bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Financial Planning Strategies on Financial Sustainability of NGOs in Nairobi County Kenya
Authors: Wanja Jackline , Ronald Martin Onsiro
Published: February 2025

With diminishing donor funding or its redirection to other pressing projects, humanitarian organizations are increasingly exploring commercial ventures to reduce their reliance on shrinking financial support. The primary focus of this study was to analyze the effect of financial planning strategies on financial sustainability of non-governmental organizations in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study employed a descriptive research design, drawing on theories such as Resource-Based theory. The study focused on a population of 201 NGOs that were fully registered with the NGO coordination board and located in Nairobi County. The primary data for this study will be collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Both qualitative and quantitative data was generated through the research process. Descriptive statistics, including absolute and relative percentages, frequencies, measures of central tendency, and dispersion (mean and standard deviation), will be employed. The findings were presented in tables and figures, with explanations provided in a narrative format. Furthermore, the study utilized Karl Pearson’s coefficient of correlation and multiple regression analyses to explore the relationships between the independent variables and the dependent variables, enhancing the depth of the research and contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the performance of local NGOs in Kenya. Findings revealed moderate agreement on the effectiveness of financial practices but significant variability, indicating inconsistent implementation. Strong financial planning was positively correlated with improved performance, while donor fund management showed no significant relationship with organizational outcomes. These insights provided a comprehensive approach to enhancing financial sustainability and organizational effectiveness within the NGO sector.
The Mediating Effects of Attitude on the Relationships between Determinants of Intention to Adopt Islamic Finance by SMES’ in Libya
Authors: Alawi Nahg AbdulMajid , Edderwish Abdussalam S. A
Published: February 2025

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are largely responsible for the positive effects of the global economy. In Libya, small & medium companies have recently started to gain more attention to restructure the national economy and reduce a limited over-reliance on the predominately large-firm oil industry. Despite recent industry changes, access to funding remains a major obstacle for these organizations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure the mediating effect of attitude on the adoption of Islamic finance by Libyan SMEs. A conceptual framework has been proposed with five independent variables (knowledge and awareness, religious obligation, business support, reputation, and financial constraints), one mediating variable (attitude toward Islamic finance), and one dependent variable (adoption of Islamic finance). Several theories have been reviewed to develop this conceptual framework. A snowball sampling was employed to collect data from different Libyan SMEs. A total number 305 respondents were found and used for final data collection. Structural Equation modelling techniques was applied to test the hypothesis. Results clearly revealed that all the variables significantly affect the attitude toward Islamic finance, which eventually has a significant mediating effect on adoption, too. Based on the results, knowledge and awareness and religious obligation became the two most important factors for the Libyan SMEs to create a positive attitude toward Islamic finance. The Islamic finance industry’s steady growth has powered the demand for Islamic financing, especially among SMEs, which Islamic financial institutions control as the largest lender.
The Effect of Designing an Interactive Digital Platform Based on Design Thinking Skills on Developing Awareness of EDT among University Students
Authors: Abdelmagid Ahmed Sadek , Ibrahim Aseem Mohamed , Teleb Ahmed Ali
Published: February 2025

The current research aimed to improve university students’ understanding of emerging and new digital technologies by developing an interactive digital platform. Consequently, three groups of undergraduate students from King Khalid University’s College of Education were randomly selected. These groups were called the empirical group (consisting of 31 students who used the Edx platform), the control group (consisting of 33 students who used the standard training strategy), and the second empirical group (consisting of 34 students who used the Blackboard platform). The research findings were analyzed using the One-Way ANOVA test. The second research hypothesis was thus rejected because, after applying the measure of awareness of Emerging digital technologies (EDT), there was a statistically significant difference at the level (0.05) in the mean scores of the first empirical group (which used the Edx platform), the second empirical group (which used the Blackboard platform), and the control group (which used the standard procedure). The findings showed that university students’ awareness of EDT increased higher when they utilized the Edx platform than when they used the Blackboard platform or the training strategy.
Academic Satisfaction: A Comparative Analysis Between Blended Schedule and Everyday Classroom Instruction Among College Students
Authors: Hilot Chinky Ainne Marie F. , Paderog Jamela-Kim B. , Gaduyon Ashlie Faith E. , Jumao-As Jaeve P. , Lagrada Loriene Michaella V. , Lamoste Chiela Mae A. , Batiancila Marian Joy Q.
Published: February 2025

The face of education has been changing over the past couple of decades-from new teaching methodologies to a greater emphasis on student-centered learning. Indeed, research has documented that academic satisfaction is a leading contributor to students’ successful and healthy experiences throughout college. Furthermore, this growth in technology has given way to the emergence of blended learning, which merges traditional classroom instruction with online resources and digital tools. However, the relative effect of blended learning in comparison to a traditional classroom setting regarding academic satisfaction remains inadequately explored. This study addresses this gap by comparing the level of academic satisfaction of students involved in blended learning programs (MSA 1 and MSA 2) against those in traditional classroom instructions at the University of Mindanao Digos College. Quantitative data with a descriptive-comparative design were obtained from 350 university students via a standardized questionnaire adapted from the Student Evaluation of Educational Quality (SEEQ. Results showed that students in blended learning environments were more academically satisfied (MSA 1: X=3.98 and SD=.000; MSA 2: X=3.85 and SD=.268) compared to students in traditional classrooms (Everyday Classroom Instruction: X=3.66 and SD=.308). However, the statistical analysis showed no significant differences in satisfaction between the blended and traditional instructional methods, meaning that both approaches can effectively support student engagement and satisfaction. In conclusion, this research provides a valuable insight for investigating the relationship between instructional methods and academic satisfaction. It underscores the importance of adopting blended learning strategies to foster higher levels of student satisfaction, with encouragement of further exploration in how best to optimize teaching approaches for improved educational outcomes within diverse
Exploring the Role of Flowers in the Socio-Religious Context of Mizo Tribal Community
Authors: Colney Lalbiakzuali
Published: February 2025

Flowers are universally intertwined with religious and spiritual beliefs. The present study explore the relation between religion and flowers communicating feelings and emotions more profoundly than spoken words. The paper will delve into the indispensable role played by flowers in the social and religious context of Mizoram as well as the effort made by the government and Non- Governmental Organisation to support the floriculturists. Samples were taken from 153 floriculturists and 8 concerned government authorities using a purposive sampling technique, and a semi-structured interview schedule was administered for data collection. The research findings reveal that 63.4% agreed that bride price distribution and payment rituals should continue to include floral arrangements and venue decoration in the pre-nuptial ceremony. 86.9% states that churches in Mizoram sanctions funds for fresh flowers to adorn the church altar for the Sunday church service. The paper also looks into the role of the state government and the florist associations as Non-Governmental Organizations who acts as catalyst in augmenting entrepreneurship in floriculture in Mizoram.
Strip tillage in wheat cultivation: A wind of change in production, greenhouse gas emission and energy use
Authors: Siddquie Md , Islam md , Abida mst , Chowdhury md , Rahman md , Rahman md , Khanum naznine
Published: February 2025

The experiment was conducted at Paba MLT site, Rajshahi during the year of 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 in High Ganges River Flood Plain Soil (AEZ-11) to evaluate the performance of Strip tillage (ST) and to estimate the change in input-output energy and GHG emission as compared to Conventional tillage (CT).The production program was done in a compact two hectares’ block. Seeding was done in the half of the land with the help of power tiller operated Strip tillage machine and other half by conventional tillage (power tiller) system. The yield was significantly different between ST and CT.The average three years yield was 4264kgha-1 in ST which was 9.6% higher than CT (3892 kgha-1).The strip tillage (ST) emitted 52.3% lower(210 kg CO2eqha-1)greenhouse gas (GHG) in crop residue management sector than CT(440kg CO2eqha-1).The ST liberated 43.3% (170kg CO2eqha-1) lesser GHG in fuel use sector compare to CT (300 kg CO2eqha-1). In case of total emission, ST reduced16.8% total GHG emission (1749kg CO2eqha-1)compare to CT (2099kg CO2eqha-1)during wheat production period. ST liberated 24.1% lower GHG (0.41kg CO2eqkg-1 product) to produce per kilogram product compare to CT (0.54kg CO2eqkg-1 product).The total energy input requirement of wheat was 14.6% lower in ST (16692 MJ ha-1) than CT (19553 MJ ha-1).The total output energy is8.56% higher in ST (164132 MJ ha-1) than CT (151196 MJ ha-1). The energy efficiency or energy ratio in wheat production was found higher in ST (9.83) than CT (7.73). Specific energy was found maximum in CT (5.02 MJ kg-1) as compared to ST (3.92 MJ kg-1). The energy productivity was found 30% higher in ST (0.26 kg MJ-1) than CT (0.20 kg MJ-1). Thus, ST increased grain and energy productivity, reduced GHG emission and utilized lower input energy to produce higher output energy than CT to bring wheat production closer to sustainability in Bangladesh.
Molecular Biology of Multiple Myeloma (MM): Treatment Approaches using Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Darwish Ayatullah , Bakier Farah , Banbi Ali , Kakarougkas Andreas
Published: February 2025

Multiple myeloma is a cancer in the blood that develops in the plasma cells of bone marrow. Classic treatments for this cancer include chemotherapy and a newly found therapy known as CAR-T therapy that has already been found to have a significant effect on cancer patients who have been newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma. As this is a new yet commonly researched and observed therapy, newer drugs have begun to emerge through the biosynthetic mechanisms of molecular and cell modification in the efficiency and effectiveness of recent drugs including Daratumumab, Elotuzumab, and Isatuximab, that assist in patients that have relapsed or have been re-diagnosed with multiple myeloma after prior treatments such as chemotherapy. These drugs incorporate the utilization of monoclonal antibodies and their ability to defend the immune system and fight off foreign antigens. Alongside these emerging treatments, is the new specialization of immunotherapy and immunocytokines. These proteins have been found to successfully fight off tumor cells by communicating with the immune system, and have shown assuring results. The following review aims to focus on these newly discovered antibody targets including CD38 (Daratumumab and Isatuximab), and SLAM7 (Elotuzumab) for the treatment of multiple myeloma in clinical research.
Comparison of staging by MRI and histopathology in women with endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Khan Komal , Hayat Zartaj , Ashraf Maria
Published: February 2025

Objective:
To compare staging by MRI and histopathology in women with endometrial carcinoma

Methodology:
This was a retrospective study conducted in Fauji Foundation Hospital, Foundation University Islamabad from January 2018 till May 2022 which included 32 diagnosed cases of endometrial carcinoma. The primary outcome of the study was to assess the diagnostic value of MRI in preoperative staging and risk assessment in endometrial carcinoma when compared with the histopathological staging of the surgical specimen according to the FIGO 2021 staging system. The secondary outcome was to assess the role of both MRI and preoperative biopsy in preoperative risk assignment.

Results:
In this study MRI had a diagnostic accuracy of 78% for detection of stage I, 93% for stage II and 75% for stage III endometrial carcinoma. The sensitivity, specificity, NPV, PPV and diagnostic accuracy of MRI in detecting cervical invasion was 50%, 64.2%, 90%, 16.6% and 62.5% respectively. For myometrial invasion MRI was 78.1% accurate, 92.3% sensitive and 68.4%sensitive while NPV and PPV values were 92.8% and 66.6% respectively. For differentiating low risk and high risk groups, the sensitivity, specificity, NPV and PPV of MRI alone was 85.7%, 64.3%, 94.1%, 40% whereas when combined with preoperative biopsy the sensitivity and NPV was 100%.

Conclusion:
Although MRI is useful in preoperative staging and risk assessment of endometrial carcinoma but as the sensitivity and PPV for high risk group detection were low other modalities may need to be considered in adjunct for the decision of lymphadenectomy.
Profound Biotinidase deficiency caused by (D444H) resulting in recurrent early childhood death in a Sudanese Family
Authors: Hamad Reem , Saif rayan , Khalid rayan , Ibrahim muntaser , elmula imad
Published: February 2025

Introduction
Biotinidase deficiency (BTD) is an autosomal recessive disease in which biotin recycling from biocytin or biotinylated peptides is impaired. The disorder is a result of the deficient or absent activity of Biotinidase.
Material and methods
Two healthy parents presented with a history of two daughters who had neurological, cutaneous, and respiratory manifestations and died in early childhood. They also had two healthy living daughters (8 and 4 years old).
Whole exome sequencing was done for the mother, and then specific BTD gene sequencing was done for the father, which was analyzed using bioinformatic tools.
Results
Whole exome sequencing analysis of the mother genomic DNA showed heterozygous missense mutation in the BTD gene with rs 13078881. Subsequent specific BTD gene sequencing identified an Identical mutation in the fathers’ genomic DNA.
Discussion
The present mutation behaved unusually since it caused profound Biotinidase deficiency in the homozygous state. According to our knowledge, this is the first case of profound Biotinidase deficiency in the homozygous state to be reported.
Conclusion
In the absence of neonatal screening programs, whole genome sequencing remains an effective way of diagnosing metabolic Mendelian disorders in underdeveloped countries.
Knowledge and Information Sources about Helicobacter Pylori in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alotaibi Haifa , Binshalhoub Fahad , Almutairi Khalid , Alajlan Renad , Alabdulkarim Sara , AlFarraj Asma , Alshammari Shahad , Ahmed Ibrahim
Published: February 2025

Background and Aims:
The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is high worldwide and varies significantly among different regions and countries. The sources of information about HP vary among different populations. Physicians, health professionals, TV, radios, books, internet and social media are sources to get health-related information. Given the importance of accurate and reliable information, it is crucial to evaluate the knowledge and information sources related to HP among the general population in Saudi Arabia. The study was aimed to assess the public knowledge and information sources regarding Helicobacter pylori in Saudi Arabia.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study using a self-administered online questionnaire was carried out to examine the public knowledge and their information sources about Helicobacter Pylori from April to December in 2023. Convenience sampling procedure was applied. Knowledge scores were compared with the socio-demographic characteristics using the Mann-Whitney Z-test and Kruskal Wallis H-test. Normality test has been performed using the Shapiro-Wilk test and Kolmogorov Smirnov test.

Results:
The overall mean knowledge score was 19.9 (SD 8.60) out of 40 points. Accordingly, it was found that more than half (52.9%), 38.8 % and 8.3% had moderate, poor and good knowledge respectively. Factors associated with increased knowledge include higher educational levels, working in the medical field, previous diagnosis of HP infection, family history of HP infection, and medical sources of HP infection.

Conclusions:
This study found that individuals with higher education levels, working in medical field, with a previous HP diagnosis, with a family history of infection, and those who obtained information from medical sources demonstrated better knowledge about HP infection. Addressing these gaps in knowledge is crucial, and thus, it is recommended to implement awareness campaigns aimed at bridging these knowledge gaps among the Saudi general population.
Assessment of Surface Water Quality of the Niger River in Lokoja Town, Nigeria: An Integration of Water Quality Index (WQI), Multivariate Statistical Analysis, and Geographic Information Systems
Authors: Balogun Samson , Islam Zubairul
Published: February 2025

This study investigates and characterizes the water quality and enunciated the level of pollution pattern due to high commercial activities along the river bank of the Niger River in Lokoja Town, Nigeria, a crucial water source in the region. The significant role in the local ecosystem and as a vital resource for domestic and agricultural needs presents a complex environmental study. Analyzing water quality is a key aspect of surface water investigations since it has directly influenced the level of pollution and overall ecosystem health. The study utilizes a combination of the Water Quality Index (WQI), multivariate statistical analysis, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) approaches. Twenty water samples from various locations were collected along the river to assess the water quality parameters. The study focused on a range of parameters including pH, total dissolved solid (TDS), Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, SO4, HCO3, CO3, NO3, and Trace elements (Fe, Cu, Cr, Ni, Co, Cd, and Zn) to understand the physio-chemical characteristics of the river. These elements play a critical role in determining the estuarine water environment of the Niger River. Our findings indicate that the majority of the samples fall within the fair to good water quality range, as per WHO-permitted standards. However, variations in water quality were observed with poor water quality parameters, particularly in the midstream to downstream zones of the river, where anthropogenic activities have a more pronounced impact on water quality. These findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring and prudent management of water resources in the Niger River Basin to safeguard its quality for the diverse needs of the local population.
PREDICTING PILE FOUNDATION BEARING CAPACITY USING MACHINE LEARNING ALGORITHMS
Authors: Usifo John , Amuda Akeem
Published: February 2025

This research endeavours to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of predicting pile-bearing capacity by implementing machine learning algorithms based on historical Standard Penetration Test (SPT) data. The purpose stems from the critical importance of accurately assessing the behaviour of pile foundations for ensuring the stability and safety of structures which is a resource-intensive process. To achieve this, three machine learning algorithms were selected; Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), Random Forest Regression (RFR), XG Boost (XGB) Algorithm, and five models were produced for each one. The study leveraged a diverse dataset to train and test machine learning models, showcasing their efficacy in reliably estimating pile-bearing capacity. Notably, ensemble learning algorithms, such as Random Forest Regression (RFR) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), consistently outperformed Multiple Linear Regression (MLR). MLR models exhibited higher Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE) values, with average RMSE and MAE of 1440.866 and 1809.860, respectively, compared to 708.088 and 1023.989 for RFR, and 770.721 and 1147.407 for XGB. The Coefficient of Determination (R2) further highlighted the superiority of RFR, achieving the highest value of 0.983 using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with 10 components. In contrast, MLR models with PCA (3) recorded the lowest R2 values (0.659) along with elevated error metrics (2505.883 and 3006.418). The limited components in PCA (3) hindered its ability to capture essential dataset traits. The superior predictive capabilities of ensemble learning, attributed to its adeptness in handling non-linear relationships, were underscored through comparative analyses with traditional geotechnical methods. This research signifies the algorithms’ potential to streamline the assessment of pile foundations. The implications extend to advancements in geotechnical engineering, offering a cost-effective and time-efficient solution for designing and evaluating pile foundations. By integrating machine learning techniques, this study contributes to the evolving landscape of civil engineering, fostering safer and more reliable structural design and construction practices.
An Assessment of Tafa Truck Parking Facility Along Abuja -kaduna Expressway As an Efficient Truck Transit Facility
Authors: Daniel Emmanuel , Dayyabu dr
Published: February 2025

Despite the provision of parking facilities by the government, it is observed that trucks are still parked along the road, causing increasing rise to a lot of problems associated with roadside parking such as highway congestion, high rate of accidents, frequent tanker explosions, sanitation problems and the destruction and defacing of highway shoulders. This study seeks to x-ray some fundamental issues associated with truck parking including the capacity of the parking facility, rate of occupancy, and level of usage (reasons why drivers need to park, factors that influence parking demand, relevant regulations and Hour of Service (HOS)). Data was sourced from both primary (field study: visit to the study area, data on daily usage and design capacity) and secondary (existing literature, Government reports and allied documents) sources. This study concludes that the parking facility does not have all the features of a standard parking facility and therefore recommends the improvement of the facility so as to increase convenience for drivers while the different tiers of government in Nigeria also, should evolve policies encouraging public-private partnership investment in such projects as a strategy to rapidly deploy these facilities across the major highways in the country.
Production diseases in farm animals: A comprehensive and illustrated clinical, laboratory and pathological overview
Authors: Tharwat Mohamed , Alkheraif abdulrahman , Oikawa shin
Published: February 2025

The rising demand of the rapidly growing global population for animal derived foods and other products requires intense animal farming. However, husbandry and breeding of livestock are associated with a conflict between the economic requirements of producers and the biological needs of the animal. This conflict is rapidly gaining recognition not only by veterinarians, animal scientists and producers, but also in parallel by the general public. Any defect in animal feeding, housing or breeding strategy may trigger the appearance of production diseases (PD), leading to decreased producer income, reduced consumer product quality, as well as impaired animal welfare. Because of the need for high production during the past decades, several animals have been subjected to intense genetic selection, thus increasing animal productivity to a standard where the requirement for nutrients from the ration and internal tissue stores greatly increased. Therefore, inability to deal with the high metabolic needs of increased production also elevated. In farm animals, high production is greatly challenged by different risk factors such as improper nutrition, infections, stress, and housing systems. Thus, new data concerning understanding the physiology, detection, treatment and prevention of PD is urgently required. This review aims to highlight the most important PD that may influence different livestock species including cows, sheep, camels and goats. Recently, PD has been widened to include other affections such as fatty infiltration of liver, sub-acute ruminal acidosis, hepatic abscess, caudal vena cava thrombosis, endocarditis, abomasal ulcerations, displacement of the abomasum, pregnancy toxemia and mastitis. Since many of the PD emerge during the transition period, the first section of this review will focus on a series of physiological events that occur during this period. Following, different PD including will be discussed.
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy: A review of current knowledge and challenges
Authors: Lestari Tita , Khairullah Aswin , Utama Suzanita , Mulyati Sri , Hernawati Tatik , Damayanti Ratna , Rimayanti Rimayanti , Wardhani Bantari , Fauzia Kartika , Moses Ikechukwu , Ahmad Riza , Wibowo Syahputra , Fauziah Ima , Kurniasih Dea , Baihaqi Zein , Wasito Wasito , Kusala Muhammad , Lisnanti Ertika
Published: February 2025

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also referred to as mad cow disease, is a chronic degenerative disease that affects cows' central nervous systems. BSE is caused by a misfolded isoform of the prion protein (PrP), a widely expressed glycoprotein. The illness is referred to as Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) in humans. In the United Kingdom (UK), BSE in cattle was first discovered in 1986. Based on epidemiological data, it appears that animal feed containing tainted meat and bone meal as a source of meat protein was the common cause of the BSE outbreak in the UK. Clinical indicators in cows can include irregular body posture, incoordination and trouble standing, weight loss despite continuous eating, and temperamental changes including agitation or hostility. No BSE testing on living animals. Typically, the CNS is examined for prions in order to diagnose this illness. Feeding livestock meat and bone meal (MBM) obtained from BSE-infected livestock and contaminated with BSE prions is the only known risk factor for the development of BSE. Strong evidence linking BSE to human transmission and a variant type of CJD brought the disease to the attention of the globe. There is no treatment for BSE. In most cases, suspected animals are put to death so they can be tested. Preventing BSE can be achieved by avoiding feeding sensitive species with ruminant tissue that might carry prions.
CP Violation in Rare B-Meson Decays
Authors:   , Rehult Anders Erik
Published: February 2025

While the Standard Model of particle physics has been highly successful in explaining a wide range of phenomena, it leaves several fundamental questions unanswered. One approach to uncovering new physics beyond the Standard Model is to search for deviations from its predictions using particle colliders like the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, Geneva. Among the most promising targets for this search are rare B-meson decays, which are heavily suppressed in the Standard Model and highly sensitive to new physics effects. This thesis explores rare B-meson decays from a phenomenological perspective, focusing on CP violation—the differences in the behaviour of matter and antimatter. We explore the effects of possible new sources of CP violation on rare B-meson decays, leading to several significant results. A central finding in this thesis concerns electron–muon universality, a principle that holds within the weak interaction of the Standard Model and is normally tested through measurements of ratios of B-meson branching fractions. We show, however, that these ratios have inherent blind spots when CP violation beyond the Standard Model is present. As such, we propose a complementary approach that addresses this issue and enables more accurate tests of electron–muon universality. In addition, we develop methods to detect and quantify the presence of CP-violating physics beyond the Standard Model. We first examine the decay of a Bs meson into two muons, a decay particularly sensitive to (pseudo-)scalar new physics effects. Here, we present a novel method with the potential to detect, for the first time, CP-violating phases in the (pseudo-)scalar sector. Next, we turn our attention to semileptonic rare B-meson decays, which have recently garnered significant attention due to discrepancies between measurements and predictions suggesting the presence of new physics. We develop methods to quantify possible CP-violating physics in these decays. The final finding addresses hadronic long-distance effects, which are notoriously difficult to calculate. While existing methods can quantify these effects using experimental data, they yield ambiguous results. We propose a novel method to resolve these ambiguities utilising the interplay between different CP asymmetries. The results presented in this thesis pave the way for a deeper experimental exploration of rare B-meson decays. They offer new methodologies to probe CP violation and its role in physics beyond the Standard Model, contributing in a small way to a deeper understanding of the fundamental forces that govern the universe.
Micro studies on self-employment, housing and pensions
Authors:   , Li Yue
Published: February 2025

This dissertation investigates the impact of various policies on labor supply, household savings, and mortgage debt at the microeconomic level. By analyzing these policies in depth, this dissertation seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these policies affect individual decision-making and broader economic outcomes. Chapter two exploits a natural experiment stemming from a pension system reform and investigates its causal effect on wealth accumulation and transitions from wage-employment to self-employment. Chapter three examines the displacement effects of mandatory occupational pension savings on private household wealth across different groups. Chapter four evaluates the causal effects of this macroprudential policy on wealth accumulation in the form of mortgage prepayments at the micro-household level.
Using life cycle assessment to improve Scope 3 emissions reporting and enable actionability
Authors: Thanawala Zaid
Published: February 2025

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) enhances Scope 3 emissions reporting by systematically evaluating environmental impacts across a product's life cycle. Scope 3 emissions, encompassing indirect greenhouse gas emissions from supply chains, often represent the largest share of an organization’s carbon footprint. Accurate measurement and reporting are essential for sustainability initiatives, yet challenges arise due to data variability, boundary-setting complexities, and lack of standardized methodologies. LCA mitigates these issues by identifying emission hotspots, improving transparency, and fostering strategic decision-making. By integrating LCA, organizations can optimize resource utilization, engage stakeholders, and enhance accountability, aligning with broader climate goals for a sustainable future.
Enhancing regulatory compliance in life insurance operations through data science: Applications of pattern recognition and anomaly detection
Authors: Kaukuntla Preetham Reddy
Published: February 2025

It is also important to carry out compliance regulation in the life insurance industry since it helps to regain the public’s trust, prevent fines from being imposed on the respective industries, stabilize operations of insurance companies and, thus, become significant for further consecutive years. Most traditional compliance frameworks are based on audit checks and rules that are not only error-prone, but also have high operational costs due to high volumes of data. From the current works, this paper presents the application of data science methodologies involving pattern recognition and anomaly detection to improve on compliance in life insurance undertakings. Data mining is thus powerful since it enables the identification of such deviations, the detection of fraud, as well as compliance with different processes. The use of these techniques does not only comply with these regulations but also enhances operations’ effectiveness and compliance with risks. It has been agreed that by using Isolation Forest and Autoencoders for anomaly detection alongside flagging expert systems oriented to domains that are susceptible to compliance violations, the number of these violations decreases. The research evidence indicates that data science has the potential to disrupt the regulatory compliance in the life insurance industry.
Supply-chain decarbonization: A crucial requirement to achieve Net-Zero
Authors: Thanawala Zaid
Published: February 2025

Achieving net zero emissions requires addressing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across all three scopes, with a critical focus on Scope 3 emissions—indirect emissions from supply chains. Supply chain decarbonization plays a pivotal role in mitigating climate change, as these emissions often exceed Scope 1 and 2 emissions combined. Strategies for reducing supply chain emissions include improving material efficiency, transitioning to renewable energy, and fostering circularity in production processes. Despite the complexity of measuring and managing Scope 3 emissions, organizations can leverage supplier engagement, data-driven carbon accounting, and regulatory frameworks to enhance transparency and accountability. Key sectors such as energy, transportation, and manufacturing contribute significantly to global GHG emissions, necessitating targeted interventions. This paper explores the challenges and opportunities of Scope 3 emissions reduction, emphasizing the role of corporate responsibility and policy frameworks in facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy and achieving global net zero commitments.
Waterfall to agile: Transitioning SAP projects for greater flexibility, efficiency, and testing excellence
Authors: Perabathini Sireesha
Published: February 2025

SAP projects have traditionally been managed using the Waterfall methodology, which follows a linear, step-by-step approach to development and testing. However, many organizations are adopting Agile methodologies as businesses demand faster delivery cycles and increased adaptability to change. Agile is based on iterative development, regular feedback, and team focus and is more customizable and efficient, especially for SAP implementations. In this paper, we describe the process and pros and cons of moving from Waterfall to Agile in SAP projects with a special focus on testing. It examines how Agile frameworks (such as Scrum and Kanban) can be adapted for SAP projects, the integration of testing throughout the project lifecycle, and how quality assurance can be maintained in an Agile SAP environment.
The Paradox of Early Retirement and Re-employment: Research on Motivation, Mechanism and Optimization of Retirement Policy
Authors: Wang Ting
Published: February 2025

With the second baby boom generation entering retirement age and the trend of low birth rates, China's aging process is accelerating. Coupled with early retirement, the full development of the elderly human resources in China has not been achieved, which restricts economic development and increases the pressure on pension insurance expenditures. Relatively speaking, re-employment among younger elderly people is also a common phenomenon. CHARLS data shows that the proportion of early retirement is approximately 20.29%, and among the early retired elderly, 37.48% choose to re-employ. Why does the paradox of early retired elderly re-employment exist? Under the dynamic adaptation theory and human capital theory, this project uses the cross-sectional data logit model to study the motivation and influence mechanism of early retirement on the re-employment of the elderly based on the data from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). It further uses the number of years of early retirement as an instrumental variable to address the endogeneity problem, and investigates whether there is a transitional employment mechanism. Finally, in light of the implementation of the delayed retirement policy in China and the current situation of elderly re-employment, relevant policy suggestions are proposed for further developing the human resources of the elderly.
Comparative Analysis of Concession Operations in the Context of Property Rights between Chinese and American Professional Basketball Events
Authors: Xiang Zili
Published: February 2025

Concession operations in sports events, as a crucial part of the event franchise system, have become a pivotal source of revenue for event resource development. This paper, from the perspective of property rights, compares the concession models in professional basketball events between China and the United States through literature review, field research, and comparative analysis. The findings indicate that in terms of property rights structure, the property rights of professional sports events in China are attributed to individual sports associations and are under government jurisdiction; in contrast, the property rights of professional basketball events in the United States are collectively owned by the teams and are market-driven. Regarding the supply model, there is no significant difference between the concession supply of the CBA and the NBA; however, in practice, the CBA, due to the absence of a standardized concession system, exhibits low efficiency and a failure to become widespread. In terms of the consumption model, most CBA venues offer limited and sparse concession products and services, and the number of fans attending games in person is significantly lower than that of NBA events. Based on these observations, the following recommendations are proposed: firstly, to enhance the involvement of social capital by promoting cooperation between the government and social capital and encouraging social capital to actively participate in operations; secondly, to establish a standardized concession system by clarifying and confirming the interests of public and private sectors and by explicitly defining property rights and operating rights; and lastly, to improve and diversify products and services.
Comparative Study on the Reform of the Property Rights System of Chinese and Russian State-owned Enterprises
Authors: Wang Ruilin
Published: February 2025

At the end of the last century, among the socialist countries that underwent the transformation of their economic systems, China and Russia were the most representative, and they explored the core link of the reform of the property rights of state-owned enterprises. Although the two countries are different in terms of the concept, method and effect of enterprise reform, theoretically the two countries have shifted from a planned economic system to a market economic system, so they are comparable in the economic sense. Through comparative analysis, we can have a deeper understanding of the property rights reform itself of Chinese and Russian state-owned enterprises and the impact of the economic reform of China and Russia with property rights reform as the core on social development, which will help China's state-owned enterprises to further deepen the reform, further understand the coordination between economic reform and social stability, and provide experience for the establishment of a modern enterprise property rights system.
La innovación en el sector alimentos y bebidas de Ecuador
Authors: Gómez-Romo María , López-Zurita Santiago , Nieto-Herrera Elian , Moscoso-León Emily
Published: February 2025

Esta investigación tiene como objetivo describir la innovación en el sector de alimentos y bebidas del Ecuador a través de las principales actividades de innovación que llevaron a cabo las empresas. Se utilizó los datos proporcionados por el INEC mediante la Encuesta Nacional de Actividades de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación ACTI de los años 2012-2014. A partir de la clasificación de las variables de innovación en insumos y productos, se realizó el análisis descriptivo de la innovación. Los principales hallazgos demuestran los esfuerzos de este sector productivo en términos de innovación estructurada; es decir, revela una innovación de tipo incremental. Además, las empresas analizadas muestran un alto índice de creación de productos totalmente nuevos, lo que denota una innovación radical. Este estudio contribuye a la comprensión de la innovación en el sector alimentos y bebidas en el Ecuador, y enfatiza la necesidad de realizar mayores exploraciones que apoyen a la innovación, investigación y desarrollo en esta industria.
La comunicación en las marcas ecológicas y su impacto en la intención de compra
Authors: Algarín-Duncan Oscar , Loaiza Velasquez Joel , Cantillo Guerrero Ernesto Fidel
Published: February 2025

Este artículo, busca evaluar el efecto de los anuncios ecológicos de una marca sostenible, en las intenciones de compra de los consumidores. La investigación es de tipo exploratoria - descriptiva, y los resultados indican, que existe una alta conciencia ambiental y una fuerte intención de compra de productos ecológicos por parte de los consumidores, lo que sugiere un mercado potencial significativo para las marcas sostenibles. En la discusión se plantea que las marcas podrían beneficiarse de adoptar un enfoque de comunicación que no solo resalte los beneficios ambientales de los productos, sino que también, eduque a los consumidores sobre sus prácticas sostenibles. Se concluye, que es imperativo que se desarrollen estrategias de comunicación auténticas y transparentes para la promoción de los productos ecológicos en el departamento del Atlántico, así como la importancia de cerrar la brecha entre la intención de compra y el comportamiento real.
Economías de aglomeración en las industrias manufactureras de prendas de vestir y calzado en la Provincia de Tungurahua, Ecuador
Authors: Morales-Carrasco Lilián , Moreta-Banda Laura
Published: February 2025

El presente estudio se enfoca en las economías de aglomeración de la provincia de Tungurahua, con el objetivo de identificar si existe una localización con alta aglomeración de empresas dedicadas a la fabricación de prendas de vestir y calzado. Por otro lado, se analizan las ventas locales de este sector y su relación con la tasa de desempleo. Se emplea estadística descriptiva y correlación de Spearman. El enfoque es cuantitativo y las bases de datos utilizadas provienen del Servicio de Rentas Internas y del Banco Mundial en el periodo 2014-2023. Se evidencia como resultados la existencia de economías de aglomeración en el cantón Ambato. Por otro lado, las ventas locales en el año 2020 decrecieron debido a la pandemia por COVID-19, observándose recuperaciones en los años post-pandemia. El desempleo afecta al ingreso de los consumidores, provocando una caída en las ventas locales e influyendo negativamente en el sector.
LITIGÂNCIA PREDATÓRIA E ACESSO À JUSTIÇA: A UTILIZAÇÃO DA INTELIGÊNCIA ARTIFICIAL NA DETECÇÃO DE AÇÕES ABUSIVAS
Authors: Trovão Lidiana Costa de Sousa , Brito Clara Rodrigues de , Schmidt Andrea Sales Santiago , Silva Marcus Aurélio Vale da , Mollica Rogerio
Published: February 2025

O artigo examina o impacto da litigância predatória no acesso à justiça, destacando como o excesso de ações abusivas sobrecarrega o Judiciário e dificulta a garantia de direitos, especialmente para grupos vulneráveis. Nesse contexto, investigue-se o uso da inteligência artificial (IA) como ferramenta para detectar e mitigar práticas abusivas, promovendo um sistema mais. A pesquisa, de abordagem qualitativa e exploratória, utiliza o método dedutivo para analisar os reflexos éticos e operacionais da litigância predatória, evidenciando como essa prática contribui para o congestionamento judicial e o afastamento das mais vulneráveis ​​do acesso à justiça. Os resultados indicam que a IA pode aprimorar a identificação de ações abusivas, permitindo um rastreamento mais eficaz de processos e uma alocação mais justa dos recursos judiciais. A análise preditiva, o processamento de linguagem natural e a análise de rede foram identificadas como tecnologias promissoras que podem ajudar na detecção de litigância predatória.  No entanto, o estudo também alerta para desafios éticos e legais na implementação da IA incluindo riscos de viagens algorítmicas, questões de privacidade de dados e responsabilidade por decisões automatizadas. Conclui-se que, embora a AI possa contribuir significativamente para combater a litigância predatória, sua adoção deve ser acompanhada de regulamentações adequadas para garantir transparência e equidade.
Generative AI for Ethical and Bias-Free Content Moderation
Authors:   Department Of Computer Science And Engineering  Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, India, Bhasme Amisha Subhashrao
Published: February 2025

The growth of online platforms has led to an increase in harmful content, such as hate speech, fake news, and explicit images. While traditional content moderation techniques are human-centric, they struggle to scale effectively. Generative AI presents an opportunity to automate and enhance content moderation, offering efficiency at scale. However, generative AI models must be designed to detect harmful content while ensuring fairness and ethical behavior, avoiding biases and over-censorship. This paper explores the challenges of using generative AI for content moderation, focusing on bias detection, fairness frameworks, and solutions to prevent harm.