Impact of Corporate Social Performance on Financial Performance: Case of Firms Listed on the Stock Exchange of Casablanca

This paper examines empirically the impact of corporate social performance (CSP) on financial performance (FP). The study relates to a panel of 32 firms listed on the Stock Exchange of Casablanca during the period of study from 2011 to 2017. The empirical findings obtained, by linear regressions on panel data, clearly find the lack of impact of the corporate social performance on the financial performance measured by the Return on Investment (ROI), Return on Equity (ROE) and Earnings Per Share (EPS) ratios. The influence of corporate social performance on financial performance is statistically insignificant. The financial performance of firms classified or not socially efficient are almost identical. Finally, the results obtained clearly show the absence of this causal link between corporate social performance (CSP) on financial performance (FP), which confirms the research hypothesis. Finally, since the relationship between these two performances could be non-linear, we can deepen this article using econometric methods that can analyze the non-linear effect such as quantile regression and the regime-change model

Which is Determining in the Fluctuation of Stock Market Risk of Entertainment Compagnies in Viet Nam: Financial and Economic Crisis or Low Inflation Rate?

Our paper aims to investigate empirically how much rise or reduce in the market risk of entertainment companies in Viet Nam. We use a sample composed of 8 companies listed in the stock exchange market in Viet Nam (Hanoi Stock Exchange and Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange) during two periods; post-low inflation from 2015 to 2017 and financial and economic crisis during the period from 2007 to 2009. We utilize an analytic investigation technique based on a comparative assessment approach mixed through quantifiable data assessment. From the empirical findings, we show that the risk point assessed by the used measure suggest in the entertainment business is appropriate, i.e. it is small inferior than one. Next, one of its most important conclusions is the divergence among risk rank of hotel manufacturing through the financial and economic recession from 2007 to 2009 matched to those in the period of post-low inflation level from 2015 to 2017. Furthermore, the investigation conclusions demonstrate us market risk volatility, assessed by asset and equity beta risk, through the period of post-low inflation level has reduced marginally. Also, this study gives several suggestions that might support firms and authority other indication in instituting their strategies concerning control and governance. It is the complicated assignment; however, the study findings indicate us cautioning that the marketplace risk fluctuation may be greater through the period of post-low inflation level from 2015 to 2017. Finally, we can find that discovering new prospective markets and credit and funding strategies are amongst instructions for leisure firms

Performance of Mutual Funds: A Comparative Study of Prominent Multi Capital and Large Capital Funds

The purpose of this paper is to compare the performance of prominent multi capital and large capital funds. We examine the performance of 10 prominent funds under both the selected categories has been analyzed during the period of study from 2013 to 2018. Their performance has also been compared against the two most diversified benchmark indices of India such as BSE 200 and Nifty 500. We have also attempted to find out whether there is any considerable difference in the performance of the two categories of funds or not. To do so, we employ a One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for the comparison of mutual funds as an econometric methodology for a period of study from 2013 to 2018 for a sample of 20 Indian mutual funds. From the empirical findings, we find that the mutual fund schemes under both the categories such as Multi Capital Funds and Large Cap Funds have generated good returns over the period and that too with reasonable risk. Therefore, it is very safe to conclude that they are a good investment option for an investor. In terms of the performance of these mutual funds, the average monthly returns generated by the funds in each category are numerically different, but this difference has not been found statistically significant.  At the same time, there is no significant difference between these funds and NIFTY 500 as well as these funds and BSE 200 in terms of their returns

Return, volatility and shock spillovers of bitcoin with energy commodities

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine empirically the spillover impacts between Bitcoin and the major energy commodities. Design/methodology/approach: To do so, we employ an asymmetric multivariate VAR-BEKK-AGARCH model to study spillover effects between Bitcoin and three energy commodities during the period from July 18, 2010 to June 30, 2018. Findings: The empirical findings show return spillovers from energy stock indices to Bitcoin. We find unilateral return and volatility spillovers and bidirectional shock influences and demonstrate portfolio management implications of dynamic conditional correlation. The little correlation of Bitcoin with the stock indices offers portfolio benefits. Our findings imply the importance of Bitcoin in portfolio construction and reflects the importance of diversification of portfolio between energy commodities and the crypto-currencies, mainly Bitcoin. Practical Implications: Bitcoin has qualified a fast development while across a time and several shareholders and investors are demonstrating importance in its possibility as a consolidative component of portfolio variation. Originality/value: The significant extension is the using of a recently established multivariate econometric method, VAR-BEKK-AGARCH, which is utilized to study the degree of incorporation in rapports of instability and return among Bitcoin and energy commodities.peer-reviewe

Treatment adherence with the easypod™ growth hormone electronic auto-injector and patient acceptance: survey results from 824 children and their parents

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Accurately monitoring adherence to treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) enables appropriate intervention in cases of poor adherence. The electronic r-hGH auto-injector, easypod™, automatically records the patient's adherence to treatment. This study evaluated adherence to treatment of children who started using the auto-injector and assessed opinions about the device.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A multicentre, multinational, observational 3-month survey in which children received r-hGH as part of their normal care. Physicians reviewed the recorded dose history and children (with or without parental assistance) completed a questionnaire-based survey. Children missing ≤2 injections per month (92% of injections given) were considered adherent to treatment. Adherence was compared between GH treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced children.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of 834 recruited participants, 824 were evaluated. The median (range) age was 11 (1-18) years. From the recorded dose history, 87.5% of children were adherent to treatment over the 3-month period. Recorded adherence was higher in treatment-naïve (89.7%, n = 445/496) than in treatment-experienced children (81.7%, n = 152/186) [Fisher's exact test FI(X) = 7.577; <it>p </it>= 0.0062]. According to self-reported data, 90.2% (607/673) of children were adherent over 3 months; 51.5% (421/817) missed ≥1 injection over this period (mainly due to forgetfulness). Concordance between reported and recorded adherence was 84.3%, with a trend towards self-reported adherence being higher than recorded adherence. Most children liked the auto-injector: over 80% gave the top two responses from five options for ease of use (720/779), speed (684/805) and comfort (716/804). Although 38.5% (300/780) of children reported pain on injection, over half of children (210/363) considered the pain to be less or much less than expected. Given the choice, 91.8% (732/797) of children/parents would continue using the device.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>easypod™ provides an accurate method of monitoring adherence to treatment with r-hGH. In children who received treatment with r-hGH using easypod™, short-term adherence is good, and significantly higher in treatment-naïve children compared with experienced children. Children/parents rate the device highly. The high level of acceptability of the device is reflected by a desire to continue using it by over 90% of the children in the survey.</p

Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis: baseline characteristics of patients in the NEURO-TTR trial

Background: Hereditary transthyretin (ATTRm) amyloidosis is a rare, progressive and fatal disease with a range of clinical manifestations.Objective: This study comprehensively evaluates disease characteristics in a large, diverse cohort of patients with ATTRm amyloidosis.Methods: Adult patients (N = 172) with Stage 1 or Stage 2 ATTRm amyloidosis who had polyneuropathy were screened and enrolled across 24 investigative sites and 10 countries in the NEURO-TTR trial (www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01737398). Medical and disease history, quality of life, laboratory data, and clinical assessments were analyzed.Results: The NEURO-TTR patient population was diverse in age, disease severity, TTR mutation, and organ involvement. Twenty-seven different TTR mutations were present, with Val30Met being the most common (52%). One third of patients reported early onset disease (before age 50) and the average duration of neuropathy symptoms was 5.3 years. Symptoms affected multiple organs and systems, with nearly 70% of patients exhibiting broad involvement of weakness, sensory loss, and autonomic disturbance. Over 60% of patients had cardiomyopathy, with highest prevalence in the United States (72%) and lowest in South America/Australasia (33%). Cardiac biomarker NT-proBNP correlated with left ventricular wall thickness (p<.001). Quality of life, measured by Norfolk QoL-DN and SF-36 patient-reported questionnaires, was significantly impaired and correlated with disease severity.Conclusions: Baseline data from the NEURO-TTR trial demonstrates ATTRm amyloidosis as a systemic disease with deficits in multiple organs and body systems, leading to decreased quality of life. We report concomitant presentation of polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy in most patients, and early involvement of multiple body systems

Ionizing Organic Compound Based Nanocomposites for Efficient Gamma-Ray Sensor

No abstract availabl

Oral HPV infection and MHC class II deficiency (A study of two cases with atypical outcome)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Major histocompatibility complex class II deficiency, also referred to as bare lymphocyte syndrome is a rare primary Immunodeficiency disorder characterized by a profondly deficient human leukocyte antigen class II expression and a lack of cellular and humoral immune responses to foreign antigens. Clinical manifestations include extreme susceptibility to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. The infections begin in the first year of life and involve usually the respiratory system and the gastrointestinal tract. Severe malabsorption with failure to thrive ensues, often leading to death in early childhood. Bone marrow transplantation is the curative treatment.</p> <p>Case reports</p> <p>Here we report two cases with a late outcome MHC class II deficiency. They had a long term history of recurrent bronchopulmonary and gastrointestinal infections. Bone marrow transplantation could not be performed because no compatible donor had been identified. At the age of 12 years, they developed oral papillomatous lesions related to HPV (human papillomavirus). The diagnosis of HPV infection was done by histological examination. HPV typing performed on the tissue obtained at biopsy showed HPV type 6. The lesions were partially removed after two months of laser treatment.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Viral infections are common in patients with MHC class II and remain the main cause of death. Besides warts caused by HPV infection do not exhibit a propensity for malignant transformation; they can cause great psychosocial morbidity.</p