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In response to biodiversity declines worldwide, over 190 nations committed to protect 30% of their lands and waters by 2030 (hereafter, 30×30). Systematic conservation planning and return on investment analysis can be helpful tools for determining where protection efforts could deliver the most efficient and effective reserve design, and supporting decision‐making when trade‐offs among objectives are required. Here, we propose a framework for efficient “30×30” implementation and apply it to the state of California (USA). Because conservation of a region's full suite of biodiversity is the primary objective of the global initiative, we prioritized representation in our analysis. We used Zonation to identify networks that close the gap in representation of major habitat types in California's protected area network and that also conserve the places important for biodiversity or climate change mitigation. We identified networks that are efficient relative to metrics likely to be important in implementation including land acquisition cost, number of transactions, and conservation benefit per hectare, and we illustrate not only trade‐offs associated with these metrics but also differences in the co‐benefits achieved. Five of the eight major habitat types in California are not currently protected at a 30% level statewide, and if representation was achieved solely through private land acquisition, targets could be met for as little as $5.84 billion, with as few as 364 transactions, or with 2.18 million additional conserved hectares. Implementation of 30×30 will likely require more flexibility than a single network design. A “no regrets” action would be to protect properties that were prioritized across all networks and additional implementation should include properties with characteristics of any of the individual networks. Our analytical framework and implementation guidance can be applied to other geographies and jurisdictions to increase the likelihood of both meeting 30×30 targets and delivering the conservation benefits they aim to secure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the impact of the CEO's supervisory role as an independent director on firm performance, utilizing measures such as Return on Equity (ROE) and Tobin's Q. The supervisory effect is assessed through the remuneration of directors and supervisors. Empirical findings indicate a significant supervisory role when the CEO also serves as an independent director. Whether viewed from the perspective of shareholders' equity or company growth, the CEO's involvement as an independent director positively influences firm performance. Furthermore, the concurrent roles of CEO and independent director contribute to enhanced firm performance, irrespective of their relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garlic is one of the most significant vegetable crops; however, western Ethiopian agricultural land soils are limited by acidic soil, and garlic yield and profit margins continue to be low. The objective of the current experiment was to determine whether the economic viability of garlic production in Gimbi, Western Ethiopia, could be supported by the simultaneous application of biochar, lime, and inorganic fertilizer. The experiment comprised 14 treatments laid out in a RCBD with 3 replicates. The use of combined coffee husk biochar (CHB), soil test‐based value lime (STV), and inorganic fertilizer (NPSB) rates at comb4 and comb11, respectively, resulted in the maximum net benefit costs of 955,461.25 ETB ha−1 in farm 1 and 1,086,776.22 ETB ha−1 in farm 2, whereas costs were incurred with total variable costs of 21,317.75 ETB ha−1 and 16,038.78 ETB ha−1, respectively. The treatments with the highest marginal rates of return in farms 1 and 2 were those that included CHB, STV, and NPSB at comb4 (marginal rate of return = 266,932.80%) and comb12 (marginal rate of return = 29,558.12%), respectively. The difference in economic benefit may have originated from the soil buffer capacity response to ameliorant rates, as the soils of farms 1 and 2 were strongly acidic and very strongly acidic soils. This variation influences plant nutrient uptake, biomass yield, and yield components by enhancing the fertility characteristics of the soil. Therefore, the combined CHB, STV, and NPSB rates at comb4 per hectare in strongly acidic soils and comb12 per hectare in very strongly acidic soils could result in the highest economic return rate for the production of garlic and improve soil fertility. Since only two locations were studied, multilocation research is needed to give a firm recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates the efficacy of an enzymatic preparation primarily with α-galactosidase activity for improving the quality of white sugar from poor-quality sugar beets. Focused on overcoming raffinose accumulation challenges in sugar beets, especially those harvested prematurely or stored for extended periods, an innovative exploration of enzymatic application in an industrial setting for the first time was conducted. By integrating theoretical calculations and experimental data, the findings reveal that α-galactosidase preparation notably diminishes raffinose content in beet juice, thus enhancing the sucrose yield and overall sugar quality. A reliable method to process lower-quality beets, promising enhanced efficiency in sugar production, was presented. The study also highlights the economic benefits of incorporating enzyme preparation into the production process, demonstrating a notable return on investment and underscoring the potential of enzymatic treatments to address industry challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last few decades, developers of new drugs, biologics, and devices have increasingly leveraged digital health technologies (DHTs) to assess clinical trial digital endpoints. To our knowledge, a comprehensive assessment of the financial net benefits of digital endpoints in clinical trials has not been conducted. We obtained data from the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) Library of Digital Endpoints and the US clinical trials registry, ClinicalTrials.gov. The benefit metrics are changes in trial phase duration and enrollment associated with the use of digital endpoints. The cost metric was obtained from an industry survey of the costs of including digital endpoints in clinical trials. We developed an expected net present value (eNPV) model of the cash flows for new drug development and commercialization to assess financial value. The value measure is the increment in eNPV that occurs when digital endpoints are employed. We also calculated a return on investment (ROI) as the ratio of the estimated increment in eNPV to the mean digital endpoint implementation cost. For phase II trials, the increase in eNPV varied from $2.2 million to $3.3 million, with ROIs between 32% and 48% per indication. The net benefits were substantially higher for phase III trials, with the increase in eNPV varying from $27 million to $40 million, with ROIs that were four to six times the investment. The use of digital endpoints in clinical trials can provide substantial extra value to sponsors developing new drugs, with high ROIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) are a key facet of plans for long term habitats on other celestial bodies. With the Artemis program headed to the moon and SpaceX pushing towards Mars the roadmap is about 10–20 years. Therefore it is vital to consider how BLSS will work with the traditional physicochemical Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS). Biological systems are complicated. Their inputs and outputs cannot be turned on and off the way physicochemical systems can. Therefore the accurate monitoring and prediction of these systems is fundamental to integrating the BLSS into the life support system as a whole. This paper will summarize the history of BLSS research, the system requirements for integrating a BLSS into the ECLSS, and the research needed to meet these requirements. As the world looks towards the future of humans living on other celestial bodies, there is a lot of work to do to support keeping them safe and healthy. Bioregenerative Life Support Systems have potential to provide massive support, if they are effectively integrated with the physicochemical systems. • Explores the systems requirements of physicochemical and bioregenerative systems. • Provides updated equivalent system mass estimates using LED lighting technologies. • Calculates return on investment time for bioregenerative food production. • Suggests future research directions for bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study conceptualizes and simulates a methanol production process through the direct hydrogenation of captured CO2. CuO/ZnO/ZrO2 was employed as the catalyst and Aspen HYSYS was used for the process simulation. Configurational optimization of the process flowsheet was carried out using a step-by-step hierarchical approach. Many alternate flowsheets have resulted, and their capital investment, product cost, and profitability measures were calculated. The discrimination among the competing flowsheets was carried out based on net profit and percent return on investment. The retained flowsheet was further analyzed for optimizing the recycle ratio and evaluating the effect of the price of captured CO2, green H2, natural gas (fuel), and catalyst on the economic performance of the plant. The optimum value of the recycle ratio was computed to be 4.23. Additionally, it was found that the price of H2 is the most important parameter in defining the feasibility and profitability of the process. Mathematical correlations were also developed that relate the profitability and price of the above-mentioned feed materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citizen-driven approaches are promising to overcome the challenges in the energy transition of geographical islands. However, the economic profitability of related activities must be ensured to achieve the intrinsic and sustainable uptake of related solutions in an island's communities. Here, we investigate the long-term (2020–2054) economic profitability of solar-based prosumption on islands belonging to the European Union (EU), soft-linking energy system modelling and actor-related cash-flow analysis. This combination considerably extends common assessments of the profitability of renewable energy technology and long-term projections of island energy systems. We base our case study on the French overseas territory of Mayotte, discussing household affordability and the socio-economic impact of prosumerism. These topics are relevant to transferability on non-EU islands. The profitability of investments in PV depends on (i) the size of the PV system, with larger systems (>9 kWp) profiting from lower specific investment costs compared to smaller systems; (ii) the time of investment, with more profitable investments to be expected in early periods; (iii) the level of decarbonization of the entire energy sector, with an ongoing decarbonization reducing the compensation or energy-saving possibilities; and (iv) the market behavior, with the practice of feeding in all electricity produced rather than self-consuming energy offering a higher expected return on investment under current feed-in-tariff (FiT) compensation schemes. We introduce various policy measures to improve solar rooftop PV profitability and discuss their trade-offs and effectiveness. While indirect subsidies via FiT are generally effective in improving PV profitability, they undermine efforts to incentivize decentralized self-consumption. From the perspective of harmonizing efforts in the energy transition of African and European islands, we recommend a careful evaluation of the trade-offs in relevant regulations required for the economic incentivization of prosumers to achieve compatibility with the principles of a citizen-driven and just energy transition. Particular attention must be paid to context-specific socio-economic characteristics, including low access to financial resources and non-financial access barriers, including legal status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patellar tendinopathy (PT) involves anterior knee pain and functional. Platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) is a promising biological therapy for tendinopathies. We examined a cohort of PT patients treated with tendon debridement and autologous PRFM at the 24-month follow-up to assess whether the combined treatment facilitated return to sports and yielded satisfactory clinical and functional scores. Methods: Baseline and 24-month visual analogue scale (VAS), Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment Scale for Patellar Tendinopathy (VISA-P), Tegner Activity Scale (TAS), and Blazina scores were compared to evaluate treatment effectiveness. The Friedman test was used to compare repeated observations of VAS, VISA-P, TAS, and Blazina Score values. Return to sport rate, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TKS) score and patient satisfaction were collected at 24 months. Results: The postoperative clinical scores demonstrated significant improvement compared with their preoperative values (all p < 0.001). Specifically, the VISA-P score was 80.32 (±20.58), 92.10% of patients had resumed sports activities and patient satisfaction was 9.21 (±1.21) at 24 months. Conclusions: Surgical debridement and autologous PRFM application in patients with chronic PT resulted in a higher rate of return to sports when compared to solely surgical treatment, significantly improved clinical outcomes and excellent patient satisfaction at 24 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Energy Return On Investment (EROI) is a recognised indicator for assessing the relevance of an energy project in terms of net energy delivered to society. For woody biomass divergences remain on the right methodology to assess the EROI leading to large variations in the published estimates. This article presents an in‐depth discussion about the EROI of woody biomass in three different forms: woodchips, pellets and liquid fuels. The conceptualisation of EROI is further developed to reach a consistent definition for biomass post‐processed fuels. It considers, on top of the external energy investments, the grey energy associated with the energy used to enrich the fuel. With the proposed methodology, all woodchips have an EROI of the same order of magnitude, between 20 and 37, depending on forestry types, operations and machineries. For secondary residues, the first estimate is 170 if, as co‐products, no energy investment is allocated to the forestry operations and transport. On the basis of a mass allocation for forestry operations and transport, the EROI for secondary residues becomes of the same order of magnitude as that for wood chips. Woodchips can be further post‐processed into pellets or liquid fuels. Pellets have an EROI of 4–7 if the heat is externally supplied and 8–23 if internally supplied (self‐consumption of part of the raw material). Liquid fuels derived from primary wood and residues through gasification and Fischer‐Tropsch synthesis have an EROI between 4 and 16. Fuel enhancement with hydrogen (Power & Biomass to Liquids) impacts negatively the EROI due to the low EROI of hydrogen produced from renewable electricity. However, these fuels offer other advantages such as improved carbon efficiency. A correct estimate of EROI for forestry biomass, as proposed in this work, is a necessary dimension in assessing the suitability of a project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this research was to assess how the profitability and liquidity of the company "Central de Cooperativas Mineras Rinconada y Lunar de Oro Limitada" were impacted by COVID-19 between the periods 2018 and 2022. This study is classified as basic and explanatory in nature, and it is non-experimental. For data collection, the documentation technique and observation were used, and the company's Balance Sheet and Income Statement were analyzed. The results indicate that, based on the analysis of profitability through Return on Assets (ROA), in 2019, it showed a negative value (-0.21). In contrast, in 2020, it recorded a value of 78.02. On the other hand, the analysis of Return on Equity (ROE) revealed a value of -0.14 in 2019, while in 2020, a significant value was recorded in the ratios (65.01). Regarding the liquidity of the mining company, the Current Ratio in 2019 was 15.46, and in 2020, it was 0.78. Furthermore, the Quick Ratio values were 15.46 in 2019 and 0.78 in 2020. Conclusions: the mining company experienced a significant decline in liquidity; however, it managed to maintain strong economic and financial profitability. Although a company may be profitable, the lack of liquidity represents a significant risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the United States largest learning health system. The Diffusion of Excellence (DoE) program is a large-scale model of diffusion that identifies and diffuses evidence-informed practices across VHA. During the period of 2016-2021, 57 evidence-informed practices were implemented across 82 VHA facilities. This setting provides a unique opportunity to understand sustainment determinants and pathways. Our objective was to characterize the longitudinal pathways of practices as they transition from initial implementation to long-term sustainment at each facility. Methods: A longitudinal, mixed-methods evaluation of 82 VHA facilities. Eighty-two facility representatives, chosen by leadership as points-of-contact for 57 DoE practices, were eligible for post-implementation interviews and annual sustainment surveys. Primary outcomes (implementation, sustainment), and secondary outcomes (institutionalization, effectiveness, anticipated sustainment) at four time-points were collected. We performed descriptive statistics and directed content analysis using Hailemariam et al.'s factors influencing sustainment. Results: After approximately five years post-implementation (e.g., 2021 sustainment outcomes), of the 82 facilities, about one-third fully sustained their practice compared to one-third that did not fully sustain their practice because it was in a "liminal" stage (neither sustained nor discontinued) or permanently discontinued. The remaining one-third of facilities had missing 2021 sustainment outcomes. A higher percentage of facilities (70%) had inconsistent primary outcomes (changing over time) compared to facilities (30%) with consistent primary outcomes (same over time). Thirty-four percent of facilities with sustained practices reported resilience since they overcame implementation and sustainment barriers. Facilities with sustained practices reported more positive secondary outcomes compared to those that did not sustain their practice. Key factors facilitating practice sustainment included: demonstrating practice effectiveness/benefit, sufficient organizational leadership, sufficient workforce, and adaptation/alignment with local context. Key factors hindering practice sustainment included: insufficient workforce, not able to maintain practice fidelity/integrity, critical incidents related to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizational leadership did not support sustainment of practice, and no ongoing support. Conclusions: We identified diverse pathways from implementation to sustainment, and our data underscore that initial implementation outcomes may not determine long-term sustainment outcomes. This longitudinal evaluation contributes to understanding impacts of the DoE program, including return on investment, achieving learning health system goals, and insights into achieving high-quality healthcare in VHA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foam flooding has been successfully implemented in solving problems that arise during gas flooding as it increases gas viscosity and reduces gas relative permeability resulting in favorable mobility ratios and better volumetric sweep efficiency. This research study aims to evaluate the effect of different flood patterns on field performance during foam enhanced oil recovery. A three-dimensional reservoir simulation model was developed with a reservoir simulator and each flood pattern including normal and inverted four, five, seven, and nine-spots were modeled and simulated separately under consistent conditions of field gas injection rate, bottom-hole pressure of production wells, and surfactant concentration. Field Oil Efficiency (FOE), Net Present Value (NPV), Rate of Return (ROR), and Payout Time (POT) were used in making comparisons. An Original Oil in Place of 139.43 MMSTB was found at the initialization. Simulation results showed that a normal and an inverted five-spot pattern were more effective in their respective categories as they resulted respectively in higher FOE, lower FGOR, higher NPV and ROR, and shorter POT. An inverted five-spot resulted in an FOE of 4.36 %, an NPV of $ 83.48 million, and an ROR of 13.64% higher than that obtained for a normal five spot, and a payout time of 1.54 years shorter than that obtained for the normal five spots. The findings highlight the superior efficiency of the normal and inverted five-spot patterns, with the inverted five-spot pattern demonstrating significantly better performance in terms of FOE, NPV, ROR, and POT. Based on the presented results, an inverted five-spot pattern was recommended in this paper as the best flood pattern during foam-enhanced oil recovery applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a hybrid multicriteria decision-making approach for evaluating stocks in the Saudi Stock Market. The objective is to provide investors and stakeholders with a robust evaluation methodology to inform their investment decisions. With a market value of USD 2.89 trillion dollars in September 2022, the Saudi Stock Market is of significant importance for the country's economy. However, navigating the complexities of stock market performance poses investment challenges. This study employs the best–worst method and the technique for order preference by similarity to identify an ideal solution to address these challenges. Utilizing data from the Saudi Stock Market (Tadawul), this study evaluates stock performance based on financial criteria, including return on equity, return on assets, net profit margin, and asset turnover. The findings reveal valuable insights, particularly in the banking sector, which exhibited the highest net profit margin ratios among sectors. The hybrid multicriteria decision-making-based approach enhances investment decisions. This research provides a foundation for future investigations, facilitating a deeper exploration and analysis of additional aspects of the Saudi Stock Market's performance. The developed methodology and findings have implications for investors and stakeholders, aiding their investment decisions and maximizing returns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A discipline's value depends on the institutional position of its valuers. In US liberal arts undergraduate education, trustees, marketers, and parents routinely link disciplinary value to "return on investment." This market logic is evident in rhetoric equating a discipline's worth with the cost of department maintenance and the lucrativeness of careers pursued by majors. Yet students are also expected to buy the liberal arts experience as a whole package, a logic that makes all majors interchangeable. These contradictory dynamics provide undergraduate anthropology students with a profoundly teachable illustration of US neoliberalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotics are considered one of the most important contributions to clinical medicine in the last century. Due to the use and overuse of these drugs, there have been increasing frequencies of infections with resistant pathogens. One form of resistance, heteroresistance, is particularly problematic; pathogens appear sensitive to a drug by common susceptibility tests. However, upon exposure to the antibiotic, resistance rapidly ascends, and treatment fails. To quantitatively explore the processes contributing to the emergence and ascent of resistance during treatment and the waning of resistance following cessation of treatment, we develop two distinct mathematical and computer-simulation models of heteroresistance. In our analysis of the properties of these models, we consider the factors that determine the response to antibiotic-mediated selection. In one model, heteroresistance is progressive, with each resistant state sequentially generating a higher resistance level. In the other model, heteroresistance is non-progressive, with a susceptible population directly generating populations with different resistance levels. The conditions where resistance will ascend in the progressive model are narrower than those of the non-progressive model. The rates of reversion from the resistant to the sensitive states are critically dependent on the transition rates and the fitness cost of resistance. Our results demonstrate that the standard test used to identify heteroresistance is insufficient. The predictions of our models are consistent with empirical results. Our results demand a reevaluation of the definition and criteria employed to identify heteroresistance. We recommend that the definition of heteroresistance should include a consideration of the rate of return to susceptibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of mycotoxins (MT) without or with the inclusion of yeast cell wall extract (YCWE, Mycosorb®, Alltech, Inc., Nicholasville, KY, USA) on laying hen performance. A total of 25 trials were collected from a literature search, and data were extracted from 8 of these that met inclusion criteria, for a total of 12 treatments and 1774 birds. Laying hens fed MT had lower (p < 0.05) body weight (BW) by −50 g, egg production by −6.3 percentage points, and egg weight by −1.95 g than control fed hens (CTRL). Inclusion of YCWE during the mycotoxin challenges (YCWE + MT) resulted in numerically greater (p = 0.441) BW by 12.5 g, while egg production and egg weight were significantly (p < 0.0001) higher by 4.2 percentage points and 1.37 g, respectively. Furthermore, economic assessment calculations indicated that YCWE may not only support hen performance but also resulted in a positive return on investment. In conclusion, mycotoxins can play a role in negatively impacting laying hen performance and profitability. Inclusion of YCWE in feed with mycotoxin challenges provided benefits to egg production and egg weight and may support profitability. As such, the inclusion of YCWE could play an important role in minimizing mycotoxin effects and in turn aid farm efficiency and profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cloud providers offer various purchasing options to enable users to tailor their costs according to their specific requirements, including on-demand, reserved instances, and spot instances. On-demand and spot instances satisfy short-term workloads, whereas reserved instances fulfill long-term instances. However, there are workloads that fall outside of either long-term or short-term categories. Consequently, there is a notable absence of services specifically tailored for medium-term workloads. On-demand services, while offering flexibility, often come with high costs. Spot instances, though cost-effective, carry the risk of termination. Reserved instances, while stable and less expensive, may have a remaining period that extends beyond the duration of users' tasks. This gap underscores the need for solutions that address the unique requirements and challenges associated with medium-term workloads in the cloud computing landscape. This paper introduces a new cloud broker that introduces IaaS services for medium-term workloads. On one hand, this broker strategically reserves resources from providers, and on the other hand, it interacts with users. Its interaction with users is twofold. It collects users' preferences regarding commitment term for medium-term workloads and then transforms the leased resources based on commitment term, aligning with the requirements of most users. To ensure profitability, the broker sells these services utilizing an auction algorithm. Hence, in this paper, an auction algorithm is introduced and developed, which treats cloud services as virtual assets and integrates the depreciation over time. The findings affirm the lack of services that fulfill medium workloads while ensuring the financial viabilty and profitability of the broker, given that the estimated return on investment (ROI) is acceptable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Public–private partnerships (PPP) are often how health improvement programs are implemented in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). We therefore aimed to systematically review the literature about the aim and impacts of quality improvement (QI) approaches in PPP in LMICs. Methods: We searched SCOPUS and grey literature for studies published before March 2022. One reviewer screened abstracts and full-text studies for inclusion. The study characteristics, setting, design, outcomes, and lessons learned were abstracted using a standard tool and reviewed in detail by a second author. Results: We identified 9,457 citations, of which 144 met the inclusion criteria and underwent full-text abstraction. We identified five key themes for successful QI projects in LMICs: 1) leadership support and alignment with overarching priorities, 2) local ownership and engagement of frontline teams, 3) shared authentic learning across teams, 4) resilience in managing external challenges, and 5) robust data and data visualization to track progress. We found great heterogeneity in QI tools, study designs, participants, and outcome measures. Most studies had diffuse aims and poor descriptions of the intervention components and their follow-up. Few papers formally reported on actual deployment of private-sector capital, and either provided insufficient information or did not follow the formal PPP model, which involves capital investment for a explicit return on investment. Few studies discussed the response to their findings and the organizational willingness to change. Conclusions: Many of the same factors that impact the success of QI in healthcare in high-income countries are relevant for PPP in LMICs. Vague descriptions of the structure and financial arrangements of the PPPs, and the roles of public and private entities made it difficult to draw meaningful conclusions about the impacts of the organizational governance on the outcomes of QI programs in LMICs. While we found many articles in the published literature on PPP-funded QI partnerships in LMICs, there is a dire need for research that more clearly describes the intervention details, implementation challenges, contextual factors, leadership and organizational structures. These details are needed to better align incentives to support the kinds of collaboration needed for guiding accountability in advancing global health. More ownership and power needs to be shifted to local leaders and researchers to improve research equity and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managerial ability and managerial efforts play key role in the performance of business enterprises. However, this indicator is not directly observable. The current paper focuses on estimating managerial ability in the context of the Indian and Iranian general insurance sectors. The study is based on 140 firm-year observations in India and 140 firm-year observations in Iran spread over 7 years (2012–13 to 2018–19). For measuring managerial ability, we have used a three-stage procedure that involves the estimation of insurer-wise efficiency using Data Envelopment analysis (DEA) in the first stage and then regression of the logarithm of technical efficiency on a set of explanatory variables. In the final stage, we have estimated managerial ability from regression residuals (the difference between the observed and fitted values of insurer efficiency). In order to test the validity of the relationship between return on equity and managerial ability we use the general additive model (GAM). Our results confirmed that there is a positive relationship between return on equity and managerial ability. Our findings also revealed that the mean technical and output allocative efficiencies and managerial ability of Iranian markets highly fluctuated with a high variance. In contrast, these indicators did not fluctuate much in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation funding is currently limited; cost‐effective conservation solutions are essential. We suggest that the thousands of field stations worldwide can play key roles at the frontline of biodiversity conservation and have high intrinsic value. We assessed field stations' conservation return on investment and explored the impact of COVID‐19. We surveyed leaders of field stations across tropical regions that host primate research; 157 field stations in 56 countries responded. Respondents reported improved habitat quality and reduced hunting rates at over 80% of field stations and lower operational costs per km2 than protected areas, yet half of those surveyed have less funding now than in 2019. Spatial analyses support field station presence as reducing deforestation. These "earth observatories" provide a high return on investment; we advocate for increased support of field station programs and for governments to support their vital conservation efforts by investing accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior to the 1990s, all U.S. states used a "cost of service (COS)" regulation regime in which investor-owned utilities were allowed to recover prudently incurred costs plus a rate of return on capital expenditures, and retail customers were unable to choose their electricity supplier. From 1996--2000, multiple states passed retail electricity market "restructuring." This empirical research examines the effect of retail restructuring on electricity prices to final consumers. We find that rates increased in restructured states relative to plausible counterfactuals in the years post-restructuring. But by twelve years after retail restructuring, we no longer observe any difference. We investigate plausible mechanisms, finding evidence that retail prices became more responsive to natural gas prices due to retail restructuring, the timing of which coincided with increases in natural gas prices nationally. We also test for whether restructuring had distributional effects across customer classes and find that in the short run residential customers benefited relative to industrial customers during transition periods, but that this difference does not persist into full implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article offers a conceptual framework for developing the Sharīʿah-Compliant Asset Pricing Model (SCAPM) using the Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah and Islamic Wealth Management (IWM). This article also provides a new perspective on finding Islamic financial benchmarks as an alternative to conventional financial benchmarks in the Islamic finance industry. This research was conducted using a qualitative research method with deep reference to published journal articles and books in the fields of Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah, Islamic Wealth Management, and asset pricing model. As a measure of the expected minimum rate of return in an asset pricing model, this article proposes the fulfilment of basic necessities (ḍarūriyyāt) and zakāt rate as proxy for investors' required rate of return. This study acknowledges both systematic and non-systematic risk's effects on asset pricing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to examine the carbon emission data of the firms listed in the Borsa Istanbul Sustainability Index in Turkey and analyze the relationship between carbon emissions and the financial performance of these firms. In this research, annual data for 31 firms listed in the Borsa Istanbul Sustainability Index for the period 2017–2020 were used. The relationship between the financial performance indicators of the firms and their carbon emissions was analyzed using a random effects panel data model. The dependent variables identified were return on assets and return on equity as measures of financial performance, while carbon emissions were considered as the independent variable, along with control variables such as firm size, leverage ratio, firm growth, and firm value. The research findings indicate that carbon emissions have a negative impact on both return on assets and return on equity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of national efforts to promote country-wide distributed photovoltaics (DPVs), the installation of distributed energy storage systems (DESSs) can solve the current problems of DPV consumption, peak shaving, and valley filling, as well as operation optimization faced by medium-voltage distribution networks (DN). In this paper, firstly, a price elasticity matrix based on the peak and valley tariff mechanism is introduced to establish a master–slave game framework for DN-DESSs under the DPV multi-point access environment. Secondly, the main model optimizes the pricing strategy of peak and valley tariffs with the objective of the lowest annual operating cost of the DN, and the slave model establishes a two-layer optimization model of DESSs with the objective of the maximum investment return of the DESSs and the lowest daily operating costs and call the CPLEX solver and particle swarm optimization algorithm for solving. Finally, the IEEE33 node system is used as a prototype for simulation verification. The results show that the proposed model can not only effectively reduce the operating cost of the distribution network but also play a role in improving the energy storage revenue and DPV consumption capacity, which has a certain degree of rationality and practicality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The concept of digitization covers a wide range of initiatives to achieve sustainable development. This paper aims to determine the impact of bank digitization strategies on financial performance in an African country. Design/methodology/approach: This study used the generalized least squares estimation method to analyze data from a sample of 12 Tunisian banks from 2010 to 2020. The reason for selecting this method was its ability to address issues of heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation. Findings: This study indicates that digital transformation has a positive effect on Tunisian banks financial performance, as measured by return on assets and return on equity. Specifically, investing in payment tools, digital channels and internet security leads to improved performance for banks. These findings suggest that banks that offer digital services perform better, as they are able to increase profitability, maintain financial stability and improve transparency. Research limitations/implications: This study is important for central bank, regulators, policymakers and investors. Overall, this study emphasizes the need for banks in Tunisia to embrace digital transformation to improve their performance and remain viable in the modern business landscape. Originality/value: This study ponders the effect of Tunisian banks' digital transformation on financial performance. Tunisia context serves as model for other African countries. Tunisian banks should prioritize investments in digital technologies to stay competitive in the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of capital structure on the performance of commercial stateowned enterprises (SOEs) in Namibia using panel data modelling techniques on data from 2011 to 2020. The research extends performance measures and leverage measures employed by previous studies, utilizing total liabilities to total assets (TLTA) and total equity to total assets (TETA) to examine the effects of debt structures on corporate finance. The study employs return on equity (ROE) and return on assets (ROA) as performance measures. The findings reveal no significant relationship between capital structure and profitability of commercial SOEs in Namibia, thus supporting the irrelevance theory. Additionally, a unidirectional causality is found between capital structure and profitability measures. The study's implications suggest that high debt levels should be reduced to optimize capital structure and that policies should be implemented to enhance SOE performance through innovation and best practices. The findings contribute to the ongoing debate on public sector reforms and provide a basis for further research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to study the possibility of enhancing the multifunctionality of permanent degraded grasslands by overseeding, with special look on economic efficiency. The experience that is the subject of the research was organized in the Research and Development Station for Meadows, Vaslui area, on a Dichanthium ischaemum (L.) Roberty meadow. In the study area there are large areas of permanent meadows, at different stages of degradation, due to the positioning on surfaces with different degrees of inclination, eroded or subject to erosion process, due to abandonment or non-rational use, with an inappropriate load of animals and failure to apply maintenance or improvement measures. Due to these aspects, the production is small and the floral composition is dominated by species with medium and low fodder value. In order to increase the production of permanent grassland in the area, it was considered necessary to apply organic fertilizers, and their effect was compared to that of abandonment, mulching or simple use, and with overseeding measures. Biological material used (a mixture of: 70% Bromus inermis Leyss. + 30% Onobrychis viciifolia Scop. - 30 kg·ha-¹ + 25 kg·ha-1). Total expenses, net income and profitability rate (rate of return) were calculated. The lowest costs were recorded when the biomass was only harvested, no other action being performed. When overseeding and fertilization were overlapping the costs were the highest, the economic efficiency being carried close to zero, but more likely, the effect of fertilization has been greatly diminished due to poor climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyze the effect of prior period adjustments (PPA) on Equity and on Return on Equity (ROE). Methodology: The Statements of Changes in Equity and the Explanatory Notes of the companies listed on the B3's New Market, from 2010 to 2019, were researched. To analyze the effects of PPA on equity and ROE, the Wilcoxon test was applied. Results: The majority of the identified PPA pertain to changes in accounting policies, notably related to the application of IFRS 9/CPC 48 and IFRS 15/CPC 47 in 2018. This means that companies chose to recognize the effects of adopting these standards retrospectively, with a cumulative effect on equity, without presenting comparative information (accounting choice). There was a statistically significant difference between the average variations in adjusted and unadjusted equity and return on equity (ROE). In other words, it is observed that changes in accounting policies and/or error corrections influence the analysis of these indicators. It is important to note that PPA should not affect the net income for the current period, suggesting that the effects resulting from changes in accounting policies and errors tend to protect present and/or future results at the expense of past results. Contributions of the Study: The main contribution of the study lies in evaluating changes in the equity that do not necessarily result from operating performance or financing strategies, but arising from changes in accounting criteria or errors, which may affect other equity components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identifies evidence of the influence of diversification and leverage on the financial performance of Brazilian and Mexican family businesses. It analyzes 102 Brazilian and 71 Mexican publicly traded family companies. Data analysis uses ordinary least squares regression in Stata. The results indicate that Brazilian family businesses have a higher return on assets when diversifying their products or services. When diversifying international markets, Brazilian companies present a lower return on assets and return on equity. For Mexican companies, international diversification derives a higher return on assets and return on equity. In addition, results show that leverage moderates the relationship between diversification and performance both for Brazilian and Mexican family businesses. The study contributes to the current literature by investigating that diversification improves business performance and that leverage is a significant element in intensifying the benefits of this strategy in the performance of family businesses. The study also emphasizes that diversification can be useful to address market difficulties and imperfections in unstable scenarios, such as when it is targeted to planned performance and considers financial conservatism in family companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the creation of a Cost Economy Energy Savings Simulation Model (CEESS Model) as an economic scenario generator for energy-independent structures using the Monte Carlo method. The CEESS model is a continuous simulation model created on the ExtendSim simulation system platform. The problem is related to the constantly changing environmental parameters for the purpose of energy security for buildings as modern, energy-independent and self-sufficient systems. In terms of the implementation of the defined part of the research, a logistical approach was applied: system analysis, coordination, algorithm work, planning, efficiency. We define logistics as a system, principle, philosophy of management of flows. The numerous simulation experiments carried out show that the return on investment of the option with an initial investment of 5000 euros is in the range of 2422 to 4978 days, the return on investment of the option with an initial investment of 10000 euros is in the range of 4233 to 7902 days and the return on investment of the option with an initial investment of 15000 euros is in the range of 5691 to 10073 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to identify the essential factors affecting CFROI (based on a comparative analysis of theoretical sources, case studies and conclusions from our research) with a subsequent analysis of the implementation process of this method. The consequence of the connection is the systematic, holistically incorporated principles of the method into managers' decision-making. The procedure for applying the CFROI method consists of eight parts, namely data collection, determination of the value of depreciated assets and their useful life, calculation of the value of depreciated assets at current prices, calculation of the value of non-depreciated assets, determination of the value of the investment, quantification of cash flow, calculation of the CFROI indicator and its economic interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since 2003, the government of Ethiopia has trained and deployed more than 42,000 Health Extension Workers across the country to provide primary healthcare services. However, no research has assessed the return on investments into human resources for health in this setting. This study aims to fill this gap by analyzing the return on investment within the context of the Ethiopian Health Extension Program. Methods: We collected data on associated costs and benefits attributed to the Health Extension Program from primary and secondary sources. Primary sources included patient exit interviews, surveys with Health Extension Workers and other health professionals, key informant interviews, and focus groups conducted in the following regions: Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, and the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples' Region. Secondary sources consisted of financial and administrative reports gathered from the Ministry of Health and its subsidiaries, as well as data accessed through the Lives Saved Tool. A long-run return on investment analysis was conducted considering program costs (personnel, recurrent, and capital investments) in comparison to benefits gained through improved productivity, equity, empowerment, and employment. Findings: Between 2008–2017, Health Extension Workers saved 50,700 maternal and child lives. Much of the benefits were accrued by low income, less educated, and rural women who had limited access to services at higher level health centers and hospitals. Regional return ranged from $1.27 to $6.64, with an overall return on investment in the range of $1.59 to $3.71. Conclusion: While evidence of return on investments are limited, results from the Health Extension Program in Ethiopia show promise for similar large, sustainable system redesigns. However, this evidence needs to be contextualized and adapted in different settings to inform policy and practice. The Ethiopian Health Extension Program can serve as a model for other nations of a large-scale human resources for health program containing strong economic benefits and long-term sustainability through successful government integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To facilitate return to work (RTW) in patients with stroke, a health and employment support (HES) program was started at Rosai hospitals in Japan. This study aimed to determine the rate of RTW in patients with stroke under this support program. We collected demographic and clinical data of patients with stroke from the implementation reports of the HES program. The program provided coordinated dual support, such as acute medical treatments, and stroke and vocational rehabilitation on the medical side, and management and support on the workplace side. The primary endpoint was RTW. Successful and unsuccessful RTW were examined using the χ2 test. The RTW rate curves were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method. We enrolled 483 patients; 355 (73%) and 128 (27%) patients had successful and unsuccessful RTW, respectively. Stroke types, neurological findings, and activities of daily living were significant factors for RTW. The Kaplan–Meier method revealed that left hemiplegia, right hemiplegia, and neuropsychological deficits, except for combined disability (hemiplegia with neuropsychological deficits), had similar RTW curves with an RTW rate of > 70%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar energy is a source of energy that can meet a significant part of the demand for heat and electricity. However, its acquisition is associated with high variability both during the year and on individual days. The construction of installations due to changes in tariff systems, investment costs and subsidy programs raises doubts as to their profitability. The aim of this study was to assess the profitability of photovoltaic investments for households, considering public financial support. This study used RetScreen Expert software 8.1.2.13 to perform the entire analysis and performance cost, risk and sensitivity simulations. Climate data were imported from ground monitoring stations or from NASA global satellite or analytical data. The conducted research showed the profitability of investments in photovoltaics, even without state support. Differences between regions were insignificant. However, the support system has changed, extending the period of return on investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate changes in willingness for total knee replacement (TKR) surgery following a randomised control trial (RCT) of an osteoarthritis management program, and to extrapolate orthopaedic cost consequences for private health insurers (PHI). Methods: Willingness for surgery data from the RCT is analysed using a multinomial logistic regression model. A decision analytic model is used to conduct a break-even cost benefit analysis of the intervention from a PHI payer perspective. The analysis estimates the minimum probability of progression to surgery required for the intervention to be cost-neutral when considering savings limited to reduced orthopaedic costs. Cost data and orthopaedic pathway probabilities are sourced from payer data. Results: At baseline, 39% of participants in the treatment and control group were willing for surgery. At 12 months, 16% of participants in the treatment group remained willing for surgery, versus 36% in the control group. Participants in the treatment group are 2.96 (95% CI: 1.01–8.66) times more likely than those in the control group to move from initially willing for surgery, to unsure or unwilling at 12 months. The analysis indicates that the intervention is likely to be cost saving when at least 60% of initially willing participants progress to surgery over a 5-year time horizon. Conclusion: Our study estimates that an education, exercise and weight loss intervention can deliver both improved participant outcomes and a return on investment to Australian PHIs through a reduction in TKR surgery incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We assessed intraarticular injuries in patients after primary anterior traumatic shoulder dislocation by comparing magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) results with concomitant arthroscopic findings. Methods: All patients with primary traumatic shoulder dislocation who underwent arthroscopic surgery between 2001 and 2020 with preoperative MRA were included in this study. MRA was retrospectively compared with arthroscopic findings. Postoperative shoulder function was prospectively assessed using the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand score (quick DASH), the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), the Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), as well as the rate of return to sports. Results: A total of 74 patients were included in this study. A Hill–Sachs lesion was consistently found in the corresponding shoulders on MRA and arthroscopy in 35 cases (p = 0.007), a Bankart lesion in 37 shoulders (p = 0.004), and a superior labrum from anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesion in 55 cases (p = 0.581). Of all cases, 32 patients were available for a clinical and functional follow-up evaluation. A positive correlation was found between the level of sport practiced and the Oxford Shoulder Score (redislocation subset) (p = 0.032) and between the age at the time of surgery and the follow-up SSV (p = 0.036). Conversely, a negative correlation was observed between the age at the time of surgery and the Oxford Instability Score (redislocation subset) (p = 0.038). Conclusions: The results of this study show a good correlation between MRA and arthroscopy. Therefore, MRA is a valid tool for the detection of soft tissue pathologies after primary anterior traumatic shoulder dislocation and can aid in presurgical planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental innovation processes is an indispensable and pressing concern for organizational performance. This study aims to clarify the relationship between environmental performance and organizational financial performance. A further objective is to assess the effect of process innovation on the connection between environmental performance and organizational performance. The sample for the present analysis consists of active Tehran Stock Exchange companies from 2017 to 2021. This study demonstrates that there is a significant relationship between financial performance and return on assets. In addition, adding process innovation as a moderating variable to the model reveals a significant relationship between process innovation and firms' return on assets. There was no significant relationship between financial performance and return on equity, but when the process innovation variable was added to the model, a significant relationship was observed with return on equity. The findings of this study suggest that organizations and businesses should institutionalize innovation processes in their productions in order to enhance environmental and organizational performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent efforts to shift the control and leadership of health research on African issues to Africa have led to increased investments for scientific research capacity strengthening (RCS) on the continent and a greater demand for accountability, value for money and demonstration of return on investment. There is limited literature on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of RCS systems and there is a clear need to further explore whether the M&E frameworks and approaches that are currently used are fit for purpose. The M&E approaches taken by four African RCS consortia funded under the Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science in Africa (DELTAS) I initiative were assessed using several methods, including a framework comparison of the M&E approaches, semi-structured interviews and facilitated discussion sessions. The findings revealed a wide range in the number of indicators used in the M&E plans of individual consortium, which were uniformly quantitative and at the output and outcome levels. Consortia revealed that additional information could have been captured to better evaluate the success of activities and measure the ripple effects of their efforts. While it is beneficial for RCS consortia to develop and implement their own M&E plans, this could be strengthened by routine engagement with funders/programme managers to further align efforts. It is also important for M&E plans to consider qualitative data capture for assessment of RCS efforts. Efforts could be further enhanced by supporting platforms for cross-consortia sharing, particularly when trying to assess more complex effects. Consortia should make sure that processes for developmental evaluation, and capturing and using the associated learning, are in place. Sharing the learning associated with M&E of RCS efforts is vital to improve future efforts. Investing and improving this aspect of RCS will help ensure tracking of progress and impact of future efforts, and ensure accountability and the return on investment. The findings are also likely applicable well beyond health research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pekandangan Tengah Village, Bluto subdistrict, Sumenep Regency is a village that produces herbal chilies which have a very high selling value. The price per kilogram of herbal chilies is IDR. 75,000,-. Average production per household is 30 to 1,000 kg depending on the area of land owned. However, buyers of herbal chilies produced by the people of Central Pekandangan village are made by middlemen or agents. The existence of BUMDes Bina Sejahtera does not play a role as an agent or intermediary even though it can be implemented through the BUMDes supervisor himself, namely the village head. This study aims to see or measure the financial performance of BUMDes Bina Sejahtera in Pekandangan Tengah village, Bluto sub-district, Sumenep district, which is expected to be able to improve village welfare through contributions to village original income obtained from BUMDes contributions. This research is a qualitative and quantitative descriptive study by looking at the economic potential of the village and the performance of BUMDes through the ROE (return on equity) ratio. Samples were taken from herbal chili farmers as many as 10 people by purposive sampling and 1 BUMDes. The results of this study indicate that the income of herbal chili farmers is quite good but their sales are through middlemen or agents, while the performance of BUMDes with ROE benchmarks below 2% per year has not contributed to the village's original income (PADes). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Copernicus Sentinel-3 Surface Topography Mission (STM) Land Altimetry provides valuable surface elevation information over inland waters, sea ice, and land ice, thanks to its synthetic aperture radar (SAR) altimeter and its orbit that covers high-latitude polar regions. To ensure that these measurements are reliable and to maximise the return on investment, adequate validation of the geophysical retrieval methods, processing algorithms, and corrections must be performed using independent observations. The EU-ESA project St3TART (started July 2021) aims to generalise the concept of Fiducial Reference Measurements (FRMs) for the Copernicus Sentinel-3 STM. This work has gathered existing data, made new observations during field campaigns, and ensured that these observations meet the criteria of FRM standards so that they can be used to validate Sentinel-3 STM Land Altimetry products operationally. A roadmap for the operational provision of the FRM, including the definition, consolidation, and identification of the most relevant and cost-effective methods and protocols to be maintained, supported, or implemented, has been developed. The roadmap includes guidelines for SI traceability, definitions of FRM measurement procedures, processing methods, and uncertainty budget estimations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of the agrifood industry is key to mitigating the impact of climate change, as it is one of the industrial sectors with the highest energy consumption. The optimisation of photovoltaic systems in agroindustries faces problems such as the fluctuation of energy prices or the evident seasonal nature of some producers. This paper provides a global view of the profitability and optimal sizing of photovoltaic (PV) systems in the new energy context. For this purpose, almost 4 million cases were analysed, including different consumption patterns, energy prices, etc. Some general conclusions can be drawn from the results. First, the adaptation to the new context requires adjustments in the sizing of PV systems in all industries analysed, which is also associated with changes in the return on investment. Second, seasonality strongly conditions the optimal size of PV installations, the return on the investment and the potential savings. Finally, in the face of future energy price variations, the ratio "Savings/payback" seems to be an appropriate reference for sizing, combining savings and profitability. In addition, they may justify special subsidies to seasonal industries. The conclusions of this paper should be considered to optimise the design of PVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grant-making foundations commonly use financial returns on investment in support of a public purpose. Recently, more attention has been given in academic research to the role of foundations as sustainable investors. According to the concept of socially responsible investing (SRI), foundations should integrate their social purposes into their investment strategies. However, foundations are also required to comply with national legal frameworks. Our research interest lies in those investment funds that are specifically developed for foundations in Germany. In this study, we answer two research questions: First, what are the characteristics of the market for foundation investment funds in Germany? Second, to what extent are foundation investment funds useful for foundations pursuing an SRI strategy? We build on a full sample comprising all 52 German foundation investment funds that are currently available and then use data from MSCI to apply a sustainability rating for these funds. With these data, we evaluate the financial performance of foundation investment funds in relation to their sustainability ratings. Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) was used to reduce complexity in the dataset and detect similarities among a set of objects. Our findings differentiate between two distinct clusters of foundation investment funds. The first "discrete" cluster represents the majority of funds, and these funds are generally smaller with lower performance and lower levels of SRI conformity. The funds in the second "attached" cluster are generally larger, more diversified, and have higher performance. Finally, we call for further research offer implications for both fund managers and foundation asset managers. Plain Language Summary: Shortcommings in sustainable investing through foundation investment funds Grant-making foundations commonly use financial returns on investment in support of a public purpose. Recently, more attention has been given in academic research to the role of foundations as sustainable investors. According to the concept of socially responsible investing (SRI), foundations should integrate their social purposes into their investment strategies. However, foundations are also required to comply with national legal frameworks. Analyzing the performance of specific foundation investment funds in Germany we find two distinct clusters. The first "discrete" cluster represents the majority of funds, and these funds are generally smaller with lower performance and lower levels of SRI conformity. The funds in the second "attached" cluster are generally larger, more diversified, and have higher performance. This study highlights the need for foundations to develop their own SRI investment policies and thoroughly check the investment vehicles they use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different capital structures and their impact on firm performance are one of the most studied topics in the finance literature. This study is an attempt to assess the impact of financial structure on profitability of agricultural enterprises in the Republic of Serbia, with the aim of evaluating the importance and nature of the contribution of the total, short-term and long-term aspects of debt to the success of the company. The financial performance of the selected sample of 38 medium and large agricultural enterprises in the Republic of Serbia was analysed in the period from 2018 to 2021. The findings of this paper indicate that total debt and short-term debt significantly determine the return on equity, while the effect of long-term debt is insignificant. The nature of the impact of all three aspects of financial structure is negative. The inclusion of size and growth of sales in the regression models showed that only annual sales growth significantly positively determines profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To facilitate return to work (RTW) in patients with stroke, a health and employment support (HES) program was started at Rosai hospitals in Japan. This study aimed to determine the rate of RTW in patients with stroke under this support program. We collected demographic and clinical data of patients with stroke from the implementation reports of the HES program. The program provided coordinated dual support, such as acute medical treatments, and stroke and vocational rehabilitation on the medical side, and management and support on the workplace side. The primary endpoint was RTW. Successful and unsuccessful RTW were examined using the χ2 test. The RTW rate curves were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method. We enrolled 483 patients; 355 (73%) and 128 (27%) patients had successful and unsuccessful RTW, respectively. Stroke types, neurological findings, and activities of daily living were significant factors for RTW. The Kaplan–Meier method revealed that left hemiplegia, right hemiplegia, and neuropsychological deficits, except for combined disability (hemiplegia with neuropsychological deficits), had similar RTW curves with an RTW rate of > 70%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Return on Investment (ROI), whereby the ratio of costs to benefits is assessed, is encouraged in-order to justify the value of Quality Improvement (QI) programmes. We previously performed a literature review to develop a ROI conceptual framework for QI programmes. We concluded that, QI-ROI is conceptualised as any monetary and non-monetary benefit. In the current study, we explored if this finding is shared by mental healthcare leaders. We also investigated the stability of this conceptualisation against influencing factors and potential for disinvestment. Methods: We performed qualitative interviews with leaders in an NHS mental health organisation. There were 16 participants: nine board members and seven senior leaders. The interviews were held online via Microsoft Teams and lasted an hour on average. We performed deductive-inductive analysis to seek data from our initial ROI framework and any new data. Results: We found that in mental healthcare, QI-ROI is also conceptualised as any valued monetary and non-monetary benefits. There was a strong emphasis on benefits to external partners and a de-emphasis of benefit monetisation. This conceptualisation was influenced by the 1) perceived mandates to improve quality and manage scarce resources, 2) expectations from QI, 3) health and social care values, 4) ambiguity over expectations, and 5) uncertainty over outcomes. Uncertainty, ambiguity, and potential for disinvestment posed a threat to the stability of this conceptualisation but did not ultimately change it. Health and social care values supported maintaining the QI-ROI as any benefit, with a focus on patients and staff outcomes. Socio-political desires to improve quality were strong drivers for QI investment. Conclusion: Mental healthcare leaders primarily conceptualise QI-ROI as any valued benefit. The inclusion of externalised outcomes which are hard to attribute may be challenging. However, mental healthcare services do collaborate with external partners. The de-emphases of benefit monetisation may also be controversial due to the need for financial accountability. Mental healthcare leaders recognise the importance of efficiency savings. However, they raised concerns over the legitimacy and utility of traditional ROI as a tool for assessing QI value. Further research is needed to bring more clarity on these aspects of the QI-ROI concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The business activity for wealth generation is the goal of any business and point of analysis of its viability in the costing of a project, when the return on investment remains an essential focus. This work evaluated the feasibility for environmental investment by the acquisition of a ETE - Effluent Treatment Station, when by normative requirements it is not allowed to discard the water used in the operational process in the sewage network without treatment. The re-use of treated water that generates savings in the consumption of drinking water is the basis for calculating the return on investment. In another analysis the consumer's awareness about the price of the product is discussed, which includes a portion destined to socio-environmental projects made feasible and disclosed in the financial statements. In this analysis the environmental accounting demonstrates the transparency showing how much the company is committed to the sustainability, without losing the viability of the investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper's aim is to identify if Corporate Social Responsibility has an impact on the financial performance of non-financial companies listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange. For which, an index of corporate social responsibility is constructed using 12 indicators that include distinctives, certifications, adhesions, or actions of social responsibility in a sample of 101 companies for the period 2017 - 2019. The return on assets (ROA) and the return on equity (ROE) were the variables used to measure financial performance. The relationship between the variables was examined by means of a regression analysis with the panel corrected standard errors (PCSE) technique. The results were consistent with previous studies that indicate that there is a positive relationship between the variables. The foregoing is relevant for managers of Mexican companies since it provides evidence regarding the benefits of being a socially responsible company in an emerging country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]