bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of mobile money access on internal remittances, consumption expenditure and household welfare in Ghana
Authors: Twumasi Baffour Priscilla , Abdul Rahaman Wassiuw , Mohammed Ibrahim 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the impact of mobile money access on internal remittances received, per capita consumption expenditure and welfare of household in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study used data from the latest round of the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS 7) and employed the propensity score matching technique to estimate average treatment effect between users and non-users of mobile money transfer services.FindingsThe study finds that using mobile money is welfare enhancing, particularly for poor households and the channel by which it impacts on welfare is through higher internal remittances received and per capita expenditure. The results from the average treatment effect indicate that mobile money users receive significantly higher remittances and consequently spend averagely higher on consumption than non-users.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the data employed in this study is limited to one country, the findings support the financial inclusion role and developmental impact of mobile money transfer services. Hence, mobile money transfer services should be promoted and facilitated by the telecommunication and financial sector regulators.Originality/valueIn addition to making original contribution to the literature on the welfare impact of mobile money, the study's use of the propensity score matching is unique.
Financial conditions, financial constraints and investment-cash flow sensitivity: evidence from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Guizani Moncef , Ajmi Ahdi Noomen 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether the sensitivity of investment to cash flow varies with exogenous financial conditions.Design/methodology/approachA dynamic model of investment based on the Euler equation approach is employed to investigate the impact of macro-financial factors on the sensitivity of investment to cash flow. The sample comprises data from 84 non-financial firms listed on Saudi stock market over the period 2007–2018.FindingsThe results show that the sensitivity of investment to cash flow is positive, implying the presence of financing constraints for Saudi firms. Evidence also reveals that better financial conditions relax firms' financing constraints. However, contractionary monetary policy, poor financial development and liquidity crisis strengthen the dependence of firms on internally generated funds when undertaking new investment projects.Practical implicationsThe empirical results have useful policy implications. First, policymakers should pay attention to the importance of policymaking based on the monetary demand of microeconomic entities. In monetary contraction periods, firms face greater challenges in accessing external finance. These firms are likely to experience under-investment which at a macro level would translate into lower investments and economic growth for the country. Second, policymakers are encouraged to implement complementary measures that, coupled with existing financial reforms, may promote efficiency, competitiveness and transparency in firms' operations. Finally, managers and investors should consider financial structure and condition as important factors in their investment decision.Originality/valueThis study extends previous research by investigating whether the widely reported positive investment and cash flow relationship can be observed using data from an emerging market, specifically Saudi Arabia. It also sheds light on the investment-cash flow debate under a macroeconomic perspective and provides further evidence on the impact of financial crisis on the investment-cash flow (ICF) sensitivity.
Corporate acceleration process: a systems psychodynamics perspective
Authors: Wójcik Piotr , Obłój Krzysztof , Wąsowska Aleksandra , Wierciński Szymon 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the emotional dynamics of the corporate acceleration process, using the systems psychodynamics perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe study applies inductive multiple case study of embedded 10 cases of corporate acceleration, covering both incumbent and startup perspectives, occurring in the context of a corporate accelerator.FindingsWe find that (1) the process of corporate acceleration involves three phases, each of them is dominated by a different emotional state (hope, anxiety and acceptance), triggering different behavioral responses; (2) as a means to deal with negative emotions, entrepreneurs and corporate acceleration program's team members develop different mechanisms of dealing with contradictories in subsequent acceleration phases (defense and copying mechanisms), which are reflected in their behaviors. Coping mechanisms with goal reformulation (i.e. refocus from the officially declared “open innovation” goals toward mainly symbolic ones) is an effective strategy to manage negative emotions in third phase of the acceleration.Research limitations/implicationsOur sample is limited to two relatively similar accelerators established by telecom companies, and therefore, our theoretical and practical conclusions cannot be generalized.Practical implicationsWe supplement the studies of corporate accelerators that imply how to design them better and improve decision-making rules with recommendation that in order to improve their effectiveness in terms of learning and innovations, their managers need not only to learn how to manage structural and procedural differences but also how to overcome social defenses triggered by corporate–startups cooperation.Originality/valueBy documenting a multidimensional impact of acceleration process, and especially shedding light on psychodynamic aspects behind such liaisons, this paper contributes to richer understanding of corporate–startup relationships, typically examined through a rationalistic lens of strategy literature. The study contributes to interorganizational research and open innovation literature, by showing that corporate acceleration process is marked by phases based on the type of emotions intertwined with the nature and dynamism of its life cycle. It indicates how these emotions are managed depending on their type.
Internal and external social responsibilities in new ventures: evidence from Chinese private firms
Authors: Ye Yan , Li Kongyue 
Published: October 2020

PurposeExtant studies on corporate social responsibility (CSR) have mainly focused on established corporations; the context of new ventures remains largely unexplored. This study aims to address this gap by exploring the patterns of socially responsible activities in new ventures.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses the perspective of stakeholders to differentiate external CSR activities (efforts directed toward external stakeholders) from internal CSR activities (efforts directed toward employees) and performs empirical tests using a sample of 3,650 Chinese private firms.FindingsThis study empirically shows that new ventures are more involved in external CSR activities and less involved in internal CSR activities than mature firms. New ventures prioritize their limited resources to fulfill the expectations of external stakeholders rather than those of internal stakeholders. External stakeholders are considered primary stakeholders because of their potential to satisfy critical organizational needs at the start-up stage. However, new ventures tend to cut the spending on employee benefits, ignoring the potential effect of this investment on their long-term growth. After testing the moderating effect of financial resource availability, we find that new ventures with high financial resource availability are inclined to implement external CSR strategy rather than internal CSR strategy.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses on new ventures and reveals the influence of organizational life cycle on CSR decisions. The findings may be limited to the context of China or emerging markets. Thus, further research is needed to compare the patterns of CSR activities in new ventures under different institutional environments.Practical implicationsThis study indicates that new ventures are inclined to implement external CSR strategy rather than internal CSR strategy. This choice may be rational in the short term, but insufficient investment in employee benefits may affect the long-term growth of these firms. Therefore, they must also focus on their internal CSR activities.Originality/valueThis study is one of the few studies to investigate the patterns of socially responsible activities in new ventures in a transition economy. The findings in this study can help reconcile the seemingly contradictory views on whether new ventures are socially responsible and contribute to our understanding about CSR strategy in these firms.
Supply market orientation: a dynamic capability of the purchasing and supply management function
Authors: Foerstl Kai , Kähkönen Anni-Kaisa , Blome Constantin , Goellner Matthias 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThis paper aims to conceptualize supply market orientation (SMO) for the purchasing and supply chain management function and discusses how SMO capabilities are developed and how their application differs within and across firms. This research can thus be used as a blueprint for the development of a SMO capability that accommodates a firm’s unique contextual antecedents’ profile.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative research design comprises five in-depth case studies with 43 semi-structured interviews with large manufacturing and service firms.FindingsSMO is defined as the capability to exploit market intelligence to assess, integrate and reconfigure the heterogeneously dispersed resources in purchasing and supply chain management in a way that best reflects the peculiarities of a firm’s supply environment. The empirical analysis shows that although SMO capabilities are configured similarly, their application varies across and within firms depending on the characteristics of a firm’s purchasing categories and tasks. Hence, reactive versus proactive SMO application is contingent upon firm-level and purchasing category–level characteristics.Originality/valueThe study uses the dynamic capabilities view as a theoretical background and provides empirical evidence and theoretical reasoning to elaborate and endorse SMO as a dynamic capability that firms need to have to compete in a complex and dynamic environment. The study provides guidance for supply chain managers on how to successfully develop and deploy a SMO capability.
Blockchain technology and traceability in the agrifood industry
Authors: Patelli Niccolò , Mandrioli Mauro 
Published: October 2020

AbstractDistributed ledgers are becoming commonly used technologies to trace agrifood supply chains in view of their safety, immutability, transparency, and scalability. In the present review, we discuss the most relevant case studies of agrifood supply chain traceability using blockchain (BC) and other distributed ledgers technologies. Considering that each supply chain actually has specific requests of traceability, we here suggest a logical scheme in order to favor the identification of the BC structure that is more appropriate for each agrifood supply chain, including the identification of supply chains where complex BC technologies are actually not necessary.
Chest computed tomography (CT) features in children with reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR)‐confirmed COVID‐19: A systematic review
Authors: Simoni Paolo , Bazzocchi Alberto , Boitsios Grammatina , De Leucio Alessandro , Preziosi Marco , Aparisi Gómez Maria Pilar 
Published: October 2020

SummaryTo describe the chest CT features reported in children with confirmed COVID‐19 infection, published in English literature. A systematic review was completed on PubMed, Embase and Scopus databases on the 1st of June 2020 using the PICO strategy. The NIH Quality Assessment Tool was used to assess the quality of the selected articles. The systematic review was evaluated by Case Series Studies and the Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies (PRISMA). The extracted data were assessed and compared with those reported in the adult population. Seventy‐two articles were retrieved from the database search and screened by the title, abstract and keywords. Eleven articles were deemed eligible for full‐text assessment. Nine articles were included for the data extraction and in the final analysis. Chest CT features in children with COVID‐19 differ from those in adults. ‘Ground‐grass opacities’ (GGOs) are the most commonly described abnormalities, but closely followed by a combination of GGO and consolidation, not usual in adults. Children tend to have a more variable involvement than the subpleural and posterior and basal topography described in adults. Interlobular thickening and air bronchogram found in adults with COVID‐19 are not frequent in children. Pulmonary embolism reported in up to 30% of adults has not been yet reported in children. Original articles describing chest CT features in children with COVID‐19 in the English literature are limited to small populations of Chinese children. Chest CT imaging features are very diverse across the selected studies and globally different from those reported in adults. Data from children of different countries would provide a more comprehensive description of chest CT features in children with COVID‐19.
Brain volume changes after long‐term injectable opioid treatment: A longitudinal voxel‐based morphometry study
Authors: Schmidt André , Vogel Marc , Baumgartner Sophie , Wiesbeck Gerhard A. , Lang Undine , Borgwardt Stefan , Walter Marc 
Published: October 2020

AbstractClinical research has demonstrated the efficacy of injectable opioid treatment for long‐term, treatment‐refractory opioid‐dependent patients. It has been hypothesized that compulsive drug use is particularly associated with neuroplasticity changes in the networks corresponding to withdrawal/negative affect and preoccupation/anticipation rather than binge/intoxication. However, as yet, no study has investigated the effect of long‐term opioid treatment on key regions within these networks. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess brain volumes changes during long‐term (approximately 9 years) injectable opioid agonist treatment with diacetylmorphine (DAM) in 22 patients with opioid use disorder. Voxel‐based morphometry was applied to detect volumetric changes within the networks of binge/intoxication (ventral/dorsal striatum, globus pallidus and thalamus), withdrawal/negative affect (amygdala and ventral striatum) and preoccupation/anticipation (hippocampus, orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex). The relationships between significant volume changes and features of opioid use disorder were tested using Pearson correlation. Long‐term opioid agonist treatment was associated with the enlargement of the right caudate nucleus, which was related to the duration of opioid use disorder. In contrast, reduced volume in the right amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex and orbitofrontal cortex were found that were related to opioid dose, onset of opioid consumption and state anxiety. These findings suggest that long‐term opioid agonist treatment is related to structural changes in key brain regions underlying binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect and preoccupation/anticipation, suggesting sustained interaction between these systems.
No impact of sex and age on beta‐adrenoceptor‐mediated inotropy in human right atrial trabeculae
Authors: Pecha Simon , Geelhoed Bastiaan , Kempe Romy , Berk Emanuel , Engel Andreas , Girdauskas Evaldas , Reichenspurner Hermann , Ravens Ursula , Kaumann Alberto , Eschenhagen Thomas , Schnabel Renate B. , Christ Torsten 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAimThere is an increasing awareness of the impact of age and sex on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Differences in physiology are suspected. Beta‐adrenoceptors (beta‐ARs) are an important drug target in CVD and potential differences might have significant impact on the treatment of many patients. To investigate whether age and sex affects beta‐AR function, we analysed a large data set on beta‐AR‐induced inotropy in human atrial trabeculae.MethodsWe performed multivariable analysis of individual atrial contractility data from trabeculae obtained during heart surgery of patients in sinus rhythm (535 trabeculae from 165 patients). Noradrenaline or adrenaline were used in the presence of the beta2‐selective antagonist (ICI 118 551, 50 nmol/L) or the beta1‐selective antagonist (CGP 20712A, 300 nmol/L) to stimulate beta1‐AR or beta2‐AR respectively. Agonist concentration required to achieve half‐maximum inotropic effects (EC50) was taken as a measure of beta‐AR sensitivity.ResultsImpact of clinical variables was modelled using multivariable mixed model regression. As previously reported, chronic treatment with beta‐blockers sensitized beta‐AR. However, there was no significant interaction between basal force, maximum force and beta‐AR sensitivity when age and sex were modelled continuously. In addition, there was no statistically significant effect of body mass index or diabetes on atrial contractility.ConclusionOur large, multivariable analysis shows that neither age nor sex affects beta‐AR‐mediated inotropy or catecholamine sensitivity in human atrial trabeculae. These findings may have important clinical implications because beta‐ARs, as a common drug target in CVD and heart failure, do not behave differently in women and men across age decades.
Circannual variation in plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations and dexamethasone suppression test results in Standardbred horses, Andalusian horses and mixed‐breed ponies
Authors: Bamford NJ , Harris PA , Bailey SR 
Published: October 2020

ObjectiveTo compare circannual plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and seasonal dexamethasone suppression test (DST) results between three different equine breed groups.MethodsSix Standardbred horses, six Andalusian horses and six mixed‐breed ponies were followed over a 1‐year period, during which time groups were managed identically. Blood samples were collected monthly (around the autumn equinox) or in every second month (other times of the year) for the determination of plasma ACTH concentrations using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. Overnight DSTs were performed quarterly, with suppression of plasma cortisol to below 27 nmol/L at 19 h considered a normal result.ResultsSeasonal variation in plasma ACTH concentrations was present among all breed groups with, as expected, higher levels detected around the autumn equinox, from February to April (P < 0.001). Plasma ACTH concentrations were different between breed groups in March, with higher levels in Andalusians compared with Standardbreds (P = 0.048) and in ponies compared with Standardbreds (P = 0.010). Suppression of cortisol during the DST was normal for all animals in winter, spring and summer, but five Andalusians and three ponies returned abnormally high results in autumn, compared with zero Standardbreds.ConclusionHigher plasma ACTH concentrations and more false‐positive DST results were obtained during autumn in ponies and Andalusian horses when compared with Standardbred horses. Potential differences between breeds should be considered when interpreting test results for horses and ponies that are evaluated for pituitarypars intermediadysfunction. Further work is recommended to establish population‐based reference intervals and clinical cut‐off values for ACTH in different equine breeds.
Equipotency of insulin glargine 300 and 100 U/mL with intravenous dosing but differential bioavailability with subcutaneous dosing in dogs
Authors: Werner Ulrich , Tennagels Norbert , Fanelli Carmine G. , Bolli Geremia B. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAimsInsulin glargine 300 U/mL (Gla‐300) contains the same units versus glargine 100 U/mL (Gla‐100) in three‐fold lower volume, and higher subcutaneous (SC) doses are required in people with diabetes. To investigate blood glucose (BG) lowering potency, Gla‐300 and Gla‐100 were compared after intravenous (IV, for 4 h) and SC (for 24 h) injection in healthy Beagle dogs.Materials and methodsThe dose of 0.15 U/kg Gla‐300 and Gla‐100 was injected IV in 12 dogs. BG, C‐peptide, glucagon and the active metabolite 21A‐Gly‐human insulin (M1; liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method) were measured. Twelve other dogs were studied after SC injection of 0.3 U/kg Gla‐300 and Gla‐100.ResultsAfter IV injection, Gla‐300 and Gla‐100 were equally potent [BG_AUC0‐4 h ratio 1.01 (95% confidence interval, 0.94; 1.09)]. After SC injection, BG decreased slower and less with Gla‐300. Similar metabolism of Gla‐300 and Gla‐100 to M1 occurred with IV dosing [M1_AUC0‐1 h ratio 0.99 (95% confidence interval, 0.82; 1.22)], but with SC dosing M1_Cmax and AUC0‐24h were 44% and 17% lower; mean residency time and bioavailability were 32% longer and 50% lower, with Gla‐300.ConclusionsIV Gla‐300 and Gla‐100 have the equivalent of BG‐lowering potency and M1 metabolism. SC Gla‐300 has lower M1 bioavailability with a reduced BG‐lowering effect and need for greater doses versus Gla‐100.
Exploring horse owners' understanding of obese body condition and weight management in UK leisure horses
Authors: Furtado Tamzin , Perkins Elizabeth , Pinchbeck Gina , McGowan Catherine , Watkins Francine , Christley Robert 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundEquine obesity is considered one of the most serious welfare concerns in UK leisure horses, yet little is known about how horse owners conceptualise their horse's weight as part of its health, or how they plan and carry out weight management.ObjectivesThis study aimed to further our understanding of leisure horse owners' perceptions of equine health and awareness of excess fat in order to clarify our understanding of successful strategies for managing equine weight.Study designThis study used a qualitative research methodology.MethodsData comprised 16 threads from online UK equine discussion fora, 28 individual interviews with leisure horse owners, 19 interviews with equine professionals such as vets and nutritionists, and two focus groups with a further 21 horse owners. Data were anonymised and analysed using a grounded theory approach.ResultsAwareness of excess fat was a complex issue, with owners finding it difficult to differentiate equine obesity from the shape they thought the horse was “meant to be”, particularly if the horse was a heavier breed such as a native pony or cob. Owners were not necessarily “aware” or “unaware” of fat, but instead equine body fat was constructed as an integral part of the equine body. For example, owners might say that they thought their horse was an ideal weight yet describe their horse's overall body shape as “like a Thelwell”. When owners became aware of fat as a changeable part of the horse's body, and/or a threat to health, the presence of fat was articulated as a strong‐willed adversary, and weight management was considered a “battle” or “war”. Owners found weight management difficult because they perceived that it had immediate negative welfare implications for the horse, and this therefore interfered with their preferred ownership practices and the horse‐human relationship.Main limitationsInterview data are self‐reported, and people may not always do what they say they do.ConclusionsThis study has provided valuable insight into how owners conceptualise weight and weight management, yielding important information about communicating with owners about weight, tailoring weight management strategies, and promoting positive welfare.