bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Therapeutic Target of IBD and the Mechanism of Dipyridamole in Treating IBD Explored by Geo Gene Chips, Network Pharmacology, and Molecular Docking
Authors: Qiu Haojie , Liu Ming , Wei Yuanyi , Li Jiale , Zhou Shi , Mo Xiaolan
Published: May 2024

Background and Aims:

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a refractory disease
with repeated attacks, and there is no accurate treatment target at present. Dipyridamole, a
phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, has been proven to be an effective treatment for IBD in a
pilot study. This study explored the therapeutic target of IBD and the pharmacological mechanism
of dipyridamole for the treatment of IBD.

Materials and Methods:

The candidate targets of dipyridamole were obtained by searching the
pharmMapper online server and Swiss Target Prediction Database. The IBD-related targets
were selected from four GEO chips and three databases, including Genecards, DisGeNET, and
TTD database. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and the core targets
were identified according to the topological structure. KEGG and GO enrichment analysis and
BioGPS location were performed. Finally, molecular docking was used to verify dipyridamole
and the hub targets.

Results:

We obtained 112 up-regulated genes and 157 down-regulated genes, as well as 105
composite targets of Dipyridamole-IBD. Through the PPI network analysis, we obtained the 7
hub targets, including SRC, EGFR, MAPK1, MAPK14, MAPK8, PTPN11, and LCK. The BioGPS
showed that these genes were highly expressed in the immune system, digestive system,
and endocrine system. In addition, the 7 hub targets had good intermolecular interactions with
dipyridamole. The therapeutic effect of dipyridamole on IBD may involve immune system activation
and regulation of inflammatory reactions involved in the regulation of extracellular matrix,
perinuclear region of cytoplasm, protein kinase binding, and positive regulation of programmed
cell death through cancer pathway (proteoglycans in cancer), lipid metabolism, Ras
signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, Th17 cell differentiation,
and other cellular and innate immune signaling pathways.

Conclusion:

This study predicted the therapeutic target of IBD and the molecular mechanism of
dipyridamole in treating IBD, providing a new direction for the treatment of IBD and a theoretical
basis for further research.
Research Progress on Active Indole Alkaloids in Microorganisms
Authors: Liu Bing , Zhang Lijing , Zhu Ting , Wang Yuxin , Chen Ning , Li Wenlan , Li Ting
Published: May 2024

Indole alkaloids are a class of secondary metabolites with a wide range of biological activities.
The chemical structure of indole alkaloids is relatively complex, but all of them have a remarkable
structural feature, which is a five-membered pyrrole cyclocyclobenzene ring. Because of
the unique structural characteristics of indole alkaloids, they have also a wide range of pharmacological
activities, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-hepatitis, antidiabetes,
neuroprotective, lipid-lowering and so on. For example, indole alkaloids have been shown
to show anticancer activity through various anti-proliferation mechanisms and play an important
role in the research of novel cancer treatment advances. In this article, we reviewed the recent progress
of indole alkaloids isolated from microorganisms and their chemical and biosynthesis, which
laid a foundation for further utilization and development of indole alkaloids.
A Kinetic and Mechanistic Study of Ir (III)-Catalyzed Oxidation of Methionine by HCF (III) in an Aqueous Alkaline Medium
Authors: Garg Savita , Rajput Shakunj
Published: May 2024

Introduction:

The kinetic study of Ir (III) chloride-catalyzed oxidation of methionine
by hexacyanoferrate (abbreviated as HCF) III ions in aqueous alkaline medium
was performed spectrophotometrically at constant ionic strength of 0.5 moldm-3 and temperature
of 35±0.1°C.

Methods:

The progress of the reaction was found to be first-order rate dependence kinetics
with respect to [HCF (III)], [OH-], and [IrCl3]. The rate of reaction was found to decrease
with an increased concentration of methionine. The ionic strength of the reaction
mixture showed a positive salt effect on the reaction rate. Different activation parameters
were also evaluated by studying the reaction at four different temperatures. The stoichiometry
of the reaction showed Methionine: HCF (III) = 1:4.

Result:

The oxidation product of the reaction was found to be methionine sulphone,
which was identified by an organic solvent method and IR Spectroscopy. Further, a suitable
mechanism was proposed to explain all the experimental results.

Conclusion:

It is assumed that the reaction proceeded through complex formation between
substrate (oxidant) and iridium trichloride. A rate law was derived, which verified
the results.
CH3-S-(CH2)2-CH (NH2)-COO- + 4HCF (III)
Ir (III), H2O→ CH3-SO2-(CH2)2-CH-(NH2)-COO-
+ 4HCF (II)
Physical Activity and Climacteric Symptoms Among Premenopause Women
Authors: Sari Devi Permata , Hamranani Sri Sat Titi , Supardi Supardi , Damayanti Fera
Published: May 2024

Women experience physical changes before menopause. Women experience climacteric conditions caused by decreased reproductive hormones, so they experience the climacteric period. Climacteric is 4-5 years that occurs before menopause. Women experience problems during the climacteric period, such as hot flashes, sleep disorders, mood swings, and increased osteoporosis. Physical activity with conscious body movements produced by skeletal muscles requires energy expenditure. Physical activity includes all activities, with the intensity to help climacteric symptoms. This research aimed to identify the correlation between physical activity and climacteric symptoms. This research design used an analytical study with a cross-sectional approach. The sample was 72 women of premenopausal age, and it was obtained by cluster sampling. The research instrument was a questionnaire. The data analysis was the Kendal Tau test. The results of this study were 44.86 ± 3.041%, and the average number of children in this study was 2.76 ± 1.157%, elementary school education level was 47.2%, unemployed was 81.9%, respondents who did not use contraception hormonal and non-hormonal as many as 86.1%, respondents who did high physical activity were 93.1%, and respondents who did not have climacteric symptoms were 97.2%. The results of the Kendal Tau test showed a value (ρ value = 0.000), so there was a relationship between physical activity and climacteric symptoms in premenopausal women. In conclusion, physical activity has a relationship with climacteric symptoms in premenopausal women
Parents' Mental and Emotional Disorders and Psychosocial Problems in Children at Public Elementary School 1 Kucur
Authors: Sunarto Muhammad , Nova Renny , Rosalina Olivia Falla , Larasati Indira Febiola
Published: May 2024

The psychosocial challenges faced by children may not always correspond with the emotional disorders exhibited by their parents. A robust support system from their social network can significantly contribute to the enhancement of their mental well-being. This study aims to investigate the relationship between parental emotional disorders and psychosocial issues in school-aged children. The research utilizes a descriptive correlational approach with a cross-sectional design, involving 165 students aged 6 to 12 from Public Elementary School 1 Kucur who are currently enrolled in school, along with one consenting parent, resulting in 330 respondents. The Self-Reporting Questionnaire-29 (SRQ-29) is used to identify parental emotional issues, while the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) assesses children's psychosocial problems. An analysis employing Somers' D Gamma was conducted to ascertain the correlation between parental mental-emotional disorders and children's psychological well-being. The findings reveal that the highest average score for parental mental-emotional disorders stands at 82.4%. In comparison, the highest average score for total difficulties in children's psychosocial issues is 58.8%, while the highest average prosocial score is 92.7%. The statistical analysis reveals no significant connection between parental emotional disorders and children's psychosocial problems on the prosocial scale (p=0.897) and total difficulties score (p=0.897). In conclusion, the findings of this research do not establish a direct link due to the numerous factors influencing children's psychosocial challenges.
Personal Character and Stigma in the Acceptance Process of Families Caring for Individuals with Mental Disorders
Authors: Priasmoro Dian Pitaloka , Dradjat Respati S. , Zuhriyah Lilik , Asri Yuni
Published: May 2024

Mental illness necessitates long-term care, impacting both sufferers and their families due to societal stigma. This study examined the correlation between personal character and self-acceptance, stigma, and self-acceptance, and the sociodemographic factors influencing acceptance. The study used a quantitative descriptive design to analyze data from 130 individuals who were purposefully selected from a total population of 175 families with members experiencing mental disorders. The research instruments included standard questionnaires to measure personal character, extraversion, perceived stigmatization, stigma, and family adaptation acceptance. Results indicated that personal character and stigma were significantly associated with acceptance (p-value <0.05). At the same time, the distance to the health center was the most influential demographic factor (p-value <0.005, Chi-Square 170.071). In conclusion, strengthening the personal character of families is crucial to mitigate the negative impact of societal stigma. Furthermore, enhancing services provided through health centers is essential.
Electronic Immunization Registry in Rwanda: Qualitative Study of Health Worker Experiences (Preprint)
Authors: Uwera Thaoussi , Venkateswaran Mahima , Bhutada Kiran , Papadopoulou Eleni , Rukundo Enock , K Tumusiime David , Frøen J Frederik
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

Monitoring childhood immunization programs is essential for health systems. Despite the introduction of an electronic immunization registry called e-Tracker in Rwanda, challenges such as lacking population denominators persist, leading to implausible reports of coverage rates of more than 100%.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the extent to which the immunization e-Tracker responds to stakeholders’ needs and identify key areas for improvement.

METHODS

In-depth interviews were conducted with all levels of e-Tracker users including immunization nurses, data managers, and supervisors from health facilities in 5 districts of Rwanda. We used an interview guide based on the constructs of the Human, Organization, and Technology–Fit (HOT-Fit) framework, and we analyzed and summarized our findings using the framework.

RESULTS

Immunization nurses reported using the e-Tracker as a secondary data entry tool in addition to paper-based forms, which resulted in considerable dissatisfaction among nurses. While users acknowledged the potential of a digital tool compared to paper-based systems, they also reported the need for improvement of functionalities to support their work, such as digital client appointment lists, lists of defaulters, search and register functions, automated monthly reports, and linkages to birth notifications and the national identity system.

CONCLUSIONS

Reducing dual documentation for users can improve e-Tracker use and user satisfaction. Our findings can help identify additional digital health interventions to support and strengthen the health information system for the immunization program.
Review of Advanced Methods in Hardware Acceleration for Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Kumar Pramod
Published: May 2024

Abstract: Convolutional neural networks have become very efficient in performing tasks like Object Detection providing human like accuracy. However, their practical implementation needs significant hardware resources and memory bandwidth. In recent past a lot of research is being carried out for achieving higher efficiency in implementing such neural networks in hardware. We talk about FPGAs for hardware implementation due to their flexibility for customisation for such neural network architectures. In this paper we will discuss the metrics for efficient hardware accelerator and general methods available for achieving an efficient design. Further, we will discuss the actual methods used by recent research for implementation of deep neural networks particularly for object detection related applications. These methods range from actual ASIC design like TPUs [1] for on chip acceleration, state of the art open source designs like Gemini to methods like hardware reuse, re-configurable nodes and approximation in computations as a trade-off between speed and accuracy. This paper will be a valuable summary for the researchers starting in the field of hardware accelerators design for neural networks
Advancements in Dental Casting Materials & Their Forensic Significance
Authors: Chatterjee Dr Satwik
Published: May 2024

Abstract: This research explores various dental casting materials & their significance in forensic science. Traditional materials, such as- Dental stone, Plaster of Paris, & Dental wax have long been utilized in forensic investigations. However, advancements in materials science have led to the development of newer, more versatile options, such as- Epoxy resins, Polyurethane, & Alginate substitutes. Each material offers distinct advantages & limitations concerning ease of use, accuracy, & durability. Dental stone, a widely used & employed material, provides excellent detail reproduction & stability but lacks flexibility. Plaster of Paris, though economical, may not yield precise replicas due to its brittle nature. Dental wax, appreciated for its malleability & is susceptible to form deformation & degradation over time. In contrast, modern alternatives like- Epoxy resins & Polyurethane boast superior strength & dimensional stability, making them ideal for long-term storage of dental impressions. Epoxy resins, in particular, offer high fidelity reproduction of dental structures & resistance to moisture, temperature fluctuations. Polyurethane, known for its flexibility & durability, enables the creation of resilient dental models suitable for extensive forensic analysis. Furthermore, Alginate substitutes have gained popularity for their ease of use & compatibility with 3D Printing technology. These materials also offer quick setting times & adequate detail capture, facilitating rapid production of dental models for forensic examination. While, Traditional materials continue to serve a purpose, the adoption of advanced casting materials has revolutionized forensic odontology by enhancing- efficiency, precision & archival integrity
Centralized Health Coordination System for Managing Medical Records
Authors: Yadav Ekta , Singh Er. Sarika
Published: May 2024

Abstract: Problem Statement: Current healthcare systems often rely on paper-based reporting, leading to delayed access to critical test results for both patients and doctors. Additionally, fragmented health records pose challenges for healthcare professionals in making informed decisions due to scattered data. Moreover, demographic disparities limit access to essential health information. Inefficient workflows among pathologists further exacerbate the delay in delivering crucial data to doctors and patients. These issues collectively hinder efficient healthcare delivery, increase operational costs, and compromise patient outcomes. Criteria Used: Transitions from paper to digital reporting, ensuring immediate access to test results for patients and doctors. It consolidates scattered health records into a comprehensive digital system, empowering healthcare professionals. Using phone numbers as identifiers, it bridges demographic gaps, allowing universal access to health data. Real-time monitoring enables patient empowerment. It streamlines pathologists' workflow by inputting data directly into the digital system, easily accessible by doctors and patients. This transformation enhances healthcare delivery, cuts costs, and fosters better outcomes for all
Food Image Classification and Calorie Prediction for Dietary Analysis
Authors: SIngh Aman , Magotra Khushi , Kadam Adishri , Shukla Aman , Phalke Dhanashree , Kirange Dipali
Published: May 2024

Abstract: This paper presents a unique method to classify food items and estimate the calorie content based on photos by combining Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) with image processing techniques. To improve the quality of the dataset, we first curate a wide range of food photographs from different presentation styles and cuisines. We do this by applying preprocessing techniques including image segmentation and feature extraction. Next, using the CNN's capacity to extract hierarchical features from raw pixel data, a custom deep CNN architecture is trained on this dataset to efficiently classify diverse food items and achieve high accuracy in differentiating between different dishes. Furthermore, we tackle the problem of calorie prediction by employing regression models that include features extracted from the CNN, which allows one to forecast the calorie content of a food item based on its visual attributes. Our technique intends to enable users to make more educated nutritional decisions and better control their caloric intake by fusing image categorization with calorie prediction. The suggested approach shows encouraging results in terms of food item classification accuracy and precision in calorie estimate. Its possible uses include promoting better eating practices and assisting individuals, dietitians, and the food industry with their dietary monitoring. In addition, our technology gives customers access to weekly calorie intake information, which can help them avoid obesity-related illnesses like diabetes.
Conhecimentos, atitudes, práticas e percepção de risco de doenças de transmissão hídrica e alimentar: estudo com manipuladores de alimentos de serviços de alimentação
Authors: Lorrany Pereira Leandro Stefany , Suiany Andrade Géssica , Mariano Zanin Laís , Molardi Bainy Eduarda
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Foodborne diseases (FBD) occur due to inadequate food handling; therefore, studies to evaluate the hygienic-sanitary aspects of food production are important. Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, self-reported practices (KAP), and risk perception of DTHA from the perspective of food handlers in food services. Method: Questionnaires were administered through interviews, containing questions about the sociodemographic profile, KAP, and the risk perception of DTHA. The sample consisted of 30 handlers from 20 small food service establishments in Laranjeiras do Sul-PR. All participants signed an informed consent form. Results: Only 66.7% of the participants had participated in Good Practices training. The general average of knowledge was 84.7%, which was considered sufficient. All attitudes evaluated were above 70.0% for positive attitudes. Some handlers had negative attitudes toward hand hygiene (26.7%), food thawing (10.0%), and fruits and vegetables sanitation (10.0%). The interviewees showed adequate practices for most questions and inadequate practices, mainly for thawing (53.3%), wearing a uniform (20.0%), and temperature of perishable foods (10.0%). Handlers had a low-risk perception of DTHA in the food handled by them (93.3%), as well as for thawing at room temperature (53.4%) and use of non-potable water (30.0%). Conclusions: Knowledge and attitude were not translated into practice. It is necessary to conduct training in good practices to improve the knowledge of food handlers about the correct handling of food and, above all, to increase risk perception and motivate positive attitudes and appropriate practices to produce safe food.
Teacher Educators’ Foreign Language Anxiety in Face-To-Face and Online Modes
Authors: Bicjutko Tatjana , Odiņa Indra
Published: May 2024

The internationalisation of universities and the ensuing policies mandating English as a medium of instruction made European universities impose corresponding requirements demanding a certain level of English language proficiency from their academic staff. Similarly, university-based teacher educators became subject to specific foreign language demands. This research focuses on university-based teacher educators who have been actively taking part in enhancing their academic English. The COVID-19 pandemic made for a prompt shift from face-to-face to online learning, providing for a comparison between the two learning environments. Since affective factors, including learning anxiety, may impact the success of language acquisition, the study addresses foreign language anxiety experienced by teacher educators when acquiring English for Academic Purposes in different learning modes. The research was conducted as a survey with the data obtained through administering the adapted Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale to 80 respondents from the 7 universities working in teacher education, furthered by 4 online semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal overall low levels of anxiety, with a small increase in communication apprehension. Although there is no conclusive evidence about the decrease in anxiety in remote studies, the interview results are clearly demonstrative of the possibility of combining face-to-face and online learning modes.
A Virtual Exchange to Boost Students’ Intercultural Communication Skills in English
Authors: Alberola Colomar María Pilar , Menn Andrea
Published: May 2024

. How can universities enhance their students’ internationalisation at home? The need to find teaching methodologies that boost students’ intercultural communication skills without travelling abroad has motivated the present study, carried out by two English lecturers from Florida Universitaria in Spain and Jade University of Applied Sciences in Germany. Research was divided into two stages: first, a deep analysis of the intercultural experiences organised in the past at both universities; and second, the implementation of virtual encounters with students from different cultures as tools to promote interculturality at the home university. This paper aims at showing the impact of those exchanges on boosting students’ intercultural communication in English. Two groups of undergraduate students, during their English classes, worked synchronously on topics related to essential aspects of intercultural communication. The main teaching objectives of the Virtual Intercultural Communication (VIC) exchange were to increase participants’ motivation for knowing other cultures, to raise their intercultural awareness, to foster their capacity to change perspectives, and to improve students’ English language skills and their digital abilities. Through the outcomes achieved, students’ self-reported feedback, and lecturers’ observation, it can be concluded that virtual exchanges are effective tools to improve students’ intercultural communication while they meet the English learning objectives.
Impoliteness in Twitter Discourse: a Case Study of Replies to Donald Trump and Greta Thunberg
Authors: Salimi Esmaeel Ali , Mortazavi Seyed Mohammadreza
Published: May 2024

Twitter (X) is a popular social media platform that allows users to express their opinions and interact on various topics, including politics. However, Twitter can provide a space for impolite and aggressive language use, especially when the issues are controversial or polarizing. This study analyzes the replies to two controversial and similar tweets, namely Donald Trump’s tweet to Greta Thunberg and Greta Thunberg’s tweet to Donald Trump. Ninety-seven tweets that impolitely took issue with the original tweets were collected and coded for their moral order themes and pragmatic functions. Culpeper’s (2011) impoliteness framework was consulted as a threshold to include or exclude reply tweets in the data analysis. The results show that the replies invoked moral order expectations in three overarching categories in the responses to both parties: age-appropriate behavior, respect and manners, and concern for the common good. As far as the pragmatic functions were concerned, criticism of personal characteristics, criticism of supporters, criticism of relatives (to Trump only), praise of the opposing party, directing, mockery, and ideology denial (to Thunberg only) were performed. The study discusses how users took offense through language in a highly polarized political context.
The Dynamics of Transcultural Insight in Jhumpa Lahiri’s Literary Universe
Authors: Stoican Adriana Elena
Published: May 2024

Blending literary and cultural studies, the essay discusses the manners in which Jhumpa Lahiri’s literary universe constructs a gradual unfolding of a layered transcultural vision.
The paper argues that in the shift from fictions of migration to autobiographical narratives of self-redefinition, the Bengali-American author advances cultural scenarios of transformation that enable the reshaping of cultural identities through the transcendence of fixed cultural loyalties. Invoking perceived lacks in their native cultural traditions and intuiting the incompleteness of cultures, her characters are haunted by the urge to cross cultural boundaries in order to gain a sense of personal fulfilment. Ultimately, Lahiri herself replicates this pattern as she relocates to Italy and writes in a new language (Italian).
The last stage in Lahiri’s transcultural scenario is represented by an attempt to dissociate cultural specificity from the notion of identity, as she takes refuge in the realm of abstraction through minimalist aesthetics. Relying on a close reading of her texts, the essay will scrutinise the author’s peculiar outlook on transculturality, which appears to embrace various cultural spaces while seemingly avoiding specific attachments. The analysis aims to establish whether Lahiri succeeds in transgressing the very idea of cultural belonging in her quest for a freeing path.
Loneliness and Humour in Azi̇z Nesi̇n and Neil Simon: a comparative study
Authors: Şekerci Ömer , Demiray Müjde
Published: May 2024

This comparative study explores how Aziz Nesin and Neil Simon, representing different literary canons, treat and reflect upon the incorporation of loneliness and humour in Hadi Öldürsene Canikom! [Let’s Kill Me Honey!] (1970) and The Odd Couple (1965), respectively. Both playwrights examine the loneliness that has caught urbanised and atomised humans in two metropolises: Istanbul and New York. Simon deals with the values, concerns, lifestyles, aspirations and problems of middle-class people in his plays with domestic realism. In contrast, Nesin’s plays explore lower-working-class people’s values, concerns and struggles. Moreover, it focuses on how Nesin and Simon employ humour, as a Lingua Franca of comedy, in their works. The study emphasises the two playwrights’ incorporation of the humour theories of superiority, incongruity and relief into the selected dramatic texts. The interactions between the characters in the two plays are analysed according to the three traditional humour theories by assuming a discourse-analytic approach. The study has exhibited that in Hadi Öldürsene Canikom, all the humour theories have been explicitly observed. The humour largely stems from a case of mistaken identity, which creates incongruity. On the other hand, in The Odd Couple, humour is primarily evoked due to the incongruous characteristics of the roommates abandoned by their wives.
Andy Adams and Western Myth: the frontier and his ‘Log of a Cowboy’
Authors: Teggin Edward Owen , Utami Shofi Mahmudah Budi
Published: May 2024

This article examines the position of Andy Adams’ famous work, The Log of a Cowboy, through the lens of Western myth and the concept of coloniality. The novel has been critiqued in a variety of ways over the years, with reviews often citing the same factors in their evaluations. Foremost of these has been Adams’ lack of finesse in his writing style, with his particular attention to what he deemed to be objective truth. In this study, the Log will be re-examined with the aim of providing a fresh insight into how veterans of the Western trails, such as Adams, viewed the dynamic space in which they lived and worked. Therefore, the concept of the frontier, viewed as a stereotypical assumption in both mythological and colonial terms, is used as a lens of investigation in order to critique Adams’ descriptions and viewpoints. The study concludes that although Adams’ intention was to create a work true to life on the trail, he ultimately permitted himself to become another speaker for Western stereotypes. It is proposed that seemingly innocuous literary works such as the Log can be included amongst discussions of colonial fiction in the wider field of American studies and, by extension, in the latter postcolonial sphere, through their construction of stereotypical discourses and the glorifying of trail life.
Monetary surprises and term structure of interest rates: Identification through heteroscedasticity
Authors:   Volgo-Vyatka Main Branch of Bank of Russia, Kramkov Viacheslav ,   HSE University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation, Maksimov Andrey ,   HSE University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation
Published: May 2024

How does an unexpected change in the Bank of Russia key rate affect the bond market? This article quantifies the impact of monetary surprises on government bond yields of various maturities. To estimate the causal effect with the joint dynamics of the key rate and bond yields (that is, to solve the problem of endogenous bias), we use the heteroscedasticity-driven identification method that requires weaker assumptions than other alternative methods used in the literature. The results confirm the significant impact of monetary policy surprises on the interest rate term structure, with a greater effect on short-term rates. In contrast to previous studies, the behavior of long-term rates is consistent with the expectations hypothesis: risk premia do not respond significantly to a monetary shock.
How regional courts in Russia affected multinational decisions on affiliate size, entry and organization
Authors:   Bank of Russia, Bessonova Evguenia ,   HSE University, Moscow, Gonchar Ksenia ,   HSE University, Moscow
Published: May 2024

We investigate the impact of court conditions on multinational decisions on entry, subsidiary size and entry mode across subnational Russian regions in 2001–2014. We apply the literature on heterogeneous firms and the institution-based view of investor behaviour, which predict that higher institutional costs raise the size and productivity cut-off of start-up subsidiaries. Our empirical results based on microestablishment data of foreign-owned firms in Russia show that a weaker judicial framework and stronger political power of the local governor significantly de-stimulate entry. Most multinationals entered Russia, which is viewed as a high-risk country, through large and very large subsidiaries wholly owned by foreign parents. We largely explain business strategy variation of multinationals between regions by regional court conditions, as foreign investors adapted their strategic decisions to compensate court deficiencies by increasing the size of the subsidiary. When the investment climate deteriorated, firms turned to local partnerships as a viable mode of entry.
Forecast evaluation improving using the simplest methods of individual forecasts’ combination
Authors:   Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), Moscow, Russian Federation, Astafyeva Ekaterina , Turuntseva Marina ,   Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), Moscow, Russian Federation,   Gaidar Institute, Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: May 2024

Combining forecasts is considered the easiest way to improve the forecast quality compared to individual models. In this paper, we test the capabilities of the simplest methods of combination, such as simple averages and estimates based on the standard error of previous forecasts, to improve the performance of short-run forecasts of five resource price indicators (oil and metals). The basis of the work is the Gaidar Institute forecasts database, which provides the database of primary forecasts and allows you to calculate their combinations in real time. Based on the obtained results we conclude that even the simplest methods of combination are a way to improve the accuracy of forecasts. In addition, in the case of resource prices, one can even single out a group of methods (namely, combining with weights inversely proportional to the squared errors of individual forecasts) that provide the maximum gain in quality for the most periods.
O DESENVOLVIMENTO DE UMA REDE DE CONCEITOS A PARTIR DA COMPOSTEIRA PARA O ENSINO DE CIÊNCIAS DOS ANOS INICIAIS
Authors: Santos Francielly Ferreira dos , Alves João Amadeus Pereira
Published: May 2024

Considerando a necessidade de discussões a respeito da Educação Ambiental nos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental através de estratégias práticas e por meio do uso do artefato composteira como ferramenta educacional, desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa empírica no âmbito de um curso de Mestrado Profissional, com o objetivo principal de analisar as potencialidades e obstáculos decorrentes do desenvolvimento de uma rede conceitual em Ciências com alunos do 3º ano dos anos iniciais, por meio da montagem, problematização e ressignificação de conhecimentos via ensino por investigação. A natureza da pesquisa é qualitativa, com base em Bogdan e Biklen (1994), cujo desenvolvimento empírico se deu em uma escola municipal da Região Metropolitana de Curitiba, estado do Paraná, durante seis encontros realizados presencialmente com quatro turmas, envolvendo 41 alunos da faixa etária de oito anos. Embora a Educação Ambiental esteja inserida nos currículos escolares, os resultados desta pesquisa, apreciados por meio da Análise de Conteúdo inicial proposta por Bardin (1979), sugerem a necessidade de investimento na formação dos alunos por meio do uso de objetos técnicos, como a composteira, em decorrência das divergentes concepções apresentadas pelos alunos a respeito do destino dos resíduos sólidos orgânicos e da compostagem como alternativa ambientalmente adequada para este fim.
Development of a sizing and modeling platform for district energy systems with geothermal heat pumps
Authors: Wang Jing , Mitchell Matt , Charan Tanushree , Ball Brian , Moore Nathan , Haleem Shadi Abdel
Published: May 2024

Existing tools for community or urban-scale energy system modeling and simulation are often limited in their capabilities and require expert-level proficiency to develop system models. To address this gap, we propose an integrated sizing and modeling platform for district energy systems with geothermal heat pumps. The platform uses geometric and non-geometric user inputs related to the buildings, borefield, and district energy loop, sizes the geothermal heat exchanger, generates a corresponding district energy system model, and runs an annual simulation automatically. The borefield component model on our platform was validated against EnergyPlus to ensure reliable simulation performance. This paper includes a case study demonstrating the workflow and plausibility of the simulation results using the proposed platform.
Influence of short-term dynamic effects on geothermal borefield size
Authors: Meertens L. , Peere W. , Helsen L.
Published: May 2024

A borefield is often oversized in practice, leading to unnecessary investment costs. This is the result of using a steady-state borefield model to describe the heat transfer inside the borehole, thereby neglecting the dynamic behavior of the fluid, the pipe, and especially the grout. When using a dynamic model (which incorporates transients), the thermal mass of the materials between the fluid and the ground introduces inertia, reducing the heat transfer peak to the ground. Consequently, the borefield size can be reduced while still meeting the predetermined temperature limitations, leading to a significant decrease in investment cost. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of short-term dynamic effects on the sizing of geothermal borefields. This study starts from the Finite Line Source (FLS) model as baseline. This model is corrected to account for the cylindrical geometry of the boreholes and coupled to an explicit 1-D numerical model of an equivalent borehole, thereby extending the scope of the response factors to short time scales. Validation was based on the dynamic Modelica borefield model of the IDEAS Library and experimental borefield data. Results show that the relevance of using a sizing method based on a dynamic model is highly dependent on the thermal load profile. In case a building has a high variation in peak demand and the sizing is not dominated by imbalance a size reduction up to 34.7% is obtained for the case investigated.
Short-term transfer function approximation using artificial neural network in a heterogeneous medium with groundwater advection
Authors: Rose Christopher , Pasquier Philippe , Nguyen Alain , Labib Richard
Published: May 2024

Typically, g-functions are used to simplify and speed up the simulation of ground heat exchangers, but they usually neglect the layered heterogeneity and groundwater flow present in most natural environments. In this work, an artificial neural network capable of approximating the short-term transfer function at the outlet fluid temperature of a closed-loop borehole in a stratified hydrogeological environment is proposed. A total of 40,000 simulations were completed with a finite element model to construct the database used for training and testing. The accuracy of the neural network is measured on an independent test subset of 3,400 simulations with an average root mean square error of 5.4 Ã— 10â»Â³ Â°C. A new architecture, based on the combination of several neural networks, is also put forward allowing greater latitude in the approximation of complex nonlinear phenomena and likely reducing the drawbacks associated with the training database size.
Ground source heating of soccer fields: systems and market potential in cold climates
Authors: Andersson Olof , Hellström Göran , Kalantar Adib , Gehlin Signhild , Adl-Zarrabi Bijan
Published: May 2024

In Scandinavia, there are over 3,000 soccer fields with artificial turf, with approximately 300 of them equipped with subsurface hydronic heating systems. These heated fields enable year-round training and games, while also preventing injuries from slippery turf and frozen ground conditions. Most heated soccer fields in Scandinavia rely on district heating as a heat source, with only a few utilizing ground source heat pump systems (GSHP). However, the potential for broader adoption of GSHP systems appears promising due to their significantly lower energy costs. This paper analyzes the use of GSHPs for subsurface heating of soccer fields with artificial turf, examining design, functional characteristics, and energy cost savings. Additionally, it discusses market conditions conducive to broader GSHP system adoption, with a focus on the Scandinavian countries.
Audit committee compensation and earnings management around M&A
Authors: Asante Afua , Sun Huey-Lian
Published: May 2024

This study examines the impact of equity compensation of audit committee members on the increasing monitoring role in earnings management around mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The results find support for the incentive alignment hypothesis, which suggests that compensating directors on audit committees with equity increases their monitoring role in reducing earnings management. The findings imply that the audit committee incentivized with equity compensation does due diligence increases the oversight responsibility over financial reporting and reduces the tendency for the firm to engage in earnings management around M&A. In addition, the results of this study support the incentive alignment hypothesis that when the post-acquisition profitability of the M&A is high, audit committee members are likely to increase their oversight responsibility over financial reporting during M&A.
Securing the Kingdom’s e-commerce frontier: Evaluation of Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity legal frameworks
Authors: Alhejaili Mohammad Omar Mohammad
Published: May 2024

The rapid growth of e-commerce in Saudi Arabia has underscored significant cybersecurity challenges, undermined the integrity of online transactions, and diminished consumer trust. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity legal frameworks to assess their effectiveness in countering emerging threats to the digital commerce sector. Through a qualitative research approach, it thoroughly examines statutes, regulations, and judicial rulings to evaluate the current cybersecurity governance’s scope, effectiveness, and shortcomings. The findings reveal considerable advancements in formulating cybersecurity laws in Saudi, yet underscore substantial gaps in enforcement, technological adaptability, and international cooperation. The research underlines the need for flexible legal frameworks that align with the dynamic nature of the digital marketplace, calling for enhanced regulatory mechanisms and greater international legal alignment to protect the e-commerce environment. By offering a contemporary, evidence-based review of Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity legislation, this study contributes valuable insights to the academic dialogue, with significant implications for policymakers and the global cyber law and e-commerce discourse.
Insights into the response of Miscanthus x giganteus to rhizobacteria: Enhancement of metal tolerance and root development under heavy metal stress
Authors: Pesic Mila , Radovic Svetlana , Rakic Tamara , Dzeletovic Zeljko , Stankovic Slavisa , Lozo Jelena
Published: May 2024

The use of bioenergy crops such as Miscanthus x giganteus in phytoremediation could have both environmental and economic benefits, such as biomass production and soil conservation for crops. In our previous work, we showed that rhizobacteria from the rhizosphere of M. x giganteus stimulated metal extraction and uptake and enhanced the phytoremediation ability of treated M. x giganteus. In the present study, we conducted transcriptome analysis and qPCR to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions in response to bacterial treatment by identifying the candidate genes involved in growth and development processes and metal uptake. Using high-throughput RNA sequencing of root samples, we found that 5134 and 4758 genes were up- and downregulated in plants treated with the rhizobacteria consortium. Gene ontology analysis showed that the upregulated DEGs were significantly enriched in 32 terms, while the downregulated genes were significantly enriched in 63 terms. Our results confirmed the increased expression of two genes: the multidrug and toxic compound extrusion, also known as multi-antimicrobial extrusion (MATE) 40, known for its role in plant response to biotic and abiotic stress, and COBRA-like protein 1 belonging to the COBRA-like (COBL) gene family, which encodes a putative glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein involved in cell wall thickening, cell elongation, and biomass increase when compared to untreated plants. We present the first insight into a mechanism whereby the interaction between the rhizobacterial consortium and M. x giganteus fosters plant growth and enhances its capacity for phytoremediation.
Svar til Grønnevet
Authors: Farsund Arild Aurvåg
Published: May 2024

I denne replikken svarer undertegnede på kritikken reist i Lidvard Grønnevets kommentar. Jeg påpeker først og fremst feil og misforståelser i kritikken, men gir Grønnevet rett i at begrepet «kvoter» naturlig nok ikke skulle vært nevnt i forbindelse med medlemskapsforhandlingene i 1972. Jeg roser også Grønnevet for å bringe frem innsikt i spørsmål som har med Norges forhold til EU på fiskeriområdet. En del av dette var kjent for undertegnede, men måtte utelates på grunn av ordgrensen i tidsskriftet.
Abstract in English:Reply to GrønnevetIn this reply, I respond to the criticism raised in Lidvard Grønnevet’s commentary. First of all, I point out errors and misunderstandings in his comments, but I also agree with him that I should not have used “quotas” in conjunction with membership negotiations in 1972. I also praise Grønnevet for providing new knowledge in issues related to Norway’s relationship with the EU in fishing. Some of this is well known, but I had to leave it out because of the word limit of the journal.
O PAPEL DAS MESO-INSTITUIÇÕES NA GOVERNANÇA DAS POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS
Authors: Braz Daniel Teixeira dos Santos , Souza Mariana Augusta de , Souza José Paulo de , Schiavi Sandra Mara de Alencar
Published: May 2024

O estudo tem como objetivo compreender o papel das meso-instituições na governança das políticas públicas, onde se utiliza como exemplo e estudos de caso, as políticas emergenciais para o atendimento do agricultor familiar, visando o enfrentamento a estiagem e pandemia do Coronavírus no Paraná. No que tange a perspectiva teórica, segue-se a lógica da Nova Economia Institucional e da teoria das meso-instituições.  Quanto a metodologia a pesquisa se utiliza da análise temática, e é realizada com dados secundários. Nos resultados, é identificado nos estudos de caso uma falha meso-institucional na função de tradução, o que proporciona falhas na execução, coordenação e mensuração destas políticas públicas no Paraná, gerando uma governança pública inapta para corrigir falhas da execução destas políticas a um nível estadual. Sendo assim, o estudo conclui que as meso-instituições e sua melhor compreensão através da Nova Economia Institucional, são abordagens que contribuem para a melhor execução de da governança pública frente às políticas públicas.
The Plurality of Economic Classifications
Authors: Frasser Cristian , Guzmán Gabriel
Published: May 2024

The standard strategy involves evaluating whether economic classifications meet criteria derived from a general theory of natural kinds. The first objective of this article is to show the implementation of this strategy by various relevant authors. We argue that the standard strategy has failed due to its lack of a greater sensitivity to the role played by human interests in the design of different types of natural kinds. The second objective is to outline a new strategy for investigating economic classifications. Our departure from the standard strategy can be described as a shift from assessing economic classifications based on general theories of natural kinds to examining specific cases with the aim of theorizing about their design and application. The cases of the cost-of-living index and race are used to succinctly discuss the objectivity of economic classifications and implications for the relationship between science and democracy.