Financial Requirements Research Articles

Exploring Dataset Bias and Scaling Techniques in Multi-Source Gait Biomechanics: An Explainable Machine Learning Approach

Machine learning has become increasingly important in biomechanics. It allows to unveil hidden patterns from large and complex data, which leads to a more comprehensive understanding of biomechanical processes and deeper insights into human movement. However, machine learning models are often trained on a single dataset with a limited number of participants, which negatively affects their robustness and generalizability. Combining data from multiple existing sources provides an opportunity to overcome these limitations without spending more time on recruiting participants and recording new data. It is furthermore an opportunity for researchers who lack the financial requirements or laboratory equipment to conduct expensive motion capture studies themselves. At the same time, subtle interlaboratory differences can be problematic in an analysis, due to the bias that they introduce. In our study, we investigated differences in motion capture datasets in the context of machine learning, for which we combined overground walking trials from four existing studies. Specifically, our goal was to examine whether a machine learning model was able to predict the original data source based on marker and GRF trajectories of single strides, and how different scaling methods and pooling procedures affected the outcome. Layer-wise relevance propagation was applied to understand which factors were influential to distinguish the original data sources. We found that the model could predict the original data source with a very high accuracy (up to >99%), which decreased by about 15 percentage points when we scaled every dataset individually prior to pooling. However, none of the proposed scaling methods could fully remove the dataset bias. Layer-wise relevance propagation revealed that there was not only one single factor that differed between all datasets. Instead, every dataset had its unique characteristics that were picked up by the model. These variables differed between the scaling and pooling approaches but were mostly consistent between trials belonging to the same dataset. Our results show that motion capture data is sensitive even to small deviations in marker placement and experimental setup and that small inter-group differences should not be overinterpreted during data analysis, especially when the data was collected in different labs. Furthermore, we recommend scaling datasets individually prior to pooling them which led to the lowest accuracy. We want to raise awareness that differences in datasets always exist and are recognizable by machine learning models. Researchers should thus think about how these differences might affect their results when combining data from different studies.

Consequences of a Two-Tiered Regulatory Model: Evidence from Audit Fees and Changes in Foreign Private Issuer Status

SUMMARY The U.S. SEC permits exemptions from U.S. domestic securities regulation for foreign-domiciled firms that qualify as foreign private issuers (FPIs). We study the impact on audit fees when foreign-domiciled firms lose or gain FPI status for a plausibly exogenous reason while maintaining their cross-listing status. After losing FPI status, foreign firms must comply with corporate governance, financial statement reporting, and insider trading disclosure requirements of U.S. domestic issuers. We find that FPI status is associated with lower cross-listing costs, as evidenced by significant audit fee increases when firms lose FPI status. Notably, we find that the benefit of FPI status is more pronounced among firms from countries with robust governance standards. Conversely, for firms from countries with weaker governance standards, compliance with U.S. corporate governance requirements correlates with reduced audit fees, offsetting increased audit fees arising from compliance with financial statement requirements and insider information disclosure. JEL Classifications: M41; M42; M48.

Flexible ngo-donor coordination in aid interventions to strengthen resilience: the case of Lebanon’s primary healthcare system

IntroductionWith shifts in international aid, international donors have increasingly regarded non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as capable of providing alternative public service arrangements. As funding flows to NGOs, particularly in contexts where...

Regulatory and legal principles of management of sports schools for children and youth

The activities of sports schools for children and youth play a key role in shaping the physical culture of young people, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and preparing future professional athletes. The successful functioning of these schools relies on appropriate legal frameworks that outline the operational rules, requirements for educational processes, funding, and management of facilities. there is a pressing need to analyze the current legal framework governing the management of sports school for children and youth. Considering the constant changes in the legislation and the growing requirements for the quality of sports institutions, there is a pressing need to analyze the current legal framework governing the management of sports schools for children and youth. The purpose of this article is to analyze the regulatory and legal principles of managing the activities of sports schools for children and youth in Ukraine. The key legislative acts regulating the organizational, financial, and legal aspects of the functioning of sports schools for children and youth have been analyzed, including the Constitution of Ukraine, the Law ‘On Physical Culture and Sports,’ and the orders of the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. This resolution provides a comprehensive framework for the operation of sports schools for children and youth as well as defines the forms of ownership, legal foundations of their activities, funding procedures, and requirements for athlete training. Particular attention is given to the state social standard in physical culture and sports, which sets requirements for the quality of services, infrastructure, and athlete training. The mechanisms of management that contribute to increasing the efficiency of sports schools for children and youth are highlighted.

Factors that affect the implementation of an integrated care programme for older people with different frailty levels: a qualitative study of commissioners and provider stakeholders

IntroductionThe NHS has made it mandatory for General Practices in England to proactively identify and manage older people with moderate and severe frailty since the GMS contract of 2017/2018. In Luton, stakeholders developed the Luton Framework of Frailty (LFF) to implement this national policy. The aim of this study was to explore the factors that affect the implementation of this national policy at a local level.MethodsIn-depth interviews were conducted with 18 commissioners and service providers, all of whom were involved in providing services for older people with different frailty levels (OPDFL). Purposive and snowball sampling methods were used, with thematic analysis used for data analysis.ResultsTwo main themes with several sub-themes were found. The first theme was the tension within existing national policy initiatives to provide integrated care services for OPDFL, which illuminated their strengths and limitations. Participants felt that new initiatives, such as the development of Primary Care Networks and Enhanced Health in Care Homes, have improved primary care coordination. However, the traditional reactive approach for managing older people who are frail was thought to be counterproductive, when an approach that focused on prevention and early intervention would have been better. The second theme concerned the contextual factors that affect implementation of integrated care. These included having key leaders at a local level, the requirement for more funding, as well as the need for good working relationships among service providers. However, the lack of awareness about the care pathways among GPs was thought to be a reason for the variation in the implementation of the LFF. The COVID-19 pandemic was perceived as a challenge for the implementation of the LFF. Finally, polices were thought to succeed only if more resources are provided, while the term frailty should be used with caution due to the negative connotations of OPDFL towards this term.ConclusionThe implementation of an integrated care programme for OPDFL can be affected by several factors. Having proactive national policies that facilitate coordination and, having key leaders locally, the need for more funding, and good working relationships, are some of the contextual factors that could facilitate a successful implementation. In contrast, the lack of awareness of the care pathways that have been introduced locally, insufficient resources to deliver the programmes efficiently and a lack of careful consideration of how the term frailty is used could hinder this being put into practice.

Assessing social equity of federal disaster aid distribution: A nationwide analysis.

In this study, we conduct the first comprehensive, nationwide assessment of social equity performance of multiple federal post- and pre-disaster assistance programs that differ in targeted recipients, project types, forms of aid, and funding requirements. We draw on the social equity and distributive justice theory to develop and test a set of hypotheses on the influence of program design and specificity on their aid distributional patterns and equity performance. The analysis uses panel data of about 3000 US counties to examine the relationship between a county's receipt of federal assistance and its recent disaster damage, socioeconomic, demographic, political, local government, and geographic characteristics in a two-stage random effects Tobit model. Expectedly, we find that post-disaster grants are largely driven by recent disaster damage, while damage is simultaneously influenced by local socioeconomic conditions. For all disaster programs, disproportionately more federal aid is allocated to populous counties. For programs geared toward state and local governments and targeting community recovery and mitigation, more aid is received by counties with better socioeconomic conditions. Conversely, for programs targeting individual relief and recovery, more aid is given to counties with lower incomes and greater social vulnerability. Results also indicate that counties located in high-risk regions receive greater outlays. These findings shed light on the varying degrees of social equity of federal disaster assistance programs tied to their cost-share requirement, funding caps, and inherent complexity of application procedures.

A Study on fund management in Canara Bank Aralapura, Thirthahalli

A study on cash management in Canara bank in this title focused on management of cash. In a banking activity anything is done by financial requirements

Identifying optimal funding allocations for public water infrastructure improvements under uncertainty

Diversified and locally managed funding strategies bring substantial benefits to water infrastructure investments across financial, social, institutional, and political spheres. However, these strategies often occupy a secondary role in the public sector's capital allocation process. We outline optimal funding strategies for water infrastructure by zeroing in on communities' specific needs and navigating two types of uncertainty—historical and priority uncertainty—across both long-run (multi-decade) and short-run (recent years) timeframes. Employing Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT), our approach pinpoints optimal funding distribution both across and within categories (namely, individual counties) based on their funding needs. By comparing these distributions with Tennessee's Clean Water State Revolving Fund's historical funding approach, we benchmark how risk and socioeconomic factors influenced past decisions. This analysis yields optimal allocations that inform which counties should be given priority by public funding agencies, moving toward portfolios that adeptly balance risk with funding necessity. Our methodology is executed in two stages, each bearing distinct implications. The initial stage seeks to prioritize groups of counties based on their funding needs, considering both immediate and long-term contexts, in line with what government agencies might aim to achieve. The subsequent stage refines the equilibrium between risk and need at a more detailed level within these groups, facilitating risk diversification that effectively addresses both short- and long-term funding requirements.

Academic freedom in Europe: Limitations and judicial remedies

Abstract Europe has recently struggled with democratic backsliding and autocratization. This autocratization has accompanied a decline in academic freedom in many backsliding countries, as reported by the Academic Freedom Index. Can the standards set by the European supranational courts effectively safeguard academic freedom? This article provides answers to this question. It argues that despite differences in their approaches, the theoretical conceptions of scholarship held by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) share an essential feature: both have moved towards embracing the ‘liberal science script’ by protecting academic freedom. The main difference between the two courts’ approaches is the subject of protection. The ECtHR focuses on the individual rights of academics: It protects free speech in the academic context by establishing a high standard for holding academics liable for publicly expressing their views inside and outside of academia. The ECJ has applied the concept of institutional autonomy, thereby setting a high standard for safeguarding the freedom of academic institutions. This standard can be applied with regard to the demands placed by policy-makers on academia regarding its role in democracy, including gender equality requirements for EU research funding.

Between Public Guidelines for User Involvement and Ideals About Free Research: Using Collaborative Autoethnography to Explore Researcher Experiences From a User Involvement Process.

User participation is a prerequisite for receiving research funding in healthcare in Norway. Despite many positive benefits, studies report challenges from users' and researchers' perspectives. Limited knowledge exists concerning researchers' experiences in scenarios where the users are professionals within healthcare and research. The aim of this retrospective study was to explore and reflect on personal experiences as researchers from a process of planning and developing research questions for a PhD project, following the James Lind Alliance guidelines, which were a requirement for funding. We focused on how the process of collaboration with a specific group of users influenced the researchers' sense of selves. We used a qualitative design based on collaborative autoethnography, exploring personal experiences from a sociocultural point of view. Two of the three researchers in the team recollected their experiences from the user involvement process while applying the James Lind Alliance guidelines. We used different data sources to develop two autoethnographic narratives. The narratives were analysed using thematic analysis. The autoethnographic narratives demonstrate the complexity of user involvement from the researchers' perspectives. We identified four themes in the analysis: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, competing paradigms, hierarchy and dual roles. The accounts illustrated the researchers' ambivalence within the process, indicating that they feared a loss of control over the direction of the research project. The narratives visualised a struggle to appear as credible researchers, illustrating how the involvement of a specific group of users and adherence to a specific guideline for user involvement influenced the researchers' experiences of their roles and identities in the collaboration. The results point to the relevance of the sociocultural backdrop; researchers might become frontline providers of policy implementation in research, balancing tensions between regulatory constraints, user involvement and researchers' professional identity and research ideals, when a specific, detailed procedure for user involvement is required. Two user panels comprising participants from clinical practice, education and research, along with a service user, collaborated in the planning and development of research questions for a PhD project. This autoethnographic study elaborates this process.

Adaptive capacity to climate change: Does energy aid matter?

The global call for augmented financial support to satisfy the growing requirements for adaptation funding, essential for enabling vulnerable groups to withstand the ramifications of climate change, has been resonant. Channeling energy assistance to developing countries may serve to ameliorate this shortfall. Through an empirical analysis using a balanced panel dataset comprising 64 countries from 2002 to 2020, the research investigates the role of energy assistance in enhancing the adaptive capacities of developing nations. Our analysis identifies critical areas with pronounced deficiencies in adaptive capacity, primarily situated in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Central Asia, and western South America. The study reveals that energy aid, notably in the forms of non-renewable, policy-related, and distribution assistance, significantly elevates adaptive capabilities. Although this assistance yields significant benefits for countries across various income levels, the impact is relatively greater for higher-income nations. Additionally, energy aid indirectly bolsters adaptive capacity by stimulating innovation, and an improvement in the quality of governance aids in enhancing the effectiveness of energy assistance implementation, especially for lower-income countries. The study concludes by offering nuanced policy insights aimed at donors and recipients alike, with the goal of augmenting the efficacy of aid to improve climate change adaptation.

Factors affecting problem-solving court team decisions about medications for opioid use disorder

BackgroundProblem-solving courts (PSCs) provide alternatives to prosecution and incarceration for drug-related crimes and offer integrated support for people who have lost custody of children due to drug use. Methadone and buprenorphine are lifesaving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) but are underused by PSC clients. Even when PSCs lack a court-level prohibition against MOUD, court staff still make individualized decisions about whether a court client can use MOUD. Therefore, we sought to identify factors involved in such individualized PSC court decisions about clients' use of MOUD. MethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups between Summer and Fall 2022 with a convenience sample of 54 PSC staff members from 33 courts across four states. Data were analyzed using iterative categorization. ResultsInterviewees indicated that their courts had eliminated blanket prohibitions against MOUD due to federal and state policy funding requirements, widespread dissemination of voluntary best practice standards, fear of lawsuits, and MOUD education targeting courts. Courts allowed MOUD if the court client accessed it through a treatment provider with whom the court collaborates. Some courts only allowed court clients to access MOUD from non-partnering treatment providers after a court-led “vetting” process of the proposed MOUD provider. MOUD provider characteristics considered during the vetting process included the provider's willingness to communicate with the court, frequent drug testing, adjustments of medication or dosage in response to aberrant results, offering of counseling, and acceptance of Medicaid or sliding scale payments. PSC staff were least comfortable with court clients using methadone treatment. ConclusionsThe presence (or lack of) a PSC-MOUD partnership is a key factor involved in court staff decisions when a court client desires MOUD. Therefore, increasing the number of partnerships between PSCs and MOUD providers could lead to higher rates of MOUD utilization. It is unclear whether court-led vetting processes for non-partnering MOUD treatment providers are necessary or appropriate, and such vetting processes could reduce treatment choice or access in communities with few MOUD providers.

“A Study On Loans And Advances At DavangereHarihara Urban Sahakara Bank”

One important part of the Davangere-Harihara Urban Sahakara Bank's business is meeting the financial requirements of its clients via loan and advance services. The bank's loan portfolio is characterized by a high percentage of customers being assessed to pay tax, indicating a stable customer base. The majority of customers avail loans within a short period, suggesting a demand for quick access to credit. The bank's interest rates are deemed satisfactory by a significant majority of customers, and the loan approval process is generally well-received. However, there is room for improvement in providing clear repayment information and reducing paperwork. Customer satisfaction with the bank's services is high, with a significant percentage of customers willing to take another loan from the bank. This loyalty can be leveraged by offering incentives and loyalty programs. To enhance its loan and advance services, the bank should focus on reducing processing time, improving the loan approval process, and providing clear repayment information. Additionally, offering flexible repayment options and competitive interest rates can help attract and retain customers

The Impact of ESG Risks on the Economic Growth in the Western Balkan Countries

The economy is significantly impacted by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks. The growth of the economy can be sped up by the effective management of ESG risks through sustainable business practices. To promote sustainable development and to secure the long-term welfare of employees, customers, and all other stakeholders in the economy, companies must adapt and reposition their business strategies and organizational cultures. The goal of this paper is to determine how a set of common ESG elements, chosen from the viewpoints of sustainability and well-being, influence economic growth in the Western Balkan countries. For each ESG component, we used different variables. The information pertains to the five Western Balkan countries of North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia. Because of a lack of data, Kosovo is excluded from the study. Then, we compared results from the analysis of the Western Balkan countries with a set of countries in Southeast Europe, which are members of the European Union and essentially coincide with the Western Europe countries. We performed multiple regression analysis with applied fixed effects to the data model. According to the study’s findings, each of the independent variables had no significant impact on the GDP’s annual growth of the Western Balkan countries, but two of the variables, life expectancy at birth and labor force participation, have certain impact on the GDP growth of Southeast Europe countries, which are members of the European Union. The green transition has gained significant importance in the Western Balkan countries as a crucial pathway toward sustainable economic growth, though it introduces a range of new social and economic challenges. Economically, these nations are confronted with considerable funding requirements for development. To build sustainable societies, it would be beneficial for these countries to explore more creative financing strategies. It is advised to establish financing frameworks that not only increase the transparency in policymaking but also ensure greater accountability in their execution.

MIXED CROPPING SYSTEM ALONG WITH COCONUT

Intercropping structure in coconut cultivation enables environmental resolution regarding enhancement in ecological sustainability and farm performance, specifically for small scale farmers. The paper explored how Intercropping structure enhances farm performance, carbon capture, enduring agricultural output and soil productivity. This study examines the capable harvests like black pepper, banana, legumes and pineapple along with coconut palm in order to utilize the terrain, intercropping enables the agriculturists to expand revenue streams and improve soil quality. It Examines the disputes of administering intercropping structure and requirement for high agriculturists knowledge and primary funding. The researches’ objective is to discover how mixed cropping structure enhances resource effectiveness, aids towards eco friendly environment through biodiversity and carbon capture, this also focuses on reduction of dependence on artificial addictive. The study will highlight the enduring financial and environmental advantages of implementing intercropping in coconut cultivation, placing it as an important technique for eco-friendly farming. KEY WORDS: Mixed cropping, Coconut Cultivation, Intercropping, Sustainable Agriculture, Soil health, Carbon Capture, Smallholder Farmer, Biodiversity

Financial analysis of a locomotor exercise trial for post-stroke recovery: insights from the HIT Stroke Trial

BackgroundNavigating the complexities of post-stroke recovery trials requires addressing challenges in participant recruitment and retention and effective resource management to ensure trial success. The aim of this study was to examine the financial requirements associated with conducting the Moderate-Intensity Exercise vs. High-Intensity Interval Training to Recover Walking Post-Stroke (HIT Stroke Trial) at a single site encompassing a wide catchment area, recognizing the intricate challenges of participant recruitment and retention inherent in post-stroke recovery trials.MethodsTo determine cost, study expense reports were gathered and divided into seven categories: recruitment, screening assessments, baseline assessments, intervention, outcome assessments, retention, and oversight. Categories were then further divided into chronological order for initial contact and prescreening, consenting, initial screening, and baseline testing. The 12-week intervention was divided into 4-week blocks: intervention block 1, post 4-week outcome testing, intervention block 2, post 8-week outcome testing, intervention block 3, and post 12-week outcome testing.ResultsTotal direct cost for site execution was $539,768 with cost per participant approximated as $35,984. Oversight costs accounted for 65.8% of the budget at $355,661. To achieve goals related to inclusive participant recruitment ($21,923) and retention ($28,009), our site costs totaled $49,932. Direct study-related costs included screening assessments ($5,905), baseline assessments ($15,028), intervention ($76,952), and outcome assessments ($36,288).DiscussionClinical trials focusing on walking rehabilitation and exercise, particularly those requiring multiple assessment visits, demand rigorous oversight. This cost analysis provides important and critical insight into the expenses required to successfully execute an exercise-based walking rehabilitation trial in the United States.

Assessing carbon capture and storage technology in industrial joint venture

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology can effectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions from industrial and energy production processes. Yet the commercialization of CCS technology is hampered by financial requirements. Existing research compares the costs and benefits of business models for individual CCS projects, no studies assess the industry and national levels. Here we use a dynamic computable general equilibrium model, constructure the vertical integration and joint venture business models for CCS. This study assesses the emission and economic impacts of joint ventures between China's high-emission industries and their upstream and downstream sectors. We find that adopting the joint venture model in the coal power sector, compared to the vertical integration model, initially exerts a negative economic impact but can mitigate 0.04 % of GDP by 2060. The chemical industry consistently benefits from the joint venture model both economically and in emission reductions. Downstream sectors of the steel and cement industries are unsuitable for participation in joint ventures. In addition, the joint venture model has significant industry linkage effects, affecting energy consumption, the scale and cost of CCS deployment. This work provides important information for the large-scale commercialization of CCS technology.

The complexity of funding rare disease research: an IRDiRC assessment of the landscape

The complexity of the funding landscape for rare diseases (RD) research is due to many factors. Each type of funder has strategic goals guiding its investments. The International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC) convened RD experts to explore contributing factors and investment principles in RD funding. This report includes the Task Force’s findings. Similar to IRDiRC’s previous work on motivating factors for company investments in RD research, the current Task Force found that return on investment (ROI) was a guiding principle. However, within the broader RD funding landscape, the definition of ROI varied between types of funders. While they shared funding requirements (e.g., scientific quality, health economics), funders employed both major investment and venture-type instruments, demonstrating the ongoing need for flexibility in supporting RD funding. These observations warrant further analysis of the interactions and partnerships among all actors of RD research and the sustainability of RD research funding.

How complexity affects and shapes the dynamics in the football industry

This paper examines the complex dynamics at play within the football industry, highlighting how intricate and auto-catalytic processes impact and shape its operational landscape. By examining the interplay and mutual interactions in the objective functions (1) and the transition stages in the value chain (2), the study tries to shed light on the very diverse range of interactions characterising football industry. By examining the interplay and mutual interactions within the objective functions system (1), a source of complexity was found due to the impossibility of isolating the effect of a single variable on the entire structure. Then, the study analysed the transition stages in the value chain (2), from lower levels to elite competitions and vice versa, revealing the complexity that impacts the organisation, strategies, and decision-making of football clubs. The paper aims to evaluate the contributions of different components, such as economic and financial requirements and team achievements, to the self-sustaining nature of the football ecosystem. By examining these two themes, this article aims to provide a critical analysis of the intricacies of the football industry. This analysis should aid in identifying potential avenues for future research and determining the managerial frameworks and mechanisms required to navigate this complex industry. * Despite being a collaborative effort, §§ 1, 3.3 and 4 are attributed to Claudio Nigro; § 3.1 to Simona Curiello; §§ 3.3.1, 3.3.2 and 3.3.3 to Enrica Iannuzzi; §§ 3.2, 3.2.1 and 3.2.2 to Enrico Lubrano; §§ 2, 3 and 5 to Vincenzo Sanguigni; § 3.4 to Raffaele Silvestri; §§ 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 to Rosa Spinnato.

A Brief Discussion on the Three Major Modules of University Financial Management and the Current State of Budget Performance Management

In the context of the new era, the national governance capacity and level have greatly improved. With the continuous deepening of fiscal management reform, fiscal management capabilities and levels are enhanced annually with the application of new technologies. Particularly in recent years, budget performance management has been increasingly demanded across various industries, with stricter performance requirements for public university financial and project funds. This paper, drawing from personal work experience, presents insights and views on the key aspects of university financial management, the current state of performance management, and the feasibility of specific operations, serving as a discussion point within the industry.