design/methodology/approach

A five-year average of 56 developing countries from 1995–2019 is used. The empirical analysis is based on the dynamic two-step system GMM approach. While poverty is measured in terms of incidence, depth and severity; self-employment is used in three forms – total, male and female.

Findings

In line with the theoretical prediction, evidence suggests that self-employment in developing countries reduces poverty, albeit smaller magnitude. However, the poverty-reducing effects of self-employment differed based on poverty measure and threshold. The poverty-reducing effects are more prominent in poverty severity than incidence and intensity, and the magnitude of the impact is largest when poverty is measured at $1.90 a day as against $3.20 and $5.50 a day. Finally, the poverty-reducing effects of female self-employment are lower than their counterparts.

Practical implications

First, poverty-mitigating strategies in developing countries are advised to recognise self-employment as an essential tool to alleviate poverty. Consequently, alongside supporting the existing self-employed, policy focus should be on creating more and better self-employment opportunities for the poor. Second, rather than using generic measures to mitigate poverty, interventions specific to poverty measures and thresholds might ensure the maximum impact of such interventions. Third, gender-specific rather than gender-neutral labour market policies in addressing poverty are advised.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to examine the empirical relationship between self-employment and poverty. As such, it makes novel contributions to both labour and development economics.
Interdependence of economic policy uncertainty and business cycles in selected emerging market economies
Authors: Adjei Abigail Naa Korkor , Tweneboah George , Owusu Junior Peterson
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interdependence between economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and business cycles within and among six emerging market economies (EMEs) from January 1999 to December 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts the wavelet multiple correlations and wavelet multiple cross-correlation (WMCC) based on the maximal overlap discrete transform estimator. This methodology simultaneously investigates how two or more time series variables move together continuously at both time and frequency domains.

Findings

The empirical results show that business cycles comove with EPU for both intra- and inter-country analysis, with the long term showing the greatest degree of interdependence. In intra-country comparisons, EPU has a positive correlation with consumer price index and a negative correlation with share price index. According to the WMCC results, EPU does not have any leading or lagging power within each EME, but rather import has both lead and lag power. The inter-country WMCC results are all significant, with Korea’s EPU leading/following all EMEs across all scales.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the ongoing debate about what causes business cycles to comove by investigating business cycle indicators (leader/follower) using a robust wavelet methodology. The authors propose new variables that can clearly reflect the outcome of economic policy actions and translate information about EPU shocks. The inclusion of the variables has altered the understanding of the relationship between EPU and business cycle fluctuations. Policymakers also gain new insights into the trends and patterns of EPU and business cycles, which will help them formulate and implement fiscal and monetary policies more effectively.
The impact of Industry 4.0 on the relationship between TPM and maintenance performance
Authors: Tortorella Guilherme , Saurin Tarcisio Abreu , Fogliatto Flavio Sanson , Tlapa Diego , Moyano-Fuentes José , Gaiardelli Paolo , Seyedghorban Zahra , Vassolo Roberto , Mac Cawley Alejandro Francisco , Sunder M Vijaya , Sreedharan V. Raja , Sena Santiago Alfredo , Forstner Friedrich Franz
Published: January 2022

Purpose

In this paper, the authors examine the impact of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies on the relationship between total productive maintenance (TPM) practices and maintenance performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection was carried out through a multinational survey with 318 respondents from different manufacturing companies located in 15 countries. Multivariate data techniques were applied to analyze the collected data. Diffusion of innovations theory (DIT) was the adopted theoretical lens for our research.

Findings

The authors’ findings indicate that I4.0 technologies that aim to process information to support decision-making and action-taking directly affect maintenance performance. Technologies oriented to sensing and communicating data among machines, people, and products seem to moderate the relationship between TPM practices and maintenance performance. However, the extent of such moderation varies according to the practices involved, sometimes leading to negative effects.

Originality/value

With the advances of I4.0, there is an expectation that several maintenance practices and performance may be affected. Our study provides empirical evidence of these relationships, unveiling the role of I4.0 for maintenance performance improvement.
Using brands to reconnect with our shared past: brand nostalgia in romantic relationships
Authors: Vredeveld Anna , Kara Selcan
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the behavioral and emotional outcomes of nostalgic brand meanings derived from brand use that occurs in the early stages of a romantic relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses survey data (n = 656) and relies on structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Relationship brand nostalgia has implications for how the relationship partners use the brand together as part of celebrating special occasions, how connected the brand is to their relational identity and how upset they would be if the brand was discontinued. Additionally, interpersonal relationship characteristics (relationship satisfaction and relationship power) influence these outcomes of relationship brand nostalgia.

Research limitations/implications

The findings from this research show that it is important to account for real (experienced) brand nostalgia when considering behavioral and emotional implications of nostalgia in consumer–brand relationships. Specifically, brand use as part of early romantic relationship milestones influences the creation of nostalgic brand meanings, which in turn influence shared brand use, relational brand connections and brand separation distress.

Practical implications

Brand managers can increase relational brand connections and brand separation distress by encouraging shared brand use as part of romantic relationships milestones.

Originality/value

This research addresses gaps in extant research by examining the outcomes of relationship brand nostalgia, which is defined as brand nostalgia anchored in shared brand use that occurred as part of early relationship milestones.
Deficiencies in China’s innovation systems for coal-bed methane development: comparison with the USA
Authors: Andrews-Speed Philip , Xu Xiangyang , Jie Dingfei , Chen Siyuan , Zia Mohammad Usman
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the factors that are constraining technological innovation to support the development of coalbed methane in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis applies ideas relating to national and sector systems of innovation to explain why China’s strategies to support research and technological innovation have failed to stimulate the desired progress in coalbed methane production. It also provides a counter-example of the USA that implemented a number of measures in the 1970s that proved very effective.

Findings

The deficiencies of China’s research and development strategies in support of coalbed methane development reflect the national and sectoral systems of innovation. They are exacerbated by the structure of the national oil and gas industry. Key constraints include the excessively top-down management of the national R&D agenda, insufficient support for basic research, limited collaboration networks between companies, research institutes and universities and weak mechanisms for diffusion of knowledge. The success of the USA was based on entirely different systems for innovation and in quite a different industrial setting.

Originality/value

The originality of this analysis lies in placing the challenges facing research and innovation for China’s coalbed methane development in the context of the national and sectoral systems for innovation and comparing with the approach and success of the USA.
Distributed assembly permutation flow-shop scheduling problem with non-identical factories and considering budget constraints
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Mohammad Hassan
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to address a distributed assembly permutation flow-shop scheduling problem (DAPFSP) considering budget constraints and factory eligibility. The first stage of the considered production system is composed of several non-identical factories with different technology levels and so the factories' performance is different in terms of processing time and cost. The second stage is an assembly stage wherein there are some parallel work stations to assemble the ready parts into the products. The objective function is to minimize the maximum completion time of products (makespan).

Design/methodology/approach

First, the problem is formulated as mixed-integer linear programing (MIP) model. In view of the nondeterministic polynomial (NP)-hard nature, three approximate algorithms are adopted based on variable neighborhood search (VNS) and the Johnsons' rule to solve the problem on the practical scales. The proposed algorithms are applied to solve some test instances in different sizes.

Findings

Comparison result to mathematical model validates the performance accuracy and efficiency of three proposed methods. In addition, the result demonstrated that the proposed two-level self-adaptive variable neighborhood search (TLSAVNS) algorithm outperforms the other two proposed methods. Moreover, the proposed model highlighted the effects of budget constraints and factory eligibility on the makespan. Supplementary analysis was presented by adjusting different amounts of the budget for controlling the makespan and total expected costs. The proposed solution approach can provide proper alternatives for managers to make a trade-off in different various situations.

Originality/value

The problem of distributed assembly permutation flow-shop scheduling is traditionally studied considering identical factories. However, processing factories as an important element in the supply chain use different technology levels in the real world. The current paper is the first study that investigates that problem under non-identical factories condition. In addition, the impact of different technology levels is investigated in terms of operational costs, quality levels and processing times.
Can entrepreneurial knowledge boost the entrepreneurial intent of French students? The mediation role of behavioral antecedents
Authors: Alkhalaf Taher , Durrah Omar , Almohammad Dawoud , Ahmed Faisal
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Entrepreneurial knowledge occupies a significant place in policy discourse and practice, especially in developed economies. This study aims to examine the effect of entrepreneurial knowledge on the components of entrepreneurial intent of undergraduate students. The authors seek to decipher a deeper understanding of their orientation for engaging in new ventures. In addition, we analyze the mediating role of behavioral antecedents between entrepreneurial knowledge and entrepreneurial intent.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected the primary data of 400 undergraduate students from French universities and used structural equation modeling through Smart PLS software for testing several pertinent hypotheses.

Findings

The study’s results revealed that entrepreneurial knowledge negatively affects students’ attitudes in choosing entrepreneurship in favor of a corporate job. In addition, entrepreneurial knowledge does not affect the social norms and self-efficacy that shape entrepreneurial intent. Interestingly, our study also revealed no mediating role between entrepreneurial knowledge and students’ self-efficacy.

Originality/value

The findings of this study will contribute to the academic discourse on the role of entrepreneurial knowledge and its potential effect in promoting entrepreneurship. Furthermore, this study has policy implications and solicits developing entrepreneurship programs to enhance entrepreneurial intent among young people.
Integrated reporting quality and corporate tax avoidance practices in South Africa’s listed companies
Authors: Donkor Augustine , Djajadikerta Hadrian Geri , Mat Roni Saiyidi , Trireksani Terri
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between integrated reporting (IR) quality and corporate tax avoidance (CTA). IR is an emerging reporting mechanism, while CTA practices are considered a hindrance to inclusive and sustainable growth. The study also assesses the moderating role of firm complexity on the IR-CTA relationship. Additionally, this study also envisages that CTA practices are not static. Hence, it also analyses the IR-CTA relationship across different intensity levels of CTA practices. The study focusses on listed companies in South Africa, the only country that has mandated IR practice so far.

Design/methodology/approach

Ordinary least square and quantile regressions are used to analyse archival and content analysis data for firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange from 2011 to 2017.

Findings

This study finds that IR quality negatively associates firms CTA practices. It further concludes that although firms’ transparency level increases due to IR quality, firm complexity reduces the significant negative relationship between IR and CTA practices. The findings also indicate that the IR-CTA relationship is not constant but instead differs across the CTA quantiles. At aggressive levels of CTA, no relationship is established between IR quality and firms’ CTA practices.

Practical implications

The findings provide a useful and more detailed description of the relationship between information quality and CTA practice, focussing on IR, an emerging reporting mechanism that is considered innovative and transparent.

Social implications

Considering the IR-CTA relationship found in this study, IR quality implementation may indirectly contribute to attaining sustainable development goals by reducing CTA practices.

Originality/value

This study examines the relationship between reporting quality and firms’ CTA practices from the perspectives of an emerging reporting mechanism, with a focus on South Africa, the only country that has mandated IR practice. Furthermore, the distributional mean effects of IR quality on firms’ CTA practices explored in this study extend beyond the usual IR-CTA relationship.
Board characteristics and sustainability performance: empirical evidence from emerging markets
Authors: Disli Mustafa , Yilmaz Mustafa Kemal , Mohamed Farah Finn Mohamud
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effects of board attributes, i.e. board independence, gender diversity, board size and board activity, on the sustainability performance of 439 publicly-listed non-financial companies across 20 emerging countries over the period of 2010–2019.

Design/methodology/approach

We use Refinitiv environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance scores and board attributes variables derived from Thomson Reuters Eikon database. We examined the relationship between board features and sustainability performance by using the dynamic panel two-step system generalized method of moments estimator.

Findings

Overall, our findings suggest that smaller, gender diverse and independent boards that convene frequently achieve better sustainability performance. The authors document a positive relationship between board gender diversity and sustainability performance across a broad spectrum of sustainability indicators. The authors also find evidence that board independence has a positive impact on two sustainability performance measures, i.e. environmental and governance performance. Although board size does not influence aggregate sustainability measures (ESG score, ESG controversies, and ESG combined score), the authors find a negative relation between board size and governance performance. Finally, board activity seems only relevant in explaining ESG controversies, i.e. other things being equal frequently held board meetings significantly reduce sustainability issues (ESG controversies).

Practical implications

The authors’ findings provide implications to support regulators and emerging market companies on how to improve sustainability performance through the design and use of specific governance mechanisms. These interventions will help resolve agency problems among different stakeholders and, in turn, benefit sustainability.

Social implications

This study also has social implications because it sheds light on how companies may change their attitudes towards sustainable practices through adjusting their corporate governance structures to increase the welfare of the society.

Originality/value

This study examines the behaviour of companies in emerging markets on sustainability performance by discussing a broad range of board characteristics and covering a large sample of emerging markets. Thus, it provides valuable insights to the companies for further growth opportunities in emerging markets.
Does corporate social responsibility yield financial returns in Islamic banking?
Authors: Zafar Muhammad Bilal , Sulaiman Ahmad Azam , Nawaz Muhammad
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether corporate social responsibility (CSR) of Islamic banking is delivering financial returns or otherwise enhancing the cost.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of this study includes the content-analysis approach with aid of the CSR disclosure index, and it deploys the partial least squares regression to examine the CSR-financial performance relationship. Regarding CSR disclosure and financial measures, this study takes the data from the annual reports of Islamic banking of Pakistan, from the year 2003 to 2017.

Findings

The results of this study indicate that there is a significant positive relationship exists between CSR and financial performance of Islamic banks, consistent with the instrumental-stakeholder theory. These results imply that Islamic banks, which ensure that CSR is practiced extensively, and aim to positively affect their stakeholders, perform well. Hence, the CSR engagement by Islamic banks yields instrumental returns rather it is a cost.

Practical implications

Islamic banks of Pakistan must work on a better CSR policy, it would enhance the reputation of Islamic banks, on the other hand, it would also increase their capabilities to cope with future reputation damage and negative news, thus it would protect and secure the financial results. In addition to these, investors of Islamic banks must also look at the social and ethical engagements of Islamic banks of Pakistan, while making investment decisions.

Originality/value

In general, there is a dearth of research in the domain of CSR-financial performance regarding Islamic banking. This is one of the studies which contributes to this area.