Risks in circular business models innovation: A cross-industrial case study for composite materials

Circular business models (CBMs) are key enablers to implement circular economy (CE), yet they entail risks, which often discourage organisations. This work aims to explore the main risk factors perceived by the manufacturing industry in transitioning to CBMs to enable the development of appropriate risk management strategies. A cross- industrial multiple-case study research design was used to explore risk factors across seven organisations planning the transition to CBMs for composite-based products and involving three different CBM types—‘Circular Supplies’, ‘Product Life Extension’ and ‘Hybrid’. Results evidenced that risks are multi-disciplinary but are not equally per- ceived across different CBM types. Customers' perceptions of CE products, economic cycle and take-back systems were prevalent across all CBMs. Supply and technological risks were prioritised for ‘Circular Supplies’ CBM, whereas political and regulatory risks for ‘Product Life Extension’ CBM. This research contributes to the CE field by evaluating and prioritising the perceived risk factors in transitioning to CBMs and first disaggregating such risk factors according to CBM types. Critical risk patterns identified across different industries and CBM types enable mitigating actions to be prioritised

Prolonged exposure to palmitate impairs fatty acid oxidation despite activation of AMP-activated protein kinase in skeletal muscle cells

The aim of this study was to investigate the chronic effects of palmitate on fatty acid (FA) oxidation, AMPK/ACC phosphorylation/activation, intracellular lipid accumulation, and the molecular Mechanisms involved in these processes in skeletal muscle cells. Exposure of L6 myotubes for 8 h to 200, 400, 600, and 800 mu M of palmitate did rot affect cel viability but significantly reduced FA oxidation by similar to 26.5%, similar to 43.5%, similar to 50%, and similar to 47%, respectively. Interestingly, this occurred despite significant increases in AMPK (similar to 2.5-fold) and ACC (similar to 3-fold) phosphorylation and in malonyl-CoA decarboxylase activity (similar to 38-60%). Low concentrations of palmitate (50-100 mu M) caused an increase (similar to 30%) in CPT-I activity. However, as the concentration of palmitate increased, CPT-I activity decreased by similar to 32% after exposure for 8 h to 800 mu M of palmitate. Although FA uptake was reduced (similar to 35%) in cells exposed to increasing, palmitate concentrations, intracellular lipid accumulation increased in a dose-dependent manner, reaching values similar to 2.3-, similar to 3-, and 4-fold higher than control in muscle cells exposed to 400, 600, and 800 mu M palmitate, respectively. Interestingly, myotubes exposed to 400 mu M of palmitate for 1h increased basal glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis by similar to 40%. However, as time of incubation in the presence of palmitate progressed from 1 to 8h, these increases were abolished and a time-dependent inhibition of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (similar to 65%) and glycogen synthesis (30%) was observed in myotubes. These findings may help explain the dysfunctional adaptations that occur in glucose and FA Metabolism in skeletal muscle under conditions of chronically elevated circulating levels of non-esterified FAs. Such as in obesity and Type 2 Diabetes.National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)Canadian Diabetes AssociationCanadian Diabetes AssociationBrazilian Ministry of Education (CAPES)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)CIHR Canadian Graduate Scholarship-Doctoral AwardCIHR Canadian Graduate Scholarship-Doctoral Awar

Determinants of loan repayment performance among borrowers of microfinance institutions: Evidence from India

A better understanding of loan repayment behavior of borrowers can contribute to the development of microfinance. This paper investigates the repayment performance of borrowers of a nonprofit Indian microfinance institution, the Indian Institute for Mother and Child \u2013 IIMC, using a novel data set. We collected raw data on more than 1600 borrowers, covering a period of more than three years. The data collection focused on the installments of those borrowers who at first received a loan lower than the loan limit, but then reached the loan limit within the time span considered. The final sample for the empirical analyses is homogeneous in terms of borrowers\u2019 characteristics and includes the installments of 373 loans. We focus on a relatively neglected issue in the microcredit literature, viz. the motivation of the borrower for receiving future loans. In addition to borrowers\u2019 characteristics, we analyze the motivational issues that may influence the probability that the loan is fully or partially repaid, and the time horizon over which it is repaid. Empirical results show that the repayment rate improves as borrowers get closer to the loan limit, which is the maximum available loan. In other words, motivation for reaching the maximum loan level is positively associated to the repayment performance

Prolonged AICAR-induced AMP-kinase activation promotes energy dissipation in white adipocytes: novel mechanisms integrating HSL and ATGL

This study was designed to investigate the effects of prolonged activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) on lipid partitioning and the potential molecular mechanisms involved in these processes in white adipose tissue (WAT). Rat epididymal adipocytes were incubated with 5′-aminoimidasole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR;0.5 mM) for 15 h. Also, epididymal adipocytes were isolated 15 h after AICAR was injected (i.p. 0.7 g/kg body weight) in rats. Adipocytes were utilized for various metabolic assays and for determination of gene expression and protein content. Time-dependent in vivo plasma NEFA concentrations were determined. AICAR treatment significantly increased AMPK activation, inhibited lipogenesis, and increased FA oxidation. This was accompanied by upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α, PPARδ, and PPARγ-coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) mRNA levels. Lipolysis was first suppressed, but then increased, both in vitro and in vivo, with prolonged AICAR treatment. Exposure to AICAR increased adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) content and FA release, despite inhibition of basal and epinephrine-stimulated hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) activity. Here, we provide evidence that prolonged AICAR-induced AMPK activation can remodel adipocyte metabolism by upregulating pathways that favor energy dissipation versus lipid storage in WAT. Additionally, we show novel time-dependent effects of AICAR-induced AMPK activation on lipolysis, which involves antagonistic modulation of HSL and ATGL

Determinants of microcredit repayment in Portugal : analysis of borrowers, loans and business projects

Microcredit programs in Portugal represent a unique case for studying the microcredit repayment determinants in a developed country, as it experienced a financial hardship in 2008–2009, with economic and social consequences that led to unemployment crisis. This research examined the determinants of microcredit loan repayment based on a sample of 752 microcredit loans granted in Portugal by the National Association for the Right to Credit, adopting individual lending mechanisms and granting loans through partnerships with several credit institutions. This is the first study to ascertain the influence that a set of factors – grouped into three categories: borrowers’ individual charac- teristics; loan characteristics; and characteristics of business projects implement- ed by borrowers – has on the repayment ability of microcredit programs, in a developed country of the Eurozone. Moreover, this is the first study using an ordered logistic regression (OLR) in estimating the determinants of microcredit loan repayment. Similar to previous studies, married borrowers tend to repay loans faster as they tend to be more responsible than single borrowers. Nation- ality seems to be an issue as foreigners tends to default the repayment loans. Finally, those involved in manufacturing activities perform better than those involved in service activities in repaying their loans. This clearly indicates that in developed countries special attention needs to be provided to minority groups as well as market/supply conditions, which are not normally considered in less favored economic countries.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio