International Competition Research Articles

The Bright and Dark Sides of Sports Interpreting in Iraq: Football Interpreting as an Example

With the rapid increase in international matches, such as the Olympic Games, World Cup by FIFA, Arab or Gulf Cup events the demand for interpreting becomes very necessary, as through this activity players can connect with viewers around the world, this is on the one hand, and on the other, through which they can instantly obtain their instructions. After the war in 2003, the participation of Iraqi athletes in international competitions and the recruitment of foreign coaches flourish. This new situation urges policy designers to strategically plan to offer qualified interpreters to ensure ideal communication between the players and their coaches and between them and the international audience. The status quo, however, is very frustrating: the number of Iraqi qualified interpreters can relatively be visible (for the ordinary observers) as there are no specialized academic or non-academic institutions that offer the requirements. This lack has opened the door for non-professional interpreters to carry the task leading not only to fragmented communication but also to deform the perception of this profession. This study sheds light on this particular area. It solely adopts the participant-oriented method offered by Saldanha and O’brein (2013). The research instrument is a carefully-designed questionnaire which is presented to a sample of thirty professional interpreters. The study findings emphasize that the status quo of sports interpreting in Iraq is discouraging because of some obstacles, such as the absence of specialized interpreting training facilities and monitoring institutions.

Forecasting the export competitiveness of Peruvian coffee in major importing countries usingautoregressive integrated moving average modeling

The study analyzes the export competitiveness of Peruvian coffee in international markets using the ARIMA model to forecast export trends. The objective is to identify factors influencing the sector's profitability and sustainability. Time series of export volumes and prices were evaluated, revealing that the ARIMA model allows for accurate predictions of future trends. The results suggest that the Peruvian coffee sector faces challenges related to international price fluctuations and global competition. Emphasis is placed on the importance of efficiency in production and export processes to maintain and enhance the competitiveness of Peruvian coffee in the global market.

The internationalization of China's vocational education: Value implications, practices and planning

The internationalization of vocational education is essential for cultivating high-quality talents that meet international standards, enhance the national educational level, and increase international competitiveness, all contributing to the goal of transforming a country into an educational powerhouse. To establish itself as a leader in education, a country has to fully comprehend the implications of internationalizing vocational education, taking into account the global labor market, diplomatic relations, and the evolution of vocational education. These goals can be achieved by analyzing collaborative educational programs, the status of its vocational education in the international context, and the methods employed internationally to develop vocational education. Strategies should include integrating national interests, fostering collaborative initiatives, and utilizing digital technology. In the case of China, such an approach will enhance China's global competitiveness, facilitate the spread of Chinese culture, strengthen the country's international partnerships, and increase its global influence and standing.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES OF MICROQUALIFICATIONS AS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PRINCIPLE OF CONTINUITY OF EDUCATION IN THE PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY OF A MODERN UNIVERSITY TEACHER

The article analyses the introduction of educational programmes of microqualifications as an effective tool for implementing the principle of continuing education in the professional activities of university teachers. Special attention is paid to how microqualifications contribute to the development of competences and adaptation of teachers to the changing requirements of the educational environment. Examples of their use in the practice of higher education institutions are presented, and the impact on improving the quality of teaching and competitiveness of staff is assessed. The relevance of the study is conditioned by rapid changes and new challenges faced by the system of higher education in Kazakhstan. In the conditions of reforming the educational system of the country and the growth of international competition, the integration of microqualification programmes as a strategic approach to the continuous professional development of teachers is of particular importance. The aim of the study is to identify the key challenges and prospects for the development of microqualifications based on the analysis of global and regional educational trends. The paper uses the methods of strategic analysis, as well as comparative-historical approach, which allowed to identify opportunities and threats affecting the development of this system in Kazakhstan. Special attention is paid to the strengths and weaknesses of educational programmes, as well as their compliance with modern standards. As a result of the study, recommendations for successful integration of microqualifications into the strategies of HEIs are proposed. Special attention is paid to the creation of strategic partnerships, continuous monitoring of changes in the educational environment and ensuring the high quality of programmes in accordance with international standards. Prospects for the development of microqualifications in Kazakhstan include the development of supra-subject competences and a balance between digital and traditional teaching methods to meet the needs of the target audience and ensure professional development of teachers.

Multicriteria Analysis of Innovation Ecosystems and the Impact of Human Capital and Investments on Brazilian Industries

Innovation is one of the main factors associated with industrial growth, as it contributes to increased productivity, sustainability, and international competitiveness. There is a certain degree of complexity in measuring innovation, since there are various metrics for this purpose, and each sector of the economy handles it differently. In Brazil, the Industrial Survey of Technological Innovation (PINTEC) was developed to construct sectorial indicators on innovation activities. Based on these data, this paper investigates how ten sectors of the economy performed during two historical series (2011 to 2014 and 2014 to 2017) considering five criteria linked to the innovation process and the impact of qualified human capital. The problem is analyzed in light of multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA), using preference ranking organization methods for enrichment evaluation (PROMETHEE II) to provide a ranking of Brazilian industrial sectors. The results show how the sectors have changed over the years, highlighting that innovation expenditure proved crucial in measuring companies’ commitment to innovation, but also show that a highly qualified workforce emerged as a leading factor. Furthermore, the research presents which criteria have contributed positively and negatively to each sector, which can serve as drivers for policy formulation to strengthen the Brazilian industry.

Research on the Path to Enhancing Graduate Education Quality through New Productive Forces

Graduate education is an indispensable part of higher education, playing a crucial role in cultivating top-tier talent, promoting technological advancements, and facilitating social progress. However, it faces severe challenges, including inadequate teaching methods, outdated educational technologies, insufficient interdisciplinary collaboration, inconsistent quality of mentorship, and incomplete evaluation systems. With the rise of new productive forces centered on technological innovation, exploring their application in enhancing the quality of graduate education is a primary concern. This study investigates how to improve the quality of graduate education through new productive force pathways, including curriculum reform, faculty development, the establishment of new R&D platforms, collaboration between industry and academia, educational assessment mechanisms, an international perspective and global competitiveness, intercultural education, and a focus on social responsibility and sustainable development.

Analyzing the configuration of the National Innovation System for Innovation Capability: evidence from Global Innovation Index reports

National innovation capability (NIC) is an important manifestation of economic development quality and international competitiveness. Previous studies focus mainly on the static impact of factors in the national innovation system on NIC in a given year. Research is still lacking on whether these factors have continuing, stable impacts on NIC in different economies. To fill this literature gap, this study uses fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to conduct cross-economy and cross-year comparisons and discusses how the five elements of the NIS jointly affected the NIC of different economies from 2011 to 2022. The results indicate that the necessity consistency of infrastructure for NIC shows a temporal trend. There are four paths to generating high NIC in high-income economies, but only two such paths for upper middle-income economies. The path combining human capital and research, market sophistication, and business sophistication can drive both types of economies to generate high NIC. The research results have improved the transparency of innovation paths and provided a reference for different economies to achieve sustainable development.

Educating and promoting athletes’ health protection through infographics on injury and illness prevention during an international competition: a prospective study during the 2024 European Athletics Championships

ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility, perceived relevance and usefulness of providing injury and illness prevention information through infographics to athletes and medical teams before and during an international athletics championship, and...

Abstracting It All: The Soviet Institute of Scientific Information (VINITI) and the Promise of Centralisation, 1952–1977

AbstractIn the aftermath of the Second World War, effective handling of scientific information was identified as crucial for advancement and international competitiveness. Here, we study how the Soviet Union, through the founding of The All-Union Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (VINITI), developed its own grandiose system which served researchers and engineers throughout the USSR. By studying its inception, the way it was structured, and how it relates to similar grand visions of how to organise knowledge, we provide rare insights into a partly alternative history of how scientific information was organised in the latter half of the 20th century. Based on available sources in English and Russian, we consider the ideas behind this grand initiative for acquiring international literature, as well as how it was received and presented to a foreign audience. In this effort, we put particular emphasis on the first 25 years of VINITI (1952–1977) while at the same time focusing on central ideas in its organisation such as “enrichment”, “abstracting” and “pre-printing”. A key principle emerging from our analysis is how the notion of concentration becomes a fundamental principle for its operations. Overall, the activities of VINITI can today appear as both old-fashioned, bordering on the utopian, and as visionary and modern in its abandonment of journals and traditional forms of peer review.

Sports-Related Genomic Predictors Are Associated with Athlete Status in Chinese Sprint/Power Athletes.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between variant loci significantly associated with sports-related traits in the GWAS Catalog database and sprint/power athlete status, as well as to explore the polygenic profile of elite athletes. Methods: Next-generation sequencing and microarray technology were used to genotype samples from 211 elite athletes who had achieved success in national or international competitions in power-based sports and from 522 non-athletes, who were healthy university students with no history of professional sports training. Variant loci collected from databases were extracted after imputation. Subsequently, 80% of the samples were randomly selected as the training set, and the remaining 20% as the validation set. Results: Association analysis of variant loci was conducted in the training set, and individual Total Genotype Score (TGS) were calculated using genotype dosage and lnOR, followed by the establishment of a logistic model, with predictive performance evaluated in the validation set. Association analysis was performed on 2075 variant loci, and after removing linked loci (r2 > 0.2), 118 Tag SNPs (p ≤ 0.05) were identified. A logistic model built using 30 Tag SNPs (p ≤ 0.01) showed better performance in the validation set (AUC = 0.707). Conclusions: Our study identified 30 new genetic molecular markers and demonstrated that elite sprint/power athlete status is polygenic.

A Competition for the Diagnosis of Myopic Maculopathy by Artificial Intelligence Algorithms

Myopic maculopathy (MM) is a major cause of vision impairment globally. Artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning (DL) algorithms for detecting MM from fundus images could potentially improve diagnosis and assist screening in a variety of health care settings. To evaluate DL algorithms for MM classification and segmentation and compare their performance with that of ophthalmologists. The Myopic Maculopathy Analysis Challenge (MMAC) was an international competition to develop automated solutions for 3 tasks: (1) MM classification, (2) segmentation of MM plus lesions, and (3) spherical equivalent (SE) prediction. Participants were provided 3 subdatasets containing 2306, 294, and 2003 fundus images, respectively, with which to build algorithms. A group of 5 ophthalmologists evaluated the same test sets for tasks 1 and 2 to ascertain performance. Results from model ensembles, which combined outcomes from multiple algorithms submitted by MMAC participants, were compared with each individual submitted algorithm. This study was conducted from March 1, 2023, to March 30, 2024, and data were analyzed from January 15, 2024, to March 30, 2024. DL algorithms submitted as part of the MMAC competition or ophthalmologist interpretation. MM classification was evaluated by quadratic-weighted κ (QWK), F1 score, sensitivity, and specificity. MM plus lesions segmentation was evaluated by dice similarity coefficient (DSC), and SE prediction was evaluated by R2 and mean absolute error (MAE). The 3 tasks were completed by 7, 4, and 4 teams, respectively. MM classification algorithms achieved a QWK range of 0.866 to 0.901, an F1 score range of 0.675 to 0.781, a sensitivity range of 0.667 to 0.778, and a specificity range of 0.931 to 0.945. MM plus lesions segmentation algorithms achieved a DSC range of 0.664 to 0.687 for lacquer cracks (LC), 0.579 to 0.673 for choroidal neovascularization, and 0.768 to 0.841 for Fuchs spot (FS). SE prediction algorithms achieved an R2 range of 0.791 to 0.874 and an MAE range of 0.708 to 0.943. Model ensemble results achieved the best performance compared to each submitted algorithms, and the model ensemble outperformed ophthalmologists at MM classification in sensitivity (0.801; 95% CI, 0.764-0.840 vs 0.727; 95% CI, 0.684-0.768; P = .006) and specificity (0.946; 95% CI, 0.939-0.954 vs 0.933; 95% CI, 0.925-0.941; P = .009), LC segmentation (DSC, 0.698; 95% CI, 0.649-0.745 vs DSC, 0.570; 95% CI, 0.515-0.625; P < .001), and FS segmentation (DSC, 0.863; 95% CI, 0.831-0.888 vs DSC, 0.790; 95% CI, 0.742-0.830; P < .001). In this diagnostic study, 15 AI models for MM classification and segmentation on a public dataset made available for the MMAC competition were validated and evaluated, with some models achieving better diagnostic performance than ophthalmologists.

Measurement of new qualitative productivity kinetic energy from the perspective of digital and green collaboration--comparative study based on European countries

At present, the world is witnessing the historic convergence of a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial change with the transformation of the development mode, and it is strategically important and far-reaching to rapidly enhance new qualitative productivity kinetic energy (NQPKE) on the basis of the lessons learning from the experience of the pioneering countries for all countries, so as to expand the room for manoeuvre of the economic development, obtain the initiative of international competition, and realise the benign interaction of high-quality development and high-level of security. On the basis of analysing the formation mechanism of NQPKE, we characterize NQPKE by the coupling and coordination degree of digital productivity and green productivity, we analyse NQPKE by using the entropy weight TOPSIS method and the coupling and synergistic model, and analyse the spatial-temporal characteristics, steady state development and constraints of NQPKE by using the method of kernel density estimation, the Markov chain, the spatial Markov chain, and the obstacle degree model based on data from 21 European countries from 2009 to 2022. The study finds that: (1) The NQPKE shows a wave-like development trend, and the polarization or multi-polarization state of the whole and the four major regions has been slowly weakened, with a certain degree of "club convergence" and "spatial spillover"; (2) The overall situation of barriers to NQPKE is relatively stable, the insufficient investment in scientific and technological development and weak technological innovation capacity are the most critical factors constraining the NQPKE in various countries. Based on the above conclusions, the article proposes to hold high the banner of peaceful development and win-win cooperation, give full play to the "club convergence" and "spatial spillover" effects of NQPKE, accelerate the development of NQPKE adapt to local conditions, and the "digital + green" double base will stimulate technological innovation, and the construction of a digital and green synergistic management system stimulates the potential of the new quality productivity of enterprises, ultimately unleash the surging kinetic energy of new quality productivity development.

International Chemistry Olympiad 2024

At the International Chemistry Olympiad 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, four outstanding students from Switzerland were awarded with one bronze medal and three honourable mentions. This report highlights the preparation of the Swiss delegation and some excerpts from the international competition. The International Chemistry Olympiad 2025 will take place in the United Arab Emirates. The registration for the corresponding national selection process closes at the end of September.

Developing a curriculum cluster in "Synthetic Biology" to cultivate inter-disciplinary and innovative talents for biomanufacturing

Synthetic Biology, as an emerging discipline, has gained widespread attention and is developing rapidly, profoundly impacting the fields of life sciences and biotechnology. Concurrently, as emerging engineering education programs take shape, accelerated cultivation of multifaceted innovative talents represents a new mission and imperative for higher education in China. In the context of the flourishing development of Synthetic Biology, East China University of Science and Technology has established a curriculum cluster in Synthetic Biology, focusing on microbiological drug discovery and biomanufacturing. The teaching team initially reviewed the curriculum system related to Synthetic Biology and its upstream and downstream courses. Subsequently, they expanded the core courses in Synthetic Biology, creating a curriculum cluster that encompasses not only the theoretical foundations and cutting-edge technologies but also integrates with related disciplines. Moreover, the curriculum cluster leverages lectures from renowned domestic and international professors in the State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, and harnesses the rich resources of the Program of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities (the "111 plan"), aiming to enhance students' innovation capabilities. With the support of this curriculum cluster and teaching team, undergraduate students actively participate in international Synthetic Biology competitions like international genetic engineering machine competition (iGEM), consistently achieving gold awards. Furthermore, many students have applied for patents and made contributions to research paper publications. This work stands as a valuable exemplar for cultivating multifaceted talents with exceptional innovative capabilities.

BRICS and G7: Global Competition

The goals and policies of the BRICS contradict the policy of the unipolar world, which perpetuates the dependence of developing countries on highly developed countries. This fact makes the BRICS and G7 international associations direct competitors with mutually opposite goals and interests. In such a formulation of the issue, strengthening and increasing the competitiveness of one integration association should lead to weakening and reducing the competitiveness of another integration association. Recently, the size of countries and the size of their populations have not been considered key factors in their competitiveness. However, if we talk about the BRICS member countries, they use these two advantages as a basis for economic growth. The area of the territory of the BRICS countries was 1.85 times the area of the G7, and the population was more than 4 times as of the end of 2022. The current trend towards the entry of new member countries into the BRICS should lead to an even greater advantage in these indicators. The economic growth of the BRICS countries is based on the use of resources and investments, while the economic growth of the G7 countries is based on accumulated wealth, military and political influence in the world. A comparison of the two integration associations in terms of real GDP growth PPP shows that the annual GDP growth of the BRICS countries exceeds the GDP growth of the G7 countries. In addition, the real GDP growth of the BRICS countries is outpacing the growth of global GDP. Key indicators characterizing the size and pace of economic growth indicate the potential for further development of the BRICS and strengthening its competition with the G7 integration bloc. The BRICS countries have shown good economic growth rates even despite the external and internal challenges associated with the crisis in the global economy and numerous economic sanctions. At the same time, the economic development of the BRICS countries is not only quantitative, but also qualitative. Unlike the G7, it is based on the formation and expansion of a free trade system within the integration bloc and the formation of economic institutions that allow overcoming trade barriers between the countries of the association, as well as increasing investment through the New Development Bank created within the BRICS. The success of development and interaction of countries within BRICS attracts new member countries. In 2024, four more countries joined the BRICS bloc, such as Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Ethiopia, and currently many more countries are taking the initiative and wish to become members of the integration association. However, competition in the Challenger-Leader format, in addition to incentives for economic growth on the basis of fair competition, simultaneously creates incentives for mutual economic, political and military blocking of the development of countries of the competing bloc, which creates great risks of slowing down global economic development in the future.

Prevalence of Eating Disorders among Competitive Rowers.

Internationally, few studies have been written on the prevalence of eating disorders among rowers, and there is no research on the subject in Hungary. This is particularly important in weight-related sports such as rowing. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of eating disorders among rowers. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in the summer of 2023. In a non-random convenience sampling, our target population consisted of certified competitive rowers (n = 222). In addition to socio-demographic, performance-related questions, the anonymous, self-completed questionnaire used the validated The Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI). Results were considered significant when p < 0.05. A total of 57 lightweight (25.67%) and 165 openweight (74.33%) rowers participated in the study. On the perfectionism subscale and the interoceptive awareness subscale, rowers competing in the lightweight category scored significantly higher (p = 0.03; p = 0.05). Scores on the EDI subscales, gender and BMI data did not show significant relationships. Overall, rowers in the openweight group scored higher on the bulimia subscale, but no rowers who met all criteria and could be identified as having eating disorders. Rowers who have only competed in national championships and not in international competitions were more likely to reduce stress levels by eating. The study showed that the prevalence of eating disorders among rowers is no higher than in the general population. However, continued assessment, further extensive research and education of rowers is essential in this area, as weight-related sports will always be a risk group for eating disorders.

Rússia X Ucrânia: análise dos impactos da guerra nos esportes

The analysis of the Russia-Ukraine war focused on the conflict's effects on the global sports landscape, with particular emphasis on the socio- economic impacts experienced by Russia. The study highlights the sporting sanctions imposed on the country, which led to the exclusion of its athletes from international competitions such as the World Cup and the Champions League, as well as the cancellation of major sporting events, including the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Through a qualitative approach, the research examined the interrelationship between social and economic factors and the broader implications of these sanctions on Russia. Additionally, the study explored Russia's use of sports as a tool of soft power and the weakening of its sports diplomacy as a result of the sanctions imposed by the international community. The paper concludes that these sanctions reflect the growing geopolitical ramifications within the world of sports and suggests that enhanced global cooperation could provide a pathway to mitigating such conflicts.

Methodological Basis of the Quality Management Concept System in Construction Industry Enterprises

This study addresses the need for enhancing international competitiveness in the construction sector through the implementation of ISO 9001-2015 quality management systems. Despite ongoing reforms, there remains a gap in the scientific and methodological understanding of how these systems can be effectively applied within the industry. The research aims to develop a methodological framework and practical mechanism for integrating quality management systems in construction enterprises, particularly in regional contexts. Using a qualitative approach, the study examines existing practices, identifies challenges, and proposes a structured model for quality control. The findings offer actionable insights for improving operational efficiency and aligning industry standards with global benchmarks.

Анализ современного состояния фиджитал-движения в Российской Федерации и перспективы его развития до 2030 года

The article presents the data of the analysis of the literary sources on the development of phygital movement in Russia in general and phygital sports in particular. Its essence is revealed and the factors that make phygital sport an effective tool for the development and popularization of the sports movement, primarily among young people, are highlighted. The positive experience of holding the largest international competitions in phygital sports “Games of the Future” is noted. The main mechanisms and promising directions of the development of phygital sports for the coming years are determined.

Why do some African firms export? The role of regional economic communities?

AbstractThis article examines whether African manufacturing firms are strategically located for regional market access. The study uses a large dataset from the World Bank Enterprise Surveys and is based on 6800 firms from 26 African countries. The study findings show that firms located in countries with dual membership to Regional Economic Communities (RECs) exhibit a significantly higher propensity to export than firms in countries affiliated with a single REC. Additionally, our findings suggest that RECs enhance export participation by mitigating customs delays. However, constraints in the business environment can hinder the propensity of firms to export. In particular, the study identifies informal competition and power outages as substantial barriers that increase the cost of doing business and diminish the potential benefits of REC membership. These results underscore the importance of advancing economic integration across Africa to bolster export participation. Additional improvements in the domestic business environments should address the constraints that hinder firms' international competitiveness.