Improved microbial compatibility and granular stability in the partial nitrification/Anammox process for food waste digestate treatment.

ABSTRACT The problem of ESG hushing alienation, which is brought on by a mismatch between a company's internal operational resources and external demands, still lacks rigorous theoretical and empirical testing. Both the resource orchestration theory and the dynamic capabilities theory are used in this work. We empirically examine the predictions using data from Chinese listed firms between 2010 and 2023 with nonlinear mediation and moderation analysis. We demonstrate a U‐shaped relationship between ESG and the firm value. Evidence based on the use of big data enhances this pattern and shows that innovation capability functions as a mediator with declining marginal effects. Heterogeneity analysis further shows that the primary factors affecting the variations in the efficacy of ESG transformation are the dynamic changes in the resource pool. Our findings provide empirical micro level evidence for entrepreneurs to achieve sustainable value creation through ESG practices.

ABSTRACT This research examines income distribution inequality generated by production aimed at external and internal markets, adopting a structural and spatial perspective. The methodology employs an interregional input–output model enhanced with satellite vectors for labour compensation and surplus alongside regional inequality indicators. The findings highlight the importance of industrial policies that promote productive development and address inequalities. Domestic market production shows greater economic growth potential, as the income it generates is more evenly distributed across federal entities and more favourable to workers. A regional-scope development strategy should aim for balanced growth driven by both domestic and external demand.

The article addresses the issue of emotional burnout in sports activity as a systemic psychophysiological state, determined by the interaction between external demands of the sports environment and stable individual psychological characteristics of the athlete. A theoretical analysis of contemporary research demonstrates a high prevalence of the syndrome (45-65% among professionals), highlighting the importance of identifying predisposing factors for vulnerability. The aim of the study is to systematize the individual psychological features that determine the development and manifestation specifics of emotional burnout in athletes. Based on an analysis of key theoretical models (K. Maslach, K. Cherniss, A. Pines) and the identified main personal predispositions to burnout—dysfunctional perfectionism, high neuroticism, external locus of control, and dominance of external motivation—the study emphasizes the particularities of burnout manifestations across different sports (individual, team, combat sports). This underscores the need for a differentiated approach to diagnosis. The results of the analysis confirm that individual psychological characteristics are significant prerequisites for burnout.

Humans can adjust their walking patterns in response to both internal and external demands, a process referred to as locomotor adaptation. This process is crucial for walking in complex environments and is thought to be driven by sensory prediction errors. While the involvement of supraspinal structures is known, how the oscillatory coupling between the sensorimotor cortex and spinal motor neurons is involved in locomotor adaptation remains unclear. This study aimed to characterize the modulation of corticomuscular coherence (CMC), an index of this coupling, using a split-belt locomotor adaptation paradigm. We recorded electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) from the tibialis anterior muscle and calculated CMC in the alpha (8-12 Hz) and beta (12-32 Hz) bands. Results revealed that immediately following the application and removal of the perturbation, both alpha and beta CMC temporarily decreased compared to normal walking, suggesting a disruption of established corticomuscular coupling. However, during the adaptation process, alpha CMC in the slow leg's heel contact phase significantly increased toward normal walking levels. During de-adaptation, both alpha and beta CMC increased, and finally, CMC in all gait phases returned to normal walking levels. These results suggest that corticomuscular coupling was enhanced during the adaptation and de-adaptation processes. Thus, modulation of corticomuscular coupling may be associated with the adjustment of gait patterns to meet environmental demands. These findings will advance our understanding of neuromuscular control of gait and offer valuable insights for gait rehabilitation.

Previous studies have emphasized the role of task difficulty in decision performance while relatively neglecting the decision maker's subjective initiative and intrinsic learning process during task execution. This study manipulated the rule hierarchy factor, which reflects external task difficulty, and the block factor, which reflects the accumulation of intrinsic learning, and used analysis of variance (ANOVA), the drift-diffusion model (DDM), and random forest algorithms to systematically examine how task difficulty and learning jointly influence decision behavior and its underlying mechanisms. A total of 40 participants were recruited, and after strict exclusion criteria were applied, 34 valid datasets were included in the final analysis. The results showed that although rule hierarchy had a significant impact on decision performance in the early stage of the task (the first two blocks), this effect gradually diminished as task repetitions increased. Furthermore, the results revealed a clear dissociation in predictive mechanisms: intrinsic cognitive factors (specifically, evidence accumulation efficiency and decision bias) were the primary predictors of decision accuracy, whereas external task difficulty (rule hierarchy) acted as the dominant predictor for decision speed (reaction time). These findings provide a new perspective for understanding the dynamic relationship between external task demands and intrinsic learning processes, highlighting the necessity of distinguishing between accuracy and speed metrics in personalized education, training, and human-computer interaction design.

This study investigated the factors influencing service quality in the hospitality industry of Eastern Samar, Philippines, focusing on both internal and external dimensions. Employing a correlational research design, data were collected from 140 customer respondents across 10 selected hospitality establishments, including hotels, resorts, bars, and restaurants. A structured survey questionnaire assessed internal factors such as staff training, employee motivation, and management support, as well as external factors like market competition, technological advancements, and customer expectations. Service quality was evaluated using five dimensions—reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, and tangibles—measured on a five-point Likert scale. Findings revealed that both internal and external factors significantly influence service quality, with respondents identifying staff training and technological advancements as particularly impactful. The overall level of service quality was perceived as very high across all dimensions, except for transport facilities, which received a moderate rating. Correlation analysis indicated moderate positive relationships between internal and external factors. However, a strong negative correlation between certain internal and external dimensions suggested challenges in harmonizing these influences. The study concluded that enhancing internal processes—particularly employee development—while adapting to external market demands is essential for sustaining high service quality. It recommends that hospitality organizations implement ongoing staff training, strengthen internal communication, monitor external trends, and adopt customer-focused strategies to maintain competitiveness and improve customer satisfaction. This research offers valuable insights for management to strategically address both internal and external factors to optimize service quality in Eastern Samar’s hospitality sector.

Medical education’s rigorous demands are known to cause significant stress among students. The study investigated how students evaluate stressors and apply coping strategies to handle perceived stress and examined how these processes relate to sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics. The study was guided by the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (TMSC), and employed an online cross-sectional survey targeting medical students at a Jordanian university (Yarmouk University). The questionnaire covered mental health, including perceived stress, stressors, and coping mechanisms, and also included measures of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Based on the TMSC, stressors were considered external demands evaluated through primary appraisal, whereas secondary appraisal involved assessing available resources and options for coping, which then informed the strategies students employed. Bivariate tests evaluated associations between the measured factors and stress. Exploratory factor analysis identified the underlying factor structure of 31 stressors and 28 coping strategies. Multivariable Partial Proportional Odds Models analyzed factors associated with stress levels. About 2/3 of 618 respondents reported elevated stress. Major stressors identified through primary appraisal included frequent exams, extensive learning content, and insufficient study time. During secondary appraisal, students assessed their available coping resources. Those who effectively recognized and utilized adaptive coping strategies, such as seeking emotional or instrumental support, experienced significantly lower stress (odds ratio = 0.58). Examination-related stressors were the only stressors significantly associated with a higher likelihood of increased stress (odds ratio = 2.01). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that females were significantly less likely than males to experience high stress levels (odds ratio = 0.42). Higher stress levels also correlated with greater insomnia scores (odds ratio = 1.13). Stress was prevalent among medical students at Yarmouk University, mainly driven by academic demands appraised as threatening. Secondary appraisal showed that students who identified and used coping resources, such as social or emotional support and faith-based practices, were more successful in managing stress. These findings highlight the need for structured interventions grounded in the TMSC framework to foster adaptive coping. Support programs that propose evidence-based techniques to cope with stress could positively enhance medical students’ educational experiences.

Poland has managed to maintain relatively stable economic growth for almost 30 years, even during the global financial crisis of 2007–2009 and the debt crisis in the European Union. The phenomenon of Poland's weak susceptibility to crisis phenomena is due to the long-term consequences of post-socialist transformations, some objective characteristics of the country's economic and geographical situation, as well as the specifics of the economic situation after its accession to the EU in 2004. The aim of the article is to study the external economic factors of the development of the Polish economy within the European Union with an emphasis on the trade, investment and innovation components of its foreign economic relations. The weak susceptibility of the Polish economy to crises is due to several factors. The elimination of customs barriers and obstacles to the movement of capital after Poland's accession to the EU had a positive impact on the dynamics of FDI. A large role was played by a capacious domestic market and weak dependence on external demand. In addition, Poland's exports did not depend heavily on any limited group of goods. However, the innovation level of the Polish economy remains low compared to other EU countries. Poland is among the countries that are moderate innovators. It is concluded that Poland has built a fairly competitive economy, occupying a favorable place in the division of labor system in Europe. A number of long-term factors include the radical economic reforms of 1990, which made it possible to find investors for large enterprises, while preserving the country's industrial sector. Polish industry has found a successful export niche in the production of spare parts and components, which allowed it to be integrated into the production chains of European and global enterprises. Thanks to accession to the EU and the attraction of EU subsidies, it was possible to support the economically and socially vulnerable agro-industrial sector. However, at the moment, there are no noticeable successes in the innovative development of the Polish economy: such comparative advantages as cheap labor and insufficient private investment are gradually decreasing. In addition, the excessive focus of exports only on EU markets poses new challenges for the Polish economy, which could undermine its resilience to global crises in the future.

The rapid global shift towards electric vehicles has altered the competitive and operational landscape of the automobile industry in profound ways. Firms now operate in an environment shaped by regulatory pressure, technological acceleration, geopolitical uncertainty, and shifting consumer expectations. This conceptual paper examines how external environmental forces influence business operations within the electric vehicle segment, with a particular focus on Tesla, Ford, and Volkswagen. Contingency theory provides the foundation for the analysis, supported by the integration of PESTEL analysis, Porter’s Five Forces, and Key Success Factors. These frameworks allow for a detailed exploration of how political, economic, technological, social, environmental, and competitive conditions shape organisational choices. The discussion highlights how external forces influence manufacturing systems, supply chain structures, human resource practices, financial performance, and technological strategies. Brexit, exchange rate volatility, regulatory changes, and the transition towards zero emission vehicles emerge as especially significant influences on operational decision making. Each firm demonstrates a distinct pattern of response shaped by its legacy systems, strategic priorities, and technological capabilities. Tesla’s vertically integrated model, Ford’s restructuring efforts, and Volkswagen’s large-scale electrification strategy illustrate the varied ways in which organisations align internal capabilities with external demands. The paper argues that effective organisational responses depend on the fit between environmental conditions and internal structures, reinforcing the relevance of contingency theory for understanding operational effectiveness in the evolving electric vehicle industry. The analysis contributes to ongoing debates on strategic alignment, technological transformation, and the future of mobility, offering insights for scholars and practitioners seeking to understand how firms navigate complex and fast changing environments.

All economies face risks of potential shocks, including oil-exporting countries. However, they can influence their impacts by changing the distribution of oil export revenues. However, the impact of different strategies for using rent income on the stability of macroeconomic indicators in the face of external and domestic shocks has been little studied. This study, using a dynamic general equilibrium (DSGE) model, examines the impact of the distribution of oil revenues between accumulation and current expenditure on the macroeconomic responses of a small oil-exporting economy to external and domestic shocks. Within this model, the study identified how different distributions of oil revenues affect the responses of economic indicators such as GDP, consumption, inflation, interest rates, real effective exchange rates, and net exports. The effects of shocks to the global oil price, total factor productivity, labor preferences, external demand for oil, and output in the rest of the world were considered. Although even small changes in the distribution of oil revenues can influence the responses of macroeconomic indicators to shocks, conclusions about the significance of differences between responses were drawn based on their estimated 90% confidence intervals. The results of this study can be considered by policymakers in oil-exporting countries.

Intellectual property rights (IPR) have become a central focus in the negotiation of international trade agreements, as they are a key instrument for both the protection of innovations and the governance of global value chains. In this context, Colombia has signed multiple treaties in which the inclusion of intellectual property chapters has been recurrent. This article analyzes, from a descriptive and documentary approach based on primary and secondary sources, the treatment of intellectual property in the Economic Partnership Agreement negotiated between Colombia and Japan. It employs a methodology that combines documentary review and specialized literature, defining official negotiation documents as primary sources. The results show that, unlike the agreements signed with the United States and the European Union, which are characterized by the adoption of "TRIPS-plus" standards and stricter requirements, the intellectual property chapter in the EPA with Japan was limited to general provisions, with an explicit reaffirmation of the multilateral commitments made within the framework of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. It is concluded that Colombia's strategy sought to preserve margins of regulatory flexibility in the face of external demands, prioritizing a balance between the protection of intellectual property rights and national interests in public health, innovation, and technology transfer. This study contributes to the debate on how developing countries negotiate with advanced economies, highlighting the need to incorporate safeguards that ensure that international intellectual property commitments are aligned with sustainable development goals and regulatory autonomy.

In this paper, I focus on the value of artistic labour in relation to class and gender positions under capitalism, as well as the conditions of its performance in present-day Serbia. Drawing on critical theory, I outline the historical coordinates within which this relation was shaped in the modern era. Artistic labour is constituted as an immanently purposive aesthetic practice structurally resistant to external demands—moral, political, or economic—and thus positioned in opposition to the broader socio-economic order. As a result, its economic valuation is severed from that of ‘productive labour’ in capitalism, compelling artists to sustain their practice through alternative means. One consequence of this divide is privileged access to creativity by dominant social groups. Additionally, gendered disparities in income, visibility, and recognition reveal how women artists are disproportionately affected, reinforcing existing cultural hierarchies. These theses are examined through data collected via an online survey conducted in Serbia in 2023.

Mainstream anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX) offers a promising alternative to conventional nitrogen removal processes in municipal wastewater treatment. However, research has largely focused on its potential to reduce oxygen demand rather than external carbon requirements. This study compared the external carbon demand of mainstream ANAMMOX with that of anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (A2O) and partial denitrification/ANAMMOX (PD/A) processes. Stoichiometric ratios, validated in a laboratory-scale packed-bed biofilm reactor, were implemented in a simulation framework reflecting representative conditions in Korean wastewater treatment plants. A 5 × 5 × 3 × 3 simulation matrix evaluated external carbon demand and its sensitivity to sidestream ammonium concentration (SAC), mainstream ammonium concentration (MAC), mainstream total organic carbon concentration (MTC), and sidestream flow rate (SFR) through gradient-based analysis and regression modeling. Mainstream ANAMMOX reduced external carbon demand by up to ~10.8%-72.2% compared with A2O and ~3.7%-41.2% compared with PD/A, depending on influent loading conditions. SAC and MTC were identified as the dominant drivers of carbon reduction. Notably, higher MAC levels slightly diminished the relative carbon savings due to the increased external carbon requirement for polishing the stoichiometric nitrate byproduct. Three composite indices (sidestream effective nitrogen load index, total effective nitrogen load index, and sidestream contribution ratio [SCR]) were proposed, with SCR exhibiting the highest predictive accuracy. Although the absolute savings are site-specific, these findings suggest that mainstream ANAMMOX can substantially decrease reliance on external carbon sources, and the proposed indices provide practical tools for process evaluation and design optimization.

Indonesia has been pursuing a broad push towards greater trade openness with regional and global partners, seeking to leverage external demand to reach high-income status by 2045. This welcome and timely effort comes amid ongoing trade policy shocks. Our analysis suggests that deeper trade integration, focusing on reducing non-tariff barriers, along with complementary structural reforms, can generate significant GDP gains for Indonesia. These gains can come from unilateral actions on reducing non-tariff barriers affecting imports, which would be amplified by increasing market access in the context of trade agreements with major partners. Alongside trade policy, structural reforms in other areas—such as human capital and logistics—can further enhance trade integration. These reforms can reduce trade costs on their own, while also complement trade policy by helping Indonesia to broaden comparative advantage across sectors. Such an ambitious trade liberalization and structural reform program could make Indonesia ‘open for business’ amid shifting global supply chains; the resulting GVC-integration, supported by FDI, could drive gains beyond this paper’s estimates.

Whole-body angular momentum is influenced by bone-anchored limb use and amputation level during walking.

This study investigates the determinants and transformations in the operational management of Unilever Indonesia before and after a significant consumer boycott period related to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict from late 2023 to early 2024. Using a qualitative case study approach, this research analyzes corporate documents, media publications, and social media analytics to understand how external reputational and demand shocks influenced operational strategy. The study finds that prior to the boycott, Unilever’s operations were optimized for global efficiency, scale, and a mature glocalization strategy. Following the boycott, the company executed strategic adaptations including accelerated local identity communication, tactical adjustments in production planning and inventory, strengthened stakeholder engagement, and diversification of distribution channels. The research concludes that the boycott acted as a catalyst, compelling Unilever to enhance its operational resilience and responsiveness. This case underscores the growing necessity for integrating operational management with real-time reputation management and consumer intelligence in a volatile socio-political business environment.

The open model as the one the application of Leontief model using the explanation of the economy with input-output model. The open model shows the number of productions needed to satisfy an increase in internal and external demand. By using the operation linear algebra operation on ring characteristics, then the production numbers are calculated. This method is applied on the ten product-producing commodities of North Sumatera export demand to find the total production number, while the amount of demand is defined. It shows a solution to the minimization linear program is the solution that will satisfy both internal and external demands of the commodity with minimum inventory level.

Cognitive fatigue is typically described as a psychobiological state that arises from intensive and/or prolonged cognitive performance and is experienced as a subjective feeling of exhaustion and lack of energy. It has been predominantly explained through models focused on internal resource depletion or diminished attention. Yet, such perspectives overlook the systemic and dynamic interplay between the brain and the environment. This article introduces a novel theoretical framework grounded in Friston's Free Energy Principle and informed by thermodynamic intuitions about open systems, conceptualizing cognitive fatigue as an outcome of the interaction between cognitive schema rigidity, increasing entropy, and imbalances between internal processes and external environmental demands. Cognitive schemas, which serve as stabilizing mental structures, play a key role in reducing uncertainty, maintaining cognitive stability, and supporting coherent perception–action. When their rigidity—rooted in cognitive inertia—limits their capacity to adapt to environmental changes, it hinders the brain's ability to externalize entropy. This results in an accumulation of unresolved internal disorder and heightened cognitive load, progressively exacerbating fatigue. This theoretical framework emphasizes the importance of brain-environment interactions in mitigating entropy accumulation and highlights the need for greater focus on schema flexibility to enhance cognitive adaptability. By integrating systemic and dynamic perspectives, this framework provides new insights into the mechanisms of cognitive fatigue and its implications for performance in demanding contexts.

The relevance of this study is due to the need for a systematic analysis of the impact of the digital economy on the sustainable and balanced development of China. It is especially important to understand whether digital transformation can become a tool for "catching up" for less developed regions, which is crucial for achieving the goals of the national strategy to reduce inequality and ensure stability. The results obtained can be used to adjust regional and innovation policies aimed at accelerating digital transformation and strengthening economic sustainability. The purpose of the study is a comprehensive analysis of the role of the digital economy in overcoming economic difficulties and stimulating coordinated regional development in the People's Republic of China at the present stage. In the context of slowing overall economic growth, declining external demand, and technological dependence on developed countries, digital transformation is seen as a key factor in sustainable development. Objectives: to identify internal and external problems hindering China's economic growth; to analyze the potential of the digital economy; to compare the effects of the digital economy in the eastern, central and western regions of the country. Methodology. The research methodology is based on an empirical analysis of panel data for 31 provinces of China. A modified Cobb–Douglas production function was used, supplemented by the digital economy index, within the framework of the Fixed Effects model. The data was processed using the SPSS and STATA software packages, including stability tests. The results showed a statistically significant positive correlation between the development of the digital economy and GDP growth. Conclusions. The digital economy acts not only as a powerful driver of economic growth, but also as a tool to reduce inter-regional disparities. It demonstrates particularly high potential in less developed regions, where it promotes inclusive growth and the overcoming of infrastructural barriers. It is recommended to strengthen government support for digital infrastructure, develop human resources and create a supportive institutional environment to accelerate digital transformation.