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We show that the U.S. anti-discriminatory laws prohibiting discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation and gender identity (i.e. lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) identities) spur innovation, which ultimately leads to higher firm performance. We use the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index (CEI) of 398 (1592 firm-year observations) U.S. firms between 2011 and 2014, and find a significantly positive relationship between CEI and firm innovation. We also find that an interacting effect of CEI and firm innovation leads to higher firm performance. We use our understanding of Rawls' Theory of Justice and stakeholder theory to show that firms with workplace diversity policies are likely to be more innovative and perform better than those without such policies. Our results are robust to endogeneity, reverse causality and simultaneity issues. Our results will trigger debate in similar markets around the globe on the economic benefits of LGBT workplace diversity policies for firms.

The advent of multidrug resistance among pathogenic bacteria is imperiling the worth of antibiotics, which have previously transformed medical sciences. The crisis of antimicrobial resistance has been ascribed to the misuse of these agents and due to unavailability of newer drugs attributable to exigent regulatory requirements and reduced financial inducements. Comprehensive efforts are needed to minimize the pace of resistance by studying emergent microorganisms, resistance mechanisms, and antimicrobial agents. Multidisciplinary approaches are required across health care settings as well as environment and agriculture sectors. Progressive alternate approaches including probiotics, antibodies, and vaccines have shown promising results in trials that suggest the role of these alternatives as preventive or adjunct therapies in future.

This paper examines the effect of state-level culture in the US on the adoption of firms’ workplace diversity policies. Using firm-level panel data (1592 firm-year observations) over the period 2011–2014, we document that firms in highly individualistic states are less likely to adopt workplace diversity policies, which in turn negatively affects firm performance. Our results are robust to alternative variables and econometric specifications. Our findings provide insights into the contemporary debate on the economic aspects of workplace diversity policies for firms operating in different cultural backgrounds.

Green finance is inextricably linked to investment risk, particularly in emerging and developing economies (EMDE). This study uses the difference in differences (DID) method to evaluate the mean causal effects of a treatment on an outcome of the determinants of scaling up green financing and climate change mitigation in the N-11 countries from 2005 to 2019. After analyzing with a dummy for the treated countries, it was confirmed that the outcome covariates: rescon (renewable energy sources consumption), population, FDI, CO 2 , inflation, technical corporation grants, domestic credit to the private sector, and research and development are very significant in promoting green financing and climate change mitigation in the study countries. The probit regression results give a different outcome, as rescon, FID, CO 2 , Human Development Index (HDI), and investment in the energy sector by the private sector that will likely have an impact on the green financing and climate change mitigation of the study countries. Furthermore, after matching the analysis through the nearest neighbor matching, kernel matching, and radius matching, it produced mixed results for both the treated and the untreated countries. Either group experienced an improvement in green financing and climate change mitigation or a decrease. Overall, the DID showed no significant difference among the countries.

HighlightsThe partial removal of ammonium cations from ammonium vanadate results in an expanded interplanar space.The deficient ammonium vanadate exhibits highly reversible redox reaction.Ex situ characterizations suggest the reversible Zn3V2O7(OH)2·2H2O formation/decomposition in deficient ammonium vanadate during charge/discharge processes.Ammonium vanadate with bronze structure (NH4V4O10) is a promising cathode material for zinc-ion batteries due to its high specific capacity and low cost. However, the extraction of NH4+ at a high voltage during charge/discharge processes leads to irreversible reaction and structure degradation. In this work, partial NH4+ ions were pre-removed from NH4V4O10 through heat treatment; NH4V4O10 nanosheets were directly grown on carbon cloth through hydrothermal method. Deficient NH4V4O10 (denoted as NVO), with enlarged interlayer spacing, facilitated fast zinc ions transport and high storage capacity and ensured the highly reversible electrochemical reaction and the good stability of layered structure. The NVO nanosheets delivered a high specific capacity of 457 mAh g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1 and a capacity retention of 81% over 1000 cycles at 2 A g−1. The initial Coulombic efficiency of NVO could reach up to 97% compared to 85% of NH4V4O10 and maintain almost 100% during cycling, indicating the high reaction reversibility in NVO electrode.

PurposeUsing a dual-lens of leader–member exchange (LMX) and social exchange theory (SET), this study aims to propose a conceptual model that explores the nexus between inclusive leadership and turnover intention as mediated by follower–leader goal congruence and organizational commitment.Design/methodology/approachData were collected via a survey questionnaire from a sample of 322 front line employees working in different banks in Pakistan. The structural equational modeling (SEM) technique was used for hypotheses testing.FindingsFindings of the study show that inclusive leadership has a positive influence on follower–leader goal congruence which in turn has a positive influence on organizational commitment. Further, organizational commitment has a negative influence on turnover intention. Additionally, the results lend support to the mediating effects of follower–leader goal congruence on the relationship between inclusive leadership and organizational commitment, and the mediating effect of organizational commitment on the relationship between follower–leader goal congruence and turnover intention.Research limitations/implicationsThis research extends the literature on inclusive leadership, follower–leader goal congruence, organizational commitment and turnover intention. This study focuses on the follower–leader centric approach.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study can guide policymakers and management of the banking industry to develop the inclusive leadership qualities of existing managers to reduce the turnover intention of their employees.Originality/valueBy incorporating LMX and SET, this study tests a model that demonstrates the mediating role of follower–leader goal congruence and organizational commitment in the relationship between inclusive leadership and employees’ turnover intention.

This work aims to study the time-frequency relationship between the recent COVID-19 pandemic and instabilities in oil price and the stock market, geopolitical risks, and uncertainty in the economic policy in the USA, Europe, and China. The coherence wavelet method and the wavelet-based Granger causality tests are applied to the data (31st December 2019 to 1st August 2020) based on daily COVID-19 observations, oil prices, US-EPU, the US geopolitical risk index, and the US stock price index. The short- and long-term COVID-19 consequences are depicted differently and may initially be viewed as an economic crisis. The results illustrate the reduced industrial productivity, which intensifies with the increase in the pandemic’s severeness (i.e., a 10.57% decrease in the productivity index with a 1% increase in the pandemic severeness). Similarly, indices for oil demand, stock market, GDP growth, and electricity demand decrease significantly with an increase in the pandemic severeness index (i.e., a 1% increase in the pandemic severeness results in a 0.9%, 0.67%, 1.12%, and 0.65% decrease, respectively). However, the oil market shows low co-movement with the stock exchange, exchange rate, and gold markets. Therefore, investors and the government are recommended to invest in the oil market to generate revenue during the sanctions period.

Metal oxide nanoparticles synthesized by the biological method represent the most recent research in nanotechnology. This study reports the rapid and ecofriendly approach for the synthesis of CeO2 nanoparticles mediated using the Abelmoschus esculentus extract. The medicinal plant extract acts as both a reducing and stabilizing agent. The characterization of CeO2 NPs was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The in vitro cytotoxicity of green synthesized CeO2 was assessed against cervical cancerous cells (HeLa). The exposure of CeO2 to HeLa cells at 10–125 µg/mL caused a loss in cellular viability against cervical cancerous cells in a dose-dependent manner. The antibacterial activity of the CeO2 was assessed against S. aureus and K. pneumonia. A significant improvement in wound-healing progression was observed when cerium oxide nanoparticles were incorporated into the chitosan hydrogel membrane as a wound dressing.

The clustering analysis approach treats multivariate data tuples as objects and groups them into clusters based on their similarities or dissimilarities within the dataset. However, in modern world, a significant volume of data is continuously generated from diverse sources over time. In these dynamic scenarios, the data is not static but continually evolves. Consequently, the interesting patterns and inherent subgroups within the datasets also change and develop over time. The researchers have paid special attention to monitoring changes in cluster solutions of evolving streams. For this matter, several algorithms have been proposed in the literature. However, to date, no study has examined the effect of variability in cluster sizes on the evolution of cluster solutions. Moreover, no guidance is available on determining the impact of cluster sizes on the type of changes they experience in the streams. In the present simulation study using artificial datasets, the evolution of clusters is examined concerning the variability in cluster sizes. The findings are substantial because tracing and monitoring the changes in clustering solutions have a wide range of applications in every field of research. This study determines the minimum sample size required in the clustering of time-stamped datasets.

IntroductionUGIB is common. By completion of clinical training, most gastroenterology trainees will be expected to be able to treat UGIB endoscopically. Training is variable and is often conducted on an opportunistic basis and many trainees desire additional training. Current demand for courses is very high and we aimed to develop a local course with low costs to help address it.MethodsWe have organised a half day, hands-on, consultant-run course for 3 years now, for trainees within the same trust. We made models using pig stomachs with simulated bleeding using expired overtubes, plastic storage boxes, and cable ties. The initial cost for equipment was 2755 pounds. Ongoing costs were kept under a 100 pounds yearly for fresh pig stomachs, as we prospectively saved expired equipment for the course. Expendables, such as clips, were provided as part of a sponsorship, and animal model stacks and scopes were loaned.Feedback was collected from each trainee using open ended questions. Trainees explained what they found most useful and what could be improved. Their responses were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsOver 3 years, we recorded 29 responses from trainees. Common themes emerged from what trainees found most useful. These were: hands-on experience, step-by-step use of techniques, using technical variations, building familiarity with equipment, and practicing communicating during endoscopy. Specific techniques which trainees found most helpful were gluing 79% (n=23), Danis stent insertion 69% (n=20), clipping 28% (n=8), and banding 24% (n=7). Common themes around improvement included: an expansion in the scope of the course to cover more techniques particularly foreign body removal, and more time per station.ConclusionsOur course represents a distinct approach to improving local endoscopy training. The use of a porcine model allows trainees to gain valuable hands-on experience, particularly in techniques that they may not encounter frequently and allows them to experiment with technical variations. Our model kept ongoing costs minimal, following some initial investment, and was easily expanded over subsequent years. It could be up scaled to cover more techniques and can be employed across multiple centres of varying sizes. Our thematic analysis demonstrates that trainees found our course helpful, particularly as it was hands on and covered a broad range of techniques.Current endotherapy training is variable. A course such as ours can serve as a template for a home-made, low cost, hands-on course which could help improve training, confidence, and technical ability in the use of certain endotherapy techniques.