Cooperation Organization Research Articles

Implementation Of Regional Regulation Policy Number 10 Of 2018 Concerning The Prohibition Of Smoking In The Environment Of The Katingan District Regional Government Agencies

The aim of this research is to explore, explain and illustrate how the No-Smoking Area Regional Regulation (KTR) policy in Katingan Regency is implemented. The approach used in this research is descriptive qualitative, by collecting primary and secondary data. The research results show that Regional Regulation Number 10 of 2018 concerning No-Smoking Areas in Katingan Regency has been implemented. However, there are challenges in implementing this policy, such as limited resources, lack of understanding and a bureaucratic structure that does not work, resulting in a lack of employee discipline regarding non-smoking areas, and a lack of areas provided for smokers in government institutions. Based on the background, the two problems raised in this research are, the author suggests to the agency authorized to handle the Katingan Regency Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) and the Katingan Regency Health Service to increase the socialization of Regional Regulation Number 10 of 2018 concerning No-Smoking Areas, increase the number of Civil Servant Investigators (PPNS) related to adequate human (technical) resources and facilities (facilities and infrastructure). Apart from that, the author emphasizes the importance of regional government's firmness in implementing the Katingan Regency Regional Regulation policy by forming a Non-Smoking Area Supervision Task Force Team in accordance with existing provisions. Finally, the author highlights the importance of a strong commitment from the local government of Katingan Regency in enforcing smoke-free area regulations with the cooperation of all Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD) to socialize this policy to employees as the main target. Recommended steps include installing no-smoking stickers and signs, as well as law enforcement measures such as unannounced inspections and imposing sanctions. It is hoped that these steps will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of implementing the policy.

Quantifying public and private investment in European biopharmaceutical research and development.

Robust biopharmaceutical research and development (R&D) ecosystems require investment from both the public and private sectors. In Europe, there is an interest in growing biopharmaceutical R&D given its contribution to public health and the economy, which requires an understanding of current public and private investment. In addition, recent European draft legislation has focused on the public sector's contributions to biopharmaceutical R&D to inform pharmaceutical prices. However, there is little empirical evidence on the specifics of public and private funding for medicine R&D in Europe. This paper performs aggregative data collection to quantify 2019 investment in biopharmaceutical R&D by the public and private sectors in 6 countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Norway, Poland, and the United Kingdom. We find that, across these countries, the private sector accounts for just under two-thirds of investment. We contrast results to those obtained using high-level R&D indicators from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and contextualize differences. We then provide 2013-2019 estimates for Belgium, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (countries with data to support such analysis), and show that total spending grew over those years, although proportions attributable to each sector remained stable. These findings should provide further evidence for debates on policies to effectively grow the biopharmaceutical R&D sector.

Demulsification of Water-in-Crude Oil Field Emulsion Using Green Demulsifier Based on Sesamum indicum: Synthesis, Characterization, Performance, and Mechanism

Summary This paper addresses the issues related to poor demulsifier efficiency, low biodegradability, and toxicity of commonly used chemical demulsifiers in the petroleum industry. To overcome these challenges, this study proposes an environmentally friendly demulsifier synthesized from Sesamum indicum (sesame oil). The synthesized demulsifier is characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The demulsification test was performed for the synthesized demulsifier through the standard bottle test method using water-in-oil field emulsion. The results indicate that the demulsifier has an excellent dehydration rate and can achieve a demulsification efficiency of 85% within 10 minutes at a concentration of 200 ppm and 100% efficiency in 60 minutes at 70°C and performs better than the commercial demulsifier. The paper summarizes the factors affecting the demulsification process, including settling time, temperature, and demulsifier concentration. Furthermore, the demulsification mechanism is explained through interfacial tension (IFT) measurement, competitive adsorption test between asphaltene and demulsifier, and rheology study of emulsion. Moreover, the disuccinimidyl sulfoxide (DSSO) demulsifier is tested for its biodegradability according to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development procedure, and the results show that it is completely biodegradable. The outcome of this research provides a promising solution for the demulsification of field emulsions through eco-friendly and efficient demulsifier.

Distance Learning in a Cyber Islamic University: Best Experience from Indonesia

Backgroung: The quality of online learning is a demand for the State Islamic Institute of Syekh Nurjati Cirebon as a pilot project for a cyber-based Islamic university which since 2021 has had a distance learning program of Islamic Education Study Program. The Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) and Academic Partnership and The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) organizations provide some criteria for the quality of online learning. Mixed research with sequential methods was carried out on the study program academic community using closed and open questionnaires online and through some focus group discussions. The results show that from 8 quality dimensions (leadership management, student and learner profile, student information and support, assessment and integrity, infrastructure, learning media and resources, learning design and development, curriculum design, and learning outcomes) the average score is in the range of 84-86. This shows that the implementation of the distance learning program is good, with the curriculum design dimension having the highest score while learning outcomes having the lowest score. This is supported by the results of open statements and some focus group discussion agendas that the curriculum is very in line with the development and profile of the study program. However, until now the study program has not had any graduates. Optimizing and updating the Learning Management System, standardizing assessments, and accuracy of feedback are the aspects that need to be improved by the distance learning program. Objective: The aim of this research is to determine the level of service quality and student expectations regarding distance education carried out by the Syekh Nurjati State Islamic Institute, Cirebon, Indonesia. Method: This research adopts mix methods approach with sequential explanatory design. The data obtained through online closed and open questionnaires as well as Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with managers. Results and Discussion: The results show that from 8 quality dimensions (leadership management, student and learner profile, student information and support, assessment and integrity, infrastructure, learning media and resources, learning design and development, curriculum design, and learning outcomes) the average score is in the range of 84-86. The results obtained revealed that implementation of the distance learning program is good, with the curriculum design dimension having the highest score while learning outcomes having the lowest score. This is supported by the results of open statements and some focus group discussion agendas that the curriculum is very in line with the development and profile of the study program. Research Implications: The implication of this research are as follows: Optimizing and updating the Learning Management System, standardizing assessments, and accuracy of feedback are the aspects that need to be improved by the distance learning program.

Factors influencing the allocative efficiency of the small-scale tomato (Lycopersicum species) production in Kaduna state, Nigeria: implications for food security and resource management

This study evaluated factors influencing the allocative efficiency of the small-scale tomato (Lycopersicum species) production in Kaduna State, Nigeria: implications for food security and resource management. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 120 small-scale tomato farmers. The data from primary sources was collected with the help of a well-structured and well-designed questionnaire. This data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result indicates that the mean age of the small-scale tomato resource farmers is 46 years old; the mean household size of the respondents is 7 persons, while the mean resource farm size is 1.17 ha. The minimum and the maximum allocative efficiency scores of the tomato farmers are 0.30 and 0.93 respectively. The results of the profitability analysis indicate that the tomato production is profitable with a gross margin and a net farm income of N550, 960 per ha and N497, 190 respectively. The gross margin and operating ratios are 0.69 and 0.28 respectively. The resource inputs and socio-economic factors influencing the allocative efficiency of tomato production are the following: age, farm size, household size, gender, marital status, level of education, access to extension services, and membership in a cooperative organization. The study recommends that farmers should be provided with the following resource inputs: improved seeds, chemicals, fertilizer inputs, credit facilities and extension services in order to reduce resource wastages, increase efficiency and productivity. Keywords: allocative efficiency, small-scale tomato production, resource management, food security, Kaduna State, Nigeria

INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION STANDARDS IN THE PRIVATE SPHERE

The article examines the international legal basis for combating corruption of a universal and regional nature, which is recognized by standards and contains norms for preventing this offense in the private sphere. In particular, attention is paid to the provisions of the only universal international treaty - the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), in which the norms for combating corruption in the private sector were established. It is noted that the provisions of the UNCAC became the basis for the development of a comprehensive response to the global problem. The provisions of the treaties (The Criminal Law Convention on Corruption (ETS 173), Additional Protocol to the Convention (ETS 191), Council of Europe Criminal Law Convention on Corruption (ETS 174)) and advisory norms adopted within the framework of the Council of Europe on countering corruption. It is emphasized that the approach of this organization to the fight against corruption has three interrelated aspects: development of pan-European norms and standards, monitoring of their compliance, as well as provision of technical assistance to states and regions. The focus is on the anti-corruption norms of the European Union (Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, directives, sectoral norms, etc.) and the policy of the Union regarding the reform of existing legal prescriptions and relevant measures in this area. It is noted that a feature of EU acts is the emphasis on the role of the private sector as a partner in the fight against corruption. An analysis of the legal instruments of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on combating corruption, bribery and promoting integrity in the public and private sectors was carried out, and it was emphasized that the OECD is the main source of recommendations and guidelines in the field of business integrity. Practical materials, the purpose of which is to provide assistance to member states of the organization in implementing the provisions of treaty norms in the field of responsible business behavior of business entities, are also significant. Appropriate conclusions have been made.

Prediction of mass spectrometry ionization efficiency based on COSMO-RS and machine learning algorithms.

Non-targeted analysis of high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) can identify thousands of compounds, which also gives a huge challenge to their quantification. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of mass spectrometry ionization efficiency on various compounds in food at different solvent ratios and to develop a predictive model for mass spectrometry ionization efficiency to enable non-targeted quantitative prediction of unknown compounds. This study covered 70 compounds in 14 different mobile phase ratio environments in positive ion mode to analyze the rules of the matrix effect. With the organic phase ratio from low to high, most compounds changed by 1.0 log units in log IE. The addition of formic acid enhanced the signal but also promoted the matrix effect, which often occurred in compounds with strong ionization capacity. It was speculated that the matrix effect was mainly in the form of competitive charge and charged droplet' gasification sites during MS detection. Subsequently, we present a log IE prediction method built using the COSMO-RS software and the artificial neural network (ANN) algorithm to address this difficulty and overcome the shortcomings of previous models, which always ignore the matrix effect. This model was developed following the principles of QSAR modeling recommended by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Furthermore, we validated this approach by predicting the log IE of 70 compounds, including those not involved in the log IE model development. The results presented demonstrate that the method we put forward has an excellent prediction accuracy for log IE (R2pred = 0.880), which means that it has the potential to predict the log IE of new compounds without authentic standards.

The Role of R&D Spending, ICT and High-Tech Products Exports on Turkey’s Technological Development

In the study, a Bayesian approach to regression analysis analyzed technological development in Turkey between 2007 and 2020. Gross domestic product (GDP) friends, R&D expenditures, information and communication technology production (ICT) and high-tech product exports (HTE) variables. The documents necessary to estimate these variables have been compiled officially by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Global Economic Data (CEICDATA) and the World Bank. These data were analyzed through the WinBUGS program, and the effect of the variables was obtained. According to the analysis obtained, it has been determined that R&D expenditures and high-tech product exports have a positive significant relationship on Turkey's technological development. The effect of information and communication technology exports was found to be negative.

Development of a Zebrafish Embryo-Based Test System for Thyroid Hormone System Disruption: 3Rs in Ecotoxicological Research.

There is increasing concern regarding pollutants disrupting the vertebrate thyroid hormone (TH) system, which is crucial for development. Thus, identification of TH system-disrupting chemicals (THSDCs) is an important requirement in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) testing framework. The current OECD approach uses different model organisms for different endocrine modalities, leading to a high number of animal tests. Alternative models compatible with the 3Rs (replacement, reduction, refinement) principle are required. Zebrafish embryos, not protected by current European Union animal welfare legislation, represent a promising model. Studies show that zebrafish swim bladder inflation and eye development are affected by THSDCs, and the respective adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) have been established. The present study compared effects of four THSDCs with distinct molecular modes of action: Propylthiouracil (PTU), potassium perchlorate, iopanoic acid, and the TH triiodothyronine (T3) were tested with a protocol based on the OECD fish embryo toxicity test (FET). Effects were analyzed according to the AOP concept from molecular over morphological to behavioral levels: Analysis of thyroid- and eye-related gene expression revealed significant effects after PTU and T3 exposure. All substances caused changes in thyroid follicle morphology of a transgenic zebrafish line expressing fluorescence in thyrocytes. Impaired eye development and swimming activity were observed in all treatments, supporting the hypothesis that THSDCs cause adverse population-relevant changes. Findings thus confirm that the FET can be amended by TH system-related endpoints into an integrated protocol comprising molecular, morphological, and behavioral endpoints for environmental risk assessment of potential endocrine disruptors, which is compatible with the 3Rs principle. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-18. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Particulate matter 2.5 air pollution mitigation strategy: the role of green investment, digitalization, and renewable energy in the organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD) countries

Particulate matter 2.5 air pollution mitigation strategy: the role of green investment, digitalization, and renewable energy in the organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD) countries

Iran's Path to Diplomacy: Challenging the Unipolar Paradigm in Nuclear Negotiations

This article explores Iran’s nuclear program and its diplomatic strategies against the backdrop of the unipolar paradigm in international relations, focusing on developments since the early 2000s. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, the study analyzes Iran’s maneuvers in nuclear negotiations and their impact on the unipolar world order led by the United States. The investigation covers key historical stages from the program's inception, signifi cant shifts under diff erent Iranian administrations, and the pivotal dynamics surrounding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Case studies, including Iran’s response to the U. S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and its membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, demonstrate Iran’s multifaceted and resilient diplomatic tactics. The analysis suggests that Iran’s strategies challenge the unipolar paradigm, indicating a shift towards a multipolar global order. This research contributes to understanding the evolving dynamics of international relations, highlighting the trend of nations asserting autonomy in a traditionally unipolar-dominated global structure.

Comparative Analysis of Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort Standards in School Buildings across New Zealand with Other OECD Countries

COVID-19 has improved awareness of the importance of appropriate indoor air quality (IAQ) in indoor spaces, particularly in classrooms where children are expected to learn. Research has shown that poor IAQ and temperature levels affect the cognitive performance of children. In this paper, we critically compare IAQ standards for New Zealand’s Designing Quality Learning Spaces (DQLS Document) against international benchmarks from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, including ASHRAE 62.1, CIBSE TM57, EN-15251, WHO AQGs, and Building Bulletins 99 and 101. The aim was to ascertain the robustness of New Zealand’s DQLS document, identify areas of superiority, and recommend the required improvement for appropriate IAQ and thermal comfort in classrooms. This comparison review focuses on IAQ parameters: CO2 levels, temperature, ventilation rates, room size, occupant density, and occupancy rates. The findings illuminate a slight lag in New Zealand’s DQLS standards compared to her international counterparts. For instance, while New Zealand’s standards align closely with WHO standards for IAQ concerning temperature and ventilation rates, the recommended CO2 range appears slightly inadequate (800 to 2000 ppm) along with occupancy and classroom size for effectively controlling classroom pollutant growth. This paper emphasises the need to align New Zealand’s IAQ and thermal comfort standards with optimal OECD benchmarks. The identified disparities present opportunities for improving learning spaces in terms of CO2 concentration, size of classroom, and occupant density in schools in New Zealand to meet globally recognised standards, ultimately creating a healthier and more conducive learning environment.

Low PISA Performance Students: Factors, Perceptions, and Improvement Strategies

The PISA assessment serves as a critical tool for evaluating and improving educational systems worldwide. The ethical implications of low performance in PISA are significant, requiring a comprehensive approach to address both immediate educational needs and broader systemic issues. By leveraging insights from PISA and implementing evidence-based interventions, policymakers and educators can work towards creating a more equitable and effective educational environment for all students. This study investigates the underlying factors contributing to the low achievement of Jordanian students in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests and proposes effective strategies to enhance their performance. PISA, developed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), evaluates 15-year-old students' skills in reading, mathematics, and science, focusing on their ability to apply knowledge in real-world contexts. Despite its global significance, Jordanian students have consistently underperformed in these assessments. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including a comprehensive literature review, analysis of the Jordanian educational context, and surveys with educators and students. The findings reveal several key factors impacting performance: curriculum misalignment with PISA competencies, socio-economic disparities, high teacher turnover, and varying levels of teaching quality. Additionally, perceptions of PISA among educators and students highlight challenges related to unfamiliar test formats and applied knowledge requirements. Based on these insights, the study recommends a series of interventions to improve performance. These include aligning the national curriculum with PISA competencies, enhancing teacher training programs, integrating technology into learning processes, promoting extracurricular activities, and fostering active parental involvement. By addressing these areas, the study aims to provide a roadmap for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders to enhance Jordanian students' performance in future PISA assessments and overall educational outcomes.

Integrating human expertise & automated methods for a dynamic and multi-parametric evaluation of large language models’ feasibility in clinical decision-making

BackgroundRecent enhancements in Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have exponentially increased user adoption. These models are accessible on mobile devices and support multimodal interactions, including conversations, code generation, and patient image uploads, broadening their utility in providing healthcare professionals with real-time support for clinical decision-making. Nevertheless, many authors have highlighted serious risks that may arise from the adoption of LLMs, principally related to safety and alignment with ethical guidelines. ObjectiveTo address these challenges, we introduce a novel methodological approach designed to assess the specific feasibility of adopting LLMs within a healthcare area, with a focus on clinical nursing, evaluating their performance and thereby directing their choice. Emphasizing LLMs’ adherence to scientific advancements, this approach prioritizes safety and care personalization, according to the “Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development” frameworks for responsible AI. Moreover, its dynamic nature is designed to adapt to future evolutions of LLMs. MethodThrough integrating advanced multidisciplinary knowledge, including Nursing Informatics, and aided by a prospective literature review, seven key domains and specific evaluation items were identified as follows:1.State of the Art Alignment & Safety.2.Focus, Accuracy & Management of Prompt Ambiguity.3.Data Integrity, Data Security, Ethics & Sustainability, in accordance with OECD Recommendations for Responsible AI.4.Temporal Variability of Responses (Consistency)5.Adaptation to specific standardized terminology and Classifications for healthcare professionals.6.General Capabilities: Post User Feedback Self-Evolution Capability and Organization in Chapters.7.Ability to Drive Evolution in Healthcare.A Peer Review by experts in Nursing and AI was performed, ensuring scientific rigor and breadth of insights for an essential, reproducible, and coherent methodological approach. By means of a 7-point Likert scale, thresholds are defined in order to classify LLMs as “unusable”, “usable with high caution”, and “recommended” categories.Nine state of the art LLMs were evaluated using this methodology in clinical oncology nursing decision-making, producing preliminary results. Gemini Advanced, Anthropic Claude 3 and ChatGPT 4 achieved the minimum score of the State of the Art Alignment & Safety domain for classification as “recommended”, being also endorsed across all domains. LLAMA 3 70B and ChatGPT 3.5 were classified as “usable with high caution.” Others were classified as unusable in this domain. ConclusionThe identification of a recommended LLM for a specific healthcare area, combined with its critical, prudent, and integrative use, can support healthcare professionals in decision-making processes.

An Analysis of the Legal Dimensions of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Legal Effects of Iran's Accession to the SCO from an International Law Perspective

The focus of this study is to analyze the legal aspects of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the implications of Iran joining the organization, with a specific focus on international law. The research employs a descriptive-analytical approach, utilizing various library resources to gather information. The SCO places a high priority on regional security, with all members committed to implementing the SCO treaty's provisions on countering terrorism, separatism, and extremism. Unlike other organizations such as NATO and the Warsaw Pact, the SCO values equal cooperation among its members and does not impose the ideologies of major powers on smaller countries. The organization promotes pluralism in participation and encourages bilateral and multilateral cooperation in areas such as commerce and economics. The Shanghai Declaration emphasizes the need to utilize the extensive potential and opportunities in these fields, with talks on trade and investment facilitation taking place within the SCO framework. Efforts to create regional security through peaceful resolution of all disputes in accordance with UN resolutions, concerns about the situation in Afghanistan as a serious threat to regional and global peace and stability, and opening political dialogue to promote mutual trust and greater multilateral cooperation are among the principles of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Investigating the Correlation between Air Pollution and Housing Prices in Seoul, South Korea: Application of Explainable Artificial Intelligence in Random Forest Machine Learning

South Korea’s Particulate Matter (PM) concentration is among the highest among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries. However, many studies in South Korea primarily focus on housing characteristics and the physical built environment when estimating apartment prices, often neglecting environmental factors. This study investigated factors influencing apartment prices using transaction data for Seoul apartments provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT) in 2019. For this purpose, the study compared and analyzed a traditional hedonic price model with a machine learning-based random forest model. The main findings are as follows: First, the evaluation results of the traditional hedonic price model and the machine learning-based random forest model indicated that the random forest model was found to be more suitable for predicting apartment prices. Second, an importance analysis using Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) showed that PM is more important in determining apartment prices than access to education and bus stops, which were considered in this study. Finally, the study found that areas with higher concentrations of PM tend to have higher apartment prices. Therefore, when proposing policies to stabilize apartment prices, it is essential to consider environmental factors. Furthermore, it is necessary to devise measures such as assigning PM labels to apartments during the home purchasing process, enabling buyers to consider PM and obtain relevant information accordingly.

A survey of attitudes, behaviors and experiences of Nigerian investors in cryptocurrencies

Purpose Given the many activities of Nigerian investors in the crypto ecosystem, this paper investigates the level of their awareness, attitudes, risk tolerance, experience, reasons for investing and level of financial literacy.Design/methodology/approach The research approach is based on a self-administered questionnaire. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) permitted the use of its reliable and validated survey instrument, administered in Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam in 2019. The results are tabulated and analyzed.Findings The key results include the participation of respondents, who are generally young males, not fully financially literate but risk-averse. Many held the false view that investing in global markets is a higher risk than in national markets. Their reasons for investing in crypto include the fear of missing out on good opportunities and the desire to have fun. The results also revealed that social media, conversations with non-experts and online articles are among the most used investment information sources, highlighting the role of digital platforms and informal discussions in shaping perceptions and knowledge about cryptocurrencies. Investments in cryptos are financed through savings, regular monthly budgets or borrowed from friends or family. As for specific attitudes to risk, the results suggest that for most respondents, preserving their invested capital is of paramount importance.Originality/value The importance of this research also resides in the possibility of comparing the crypto ecosystem in Asia with Nigeria because the same OECD data instrument is employed in data collection. Moreover, this study is the most comprehensive research about Nigerian investors in cryptocurrencies.

Trust in Intraorganizational Relationships: The Case of COOPERORG-DF

Purpose: Associativism and cooperativism, as social technologies, are promoters of rural development. Social capital and, above all, trust is essential for the success of organizations. The study considers – from the perspective of the members – the relationships of trust in the Cooperative of Producers of the Organic Market of Brasília, Federal District, as well as identifying the social capital formed by actors that make up this organization. Methodology: The research is applied, has an exploratory character, a qualitative and quantitative approach, representing a case study. The dimensions of organic food production in the DF are highlighted through the collection of updated data and, also, with emphasis on informality and the flow constant of (in)formal relations in the cooperative environment. Results and Discussion: The demographic and socioeconomic profile of the cooperative members demonstrate the influence of the strengthening of cooperative actors on the development of their own businesses, contrasting with the current development of the cooperative. The results reveal the gaps observed in cooperative management, demonstrating the importance of relationships based on trust for strategic management, as well as for strengthening social capital as a basis for the development of cooperative organizations. Implications of the Research: It is hoped that the results presented can support future studies and research relevant to collective actions based on trusting relationships and contribute to positive changes in cooperativism. Originality and Value: The research innovates in the presentation of a research agenda based on the construct – trust, observed in the interpretation of cooperative actors who form the first cooperative of organic food producers in the Federal District, Federal Capital of Brazil.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the Impact of Russia-China Rivalry in Central Asia

The SCO was initially organised as the Shanghai Five in 1996. Along with Uzbekistan’s membership in 2001, it was renamed the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The SCO includes members of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, India, and Iran. The SCO has Belarus, Mongolia, and Afghanistan as observer states and Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Armenia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Cambodia as dialogue partners. The main aim of the Organisation is to strengthen mutual trust and friendship between the Member States. The SCO has deliberately restricted its own authority so that it lacks the power to enforce any specific actions on its members. This statement accurately portrays the situation since the two primary powers of the organisation - China and Russia, who were founding members - have conflicting plans for the area. Any effort that benefits one of them at the cost of the other is certain to fail. The tensions arising from the competition between these two powers will inevitably increase as their own power surpasses that of a declining America. This weakening threat, which initially solidified their alliance of convenience, combined with various shocks during this delicate transition period, will almost certainly result in the complete disappearance of any form of cooperation between the two powers. In this case, the study aims to identify the role of the Russia-China rivalry in Central Asia through the activities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Analyzing the impact of fiscal conditions on private health expenditures in OECD countries: a quantile ARDL investigation

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries have embraced the aim of universal health coverage, as established in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.8. This goal guarantees access to quality healthcare services without financial hardship or poverty. Additionally, it requires correct and adequate financing sources. A country with weak protection for its population tends to spend less on healthcare and experiences a high share of out-of-pocket payments (OOPs), increasing the likelihood of people falling into poverty. This study aims to understand the relationship and causal effects between macroeconomic and public fiscal conditions and private health expenditure in OECD countries between 1995 and 2019. We retrieved OECD data for 26 OECD countries for the period 1995–2019. Panel AutoRegressive Distributed Lag (PARDL) and panel quantile AutoRegressive Distributed Lag (PQARDL) models were estimated to examine the relationship between private health expenditures and macroeconomic and public fiscal variables. Our results reveal a positive influence of government debt and economic freedom on private health expenditures. They also show a negative influence of the government budget balance, government health expenditures, and economic growth on private health expenditures. These results collectively suggest that public fiscal conditions will likely impact private health expenditures. The findings of this study raise concerns about the equity and financial protection objectives of universal health coverage in OECD countries.