The nexus of CSR and co-creation : a roadmap towards consumer loyalty

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is regarded as an effort to be undertaken by the businesses to contribute towards society at large positively. The idea behind the concept of CSR is that businesses are required to pursue the notion of pro-social objectives along with economic objectives. Research has long established that corporate social responsibility, along with its philanthropic nature, can also produce extraordinary marketing results for businesses. The relationship between CSR and consumer loyalty is well acknowledged in extant literature. Likewise, involving consumers through co-creation in the product/service development process may provide an exciting experience to consumers, which is likely to influence their loyalty. With these arguments, the present research investigates the impact of CSR on consumer loyalty with the mediating role of co-creation in the banking sector of an emerging economy such as Pakistan. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is used for data analysis in the present study. The results validate that CSR improves consumer loyalty, and co-creation partially mediates this relationship. The results of the current survey will help banking institutions to identify how they can develop core strategic considerations based on CSR and co-creation

Pooled analysis of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist use and mortality after emergency laparotomy

Background The World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist has fostered safe practice for 10 years, yet its place in emergency surgery has not been assessed on a global scale. The aim of this study was to evaluate reported checklist use in emergency settings and examine the relationship with perioperative mortality in patients who had emergency laparotomy. Methods In two multinational cohort studies, adults undergoing emergency laparotomy were compared with those having elective gastrointestinal surgery. Relationships between reported checklist use and mortality were determined using multivariable logistic regression and bootstrapped simulation. Results Of 12 296 patients included from 76 countries, 4843 underwent emergency laparotomy. After adjusting for patient and disease factors, checklist use before emergency laparotomy was more common in countries with a high Human Development Index (HDI) (2455 of 2741, 89.6 per cent) compared with that in countries with a middle (753 of 1242, 60.6 per cent; odds ratio (OR) 0.17, 95 per cent c.i. 0.14 to 0.21, P <0001) or low (363 of 860, 422 per cent; OR 008, 007 to 010, P <0.001) HDI. Checklist use was less common in elective surgery than for emergency laparotomy in high-HDI countries (risk difference -94 (95 per cent c.i. -11.9 to -6.9) per cent; P <0001), but the relationship was reversed in low-HDI countries (+121 (+7.0 to +173) per cent; P <0001). In multivariable models, checklist use was associated with a lower 30-day perioperative mortality (OR 0.60, 0.50 to 073; P <0.001). The greatest absolute benefit was seen for emergency surgery in low- and middle-HDI countries. Conclusion Checklist use in emergency laparotomy was associated with a significantly lower perioperative mortality rate. Checklist use in low-HDI countries was half that in high-HDI countries.Peer reviewe

Analysis of DNA methylation at birth and in childhood reveals changes associated with season of birth and latitude

This is the final version. Available from BMC via the DOI in this record. Individual cohort-level data can be obtained from the respective cohort (see Additional file 1: Table S1 and Additional file 2 for cohort details).BACKGROUND: Seasonal variations in environmental exposures at birth or during gestation are associated with numerous adult traits and health outcomes later in life. Whether DNA methylation (DNAm) plays a role in the molecular mechanisms underlying the associations between birth season and lifelong phenotypes remains unclear. METHODS: We carried out epigenome-wide meta-analyses within the Pregnancy And Childhood Epigenetic Consortium to identify associations of DNAm with birth season, both at differentially methylated probes (DMPs) and regions (DMRs). Associations were examined at two time points: at birth (21 cohorts, N = 9358) and in children aged 1-11 years (12 cohorts, N = 3610). We conducted meta-analyses to assess the impact of latitude on birth season-specific associations at both time points. RESULTS: We identified associations between birth season and DNAm (False Discovery Rate-adjusted p values < 0.05) at two CpGs at birth (winter-born) and four in the childhood (summer-born) analyses when compared to children born in autumn. Furthermore, we identified twenty-six differentially methylated regions (DMR) at birth (winter-born: 8, spring-born: 15, summer-born: 3) and thirty-two in childhood (winter-born: 12, spring and summer: 10 each) meta-analyses with few overlapping DMRs between the birth seasons or the two time points. The DMRs were associated with genes of known functions in tumorigenesis, psychiatric/neurological disorders, inflammation, or immunity, amongst others. Latitude-stratified meta-analyses [higher (≥ 50°N), lower (< 50°N, northern hemisphere only)] revealed differences in associations between birth season and DNAm by birth latitude. DMR analysis implicated genes with previously reported links to schizophrenia (LAX1), skin disorders (PSORS1C, LTB4R), and airway inflammation including asthma (LTB4R), present only at birth in the higher latitudes (≥ 50°N). CONCLUSIONS: In this large epigenome-wide meta-analysis study, we provide evidence for (i) associations between DNAm and season of birth that are unique for the seasons of the year (temporal effect) and (ii) latitude-dependent variations in the seasonal associations (spatial effect). DNAm could play a role in the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of birth season on adult health outcomes.Wellcome TrustBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)European Union’s Horizon 2020Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)Medical Research Council (MRC)Medical Research Council (MRC)European UnionSwedish foundation for strategic research (SSF)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)National Cancer Institute Cancer CenterNational Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)European UnionEuropean UnionEuropean UnionEuropean UnionEuropean Union’s Horizon 2020European Research Council (ERC)German Ministry of Education and ResearchNational Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)Autism SpeaksNational Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)European UnionEuropean UnionEuropean UnionEuropean UnionEuropean UnionEuropean UnionEuropean UnionEuropean UnionEuropean UnionEuropean Research Council (ERC)Flemisch Scientific Research CouncilFlemisch Scientific Research CouncilFlemisch Scientific Research CouncilEuropean UnionFonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQS)Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)National Institute of Child and Human DevelopmentEuropean Union’s Horizon 2020European Union’s Horizon 2020European Union’s Horizon 2020ZonMwZonMwMedical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit (University of Bristol)Netherlands Heart FoundationNetherlands Heart FoundationNetherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)European UnionNational Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)Spanish Ministry of ScienceNational Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)Wellcome TrustNorwegian Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and ResearchNorwegian Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and ResearchNorwegian Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and ResearchLithuanian Agency for Science Innovation and TechnologySpanish Ministry of HealthSpanish Ministry of HealthSpanish Ministry of HealthSpanish Ministry of HealthSpanish Ministry of HealthInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIEuropean Research Council (ERC)CDMRP/Department of DefenseNIGMSNational Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Asthma Campaign, UKNational Institutes of Health (NIH)Medical Research Council (MRC)National Institutes of Health (NIH)Norwegian Research CouncilNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesResearch Council of NorwayNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesSwedish Research CouncilSwedish Initiative for research on Microdata in the Social And Medical Sciences (SIMSAM)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health (NIH)Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit (University of Bristol)Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit (University of Bristol)Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit (University of Bristol)Swedish Heart-Lung FoundationUniversity of MunichFoundation for Medical Research (FRM)National Agency for ResearchNational Institute for Research in Public HealthFrench Ministry of HealthFrench Ministry of ResearchInserm Bone and Joint Diseases National Research (PRO-A) and Human Nutrition National Research ProgramsParis–Sud UniversityNestléFrench National Institute for Population Health SurveillanceFrench National Institute for Health EducationFrench Agency for Environmental Health SafetyMutuelle Générale de l’Education NationaleFrench National Agency for Food SecurityFrench-speaking association for the study of diabetes and metabolismItalian National Centre for Disease Prevention and ControlItalian Ministry of HealthGreek Ministry of HealthFlemish Government (Department of Economy, Science and Innovations, Agency for Care and Health and Department of Environment)The Research Foundation-FlandersFlemish Institute for Technological ResearchDiabète QuébecErasmus University RotterdamNetherlands Organization for Health Research and Development and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and SportErasmus MCDanish National Research FoundationDanish Regional CommitteesNovo Nordisk FoundationLundbeck FoundationHelmholtz Center for Environmental ResearchGerman Cancer Research CentreAcademy of FinlandEraNetEVOUniversity of Helsinki Research FundsSigne and Ane Gyllenberg foundationEmil Aaltonen FoundationFinnish Medical FoundationJane and Aatos Erkko FoundationJuho Vainio foundationYrjö Jahnsson foundationJalmari and Rauha Ahokas foundationPaivikki and Sakari Sohlberg FoundationSigrid Juselius FoundationSir Jules Thorn Charitable TrustSwedish Asthma and Allergy Association's Research FoundationStiftelsen Frimurare Barnhuset Stockhol

Population-level risks of alcohol consumption by amount, geography, age, sex, and year: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2020

Background The health risks associated with moderate alcohol consumption continue to be debated. Small amounts of alcohol might lower the risk of some health outcomes but increase the risk of others, suggesting that the overall risk depends, in part, on background disease rates, which vary by region, age, sex, and year. Methods For this analysis, we constructed burden-weighted dose–response relative risk curves across 22 health outcomes to estimate the theoretical minimum risk exposure level (TMREL) and non-drinker equivalence (NDE), the consumption level at which the health risk is equivalent to that of a non-drinker, using disease rates from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2020 for 21 regions, including 204 countries and territories, by 5-year age group, sex, and year for individuals aged 15–95 years and older from 1990 to 2020. Based on the NDE, we quantified the population consuming harmful amounts of alcohol. Findings The burden-weighted relative risk curves for alcohol use varied by region and age. Among individuals aged 15–39 years in 2020, the TMREL varied between 0 (95% uncertainty interval 0–0) and 0·603 (0·400–1·00) standard drinks per day, and the NDE varied between 0·002 (0–0) and 1·75 (0·698–4·30) standard drinks per day. Among individuals aged 40 years and older, the burden-weighted relative risk curve was J-shaped for all regions, with a 2020 TMREL that ranged from 0·114 (0–0·403) to 1·87 (0·500–3·30) standard drinks per day and an NDE that ranged between 0·193 (0–0·900) and 6·94 (3·40–8·30) standard drinks per day. Among individuals consuming harmful amounts of alcohol in 2020, 59·1% (54·3–65·4) were aged 15–39 years and 76·9% (73·0–81·3) were male. Interpretation There is strong evidence to support recommendations on alcohol consumption varying by age and location. Stronger interventions, particularly those tailored towards younger individuals, are needed to reduce the substantial global health loss attributable to alcohol. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Global variation in anastomosis and end colostomy formation following left-sided colorectal resection

Background End colostomy rates following colorectal resection vary across institutions in high-income settings, being influenced by patient, disease, surgeon and system factors. This study aimed to assess global variation in end colostomy rates after left-sided colorectal resection. Methods This study comprised an analysis of GlobalSurg-1 and -2 international, prospective, observational cohort studies (2014, 2016), including consecutive adult patients undergoing elective or emergency left-sided colorectal resection within discrete 2-week windows. Countries were grouped into high-, middle- and low-income tertiles according to the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). Factors associated with colostomy formation versus primary anastomosis were explored using a multilevel, multivariable logistic regression model. Results In total, 1635 patients from 242 hospitals in 57 countries undergoing left-sided colorectal resection were included: 113 (6·9 per cent) from low-HDI, 254 (15·5 per cent) from middle-HDI and 1268 (77·6 per cent) from high-HDI countries. There was a higher proportion of patients with perforated disease (57·5, 40·9 and 35·4 per cent; P < 0·001) and subsequent use of end colostomy (52·2, 24·8 and 18·9 per cent; P < 0·001) in low- compared with middle- and high-HDI settings. The association with colostomy use in low-HDI settings persisted (odds ratio (OR) 3·20, 95 per cent c.i. 1·35 to 7·57; P = 0·008) after risk adjustment for malignant disease (OR 2·34, 1·65 to 3·32; P < 0·001), emergency surgery (OR 4·08, 2·73 to 6·10; P < 0·001), time to operation at least 48 h (OR 1·99, 1·28 to 3·09; P = 0·002) and disease perforation (OR 4·00, 2·81 to 5·69; P < 0·001). Conclusion Global differences existed in the proportion of patients receiving end stomas after left-sided colorectal resection based on income, which went beyond case mix alone

Female consumer entrepreneurship in Asia: capabilities for micro-entrepreneurial success and the role of coaching and training

Purpose: The direct selling model adopted in the beauty and cosmetics industry puts female consumer entrepreneurs at the heart of the business model. A neglected phenomenon in female entrepreneurship, the study focuses on female sales agents’ capabilities that are linked to sales performance and examines which capabilities might be shaped and enhanced through coaching and training in an emerging economy context. Design/methodology/approach: Survey data were generated from a sample of 249 female sales agents, who agreed to participate in a coaching and training program run by a focal firm. Data were collected in two phases to investigate (i) the capabilities linked to sales performance pre-intervention and (ii) the impact of coaching and training on the relationships between the capabilities and sales performance post-intervention. The time-lag data were analysed using Least Squared Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings: For female sales agents, self-efficacy and sales experience have a significant positive effect on adaptive sales performance both before and after the coaching and training intervention. In contrast, intellectual capital and self-motivation had a nonsignificant relationship with sales performance before the intervention. However, after the intervention, the relationship between these variables became positive and significant. Originality: The study demonstrates the effects of pre-and post-coaching and training on female consumer entrepreneurs’ capabilities and the links to sales performance. These findings add critical empirical knowledge on how female consumer entrepreneurship may be developed and the role of entrepreneurship for female empowerment in the Asian context. Collectively, the findings bring to the fore the female sphere in consumer entrepreneurship research in emerging economies.</p

Relationship between corporate social responsibility at the micro-level and environmental performance : the mediating role of employee pro-environmental behavior and the moderating role of gender

Since Pakistan is vulnerable to changing climatic conditions, the country needs emergency measures at every level to mitigate their effect. Many studies have addressed Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at the macro or institutional level, but its effect at the micro-level is largely ignored in the contemporary literature. The present study aims at filling this gap by highlighting the role of micro-level CSR on Environmental Performance (ENP) and how it is influenced by employees’ pro-environmental (PEB) behavior and gender. This study has been carried out in the context of deteriorating environmental conditions, scarce CSR activities and a male dominant society. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire targeting the manufacturing and the service sectors of Pakistan and analyzed through the structural equation modeling technique, using AMOS and SPSS software. The results of this study confirm that micro-level CSR initiatives directly (β = 0.39⁎⁎) and indirectly (β = 0.031⁎⁎) influence the environmental performance of an organization by means of employees’ PEB. A conditional indirect gender effect on this interaction was also observed, with women (β =0.17⁎⁎) exerting a stronger effect than men (β = 0.031⁎⁎). These findings may be helpful for policymakers involved in environmental management: It is possible to reduce the environmental footprint of Pakistan's organizations by encouraging employee's PEB and particularly by actively involving women which are systematically set apart from decision making in Pakistan

Extraction, quantification, and biochemical characterization of cereal industry by-product cell wall

The current study was aimed to extract and purify the cell walls of cereal industrial by‐products, that is, maize, wheat, and barley bran, followed by their nutritional and biochemical properties. For the purpose, three varieties of wheat and barley were procured from Ayub Agriculture Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Cell walls from industrial by‐products were isolated and purified followed by the removal of starch and proteins from contaminating endosperm tissue. Moreover, their sugar and polysaccharide contents wall were determined through gas chromatography and alkaline treatment, respectively. Results revealed that cell wall content is more in barley (43.18 ± 0.58, 42.43 ± 1.07 and 42.08 ± 0.13 g/50 g than in wheat (39.30 ± 1.67, 38.72 ± 0.45, and 37.45 ± 0.23 g/50 g) and maize (34.00 ± 0.08, 34.56 ± 0.39, and 33.76 ± 1.21 g/50 g). Moreover, barley industry by‐product cell wall has higher total sugars and total phenolic acids contents whereas, wheat industry by‐product cell wall showed lower followed by maize cell wall. Conclusively, cell wall of barley industry by‐product is more nutritious than that of wheat and maize industry by‐product cell walls