High Degree Of Specialization Research Articles

Factors affecting the growth of small and medium Enterprises in Luangnamtha Province

The purpose of this study is to study the operating conditions and factors affecting the growth of small and medium enterprises in LuangNamtha Province. which uses descriptive study methods, surveys, and questionnaires to collect data from small and medium-sized enterprise operators who have registered enterprises at the Department of Industry and Trade in LuangNamtha Province according to the law in the number of 233 business units using basic statistics such as average value and standard deviation and analyzed with an ordinary least squares regression model. The results of the study found that most of the business operators are males aged between 37-43 years old, have a high degree of specialization, and have previous experience in the service sector, which a business is owned by a single Lao person. The registered capital of the business is less 100,000,000 kip, it is a source of funds for the family, there are between 5-20 people, the duration of the business operation is less 5 years, the customer group is in the province, the business is mainly in the commercial sector, but the performance is not good compared to last year. Such as, revenue and net profit decreased. The importance of factors affecting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in LuangNamtha province is very important. The factors affecting the growth of enterprises include four factors that have a relationship in the same direction, such as leadership factors affecting the growth of enterprises with a statistical significance level of 0.1, strategic decision-making factors affecting the growth of enterprises with a statistical significance level of 0.05, financial factors affecting the growth and stability of enterprises with a statistical significance level of 0.01 and 0.1, respectively, and marketing factors affecting the stability of the enterprise with a statistical significance level of 0.1.

Correlative microscopy - illuminating the endomembrane system of plant seeds.

The endomembrane system of cereal seed endosperm is a highly plastic and dynamic system reflecting the high degree of specialization of this tissue. It is capable of coping with high levels of storage protein synthesis and undergoes rapid changes to accommodate these storage proteins in newly formed storage organelles such as endoplasmic reticulum-derived protein bodies or protein storage vacuoles. The study of endomembrane morphology in cereal endosperm is challenging due to the amount of starch that cereal seeds accumulate and the progressive desiccation of the tissue. Here, we present a comprehensive study of the endomembrane system of developing barley endosperm cells, complemented by correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) imaging. The use of genetically fused fluorescent protein tags in combination with the high resolution of electron microscopy brings ultrastructural research to a new level and can be used to generate novel insights in cell biology in general and in cereal seed research in particular.

The Myotendinous Junction-Form and Function.

A critical link in the chain of force transmission from muscle fiber cross-bridge to bone is the interface between muscle and tendon-the myotendinous junction (MTJ). To meet the challenge of connecting these two tissues, the MTJ is specialized molecularly and morphologically. Distinct transcriptional profiles are evident for the myonuclei at the myofiber tips and a population of mononuclear tendon cells at the MTJ, demonstrating support from both sides in MTJ maintenance. Paradoxically, despite this high degree of specialization, the MTJ remains susceptible to strain (rupture) injury and is often associated with failed tissue healing. Incomplete understanding of the nature of the MTJ and the elements contributing to its plasticity hinder tackling this unsolved clinical challenge. The goal of this review is to summarize key structural and molecular features of the MTJ, discuss MTJ adaptation in response to mechanical (un)loading, aging, and injury, and highlight the major unanswered questions surrounding the MTJ.

Contribution of Coordination Theories to the Determination of Human Factors Associated With Operating Room Perceived Performance.

The efficient and fluid organization of surgical interventions in an operating room (OR) and operating suite (OS) is important as these are among the most expensive units to run in medical-surgical facilities. The complexity of OS organization requires careful coordination, defined here as the directing of individuals' efforts toward achieving common and explicitly recognized goals. There is currently sparse literature on OS coordination, especially in the French context. This study aimed to respond to this gap by reporting on the coordination mechanisms associated with the perceived performance of OS across 4 facilities in an urban setting in France. We used a qualitative comparative case study based on ethnographic methodology to explore 4 facilities (2 teaching, 1 general, and 1 private). Several investigation techniques were used for data collection (semistructured interviews, participant and nonparticipant observations, and informal interviews) in the OR, the OS, the regulation council (dedicated to adapting the necessary resources to specific procedures and patients' health status), and the OS council (dedicated to strategic and operational OS transformations and adaptations, and responsible for finding solutions to organizational problems). Analysis was guided by Okhuysen and Bachky's theoretical framework on coordination and multi-team systems theory. Data were compared across the 4 facilities and triangulated using the different techniques to ensure coherence and accuracy. Overall, 48 interviews with health care providers and hospital managers and 200 hours of direct observations were performed. The OR exhibited a high degree of coordination, whereas improved perception of performance in the OS depended on managerial competency, trust, and authority. Perceived performance in the regulation council and OS council, on the other hand, depended on the identification of formal objectives by all stakeholders and the development of common understanding (developing agreement, direct information sharing, creating common perspective, substitution, bringing groups together, and storing of knowledge). Based on existing literature on multi-team systems (as represented in the OS organization), this study identifies success factors influencing OS coordination. These include the OS manager's leadership skills; the identification of formal system objectives; and professional differentiation between stakeholders (absence/decrease of a sense of belonging to a multi-team system). This differentiation was related to the high degree of specialization within OS teams, each bringing different norms, cultures, and contingencies that induce dissonance in organization and task performance. Interventions targeting these success factors might improve coordination, and thus performance, in the OS.

Functioning and translation of English and Russian architectural terms in academic discourse

The study provides the analysis of architectural terminology in English and Russian in academic discourse. The object of the study is the terminological system of architecture. The subject of the study is the specifics of the use, functioning and translation of English and Russian architectural terminology in academic discourse. The classification and systematization of architectural terms, their hierarchical structure and functional types in academic texts are considered. In addition, the interdisciplinary nature of the architectural sublanguage is emphasized, which intersects with terms from the fields such as engineering, architecture, construction, art and design. The paper also identifies existing difficulties and problems that arise when translating English and Russian-language architectural terms, including differences in the linguistic structure of languages, semantic ambiguity, the need for a high degree of specialization of the translator for the correct interpretation of the term, the use of idiomatic and figurative language to describe some architectural terms, etc. The study uses a comprehensive methodology, in particular, methods of comparative and component analysis, as well as methods of corpus linguistics used to study semantic fields, hierarchical relationships and functional types of terms. The research results emphasize the importance of standardization of architectural terminology, understanding of cultural and historical background, as well as technical knowledge to ensure effective communication in the global architectural community. Analyzing the corpus of texts, including dictionaries, architectural reviews and academic articles, the author explains how specific terms function in academic discourse. This study makes a special contribution to the development of linguistic research in the field of architecture, offering an in-depth analysis of semantic fields and their role in structuring architectural vocabulary. The novelty of the research lies in an integrated approach to the study of the functioning and translation of architectural terms, which allows to identify the difficulties associated with the interdisciplinary character of the terminology. The results of the study will be useful not only for teachers and translators, but also for international experts in the field of architecture.

High trophic specialization structures the epi- to bathypelagic fish community in the Bay of Biscay

The deep-pelagic ecosystem is characterized by significant environmental gradients, particularly in food resources. The absence of primary production below the epipelagic zone leads to a decrease in food resources with depth. Two opposite feeding strategies have been described for this community in response to this decline in food resources: stochasticity, with species adopting opportunistic feeding strategies with a generalist diet, and determinism, with species segregating and specializing to mitigate strong interspecific competition through niche partitioning. To test these aspects, we analyzed the isotopic niches of 16 fish species using stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen carried out on muscle samples. The data were collected in canyons of the Bay of Biscay between 25 and 1335 m. Our primary objective was to identify isotopic niche segregation or overlap and determine whether species sharing similar isotopic niches show depth-based segregation by grouping them into trophic guilds and comparing their depth distribution with trawl data. We then used null model comparisons to test whether competition resulted in smaller values of isotopic niche size and overlap within each depth assemblage compared to those obtained by chance. We found that several species with similar isotopic niches were segregated based on depth. The comparison with null models showed that competition drove species to reduce niche size and specialize to avoid strong interspecific competition in the epi- to bathypelagic layers. Utilizing isotopic diversity indices weighted by biomass, our calculation showed significant divergence within the community, indicating that species with the highest biomass had extreme isotopic values. The high degree of specialization of species raises concerns about their vulnerability to various pressures, including climate change and exploitation. At the community level, this vulnerability is also a concern in maintaining the integrity of ecological processes.

Doing Genders: Partner's Gender and Labor Market Behavior.

Partnered men and women show consistently gendered patterns of labor market behavior. We test whether not only a person's own gender, but also their partner's gender shapes hours worked. We use Dutch administrative population data on almost 5,000 persons who had both male and female partners, whose hours worked we observe monthly over 15 years. We argue that this provides a unique setting to assess the relevance of partner's gender for labor market behavior. Using two-way fixed effects and fixed-effects individual slopes models, we find that both men and women tend to work more hours when partnered with a female partner compared to a male partner. These results align with our hypothesis that a partner's gender influences labor market behavior. For women, we conclude that this finding may be (partly) explained by marital and motherhood status. Additionally, we discovered that women decrease their hours worked to a lesser extent when caring for a child if they have a female partner. Finally, we found that for men, the positive association between own and partner's hours worked is weaker when one has a female partner, indicating a higher degree of specialization within these couples.

Hunting habits die hard: Conserved prey preferences in army ants across two distant neotropical rainforests

AbstractArmy ants are widely recognized as keystone species in neotropical rainforests due to their role as important arthropod predators. Their large‐scale raids involve thousands of workers scouring the forest floor in pursuit of prey, primarily capturing other invertebrates. Up to 20 species of army ants coexist in a rainforest, and dietary niche differentiation has been proposed as a mechanism to alleviate competition among them. Based on only a handful of study sites, however, our understanding of the precise dietary preferences and the extent of niche differentiation remains notably limited. In this study, we aimed to expand our knowledge of army ant communities by resolving an Ecuadorian predation network consisting of 244 prey species and 13 army ant species representing the five known neotropical army ant genera: Cheliomyrmex, Eciton, Labidus, Neivamyrmex, and Nomamyrmex. We collected 2156 prey items from 180 army ant raids/emigrations, and of these, we identified 1945 prey items to the family level, 1313 to the genus level, and 664 to the species level based on morphological identifications and DNA barcodes. Prey consisted primarily of other ants (1843 prey items; 153 ant species), to the largest part ant brood (N = 1726). Hence, most army ant species chiefly plundered the nests of other ants, while the three swarm raiding species, that is, Lab. praedator, Lab. spininodis, and Ec. burchellii, exhibited a relatively high proportion of non‐ant invertebrate prey in their diet. The predation network showed a high degree of specialization (H2′ = 0.65), characterized by little dietary niche overlap among sympatric species. We compared the Ecuadorian network with one previously studied in Costa Rica and found that, despite the large geographic distance, prey preferences remained remarkably similar. We discovered species‐specific preferences for captured ant genera and species, despite some species turnover in both army ants and prey. Additionally, army ants also exhibited consistent spatiotemporal raiding preferences across study sites. In conclusion, predation preferences within army ant communities exhibited consistency in multiple niche dimensions across two distant neotropical rainforests, suggesting a notable level of predictability within army ant predation networks.

Diversification of export activities: essence, purpose and state in Ukraine

Introduction. Export diversification is an essential tool for accelerating economic growth in developing countries. After all, these countries' exports are concentrated on raw materials and agricultural products, which are primarily sensitive to external shocks. By diversifying their exports, countries can reduce their vulnerability to fluctuations in foreign markets, including changes in demand, prices and terms of trade. This will stabilise the country's export earnings, ensure uninterrupted financing of imports and the development of various sectors of the national economy. In addition, diversifying export activities contributes to the structural transformation of the national economy and the country's innovative development. The purpose of the paper is to reveal the essence and functional purpose of export diversification in ensuring the country's economic development. The objective will be achieved by analysing the state of diversification of Ukraine's exports of goods and studying its relationship with the country's economic development. Results. Based on the analysis of changes in Ukraine's export commodity structure, the paper shows that in 2014-2023, there was a deepening of specialisation in Ukraine's exports of raw materials, food and agricultural products. At the same time, the share of medium and highly processed goods in Ukraine's export structure has decreased significantly. These trends are confirmed by the relatively high degree of specialisation of Ukrainian exports of goods over the period considered, as calculated by the normalised Herfindahl-Hirschman index. It is noted that the deepening concentration of Ukrainian exports of raw materials, food and agricultural products has been accompanied by slow growth or decline in GDP per capita. This confirms the hypothesis that there is a correlation between the diversification of export activities and a country's economic development level. Conclusions. According to the study's results, one strategy for Ukraine's economic growth under current conditions should be to diversify export activities and develop trade in goods with a medium and high degree of processing.

Natural history of pollination of an Asian bignoniaceous tree: The long-tubed flower and the not-so-long bird bill

Bird pollination is well-established in New World Bignoniaceae, but studies of species with floral traits suggestive of bird pollination in the Old World are lacking. Here we studied the pollination ecology of Mayodendron igneum to test the prediction of pollination by specialist flower-visiting birds. Observations from multiple sites showed that both the Streaked Spiderhunter (Arachnothera magna) and pollen-collecting bees were floral visitors. However, almost no fruit was produced if birds were excluded, suggesting that bees do not play a role in pollination, and that pollination is performed almost exclusively by birds in this self-incompatible tree. Measurements of floral traits revealed a typical bird pollination syndrome, and the nectar concentration and volume were both within the proposed ranges based on other flowers pollinated by specialist birds. However, the rather low level of sucrose (less than 2 %) in nectar sugar contradicts the expectation for nectar of flowers pollinated by specialist nectar-feeding birds. Although the Streaked Spiderhunter is among the longest-billed flower-visiting birds in Asia, its bill is only 2/3 of the corolla tube in length, suggesting that the bird can extend the tongue to access nectar. This study is the first to experimentally confirm bird pollination in the Old World Bignoniaceae. It also indicates aspects that are possibly characteristic of spiderhunter pollination systems, i.e. high degrees of specialization, unusual nectar sugar composition, and floral tubes much longer than bird bills.

Creating a place for open innovation among diverse players - a perspective from practitioners at a science park

Twenty years after the concept of open innovation was first proposed, entrepreneurship and horizontal division of labor have become popular in Japan, following the global trend. However, in the life science field, the foundation for open innovation is still in its infancy due to the high degree of specialization, large scale of required investment, and low probability of success. For the five years since its opening in 2018, Shonan Health Innovation Park (Shonan iPark) has taken on the challenge of building an ecosystem to create a place where a diverse range of players can realize open innovation. The key points of the efforts are the multifaceted approach taken by the governing body, which is well versed in life sciences, and on the other hand, the fostering of a mutually supportive mechanism and culture by actively borrowing the strength of the community's constituent members. In this article, we introduce the efforts to support diverse players, including venture companies, from the perspective of a science park that creates a place for open innovation.

Adoption and intensity of use of personal protective equipment by agricultural pesticide handlers: Empirical evidence from Peruvian agriculture

Pesticide use poses risks to human health that could be mitigated by the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), among other things. The aim of this study is to analyze the adoption and adoption intensity among a sample of nearly 12,000 crop farmers in Peru who grow a wide range of crops. This study further aims at identifying the factors that condition PPE use and intensity of use, with special attention paid to crop specialization. To achieve this objective, an econometric hurdle model that separates the decision on whether to adopt PPE from the decision on how many PPEs to employ was used. Results show that about a third of the sample farmers did not use any PPE when applying pesticides. For those farmers already using PPE, average PPE use intensity was relatively low at two PPEs, with boots being the most used PPE, followed by masks and gloves. The decision to adopt PPEs was strongly and positively influenced by farmers' level of education, access to credit, and training on pesticide use. The same factors were also found to be positively associated with PPE use intensity, which was further shown to be driven by cooperative membership. Crop specialization is shown to be an important determinant of both PPE adoption and adoption intensity. Interventions to promote PPE use should mainly target farms with a higher degree of specialization in cereal production, as these farms were less likely to use and intensify PPE adoption than farms specializing in other crops. Other relevant pathways to increasing PPE use include improving farmers’ educational status, communicating information on pesticide use, alleviating credit constraints, and strengthening farmer organizations.

Human versus Artificial Intelligence: ChatGPT-4 Outperforming Bing, Bard, ChatGPT-3.5 and Humans in Clinical Chemistry Multiple-Choice Questions.

Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots excel in language understanding and generation. These models can transform healthcare education and practice. However, it is important to assess the performance of such AI models in various topics to highlight its strengths and possible limitations. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of ChatGPT (GPT-3.5 and GPT-4), Bing, and Bard compared to human students at a postgraduate master's level in Medical Laboratory Sciences. The study design was based on the METRICS checklist for the design and reporting of AI-based studies in healthcare. The study utilized a dataset of 60 Clinical Chemistry multiple-choice questions (MCQs) initially conceived for assessing 20 MSc students. The revised Bloom's taxonomy was used as the framework for classifying the MCQs into four cognitive categories: Remember, Understand, Analyze, and Apply. A modified version of the CLEAR tool was used for the assessment of the quality of AI-generated content, with Cohen's κ for inter-rater agreement. Compared to the mean students' score which was 0.68±0.23, GPT-4 scored 0.90 ± 0.30, followed by Bing (0.77 ± 0.43), GPT-3.5 (0.73 ± 0.45), and Bard (0.67 ± 0.48). Statistically significant better performance was noted in lower cognitive domains (Remember and Understand) in GPT-3.5 (P=0.041), GPT-4 (P=0.003), and Bard (P=0.017) compared to the higher cognitive domains (Apply and Analyze). The CLEAR scores indicated that ChatGPT-4 performance was "Excellent" compared to the "Above average" performance of ChatGPT-3.5, Bing, and Bard. The findings indicated that ChatGPT-4 excelled in the Clinical Chemistry exam, while ChatGPT-3.5, Bing, and Bard were above average. Given that the MCQs were directed to postgraduate students with a high degree of specialization, the performance of these AI chatbots was remarkable. Due to the risk of academic dishonesty and possible dependence on these AI models, the appropriateness of MCQs as an assessment tool in higher education should be re-evaluated.

The Megaendoprosthesis in Revision Arthroplasty - a Cost-revenue Analysis in the aG-DRG System.

Megaendoprosthesis offer a viable treatment in complex revision arthroplasty cases with good functional outcome. In the context of a neoplastic indication, the diagnosis-related group (DRG) I95A is usually assigned with a relative weight of 4.906 (2021). In contrast, in revision arthroplasty, the appropriate DRG is assigned, depending on the joint replacement. The additional costs compared to the invoiced DRG are to be compensated by agreeing on hospital-specific individual fees. These complex revision arthroplasties set high technical and operative demands and are mainly performed in specialised departments. We conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the use of the megaendoprosthesis in revision cases in a specialised orthopaedic clinic, as a single centre study. The question we sought to answer was: Is cost recovery possible in the modified German DRG system (aG-DRG)?A retrospective single centre analysis of treatment costs was performed. From 2018 to 2020, 113 patients treated with a megaendoprosthesis reconstruction in a referral centre due to extensive bone loss after aseptic or septic revision of a hip or knee prosthesis were included in the study. Relevant case-related cost drivers of the aG-DRG matrix (including staff and material costs of the operating theatre area and the ward) were taken into account. The actual costs were determined according to the specifications of the calculation manual published by the German institute for the remuneration system in hospitals (InEK). For each case, the contribution margin was calculated by relating the hospital's internal costs to the corresponding cost pool of the aG-DRG matrix.According to the DRG system 2021, 17 different DRGs were used for billing - in 70% based on a patient clinical complexity level (PCCL) ≥4. Compared with the InEK calculation, there is a deficit of -2,901€ per case in the examined parameters. The costs of physicians show a shortfall in both the operating theatre and on the ward. Implant costs, which were supposed to be compensated by hospital-specific additional charges, show a hospital-specific shortage of -2,181€. When analysing the risk factors for cost recovery, only these showed a significant difference.Implantation of the megaendoprosthesis in revision arthroplasty is often the last option to preserve limb function. At present, despite a high degree of specialisation and process optimisation, this treatment cannot be provided cost-effectively even in tertiary care. The politically desired specialised department structure requires sufficient reimbursement for complex cases. The economic outcome of each treatment case is often unpredictable, however the surgeon is confronted with these cases and is expected to treat them. The high standard deviation indicates large differences in the cost/revenue situation of each individual case. Our results show for the first time a realistic cost analysis for megaprosthesis in revision arthroplasty and underline the importance of an adequate hospital-specific charge, individually agreed by the funding units. The calculation should include not only the implant costs, but also the increased staff costs (increased, complex planning effort, quality management, surgery time, etc.).

Association of bat flies (Diptera: Streblidae) and bats: Richness and host specificity in Western Mexico.

As part of a widespread ecological study on the ectoparasites of bats in Western Mexico, we report new information on the specificity, and distribution of bat flies in a geographical transition zone between the neartic and neotropical zones. Fifteen (15) species of bats representing three families (Mormoopidae, Phyllostomidae, and Vespertilionidae) were collected in 10 locations throughout western Mexico. A total of 276 bat flies, representing 6 genera and 25 species, were identified four species of the bat flies are new records for the region indicating an expansion of the distribution for Trichobius corynorhini (Cockerll, 1910), T. hoffmannae (Guerrero & Morales-Malacara, 1996), T. intermedius (Peterson & Hürka, 1974) and Nycterophilia natali (Wenzel, 1966). These records update the species richness of streblids to 40 species in the state of Jalisco, representing 65.6% of the total number of 61 species of streblids recorded in Mexico. The interaction network showed a high degree of specialization of the bat flies towards their hosts (H2'=0.92). Similarly, the specificity indices showed that there is a high ecological specificity (SI) with an average of 92%. of all the bat flies was associated with their primary hosts, while the average value of specificity of the phylogenetic trees (STD) of the six streblid species that presented more than one host was 1.7%, indicating a high specificity. The results of this study provide relevant information on bat-parasite associations and highlight the need for further research to obtain information on the geographic distribution of streblids and their hosts.

An assessment of the diet of Brown Fish-Owl Ketupa zeylonensis (J.F. Gmelin, 1788) (Aves: Strigiformes: Strigidae) from two localities in the foothills of the Western Ghats of Goa, India

The Brown Fish-Owl Ketupa zeylonensis is a large nocturnal bird of prey that has a vast distribution range. However, there is a significant literature gap on the ecology of this species in the Western Ghats ecoregion, particularly in regard to its food spectrum. In the present study, we assessed the diet composition of this species in the foothills of the Western Ghats of Goa, India. The diet was evaluated by analysing the undigested prey remains in regurgitated pellets obtained from the banks of forest streams and roosting sites. A total of 104 pellets were collected from two localities that exhibited similar landscape characteristics. Our analysis indicated that crabs contributed to a significant proportion of the diet of the species (75.47%), followed by amphibians (frogs, 8.02%), fishes (7.08%), reptiles (snakes, 2.83%), birds (2.36%), scorpions (1.89%), and insects (Odonata, 0.47%). Additionally, 1.89% (n = 4) of the prey items could not be identified due to their disintegrated nature. Furthermore, an assessment of Food Niche Breadth (FNB) indicated that K. zeylonensis exhibited a high degree of specialization in terms of its diet in the study areas.

Medical Biology of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer with one of the lowest 5-year survival rates of all cancer types. A defining characteristic of pancreatic cancer is the existence of dense desmoplastic stroma that, when exposed to stimuli such as cytokines, growth factors, and chemokines, generate a tumor-promoting environment. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are activated during the progression of pancreatic cancer and are a crucial component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). CAFs are primarily pro-tumorigenic in their activated state and function as promoters of cancer invasion, proliferation, metastasis, and immune modulation. Aided by many signaling pathways, cytokines, and chemokines in the tumor microenvironment, CAFs can originate from many cell types including resident fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, pancreatic stellate cells, adipocytes, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and other cell types. CAFs are a highly heterogeneous cell type expressing a variety of surface markers and performing a wide range of tumor promoting and inhibiting functions. Single-cell transcriptomic analyses have revealed a high degree of specialization among CAFs. Some examples of CAF subpopulations include myofibrotic CAFs (myCAFs), which exhibit a matrix-producing contractile phenotype; inflammatory CAFs (iCAF) that are classified by their immunomodulating, secretory phenotype; and antigen-presenting CAFs (apCAFs), which have antigen-presenting capabilities and express Major Histocompatibility Complex II (MHC II). Over the last several years, various attempts have been undertaken to describe the mechanisms of CAF-tumor cell interaction, as well as CAF-immune cell interaction, that contribute to tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Although our understanding of CAF biology in cancer has steadily increased, the extent of CAFs heterogeneity and their role in the pathobiology of pancreatic cancer remains elusive. In this regard, it becomes increasingly evident that further research on CAFs in pancreatic cancer is necessary.

CLUSTER POLICY AND ITS IMPACT ON FDI ATTRACTION MODELS AND BETTER COOPERATION BETWEEN MNEs AND SMEs

The concept of FDI has been analyzed by several theorists and many of them see FDI as an engine of growth. FDI affects economic growth directly and indirectly. It is well known that FDI has a positive impact on the domestic economy through the transfer of technology and skills, development of local suppliers in terms of providing technical assistance, training for employees, transfer of knowledge, etc. In this way, FDI affects the improvement of productivity and competitiveness of the entire economy. Multinational enterprises and their foreign affiliates recently generate one third of the global GDP, as well as two thirds of international trade. They also account for half of global exports. Precisely because of their economic importance, many governments offer subsidies and tax breaks to attract multinational enterprises, and consequently FDI. According to OECD (2005), linking MNEs and SMEs is important in the context of investment for development. The so-called "spillover" of know-how and technology from foreign investors to the local business sector is one of the biggest benefits of FDI for development. In most countries, SMEs are considered as the majority of the domestic business sector, therefore the process of overcoming the barriers to the connection between large and small enterprises is of great importance for the overall development. But the benefits of cooperation between MNEs and SMEs do not come automatically. Consequently, if we analyze specifically only one segment of the effects of FDI, such as the introduction of new technologies and innovations, as one of the biggest benefits of the host country from FDI, we come to the conclusion that this transfer is not always the same, but is very more present and effective if it is done in geographically concentrated clusters, in contrast to the cases when it is realized in dispersed companies of the same sector. Companies operating in clusters are characterized by a high degree of specialization and complementarity. This generates dynamic processes of learning, innovation and knowledge transfer. In the clusters, a process of collective learning is realized, which results in innovation and competitiveness even in sectors where high technology is not applied. This paper aims to explore models and ways of attracting FDI as well as creating preconditions for realizing as many benefits and spillovers as possible from the established cooperation between foreign MNEs and local SMEs, such as clusters. The results show that although the clusters in the Republic of North Macedonia are formally functioning, they are far from the desired condition to be in a situation to provide essential assistance in the direction of increasing the positive effects of the cooperation of SMEs and MNEs. However, the clusters should continue to be supported by the relevant competent institutions in order for the desired effects to be measurable, concrete and significant for the local economy.

The determinants of inward FDI in India in the 2000s

Purpose Unlike the traditional growth model of emerging markets after economic liberalization, India’s inward foreign direct investment (FDI) surged paralleling its strong economic growth in the 2000s, despite the failure to establish a strong secondary sector. This creates an opportunity to deepen the conceptual and contextual understanding of the pivotal mechanisms that impel foreign multinational enterprises to invest into India and provides a natural setting to better understand the nature of its institutional, political and economic environment. Design/methodology/approach The authors develop a theory contextualized to Indian inward FDI patterns for the 2000–2017 period. The theoretical framework expands upon received investment motives, with explicit consideration given to the idiosyncrasies of developments in India’s recent macro and socioeconomic environment. The authors test the hypotheses using panel data from 134 countries that invested in India, using a Hausman–Taylor estimation. Findings The authors find that India’s transition toward a knowledge economy attracts asset augmenting rather than asset exploiting FDI. Investors appear to target long-term investments by gaining access to India’s digital capabilities, R&D, and growing talent base with a high degree of specialization within analytics, biotechnology, engineering, or pharmaceuticals. Foreign investors do not seem to be notably deterred by infrastructural challenges nor by legal and regulatory restrictions. Originality/value By providing a new perspective on India’s atheoretical economic development and FDI environment, this study offers a distinct point of comparison with regard to established hypotheses within the extant literature on FDI into emerging markets. Rethinking contemporary investment motive theory by introducing an adapted conceptual framework provides further opportunity to inform the understanding of firm strategies in similar environments.

Stress Management Amongst Industrial Employee

The sources of stress in the workplace. Include interpersonal relationships, career development, organizational structure and climate, line-staff conflicts, little opportunity for advancement, high degree of specialization and centralization, poor communications, inadequate information, inaccurate assessment of performance and poor feedback. To successfully manage stress, it is important to be aware of sources of stress in our lives and our physical and psychological responses to them. People respond to stress in different ways. Some individuals are more capable of coping with stressors than others, while some individuals are more prone to stress. Our characters determine how we respond to stressors by our perception of "what is" and "what should be", our personality, motivation, problem-solving capacity and ability for self-introspection. In developing countries like India, privatization leads to rapid change in the industrial sector, while corona crises recession has impacted industries. Companies must constantly examine business trends and get innovative to retain key employees in the worst of times. Mergers and acquisitions and changes in labour laws also put stress on working life as well as on personal life of the working class.