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Strategy Creation Behaviour and ‘Last Gasp’ Digitalisation as Predictors of Sales Performance and Cash Flow
Get PDFYesPurpose - Although recent literature has examined diverse measures adopted by SMEs to navigate the COVID-19 turbulence, there is a shortage of evidence on how crisis-time strategy creation behaviour and digitalization activities increase (1) sales and (2) cash flow. Thus, predicated on novel strategy creation perspective, this inquiry investigates the crisis behaviour, sales and cash flow performance of 528 SMEs in Morocco. Design/Methodology/Approach - Novel links between (1) aggregate wage cuts, (2) variable operating hours, (3) deferred payment to suppliers, (4) deferred payment to tax authorities and (5) sales performance are developed and tested. A further link between sales performance and cash flow is also examined and the analysis is performed using a non-linear structural equation modelling technique. Findings - While there is a significant association between the strategy creation behaviours and sales performance, only variable operating hours have a positive effect. Also, sales performance increases cash flow and this relationship is substantially strengthened by e-commerce digitalization and innovation. Originality/Value – Theoretically, this is one of the first inquiries to espouse the strategy creation view to explain SMEs’ crisis-time behaviour and digitalization. For practical use, to supplement Moroccan SMEs’ propensity to seek tax deferrals, it is argued that debt and equity support measures are also needed to boost sales performance and cash flow
Antitumour Imidazotetrazines: Past, Present... and Future?
Get PDFYesIt is 40 years since the publication of the patent that announced the imidazotetrazines temozolomide
and mitozolomide to the world and 30 since the discovery that they function as prodrugs
of alkyldiazonium reactive intermediates. Temozolomide combined with radiation is established as the
first-line treatment for glioma but despite the attentions of the inventors and others, further examples of
this intriguing ring system have yet to enter the clinic
Liquidity dynamics between virtual and equity markets
Get PDFYesThis paper estimates liquidity dynamics between virtual and real assets from multiple dimensions, namely market capacity, transaction cost and market efficiency. The data covers transaction information of crypto markets and four equity exchanges (US, UK, EU and Japan) between January 2019 and December 2022. The first result shows a two-way liquidity risk feedback loop between virtual and real markets, and the second result confirms dynamic liquidity interactions between them. The US market is identified as a transmitter rather than a receiver of liquidity risk but may not escape cumulative liquidity shocks
Dynamic damage constitutive model for UHPC with nanofillers at high strain rates based on viscoelastic dynamic constitutive model and damage evolution equation
No full textYesThis study established a dynamic damage constitutive model for ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) with nanofillers, based on a viscoelastic dynamic constitutive model and a damage evolution equation. Ten types of nanofillers, including particle, tube and flake nanofillers, were incorporated to modify UHPC. The split Hopkinson pressure bar was used to obtain the relationship between stress and strain of UHPC specimens at a strain rate of 200/s-800/s. The experimental results indicated that the dynamic compressive strength of UHPC with nanofillers at strain rates of approximately 200/s, 500/s, and 800/s can reach 172.8 MPa, 219.6 MPa, and 275.9 MPa, respectively, reflecting an increase of 85.2 %, 76.5 %, and 53.9 % compared with the blank UHPC. The established dynamic damage constitutive model considered the damage accumulation with strains under dynamic loading. The fitting coefficients of the dynamic damage constitutive model, when compared against experimental results, range from 0.8796 to 0.9963, showing a higher accuracy compared with traditional Zhu-Wang-Tang (ZWT) viscoelastic model, especially at a strain rate of approximately 200/s.National Science Foundation of China (52178118 and 52308236), and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2022M720648 and 2022M710973
Life cycle sustainability assessment of alternative green roofs – A systematic literature review
No full textYesThere is general agreement on the importance of green roofs as ways of reducing GHG emissions, reducing overall costs and improving sustainability in urban areas. This systematic literature review highlights life cycle sustainability assessment as an essential criterion to evaluate green roofs. A bibliometric analysis was used to quantitatively review relevant literature. The Scopus database was chosen as a bibliographic database of academic publications. Thes period of search started from 2003 and final search was conducted on February 15, 2023. Based on further in-depth reading, 88 publication records which met the selection criteria, including 74 papers and 14 conference papers. Researchers from the United States contributed almost 31 % of the documents. We evaluated leading studies in this field and discussed assessment method, system boundaries and research gaps through a critical literature review and a systematic search review. Finally, we propose a framework and identify a gap and future research. The environmental aspect of green roofs have received more attention than economic issues. We found that most economic evaluations of green roofs are limited to their construction stage. As yet there is no comprehensive social study on green roofs. We considered a unified study of the economic, environmental impact and social evaluation of green roofs to be warranted. Additionally, various measurement methods should be used to assess the economic profitability of green roofs over the long term. In summary, this study provides a deeper understanding of the environmental, social, and economic performance of green roofs and identifies research gaps as well as future research directions
Physiologically-obtainable polyphenol exposures modulate reactive oxygen and nitrogen species signaling in the C2C12 model of skeletal muscle ageing
Get PDFYesAge-related frailty is a significant health and social care burden, with limited treatment options. There is a lack of suitable cell culture model for screening large numbers of test compounds to identify those which promote healthy skeletal muscle function. This paper describes the characterization of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) signalling changes in young and aged myoblasts and myotubes using C2C12 cells, and the application of aged cultures to assess the effect of dietary polyphenols on RONS signalling. Aged myoblasts and myotubes showed significantly increased reactive oxygen species (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001 respectively), nitric oxide (p < 0.05 for myoblasts and myotubes), and lipid peroxidation (p < 0.05 for myoblasts and myotubes). Nine polyphenols were assessed in aged myoblasts and myotubes using concentrations and incubation times consistent with known pharmacokinetic parameters for these compounds. Although several polyphenols were seen to reduce single markers of RONS signalling, only kaempferol and resveratrol significantly reduced multiple markers in both cell models. Modulation of enzymatic antioxidant activities was assessed as a possible mechanism of action, although superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were significantly reduced in aged (versus young) myotubes (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05 respectively), no effect of polyphenol treatment on these enzyme activities were observed. Overall, this research has shown the utility of the C2C12 model (myoblasts and myotubes) for screening compounds in aged muscle, and that resveratrol and kaempferol (using pharmacokinetically-informed exposures) can modulate RONS signalling in skeletal muscle cells after an acute exposure.NH is supported by a University of Hull-funded PhD studentship
Semiotic Analysis of Workforce Diversity
Get PDFPurpose/Objective: The purpose of this dissertation is to affect a paradigmatical shift in workforce diversity in response to the literature gap. Workforce diversity in the USA, a phenomenon often reduced to enumerable categories set forth by and in consequence of the Civil Rights Act. This Act outlawed discrimination on the basis of sex, race, colour, religion, pregnancy, national origin, age, and disability. These categories emerge from a Western, specifically Anglo-Saxon, perspective and are rooted in a nominalist presupposition that construes diversity as a collection of specific dimensions. Literature indicates a lack in diversity research, being narrowly focused on categorisable dimensions and causing conceptual fragmentation. Therefore, this dissertation studies diversity from a paradigm other than positivism and nominalism embedded in empiriometric models which are in no way equipped to understand the reality of diversity.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Peirce opposed nominalism and positivism. Thus, this thesis adopts semiotics, effectively shifting diversity from empiriometric paradigm to Peirce’s semiotic realism. Peirce held that humans are themselves signs, dynamically acting as mutual interpretants from their individual frames of reference. The data will be analysed within the Peircean Logic System to allow for extracting the signs in accordance with the Peircean triadic structure.
Findings: The interviews revealed differing attitudes and, therefore, radically opposed interpretations of diversity’s nature. Participants highlighted disparities in the creation of identities because of a fragmented approach to the terms used by the Civil Rights Act. Hence, this thesis gave diversity an essential definition as approbation of the other as other
Leveraging the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area to Address Trade Facilitation Challenges in Southern African Borders
Get PDFThis study undertakes a qualitative analysis to provide a comprehensive review of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) trade facilitation measures and the associated challenges of implementing them. It demonstrates how the SADC region can leverage the implementation of the AfCFTA to increase intraregional trade. Incorporating evidence from border crossing reviews, and key informant interviews of trade facilitation experts and practitioners in the SADC region, the study undertakes a detailed inductive thematic analysis of the SADC cross-border environment to investigate the potential opportunities to increase efficiency at SADC commercial borders and benefit from the AfCFTA trade facilitation measures. The analysis presents trade facilitation in the legal framework of the AfCFTA, introducing trade facilitation as a regional trade policy
tool to increase intra-SADC trade. The study finds that the AfCFTA trade facilitation measures broaden the scope of preferences and bridges the gap between the segregated and segmented markets in the SADC region, thus giving SADC Member States increased market access to other African markets outside its traditional trading routes. However, the results also show that this is insufficient to eliminate the plethora of trade barriers in the region and further strengthen intra-SADC trade without complementary measures. It contributes to the literature as it proposes and validates a conceptive policy framework for effective implementation of the AfCFTA trade facilitation measures in the SADC region
A Study on Environmental Dynamism, Entrepreneur Cognitive Styles, Learning from Failure and Attitude Towards Risk in Emerging Economy. A Case Study of Nigeria Entrepreneurs
Get PDFEntrepreneurs play a fundamental role in the economy of countries, which affects the overall outlook country. However, the role of cognitive thinking styles, and in particular how this affects their ability to learn from failure, remain limited within a developing economy context. Thus, the current research aims to examine the relationship between environmental dynamism as the independent variable and learning from failure as the dependent variable within the context of a developing economy context. It does so by taking the three cognitive thinking styles as the mediating variable in the cognitive experiential self-theory to develop the conceptual framework for the study. Using a survey, data was collected from entrepreneurs in Nigeria, reached through the chambers of commerce. 677 responses, representing a response rate of 84%. A set of hypotheses were tested using the structural equation modelling. The empirical results demonstrate that environmental dynamism has a direct relationship with learning from failure. Similarly, entrepreneurs' cognitive thinking styles, mainly influenced by their characteristics, positively mediated the relationship between environmental dynamism and learning from failure. Meanwhile, attitude towards risk does not significantly moderate this relationship. The findings provide a theoretical contribution by incorporating the three thinking styles in the CEST theory as mediators in a relationship between environmental dynamism and learning from failure. Thus, extending the current understanding of these thinking styles and their effects on learning from failure. Similarly, a practical recommendation from this study is attainable to policy-makers, one that allows them to understand and accentuate the development of programmes to encourage knowledge and skills sharing between entrepreneurs, to ultimately affect learning
Expectations of radiographer reporting roles: A multimethod evaluation across a single imaging network
Get PDFYesPrior studies have demonstrated inconsistent development and utilisation of radiographers in the reporting of radiographs, and there is ongoing consideration of the level at which such radiographers should be educated to and operating at. This study aimed to explore and evaluate expectation and utilisation of radiographers currently, or training in, reporting in projection radiography across one integrated care system (ICS). Methods: A multi-method approach was utilised, with document analysis of projection radiography reporting role job descriptions and person specifications and an online survey of managers and clinical leads. A single ICS in the north of England formed the setting for the study. Results: This study demonstrated variation in implementation and utilisation of the role across trusts within the ICS. Inconsistencies in scope, expected underpinning education and role activity were identified. Radiographers autonomously reporting in projection radiography were titled advanced practitioners, however are not expected to achieve national educational standards for such roles and are not empowered to work at this level of practice by their employers. It was acknowledged that staffing pressures hinder appropriate role utilisation and reporting capacity. Conclusion: Inconsistent development and utilisation of radiographers in such roles may hamper collaboration and service delivery across a network. Identifying variation and working towards role standardisation could promote cross-organisational working and improve career progression opportunities. Implications for practice: Scoping the reporting radiographer workforce may assist and guide future imaging service and workforce planning