bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of public services in the area of customs and tax administration
Authors:   Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Кazbekova S. , Zeinelgabdin A. ,   Academy of Public Administration under the President of Kazakhstan, Yessenova G. ,   Center of Pedagogical Excellence of Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools
Published: October 2023

This article presents the types of public services for tax and customs administration provided by the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan. An analysis of statistical data for the period 2017-2022 was carried out, including identifying the specific share of public services in the field of tax and customs administration provided by the state revenue bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan in electronic format, as well as revenues to the state budget of Kazakhstan due to the digitalization of tax and customs administration. The features of digitalization of the tax and customs administration process are considered with indicating automated information systems within the framework of the implementation of the State Program “Digital Kazakhstan”. The results of the information and explanatory work of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan are disclosed. The scientific works of foreign experts on the issues of digitalization and automation of public services in tax and customs administration, including in the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, were studied. The key factors contributing to improving the quality and accessibility of government services in tax and customs administration have been identified. Recommendations on the process of providing electronic government services are formulated
The problem of determining modern directions of quality development in the field of public services
Authors:   Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kadyrova R. , Kantarbayeva A. ,   Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Published: October 2023

Improving the quality of public services is characterized in the works of modern researchers as a prerequisite for the development of the state nowadays. Its transition to a higher level of development should be science-based management model, considering the interests of citizens, and be aimed at maximizing the satisfaction of the public needs to the quality of public services. The subject of the study is the current directions of quality development in the field of public services. The objectives of the study - to analyze the experience of developed countries in the modern organization of high-quality provision of public services; determination of directions for the development of the quality of public services in Kazakhstan. The article deals with the development of the quality of public services on the basis of digital government. The digital transformation of public services now characterizes a developed public administration. However, there are challenges in providing digital public services. The article examines such experience of developed countries. It is concluded with possible directions of development of the quality of public services in our country, as technologization and customer focus. The practical significance of the research is that the results of the study can be used as a basis for research, analytical and project activities in the field of development management of the quality of public services to the population at the present stage
Application of marketing audit of small businesses in Kazakhstan: identifying prospects and development
Authors:   Narxoz University, Turekhanova A. , Smykova M. ,   Almaty Management University
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this research is to study small businesses in Kazakhstan and the impact of marketing audit on the effective development of small businesses. The competent use of marketing activities will help improve the growth of small businesses. To study the impact of marketing audit on the development of small businesses in Kazakhstan, marketing research was used in the form of a survey and in-depth interviews among entrepreneurs and employees of enterprises. The number of small enterprises grows slowly during the crisis period and it should be noted that a large number of small enterprises closed in the first years of their existence. The results of the research showed that enterprises use only the simplest methods of performance evaluation, most entrepreneurs either do not own marketing audit tools, or are focused only on solving basic short-term tasks, such as increasing sales. Conducted marketing research has shown a direct relationship between the growth of the company and the use of effective marketing controls, such as marketing audit. Interviews with small business owners show that companies with marketing control and flexible marketing tendencies have more growth prospects than a company in which the manager did not use marketing control.
Coaching as Method to Increase Non-Monetary Motivation and Personnel Performance
Authors:   Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Buralkiyeva B. , Dyrka S. ,   University of Silesia
Published: October 2023

This article describes the study of innovative approaches in management, in particular, coaching as a method to unlock the inner capacity of employees and increase the intrinsic motivation of staff. Along with a literature review, the authors present an analysis of an in-depth two-stage interviews conducted both in 2020 and 2022. Sixteen representatives of central public agencies and 7 employees of local administration, including human resource managers and ethics commissioners attended the research. The main goal of the research was to explore how using coaching or its elements in their work can influence on decreasing number of conflict situations. Based on the interviews’ results, a statistical model with the Wald-Wolfowitz series criterion was constructed. It showed that using coaching technologies influences the reduction of conflicts, through the development of internal motivation, personal accountability both level of management supervisors and staff; organizational units and the state agency. Finally, the paper concludes that applying elements of coaching in the aforementioned group of civil servants’ work can ultimately have an impact on employees’ motivation and then affect their performance. There are a number of limitations related to sampling and the limited number of studies conducted in this area in the public service of Kazakhstan, given by the authors. Thus, they also recommend conducting further research in aforementioned area.
Nonlinear system uniformity of audit reports in the fair value statement
Authors:   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Zholayeva M. , Amanova G. ,   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Saduakasova K. ,   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
Published: October 2023

The article examines the nonlinear system uniformity of audit reports in accounting at fair value. We will focus on the main issues of the audit, the methodology of which is stated, and on procedures related to the fair value of investment property, especially those related to the challenge of management estimates and the use of appraisal specialists. The uniqueness of the study is that the data consists of 235 separate audit reports of the real estate sector between 2021 and 2023 and covers 60% real estate companies in country. We found that the Big4 audit companies do not have uniformity in their audit reports. There is a statistically significant difference between the audit firms of the Big4 in the report on the problem of managerial assessment and the number of audit procedures. We also found that legal origin plays an important role when auditors report on key audit issues. The results of the study contribute to the current quality of reporting audit and literature
What motivates consumers to engage in ecotourism?
Authors:   University of Surrey, Filimonau V. , Perkins A. ,   Bournemouth University
Published: October 2023

This study examines motivations of consumers to partake in ecotourism. The global ecotourism sector has grown faster than any other tourism sector as people are becoming more aware of the damage they are causing to their planet. Thus, it is crucial to understand the reasons why consumers want to undergo an ecotourism experience. Through distributing and collecting 223 questionnaires from individuals that have previously been on an ecotourism holiday, the study confirms ecotourist characteristics and motivations. The findings identified an emerging market of younger ecotourists aged between 21 and 30. Their motivations to go on an ecotourism holiday were then examined and presented in the form of recommendations for ecotourism businesses enabling them to better penetrate their market. Additionally, the motivations of ecotourists as a population were identified and the findings found that they correlated with previous findings, indicating that a combination of push and pull motives were essential, specifically focusing on self-development influences, such as ‘to have an authentic experience’, or ‘to gain a new perspective’, as well as natural and cultural attributes of the destination, such as ‘to feel close to nature’, ‘to experience the environment whilst causing minimum damage’ and ‘to interact with different cultures’.
Analysis of demographic processes of population settlement in the regions of Kazakhstan
Authors:   Institute of Economics CS MHES RK, Kireyeva A. , Bekturganova M. ,   Institute of Economics CS MHES RK, Alzhanova F. ,   Institute of Economics CS MHES RK
Published: October 2023

Today in Kazakhstan there is inequality in the level and quality of life of the population, which is due to differences in natural conditions and resources, the specifics of settlement and the nature of the economic development of the territory, and geographical location. The purpose of the study is to analyze the current demographic situation, the system of conditions, factors and indicators of population reproduction and settlement in the regions of Kazakhstan. The study examines the problems of settlement, regional demography and migration in Kazakhstan, as well as disproportions in population density and fragmentation of space in different regions. The research work explores the possibility of solving these issues through modern trends and principles of effective development of regional economic systems. The research methodology is based on the position of methodological generalization and system analysis. The methodological basis of the study is a generalization of classical and modern theories of population distribution by region, theoretical developments of domestic and foreign scientists in the field of balanced territorial development, actual placement, population reproduction, increasing the competitiveness and sustainability of regions in the context of globalization and Industry 4.0. The study revealed that in the Republic of Kazakhstan, since 2013, significant changes have been taking place in the demographic situation, especially in the context of increasing internal migration processes in certain regions. These demographic and migration changes have a direct impact on the socio-economic well-being of regions, in particular by increasing the flow of human capital abroad. In addition, the spontaneous development of migration processes aggravates the imbalance of labor resources, which may cause additional social and economic problems in the future. The authors define rational population settlement as the main factor in managing and planning the economic development of the region.
The state of development of small and medium-sized businesses in agriculture in Kazakhstan
Authors:   Esil University, Misnik O. , Kuchukova N. ,   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Alibekova A. ,   Esil University
Published: October 2023

The article presents a study of the current state of development of small and medium-sized enterprises in agriculture in Kazakhstan. The authors conducted a more detailed comparative analysis of the dynamics and structural composition of small and medium-sized businesses by economic sectors (hereinafter referred to as SMEs), as well as by subjects in the context of the main organizational forms. On the basis of official statistical data, indicators of the volume of gross output of SMEs are given, the contribution of SMEs to the GDP of agriculture in the Republic and to the total volume of products produced by SMEs is calculated. The data on the specific weight of employment by types of economic activity of entrepreneurs and in the context of agricultural producers are calculated in more detail. The authors note the importance of SMEs in the development of agriculture and positive trends in the growth of quantitative and production indicators, as well as a decrease in the level of employment, which directly affects the growth of incomes of the rural population. The main reasons limiting entrepreneurial activity in agriculture are still the financial deficit and high interest rates on loans.
Organic products market: trends and development prospects
Authors:   Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University, Mataibayaeva G. , Tokenova S. ,   Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University, Kenes G. ,   Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University
Published: October 2023

The article examines the current state of the world market of organic products. Trends in the development of organic production are relevant in more than 190 countries around the world and this figure is increasing annually due to the fact that organic products are becoming in demand among many segments of the population for various objective reasons. In developed countries, the market of environmentally friendly agricultural products is developing dynamically. The potential of this market is quite large, as evidenced by the figures characterizing the volume and dynamics of its development. This article discusses the main indicators of the leading countries in the production and sale of organic products, the world market of organic production, as well as the main problems of the production of organic products and ways to solve them. The purpose of the study is to develop theoretical, scientific and methodological provisions and recommendations for improving the development of agricultural production in the world in modern conditions. The scientific novelty of the article consists in analyzing the main indicators of organic farming in the world, identifying the leading countries, assessing the organic market in the world and providing recommendations. Methods of comparative analysis of statistical indicators, construction of diagrams and tables were used in economic analysis.
Improvement of green economy assessment indicators for sustainable development of the Kyzylorda region
Authors:   Graduate University of Mongolia, Kassymova S. , Yegemberdiyeva S. ,   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Mustafayev K. ,   Kazakh University of Technology and Business
Published: October 2023

This article examines modern methods of measuring ecological, socio-economic processes that directly affect the well-being of the population of the regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The scientific study analyzes the main macroeconomic indicators of the region, which, in our opinion, make it possible to assess the current situation that contributes to the sustainable development of the Kyzylorda region. In the course of the economic analysis, the article studies dynamic changes in such indicators as the share of the economically active population of the region, the environmental intensity of pollutants, indicators of the standard of living and well-being of the population of the region and many other data that allow us to assess the impact of certain factors on the sustainable development of the region. That is why, taking into account the ecological, economic, and social features of the Kyzylorda region in order to better and comprehensively analyze the sustainable development of the region, the need to improve indicators for achieving sustainable development goals has matured in society at present. In this regard, taking into account the regional peculiarities of the Kyzylorda region, the authors proposed such indicators as the indicator of the environmental intensity of emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere coming from stationary sources, the indicator of the environmental intensity of captured and neutralized pollutants, the indicator of the environmental intensity of solid pollutants, the indicator of the environmental intensity of emissions of liquid and gaseous pollutants, the coefficient of reproduction of forests, the coefficient of the spread of diseases respiratory organs, the coefficient of spread of diseases of the digestive system. Analytical data and calculated indicators presented in the article can be further used in the development of strategic development programs important for the region, which would make an invaluable contribution to the sustainable socio-economic development of the Kyzylorda region, for which the issues of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals are acute.
Transarterial embolization for delayed bleeding after percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Authors: Eldem Fatma Gonca , Çay Ferdi , Güdeloğlu Ahmet , Peynircioğlu Bora
Published: October 2023

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of transarterial embolization (TAE) in managing delayed bleeding after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL).
Materials and Methods: Patients presenting to our hospital’s emergency department with hematuria following PNL and treated with TAE were included in the retrospective analysis. Demographic, clinical, and radiological data were collected. Technical and clinical success rates of TAE were calculated. The impact of the embolization procedure on kidney function was determined using angiographic images, and pre- and post-procedure serum creatinine levels.
Results: A total of 13 patients included in the study presented with intermittent visible hematuria. The average interval between hematuria onset and PNL was 11.92±7.27 days. No hemodynamic instability was observed in any patient. CT angiography identified vascular pathology in 11 patients (84.6%), who subsequently underwent renal angiography for TAE without conservative treatment. Pseudoaneurysms were found in 7 patients (63.6%), and both pseudoaneurysms and arteriovenous fistulae in 4 patients (36.4%). Technical success was achieved in all embolization procedures. Hematuria resolved in all patients during follow up with a clinical success rate of 100%. Renal parenchymal loss after embolization was <%10 in 8 patients (72.7%), %11-24 in 2 patients (18.2%), and %25-50 in 1 patient (7.7%). There was no significant difference in serum creatinine levels before (mean 1.09±0.53 mg/dl) and after (mean 1.06±0.71 mg/dl) TAE (p=0.5). No major procedure related complications were observed.
Conclusions: TAE is an effective and safe method for the treatment of delayed bleeding following PNL. CT angiography facilitates diagnosis and treatment planning for patients with hematuria after discharge. Early TAE for patients with identified vascular pathology can increase technical and clinical success rates.
An effective technique in nerve defect repair: Analysis of sliding epineural tube graft technique and comparison with autologous nerve graft and turn-over epineural tube graft techniques
Authors: Kara Murat , Koçer Uğur , Arslan Ramazan , Gürsoy Koray , Vural Seçil , Fırat Ayşegül
Published: October 2023

Objective: Autologous nerve graft (ANG) is the standard of care in the reconstruction of nerve gaps. However, scarification of a donor nerve, donor-site complications (wound complications, sensory dysfunction, neuroma, etc.) and unpredictable results lead surgeons to search for alternative techniques. Epineural tube graft (ETG) is a good option in the repair of nerve gaps. At this point, the present study aims to analyze the utility of the sliding epineural tube graft (SETG)technique in the reconstruction of nerve gaps.
Materials and Methods: Thirty Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups according to the repair technique of a 7 mm nerve defect created on the right sciatic nerve. In Group 1 the defect was left unrepaired as a negative control group. The defect was repaired with ANG in Group 2, with turn-over ETG (TETG) in Group 3, with one-directional SETG (O-SETG) in Group 4 and with bi-directional SETG (B-SETG) in Group 5. On the 12th week of the experiment, electrophysiologic, gross macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of muscle function and microscopic assessments of muscle and nerve samples were performed. The left limb and proximal nerve segment of the defect area were used as the control side.
Results: Electrophysiologic, macroscopic (wet muscle weight) and microscopic (axonal count, muscle fiber thickness was superior in the ANG group compared with TETG and SETG techniques. B-SETG showed poor results in all of the aforementioned findings. TETG and O-SETG techniques showed similar neuromuscular functions.
Conclusion: Although the ANG technique has some disadvantages depending on the sacrification of a donor nerve and donor side, it has significantly superior reconstructive outcomes compared to ETG techniques. However, since the ETG techniques provide acceptable results, they should be in surgeons’ treatment repertoire because of the unique features of the microsurgical intervention.
Comparison of the effects of intravenous analgesic agents used in the intraoperative period on pentraxin-3 levels in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery
Authors: İzgi̇ Murat , Tümer Murat , Çelebioğlu Bilge
Published: October 2023

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of fentanyl, dexmedetomidine, and remifentanil on serum pentraxin 3 levels in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.
Materials and Methods: In this retrospectively designed study, 36 patients who underwent elective on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery for coronary artery disease in the Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic of our hospital between 01.01.2020 and 31.12.2021 and whose serum pentraxin 3 levels were studied in the pre-operative and post-operative period were included. Patients were divided into 3 groups as fentanyl (Group F), dexmedetomidine (Group D), and remifentanil (Group R) based on the analgesic agent used during the intraoperative period. The data of the patients were obtained by scanning their files and information in the hospital automation system.
Results: Demographic characteristics, duration of anesthesia, cardiopulmonary bypass duration, and aortic cross-clamp duration were similar. When serum pentraxin 3 levels were evaluated within groups, the difference between pre-operative and post-operative results was significant. In the intergroup evaluation, only the results obtained from Group F in the pre-operative period were significant compared to the other groups, but there was no significant difference between the results obtained in the post-operative period.
Conclusion: When the data of this study were evaluated, it was determined that the analgesic agent used in the intraoperative period of on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery did not significantly affect post-operative serum pentraxin 3 levels.
The Mediating Role of Flow Experiences in the Relationship between Academic Procrastination and Psychological Well-Being
Authors: KARABACAK ÇELİK Aynur
Published: October 2023

Academic procrastination is a problem characterized by individuals who try to fulfil academic activities but must perform their tasks at the required time and constantly postpone their work. Researchers have conducted numerous studies to identify the antecedents and consequences of academic procrastination. However, more research on the role of academic procrastination on well-being within the framework of flow theory is required. This study aims to determine the mediating role of flow experiences in the predictive effect of academic procrastination on well-being. This study, designed following relational research, was conducted on 818 undergraduate students. Correlation analysis and mediation analysis were applied to analyze the data. The results showed that well-being and flow experiences decreased as academic procrastination increased. Mediation analysis results confirmed that the predictive effect of academic procrastination on well-being occurred through flow experiences. The results underline that flow experiences should be considered in studies to reduce academic procrastination.
Delayed Death Due to Methanol Poisoning: An Autopsy Case Report
Authors:   Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia., Rahimi Razuin ,   Department of Forensic Medicine, Hospital Sungai Buloh, Ministry of Health, Putrajaya, Malaysia., Mohd Noor Norizal ,   Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia., Nikman Khairul Adli B ,   Department of Forensic Medicine, Hospital Sungai Buloh, Ministry of Health, Putrajaya, Malaysia., Mohd Kasim Noor Alicezah Bt ,   Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia.
Published: October 2023

Methanol is a non-drinking type of alcohol used for industrial and automotive purposes. Methanol itself is not dangerous, but its harmful metabolites may cause the accumulation of acid in the blood, leading to metabolic acidosis, permanent blindness, and death. In this case report study, the case was a 28-year-old Nepalese man who was admitted in a semi-unconscious state to the emergency department. A working diagnosis of methanol poisoning was made. After more than two weeks, he succumbed to death due to a worsening cerebral infarction. At autopsy, extensive hemorrhagic infarction was observed, involving bilateral cerebral hemispheres. Well-defined subcortical hemorrhages leading to laminar necrosis were seen at the frontoparietal lobes. Cystic or lacunar necrosis was present at the basal ganglia. The brainstem showed the presence of duret hemorrhage. The man died approximately three weeks after the methanol ingestion. This case highlights the important pathological changes and accumulating effects of methanol in the brain.
Investigation of NSD2 Protein Expression Changes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells After Treatment With Curcumin and Phthalates
Authors:   Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Parand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran., Alavian Seyed Ehsan , Salehipour Masoud ,   Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Parand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran., Bostanabad Saeed Zaker ,   Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Parand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran., Tafvizi Farzaneh ,   Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Parand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran., Heiat Mohammad ,   Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Published: October 2023

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. The role of molecular markers in the development and progression of this cancer has been extensively studied. The overexpression of the 90-kilobase protein methyltransferase NSD2 (nuclear receptor binding SET domain- protein 2) is associated with tumor development and some types of cancers. This study aims to investigate the changes in NSD2 protein expression in HCC cells after treatment with curcumin and phthalates. Method: This study compared the NSD2 protein expression in HepG2 cancer cells and fibroblast cells that were either untreated or treated with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50%) of phthalates, curcumin, or their combination. The Western blot method and protein quantification were used to detect and determine NSD2 protein levels, and ImageJ software was used to analyze the desired bands. Results: Curcumin, phthalates, and their combination reduced the expression of NSD2 in HepG2 cancer cells and normal fibroblast cells compared to untreated cells (P<0.001). This decrease in expression was more significant in cells treated with both curcumin and phthalates than in treatment with curcumin or phthalates alone. Conclusion: The IC50% of curcumin, phthalates, and their combination can reduce NSD2 expression, where the effect of the combined form is greater. Therefore, the combination of phthalates and curcumin is recommended as a potential anti-cancer agent against HCC cells with an effect on reducing NSD2 expression.
Educational computing to assess decision-making learning in university students
Authors:   Universidad Madero, Maldonado Vargas Martha Angélica , Ucán Pech Juan Pablo
Published: October 2023

This paper describes a study related to the learning of decision-making heuristics such as preference matrix, break-even point and decision tree from the perspective of using a computational tool. With their respective algorithms, a virtual learning environment through a mobile application (app) aimed at Engineering students was developed. To answer the research questions posed in this report, an empirical study was conducted to assess the effectiveness, efficiency and cost in solving decision-making problems with and without the use of the app. The results in this study suggest that the use of the app in learning decision-making skills facilitates the mathematical process for students, and that by using critical thinking competence, they can make assertive and accurate decisions considering different alternatives.
Student assessment of their mathematical education in a postgraduate course in administration
Authors:   Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Oliver Édgar
Published: October 2023

The objective of the research was to assess student satisfaction regarding their mathematical education in a postgraduate course in administration based on remote teaching during the covid-19 pandemic. The research approach was mixed with a sequential exploratory design. A questionnaire was developed and administered to 65 participants about the type of technological devices used, the challenges faced, and students’ assessment of their level of mathematical education. The results showed that students acknowledged experienced logistical, emotional, and academic challenges during the emergency period. Statistically significant differences were also found because remote teaching promoted mathematical education through effective use of video conferencing, enabling the integration of learning into professional performance, assisting in course planning and adaptation explained by the faculty, and benefiting from the use of virtual databases and asynchronous communication. Additionally, the students rated competences related to administrative situations, mathematical terminology, and the use of tables and graphs at a consolidated level. The conclusion is to incorporate Microsoft Teams as a permanent platform because it promotes timely and continuous monitoring by the faculty, which encourages the mathematical education of the students.
Education Policies for the Integration of ICT in the Mexican National Education System
Authors:   Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Navarrete Cazales Zaira
Published: October 2023

The objective of this article is to present an analysis of research and studies from the decade between 2012 and 2021 on education policies for the integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the Mexican national education system. Using a qualitative document analysis methodology, it was found that the reviewed works are based on the guidelines proposed by international organizations regarding the use of technology in innovative pedagogical processes. It is concluded that it is essential to continue researching this topic in order to understand how technology is transforming teaching and learning processes, and to identify the progress made and proposals to improve its integration in the national education system.
A Multi-Objective Optimization Problem on Evacuating 2 Robots from the Disk in the Face-to-Face Model; Trade-Offs between Worst-Case and Average-Case Analysis
Authors: Chuangpishit Huda , Georgiou Konstantinos , Sharma Preeti
Published: October 2023

The problem of evacuating two robots from the disk in the face-to-face model was first introduced by Czyzowicz et al. [DISC’2014], and has been extensively studied (along with many variations) ever since with respect to worst-case analysis. We initiate the study of the same problem with respect to average-case analysis, which is also equivalent to designing randomized algorithms for the problem. In particular, we introduce constrained optimization problem 2Evac𝐹2𝐹, in which one is trying to minimize the average-case cost of the evacuation algorithm given that the worst-case cost does not exceed w. The problem is of special interest with respect to practical applications, since a common objective in search-and-rescue operations is to minimize the average completion time, given that a certain worst-case threshold is not exceeded, e.g., for safety or limited energy reasons. Our main contribution is the design and analysis of families of new evacuation parameterized algorithms which can solve 2Evac𝐹2𝐹, for every w for which the problem is feasible. Notably, the worst-case analysis of the problem, since its introduction, has been relying on technical numerical, computer-assisted calculations, following tedious robot trajectory analysis. Part of our contribution is a novel systematic procedure, which given any evacuation algorithm, can derive its worst- and average-case performance in a clean and unified way. 
Avicenna on Human Self-Intellection
Authors: Hennig Boris
Published: October 2023

I argue that Avicenna allows for at least one case where we can intellectually grasp a particular individual as such: Each human intellect can intellect itself as numerically this one intellect without relying on any general notion or concept. This is because humans can retain their individuality when separated from their bodies. I discuss passages in which Avicenna appears to affirm and deny that humans can intellect themselves. I conclude that in contrast to the self-awareness that Avicenna showcases in his “floating human” thought experiment, human self-intellection is a rare achievement, and I explain how it differs from the more perfect self-intellection of the divine intellect.
How are Neighborhood and Street-Level Walkability Factors Associated with Walking Behaviors? A Big Data Approach Using Street View Images
Authors: Koo Bon Woo , Guhathakurta Subhrajit , Botchwey Nisha
Published: October 2023

The built environment characteristics associated with walkability range from neighborhood-level urban form factors to street-level urban design factors. However, many existing walkability indices are based on neighborhood-level factors and lack consideration for street-level factors. Arguably, this omission is due to the lack of a scalable way to measure them. This paper uses computer vision to quantify street-level factors from street view images in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Correlation analysis shows that some streetscape factors are highly correlated with neighborhood-level factors. Binary logistic regressions indicate that the streetscape factors can significantly contribute to explaining walking mode choice and that streetscape factors can have a greater association with walking mode choice than neighborhood-level factors. A potential explanation for the result is that the image-based streetscape factors may perform as proxies for some macroscale factors while representing the pedestrian experience as seen from eye-level.
Spatial modelling and forecasting
Authors: Guhathakurta Subhrajit , Zhang Ge , Koo Bon Woo
Published: October 2023

Spatially explicit data about the physical and natural environment are becoming ubiquitous with the growing number of air/space-borne and terrestrial sensors. While this growing volume of data has transformed the operations of various sectors in both private and public domains, such as agriculture, natural resource management, transportation and retail services, the impact on urban spatial planning has been minimal. This chapter discusses the evolving approaches to spatial modelling and forecasting as they apply to planning urban communities. The objective is to focus on the key developments in the recent past in spatial modelling and show how big data and machine learning based techniques can be incorporated into future planning models.
Application for Locational Intelligence and Geospatial Navigation (ALIGN): Smart Navigation Tool for Generating Routes That Meet Individual Preferences
Authors: Zhang Ge , Guhathakurta Subhrajit , Sanford Jon , Koo Bon Woo
Published: October 2023

Efficient mobility and high accessibility to urban services are critical for residents’ quality of life and health. The outdoor environmental barriers, such as uneven sidewalks and missing curb cuts, can significantly impair pedestrian mobility, especially for people with disabilities. Removing those barriers is expensive and time-consuming. The Application for Locational Intelligence and Geospatial Navigation (ALIGN) is an app for mobile devices that intelligently identifies routes that are tailored to the individual’s specific needs and abilities. Since ALIGN is built on real-time or near real-time data, it can complement as well as benefit from other “smart city” related efforts. The ALIGN app is designed to provide customized routes in a city for every user and to create a repository of user behaviour that can inform policy and planning decisions in prioritizing community mobility improvement projects.
The Administration of Justice? Certificate Proceedings, Charkaoui II, and the Value of Disclosure
Authors: Hudson Graham
Published: October 2023

In the wake of 9/11, Canada was among a number of Western states that instituted a wide range of legal frameworks designed to more efficiently prevent and suppress transnational terrorism. One of the defining features of its national security policy has since been the integration of a selection of intelligence agencies into a global counterterrorism network. Operationally distinct agencies, such as the RCMP, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Communications Security Establishment, and the Canada Border Services Agency have been centrally coordinated towards the end of facilitating intelligence exchange within and across our borders. With few opportunities for public scrutiny or parliamentary and judicial review, the flow of information has gone on largely unregulated and, in a selection of notable cases, has contributed to serious human rights abuses both at home and abroad.

 
A Delicate Balance: Re Charkaoui and the Constitutional Dimensions of Disclosure
Authors: Hudson Graham
Published: October 2023

[Introduction]: "In the wake of 9/11, Canada quickly adopted a wide range of new criminal law provisions designed to more effectively prevent and punish transnational terrorist activity.1 Despite the availability of these measures, counter-terrorism policy has since been pursued primarily through immigration law. This is in some ways unsurprising. While transnational terrorist activities span jurisdictions, the jurisdictions of law-enforcement agencies are generally domestically bounded, limiting their independent ability to launch effective investigations and prosecutions. Immigration law helps coordinate Canadian, foreign, and international counter-terrorism strategies by facilitating the movement of alleged terrorists to jurisdictions where they may be prosecuted more effectively or more conveniently. From the government’s standpoint, an added advantage is that evidentiary burdens and standards of proof are far lower in deportation proceedings than in criminal proceedings, making it easier to reduce the threats that some non-citizens may pose to Canadian national security."
Book Review: Multiculturalism and the Canadian Constitution, by Stephen Tierney (ed)
Authors: Hudson Graham
Published: October 2023

[para. 1]: " It is trite but nonetheless true that one should never judge a book by its cover. Yet, occasionally, a book's title and cover convey much meaning. Stephen Tierney's recent collection, Multiculturalism and the Canadian Constitution, is a fine example. The title is printed in white and set on a red background, which is divided into the shapes of a few maple leaves and variously sized boxes. The letters of the title are refracted through these boxes, producing a kaleidoscopic image of the Canadian flag. In this image, readers glimpse the essence of multiculturalism, federalism, and constitutionalism. The integrity of the title is preserved, though its constituent elements are separated, disjointed, and circumscribed within their own private boundaries."
As Good as it Gets? Security, Asylum, and the Rule of Law after the Certificate Trilogy
Authors: Hudson Graham
Published: October 2023

This article uses constitutional discourses on the legality of security certificates to shed light on darker, neglected corners of the security and migration nexus in Canada. I explore how procedures and practices used in the certificate regime have evolved and migrated to analogous adjudicative and discretionary decision-making contexts. I argue, on the one hand, that the executive’s ability to label persons security risks has been subjected to meaningful constraints in the certificate regime and other functionally equivalent adjudicative proceedings. On the other hand, the ability of discretionary decision makers to deport individuals who pose de jure security risks to face torture or similar abuses remains effectively unconstrained—so much so that it is doubtful that Canada has complied with Suresh. If the Supreme Court of Canada takes its own rationale in the certificate trilogy seriously, it must either revise its position in Suresh or encourage the extension of the procedures and practices used in the certificate regime to the entire security and migration nexus, including the removal process. 
Designing the Diversity of Canadian Libraries: Excerpts from the CARL Inclusion Perspectives Webinar by Racialized Library Colleagues
Authors: Cho Allan , Bolefski Afra , Tellis Cecilia , Jin Lei , Kumaran Maha
Published: October 2023

Five academic librarians from libraries that represent the Canadian Academic Research Libraries (CARL) were invited to share their experiences as racialized librarians.   In 2021, the Canadian Academic Research Libraries (CARL) hosted an Inclusion Perspectives Webinar Series, organized by CARL’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Working Group (EDIWG) and the contents of this paper are presentations by these librarians who were invited to speak on systems, structures, and policies needed to dismantle racism; practical strategies to attract and retain racialized library employees; accreditation issues; and provide advice for what Canadian library leaders can start doing immediately.
Global and Ukrainian High-Tech Markets: Features of Development, Marketing Strategies and Trends in the Context of Rapid Transformation
Authors:   Simon Kuznets Kharkiv National University of Economics, Korsunova Kateryna Yu.
Published: October 2023

In a world where technological advancements shape not only markets but also societies, understanding the nuances of the high-tech industry is crucial for any stakeholder. Whether it’s global giants or emerging ecosystems like Ukraine, the common features are innovation, competition, and the relentless pace of change. Both operate in an environment characterized by stiff competition, rapid innovation, and a complex regulatory landscape. However, their individual growth and marketing strategies differ under the influence of local trends, existing skills, and government policies. McKinsey’s Technology Trends Forecast up to 2023 is a reminder of the acute talent shortage affecting the sector around the world. This adds another layer of complexity, making human capital as valuable as technological innovation. Clearly, both in Ukraine and elsewhere, the ability to attract, retain and develop talent is becoming a crucial factor for success in this sector. The marketing strategies employed in this sector are as complex as the technologies they aim to promote. From the need for thought leadership and content marketing to the benefits of partnerships, each approach has its own set of opportunities and challenges. Companies must constantly update their methods to adapt to new technological trends, as well as take into account the different regulatory and cultural landscapes in which they operate. The high-tech industry will continue to remain a key player in shaping the future economically, socially, and ethically. Policymakers and industry stakeholders must work in tandem to navigate this complex web of opportunities and challenges, keeping local needs and global shifts in mind. The only constant in the high-tech industry is changes, and success belongs to those who know how to adapt, innovate, and grow.
Specifics of Economic Relations in the Thermal Power Industry of Ukraine
Authors:   Research Centre for Industrial Problems of Development of NAS of Ukraine, Kyzym Mykola O. , Khaustova Viktoriia Ye. ,   Research Centre for Industrial Problems of Development of NAS of Ukraine, Kotliarov Yevhen I. ,   Research Centre for Industrial Problems of Development of NAS of Ukraine
Published: October 2023

The main directions of Ukraine’s development in the medium term are the recovery and development of the country after the russian armed aggression, as well as the reform of the mechanisms for managing and regulating the economy in general and the thermal power industry in particular in accordance with the criteria set for accession to the EU. The aim of the study is to identify and generalize the specific features of economic relations in the thermal power industry of Ukraine. The article proposes a classification of factors that can be used to characterize the heat supply system of a particular settlement; the Ukrainian legislation regulating relations in the field of heat supply is studied; the prerequisites for reforming the heat supply sector in the direction of creating regional thermal energy markets are determined. The features of the organization of heat supply in the regions and settlements of Ukraine by types of energy carriers and the structure of thermal energy production are studied (steam or hot-water boilers, combined heat and power district heating, thermal power plants, nuclear power plants). The structure of thermal energy production in some large cities of Ukraine is analyzed. It is determined that an important feature of activity in the field of thermal supply is the centralization of capacities. An analysis of thermal supply systems in large cities of Ukraine has been carried out and it has been proved that the simultaneous use of both large generating capacities and small autonomous boiler houses is typical. Based on the study of existing projects of new buildings from the Database of Energy Certificates of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine, it is proved that in recent years, in the design and construction of new residential buildings, there has been a tendency to abandon district heating. The features and priority of the use of various heating schemes in residential new buildings of the country are determined. The ownership structure of economic entities in the sphere of district heating of communal energy in Ukraine is analyzed. The number of unprofitable and profitable enterprises of thermal power engineering is studied in the context of forms of ownership. The features of economic relations in the thermal power industry of Ukraine are generalized, which generally characterize the specifics of the organization and functioning of this sphere and constitute the basis for its further reform and post-war development