bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Substituting effects of winged bean tuber-modified starches for cassava chip in concentrate diets on rumen fermentation, nutrient utilization, and blood metabolites in Thai native beef cattle
Authors: Unnawong Narirat , Suriyapha Chaichana , Chankaew Sompong , Rakvong Teppratan , Cherdthong Anusorn
Published: May 2024

Objective: This study examined the effects of substituting winged bean tuber steam (WBTS) modified starches for cassava chips (CSC) in the concentrate diet on rumen fermentation, nutrient utilization, and blood metabolites in Thai-native beef cattle.Methods: Four Thai-native bulls were assigned randomly as a 4×4 Latin square design, which represents the amount of CSC replaced with WBTS in the concentrate mixture diets at 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%.Results: Increasing levels of WBTS replacement for CSC in the concentrate diets had a quadratic effect on total dry matter (DM) intake (p<0.05). Replacement of WBTS at 20% and 30% for CSC did not alter total DM intake compared to 0% WBTS, whereas 10% WBTS replacement could significantly increase total DM intake by 0.41 kg DM/d compared to the control group. In addition, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility showed a quadratic increase (p<0.05) when CSC was substituted at various levels of WBTS in the concentrate diet (p<0.05). Replacement of CSC with WBTS at 10% and 20% showed higher NDF digestibility when compared to 0% replacement. There was a quadratic increase in blood glucose at 4 h post-feeding, and the average blood glucose value was significantly lower (p<0.01) when substituting CSC with WBTS. Substituting WBTS for CSC at 10% in the concentrate diet showed the highest blood glucose concentration when compared to other treatments. Replacing CSC with WBTS at 10% and 20% shows a higher concentration of C3 than those of other treatments (0% or 30%). The nitrogen (N) intake increased linearly (p<0.05) when substituting WBTS for CSC at all levels in the diet. Additionally, N retention and the ratio of N retention to N intake increased (p<0.05) when substituting WBTS for CSC at 10%, 20%, and 30% compared to 0%. The gross energy intake (GEI), digestible energy intake (DEI), and energy efficiency (DEI/GEI) were quadratically increased when substituted with various levels of WBTS for CSC in the concentrate diet.Conclusion: The findings indicate that substituting 10% of CSC in the concentrate diet with WBTS may be sufficient as an alternative feed resource for improving nutrient utilization and metabolic efficiency in beef cattle diets.
Effects of dietary capsaicin supplementation on growth performance, blood profile and carcass and meat quality of finishing pigs
Authors: Namted Siriporn , Poungpong Kanokporn , Bunchasak Chaiyapoom
Published: May 2024

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effects of capsaicin (CAP) on productive performance, blood profile, intestinal morphology, carcass and meat quality of growing-finishing pigs.Methods: Two experimental diets were offered to 36 crossbred barrows: basal diet (0% CAP) and basal diet with CAP at 0.02%. Each experimental group consisted of 18 pigs, with six replications (three each).Results: Supplementation of CAP at 0.02% decreased average daily feed intake (p = 0.003) and feed cost/gain (p = 0.056), increased return on investment (p = 0.052) and increased gain:feed ratio (p = 0.037) during the growing period. There was no effect of CAP on the growth rate. The blood urea nitrogen and nitrogen (N) levels in faeces tended to decrease (p = 0.093 and p = 0.087), whereas the basophil level increased with CAP supplementation (p = 0.029). In addition, dietary CAP supplementation decreased crypt depth (p = 0.022) and tended to increase the villus height/crypt depth ratio in the segment of the jejunum (p = 0.084). Backfat (BF) thickness (p = 0.047) was reduced by supplementing CAP. Whereas the protein content increased with CAP supplementation (p = 0.021). Using CAP in the diet of growing pigs increased the pH at 6 h post-mortem (p = 0.046) and tended to increase the springiness value (p = 0.078) of the meat. In terms of meat color, CAP supplementation increased the yellowness (p = 0.029).Conclusion: Supplemental CAP improves gut morphology and blood profiles, consequently promoting productive performance as well as carcass and meat quality.
Effect of cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin treatment on boar sperm cryopreservation
Authors: Zhang Silong , Zhang Hanbing , Liu Kexiong , Xu Xiaoling , Qin Yusheng , Xiao Linli , Zhou Chunmei , Wu Jianliang , Liu Yan , Bai Jiahua
Published: May 2024

Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of different concentrations of cholesterolloaded cyclodextrin (CLC) on cryopreservation in boar sperm quality.Methods: In this study, we treated boar sperm with different concentrations of CLC before freezing and analyzed the sperm cholesterol concentration, plasma membrane, acrosome integrity rate and total motility rate before and after freeze-thawing. We also investigated the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and structural- and oxidative-damage related proteins in all groups after thawing.Results: The results revealed that the cholesterol concentration of the CLC-treated groups was higher than that of the control group, both before freezing and after thawing (p<0.05). The plasma membrane integrity rate, acrosome integrity rate, and total motility rate of sperm were also enhanced after thawing in the CLC-treated group (all p<0.05). Moreover, ROS and MDA production and ATP loss were reduced in CLC-treated sperm during freezing and thawing (p<0.05). Finally, CLC pretreatment partially prevented the consumption of various proteins involved in metabolism including capping actin protein of muscle Z-line subunit beta (CAPZB), heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1 (HSP90AA1) and phosphoglycerate mutase 2 (PGAM2) (p<0.05).Conclusion: The CLC treatment increased cholesterol concentration and decreased structural injury and oxidative damage during boar sperm freezing and thawing, improving the efficacy of sperm cryopreservation in boar.
Impact of Motivation in Promoting Sports Participation among People with Disabilities
Authors: Al Harthy Sobhi Saeed , Hammad Mohammad Ahmed , Awed Huda Shaaban
Published: May 2024

Sport plays a vital role in facilitating the integration of people with disabilities into society, with motivation being a crucial factor for their participation. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the motivation behind sports participation among people with disabilities, considering age, gender, disability type, and educational level as potential influencing factors. A sample of 205 people with disabilities, recruited from three sports clubs in southern Saudi Arabia, completed the Motivation Scale for Sports Participation of People with Disabilities. Statistical analyses, including independent and one-way ANOVA, were conducted to explore motivation variations based on demographic characteristics. Results indicated higher levels of internal motivation, followed by external motivation among participants. Notably, people with visual impairments exhibited greater external motivation, while those with physical impairments demonstrated significant internal motivation. Age-related differences were identified, with older people showing lower internal motivation but higher external motivation. Furthermore, significant variations in motivation were observed based on educational level, with people possessing higher academic backgrounds displaying elevated motivation levels. Gender-based differences in motivation were not significant. To enhance the engagement of people with disabilities in sports activities, tailored policies considering age, education, and disability type-specific motivations are recommended, aiming to foster a supportive environment conducive to their athletic pursuits.
Efficient YOLO-Based Deep Learning Model for Arabic Sign Language Recognition
Authors: Al Ahmadi Saad , Mohammad Farah , Al Dawsari Haya
Published: May 2024

Verbal communication is the dominant form of self-expression and interpersonal communication. Speech is a considerable obstacle for individuals with disabilities, including those who are deaf, hard of hearing, mute, and nonverbal. Sign language is a complex system of gestures and visual signs facilitating individual communication. With the help of artificial intelligence, the hearing and the deaf can communicate more easily. Automatic detection and recognition of sign language is a complex and challenging task in computer vision and machine learning. This paper proposes a novel technique using deep learning to recognize the Arabic Sign Language (ArSL) accurately. The proposed method relies on advanced attention mechanisms and convolutional neural network architecture integrated with a robust You Only Look Once (YOLO) object detection model that improves the detection and recognition rate of the proposed technique. In our proposed method, we integrate the self-attention block, channel attention module, spatial attention module, and cross-convolution module into feature processing for accurate detection. The recognition accuracy of our method is significantly improved, with a higher detection rate of 99%. The methodology outperformed conventional methods, achieving a precision rate of 0.9 and a mean average precision (mAP) of 0.9909 at an intersection over union (IoU) of 0.5. From IoU thresholds of 0.5 to 0.95, the mAP continuously remains high, indicating its effectiveness in accurately identifying signs at different precision levels. The results show the model’s robustness in accurately detecting and classifying complex multiple ArSL signs. The results show the robustness and efficacy of the proposed model.
Defending Guardians of the Constitution against Ruinous Criticism
Authors: Ogutu Ken
Published: May 2024

Court decisions on bail applications by governors who face prosecution over corruption related crimes have come under sharp criticism from those who believe orders barring the governors from accessing their offices during trial offend the law since they amount to constructive and unprocedural removal from office. One such critic is Duncan O’kubasu who has penned a piece criticizing the decision of Lady Justice Mumbi Ngugi in the Moses Lenolkulal Case. This paper responds to that criticism by highlighting several flaws in the arguments presented by O’kubasu. He starts by understating the threat that corruption poses to the Kenyan society as the basis for undermining the inter-agency collaboration to address the vice, as well as the Judiciary’s own efforts as part of that collaboration. The rest of his arguments are founded on the wrong question, that is, whether the governors facing trial should be removed from office. Beyond these foundational errors, the rest of the paper contains a number of errors that culminate in his flawed conclusion that the decision amounts to ruinous judicial activism. When looked at in the context of the constant blame the Judiciary has faced in recent years when it has been labelled as the weakest link in the fight against corruption as well as the quest of the Kenyan people for ethical leadership, this paper argues that the decision is sound and Judges like Mumbi Ngugi J ought to be celebrated for sticking their necks out in defence of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya.
The Jurisdictional Remit of the Supreme Court of Kenya Over Questions Involving the ‘Interpretation and Application’ of the Constitution
Authors: Ochieng Walter Khobe
Published: May 2024

This paper interrogates the vexed question of the jurisdictional limits of the Supreme Court of Kenya under article 163(4)(a) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. That provision confers a wide jurisdiction to the Supreme Court whose reach is defined as limited to questions involving the ‘interpretation and application of the Constitution’. Contrary to claims by many commentators, this paper asserts that the Supreme Court of Kenya has not usurped jurisdiction that was not conferred upon it, rather, the court has remained faithful to the constitutionally prescribed jurisdictional frontiers in its work.
Raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility in Kenya
Authors: Kadima Cedric
Published: May 2024

This paper investigates why and how Kenya reviewed its minimum age of criminal responsibility while enacting the Children Act of 2022. The Act creates a range; a lower level of the minimum age of criminal responsibility of 12 years and a higher level of 14 years. In the preceding regime of laws, the minimum age for criminal responsibility was 8 and 12 years, respectively. The paper interrogates how Kenya arrived at the ages of 12 and 14. In doing so, the paper will examine the foundations of the minimum age of criminal responsibility and some of the international legal instruments affecting the minimum age of criminal responsibility.
The Image of the Moroccan Saint in Oral and Written Hagiography
Authors: Errazki-van Beek Mariëtte
Published: May 2024

In the last few decades the Western world has witnessed a growing interest in hagiography. Although previously hardly any scholarly status was ascribed to saints’ legends, the value of this genre is now generally recognized as a source for historical and social research. In order to get a clear impression of Islamic saints’ legends one cannot confine oneself exclusively to an analysis of written hagiography. Legends form part a still vivid oral tradition, too. This situation in Morocco is a clear example. The author collected thirty-seven saints’ legends during a 1992 research project in Marrakesh together with the study of the rituals that are still being performed at the shrines. The paper provides an analysis of these legends.
A REVIEW -POLYMERIC NANOCOMPOSITES
Authors: Singh Dr. Dev Raj
Published: May 2024

Nanocomposites are the materials consists polyphase solids with one, two or three dimensions less than nano scale. In these materials the distance between two phases repeated on nano scale. [1-3]. Idea about nanocomposites to builds up the materials with nano dimension that provides extraordinary flexibility with enhancing physical properties. Nanocomposites can be defined as the materials may be colloidal, gels, porous and copolymers, It is the combination of matrix and reinforcement phases possess different materials based on the structure and chemistry of the constituents. The properties like thermal, mechanical, optical, electrical and catalytical of nanomaterials significantly depends on the size limits of components. For various properties like super magnetism, optical, magnetic and catalytic the size should be less than 100 nm, 50 nm, 20 nm and 5 nm respectively. It is expected that nanocomposites exhibit extraordinary amended properties by the combination of matrix and reinforcements. The upgrading properties can be achieved effectively by interaction between the matrix and nanoparticles by appropriate dispersion of nanoparticles in matrix [4]. These materials have emerged as right alternatives to reduce the restrictions of micro and massive composites. The different bonding pattern appears in nano composites between matrix and reinforcement such as covalent bonding, ionic bonding, Vander Waals forces and hydrogen bonding. The novel properties of nanocomposites such as exceeding design, flexibility, optical property create a synergy between the constituents with the demands of second phase nanoscale. The variation in the properties of nanocomposites particularly depends on type of matrix material such as dimension, nature of dispersion, shape, orientations and interface between matrix and second phase reinforcements [5]. The nanocomposite plays a wide role in biomedical applications such as drug delivery, biosensors, tissue engineering and stem cell variations. These composites are described to be novel materials of 21st century having exclusivity design and the novel properties, different from those synthesized by conventional methods [6]
SMART DATA
Authors: Datley Anamika Soni , Soni Shailesh
Published: May 2024

Information that truly makes sense is referred to as "Smart Data." It's the distinction between observing a long list of figures corresponding to weekly sales and recognizing the peaks and valleys in sales volume over time. Algorithms transform useless data into practical knowledge. Smart data is data from which clever algorithms have extracted signals and patterns. Large-scale data collection has limited value if there isn't an intelligence layer added to it
UNDERSTANDING THE BIOLOGY OF INDIAN MAJOR CARPS: KEY INSIGHTS FOR SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE AND CONSERVATION
Authors: Chandra Gyan , Samanta Rupam , Pushp Anjali , Keer Naresh Raj
Published: May 2024

Indian major carps are a cornerstone of India's aquaculture industry, supporting millions of livelihoods and contributing significantly to the country's food security. The major Indian carp species supports almost 70 to 75% of total freshwater fish production. The biological profiles of these carp species are diverse in many aspects and are adapted to specific environmental niches. Reproductive biology is critical for the sustainable management of these carp species, as it impacts aquaculture practices and natural habitat conservation. Conserving these carp species in fragile ecosystems faces challenges like overfishing, habitat degradation, water pollution, illegal fish introduction, and the impacts of climate change. A holistic approach combining habitat restoration, sustainable fishing practices, and community engagement is essential to mitigate these challenges. Taxonomy, classification, and distribution are fundamental for sustainable fish resource management and conservation. Accurate species identification and understanding of taxonomic relationships are vital for informed decision-making in aquaculture. Induced breeding is a widely used method for carp seed production, involving hormonal stimulation with pituitary extract or synthetic formulations. The Chinese type of carp hatchery system is efficient for mass-scale fish seed production, with a two-tier rearing system involving a nursery and fingerling phase. In conclusion, Indian major carps are significant for India's food security and the aquaculture industry. Understanding their biology, ecology, taxonomy, and reproductive processes is critical for profitable, sustainable fish farming practices and conservation initiatives
Data Analysis and Visualization: Unveiling Insights through Numbers and Graphics
Authors: Agrawal Arun , Rathore Yogendra Singh , Tomar Archana
Published: May 2024

In today's world, we have lots of information, and understanding it is like solving a puzzle. First, we clean and organize the information, which is data analysis. Then, we make pictures or charts to show the patterns and stories hidden in the data – that's data visualization. These pictures help us understand the information better. Sometimes, we can even click on these pictures to explore more details. Choosing the right type of picture and using colors and labels correctly makes the pictures clearer. Learning how to do these things helps us uncover secrets in the data and make smarter decisions. It's like turning numbers into pictures that tell us important stories
Oligogenic and Polygenic Characters
Authors: Nunavath Aswini , Harisha T.
Published: May 2024

Enormous progress has been made in this century about our knowledge of understanding of genetics and the rate of change is ever-increasing. Genetics has been fortunate in drawing the attention of exceptionally gifted individuals from all areas of science, including biology as well as chemistry, physics and mathematics. As a result, genetics has holding a central position in biology in the late 20th century. Insight has been gained from studying the inheritance, function and more recently, the molecular structure of individual genes from Mendel's work to that of modern molecular geneticists. Such methods rely on the existence of clearly recognisable or having distinct phenotypes resulting from various forms of a gene or by a number of genes across individuals within a species or between species. To discover more about that target trait in that target species, it's critical to have knowledge of the underlying polygenic or oligogenic nature
Mutation Breeding in Crop Improvement
Authors: Naik G. H. , Kalpande H. V. , Sargar P. R. , Deshmukh S. S. , Patil S. A.
Published: May 2024

Plant breeding relies on genetic variation as its main tool to create unique and improved cultivars. Fortunately, mutant breeding offers us hope for the development of food crops with high nutritional quality yields that also increase the content and bioavailability of vital elements. Additionally, they create crop kinds that can withstand salt, drought, and disease. The role of mutagenic plants and their role in human food systems are less understood, despite the fact that the role and abundance of variations of transgenic crops in human food systems and their effect on ecology, human health, and agriculture biodiversity are better understood and well documented. Since the X-ray effects on mutation were discovered, mutation breeding has emerged as a promising and unmatched method for the improvement of crops. Even if new and cuttingedge methods for inducing mutations have emerged, they have always aided in the fundamental goal of improving crops to meet population growth demands for food security, sustainable nutrition, and improved nutrition. The general reduction in genetic diversity that has been steadily occurring in crop species is also partially offset by the heritable variability brought on by the mutations
Maintenance Breeding
Authors: Sargar Pramod , Pranati Jwala , Krishnappa Suma , Mehtre Shivaji
Published: May 2024

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy. Its success depends on several factors, one of which is the seed. High-quality seeds proved to make a significant contribution to cultivar yield. The purity and integrity of seeds facilitate the growth and development of agriculture to feed India's population, which is growing at an alarming rate. There are different classes of seeds such as nucleus seed, breeder seed, foundation seed and certified seed. Numerous seed health determining factors guide the quality of these seeds. Thus, maintaining the physical and genetic purity of each and every cultivar is of prime importance. It is achieved by ―Maintenance Breeding‖ which aids in multiplication and distribution of quality nucleus and breeder seeds to the chain of seed multiplication. Controlled pollination is the pre-requisite to keep up the purity of seeds and any amount of out crossing will lead to deterioration of its quality. In this view of achieving quality seed production, maintenance breeding involves organized multiplication, effective seed certification and accurate phased testing at the field, processing and storage facilities. Thereby the know-how of maintenance breeding is crucial for a breeder/seed technologist in further development of agriculture. The present chapter elaborates on the features, procedures and importance of maintenance breeding and throws light on procedures to be employed in nucleus and breeder seeds of selfand cross-pollinated crops. It also highlights the causes of varietal deterioration and methods to overcome them for quality seed production
Analisis Perubahan Tutupan Lahan Kecamatan Batang Anai Kabupaten Padang Pariaman Tahun 2002-2022
Authors: Fauzan Healdy , Syarief Azhari
Published: May 2024

Land cover change is a process of change from previous land cover to other land cover and is also long or temporary in nature which is a form of logical consequence of growth and transformation. The purpose of this study was to identify and determine land cover in Batang Anai Sub-district. The research method uses the overlay method, map analysis approach and also regression statistics, namely Landsat images of land cover of the study area in 2002 and 2022 sourced from the Research Center. Significant changes in the area of each category reflect major shifts in the land use structure of the area over the period 2002 to 2022. An increase in urban and wet-rice farming, along with a decrease in the area of shrubs, are highlighted. The driving factor for land change in the Batang Anai sub-district is caused by people who want to increase their income from existing land by expanding their plantation or agricultural land and also building built-up land.
Pengalaman Informasi Followers Akun Instagram @Viviatal dalam Memenuhi Kebutuhan Informasi Mengenai Self Development
Authors: Ilham Muhammad , Primadesi Yona
Published: May 2024

The phenomenon of needing information regarding self-development is considered important. To meet these needs, the Instagram account @viviatal is an alternative. After the information needs are met, of course followers of the @viviatal account will get an information experience. This research aims to determine the information experience felt by followers of the Instagram account @viviatal. This research uses a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach. The information in this research was determined using a purposive sampling technique. Collection techniques were carried out by means of observation, interviews and documentation. The analysis technique used is thematic analysis technique, namely identifying patterns and forming new themes based on the data collected. The results of this research show that the Instagram account @viviatal (1) is the result of identifying sources of information, (2) becomes a media that plays a role, and (3) has an impact in increasing insight, consideration in decision making, and has a positive impact on followers of the Instagram account @viviatal.
Kiégést befolyásoló tényezők magyarországi információtechnológiai dolgozók körében – pilot vizsgálat
Authors: Gács Boróka , Matuz András , Fehér Gergely , Tibold Antal , Kapus Krisztián , Bankó Zoltán , Berke Gyula
Published: May 2024

INTRODUCTION: Studies on mental health and work performance are becoming increasingly important in international literature. However, more information is needed on the extent of burnout in the information technology (IT) sector. Therefore, our pilot research aimed to investigate the area of burnout in the IT sector and identify factors associated with burnout and factors that play a role in predicting burnout.
METHODOLOGY: The research involved an online cross-sectional survey pilot study with 42 IT company employees in Hungary. In addition to demographic and general data, the participants completed questionnaires on burnout, workload, sleep disturbance and negative affectivity.
RESULTS: The results showed that 66.6% (28 persons) of the participants showed symptoms of burnout. The burnout group had significantly higher scores for depression, anxiety, stress, effort, over-commitment and sleeping disorder. In addition, the dimension of burnout was found to be a significant predictor of the dimension of exhaustion, as were the type of residence, number of hours per week and diabetes. Gender, age, marital status, number of children, years of education, years of work, and other health problems did not show significant associations with burnout.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of the pilot study suggest that early detection and prevention of burnout are crucial. The research could significantly contribute to the theoretical knowledge of burnout and hold practical implications for enhancing the mental health of workers in the IT sector, provided that the results can be replicated on a larger sample.
ÖRGÜTSEL İKLİM ALGISI İLE PSİKOLOJİK SAHİPLENME ARASINDAKİ İLİŞKİ
Authors: Fırın Sevcan
Published: May 2024

Bu araştırmada, örgütsel iklim algısı ile psikolojik sahiplenme arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu kapsamda araştırmada kullanılmak üzere anket formu hazırlanmış ve formda katılımcıların demografik bilgilerine yönelik ifadeler, örgütsel iklim ve psikolojik sahiplenme ölçekleri yer almıştır. Araştırmaya bankada görev yapan 177 beyaz yakalı çalışan katılmış ve katılımcıların verdikleri cevaplar doğrultusunda toplanan veriler SPSS ve AMOS programları aracılığıyla analiz edilmiştir. Korelasyon analizi sonuçlarına göre örgütsel iklim algısı ile psikolojik sahiplenme arasında anlamlı bir ilişki olduğu saptanmıştır. Üstün desteği, bağdaşıklık ve tarafsızlık boyutları ile psikolojik sahiplenme arasında anlamlı bir ilişki olduğu gözlenmiştir. Regresyon analizi sonucuna göre örgütsel iklim algısının, üstün desteği, bağdaşıklık ve tarafsızlık boyutlarının psikolojik sahiplenme duygusu üzerinde pozitif bir etkisi olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
The Birth of Psychological War
Authors: Whyte Jeffrey
Published: May 2024

In the current climate of concern over disinformation and the so-called ‘post-truth era,’ psychological warfare has returned to discussions of national and international politics. Yet questions concerning psychological warfare — when, where, and how it came about — are poorly understood. This monograph reveals the complexity of these questions by investigating the historical-geographical contexts in which psychological warfare emerged. Identifying the home front and the foreign theatre as its key contexts, this monograph traces psychological warfare’s trajectory from the Second World War, to the ‘Cold War of ideas’ in Europe, to the counterinsurgency campaigns of the Vietnam war. While psychological warfare often claims to make war more humane, this book shows that in practice it has expanded the scale and scope of military violence. Despite psychological warfare’s perennial failures to ‘win hearts and minds’ abroad, this monograph shows that its influence nevertheless continues to transform the practice and meaning of contemporary warfighting and international relations.
Introduction: ‘Switching Back to Good Old PSYOP’
Authors: Whyte Jeffrey
Published: May 2024

This chapter introduces the content and themes of the book by situating its historical approach to psychological warfare in relation to contemporary concerns over disinformation, ‘active measures’, and the post-truth era. Prefacing the book’s argument that psychological warfare evolved alongside practices of aerial bombardment, it draws upon Derek Gregory’s notion of the ‘moral economy of bombing’ to introduces the book’s challenge to the claims that psychological warfare represents an objective, humane, manly, and lawful way of war.
‘A New Geography of Defense’
Authors: Whyte Jeffrey
Published: May 2024

This chapter details the efforts of the American and British intelligence officers who popularised the concept of ‘psychological warfare’ between 1940-42. In the context of fierce political battles between American interventionists and isolationists, this chapter outlines the construction of a geographical imagination of psychological warfare as a new and scientifically calibrated method of attack that ‘knew no limits in time and space’ — what Nelson Rockefeller called ‘a new geography of defense’ in which the civilian’s thoughts, feelings and opinions became a new terrain of international contest. It concludes with a consideration of the origins of the United States’ so-called ‘strategy of truth’ that would define the rhetoric of its international communications in the early Cold War period.
Psywar in Vietnam
Authors: Whyte Jeffrey
Published: May 2024

This chapter traces the evolution of psychological warfare’s theory and practice in the US military, with an emphasis on the counterinsurgency turn during the Vietnam War. It considers the significance of the United States Information Agency and its provision of technical and advisory support to friendly governments around the world. It focuses especially on the USIA’s Joint United States Public Affairs Office (JUSPAO), which in 1965 became the nerve centre of US information and psychological war programs in Vietnam. It details US efforts to ‘win the hearts and minds’ of the Vietnamese people, including the construction of Vietnam’s first national television broadcast system. It concludes that, despite their social scientific credentials, US psychological warriors found themselves unable to understand – let alone win – the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people they sought to govern.
Conclusion
Authors: Whyte Jeffrey
Published: May 2024

This chapter concludes the book by bringing its analysis to bear upon the contemporary return of psychological warfare to popular political imaginations. Pushing back against claims that the contemporary ‘post-truth’ era is defined by novel practices of disinformation and psychological warfare, this chapter argues that the contemporary moment is best understood in terms of continuity rather than rupture with the past. It concludes with analysis of the way that contemporary threat imaginaries surrounding psychological warfare license new reactionary approaches to psychological warfare.
Risk shifting in mutual funds: evidence in Thailand
Authors:   , Ekjariyakorn Suphitcha
Published: May 2024

The paper aims to examine whether risk-shifting behavior exists in Thai equity mutual funds or not. The empirical analysis studies the period from 2005 to 2022. It is investigated that risk-shifting behavior exists in Thailand by having compensation and employment incentive influences fund managers’ decision on risk shifting.

Firstly, this study uses the states of the market which are positive and negative market returns as the proxy of compensation and employment incentive, respectively. The finding is illustrated that mid-year losers take more risk of the portfolio in the latter half of the year in both positive and negative market return periods where the greater risk adjustment is found in the positive market return period. This relationship is the same for both tax and non-tax-privileged mutual funds. Also, the paper finds a stronger degree of risk shifting in tax than non-tax-privileged mutual funds.

Secondly, this study uses the profitability of the companies which the fund managers work under as another proxy. High and low profitability companies can refer to the domination of compensation and employment incentives respectively. The paper finds that underperformed fund managers increase the portfolio risk in the latter half of the year when working under high-profitability companies. The result is the same for low-profitability companies but a weaker degree of risk shifting.
Global oil price transmission to domestic diesel prices, andthe impact on listed firm's profitability and stock market returns : evidence from Thailand
Authors:   , Renuros Koravik
Published: May 2024

This research paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the dynamics of volatile oil prices over the past two decades, with a focus on the stock exchange of Thailand from the period of 2004 to 2022. Firstly, the study utilizes the Vector Autoregressive Model (VAR) technique to examine the impact of global oil price fluctuations on domestic fuel prices and the stock market in Thailand. The findings reveal that changes in global oil prices have a delayed and indirect effect on the Thai stock market. The transmission of volatility through domestic diesel prices is a crucial factor in this relationship. Notably, domestic diesel prices exhibit an immediate influence on the stock market, serving as a reliable indicator of economic growth. These insights shed light on the dynamic nature of the interactions between diesel prices, global oil prices, and the stock market in Thailand. Furthermore, the study investigates the impact of changes in domestic diesel prices on the accounting performance measures of energy sector firms. Through sub-sample analysis, the sample is divided into groups based on their association with energy prices. The results demonstrate a positive and significant effect of domestic diesel prices on accounting returns, particularly the return on assets (ROA), across the energy sector. The effect is more pronounced within the oil and gas companies. This highlights the dominant role of commodity prices, particularly diesel prices, as explanatory factors for accounting performance measures in the energy sector. Overall, this research contributes valuable insights into the temporal relationship between commodity prices, stock market performance, and accounting performance in the energy sector. By examining the dynamics of volatile oil prices and their impact on the stock exchange and accounting measures, this study enhances our understanding of the interconnections and dynamics within the energy sector and its relationship with the broader economy.
The role of bank capital through monetary policy transmission mechanism
Authors:   , Rosmontee Waraluk
Published: May 2024

This study examines the role of bank capital in the transmission of monetary policy, considering the bank lending channel (BLC) and financial development. Analyzing bank-level data from nine countries during 2007-2021 with GMM method, the study finds that well-capitalized banks are better positioned to expand loan supply and withstand adverse shocks. However, behavioral patterns differ between developed and ASEAN countries. In developed nations, policy rate changes have inconclusive effects on loan growth, while profitable banks and inflation drive credit expansion. In ASEAN countries, policy rate increases are associated with loan growth, reflecting favorable economic conditions. Financial development impacts credit expansion differently in developed and ASEAN countries, with improved financial systems mitigating shocks in ASEAN. These findings emphasize the importance of bank capital and the need for policymakers to consider bank capital and financial development in designing effective monetary policies.
Effect of joining Paris Agreement to Green Bond Premium in US Market
Authors:   , Sukijjakamin Onjira
Published: May 2024

The paper investigates whether green bonds are priced at a premium compared to conventional bonds by analyzing the yield spread between green bonds and comparable conventional bonds (where a negative yield spread indicates a premium). The study also examines the factors influencing the yield difference including the effect of participating in Paris Agreement to the green bond premium. Initially, the paper expected to find a negative green bond premium, indicating that green bonds have lower yields than comparable conventional bonds, as investors are willing to accept lower yields for the ESG benefits associated with green projects. However, the paper obtained contradictory results. Additionally, participating in the Paris Agreement cannot be used to explain the green bond premium in US markets.
A study of potential factor investing strategy from ESG score and intangible capital in Thailand
Authors:   , Voratavornviwat Issaraphorn
Published: May 2024

The independent study aimed to examine the relationship between Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) scores and Intangible Capital Ratio (ICR) and their implications for buy-and-hold returns (BHR) and stock performance among Thai listed companies. The study focuses on firms listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) with available ESG scores, covering the period from 2018 to 2022 (169 companies).

The finding for the first objective found that an increase in the ESG score leads to a rise in the ICR, these findings highlight the importance of ESG scores and company size & high BTM in determining a firm’s ICR. However, the study also considered fixed effects in terms of Stock, Year and Industry factors. The influence of the ESG score on the ICR did not demonstrate statistical significance. We could not conclude from this analysis. There is a gap in recognizing and capitalizing on the potential of ESG investing to build and enhance intangible capital. Moreover, ESG investment is considered as a long-term value, it might take time to create value through company.

The second objective: the findings show that ESG score and the ICR do not significantly influence the return (RI) across all models. We do not have sufficient evidence to claim a significant relationship between these independent variables and Return. The result supported the existing research on ESG did not significantly affect stock performance and ESG/CSR investments may indicate agency problems. Moreover, there is in line with CFA global ESG survey that some investors did not integrate ESG in the process of valuation. In addition, intangible assets like brand reputation, patents, or proprietary technology can play a crucial role in a company's success and potential for growth. Their value might not always be fully reflected in short-term stock price movements but could have long-term effects on a company's market position and financial performance.

However, the study conducts a portfolio analysis to further explore abnormal returns and risk aspects. The portfolio characterized by a Low ESG Score and High ICR (LH) demonstrates an impressive cumulative return of 61.64%, outperforming the SETTRI benchmark at 21.99%. Furthermore, the LH portfolio exhibits the highest alpha at 55.95% and better risk-adjusted performance based on the Sharpe and Treynor ratios.

In conclusion, the dissertation highlights the challenge and opportunity presented by the gap in integrating ESG investing with intangible capital. With a limited sample size of 169 SET companies providing ESG score data, further analysis is recommended to deepen our understanding of this subject. There is significant potential for comprehensive ESG assessment, valuation, reporting standards, regulatory support, and increased awareness to facilitate the full integration of ESG principles into investment strategies and the valuation of intangible capital.
What are The Earning Differentials Between Full-Time Workers in Public and Private Sector Who are Bachelor Degree Holder in Thailand? Evidence from Thai Labor Force Survey Data in The Third Quarter Of 2022
Authors:   , Saerepaiboonsub Atit
Published: May 2024

This study wants to investigate the wage gap (wage premium or wage discount) between public and private sector among bachelor degree holder employees in Thailand, especially, the relationship between individual characteristics and these gap, namely gender, age, region, occupation, education, etc. The size of the public sector wage premium is relatively high in countryside but will change into wage discount in central region. Premium by occupation in public sector can only be found in technician and service worker group, but discount for senior official and professional. In other words, the higher the job position they are in workplace, the higher chance the premium will shift from public sector to private sector. The public sector’s gender wage gap is by far smaller compare to private sector counterpart. Supplementary benefits received in cash such as bonuses, overtime and other cash, are relatively higher in private sector than those in public sector, when taking into account, the size of wage discount for public sector will get bigger. However, it is likely that the discount for public sector could be lower than this estimation alone given that the public sector offers more benefits in term of welfare than the private sector, and these results do not factor in those non‐pecuniary features of employment, for example job security, health-care benefits, disability insurance and old-age pension.
The credit risk-return puzzle and the value premium puzzle in Thailand
Authors:   , Ratanasaeng Pimnara
Published: May 2024

The objective of this study is to examine the presence of two puzzles in the stock market which are empirically inconsistent with the fundamental principle of risk and return. Theoretically, the assets with higher risk should compensate higher returns. However, when the credit risk is considered, the previous evidences show that the stocks of firms with high credit rating (low risk) generate higher return than the stocks of firms with low credit rating (high risk). Moreover, previous studies find that the firms with high book-to-market (value firm) generates higher return on stock than the firms with low book-to-market (growth firm). This study tests the puzzles in Thailand by using data from 150 firms with credit ratings from 2015 to 2022. The result shows the credit risk-return puzzle does not exist in Thai market, but the value premium puzzle is presented in Thai market.
The effect of goodwill impairment avoidance on future performance growth: Evidence from Thailand
Authors:   , Limapichat Chantanit
Published: May 2024

This study explores the impact of goodwill impairment avoidance on the future financial performance growth of firms listed on the Stock Exchanges of Thailand (SET). Spanning 14 years from 2008 to 2021, the research analyzes 405 observations from 124 distinct firms, utilizing multivariate regression models to uncover the relationship. The study also focuses on understanding how Big 4 auditors can impact this dynamic.

The study finds evidence that firms avoiding timely goodwill impairment exhibit lower performance growth in the subsequent year. Interestingly, the negative impact of goodwill avoidance is less pronounced for firms audited by one of the Big 4 compared to those audited by non-Big 4 firms.

The practical implications of the findings extend to stakeholders in Thailand's financial landscape. Users of financial statements can refine decision-making by scrutinizing report reliability and staying vigilant about firms suspected of goodwill impairment avoidance. Regulators can leverage the research to consider improvements to accounting standards. The study highlights the crucial role of Big 4 audit firms in mitigating adverse effects, emphasizing the significance of auditor reputation and oversight in financial reporting, particularly concerning goodwill impairment recognition.
The effect of bank liquidity creation on performance and stock returns: Evidence from Thailand
Authors:   , Boonsongkhoh Wanlaya
Published: May 2024

This study investigates the relationship between bank liquidity creation, performance, and stock returns across 11 banks in Thailand from 2012 to 2021, spanning the economic crisis in Thailand and the COVID-19 pandemic. Liquidity creation measures the extent to which banks generate a money supply for the public, classified into liquidity created on the balance sheet and liquidity created both on and off the balance sheet categories. After controlling for macroeconomic and bank-specific variables, the results of a fixed-effects regression model reveal that next-period performance and stock returns deteriorate as liquidity creation levels increase. An inverted U-shaped relationship between liquidity creation (excluding off-balance sheet activities) and subsequent period performance is also observed, suggesting a trade-off between profitability and risk management. Furthermore, during a crisis, liquidity creation has a negative impact on bank performance and stock returns; however, this relationship is not significant when considering liquidity created on- and off-balance sheet activities and stock returns. This might be attributed to investors prioritizing on-balance sheet activities due to their immediate impact on a company's financial health, while off-balance sheet activities often involve non-cash credit and may have less short-term influence on stock returns. Additionally, a Mann-Whitney U test is employed to support the hypotheses; overall, it shows that increased liquidity creation is associated with lower performance. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, regulators, and investors regarding liquidity creation and its implications for bank performance and stock returns.