Government Research Institutes Research Articles

The role of cooperative R&D in innovation performance of SMEs: evidence from South Korean materials, parts, and equipment firms

ABSTRACT Can cooperative R&D between SMEs and other organisations enhance innovation performance? This study utilises a mixed-methods approach to examine the impact of voluntary cooperative R&D and gain an improved understanding of the mechanisms that facilitate innovation outcomes. The analysis uses a firm-level secondary dataset from South Korea’s M-P-E industry for the period between 2005 and 2020, as well as in-depth expert interviews. The findings indicate that collaboration between SMEs, universities, and government research institutes (GRI)s positively impacts innovation performance. The expert interviews confirm that partnerships with academic institutions and research organisations help bridge the gap between creating key innovations and their commercialisation. The results also show that government R&D support facilitated collaborations between suppliers and buyers, which in turn led to improved innovation outcomes. This implies that providing R&D subsidies to SMEs could be a useful strategy for governments seeking to bolster their technological innovation. Policy implications are further discussed in the conclusion.

Влияние старения населения на модернизацию сельского хозяйства и развитие территорий провинций в Китае

This article delves into the influence of population aging on the modernization of agriculture and rural territories in China. It highlights the profound demographic challenge faced by modern China, characterized by wide-spread population aging. The issue is particularly acute in rural areas, where rapid urbanization and industriali-zation have depleted the working-age population significantly. Concurrently, agriculture remains a vital sector of China’s economy, necessitating urgent modernization efforts. However, this process is fraught with uncer-tainty due to the complex demographic landscape. The article provides an overview of the current rural situa-tion, offers the author’s insights into the root causes of the crisis, and formulates a series of recommendations for its resolution. In conclusion, addressing the impact of population aging on agricultural modernization and rural development in China’s provinces requires a multifaceted approach. It is crucial to recognize the unique challenges faced by rural areas, such as the depletion of the working-age population and the need for agricul-tural modernization. Implementing targeted policies and programs that encourage innovation, improve rural infrastructure, and provide support for aging populations can help mitigate these challenges. Additionally, fos-tering collaboration between government agencies, research institutions, and local communities is essential for developing sustainable solutions. By addressing these issues, China can overcome the challenges posed by population aging and ensure the continued growth and development of its rural areas.

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Animal testing for toxicity assessments has long been a point of contention due to concerns over animal welfare and ethics. As an integral component of product development and consumer safety, the evaluation of chemical toxicity is vital. Yet, the 21st century has witnessed a growing demand for alternative testing methods that can offer sustainable solutions without relying on animal experiments. This need has spurred major developed countries and international standardization organizations to pursue the development and standardization of novel testing approaches. Among these, organoid-based methods have emerged as a promising avenue for innovation.
 This study examines the concept of organoids, defining and categorizing alternative testing methods. It explores a broad spectrum of topics, including the standardization trends of alternative testing method regulations, organoid-based method standardization, and trends led by government entities, research institutions, academia, and corporations. It also examines the development of organ-specific manufacturing protocols for organoids. The research finds that international efforts to standardize alternative testing methods are in progress, with a particular focus on organoid-based strategies.
 The anticipated growth and evolution of such alternatives could revolutionize standard practices in safety assessments and drug efficacy evaluations. The standardization of organoid-based testing methods is poised to become a crucial milestone in advancing human health and environmental protection, driving the sector's growth and innovation. Moreover, advancements in organoid technology and the creation of models for various organs are likely to further refine alternative testing methods and introduce new evaluation techniques for drugs and chemicals. This study highlights to the biomedical community that standardizing new testing methods can address the ethical dilemmas of animal testing, underscoring a significant contribution towards ethical scientific practices.

Spatiotemporal patterns and driving factors of gross primary productivity over the Mongolian Plateau steppe in the past 20 years

The Eurasian steppe is the largest temperate grassland in the world. The grassland of the Mongolian Plateau (MP) represents an important part of the Eurasian steppe with high climatic sensitivity. Gross primary productivity (GPP) is a key indicator of the grassland's production, status and dynamic on the MP. In this study, we calibrated and evaluated the grassland-specific light use efficiency model (GRASS-LUE) against the observed GPP collected from nine eddy covariance flux sites on the MP, and compared the performance with other four GPP products (MOD17, VPM, GLASS and GOSIF). GRASS-LUE with higher R2 (0.91) and lower root mean square error (RMSE = 0.99 gC m−2 day−1) showed a better performance compared to the four GPP products in terms of model accuracy and dynamic consistency, especially in typical and desert steppe. The parameters of the GRASS-LUE are more suitable for water-limited grassland could be the reason for its outstanding performance in typical and desert steppe. Mean grassland GPP derived from GRASS-LUE was higher in the east and lower in the west of the MP. Grassland GPP was on average 205 gC m−2 over the MP between 2001 and 2020 with mean annual total GPP of 322 TgC yr−1. 30 % of the MP steppe showed a significant GPP increase. Growing season precipitation is the main factor affecting GPP of the MP steppe across regions. Anthropogenic factors (livestock density and population density) had greater effect on GPP than growing season temperature in pastoral counties in IM that take grazing as one of main industries. These findings can inform the status and trend of the productivity of MP steppe and help government and scientific research institutions to understand the drivers for spatial pattern of grassland GPP on the MP.

Effect analysis on waste recycling by introducing a new policy, “Environmental Assessment of Recycling,” for establishment of the ESG management system in the Republic of Korea

AbstractTo move away from linear system mining–manufacture–production–disposal, most countries have been trying to establish a circular economy, by reusing waste as resources. Responding to this paradigm change, the Ministry of Environment of Korea amended the Wastes Control Act in the 2010s. To increase the recycling rate in Korea, the environmental assessment of recycling (EAR) has been introduced to improve the Wastes Control Act. The whole process of new recycling technologies can be assessed in terms of environmental or technical aspects by assessment institutes of the EAR. Finally, the governmental research institute can approve of an application case, which proves environmental friendliness, even if the technology is not defined in the current act. Recently, 17 companies have been coassessed and approved to recycle steel codes in waste tires as resources for iron smelting via assessments of the whole process, such as environmental analysis and quality assessment. The EAR has been enforcing recycling materials for six years, and the total profit of the companies that were approved was estimated to be approximately 55 million USD. However, many amendments to the EAR continue to be requested by stakeholders. In this study, the effect of the EAR was evaluated, and additional tasks were found to enhance the EAR. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1–13. © 2024 SETAC

Artificial intelligence in cybersecurity: Protecting national infrastructure: A USA review

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in the field of cybersecurity, playing a pivotal role in safeguarding national infrastructure. This review focuses on the application of AI technologies within the context of the United States, examining their efficacy in fortifying critical systems against evolving cyber threats. The paper delves into various AI-driven cybersecurity strategies, ranging from anomaly detection and predictive analysis to threat intelligence and automated response mechanisms. The integration of AI in cybersecurity not only enhances the speed and accuracy of threat detection but also addresses the dynamic nature of cyber threats. The specific AI technologies employed in the United States, including machine learning, natural language processing, and neural networks, highlighting their contributions to bolstering the resilience of national infrastructure are also examined. Furthermore, the challenges and ethical considerations associated with the widespread adoption of AI in cybersecurity are assessed. It discusses the need for robust regulatory frameworks to govern the deployment of AI in sensitive domains and emphasizes the importance of collaboration between government agencies, private enterprises, and research institutions to foster innovation and address emerging threats. In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of AI in cybersecurity within the United States, emphasizing its significance in protecting critical national infrastructure. By exploring technological advancements, challenges, and ethical considerations, this paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on leveraging AI to safeguard against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.

Survey: Rainfall Prediction Precipitation, Review of Statistical Methods

Rainfall precipitation prediction is the process of using various models and data sources to predict the amount and timing of precipitation, such as rain or snow, in a particular location. This is an important process because it can help us prepare for severe weather events, such as floods, droughts, and hurricanes, as well as plan our daily activities. Processing rainfall data typically involves several steps, which may vary depending on the specific data set and research question. Here is a general overview of the steps involved: (1) Collecting data: Rainfall data can be collected using various methods, including rain gauges, radar, and satellite imagery. The data can be obtained from public sources, such as government agencies or research institutions. (2) Quality control: Before using the data, it's important to check for errors or inconsistencies. This may involve identifying missing or incomplete data, outliers, or inconsistencies in measurement units. Quality control can be performed manually or using automated software. (3) Pre-processing: Once the data has been quality controlled, it may need to be pre-processed for analysis. This may involve aggregating the data to a specific temporal or spatial resolution, such as daily, monthly, or annual averages, or converting the data to a specific format. (4) Analysis: The processed data can be used for various types of analysis, such as trend analysis, frequency analysis, or spatial analysis. These analyses can help to identify patterns, changes, or relationships in the data. (5) Visualization: Finally, the results of the analysis can be visualized using graphs, maps, or other types of visualizations to help communicate the findings. Overall, processing rainfall data requires careful attention to detail and a clear understanding of the research question and data sources.

Types

The pieces in this section share an interest in the typical and in the ways in which photographycan be used to provide evidence of that very typicality. Photography’s capacity to recordevidence has been central to its practice and theory from the outset, founded on the premise(and the promise) of an indexical relationship between the thing recorded and the record made.Of course that relationship could always be distorted, manipulated or fabricated by technicalmeans – with increasing ease and regularity in the digital era – but even such distortions wouldonly serve to point up the dominant assumption of fidelity, of the photograph simply recordingand conveying the facts. This is not to say, however, that such photographs would lack aestheticquality or conceptual interest. Mike Mandel and Larry Sultan’s seminal 1977 publication ‘Evidence’enduringly demonstrated this through a careful selection and sequencing of photographsculled from numerous government agencies and research institutions. Nominally objective, thepictures were unfailingly strange, sometimes surreal, sometimes disturbing and often forlorn.These were, as Sandra S. Phillips notes in her essay for the revised edition, ‘photographs madefor the purpose of record’, but by virtue of what they deemed worthy of recording, and how thatrecord was composed and framed, much was revealed, both about the unavoidably expressivecapacities of the medium and about the prevalence of scientific and technical developmentwhich typified the era.1Photographic evidence operates in distinct but related ways in each of these four pieces.There is a shared affirmation that the making of photographs serves to confer significance andvalue on something hitherto overlooked, ignored or misunderstood. In Jasna Galjer’s carefullyconsidered essay, she traces how the Kravica Children’s Health Resort in Croatia - a strikingpiece of socialist-era architecture by Rikard Marasovic – is being reframed in terms of its culturalmeaning and value through photographic and filmic projects. Despite, or perhaps because of,being neglected and in disrepair, the complex demands to be incorporated into the collectiveconsciousness, to allow its past to be reconciled with a potential future. This is as much to dowith its overt formal properties as its layered history in use, both of which are captured in thephotographic and filmic projects which Galjer discusses. (...)

Preliminary Study of Organic Farming Practices in Southern Rajasthan, India

In the present age of global warming and changing climatic scenario, agriculture has to be more eco- friendly with resource-conserving technologies for achieving the sustainable food-livelihood-environmental security. With growing awareness on food safety and health issue, demand for organically produced products increased drastically. To understand the economics and status of Organic Farming practices, a case study was conducted in Southern Rajasthan in the year 2020-21. A convenient sample of 317 organic cultivators were selected through multistage simple random sampling technique and data were collected through a pretested questionnaire along with semi structured interviews. Preliminary study shows that the net returns per hectare received from organic farming were relatively higher or good enough as compare to conventional counterparts. An increasing trend of growing organic products were observed during the study period. The major constraints identified by the organic cultivators were non-availability of labour and organic certification followed by the high wage rate and insect pest attacks. Sustainable efforts from government organizations, research institutes, marketing cells, progressive cultivators, dealers, and policy makers are necessary for successful adoption of the organic farming.

AN ANALYSIS OF FOREST AND LAND FIRE EXTINGUISHING IN INDONESIA INFLUENCED BY THE EL NINO PHENOMENON USING THE WATER BOMBING METHOD

Land and peat forest fires in Indonesia are a serious environmental problem, especially in the years that experience the El Nino phenomenon. El Nino causes dry and hot conditions that trigger fires. One of the methods used to extinguish fires is water bombing, which is spraying water from the air using planes or helicopters. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of the water bombing method in dealing with land and peat forest fires in Indonesia. This study uses secondary data from various sources, such as government reports, research institutions, mass media, and non-governmental organizations. The data is then analyzed using descriptive, comparative, and evaluative methods. The results of the study show that the water bombing method has some advantages, such as fast, flexible, and able to reach areas that are difficult to access. However, this method also has some disadvantages, such as expensive, risky, and less effective in extinguishing fire in the peat soil. Therefore, this study recommends that the water bombing method should be used as one part of a comprehensive fire control strategy, which involves prevention, detection, and recovery. This study also suggests the need for improved coordination, regulation, and innovation in the use of the water bombing method in Indonesia.

A Kalman Filter Scheme for the Optimization of Low-Cost Gas Sensor Measurements

Air pollution, which is mainly caused by industrialization, intensive transportation, and the heating of buildings, is one of the most important problems in large cities because it seriously harms the health and the quality of life of their citizens. This is why air quality is monitored not only by governmental organizations and official research institutions through the use of sophisticated monitoring systems but also by citizens through the use of low-cost air quality measurement devices. However, the reliability of the measurements derived from low-cost sensors is questionable, so the measurement errors must be eliminated. This study experimentally investigated the impact of the use of a Kalman filter on the accuracy of the measurements of low-cost air quality sensors. Specifically, measurements of air pollutant gases were carried out in the field in real ambient air conditions. This study demonstrates not only the optimization of the measurements through the application of a Kalman filter but also the behavior of the filter coefficients and their impact on the predicted values.

Sustainable Management of Aquaculture and Water Footprint Analysis in Sunderban

India is the world’s second-largest producer of fish, where the state of West Bengal is leading in fish production. The Sundarbans, located in the southern part of India’s West Bengal state, is a UNESCO-designated world heritage site. The Indian Sundarbans is a tide-dominated region in the southern part of deltaic West Bengal, and is home to 4.43 million people. Even though it is traversed by numerous creeks and rivulets and receives a significant amount of precipitation during the monsoon season, freshwater is a scarce resource in the Sundarbans. During the dry season, there is a lack of fresh water above and below the ground, increasing siltation results in shallower channels, high salinity of the water and soil, and congestion in drainage making it difficult for people to make a living. During the dry season, most blocks experience water scarcity as a result of the ever-increasing population’s demand for water. According to this study, Sundarbans’ current annual domestic and drinking water demands are 105.1 mcm and 8.08 mcm, respectively. By combining the area under various crops and their lifecycle water requirements, the water demand for agriculture has been calculated to be 2782.83 mcm. The rainfall-runoff modelling aims to get a general idea of how much fresh water is available each year through surface runoff. It has also been estimated how much water is available from different sources in each block. It is estimated that deep and shallow bore wells contribute approximately 400 mcm, whereas surface water sources like tanks and canals contribute approximately 50 mcm. The communities that live in the Sundarbans eco-region benefit greatly from aquaculture’s contribution to their socio-economic development. For the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Sundarbans Delta, strong technical, financial and extension services from government organisations and research institutions are urgently required to meet these obstacles. Additionally, this study emphasises that roof-top rainwater harvesting in this region has the potential to supply 45 mcm more water, which could be used to partially satisfy the region’s domestic water demand. Future major policy options for meeting the Sundarbans ecoregion’s water demand include large-scale rainwater harvesting, rejuvenation and reconnection of disconnected river channels, artificial recharge of shallow aquifers to lower their salinity, and de-salination of shallow groundwater.

Innovation in Agribusiness as Strategic Tool in Development of the Sector in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul

Objective: The objective was to inquire about publications and calls for proposals aimed at the development of agribusiness in Mato Grosso do Sul from an innovation perspective.   Method: This study is of a basic research nature, and its methodology is based on a literature review. Additionally, an investigation was conducted into research and innovation stimulus bases related to agribusiness, with a focus on Fundect, Embrapa, Agraer, and public universities in the state.   Results and conclusion: In conclusion, the current scenario is not ideal; however, these types of fiscal incentives and government policies yield positive results. As for innovation in agribusiness, it presents significant growth potential and is gradually becoming one of the main strategic tools for achieving economic and sustainable competitiveness in this sector.   Research implications: This study sheds light on the multifaceted role of innovation in agribusiness, particularly within the specific context of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. It underscores the significance of collaborative efforts among government entities, research institutions, universities, and industry stakeholders in driving innovation within the agricultural sector.

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Objective: The objective was to inquire about publications and calls for proposals aimed at the development of agribusiness in Mato Grosso do Sul from an innovation perspective.   Method: This study is of a basic research nature, and its methodology is based on a literature review. Additionally, an investigation was conducted into research and innovation stimulus bases related to agribusiness, with a focus on Fundect, Embrapa, Agraer, and public universities in the state.   Results and conclusion: In conclusion, the current scenario is not ideal; however, these types of fiscal incentives and government policies yield positive results. As for innovation in agribusiness, it presents significant growth potential and is gradually becoming one of the main strategic tools for achieving economic and sustainable competitiveness in this sector.   Research implications: This study sheds light on the multifaceted role of innovation in agribusiness, particularly within the specific context of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. It underscores the significance of collaborative efforts among government entities, research institutions, universities, and industry stakeholders in driving innovation within the agricultural sector.

Eco-innovation and agricultural sustainability: empirical evidence from South Africa’s agricultural sector

ABSTRACT This study explores the role of eco-innovation in promoting environmental sustainability in the agricultural sector in South Africa. The study applies a mixed-methods approach using both qualitative and quantitative data on eco-innovations. The study is guided by the Resource-Based View (RBV) as a theoretical lens and applies a logistic regression model to explore the relationship between various resources and capabilities and four types of environmental sustainability outcomes. The results suggest that agricultural businesses that invest in developing process innovations, acquire knowledge from external sources, leverage different types of technologies such as precision agriculture and sensor technologies are more likely to achieve improved environmental sustainability outcomes. The study suggests a few policy recommendations that emphasize the importance of creating incentives for agricultural businesses to invest in innovative and sustainable agricultural practices, collaborate with higher education and government research institutions and facilitate adoption of advanced ICTs to promote eco-innovation.

Mapping the scientific and technological landscape: an analysis of Nobel Prize-producing institutions

As a prestigious international accolade in science and technology, the Nobel Prize laureates gain significant attention from researchers. Scholars strive to distill patterns and insights from various aspects of this award. This article specifically examined the institutions generating Nobel Prize-winning work, discussed the distribution and mobility patterns of laureates among different types of institutions to roughly map the scientific and technological landscape. Our research findings indicate that universities are the primary generators of Nobel Prize-winning work, accounting for approximately 70% of the institutions, and demonstrate particular adeptness in “attracting” and “retaining” laureates in mobility analysis. The remaining 30% of institutions include governmental research institutions, enterprises, and non-profit organizations. Notably, North America and Europe lead the count with over 300 counts of prize-producing institutions each, establishing themselves as major centers for Nobel Prize production. However, over the past decade, there has been a slight decline in the aggregation effect of the distribution of these institutions.

Commercialization Study of Technological Product Innovation Using Business Model Canvas: Innovation Case of Mobile Laboratory

A premise states that the success of product technology innovation determines the economic growth of a country. On the other hand, commercialization of product technology innovations has low success, and one of the reasons is the lack of careful planning. One of the national product technology innovations designed as a solution to controlling the spread of COVID-19 is a mobile laboratory (Mobile Laboratory Bio-Safety Level 2/MBSL-2) which was initiated by BPPT in early 2020. This study discusses the concept of planning the commercialization of product technology innovations. MBSL-2 uses the Business Model Canvas (BMC), with the intention that the results can be used as an innovation planning policy instrument, especially in government research institutions. Nine BMC elements are elaborated, namely customer segments, value propositions, channels, customer relationships, revenue streams, key resources, key activities, key partners, and cost structure. The results of the discussion show how BMC works in a systematic, structured, and measurable way so that it can explain the arguments and objectives for each element of the business process, as well as the harmonization of business strategy with technology strategy. The BMC display is simple but contains important business aspects, making it easier for all parties to understand the business concept of product technology innovation. This study recommends the use of BMC as a complete product technology innovation planning instrument for engineers in government research institutions.
 Keyword: Technological product,  mobile laboratory,  commercialization of product innovations, business model.

Marine Stations Helgoland and Sylt operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research

The Marine Stations Helgoland and Sylt are permanent coastal stations in the German Bight operated as one joint research infrastructure by the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI). Using both stations, the south-west region of the North Sea and its ecosystem features are tightly monitored via ecological time series, which are recorded and made available to government offices, professional associations, and research institutes world-wide. The stations are a hub for national and transnational access for guest researchers and visiting scientists in the German Bight. For over fifty years, the stations have served as centres of student education by providing facilities for university courses. The stations operate the coastal research vessels Mya II, Uthörn and Aade. The Biologische Anstalt Helgoland (BAH) is home to the AWI Centre for Scientific Diving, which conducts, promotes, and supports diver-related underwater science within the framework of all AWI research themes. The BAH is also home to the school laboratory OPENSEA, which offers high school students a scientific environment to explore marine science. The Wadden Sea Station on the island of Sylt offers 24 seawater mesocosms for ecological studies of future climate scenarios. Public outreach centres are associated with both locations (BLUEHOUSE and Erlebniszentrum Naturgewalten).

RDM Services at the Luxembourg National Data Service

The Luxembourg National Data Service (LNDS) was established on 28 July 2022 by the Luxembourg government and public research institutes. LNDS is a national organisation providing services for value creation from public sector data from different domains. LNDS’ primary mission is to offer technology and data services, know-how, capabilities, platform, and infrastructure to enable sharing and re-use of data for public and private data partners. LNDS aims to become a key component of Luxembourg's data innovation strategy by (1) supporting research and innovation through a high-quality service offering, (2) contributing to accelerating the development of Luxembourg towards a data economy, (3) enabling the participation of both public research and private actors in the complete value-creating chain of data, (4) enhancing data in the context of joint innovation among all actors, and (5) becoming a partner of choice for joint development of the next generation of data products.

Enterprise DNS Asset Mapping and Cyber-Health Tracking via Passive Traffic Analysis

The Domain Name System (DNS) is a critical service that enables domain names to be converted to IP addresses (or vice versa); consequently, it is generally permitted through enterprise security systems (e.g., firewalls) with little restriction. This has exposed organizational networks to DDoS, exfiltration, and reflection attacks, inflicting significant financial and reputational damage. Large organizations with loosely federated IT departments (e.g., Universities and Research Institutes) often do not even fully aware of all their DNS assets and vulnerabilities, let alone the attack surface they expose to the outside world. In this paper, we address the "DNS blind spot" by developing methods to passively analyze live DNS traffic, identify organizational DNS assets, and monitor their health on a continuous basis. Our contributions are threefold. First, we perform a comprehensive analysis of all DNS traffic in two large organizations (a University Campus and a Government Research Institute) for over a month, and identify key behavioral profiles for various asset types such as recursive resolvers, authoritative name servers, and mixed DNS servers. Second, we develop an unsupervised clustering method that classifies enterprise DNS assets using the behavioral attributes identified, and demonstrate that our method successfully classifies over 100 DNS assets across the two organizations. Third, our method continuously tracks various health metrics across the organizational DNS assets and identifies several instances of improper configuration, data exfiltration, DDoS, and reflection attacks. We believe the passive analysis methods in this paper can help enterprises monitor organizational DNS health in an automated and risk-free manner.