Top Positions Research Articles

A regional scale study of parasites in Percichthys trucha, an endemic fish of southern South America: insights on diversity and distribution from two decades of field surveys.

The current conservation status of Percichthys trucha (Creole perch) is Least Concern, although the population trend is considered to be decreasing. We conducted an extensive survey of parasite fauna in this species over two decades in its distribution range in Argentina. Fish were collected using gill and trawl nets. Parasites were collected, identified, and counted to calculate prevalence and mean intensity. The present work reports the parasite species infecting P. trucha, using data from our own survey and from previously published records. This information enables us to evaluate infection and distribution patterns, assess the role of P. trucha as host, determine the specificity of the parasites, and evaluate the threat represented by introduced, invasive parasites. The data set consists of a total of 453 host-parasite-locality records, of which only 15 are exclusively bibliographic. We found 44 parasite taxa: 19 digeneans, 4 monogeneans, 5 cestodes, 8 nematodes, 4 acanthocephalans, 3 crustaceans, and 1 mollusk. The most represented families were Diplostomidae, Heterophyidae, and Dactylogyridae. This study increases the number of parasite species known from 25 to 44. It can be concluded that this parasite fauna is characterized by high diversity, particularly of digeneans, and most of the parasites reproduce within this host, a pattern which is related to the top position of this fish species in the trophic webs. Six parasite species (Allocreadium patagonicum, Homalometron papilliferum, Acanthostomoides apophalliformis, Duplaccessorius andinus, Pseudodelphys limnicola, and Hysterothylacium patagonense) exhibit high host specificity (only matures in Creole perches) and are widely distributed, which could now be considered as "biogeographical core helminth fauna." Some P. trucha populations are affected by the invasion of alien fishes like Cyprinus carpio and pathogenic parasites like Lernaea cyprinacea and Schizocotyle acheilognathi. Our findings emphasize the need for further research.

Arylidene and amino spacer-linked rhodanine-quinoline hybrids as upgraded antimicrobial agents.

Antibiotic resistance associated with various microorganisms such as Gram-positive, Gram-negative, fungal strains, and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis increases the risk of healthcare survival. Preliminary therapeutics becoming ineffective that might lead to noteworthy mortality presents a crucial challenge for the scientific community. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop hybrid compounds as antimicrobial agents by combining two or more bioactive heterocyclic moieties into a single molecular framework with fewer side effects and a unique mode of action. This review highlights the recent advances (2013-2023) in the pharmacology of rhodanine-linked quinoline hybrids as more effective antimicrobial agents. In the drug development process, linker hybrids acquire the top position due to their excellent π-stacking and Van der Waals interaction with the DNA active sites of pathogens. A molecular hybridization strategy has been optimized, indicating that combining these two bioactive moieties with an arylidene and an amino spacer linker increases the antimicrobial potential and reduces drug resistance. Moreover, the structure-activity relationship study is discussed to express the role of various functional groups in improving and decrementing antimicrobial activities for rational drug design. Also, a linker approach may accelerate the development of dynamic antimicrobial agents through molecular hybridization.

Aggregating an economic model and GIS to explore trade potentials of India-Caspian countries and a way forward for INSTC

The Caspian countries have a crucial role in new trade scenarios for India as it constantly steers towards its trade diversification and expansion. With the establishment and expansion of INSTC (International North South Transport Corridor), the importance of Caspian countries (Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia) has increased. INSTC is also seen as a gateway to Central Asia. It is, therefore, of utmost significance to estimate the trade potential of the aforesaid with India adopting novel methods and techniques with giving due attention to the role of INSTC. The objective of the present study is to examine the role of INSTC in the light of geographical background and in promoting Indian trade. The study also attempts to analyze past trends of Indo-Caspian trade potential. A profound gravity model is developed to estimate India-Caspian countries' recent pattern of trade potential. Population, GDP, trade, and service area of the countries' ports are taken as influencing variables in modelling the trade potential and their statistical significance is estimated using ordinary least square method. The integration of GIS based network analysis and service area modelling is performed first time for estimating trade potential as it represents the port's connectivity to the hinterland. The findings of the gravity model postulate that recent years have been full of changes where Iran has lost its dominance, and Azerbaijan has risen to capture the top position from 2015 to 2020. Steady growth has been observed in Russia and sudden growth in Azerbaijan. The present study is a standalone in which the service area of ports has been used and has a positive relation with trade.

Perceptions of Potential White-Collar Criminals in Romania: A Convenience Theory Approach

ABSTRACT This article presents survey research in Romania to identify support or lack of support for propositions in convenience theory as they relate to motive, opportunity, and willingness. The research is important, as convenience propositions that might find strong support among respondents indicate areas for reduction in convenience as a measure to prevent and detect white-collar crime. Convenience is a concept not only associated with savings in time and effort but also with avoidance of strain and pain. Respondents express most strongly support for the proposition that persons in top positions have the opportunity to conceal financial crime at work where there is lack of guardianship, oversight and control. An important factor in improving control is reliable whistleblowing that will reduce the convenience of crime by privileged individuals who intend to abuse their positions for personal or organizational gain.

Managing Diabetes Mellitus With Millets: A New Solution.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and the disease's prevalence is increasing with each passing day. DM can be prevented and controlled with modifications to the diet, especially by incorporating millet in the diet. Throughout history, eating habits have been recognized for their significant contribution to promoting health and wellness by eating foods rich in nutrients. Millet is an underutilized food crop with many benefits forhealth, with the most beneficial being low glycemic index, high fiber content, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), non-acid-forming potential, and gluten-free. In addition to staple food crops, such as wheat, rice, and foxtail millet, millets are still highly nutritious and beneficial and have great potential to help the world combat the food insecurity many countries face today. Millets are in the top positions of recommended dietary charts with their numerous health benefits and antioxidant properties.

Multicriteria Risk Ranking of Zoonotic Diseases in a Developing Country: A Case Study of Zambia

The integration of a multicriteria decision analysis approach, including techniques such as the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), has yielded valuable insights in the realm of zoonotic disease risk assessment. This analytical framework draws from the OIE-supported manual, utilizing impact assessments, transmission pathways, and categorizations as provided by the OIE itself. Moreover, the consideration of specific zoonotic disease scenarios tailored to individual countries enhances the contextual relevance of the analysis. Through this approach, the ranking of zoonotic diseases is systematically established, offering a comprehensive evaluation of their potential impacts and risks. This methodology encompasses pivotal criteria, including prevalence, economic impact, health impact, transmission pathways, and healthcare capacity, collectively offering a holistic perspective that mirrors the intricate nature of zoonotic diseases. The resultant rankings, derived from both ECDC and OIE data, illuminate diseases that harbor significant threats to both human and animal populations. This ranking fosters the identification of diseases with potential for rapid spread and substantial impact, guiding resource allocation towards prevention, control, and mitigation strategies. The alignment between ECDC and OIE rankings underscores the robustness of the applied methodology, with Plague and Zoonotic TB consistently emerging as high-ranking diseases, reinforcing their acknowledged significance. A consolidated ranking, amalgamating data from both sources, provides an insightful overview of potential risks linked to various zoonotic diseases. Plague, Zoonotic TB, Brucellosis, Trypanosomiasis, and Rabies consistently occupy top positions, presenting a valuable instrument for policymakers, public health officials, and stakeholders in prioritizing resource allocation and intervention strategies. The implementation of a multicriteria decision analysis approach, integrating AHP and TOPSIS methodologies, underpins the generation of informed rankings for Zambian zoonotic diseases. The intricate interplay of criteria like prevalence, economic impact, health impact, transmission pathways, and healthcare capacity forms a comprehensive framework for evaluating the potential risks of diverse diseases. The ensuing ranking, led by Plague and succeeded by Anthrax, Rabies, and others, mirrors their collective risk scores calculated via the adopted methodology. This approach empowers strategic decision-making by pinpointing diseases with heightened potential for adverse impacts on both human and animal populations. The rankings serve as invaluable aids in directing resources, devising strategic interventions, and formulating targeted measures for prevention and control. However, acknowledgment of the dynamic disease landscape and the imperative of adaptive strategies underscores the ongoing importance of monitoring and managing zoonotic diseases effectively in Zambia. By amalgamating data from authoritative sources and embracing a systematic, evidence-based approach, this study accentuates the necessity of addressing zoonotic diseases with a holistic lens, fostering proactive perspectives that augment public health and avert future outbreaks.

PHM for Spacecraft Propulsion Systems: Similarity-Based Model and Physics-Inspired Features

This paper presents a methodology designed for the Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) Asia-Pacific 2023 Conference Data Challenge. In particular, this study targets the health assessment of spacecraft propulsion systems. The challenge involved analyzing and categorizing a simulation-generated dataset that included four unique spacecraft and multiple health conditions, such as normal operation, bubble anomalies, and solenoid valve faults in various system locations. The proposed approach uses a two- step process. First, a model based on similarity measures is employed to classify the data into one of four health states. Then, a model incorporating physics-inspired features is utilized in solenoid valve faults to identify the fault location and estimate the valve opening ratio. The validity of the model is confirmed through cross-validation with the training dataset, which achieved a flawless total score across all permutations. Our method effectively categorizes the test data, including cases from a spacecraft not covered in the training, thereby securing a top position in the competition. The findings highlight the strength of our proposed model, which uses physics-inspired features to predict valve opening ratios, proving useful in managing and interpreting complex, unfamiliar spacecraft health data.

Combine Effect of Blade Type of Blower and Speed of Operation on Droplet Size in Air Assisted Orchard Sprayer

Droplet size analysis of orchard sprayer having axial flow blower was carried out to determine the changes in droplet size at different blade types and speed of operation. Droplet size analysis was carried out at two different positions (Outer and Inner) of crop canopy and at three different heights (Top, Middle, Bottom) of each crop canopy. On outer canopy, at top position, at speed of operation 2.5 km/h, 3.0 km/h and 3.5 km/h the droplet size decreased by 6.5 %, 7.6 % and 10.3 % respectively when the blade was changes from blade type 1 to blade type 2. When the blade was changes from blade type 1 to blade type 2 in combination of speed of operation 2.5 km/h, 3 km/h and 3.5 km/h the droplet size decreased by 6.2 %, 7.3 % and 8.6 % and 5.4 %, 6.8 % and 9.0 % for middle and bottom position. On inner canopy, at top position, when the blade type was changes from blade type 1 to blade type 2 at speed of operation 2.5 km/h, 3.0 km/h, 3.5 km/h, then the droplet size decreased by 7.3 %, 9.2 % and 10.2 % respectively. Whereas at middle position the droplet size decreased by 7.1 %, 7.6 % and 9.0 % respectively. Similar trend was observed in bottom position and decrease in values of droplet size was 5.6 %, 7.1 % and 8.9 % observed respectively. Keywords: Droplet Size, orchard sprayer, axial flow blower, crop canopy.

Machine Learning Helps Customize Spacing for Maximum Acreage Value

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper URTeC 3723023, “Using Machine Learning To Customize Development Unit Spacing for Maximum Acreage Value,” by M. Maguire, SPE, Diamondback Energy; A. Cui, Novi Labs; and T.E. Witham, Diamondback Energy, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. _ In the complete paper, machine-learning (ML) models were trained using geologic, completion, and spacing parameters to predict production across the primary developed formations in the Midland Basin. The approach of using ML to test several different combinations of spacing and completion designs can be repeated across a basin to find an economical, customized solution for each development unit. Introduction In contrast to conventional methods, ML offers a data-driven approach that can leverage the large amount of data generated by operators within unconventional plays. Several characteristics of ML models make them well-suited for spacing optimization, including the following: - ML models rely on statistical methods to establish relationships between the input variables and the output variables. - ML handles nonlinear relationships well. - Complex variable interactions can be difficult to understand with traditional methods. The downside is the time required to assemble the input data used for training an ML model. However, once a model is built that has an acceptable level of error along with data examples covering the range of cases to be evaluated, many alternative development scenarios can be quickly evaluated. In addition, with the right variables (features) included, a model could be applicable to an area much larger than that of pilot wells. ML Methods Each ML model used production data (monthly or daily format), directional survey data (to locate the wells and allow for spacing calculations), a header table with a variety of information on all the wells (i.e., completion information, formation, and completed lateral length), and grid data (typically geology data, such as effective porosity). For all models, private data, such as daily production data and detailed completion data, had precedence over data acquired from public sources or a third-party data provider. For a well to be included in the ML model, it generally had to have all data values populated; wells with missing data were excluded. Once the data were gathered, the derivative variables were calculated, along with several spacing parameters. For ML studies of unconventional developments, practitioners face two main subsurface questions: how to subdivide the formations to represent the drainage heights and which rock properties to pass to the model. Drainage heights defined by the operator are based on the geochemical typing data. These heights generally extended further than traditionally defined formations (Fig. 1). Because these drainage boundaries are defined by the true vertical depth (TVD) positions of specific formational tops, the total vertical extent of these drainage heights mirrors the geospatial variation in the TVD positions of their boundary tops. To generate the grids, geologic attributes were calculated from well logs. Log processing began after drainage heights were determined across the Midland Basin. Attributes with high correlation were selectively removed from the model inputs.

Effect of inclination angle and light source position on water temperature profile and productivity of solar still: an indoor experiment

Solar stills are generally used to obtain fresh and clean water from saline, brackish, and wastewater using solar energy. Many factors affect the performance of solar still, such as solar radiation, altitude, top cover inclination angle, etc. In this research, indoor solar still experiments have been carried out with different top cover inclination angles and light source positions with 7 hours of operating time. This research aims to study the effect of those two variables on water temperature profile and productivity of solar still. Halogen lamp was used as artificial light source. Three light source positions were selected based on the yearly solar azimuth and elevation angles data of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The selected inclination angles were 20°, 30°, and 40°. Results demonstrated that light source position which related to incident angle of light at the top cover of solar still affected the water temperature profile in solar still. The water temperature profile decreased considerably when the angle of incident light was higher than 40°. Condensate productivity can be increased by using higher inclination angle of solar still top cover and highest condensate productivity of 518.75 mL/m2 can be obtained by using 40° of inclination angle. However, water temperature profile which affected by light source position must be taken into consideration when using higher inclination angle. Lower water temperature profile caused the decreasing of condensate productivity.

A Comparative Study of Profitability Analysis of Selected Listed Pharmaceutical Companies with Special Reference to Top 5 Pharma Companies in India

Profitability refers to the profits or gains a business makes in relation to its expenses. It helps to determine the future strategies of business, whether to invest or not and the performance of the business by analysing the currentfinancial position of the venture or firm. In this paper an attempt to assess the profitability position of selected pharma companies (on the basis of market capitalization). The annual report of last 5 years i.e. from 2018-19 to 2022-23 were analysed to know the position of pharma companies in terms of profitability. By analysing annual reports, it is found that among the selected pharma companies Sunpharma and Torrent Pharmaceutical are secured the top position (based on mean and C.V.) and in both based on mean and C.V. Cipla held the last position.

3D printed Fabry-Perot acoustic probe with a glass horn tube

Sensing an incoming acoustic signal is typically associated with absorbing the energy, perturbing the measurement and therefore causing a deformation of the sensing elements, which is mainly related to the acoustic wave pressure. Here, we demonstrated a fiber-tip based Fabry-Perot (FP) acoustic probe sensor, which was directly printed on an optical fiber tip by a two-photon 3D printing technique and assembled by a glass horn structure, which can improve the sensitivity. It showed that the sensor has a −3 dB bandwidth of 366.05 kHz at the first resonant frequency of 467.84 kHz. A low noise-limited minimum detectable pressure level of 4.71 mPa/Hz1/2@100 kHz is obtained. Due to the acoustic wave focusing property of the horn structure, the detected signal intensity can be amplified by 4 times as the sensor located at the bottom position. It demonstrates that 3D printed micro acoustic devices could be used for weak acoustic wave detection in the applications of partial discharge, photoacoustic imaging and non-destructive detection.

Hunting motion of high-speed emu during cross-line operation: Mechanism and countermeasures

During the operation of the Chinese 250 km/h-level EMU, hunting occurs when the EMU crosses from Line B to Line A. Numerous tests and simulations have been conducted to investigate the mechanism of this phenomenon. Comparisons of the measured rail profiles of the two lines indicate that the left rail in Line A is higher than that in Line B at the inner rail shoulder. In addition, the top position of the right rail in Line A is approximately 2–3 mm closer to the inside than that of the right rail in Line B, with the right rail in Line A being higher than that in Line B at the inner rail shoulder. These differences cause a significant increase in the wheel–rail equivalent conicity when the EMU crosses from Line B to Line A and further cause the hunting phenomenon. Moreover, simulations and experiments are conducted to investigate the countermeasures for EMU cross-line hunting. Field test results show that both increasing the damping of the yaw damper and wheel reprofiling can improve the stability during EMU cross-line operation; however, the effect of increasing the damping of the yaw damper is limited under particularly poor wheel–rail relationship. Simulation results reveal that rail grinding of Line A referring to the Chinese 60N rail profile can also improve the stability of the EMU during cross-line operation.

Diversity of Storage Insect Pests of Maize (Zea mays L.), their Damage and Losses Causes to Maize in Gabilay District, Somaliland

Maize is one of the foremost cereals cultivated today, and it is a queen of cereals. Maize is threatened by a wide range of post-harvest insect pests. Therefore, a survey was conducted in Gabilay District, Somaliland in 2021 to determine the status of storage pests. During the survey a total of 60 maize storage structures were assessed in three villages of Gabilay District namely; Galloley, Ijaara, and Boqor. Data on storage structures, infestation status, grain damage, and weight loss were collected and analyzed by SPPS version 20 and interpreted using descriptive statistics. The result showed that a locally constructed bit was the major storage structure followed by sacks while iron tank is used at the lowest level. Results found also indicated that all storage structures were infested by two major insect pests, i.e., Maize weevil (S. zeamais) and Angoumois grain moth (S. cerealella) at the highest level and by molds and rats to a lesser extent. Galloley site was infested only by maize weevil, while Boqor and Ijaara sites were infested by both maize weevil and angoumois grain moth. Maize weevil accounted for the lion's share of the infestation compared to angoumois grain moth. The highest grain damage was recorded at the bottom position of the storage structure from the Ijaara area followed by Galloley and Boqor. Likewise, grain weight loss was also highest at the bottom position that showed 12.0%. These findings provide benchmark information for developing sustainable management methods for the storage of insect pests of maize in the study area. It is also recommended training on storage methods, management of storage pests and healthy maize preparation should be practiced.

Mapping the TQM implementation approaches and their impact on realizing leadership in Indian tyre manufacturing industry

PurposeThis paper attempts to investigate the approaches used for implementing total quality management (TQM) practices and study its impact on ABC India Limited (Name changed), a tyre manufacturing industry for realizing leadership in the Indian market. The other objectives are to explore the key issues faced by the company before TQM and study the benefits achieved after TQM implementation.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual case study research methodology has been utilized in this paper. The industry was facing some major business challenges such as low productivity, financial issues and low market presence since 1996. To overcome these issues, the top management of the industry adopted TQM as a business improvement tool and started its implementation in 2008.FindingsA good number of improvement initiatives under four TQM approaches such as management approach, development approach, improvement approach and involvement approach were performed systematically and strategically. As a result of the successful implementation of TQM initiatives, the industry received the most prestigious quality award namely Deming Prize in 2017.Research limitations/implicationsWith the implementation of the TQM philosophy in the industry, it gained the top market position, the customer satisfaction score increased from 75 to 81, market presence increased from 7.2% to 26.3% and the percentage participation of employees increased by 73.5% within a period from 2009 to 2016.Originality/valueThe novelty of this research is to consider a case-based approach that will be helpful in promoting the utilization of the TQM philosophy in other industries for gaining competitive advantages.

The effects of social media posts’ characteristics on customer engagement: Evidence from WeChat

Many companies are using social media as emerging marketing channels in hopes of encouraging engagement by customers. This study explored the effect of multiple social media post cues on customer engagement. By distinguishing WeChat posts’ characteristics into outer- and inner-layer features, the findings suggest that outer-layer features (title linguistic vividness and top position) have positive effects on reads, and inner-layer features (post vividness and containing user-generated content) encouraged more likes, shares, and comments. In addition, by assigning post contents into sales and non-sales-related categories, we found the former attracts more comments and the latter is more helpful in promoting likes and shares. Further, within sales-related posts, storytelling category will receive more likes, whereas functional category boosts the number of shares.

Disaster Management by Security Agencies in Nepal

As per the MOHA report (2021), disaster has been claiming life and property of people. MOHA has its plan to tackle the Disaster because of the fact that Nepal is a disaster-prone country. The categories of disaster as per MOHA report, 25 types of disasters have been happing in Nepal and causing loss of life and property of people. In this context, this article aims to find out the situation of disasters in the country as whole and province-wise scenarios of disaster cases; examine the sufficiency of security personnel to implement the disaster policy mandate given by the government of Nepal and elucidate the required coordination for preparedness, responses and rescue operations that have to carry out by the security agencies in support of three tiers of governments. For this purpose, secondary data from the MOHA web pages were retrieved to analyze the interrelationship of each disaster. Likewise, policies related to preparedness and response in general, especially to security agencies were reviewed. Key informants (KI) interview was taken to consolidate findings from the secondary data. Koshi Province is in the top position of the disaster cases whereas Sudurpaschhim Province is at the lowest position out of 26148 disaster cases from 2011 to 2021 June. Despite the deficiency of human resources in the security agencies and the lack of proper coordination made by the three tiers of government, security agencies accomplish the roles of preparedness, response and rescue operation more than their capacity to save life and property of people. The study concludes that disaster management is not the government's priority whatever its claim in government policy documents due to lack of appropriate coordination with the security agency and insufficient security personnel. The coordination and ensuring of required security personnel is the responsibility of the government when it concerns disaster management by the security agencies in Nepal.

Corporate social responsibility in the banking sector: a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean

Corporate social responsibility [CSR] represents the need to maintain a stable commitment to the needs of a human group. In this sense, the objective of this research is to analyze the actions of corporate social responsibility implemented in the banking sector in Latin America and the Caribbean, taking Bancolombia, Banco de Crédito e Inversiones, and Banco General as a reference. The methodology used was qualitative, cross-sectional, and non-experimental. This was carried out based on a documentary analysis of the annual reports of the aforementioned companies, ranked in the top CSR positions, according to the Merco Ranking. As a result, it was determined that the companies most predominantly carry out social responsibility actions based on the internal dimension, with 26% regarding the adoption of equitable salaries and 28% regarding the quality of the job. On the other hand, the external dimension shows that 25% of corporate actions emphasize the potential for responsible investment. Finally, it was found that the CSR actions and resources allocated by the aforementioned banks in 2021 were used for business sustainability, seen from the promotion of employee stability and satisfaction in the company, as well as responsible investment, evaluating the social, economic, and environmental impact. In this sense, CSR activities that have an impact on an external context stand out with greater importance despite the percentage differences between dimensions, since their impact is identified from the investment in employee training and development programs; the contributions to local and regional economic development based on job creation, as well as the reduction of polluting gas emissions, conversation and environmental education.

Top 10 marine litter items on the seafloor in European seas from 2012 to 2020

We studied the ten most frequently encountered litter items from the seafloor in European seas to advance actions and inform future mitigation measures to reduce marine litter and the associated social, economic and environmental impacts it has on European seas and beyond. Data were collected during trawl surveys from 2012 to 2020 as part of national and regional marine litter monitoring programmes in the Greater North Sea (5652 trawls), Celtic Seas (3505), Bay of Biscay (651), and Baltic Sea (3688). A Bayesian approach is used to quantify the variation in the item rankings. Overall, plastic items predominate in the top positions in each area. Synthetic rope, plastic sheets, monofilament fishing line and plastic bags occupy four of the top five positions for each of the Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas and the Bay of Biscay. Items from fishing and rope (representing mainly other maritime activities) are strongly represented in the top ten lists from three of our four areas, with synthetic rope, fishing nets, and tangled and untangled monofilament fishing line listed in the top seven positions for the Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas and the Bay of Biscay. The top ten items in the Baltic Sea are of a different profile to the other regions, but the most commonly caught items are still predominantly plastic, with plastic sheets, other plastic items and plastic bags occupying three of the top four positions.The findings in this study highlight the need to address sea-based sources to try and eliminate litter from fishing and maritime activities. Measures such as improved port reception facilities, marking of fishing gear, promoting reporting of the loss of fishing gear and increasing public awareness should be introduced.

Hubs of embodied business services in a GVC world

This paper explores the phenomenon of functional upgrading in Global Value Chains (GVCs) by applying empirical techniques of Social Network Analysis and graph theory to data from the TiVA database for the period from 1995 to 2018. Specifically, we focus on two (from less to more complex) stages of GVC participation: the global supply of manufacturing inputs and the global supply of business services to be embodied in other countries’ exports. We identify which countries are the leading specialized global providers in each stage, analysing their evolutions over time and the relationship between both progressions. It highlights the trajectory of China that has increased its role as a hub in both stages to reach top positions. Using a dynamic panel data model, we find that the role of a country as a specialized global supplier of manufacturing inputs is associate with becoming a prominent global supplier of embodied business services, suggesting a path to functional upgrading in GVCs.