Institutional Resources Research Articles

Natural resource dependence, policy and institutions for environmental sustainability and African welfare

AbstractIn developing countries, particularly in Africa, dependence on natural resources poses a threat to development, leading to poor health, reduced productivity, and increased poverty among nations. This raises significant concerns for the prospects and welfare of Africa, given the rising environmental pollution. However, the literature on the mitigating effect of policies and institutions for environmental sustainability (PIES) on resource‐dependent countries in Africa is scarce. As a result, this study explores the effects of natural resource dependence and the mediating effect of PIES on under‐five mortality and human development in Africa. This novel hypothesis may contribute to the divergent differences in African welfare. Using a panel of 30 resource‐dependent countries spanning 2005 to 2021 and employing the two‐step dynamic generalized method of moments, the study provides evidence in support of the novel hypothesis. The findings show that dependence on natural resources can be either a blessing or a curse for African countries, depending on the degree to which environmental sustainability is embraced. Furthermore, a heterogeneous analysis demonstrates significant support for countries with high policies and institutions for environmental sustainability in mitigating the negative impacts of natural resource dependence on welfare. The study concludes that dependence on natural resources without environmental sustainability cannot guarantee a balance between the well‐being of the economy and the environment. Therefore, environmental management should not be politically motivated so as to sustainably improve human well‐ being in Africa.

Aggregate and disaggregate impact of natural resources on sustainable development: New evidence from the latest institutional data

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of institutional quality (IQ) and natural resources (NR) on sustainable development (SD) in 107 developing countries, using instrumental variable-generalized method of moment (IV-GMM) method. The study finds that NR tends to impede SD in developing countries, especially in resource-rich nations where NR is a significant component of national wealth. However, the impact of NR on SD varies depending on the type of resource. Point resources have a negative effect on SD, while diffuse resources do not show a significant impact. The study also provides evidence supporting the conditionalist view of the resource curse, demonstrating that higher IQ can mitigate the negative effects of NR on SD. The study establishes a threshold IQ value that must be met to transform the resource curse into a blessing. Conversely, a decline in IQ may lead to a resurgence of the resource curse and a decline in productive asset investment. Based on these findings, policymakers must carefully consider the type of NR being exploited to develop policies that are tailored to the unique characteristics of each resource type. This will help them to optimize resource exploitation while minimizing negative impacts on society and the environment.

Pediatric tracheostomy decannulation: what's the evidence?

Pediatric decannulation failure can be associated with large morbidity and mortality, yet there are no published evidence-based guidelines for pediatric tracheostomy decannulation. Tracheostomy is frequently performed in medically complex children in whom it can be difficult to predict when and how to safely decannulate. Published studies regarding pediatric decannulation are limited to reviews and case series from single institutions, with varying populations, indications for tracheostomy, and institutional resources. This article will provide a review of published decannulation protocols over the past 10 years. Endoscopic airway evaluation is required to assess the patency of the airway and address any airway obstruction prior to decannulation. There is considerable variability in tracheostomy tube modification between published protocols, though the majority support a capping trial and downsizing of the tracheostomy tube to facilitate capping. Most protocols include overnight capping in a monitored setting prior to decannulation with observation ranging from 24 to 48 h after decannulation. There is debate regarding which patients should have capped polysomnography (PSG) prior to decannulation, as this exam is resource-intensive and may not be widely available. Persistent tracheocutaneous fistulae are common following decannulation. Excision of the fistula tract with healing by secondary intention has a lower reported operative time, overall complication rate, and postoperative length of stay. Pediatric decannulation should occur in a stepwise process. The ideal decannulation protocol should be safe and expedient, without utilizing excessive healthcare resources. There may be variability in protocols based on patient population or institutional resources, but an explicitly described protocol within each institution is critical to consistent care and quality improvement over time. Further research is needed to identify selection criteria for who would most benefit from PSG prior to decannulation to guide allocation of this limited resource.

Fruit Morphology and Nutritional Composition of Different Genome Groups of Six Bananas Cultivars from Bali Island

Bali is home to at least 43 banana cultivars, each serving a wide range of purposes. To support its future development, there is a need to obtain essential information on the morphological and nutritional characteristics of these bananas for domestic needs and the tourism market. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the fruit morphology and nutritional composition of six local Balinese banana cultivars mainly consumed on Bali Island, namely Pisang Mas (AA), Buluh (AAA), Lumut (AAA), Susu (AAB), Raja (ABB) and Kepok (ABB) genomes. The observation of fruit morphology followed the guidelines of the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute method for bananas. The nutritional composition was analyzed using standard methods by measuring the proximate composition, vitamin C and concentrations of minerals K, Ca, Fe and P. Based on the morphological relationship coefficient values, it was discovered that all banana cultivars were closely related. Dessert bananas of Pisang Mas, Buluh, Lumut and Susu shared a close relationship with their ancestor <em>Musa acuminata</em>, which contributed to the ‘A’ genome. Meanwhile, Pisang Raja, which could be employed as a dessert or cooking banana, and Pisang Kepok as a cooking banana, exhibited a closer relationship. Various cultivars showed different nutritional compositions in their fruits. In every 100 g of edible portion, the nutrient values of the six bananas contained high carbohydrates and total energy, abundant vitamin C and K, moderate total fibers and protein, as well as low fat and Fe. Based on the nutritional composition, six Bali banana cultivars were found suitable as valuable ingredients in alleviating food insecurity or as dietary components.

Ag Lenders Offer Insight on Conditions for Nebraska Livestock Producers

In 2017, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) and Nebraska Extension made a commitment to implement a multidisciplinary Beef Systems Initiative (BSI) to develop and support implementation of beef production systems in Nebraska. In addition to the BSI, a parallel project funded by the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) implemented a study of the best practices for incorporating beef cattle onto cropping systems while improving ecosystem services to ensure sustainability. As a component of the FFAR project, an agricultural lenders panel was formed to provide input and feedback to UNL researchers on the financial considerations for producers implementing new or expanding existing operations. The lenders panel met for the first time in 2019.

Internationalization and corporate sustainability expenditure: The role of institutional support and foreign knowledge acquisition

AbstractThis study extends the literature on international business and sustainability by examining the impact of internationalization on corporate sustainability expenditures, and the conditions under which this relationship is enhanced or attenuated. Based on insights from institutional and firm resource theories, we examine the moderating effects of institutional support and foreign knowledge acquisition capability on the hypothesized relationship. Survey data were collected from 260 small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana, a developing sub‐Saharan African country, and analyzed using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. The results indicate that increased internationalization levels are positively and significantly linked to corporate sustainability expenditure. In addition, the results of the moderation analyses reveal that the positive effect of internationalization on sustainability expenditure is stronger at high levels of institutional support for firms with high foreign knowledge acquisition capability. This study offers new perspectives and directions for improving SMEs' internationalization and sustainability practices through an integrated strategy that enhances the quality of domestic institutional environments by policymakers, augmented by managers' proactive efforts to develop their firms' foreign market learning capabilities. The limitations of this study and their implications for further research are discussed.

Extending the frontiers of financial development for sustainability of the MENA states: The roles of resource abundance and institutional quality

AbstractResource abundance characterizes economies within the MENA region from North Africa to the Middle East. As such, to improve financial development (FD) for regional economic sustainability, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the roles of natural resources abundance and institutional quality indicators on the region's FD while underscoring the inflationary levels and general economic growth trends amidst rising globalization. The adopted empirical strategy (CS‐ARDL and AMG) is employed for potential cross‐sectional dependency (CD) and slope homogeneity in the regional data spanning over two decades (2000–2020). Unlike the extant literature, two separate regional FD indicators were considered for an insightful analysis namely, banking financial services via domestic credit to private sector, and financial stability via the Z‐score values showing the tendencies of default in a country's banking structure. Regardless of the FD indicator, the results reveal that natural resources, growth trends, and inflationary levels significantly spur long‐run regional FD thereby invalidating the financial resource curse hypothesis in the region. Furthermore, both institutional quality levels and globalization produced detrimental impacts on FD levels. However, the interaction between institutional quality levels and natural resources shows a desirable FD‐stimulating effect in the region, noticeably when FD is proxied by the Z‐score. Thus, implying that stronger institutions are crucial for MENA's overall financial stability vis‐à‐vis reduction in the risk of default in the banking system. Hence, policy recommendations including the strengthening of institutional capacities among others, were suggested to regional authorities toward harnessing resources for sustainable regional FD.

Restructuring the Public Relations Capacity of the Statistics, Informatics and Encryption Communication Service in South Sulawesi Province

This study aims to analyses the description of institutional structure and human resources for public relations, internal and external factors and to offer a public relations hypothetical model. This study used a descriptive qualitative method, which was carried out at the Department. Informants Informed purposively with consideration of internal and external representation of the Office. Data obtained by observation, interview, and document analysis techniques. The collected data were analyzed using qualitative interactive techniques between data collection, data reduction, data presentation, verification and drawing conclusions. The results of the study show: (1) An overview of the institutional structure and human resources of Public Relations, (2) Internal and external factors that become drivers and obstacles in the development of public relations capacity stem from internal strength, namely the existence of a number of authorities (publication, follow up, and decision-making) owned by the Dinas and external opportunities supported by the local government. While the internal obstacles are the strong interest of political parties in public services and external challenges, namely community participation in responding to educational posts that are still lacking, and (3) The hypothetical model of structuring the capacity of public relations that is applicable has not been realized, so it will not meet the target if its implementation is not compatible with digitization.

Social support for overcoming fear of contagion at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cross-sectional study in Latin America.

The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare professionals has been widely studied, along with different strategies to minimize it. However, professionals' assessment of the social support received and the factors that mitigated their fear of contagion have not been described. This study aimed to assess healthcare professionals' satisfaction with the social support and information received and their efforts to self-isolate to avoid infecting loved ones in Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador. A cross-sectional online survey, conducted from July to September 2020 in three Latin American countries, elicited healthcare professionals' satisfaction with social support from colleagues, their community, the media, and scientific societies; as well as the information received about the evolution of the pandemic and measures to avoid contagion. The EASE scale was used to measure acute stress. Survey responses were received from 700 professionals. The response rate per country exceeded the estimated sample size except in the case of Colombia, which was 81.4%. In general, peer support was highly valued, though satisfaction was lower in high-risk units (p < 0.001). Those who directly assisted COVID-19 patients perceived the least community support (p = 0.023). Professionals from high-risk units (p = 0.013) and those who experienced greater acute stress (p = 0.05) assigned the lowest rating to the information offered by the centre on the pandemic. Men perceived more support from colleagues and better information from the centre than women (p < 0.05). Just 10.7% of professionals changed their residence during the pandemic, but those who worked in high-risk areas self-isolated more frequently (p = 0.026). In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals in Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador greatly valued the support received from their peers. Being infected with COVID-19, working in high-risk areas, experiencing higher self-reported acute stress, and having an infected co-worker were predictors for self-isolation to protect their relatives. These results point to the appropriateness of putting in place institutional resources based on peer support and specific communication strategies and action protocols to build resilience and responsiveness to future health crises.

Emerging Adult Resilience to the Early Stages of the COVID-Pandemic: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Human resilience to COVID-19 related stressors remains a pressing concern following the aftereffects of the pandemic and in the face of probable future pandemics. In response, we systematically scoped the available literature (n = 2030 records) to determine the nature and extent of research on emerging adults' adaptive responses to COVID-19 stressors in the early stages of the pandemic. Using a multisystem resilience framework, our narrative review of 48 eligible studies unpacks the personal, relational, institutional and/or physical ecological resources that enabled positive emerging adult outcomes to COVID-18 stressors. We found that there is a geographical bias in studies on this topic, with majority world contexts poorly represented. Resources leading to positive outcomes foregrounded psychological and social support, while institutional and ecological supports were seldom mentioned. Multisystemic combinations of resources were rarely considered. This knowledge has valuable implications for understanding resilience in the context of other large-scale adverse conditions.

Advanced Treatment of Hemodynamically Unstable Acute Pulmonary Embolism and Clinical Follow-up.

High-risk acute pulmonary embolism (PE), defined as acute PE associated with hemodynamic instability, remains a significant contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide. Historically, anticoagulant therapy in addition to systemic thrombolysis has been the mainstays of medical therapy for the majority of patients with high-risk PE. In efforts to reduce the morbidity and mortality, a wide array of interventional and surgical therapies has been developed and employed in the management of these patients. However, the most recent guidelines for the management of PE have reserved the use of these advanced therapies in scenarios where thrombolytic therapy plus anticoagulation are unsuccessful. This is due largely to the lack of prospective, randomized studies in this population. Stemming from this, the approach to treatment of these patients varies widely depending on institutional experience and resources. Furthermore, morbidity and mortality remain unacceptably high in this population, with estimated 30-day mortality of at least 30%. As such, development of a standardized approach to treatment of these patients is paramount to improving outcomes. Early and accurate risk stratification in conjunction with a multidisciplinary team approach in the form of a PE response team is crucial. With the advent of novel therapies for the treatment of acute PE, in addition to the growing availability of and familiarity with mechanical circulatory support systems, such a standardized approach may now be within reach.

Analysis of the correlation between the concepts of mentoring and curatorship in the pedagogical practice

Introduction. The relevance of the study is explained by the tendency to self-development of the individual that has formed in society. Mentoring and supervision contribute to the self-development of the individual in higher education. The article examines the analysis of the formation and development of mentoring and curatorship.Materials and Methods. The article provides a historiographical analysis of the content of the concepts of "curatorship" and "mentoring" in the domestic and foreign pedagogical and psychological literature. The main attention is paid to the correlation and semantic content of the above terms. The work uses methods of analyzing scientific literature, generalization and systematization of data on curatorship and mentoring.Results. The purpose of the work is to study the terms "mentoring" and "curatorship". The approaches and stages of mentoring and curatorship development in historical retrospect are analyzed. The place and role of mentoring and supervision in pedagogical practice are considered. The main attention is focused on the essential characteristics of the studied terms. The authors came to the conclusion that in modern pedagogical practice, the concepts of "mentoring" and "curatorship" are synonymous, complementary and interchangeable.Discussion and Conclusions. The perspective of the research is to continue working on the problems of correlation and increasing the effectiveness of curatorship and mentoring for the self-development of students in higher educational institutions. The practical significance of the work lies in the fact that its results can serve as a fuller use of institutional, organizational and personal resources in the field of education, as well as be the basis for improving the modern model of mentoring and curatorship in educational organizations of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia.

From the Prussian State Geological Survey to the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, the German Federal Geological Survey (BGR)

From the Prussian State Geological Survey to the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, the German Federal Geological Survey (BGR)

FINANCING OF THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

The article focuses on the need to achieve the medium-term strategic goals of the state policy of the Russian Federation in the field of healthcare, aimed at increasing life expectancy to 78 years by 2030; reducing mortality and increasing public satisfaction with medical care. The amounts of financing the activities of the healthcare system in the Russian Federation and in the Murmansk region are investigated. A comparative analysis of indicators that are indicative and reportable in the medium-term strategy for the development of the healthcare system of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030, and in the Murmansk region as the territory of the Arctic zone; their dynamics is investigated. In addition, the structure and dynamics of changes in the amounts of funding from various sources of medical institution activity in the Murmansk region are investigated (the budget of the territorial compulsory medical insurance fund, the consolidated budget of the Murmansk region, the federal budget of the Russian Federation and the own financial resources of the medical institution), recommendations are proposed to improve the efficiency of using budgetary and extra-budgetary sources of funding. It is concluded that the degree of security of the health care system depends not only on the amount of funding, but also on the financial resources management system.

Geowissenschaftliche Methoden – Datenbank (GeM-DB) – a basis for planning surface exploration programs

Abstract. In phase II of the German site selection procedure for a final repository site for high-level radioactive waste, identified siting regions will be explored above ground. For each siting region, different geoscientific data exist, resulting in various exploration requirements as results of the representative preliminary safety analysis. The exploration requirements, i.e. exploration objectives (Kneuker et al., 2020) and parameters, are based on a legal foundation, especially sections 22–24 of StandAG (2017). The exploration requirements in turn define the methods to be used for surface exploration of siting regions to collect all data needed for the further-developed preliminary safety analyses at the end of phase II. Commissioned by the Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal (BGE), the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) is developing a database, GeM-DB, which allows the search for different geophysical and geoscientific exploration methods. Among the exploration methods are airborne, ground and borehole methods as well as investigations on obtained samples, e.g. from drill cores. The database entries consist of a general description, different attributes and an evaluation of the suitability and applicability for (1) the different host rocks (claystone, crystalline rock and rock salt) and (2) the exploration objectives deriving from the legal foundations, especially the exclusion criteria, minimum requirements and geoscientific weighing criteria as stated in sections 22–24 of StandAG (2017). This link is the key element of the database and a unique compilation of the collective knowledge of BGR experts. Certain filters and selection options allow queries of the database content, for instance to generate host rock-specific sequences of exploration methods. These sequences of methods can be used as a basis for the exploration programmes to be planned by the BGE.

GLAM Wikiprojects as a Form of Organization of Cooperation Between Wikipedia and Cultural Institutions

The development of new communication technologies enabled the digitalization of the knowledge resources of cultural institutions all over the world and made them available to a wider audience. This was possible through the cooperation of cultural institutions with Wikipedia’s WikiProjects and engagement of the users from numerous countries. It seems important to recognize if this form of cooperation between Wikipedians and institutions is effective and attracts enough participants. The article takes up the subject of the character and effects of this cooperation. The aim of the paper is to study the activity of Wikipedians, including newcomers, in GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) WikiProjects in several language versions of Wikipedia as an open knowledge project. The research questions concerned the characteristics of the activity of Wikipedians in GLAM WikiProjects and the differences between the behaviour of Wikipedians in GLAM WikiProjects in different language versions. The method used in the research is the content analysis, which includes quantitative tools. The author acquired and calculated the data on the activity of GLAM Wikiprojects participants thanks to the Wikipedia xTools tool. The calculations were made on participants of GLAM WikiProjects from five language versions of Wikipedia. The main conclusion from the research is that the results of this kind of organization of work, especially in terms of newcomers, are not satisfactory. The most effective participants are the coordinators of the projects or/and the Wikipedians with the highest seniority. Newly acquired participants most often do not continue their activity for long time. However, there are some differences in different language versions of Wikipedia. English one has better results in retaining and engaging new users. What is interesting is that despite the wide popularization and engagement of the GLAM institutions in the collaboration with Wikipedia, there is a relatively low interest of new Wikipedians in GLAM Wikiprojects. In order to reach a successful cooperation, it is significant to improve the effectiveness of welcoming, engaging, and retaining newcomers in the projects. The results may be of use to the practitioners of the virtual communities of practice which focus on creating and sharing knowledge.

Student self-formation: an emerging paradigm in higher education

ABSTRACT In discussing the functions of education Gert Biesta distinguishes qualification, socialisation and subjectification. In subjectification higher education facilitates the evolution of students as distinctive self-determining persons. This paper foregrounds and discusses ‘student self-formation’, a paradigm of subjectification with fecund potentials for empirical inquiry. Self-formation emphasises reflexive agency, whereby students consciously monitor and develop themselves on an ongoing basis. The paper draws especially on Margaret Archer's discussion of reflexive agency. It argues that the core features of self-formation that are specific to higher education are engagement in disciplinary knowledge, and in activities and relations beyond the classroom that are part of student life. Student self-formation is both a norm to be achieved, with lifelong learning potentials, and a descriptor of existing practices. By its nature self-formation is never complete and its incidence is uneven among students, with some of them scarcely experiencing it. Conditions and potentials for reflexive self-formation vary on the basis of factors including the degree of immersion in higher education, the scope for agentic initiative, personal resources and support, institutional and pedagogic resources and arrangements, and existential challenges (e.g. transitions between countries and cultures) that can trigger accelerated self-reflection and transformation.

Keragaman Morfologi Sukun (Artocarpus altilis Park. Fosberg) di Kecamatan Teluk Ambon

The purpose of this study was to determine the diversity of breadfruit plants in the Ambon Bay District based on their morphological characteristics. The breadfruits plant descriptors used refer to the International Board Plant Genetic Resources Institute and key characterization and evaluation descriptors: Methodologies for the assessment of 22 crops. There are various morphological characteristics of breadfruit in 31 observational variables. At a similarity value of 27,47, three clusters were formed, namely the first cluster Rumah Tiga, Poka, the second cluster Wainani, Hunut, and the third cluster Tawiri, Hative Besar 2, and Hative Besar 1. Each cluster that forms into one cluster has relatively homogeneous characteristics, while between clusters have different characteristics.

A*CENSUS II: Archives Administrators Survey Report

This second comprehensive Archival Census and Education Needs Survey in the United States (A*CENSUS II) was funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The surveys were conducted by Ithaka S+R in conjunction with SAA. The All Archivists Survey, which garnered 5,699 responses, targeted self-identified archivists/archives workers in the United States to gather information about their demographics, educational background and needs, job placement and status, and salaries, as well as their perspectives on key issues in the field. The All Archivists Survey Report is published in the Spring/Summer 2023 issue of American Archivist. The Archives Administrators Survey, which garnered 746 responses, targeted the directors of archival organizations to gather data about institutional characteristics, resources, strategic directions, and equity, inclusion, diversity, and access issues. Both datasets are open access in the SAA Dataverse at https://dataverse.unc.edu/dataverse/ACENSUS.

Партийная конкуренция и партийная иерархия: от классических интерпретаций до современных российских кейсов

The article is devoted to understanding such important processes of partogenesis as party competition and party hierarchy, based on the theoretical and methodological ideas of M. Duverger and R. Dahl. The phenomenological and institutional resources of competition and hierarchy are considered, both in terms of general objective circumstances and in terms of environmental factors. The alignment of the hierarchy of modern parliamentary parties of the Russian Federation is traced. A political analysis of three party-competitive cases, which are carried out in modern party competition and party hierarchy, is carried out. «Party patriotism» is nominated as an ideological and program complex of the unity of political parties in support of the state and power. The problematic aspects of party competition and party hierarchy and factors of their possible transformation are revealed.