This paper investigates the roles which corporate reputation and CEO integrity play in the relationship between CSR disclosure and firm performance. Analysing a dataset of 3588 firm-year observations ...of 833 Fortune World Most Admired firms in 31 countries from 2005 to 2011, the paper shows a positive effect of CSR disclosure on firm reputation, which in turn significantly contributes to a firm's financial performance. The paper finds that CEO integrity strengthens the positive impact of CSR disclosure on firm reputation significantly. The findings are consistent across three measures of a firm’s financial performance (Tobin’s Q, ROA and ROE) and three proxies of CEO integrity. The paper offers insight into how corporate reputation and CEO integrity intervene the benefits of CSR disclosure to firm performance and how the lack of consideration of such factors could be the reason for the inconsistent findings in the previous studies.
Colorectal cancer is a leading cancer worldwide and in Vietnam. Adenomas (adenomatous polyps) is an important precursor of colorectal cancer. There is currently no study to determine the modifiable ...risk factors for colorectal adenomas, including body mass index (BMI) in Vietnam. We conducted an individually matched case‐control study of 1149 colorectal adenomas and 1145 controls in a large‐scale colorectal screening program involving 103 542 individuals aged 40‐75 years old in Hanoi, Vietnam. Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between BMI and colorectal adenomas prevalence, after controlling for potential confounders. Overall, comparing to normal weight (ie, 18.5‐22.9 kg/m2), underweight (ie, BMI < 18.5) was associated with a non‐statistically significant increased prevalence of colorectal adenomas (odd ratio OR = 1.29 and 95% confident interval CI: 0.88‐1.87). This association became significant among male (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.20‐3.27), male who were ever smokers (OR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.33‐5.03), nonregular exercise (OR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.26‐4.73) and individuals with cardiometabolic disorders (OR = 3.46, 95% CI: 1.19‐10.00). The association between underweight and colorectal adenomas did not vary by smoking status, drinking status, family history of cancer, adenomas types or cardiometabolic disorders. No association was observed among obese individuals (BMI ≥ 25). In the population with low prevalence of obesity, we found that the association between BMI and colorectal adenomas followed a reversed J‐shape that underweight was associated with increased prevalence. Further studies are, therefore, warranted to replicate our results and to investigate the biologic mechanism the effect of underweight on colorectal adenomas prevalence.
What's new?
High body mass index (BMI) has been associated with an increased risk of colorectal adenomas in studies including Asian populations. To date, no study has identified modifiable risk factors for colorectal adenomas in Vietnam, a country with a rising colorectal cancer incidence and low obesity prevalence. This case‐control study based on a large‐scale colorectal cancer screening program in Vietnam reports a potential association between underweight and colorectal adenomas prevalence with an inverse J‐shape. The modification of specific factors such as maintaining a normal BMI range, quitting smoking and exercising regularly showed great potential for colorectal cancer prevention and control programs.
In this study, activated carbon in the form of carbonaceous hydrochar adsorbents with highly functionalized surface-active sites were produced from coffee husk waste via hydrothermal carbonization ...under low-temperature conditions (180 °C) and subsequent chemical activation. Thereafter, the hydrochars were characterized using diverse analytical techniques, and batch experiments of methylene blue (MB) adsorption were performed under various operating conditions. The results indicated that the activated hydrochar (AH) had a larger specific surface area (862.2 m2 g−1) compared to that of its carbonaceous precursor (33.7 m2 g−1). The maximum MB sorption capacity of the hydrochar activated with potassium hydroxide was extremely high (415.8 mg g−1 at 30 °C). In addition, adsorption isotherms and kinetics were studied using experimental data fitting to further understand and describe the dynamic equilibrium, dynamic kinetics, and mechanism of MB adsorption onto the prepared hydrochars. As compared to the Freundlich isotherm model, the Langmuir isotherm model provided a better fit with the experimental data exhibiting a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 418.78 mg g−1. The linear pseudo-second-order kinetic model was found to be suitable for describing the adsorptive kinetics of the hydrochar. The results demonstrated the immense potential of coffee husk waste to produce activated carbon as an alternative green hydrochar that can be applied to dye removal from wastewater as well as improvement of waste management.
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•High-performance activated hydrochar (AH) was derived from coffee husks and tested.•AH had an excellent specific surface area of 862.2 m2 g−1.•Derived AH efficiently removed methylene blue (MB) dye.•The highest MB removal (415.8 mg g−1) was achieved under experimental conditions.•Adsorption isotherm and kinetic studies were conducted by experimental data fitting.
Objectives
To evaluate the impact of clinical pharmacist‐led interventions on the switch from intravenous (IV) to oral (PO) antibiotics among inpatients with infectious diseases.
Methods
A ...before‐and‐after study was conducted among inpatients aged 18 or older who were diagnosed with infectious diseases and received IV antibiotics for at least 24 h at the Thong Nhat Hospital during the pre‐intervention (between January 2021 and June 2021) and intervention (between January 2022 and June 2022) periods. Information on patient characteristics, antibiotic usage, length of hospital stay and treatment outcomes was obtained from medical records. The interventions included introducing IV‐to‐PO switch guidelines to physicians and clinical pharmacists' feedback on eligible cases. The impact of the pharmacists' interventions was evaluated by comparing primary outcomes (switch rate and appropriateness of switching) and secondary outcomes (duration of IV therapy, length of hospital stay and treatment outcomes) between the two study periods.
Results
We included 99 patients in the pre‐intervention and 80 patients in the intervention period. The proportion of patients who switched from IV‐to‐PO antibiotics increased from 44.4% in the pre‐intervention period to 67.8% in the intervention period (p = 0.008). The overall rate of appropriate conversion increased significantly from 43.8% to 67.5% (p = 0.043). There were no statistically significant differences between the two periods with respect to the median duration of IV therapy (9 days vs. 8 days), length of hospital stay (10 days vs. 9 days) and treatment outcomes. Logistic regression analysis showed that the interventions resulted in a higher switch rate, whereas age was negatively associated with the switching rate.
Conclusions
The implementation of clinical pharmacist‐led interventions was effective in promoting IV‐to‐PO antibiotic conversion.
Starting from April 1st, 2020, the nationwide partial lockdown in Vietnam has shown the effectiveness in stopping the community transmission of COVID-19, however, it also produced adverse impacts on ...the economy and inhabitants’ life. A cross-sectional study using a web-based approach was conducted in the second week of April 2020 to examine the influence of the national social distancing on the quality of life and economic well-being of Vietnamese citizens under COVID-19 pandemic. The data included socio-economic characteristics, impact of COVID-19 on household income, health status, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Ordered logistic regression and multivariable Tobit regression model were employed to examine factors correlated to income change and HRQOL. Results showed that among 341 participants, 66.9% reported household income loss due to the impact of COVID-19. People holding undergraduate degrees, working in other sectors rather than healthcare, and having definite-term contract had a higher likelihood of income reduction. The mean score of EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS was 0.95 (± 0.07) and 88.2 (± 11.0), respectively. The domain of Anxiety/Depression had the highest proportion of reporting any problems among 5 dimensions of EQ-5D-5L (38.7%). Being female, having chronic conditions and living in the family with 3–5 members were associated with lower HRQOL scores. A comprehensive assessment of the influence of COVID-19 along with public health interventions, especially mental health programs, should be implemented to mitigate the negative effects of this pandemic on the economic status and quality of life of citizens.
Health outcomes among Agent Orange/dioxin (dioxin) victims are significant due to many individuals requiring daily assistance, informal care, and rehabilitation support. This study aimed to identify ...the information needs of informal caregivers of dioxin victims in Vietnam.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in Quynh Phu district, Thai Binh province - an area with a large number of dioxin victims, from June 2019 to June 2020. Quantitative data were collected from 124 caregivers of victims via structured interviews. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interview guides with in-depth interviews (IDI) (n = 36) and two focus group discussions (FGD) (n = 12).
The results demonstrated that all caregivers of dioxin victims were family members, predominantly older (71.8%), 61.5 years old on average, living on low incomes (87.9%), and were farmers (80.7%). Almost all participants (96.8%) reported having information needs, particularly concerning dioxin's harms, nutrition, dioxin-related policies and rehabilitation, and psychological support for patients. Caregivers reported that they would like to receive information via health staff counselling (85.0%), television (75.0%), and community loudspeaker (65.8%). Notably, the majority of caregivers reported the need for information regarding psychological support (70.0%). These findings are consistent with qualitative data, which identify an urgent need to provide information, especially through health staff and digital resources.
Many families with dioxin victims lived with little support and information, highlighting their high demand for information about care and rehabilitation. Thus, the healthcare system should promote information support, policy, and psychological support for caregivers and victims. An online support system for caregivers and victims is also recommended.
Purpose
This paper aims to examine how independent directors (IDs) affect a firm’s performance measured on profitability, with corporate social responsibility (CSR) interaction.
...Design/methodology/approach
The study uses an international data set of 1,817 firm-year observations from 545 large companies in 20 countries across Asia, America and Europe, and the fixed-effects estimation method.
Findings
The direct effect of IDs alone on profitability is statistically insignificant; however, the synergic effect of IDs and CSR on profitability becomes significantly positive when firms disclose CSR information.
Practical implications
The profitability is partially sourced from the synergy of IDs and stakeholders through CSR. IDs may use CSR disclosure to win stakeholders’ goodwill. This goodwill will likely be transformed into profitability. The empirical results indicate that there should be more need for IDs’ engagement in CSR projects as the resources of IDs combined with external stakeholders can be of important value to firms.
Originality/value
This paper reveals the underlying mechanism that firm-idiosyncratic value is formed using a combination of ID resources and stakeholders through CSR. This research extends the literature of IDs’ efficiency and effectiveness and confirms the agency theory and resource dependence theory.
In this study, biochar derived from spent coffee grounds (SCGB) was used to adsorb norfloxacin (NOR) in water. The biochar properties were interpreted by analysis of the specific surface area, ...morphology, structure, thermal stability, and functional groups. The impacts of pH, NOR, and ion's present on SCGB performance were examined. The NOR adsorption mode of SCGB is best suited to the Langmuir model (R2 = 0.974) with maximum absorption capacity (69.8 mg g−1). By using a Response Surface Method (RSM), optimal adsorption was also found at pH of 6.26, NOR of 24.69 mg L−1, and SCGB of 1.32 g L−1. Compared with biochars derived from agriculture such as corn stalks, willow branches, potato stem, reed stalks, cauliflower roots, wheat straw, the NOR adsorption capacity of SCGB was 2–30 times higher, but less than 3–4 times for biochars made from Salix mongolica, luffa sponge and polydopamine microspheres. These findings reveal that spent coffee grounds biochar could effectively remove NOR from aqueous solutions. Approaching biochar derived from coffee grounds would be a promising eco-friendly solution because it utilizes solid waste, saves costs, and creates adsorbents to deal with emerging pollutants like antibiotics.
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•Norfloxacin was removed using biochar derived from spent coffee grounds (SCGB).•pH significantly influenced the Norfloxacin (NOR) adsorption of the SCGB.•Based on Langmuir model, the maximum absorption capacity was 69.8 mg g−1 at pH 6.•The adsorption process was optimized by using the response surface methodology.•Optimal adsorption conditions were achieved at pH of 6.26 and SCGB of 1.32 g L−1.
One of the common problems in strawberry (
Fragaria
×
ananassa
) micropropagation is the vitrification phenomenon (succulent plantlets, brittle stems, yellow leaves, etc.) leading to the reduction ...of plantlets quality and low survival rate in the greenhouse. In this study, the effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on explant disinfection
,
in vitro growth (shoot multiplication, and root formation), runner formation as well as ethylene accumulation during micropropagation of strawberry were investigated. The results showed that leaf explants treated with 200 mg/L AgNPs solution for 20 min was more effective in explant disinfection and shoot regeneration than using 1 g/L HgCl
2
. In addition, AgNPs stimulated the growth of shoot and plantlet and as well shortened the duration of root formation (4 days) as compared to those in control without AgNPs during micropropagation. Besides, AgNPs reduced the ethylene gas accumulation in the culture’s vessels of shoots (0.66 ppm) and plants (0.06 ppm) compared to controls (1.77 ppm; 0.15 ppm; respectively). Moreover, AgNPs combination with culture period (5; 10 or 15 days) effect root formation stage and acclimatization in the greenhouse. The plantlets that cultured on MS medium supplemethed with 0.5 mg/L AgNPs during 10 days showed higher survival rate (93.33%) after 15 days as well as runner formation per plant (8.00 runners) after 60 days in greenhouse than those in control.
Key message
AgNPs improved explant disinfection and in vitro growth. AgNPs improved runner formation in the greenhouse. AgNPs limited ethylene accumulation during micropropagation.
Abstract
Background
Colorectal cancer is a leading cancer incidence and cause of death worldwide and in Vietnam. Although screening is considered an effective measure to prevent and control ...colorectal cancer, there is no such effort in Vietnam.
Methods
Between 01 January 2018 and 31 October 2019, a population-based colorectal cancer screening program was conducted in Hanoi, Vietnam. A health advocacy campaign and follow-up phone calls were used to enroll residents aged ≥40 years old to complete an immunochemical-fecal occult blood testing. Positive immunochemical-fecal occult blood testing was followed by a colonoscopy. We also conducted a systematic review of the colorectal cancer screening programs in the Asia-Pacific region that used similar approach by searching Ovid Medline and PubMed databases.
Results
During study period, 103 542 individuals among 672 742 eligible residents attended the screening of whom 81.5% participants finished immunochemical-fecal occult blood testing test and the positive rate was 6.1%. The coverage rate for immunochemical-fecal occult blood testing test was 11.9%. Among 2278 individuals who underwent colonoscopy, 3.5% were histologically diagnosed with cancer, 17.8% with advanced adenomas, and 23.1% with non-advanced adenomas. Males had significantly higher detection rate of advanced adenomas, cancer or ≥ two polyps/tumor than females (P < 0.0001). The systematic review showed that in two-step modality (i.e. immunochemical-fecal occult blood testing/fecal immunochemical test and colonoscopy), the test positive was from 4.1 to 10.6%. Once colonoscopy was performed subsequently, the rate of cancer among positive participants was from 1.7 to 16.4% and that of advanced adenomas was from 7.1 to 23.1%.
Conclusion
We showed that the two-step modality is a promising strategy for colorectal cancer screening in Vietnam that might apply to similar settings with limited resources
This report described the first-ever population-based colorectal cancer screening program in 103 542 individuals in Vietnam, using immunochemical-fecal occult blood testing test and subsequent colonoscopy among those with positive test results of immunochemical-fecal occult blood testing.
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