bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study Trend Analysis of Core Technologies in the 4th Industrial Revolution of Beauty
Authors:   The Korean Society of Beauty and Art, Kim Bo R am , Kim Jeong Won
Published: March 2024

The Fourth industrial Revolution is the next-generation industrial revolution consisting of ICT convergence. With the advent of the digital transformation era, ICT has been integrated into industries and services in various fields such as society, economy, culture, and education. The purpose of this study is to analyze beauty-related research in the fourth industry and provide basic data. In order to search for beauty-related papers in the fourth industry, seven keywords were selected, including “Artificial Intelligence (AI),” “Chatbot,” “Big Data,” “Metabus,” “Virtual Reality,” “Enhanced Reality” and “Machine Learning.” From 2013 to 2023, 81 papers published in the Korean Studies Information System (KISS) and Research Information Sharing Service (RISS) were collected. By keyword, “AI” was the highest with 22 cases (27%), while “Chatbot (3,4%)” and “Machine Learning (2,2%)” were the lowest. By industry, the “beauty industry” was the highest with 26 cases (32%). Despite continuous beauty research, it is necessary to accelerate beauty education and nail research. According to analysis by research method, “quantitative research” showed the highest preference (54%) with 44 cases, and “qualitative research” showed the highest preference (27%). This study predicted the growth direction of research, reviewed the trend of technology research in the 4th Industrial Revolution in the beauty field, and provided basic data for analysis. I think additional research with various keywords is needed by industry and research method.
Effect of Self-Regulated Learning Ability of Remote Classes Perceived by College Students Majoring in Hair on Learning Commitment and Learning Presence
Authors:   The Korean Society of Beauty and Art, Kim Ji Yeong , Jeon Geun Ok , Park Eun Jun
Published: March 2024

Ination.
A Study on the Production of Artwork by Hair by Night Design Analysis: Focusing on Works from Beauty Skills Competition
Authors:   The Korean Society of Beauty and Art, Lee Yu-Ri , Youn Chun-Sung , Kim Jin-Sook
Published: March 2024

This study attempted to examine the formative characteristics of hair-by-night styles from the Korean beauty skills competition and analyze its meaning. The formative analysis of hair-by-night styles from the Korean beauty skills competition is a must-have tool in understanding the value and meaning of hairstyles through the analysis of visual elements. It is a field to be studied and developed continuously to obtain better results in aesthetics and design. It is anticipated that emphasis on the importance of such formative analysis would be available as basic data needed to increase and further develop applicability to diverse fields. This study analyzed shape, texture, color and direction flows, and the results found the followings: In terms of the formative characteristics of hair by night, symmetric forms were observed. In addition, triangular structure was designed at the front in an elegant and stable form. They can be defined as a dinner-party style which maximizes brilliance, using at least two different hairpieces, maintaining their creative style and uniformity. Hair directions and shapes at the front, side and nape varied depending on the position of a hairpiece. This study examined hairstyles from the beauty skills competition only so that it is limited in generalizing the formative characteristics of hairstyles. It is hoped that Korean hairstyles would evolve in a more creative fashion, gradually going beyond the formality and limit of conventional design.
A Comparative Analysis of Key Integration Blocks
Authors: Jasiński Leszek Jerzy
Published: March 2024

Why is integration progressing successfully in some parts of the world but not in others? Why are only some integration blocks hugely important for member countries? And why this is not the case globally? This article provides a comparative analysis of international economic structures, aiming to identify the factors that contribute to the validity and effectiveness of integration. The article examines eight economic blocks: the European Union, the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States and Canada, the Southern Common Market, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Euroasian Economic Union, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, the African Union, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. We take into account five stages of integration: free trade area, customs union, single market, economic union, and monetary union. To understand the progress of integration, one must consider a number of developments and indicators. The coefficient of economic gravity, which we describe in this paper, is a convenient method to find out how important integration structures are for contracting states.
Business Models of Ukrainian Banks: the Impact of the Revolution of Dignity, the COVID–19 Pandemic, and Russia’s Military Aggression
Authors: Kravchuk Igor
Published: March 2024

The purpose of the article is to identify key banking activity models in Ukraine and show how they changed under the influence of the Revolution of Dignity, the COVID–19 pandemic, and the imposition of martial law. The proposed method uses cluster analysis of the main indicators for banking activity (concerning assets, liabilities and income) based on Ward’s agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithm and the Tau index in the NbClust package as the criterion for evaluating the optimal number of clusters. The research covers all Ukrainian banks, spanning the period 2013–2022.
In 2014 (after the Revolution of Dignity), the actions of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) had a positive impact on the models of Ukrainian banks: there was no opaque model of banks and banking models became more transparent and more resilient to financial shocks. Between 2021 and 2022, five banking models were identified: universal banks, wholesale funding banks, corporate‑investment banks, retail banks, and commission banks. The negative impact of COVID–19 on the Ukrainian economy was reflected in all banking models by the following: (1) a significant increase in the role of securities in assets, which was caused by a decrease in lending due to an increase in their riskiness; (2) the use of central bank funds to liabilities management, which was evidence of a deterioration in financing conditions in the deposit market.
The following main changes in Ukraine’s banking system at the end of 2022 (during the war) were identified: (1) a decrease in the number of banks that mainly use funds from the NBU to support their activities; (2) the closure of only four banks by the NBU (including two with majority shareholders from Russia) during the year; (3) an increase in the share of the non‑government debt securities portfolio in banks’ assets; (4) declines in ROE and ROA for all banking models during the war, and three banking models became unprofitable; (5) the significantly higher share of non‑performing loans in the credit portfolio for all banking models, especially for the retail banking model.
The value‑added of this research is the analysis of how banking models in Ukraine have changed at the micro level (reflected in the financial statements) inter alia in wartime.
The Development of the Cooperative Banking Sector in Selected Central and Eastern European Countries
Authors: Nowacka Anna
Published: March 2024

The study assesses the development of the cooperative banking sector in selected Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries against the average statistics of the segment in those countries. It also compares it to the largest European cooperative banking group in Germany. The article presents the results of an analysis of the cooperative banking sectors between 2016 and 2021 in Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Germany, all of which are members of the European Association of Cooperative Banks (EACB). The selection criterion was based on the availability of detailed data on cooperative banks published by the EACB on a temporal and spatial basis.
The empirical basis for the issues addressed in the article is a review of the reference literature and the comparative analysis of the development of the cooperative banking sector using a synthetic development indicator for the period 2016–2021. According to the theoretical and empirical analysis, Romania demonstrates the lowest level of development of the cooperative banking segment. In turn, the Polish and Bulgarian cooperative banking sectors represents a higher level of development than the Romanian one. Hungary has reached the highest level of development in the group of Central and Eastern European countries. While comparing the CEE countries to the German cooperative banking sector, their development was almost one and a half times lower and, in the case of Romania, three times lower.
Age at pubarche and the risk of developing cardiometabolic complications among 50–52-year-old men from Krakow Longitudinal Study (Poland)
Authors: Spring Barbara Anna , Woronkowicz Agnieszka , Żarów Ryszard , Kowal Małgorzata
Published: March 2024

Despite contradictory observations, it has been postulated that early age of adrenarche predisposes to an increased risk of cardiometabolic complications in further ontogeny due to greater body fatness. The aim of this study was to test the above postulates.
We present the results of research on 67 men aged 50–52 – participants of the Krakow Longitudinal Study conducted in the years 1976–2022 – from two birth cohorts 1970 and 1972. Boys were examined annually, aged 6–18, initially 940 people, at the age of eighteen – 358. They were examined again as adult men in 2004 (age 32–34) – 122 people and again in 2022 (age 50–52 years) 67 men. Based on the pubarcheal age, 50-year-olds were divided into 3 groups: early (11 people), average maturing (44 people) and (12 people), where the following were compared: resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure, basic parameters lipid profile – total cholesterol and its fractions, triglycerides, fasting glucose, body height and weight, waist and hip circumferences, indicators – Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist–hip Ratio (WHR), the thickness of 6 skinfolds and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.
The results of the analyses showed that:
(1) there is a clear gradation, i.e., the earlier the age of pubarche, the worse the metabolic health of men;
(2) compared to the other groups, the total adiposity in men with early pubarche is slightly higher, with clearly marked abdominal obesity; BMI and WHR showed a contrasting picture.
At this stage of the analyses, it is difficult to clearly judge whether the cause of the increased cardiometabolic risk in the studied men with early pubarche is related to earlier age of adrenarche and the mechanisms and stimuli causing it, or to greater adiposity.
The economics of nitrogen in farming systems and beyond
Authors:   University of Western Australia, Australia, Pannell David J. , Sheikh Asjad ,   University of Western Australia, Australia
Published: March 2024

Nitrogen fertilizer is a key factor determining the physical and economic productivity of agriculture. Decisions about nitrogen involve various economic considerations, at the farm, regional or national level. Beyond the farm level, the economics of nitrogen are important in designing policies to limit off-farm impacts of nitrogen fertilizer use, such as water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This chapter explores the large and diverse literature on the economics of nitrogen in agriculture and the economics of off-farm impacts from nitrogen fertilisation. Issues covered include: the economics of nitrogen as an input to production; nitrogen and economic risk at the farm level; the economics of nitrogen fixation by legumes; the existence of flat payoff functions, which often allow flexibility in decisions about nitrogen fertilizer rates; explanations for over-application of nitrogen fertilizers by some farmers; the market for nitrogen fertilizer; and the economics of nitrogen pollution.
Improving the effective use of nitrogen on major field crops across the globe: a new paradigm
Authors:   Kansas State University, USA, Ciampitti Ignacio A. , Lemaire Gilles ,   Honorary Director of Research – INRAE-Lusignan, France
Published: March 2024

Foundational concepts for characterization of nitrogen (N) nutrition in field crops are necessary to define true N gains in crops under different genotype-environment-management (GxExM) scenarios. A study (Ciampitti and Lemaire, 2022) emphasized the requirement to redefine N use (herein termed as effective use of N term) and provided new insights into crop yield improvement based on improving crop N status over time. Future breeding progress is needed to combine two strategies by linking progress in both biomass (in terms of harvestable organs) and yield with progress in intrinsic N uptake capacity, i.e. the capacity of the crop to capture soil N resources. This chapter outlines a prior N framework for targeting optimal N supply and proposes the utilization of a new approach to shift our current paradigm to more directly target necessary N gains in crop improvement.
Analysis on Underlying Cryptocurrency Assets as Investment Instruments (A Case Study of Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether and USDC)
Authors: Faizin Mu'adil
Published: March 2024

Cryptocurrencies experienced a huge surge whose value reached more than US $ 191 million or Rp. 2.7 trillion. Interestingly, almost all types of cryptocurrencies do not have an underlying asset as a common underlying asset in ordinary investments. Bitcoin and Ethereum claims that its underlying asset is the coin miner charges from the amount of hardware and electricity used in the transaction. Tether and USDC claim that their underlying assets are in US dollars. This article examines Islamic law regarding the underlying assets in the form of coin mining fees and US Dollars. The questions that arise are, how is the study of Islamic law regarding the underlying asset in the form of coin mining fees and US Dollars? Furthermore, the ideal pattern of a cryptocurrency scheme that includes assets in the form of tangible goods refers to manafiul a’yan? This research uses the gate of legal philosophy approach, looks at the business scheme in terms of values and principles and then provides legal conclusions based on that assessment. From the research conducted, first, the underlying asset of coin mining costs cannot be said to be an underlying asset that is truly economically useful for coin owners, except for the technology access costs which are clearly experienced by all technologies. Second, the underlying asset in the form of US Dollars has clearer benefits, but this is contrary to Islamic law. Third, for the underlying asset in the form of tangible goods, ownership must always be included in every coin purchased.
REPRESENTING THE ISLAMIST POLITICS IN BANGLADESHI NEWSPAPERS: THE 2023 BARISHAL CITY CORPORATION ELECTION AS A CASE
Authors:   Mass Communication and Journalism, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Mia Md. Rana
Published: March 2024

This study aims to explore the representation and news coverage of an Islamist political party- Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB) in three Bangladeshi mainstream and ‘quality’ daily newspapers- the Daily Star (DS), the Daily Janakantha (DJ) and the New Age (NA). In the context of the city corporation election- the 2023 Barishal City Corporation (BCC), the study has been conducted. It examines if the dailies either sidelined, ignored or favored this Islamist party. It observes where they pay more or less news value about IAB and its electoral campaign. Additionally, it argues that the candidate of IAB used myth through speeches to encourage voters. The myth— if you vote for hand-fan (electoral symbol of IAB), Allah and his messenger (prophet Hazrat Muhammad) will have the votes —was unchallenged and unquestioned and the advice not to use misinformation and misguide the voters found absent in the dailies. Though the IAB could not win the election, it was expected that mass media as social institutions would come forward with accurate information to inform people wisely and so that ordinary people would not be misguided. Through quantitative and qualitative content analysis, this study leads to the outcomes that these newspapers were silent to uphold the activities of IAB. The DS and DJ had a propensity to sideline and ignore the IAB and its electioneering despite receiving the second highest vote in the election. They prioritized ruling party Awami League (AL) and Jatiya Party (JaPa) while the NA prioritized IAB through providing a better representation and emphasizing on different allegations made by this party. In future, this research can be a basement or pioneer for the researchers who will intend to look into the perspective of newspapers on political parties
CENTRAL STATE VS REGIONAL AUTONOMY - POLITICAL ELITE’S ACTION STRATEGY
Authors:   Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georiga, Pavlenishvili Nino
Published: March 2024

The role of the autonomous institutions is significant in the elaboration of the specific strategies conducive for the political elite of either regional autonomy or central state to achieve their territorial, political and economic goals. Functional autonomous institutions enable the political elite to mobilize its ethnic group and radicalize demands. Rational assessment of the geographic location, instrumentalization of primordial markers (focus on historical memory) and constructivist ascriptions along with structural situation in and out of both, the autonomy and central state defines contemplated ethnic politics with far-going consequences of the both, central state and autonomy. Autonomy’s political elite activates primordial ascriptions, as well as, constructionist attitudes, considers geographic location to mobilize ethnic followers, press claims for secession and influence central authority to upgrade autonomous status through negotiations or violent confrontation. The Central state political elite’s decision about action strategy selection depends on the structure of situation inside and outside of the country. While operationalizing selected strategy central administration applies primordial and constructivist approaches to impact local authority’s decision- making process. Two autonomous republics of the Russian Federation, Tatarstan and Chechnya, are explored in the first decade after collapse of the Soviet Union to test theoretically identified factors impacting formation of ethnic politics and action strategies in the central state and autonomy. The methods’ triangulation (process-tracing method, discourse analysis of the official document and public speeches and semi-structured interviewing) was utilized to validate the research findings. On its way to upgrade autonomous status, Tatarstan built civic nationalism guaranteeing peaceful coexistence of the ethnic groups. Chechnya’s oppressive historic experience intensified rigid ethnic politics leading to protracted ethnic confrontation.
PROVOKING CREATIVITY IN BUSINESS: THE IMPACT OF PROMOTION AND PREVENTION PROBLEM-FRAMING ON CREATIVITY IN THE COVID-19 ERA
Authors:   University of Groningen, Faculty of Economics and Business, Groningen, Faza Imala Askania
Published: March 2024

Amidst the pivotal role of creativity in business survival, particularly accentuated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic, this study puts importance on the managers' influence on guiding employee creativity. Grounded in regulatory focus theory, prior research traditionally favored promotion-focus over prevention-focus in shaping creativity. However, this study challenges this notion by investigating the impact of promotion and prevention problem-framing on creativity and hypothesizing whether previous findings remain robust even in the unprecedented changes brought about by the pandemic. Conducting an online survey with 218 British students, randomly assigned to promotion or prevention conditions, participants generated creative ideas linked to health improvement or maintenance. Unexpectedly, prevention problem-framing exhibited a slightly greater influence on creativity than promotion problem-framing, offering quite a novel perspective. While participants generally reported a relaxed attitude towards the pandemic, awareness of its inherent risks persisted. These findings highlighted the dynamic interplay between problem-framing and creativity, especially in unprecedented situations, emphasizing the need for managerial flexibility in leveraging these dynamics to enhance employee creativity.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY IMPLEMENTATION ON COUNTRY’S WEALTH IN THE EUROPEAN UNION 27 COUNTRIES? : AN EMPIRICAL STUDY WITH EUROSTAT DATA
Authors:   Faculty of Economics and Business, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia, Almayzhar Hauzaan
Published: March 2024

Circular Economy is considered to be the most appropriate approach to achieve a sustained economy in a sustainable way. Although many scholars have investigated the impact of circular economy implementation on how it will contribute to a country’s economy the results are still vague. To examine the relationship of Circular Economy and its impact towards a country’s wealth I performed a multiple linear regression on 27 European Union countries and the findings revealed a significant correlation between circular economy adaptation and the contribution to wealth in the countries. The findings implicate how policy makers could adopt a circular economy and achieve a sustainable economy.
THE IMPACT OF CSR INCIDENTS ON CUSTOMER LOYALTY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INDITEX IN THE NETHERLANDS AND INDONESIA
Authors:   Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands, Ramadhani Nashita Zaafira
Published: March 2024

This study explores the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) incidents and customer loyalty, focusing on a comparative analysis of Inditex's operations in the Netherlands and Indonesia. Investigating the impact of CSR incidents on customer loyalty is crucial in understanding consumer behavior in diverse cultural contexts. Through a comprehensive examination of Inditex's CSR practices and incidents, this study aims to discern the varying degrees of influence on customer loyalty in these two distinct markets. This research considers the moderating effect of the customer country of residence between Indonesia and the Netherlands and the relationship between CSR incidents and customer loyalty is mediated by the trust in the company’s reputation. This research contributes to the broader understanding of the global implications of CSR strategies on customer relations, offering practical implications for businesses navigating diverse markets.
ANALYSIS OF THE PROFITABILITY OF ALBANIAN BANK USING TIME SERIES MODELS
Authors:   Faculty of Economy, University “Ismail Qemali” of Vlora, Vlorë, Albania, Xhoxhi Olsi
Published: March 2024

This research focuses on predicting the profitability of the Bank of Albania, specifically measured by Return on Assets (ROA), by employing advanced time series analysis techniques. ROA is a fundamental financial metric reflecting the bank's ability to efficiently utilize its assets to generate profit, and it holds crucial implications for the stability and sustainability of the central bank. In this research, we have obtained a monthly dataset regarding the profitability of Albanian banks (Roa), covering the period from January 2016 to March 2023. Following an extensive data analysis, we have determined that the SARIMAX(0, 0, 1)x(2, 0, [1, 2], 12) model is the most suitable option for modeling our dataset. The SARIMAX(0, 0, 1) element signifies a non-seasonal moving average component, addressing short-term fluctuations and irregularities in the data. The seasonal component, (2, 0, [1, 2], 12), takes into account both annual and semi-annual patterns, aligning with the observed seasonal trends in the data. The results are expected to be instrumental for policymakers, financial analysts, and stakeholders concerned with the Bank of Albania's financial health. By applying time series analysis to ROA prediction, this research not only aims to enhance the central bank's financial decision-making capabilities but also contributes to the broader understanding of financial stability within the context of Albania's economic landscape
IMPACT OF FINANCIAL REPORTING QUALITY ON INVESTMENT EFFICIENCY AROUND THE GLOBE
Authors:   NUST Business School, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan, Khan Muhammad Azhar
Published: March 2024

In developed markets, the documented enhancement of investment efficiency due to financial reporting quality has yet to address the question of whether such a correlation persists in emerging, frontier, and diverse markets. This study investigates the association between financial reporting quality and investment efficiency across 21,741 publicly listed firms spanning 36 countries worldwide, encompassing developed, emerging, frontier, and other markets. Comprehensive accounting data spanning the years 2000 to 2022 is gathered for all listed firms in 40 industries across these 36 countries having 166,453 firms-year observations. Causal connections are examined through fixed-effect regression analysis, supplemented by additional tests and robustness checks utilizing alternative proxies. Concerns about endogeneity are mitigated through 2SLS analysis. The results reveal a positive impact of financial reporting quality on investment efficiency for firms in developed, emerging, frontier, and other markets. Our exploration of both over-investment and under-investment scenarios demonstrates a more pronounced link between financial reporting quality and investment efficiency in the underinvestment scenario. These findings contribute to the existing body of evidence, indicating that beyond its influence on investment efficiency in developed markets, the relationship between financial reporting quality and investment efficiency holds true globally. This encompasses emerging, frontier, and other markets, characterized by varying levels of reporting quality and financial frameworks.
A STUDY ON THE IMAGE NARRATIVE ISSUES IN ANIMATION NARRATIVE OF NOVICE ANIMATORS’ ANIMATION - A CASE STUDY OF THE SHORTLISTED SHORT FILMS IN THE 2019 TAINAN ANIMATION AGE FESTIVAL
Authors:   Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan, Taiwan, Lee Ya-Hsueh , Zhang Yu-Yun ,   Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan, Taiwan
Published: March 2024

The best animation depends on the image narrative and the use of the lens. In order to connect between the animation and the audience, both skills are significant and professional. General animation narrative requires that the story content be complete, have a beginning and an end, and pay attention to cause and effect. Through the structure of the beginning and development, the story can be advanced step by step. However, it’s important and challenging for novice animators to both deliver scientific knowledge and storytelling in a short. Whether it is the timing of the shot, the misplacement of the character's position, unclear vocabulary, unclear movements, or expressions, etc., many factors may cause the audience to not understand. Therefore, given this situation, this study collected 6 animations which were made by students from the 2019 Tainan Animation Age Festival and then found out the common problems with novice animators by conducting participant observation and case study research. The result demonstrates the more common problem for novice animators is the animated image narrative, such as insufficient frames, unclear expression of character movements and expressions, unclear use of lenses, etc. This result can be a reference for novice animators or beginners.
SERIOUS LEISURE LEVEL AND WORK OF KOREAN WOMEN'S BASEBALL CLUBS - LEISURE CONFLICT
Authors:   Professor, Department of Social and Physical Education, Soonchunhyang University, Asan South Korea, Kim Mi-Lyang , Choi Rak-Heung ,   Graduate school of Education Master’s program, Soonchunhyang University, Asan South Korea, Lee Myeong-Ha ,   Graduate School of General Studies, Soonchunhyang University, Asan South Korea
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this study is to verify the differences and relationships in work-leisure conflict based on the level of serious leisure among female baseball enthusiasts who participate in baseball as a serious leisure activity. To achieve this goal, a survey was conducted using a purposive sampling method among female baseball enthusiasts. Out of the collected surveys, a total of 175 were used for the final analysis, excluding 34 responses that were deemed insincere. In this study, exploratory factor analysis, cluster analysis, K-means cluster analysis, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple regression analysis methods were employed. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 Program and AMOS 26.0 Program. The results of the analysis showed the following: Firstly, the analysis of differences in work-leisure conflict based on the level of serious leisure revealed a significant difference among female baseball enthusiasts. Secondly, the differences in the four sub-factors of work-leisure conflict based on the level of serious leisure were examined. Post-hoc analysis results indicated that only the negative affect_WL and time pressure_WL factors had significant differences based on the level of serious leisure. Thirdly, the impact of sub-factors of serious leisure on work-leisure conflict showed that only the personal effort factor had a negative influence on work-leisure conflict.This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between the level of serious leisure among female baseball enthusiasts participating in baseball as serious leisure and work-leisure conflict. Through this research, a deeper understanding of the lives of women participating in sports activities as serious leisure is sought.
FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND CARBON EMISSION INTENSITY
Authors:   Department of Business Administration Shih Hsin University, No.1, Ln.17, Sec.1, Muzha Rd., Wenshan Dist., Taipei City 116, Taiwan, R.O.C., Cheng Su-Yin , Hou Han ,   Department of Finance and Banking Shih Chien University, No.70, Dazhi St., Zhongshan Dist., Taipei City 10462, Taiwan, R.O.
Published: March 2024

Theoretic and empirical literature provides debate relationships between financial development and carbon emissions. Does financial development matters for carbon emissions? This study considers two additional aspects into the field. First is to consider a comprehensive measure of financial development that takes the functions of financial depth, efficiency, and access into account. Second, the nonlinear finance-carbon relationships build on the different development stages of financial system is considered. Considering the above two dimensions, this study explores the dynamic effects of financial development on carbon emissions utilizing pooled mean group estimator (PMG). By analyzing a panel of data for 82 countries from 1991 to 2020, we conclude that the effect of financial development on carbon emissions varies by the financial functions and the level of financial development. We find that financial access and financial efficiency are two critical functions reduce carbon emission intensity, while financial depth has an ambiguous effect on carbon emission intensity. To ensure environmental quality, this study stresses that financial system should provide broadly affordable financial services and increases efficiency.
INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF GENERATIVE-AI RESPONSES ON USER EXPERIENCE AFTER AI HALLUCINATION
Authors:   Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea, Kim Hayoen
Published: March 2024

The integration of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) systems into our daily lives has led to the phenomenon of "AI hallucination," where AI produces convincing yet incorrect information, undermining both user experience and system credibility. This study investigates the impact of AI's responses, specifically appreciation and apology, on user perception and trust following AI errors. Utilizing attribution theory, we explore whether users prefer AI systems that attribute errors internally or externally and how these attributions affect user satisfaction. A qualitative methodology, featuring interviews with individuals aged 20 to 30 who have experience with conversational AI, has been employed. Respondents preferred AI to apologize in hallucination situations and to attribute the responsibility for the error to the outside world. Results show that transparency in error communication is essential for maintaining user trust, with detailed explanations. The research contributes to the understanding of how politeness and attribution strategies can influence user engagement with AI and has significant implications for AI development, emphasizing the need for error communication strategies that balance transparency and user experience.
Gender Equality In Civic Education Textbook
Authors: Nurjanah Nunung - , Abdulkarim Aim , Komalasari Kokom , Bestari Prayoga
Published: March 2024

Textbooks have an important role to promoting gender equality. Apart from being a source of learning that transmits knowledge, textbooks also form students' values, worldviews and gender roles. This research aims to find out whether the Civic Education textbooks used in the high school in this study have a gender equality perspective. This research uses a qualitative approach with descriptive methods. Collecting data in this research using interview techniques, documentation studies, and literature studies. The data analysis using triangulation. Respondents in this study were Civic Education teachers and class XI students at SMA Negeri 1 Kandanghaur and SMA Negeri 1 Sindang. The results of the study showed that the Civic Education textbooks paid little attention to gender equality which appeared on the cover which did not show equal gender representation; textbook materials and illustrations that have not paid attention to gender equality. Based on the results of this research, it is recommended to integrate gender equality into Civic Education textbooks both in terms of content and illustrations, so that the role of Civic Education as democratic education upholds human rights, including the right to be treated equally without discrimination on any basis, including on the basis of gender can be realized.
Produced Water Reinjection with Polysulphate Additive for Enhanced Oil Recovery from Carbonate Reservoirs
Authors: Khan M. A. I. , Torrijos I. D. Piñerez , Zhang M. , Strand S. , Puntervold T.
Published: March 2024

When naturally occurring polysulphate salt dissolves in water, sulphate and calcium ions are released into the water, making it a potential enhanced oil recovery (EOR) fluid. In mature fields the handling of produced water (PW) presents increasing economic and environmental challenges. PW reinjection (PWRI) can reduce these challenges, but because of the PW composition its efficiency as an EOR method is limited. Polysulphate was explored as an additive for PWRI and EOR from carbonate reservoirs.

Seawater is known to be a successful injection fluid in carbonates. However, in areas where seawater is not available, nearby water-sources or reservoir PW are used for waterflooding, potentially limiting the recovery factor. In this work polysulphate salt was added to PW and used as imbibition fluid to test its ability of altering wettability of carbonate rock material and improving oil recovery beyond that obtained by PW alone. Complimentary tests including spontaneous imbibition oil recovery tests and chromatographic wettability tests were used to compare wettability alteration and increase in water-wet rock surfaces in mixed-wet chalk.

Oil recovery by spontaneous imbibition tests in mixed-wet outcrop chalk showed that PW with added PS (PW-PS) improved oil recovery beyond that obtained by PW only in both secondary and tertiary mode at 90 °C and 110 °C. In tertiary mode at 90 °C a 22 %OOIP increase in oil recovery was obtained by PW-PS imbibition succeeding the secondary mode PW imbibition, while an additional 15 %OOIP was obtained at 110 °C. By adding PS to PW, wettability alteration was induced by the presence of sulphate, generating positive capillary forces, increased spontaneous imbibition of water and improved displacement of crude oil. In these experiments PW-PS was more efficient than seawater and other PS-brines in the oil recovery process. Compared to seawater, which is considered a Smart Water in chalk, PW-PS increased the ultimate oil recovery in secondary mode with 10 %OOIP at 90 °C and 3 %OOIP at 110 °C. Chromatographic wettability tests, performed after the oil recovery tests, confirmed that the PW-PS brine had altered the wettability of the mixed-wet chalk to more water-wet, supporting the high oil recovery results observed by spontaneous imbibition.

These findings suggest that the naturally occurring polysulphate salt is a promising additive for improving PW as an injection fluid in carbonate reservoirs. This is especially important in areas where seawater is not available or PWRI is mandatory or necessary for reducing the challenges associated with its processing and disposal.
Oxygen Removal in Water Injection: A Life-Cycle Cost Comparison Between Vacuum Degassing and Membrane Deaeration Technologies
Authors: De Maria S. , Liati A. , Monti M.
Published: March 2024

This paper aims at making an overall comparison based on life-cycle costs (LCC) between vacuum degassing and membrane deaeration, the two main technologies for removing oxygen from injection water in the energy upstream sector. Traditional degassing technology based on vacuum towers (VT), where oxygen is stripped from liquid water falling on random packing under vacuum conditions, has been compared with membrane deaeration (MDA), a potentially emerging technology in which oxygen moves from the liquid phase through a gas-permeable membrane toward an oxygen-depleted gas stream. The comparison was made based on real projects carried out using vacuum degassing on a wide range of capacities and equivalent membrane deaeration (MDA) configurations obtained by simulating the replacement of the towers and their ancillaries with membrane deaeration.

The two deaeration systems were compared in terms of performance, costs/life-cycle costs assessment (LCC), and general characteristics at different operating capacities to identify under which conditions each technology may be preferable.

While MDA is already widely applied in several industrial applications, it has still not found its way into the "injection water" market. The study helps identify the conditions under which MDA might be beneficial, in terms of life-cycle costs to the Upstream O&G sector.
Effectiveness of interventions for informal caregivers of people with end-stage chronic illness: a systematic review
Authors: McGuigan Karen , Laurente Gladys , Christie Andrena , Carswell Claire , Moran Conor , Yaqoob Muhammad Magdi , Bolton Stephanie , Mullan Robert , Rej Soham , Gilbert Patty , McKeaveney Clare , McVeigh Clare , Tierney Colleen , Reid Joanne , Walsh Ian , Forbes Trisha , Noble Helen
Published: March 2024

Background
People living with advanced, non-malignant chronic conditions often have extensive and complex care needs. Informal or family caregivers often provide the care and support needed by those with advanced chronic conditions at home. These informal caregivers experience many challenges associated with their caring role, which can impact their own wellbeing. Whilst there is growing evidence around the impact on carers, guidance on support for informal caregivers of patients with advanced, non-malignant, chronic conditions is lacking, with little evidence available on effective psychosocial carer interventions. This systematic review explored existing interventions for caregivers of those with advanced, non-malignant, chronic illness, in order to assess the effectiveness of these interventions in improving psychosocial outcomes.
Methods
Electronic databases, Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsycINFO, were searched up to the end of March 2023. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria, focusing on interventions to improve psychosocial outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, quality of life and caregiver burden, in this cohort of caregivers were included. Data were extracted regarding study setting, design, methods, intervention components, and outcomes. Risk of bias and quality assessment were conducted.
Results
5281 articles were screened, ultimately identifying 12 studies for inclusion, reported in 13 publications. A narrative synthesis revealed mixed results. Psychosocial interventions resulted in more significant improvements in psychosocial outcomes than psychoeducational or support interventions; with interventions for carer-patient dyads also reflecting more positive outcomes for caregivers. Evidence-based interventions, guided by an appropriate theoretical model were reportedly more effective in improving caregiver outcomes. Differences in outcomes were related to intervention development, design, delivery, and outcome assessment.
Conclusions
This review, to our knowledge, is the first to explore the effectiveness of interventions in improving psychosocial outcomes for caregivers of those with advanced, non-malignant, chronic conditions. The review highlights the need for more robust, sufficiently powered, high quality trials of evidence-based interventions for caregivers of people with advanced chronic illness. Optimal intervention duration and frequency of sessions is unclear and needs further exploration.
Managing emotions in the age of political polarization: A randomized controlled trial comparing mindfulness to cognitive reappraisal
Authors: Rahrig Hadley , Beloboradova Polina , Castro Christina , Sabet Kayla , Johnson Melina , Pearce Orion , Brown Kirk Warren
Published: March 2024

Emotional appraisals of political stimuli (e.g., videos) have been shown to drive shared neural encoding, which correspond to shared, yet divisive, interpretations of such stimuli. However, mindfulness practice may entrain a form of emotion regulation that de-automatizes social biases, possibly through alteration of such neural mechanisms. The present study combined a naturalistic neuroimaging paradigm and a randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of short-term mindfulness training (MT) (n = 35) vs structurally equivalent Cognitive Reappraisal training (CT) (n = 37) on politically-situated emotions while evaluating the mechanistic role of prefrontal cortical neural synchrony. Participants underwent functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) recording while viewing inflammatory partisan news clips and continuously rating their momentary discrete emotions. MT participants were more likely to respond with extreme levels of anger (odds ratio = 0.12, p < .001) and disgust (odds ratio = 0.08, p < .001) relative to CT participants. Neural synchrony-based analyses suggested that participants with extreme emotion reactions exhibited greater prefrontal cortical neural synchrony, but that this pattern was less prominent in participants receiving MT relative to CT (CT > MT; channel 1 ISC = .040, p = .030).
Development of a territory-wide household-based composite index for measuring relative distribution of households by economic status in individual small areas throughout Hong Kong
Authors: Tsui Eva L.H. , Yu Philip L.H. , Lam K. F. , Poon Kelvin K.Y. , Ng Adam C.M. , Cheung K. Y. , Li Winnie , Leung Michael L.H. , Lam David H.Y. , Cheng James L.Y. , Ng Sharon P.W.
Published: March 2024

Background
Many countries have developed their country/nation-wide multidimensional area-based index on deprivation or socioeconomic status for resource allocation, service planning and research. However, whether each geographical unit proxied by a single index is sufficiently small to contain a relatively homogeneous population remains questionable. Globally, this is the first study that presents the distribution of domestic households by the territory-wide economic status index decile groups within each of the 2,252 small subunit groups (SSUGs) throughout Hong Kong, with a median study population of 1,300 and a median area of 42,400 m2.
Methods
The index development involved 248,000 anonymized sampled household-based data collected from the population census, representing 2·66 million domestic households and 6·93 million population in mid-2021. Our composite index comprises seven variables under income-/wealth-related and housing-related domains with weights determined using the analytic hierarchy process. After ranking all households from the most to the least well-off according to the numeric/ordinal value of each variable and then calculating their weighted rank scores, they were segregated into ten deciles from D1 (top 10% most well-off) to D10 (bottom 10%). Their relative distribution was summarized in a three-dimensional ternary plot to distinguish patterns across the 2,252 SSUGs within the 18 administrative districts.
Results
In Hong Kong, of the 2,252 SSUGs, only one-quarter contain a homogeneous composition of households with similar economic status, while the other three-quarters are heterogeneous to varying extents. Of the 18 administrative districts, only two are concentrated with more homogeneously well-off SSUGs.
Conclusions
Small-sized geographical units may contain a heterogeneous composition of households with diverse economic statuses, underlying the need for more precise information to quantify their relative distribution. Results of this study will be disseminated via an online interactive map dashboard which can serve as a versatile planning tool capable of performing analysis at different varying geographic scales for community-based resource prioritization, service planning and research across different domains.
Male-Specific Substances Possibly Contributing to Nuptial Flight of the Japanese Carpenter Ant Camponotus Japonicus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Habe Shunya , Matsuyama Shigeru , Kanzaki Natsumi , Hamaguchi Keiko , Ozaki Mamiko , Akino Toshiharu
Published: March 2024

The nuptial flight of ants usually occurs during certain periods of the year. Alate females and males fly out of their nests to mate simultaneously. In the genus Camponotus, sex-specific chemicals are deposited in the male head capsule; however, their roles in nuptial flight have not yet been clarified. This study aimed to elucidate the functions of male-specific chemicals in the Japanese carpenter Camponotus japonicus. First, we identified three chemicals attributed to the male as authentic chemicals: methyl salicylate (MS), methyl 6-methyl salicylate (MMS), and methyl anthranilate (MA). Electroantennogram (EAG) responses to these three chemicals were confirmed to occur in male and female alates. Subsequently, the amounts of MMS and MA in the alate male head capsule were compared before and after flight under laboratory conditions. The amounts of both substances were significantly reduced after flight, suggesting that males secreted these substances during flight. Thereafter, a field trap experiment was conducted in three fields of the Kyoto Prefecture during the nuptial flight season in 2021 using MMS and MA as bites. The number of captured alate males was significantly higher than that of the females, suggesting that these compounds primarily attracted males rather than females. Considering the field conditions, if the local concentration of these chemicals is increased by male aggregation, females may be attracted because EAG responses were also observed in females. Our findings represent a first step toward understanding chemically mediated male lek formation during the process of male aggregation syndrome in this species.