• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.309-314
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• 2006

The multicellular layers(MCL) of human cancer cells is a three dimensional(3D) in vitro model for human solid tumors which has been used primarily for the assessment of avascular penetration of anti-cancer drugs. For anti-cancer drugs with penetration problem, MCL represents a good experimental model that can provide clinically relevant data. Calcein-AM is a fluorescent dye that demonstrates the cellular vitality in a graded manner in cancer cell culture system. In the present study, we evaluated the use of calcein-AM for determination of anti-proliferative activity of anti-cancer agents in MCL model of DLD-1 human colorectal cancer cells. Optical sectioning of confocal imaging was compromised with photonic attenuation and penetration barrier in the deep layers of MCL. By contrast, fluorescent measurement on the cryo-sections provided a feasible alternative. Cold pre-incubation did not enhance the calcein-AM distribution to a significant degree in MCL of DLD-1 cells. However, the simultaneous determination of drug penetration and cellular vitality appeared to be possible in drug treated MCL. In conclusion, these data suggest that calcein-AM can be used for the simultaneous determination of drug-induced anti-proliferative effect and drug penetration in MCL model.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.43-52
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• 2020

The paper investigates the mechanism through which corporate credit ratings affect dividend payments by decomposing the mean difference of dividends into a part that is explained by the determinants of dividends and a residual part that is contributed by the pure credit group effect, in the framework of the traditional dividend model of Fama and French (2001). Historically, better credit rated firms have shown consistently higher propensity to pay dividends especially during the economic crisis period. According to the counter-factual decomposition technique of Jann (2008), better rated firms are more responsive to the firm characteristics that have positive impact on dividends and poor rated firms are more responsive to the negative dividend predictors. As a result, good (bad) credit ratings make corporate managers become more bold (timid) in their dividend payments and they tend to pay more (less) dividends than what their firm characteristics prescribe. The degree of information asymmetry increases for the poor group firms during crisis periods and they attempt to reserve more cash in preparation for future investments. The decomposition results suggest that the credit group effect can potentially exceed the effect of firm characteristics because firms of different credit ratings can respond to the very same firm characteristics in a different manner.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.33-42
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• 2020

The paper investigates the mechanism through which corporate credit ratings affect dividend payments by decomposing the mean difference of dividends into a part that is explained by the determinants of dividends and a residual part that is contributed by the pure credit group effect, in the framework of the traditional dividend model of Fama and French (2001). Historically, better credit rated firms have shown consistently higher propensity to pay dividends especially during the economic crisis period. According to the counter-factual decomposition technique of Jann (2008), better rated firms are more responsive to the firm characteristics that have positive impact on dividends and poor rated firms are more responsive to the negative dividend predictors. As a result, good (bad) credit ratings make corporate managers become more bold (timid) in their dividend payments and they tend to pay more (less) dividends than what their firm characteristics prescribe. The degree of information asymmetry increases for the poor group firms during crisis periods and they attempt to reserve more cash in preparation for future investments. The decomposition results suggest that the credit group effect can potentially exceed the effect of firm characteristics because firms of different credit ratings can respond to the very same firm characteristics in a different manner.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.8
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• pp.747-752
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• 2020

This study examines cognitive impairment, which is one of the results from social exclusion and leads to logical reasoning disorders. This study also investigate how cognitive errors called abductive inference error occur due to cognitive impairment. Present study was performed with 81 college students. Participants were randomly assigned to the group who has experienced social exclusion or to the group who has not experience the social exclusion. We analyzed how the degree of error of abductive inference differs according to the social exclusion experience. The group who has experienced social exclusion showed a higher level of abductive inference error than the group who has not experience. The abductive condition inference value of the group who has experienced social exclusion was higher in the group with the deduction condition inference value of 90% than in the group with the deduction condition inference value of 10%, and the difference was also significant. This study extended the concepts of cognitive impairments, escape theory, cognitive narrowing which are used to explain addiction behavior to human cognitive bias. Also this study confirmed that social exclusion experience increased cognitive impairment and abductive inference error. Future research directions and implications were discussed and suggested.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.8
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• pp.599-611
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to explore and empirically analyze the factors affecting the financial performance of Korean small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies, which are relatively insufficiently researched, in terms of human resource management (HRM). In particular, this study intends to examine the human resource management activities focusing on the individual influences of workers' attitudes on systems and policies as well as jobs and organizations. This study reviews previous research and discussions on the human resource management system, as well as the organization and job-related attitudes and financial performance of workers, for the formulation of two hypotheses. Among the HCCP data, the hypothesis was verified through reliability and correlation analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis for small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises. The results show, firstly, that human resource systems and systems have the same effect, but there were differences in the degree of impact. Secondly, job satisfaction has a statistically significant influence on financial performance. Lastly, all worker/employee attitude determinants are statistically significant for both job satisfaction and organizational commitment. HRM, previously relatively overlooked, provided theoretical and practical implications by demonstrating the direct impact on financial performance and the impact of individual human resource management systems and policies.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.11
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• pp.529-540
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• 2020

The objective of this research paper is to study the simultaneous relationship between fiscal decentralization, corruption, and income inequality among Vietnamese provinces. We use a balanced panel data set of 63 provinces/cities in Vietnam in the period from 2011 to 2018. The study used 3SLS-GMM (Three Stage Least Squares - Generalized Method of Moments estimator) and GMM-HAC (Generalized Method of Moments - Heteroskedastic and Autocorrelation Consistent estimator). Empirical evidence shows a strong simultaneous relationship: increased corruption will increase regional income disparities, income inequality, and increase fiscal decentralization. In addition, the results also suggest that an increase in per-capita income will reduce the level of corruption, or better control corruption of each province. The degree of increase in income inequality, which reduces fiscal decentralization, is the same for trade liberalization. All demonstrate that there is a simultaneous relationship between fiscal decentralization, corruption, and income inequality. In a region of high public governance quality, fiscal decentralization positively effects its economic growth. This issue will indirectly increase income inequality between provinces within a country. Our findings imply that a country's fiscal decentralization strategy should be linked to improving corruption control and local governance effectiveness, indirectly improving income inequality between localities or regions.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.11
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• pp.557-561
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• 2020

This paper explores the attitudes of accounting students toward knowledge sharing at Umm Al-Gura University for the academic year 2013-2014. The study explored knowledge sharing among 202 accounting students at Umm Al-Gura University in session during the 2013-2014 academic year. Primary data came from a 3-item questionnaire collected from students; secondary data were source from scholarly publication. Descriptive statistics was used. The findings of this study revealed that the students had a medium to high degree of positive attitude toward knowledge sharing. The students had a positive perception of the use of knowledge sharing in supporting their education. The findings are essential for several stakeholders, such as university policymakers, lecturers, and the students, to provide a deeper understanding of knowledge sharing at the university education level. The findings may encourage policymakers at the university and the classroom levels to organize activities that promote knowledge sharing such as seminars, symposiums, or knowledge sharing exercises during the classroom hours to raise the students' knowledge sharing behavior and enhance education. The results of this study should be useful to policy makers at the university level and the classroom level as there is a positive attitude in disseminating knowledge in the higher educational setting.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.11
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• pp.381-391
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• 2020

This research article investigates the way eWOM in social media influences the formation of destination image through development of trust and satisfaction for the potential tourist. The research involved administering an 18-point questionnaire taking online reviews, tourist involvement, and eWOM, destination image components of trust and satisfaction as variables. Data was collected from 554 individuals forming a cross-section of social media users and analyzed using multi-variate techniques (Reliability, CFA, and SEM). Results indicate a positive and significant relationship between all except online review and destination trust and satisfaction. Indirect and direct effects indicate that eWOM fully mediates the relationship between destination satisfaction and involvement and partially mediates the relationship between destination trust and involvement. In the case of online reviews, eWOM acts as a full mediator between destination trust and destination satisfaction for the future traveler using social media. The study proposes that components of image vary depending upon the degree of involvement, volume online reviews and eWOM generated also termed as 'virality' and these in turn influence the intention to revisit or recommend a destination. The study highlights its utility for National Tourist Organizations (NTOs) and online travel intermediaries to enhance destination marketing efforts.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.11
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• pp.759-768
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to assess the state of competition in Nepalese banking over the period from 2010 to 2019. This study employs panel data and a non-structural Panzar-Rosse model to measure the degree of competition in the Nepalese banking industry. The first reduced-form equation is applied to gauge competition, and the second model is used to test the long-run equilibrium in the banking market. The finding reveals that the Nepalese banking market is equilibrium in the long-run. It implies that the factor prices do not affect ROA in the long-run. The result of the H-statistic shows that the Nepalese banking system is operating under the state of perfect competition and is shifted from monopolistic competition to perfect competition. The reduced-form model reveals that the interest income is positive and significantly affected by factor prices. Similarly, the macroeconomic variable GDP growth is positively related to interest income. On the contrary, the bank's specific factors risk and the number of bank branches are inversely associated with the regressand. The outcomes of the study may be advantageous to the policymakers, especially to Nepal Rastra Bank to implement monetary policy and M&A policy for the stability and growth of the financial system of Nepal.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.11
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• pp.707-715
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• 2020

Globalization has led to an increase in foreign banks' penetration. It is argued that the presence of foreign banks may affect the banking sector of the host countries in several ways including their competition level. It is mentioned that the presence of the foreign banks could heightened the level of competition in the banking sector. Nonetheless, the impact of the foreign banks on competition could be influenced by the degree of information sharing in the banking industry. This study investigates the role of information sharing in moderating the impact of foreign bank penetration on host banking sector competition in selected developing countries. We employ panel data samples of 54 developing countries during the period from 1998 to 2016. The estimation is carried out using the two-step system of the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) regression technique. This technique is adopted due to its robustness to all forms of endogeneity. The findings of this study show that the presence of information sharing could affect the relationship between foreign banks' penetration and competition. They suggest that improvement in information sharing by a host country may help foreign banks to improve monitoring and reduce the moral hazard and adverse selection problem.