bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of working capital management on profitability: evidence from listed companies in Qatar
Authors: Aldubhani Maad A. Q. , Wang Jitian , Gong Tingting , Maudhah Ramzi Ali 
Published: March 2022

PurposeThis study aimed to find out whether working capital management policies affect the profitability of manufacturing companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange.Design/methodology/approachTo assess the working capital management and profitability relationship, the authors applied a multiple regression analysis methodology in all manufacturing companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange (ten firms) between 2015 and 2019. Average collection period, inventory turnover, average payment period and cash conversion cycle were adopted as proxies for working capital management, and profitability was measured by operating profit margin (OPM), return on assets (ROA), return on capital employed (ROCE) and return on equity (ROE).FindingsThe study found that companies with shorter receivables collection periods and cash conversion cycles are more profitable. Longer inventory turnover periods and accounts payable payment periods are related to higher profitability of the firms.Originality/valuePrevious studies have assessed the relationship between working capital management and profitability. However, this study is the first one to use these four variables combined (OPM, ROA, ROCE and ROE) to measure profitability; this is what was limited in previous studies. In comparison, the previous studies were not comprehensive in studying the impact of working capital management on profitability from all aspects of profitability's variables [operational (OPM), economic (ROA), capitalist (ROCE) and financial (ROE)]. However, this study focused on all these aspects to make the results of the study more accurate. Also, it is worth mentioning that this study is the first research performed on Qatar Stock Exchange, although Qatar has achieved remarkable progress in the industrial sector in recent years, making it one of the first industrialized countries in the Middle East.
Money laundering risk judgement by compliance officers at financial institutions in Malaysia: the effects of customer risk determinants and regulatory enforcement
Authors: Jamil Ainul Huda , Mohd-Sanusi Zuraidah , Mat-Isa Yusarina , Yaacob Najihah Marha 
Published: March 2022

Purpose
This paper aims to provide an empirical analysis of the effects of regulatory enforcement and customer risk determinants on money laundering risk judgment. The study further explores the moderating impact of regulatory enforcement on compliance officers in the banking and money service business (MSB) sectors. The analysis is conducted to find the important factors that contribute to the issues of risk judgement among compliance officers to establish effective anti-money laundering (AML) and countering financing of terrorism compliance at the financial institutions, as highlighted in the National Risk Assessment Report 2017 by the Central Bank of Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach
An experimental study with four different scenarios of case studies distributed to 124 compliance officers at the banking and MSB sectors was conducted via online platforms. The paper uses a quantitative approach via structural equation modelling.

Findings
The result shows a significant effect of customer risk determinants and regulatory enforcement on money laundering risk judgement, taking into account competency as the control measure. A further test on the interaction effects of both determinants shows a significant result on the money laundering risk judgement. The empirical evidence indicated that regulatory enforcement influenced compliance officers’ money laundering risk judgement and suspicious transaction report submission. In other words, the banking and MSB sectors’ AML compliance significantly depends on the regulators’ enforcement activity.

Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to two independent variables: regulatory enforcement and customer risk determinants. Future studies may consider other factors affecting compliance officers’ money laundering risk judgement, such as technical competency, knowledge management, digitalization and technology and ethical issues.

Practical implications
This study provides several theoretical and practical implications. Emphasizing the excellent quality of judgement and, eventually, good quality of reporting the suspicious transactions will not be achieved merely from enforcing fines and punishment, but comprehensive measures must be taken. Increasing the competency and training, educating the compliance officers, supporting the industry and practitioners with incentives and digitalization, enhancing the campaign and awareness among the public and standardizing the policy shall be the good initiatives for the regulatory enforcement to establish.

Originality/value
This paper provides a valuable contribution to the body of knowledge and fulfills the significant gaps in the literature on money laundering, not to mention, the integration between behavioural studies and anti-money laundering compliance, which has scarcely been statistically evident from the research studies.
The disproportionate value of ‘weeds’ to pollinators and biodiversity
Authors: Balfour Nicholas J. , Ratnieks Francis L. W. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Agricultural intensification has been implicated in global biodiversity declines. In the European Union, agri‐environmental schemes are designed to address this. For pollinating insects, funding has been provided to sow wildflower mixes. However, previous research indicates that a suite of agricultural weeds are also of great importance to pollinators.

Here, we compare the biodiversity associated with the species which are considered harmful to agricultural production and legally deemed as ‘injurious’ by the United Kingdom 1959 Weeds Act (common ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris, creeping thistle Cirsium arvense, spear thistle C. vulgare, curled dock Rumex crispus and broadleaved dock R. obtusifolius), with plant species recommended for pollinator‐targeted agri‐environmental options.

In our field study, the abundance and diversity of pollinators visiting the weed species averaged twice that of the recommended plants and included the main insect orders (Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera). This relationship was also seen in a meta‐analysis of literature data, which indicates that fourfold more flower‐visitor species and fivefold more conservation‐listed species are associated with the weeds. Additionally, the literature shows that twice the number of herbivorous insect species are associated with these plants.

We suggest that several factors are responsible for this pattern. Injurious weed species are widely distributed, their flower morphology allows access to a wide variety of pollinator species, and they produce, on average, four times more nectar sugar than the recommended plant species.

Freedom of information requests to public bodies such as local councils, Natural England and Highways England indicate that c. £10 million per year is spent controlling injurious weeds. Meanwhile, the cost of the four pollinator‐targeted agri‐environmental options in the United Kingdom exceeds £40 m annually.

Synthesis and applications. Our results clearly show that weeds have an underappreciated value to biodiversity. Unfortunately, current UK agricultural policy encourages neither land sparing for nor land sharing with weeds. The UK government is, however, currently committed to overhauling agricultural payments to encourage more wildlife‐ and climate‐friendly practices. Thus, the challenge of reconciling the conflicts between agricultural production and these native and biodiverse species should be a renewed priority to land managers, researchers and policymakers.
Accelerated avian invasion into the Mediterranean region endangers biodiversity and mandates international collaboration
Authors: Magory Cohen Tali , Hauber Mark E. , Akriotis Triantaphyllos , Crochet Pierre‐André , Karris Georgios , Kirschel Alexander N. G. , Khoury Fares , Menchetti Mattia , Mori Emiliano , Per Esra , Reino Luís , Saavedra Susana , Santana Joana , Dor Roi 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Despite posing a serious threat to global biodiversity, national and international management efforts have not been able to limit the spread of most invasive species. In highly dispersive species, local invasions may be followed by regional range expansion that crosses international borders. In such cases, independent management efforts of the invading population may be futile unless international collaboration is practiced.

We focus on the ongoing human‐mediated invasion of the common myna Acridotheres tristis into the Mediterranean basin, a region rich in overall numbers of species and endemic species, where common mynas have been introduced into a handful of countries. Some introductions were followed by subsequent range expansions into neighbouring countries. This species poses major threats to the biodiversity of the Mediterranean which is already susceptible to biodiversity loss as the result of ongoing land use and climate changes. Without action, this species and possibly others similar to it, could have severe consequences for native ecosystems.

Policy implications. Given the regional scope of its invasion in the Mediterranean basin, common myna management requires an international collaboration to successfully prevent additional introductions and range expansions and to avoid accelerating threats to Mediterranean biodiversity, already at risk as a result of ongoing changes in land use and climate. We argue that international reciprocal transfer of information and the development of regional mitigation are essential for the successful management of the invasion of the common myna and other species into the Mediterranean.
The paradox of local inequality: Meritocratic beliefs in unequal localities
Authors: Morris Katy , Bühlmann Felix , Sommet Nicolas , Vandecasteele Leen 
Published: March 2022

AbstractA puzzle has emerged amidst rising inequality: why do people profess high levels of belief in meritocracy even as income gains are increasingly concentrated at the top? In light of contradictory theories and evidence, we undertake the first assessment of the relationship between local income inequality and meritocratic beliefs outside the United States, using data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study. We find that the positive relationship between country‐level income inequality and meritocratic beliefs identified in the recent literature does not translate straightforwardly below country level: there is no robust relationship between local income inequality and meritocratic beliefs in England. However, there is a robust—and somewhat paradoxical—positive association between high local income inequality and meritocratic beliefs among those with the lowest incomes. On average, respondents with annual household incomes of £10,000 are five points more likely (on a 100‐point scale) to believe their hard work will pay off if they live in the most rather than the least unequal places in England. We also show that this applies beyond the specific case of meritocratic beliefs: low‐income respondents in unequal places are also notably more satisfied with their own (low) income than similar respondents in more equal localities. In line with system justification theory, we argue that belief in meritocracy serves as an important tool of psychological resilience for low‐income individuals who regularly come into contact with others more economically fortunate than themselves: though it legitimates their current position at the bottom of the status hierarchy, this belief also offers the promise of future advancement. While this reduces concern about the psychological effects of growing local income inequality on the most economically vulnerable, it also suggests that there is little prospect of demand for systemic economic change emerging from what might have been considered the most likely places.
Low‐ versus high‐concentration intravenous immunoglobulin for children with Kawasaki disease in the acute phase
Authors: Suzuki Takanori , Michihata Nobuaki , Yoshikawa Tetsushi , Saito Kazuyoshi , Matsui Hiroki , Fushimi Kiyohide , Yasunaga Hideo 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPurposeFew studies have compared the effects of low‐concentration (5%) and high‐concentration (10%) intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) preparations for patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) in the acute phase. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes between low‐ and high‐concentration IVIG preparations in children with KD, using a national inpatient database in Japan.MethodWe used the Diagnostic Procedure Combination database to identify patients with KD treated with IVIG from April 2012 to March 2020. We identified those receiving high‐ and low‐concentration IVIG preparations as an initial treatment. The outcomes included the proportions of patients with coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs) and IVIG resistance, length of stay, and medical costs. Propensity score‐matched analyses were conducted to compare the outcomes between the 2 groups. Instrumental variable analyses were performed to confirm the results.ResultWe identified 48 046 patients with KD and created 4:1 propensity score‐matched pairs between the low‐ and high‐concentration IVIG groups. There was a significant difference in the percentage with IVIG resistance between the 2 groups (20.6% vs 24.1%; risk difference, 3.5% [95% confidence interval, 2.3‐4.7]; P < .001). However, there was no significant difference in CAAs (1.6% vs 1.6%; risk difference, 0.013% [95% confidence interval, −0.34 to 0.37]; P = .953). The instrumental variable analyses showed similar results.ConclusionsThe proportion of CAAs did not differ significantly between those receiving low‐ and high‐concentration IVIG. To confirm the results of this study, prospective studies adjusting for duration of IVIG administration and duration of observation are needed.
Biological mechanisms of aging predict age‐related disease co‐occurrence in patients
Authors: Fraser Helen C. , Kuan Valerie , Johnen Ronja , Zwierzyna Magdalena , Hingorani Aroon D. , Beyer Andreas , Partridge Linda 
Published: March 2022

AbstractGenetic, environmental, and pharmacological interventions into the aging process can confer resistance to multiple age‐related diseases in laboratory animals, including rhesus monkeys. These findings imply that individual mechanisms of aging might contribute to the co‐occurrence of age‐related diseases in humans and could be targeted to prevent these conditions simultaneously. To address this question, we text mined 917,645 literature abstracts followed by manual curation and found strong, non‐random associations between age‐related diseases and aging mechanisms in humans, confirmed by gene set enrichment analysis of GWAS data. Integration of these associations with clinical data from 3.01 million patients showed that age‐related diseases associated with each of five aging mechanisms were more likely than chance to be present together in patients. Genetic evidence revealed that innate and adaptive immunity, the intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway and activity of the ERK1/2 pathway were associated with multiple aging mechanisms and diverse age‐related diseases. Mechanisms of aging hence contribute both together and individually to age‐related disease co‐occurrence in humans and could potentially be targeted accordingly to prevent multimorbidity.
Fast and efficient algorithms for sparse semiparametric bifunctional regression
Authors: Novo Silvia , Vieu Philippe , Aneiros Germán 
Published: March 2022

SummaryA new sparse semiparametric model is proposed, which incorporates the influence of two functional random variables in a scalar response in a flexible and interpretable manner. One of the functional covariates is included through a single‐index structure, while the other is included linearly through the high‐dimensional vector formed by its discretised observations. For this model, two new algorithms are presented for selecting relevant variables in the linear part and estimating the model. Both procedures utilise the functional origin of linear covariates. Finite sample experiments demonstrated the scope of application of both algorithms: the first method is a fast algorithm that provides a solution (without loss in predictive ability) for the significant computational time required by standard variable selection methods for estimating this model, and the second algorithm completes the set of relevant linear covariates provided by the first, thus improving its predictive efficiency. Some asymptotic results theoretically support both procedures. A real data application demonstrated the applicability of the presented methodology from a predictive perspective in terms of the interpretability of outputs and low computational cost.
Recurrent surgery in uterine prolapse: A nationwide register study
Authors: Brunes Malin , Johannesson Ulrika , Drca Anna , Bergman Ida , Söderberg Marie , Warnqvist Anna , Ek Marion 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIntroductionOne in three women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) undergoing surgery have a relapse. Currently, no optimal surgical treatment has been identified for correcting a uterine prolapse. This population‐based register study aims to compare the relapse rate in patients with uterine prolapse undergoing hysterectomy with suspension or uterine‐sparing surgical procedures.Material and methodsAll women with uterine prolapse undergoing prolapse surgery in Sweden from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018, were identified from the Gynecological Operation Register (GynOp). The primary outcome was the number of recurrent POP surgeries up to December 31, 2020.ResultsSacrospinous hysteropexy (SSHP) without graft and sacrohysteropexy (SHP) were associated with a significantly higher rate of recurrent POP surgery (SSHP without graft: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.6, 95% CI 2.0–3.5; SHP aOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.8–3.7) and patients describing a sense of globe (SSHP without graft, aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.6–2.6; SHP, aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–3.1) compared with cervical amputation with uterosacral ligament fixation (Manchester procedure). There was no difference in the reoperation rate or sense of a globe between SSHP with graft and Manchester procedure. Patients undergoing SSHP without graft had a higher frequency of 1‐year postoperative complications compared with Manchester procedure (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.6–2.6) and SHP (aOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4–3.9). Moreover, the frequency of 1‐year postoperative complications was higher in SSHP with graft (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.2) than in Manchester procedure.ConclusionsThe Manchester procedure was associated with a low rate of recurrent POP surgery, symptomatic recurrence and low surgical morbidity compared with other surgical methods in women with uterine prolapse.
Effects of dietary supplementation with N‐carbamylglutamate on maternal endometrium and fetal development during early pregnancy in Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats
Authors: Zhang Chong Zhi , Sang Dan , Wu Bao Sheng , Li Sheng Li , Zhang Chun Hua , Jin Lu , Li Jin Xia , Gu Ying , Ga Na Mei Ri , Hua Mei , Sun Hai Zhou 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with N‐carbamylglutamate (NCG) on maternal endometrium and fetal development during early pregnancy of Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats. Forty‐eight pregnant Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats (average age 3 years old, average lactation parity 2, and average body weight 43.81 ± 2.66 kg) were randomly allocated to three groups: a basal diet (control group, n = 16), a basal diet plus 0.30‐g NCG/d (NCG1 group, n = 16), and a basal diet plus 0.40‐g NCG/d (NCG2 group, n = 16). All of the does were housed in individual pens and the NCG treatment was conducted from Days 0 to 90 of pregnancy. At Days 17 and 90 of pregnancy, six representative pregnant does in each group were slaughtered. The current study results demonstrated that maternal NCG administration during early pregnancy effectively increased the arginine family of amino acids and the glucogenic amino acids concentrations and promoted the mRNA expression of osteopontin (OPN), αv and β3 integrins, and endometrial development of Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats. The supplementation improved the fetal brown adipose tissue (BAT) stores and the mRNA expression of UCP‐1 and BMP7, thereby helping to the fetal early development.
Spatial+: A novel approach to spatial confounding
Authors: Dupont Emiko , Wood Simon N. , Augustin Nicole H. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn spatial regression models, collinearity between covariates and spatial effects can lead to significant bias in effect estimates. This problem, known as spatial confounding, is encountered modeling forestry data to assess the effect of temperature on tree health. Reliable inference is difficult as results depend on whether or not spatial effects are included in the model. We propose a novel approach, spatial+, for dealing with spatial confounding when the covariate of interest is spatially dependent but not fully determined by spatial location. Using a thin plate spline model formulation we see that, in this case, the bias in covariate effect estimates is a direct result of spatial smoothing. Spatial+ reduces the sensitivity of the estimates to smoothing by replacing the covariates by their residuals after spatial dependence has been regressed away. Through asymptotic analysis we show that spatial+ avoids the bias problems of the spatial model. This is also demonstrated in a simulation study. Spatial+ is straightforward to implement using existing software and, as the response variable is the same as that of the spatial model, standard model selection criteria can be used for comparisons. A major advantage of the method is also that it extends to models with non‐Gaussian response distributions. Finally, while our results are derived in a thin plate spline setting, the spatial+ methodology transfers easily to other spatial model formulations.
Treatments targeting neuroendocrine dysfunction in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Authors: Garg Akanksha , Patel Bijal , Abbara Ali , Dhillo Waljit S. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age and is the leading cause of anovulatory subfertility. Increased gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) pulsatility in the hypothalamus results in preferential luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion from the pituitary gland, leading to ovarian hyperandrogenism and oligo/anovulation. The resultant hyperandrogenism reduces negative feedback from sex steroids such as oestradiol and progesterone to the hypothalamus, and thus perpetuates the increase in GnRH pulsatility. GnRH neurons do not have receptors for oestrogen, progesterone, or androgens, and thus the disrupted feedback is hypothesized to occur via upstream neurons. Likely candidates for these upstream regulators of GnRH neuronal pulsatility are Kisspeptin, Neurokinin B (NKB), and Dynorphin neurons (termed KNDy neurons). Growing insight into the neuroendocrine dysfunction underpinning the heightened GnRH pulsatility seen in PCOS has led to research on the use of pharmaceutical agents that specifically target the activity of these KNDy neurons to attenuate symptoms of PCOS. This review aims to highlight the neuroendocrine abnormalities that lead to increased GnRH pulsatility in PCOS, and outline data on recent therapeutic advancements that could potentially be used to treat PCOS. Emerging evidence has investigated the use of neurokinin 3 receptor (NK3R) antagonists as a method of reducing GnRH pulsatility and alleviating features of PCOS such as hyperandrogenism. We also consider other potential mechanisms by which increased GnRH pulsatility is controlled, which could form the basis of future avenues of research.