This study analyzes the impact of corporate governance on firm efficiency. The recent trend to measure performance from efficiency ratios has received attention due to its realistic approach. ...However, empirical evidence to prove a significant relationship between corporate governance and firm efficiency is lacking. We study panel data on 2,823 firm-year observations of Chinese internet companies from 2005 to 2017, using data envelopment analysis with variable return to scale technology to measure efficiency. The efficiency scores of companies are then regressed on corporate governance variables to measure the effect on technical efficiency. Furthermore, fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) analysis used to provide a deep empirical understanding of the phenomenon. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge in two ways by providing a strategic framework for exploring the governance-efficiency relation by providing empirical evidence. In addition, this study uses multiple methodological approaches to provide useful insights into corporate governance and efficiency.
Plant growth regulators are naturally biosynthesized chemicals in plants that influence physiological processes. Their synthetic analogous trigger numerous biochemical and physiological processes ...involved in the growth and development of plants. Nowadays, due to changing climatic scenario, numerous biotic and abiotic stresses hamper seed germination, seedling growth, and plant development leading to a decline in biological and economic yields. However, plant growth regulators (PGRs) can potentially play a fundamental role in regulating plant responses to various abiotic stresses and hence, contribute to plant adaptation under adverse environments. The major effects of abiotic stresses are growth and yield disturbance, and both these effects are directly overseen by the PGRs. Different types of PGRs such as abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), ethylene (ET), and jasmonates (JAs) are connected to boosting the response of plants to multiple stresses. In contrast, PGRs including cytokinins (CKs), gibberellins (GAs), auxin, and relatively novel PGRs such as strigolactones (SLs), and brassinosteroids (BRs) are involved in plant growth and development under normal and stressful environmental conditions. Besides, polyamines and nitric oxide (NO), although not considered as phytohormones, have been included in the current review due to their involvement in the regulation of several plant processes and stress responses. These PGRs are crucial for regulating stress adaptation through the modulates physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes and activation of the defense system, upregulating of transcript levels, transcription factors, metabolism genes, and stress proteins at cellular levels. The current review presents an acumen of the recent progress made on different PGRs to improve plant tolerance to abiotic stress such as heat, drought, salinity, and flood. Moreover, it highlights the research gaps on underlying mechanisms of PGRs biosynthesis under stressed conditions and their potential roles in imparting tolerance against adverse effects of suboptimal growth conditions.
Biodiesel, a biodegradable, highly oxygenated and renewable energy resource, is produced by esterification of vegetable oils. This work focuses on using electrolytic separation and emulsification to ...produce purer biodiesel having high cetane index of 61.4. Vegetable oil mixture is used as feedstock. Maximum production yield is 84%. The decrease in engine peak torque was minimum for B5 at 1.94% while maximum decrease was for B20. B5 show a slight increase in power while B20 and B50 show significant drop. For all test speeds, B50 shows higher efficiency than all test fuels however the BSFC was significantly higher than diesel until 88.8% of the maximum engine speed. The maximum increase in brake thermal efficiency for B5 is found to be 2.09% which is 7.9% more than diesel at 2000 rpm. A significant increase of maximum 3.719% in brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) is observed. Maximum reduction in CO emissions is 53.3% for B50 at 2250 rpm accompanied with a maximum average drop in HCs of 74.4%. The variation in the NOx is insignificant. B5 is found to be the most effective blend for both maintaining the engine performance and improving the engine emissions.
The innovation of a particular company benefits the whole industry when innovation technology transfers to others. Similarly, the development and innovation in internet companies influence the ...development and innovation of the industry. This investigation has applied a unique approach of meta-frontier analysis to estimate and analyze the innovation in internet companies in China. A unique dataset of Chinese internet companies from 2000 to 2017 has been utilized to estimate and compare the innovation over the period of study. The change in technology gap ratio (TGR) and a shift in production function have translated into innovation which was overlooked by previous studies. It is found that the production function of internet companies is moving upward in the presence of external factors such as smartphones invention, mobile internet, mobile payments, and artificial intelligence, etc. Consequently, a sudden increase in TGR is captured due to the innovation of some companies. Hence, the average TE of the industry falls caused by the increased distance of other companies form industry production function. However, the innovation advantage defused when other companies start imitating and the average TE elevates. A steady increase in the TGR index revealed that the continuous innovation-based growth of some companies lifting the production frontier upward. This provides the opportunity for other companies to imitate and provides continuous growth in the industry. This study provides a novel methodological approach to measure innovation and also provide practical implication by empirical estimation of innovation in Chinese internet companies.
Biological invasions are one of the major drivers of restructuring and malfunctioning of ecosystems. Invasive plant species not only change the dynamics of species composition and biodiversity but ...also hinder the system productivity and efficiency in invaded regions. Parthenium weed, a well-known noxious invasive species, has invaded diverse climatic and biogeographic regions in more than 40 countries across five continents. Efforts are under way to minimize the parthenium weed-induced environmental, agricultural, social, and economic impacts. However, insufficient information regarding its invasion mechanism and interference with ecosystem stability is available. It is hard to devise effective management strategies without understanding the invasion process. Here, we reviewed the mechanism of parthenium weed invasion. Our main conclusions are: (1) morphological advantages, unique reproductive biology, competitive ability, escape from natural enemies in non-native regions, and a C₃/C₄ photosynthesis are all likely to be involved in parthenium weed invasiveness. (2) Tolerance to abiotic stresses and ability to grow in wide range of edaphic conditions are thought to be additional invasion tools on a physiological front. (3) An allelopathic potential of parthenium weed against crop, weed and pasture species, with multiple modes of allelochemical expression, may also be responsible for its invasion success. Moreover, the release of novel allelochemicals in non-native environments might have a pivotal role in parthenium weed invasion. (4) Genetic diversity found among different populations and biotypes of parthenium weed, based on geographic, edaphic, climatic, and ecological ranges, might also be a strong contributor towards its invasion success. (5) Rising temperatures and atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations and changing rainfall patterns, all within the present day climate change prediction range are favorable for parthenium weed growth, its reproductive output, and therefore its future spread and infestation. (6) Parthenium weed invasion in South Asia depicts the relative and overlapping contribution of all the above-mentioned mechanisms. Such an understanding of the core phenomena regulating the invasion biology has pragmatic implications for its management. A better understanding of the interaction of physiological processes, ecological functions, and genetic makeup within a range of environments may help to devise appropriate management strategies for parthenium weed.
This research dealt with the impact of the quality of the water source on the mechanical properties of construction materials. The mechanical properties of construction materials include compressive, ...tensile, and flexural strength. Water samples were collected from different resources, these samples were then synthetically investigated to identify and compare their quality parameters. After a detailed chemical analysis of water samples from three sources—wastewater, surface or canal water, and ground water—construction concrete material samples were prepared. The construction materials were developed with the same water–cement ratio, i.e., 0.60 for each concrete mix sample at two mix ratios—M1 (1:2:4) and M2 (1:1.5:3). Slump cone and compacting factor tests were conducted on the fresh concrete to determine its workability prior to its hardening. Then, at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days for each mix, tests for mechanical properties were carried out to determine the compressive, tensile, and flexure strengths. Results showed that the mechanical properties of the concrete made by utilizing wastewater and surface water were more noteworthy as compared to the concrete made by groundwater. This study will help in the production of concrete which depends on waste and surface canal water, even for large projects like rigid pavement construction and water-related structures.
The purpose of this study is to identify the influence of innovative cultural processes (ICP) on SMEs performance in Punjab, Pakistan. Data was collected through survey method. 60 usable ...questionnaires were used for collecting the information from SMEs CEOs/owners/senior managers from Punjab, Pakistan. Research design was consisted on developing the hypothetical framework with innovative cultural processes set as an independent variable to test SMEs performance as a dependent variable. Validity and reliability of the scale were assessed by experts and also a small set of the data was used for analysis through SPSS version 20.0 and PLS-SEM 3.0 for analyzing the effect. The results of the research confirmed the validity and reliability of the instrument used in this study. The findings of this study also validate the empirical linkage between capturing ICP and SMEs performance in Punjab, Pakistan. This study has some practical implications especially for SMEs in Pakistan and recommendations to have ICP for enhancing the performance of SMEs.
Zirconium substituted magnesium cobalt ferrite (ZrxMg0.2-xCo0.8-xFe2O4) nanoparticles and their nano-heterostructures with graphene were synthesized by co-precipitation and ultra-sonication route ...respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis was done to study the effect of Zr4+ substitution on structural properties, surface morphology, dielectric and current-voltage properties of nanoparticles. The crystallite size of nanoparticles was found in the range of 23–28 nm. XRD pattern analysis confirmed the spinel structure of nanoparticles. Graphene synthesized by modified Hummer's method was utilized as substrate to prepare the heterostructures with ferrite particles. Dispersion of nanoparticles on the surface of rGO sheets was confirmed by SEM analysis. Enhanced photocatalytic activity of nanoparticles and graphene based nano-heterostructures was observed under visible light irradiation. During the current-voltage measurements, decrease in electrical resistivity of nanoparticles was observed. Dielectric measurements were performed within the frequency range 1 MHz–3 GHz. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was done to evaluate the kinetic parameters and charge-transfer resistance (Rct) at electrode interface. Enhanced photocatalytic applications, suggested that ZrxMg0.2-xCo0.8-xFe2O4 nanoparticles and graphene based nano-heterostructures can be used for degradation of various organic based pollutants in drinking water.
Perceived service quality is very important concept in banking sector. It is therefore necessary to acknowledge the perception of customers from different areas-as they are becoming more critical and ...demanding. After studying many research papers and literature, the SERQUAL model modifies by adding up three variables (Sincerity, Formality, personalization) and excluding two variables (Empathy and tangibility) by keeping in view urban and rural banks services and perceived differences of both types of customers. Using a sample of 240 respondents, a self-completion questionnaire was given to rural and urban banks' customers from Bahawalpur City and surrounding rural areas to determine perception of service quality of banks. Descriptive statistics, T-test and Cronbachs' alpha were employed to get results of the study. The results show that urban banks customers have highest perception in assurance and lowest in personalization. Similarly, rural customers also perceive that they are getting highest assurance while formality is the lowest service quality dimension they are getting. Surprisingly, this study indicates that overall rural customers have more perceived satisfaction. This study suggests that rural banks should improve technology and infrastructure. Urban banks should focus on hiring and training employees having high level of sincerity, formality, and personalization for customers.
This context summarizes a detail on the fabrication of Acacia senegal Gum Hydrogel (ASGh) within well-engineered microemulsion, and thereafter chemical modification for environmental remediation. In ...brief, Divinylsulfone was used to crosslink polymeric chains and produce ASGh in ˂50 μm size within the reverse-microemulsion of Natrium-bis-(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate in gasoline. ASGh were subjected to chemical modification via versatile diethylenetriamine to produce m-ASGh for adsorptive removal of methyl orange (MO), eosin Y (EY) and congo red (CR) from waste-water. ASGh and m-ASGh were characterized through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and zeta potential measurements. For instance, FT-IR spectra depicted new bands upon Diethylenetriamine modification. The zeta potential measurements confirm a positively charged surface of m-ASGh upon Diethylenetriamine addition. Interestingly, 0.05 g m-ASGh demonstrated 91.0, 84.1, and 73.0 % removal efficiency towards MO, EY and CR, respectively in 2 h equilibrium time. Langmuir, Freundlich and modified-Freundlich isotherms were applied to further delineate adsorption data. Modified-Freundlich model depicted comparatively more agreeable fit, and delivered R2 value nearer to unity. Further, 143 mg·g−1, 130 mg·g−1 and, 116 mg·g−1 maximum adsorption capacity (QM) was represented by m-ASGh towards MO, EY and CR, respectively in 2 h. Interestingly, real water sample were tested whereby, the QM against MO, EY and CR was 146 mg·g−1, 132 mg·g−1 and, 111 mg·g−1, respectively in 2 h equilibrium time. To conclude, m-ASGh could be treated as decolorizing agent in real waste-water polluted through negatively charged organic pollutants, particularly MO.
•Acacia Senegal Gum hydrogel Fabrication with dimension of less than 50 μm in swollen state•Chemical modification with versatile diethylenetriamine to tailor hydrogel surface properties for environemntal remediation•Kinetic treatment of Methyl Orange, Congo Red and Eosin Y efficient removal from aqueous media via modified hydrogels
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