Prevalence of White Spot Disease in Penaeus Monodon In Relation To Environmental Changes and the Occurrence of Apoptosis

White s pot disease (WSD) is an important viral disease of cultured penaeid shrimp. Despite the amount of research that has been carried out on this disease, much still remains to be done. This study was undertaken to examine the effect of different environmental parameters on the occurrence and severity of outbreaks of WSD. The study also undertook to investigate the occurrence of apoptosis and presence or activation of related genes that might result from virus infection. Black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon and pond water samples were collected from four shrimp farms located along the coast of Peninsular Malaysia, to investigate the relationship between environmental changes and the occurrence of WSD. In the study, it was found that occurrence of WSD was more widespread during the wet season, in association with sudden drops in water temperature and salinity. Laboratory experiments were also conducted to investigate the relationship between salinity, temperature and the occurrence of WSD. All the shrimp exposed to sudden increases in temperature and then returned to normal temperature in association with changed salinity were dead within four days of exposure. However, shrimp maintained at low salinity were less susceptible to disease. To study the development of white spot lesions during infection, shrimp were exposed to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) via the water borne route. At one-hour post exposure, electron microscopy revealed the appearance of white spots, which were oval or ovate in shape. White spots were visible by the naked eye three days post infection. The study also showed that there were two types of white spots, one related to viral infection, and the other related to bacterial infection. An epicommensal Zoolhamnium sp. was able to penetrate the shrimp cuticle at these bacterial white spots. High numbers of apoptotic cell s were identified in moribund P. monodon infected with WSSV. Apoptotic cells showed DNA fragmentation by TUNEL fluorescence assay and gel electrophoresis of DNA extracts, while H&E stained sections revealed nuclear enlargement and chromatin condensation and margination in degenerated cells. The numbers of such cells present in tissues of WSSV infected shrimp increased with increasing severity of infection as determined by gross signs of white spots on the cuticle, number of inclusion bodies in histopathological sections and by single and double-step (nested) peR assay. The results suggested that apoptosis might be implicated in shrimp death caused by this virus

Study of Embedded Collar Head as Shear Reinforcement of High Strength Concrete of Flat Plate With Opening

This study displays an experimental investigation on one form of embedded shearhead called( collar head reinforcement) as shear reinforcement and it displays also theefficient uses of different forms of reinforced concrete . Also it displays the  efficient  of existence of opening on punching shear strength of reinforced concrete flat plate. In the present research, ten specimens are tested with dimensions (1000x1000x75 mm) which are divided into two groups; the first group is a normal strength concrete with a compressive strength 30MPa; the second group is  high strength concrete with a compressive strength 60MPa. Each group consists of five specimens, the first specimen is reference specimen R , and second specimen  with opening adjacent to the column but without collar head No 1, and third specimen] with presence of openings adjacent to the column and with collar head reinforcement on both sides of the column towards the  opening (horizontal) No 2, and fourth specimen with presence of openings adjacent to the column and with collar shear head reinforcement on both sides of the column away from the  opening (vertical) No3,  fifth specimen with presence of opening and with collar headreinforcement  in all sides the column  and extend to the opening No 4. The percentage of cracking load to ultimate load capacity was between (40 –48.5)%. By using collar shearhead around the column sides and extended to the opening, the cracking load can be increased to 100%  . In flat plate with opening, the deflection and crack width can be decrease by using collar head around the column and extend to the opening  and by increasing the compressive strength of concrete  of  the section.. The slabs which had openings adjacent to the column but strengthened with collar head, the percentage of the critical section perimeter was between (107.5 – 128.3) % that was reflected to the capability of this type of shear reinforcement(collar head) in compensation the shortfall in the critical section due to the existence of openings.. Keywords: key words, flat plate , high strength , opening DOI: 10.7176/CER/11-8-05 Publication date:September 30th 201

Strategic integration of servitisation and I4.0 as circular economy strategy:a comprehensive disclosure analysis

The circular economy (CE) has become crucial for sustainability reporting. Prior research indicates that companies use servitisation and I4.0 (I4.0) technologies as CE economy strategies but do not report their commitments systematically. Therefore, this paper explores how servitisation and adopting I4.0 technologies are emerging as circular economy strategies through translational research. The study develops a CE disclosure index to investigate whether manufacturing firms align their strategies with evolving conditions. This index is based on ideas and concepts presented by prior studies and translated into practical applications to provide standards to ensure that CE implementation is properly addressed. Before delivering the findings, a pilot project1 was conducted to evaluate the credibility of the presented CE-disclosure index. The findings suggest that CE and servitisation may create more CE by extending a product's life and keeping it in use for an extended period. Moreover, leveraging circularity through I4.0 technologies leads to tremendous innovation in circular product development, smooth information/product flow, and transparency in reporting for stakeholder engagement in the implementation of CE. Practitioners, government, and society can use the CE disclosure index to assess the extent of CE-driven change and advance the adoption of CE principles

The effect of institutional environment on entrepreneurship in emerging economies:female entrepreneurs in Bangladesh

Purpose – Female entrepreneurs have made increasing contributions to entrepreneurial activity and economic development worldwide, especially in emerging economies. It is well acknowledged that Bangladesh is one such South Asian emerging economy with many institutional and socio-cultural challenges. This study aims to examine the effect of the institutional environment (formal and informal institutional factors) that influences female entrepreneurs in an emerging country, namely, Bangladesh.Design/methodology –The authors employed a quantitative research method using a questionnaire. We established the conceptual framework reflecting a model so that we could test our assumptions among female entrepreneurs from an institutional perspective. The conceptual framework was empirically tested and validated. Consequently, this study comprised 324 usable survey responses. To analyse the quantitative data, Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was utilised.Findings –The findings highlight that Social networks (SN), Access to finance (AF), and Non-economic support (NES) have negative and insignificant effects on Informal female entrepreneurs (IFE). Conversely, Entrepreneurial attitudes (EA), Cultural context (CC), Institutional policy (IP), Family roles (FR), and Education (ED) were positive and significant and found to be more important for female entrepreneurship in Bangladesh.Originality/value – The results of this study offer empirical evidence of institutional factors as well as focus on three dimensions, women's experiences from an institutional perspective, Asian culture, and the operation of female entrepreneurial activity in an emerging economy (contextual perspective)

Analysis of the banking sector performance in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia before and after the global financial crisis

The focus of this study is the banking sector of the three neighbouring countries Bosnia and Herzegovina; Montenegro; and Serbia. These are former communist countries which have been going through the transition from centrally-planned economies to open market economies over the past 25 years. During the transition process, structural reforms were conducted to transform the banking sector into a sector suitable for open market economy. These reforms are considered to be the most successful ones in the region. Before the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-09, the economies of the three selected countries were experiencing credit booms. The aim of this research was to examine how the banking sector is performing on an aggregated level years after the crisis and whether the performance is better or worse compared to the pre-crisis period. The findings show that the banking sector was performing better before the crisis in all three countries. After the crisis, the three countries experienced prolonged slow credit growth and had higher nonperforming loans

Exploring the affiliation of corporate social responsibility, innovation performance, and CEO gender diversity:evidence from the U.S.

This paper examines the relationship between CSR activities and innovation performance with the moderating effect of CEO gender in the U.S. market. This paper provides evidence about the relationship between CSR and innovation performance from the resources-based views by replacing the common measurements of innovation and R&D expenditures with the number of patents and citations to better measure the innovation quality rather than quantity. The current paper verifies the relationship between CSR and innovation in S&P 500 U.S. listed companies and fills the gaps in the current research on the moderating effect of CEO gender on this relationship. The paper analyzed the panel data for 1204 observations from various databases (Compustat, KLD, U.S. patents by words and Excompustat) from 2014 to 2018. Specifically, the number of patents and citations is set as the measurement of the explanatory variable; innovation performance and CSR scores from KLD are treated as the dependent variable and the proportion of female directors in the top management as the method of moderating indicator. The result in this paper shows a positive correlation between CSR and innovation performance in the U.S. At the same time, the moderating effect of CEO gender has an insignificant impact on this relationship. The findings suggest that the female CEOs do not have a positive relationship with corporate innovation. These results will help companies realize the importance of CSR activities and how to balance gender diversity in their strategies

Examining the interplay between CEPSA's ESG performance and financial performance:an overview of energy sector transformation

This study delves into the financial performance of the Compañía Española de Petróleos, S.A.U. (CEPSA) within the context of the ongoing ESG transformation in the Energy Sector. The primary aim of this research is to understand the critical dimensions essential for evaluating energy companies’ ESG performances. The research assesses the changes in CEPSA’s financial indicators over the last five years (2018–2022). The report uses DuPont analysis to evaluate CEPSA’s environmental and social responsibility performances. The study examines several financial performance metrics, including return on net assets, profitability, and corporate financing structure changes. The methodology of this study comprehensively assesses CEPSA’s sustainable development trajectory and ESG management system. The analysis reveals that CEPSA has consistently improved its sustainable development capabilities over the last five years by establishing a comprehensive ESG management system. While return on net assets and profitability indicators have shown positive trends, the financing structure has changed significantly. Notably, the proportion of debt financing has increased substantially, and there is a slight decline in the net profit margin. The formal transformation in 2020 further influenced increases in liabilities and fixed assets for CEPSA. The study focuses on CEPSA’s sustained improvements in ESG management and the associated shifts in financial metrics, adding originality to the study and offering a nuanced perspective on the evolving landscape of sustainable practices. The study reveals the financial implications of ESG transformation in the energy sector and offers valuable insights for stakeholders. Moreover, this research contributes to the existing literature by employing the DuPont analysis system to explore the intricate relationship between ESG performance and financial indicators in the energy sector

How did Amazon achieve CSR and some sustainable development goals (SDGs)-climate change, circular economy, water resources and employee rights during COVID-19?

Stakeholders’ demand for corporate social responsibility (CSR) not only creates pressure on the corporation, but corporations are also themselves aware about leading CSR activities’ reporting and embedding sustainable activities to create value for the short, medium, and long-term. This research investigates the sustainable development and corporate social responsibility of Amazon as one of the most influential multinational enterprises in the world. In this regard, this study sheds light on how Amazon has combined its own interests with corporate social responsibility and sustainable development, and how they have responded to a series of challenges brought by economic globalization to corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. The results of this detailed investigation of Amazon from 2018 to 2020 show that Amazon has performed very well in terms of social responsibility and sustainable development. In particular, climate, environment, carbon emissions and other natural measures. However, there are some shortages in terms of human rights, such as insufficient protection and care for employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, and labor union issues. In addition, the study concluded that Amazon has sufficient experience to balance profit and corporate social responsibility. In response to the challenges of globalization, Amazon has also adjusted its sustainable development strategy in a timely manner, which can be used as a reference for other multinational enterprises

Integrated reporting implementation and core activities disclosure in UK higher education institutions

Through integrated reporting (IR) and integrated thinking (IT), higher education institutions (HEIs) can engage future students, staff and other key stakeholders. This paper examines the impact of IR framework implementation on core activities disclosure within the UK HEIs. In particular, the authors explore the influence of the integrated thinking approach, intended to enhance the extent of the IR content elements, teaching and learning, internationalisation and research activities disclosure. The study is based on the annual reports of 123 UK HEIs over 3 years—2015–16, 2016–17 and 2017–18. Consistent with the predictions of legitimacy theory and the integrated thinking approach, the results show the extent that integrated reporting content elements and HEIs core activities disclosure practices have increased over the study period. The results also indicate that adoption of the IR framework, league table ranking position, key performance indicator reporting, size, research quality and graduate prospects all have significant positive influences on HEIs core activities disclosure. Based on the findings, the recommendations are that UK HEI governing and other regularity bodies, such as British Universities Finance Director Groups, Leadership Foundation in Higher Education and the Higher Education Funding Council, should consider development of voluntary integrated reporting guidelines and a core activities disclosure framework