Significant Positive Direct Effect Research Articles

Studies on growth analysis and framing selection criteria for high yield and quality traits in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

Fifty-five turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) genotypes comprising short, medium and long duration types were evaluated in augmented block design with two checks for growth, yield, and its component characters and quality to ascertain the presence of variability in the population and character association of growth, yield and quality parameters. The study revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all traits except total chlorophyll content. The fresh rhizome yield was maximum in the genotype CL 195 (long-duration type) and followed by CL 74 (medium duration type). For curcumin content, short-duration types and medium duration types showed better values, than long-duration types. Among the short duration type, the curcumin content was maximum in the genotype CL 78 (2.79 %) whereas, among the medium duration type, CL 22 recorded a curcumin content of 2.55 per cent. The factors, fresh rhizome yield and quality were  optimum in the genotype CL 49 (short duration type), CL 22 (medium duration type), and CL 74 (long-duration type) owing to good values for overall growth parameters. The polygenic trait, yield showed a highly significant positive correlation with the characters viz., the weight of primary rhizomes per plant, the weight of mother rhizomes per plant and leaf area. All the biometric and qualitative traits observed had a positive association with fresh rhizome yield except essential oil and curing per cent ensuring simultaneous improvement of these characteristics. The path coefficient study suggested that the characters viz., the weight of primary rhizomes per plant, the weight of mother rhizomes per plant, the weight of secondary rhizomes per plant, leaf area, plant height, pseudostem girth and curcumin content had a significant positive direct effect on rhizome yield levering more weightage for these characters in the further breeding program. The other quality traits had a relatively poor influence on yield. As short and medium duration genotypes of turmeric are advantageous over long duration types, the best performing short and medium duration types can be used for further crop improvement programme in turmeric.   Keywords: Turmeric, Duration, Yield, Curcumin, Correlation and Path Co-efficient Analysis

User-Generated Content and Firm Generated Content: A Comparative Empirical Study of the Consumer Buying Process

This research determines the impact of content marketing (user-generated content (UGC) and firm-generated content (FGC)) on the consumer buying process for telecommunication products and services in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The study attempts to compare the impact of UGC and FGC on the consumer buying process. To achieve this aim, the study utilized a descriptive quantitative methodology. The population of interest for this research is all consumers of telecommunication products in the KRI. Primary data was collected from 402 online questionnaires from a convenience, snowball, sample from the main provinces of Kurdistan. The results indicate that all FGC marketing dimensions have a statistically significant positive direct effect on the consumer buying process, while only content valence and information richness of UGC dimensions have a statistically significant positive direct effect. FGC valence has the greatest impact on the consumer buying process, closely followed by FGC trustworthiness, and then FGC information richness. Between the two examined types of content, FGC has a greater impact than UGC on the consumer buying process for telecommunication products and services. Telecommunications marketers and management should thus prioritize the identified FGC dimensions in their marketing strategies for optimum resource allocation efficiency. Further discussion is provided.

The Effect of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) I/D Polymorphism on Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease and Cardiovascular Mortality Risk in Non-Hemodialyzed Chronic Kidney Disease: The Mediating Role of Plasma ACE Level.

The association between angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion (ACE I/D) polymorphisms and plasma ACE levels may allow for the optimization of a preventive intervention to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) population. In this study, we aimed to analyze the association between ACE I/D polymorphism and cardiovascular mortality risk among non-hemodialyzed chronic kidney disease patients. This cross-sectional study examined 70 patients of Javanese ethnic origin with stable CKD who did not receive hemodialysis. ACE I/D polymorphisms, plasma ACE levels, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, and cardiovascular mortality risk were investigated. As per our findings, the I allele was found to be more frequent (78.6) than the D allele (21.4), and the DD genotype was less frequent than the II genotype (4.3 vs. 61.4). The ACE I/D polymorphism had a significant direct positive effect on plasma ACE levels (path coefficient = 0.302, p = 0.021). Similarly, plasma ACE levels had a direct and significant positive effect on the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (path coefficient = 0.410, p = 0.000). Moreover, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk had a significant positive effect on cardiovascular mortality risk (path coefficient = 0.918, p = 0.000). The ACE I/D polymorphism had no direct effect on ASCVD and cardiovascular mortality risk. However, our findings show that the indirect effects of high plasma ACE levels may be a factor in the increased risk of ASCVD and cardiovascular mortality in Javanese CKD patients.

The Impact of Enterprise R&D Investment and Government Subsidies on Technological Progress: Evidence from China’s PV Industry

China has become the major stakeholder in global photovoltaic (PV) technology. However, the existing mechanistic interpretation of “what promotes the technological progress of the Chinese PV industry” is controversial. This paper takes China’s A-share listed PV enterprises from 1999 to 2019 as the research sample and uses a panel fixed-effect regression model to empirically test the impact of research and development (R&D) investment and government subsidies on the technological progress of PV enterprises. The results show that there is an “N”-shaped nexus between R&D investment and technological progress, and most PV enterprises are in the climbing stage of the N-shaped curve. With the development of the PV industry, the nexus will undergo a transformation from inverted U-shaped to N-shaped, indicating that R&D investment is a key driver of PV technological progress. Yet, government subsidies are a “double-edged sword”. They have a significant positive direct effect on PV technological progress but also a negative moderating effect. Tax returns play a positive incentivizing role, while financial subsidies play a negative moderating role. This study provides a policy basis for the timely reduction of financial subsidies and increased R&D investment to promote technological progress in China’s PV industry.

Counterfeiting Activities in Manufacturing Versus Service Organizations

This research explores the relationship between supply chain (SC) counterfeit risk management efforts and organizational performance in both manufacturing- and service-oriented organizations. Counterfeit risk management is characterized by factors of Counterfeit Risk Mitigation (CRM) and Integration of Risk Management (IRM), while performance is represented by Cost Benefits (CB), Supply Chain Benefits (SCB) and overall Organizational Performance (OP). A structural equation model is tested based on the participation of 139 logistics and SC managers. For service-oriented organizations, the relationship between CRM and both CB and SCB is fully mediated by IRM. Moreover, both CB and SCB have a significant direct positive effect on OP. In the case of manufacturing-oriented organizations, while IRM fully mediates the relationship between CRM and CB, no mediation effect is found in the link between CRM and SCB. Furthermore, no relationship materializes between SCB and OP. The empirical findings of this research offer a firm-level counterfeiting framework for managerial decision-making.

Evaluation of Marine Fisheries Vulnerability in China and Its Spatial Effects: Evidence from Coastal Regions

Based on data from 10 coastal regions in China, this study establishes an evaluation index system for marine fisheries using the theoretical framework of the DPSR model. The entropy method is used to calculate the degree of marine fisheries vulnerability in each region of China from 2009 to 2018. The spatial Durbin model (SDM) is also used to analyze the influencing factors and spatial spillover effects of marine fisheries vulnerability from four perspectives of economic efficiency, industrial structure, environmental regulation, and ecological pollution. The results show significant positive direct effects between the economic efficiency, ecological pollution, and vulnerability of marine fisheries. At the same time, there are significant negative effects between the industrial structure, environmental regulation, and vulnerability of marine fisheries. In terms of spatial spillover effects, economic efficiency, environmental regulation, and ecological pollution show positive spatial spillover effects, while the industrial structure shows negative spatial spillover effects. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the sustainable development of marine fisheries in China.

Phenotypic variation and genome-wide association studies of main culm panicle node number, maximum node production rate, and degree-days to heading in rice

BackgroundGrain yield is a complex trait that results from interaction between underlying phenotypic traits and climatic, edaphic, and biotic variables. In rice, main culm panicle node number (MCPNN; the node number on which the panicle is borne) and maximum node production rate (MNPR; the number of leaves that emerge per degree-day > 10°C) are primary phenotypic plant traits that have significant positive direct effects on yield-related traits. Degree-days to heading (DDTH), which has a significant positive effect on grain yield, is influenced by the interaction between MCPNN and MNPR. The objective of this research is to assess the phenotypic variation of MCPNN, MNPR, and DDTH in a panel of diverse rice accessions, determine regions in the rice genome associated with these traits using genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and identify putative candidate genes that control these traits.ResultsConsiderable variation was observed for the three traits in a 220-genotype diverse rice population. MCPNN ranged from 8.1 to 20.9 nodes in 2018 and from 9.9 to 21.0 nodes in 2019. MNPR ranged from 0.0097 to 0.0214 nodes/degree day > 10°C in 2018 and from 0.0108 to 0.0193 nodes/degree-day > 10°C in 2019. DDTH ranged from 713 to 2,345 degree-days > 10°C in 2018 and from 778 to 2,404 degree-days > 10°C in 2019.Thirteen significant (P < 2.91 x 10-7) trait-single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associations were identified using the multilocus mixed linear model for GWAS. Significant associations between MCPNN and three SNPs in chromosome 2 (S02_12032235, S02_11971745, and S02_12030176) were detected with both the 2018 and best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) datasets. Nine SNPs in chromosome 6 (S06_1970442, S06_2310856, S06_2550351, S06_1968653, S06_2296852, S06_1968680, S06_1968681, S06_1970597, and S06_1970602) were significantly associated with MNPR in the 2019 dataset. One SNP in chromosome 11 (S11_29358169) was significantly associated with the DDTH in the BLUP dataset.ConclusionsThis study identifies SNP markers that are putatively associated with MCPNN, MNPR, and DDTH. Some of these SNPs were located within or near gene models, which identify possible candidate genes involved in these traits. Validation of the putative candidate genes through expression and gene editing analyses are necessary to confirm their roles in regulating MCPNN, MNPR, and DDTH. Identifying the underlying genetic basis for primary phenotypic traits MCPNN and MNPR could lead to the development of fast and efficient approaches for their estimation, such as marker-assisted selection and gene editing, which is essential in increasing breeding efficiency and enhancing grain yield in rice. On the other hand, DDTH is a resultant variable that is highly affected by nitrogen and water management, plant density, and several other factors.

Does Fiscal Decentralization Promote or Inhibit the Improvement of Carbon Productivity? Empirical Analysis Based on China’s Data

Based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2010 to 2019, this study empirically analyzes the relationship between fiscal decentralization and carbon productivity using a spatial econometric model and calculates the direct effect, spatial spillover effect, and total effect of fiscal revenue decentralization and fiscal expenditure decentralization on carbon productivity through effect decomposition. The empirical results show that 1) the spatial agglomeration effect of China’s provincial carbon productivity is obvious, which shows an upward trend. The heterogeneity of carbon productivity among different provinces is obvious. The overall performance is as follows: Eastern provinces &amp;gt; Central provinces &amp;gt; Western provinces. 2) Fiscal revenue decentralization and fiscal expenditure decentralization can significantly promote the improvement of carbon productivity. Fiscal expenditure decentralization plays a greater role in promoting carbon productivity than fiscal revenue decentralization. 3) Fiscal revenue decentralization and fiscal expenditure decentralization have significant positive direct effects and negative spatial spillover effects on the improvement of carbon productivity. Increasing fiscal decentralization is conducive to improving the carbon productivity of the province, but it will inhibit the carbon productivity of neighboring provinces. Finally, it puts forward policy suggestions to promote the improvement of carbon productivity from the perspective of fiscal decentralization.

Evaluation the Genetic Variability and Association Analysis of Soybean (Glycine max (l.) Merrill for Some Physiological Parameters

The present study was carried out to estimate the important genetic parameters, heritability, genetic advance correlation, and path coefficient analysis in fifty advanced breeding lines of soybean. Randomized Block design (RBD) with three replications was used to design this experiment at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, JNKVV, Jabalpur in 2020. Genotypes were evaluated for eight traits based on important physiological growth parameters such as leaf area index 1 (30 DAS), leaf area index 2 (45 DAS) leaf area index 3 (60 DAS), leaf area duration 1, (30-45 DAS), leaf area duration 2 (45-60 DAS), seed filling duration, harvest index, seed yield per plant. All statistical analysis was done in CRAN R package. ANOVA revealed a sufficient amount of variability was found among soybean genotypes for all traits assessed, which gives an opportunity to plant breeders for the enhancement of these traits. The value of the phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) is greater than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV). The high GCV and PCV were observed for leaf Area Index 1, leaf Area Index 3, leaf Area Duration 2, seed filling duration, harvest index and seed yield. High heritability (0.8) coupled with high genetic advance as percentage mean (66.4) were recorded for leaf area index 1 (30 DAS). It indicates that the trait is governed by additive gene action and directional selection for this trait would be more effective for desired genetic improvement. Correlation coefficient study indicated that Leaf area index 1, leaf area duration1 and harvest index showed a significant positive correlation with seed yield. Greater LAI of soybean genotypes would be enabled greater radiation absorption during the seed filling period. Harvest index showed a significant positive direct effect along with a positive correlation with seed yield, which can be considered as suitable selection criteria for the development of high-yielding soybean genotypes.

Cancer Anxiety Mediates the Association Between Satisfaction With Medical Communication and Psychological Quality of Life After Prophylactic Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy.

BackgroundProphylactic Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy (PBSO) reduces the risk of developing ovarian cancer. However, the psychological mechanisms that may affect post-surgery Quality of Life (QoL) among patients who underwent PBSO are still largely unknown. Thus, this study aimed at exploring the direct and indirect associations of satisfaction with medical communication and cancer anxiety on post-surgery QoL among women at high risk of developing ovarian cancer.MethodFifty-nine women (mean age: 50.64 ± 6.7 years) who underwent PBSO took part in this cross-sectional study, filling out a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, a battery of validated psychological measures and an ad hoc developed scale for the assessment of cancer anxiety. We first examined the correlations among all variables of interest, and then tested if cancer anxiety mediated the association between satisfaction with medical communication and post-surgery psychological QoL, controlling both for time from surgery and education.ResultsPost-surgery psychological QoL was unrelated from any sociodemographic or clinical variable. Cancer anxiety had a significant direct negative effect on psychological QoL, while satisfaction with medical communication had a significant positive direct effect on it. Finally, cancer anxiety significantly mediated the association between satisfaction with medical communication and post-surgery psychological QoL.DiscussionResults suggest that post-surgery psychological QoL of patients who underwent PBSO may be increased with interventions, delivered in a genetic counselling setting, targeting quality of medical communication and cancer anxiety.

FADS1 and FADS2 Gene Polymorphisms Modulate the Relationship of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acid Plasma Concentrations in Gestational Weight Gain: A NISAMI Cohort Study.

The polymorphisms of fatty acid desaturase genes FADS1 and FADS2 have been associated with an increase in weight gain. We investigated FADS1 and FADS2 gene polymorphisms and the relation between ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acid plasma concentrations and gestational weight gain. A prospective cohort study of 199 pregnant women was followed in Santo Antônio de Jesus, Brazil. Plasma levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were measured at baseline and gestational weight gain during the first, second, and third trimesters. Fatty acid recognition was carried out with the aid of gas chromatography. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using real-time PCR. Statistical analyses included Structural Equation Modelling. A direct effect of FADS1 and FADS2 gene polymorphisms on gestational weight was observed; however, only the SNP rs174575 (FADS2) showed a significant positive direct effect on weight over the course of the pregnancy (0.106; p = 0.016). In terms of the influence of SNPs on plasma levels of PUFAs, it was found that SNP rs174561 (FADS1) and SNP rs174575 (FADS2) showed direct adverse effects on plasma concentrations of ω-3 (eicosapentaenoic acid and alpha-linoleic acid), and only SNP rs174575 had positive direct effects on plasma levels of ARA and the ARA/LA (arachidonic acid/linoleic acid) ratio, ω-6 products, while the SNP rs3834458 (FADS2) had an adverse effect on plasma concentrations of EPA, leading to its increase. Pregnant women who were heterozygous and homozygous for the minor allele of the SNP rs3834458 (FADS2), on the other hand, showed larger concentrations of series ω-3 substrates, which indicates a protective factor for women’s health.

Generating Employee Competitive Advantage in the Port and Maritime Industry: Knowledge Management and Learning Organization Role

Human resources are one of the essential factors in creating a competitive advantage. Through HR strategies, companies can maintain and develop intellectual capital through knowledge management and make a learning organization increase its competitive advantage. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of knowledge management and learning organization on the employee's competitive advantage. This study uses a quantitative approach, data collection using questionnaires, and SEM-PLS data analysis. This research was conducted at P.T. Pelindo I (Persero) with a sample of 197 employees through the purposive sampling technique. The results of this study indicate that (1) there is a significant positive direct effect of the knowledge management on the employee competitive advantage; (2) there is a significant positive direct effect of the learning organization on the employee's competitive advantage; and (3) there is a significant positive direct effect of the knowledge management on the learning organization. The research findings confirm that knowledge management and organizational learning are essential factors in increasing the employee's competitive advantage, positively impacting organizational or company performance.

The Edaphic and Vegetational Properties Controlling Soil Aggregate Stability Vary with Plant Communities in an Arid Desert Region of Northwest China

The stability of soil aggregates is the basis for supporting ecosystem functions and related services provided by the soil. In order to explore the mechanism of the influence of soil and vegetation properties on the stability of soil aggregates in desert communities, the particle size distribution and aggregate in different communities were compared, and the contribution of soil physical and chemical properties (soil salinity, soil water content, soil pH, soil organic carbon, soil total phosphorus, soil total nitrogen, etc.) and vegetation properties (species richness, phylogenetic richness, plant height and coverage, etc.) to the stability of soil aggregates was determined by using a structural equation model. The results show the following: Soil water content, organic carbon, and salt in river bank plant communities have significant direct positive effects on the mean weight diameter of soil, with path coefficients of 0.50, 0.11, and 0.24, respectively (p &lt; 0.01). Water also indirectly affects soil stability by affecting plant height, soil salt, and soil organic carbon; species richness and vegetation coverage have significant direct positive effects on the soil stability index, with path coefficients of 0.13 and 0.11, respectively (p &lt; 0.01). In the desert marginal plant community, the plant coverage and species richness have significant positive effects on soil stability, with path coefficients of 0.43 (p &lt; 0.001) and 0.35 (p &lt; 0.001), respectively. Phylogenetic richness has a significant direct negative effect on soil stability (p &lt; 0.05), with an effect value of −0.27. Phylogenetic richness indirectly affects soil stability by adjusting the coverage, with an indirect effect value of 0.23. Moisture, ammonium nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen have significant direct positive effects on soil stability, with effect values of 0.12, 0.09, and 0.15, respectively. Our research shows that the process of soil stabilization is mainly controlled by soil factors and vegetation characteristics, but its importance varies with different community types.

Correlation and path coefficient analysis of green pod yield and yield attributing traits of chili (Capsicum annum L.) genotypes in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, chili (Capsicum annum L.) is an important dietary component. Chili is produced as a source of income for smallholder farmers covering a large share of the national as well as export market. A field experiment was conducted to study the association of green pod yield (FYD) and 11 yield-related traits in 29 chili genotypes under flood irrigation conditions in Ethiopia. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three biological replicates. Phenotypic and genotypic correlations and path coefficients were analyzed for FYD and 11 yield-related traits. The genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients showed that all investigated traits, except days to 50% flowering and days to the first harvest, showed a positive and significant correlation with FYD. The phenotypic path coefficient analysis revealed that the number of flowers per plant (NFP, 0.4114), and fruit length (FL, 0.3678) showed a significant (p < 0.01) positive direct effect on FYD. The genotypic path coefficient showed a significant (p < 0.01) positive direct effect of NFP (0.7968), number of primary branches (0.3982), and FL (0.3982) on FYD. The traits with positive direct phenotypic and genetic effects on fruit yield indicate that improving these traits could increase fruit yield.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of the physician education program on primary palliative care in heart failure.

Major cardiology societies' guidelines support integrating palliative care into heart failure (HF) care. This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of the HEart failure Palliative care Training program for comprehensive care providers (HEPT), a physician education program on primary palliative care in HF. We performed a pre- and post-test survey to evaluate HEPT outcomes. Physician-reported practices, difficulties and knowledge were evaluated using the Palliative Care Self-Reported Practices Scale in HF (PCPS-HF), Palliative Care Difficulties Scale in HF (PCDS-HF), and Palliative care knowledge Test in HF (PT-HF), respectively. Structural equation models (SEM) were used to estimate path coefficients for PCPS-HF, PCDS-HF, and PT-HF. A total of 207 physicians participated in the HEPT between February 2018 and July 2019, and 148 questionnaires were ultimately analyzed. The total PCPS-HF, PCDS-HF, and PT-HF scores were significantly improved 6 months after HEPT completion (61.1 vs 67.7, p<0.001, 54.9 vs 45.1, p<0.001, and 20.8 vs 25.7, p<0.001, respectively). SEM analysis showed that for pre-post difference (Dif) PCPS-HF, "clinical experience of more than 14 years" and pre-test score had significant negative effects (-2.31, p = 0.048, 0.52, p<0.001, respectively). For Dif PCDS-HF, ≥ "28 years old or older" had a significant positive direct effect (13.63, p<0.001), although the pre-test score had a negative direct effect (-0.56, p<0.001). For PT-HF, "involvement in more than 50 HF patients' treatment in the past year" showed a positive direct effect (0.72, p = 0.046), although the pre-test score showed a negative effect (-0.78, p<0.001). Physicians who completed the HEPT showed significant improvements in practice, difficulty, and knowledge scales in HF palliative care.

Does neighborhood matter? Spatial proximity and farmers’ technical efficiency

AbstractThis article examines the effects of neighborhood on the farmer's technical efficiency (TE) level, adopting a stochastic frontier and spatial Durbin regression models. Our study exploits a three‐wave household‐level panel data from the Ethiopian Rural Socioeconomic Survey (ERSS) collected between 2011 and 2015. We find that farmers have an average TE score of 53%, implying a substantial potential for improvement in the production level. We further find that there is a positive and statistically significant spatial interdependence in TE levels between farms in neighboring communities. Input use, education, and other demographic characteristics are found to have significant positive direct and indirect effects. The findings suggest that policies and programs targeting productivity improvements in agriculture need to consider spatial spillover effects.

Do Academic Stress, Burnout and Problematic Internet Use Affect Perceived Learning? Evidence from India during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Distress in online classrooms and problematic internet use are two issues that have caused student burnout and affect perceived learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the high pressure placed on students throughout COVID-19, it is critical to understand the influence of problematic internet use (PIU), psychological stress, academic burnout, and resilience on perceived learning (PL). A cross-sectional analytical study was chosen to collect data from 350 learners pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate business/management degrees in Karnataka, India. The data were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) and Smart PLS 3. The present study reports a non-significant negative total effect of stress on PL, while there was a significant positive direct effect but a significant indirect negative effect of multiple mediators, namely PIU, burnout, and resilience. In the relationship between stress and PL, burnout has full competitive mediation, and the suppressive effect of burnout and resilience wipes out the beneficial benefit of stress on PL, resulting in reduced PL. As a societal problem, a change in educational policy and prevention strategies for students and organizations (reducing the number of courses, number of exams, and handling parental expectations) would be effective. Emotional intelligence to improve resilience, which assists students in sailing through a current challenging situation and using IT for reducing negative and unexpected emotional outbursts should be encouraged.

Potencies and Threats of The Demographic Bonus on The Quality of Human Resources and Economy in Indonesia 2019

The success of Indonesia’s development is marked by increasing economic growth, which is in line with the demographic transition, where the number of people who are borne is less than the population which bears it. Indonesia will enter the peak of the demographic bonus in 2030, where every 100 productive aged people bear 46 to 47 non-productive-aged people. The demographic bonus can positively impact on the economy and the quality of human resources if its potential is adequately utilized but becomes a threat if not maximized. Therefore, path analysis is used in this study to analyze the potencies and threats of the demographic bonus and its effect on economic growth, either directly or indirectly through the quality of human resources. The results of this study are the potential index consisting of labor absorption, household savings, and women in the labor market does not significantly influence on the quality of human resources and economic growth. Meanwhile, the threats index, which consists of internet access, migration, and child marriage, has a significant positive direct effect on economic growth and a significant negative indirect effect on economic growth. These results indicate that the threat index has a greater influence than the potential and it is hoped that the government will focus on reducing the threat of the demographic bonus, but it must be accompanied by an increase in the quality of human resources.

Relationship and Association Analysis in the Cultivated and Wild Species of Sesame

The experimental study was undertaken in the Wild species garden and Oilseeds farm at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during Rabi’ 2021 to know the association between yield and its component traits in cultivated and wild species of Sesame. Nine varieties of Sesamum indicum and three wild species, namely Sesamum alatum, Sesamum malabaricum, and Sesamum radiatum were assessed for eight quantitative traits namely plant height, the number of branches per plant, days to first flowering, the number of capsules per plant, the number of seeds per capsule, capsule length, thousand seed weight and yield per plant. The correspondence among the cultivated and wild species of Sesame was explicated over the heatmap in which cultivated varieties of Sesamum indicum were categorized under three clusters and wild species into two clusters. Correlation analysis revealed that seed yield per plant emphasizes a positive and high significant correlation with a number of capsules per plant and thousand seed weight. Path analysis delineated that number of capsules per plant had a high positive direct effect on yield followed by a less positive direct effect on thousand seed weight and a number of branches, while thousand seed weight has high positive indirect effect on seed yield per plant via number of capsules per plant. It can be concluded that the traits, namely number of branches, number of capsules and thousand seed weight recorded both significant positive correlation and high direct effect on single plant yield. Therefore, the selection process prioritizing these traits with higher values would be rewarding in Sesame crop improvement breeding program.

An empirical examination of factors affecting the post-adoption stage of mobile wallets by consumers: A perspective from a developing country

Although the critical success factors might be different between the pre and post-adoption stages of mobile wallets, there have been few studies conducted to examine those factors for the post-adoption stage when compared to the number of studies conducted to examine those factors for the pre-adoption stage. Yet, the post-adoption stage of mobile wallets is crucial to the success and sustainability of the mobile wallets’ ecosystem. Thus, this study developed and examined a model by integrating relevant factors into the Technology Acceptance Model 2 (TAM2). Data were collected from 578 mobile wallet users in Jordan using an electronic questionnaire. A structural equation modelling approach was utilized to analyze the data. The results revealed that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use have statistically significant positive direct effects on the intention to continuous use of mobile wallets, while subjective norm does not. In addition to that, results indicated that trust, security, and ubiquity have statistically significant positive direct effects on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, and, in turn, on the intention to continuous use of mobile wallets. Moreover, this study found that perceived ease of use and subjective norms have statistically significant positive direct effects on perceived usefulness, and, in turn, on the intention of continuous use of mobile wallets. While risk does not have a significant effect on perceived usefulness, it has been found to have a statistically significant negative direct effect on perceived ease of use, and, in turn, on the intention to continuous use of mobile wallets. The findings of this study should help stakeholders to develop more effective consumer retention tactics and formulate appropriate marketing decisions.