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International audience; The steady expansion of the number of wireless devices and the ubiquity of the networks give rise to various interesting challenges for the future sixth generation (6G) of wireless communication systems. Particularly, the operators have to handle massive connectivity among Machine Type Devices (MTDs) and increasing demand for eMMB through limited spectrum resources. Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) has been spotlighted as an emerging technology to meet the above-mentioned challenges. In this paper, we consider a densely deployed network in which users are divided into NOMA coalitions. Firstly, we model the power allocation problem as a differential game. Then, we extend the formulated game using a Mean Field Game (MFG) theoretic framework by considering the effect of the collective behavior of devices. Furthermore, we derive a distributed power control algorithm that enables the users to appropriately regulate their transmit power according to brief information received from the BS. Indeed, the analysis of the proposed approach is governed by the two fundamental Hamilton- Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) and Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov (FPK) equations. Numerical results are presented to analyze the equilibrium behaviors of the proposed power control algorithm and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the formulated MFG compared to existing works in the literature.

PurposeThis research aims to explore the perceived usefulness of audited social information in making economic decisions, in the eyes of both Tunisian financial analysts and bankers.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conduct an exploratory qualitative study using twelve semi-structured interviews: seven are carried out with financial analysts, and five are performed among bankers.FindingsThis study’s results reveal that financial analysts and bankers paid little attention to the audited social information in making investment/credit granting decisions. The authors also show that the low perceived usefulness of social audit is due to many reasons related to political, economic, regulatory, educational, cultural and cognitive factors.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the current literature in several ways. First, it enriches the knowledge about the perceived usefulness of social audit. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore the perception of financial analysts and bankers to audited social information and its usefulness for decision-making. Second, the focus on the Tunisian context is interesting as it was marked, since the outbreak of the Jasmine Revolution, by the uncertainty and the instability of political, economic and social conditions. Third, this research goes further by exploring the most important factors affecting the perceiveness of social auditing.

Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of sustainable practices as proxied by the environmental, social and governance (ESG) score on capital structure. It also investigates whether ESG performance influences the speed of adjustment (SOA) to target leverage in firms. Design/methodology/approach The sample covers 116 non-financial firms listed on the main stock exchanges from five Southeast ASEAN countries (Bursa Malaysia, Indonesia Stock Exchange, Philippines Stock Exchange, Singapore Stock Exchange and Stock Exchange of Thailand) over the period 2012–2019. The study adopts the OLS regression and system-GMM estimators to perform the data analysis. Findings The authors show that the ESG score is positively associated with book leverage, suggesting that firms increase their debt capital through sustainable practices. However, they find that the ESG score is negatively associated with market leverage across our model estimations. The authors also reveal that environmental, social and governance pillar scores produce about 7.82%, 2.88% and 0.47% SOAs, respectively, higher than the SOA of the traditional SOA without the ESG factor. The aggregate ESG score has about 3.41% SOA higher than the baseline SOA without the ESG factor. Practical implications This study is of interest to investors, corporate firms and policymakers. The study demonstrates that the ESG score increases the firm’s SOA to target leverage. By disaggregating the ESG score, the authors establish that ESG pillar scores produce higher SOAs than the traditional SOA (without ESG), with the environmental score inducing the fastest SOA. Practically, the study implies that environmentally sustainable activities reduce environmental transaction costs, benefit firms through better information transparency and enhance a trustful climate between the firm and suppliers of capital. Therefore, this study demonstrates that firms do not only incur the cost of disseminating ESG information but also benefit from lower information asymmetry and a higher SOA with better tax-deductible advantages. Social implications The findings have combined advantages for both stakeholders and directors who monitor and manage the firms’ resources to improve the quality of ESG practices and initiatives. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to establish that sustainable practices induce higher debt capital. Secondly, unlike prior research focusing on the cost of capital, the authors examine whether ESG performance affects capital structure patterns. Thirdly, it documents the extent to which sustainable practices influence the SOA towards target leverage in firms. The authors contribute to corporate finance literature that firms reach faster to their target leverage in the presence of ESG performance. Theoretically, through the notion of the stakeholder proposition, the study establishes that the firms’ pursuance of stakeholder goals further enhances the prediction of the trade-off theory.

Introduction Le diabete de type 1 (DT1) de l’adolescent bouleverse la vie des parents. Patients et methodes Il s’agit d’une etude transversale, ayant inclus un des parents de 50 adolescents diabetiques de type 1 âges entre 12 et 18 ans. Pour chaque parent nous avons releve les donnees sociodemographiques et pour chaque patient nous avons releve les donnees en rapport avec l’histoire et l’equilibre de son diabete. La qualite de vie des parents a ete evaluee a l’aide du questionnaire PedsQL™ Family Impact Module valide en arabe. Resultats Le genre feminin du parent alterait la sante physique (p = 0,012). Et les parent vivant seuls avait un fonctionnement familial altere (p = 0,025). Une meilleure communication etait correlee avec le niveau d’etude de la mere (p = 0,035) ainsi qu’un meilleur fonctionnement familial avec le niveau scolaire du patient (p = 0,025). Le temps de travail du pere avait un impact positif sur les scores de l’inquietude, du fonctionnement familial, du fonctionnement cognitif et des relations familiales. Les hypoglycemies frequentes alteraient significativement la sante emotionnelle du parent (p = 0,036). L’auto surveillance reguliere de la glycemie etait significativement associee a un meilleur score de communication (p = 0,046). A l’analyse multivariee, seuls les hypoglycemies frequentes et le genre feminin du parent etaient associes a une alteration de la qualite de vie. Conclusions Le diabete ne se reduit pas a la condition clinico-biologique de l’adolescent. Il important d’inclure des programmes d’education therapeutique centres sur le patient et son entourage.

Introduction Les patients diabetiques sont a risque accru de formes graves du COVID-19, et donc ont ete juges prioritaires durant les differentes campagnes vaccinales contre ce virus. Patients et methodes On a mene une etude transversale, a travers un questionnaire ; 80 patients, ayant consulte a l’institut de nutrition, ont ete inclus. Les donnees generales, le desir de se faire vacciner ainsi que differents facteurs associes ont ete releves. Resultats L’âge moyen de patients etudies etait de 56,9 ans. Cinquante-cinq pour cent des patients interroges ont manifeste le desir de se faire vacciner. La raison principale etait l’efficacite percue (32 %). Quarante-cinq pour cent des patients ont refuse de se faire vacciner avec pour raison principale declaree la dangerosite (72 %). Le principal facteur associe a la decision du patient etait un encouragement ou une dissuasion. Les informations positives provenaient en majorite des medias (37 %), suivis du personnel de sante (30 %). Les informations negatives etaient notamment percues des medias (49 %) et de l’entourage (30 %). L’âge, le niveau d’education ou socioeconomique ainsi que l’usage de reseaux sociaux et les prejuges concernant le COVID-19 n’etait pas associes a la decision de se faire vacciner. Conclusion La decision de se faire vacciner est tributaire de l’entourage des patients et des medias. Une bonne campagne d’information et une meilleure implication des autorites sanitaires permettraient de convaincre cette population a risque de se faire vacciner.