bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving the quality of auto-technical examination of road accidents in conditions of composition uncertainty
Authors:   Vinnytsia National Technical University, Kashkanov Andriy , Reiko Serhiy ,   Zhytomyr Research Forensic Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Diorditsa Vasyl ,   Vinnytsia Research Forensic Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Kashkanov Vitaliy ,   Vinnytsia National Technical University, Kashkanova Anastasia ,   Vinnytsia National Technical University
Published: February 2021

Decision-making in solving the problems of auto technical examination of road accidents (road accidents) is carried out in conditions of incomplete information, ie in conditions of uncertainty, which may be stochastic or fuzzy in nature, and therefore is compositional. When forming expert opinions of auto technical examination of road accident the general uncertainty is formed due to uncertainty of the chosen structure of model of road accident, experimental data, error of measuring devices, adequacy of model of road accident, uncertainty of indications of witnesses and other proofs, competence and honesty of the expert. The calculation of vehicle parameters in motor vehicle expertise in the vast majority of cases is performed without estimating the error of the results, which does not meet the requirements of the Law of Ukraine "On Metrology and Metrological Activity" and determines the relevance of improving methods of solving road accident technical examination. The paper reveals the prospects of improving the existing methods of assessing the effectiveness of braking of wheeled vehicles, as the main way to prevent accidents in road transport, which is regulated by the current Traffic Rules. The basic theoretical dependences which form a basis of the improved technique of estimation of parameters of movement of cars at braking are presented. Analysis of the results of the calculations shows that by taking into account the design of the braking system, type and condition of tires used in assessing braking efficiency, the improved technique avoids the same solutions within one category of vehicles, and taking into account stochastic and fuzzy uncertainty narrows the range of possible solutions by 49.4 %. The probability of occurrence of type I errors is reduced by 1.75-18.5%, and type II errors - by 43.1-67.8%.
Experimental study of the rolling resistance of car wheels on a roller stand
Authors:   Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University, Мarmut Igor , Kashkanov Vitalii ,   Vinnytsia National Technical University, Zuiev Volodymyr ,   Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University
Published: February 2021

The article considers the results of experimental studies of the rolling resistance of car wheels on a roller stand. Also, the dependence of the coefficient of total resistances during wheel rolling on the stand rollers on the speed was established. Monitoring and diagnosing the technical condition of the rolling stock of vehicles from the point of view of traffic safety is one of the most important problems. This control is especially important for systems whose technical condition affects traffic safety, first of all, brake systems, as well as the power unit in the traction test mode. Foreign and domestic experience testifies to the effectiveness of instrumental control. Its advantages lie in the reliability of the values of the checked parameters. The diagnostic equipment includes roller stands, on which you can check the braking and traction properties of cars. As shown by many studies, in particular, carried out at the Department of Technical Operation and Service of Automobiles, KhNADU (HADI), inertial stands provide more reliable information about the technical condition of the car. The inertial test method allows you to reproduce real speed and thermal modes of operation. To improve the accuracy of diagnosing a car on a roller stand, it is necessary to have an idea of the nature of the interaction of the car wheels with the stand rollers. Studies of wheel rolling on the stand rollers have been carried out by many authors since the 70s of the last century. However, all of these studies were conducted on old bias tires. Now, only radial tires are used on passenger cars, the rolling resistance of which on rollers has practically not been studied. Therefore, returning to the study of this issue is relevant. The rolling resistance of wheels on the rollers of the stand will significantly affect the nature of their interaction during long-term running tests (due to increased heating of contacting bodies, power losses, violation of similarity conditions, etc.). It was found that the value of the rolling resistance coefficient noticeably depends on the ratio of the radii of the roller and the wheel, as well as the contact load, that is, the radial force of pressing the wheel against the roller, and in addition, on the speed and duration of the mode. The obtained results of the experiment made it possible to improve the theory of the interaction of a car wheel with the rollers of an inertial diagnostic stand. Also, the results of the experiments can be extended to different types of tires and the ratio of the radii of the wheel and roller.
Comparative assessment of braking properties of operated passenger cars, according to brake wear
Authors:   Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University, Nazarov Alexander , Nazarov Ivan ,   Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University, Shpinda Yevhen ,   Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University, Shablenko Sergiy ,   Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University, Kashkanov Vitaliy ,   Vinnytsia National Technical University, Nazarov Volodymyr ,   Zaporozhye Automobile Building Plant, Leonenko Oleksandr ,   Kharkiv National University of the Air Force Kozheduba
Published: February 2021

The article proposes a method for assessing the change in the braking properties of passenger cars during operation following a change in the main characteristic of the brake system - the coefficient of distribution of braking forces between the axles of vehicles, both equipped and not equipped with tracking systems for the braking process by installing brake force regulators in the brake circuits, working according to different laws of changing the drive pressure. The aim of the work is a comparative assessment of the braking efficiency of passenger cars using the example of Lanos cars, the braking systems of which are equipped with various devices for changing the coefficient of distribution of braking forces between the axles, under changing operating conditions. It is known that braking efficiency is an indicator characterizing the braking properties and the ability of a car to maintain a given law of motion during braking, which is determined both by the nature of the adhesion properties of the wheels to the road and the capabilities of the braking system itself to implement these properties. Since the operating conditions of passenger cars significantly affect the braking properties, in order to ensure the required braking efficiency, it is necessary to take into account the change in the primary distribution coefficient of the braking forces generated by the braking mechanisms and the change in their implementation during the operation period. In order to assess the change in the braking properties in the general case of the operation of a passenger car, the dependence of the actual coefficient of distribution of braking forces between the axles on the braking coefficient was proposed. Moreover, the value of the coefficient of distribution of braking forces between the axles depends both on the type of laws of regulation of braking forces and on the residual values of the parameters of braking systems that determine these laws. These dependences on the parameters of the braking systems and the parameters of the passenger car in operation are a function of the goal for determining the residual output characteristics of its braking system.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE ANALYSISGOVERNMENT OF JEMBER REGENCY
Authors: Ayu Candra Lina , Firdaus Muhammad , Widaninggar Nanda
Published: February 2021

This study aims to analyze the financial performance of JemberRegency Government in terms of the Regional Financial Self-Sufficiency Ratio, the Effectiveness Ratio of Local Own Revenue and Efficiency Ratio of Local Own Income and the Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) during 2014-2018. This type of research was quantitative descriptive of the Regional Government Financial Statements (LKPD) of the Jember Regency Government. The data collection techniques used were documentation, interviews, and literature study. Quantitative data analysis was used to calculate the amount of Self-SufficiencyRatio, Effectiveness and Efficiency Ratio, and Debt Service Coverage Ratio. The results showed that: (1) the Ratio of Self-Sufficiency of the Jember Regency Government as measured by Local Own Income (PAD)reached an average of 23% for each year. This condition shows that the Self-Sufficiencyofthe Jember Regency Government wasnot as expected. (2) The effectiveness ratio of PAD collection by the Government of Kabupaten Jember reaches an average of 94%. This condition indicates thatthe PAD collection has been effective. Meanwhile, the efficiency ratio of PAD collection reaches an average of 38% per year. This condition shows that the cost of collecting local revenue tends to be efficient because the efficiency ratio was less than 100%. (3) Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) in 2014 to 2018 shows that local governments were not eligible to make loans because the DSCR value was less than 2.5.

Keywords:Debt Service Coverage Ratio, EffectivenessRatio, Self-SufficiencyRatio
A Virtual Training on Competency Improvement Bank Mandiri Employees In Covid Pandemic 19
Authors: Azizy Riza
Published: February 2021

Training is a company strategy to improve employee performance competencies. However, in the current Covid 19 pandemic, companies cannot conduct training directly because of the government's rules to cdo work and study activities from home. During the Covid 19 pandemic, companies tried to develop employee performance skills, virtual training is one of the methods used to improve employee performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bank Mandiri use virtual training solutions  to provide training for employees to maintain employee performance so that the company's goals could be achieved even in difficult circumstances such as the current Covid 19 pandemic. The study aims to determine whether virtual training has an effect on improving the performance of Bank Mandiri employees by using qualitative research to describe facts about an incident at Bank Mandiri and a situation that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected using a survey method by distributing questionnaires to employee respondents. The results showed that the Virtual Training conducted by Bank Mandiri had a very good effect on improving the performance of Bank Mandiri employees.
Proposta de Implementação Estratégica do Capital Intelectual como um diferencial competitivo: Estudo de caso realizado na Empresa FC parafusos
Authors: Inácio Alexandre Gonçalves , Silva Francisco David Santos da , Ataide Julioney Ferreira , Roberto José Carlos Alves
Published: February 2021

O presente artigo teve como objeto de estudo a empresa FC Parafusos. Seu objetivo geral consistiu em analisar uma melhor gestão de desempenho e identificar o capital intelectual em todas os setores da organização. Auxiliado pelos objetivos específicos buscou-se conhecer os processos, avaliar que o capital humano é um excelente diferencial para o sucesso da empresa e propor ações para indicar o desempenho organizacional junto ao capital intelectual. O projeto surgiu a partir de estudos da análise das áreas funcionais, onde identificamos a área de recursos humanos como a mais crítica. Realizou-se uma pesquisa qualitativa, empregando como instrumento de coleta de dados as entrevistas, visitas com observação direta e análise documental. A ferramenta interventiva utilizada foi o 5W2H, para a melhoria das ações de implementação estratégica do capital intelectual como diferencial competitivo e sugestionar indicadores de desempenho do processo e do produto para o crescimento da FC Parafusos.
The Profile of the Sociology professor at the Canoinhas / SC Regional Education Coordination
Authors: Wieczorkievicz Alessandra Krauss , Santos Adelcio Machado dos , Baade Joel Haroldo
Published: February 2021

Sociology as a school component has fundamental attributes for the construction of a better society, through the training of its students. His contribution to society is the subject of debates and discussions in various social contexts. Based on this assumption, so that the sociological contribution happens fully in the formation of students, the figure of the sociology teacher comes into the spotlight. Being protagonist in the formation of its students. Therefore, this study has as object of research to analyze the profile of sociology teachers of the Regional Coordination of Education of Canoinhas / SC. In this direction, research of quantitative nature, with closed questionnaires were used for the application of interviews to the 16 sociology teachers. In order to understand the profile of this teacher who is teaching the discipline of Sociology in the Coordination. It was concluded with this research, that the professor of sociology, teaches in addition to sociology, other disciplines to complement his workload, not exclusively dedicating himself to preparing and teaching sociology classes, moves to the other municipalities of the Coordination and has not been working in the classroom for a long time. From this analysis, it is possible to understand who this teacher is and whether he faces difficulties in the process of teaching Sociology in high school.
METHODS OF ASSESSMENT OF THE DEVELOPMENT LEVEL OF RAILWAY TRANSPORT ENTERPRISES
Authors:   Kharkiv National University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Chupyr Olena , Burlaka Yevhenii ,   Kharkiv National University of Civil Engineering and Architecture
Published: February 2021

This article develops a methodological approach to assess the level of resource potential of railway enterprises, which is based on the use of hierarchy analysis to determine the share of each component of resource potential and verbal-Harrington scale to unambiguously interpret the valuesof the integrated indicator. The technique consists of seven stages, the sequence of which is presented in the diagram. One of the key stages is the development of a system of partial indicators to assess the level of development of the resource potential of the enterprise. The scientific work uses such mathematical methods as: rationing of indicators, determining the share of partial indicators to assess the level of development of resource potential by the method of T. Saati, calculating the level of agreement of experts and others. The calculation of the integrated indicator is based on the calculation of four main components of resource potential: material, labor, financial and information. The three-level hierarchical scheme of the problem of the method of analysis of hierarchies is presented, which includes the general goal – development of the railway transport enterprise, criteria – the purposes of development of resource potential of the railway transport enterprise (safety, quality of service, environmental friendliness, cost reduction and infrastructure development) and alternatives – types of enterprise resources (material, labor, financial, information). The presented methodological approach is a sensitive mathematical apparatus for assessing the level of resource potential development, with which the management of railway transport enterprises can obtain more objective information about the state of resource potential development and make effective management decisions, primarily on enterprise resource planning. The article presents the results of calculations of the level of development of resource potential (including individual components) for real operating enterprises of the railway industry according to the proposed author's method for three years and their interpretation on a verbal-numerical scale of Harrington.
FOOD SECURITY OF POLTAVA REGION: STATE, TRENDS, EXTRAPOLATION
Authors:   Poltava State Agrarian University, Rudych Аlla
Published: February 2021

One of the main problems of today is to ensure food security of the country and its regions. The level of food security has fluctuations and changes over time, so this situation emphasizes the increasing relevance and stability. Investigating its level in the region, it is advisable to study the features of its dependence on internal factors: the current state of food supply in the region in sufficient quantity, quality and range, the real ability of the population to consume a rational norm of food of proper quality. An important component of the characteristics of food security in the region, in accordance with regulations, are scientifically sound safety indicators. The formation of food security of the country and regions is a holistic complex, which is associated with the macroeconomic development of the state. Food security strategy - functional, involves the development of economic characteristics of the control system and their main criteria, which allow for rapid assessment of regional food security and effective decisions on changes in the parameters of the developed strategy. Based on the dynamics of characteristics, extrapolation (forecast levels) are developed for trends and patterns of development and the parameters of the strategy that affect the change of development trends and fluctuations are adjusted. To comprehensively assess the state of food security in Poltava region, the main indicators were studied: providing the diet with the main types of products, economic affordability of food, the capacity of the domestic market of certain foods and food independence of certain foods. The implementation of these measures should be the basis for the formation of a differentiated system of sustainable food supply of the regions. The criterion of completeness of food supply of the region is the degree of its self-sufficiency, and the criterion of sustainability of food supply is the stability of demand and demand for the main types of products due to local production, import and use of reserve funds. The main conditions for the proper functioning of the food market and providing the population with high quality food are targeted and rational use of available and potential natural, industrial, demographic, social, scientific, technical and investment resources that contribute to the full functioning and development of food security through local production. in accordance with scientifically sound standards.
PRICE RISK HEDGING IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE OF AGRICUL-TURE AND FOOD COMMODITIES USING OPTIONS
Authors:   Institute of International Relations Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Nalbandian Nikolai
Published: February 2021

The focus of this article is an employment of option contracts by economic agents when hedging a price risk in international trade of agriculture and food commodities. Despite a serious downturn in the world economy accompanied with major logistics and global value chains disruptions caused by Coronavirus disease in 2020, international agri-food trade demonstrates a sustainable growth supported by a constantly waxing demand due to continuous increase in population and improvement in living standards as well as a higher supply due to modern technological progress. It therefore implies that a comprehensive price risk management system should be introduced to avoid or minimize market participants’ exposure to potentially adverse future events. The article is devoted to the study of the key advantages of using options as an integrated element within such a system. Comparative analysis of future and option contracts is conducted to better understand their respective application depending on a risk profile of an event. The economic nature of options is presented from the perspective of a concept of price insurance that provides for an existence of a certain risk premium determined by market forces which is paid by economic agents to obtain such a price guarantee. Fundamental characteristics of an option contract as a financial derivative, its types and features, reason of usage according to the goals that economic agents, including e.g., powerful multinational enterprises (MNE), try to achieve depending on their specific market position are described. The article explains situations of economic agents, both producers and processors of agricultural commodities on the one hand (acting as hedgers) and speculators one the other hand (acting as such), being naturally long or naturally short as well as respective tactics based on options they adhere to with the aim of protecting their positions against unfavorable moves in market prices. Thus, the fact it refers to real scenarios of using options as price risk hedging tools which international traders can utilize when moving agricultural and food commodities globally, reinforces opinion that this article is of a significant practical importance.
INTERNATIONAL TRENDS AND CURRENT CHALLENGES OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS MARKET DEVELOPMENT
Authors:   Prydniprovska State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Orlovska Yulia , Havrylenko Daria ,   Prydniprovska State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture
Published: February 2021

The main international trends in the world market of construction materials and services have been analyzed. The dynamics of world GDP and exports of construction services for the period 2000-2019 has been studied and a conclusion is made on the impact of economic crises on their growth rates. It has been determined that the dynamics of world exports of construction services is characterized by high instability with peaks of growth and decline, and is more sensitive than GDP growth. It has been noted that overcoming the crisis in the export sector of construction services takes more time and occurs with an approximate two-year time lag compared to GDP dynamics. The share of the construction industry in the world GDP by the degree of development has been analyzed. The reasons for the decline in the share of the construction industry in countries with economies in transition have been substantiated. It has been noted that in the developed countries the share of the construction sector is accounted for by real estate management activities related to maintenance, rent, purchase and sale and other transactions with land and real estate. The forecast values of growth of the market of building materials and services till 2030 have been given. The essence of the term «wide construction» has been revealed and the structure of this sector in different countries of the world is shown. The main exporters in the world construction market have been given and the structural distribution of the largest construction companies in the world ranking by country of origin has been analyzed. The dynamics of income level in the construction industry market for the period 2011-2018 has been studied. It has been noted that an important area of the construction sector is the market of roofing and facade materials and the world's largest companies for the production of this type of construction materials have been revealed. Conclusions on the essence of global transformations of the market of building materials and services have been made, and also it has been defined that they are caused by transnationalization of corporate structure of the market, influence of scientific and technical progress and information and communication technologies on world centers as well as the emergence of the concept of «sustainable construction» in the course of humanity for sustainable development.
STRATEGIC DIRECTION OF STATE REGULATION OF TRADE ACTIVITIES IN UKRAINE
Authors:   State University of Telecommunications, Melnichuk Lina , Martynenko Marina ,   State University of Telecommunications, Vinnyk Iryna ,   Irpin Vocational College of NULES of Ukraine
Published: February 2021

The subject of the study is the strategic aspects of state regulation of trade activities in Ukraine. The article presents the state of domestic and foreign trade activities, as well as the place of the state in the regulation and development of the domestic and foreign markets. The concept of a mechanism for regulating the activities of commercial enterprises in the context of a fall in the level of national production with a significant import volume at the same time is revealed. The role and place of the state in the management of foreign and domestic trade, as well as the relationship between the state and the subjects of the domestic and international market, are considered. It is established that the system of state regulation measures should ensure the functioning of a competitive environment for all market participants, while ensuring the effectiveness of fair legal regulation of consumer protection, replacing managerial FSCS with regulatory ones. The objective necessity of regulatory policy and its impact on the effective development of retail trade of each individual enterprise and the domestic market as a whole is justified. The tools of the state body regulating the sphere of trade and the possible consequences of their application with clearly defined functions and powers to support innovations in this sphere of activity are considered. The analysis of the most significant legislative documents is made. The main problems and imbalances in the development of trade activities as a result of inadequate attention of the state to trade issues are identified. According to the results of the study, promising areas for improving the state's regulation of domestic and foreign trade are identified, based on the examples of world experience and the laws of progressive development of trade activities, which demonstrates the need for the state to guarantee a balance of interests of consumers, producers and network trading companies.The directions of improvement of the state regulation policy that will contribute to the development of trade and effective entry of Ukraine into the world community are highlighted.
INSTITUTIONS DESIGN AS A TOOL OF STRUCTURAL-INSTITUTIONAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE NATIONAL INNOVATION SYSTEM
Authors:   Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University, Netudyhata Kostiantyn
Published: February 2021

In modern conditions, the basis of the transition of the Ukrainian economy to an innovative type of development is the construction of an effective national innovation system (NIS). Trends in the main indicators of the country's innovation activity indicate that the existing national innovation system does not fully contribute to the effective innovation development of the country. In light of the above, the topic of the article, aimed at finding, forming methodological foundations for the transformation of NIS, its institutional component, the design of institutions, is relevant in theoretical and applied aspects. The content of the concepts "structural and institutional transformation of the national innovation system" and "institutional design" are revealed in the work. Structural and institutional transformation of the national innovation system involves a continuous process of qualitative transformation of the system due to institutional changes. The formation and consolidation of norms and rules of interaction between economic agents can occur in the process of their evolution or as a result of purposeful activity. One of the tools of this transformation is institutional design, as a special type of activity aimed at constructing formal norms and rules of interaction between economic agents, the relevant mechanisms of coercion. The process of consolidating the inefficiency of the NIS of Ukraine is outlined. This brings us back to the issue of institutional design and its proper application in the process of structural and institutional transformation of the NIS of Ukraine. Stages of institutional design are singled out: analysis of the institutional environment of innovation activity (institutional component of NIS); formulation of the problem, goals and objectives; institutional project development; implementation of the institutional project, its adjustment and monitoring of the functioning of the institutional environment. Institutional design is disclosed as a continuous activity. The necessity of balanced application of this tool in the conditions of Ukraine is outlined.
Bioregione, un percorso di ricerca agroecologica nei sistemi alimentari, fra produzione e consumo
Authors: Bocchi Stefano , Spigarolo Roberto
Published: February 2021

Il sistema agro-alimentare italiano sta cercando percorsi innovativi, atti a garantire più equi assetti economici, una generale riappropriazione dei valori di cura e cultura del territorio, una maggiore attenzione alle tematiche sociali. Tale ampia e profonda innovazione di sistema, in contrasto con la cultura dei mercati alimentari delle commodity, risponde alla necessità di assumere consapevolmente le indicazioni di Agenda 2030. Con nuove politiche territoriali, sviluppate a scala locale, possono essere recuperati e rinforzati i legami esistenti fra gli ambiti della produzione agricola e quelli della ristorazione collettiva istituzionale. I nuovi sistemi agroalimentari locali e sostenibili possono essere studiati, sviluppati, gestiti all'interno di bioregioni, vale a dire aree individuate e analizzate utilizzando criteri ecosistemici, superando gli attuali più rigidi confini amministrativi.
Piccoli centri. Campi di riforma del progetto urbanistico
Authors: Alì Alessandro
Published: February 2021

Dieci anni separano il nuovo Piano urbanistico di Romano di Lombardia approvato definitivamente nell'aprile 2019 da quello precedente costruito alle soglie della crisi del primo decennio del millennio. Un periodo tradizionalmente breve per l'urbanistica, ma sufficiente per tracciare un profondo mutamento nelle domande e nei fabbisogni che attraversano i territori dei piccoli centri. La crisi di previsioni di crescita urbana e di scelte di sviluppo di impresa apparentemente illimitate, il rapporto tra pubblica amministrazione e soggetto privato nella costruzione del welfare urbano, le difficoltà a compiersi delle grandi trasformazioni pianificate in contrapposizione alla fluidità di quelle piccole e diffuse, sono alcuni aspetti del fare urbanistica messi in questione dal nuovo piano di Romano di Lombardia.
Progetti e proposte di Renzo Piano per il waterfront di Genova, 1981-2017
Authors: Gastaldi Francesco , Camerin Federico
Published: February 2021

Nel corso degli ultimi quattro decenni, le proposte di Renzo Piano hanno dato un contributo determinante al dibattito sulle prospettive di sviluppo della città di Genova che ha dovuto affrontare profonde trasformazioni urbane legate alla deindustrializzazione. Il contributo si occupa di un aspetto particolare delle proposte/realizzazioni progettuali di Piano, quelle alla scala urbana e per la linea di costa. L'unico progetto interamente realizzato è però frutto di una lunga riflessione culturale, istituzionale e politica. Le altre proposte, senza adeguato coinvolgimento degli attori locali sono naufragate perché troppo ambiziose o disgiunte dal contesto sociale ed economico, generando però attese, aspettative e idee.
PROBLEMATIC INTERNET USE AND HEALTH OUTCOMES: DOES TRAIT SELF-CONTROL MATTER?
Authors: Ibrahim Najafi Auwal , Kura Kabiru Maitama , Dasuki Salihu Ibrahim , Mohammed Alkali Abubakar
Published: February 2021

Problematic internet use is prevalent among university students, and it has been associated with increased adverse health outcomes. The results of existing research are mixed regarding the effects of problematic internet use on health outcomes. To resolve this ambiguity, we drew upon the self-control theory and person-situation interaction model to propose trait self-control as a moderator in the relationship between problematic internet use and adverse health outcomes. The study participants comprised 273 students from both public and private universities in Nigeria. Results reveal that problematic internet use is a significant predictor of adverse health outcomes. However, we find no evidence to support our postulated Hypothesis that trait selfcontrol moderates the effects of problematic internet use on adverse health outcomes. Implications, limitations, and potential for future research are highlighted.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP MODEL
Authors: Kazemi Hossein , Bakhshandeh ‪Fatemeh , Tooranloo‬ ‪Hossein Sayyadi
Published: February 2021

The most prominent feature of today’s economy is rapid change. To succeed in such an economy, countries must be able to adapt to these changes with great agility. One of the most potent tools for achieving this end is sustainable entrepreneurship. Sustainable entrepreneurs are those who undertake entrepreneurial endeavors while taking into account different aspects of social, economic and environmental sustainability. These entrepreneurs strive to keep their resources focused on sustainable development and to balance the objectives of entrepreneurial success and sustainability so as to solve social and environmental problems. In this study, after reviewing the research literature and identifying the factors pertinent to sustainable entrepreneurship, a conceptual model was developed by drawing on the expertise of 10 experts, who were selected by snowball sampling. Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) approach was used to examine the network of relationships among the factors. The findings showed that the considered factors fall into four levels: sustainability culture was placed at the most fundamental level, legal requirements, resource preservation, social participation, green management and human resources management were placed at the second level, social justice, effective and efficient processes, and customer-centricity were placed at the third level, and social well-being and economic benefits were identified as the top-level factors or outputs of sustainable entrepreneurship. The proposed model depicted means, process, first order and ultimate goal in inhacing entrepreneurship sustainability endeavors.
Bortezomib for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients
Authors: Green C , Bryant J , Takeda A , Cooper K , Clegg A , Smith A , Stephens M
Published: February 2021

This paper presents a summary of the evidence review group (ERG) report into the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of bortezomib for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients at first relapse and beyond, in accordance with the licensed indication, based upon the evidence submission from Ortho Biotech to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) as part of the single technology appraisal (STA) process. The outcomes stated in the manufacturer’s definition of the decision problem were time to disease progression, response rate, survival and quality of life. The literature searches for clinical and cost-effectiveness studies were adequate and the one randomised controlled trial (RCT) included was of reasonable quality. Results from the RCT suggest that bortezomib increases survival and time to disease progression compared with high-dose dexamethasone (HDD) in multiple myeloma patients who have had a relapse after one to three treatments. Cost-effectiveness analysis based on the same trial and an observational study was reasonable and gave an estimated cost per life-year gained of £30,750, which ranged from £27,957 to £36,747 on sensitivity analysis. An attempt was made to replicate the results of the manufacturer’s model and to compare the results to the Kaplan–Meier survival curve presented in the manufacturer’s submission. In addition, a one-way sensitivity analysis and a probabilistic sensitivity analysis were undertaken, as well as additional scenario analyses. Based on these analyses the ERG suggests that the cost-effectiveness results presented in the manufacturer’s submission may underestimate the cost per life-year gained for bortezomib therapy (versus high-dose dexamethasone) when potential UK practice and scenarios are considered. The guidance issued by NICE in June 2006 as a result of the STA states that bortezomib monotherapy for the treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma is clinically effective compared with HDD but has not been shown to be cost-effective and is not recommended for the treatment of progressive multiple myeloma in patients who have received at least one previous therapy and who have undergone, or are unsuitable for, bone marrow transplantation.
Erlotinib for the treatment of relapsed non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: McLeod C , Bagust A , Boland A , Hockenhull J , Dundar Y , Proudlove C , Davis H , Green J , Macbeth F , Stevenson J , Walley T , Dickson R
Published: February 2021

This paper presents a summary of the evidence review group (ERG) report into the clinical and cost-effectiveness of erlotinib for the treatment of relapsed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to its licensed indication, based upon the evidence submission from Roche Products to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) as part of the single technology appraisal (STA) process. The submitted clinical evidence includes one randomised controlled trial (RCT) (BR21) investigating the effect of erlotinib versus placebo, which demonstrates that erlotinib significantly increases median overall survival, progression-free survival and response rate compared with placebo. The majority of patients in the trial experienced non-haematological drug-related adverse effects. Currently there are no trials that directly compare erlotinib with any other second-line chemotherapy agent. For the purposes of indirect comparison, the manufacturer’s submission provides a narrative discussion of data from 11 RCTs investigating the use of docetaxel. From these data the manufacturer concludes that erlotinib has similar clinical efficacy levels to docetaxel but results in fewer serious haematological adverse events; however, it is difficult to compare the results of BR21 with those of the docetaxel trials or with current UK clinical practice because, for example, the BR21 patient population is younger than that expected to present in UK clinical practice and almost half of the BR21 participants received erlotinib as third-line chemotherapy, with third-line chemotherapy being rare in the UK. The manufacturer’s submission included a three-state model comparing erlotinib with docetaxel, reporting an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of –£1764 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained for erlotinib compared with docetaxel. Rerunning the manufacturer’s economic model with varied parameters and assumptions increases the ICER to in excess of £52,000 per QALY gained. There is still a large amount of unquantifiable uncertainty in the model and it is unlikely that erlotinib could be considered to be cost-effective compared with docetaxel at a willingness to pay of £30,000 and there may even be the potential for docetaxel to dominate erlotinib. Because of the limitations of the indirect analysis undertaken by the manufacturer and the subsequent economic modelling exercise there is a need for a head-to-head trial comparing erlotinib with docetaxel. The guidance issued by NICE in February 2007 as a result of the STA states that erlotinib is not recommended for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC.
Varenicline in the management of smoking cessation: a single technology appraisal
Authors: Hind D , Tappenden P , Peters J , Kenjegalieva K
Published: February 2021

This paper presents a summary of the submission’s evidence for the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of varenicline for smoking cessation included four studies of varenicline (one of which was commercial-in-confidence) and a meta-analysis of varenicline versus nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion and placebo. Two controlled trials of 12 weeks of varenicline versus sustained-release bupropion and placebo suggested that varenicline results in a statistically significant improvement in the odds of quitting at 12 weeks [odds ratio (OR) for quit rate during last 4 weeks of the study: 1.90–1.93 (p < 0.001) varenicline versus bupropion; 3.85 (p < 0.001) varenicline versus placebo). The ORs for sustained abstinence (weeks 9–52) for varenicline versus bupropion were 1.77 (p = 0.004) and 1.46 (p = 0.057), and for varenicline versus placebo were 2.66–3.09 (p < 0.01). A placebo-controlled maintenance trial examined whether a further 12 weeks of varenicline would maintain the rate of abstinence among those successfully treated on one 12-week course [OR = 2.48 at week 24 for varenicline versus placebo (p < 0.001)]. The meta-analysis suggested that varenicline was superior to placebo and bupropion at 1 year and 3 months. Based on indirect comparisons, varenicline was reported to be superior to NRT when compared with placebo or all controls at 1 year and 3 months. The submission presented a state transition model to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness of varenicline compared with bupropion, NRT and placebo. The model suggests that varenicline dominates bupropion, NRT and placebo.Treatment efficacy was based on a pooled analysis of 1-year quit rates from the varenicline clinical trials. Assuming a willingness-to-pay threshold range of £20,000–30,000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained, the probabilistic sensitivity analysis suggests that the probability that varenicline produces the greatest amount of net benefit is 0.70. Weaknesses of the manufacturer’s submission include the assumption that only a single quit attempt using a single smoking cessation intervention is made, the presence of multiple computational errors and a limited sensitivity analysis. In conclusion, varenicline is likely to be clinically and costeffective for smoking cessation assuming that each user makes a single quit attempt. The key area of uncertainty concerns the long-term experience of subjects who have remained abstinent from smoking beyond 12 months. The guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in July 2007 states that varenicline is recommended within its licensed indications as an option for smokers who have expressed a desire to quit smoking and that varenicline should normally be prescribed only as part of a programme of behavioral support.
Rituximab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Bagust A , Boland A , Hockenhull J , Fleeman N , Greenhalgh J , Dundar Y , Proudlove C , Kennedy T , Moots R , Williamson P , Dickson R
Published: February 2021

This paper presents a summary of the evidence review group’s critical review of the evidence for the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of rituximab for the treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) following failure of previous therapy, including one or more tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors (TNFi), compared with current standards of care, based upon the manufacturer’s submission to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) as part of the single technology appraisal (STA) process. The submission’s clinical evidence came from one randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial (REFLEX – Random Evaluation of Long-term Efficacy of Rituximab in Rheumatoid Arthritis) comparing rituximab plus methotrexate (MTX) with placebo plus MTX in 517 patients with long-standing refractory RA. Rituximab plus MTX was more effective than placebo plus MTX across a range of primary and secondary outcome measures, e.g. American College of Rheumatology (ACR) responses, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). However, this evidence cannot be used directly to address the manufacturer’s analysis of the decision problem because, in the REFLEX trial, rituximab was not compared with a relevant comparator (e.g. leflunomide or second or third TNFi). Long-term efficacy data for retreatment with rituximab are favourable, with an estimated mean time to retreatment of 307 days (n = 164). Evidence from a further five trials is presented as the basis for indirect comparisons with other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs); however, it is not clear that all relevant clinical studies have been included in the indirect comparison exercise, the rationale for the choice of indirect comparison method adopted is unclear and the indirect comparison method used to adjust the ACR responses only uses a single value for the reference placebo. The submitted microsimulation Markov model was based upon the REFLEX trial. For the ‘NICE-recommended’ scenario and the ‘sequential TNFi’ scenario, the original submission reports incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of £14,690 and £11,601 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained respectively. After model assumptions were adjusted to more realistic estimates by the ERG, the ICERs for the NICE-recommended scenario and the sequential use of TNFi range from £37,002 to £80,198 per QALY gained and from £28,553 to £65,558 per QALY gained respectively. The guidance issued by NICE in August 2007 states that rituximab in combination with methotrexate is recommended as an option for the treatment of adults with severe active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to or intolerance of other DMARDs including treatment with at least one TNFi therapy.
Omalizumab for the treatment of severe persistent allergic asthma
Authors: Jones J , Shepherd J , Hartwell D , Harris P , Cooper K , Takeda A , Davidson P
Published: February 2021

This paper presents a summary of the evidence review group (ERG) report into the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of omalizumab for the treatment of chronic severe persistent allergic asthma, in accordance with the licensed indication, based upon the evidence submission from Novartis to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) as part of the single technology appraisal (STA) process. The clinical evidence comes from a randomised controlled trial comparing omalizumab as an add-on to standard therapy with placebo and standard therapy over a 28-week treatment period. For the primary outcome of the rate of clinically significant asthma exacerbations, there was no statistically significant difference between treatment groups. However, after making a post hoc adjustment for a suggested ‘clinically relevant’ imbalance between trial arms in baseline exacerbation rate, the difference became marginally statistically significant. In terms of secondary outcomes, there were statistically significant differences favouring omalizumab over placebo in total emergency visits, Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire scores, total symptom scores and lung function. Adverse events appeared to be similar between the trial arms. Results from three other publications are included in the manufacturer’s submission as supporting evidence for the effectiveness of omalizumab, despite not meeting the inclusion criteria which adhere strictly to the licensed indication. The ERG checked and provided commentary on the manufacturer’s model using standard checklists as well as undertook one-way sensitivity analysis, scenario analysis and a probabilistic sensitivity analysis. The cost-effectiveness analysis estimates the incremental costs and consequences of omalizumab as an add-on to standard therapy. The base-case analysis of the trial’s primary intention-to-treat population estimates a cost per quality-adjusted life-year of £30,647. The ERG conducted one-way sensitivity analyses for parameters omitted from the manufacturer’s submission sensitivity analysis. The results were most sensitive to variation in the utility values for omalizumab responders, and the unit cost of omalizumab. The guidance issued by NICE in November 2007 as a result of the STA states that omalizumab is recommended as a possible treatment for adults and young people over 12 years with severe persistent allergic asthma when their asthma meets certain conditions. Omalizumab treatment should be given along with the person’s current asthma medicines. It should be prescribed by a doctor who is experienced in asthma and allergy medicine at a specialist centre. If omalizumab does not control the asthma after 16 weeks, treatment should be stopped.