bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transposition ofHOPPLAin siRNA-deficient plants suggests a limited effect of the environment on retrotransposon mobility inBrachypodium distachyon
Authors: Thieme Michael , Minadakis Nikolaos , Himber Christophe , Keller Bettina , Xu Wenbo , Rutowicz Kinga , Matteoli Calvin , Böhrer Marcel , Rymen Bart , Laudencia-Chingcuanco Debbie , Vogel John , Sibout Richard , Stritt Christoph , Blevins Todd , Roulin Anne C. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractLong terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs) are powerful mutagens regarded as a major source of genetic novelty and important drivers of evolution. Yet, the uncontrolled and potentially selfish proliferation of LTR-RTs can lead to deleterious mutations and genome instability, with large fitness costs for their host. While population genomics data suggest that an ongoing LTR-RT mobility is common in many species, the understanding of their dual role in evolution is limited. Here, we harness the genetic diversity of 320 sequenced natural accessions of the Mediterranean grassBrachypodium distachyonto characterize how genetic and environmental factors influence plant LTR-RT dynamics in the wild. When combining a coverage-based approach to estimate global LTR-RT copy number variations with mobilome-sequencing of nine accessions exposed to eight different stresses, we find little evidence for a major role of environmental factors in LTR-RT accumulations inB. distachyonnatural accessions. Instead, we show that loss of RNA polymerase IV (Pol IV), which mediates RNA-directed DNA methylation in plants, results in high transcriptional and transpositional activities of RLC_BdisC024 (HOPPLA) LTR-RT family elements, and that these effects are not stress-specific. This work supports findings indicating an ongoing mobility inB. distachyonand reveals that host RNA-directed DNA methylation rather than environmental factors controls their mobility in this wild grass model.Author summaryLong terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs) are major components of plant genomes. Their ‘copy- and-paste’ replication mechanism allows them to rapidly increase in copy number, with potentially negative effects on host fitness. On the other hand, because they can rewire transcriptional networks and alter phenotypes, their mobility is an important driver of evolution. Ever since their discovery, LTR-RT activity has been linked to stress exposure, suggesting that LTR-RTs modulate the pace of evolution in response to the environment. In this study, we test this hypothesis by harnessing the genetic variation in a set of 320 natural accessions of the Mediterranean grassBrachypodium distachyonoriginating from diverse habitats. We find little evidence for the importance of stresses in activatingB. distachyonLTR-RTs. Instead, we show that the loss of RNA polymerase IV, a component of plant retrotransposon silencing, leads to the activation and transposition of an LTR-RT family that we nameHOPPLA.HOPPLAis the first LTR-RT family inB. distachyonshown to transpose in real-time. These findings open up new avenues for studying retrotransposon-mediated evolution in this close relative of staple crops, such as rice and wheat.
The impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure on firm financial performance: evidence from Hong Kong
Authors: Chung Ricky , Bayne Lyndie , Birt Jacqueline 
Published: September 2023

PurposeThis study investigates the impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure on firm financial performance under a mandatory disclosure regime in Hong Kong.Design/methodology/approachThe authors examine the largest 109 firms listed on the Hong Kong Exchange (HKEX) as of the financial year of 2019. The authors use a manually constructed index based on the most current 2019 ESG Reporting Guide launched by HKEX, followed by quantitative statistical methods using a model that follows the valuation framework by Ohlson.FindingsThe authors find a significant positive association between total ESG disclosure level and firm financial performance in the main tests. However, when the total ESG scores are partitioned into environmental and social subscores, the results show that only social disclosures are value relevant. Moreover, the results demonstrate that environmental and social subscores are both significant when return on assets (ROA) is used as a dependent variable. Furthermore, the robustness tests show that only qualitative ESG information is value relevant to share prices, while both quantitative and qualitative ESG information are relevant to ROA. In addition, the disclosure quality of annual reports alone is good in explaining the firm financial performance in this study.Originality/valueThis study contributes to existing non-financial reporting literature using hand-collected data as well as examining the firm financial performance of ESG reporting under the mandatory disclosure regime in the Hong Kong context.
The value of voluntary participation in construction dispute mediation
Authors: Cao Nan , Cheung Sai On 
Published: September 2023

PurposeVoluntary participation (VP) has been identified as one of the characterizing features of mediation. This study aims to examine the value of VP in construction dispute mediation from two perspectives. Firstly, is VP a prerequisite of successful construction mediation. Secondly, does power asymmetry (PA) between the contracting parties marginalize the value of VP in fostering the use of mediation to resolve construction disputes.Design/methodology/approachConstructs of VP, PA and prerequisites of successful mediation were first developed. Principal component factor analysis was performed on data collected from the construction dispute resolution community to explore the underlying structure of the constructs. The relationships between the constructs were tested by structural equation modelling.FindingsVP is found to be an important attribute of successful mediation. PA is also found to be inherent in construction contracting. This study identified three forms of PA: Resource, Information and Expectation. Moreover, this study found no conclusive empirical evidence to support that PA would marginalize the value of VP in fostering an attempt to construction dispute mediation. It is suggested that VP shall remain one of characterizing features of mediation.Practical implicationsThe users, mediators and the judiciary should be aware of the importance of VP in mediation, irrespective of the use of mediation is contractual or court-encouraged. Although the presence of PA between the disputing parties, through participating voluntarily and ensuring the mediation process is flexible and fair, the chance of achieving a settlement would be enhanced.Originality/valueVP has been viewed as one of the fundamentals of mediation. This study empirically supported this design concept. Furthermore, PA in construction contracting can be expressed as disparities in resource, information and expectation. Their existence presents no significant barrier to attempt of mediation. The flexible approach of mediation has been instrumental in overcoming the paradox between VP and PA. This study affirms the positive value of VP in fostering the use of construction dispute mediation.
A critique of the national asset reconstruction company, India’s bad bank
Authors: Prasad Rohit 
Published: September 2023

Purpose
This study aims to provide a critique of the institutional framework of the National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL), India’s “bad bank.”

Design/methodology/approach
The approach followed is the development of an economic model of the gains to trade of an Asset Reconstruction Company.

Findings
Using an economic model, the paper shows that the rules of the game create an uneven playing field and are likely to lead to a systematic overpricing of nonperforming loans (NPLs). While this might increase the upfront cash received by the bank, it will come at the cost of higher liabilities for the government on account of the sovereign guarantee that is part of the proposed structure. The overpricing is also likely to act as an obstacle to efforts aimed at the revival of the distressed company. The NARCL could become a warehouse for NPLs subverting the objective of reconstruction.

Practical implications
Solutions to create a vibrant market for NPLs are proposed.

Originality/value
The Indian case is unique in the sense that a bad bank backed by the government has been introduced after almost two decades of the existence of similar entities in the private sector. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is the first that addresses the design of such a market using economic modeling.
Does CSR reduce financial distress? Moderating effect of firm characteristics, auditor characteristics, and covid-19
Authors: Rahman Md Jahidur , Zhu Hongtao , Chen Sihe 
Published: September 2023

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and financial distress and the moderating effect of firm characteristics, auditor characteristics and the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in China.

Design/methodology/approach
The research question is empirically examined on the basis of a data set of 1,257 Chinese-listed firms from 2011 to 2021. The dependent variable is financial distress risk, which is measured mainly by Z-score. CSR score is used as a proxy for CSR. Propensity score matching, two-stage least square and generalized method of moments are adopted to mitigate the potential endogeneity issue.

Findings
This study reveals that CSR can reduce financial distress. Specifically, results show an inverse relationship between CSR and financial distress, more significantly in non-state-owned enterprises, firms with non-BigN auditor and during Covid-19. The results are consistent and robust to endogeneity tests and sensitivity analyses.

Originality/value
This study enriches the literature on CSR and financial distress, resulting in a more attractive corporate environment, improved financial stability and more crisis-resistant economies in China.
Evaluation of the level of awareness of the inhabitants on the importance of the energy retrofitting of buildings: case study of Tlemcen (Algeria)
Authors: Djebbar Khadidja El-Bahdja , Mokhtari Abderahemane 
Published: September 2023

PurposeThis study aims to examine the awareness of the inhabitants regarding energy consumption in relation to comfort in Tlemcen and analyze the paths of influence and the effects of individual objective and subjective characteristic factors. This determines the factors' level of perception of the importance of energy retrofitting.Design/methodology/approachAs part of an exploratory empirical study, this paper further discusses accompanied survey data from a sample of 208 properties, through a triangulation of in-depth qualitative studies and quantitative studies developed and analyzed by SPSS software (the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences).FindingsAnalysis of the results of the survey shows that the respondents have a level of awareness on comfort linked to energy savings but they lack guidance and recourse to specialists. The conclusion is that resident awareness is crucial and beneficial and that the key socio-demographic characteristics to determine the perception factors are related to age, occupation, household size and time lived in the house.Originality/valueBy exploring some of the key insights from the survey, this research improves residents' perception of the importance of energy retrofitting in the residential sector, highlighting the importance of priorities. This influences public attitudes and contributes to raising awareness in order to provide useful results for developing, in future studies, motivational strategies for these inhabitants. The present research is expected to add value to existing studies academically and methodologically and provide policy guidance to policy makers and other energy efficiency (EE) practitioners in the Maghreb region and beyond.
Understanding consumers' upward blame attribution, revenge and reconciliation toward multinational versus domestic brand scandals
Authors: Yuan Shaofeng , Li Jinping , Gao Ying 
Published: September 2023

PurposeThis study investigated a new attributional phenomenon in a brand scandal setting in which consumers tend to blame the top management of a brand, even though it was the frontline parties that caused the scandal. The authors termed this phenomenon upward blame attribution (UBA), shedding light on whether consumers in a host country indicate a higher UBA for a multinational (vs domestic) brand scandal, which in turn reinforces their revenge and impairs their reconciliation reactions, and whether these effects are contingent on consumer animosity.Design/methodology/approachTwo experimental studies were conducted with real and fictitious brand/product and country stimuli with 1,399 Chinese participants.FindingsBoth studies verified UBA and found that Chinese consumers' UBA is higher for multinational (vs domestic) brand scandals, which drives their stronger desire for revenge and weaker desire for reconciliation. Moreover, consumers with high (vs low) animosity toward a multinational brand's home country reported a higher UBA for the multinational (vs domestic) brand scandal, which in turn reinforces their desire for revenge and impairs their desire for reconciliation.Practical implicationsThe study provides new insights into host-country consumers' more severe UBA and responses toward multinational versus domestic brand scandals and the amplifying role of consumer animosity in these processes. It also has implications for mitigating host-country consumers' UBA and negative responses to multinational brand scandals.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the blame attribution literature by verifying consumers' UBA and the country-of-origin (COO) literature by revealing host-country consumers' higher UBA, stronger revenge desire and weaker reconcile desire toward multinational (vs domestic) brand scandals. It extends the knowledge regarding consumers' blame attributions toward the top management of a multinational (vs domestic) brand in scandals and the impact of such attributions.
The quest for surviving COVID-19: adoption of online technologies by self-employed women in Mauritius
Authors: Kasseeah Harshana 
Published: September 2023

PurposeThis study sheds light on the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on self-employed women in Mauritius and delves into their coping strategies amid unprecedented circumstances.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a comprehensive methodology encompassing both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Qualitative analysis is conducted via interviews with self-employed women in Mauritius, capturing their experience with COVID-19. Quantitative analysis uses survey data from 732 firms to investigate factors affecting online sales, a major survival strategy adopted by businesses.FindingsThe study finds a notable trend wherein many interviewed women have transitioned their businesses online – a pivot that stands out as a common response within the sample. The quantitative analysis indicates the significance of a strong online presence, particularly on social media and web-based platforms designed for the sale of goods and services. These factors correlate with higher online sales, potentially enhancing resilience during pandemic-induced lockdown periods.Originality/valueThis study stands out for its originality, representing the first study investigating how women entrepreneurs in Mauritius have navigated the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis.
Measuring the causal effect of Panama Canal expansion on Latin America and the Caribbean's economic growth: a Bayesian structural time series approach
Authors: Miller Kahuina , Clayton Andrea 
Published: September 2023

PurposeThis study provides empirical evidence on the impact of the Panama Canal expansion (PCE) on the economies of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, particularly in light of the emergence of larger container ships such as neo-Panamax and post-Panamax vessels.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses the Bayesian structural time Series (BSTS) model to evaluate the economic effects of the PCE on 21 countries within the LAC region. It utilized the World Bank's gross domestic product (GDP) figures between 2000 and 2019 as the primary variable, alongside the human development index (HDI) (X1), container throughput (TEU) (X2) and unemployment rates (UNEMPL) (X3) covariates. This allowed a precise and robust approach to analyzing time series data while accounting for uncertainties and allowing the inclusion of various components and external factors.FindingsThe findings revealed that the PCE has a positive and statistically significant impact on most countries within the Caribbean Transshipment Triangle, ranging from 9.2% in Belize to 46% in Cuba. This suggests that the causal effect of the PCE on regional economies was not confined to any specific type of economy or geographical location within the LAC region. Where the growth rates were statistically insignificant, primarily in some Latin American countries, it coincided with countries that are primarily driven by exports and service industries, where bulk and oil tanker vessels are likely to be the main carriers for exports rather than container vessels.Originality/valueThe practical implications of this research are crucial for various stakeholders in the maritime industry and economic planning. The factors influencing economic growth resulting from investing in maritime activities are vital for decision-makers to create policies that lead to positive outcomes and sustainable development in regions and countries with flourishing maritime industries. The methodology and findings have significant implications for governments, managers, professionals, policy-makers and investors.
Financial risk-taking in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Hamurcu Çağrı , Hamurcu Hayriye Dilek Yalvac , Karakuş Merve 
Published: September 2023

PurposeThis study aimed to examine the financial risk-taking behaviors of adult individuals diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted with adults (n = 80) diagnosed with ADHD and healthy controls (n = 80). In order to measure risk-taking in the financial domain, the items in the investment and gambling sub-dimensions of the Domain-Specific Risk-Taking Scale (DOSPERT) were applied.FindingsAdults with ADHD had higher investment and gambling risk-taking and expected benefits scores than the control group, and there was no difference between the two groups in terms of risk perceptions. In the regression analysis, there was a positive linear relationship between the investment and gambling risk-taking scores and the expected benefits scores in both groups. There was a negative linear relationship between investment risk-taking and risk perceptions scores only in the control group.Originality/valueIn terms of investment and gambling, both risk-taking and expected benefits are greater in individuals with ADHD. It has been observed that while healthy individuals take investment risks, they evaluate according to the expected benefits and risk perceptions, while individuals with ADHD make evaluations only according to the expected benefits, risk perceptions do not predict financial risk-taking in individuals with ADHD. When it comes to risk-taking related to gambling, both groups take risks only according to their expectations of benefits, not their perceptions of risk. The study provides outputs that can contribute to the literature in terms of the effects of ADHD diagnosis on financial decision-making processes in the context of risk-taking.
Additively manufactured medical bone screws: an initial study to investigate the impact of lattice-based Voronoi structure on implant primary stability
Authors: Bregoli Chiara , Fiocchi Jacopo , Biffi Carlo Alberto , Tuissi Ausonio 
Published: September 2023

Purpose
The present study investigates the mechanical properties of three types of Ti6Al4V ELI bone screws realized using the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process: a fully threaded screw and two groups containing differently arranged sectors made of lattice-based Voronoi (LBV) structure in a longitudinal and transversal position, respectively. This study aims to explore the potentialities related to the introduction of LBV structure and assess its impact on the implant’s primary stability and mechanical performance.

Design/methodology/approach
The optimized bone screw designs were realized using the LPBF process. The quality and integrity of the specimens were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and micro-computed tomography. Primary stability was experimentally verified by the insertion and removal of the screws in standard polyurethane foam blocks. Finally, torsional tests were carried out to compare and assess the mechanical strength of the different designs.

Findings
The introduction of the LBV structure decreases the elastic modulus of the implant. Longitudinal LBV type screws demonstrated the lowest insertion torque (associated with lower bone damage) while still displaying promising torsional strength and removal force compared with full-thread screws. The use of LBV structure can promote improved functional performances with respect to the reference thread, enabling the use of lattice structures in the biomedical sector.

Originality/value
The paper fulfils an identified interest in designing customized implants with improved primary stability and promising features for secondary stability.