Digitized Research Articles

Analyzing the time-frequency impact of digital transformation on the improvement of service trade in Vietnam

This study investigates the dynamic influence of digitalization (DG), gross domestic product (GDP), population (PO), and broad money supply (M2) on service trade (ST) in Vietnam from 1996 to 2022 using wavelet analysis and spectral Granger causality models. The results indicate that there is a positive nexus between variables during the sample period. While the relationship between broad money supply, population, and service trade is significant across different times and frequencies, the cases of ST-DG and ST-GDP are weak and insignificant at low frequencies. Moreover, Granger causality tests reveal that there exist bidirectional associations between the selected indicators. These findings suggest that Vietnam should focus on investment to enhance digitalization and expand the broad money supply, which would improve the service trade, attract foreign direct investment, and strengthen ties with other economies.

Differences in Pharmacological Treatment of Heart Failure Among Persons with or without Major Cognitive Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on National Registries in Sweden.

Comorbidities are common among older people, and during the last decade, a strong association between heart failure (HF) and cognitive impairment has been found. As much as 40-50% of individuals with HF will also have some degree of cognitive impairment. Previous studies report an undertreatment for some cardiovascular diseases in patients with major neurocognitive disorder (NCD). The aim of this present study was to explore differences in pharmacological treatment of HF in individuals diagnosed with HF with or without comorbidity of major NCD. This study combined data from three different Swedish national registers: the Swedish National Patient Register, the Swedish registry for cognitive/dementia disorders (SveDem), and the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. A logistic regression model including variables for age, sex, major NCD, and nursing home residency was used to analyze associations between drug use and major NCD. We found a lower prevalence of filled prescriptions of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors, β-blockers (BBs), and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) among patients with major NCD. Living in a nursing home was associated with lower prevalence of RAS inhibitors, BBs, digitalis glycosides, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Females were found to have higher odds of using BBs, loop diuretics and digitalis glycosides, and lower odds of using RAS inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors than males. Our findings indicate that there is possible undertreatment among individuals with HF identified in specialized care with co-occurring major NCD. Major NCD was associated with less filled prescriptions of basal pharmacological treatments such as RAS inhibitors, BBs, and MRAs. Future research needs to not only investigate this relationship further but also focus on reasons for the undertreatment of HF and other comorbidities within this group.

Technological progress and its impact on the labor market

Object: The purpose of this research is to examine how advancements in technology influence the job market, highlight key trends and effects, and formulate suggestions for both employees and employers to adjust to the shifts brought about by emerging technologies. Methods: The research methodology includes methods of systematic and institutional analysis. To carry out the study, a set of data was used that contained information about investments in new technologies, the unemployment rate and other variables related to this group. To determine the existence of a relationship between investments in digitaliza tion and the unemployment rate correlation and regression analysis were used. Results: Technological progress requires new skills and knowledge from employees. The demand for specialists in IT, Data Analysis and digital marketing is growing, and traditional professions are losing their relevance. Thus, final research can be an important tool for organizations that seek not only technological renewal, but also the creation of fair and productive jobs. Conclusions: Technological advancement profoundly influences the job market, generating both fresh opportuni ties and obstacles. To maintain competitiveness, both employers and employees need to adjust to these changes. It is essential to implement strategies that enhance workers' skills, facilitate their adjustment to evolving circumstances, and establish retraining initiatives for individuals who have been displaced by automation.

Enhancing Cardiovascular Health with the Implementation of Digitalis

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major global health problem that cause a lot of illness, death, and high healthcare costs. As medical science advances, the number of people with CVDs continues to rise, necessitating the development of new methods for their prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. In recent years, using digital health technologies in cardiovascular care has become an excellent way to improve patient outcomes and make disease management better. It is possible for digitalis medicines, which come from the foxglove plant (Digitalis purpurea), to improve heart health in the digital age. In the field of cardiovascular medicine, this in-depth review looks at digitalis's historical importance, pharmacology, clinical uses, safety concerns, and digital transformation. The review starts with an overview of the epidemiological setting and the problems that CVDs cause, emphasizing the urgent need for creative solutions to deal with this worldwide health event. This article deals with how it has changed over time, from herbal remedies to modern drug therapy. It informs about the pharmacology of digitalis, mostly the way it works, its pharmacokinetics, and its pharmacodynamics. Pharmaceuticals that contain digitalis mainly work by stopping the Na+/K+ ATPase pump. The medication can help with heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and some types of arrhythmias. Digitalis's digital transformation is looked at with a focus on the way digital health technologies are used in its management, monitoring, and effectiveness. The review highlights that digitalis-based interventions could change the way cardiovascular medicine is done in the modern era.

Interaction of public administration and mass media in the context of digitalisation: problem statement

The article considers the current topic of interaction between public administration and mass media in the context of digitalisation. Digitalisation is defined as a glob -al trend changing socio-political reality. The concepts of “mass media” and “mass communication” are analysed in detail, and the features of their cooperation while expanding digital audience are revealed. In the realities of the 21st century, when digita lisation has a significant impact, the state transforms its functions, starting to actively interact with society and citizens, creating equal relations in the updated political system. An important link that unites information is mass media which closely cooperates with state authorities and the entire management system. Through the media, government agencies coordinate the efforts of various social groups and organisations without coercion, defining the main directions and strategies of socio-political initiatives and actions. The article highlights the use of the mass media as a political tool and a way to organise a dialogue between the state and civil society. It also analyses the influence of the mass media as the fourth branch of government. The author concludes that it is necessary to comprehensively study the problem of interaction between public administration and mass media for more effective functioning of both institutions. This means that in the context of digitalisation, there is a need to consider changes in the media sphere and develop new approaches to media policy, given modern challenges and trends.

Risk Management Practices and the Performance of Indonesian and Malaysian Islamic Banks: Does Digitalization Mediate This Nexus?

ABSTRACTDespite being exceptionally regulated financial institutions, risk management practices (RMPs) of Islamic banking (IBs) have always remained under the limelight due to their impact on financial performance (FP) and the influence of digitalization (DT). This study aims to investigate the impact of RMPs on FP through the mediating effect of DT. To analyze the linkage between these constructs, we created an index for RMPs, five unique proxies (mobile [MB_DEA], big data [BD_DEA], Internet of Things [IoT], cloud computing [CC_DEA], and social media [SM_DEA]) of DT, and Tobin's Q as a proxy of FP and operationalized the theory of contingency. The data between 2009 and 2020 was collected from Indonesian and Malaysian IBs and was analyzed using the two‐step generalized method of moments (GMMs) technique. The empirical findings represent that RMPs and DT have a significant positive effect on FP. Simultaneously, RMPs have a significant positive effect on two proxies of DT (MB_DEA and SM_DEA), and an insignificant positive effect on the remaining three proxies of DT (BD_DEA, IoT_DEA, and CC_DEA). Simultaneously, DT as a mediator plays a significant role between RMPs and FP. This study contributes to systematizing the RMPs of IBs by integrating digitalization which eventually will increase the financial portfolios of IBs.

IDENTIFICATION AND EXTRACTION PROCESS OF CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES FROM FOXGLOVE PLANTS

Foxglove (Digitalis spp.) is a plant known for its cardiac glycoside content, which has been used in medicine for centuries. Cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin and digitoxin, are the main components that have a therapeutic effect on the cardiovascular system. This research examines the cardiac glycoside content of various Digitalis species, with a focus on extraction methods, isolation and characteristics of these compounds. Methods used include high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectrometry (MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The analysis results showed that Digitalis purpurea and Digitalis lanata were the main sources of cardiac glycosides. Digoxin and digitoxin were isolated and identified as the main active components. Pharmacological studies show that this compound interacts with the sodium-potassium ATPase pump, which increases cardiac contractility and is used in the treatment of heart failure and arrhythmias. Cardiac glycosides from the foxglove plant play an important role in cardiovascular therapy. Further research is needed to develop more efficient extraction methods and understand the deeper mechanisms of action, as well as potential side effects associated with long-term use.

The Impact of Digitization on Housing Prices: Evidence from China

Issues: The housing prices (HP) in China has been rising over the past 20 years, which is too extremely high to afford for citizens. Also, high housing prices results in various problems, such as increasing financial risks, a shift from physical economy to virtual economy, innovation obstacles, crowding out residents’ consumption, among others. Objective: This study strives to investigate the impact of digitization on HP, with an aim to explore an effective way to tackle high housing prices issue in China. Theoretical Framework: Digitization can essentially effluence the HP through various channels, such as promoting the economic efficiency, improving the infrastructure, affecting the population agglomeration, and increasing the availability for residents to work remotely, etc., whereby it plays a substantial role in curbing the housing prices. Method: With a sample of 279 cities covering the period from 2011 to 2019, a dynamic panel method, General Method of Moment model (GMM) is adopted to run the empirical analysis. Results: The empirical results confirm an inverted U-shaped relationship between the HP and digitization, which indicate that digitization (DIG) acts as an impetus to increase HP at the first stage, but when the digitization surpasses the turning point, it may exsert a powerful force to lower housing prices. Implications: Improving the digitization is among the solutions to curb high housing prices, as long as the digitization exceeds the inflection point. Originality: This study first concludes digitization can be a considerable effluence on housing prices, providing a new insight into solving high housing prices.

A Comprehensive Review on Unveiling the Journey of Digoxin: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives.

Digoxin, a cardiac glycoside derived from the foxglove plant (Digitalis spp.), has been utilized for centuries in managing various cardiac conditions due to its ability to increase myocardial contractility and regulate heart rate. This comprehensive review explores the historical context, pharmacological properties, clinical applications, efficacy, safety profile, challenges, and future perspectives of digoxin. Tracing its journey from traditional medicine to modern cardiovascular therapeutics, we delve into its mechanism of action, therapeutic indications, and clinical guidelines. While digoxin remains a cornerstone therapy for heart failure and atrial fibrillation, its narrow therapeutic index and individual variability in response pose challenges in clinical practice. Nevertheless, ongoing research efforts aim to elucidate its role in emerging therapeutic areas and technological advancements in drug delivery. Despite the advent of newer pharmacological agents, digoxin's enduring relevance lies in its established efficacy, affordability, and global accessibility. This review underscores the symbiotic relationship between tradition and progress in cardiovascular medicine, highlighting the timeless pursuit of medical innovation to optimize patient care.

On the conflict of natural resources abundance and export upgrading in upper-middle and high-income countries

Globalization created immense competition among economies in international markets, which spurs the need for export upgrading and the effective use of natural resources to avoid the Dutch Disease phenomenon. This study investigates the direct and indirect effect of natural resources via infrastructure development on export upgrading. This research constructs a panel of 55 countries with upper-middle-income (UM) and high-income (HI) economies from 2010 to 2018. Export upgrading is measured from export sophistication score based on SITC 3-digit level exports and GDP per capita (PPP, constant US$ 2017). Moreover, the principal component analysis is applied to logistic (LGC), banking (BNK), digitalization (DGT), and telecommunication (TLC) sectoral infrastructure to measure the development level of infrastructure. To overcome the problem of cross-sectional dependence, this study applies within estimator with Driscoll-Kraay standard errors. This study explores the indirect influence of natural resource rent as a moderator between export sophistication and infrastructure development. On the other hand, natural resources positively impact export upgrading via infrastructure development. The thought behind this indirect effect is that a country effectively boosts its production structure and exports when it uses the money it earns from natural resources and the government earnings collected during the boom in the aggregate economic activity generated by natural resources to develop its banking, telecommunication, logistics, and information technology. Our results suggest that to avoid the phenomenon of Dutch Disease, such countries should invest earnings earned from natural resources in developing sectoral infrastructure.

Clinical Efficacy of Esculin and Digitalis Glycosides Eye Drops in Visual Acuity Recovery after Femtosecond Laser Surgery

Clinical Efficacy of Esculin and Digitalis Glycosides Eye Drops in Visual Acuity Recovery after Femtosecond Laser Surgery

Effect of Foliar Spraying with Methyl Jasmonate on Growth and Production of some Cardiac Glycosides of Digitalis purpurea L. Under Water Stress

The experiment was conducted in one of the greenhouses affiliated to Baquba Nursery Research Station Center / Diyala Agriculture Directorate during autumn season of the year 2021-2022, to study the effect of methyl Jasmonate on the growth and production of some cardiac glycosides of Digitalis purpurea under water stress. A factorial experiment (2 × 3 × 3) was conducted according to the RCBD, with three replicates, and the results of the experiment were as follows: The results of the experiment indicated that there was a significant effect of the treatments for the irrigation periods, as the irrigation treatment every three days showed a significantly excelled in the percentage of nitrogen (2.04%), the percentage of phosphorus (0.51%) and the percentage of potassium (2.31%) The percentage of carbohydrates in the leaves was (8.02%). As for the irrigation treatment every seven days, the best results were recorded in the proline content in the leaves (0.31 mg gm-1), digitoxin content (441.81 μg g -1), and digoxin content (649.83 μg g-1) and Gitaloxin content (900.22 μg g-1) and Digitalin content (815.64 μg g-1). The results showed that there was a significantly excelled when spraying Methyl Jasmonate at a concentration of 100 mg L-1 in the percentage of nitrogen (1.88%), the percentage of phosphorus (0.43%), the percentage of potassium (2.22%) and the percentage of carbohydrates in the leaves (6.81%). Leaves proline content (0.30 μg g-1), digitoxin content (421.52 μg g-1), digoxin content (592.37 μg g-1), Gitaloxin content (885.05 μg g-1), and digitalin content (665.49 μg g-1). The results of the binary interactions between the study factors indicated a significant effect in improving most of the biochemical treatments and the production of cardiac glycosides of the digitalis plant, and the interaction treatments Ir3 × Mj100 excelled in recording the best results.

Computer-assisted periodontal classification vs manual classification among dental students: a comparative pilot study.

The objective of the study was to assess whether computer-assisted periodontal diagnosis can improve the accuracy and homogeneity of classification results obtained by dental students using the 2017 classification of periodontal diseases. All final year predoctoral dental students from two dental schools were invited to participate in the study. Participants who volunteered for the study were randomly divided into two groups for digital or manual diagnosis, and each participant classified 48 cases. A group of three experienced periodontists provided the reference or gold standard diagnosis. Overall, 27 students completed the evaluation of all cases; 14 students comprised the digital application group and 13 the manual group. The accuracy of the classification results compared with the gold standard committee was 82% for the digital group compared to 50% of the manual group in terms of the extent of gingivitis; 71% vs 56% for the stage of periodontitis; 67% vs 62% for grade of periodontitis; 76% vs 63% for extent of periodontitis; and 43% vs 30% for overall diagnosis accuracy of periodontitis cases respectively. Computer-assisted classification using newly developed software, within the boundaries of this study, was shown to be a sensible support tool for dental practitioners to use when diagnosing periodontal disease. This digital tool can the clinicians' accuracy of diagnosis primarily in the extent and staging of periodontitis.

Taxing energy to tackle greenhouse gases: evaluating the role of financial risk in high-income economies

Energy, a basic input to the economic system, plays a pivotal function in development; at the same time, it raises concerns and hurdles to global economies as a result of negative externalities associated with its usage. Economies set various measures to limit these negative externalities and encourage citizens toward renewable energy utilization. Considering a panel of high-income economies over the period of 1990–2020, we empirically examine whether energy-related tax policies (ENT) are helpful to tackle the issue of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions (ENGHGs). Furthermore, we also investigate the role of digitalization (DIG) and financial risk (FINR) for its possible impact on ENGHGs. The advanced econometric techniques include diagnostic tests, Method of Moment Quantile Regression (MMQR), for robustness validation quantile regression, and finally Dumitrescu and Hurlin panel causality check. The findings reveal that ENT policies of selected economies are not helpful to limit ENGHGs in 25th and 50th quantiles effectively. Nevertheless, due to the progressive rise in ENT in the 75th and 90th quantiles, ENT significantly helps to smoothen the path towards a sustainable future. Furthermore, GDP increases, while improvement in FINR decreases ENGHGs. As the selected economies are developed and high-income, it is suggested that a progressive rise in ENT may further limit the issue of ENGHGs.

Impacts of agri-food e-commerce on traditional wholesale industry: Evidence from China

Rapidly expanding studies investigate the effects of e-commerce on company operations in the retail market. However, the interaction between agri-food e-commerce (AEC) and the traditional agri-food wholesale industry (AWI) has not received enough attention in the existing literature. Based on the provincial panel data from 2013 to 2020 in China, this paper examines the effect of AEC on AWI, comprising three dimensions: digitalization (DIGITAL), agri-food e-commerce infrastructure and supporting services (AECI), and agri-food e-commerce economy (AECE). First, AWI and AEC are measured using an entropy-based combination of indicators. The results indicate that for China as a whole, AWI has remained practically unchanged, whereas AEC exhibits a significant rising trend. Second, the findings of the fixed-effect regression reveal that DIGITAL and AECE tend to raise AWI, whereas AECI negatively affects AWI. Third, threshold regression results indicate that AECI tends to diminish AWI with three-stage inhibitory intensity, which manifests as a first increase and then a drop in the inhibition degree. These results suggest that with the introduction of e-commerce for agricultural product circulation, digital development will have catfish effects that tend to stimulate the vitality of the conventional wholesale industry and promote technical progress. Furthermore, the traditional wholesale industry benefits financially from e-commerce even while it diverts part of the traditional wholesale circulation for agricultural products.

Development and validation of a risk prediction nomogram for serious arrhythmias in acute digoxin toxicity among pediatrics: A multicenter study

Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside obtained from the leaves of the foxglove plant, Digitalis lanata. Several studies have described the safety of digoxin including various life-threatening events, notably cardiac arrhythmias. Early identification of high-risk patients and subsequent initiation of the utmost medical care are associated with a better prognosis. The assessment of serum digoxin levels, which is not always convenient, is the only tool used to evaluate the severity of digoxin exposure. However, the feasibility of this tool, particularly in resource-restricted countries, remains unclear. Therefore, the current study aimed to establish and validate a feasible alternative tool, a bedside nomogram, to identify pediatric patients diagnosed with acute digoxin intoxication who are at risk of developing serious arrhythmias. This was a two-phase, multicenter, retrospective study. The prevalence of serious arrhythmias was approximately 17%. Patients diagnosed with serious arrhythmias showed significantly higher serum digoxin, random blood glucose, and potassium levels but lower sodium, magnesium, and hemoglobin levels. Serious arrhythmias were associated with significantly lower P-R intervals, shorter QTc intervals, and more frequent digoxin effects (p < 0.05). The proposed nomogram showed that combining age and initial random blood glucose, sodium, and potassium levels could predict the future incidence of serious arrhythmia with an accuracy of 96.2% (sensitivity = 94.4%, specificity = 96.5%), an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.977, and p < 0.001. Validation of the proposed nomogram yielded an AUC for the nomogram probability of approximately 81%, and the AUC for the predicted probability using the developed model was 98.3%, indicating that both the validated model and the developed nomogram were significant predictors of serious arrhythmia. The utility of using the four-factor nomogram to determine the risk of serious arrhythmia in children exposed to an overdose of digoxin is comparable, if not superior, to the serum digoxin level.

Analysis of factors impacting firm performance of MSMEs: lessons learnt from COVID-19

PurposeThe micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) faced various challenges in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, making it challenging to remain competitive and survive in the market. This research develops a model for MSMEs to cope with the current pandemic's operational and supply chain disruptions and similar circumstances.Design/methodology/approachThe exhaustive literature review helped in identifying the constructs, their items and five hypotheses are developed. The responses were collected from the experts working in MSMEs. Total 311 valid responses were received, and the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was used for testing and validating the proposed model.FindingsCritical constructs identified for the study are-flexibility (FLE), collaboration (COL), risk management culture (RMC) and digitalization (DIG). The statistical analysis indicated that the four latent variables, flexibility, digitalization, risk management culture and collaboration, contribute significantly to the firm performance of MSMEs. Organizational resilience (ORS) mediates the effects of all the four latent variables on firm performance (FP) of MSMEs.Practical implicationsThe current study's findings will be fruitful for the manufacturing MSMEs and other firms in developing countries. It will enable them to identify the practices that significantly help in achieving the firm performance.Originality/valueThe previous researches have not considered the effect of “organizational resilience” on the “firm performance” of MSMEs. This study attempts to fill this gap.

How do natural resources and economic growth impact load capacity factor in selected Next-11 countries? Assessing the role of digitalization and government stability.

With growing environmental concerns, everyone's attention has shifted to how we use our limited materials supplies. Rapid economic expansion is dependent on heavy resource use, decreasing biodiversity and raising the ecological footprints (EF), resulting in a reduction in the load capacity factor (LCF). Because of this, scholars and policymakers are actively looking for approaches to improve the LCF without hindering economic growth (GDP). For similar reasons, this research aims at how the selected next eleven economies improved their LCF from 1990 to 2018 by analyzing the effect of digitalization (DIG), natural resources (NAT), GDP, globalization, and governance. To account for dependence across sections and slope variation, the cross-sectional augmented ARDL model is used in this research. The long-term findings indicate that LCF was diminished by dependence on NAT, globalization, and economic growth and was bolstered by DIG and sound governance. The work recommends that financial and policy support is needed for initiatives such as zero-emission vehicle production and energy-efficient building construction. By offering a line of credit at low interest rates, renewable energy projects can attract domestic and private investors.

Conventional and Digital Impressions for Fabrication of Complete Implant-Supported Bars: A Comparative In Vitro Study.

Obtaining accurate models and well-fitting prostheses during the fabrication of complete implant-supported prostheses has been a significant challenge. Conventional impression methods involve multiple clinical and laboratory steps that can lead to distortions, potentially resulting in inaccurate prostheses. In contrast, digital impressions may eliminate some of these steps, leading to better-fitting prostheses. Therefore, it is important to compare conventional and digital impressions for producing implant-supported prostheses. This study aimed to compare the quality of digital intraoral and conventional impressions by measuring the vertical misfit of implant-supported complete bars obtained using both types of techniques. Five digital impressions using an intraoral scanner and five impressions using elastomer were made in a four-implant master model. The plaster models produced with conventional impressions were scanned in a laboratory scanner to obtain virtual models. Screw-retained bars (n = five) were designed on the models and milled in zirconia. The bars fabricated using digital (DI) and conventional (CI) impressions were screwed to the master model, initially with one screw (DI1 and CI1) and later with four screws (DI4 and CI4), and were analyzed under a SEM to measure the misfit. ANOVA was used to compare the results (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the misfit between the bars fabricated using digital and conventional impressions when screwed with one (DI1 = 94.45 µm vs. CI1 = 101.90 µm: F = 0.096; p = 0.761) or four screws (DI4 = 59.43 µm vs. CI4 = 75.62 µm: F = 2.655; p = 0.139). Further, there were no differences when the bars were compared within the same group screwed with one or four screws (DI1 = 94.45 µm vs. DI4 = 59.43 µm: F = 2.926; p = 0.123; CI1 = 101.90 µm vs. CI4 = 75.62 µm: F = 0.013; p = 0.907). It was concluded that both impression techniques produced bars with a satisfactory fit, regardless of whether they were screwed with one or four screws.

The role of digitalization, sustainable environment, natural resources and political globalization towards economic well-being in China, Japan and South Korea

Under the background of technological revolutions, counter-globalization and industrial changes, exploring the economic growth model has become an important issue. Hence, the short and long-run impact of digitalization, sustainable environment, natural resources, and political globalization on economic growth by applying the Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) along with Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributive Lag (NARDL) co-integration approach in the context of three Asian countries for period 1990–2019. In the short term, the increasing level of political globalization (PG) will hinder the creation of economic well-being; sustainable environment (SE) has a positive impact on economic well-being at both high and low levels; and the reduction of natural resources (NR) will contribute to the growth of economic well-being. In the long run, influenced by the uneven distribution of technical facilities and rent-seeking behaviors, digitalization (DL) may lead to the decline of economic well-being; influenced by the problem of environmental dependence, economic well-being may increase in the low level of SE; with the establishment of international consultation mechanism, the improvement of PG promotes the generation of economic well-being; both the blessing and the curse of NS may befall the production of future economic well-being. Based on these findings, study provides some potential policy to increase economic well-being in China, Japan and South Korea.