External Environmental Pressures Research Articles

ESG Performance and Competitive Advantage Construction for the Development of Enterprise Transformation—A Case Study of Sany Heavy Industry Co., Ltd.

Against the backdrop of escalating global environmental and social challenges, enterprises are increasingly recognizing the pivotal role of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in their long-term competitive advantage. This paper employs a methodology combining literature review and case analysis to delve into how ESG performance acts as a catalyst for competitive advantage construction amid enterprise transformation, with a particular emphasis on the optimization of internal management and governance structures. The research reveals that by actively enhancing ESG performance, enterprises not only bolster their reputation and brand image but also steer themselves towards more sustainable and responsible business models. This shift is not merely a response to external environmental pressures but also a core driver of internal corporate transformation and upgrading. By integrating ESG strategies with their management practices, enterprises can cultivate distinctive competitive advantages, ultimately achieving enhanced sustainable development and overall competitiveness. The study provides theoretical and practical guidance for enterprises, aiding them in effectively integrating ESG factors into practice, thereby facilitating transformational development and competitiveness enhancement.

Breakthrough Radical Innovation From An Islamic Perspective: A Literature Review

Radical innovation is a breakthrough change in the overall pattern of the old system, as a form of implementing new ideas to achieve a competitive advantage. Radical innovation is a solution to escape from external environmental pressures in the form of competition, deregulation in the industry, scarcity of resources, and higher customer demands. This study builds a conceptual model from an Islamic point of view: the value of maslahah in all cases provides benefits or goodness from radical innovation. Maslahah means the good rewards promised by God in this world and the hereafter, thus maslahah implies the benefits of this world and the hereafter, which encourages people to always think and produce new things that are beneficial.

Determinants and impact of strategy-driven manufacturing accounting techniques on organisational competitiveness: a structural equation modelling approach

Purpose This study aims to investigate contextual factors affecting the deployment of strategy-driven manufacturing accounting techniques (SMAT), as well as the impact of SMAT usage on organisational competitiveness. Seven major SMAT were investigated, namely, benchmarking, integrated performance measurement, environmental management accounting, strategic costing, strategic pricing, strategic investment and life cycle costing. Design/methodology/approach By using multi-informant strategy, structured questionnaire was used to gather survey data from 129 senior accounting, finance and production personnel of publicly quoted manufacturing companies in Nigeria. Data was analysed using structural equation modelling and propensity score matching. Findings Result shows that the usage rate of the SMAT is generally moderate. Market orientation and deliberate strategy formulation are notable determinants of SMAT usage. The inability of competition intensity and perceived environmental uncertainty to notably affect SMAT usage suggests that external environmental pressure to use SMAT is weak. Practical implications Although the impact of SMAT usage on organisational competitiveness is positive and statistically significant, it is conceivable that the impact of SMAT could have been more assuming SMAT recorded extensive usage. Thus, the lack of competitiveness of manufacturing companies in Nigeria may not be unconnected to the superficial usage of SMAT. Originality/value The study contributes to knowledge in three ways. First, it extends studies on the contingency theory that contextual factors influence the adoption of management accounting innovations. Second, it exposes the contextual factors affecting the adoption of SMAT in a developing country. Third, it provides evidence on the value relevance of management accounting innovation in enhancing organisational competitiveness.

The key role of innovation and organizational resilience in improving business performance: A mixed-methods approach

An uncertain and complex economic environment requires companies to act quickly and reinvent their business strategies. Innovation has emerged as a strategic imperative to adapt to market changes and remain competitive, while resilience has gained attention as essential for organizations to respond successfully to external environmental pressures. Despite these strategic factors’ importance in unstable environments, little empirical research has analyzed them. Drawing on dynamic capabilities’ theory, our study examines the role of service innovation and organizational resilience in enhancing business performance using a sequential two-stage mixed-methods approach. First, a quantitative study was conducted to test the proposed research model using structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis with a sample of 343 service companies in Spain. Second, a qualitative analysis was performed with 12 interviews with managers to provide additional insights and a detailed understanding of the phenomenon. The results confirm innovation and resilience as key dynamic capabilities to address a changing business landscape and remain competitive. Our findings also reveal the strategic importance of digital tools (social media platforms) and external networks as drivers of service innovation. Managers can use these findings to leverage social media to engage in collaborative networks, enhance innovation and resilience, and succeed in turbulent markets.

Formation of priority points of industrial growth under sanctions pressure as a direction of techno-economy development

Aim. To determine the priority points of industry growth in the Russian Federation (RF) as an instrument of techno-economy development in the conditions of unstable external environment and sanctions pressure.Objectives. To substantiate the necessity of developing own technologies in industry in the turbulent macroeconomic environment; to identify the leading industries of the Russian Federation on the basis of comparative analysis; to analyze the possibility of network effect in the development of industry growth points; to determine the relationship between external sanctions pressure on priority industries and the specifics of the development of these industries-growth points.Methods. Theoretical and methodological generalizations were made using general methods of economic analysis: historical and logical, monographic and abstraction methods. In the practical component of the research economic and mathematical modeling, correlation and regression analysis technologies, matrix approach were used.Results. The development of such a direction as technoeconomics during the period of sanctions pressure allows industries to adapt to new conditions. In the process of analysis the main points of growth for the industrial sector of the Russian Federation were identified: production of medicines and materials used for medical purposes; production of computers, electronic and optical products, machinery and equipment. The high value of links within each industry and, accordingly, the possibility of the network effect was determined. Models reflecting the relationship between the functioning of industry growth points and the factors of industry development during the period of sanctions pressure were built.Conclusions. Today it is necessary to invest in the innovative potential of individual sub-sectors of industry (growth points) and develop industries that support the functioning of techno-economy and contribute to the formation of the network effect. Industries of this type have an additional positive impact on the development of the economy and contribute to the acceleration of adaptation processes, increase the productivity of industries in the turbulence of the external environment and sanctions pressure.

The synergy impact of external environmental pressures and corporate environmental commitment on innovations in green technology

AbstractThe adoption of innovations in green technology by enterprises is a decision‐making process that is subject to both external environmental pressures and internal factors. Using data from 4549 private companies in China, this study empirically analyzes the independent and joint effects of four forms of external environmental pressure and environmental commitment on green‐process innovation and green‐product innovation, respectively. The results show that the adoption of innovations in green technology by companies is affected by stakeholder pressure and does not change according to the type of green technology. The marginal effects of external environmental pressure on enterprises' innovations in green technology differ; this is reflected not only in the types of green technology innovation, but also in the types of pressure. Corporate environmental commitment positively moderates the relationship between external environmental pressure and green‐process innovation and the relationship between government‐led environmental regulation and green‐product innovation. However, the relationships between the other three external environmental pressures and green‐product innovation are not significant. This means that for different types of green technological innovation, there are variations in the extent of the synergy between external environmental pressures and corporate environmental commitment.

Greening through social trust?

This study examines whether and how social trust affects corporate green innovation. Using the panel samples of Chinese non-financial listed companies from 2010 to 2015, this study finds that social trust has a significant positive impact on corporate green innovation, and this effect remains after a series of robustness checks. Heterogeneity analysis shows that this promotion effect is more pronounced in non-state owned enterprises, small enterprise facing severe financing constraints, and enterprises belonging to non-high-tech and non-heavily polluting industries. This positive impact is also more prominent in areas with high economic uncertainty, a strong Confucian cultural atmosphere, and non-environmentally friendly cities. Based on the theoretical framework of the trust triangle, the exploration of potential mechanisms reveals that the promotion effects of social trust on green innovation is achieved by increasing the external environmental pressure faced by enterprises, enhancing their reputation motivation and their environmental awareness. We further observe that social trust has a substitution effect on the formal institution. These results indicate that social trust plays a key role in affecting the green development of enterprises and can be used as a means of external governance.

Evaluating Building Construction Safety Performance in Different Regions in China

This article employs a three-stage slack-based data envelopment analysis (SBM-DEA) model to evaluate the construction safety performance (CSP) of 30 provinces and cities in China, focusing on enhancing the sustainable development of construction safety in the industry, in line with the concept of sustainable development. The research findings indicate that the supervision environment of each province and city exerts a more substantial influence on the sustainable development of construction safety compared with the level of socio-economic development. Significant changes have been observed in the regional distribution of construction safety management levels within the construction industry by eliminating the impact of economic development, the supervision environment, and random errors. The original pattern of “East > West > Central > Northeast” has shifted to “East > Central > Northeast > West.” Moreover, it has been discovered that high-efficiency values of safety performance in certain provinces and cities are partially attributed to external environmental (EE) pressure. In contrast, low-efficiency values cannot be solely attributed to their lack of willingness to implement safety management. Finally, the article proposes strategies, including government policy-led approaches, technology prioritization, and management prioritization, to enhance the sustainable development of construction safety in the construction industry based on the internal safety performance of each province.

Coupled chaotic vibration during pressure detection of micro-resonant pressure sensor

In measuring gas pressure, the stiffness of the resonator changes in the micro-resonant pressure sensor. If the design parameters are not chosen correctly, significant variations in vibration, even chaotic vibrations, will occur in the process of gas pressure detection, seriously degrading the detection accuracy and the stability of the sensor. The micro-resonant pressure sensor is in an environment of deep coupling and mutual influence of multiple physical fields when measuring the external environmental pressure. In this work, a multi-field coupling nonlinear vibration model of the resonant sensor used in pressure detection is established, and the multi-field coupling bifurcation, chaos, and other complex vibration characteristics of the sensor system are explored. The influence of the initial gap, the length of the resonator, and the excitation voltage during pressure detection are analyzed, and the stable vibration range of each influencing parameter is determined. The results show that when the sensor measures the pressure, the initial gap of the sensor, the length of the resonator, and the stability of the excitation voltage all decrease, causing unstable vibration of the sensor. In order to obtain stable sensor detection performance, it is necessary to determine the stability range of sensor-related parameters correctly.

Corporate social responsibility and green exploratory innovation - the moderating role of three environmental regulations

ABSTRACT Corporate social responsibility(CSR) is becoming increasingly important in the field of corporate sustainability. However, despite the growing literature on CSR, there is a paucity of empirical evidence examining external environmental pressures. This paper aims to fill this gap by exploring the relationship between CSR and green exploratory innovation from the perspective of three types of environmental regulations: mandatory, market-driven, and voluntary regulations. Using Chinese-listed companies from 2010 to 2019 as original data, we examined the impacts of CSR on green exploratory innovation of firms and the moderating effects of the three regulations using a moderating effect model. The results concluded that CSR could significantly stimulate firms to engage in green exploratory innovation. Mandatory and market-driven regulations exhibited positive moderating effects, and market-driven regulations have a greater impact on CSR strategies. In contrast, voluntary regulations showed a negative moderating effect. Our study will be of great value to companies under external environmental pressure and will provide a new path to achieve sustainable development.

Intestinal Microbiota of Anser fabalis Wintering in Two Lakes in the Middle and Lower Yangtze River Floodplain.

The intestinal microbiota of migratory birds participate in the life activities of the host and are affected by external environmental factors. The difference in habitat environment provides diversity in external environmental selection pressure for the same overwintering waterfowl, which may be reflected in their intestinal microbiota. Caizi lake and Shengjin Lake in the Middle and Lower Yangtze River Floodplain are the main habitats for migratory waterfowl in winter, especially the Anser fabalis (A. fabalis). It is important to explore the changes in intestinal microbiota composition and function of A. fabalis in the early overwintering period to clarify the effect of habitat size and protection status on intestinal microbiota. In this study, the composition and structural characteristics of the intestinal microbiota of A. fabalis in Shengjin Lake (SL) and Caizi Lake (CL) were preliminarily explored in order to obtain data for the migratory birds. In both SL and CL groups, 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing analysis showed that Firmicutes was the dominant bacterial phylum, but the relative abundance showed significant differences. Lactobacillus was the most abundant genus in both SL and CL groups. At the species level, the abundance of L. aviaries was the highest, with a relative abundance in both SL and CL groups of more than 34%. When comparing the average relative abundance of the 15 most abundant genera, it was found that Subdoligranulum, Exiguobacterium, and Terrisporobacter had higher abundances in the intestinal microbiota of CL A. fabalis, while Streptococcus and Rothia had higher abundances in the intestinal microbiota of SL A. fabalis. There was only a positive correlation between Bacteroidota and Proteobacteria in the intestinal microbiota flora of SL A. fabalis, and the species were closely related. At the same time, there were positive and negative correlations between Firmicutes and Actinomycetes. However, CL is mainly associated with a positive correlation between Firmicutes and Actinomycetes, and there are also a small number of connections between Firmicutes. PICRUSt1 prediction analysis revealed that the Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG) functions of SL and CL involve energy production and transformation, amino acid transport and metabolism, carbohydrate transport and metabolism, and transcription. Understanding the changes in intestinal microbiota in Aves during the overwintering period is of great importance to explore the adaptation mechanism of migratory Aves to the overwintering environment. This work provides basic data for an A. fabalis intestinal microbiota study.

Impact of Public Environmental Concerns on the Digital Transformation of Heavily Polluting Enterprises.

China is currently facing the arduous tasks of energy conservation, emission reduction and structural transformation, making it of great significance to study the digital transformation of heavily polluting enterprises. As an important informal regulatory system, public environmental concerns affect corporate environmental behavior by increasing external environmental pressure. This study uses the data of listed companies in China's heavily polluting industries from 2012 to 2020 and Baidu Index data to analyze how public environmental concerns affect the digital transformation of heavily polluting enterprises. This study finds that public environmental concerns can significantly promote the digital transformation of heavily polluting enterprises. For non-state-owned, green image and high-tech enterprises, the impact is even more obvious. Furthermore, based on the structural and hierarchical perspective of enterprise digital transformation, we find that public environmental concerns significantly promote digital technology application. This study puts forward some suggestions for government departments to formulate environmental protection regulations, enterprises to fulfill their green responsibilities and the public to participate in environmental governance.

Interfacial adsorption properties, rheological properties and oxidation kinetics of oleogel-in-water emulsion stabilized by hemp seed protein

An oleogel-in-water (Og/W) emulsion system was constructed by hemp seed protein (HSP) and hemp seed oil oleogel. The effects of different HSP concentrations on the properties of the emulsion system were investigated. It was found that the oil droplets in the Og/W emulsion were spherical particles after being encapsulated by the emulsifier. With increasing HSP concentration, the particle size of the emulsion first decreased and then increased. When the HSP concentration was 3%, the particle size reached a minimum value. At this time, the ζ-potential of the system was −30.8 mV, the adsorbed protein content was 45.05%, the surface tension was 50.49 mN/m, and the roughness was 8.35 nm. Additionally, the apparent viscosity of the emulsion gradually increased with increasing HSP concentration, and the emulsion with 3% HSP had a higher G′, which could better resist the external environmental pressure. Through the exploration of the interfacial adsorption properties, it was shown that increasing the HSP concentration could improve the diffusion, adsorption and molecular rearrangement rate of HSP at the oil-water interface. In addition, the tetrahydrocannabinol retention rate reached 92.86% after 14 days of storage. Finally, the oxidation kinetic model was established, and the equation c=e19.89327e−6940.61627T*t+0.98 was obtained, which could be used to predict the changes in the peroxide value (POV) of hemp seed oil under different storage temperatures and times.

Effect of Environmental Factors on Bunker Temperature and Pressure; A Study from Region with Harsh Tropical Weather

Background: Stabilization of weather factors especially temperature, pressure and humidity in bunkers that housed the Linear accelerators is necessary for safety of equipment and their efficient function for our patients. Daily variation of such factors can lessen the performance of Linear accelerators resulting to an error in their output and wrong dosimetry. Sokoto centre being located in the North-Western region of Nigeria with three unique seasons (Dry hot, Harmattan winter and Wet raining seasons) require a study of this kind to ascertain the influence of those harsh environmental factors on bunker's internal air condition. Methods: Daily records of Linac bunker temperature and pressure were measured using Precision mercury-in-glass thermometer and Opus barometer (OPUS 10 THI) from January 2019 to December 2021. Similarly, the corresponding daily external environmental temperature and pressure for the study period were obtained from Nigerian Meteorological Agency. The values were grouped according to the months of year, mean values of temperature and pressure for each month of the year were generated and graphs and bar-charts were plotted for both bunker and external environment. Similarly, an overall mean score for both temperature and pressure of each month of the three years period were generated and graphs were plotted with those values for bunker and external environment. Results: The overall mean external temperature for the study period was 35.7°C, ± 3.82 as standard deviation (SD) and with a range of 26.0 – 43.6 °C, while for the overall mean bunker temperature it was 27.1°C ±1.7 SD and a range of 23.1 - 31°C. For the external environmental pressure, the overall mean value was 78.1hpa ± 1.5 as SD and a range of 68.1– 83.1hpa, while for the bunker it was 977.2 hpa ± 2.55 as SD and a range of 966.9 – 988.7 hpa. Using the pearsons correlation, it indicate that there is a significant association between environmental and bunker temperature (p-value=0.002). Conclusion: External environmental temperature showed a significant influence on bunker temperature despite the presence of chillers. But for environmental and bunker pressure, the relationship is complex and non-significant. Similarly, the seasons of the year also influenced bunker temperature.

Response of Ruminal Microbiota-Host Gene Interaction to High-Altitude Environments in Tibetan Sheep.

Altitude is the main external environmental pressure affecting the production performance of Tibetan sheep, and the adaptive evolution of many years has formed a certain response mechanism. However, there are few reports on the response of ruminal microbiota and host genomes of Tibetan sheep to high-altitude environments. Here, we conducted an integrated analysis of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), microbial diversity (16S rRNA), epithelial morphology, and epithelial transcriptome in the rumen of Tibetan sheep at different altitudes to understand the changes in ruminal microbiota–host interaction in response to high altitude. The differences in the nutritional quality of forage at different altitudes, especially the differences in fiber content (ADF/NDF), led to changes in rumen VFAs of Tibetan sheep, in which the A/P value (acetic acid/propionic acid) was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). In addition, the concentrations of IgA and IgG in Middle-altitude (MA) and High-altitude Tibetan sheep (HA) were significantly increased (p < 0.05), while the concentrations of IgM were significantly increased in MA (p < 0.05). Morphological results showed that the width of the rumen papilla and the thickness of the basal layer increased significantly in HA Tibetan sheep (p < 0.05). The 16S rRNA analysis found that the rumen microbial diversity of Tibetan sheep gradually decreased with increasing altitude, and there were some differences in phylum- and genus-level microbes at the three altitudes. RDA analysis found that the abundance of the Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group and the Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group increased with altitudes. Furthermore, a functional analysis of the KEGG microbial database found the “lipid metabolism” function of HA Tibetan sheep to be significantly enriched. WGCNA revealed that five gene modules were enriched in “energy production and conversion”, “lipid transport and metabolism”, and “defense mechanisms”, and cooperated with microbiota to regulate rumen fermentation and epithelial immune barrier function, so as to improve the metabolism and immune level of Tibetan sheep at high altitude.

Research of Property and Calibrate Method for Pressure Release Device of Power Transformer in the Grid

This paper introduces the types, internal structures and working principles of common non-electricity protection devices, and theoretically analyzes the cooperation between non-electricity protection devices. For pressure relief devices, the requirements of relevant standards for pressure relief valves are introduced, matters needing attention in field use of pressure relief valves are summarized, and factors affecting the performance of pressure relief valves are analyzed. Finally, using the calibration platform, through a large number of experiments, the influence of external environment temperature, caliber and pressure release times on pressure release performance parameters was studied. The results show that the average opening pressure at high temperature (95°C) is significantly lower than the average opening pressure of 10 times at normal temperature. At the same time, with the increase of ambient temperature, the aging opening pressure and the average opening pressure will obviously decrease, while the average closing pressure will increase. In addition, under normal temperature environment, the test values of aging opening pressure, average opening pressure and average closing pressure have little change. For pressure relief valves with different calibers, under the same rated opening pressure, the calibers of the pressure relief valves are different, which has little influence on the actual opening pressure. Through the research on the operation reliability of qualified pressure relief valves, it is found that the opening pressure after 50 operations and the first measured opening pressure and closing pressure data after 500 operations are relatively stable.

Integration of CSR Criteria Into Executive Compensation Contracts: A Cross-Country Analysis

This study examines the relationship between the degree of external social and environmental regulatory pressures and firms’ integration of corporate social responsibility (CSR) criteria into executive compensation contracts. Building on the notion that firms operate in settings in which external regulatory pressures and internal corporate governance conditions interact, we investigate how internal corporate governance mechanisms moderate the relationship between external regulatory pressures and adoption of CSR criteria in executive compensation contracts. The analysis of a worldwide, longitudinal sample of 2,328 firms listed in 37 countries during 2003 through 2015 reveals that the degree of regulatory pressure on firms to operate in socially and environmentally sound ways positively influences their adoption of CSR criteria in executive compensation contracts (i.e., conformity effect). Regulatory pressures evoke heterogeneous responses among firms within a country though, depending on their interaction in the corporate governance bundle. Corporate governance mechanisms have moderating effects: a greater degree of board independence strengthens the conformity effect, whereas blockholder ownership weakens it. This study advances understanding of how the corporate governance bundle of external regulatory pressures and internal corporate governance mechanisms affects the adoption of a relatively recent, important corporate governance practice in the boardroom.

Faktor Kemudahterancaman Multidimensi bagi Kumpulan B40 di Wilayah Kelantan Selatan

Vulnerability means a sense of insecurity resulting from exposure to the threat of the effects of social and environmental changes. The inability to adapt to such changes puts external environmental pressures and uncertain risks on households and communities. The purpose of this study is to identify the multidimensional vulnerability factors of B40 households in the southern region of Kelantan. The respondents consist of 385 heads of B40 households. Data collection was conducted face-to-face through questionnaires. Data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis. The results of the study found that B40 households face multidimensional vulnerability in terms of economic, social/physical and environmental vulnerabilities. The three components of economic vulnerability factors are (1) job and source of income loss, (2) rising prices and production costs, and (3) lack of capital and marketing. Meanwhile, social/physical and environmental vulnerabilities are explained by one component factor only. In conclusion, B40 households in the southern region of Kelantan need to diversify their income portfolio and not rely on one source of income only. They also need to take precautions against seasonal and environmental changes that will threaten and affect their daily activities. This study can be expanded by using other multidimensional aspects of vulnerability, such as health, market, politics, demographics and agricultural vulnerabilities. The study may also involve M40 and T20 households as respondents for future studies.

Determinant factors of narcotics, psychotropic, and addictive substances abuse relapse in a drug rehabilitation centre in Indonesia

Background: Drug abuse (narcotics, psychotropics, and addictive substances) causes very broad and complex problems, including relapse. Relapse is a process that occurs due to several triggering factors where a person has been declared abstinence (recovered) returning to use drugs. Objective: To identify the determining factors related to the recurrence of drug abuse in a drug rehabilitation center. Methods: A cross-sectional research design, involving searching literature to find results from journals and research papers that relate to a relapse of drug use and returning to rehabilitation centers. Results: Internal factors in the family such as ineffective functions and roles of the family, family imbalances and economic status also played a role. In addition to, communication within the family and, external factors, such as environmental and peer group variables as well as the use of free time. The influence of friends was a very dominant factor in causing relapse. Social and environmental pressures were the external factors more likely to cause relapse. The types of drugs used also affected the likelihood of relapse. Social support has an important role in the healing process of drug addiction. The drug often misused was shabu-shabu (methamphetamine), because of its affordability. Shabu-shabu is also associated with drug violence in the middle levels. Conclusion: Factors determining the relapse of narcotics, psychotropic, and addictive substances (drugs) in drug rehabilitation centers consisted of internal factors such as gender, age, knowledge and association with old friends as well as external social and environmental pressures.

DETERMINAN PENGAMBILAN KEPUTUSAN INVESTASI BERDASARKAN NORMA SUBJEKTIF, KONTROL PERILAKU, DAN PERILAKU HEURISTIK

This study aims to obtain empirical evidence of the influence of Subjective Norms, Behavioral Control, and Heuristic Behavior on Investment Decisions. We used 54 respondents of individual investors who are just learning and or have already transacted on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) as a sample. By using multiple regression analysis, we found that the subjective norm has an effect on investment decisions. This means that the higher the influence of individual external environmental pressures, namely observers, friends, mass media, and investment management, the greater the individual's ability to make investment decisions. Behavioral Control has an effect on Investment Decisions. This means an understanding of the simplicity or complexity of taking action based on past experience and the obstacles that may be faced when taking action, affecting individuals in making investments. Heuristic behavior affects investment decision making. This means that the level of confidence and experience possessed by individuals and other known people will influence individuals in making accurate investments.