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The aim of this study is to investigate the association between sustainability performance (which is proxied by ESG score) and a firm's financial resilience in crisis conditions. This study is triggered in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic as a global crisis setting. By focusing on five ASEAN countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines, this study argues that companies with higher ESG performance will be more financially resilient during a crisis. This study uses several measurements of the company's financial resilience, both measures that utilize share prices and financial ratios from financial statements. The results show that ESG performance is negatively associated with financial resilience. ESG performance is considered less valuable during a crisis because ESG activities consume the company's financial resources. It implies that survival is more important than sustainability during times of crisis. ESG performance is considered to consume a company's financial resources in times of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The three‐dimensional rarity typology proposed by Rabinowitz in 1981, based on geographic range, habitat specificity, and local abundance, is among the most widely used frameworks for describing rarity in ecological and conservation research. While this framework is descriptive and is not meant to explain the causes of rarity, recent advances in ecology may be leveraged to add explanatory power. Here we present a macroecological exploration of rarity and its underlying causes. We propose a modification of Rabinowitz's typology to better distinguish between the dimensions of rarity and the ecological processes that drive them, and explore the conservation implications of our modified framework. We propose to add occupancy (the proportion of occupied sites within a species' range) as a rarity axis, and recast habitat specificity as a cause of rarity, thus yielding a modified classification based on range size, occupancy, and local abundance. Under our framework, habitat specialists are no longer considered rare if they are widespread and abundant; we argue that this modification more accurately identifies truly rare species, as habitat specialists may be common if their habitat is abundant. Finally, we draw on the macroecological and theoretical literature to identify the key processes and associated traits that drive each rarity axis. In this respect, we identify four processes (environmental filtering, movement, demography and interactions), and hypothesise that range size and occupancy are primarily driven by environmental filtering and movement, whereas local abundance is more strongly influenced by demography and interactions. We further use ecological theory to hypothesise the conservation concerns associated with each rarity axis, and propose conservation measures that may be suitable for conserving different types of rare species. Our work may provide a basis for developing hypotheses about the causes of rarity of particular focal taxa or groups, and inform the development of targeted conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building on the upper echelon and signalling theories, we hypothesize that perceptions about the corporate ethical behaviour in the country of origin of a venture's founders may provide an important piece of information to the selection committees of impact‐oriented accelerator programmes that serves as a signal for the trustworthiness and opportunistic behaviour of the founding team. In turn, this could have implications for the decision regarding admission into a programme. Using a sample of over 16,000 early‐stage ventures from 131 countries that applied to 287 accelerator programmes, we find evidence consistent with this hypothesis. Our results show that better perceptions about the ethical behaviour of the founding team enhance the likelihood of admission into an impact‐oriented accelerator programme. The role of perceived ethics appears to be stronger in the case of programmes that guarantee some kind of financing. Further analysis shows that the strength of both formal and informal institutions moderates the relationship between the ethical perceptions and the admission likelihood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scimitar syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by partial or total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage of the right lung to the inferior vena cava. We report a case of a 67‐year‐old female who presented with cough and dyspnea and was diagnosed with scimitar syndrome and pulmonary arterial hypertension based on comprehensive imaging and hemodynamic evaluation. This case highlights the importance of considering scimitar syndrome as a cause of pulmonary hypertension even in adult patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firms responded to the COVID‐19 pandemic by participating in an unprecedented level of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The authors build on the existing CSR and crisis response and disaster relief literatures by examining nine CSR types employed during the pandemic (donating in‐kind, donating money, creating content, free products, free services, communication of operational changes, employee support, financial support, and shifting production). Then, they test the impact of starting versus stopping each CSR type on consumer perceptions of authenticity, attitude, and purchase intentions in two experiments, replicated in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Consumers distinguish between CSR types and rate employee and financial support most favorably and creating content and communication of operational changes least favorably. Starting (vs. stopping or no) CSR increases authenticity and subsequent attitude and purchase intentions. Interestingly, stopping CSR is worse than no CSR in 2020, but no CSR is worse than stopping CSR in 2022. This indicates that consumers discredit firms for stopping CSR during the acute phase of the pandemic but discredit firms for not engaging in any CSR after the acute phase ends. Finally, consumers rate small (vs. large) firms more favorably for engaging in some CSR types. Taken together, these results help inform how firms should engage in CSR activities in response to crises and disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circulating skin‐homing cutaneous lymphocyte‐associated antigen (CLA)+ T cells constitute a small subset of human memory T cells involved in several aspects of atopic dermatitis: Staphylococcus aureus related mechanisms, the abnormal Th2 immune response, biomarkers, clinical aspects of the patients, pruritus, and the mechanism of action of targeted therapies. Superantigens, IL‐13, IL‐31, pruritus, CCL17 and early effects on dupilumab‐treated patients have in common that they are associated with the CLA+ T cell mechanisms in atopic dermatitis patients. The function of CLA+ T cells corresponds with the role of T cells belonging to the skin‐associated lymphoid tissue and could be a reason why they reflect different mechanisms of atopic dermatitis and many other T cell mediated skin diseases. The goal of this review is to gather all this translational information of atopic dermatitis pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a strategic tool that firms use to gain competitive advantage and enhance profitability in the long run, yet its effect on dividend payout in extraordinary times is limited. Grounded in stakeholder and dual responsibility theories, this study examines the effect of CSR on the relationship between COVID‐19 and dividend payout. Data from the period 2015–2021 were obtained from 114 non‐financial listed firms on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, South Africa, and analyzed by multivariate and logit regression techniques. COVID‐19 has a negative effect on the amount and likelihood of dividend payment, while CSR performance has a positive effect on the likelihood and amount of dividend payment. However, the result of the negative effect of COVID‐19 on dividend payment does not differ between high and low CSR performing firms. Conversely, the impact of COVID‐19 and CSR on dividend payment differ between high and low financial constraint firms. Shareholders should learn to manage their expectations of dividends payment during times of crisis like COVID‐19, as firms tend to focus more on addressing the needs of stakeholders through CSR initiatives, which will enhance profit in the long term, rather than paying out dividend to shareholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid‐19 pandemic has caused a significant decline in stock markets worldwide, and organizations are experiencing serious financial problems. Protecting and preserving firm value are critical ways to help organizations survive the crisis. This study analyzes a sample of 45 firms listed on the Polish Stock Market in two periods to determine the relationship among green initiatives, the triple bottom line (TBL) perspective, and firm value in the periods before and during the crisis caused by the Covid‐19 pandemic. The results show that firms with higher green initiatives are more likely to obtain better TBL performance during the normal period. Economic and social dimensions of TBL positively influence firm value regardless of the period, but the same is not true of the ecological dimension. The Covid‐19 pandemic's negative impact on investors' perception does not translate to firm value. This study provides the first empirical evidence on the value of organizations affected by the Covid‐19 pandemic in the context of environmental management. By considering the TBL approach, this study provides a new boundary condition that explains the impact mechanism of green initiatives during a crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, attention to the circular economy (CE) has grown considerably and it is now recognised as a model capable of overtaking the current linear economy of unsustainable production and consumption. Organisations have started to implement circular practices to transition towards this sustainable business model and to disclose CE performance to their stakeholders. In this context, the integrated report serves as a suitable tool to provide a holistic representation of how CE could impact the companies' ability to create value over time. The relevance of this model has prompted various scholars to examine CE disclosure. However, only some studies have investigated this topic in the integrated reporting (IR) context. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no studies have examined how corporate governance mechanisms can affect the amount of CE information disseminated through the integrated reports. By applying the lens of stakeholder‐agency theory, this study aims to fill this important gap by analysing the effect of the characteristics of the corporate governance mechanisms on the level of CE disclosure within the integrated reports. The analysis, conducted using a sample of 124 European companies, indicates a positive impact of the board size, board gender diversity and the presence of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) committee on the level of CE disclosure within the integrated reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we address the impact of the introduction of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting scheme on corporate carbon reporting, and subsequently identify factors that influence the level of voluntary carbon reporting. A review of the literature demonstrates a large number of potential factors have been previously deployed to explain voluntary reporting practices; however, the analytical and empirical methods widely used in the literature have limiting statistical assumptions and confine analysis to a small number of explanatory factors. To address this limitation in prior research we apply advanced machine learning methods, such as gradient boosting machines and random forests, to identify predictive variables through analytical means. We compare the performance of machine learning methods with traditional methods such as logistic regression. We find that machine learning methods significantly outperform logistic regression and provide fundamentally different interpretations of the role and influence of different predictive variables on voluntary carbon reporting. While most variables were not statistically significant in the logit results, a number of key proxies for financial performance, corporate governance, and corporate social responsibility have out‐of‐sample predictive power of the level of voluntary carbon reporting in the machine learning analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In periods of crisis, companies face a financial reality that forces them to decide whether to maintain their commitment to sustainability or prioritize their financial returns. The study of what happened during the COVID‐19 pandemic is vital, given the hard blow it has implied for business and, consequently, for employment. Thus, this paper seeks to determine whether the business commitment to sustainability policies focused on employment and gender diversity translates into concrete results. In a sample of 1761 multinationals (8963 observations) during the 2015–2020 period, we found that the pandemic has harmed employment at the microeconomic level. However, this impact is moderated by the level of responsibility that companies have with their workers. Therefore, the most sustainable companies have been more reluctant to reduce their workforce and even more so when they are women. These results help to position sustainability performance as a way to achieve gender equality at the business level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long‐term effects of COVID‐19 on cognitive function have become an area of increasing concern. This paper provides an overview of characteristics, risk factors, possible mechanisms, and management strategies for cognitive dysfunction in post‐COVID‐19 condition (PCC). Prolonged cognitive dysfunction is one of the most common impairments in PCC, affecting between 17% and 28% of the individuals more than 12 weeks after the infection and persisting in some cases for several years. Cognitive dysfunctions can be manifested as a wide range of symptoms including memory impairment, attention deficit, executive dysfunction, and reduced processing speed. Risk factors for developing PCC, with or without cognitive impairments, include advanced age, preexisting medical conditions, and the severity of acute illness. The underlying mechanisms remain unclear, but proposed contributors include neuroinflammation, hypoxia, vascular damage, and latent virus reactivation not excluding the possibility of direct viral invasion of the central nervous system, illustrating complex viral pathology. As the individual variation of the cognitive impairments is large, a neuropsychological examination and a person‐centered multidimensional approach are required. According to the World Health Organization, limited evidence on COVID‐19‐related cognitive impairments necessitates implementing rehabilitation interventions from established practices of similar conditions. Psychoeducation and compensatory skills training are recommended. Assistive products and environmental modifications adapted to individual needs might be helpful. In specific attention‐ and working memory dysfunctions, cognitive training—carefully monitored for intensity—might be effective for people who do not suffer from post‐exertional malaise. Further research is crucial for evidence‐based interventions specific to COVID‐19‐related cognitive impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, I developed the CSR‐19 scale to assess the perceptions company executives have of CSR actions during the COVID‐19 pandemic and to conceptualize the economic, legal, social, and environmental aspects of CSR actions as a high‐order construct. This paper's findings suggest that the legal, environmental, and social aspects of CSR actions are being perceived to positively contribute to companies' CSR actions, but the economic aspect of CSR actions is deemed to contribute negatively to companies' CSR actions. The 16‐item CSR‐19 scale shows strong evidence of reliability as well as content, convergent, and discriminant validity in a sample of 211 Jordanian companies. Managerial implications and suggestions for applying the CSR‐19 scale in future research are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information asymmetry and the pressure to conform to stakeholders’ expectations cause firms to engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) decoupling – a practice that has severe socioeconomic consequences for firms. Adopting a corporate governance perspective, this paper answers a novel question: whether board gender diversity (BGD) curbs CSR decoupling. Using a battery of sophisticated analyses and robustness tests on 9276 firm-year observations for the period 2002–2017, our results confirm that BGD is negatively associated with CSR decoupling. Analysis of the composition of gender-diverse boards further reveals that this effect is stronger for balanced boards than for skewed and tilted boards. Furthermore, we note that independent female directors are more effective monitors of decoupling than executive female directors. We also document that the relationship between BGD and CSR decoupling is stronger when the overall governance is weak. This implies that gender-diverse boards could act as a substitute mechanism for corporate governance that would otherwise be weak. Our study offers important theoretical and policy implications for the field of corporate governance and CSR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article delves into the de-internationalization of entrepreneurial SMEs, examining both internal factors like marketing capabilities and external factors such as institutional pressures and geopolitical shocks. By utilizing a mathematical model, the study uncovers the intricate relationships between these factors and identifies different modes of de-internationalization. The research underscores the significance of innovation, market readiness, and geopolitical conditions in SME decision-making processes, offering valuable insights for SMEs navigating global markets. Additionally, the document features research articles on decision-making models, digital transformation, technological capabilities, and MNE performance, showcasing the expertise of key researchers in international business, business analytics, and strategic marketing management. [Extracted from the article]

BACKGROUND: Melatonin is an endogenous free radical scavenger with antioxidant activity that preserves the commercial value of postharvest fruits and delays fruit senescence. To explore the effect of exogenous melatonin on antioxidants and aroma volatile compounds of grapes (Vitis labrusca × vinifera 'Kyoho'), the grapes were treated with distilled water (control), 50 μmol L−1 of melatonin (M50), and 100 μmol L−1 of melatonin (M100) for 30 min and were then stored at 4 °C for 25 days. RESULTS: Exogenous melatonin decreased the rachis browning index, the decay development, the weight loss rate, the berry abscission rate, and the respiration rate, promoted the accumulation of total phenolics and total flavonoids, and delayed the reduction of anthocyanins and total soluble solids. In volatile compounds, the accumulation of esters, aldehydes, and alcohols in grapes was promoted, and the terpenes content was reduced by exogenous melatonin. CONCLUSION: Exogenous melatonin had potentially positive effects on the postharvest life and quality maintenance of grapes. These findings provide theoretical support for the application of melatonin in grape storage and preservation. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure is becoming increasingly important in practice, yet knowledge about the antecedents of such CSR initiatives is limited. Drawing on faultline theories, we expect that the compositional attributes of top management teams, such as the level of heterogeneity, influence their decisions about CSR disclosure and reporting. Data and a sample from Chinese publicly traded companies are used to examine our hypotheses. Our results demonstrate that a top management team's faultline strength is negatively related to CSR disclosure decisions and CSR report quality. We contribute to the literature about CSR disclosure by offering specific insights, through a micro‐level analysis, about how to compose and structure top management teams to advance CSR in emerging economies such as China. Practical implications for managers and policymakers are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The transition from primary sustainable goals to crisis management exemplifies a new era of corporate social responsibility, sustainable business models, corporate sustainability, and stakeholder theory. This study examines the varied dynamics of corporate social responsibilities (CSR) during COVID‐19, as well as its potential and limitations, in order to gain a better understanding of CSR. The results expand upon the instrumental version of CSR and the application of stakeholder theory during COVID‐19. It reflects on the necessity for a wider integration of societal issues in CSR's driving philosophy as well as the underlying need to study diverse sectors of governance across the globe due to the increased potential for exploitation of the weak, particularly during times of crisis. This study examines the theoretical foundations of the themes and the lines of divergence between CSR's past and present by reviewing the social, intellectual, and conceptual structure of the literature. It emphasizes the importance of post‐COVID‐19 policies that prioritize job creation by implementing stronger labor market standards. Governments should eliminate barriers and implement pro‐SME laws and programs. A sustainable fiscal policy takes future generations into account. Sustainable corporate finance incorporates long‐term financial goals and social values into stakeholder theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) has been increasingly used to cut off the delivery of abnormal electrical signals in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. A successful cut off requires forming a layer of transmural damage on the heart wall, and this layer depends on the depth of ablation by PFA. Purpose: This study aims to propose a novel polarity configuration of PFA to increase the ablation depth in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Method: A novel polarity configuration was designed for a multi‐electrode system, where the number of electrodes is greater than two. The polarity configuration in such multi‐electrode system is called the paired‐electrode interlaced configuration (PIC). The existing configuration called the single‐electrode interlaced configuration (SIC) was used to compare with the PIC. To both the SIC and PIC, a full‐SIC or a full‐PIC is called when all electrodes (anode, cathode) in a catheter is used otherwise partial‐SIC or partial‐PIC is called. By the comparison between the full‐SIC and full‐PIC, the benefit of the PIC was exhibited as opposed to the SIC, but an extra ablation step was added in the PIC in order to form a continuous ablation zone. The other comparative study was taken between a partial‐PIC and a partial‐SIC with the same number of ablation step. In this study, a rabbit model was built by infusing 0.4% saline solution (at 37°C) into the rabbit's abdominal cavity which surrounds the liver. This model was considered as a biometric environment of the heart, namely cardiac‐mimetic model (CMM). Result: The experimental results have shown that the full‐PIC is superior to the full‐SIC in the ablation depth, specifically in both the maximum (4.14 ± 0.55 mm vs. 3.35 ± 0.26 mm, p < 0.01) and the minimum (3.18 ± 0.29 mm vs. 2.76 ± 0.28 mm, p < 0.05), and in the ablation width, specifically only in the maximum (8.27 ± 0.76 mm vs. 7.09 ± 0.51 mm, p = 0.019) under an identical ablation time (i.e., 5 s). It is noted that the minimum ablation width did not show a significant difference between the full‐PIC and full‐SIC (specifically, 5.61 ± 0.86 mm vs. 4.67 ± 0.73 mm, p = 0.069). Considering the lethal electric field threshold (LEFT) to be 600 V/cm for liver tissues, the maximum and minimum ablation depth generated by the full‐PIC was found larger than that by the full‐SIC (3.90 vs. 3.52 mm, and 3.03 vs. 2.48 mm, respectively) in the simulation. Meanwhile, similar experiment results by comparing the partial‐PIC and partial‐SIC have been obtained, which shows a significant increase in both the maximum ablation depth (4.81 ± 0.87 mm vs. 3.30 ± 0.73 mm, p < 0.001) and the maximum ablation width (8.19 ± 0.85 mm vs. 6.47 ± 1.13 mm, p = 0.001). Conclusions: (1) The electric field in the PIC is concentrated around the pair of electrodes, and the pattern of the field is a significant factor in the energy delivery along the direction of the depth. (2) The increase of the ablation depth can significantly expand the range of the tissue on the heart, where the PFA can apply, and can therefore readily form a layer of transmural damage on the heart wall at positions at which the wall is thicker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to investigate the impact of ambidexterity (exploration and exploitation) on green product innovation and the success of new products through the effects of sustainability, considering the moderating role of customer pressure. This research proposes a theoretical model that was tested using structural equation modelling (SEM) and a multigroup analysis to understand the moderating role of customer pressure. A 23‐item questionnaire was developed to explore the proposed relationships, applied in two different moments, answered by two other critical respondents from each company. At the end of the second collection moment, 336 valid questionnaires were collected from a sample of industrial SMEs in Portugal. The results show a positive influence of ambidexterity on sustainability and, therefore, on new product success and green product innovation. In addition, green product innovation increases the success of new products due to the growing demand for more sustainable products. Furthermore, the chain of effects between ambidexterity and further product success was strengthened when customer pressure was higher. This study stresses the need to actively manage exploration and exploitation investments to enhance ambidexterity, especially when sustainability and green innovation are the expected outcomes. The originality of this research is related to the contributions of hierarchical dynamic capabilities, combining and balancing exploration and exploitation, to produce successful ambidextrous companies in sustainability and green strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: With the introduction of novel therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), 'treat‐to‐target' strategies are increasingly discussed to improve short‐ and long‐term outcomes in patients with IBD. Aim: To discuss opportunities and challenges of a treat‐to‐target approach in light of the current 'Selecting Therapeutic Targets in Inflammatory Bowel Disease' (STRIDE‐II) consensus Methods: The 2021 update of STRIDE‐II encompasses 13 evidence‐ and consensus‐based recommendations for treat‐to‐target strategies in adults and children with IBD. We highlight the potential implications and limitations of these recommendations for clinical practice. Results: STRIDE‐II provides valuable guidance for personalised IBD management. It reflects scientific progress as well as increased evidence of improved outcomes when more ambitious treatment goals such as mucosal healing are achieved. Conclusions: Prospective studies, objective criteria for risk stratification, and better predictors of therapeutic response are needed to potentially render 'treating to target' more effective in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable management of plant diseases has been a challenge in the effort to feed a human population that has increased substantially. One of the main diseases that affect common bean and dry bean is Fusarium wilt, caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli (Fop), which can cause losses of up to 100% in crop production. The Fop infection process starts in the roots, followed by colonization and obstruction of xylem vessels, leading to leaf wilting, vascular discoloration, chlorosis, dwarfism, and premature plant death. Fop show high genetic variability, and seven different physiological races have been reported in different regions of the world. There is also a study in which the formae specialis designation has been replaced by Fusarium species. Different studies in common bean have shown that physical, biological, and chemical changes are involved in the Fop resistance mechanism and in the Fusarium and common bean pathosystem. Many studies have been conducted to detect candidate genes and pathways associated with resistance to Fop. This work offers useful information for advancing common bean resistance breeding. Core Ideas: Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli is one of the main causal agents of soil‐borne diseases in common bean.The pathogen has different physiological races and high variability.It is a serious threat to bean plants, causing wilting, necrosis, and chlorosis of the aerial parts.The pathogen has different physiological races and high variability.Its genetic architecture and target genes require further elucidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, studies have associated dupilumab with unmasking or progression of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL). The objective of this study was to synthesize reported cases of CTCL in the setting of dupilumab use. Two independent reviewers conducted a systematic review using PubMed and Embase databases. Twelve studies, of 27 total patients, were included. Dupilumab‐associated CTCL was diagnosed on average 7.8 months following dupilumab initiation. Of reports that included body surface area (BSA), 100% had a BSA >50% prior to diagnosis, and the majority of patients were diagnosed at later stages of disease: stage III (4/18) or IV (6/18). Post‐dupilumab biopsies revealed a greater density of cells and a predominant lichenoid pattern, compared to various histologic patterns and less cell density in pre‐dupilumab biopsies. The majority of TCR gene rearrangement studies were equivocal (20%) or negative (60%), posing a potential diagnostic pitfall. Limitations included lack of standardized data collection and reporting and a small number of studies. We suggest that earlier biopsies, three to four months after initiation of dupilumab, may be helpful for earlier recognition of CTCL in patients who are not improving, progressing, or have morphologic changes on dupilumab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID‐19 pandemic has caused drastic disruptions to many multinational companies' (MNCs') supply chain management, pushing them to relocate their manufacturing activities to their home countries, a phenomenon known as reshoring. Grounded in moral psychology theory and the resource‐based view (RBV), the aims of this research are to provide an extended conceptualization of sustainable development goal (SDG) perceptions from local consumers, develop a scale, and assess this scale in relation to the reliability and validity of consumer perception of SDG antecedents and consequences in reshoring contexts from three industries, with the help of six studies. We conceptualise these perceptions on the basis of seven components (i.e. society/community wellbeing, affordable and clean energy consumption, economic growth, responsible consumption, responsible production, sustainable industrialization and innovation and gender equality). Using data from three distinct industries and a sample of 1075 reshoring MNC customers, we also determine how local consumers perceive and react to reshoring initiatives geared towards achieving SDGs and advocacy. The findings offer relevant implications for both the management and research of SDGs in a reshoring context at a scale level, which we describe in the form of future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From a business perspective, the health and socio‐economic effects of the COVID‐19 have affected a firm's stakeholders to a different extent, making it necessary for them to develop sustainable initiatives that allow them to meet their needs. Decisions must be made and implemented in a recessionary environment in which companies debate whether it is economically reasonable to promote them and whether they can afford not to do so. In this work, based on the theory of social identity, we argue that these business commitments will have been promoted in companies with boards of directors that have a greater female presence. The results obtained for a sample of 4821 multinationals confirm that the repercussion of incidental affect on the social identity of the in‐group of female directors has partially slowed the setback that business sustainability has suffered due to the pandemic, which is especially important with respect to good governance policies and practices and guaranteeing the social and environmental commitment of previous years. This evidence has important theoretical and practical implications, contributing the current debate on strategic decisions regarding sustainability and the benefits associated with board gender diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a need to generate micro‐scale indicators to measure progress towards meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 and 8. In this sense, this study applies Social Life Cycle Assessment, including Quality of Employment (QoE) and Adequate Public Water Supply (AWS) indicators to assess the social performance of Mexico City's water cycle to identify the level (low, medium and high) of the potential risk of social impact (PR). The results show that the labor hours (WH) required by 1m3 of water in Mexico City is equivalent to 0.062 WH. The QoE indicator shows that 94% of WH are associated with high PR due to low wages. For AWS, 5% is associated with a high PR for local communities in the Cutzamala system due to poor water quality and consumption of bottled water. This case study demonstrates that progress on QoE and AWS indicators can significantly contribute to achieving SDGs 6 and 8 in the water management of communities involved in Mexico City's water cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In celiac disease (CeD), gastrointestinal CYP3A4 abundance and morphology is affected by the severity of disease. Therefore, exposure to CYP3A4 substrates and extent of drug interactions is altered. A physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) population for different severities of CeD was developed. Gastrointestinal physiology parameters, such as luminal pH, transit times, morphology, P‐gp, and CYP3A4 expression were included in development of the CeD population. Data on physiological difference between healthy and CeD subjects were incorporated into the model as the ratio of celiac to healthy. A PBPK model was developed and verified for felodipine extended‐release tablet in healthy volunteers (HVs) and then utilized to verify the CeD populations. Plasma concentration‐time profile and PK parameters were predicted and compared against those observed in both groups. Sensitivity analysis was carried out on key system parameters in CeD to understand their impact on drug exposure. For felodipine, the predicted mean concentration‐time profiles and 5th and 95th percentile intervals captured the observed profile and variability in the HV and CeD populations. Predicted and observed clearance was 56.9 versus 56.1 (L/h) in HVs. Predicted versus observed mean ± SD area under the curve for extended release felodipine in different severities of CeD were values of 14.5 ± 9.6 versus 14.4 ± 2.1, 14.6 ± 9.0 versus 17.2 ± 2.8, and 28.1 ± 13.5 versus 25.7 ± 5.0 (ng.h/mL), respectively. Accounting for physiology differences in a CeD population accurately predicted the PK of felodipine. The developed CeD population can be applied for determining the drug concentration of CYP3A substrates in the gut as well as for systemic levels, and for application in drug–drug interaction studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using benzylamines as the C4 source of 1,4‐dihydropyridines (1,4‐DHPs), a Cu‐catalyzed oxidative [1+2+1+2] cascade cyclization for the synthesis of 1,4‐DHPs was firstly developed. A broad range of easily available N,N‐dimethyl enaminones and benzylamines are employed smoothly to provide a diverse range of 1,4‐DHPs with high efficiency. This method is performed by a one‐pot cascade C(sp3)−H bond functionalization/C(sp3)−N cleavage/cyclization strategy to form simultaneously two C(sp3)−C(sp2) bonds, two C(sp2)−N bonds, and a 1,4‐DHP ring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Blocking agent for immune cytokine pathways is a novel treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD). Janus kinase (JAK) family is one of the cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases that mediate a variety of cytokines. Eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of JAK1 inhibitors (upadacitinib and abrocitinib) in AD have been published in the past three years. Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of JAK1 inhibitors and compare upadacitinib with abrocitinib for the treatment of moderate-to-severe AD. Methods. Two independent reviewers searched Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases updated on Apr 11th, 2023. We included data from phase two and three RCTs. Primary outcomes included the proportion of Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) responders and Eczema Area and Severity Index-75 (EASI-75) responders. Results. In all, eight RCTs were included in our study with 4634 moderate-to-severe AD patients. Both JAK1 inhibitors showed apparent therapeutic effects, but the 200 mg abrocitinib group demonstrated less efficacy than the 30 mg upadacitinib group in IGA responders (end of treatment) and EASI-75 responders (after 2 weeks of treatment). However, both JAK1 inhibitor groups demonstrated significantly higher risks of acne (9.0%) and headache (6.3%). Besides, upadacitinib showed significantly higher risks of upper respiratory tract infection (7.6%) and nasopharyngitis (9.7%), and abrocitinib showed significantly higher risks of nausea (9.6%). Conclusion. JAK1 inhibitors demonstrate promising efficacy in AD with rapid response and dose-dependent response and significantly higher risks of acne and headache. Based on existing data, oral 30 mg upadacitinib QD has better outcome than oral 200 mg abrocitinib QD and is a recommended dosage regimen for moderate-to-severe AD patients. Oral 15 mg upadacitinib QD might be an alternative dosage regimen in case of treatment-emergent adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal‐exchanged zeolites are well‐known propane dehydrogenation (PDH) catalysts; however, the structure of the active species remains unresolved. In this review, existing PDH catalysts are first surveyed, and then the current understanding of metal‐exchanged zeolite catalysts is described in detail. The case of Ga/H‐ZSM‐5 is employed to showcase that advances in the understanding of structure–activity relations are often accompanied by technological or conceptional breakthroughs. The understanding of Ga speciation at PDH conditions has evolved owing to the advent of in situ/operando characterizations and to the realization that the local coordination environment of Ga species afforded by the zeolite support has a decisive impact on the active site structure. In situ/operando quantitative characterization of catalysts, rigorous determination of intrinsic reaction rates, and predictive computational modeling are all significant in identifying the most active structure in these complex systems. The reaction mechanism could be both intricately related to and nearly independent of the details of the assumed active structure, as in the two main proposed PDH mechanisms on Ga/H‐ZSM‐5, that is, the carbenium mechanism and the alkyl mechanism. Perspectives on potential approaches to further elucidate the active structure of metal‐exchanged zeolite catalysts and reaction mechanisms are discussed in the final section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates whether increased female representation on a board improves firm performance in terms of electric vehicle (EV) sales in China when government subsidies are available. The increase in EV sales in China is a direct result of the sustainability efforts spearheaded by the various levels of local and state governments. This area is of importance due to the rising Chinese footprint in global EV sales, the increasing role of subsidies, and a transformation from State‐Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to market‐driven firms that are more likely to pay attention to corporate governance issues such as board diversity. Using the instrumental variable (IV) approach, we estimate a two‐stage least squares (2SLS) regression to control for more women representation on EV boards using firm‐level data. The results indicate that board gender diversity (BGD) positively impacts firm performance in terms of EV sales. Furthermore, the effect amplifies in the presence of government subsidies. The insights provide valuable contributions to bridge the critical literature gap on how board diversity impacts firm performance in the presence of subsidies and offer valuable insights into corporate governance and policymaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many national or racial majority groups increasingly perceive discrimination against their group, despite objective indicators of advantage. The present studies simultaneously test three individual‐level explanations of perceived discrimination among White Americans: system legitimizing beliefs, economic precarity, and group interest, in addition to corresponding predictors at the context (state) level. Using multilevel analysis, we analyzed nationally‐representative data from the 2016 American National Election Survey (N = 2631)—an election period marked by discourse about majority group grievances. Results showed that, at the individual level, system‐legitimizing beliefs (symbolic racism, conservatism, realistic, and symbolic threat) predicted perceived discrimination among Whites, as did objective (income) and subjective (perceived financial insecurity) economic precarity. Conversely, group interest (indicated by White racial identification) was not a significant predictor. At the state level, support for the Republican candidate also predicted perceived discrimination. These findings replicated with data from the 2012 American National Election Survey (N = 3261). We discuss the implications of White Americans' discrimination claims in the current socio‐political climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding plant response and resilience to drought under a high CO2 environment will be crucial to ensure crop production in the future. Sorghum bicolor is a C4 plant that resists drought better than other crops, which could make it a good alternative to be grown under future climatic conditions. Here, we analyse the physiological response of sorghum under 350 ppm CO2 (aCO2) or 700 ppm CO2 (eCO2) with drought (D) or without drought (WW) for 9, 13 and 16 days; as well as its resilience under long (R1: 9D + 7R) or short (R2: 13D + 3R) recovery treatments. Sorghum showed elevated rates of gs under aCO2 and WW, which resulted in a significant decrease in Ψw, gs, E, ΦPSII, Fv'/Fm′ when exposed to drought. Consequently, A was greatly decreased. When re‐watered, both re‐watering treatments prioritized A recovery by restoring photosynthetic machinery under aCO2, whereas under eCO2 plants required little recovery since plant were hardly affected by drought. However, sorghum growth rate for aboveground organs did not reach control values, indicating a slower long‐term recovery. Overall, these results provide information about the resilience of sorghum and its utility as a suitable candidate for the drought episodes of the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ethos (00912131) is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study aims to examine a set of institutional isomorphic influences toward integrated reporting quality (IRQ) and the role of board independence in moderating such influences. The results from a cross‐sectional sample of 200 international companies indicated that both coercive (regulatory quality) and normative isomorphism (press freedom, CEO with accounting qualification, Dow Jones Sustainability Index listing, and winning an IR award) exert positive effects on IRQ. Moreover, board independence moderates positively for the effects of mimetic isomorphism (environmental sensitive industry) on IRQ. This study contributes to filling the gap in the literature by offering a multi‐theory approach to analyzing the antecedent of IRQ from the lenses of both institutional and agency theory. It also offers a practical contribution for corporate IR adopters, users, and regulatory authorities to improve corporate reporting. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that examines the moderating role of board independence on IRQ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an examination of the joint impact of board structural elements at firm level and financial analysts as market‐level corporate governance (CG) on corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance. Our study contributes to the CG–CSR literature by adopting the bundling approach, a perspective that has recently attracted researchers' attention as an answer to any heterogeneity and fragmentation in existing findings. It is based on an extensive sample consisting of 7,739 firm‐year observations of US firms for the 2006–2015 period. The findings suggest that financial analysts complement the corporate board with more independence, gender diversity and a specialized CSR committee to realize a certain level of CSR performance of a firm. The findings also indicate that analysts substitute for those internal governance factors that are associated with weaker boards – larger sizes and dual‐role CEOs. We also draw implications for research and practice from our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based upon the "quintuple helix" model (Carayannis et al., 2012; Carayannis & Campbell, 2010), this research analyzes whether the differences in the level of achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among 64 countries worldwide can be explained by a series of 19 institutional variables related to five dimensions such as cultural orientation, economic development, the education‐labor system, the political‐legal system and innovation. Our results highlight the crucial role of public policies in attaining SDGs through the improvement of institutional quality, governance systems and economic freedom as well as with the promotion of education and the innovation ecosystem. In this regard, the adoption of the "quintuple helix" model through the interrelation of the government, Universities and the private sector is deemed relevant in order to face the social and environmental challenges posed by the SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose that cycling hydrocarbon rains on Saturn's moon Titan are likely to create subsurface conduits through dissolution geology of the extensive organic and largely‐soluble substrate. In this work we inventory different terrains and locations on Titan that could host potential subsurface access points or caves. Using Cassini data, we identified and enumerated a cryovolcanic construct, filled and empty lake basins that may have formed through karstic processes, estimates of closed valleys in organic plateaux, and enigmatic equatorial pits. Our preliminary survey identified over 21,000 estimated locations for future exploration to identify potential caves and cave forming processes on that world. We speculate that the exploration of these caves could teach us about the cave forming processes, as well as the past climate history and perhaps even chemical deposition history on Titan. Plain Language Summary: Saturn's moon Titan may have extensive caves resulting from cycling hydrocarbon rains dissolving extensive organic materials. Using Cassini data, we identified over 21,000 potential locations on the surface where caves might exist. By exploring Titan caves, we could learn about dissolution geology, past Titan climate, and even how organic molecule production on Titan has changes over time. Titan caves present an exciting exploration target. Key Points: We mapped locations with potential subsurface access points (caves) on TitanWe identified over 21,000 locations that could contain cavesCaves on Titan could form from dissolution geology/karstic processes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Latin American Policy is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper investigates the relationship between sustainability and financial performance using a sample of G7 firms from 2004 to 2020. We find a positive bidirectional relationship that firms with better sustainability performance are more profitable in the future and firms with better financial performance have higher subsequent sustainability performance. In addition, we test how two major crises (the financial crisis and the COVID‐19 pandemic) affect the sustainability‐financial performance relationship. Firms with better sustainability performance are hit harder on their financial performance, but the benefits of financial performance on sustainability are strengthened during the financial crisis. During the ongoing COVID‐19 crisis, firms with strong sustainability performance have been more resilient, and their financial performance has dropped less than firms with poor sustainability performance. However, the benefits of profitability on sustainability are weakened. Our results suggest that sustainability provides "insurance"‐like protection against economic downturns during COVID‐19 and mature sustainability offers economic benefits but not early‐stage sustainability. It expands the contingency perspective of sustainability–financial performance relationship to crisis management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent climate emergency declaration by many nations around the world signifies the severity of the impact of climate change. As an entity which consumes a large quantity of resources ranging from material to human, corporations have a responsibility to seriously tackle climate change. As a company's board of directors is typically responsible for developing business strategies, including environmental strategies, this paper explores whether gender diversity on corporate boards affect firms' emission performance. Consistent with diversity theory, we find that board gender diversity is positively associated with firms' emission reduction performance. The likelihood that a firm with a gender diverse board reduces environmental emission is 9% higher than its industry peers. To ensure that our results are robust to endogeneity, we conduct additional analyses including propensity score matching (PSM), entropy balancing, and instrumental‐variable analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In particular, the results show that corporate social responsibility strengthens the relationship between corporations and employees due to employees' positive perception toward their organizations for the implementation of CSR initiatives. When corporate social responsibility (CSR) increases performance: Exploring the role of intrinsic and extrinsic CSR attribution. The results indicate that cross-cultural legitimacy is significantly associated with responsible innovation practices and firm performance within the Asia-Pacific CBM, while the cross-cultural legitimacy-firm performance association is partially mediated by the responsible innovation practice. This editorial of corporate social responsibility and environmental management summarizes the papers included in the Special Issue "The managerial implications of assessing corporate social performance.". [Extracted from the article]

The traditional view of firm capability building stems from the strategic as well as the tactical levels of firm activities. However, corporate governance entities such as the board may exert influence on firm capabilities by creating the necessary architectural basis and resource configurations that drive the development of firm capability. The current research bridges this important gap and connects firm boardroom diversity to marketing‐side capability. This link is investigated more deeply by including two moderating factors – firm size and CEO power – to present an enriched model of the relationship. Results from our analyses show that an increase in board diversity significantly improves marketing capability. Further, this relationship is stronger (a) for firms that are smaller and (b) for firms with lower CEO power. This study provides useful contributions towards firm board diversity research, as well as for firm capability building in the marketing area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a sample of Chinese‐listed firms over the period 2007–2018, this study investigates the effect of corporate philanthropy (CP) on research and development (R&D) investment and the mechanisms involved. The results show that an inverted U‐shaped relationship exists between CP and R&D investment, suggesting that CP first has a crowding‐in effect and then a crowding‐out effect on R&D investment. Further mechanism analysis shows that the crowding‐in effect of CP on R&D investment is partly realized through the path of obtaining government subsidies and mitigating financing constraints, and the crowding‐out effect is partly the result of agency conflicts and resource allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global concern and controlling its spread is critical for the effectiveness of antibiotics. Members of the genus Salmonella are broadly distributed, and wild boar may play an important role in its circulation between peri‐urban areas and the environment, due to its frequent interactions both with livestock or human garbage. As the population of these animals is rising due to management on certain hunting estates or the absence of natural predators, the aim of the present work is to identify the mechanisms of AMR present and/or expressed in Salmonella spp. from wild boar populations and to determine the possible role of management‐related factors applied to different game estates located in central Spain. The detection of Salmonella spp. was carried out in 121 dead wild boar from 24 game estates, and antimicrobial resistance traits were determined by antibiotic susceptibility testing and screening for their genetic determinants. The effects of feeding supplementation, the proximity of livestock, the existence of a surrounding fence and the density of wild boar on the AMR of the isolates were evaluated. The predominant subspecies and serovar found were S. enterica subsp. enterica (n = 69) and S. choleraesuis (n = 33), respectively. The other subspecies found were S. enterica subsp. diarizonae, S. enterica subsp. salamae and S. enterica subsp. houtenae. AMR was common among isolates (75.2%) and 15.7% showed multi drug resistance (MDR). Resistance to sulphonamides was the most frequent (85.7%), as well as sul1 which was the AMR determinant most commonly found. Plasmids appeared in 38.8% of the isolates, with IncHI1 being the replicon detected with the highest prevalence. The AMR of the isolates increased when the animals were raised with feeding supplementation and enclosed by fences around the estates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building a sustainable organization is one of the most important goals in business. To build sustainability, firms need to have strong social commitment to establish value‐creating stakeholder relationships. As boards of directors play a critical role in setting strategy, providing management oversight and monitoring, it is also their responsibility to ensure the firm's commitment to its social responsibilities. With the right composition, boards can be effective in driving long‐term vision and creating good stakeholder relationships, contributing to firms' social capital. In this paper, we analyze board characteristics of publicly listed US firms and find evidence that support the diversity theory. In particular, that board gender diversity (proportion of female directors) is positively associated with firms' social commitment to human rights, product responsibility, and their community and workforce, evidencing female directors' contribution to firms' sustainability. To ensure the robustness of our analysis, we conduct additional analyses including propensity score matching, entropy balancing, and instrumental‐variable analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of dolmens took place in Europe from the Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age (fifth millennium BC–second millennium BC) and had a rapid development along the Atlantic façade, with an important focus in Andalusia. Within this area, the megalithic necropolises located in the banks of the Gor River (Granada, Andalusia, Spain) are studied. In this paper, multivariate techniques are applied to characterize the dolmens associated with the Gor river megalithic landscape by means of two analyses. First, a new classification of the dolmens in necropolises using their location variables produces an optimal number of 8 necropolis instead of the traditional 11. In addition, this classification improves the traditional spatial division of the dolmens because there is no overlapping between necropolises. Secondly, a multivariate analysis of the dimensional variables, which aims to detect possible constructional patterns, is performed obtaining three main variables of grouping. The first two, length and width of the chamber, can be summarized as the area of the chamber and, in terms of this, the dolmens can be classified into two main groups. The third one, the length of the corridor, can be considered as a factor for intragroup discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]