The effect of sustainability reporting on financial performance: An empirical study using listed companies

Purpose - This study investigates the effect sustainability reporting has on companies’ financial performance. Sustainability reports are voluntarily released by companies that provide additional information to the stakeholders regarding the impact their activities have on the environment and society. Design/Methodology/Approach: This empirical paper analyses and identifies overlaps, gaps, limitations and flaws in current constructs of sustainability reporting. Using event study method to estimate abnormal returns for a 31 day event window for a sample of 68 listed companies, 17 listed in New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX) and 51 listed in the Australian Stock exchange (ASX). Findings: Results of the empirical study indicate that sustainability reporting is statistically significant in explaining abnormal returns for the Australian companies. The cross-sectional analysis results of the combined dataset for the two countries support the view that the contextual factors of industry type significantly impacts abnormal returns of the reporting companies. In this regard, this study identifies several contextual factors, such as industry and type of sustainability report, that have the potential to impact the relationship. Only the CSR type of sustainability report was significant in explaining the abnormal return of New Zealand companies. Practical implications: To underscore the practical implications of the theory, it shows, by reference to the model, how sustainability reporting influences financial performance for companies engaged in industries that have environmental implications. However, the simplistic model may also have many other applications in management and the social sciences. Originality value: The proposed model is highly original in providing a framework for studying the impact of sustainability reporting in companies that have an environmental impact

Studying students\u27 opinions : using surveys in writing program assessment

Administrators of writing programs are regularly faced with the problem of assessing the learning that students gain in their coursework. Many methods of assessment exist, but most have some problems associated with them related to the amount of time it takes to perform the study or the scope of the knowledge gained relative to number of participants or volume of information collected. This pilot study investigates the use of surveys of student opinion for their potential to assess composition instruction at Michigan Technological University. The primary goal of this pilot study is to test the effectiveness of using data collected in surveys to make recommendations for improvement of the composition program at Michigan Tech. The report concludes with recommendations for additional study and refinements to the instruments used

Screen usage relates to neuroanatomy underlying reward processing.

Today’s world is inundated with technology and our use of screens. It is possible that screen usage might affect the structural development of brain systems underlying motivation, reward, and addiction. Two hundred and thirty-two 10-year-old individuals’ structural MRI and behavioral data from a publicly accessible database were analyzed to find relations between the cortical and subcortical regions of the reward circuits of the brain and the usage of social media, texting, television, YouTube and other video applications, video games, and video chat applications. Both cortical and subcortical results yielded significant relationships with variables of screen time usage. Most significantly, subcortical brain regions known to be involved in the reward system were structurally affected by duration of screen usage. These results implicate brain changes beyond the explicit structural changes in response to the ubiquitous use of screens within our society and warrant the further study of how this affects our reward system and attention

The religion of the Yorubas especially in relation to the religion of ancient Egypt: Being in account of the religious beliefs and practices of Yoruba peoples of Southern Nigeria, especially in relation to the religion of Ancient Egypt

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IL-12 Plasmid Delivery by in Vivo Electroporation for the Successful Treatment of Established Subcutaneous B16.F10 Melanoma

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) has been used in numerous immunotherapy protocols against melanoma. However, delivery of IL-12 in the form of recombinant protein can result in severe toxicity, and gene therapy has had limited success against B16.F10 murine melanoma. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of in vivo electroporation for the delivery of plasmid DNA encoding IL-12 as an antitumor agent against B16.F10 melanoma. We treated mice bearing established B16.F10 melanoma tumors with intratumoral (i.t.) or intramuscular (i.m.) injections of a plasmid encoding IL-12, followed by in vivo electroporation. For i.t. treatments, we used an applicator containing six penetrating electrodes to deliver 1500-V/cm, 100-micros pulses. We administered i.m. pulses with an applicator containing four penetrating electrodes delivering 100-V/cm, 20-ms pulses. The i.t. treatment resulted in the cure of 47% of tumor-bearing mice, and 70% of cured mice were resistant to challenge with B16.F10 cells. The i.m. treatment did not result in tumor regression. We found that i.t. treatment resulted in increased levels of IL-12 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) within the tumors, the influx of lymphocytes into the tumors, and reduction in vascularity. Neither i.m. nor i.t. treatment was successful against B16.F10 tumors in a nude mouse model, supporting a role for T cells in regression of this tumor model

A qualitative study of digital citizenship practices and the fear of missing out: perceptions of middle school students and principals

Doctor of EducationDepartment of Educational LeadershipMajor Professor Not ListedThe purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of middle school students and principals regarding digital citizenship practices and how these practices and behaviors are impacted by the Fear of Missing Out (FoMO). A phenomenological qualitative research study was conducted through three student focus groups, one principal focus group, and six individual student interviews to answer the research questions. The investigation revolved around four topics: digital citizenship, interconnected digital platform usage, social media, and FoMO. Focus group and interview transcripts were transcribed and coded to generate five themes. The five themes that emerged from the data included: (1) Balancing Connections, Communication, and Appropriate Practices, (2) Relationships, Responsibilities, and Finding an Online Identity of Interests, (3) Characteristics of a Positive Digital Citizen, (4) Emotions and Feelings Shaped by Experiences, and (5) Disconnect Between an Understanding of Digital Citizenship and Reality of Practice. Based upon the results of the study, the researcher recommends it would be appropriate for schools to implement technology classes and programs that educate students on how to properly utilize interconnected digital platforms and devices. Educating students about how to use the devices, the purpose of social media, and how to be a positive digital citizen would be beneficial. The FoMO influences students and should be considered when designing policies and school rules regarding interconnected digital media platforms. Furthermore, based on the results of this research study, efforts to develop positive digital citizenship habits should include direct instruction on interpersonal communication. Future research should center around the psychology behind automatic responses and the realization of conducting tasks without cognizant awareness. Continued dialogue with students to better understand this phenomenon is warranted

Colorectal Adenomas

Carta a l'editor com a resposta al document: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1513581In his review article, Strum (March 17 issue)1 provides data on the overall prevalence of colorectal adenomas in the United States and risk factors for these lesions. It is well established that patients with Streptococcus bovis–group infective endocarditis are at high risk for colorectal cancer.2 Although a strong relationship between Enterococcus faecalis endocarditis and colorectal adenomas is suspected, robust data are lacking