bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Towards sustainable and resilient short food supply chains: a focus on sustainability practices and resilience capabilities using case study
Authors: Michel-Villarreal Rosario 
Published: October 2022

PurposeThis study aims to advance current knowledge on resilient and sustainable short food supply chains, by identifying sustainability practices and resilience capabilities and how these interact.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical data were collected from three cases via 16 semi-structured interviews. This methodological choice answers a call to develop more case studies to better understand perspectives on sustainable and resilient supply chains. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis.FindingsSustainability practices may positively enhance the resilience of short food supply chains, and vice versa. Specifically, social sustainability practices are perceived as enablers of resilience capabilities, and production practices can have a positive or negative impact on resilience capabilities.Originality/valueThis research addresses an important gap in the current short food supply chains literature, by looking at sustainability and resilience in an integrated way for the first time. The proposed working hypotheses and conceptual framework illustrate the complex relationship between social, economic and environmental sustainability and five resilience capabilities within short food supply chains.
Bribery and export intensity: the role of formal institutional constraint susceptibility
Authors: Eramudugoda Randika , Ramos Miguel A. 
Published: October 2022

PurposeBy distinguishing between types of institutional constraints based on their susceptibility to bribery, this study aims to highlight the different mechanisms through which institutions influence bribery and export intensity. This work highlights the susceptibility of institutional constraints as a key consideration in understanding how bribery influences institutions and has implications for export intensity.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilizes firm-level data from World Bank Enterprise Surveys using a fractional logit estimation method.FindingsAn analysis of firm-level data from 26 emerging economies shows support for a positive relationship between permit constraints and firm-level bribery payments. In addition, results provide partial support for a negative relationship between firm-level bribery payments and export intensity. Finally, this study finds partial support for the strengthening impact of financial constraints on the negative relationship between bribery payments and export intensity. However, contrary to our expectations, results indicate that tax rate constraints can weaken the relationship between bribery payments and exports.Originality/valueThis work contributes to international business literature by analyzing how home market institutions influence firms' export intensity. In addition, the study contributes to corruption research by highlighting the importance of heterogeneous susceptibility of formal institutional constraints to bribery. The focus on bribery responds to calls for work on firm misbehavior in international business.
Oil price effect on asset pricing of renewable energy firms in India: a panel quantile regression approach
Authors: Mishra Lalatendu , Acharya Rajesh H. 
Published: October 2022

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the relationship between oil prices and stock returns of renewable energy firms in India under different market conditions.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors use the panel quantile framework with Fama–French–Carhart’s (1997) four-factor asset pricing model. All renewable energy firms listed in the National Stock Exchange of India are considered in this study. Three oil prices, such as West Texas Intermediate spot price, Europe Brent oil price and Indian basket oil price, are used in the regression. The analysis is done for the whole sample and its subgroups.

Findings
In the whole sample, stock returns of renewable energy firms respond positively to oil price changes in extreme market conditions only. In the subgroups of the renewable energy firms, the relationship between stock returns and oil price is positive and more robust in higher quantiles across all subgroup firms.

Originality/value
The contribution of the study is explained as follows. First, this study helps to explore the relationship between oil and stock returns of the renewable energy sector under different market conditions in the Indian context. Second, existing studies explore the effect of oil prices on stock returns of the renewable energy sector at the industry level, and most of the studies are in developed countries. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study in the context of India. Third, this is a firm-level study
Resource-based productivity in the closed banking sector: the case of Ethiopian banks
Authors: Tarekegn Yihays Fente , Li Weifeng , Xiao Huilin 
Published: October 2022

PurposeThe current paper's goal is to examine the productivity of the closed banking sector evidenced from Ethiopia. In addition, the inclusion of intangibles on productivity was examined in the current paper.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the standard Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) was employed for 13 commercial banks for both stages. Second, by excluding the state-owned commercial bank, the analysis employed a bootstrapped MPI for the robust and comprehensive conclusion. Furthermore, from 2010 to 2019, the fixed effect Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression with balanced panel data was used.FindingsThe standard MPI in both stages shows that the productivity of Ethiopian commercial banks is declining. The technological shock was the main reason for the loss. The catch-up in both stages scored above unity, mainly due to the pure efficiency change. Besides, when combined with tangible resources, the inclusion of resource-based view (RBV) proxy variables reduces technological shock regress and ultimately improves productivity change. The bootstrapped MPI also reveals that technological shock is the primary source of the productivity decline. However, efficiency change also contributes to the productivity decline based on this estimation.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research could examine the more extensive productivity analysis by considering the primary sources of data collections for resource-based variables.Practical implicationsAccording to the study's results, banking regulatory authorities and bank management, including the shareholders, should continue to invest in cutting-edge technology to improve the productivity of the banking sector.Originality/valueThis is the first comprehensive study of productivity for Ethiopian commercial banks based on the standard MPI, bootstrapped MPI, and OLS by incorporating all resources into the analysis.
The prediction of residual life of liquid-storage tank considering the tank wall surface state
Authors: Lai Jiafeng , Wang Yuhan , Wei Yuwei , Liang Jinlu , Liu Xintian 
Published: October 2022

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to predict the residual life of liquid-storage tank to ensure safety and long-term service life of the structure.Design/methodology/approachThe paper carried out the stress analysis of the wall plate and bottom plate of the liquid-storage tank, and the influence of circumferential stress on the tank is considered. On the other hand, considering the influence of the tank wall surface on the tank life, based on the Paris law, the surface processing coefficient and surface roughness coefficient are introduced to improve the Paris law.FindingsThe effectiveness of the improved model is verified by comparing with theoretical and experimental data, which provide a new method for the prediction of the remaining service life of the tank. Combined with the fatigue crack data in the test report and the calculated circumferential stress, the residual life of the storage tank is predicted.Originality/valueThe improved model provides a new method for the prediction of the remaining service life of the tank.
Implementation of automation system-based model checking for managing imperfect maintenance actions in chemical plant projects
Authors: Ismail Zul-Atfi 
Published: October 2022

PurposeThe chemical plant (CP) maintenance industry has been under increasing pressure by process designers to demonstrate its evaluation and information management of model checking (MC) on the durability’s performance and design of plant control instrument. This main problem has been termed as imperfect maintenance actions (IMAs) level. Although IMAs have been explored in interdisciplinary maintenance environments, less is known about what imperfect maintenance problems currently exist and what their causes are, such as the recent explosion in the Beirut city (4 August 2020, about 181 fatalities). The aim of this paper is to identify how CP maintenance environments could integrate MC within their processes.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve this aim, a comprehensive literature review of the existing conceptualisation of MC practices is reviewed and the main features of information and communication technology tools and techniques currently being employed on such IMA projects are carried out and synthesised into a conceptual framework for integrating MC in the automation system process.FindingsThe literature reveals that various CP designers conceptualise MC in different ways. MC is commonly shaped by long-term compliance to fulfil the requirement for maintaining a comfortable durability risk on imperfect maintenance schemes of CP projects. Also, there is a lack of common approaches for integrating the delivery process of MC. The conceptual framework demonstrates the importance of early integration of MC in the design phase to identify alternative methods to cogenerate, monitor and optimise MC.Originality/valueThus far, this study advances the knowledge about how CP maintenance environments can ensure MC delivery. This paper highlights the need for further research to integrate MC in CP maintenance environments. A future study could validate the framework across the design phase with different CP project designers.
College student loan debt and income inequality in the US: national and regional evidence
Authors: Apergis Nicholas 
Published: October 2022

PurposeThis study explores the role of rising US student loan debt in explaining income inequality.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) modeling approach to explore the short- and long-run impact of college debt on income inequality in the US through quarterly data over the period 2000–2019.FindingsThe results demonstrate the detrimental impact of student debt on national and regional income inequality. Moreover, the regional analysis highlights a more pronounced impact of student debt on income distribution in South and West regions. The findings document that these regions, with the lower student debt proportions, have the lowest average cost of attending college. Finally, the analysis explores two potential channels – i.e. race and homeownership – that could explain the link between college student debt and income inequality.Practical implicationsThe results can be helpful for policymakers and researchers to formulate practical approaches for assessing and addressing the rising national student debt and income inequality.Originality/valueThis is the first, to the best of the author's knowledge, study that explores the impact of US college debt on income inequality.
Relationship of total quality management with corporate sustainability in the MSME sector: does innovation capability play a mediating role?
Authors: Hudnurkar Manoj , Ambekar Suhas , Bhattacharya Sonali , Sheorey Pratima Amol 
Published: October 2022

PurposeThis study attempts to find the structural relationship between Total Quality Management (TQM) and Corporate Sustainability (CS) by analyzing the role of Innovation Capability (IC).Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted the study in the context of manufacturing industries in the Indian Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. In the process, The authors attempt to throw light on the significance of TQM and IC in bringing out sustainable practices in organizations. The authors used Structural Equation Modeling with AMOS to study the relationship between TQM and CS.FindingsThe authors measured TQM through product control management, process control, vendor quality management and customer relationship improvement. We did find a direct relationship between TQM and CS, along with its three dimensions: environmental sustainability, economic sustainability and social sustainability. TQM was found to be antecedent to IC. IC, measured through product innovation, process innovation and managerial innovation, did not mediate the relation between TQM and CS. However, the link between TQM and social and environmental sustainability partially mediates through IC at the dimension level.Practical implicationsTQM can provide a holistic means of nurturing participation and satisfaction of stakeholders for achieving corporate sustainability and in the process, can create an innovative culture for stimulating a circular social economy.Originality/valueThis study fills the gap in the literature by providing a structural model that explains the relationship between TQM and corporate sustainability and highlights the role of innovation capability in achieving it.
The impact of integrated marketing communications consistency on destination brand equity in times of uncertainty: the case of Croatia
Authors: Šerić Maja , Mikulić Josip 
Published: October 2022

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how message consistency pursued through integrated marketing communications (IMC) can build a strong destination brand equity in a very dynamic environment and whether this process is affected by the perceived risk of COVID-19.Design/methodology/approachData collection was conducted among 333 international tourists visiting Croatia, a destination that has experienced a remarkable boom in the summer/autumn season of 2021, regardless of the pandemic. Partial least squares–structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used for data analysis.FindingsResults show that IMC consistency has a significant impact on the four destination brand equity dimensions, i.e. awareness, image, perceived quality and loyalty. This influence is found to be the highest on destination brand awareness and the lowest on destination brand loyalty. Perceived risk of COVID-19 moderates the impact of message consistency on brand image and perceived quality.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that examines the role of IMC consistency in a tourism context during turbulent times. The impact of IMC consistency is analyzed on different components of destination brand equity, which addresses the most recent research call from tourism literature. The moderating effects of perceived risk are considered, thus providing additional implications in a context of high uncertainty. Finally, IMC consistency is assessed from the consumer rather than managerial viewpoints, thus adopting the necessary outside-in approach embedded in the IMC idea.
Ferroptosis induced by the biocontrol agent Pythium oligandrum enhances soybean resistance to Phytophthora sojae
Authors: Cheng Yang , Zhang Huanxin , Zhu Wenyi , Li Qing , Meng Rui , Yang Kun , Guo Ziqian , Zhai Ying , Zhang Haijing , Ji Rui , Peng Hao , Dou Daolong , Jing Maofeng 
Published: October 2022

AbstractFerroptosis is a newly discovered form of cell death accompanied by iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Both biotic and abiotic stresses can induce ferroptosis in plant cells. In the case of plant interactions with pathogenic Phytophthora oomycetes, the roles of ferroptosis are still largely unknown. Here, we performed transcriptome analysis on soybean plants treated with the biocontrol agent Pythium oligandrum, a soilborne and non‐pathogenic oomycete capable of inducing plant resistance against Phytophthora sojae infection. Expression of homologous soybean genes involved in ferroptosis and resistance was reprogrammed upon P. oligandrum treatment. Typical hallmarks for characterizing ferroptosis were detected in soybean hypocotyl cells, including decreased glutathione (GSH) level, accumulation of ferric ions, and lipid peroxidation by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Meanwhile, ferroptosis‐like cell death was triggered by P. oligandrum to suppress P. sojae infection in soybean. Protection provided by P. oligandrum could be attenuated by the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin‐1 (Fer‐1), suggesting the critical role of ferroptosis in soybean resistance against P. sojae. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ferroptosis is a P. oligandrum‐inducible defence mechanism against oomycete infection in soybean.
Health Centers and Value‐Based Payment: A Framework for Health Center Payment Reform and Early Experiences in Medicaid Value‐Based Payment in Seven States
Authors: TOBEY RACHEL , MAXWELL JAMES , TURER ERIC , SINGER ERIN , LINDENFELD ZOE , NOCON ROBERT S. , COLEMAN ALLISON , BOLTON JOSHUA , HOANG HANK , SRIPIPATANA ALEK , HUANG ELBERT S. 
Published: October 2022

Policy Points
As essential access points to primary care for almost 29 million US patients, of whom 47% are Medicaid enrollees, health centers are positioned to implement the population health management necessary in value‐based payment (VBP) contracts.
Primary care payment reform requires multiple payment methodologies used together to provide flexibility to care providers, encourage investments in infrastructure and new services, and offer incentives for achieving better health outcomes.
State policy and significant financial incentives from Medicaid agencies and Medicaid managed care plans will likely be required to increase health center participation in VBP, which is consistent with broader state efforts to expand investment in primary care.
ContextEfforts are ongoing to advance value‐based payment (VBP), and health centers serve as essential access points to comprehensive primary care services for almost 29 million people in the United States. Therefore, it is important to assess the levels of health center participation in VBP, types of VBP contracts, characteristics of health centers participating in VBP, and variations in state policy environments that influence VBP participation.MethodsThis mixed methods study combined qualitative research on state policy environments and health center participation in VBP with quantitative analysis of Uniform Data System and health center financial data in seven vanguard states: Oregon, Washington, California, Colorado, New York, Hawaii, and Kentucky. VBP contracts were classified into three layers: base payments being transformed from visit‐based to population‐based (Layer 1), infrastructure and care coordination payments (Layer 2), and performance incentive payments (Layer 3).FindingsHealth centers in all seven states participated in Layer 2 and Layer 3 VBP, with VBP participation growing from 35% to 58% of all health centers in these states from 2013 to 2017. Among participating health centers, the average percentage of Medicaid revenue received as Layer 2 and Layer 3 VBP rose from 6.4% in 2013 to 9.1% in 2017. Oregon and Washington health centers participating in Layer 1 payment reforms received most of their Medicaid revenue in VBP. In 2017, VBP participation was associated with larger health center size in four states (P <.05), and higher average number of days cash on hand (P <.05) in three states.ConclusionsA multilayer payment model is useful for implementing and monitoring VBP adoption among health centers. State policy, financial incentives from Medicaid agencies and Medicaid managed plans, and health center–Medicaid collaboration under strong primary care association and health center leadership will likely be required to increase health center participation in VBP.
Screening of lactic acid bacteria strains with urate‐lowering effect from fermented dairy products
Authors: Zhu Jun , Li Yanjun , Chen Zuoguo , Gao Kan , Lin Guodong , Chen Su , Li Li , Ge Hongjuan 
Published: October 2022

AbstractHyperuricemia is a well‐known cause of gout and also a risk factor for various comorbidities. Current agents like xanthine oxidase inhibitors prevent hyperuricemia, but usually induce severe side effects. Alternative strategies, such as novel dietary supplementations, are necessary for the management of hyperuricemia. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been used in human diet for a long time with a good safety record. In this study, 345 LAB strains isolated from traditional fermented dairy products were tested for assimilating abilities of guanosine. Two LAB strains, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus 1155 (LR1155) and Limosilactobacillus fermentum 2644 (LF2644), showing great capacities of guanosine transformation and degradation were selected. Compared to LR1155, LF2644 showed a better effect with 100.00% transforming rate and 55.10% degrading rate. In an in vivo test, a hyperuricemic rat model was established and the results showed that administration of LR1155 (p < 0.01) or LF2644 (p < 0.01) prevented the rise of serum uric acid with more than 20% decrease when compared with the hyperuricemia rats. In addition, an increased fecal uric acid level was observed in LF2644 or LR1155 treated rats (LR1155‐M p < 0.05, others p < 0.01). This study proved that LR1155 and LF2644 can be promising candidates of dietary supplements for prevention or improvement of hyperuricemia.Practical ApplicationThe LAB strains tested in this study could be considered as good potential probiotic candidates for dietary supplements because of their urate‐lowering effects, which provide a novel antihyperuricemic strategy with advantages of safety and sustainability.
Pre‐instrumental perspectives on Arkansas River cross‐watershed flow variability
Authors: Torbenson Max C. A. , Stahle David W. , Howard Ian M. , Blackstock Joshua M. , Cleaveland Malcolm K. , Stagge James H. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractWe present four reconstruction estimates of Arkansas River baseflow and streamflow using a total of 78 tree‐ring chronologies for three streamflow gages, geographically spanning the headwaters in Colorado to near the confluence of the Arkansas‐Mississippi rivers. The estimates represent different seasonal windows, which are dictated by the shared limiting forcing of precipitation on seasonal tree growth and soil moisture—and subsequently on the variability of Arkansas River discharge. Flow extremes that were higher and lower than what has been observed in the instrumental era are recorded in each of the four reconstructions. Years of concurrent, cross‐basin (all sites) low flow appear more frequently during the 20th and 21st Centuries compared to any period since 1600 A.D., however, no significant trend in cross‐basin low flow is observed. As the most downstream major tributary of the Mississippi River, the Arkansas River directly influences flood risk in the Lower Mississippi River Valley. Estimates of extreme high flow in downstream reconstructions coincide with specific years of historic flooding documented in New Orleans, Louisiana, just upstream of the Mississippi River Delta. By deduction, Mississippi River flooding in years of low Arkansas River flow imply exceptional flooding contributions from the Upper Mississippi River catchments.