bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Employee welfare and firm financial performance revisited
Authors: Liang Woan-lih , Nguyen Duc Nguyen , Tran Quynh-Nhu , Truong Quang-Thai 
Published: September 2022

PurposeThis study aims to revisit the link between employee welfare and firm financial performance using a large sample. Besides, the study explores mechanisms behind the link and heterogeneous effects of employee welfare on firm performance across firms and industries with different characteristics. These findings help partly explain mixed results in previous works.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilized KLD database data from 2001 to 2015 to capture the firm-level employee welfare, then analyze the link between employee welfare and firm financial performance. The findings are further verified using clustered standard errors ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis along with robustness testing, which supports the validity of our conclusions.FindingsThe research result confirms a positive association between employee-friendly practices and firm performance indicated by Tobin's q. Regarding the mechanisms linking the two, the study shows that higher employee welfare is positively associated with firm productivity and innovation investment, while it is negatively related to the cost of finance. Further, consistent with agency and modern management theories, the effect of employee welfare on financial performance is more pronounced for human-intensive (i.e. R&D-based) firms and firms with better corporate governance.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the existing literature on the association between employee welfare and firm performance in several ways. First, using the index of employee welfare from KLD can alleviate inherent limitations in previous studies. Second, the authors provide and validate the possible mechanisms linking employee welfare and firm value. Third, the authors also extend the literature by providing new insights into the employee welfare–firm performance nexus through a contingency perspective.
Body composition of young male rats fed on diet added with taro (Colocasia esculenta) flour
Authors: da Costa Carlos Alberto Soares , Pessôa Letícia Rozeno , Ribeiro Gracio Gabrielle , de Abreu Maíra Duque Coutinho , Boueri Bianca Ferolla da Camara , Pessanha Carolina Ribeiro , Pereira Aline D'Avila , Ribeiro Danielle Cavalcante , Boaventura Gilson Teles 
Published: September 2022

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of a diet added with taro (Colocasia esculenta) flour on the body composition of rats.

Design/methodology/approach
Weanling male rats were divided into Control (n = 11) and experimental groups (Taro, n = 12); experimental rats were fed on taro for 90 days. Food intake, body mass and length were evaluated on a weekly basis. Body composition was assessed through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and intra abdominal fat mass was measured at the end of 90 days.

Findings
Taro group recorded protein intake (55.5 ± 14.1 vs 43.8 ± 12.8 kcal, P < 0.009), body mass (between 40 and 90 days, P < 0.05), fat mass (147.3 ± 7.7 vs 99 ± 6.1 g, P < 0.001), lean mass (282.8 ± 4 vs 253.5 ± 7 g, P < 0.001), trunk fat mass (97.1 ± 7.7 vs 71.5 ± 4.1 g, P < 0.010), as well as intra-abdominal (31.3 ± 1.9 vs 21.1 ± 1.7 g, P < 0.001), epididymal (9.2 ± 0.8 vs 4.7 ± 0.5 g, P < 0.001) and retroperitoneal (14.2 ± 0.9 vs 8.8 ± 1.2 g, P < 0.002) fat mass higher than that of the Control group.

Originality/value
Taro flour would show anabolic effects on body compartments of rats. The extrapolation of these findings herein recorded for rats to humans requires caution; however, it is necessary conducting further studies to investigate potentials anabolic effects of taro (Colocacia esculenta) flour on the body composition of physical training models.
Studies on low stress mechanical properties of Eri silk knitted fabric
Authors: B. Senthil Kumar , D. Anita Rachel , C.B. Sentil Kumar 
Published: September 2022

Purpose
Eri silk fiber has superior thermal insulation behavior, better softness than cotton fiber. However, Eri silk’s use in the commercial arena has not yet taken off. The purpose of the study is to explore the comfort properties of the fabric, which enhances the commercial acceptance of Eri silk clothing.

Design/methodology/approach
In this investigation, three different single knit Eri silk structures were produced with different loop lengths and yarn counts to analyze the influence of process variables on low-stress mechanical properties. To execute the research work, Eri silk spun yarn of three different linear densities (15 tex, 20 tex, 25 tex) were chosen. Three different knitted structures were produced, such as single jersey, popcorn and cellular blister, and two different loop lengths were also selected.

Findings
The cellular blister structure has shown appreciable low-stress properties next highest position was attained by the popcorn structure. Yarn fineness and loop length were significant with most of the low-stress properties.

Research limitations/implications
The findings of this research will contribute to a greater awareness of Eri silk knitted fabric and its process parameters in relation to its commercial utility.

Originality/value
This study was conducted to explore the influence of knit structure, loop length and yarn count on the low-stress properties of Eri silk-based thermal clothing.
Lessons for resilience building in tourism and hospitality: the case of New Zealand
Authors: Munasinghe Sarath , Powell Lawrence , Herath Hanshika Madushani , Frey Rosemary A. 
Published: September 2022

PurposeThis opinion piece outlines the actions taken by the New Zealand government and tourism sectors in response to Covid-19 and to explore the potential lessons for resilience building in tourism for other destinations.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis integrates descriptions of the Covid-19 outbreak and tourism-related policy responses in New Zealand, taken from prominent medical, governmental and journalistic accounts.FindingsThe resilience of the economy and domestic tourism was a major New Zealand policy priority, but this was seen by the Ardern administration as best achieved by first ensuring the health and well-being of the populace, as quickly and comprehensively as possible. This, in turn, required proactive, nationally coordinated measures designed to minimize the spread of Covid-19 including: lockdowns, preventive social-distancing and mask mandates, a four-level graduated strategy for ensuring national Covid-19 recovery (which later morphed into the “traffic light” system) and closely following the medical and epidemiological advice of experts in the related academic sciences. As a result of these, the negative impact on health, the overall economy and the tourism sector was substantially minimized, when compared with many other similar nations during the 2020–2022 period.Originality/valueThe New Zealand experience holds important lessons for preserving and rebuilding the hospitality and tourism industry in the aftermath of Covid-19, and during future similar pandemics.
What innovations would enable the tourism and hospitality industry in Malaysia to rebuild?
Authors: Balasubramanian Kandappan , Hanafiah Mohd Hafiz 
Published: September 2022

PurposeThis paper explores the challenges Malaysian tourism and hospitality organisations faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and assesses how they coped and strategized with these challenges. Next, the study explores innovative action and best practices in dealing with the pandemic. Additionally, the study focusses on the efforts of policymakers. The paper also reviews government policy and support programmes made available to the business sector during the pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe paper identifies the key pandemic-related issues and challenges faced in the tourism and hospitality industry through open-ended questions with senior industry practitioner insights and policymakers.FindingsThe study highlights emerging challenges and issues for Malaysian hospitality and tourism businesses. In addition, it offers specific recommendations and strategies to enable industry stakeholders to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.Practical implicationsThese findings are of interest to Malaysian tourism and hospitality industry stakeholders and policymakers as they highlight challenges and offer possible post-pandemic solutions.Originality/valueThe paper reflects current issues and challenges from the perspective of tourism and hospitality practitioners on managerial and operational issues relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phygital rural cultural heritage: a digitalisation approach for destination recovery and resilience
Authors: Muangasame Kaewta , Tan Eunice 
Published: September 2022

PurposeThis study examines a phygital approach to rural cultural heritage tourism, adopted by a rural community in Sapphaya, Chai Nat Province, Thailand, in response to the Covid-19 crisis. Specifically, it investigates a community’s initiatives to amalgamate its physical and digital marketing communications in order to engage with consumers as a strategy for destination recovery and resilience.Design/methodology/approachThis is a qualitative exploratory study involving three stages of action, applying two research approaches: (1) participatory action research (PAR) with Sapphaya’s tourism stakeholders, and (2) social media research utilising netnographic analysis of Sapphaya’s tourism social enterprise social media pages.FindingsThe findings indicate that a phygital rural cultural heritage strategy can facilitate the interconnectivity between a destination’s physical and digital dimensions of its cultural heritage tourism product, thereby enhancing its intrinsic value, meaning and experiential perceptions. Specifically, it recommends that a successful community-based phygitalisation strategy requires grassroot engagement across all stages of planning, development, implementation and management of the rural cultural heritage tourism product.Practical ImplicationsThe paper focusses on the cultural heritage tourism strategy adopted by a rural community across the physical-digital-phygital spectrum to augment its sustainable tourism development during a time of crisis. A framework for phygital rural cultural heritage as a strategy for destination resilience and recovery is also proposed.Originality/valueThis study adopts a local engagement approach to develop a cooperative community heritage management strategy, based upon local rural capacity building towards digitalisation and empowering innovative partnerships amongst its stakeholders.
Firm‐Level Climate Change Risk and CEO Equity Incentives
Authors: Hossain Ashrafee , Masum Abdullah‐Al , Saadi Samir , Benkraiem Ramzi , Das Nirmol 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWe document evidence that CEOs who lead firms that face higher climate change risk (CCR) receive higher equity‐based compensation. Our finding is consistent with the compensating wedge differential theory and survives numerous robustness and endogeneity tests. The result is more prominent for firms that are socially responsible, susceptible to higher environmental litigation and part of the non‐high‐tech industries. Furthermore, we find supportive evidence that firms offering higher equity incentives to their CEOs for managing higher CCR are usually better off in the long run via a lower cost of equity capital and higher firm valuation.
Post‐acute care transitions and outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries with dementia: Associations with race/ethnicity and dual status
Authors: Temkin‐Greener Helena , Yan Di , Cai Shubing 
Published: September 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate how post‐acute care (PAC) transitions affect minority older adults with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia (ADRD), and the extent to which dual Medicare‐Medicaid eligibility may attenuate or exacerbate disparities in PAC outcomes. We examined: (1) PAC referrals by race/ethnicity and dual status; (2) individual, hospital, and market‐level factors associated with PAC; (3) the association between PAC and outcomes.Data Sources/Study SettingWe used the following secondary data: Master Beneficiary Summary File (MBSF), Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR), Minimum Data Set (MDS), Area Health Resource File (AHRF), hospital Provider of Services (POS) file, and the area deprivation index (ADI).Study DesignThis observational study consisted of 619,262 community‐residing Medicare fee‐for‐service (FFS) beneficiaries with ADRD who had a hospital stay in 2017.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsPAC discharge was to skilled nursing facilities (SNF), home health care (HHC) agencies or home without services. Outcomes were 30‐day readmission and death. Multinomial logistic regressions with hospital random effects (RE), stratified by dual eligibility, were fit.Principal FindingsDual‐related differences were significantly larger than race/ethnicity differences in PAC transitions. For example, the difference in the probability of SNF transitions between White and Black patients was 3.2% and 6.8%‐points for non‐duals and duals, respectively. The difference between non‐dual/dual White patients was 21.6% points, and among Black patients 18.0%‐points. The adjusted risk of 30‐day readmission was 5.6 percentage point higher among non‐duals discharged to SNF, compared to home, but such risk among duals was not statistically significantly different. The adjusted probabilities of 30‐day mortality were larger for duals and non‐duals who transitioned to SNF, compared to those discharged home.ConclusionsPAC referrals and the resulting outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries with ADRD are associated with multi‐level variables that need to be incorporated in discharge decision making.
A de novo assembled genome of the Tibetan Partridge (Perdix hodgsoniae) and its high‐altitude adaptation
Authors: LI Xuejuan , WANG Xiaoyang , YANG Chao , LIN Liliang , YUAN Hao , LEI Fumin , HUANG Yuan 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe Tibetan Partridge (Perdix hodgsoniae) is an endemic species distributed in high‐altitude areas of 3600–5600 m on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. To explore how the species is adapted to the high elevation environment, we assembled a draft genome based on both the Illumina and PacBio sequencing platforms with its population genetics and genomics analysis. In total, 134.74 Gb short reads and 30.81 Gb long reads raw data were generated. The 1.05‐Gb assembled genome had a contig N50 of 4.56 Mb, with 91.94% complete BUSCOs. The 17 457 genes were annotated, and 11.35% of the genome was composed of repeat sequences. The phylogenetic tree showed that P. hodgsoniae was located at the basal position of the clade, including Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus), Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), and Mikado Pheasant (Syrmaticus mikado). We found that 1014, 2595, and 2732 of the 6641 one‐to‐one orthologous genes were under positive selection in P. hodgsoniae, detected using PAML, BUSTED, and aBSREL programs, respectively, of which 965 genes were common under positive selection with 3 different programs. Several positively selected genes and immunity pathways relevant to high‐altitude adaptation were detected. Gene family evolution showed that 99 gene families experienced significant expansion events, while 6 gene families were under contraction. The total number of olfactory receptor genes was relatively low in P. hodgsoniae. Genomic data provide an important resource for a further study on the evolutionary history of P. hodgsoniae, which provides a new insight into its high‐altitude adaptation mechanisms.
Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy: Italian prospective population‐based cohort study
Authors: Mazzocco Martina Ilaria , Donati Serena , Maraschini Alice , Corsi Edoardo , Colciago Elisabetta , Guelfi Fabiola , Cetin Irene 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIntroductionSpontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy is defined as a sudden non‐traumatic intraperitoneal bleeding in pregnancy and up to 42 days postpartum. In the present study we aim to estimate the incidence and investigate the risk factors, the management and the outcomes of spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy in order to improve its clinical identification and reduce avoidable maternal deaths.Material and methodsThis is a prospective population‐based cohort study, set in maternity units from nine Italian regions covering 75% of the national births. The study population comprises all women admitted for spontaneous intraperitoneal hemorrhage during pregnancy and up to 42 days postpartum between November 2017 and March 2020. Incident cases were reported by trained clinicians through electronic data collection forms. Descriptive statistics were performed. The main outcome measures included incidence rate of spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy, association with potential risk factors, clinical management and maternal and perinatal outcomes.ResultsTwenty‐nine cases met the adopted definition of spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy with an estimated incidence rate of 0.04 per 1000 births. An increased risk ratio (RR) of this condition was observed in pregnancies conceived by assisted reproductive technology (RR = 6.60, 95% CI 2.52–17.29), in the case of multiple pregnancies (RR = 6.57, 95% CI 1.99–21.69) and maternal age ≥35 years (RR 2.10, 95% CI 1.01–4.35). In 17/29 cases the bleeding site was intra‐pelvic (23.5% in the posterior uterine wall and 35.2% in the left hemipelvis). Laparotomy represented the surgical treatment in 27 cases (93%), and most women underwent a cesarean delivery (92.6%). Median blood loss was 1900 mL, one hysterectomy was necessary, and two women died. Twenty‐two preterm births were recorded.ConclusionsSpontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy is a rare, life‐threatening condition associated with high perinatal morbidity and mortality. Maternal age ≥35 years, multiple pregnancies and assisted reproductive technology were associated to a higher risk of the condition. Two women of 29 died and 70% of births occurred preterm.
Corruption and corporate leverage in an emerging economy: The role of economic freedom
Authors: Doan Anh‐Tuan , Truong Bich‐Thanh , Nguyen Chi‐Cuong , Nguyen Phan‐Tam‐Nhu , Truong Hai‐Yen , Le Anh‐Tuan 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of corruption and economic freedom on corporate leverage. We also evaluated how economic freedom shapes the effect of corruption on corporate leverage. Using a sample of Vietnamese firms covering a nine‐year period from 2010 to 2018, we find evidence that increased control of corruption has a significant positive impact on firm leverage, whereas the opposite is true for economic freedom. This effect is robust to alternative measures of control of corruption as well as advanced estimation methods, such as firm‐fixed effects and quantile regressions. Our results also reveal that the positive impact of corruption controls on corporate leverage is more pronounced for firms with high economic freedom. Econometrically, our findings indicate that firms with better control over corruption prefer debt financing, as demonstrated by their higher leverage ratio.
The Acre Basin basement (NW Brazil) and the transition from the intracratonic to retroarc foreland basin system
Authors: de Oliveira Rick Souza , Vidotti Roberta Mary 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe understanding of the crustal transition between orogenic zones and cratonic portions in distal regions of foreland basins has received increasing attention, but the analysis is often hampered by the sedimentary cover. Despite the peculiar location of the Acre Basin, specifically between the Amazonian Craton and the sub‐Andean zone, local basement studies are still scarce due to lacking seismic data and exploratory wells. Therefore, this work aims to map basement depths, estimate crustal compositions and identify the main depocenters, structures and limits of Acre Basin using an integrated analysis to understand better the region lithospheric evolution, its relationship with the Amazonian Craton and its positioning within the Andean orogeny. For that, we used well, 2D seismic reflection, airborne and ground gravity and magnetic data as well as the EMG2008. Tilt Depth estimates indicate basement depths between 500 and 7800 m and larger sedimentary thicknesses in the northern portion. Additionally, we modelled groups of potential sources between 0.1 and 22 km and Moho depths between 26 and 37 km. Compositionally, the upper crust consists dominantly of meta‐sedimentary and low‐grade metamorphic rocks and granites, indicating that the sub‐Andean and Acre Basins share a similar basement. Thus, there are indications that the basement of the Acre Basin is essentially formed by the Sunsás province in the Amazonian Craton. However, local differences in basement depth, magnetic susceptibility and exploratory potential led to the subdivision into Divisor and Xapuri sub‐basins, north and south of the Fitzcarrald Arch, respectively. Finally, it was possible to establish the limits of the Andean orogeny influence in the Acre Basin and delimit the area of the Western Amazon Foredeep installed during the Neogene.
Abnormality of apico–basal polarity in adenocarcinoma
Authors: Onuma Kunishige , Inoue Masahiro 
Published: September 2022

AbstractApico–basal polarity is a fundamental property of the epithelium that functions as a barrier, holds cells together, and determines the directions of absorption and secretion. Apico–basal polarity is regulated by extracellular matrix‐integrin binding and downstream signaling pathways, including focal adhesion kinase, rouse‐sarcoma oncogene (SRC), and RHO/RHO‐associated kinase (ROCK). Loss of epithelial cell polarity plays a critical role in the progression of cancer cells. However, in differentiated carcinomas, polarity is not completely lost but dysregulated. Recent progress with a three‐dimensional culture of primary cancer cells allowed for studies of the mechanism underlying the abnormality of polarity in differentiated cancers, including flexible switching of polarity status in response to the microenvironment. Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (MPC) is one of the histopathological phenotypes of adenocarcinoma, which is characterized by inverted polarity. Aberrant activation of RHO–ROCK signaling plays a critical role in the MPC phenotype. Establishing in vitro models will contribute to future drug targeting of the abnormal polarity status in cancer.
Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel NO‐releasing 4‐chromanone derivatives as potential vasodilator agents
Authors: Shi Hao , Xiong Liyan , Zhu Chenchen , Wang Jing , Li Yi , Luo Yunchun , Wang Tingfang , Zhang Chuan 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO/cGMP) signaling pathway is an effective mechanism involved in the treatment of hypertension. In our search for potential antihypertensive agents, a series of novel NO‐donor derivatives of the 4‐chromanone skeleton were designed and synthesized by coupling furoxans or nitrooxy NO‐donor moieties. All derivatives showed enhanced nitric oxide releasing capacity and vasodilator activity with EC50 values ranging from 0.0215 μM to 1.46 μM, obviously superior to those of precursor 3. These biological evaluations indicated that all compounds displayed an important vasorelaxant effect, and several compounds (9c, 14b, 14c, 14d) presented good vasodilator activity, with 14c being the best. Furthermore, molecular modeling studies revealed that compound 14c occupied the pocket well with the phosphodiesterase 5 domain in a favorable conformation. In conclusion, we observed that these novel compounds can act as structural templates for the design and subsequent development of new vasodilators and antihypertensive drugs.