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Abstract This paper examines the relationship between firm performance and cost of debt. More specifically this paper empirically shows that fund providers charge lower cost on debt for highly performing companies compared to lower performing companies. We argue that the profitable companies are more resilient, and they have more survivable capacity which impacts on the pricing of the cost of debt. In contrast, lower performing companies are more prone to financial distress or may have higher chances of non-repayment of loans thereby fund providers charge higher interest to compensate the risks. Consistently, analyzing 547 firm year observations for the period of 2015–2019 we find that the cost of debt is significantly lower for the highly performing companies compared to the lower performing companies. The negative relation between the cost of debt and firm performance is highly pronounced in smaller companies compared to bigger companies. It suggests that fund providers create opportunities for smaller companies thereby results in balanced growth in the economy. Our results are robust to a set of alternative measures of firm performance. This study has several policy implications and contributions to the literature of the cost of debt in developing economies.

Abstract Background Spinal cord damage (SCD) is rare in children, hence the paucity of literature on the subject, particularly in developing countries. This study aims to define the clinical epidemiology of paediatric SCD in a Nigerian tertiary health facility. Methods A retrospective review of a 42-month long prospectively collected clinical data on paediatric SCD in a rural neurosurgery unit. Results There were 37 children (20 males) accounting for about 12% of the paediatric neurosurgical patients we managed during the study period. The mean age was 6.9 years (peak = 0–4 years, 43.2%). Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) was the cause of SCD in 54.1% (20/37) of the cases, spinal bifida in 37.8%, spinal cord tumour in 5.4%, and spinal tuberculosis in 2.7%. The mean age of patients with traumatic SCI was 11.5 years, while the median age for spinal bifida was 3 days. Traumatic SCI was caused by road traffic accident in 70% (14/20), and falls in 25%. The cervical spinal cord was the location of the spinal cord damage in 51.4% of all the cases in this study, lumbosacral in 24.3%, and sacral in 10.8%. Traumatic SCI was predominantly located in the cervical region in (90%, 18/20) while spinal bifida was most commonly lumbosacral (64.3%, 9/14). Conclusion Spinal cord damage accounted for more than a tenth (12.1%) of our paediatric neurosurgical workload in this rural neurosurgery, and are mostly due to traumatic SCI and spinal bifida.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Extended producer responsibility has been a policy tool for managing solar photovoltaic waste in European Union countries for approximately a decade. Furthermore, EPR has been widely used in many countries for electronic waste and other forms of waste management. Several studies have recommended this tool to sustainably manage solar photovoltaic waste in countries transitioning to large-scale solar energy usage. Nevertheless, implementing a policy tool varies depending on numerous factors, particularly context differences in developed and developing countries. The research on adopting and implementing this tool for solar photovoltaic waste management is limited in developing countries. Bangladesh requires appropriate regulations to manage the impending waste, which will soon encounter substantial end-of-life solar photovoltaic panel volumes. Therefore, this study investigated the adoption and implementation of the extended producer responsibility policy tool within the context of Bangladesh.METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify the enabling and challenging factors influencing the implementation of this tool. Subsequently, a Likert Scale-based questionnaire incorporating the enabling and challenging factors was framed. A survey targeting stakeholders in the solar photovoltaic sector was then performed. Data analysis involved univariate and bivariate analyses, and Bangladesh was selected as a representative developing country for this study.FINDING: The results revealed that stakeholders in the solar PV industry significantly emphasized (mean > 3) all enabling factors associated with extended producer responsibility for adoption in their country to manage end-of-life photovoltaic panels. This observation signified the importance of adopting and implementing extended producer responsibility to manage the impending disposal of end-of-life solar photovoltaic panels. Among the enabling factors, the public expense reduction (mean = 3.97), user acceptance (mean = 3.89), eco-design encouragement (mean = 4.02), and the local recycling facility with secondary material market establishments (mean = 3.89) emerged as the most crucial factors. The solar photovoltaic waste-specific regulations (mean = 3.72), the absence of a pre-established collection network (mean = 4.20), and weak institutional capacity (mean = 4.03) were identified as challenging factors requiring special attention during this tool adoption. The inter-item correlation matrix analysis for enabling and challenging factors also demonstrated high significance. Moreover, Cronbach's alpha for enabling and challenging factors were 0.885 and 0.749, respectively. This outcome suggested a good and acceptable internal consistency level among the factors.CONCLUSION: Adopting extended producer responsibility was essential in developing countries to ensure the sustainable management of end-of-life solar photovoltaic panels. Nonetheless, successful implementation required addressing specific domestic concerns, such as the absence of a pre-existing waste take-back system and weak institutional capacity. Regulators should also proactively take measures to leverage enabling factors, including gaining users' acceptance, reducing costs, and potentially tapping into secondary material markets. Consequently, this study can assist in formulating appropriate regulations regarding the sustainable management of hazardous end-of-life solar photovoltaic panels. The findings can be utilized in Bangladesh and other countries encountering similar challenges, contributing to environmental preservation and eco-friendly development.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the impact of big data disclosure on audit quality in the Omani context. Design/methodology/approach: This study used data extracted from annual reports for a sample from financial companies listed on the Muscat Stock Exchange over the period from 2014 to 2020. We applied a content analysis approach to measure the level of big data disclosure in these firms. This study used ordinary least squares and panel data regression analysis to investigate the relationship between big data disclosure and audit quality. Moreover, we moderated the relationship between big data disclosure and audit quality with family members who are serving on the board of directors and with royal membership. Findings: The findings of the study indicated that big data disclosure played a vital role in enhancing the audit quality of the financial firms in the Omani context. In addition, family memberships positively moderated the association between big data disclosure and audit quality in these firms. However, royal members negatively moderated such relationship. Research limitations/implications: We included only financial institutions in the sample. Practical implications: The study offers practical implications for investors, managers, and policymakers. It will raise awareness on the importance of implementing regulations necessary for disclosing such information in annual reports, thereby enhancing the audit quality of firms and increasing the reliability and validity of financial reports. Originality/value: The study is considered the first, to the best of our knowledge, to examine the impact of big data disclosure on the audit quality in the Omani context. It contributes to the existing knowledge of digital transformation in the Omani financial firms.

Lean practice is recognised for having a great potential in promoting safety risk management in off-site construction (OSC). This paper presents results of a study conducted to assess the impact of lean practice on safety risk management in OSC in a developing country. A quantitative approach using a survey-based questionnaire was adopted. Lean management practices (LMPs) identified from a literature review were empirically tested using a sample survey of 103 OSC contractors. The survey responses were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. The top ranked LMPs for safety risk management in OSC included two mistake-proofing practices, i.e., use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and use of hazard warning equipment; two last planner system (LPS) practices, i.e., involvement of workers in safety planning and providing necessary working equipment; and one first run studies (FRS) practice, i.e., critical analysis of work methods. These LMPs are useful in controlling high-consequence safety risks in OSC. Based on evidence found in this study, the paper argues that lean practice can bring great value to safety risk management in OSC in countries where OSC is transitioning.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people globally, causing widespread illness and functional limitations. Methods This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between COVID-19 symptoms and the functional status of COVID-19 survivors at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in Bangladesh. A total of 244 COVID-19 survivors were enrolled in the study, and their symptoms and functional status were assessed using standardized questionnaires. The post-COVID-19 functional status scale (PCFS) was used to assess the entire range of functional outcomes. Results Among the participants 57.4% were male and 42.6% were female. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 44.6 ±14.7 years where 37.7% were from the 20-35 years age group. The mean duration of suffering from COVID-19 was 15.9 ±6.1 days where 61.5 % of the patients had a duration of suffering of 11-20 days. Out of the 244 patients, 40 patients had no functional limitation (grade 0 functional status in the PCFS scale) while 100 had negligible functional limitation and 14 had severe functional limitation. We found patients who were suffering from multi-symptoms were statistically significant with PCFS scale grade 4, whereas grade 1 was found to be statistically significant with only respiratory distress. There was a significant association between the duration of COVID-19 symptoms and post-COVID-19 functional status for patients who experienced symptoms for 14 days or more (p Conclusions Considering the negative impact of COVID-19 symptoms on functional status, comprehensive care and support are required for COVID-19 survivors.

Background Health policies form the foundation for provisioning best level care and are important for all stakeholders including patients and healthcare providers. Health policy analysis and evaluation allows policy makers to improve an existing policy, terminate a non-effective policy and to successfully implement future policies. The objective was to assess the coherence between the two local policy documents on NCD prevention and control in Sri Lanka, the national NCD policy (NCD policy) and the multisectoral action plan (MSAP), and to assess the consistency of MSAP with the global action plan for NCDs. Methods The content analysis of the NCD policy and MSAP of Sri Lanka was conducted based on the modified criteria developed to the ‘Analysis of determinants of policy impact’ model, by two reviewers independently. Coherence between MSAP and the global NCD action plan were also assessed by two reviewers independently. Consensus for discrepancy was achieved through discussion. Results Accessibility was the strongest criteria for the NCD policy, while, resources and obligations were the weakest. Goals and monitoring and evaluation criteria were the strongest in the MSAP. Requirement for improvement were identified in policy background, goals, monitoring and evaluation, and public opportunities for the NCD policy. Accessibility, policy background, resources, public opportunities and obligations require further improvement in the MSAP. The MSAP is well coherent with the global road map for NCD prevention and control. Conclusion Policy documents related to NCD prevention and control in Sri Lanka are coherent with the global action plan, while, there are areas within the local policy documents that need to be improved to enhance the coherence between the local documents. Lessons learnt by this activity need to be utilized by Sri Lanka and other countries to improve the uniformity between the NCD policy documents within the country as well as internationally.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people globally, causing widespread illness and functional limitations. Methods This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between COVID-19 symptoms and the functional status of COVID-19 survivors at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in Bangladesh. A total of 244 COVID-19 survivors were enrolled in the study, and their symptoms and functional status were assessed using standardized questionnaires. The post-COVID-19 functional status scale (PCFS) was used to assess the entire range of functional outcomes. Results Among the participants 57.4% were male and 42.6% were female. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 44.6 ±14.7 years where 37.7% were from the 20-35 years age group. The mean duration of suffering from COVID-19 was 15.9 ±6.1 days where 61.5 % of the patients had a duration of suffering of 11-20 days. Out of the 244 patients, 40 patients had no functional limitation (grade 0 functional status in the PCFS scale) while 100 had negligible functional limitation and 14 had severe functional limitation. We found patients who were suffering from multi-symptoms were statistically significant with PCFS scale grade 4, whereas grade 1 was found to be statistically significant with only respiratory distress. There was a significant association between the duration of COVID-19 symptoms and post-COVID-19 functional status for patients who experienced symptoms for 14 days or more (p Conclusions Considering the negative impact of COVID-19 symptoms on functional status, comprehensive care and support are required for COVID-19 survivors.

Background: Globally, there is a concerning surge in the prevalence of substance use among adolescents and children, creating a substantial public health problem. Despite the magnitude of this issue, accessing healthcare explicitly for substance use remains challenging, even though many substance users frequently visit healthcare institutions for other health-related issues. To address this gap, proactive screening for substance use disorders has emerged as a critical strategy for identifying and engaging patients at risk of substance use. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of probable alcohol and other substance use disorders, and associated factors, among children aged 6 to 17 years old attending health facilities in Mbale, Uganda. Methods: We conducted a health facility cross-sectional study, involving 854 children aged 6–17 years. The prevalence of probable alcohol and other substance use disorders was assessed using a validated Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble (CRAFFT) screening tool. Univariable and multivariable modified Poisson regression analyses were performed using STATA 15 software. Results: The overall prevalence of probable alcohol use disorders (AUD) and other substance use disorders (SUD) was 27.8% (95% CI 1.24–1.31) while that of probable AUD alone was 25.3% (95% CI 1.22–1.28). Peer substance use (APR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.10–1.32), sibling substance use (APR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.06–1.23), catholic caregiver religion (APR = 1.07 95% CI 1.01–1.13), caregiver income of more than $128 (APR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.82–0.98), having no parental reprimand for substance use (APR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.10) and having no knowledge of how to decline an offer to use substances (APR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.01–1.12) were found to be significantly associated with probable AUD/SUD. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a high prevalence of probable AUD and SUD among children and adolescents visiting healthcare facilities for other conditions, along with a strong link between AUD and SUD prevalence and social factors. The implication for our healthcare system is to actively screen for and treat these conditions at primary healthcare facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer affects mental health in older adults with cancer (OAC), affecting almost 50% of the patients. There are only a few studies on psychiatric disorders in OAC, especially in low resource settings. We report on our real-world experience of prevalence of and factors associated with psychiatric disorders in OAC referred to a psycho-oncology service in an Indian tertiary care cancer institute. Methods: We retrospectively analysed medical and psycho-oncology records of patients aged 60 + on cancer-directed treatment or follow-up for < 2 years after treatment completion, referred to psycho-oncology services in a tertiary care cancer centre in Mumbai, India, from Jan 2011-Dec 2017. We recorded sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment-related variables, as well as past psychiatric disorders. The ICD-10 was used to record current psychiatric disorder type and presence. IBM SPSS version 24 (Armonk, NY, USA) was used for descriptive measures, tests of association, and logistic regression analysis. The study protocol was approved by Institutional Ethics Committee and registered with the Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI/2020/06/026095). Results: Of 763 patients included in the study, 475 (62.3%) were males and 436 (57.1%) were inpatients, with a median age of 65 years. 93% of the patients had a solid tumour and 207 (27.1%) had a history of psychiatric disorder. A current psychiatric diagnosis was noted in 556 patients (72.9%) on initial presentation, of which adjustment disorders, delirium and depression and anxiety disorders were most frequently seen in 25.2%, 21% and 11.1%, respectively. On univariate analysis, a past history of psychiatric disorders (χ2 = 34.6, p < 0.001), lower performance status (χ2 = 9.9, p = 0.002) and haematolymphoid malignancy (χ2 = 4.08, p = 0.04) significantly increased the risk of current psychiatric diagnosis. Logistic regression confirmed these variables as significant. Conclusion: Older adults with cancer referred to psycho-oncology services have high rates of psychiatric disorders at their initial presentation, mainly adjustment disorders, delirium and depression and anxiety. A past history of psychiatric disorders, lower performance status and haematolymphoid cancers significantly increased the risk of psychiatric disorders. Multidisciplinary psycho-oncology teams including a psychiatrist should be integrated in comprehensive care of this group of patients. Further research outcomes and effect of psycho-oncological interventions is required in older adults with cancer in LMIC settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To determine the trend of cancer cases referred to the Department of Clinical Oncology in UMMC in terms of patient volumes over a period of 10 years. To define the stage at presentation of the top five cancers in males and females, respectively. To determine the overall radiotherapy utilization rates. Methods and Material: This is a retrospective analysis of all new cases seen at the Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), from the year 2009 to 2018 inclusive. The top five cancers in males and females were defined in terms of patient volumes and stage at presentation. The overall actual radiotherapy utilization rates were determined. Results: A total of 12,672 patients were included for analysis. A total of 62.9% of the cases were females and 37.1% were males. The median age of presentation was 59 years old. Breast cancer was the most common cancer, followed by colorectal, lung, thyroid, and prostate cancer. The most common presenting stage was stage 4. The overall actual radiotherapy utilization rate (aRTU) was 40.1%. Curative intent makes up 74.3% of radiotherapy and 66.6% of chemotherapy utilization. Conclusions: The cancer distribution and trends among our patients are comparable with national and regional data. The overall actual radiotherapy utilization rate in the UMMC was lower than the estimated optimal rate of 53% but higher than the actual rate of 28% for Malaysia. This study provides valuable insight into current cancer trends and treatment demands to facilitate service planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with adjuvant radiotherapy remains the standard of care for early breast cancers in Pakistan. We sought to compare the outcomes of BCS with oncoplastic surgery (OPS), a relatively infrequent approach to breast cancer treatment in the country. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital and Ziauddin Hospital in Karachi. Patients who had biopsy-proven Stage-I to III breast cancer and underwent either OPS or BCS between August 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021, were identified and followed for 30 days. Data were collected by reviewing patient files and electronic records. Results: A total of 481 patients were included in the study, where 204 (42.4%) underwent BCS and 277 (57.6%) underwent OPS. Mean tumor volume (146.8 vs. 90.4 cm3 ), and postoperative complications (2.2 % vs. 0%) were higher in OPS while the frequency of positive margins was greater in the BCS group (15.7 % vs. 2.2 %). There were no significant differences in the histologic type of tumor between the two groups. Conclusion: OPS is a valid alternative approach to breast cancer treatment that can be offered to women with early stage, locally advanced, multifocal or tumors at complex locations owing to the reduced occurrence of positive margins and thus lowered re-excision rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication that can occur following hip arthroplasty. We report the technical therapeutic adaptations and results of a short case series of hip PJI at the Yaoundé General Hospital (YGH), Cameroon. All patients admitted and treated for PJI at the YGH from January 2020 to December 2022, and followed-up for at least one year, were included in this retrospective study. The primary endpoint was the rate of persistence of infection or recurrence of infection at a minimum follow-up of one year. The secondary endpoints were the rate of reoperation of the same hip, loosening, mortality, Postel Merle d'Aubigné (PMA) functional score. In total, 8 patients presenting 9 episodes of PJI were included. PJI occurred early in 4 cases, delayed in 2 cases, and late in 3 cases. All patients received surgical treatment associated with probabilistic antibiotic therapy, then adapted to bacterial culture for at least 6 weeks. The techniques performed were debridement and implant sterilization (DAIS) then reimplantation in a single surgery in 4 cases, debridement and implant retention (DAIR) in 1 case, debridement and implant exchange (DAIEX) in one stage in 1 case, the DAIEX in 2 stagesin 1 case and debridement and implant removal (Girdlestone intervention) in 02 cases. Apart from the patient treated with DAIR who evolved toward persistence of PJI, then successfully managed secondarily by DAIS, infection was controlled in all patients at a median follow-up of 26 months. No patient has required re-operation on the same hip during followup to date. Two cases of death were observed during the follow-up period. The functionalresult was satisfactory, with a median PMA score of 15 (11- 17) and all patientssaid they were very satisfied with the treatment of their PJI. Thisshort case seriesfinds that the treatment of hip PJI by DAIS, DAIEX, and Girdlestone gives good results in our environment. In limited-resources settings where it is not always possible for a patient who developed PJI to purchase a new prosthesis, DAIS seems to be a relevant and reliable alternative [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the impacts of human-centric brand attributes and their associated dimensions on advocacy by the consumers. This study also tests the moderating role of gender identity of the consumers on the above stated issue. The paper adopted a mixed mode approach where at first a primary list of attributes was purified based on the qualitative comments of academics and industry experts. Later on, authors collected 861 primary quantitative data from young consumers of a developing country and analyzed those through structural equation modeling. This study offers a 29-attribute eight-dimensional brand personality and WOM model for smartphone brands. Results revealed that quick problem solver, empathetic, professionalism, trustworthy, and competent are the preferred human-centric attributes among the young customers while choosing a smartphone brand. Results also found that gender identity plays a significantly differentiating role while spreading positive WOM for a smartphone brand. Young users with masculine identity emphasize on sociability and intellectuality dimensions and their associated human-attributes while promoting positive WOM regarding the smartphone brand. Users with feminine traits on the other hand share more about emotionality and physicality aspects of the brand during advocacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article draws on a large occupational database of 2514 occupations required for 581 industries in 558 microregions and five macroregions in Brazil and shows that occupational relatedness is associated with regional occupational branching (entry of related and exit of unrelated occupations) in a developing country marked by enormous regional disparities. Three types of occupational relatedness were examined: local synergy-, complementarity- and similarity-relatedness densities. Local synergy- and complementarity-relatedness densities were most closely associated with regional branching, and were more relevant to preventing the decline of specializations than promoting the emergence of new ones. All types of relatedness were more closely associated with preventing the disappearance of occupations from the most backward regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines tertiary students' behavioural intention to resume face‐to‐face mode of study, post‐COVID‐19. A modified UTAUT2 model of nine factors and a moderator is used to investigate the impact of these factors on developing country's tertiary students' behavioural intention. The influence of these students' behavioural intention on se behaviour is also examined. Using a quantitative research approach, data were gathered from 419 students at a regional university using convenience sampling technique. Data were analysed to test and validate the proposed model using covariance‐based structural equation modelling. The study's findings reveal significant positive relationships between social influence, hedonic motivation, facilitating conditions, commitment, behavioural intention and use behaviour. However, it did not find performance expectancy, effort expectancy, price value, trust and comfortability, reporting any significant positive influence on behavioural intentions. Additionally, the moderating analysis shows that COVID‐19 fear did not moderate or strengthen the association between behavioural intentions and use behaviour, given the insignificant interaction effect of COVID‐19 fear. This study provides novelty in the contextual application of the modified UTAUT2 model, post‐COVID‐19. The addition of three additional constructs (trust, commitment and comfortability) has further improved the predictive power of the model. Lastly, the new construct that emerged in recent literature, COVID‐19 fear, has been tested for the first time within the UTAUT2 model as a moderator between behavioural intentions and use behaviour. In terms of practical implications, this study first adds to the current literature on higher education, after the COVID‐19 situation, being useful to education scholars. Second, it also offers specific suggestions to educational institutions and policymakers who fund universities. Such suggestions include: involving students' families in orientation and open day events, featuring family and friend support in promotional activities, upgrading facilities, including more teaching and learning sessions with team‐based assessments, encouraging comfortable interactions and continuously practising COVID‐19 safety protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millions of people all over the world are affected by disability arising out of accident, disease, or congenital. This is a crucial health issue for mankind and needs structured treatment and rehabilitation plans. Prevalence and management capacity of disability have wide cross-cultural and geographical variations. Despite the lack of specific data there are reasons to believe that third-world countries have more disabilities and fewer resources and capacity for rehabilitation. So, there is a strong relationship between poverty and disability. Marginalized populations, disadvantaged or at-risk populations such as women, older people, and people who are poor are inappropriately affected by disability. Children from poverty-stricken families, indigenous populations, and ethnic minority groups are significantly at higher risk of experiencing disability. There is a higher prevalence of disability in lower-income countries than in higher-income countries. Poor people from lowerincome countries are usually involved in high-risk jobs which make them vulnerable to injury and disability. Because of exaggerated life stress, poor health status, and poor living conditions due to poverty, people at low resource outset are more vulnerable to disease and disability. Of inadequate support from affluent persons as well as from the government, they spend their last savings to meet the treatment costs and get poorer. They are also common victims of road traffic accidents when they travel on risky roads and vehicles. There are many other shreds of evidence for a link between disability and poverty in low and middle-income countries and there is an urgent need for further research and policy action to break the cycle. This review article intends to find out the relationship between poverty and disability and reveals how poverty influences suffering disability and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barriers to the establishment of advanced technologies in developing countries were overcome when modern theranostics pertaining to the use of Ga-68 and Lu-177 PSMA and DOTATATE were first offered to patients in the Philippines in early 2018. However, significant growth was not experienced at St. Luke's Medical Center for five years and lutetium was not yet distributed to other institutions by a radiopharmaceutical supplier. Due to the relative novelty and rapid expansion of theranostics worldwide, position statements were released by the Australasian Association of Nuclear Medicine Specialists, European Association of Nuclear Medicine, Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and International Atomic Energy Agency primarily to uphold patient safety and ensure a level of standard among its practitioners. Subsequently in the latter half of 2022, these were adopted and modified according to what is feasible and applicable locally within the Philippine Society of Nuclear Medicine, considering the current status and future possibilities. Different representatives were involved, and several groups were mobilized for successful implementation. A liability clause was incorporated to discourage unprofessional acts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online interviews can be powerful tools in global health research. In this article, we review the literature on the use of and challenges associated with online interviews in health research in Africa and make recommendations for future online qualitative studies. The scoping review methodology was used. We searched on Medline and Embase in March 2022 for qualitative articles that used internet-based interviews as a data collection method. Following full-text reviews, we included nine articles. We found that online interviews were typically conducted via Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook Messaging and E-mail chats. Online interviews were used in Africa because of the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the need to sample participants across multiple countries or communities. Recruitment for online interviews occurred online, interviews were characterised by inaudible sounds, the inability to use video options and the challenges of including people with low income and education. We recommend that researchers critically evaluate the feasibility of online interviews within a particular African locality before fully implementing this data collection approach. Researchers may also collaborate with community-based organisations to help recruit a more socioeconomically diverse sample because of the potential of excluding participants with limited internet access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of shared, autonomous, electric, and on-demand mobility services introduces urban air mobility (UAM) as an emerging intra-city transportation service operated by vertical take-off and landing aircraft. Despite the potential benefits of UAM limited literature exists on the end user's perception and the challenges to its societal acceptance, especially in developing economies. This paper addresses this gap in the literature by investigating the factors influencing UAM usage intention in Tehran, a developing country capital. Within the framework of the extended technology acceptance model, the study collected 828 valid questionnaires through a face-to-face survey. Structural equation modeling is employed to highlight the effects of a wide range of factors associated with individual differences, system characteristics, and social influence. The findings indicate that attitude, subjective norms, trust, perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment, personal innovativeness, ecological awareness, and price evaluation are positively associated with UAM usage intention, while perceived safety correlates with the attitude toward UAM negatively. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders, fostering a deeper understanding of end-user perspectives in developing countries, and prudently promising the potential for its targeted implementation. The study suggests that although its widespread adoption in developing countries is unlikely to occur in the near future, UAM should be regarded as a viable early and timely solution to persistent issues such as chronic congestion in metropolitan areas of the global south. • Urban Air Mobility (UAM) provides a fast, green and convenient mode of transportation. • Attitude is the primary factor that determines individuals' inclination toward UAM. • Other factors such as Subjective norm, Trust, and Perceived usefulness also contribute to individuals' inclination toward UAM. • Safety concerns is the only factor that has a negative impact on the attitude toward using UAM. • In a developing country context UAM can be implemented for targeted markets, although its widespread use seems infeasible in the current stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research is to determine the impact of legal and regulatory qualities on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and explore its impact in developed and developing countries, comparatively. The sample comprises data on FDI inflows from 66 countries, spanning the period 2008 to 2021. To estimate the regression parameters, the quantile regression with fixed effects model proposed by Machado and Santos Silva (2019) was employed. Additionally, the regression results were supported using random effects and fixed effects models with Driscoll-Kraay (1998) standard errors. The results of the quantile regression analysis reveal that legal and regulatory qualities have a positively significant effect on FDI inflows. This impact is greater in developing countries than in developed countries, and the discrepancy increases with higher FDI levels. These findings hold important policy implications for decision-makers. To attract FDI, particularly in developing countries, it is crucial to strengthen legal systems by safeguarding property rights, establishing contractual certainty, and implementing effective dispute resolution mechanisms. More so, efforts should be taken to reduce rent-seeking behavior and prevent powerful groups from receiving unfair advantages. Failure to address these issues may increase the risks and impede a country's economic development in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the correlation between economic growth and the impact on the environment, specifically focusing on the concept of environmental sustainability. The World Bank's Adjusted Net Savings (ANS) data is utilized in this study to gauge the strain on the environment, specifically through the measurement of natural disinvestment. This measurement encompasses the cumulative effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) damage, as well as depletions in minerals, energy, and forest resources. This study uses panel data with respect to the endogeneity of explanatory variables to estimate the real effect of per capita income and the other variables on environmental pressure. In this regard, employing the panel Fixed-Effects Instrumental Variable (IV) methodology, the data from 213 countries have been used in the period from 1990 to 2018. Through regression analysis, it has been discovered that there is a direct correlation between income and the impact on the environment in developing nations. However, this relationship is notably more pronounced in low-income countries compared to high-income countries. Additionally, the study reveals that trade expansion contributes to an increase in environmental pressure across all groups of countries. An increase in the school enrolment rate can affect the environment in developed and high-income developing countries. Moreover, the variable effect of capital openness on environmental pressure was estimated to be positive for developed and high-income countries. However, this effect was found to be negative for low-income countries. Finally, the result showed that developing countries should improve their legal structure and also reduce the bureaucracy and complexity of the laws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To review the 10-year experience of pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma at a single center in Türkiye. Material and Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of 82 pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma patients up to 18 years of age treated between 2009 and 2020. Results: The mean age of the patients was 11 years (range 3-17 years), and 68% of the patients were male. The distribution of patients by stage was as follows: stage I, n=2 (2%); stage II, n=32 (39%); stage III, n=35 (43%); and stage IV, n=13 (16%). The trend in histopathology was predominantly mixed cellularity at 49%. The most common treatment protocol was ABVD (adriamycin, bleomycin, vincristine, doxorubicin), used in 83% of cases. The majority of patients (n=76, 93%) received involved-field radiotherapy following chemotherapy. Complete remission was achieved with firstline chemotherapy in 90% of cases. The 2-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) rates were 97.5% and 92%, respectively. There was no significant difference in OS and EFS in terms of gender, stage, and the presence of B symptoms. Conclusion: Our data shows an excellent outcome for pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma, with results comparable to those of developed countries. Future studies should focus not only on treatment efficacy but also on identifying the best approaches to reduce long-term negative side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SMEs are pivotal in South Africa's economic growth path and the sector is identified as the key provider of employment, projecting that by 2030, ninety percent of jobs in SA will be created through SMEs. Unemployment in South Africa is at an all-time high, more than 30 percent of the economically active population is without jobs since South Africa's democratically elected government. Thus, this study explored the operational efficiency factors that are largely controlled by SMEs, which could impact their growth. Data from a quantitative research design using an online survey was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. It was ascertained that operational efficiency (OE) is positively related to SME growth. The study tested eight (8) factors of growth, namely, the number of people employed, sales, revenue, gross profit, value of assets, number of customers, number of vendors and number of suppliers. The findings reveal that all eight (8) growth measures combine to form a reliable composite variable that can be used to measure growth in small businesses. A significant contribution of the study is that the seven OE practices, namely, Lean practice, Supply Chain Management, Human Resource Management, Technology, Innovation, Marketing, and Quality, that comprise sub-elements of OE, Technological Practices and Innovation are significant predictors of small business growth. Thus, SMEs that embrace technological and innovation practices are more likely to survive and grow and consequently create jobs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a review of clinical trials conducted in developing countries, with a particular focus on Pakistan. It highlights the barriers faced by clinical research in Pakistan, including lack of funding, skilled personnel, and regulatory issues. Most funding for clinical trials in Pakistan comes from Western countries or pharmaceutical companies based in the West. The article suggests several strategies to improve the current state, such as increasing funding, simplifying regulatory systems, and addressing cultural and religious concerns. Despite challenges, academic institutions in Pakistan actively engage in clinical research, and efforts are being made to address issues and improve the state of clinical trials in the country. The article also references other resources that discuss the impact of COVID-19 on clinical research, the potential market for clinical trials in Pakistan, and insights related to conducting clinical trials in African countries. These resources provide valuable information for researchers and individuals interested in understanding the current state of clinical research in these regions. [Extracted from the article]

This study aims to examine the use of smartphones for educational purposes and the acceptance of online learning among secondary students. To investigate the academic utilization of smartphones among secondary students in Bangladesh, a sample of 384 students from different districts of Bangladesh were surveyed. The survey was conducted using a self-administered, semi-tailored computerized questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using IBM SPSS statistics 26 and the Mann-Whitney U test. The findings indicate that male students used smartphones for educational purposes with greater confidence and less difficulty than female students. On the other hand, students in 8th to 10th grade classrooms reported a greater willingness to use smartphones for academic purposes, with urban students being more enthusiastic than their rural peers. The study’s findings have implications for the government, policymakers, educators, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). They highlight the importance of ensuring equal access to resources and tools that support academic success, as well as addressing the adverse effects of excessive smartphone usage. In addition, the government and NGOs should prioritize the elimination of inequities between rural and urban areas and provide subsidies to rural students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a gap in the existing literature in exploring comprehensive capability needs and degree of functioning achievements of indigenous people living in developing nations. This study offers a nine-dimensional 43-item statistically valid, and reliable model that captures capability and functioning achievement indicators as perceived by the indigenous people of Bangladesh. Also, the paper investigates the extent to which the impacts of capability dimensions on functioning achievements change concerning the degree of use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) by the indigenous community. The methodology of the study is based on 1741 primary data collected by way of a survey and analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling. Results revealed that effects of seven out of eight capability dimensions on functioning achievements had improved significantly due to the higher use of ICT. The study also revealed that frequent use of ICT could reduce the degree of vulnerability among the indigenous poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With less than seven years before the UN's Sustainable Development Goals deadline, the race is on to achieve universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services in low-income communities in developing countries. These communities are mostly distant from central grids and economically suitable for off-grid mini-grid systems. Data suggest that these mini-grids are not sustained and often fail after a few years of operation. The authors investigated the challenges of an existing mini-grid system in Ghana and proposed measures to overcome them. Field surveys with expert stakeholders and users of the system were conducted to examine the challenges. The results showed that 98% of the residents use power for domestic purposes. The inability to pay for the power consumed was the highest-ranked challenge the users faced followed by power quality issues. From the expert stakeholders' perspectives, economic challenges were the most significant barriers with a mean score range of 3.92 to 4.73 on a 1–5 Likert scale, followed by political challenges. The researchers propose that implementers must optimize non-hardware costs and promote local component manufacturing to address these economic challenges. In addition, we suggest that the government review the government-driven policy and involve the private sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital information adoption among the older generation is becoming interesting, and e-reading consumption is an important phenomenon. The current study explores the e-reading consumption experience among Pakistani generation X readers (Xers) through the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), along with TPB model validation through a larger sample. A mixed-method research design (exploratory sequential) was employed. The study was completed in two phases; the first phase was qualitative based on nine (n = 9) in-depth face-to-face interviews. In the second phase, a quantitative research design was employed. A survey questionnaire was developed based on the TPB model and outcomes of the first phase, and the data were collected from 250 Xers from Pakistani public libraries. The first phase outlined numerous positive consequences and challenges specific to the behavioural beliefs. The circle of friends, colleagues and supervisors encourage e-reading consumption given the benefits, speed, and saver of time, cost, and effort, to name a few. Notably, e-reading consumption intention leaves no alternative for Xers in the digital information era. The results of second phase show that seven out of nine proposed hypotheses were supported significantly H2 (β = 0.33, p =.00), H3 (β = 0.20, p =.02), H4 (β = 0.27, p =.00), H6 (β = 0.22, p =.01), H7 (β = 0.18, p =.03), H8 (β =.28, p =.00) and H9 (β = −0.15, p =.04), whereas H1 (β = −0.03, p =.66) and H5 (β = −0.02, p =.73) were rejected. The current study extends the theoretical foundations of TPB in the age of digital information consumption by exploring dimensions qualitatively and tested that proposed relationship quantitatively from a developing country context, Pakistani Xers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adoption of agricultural machinery in countries with a developing economy can have a significant impact on improving well-being and pro-poor growth. However, this requires farmers to buy into mechanized farming, which is more likely to happen if the machinery meets their needs. The objective of this paper is to identify deciding factors for traditional farmers to adopt machinery and identify design requirements. Payback models were developed based on these design requirements, willingness to pay, and expected returns. Thirty-six farmers in Sudan were interviewed throughout 2019–2021. Six of these farmers were provided tractors during 2020 and 2021. Differences in net-profits between the 30 control and 6 treatment farms during the mechanized farming seasons were used in the models for expected profits. There were no significant differences in tractor design preferences between the treatment and control groups. Two cost models were estimated using a 95% confidence interval: entire Δ profit (entire additional profit from mechanized farming above nonmechanized) and percentage of total profit (percentage of total net-profits willing to spend). For the average farm size in this study (44.39 acres) and a market available tractor that satisfied all farmer needs, payback was 3.92 years [2.34, 8.54] and 4.57 years [3.39, 6.38] for the models, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The idea that not all types of consumption benefit well-being is not new. However, its recent formalization within the framework of the behavioral and social sciences has led to a rapid expansion of knowledge about the goods that are most effective in increasing happiness. Most evidence has been obtained from the developed world and with a focus on broad categories that ignore meaningful heterogeneities. This paper contributes to this domain by conducting a detailed analysis of the relationship that happiness has with a variety of market goods and with aggregate measures of purchasing power. We do this using the data of Ecuador, a country characterized by a relational-oriented culture, high collectivist values, structural inequalities, and weak political institutions. Throughout the paper, we tested various hypotheses related to this particular context. The results show that consumption is superior to income as a predictor of happiness. Higher levels of happiness can also be seen among people who spend more on relational and time-saving goods; less on health and alcohol; and own a good quality of dwelling. As for basic goods, some seem beneficial in the whole sample analysis, but they exhibit a stronger relationship with happiness among the poor. Additionally, we find that, in most cases, public goods as well as paying taxes correlate negatively with happiness. Moreover, we identify some heterogeneities that shed light on the behavior of the poor and that reflect unequal distribution of household tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To explore collaborative practice and perceptions and attitudes of key stakeholders on collaboration in type 2 diabetes management in a tertiary care setting. Background: Understanding collaborative practice in diabetes care in developing countries helps to design and provide patient‐centred and cost‐effective care. Design: An exploratory qualitative study. Methods: Interviews were undertaken with 30 patients and 18 health professionals and policymakers. Thematic data analysis was undertaken to explore collaborative practice and examine participant perspectives on collaboration in diabetes management. We compared the findings with D'Amour's Collaboration Framework to determine the level of collaboration. Results: Most participants reported a lack of collaborative practice in diabetes management, while they appreciated its importance in improving care. Perceptions varied with respect to what constituted collaborative practice. Three themes were identified: (1) perspectives of key stakeholders on current practice of collaboration; (2) impediments to collaborative practice; (3) strategies to improve collaborative practice. Analyses of the themes using D'Amour's Collaboration Framework indicated a low level of collaboration among physicians, nurses, pharmacists and policymakers, which was attributed to workload and time pressures on health professionals, power dynamics and lack of role clarity of all actors in collaborative action. Participants commented on the need to improve collaboration by establishing strong leadership and governance at different healthcare structure levels, which is committed to coordinating collaboration and developing collaborative frameworks and policies that guide collaborative undertaking. Conclusions: Perceived shortcomings of collaboration were attributed to inadequate resources, power dynamics, a lack of strong team functioning and policies. Participants' positive perceptions provide an opportunity to improve collaborative practice through incorporation of collaborative frameworks and policies. Relevance to Clinical Practice: The findings in this study inform development of tailored and patient‐centred diabetes care in tertiary care settings in sub‐Saharan Africa. Reporting Method: The study was reported in accordance with the COREQ checklist. Patient or Public Contribution: Patients or the public were not involved in the design, analysis or interpretation of the data in this study. However, patients and healthcare providers participated in pilot interviews, which helped refine the interview guides. The summary of the findings of the study was also discussed with patients and healthcare providers, where they provided feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burns are frequent lesions, often leading to serious functional or even life-threatening sequelae. Their care poses a problem in the countries of the South due to the lack of specialized centres. Through this study, we would like to share our experience. This was a descriptive retrospective study carried out over 36 months on 24 patientstreated and followed up in the department for burn sequelae involving a limb. Functional results were classified as excellent, good, fairly good, fair and poor. Aesthetically, they have been categorized into satisfactory, unsatisfactory and poor. We recorded 1480 patients who underwent surgery, 24 of whom were operated on after burns. We noted a female predominance (sex ratio of 1.6) with an average age of 24.2 years (range 16-40). Domestic accidents (n=19) were the main circumstance of occurrence and there was a preponderance of thermal burns by flame (n=21). Twenty people were treated in the first year after burn with excellent, good and fairresultsin 10, 9 and 4 casesrespectively. Burns can cause significant functionalsequelae, the management of which requires specialized nursing staff. Training of caregivers oriented towards burn care without forgetting the related means remains a key element to minimizing the occurrence of these sequelae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is the most widely used device‐assisted therapy in patients with moderately advanced stages of Parkinson's disease (PD) experiencing motor complications. Only a minority of eligible patients get the opportunity to undergo DBS in the developing world. Objectives: To examine the proportion and characteristics of patients with motor complications of PD who are willing for DBS and who undergo surgery. Methods: Patients with motor complications of PD eligible for DBS over a five‐year study period (2016–2020) were included. The demographic, clinical and socio‐economic characteristics and information on their status in 2021 were collected and analyzed. Results: Among 1017 patients, 223 had motor symptoms qualifying for DBS and follow‐up information available. Only 78 (35%) opted for surgery. The willing patients had higher socioeconomic status, were older and had longer duration of PD and motor complications, more freezing of gait, cognitive symptoms, and neuropsychiatric disturbances. 37 of them were found unfit during pre‐operative work‐up; only 41 (18%) with motor complications were finally taken up for DBS. Age, duration or severity of motor symptoms did not differ between patients who were finally selected for surgery and those who were not. Conclusions: Less than one‐fifth of our patients with motor complications of PD finally underwent DBS. The patients appeared to wait till the late stages of PD, before making a decision on availing surgical treatment. The delay resulted in nearly half of them being found unfit in pre‐operative work‐up. Our findings may enable clinicians to counsel eligible patients more efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research work focuses on the Internet of Things (IoT) idea utilizing an intelligent (or smart or innovative) city model with the support of Raspberry Pi. Using Raspberry Pi, this model examined the strategy and execution of a smart city established on the Internet of Things. This study attempts to create an urban IoT system utilizing Raspberry Pi to help smart cities solve domestic difficulties. The Internet of Things idea assists in analyzing the functions used to define the functions of the Raspberry Pi. The IoT is critical to creating a smart city concept in a developing nation like India. The various low-cost operations help analyze Raspberry Pi functionalities in the smart city model. A better Smart city development strategy has been presented when comparing the existing system, Raspberry Pi-based techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To explore and assess what is known about oral health promotion through health‐promoting primary schools in developing countries. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the Arksey & O'Malley framework. Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library were searched, followed by the reference lists of the resulting studies. The UN classification of developing countries was used to define the countries included and the search was between 1986 and 2021. Quality assessment was carried out using Joanna Briggs Institute's quality appraisal tools. Results: The search resulted in 33 studies of which almost half were randomized controlled trials. The oral health promotion strategies were oral health education (n = 16) delivered by teachers, parents or peers, or multicomponent involving both toothbrushing (n = 15) and dietary components (n = 2). Most of the included studies were conducted in Asia (n = 25/33). Conclusions: Findings suggested that comprehensive, multicomponent theory‐based oral health promotion showed improvements in oral health outcomes of schoolchildren, particularly if delivered using a whole‐school approach. However, further research on feasibility and implementation of oral health promotion through health‐promoting primary schools in developing countries should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries imposed restrictions on daily movements and operations, which resulted in the physical closure of academic institutions. As the world moved online, a University in Guyana also transitioned its programmes. However, operating in an online environment was fraught with challenges relating to inadequate technological expertise and support, official policies, and financial, technological, and infrastructural constraints. Through autoethnographic self-reflection, this research considered how the author experienced lecturing during the COVID-19 pandemic between April 2020 and December 2021. The themes that emerged out of a thematic analysis of the author's self-recorded recollections for this period revealed the specific challenges faced by the author, how they adapted their professional practice, and the lessons learned from those experiences. These findings were compared against literature describing the experiences of academics in developed and developing countries to discover shared experiences and those specific to the Guyana context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statistical data indicate that trucks are more prone to rear-end crashes, making this an area of concern. The objective of this study is to create a model that analyzes the factors influencing the frequency of rear-end crashes involving trucks (TIRC). To achieve this, researchers identified the most appropriate model as Spatial Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial Regression (SZINB). This model takes into account spatial correlation, which plays a significant role in the occurrences of TIRC on different road segments supervised by each highway ward. The estimation of parameters in the SZINB model has led to key findings that shed light on the factors contributing to a higher likelihood of TIRC. These findings include the increased probability of TIRC on curved roads compared to straight ones, roads that feature open middle islands, six lanes per direction, a slope, right-of-way shoulder width, pavement type, lane width, and a post speed limit. Based on these key findings, this study developed policy recommendations and sample measures aimed at reducing the frequency of TIRC. Implementing measures such as improving the road design on curved sections, optimizing middle islands, and enhancing traffic management on wider roads can help mitigate the risk of crashes involving trucks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional public transport systems in developing countries such as the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), are commonly substandard, unreliable, and often have insufficient accessibility and connectivity. In many cases, paratransit, utilizing various passenger vehicles (such as trucks, TukTuks, and motorcycles), compensate for the deficiencies of conventional public transport, offering a valuable alternative for passengers. For developing nations, enhancing conventional public transport or introducing new modes requires considerable time and investment, resources that may be limited. As an alternative, this study investigates the feasibility of transforming paratransit services into Demand Responsive Transit (DRT), aiming to formalize and integrate them with existing public transport, thereby improving connectivity, accessibility, and increasing the public transport mode share. To assess the potential acceptance, future demand, and mode share of DRT in Vientiane, Lao PDR, we conducted an opinion and stated preference survey, employed a multinomial logit choice model, and used an origin-to-destination network assignment model. The findings suggest that respondents are keen on using DRT in conjunction with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in the future. The modeled results indicate a significant potential increase in the public transit mode share. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines inefficiencies, possible improvements, challenges, and impacts of sustainable transportation alternatives in Prishtina with the goal of creating evidence-based strategies for small rapidly urbanizing cities and contributing to the knowledge about sustainable transportation in small and developing countries. The study uses a qualitative approach and semi-structured interviews with twelve participants to explore sustainable transportation in Prishtina, with thematic analysis and cross-case analysis to analyse the responses. The findings underscore significant inefficiencies in Prishtina's transportation system, rooted in outdated infrastructure and varied stakeholder views. Through thematic and cross-case analyses, the study sheds light on the multifaceted challenges of implementing sustainable transportation. This study adds to the literature with insights into Prishtina's context, offering actionable guidance for transportation planning specialists. For society, the results emphasize the imperative of a comprehensive approach, blending infrastructure enhancements with behavioural adaptations, to cultivate a sustainable urban milieu in Prishtina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effects of the investment-based presence of multinational enterprises (MNEs) on poverty in developing countries. The relationship is decomposed into different pathways corresponding to various facets of firms' presence and activities, and monetary and multidimensional poverty. We hypothesize that depending on the pathways, the effects can be positive or negative in terms of poverty alleviation, and an overall conclusion has to be nuanced. The hypotheses are tested across 431 Indonesian administrative districts, observed in 2008, 2014 and 2018. Pooled instrumental variable regressions show that a higher presence of foreign MNEs does not reduce the number of people below the poverty line. It raises the depth and severity of poverty, and the population is also more exposed to pollutions. These results inform the ongoing debate, and offer important implications for policy makers eager to attract foreign direct investments, as well as for MNEs' managers concerned with social responsibility and achieving sustainable development goals in host developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper investigates the behavior of public health spending across different states in Malaysia, focusing on the convergence of per capita spending and the impact of decentralization on health expenditure disparities. Despite slight variations in life expectancy at birth, Malaysia can highlight its efforts to lessen dispersion in infant mortality, crude death rates, and crude birth rates among its states. The findings reveal a convergence in spending among states was observed from 2005 to 2019, with conditional models displaying faster convergence. The results highlight that factors beyond initial spending significantly influence health expenditure growth across states. State revenue positively impacts healthcare expenditures’ growth rate, while the impact of per capita federal transfers remains insignificant. The state’s fiscal capacity, the initial gross domestic product, and population growth significantly impact healthcare expenditure. The study suggests that a fair distribution of healthcare spending across states contributes to spatial equity in healthcare service provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the relationship between firm performance and cost of debt. More specifically this paper empirically shows that fund providers charge lower cost on debt for highly performing companies compared to lower performing companies. We argue that the profitable companies are more resilient, and they have more survivable capacity which impacts on the pricing of the cost of debt. In contrast, lower performing companies are more prone to financial distress or may have higher chances of non-repayment of loans thereby fund providers charge higher interest to compensate the risks. Consistently, analyzing 547 firm year observations for the period of 2015–2019 we find that the cost of debt is significantly lower for the highly performing companies compared to the lower performing companies. The negative relation between the cost of debt and firm performance is highly pronounced in smaller companies compared to bigger companies. It suggests that fund providers create opportunities for smaller companies thereby results in balanced growth in the economy. Our results are robust to a set of alternative measures of firm performance. This study has several policy implications and contributions to the literature of the cost of debt in developing economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and use of hypertonic saline among doctors in the Southeast region of Nigeria. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted amongst 182 doctors in the paediatric departments of the six tertiary institutions in South Eastern Nigeria. Data to assess knowledge and use of hypertonic saline were collected using self-administered, structured questionnaires. Results: After aggregating the knowledge questions (definition of hypertonic saline, knowledge of available concentrations and modes of administration) and categorizing knowledge into good or poor, 148 (81.3%) had good knowledge, while 34 (18.7%) had poor knowledge. Respondents who had ever seen an infusion of hypertonic saline were 93 (51.1%), while only 62 (34.1%) had ever used it during their practice. Among those who had used it, only 33 (18.1%) obtained it from their hospital pharmacy. Most respondents (91.2%) would support advocacy for its increased availability and use in Nigeria. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated good knowledge of hypertonic saline, however, there is low usage due to unavailability. There is a need for collaboration between paediatricians, pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders to create demand and initiate the production of hypertonic saline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]