Level Of Security Research Articles

FOBICS: Assessing project security level through a metrics framework that evaluates DevSecOps performance

Context:In today’s software development landscape, the DevSecOps approach has gained traction due to its focus on the software development process and bolstering security measures in projects, a task in light of the ever-evolving cybersecurity threats. Objective:This study aims to address the lack of metrics for quantitatively assessing its efficacy from both security and business logic perspectives. Methods:To tackle this issue, the research introduces the Framework of Business Index Concerning Security (FOBICS), a set of metrics designed to enable transparent evaluations of project security. FOBICS considers various perspectives relevant to DevSecOps practices. It includes factors such as project duration and financial outcomes, making it appealing for implementation in business settings. Results:The effectiveness of FOBICS is validated theoretically and empirically via its application in two real-world projects: the results from these implementations show a correlation between FOBICS metrics and the security strategies employed as the development methodologies adopted by diverse teams throughout the projects. Conclusion:Hence, FOBICS emerges as a tool for assessing and continuously monitoring project security, offering insights into areas of strength and areas that may require enhancement. FOBICS is shown to be effective in assessing the level of DevSecOps implementation. The ease of calculating FOBICS metrics makes them easily interpretable and continuously verifiable. Moreover, FOBICS summarizes most of the other quantitative and qualitative metrics in the literature.

Component structure of economic security of an agricultural enterprise

The article examines the component struc­ture of economic security of an agricultural enterprise. The main components of economic security and their interrelation are analyzed. The peculiarities of ensuring economic security in the agricultural sector are revealed. A comprehensive approach to the formation of the economic security system of an agricultural enterprise is proposed, taking into account the specifics of the industry. The necessity of integ­ra­ting various security components to achieve sustainable development of agricultural enter­prises is substantiated. The research hypothesis is that an effective economic security system of an agricultural enterprise should be based on the integration of various security components, considering their interconnection and mutual influence. The methodological basis of the research is a systematic approach, methods of analysis and synthesis, comparison, and gene­ralization. Based on the analysis of scientific sources and considering industry specifics, a component structure of economic security for agricultural enterprises is proposed, which includes financial, production and techno­logi­cal, market, personnel, innovatve investment, environmental, and information security. The necessity of a comprehensive approach to for­ming the economic security system of an agricultural enterprise is substantiated, taking into account the interconnection and mutual influ­ence of its components. The proposed approach allows for a systematic assessment of the economic security level and the development of strategies for its provision in agricultural enterprises. It can be used in forming a monito­ring system for economic security and making management decisions to improve it. The research results create a theoretical foundation for developing a methodology for integrated assessment of the economic security level of an agricultural enterprise and forming an organi­zational and economic mechanism for its provi­sion in modern economic conditions, which defines prospects for further research in this direction

Understanding the social networks that contribute to diversion in hospital inpatient pharmacies: A social network analysis

BackgroundControlled substances (CS) are ‘diverted’ (stolen) from healthcare facilities via many integrated and diverse mechanisms due to a lack of safeguards. There remains a gap in understanding how healthcare workers (HCWs) leverage their social networks (e.g., their role/tasks and interactions with other roles/tasks) within the medication use process (MUP) that contribute to diversion. Social network analysis (SNA) is an analytic approach used to map and analyze social connections, which can help identify influential interdependence between HCWs and tasks susceptible to drug diversion. ObjectivesTo map the social network structures of MUP tasks vulnerable to CS diversion in two Inpatient pharmacies and compare diversion risks by identifying influential tasks and HCWs. MethodsThis was an exploratory sequential mixed methods study conducted in the Inpatient pharmacies at two large hospitals in Toronto, Canada. Initial analysis used previously collected clinical observation data to identify key pharmacy roles and tasks vulnerable to CS diversion. Subsequently, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect demographic information on HCWs and assess their engagement in the identified vulnerable tasks. Clinical observations and survey data were used to perform two-mode SNA to identify connections between HCWs and tasks susceptible to drug diversion. ResultsThe analysis identified different network structures across both sites but highlighted the importance of strategic Pharmacist or Technician Supervisor oversight to moderate-high vulnerability tasks. Pharmacy technicians were found to be the network's most central actors, while Pharmacists had a more supportive role on the network's periphery, providing oversight. Across both sites, there was strong connectivity between HCWs and tasks, indicating a higher level of security against potential undetected diversion. ConclusionBy strategically involving Pharmacists or Technician Supervisors, diversion risk can be mitigated through cross-checking and quality control. Through identifying the network structure of each unit, hospitals can identify opportunities for future interventions to prevent diversion.

Advancing the deployment and information management of direct air capture: A solution enabled by integrating consortium blockchain system

Direct air capture (DAC) is a critical and emerging Negative Emissions Technology (NET) that directly removes CO2 from the atmosphere, significantly contributing to climate change. However, the deployment and management of large-scale DAC faces challenges such as collections and analysis of energy consumption data, intricate device and system management, emission prediction and operation strategy, precise carbon footprint tracking, etc. This paper proposes the integration of blockchain technology with DAC systems to address these challenges, utilizing blockchain's inherent properties of immutability, security, and transparency. The implementation strategy includes the development of a DAC consortium blockchain system, leveraging a consensus mechanism,11Consensus mechanism: The programming and process used in blockchain systems to achieve distributed agreement about the ledger's state or the state of a data set. (Source: Investopedia) ECDSA encryption,22Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA): In cryptography, the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) offers a variant of the Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA) which uses elliptic-curve cryptography. As with elliptic-curve cryptography in general, the bit size of the private key believed to be needed for ECDSA is about twice the size of the security level, in bits. (Source: Wikipedia) IoT33Internet of things (IoT): describes devices with sensors, processing ability, software and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet or other communication networks. (Source: Wikipedia) integration, and digital signatures. Preliminary modeling of the proposed system suggests potential improvements in operational efficiency and a reduction in data inaccuracies. The proposed system underscores the system's ability to streamline identity verification, improve data collection accuracy, and facilitate secure, confidential information sharing among DAC stakeholders. By enhancing the efficiency and reliability of DAC operations, this approach supports the scalable and effective deployment of NETs in the global effort to combat climate change. Future research will focus on empirical validation through pilot projects and simulations to further substantiate these claims.

The Shift Towards Plant-Based Lifestyles: Factors Driving Young Consumers’ Decisions to Choose Plant-Based Food Products

The shift in consumer dietary patterns from meat-based to plant-based food products has become a prominent trend worldwide. This shift is driven by various factors, including concerns about personal health and environmental awareness. Despite the global growth of the plant-based food industry, developing nations tend to be slow with adopting non-meat-based diets. This is mainly due to high levels of food insecurity and meat being the main source of protein, especially in countries like South Africa where food consumption is needs-based, and consumers are unaware of the environmental footprint of meat production. This paper is part of a two-phase study and reports on the quantitative results, which were obtained during the second phase. The main aim of this study was to investigate the factors that influence consumers’ decisions to choose plant-based food products. The factors that were selected were informed by the thematic results from phase 1, which involved focus groups that explored consumers’ opinions and behaviours towards plant-based lifestyles. By means of survey distribution, 426 online questionnaires were distributed among young consumers in South Africa. A conceptual model with six hypotheses was tested and the data were analysed using SmartPLS 4.1.0.8. The findings indicated the product taste and product knowledge are the most important factors that drive young consumers’ decisions to choose plant-based food products. The study further found that product quality, affordability, social influence, and product packaging play a role but to a lesser degree. Food marketers can utilise these findings and implement marketing strategies that can assist with persuading consumers to choose plant-based food products and adopt a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.

Analisis Yuridis Dampak Overcapacity Lembaga Pemasyarakatan terhadap Pembinaan Warga Lapas Ditinjau dari Undang-Undang Nomor 22 Tahun 2022 tentang Pemasyarakatan

This study aims to find out and analyze the impact of the overcapacity of correctional institutions on the development of Class II Ende prison residents reviewed from Law No. 22 of 2022. This research uses a type of empirical juridical research by conducting field interviews with the Class II B Ende Prison and its Correctional Assisted Citizens, then conducting a study of literature materials by reading, studying, studying, and analyzing literature to develop an assessment related to the title of this thesis. The results of the study show that the impact caused by overcapacity affects the comfort of WBP due to congestion in residential spaces, affects the psychological well-being of WBP, the difficulty of WBP obtaining access to coaching in the independence development program, and also affects the level of security of WBP and Prison Officers, to overcome that the Class II B Ende Prison makes efforts by implementing matters related to regulations on coaching that stated in Law No. 22 of 2022 concerning Corrections, optimizing the effectiveness of alternative criminal penalties other than prison sentences and evaluating and continuing to develop coaching programs in prisons.

Selective Encryption Algorithm for Vectoral Geographic Data under Feature Point Grouping Strategy

Abstract. Selective encryption technology is a data security protection method that can balance encryption security and efficiency. Currently, there is ongoing research on applying this technology to vector geographic data. However, existing algorithms often use random selection methods for choosing objects to be encrypted, which results in lower security. To address this problem, we proposed a selective encryption algorithm for vector geographic data based on feature point grouping strategy. The study includes four steps: (1) Based on the user-input encryption ratio, calculate the feature point grouping thresholds for each element in the data. (2) Extract feature point sets for each element based on the grouping threshold. (3) Sort and group the feature point sets, reducing the smallest encryption unit to group objects within individual elements. (4) To reduce encryption costs and enhance the algorithm's resistance to attacks, perform frequency domain coefficient encryption and spatial domain coordinate value encryption in a stepwise manner on the group objects, ultimately producing the encryption results. The experiment showed that: (1) The decrypted encrypted data maintains consistency with the original data coordinates, achieving lossless decryption. (2) The correlation between encrypted data and the original data is significantly disrupted, resulting in a high level of randomness and thereby ensuring the algorithm's robust security. (3) The key space is substantial and highly sensitive, capable of withstanding brute force attacks. (4) The algorithm significantly improves encryption efficiency. (5) The algorithm displays resilience against deletion attacks and noise attacks. In conclusions, the proposed method enhances encryption efficiency while upholding a high level of security, thus it is an efficient selective encryption algorithm for vector geographic data.

Time-Encoded Information Encryption with pH Clock Guided Broad-Spectrum Emission by Dynamic Assemblies.

With growing threats from counterfeiting-based security breaches, multi-level and specific stimuli-responsive anti-counterfeiting devices and message encryption methods have attracted immense research interest. Fluorescence-based encryption from aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-based materials solves the problems to a considerable extent. However, the development of smarter patterns with hierarchical security levels alongside dynamic display is still challenging. To screen out this complication, we bring forward a pH-switchable fluorescent assembly of an AIEgen and an aliphatic acid. We later temporally direct the molecular assembly with the aid of a chemical trigger-regulated pH clock, generating a transitory multicolor emission, including transient white light generation. The pH-dependent emissions were further implemented in constructing smart multi-input fluorescent chemical AND gates. Subsequently, we integrate the time-gated emissive system to develop an advanced multi-dimensionally secure data encryption strategy. This novel approach enhances anti-counterfeiting measures by introducing an additional layer of security based on temporal characteristics.

THE INDICATOR APPROACH TO ASSESSING THE ECONOMIC SECURITY OF ENTERPRISES

In the conditions of market instability, competitive pressure, financial crises and other external and internal challenges, an important component of the stability and development of the enterprise is economic security, which is the subject of research in the article. It was found that the assessment of economic security helps to adapt to the existing conditions and gives the ability to quickly eliminate various threats, which ensures the stable operation of the enterprise. The study of literature sources revealed that there are many methods for assessing the economic security of enterprises, but one of the most effective is the indicator approach. This approach is based on the analysis and interpretation of a number of key indicators that allow determining the state of various areas of the enterprise. The indicator approach is a systematic approach to assessing economic security by analyzing a set of indicators that reflect the state of the enterprise in key areas of its activity. Indicators are quantitative indicators that characterize the state of individual spheres of the enterprise's functioning and allow to evaluate them as a whole. The indicator approach is universal and can be adapted to the specifics of various industries and enterprises. This makes it an effective tool for a wide range of enterprises, regardless of their size, structure or field of activity. The assessment of economic security through indicators allows enterprise managers to make more accurate and well-founded management decisions, which contributes to strengthening their resistance to external and internal challenges. The application of the indicator approach not only increases the sustainability of the enterprise in the short term, but also contributes to the development of long-term strategies that take into account both current and future risks. The indicator approach allows for a comprehensive and systematic assessment of the state of economic security and covers key aspects of the enterprise's activity - financial, production, personnel, legal and other areas. This provides a deep understanding of the current state of the enterprise and its vulnerabilities. Depending on the significance of the threats and the subjective preferences of the authors and the specifics of the industry, the choice and method of grouping indicators for assessing the level of economic security of the enterprise differ significantly.

Trends in household food insecurity from the Canadian Community Health Survey, 2017 to 2022.

Income-related food insecurity is an important determinant of health. This study aimed to provide an update on the food security status of Canadian households using the most recent available data from a health-oriented national-level survey. This study also examined trends in food insecurity since 2017, and how these have tracked with changes in price inflation. Data on household food security status in the 10 Canadian provinces came from five annual cycles of the population-representative cross-sectional Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS): 2017, 2018, 2020 (September to December), 2021, and 2022. The Household Food Security Survey Module was used to categorize household food security status during the previous 12 months as food secure or marginally, moderately, or severely insecure. Before 2019, approximately 1 in 10 households had experienced some level of food insecurity in the previous 12 months (9.6% in 2017 and 11.6% in 2018). Household food insecurity prevalence was slightly lower and stable during the COVID-19 pandemic years (8.5% in fall 2020 and 9.1% in 2021) and increased to 15.6% in 2022. Levels of household food insecurity generally tracked with changes in consumer price inflation. Compared with 2021, there were notable increases in levels of moderate and severe food insecurity in 2022 among one-parent households with children, renters, and those reliant on government financial assistance. The prevalence of household food insecurity in the CCHS was relatively stable from 2017 to 2021, increased in 2022, and generally tracked with changes in price inflation. Monitoring levels of household food insecurity will continue to be important as price inflation eases but the cost of living remains high.

Estimating a national critical mineral security index in Indonesia using analytical hierarchy process

Critical minerals are key to guaranteeing energy security and economic stability in a nation. Indonesia, as the largest country in Southeast Asia, has significant reserves of critical minerals. The current circumstances, however, pose substantial challenges for Indonesia as it strives for self-sufficiency in various sectors. Indonesia must pay attention to its natural resource management, especially that of critical minerals. This study aims to present information on securing critical mineral resources in Indonesia by constructing a Critical Mineral Security Index (CMSI). This study used a quasi-qualitative method, wherein the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used as the process of analysis. A total of four dimensions have been proposed in this study—availability, accessibility, technology-efficiency, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dimensions with a total of 29 indicators. The results of the AHP confirm that the security level of critical mineral resources in Indonesia is 5.57. The results indicate that the availability dimension has the highest weight compared to the other dimensions, equal to 47.6%. While the accessibility dimension has the lowest level of resistance. The government should, therefore, prioritize improving the indicators of accessibility dimensions. These results have policy implications for the energy and mineral sector in the future, to further reinforce energy and mineral security on a national scale, which may ultimately support transition energy in Indonesia and strengthen national defense.

Modelling Decision and Reaction Against Detected Intrusions in IoT System Basing on Security Policy Rules

In recent years, The Internet of Things (IoT) is considered as one of the main technological revolutions, it connects heterogeneous devices, peoples, and services in order to exchange information and to improve existing deployments in different sectors. So far, existing security solutions are not adapted to this development, considering that IoT resources are exposed to different intrusions, which impact security management efficiency and the need for human interventions to increase. Although, it is too hard to depend on manual approaches that require the deep involvement of security managers to deliver the aimed security level. Therefore, a new solution is needed, that will facilitate the decision against detected intrusions and according to their magnitudes and their intentions to put the necessary reaction in the right place. In this context, this paper proposes a model which specify how the decision and correlation scenario will be carried out when a critical alert comes from the intrusion detector basing on security policy rules. This model simplifies and facilitates the decision and reaction against detected intrusions by enriching it with the rules defined in security policy to ensure the protection of IoT resources and help security administrators to make the right decisions in other tasks.

Impact of Work-Related Problems on the Outcomes of Rotator Cuff Repairs: A Retrospective Comparative Study of Patients With and Without Work-Related Claims.

Rotator cuff syndrome is a common cause of medical appointments and surgeries. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with work-related problems who underwent arthroscopic repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears (RCTs) versus those without work-related or social security claims. A retrospective cohort study comparing the outcomes of American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder Rating (UCLA) scores 24 months after arthroscopic repair of full-thickness RCTsof patients with and without work-related problems was performed.Patients with work-related problems were defined as those who received financial assistance from their employer or social security for more than 16 weeks before or after surgery, or those who were unable to return to work or had to change or re-adapt their job function. We evaluated 419 shoulders (411 patients), 102 shoulders with work-related claims and 317 shoulders without these claims. ASES and UCLA scores from both groups improved significantly (p < 0.001) 24 months after surgery. Patients with work-related problems had comparatively lower preoperative ASES and UCLA scores (p = 0.047 and p = 0.021, respectively)and obtained lower valuesafter intervention for both scores, achieving 71.9 ± 18.8 on the ASES score and 28.1 ± 5.6 on the UCLA score at 24 months post-operatively. Meanwhile, patients without work-related complaints scored 82.1 ± 19 points on the ASES score and 30.1 ± 5.6 points on the UCLA scoreat 24 months post-operatively (p = 0.007 and p = 0.045, respectively). At two-yearfollow-up, patients with work-related claims have significant improvement after arthroscopic repair of full-thickness RCTs by the ASES and UCLA scores. However, they have worse clinical outcomes than patients without these claims.

Uncovering the drivers of food insecurity in Cameroon: insights from a nationwide cross-sectional analysis

BackgroundDespite global efforts to achieve zero hunger, food insecurity remains a critical challenge in several African countries, including Cameroon. This study aims to identify sociodemographic predictors of food insecurity across Cameroon through a comprehensive, nationwide cross-sectional analysis.MethodsData for this study were drawn from the 2018 Cameroon Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS). Food insecurity levels were evaluated using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). To estimate the probabilities of moderate and severe food insecurity among different sociodemographic groups, logistic regression models were applied, with results expressed as average marginal effects (AME).ResultsThe findings reveal that approximately 24.86% of participants experienced moderate food insecurity, while 28.96% faced severe food insecurity. Among men, the proportion experiencing severe food insecurity was 38.8%, compared to 24.3% for women. Multivariable regression analysis showed that severe food insecurity was less likely among women [AME = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.83,0.86], Muslims [AME = 0.91, 95%CI = 0.90,0.93], individuals with higher education levels (secondary education: AME = 0.93, 95%CI = 0.90,0.95; higher education: AME = 0.87, 95%CI = 0.85,0.90), those owning land (either alone or jointly) [AME = 0.92, 95%CI = 0.89,0.96], wealthiest households (moderate food insecurity: AME = 0.91, 95%CI = 0.88,0.93; severe food insecurity: AME = 0.73, 95%CI = 0.70,0.75), female-headed households [AME = 0.97, 95%CI = 0.96,0.99], and rural residents [AME = 0.97, 95%CI = 0.95,0.98].ConclusionsThese findings underscore that food insecurity affects a substantial portion of the Cameroonian population, with certain sociodemographic groups more vulnerable than others. This study proposes targeted policy recommendations to address food insecurity in Cameroon, including social assistance programs for at-risk groups, investments in socioeconomic empowerment, improvements in agricultural productivity, and ongoing research to guide evidence-based interventions.

Helping in Times of War: How Uncertainty Modulates Aid to Ukrainian Refugees through Compassion and Threat

Abstract The present paper focuses on the antecedents of solidarity behavior towards Ukrainian refugees, specifically examining the role of subjective uncertainty generated in public opinion by the aggression of Ukraine on feelings of compassion and perceptions of refugees as a threat. Based on pooled data from six representative samples collected in different waves during the first six months of the Russian army’s invasion of Ukraine among a representative sample of adult Italian citizens (N = 6,063), the study provided support for the intensification hypothesis, suggesting that uncertainty can act as an affective amplifier. Indeed, the results showed that uncertainty increased perceptions of refugees as a threat (acting on its emotional component, i.e., anxiety), but also feelings of compassion, which is a main driver of solidarity. Moreover, compassion seemed to reduce the (perceived) threat posed by refugees on an economic, cultural, security, or political level. The pattern of relationships tested in the model proved to be stable across different areas of the country and for the first 6 months of the Russian invasion, suggesting that the empathic concern generated by the suffering of the Ukrainian population under attack did not significantly diminish its effects over the period considered.

Digital Image Security Analysis using Hill Cipher and AES Algorithm

In today's digital era, digital image exchange has become very common in various industries, but this also increases security risks such as counterfeiting, image manipulation, and information theft. To protect the confidentiality of information in digital images, encryption is a fairly effective method. Hill Cipher, as a classic cryptographic method, offers matrix-based encryption, while Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is known for its high level of security and efficiency. By combining Hill Cipher and AES, encryption systems can leverage the strengths of classic and modern cryptography together, providing an additional layer of protection that strengthens the security of digital data and reduces vulnerabilities that may exist in each method separately. This approach provides a more comprehensive solution for maintaining the confidentiality of digital images in the context of evolving security threats.

Optimal operation of multi-energy carriers considering energy hubs in unbalanced distribution networks under uncertainty

This article presents a two-stage stochastic programming model to address the dispatching scheduling problem in an energy hub, considering an unbalanced active low-voltage (LV) network. A three-phase version of the second-order cone relaxation of DistFlow AC optimal power flow (AC-OPF) is employed to incorporate unbalanced network constraints, while the objective minimizes the Local Energy Community (LEC) operational cost. The model results have been validated using OpenDSS, encompassing energy losses, voltage levels, and active/reactive power. Likewise, a comparative analysis between the three-phase model and the traditional single-phase model, using a modified version of the IEEE European LV Test Feeder as a case study, reveals interesting differences, such that the single-phase model underestimates voltage limits during photovoltaic (PV) system operation and overestimates energy purchased from the main grid, compared with the three-phase model. Similarly, the comparison results reveal that discrepancies between the single and three-phase models intensify as the power injected from PV systems rises. This notably impacts the total energy purchased from the grid, battery operation, and the satisfaction of thermal consumption through electricity. Finally, while the three-phase model offers valuable insights into security levels for voltage and grid energy purchase, its longer computational time makes it more suitable for strategic use rather than daily operational frameworks.

Nutritional Knowledge and Practices of Low-Income Women During Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study in Two Oaxacan Cities.

Adequate dietary intake is critical for healthy pregnancies. Recent changes in social services in Mexico, coupled with high levels of food insecurity, call into question whether expecting women of the lowest socioeconomic status are able to meet their dietary and nutritional needs in this changing context. The aim of this study was to explore the nutritional practices, education and received and employed among women during their pregnancy. Guided by Ecological Systems Theory and an Intersectionality Framework, this qualitative study was carried out in Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido, in Oaxaca, a Mexican state with high levels of food insecurity. Women who had at least one child in the past five years and had lived in Oaxaca for the past five years were eligible to participate. Twenty-five women participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted between June and December of 2023. A grounded theory approach was used for coding. NVivo was used for coding and analyses. Five key themes emerged linked to individual-level characteristics and the multiple social identities related to the social support for nutritional knowledge and practices among low-income Oaxacan women during pregnancy: 1) Life experiences, sociodemographic, and health characteristics that influence nutritional practices and knowledge during pregnancy; 2) Female family members as a primary source of nutritional knowledge and food support; 3) Support from other members of women's social networks; 4) Medical guidance for nutrition during pregnancy; and 5) Quality and gaps in the broader health care system and social services. These themes highlight how women's own experiences and social identities and the different interpersonal and community-level environments, particularly those of mothers and grandmothers and health care providers, interact and shape women's nutritional knowledge and practices, such as foods and nutritional supplements consumed, during pregnancy. Nutritional knowledge and practices during pregnancy are impacted by multiple social identities women have and different factors at the individual, group, and structural level. Future research and programming that use multi-level approaches (considering the individual and the family and other social influences) are needed to address the gaps in nutrition that women in Oaxaca go through during the prenatal period.

War vs pandemic—investigating the type of extreme context as a moderator of extreme-context perception effects on work alienation and its organisational outcomes

With many organisations operating in challenging circumstances such as military conflicts and pandemics, a growing body of research has investigated the effects of extreme-context perceptions on job attitudes and organisational outcomes. While prior investigations focused on specific extreme contexts like warzones or pandemics, research has yet to examine whether different extreme contexts would have different intensities regarding shaping job attitudes and organisational outcomes. This study takes a unique approach to address this gap in the existing literature by exploring whether the type of extreme context (war vs pandemic) moderates extreme-context-perception effects on work alienation and subsequent job attitudes and organisational outcomes. Specifically, this study investigates the consequences of differentiated extreme contexts by using 668 valid responses from two samples: Sample 1 (N = 449), collected via snowball sampling during the Syrian civil war (2016-2019), and Sample 2 (N = 219), recruited using systematic random sampling from the Middle East during COVID-19 in 2021. Employing t-tests, Sample 1 in the wartime crisis reported higher levels of extreme-context perception, yet not quite as much worsened job satisfaction, but they had lower levels of alienation and job insecurity than those in health-crisis contexts. Using PLS-SEM, we found extreme-context perception heightened alienation, leading to increased job insecurity, decreased job satisfaction, and lower organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) outcomes. Interestingly, some of these relationships were moderated by the extreme context type. Specifically, while no significant differences were found between the two contexts regarding the relationship between extreme context perception and alienation and between alienation and job insecurity, we found that extreme-context-driven alienation is more likely to damage job satisfaction and OCB in war zones than in pandemic contexts. These findings contribute to important matters of both theory and practice. They specifically expand existing theory by illustrating differentiated consequences of distinct types of extreme contexts to organisational and employee-related concerns. They also demonstrate the need to develop customised organisational strategies as well as policy responses to mitigate and/or capitalise on the effects of differentiated extreme contexts.

Н.И. Воробьев и Центральный музей Татарской республики (1923–1930 гг.)

N.I. Vorobyev headed the TASSR Central Museum during the formation period of the new museum practices, when the right decisions came with experience and the main task was to develop a new structure of the institution. As the museum director, the young scholar dealt with a large number of administrative issues and difficulties, from budget and personnel shortage to elimination of external threats caused by the low level of security of museum collections. The acute shortage of funds was reflected in everything: the museum could not occupy all the areas allocated by the state, there were no more than three people in the staff of departments, the tasks of purchasing exhibits and planned acquisitions were barely fulfilled. However, at the same time, as part of preparation for exhibitions, ethnographic expeditions to many cantons of the republic were organised under the leadership of N. Vorobyev. During the expeditions, significant materials that document the culture and traditions of the peoples of the region, household items and crafts were collected, as well as a large number of photographs were taken. As a result of this work, the museum was able to adequately represent the Tatar Republic at large-scale All-Union exhibitions in Moscow in 1923 and 1927 and at the international exhibition in Paris in 1925. The public warmly welcomed the Tatrepublic sections at the exhibitions; upon the exhibitions closure, the objects replenished the museum funds. In conditions of limited funding, lack of space capacity and limited number of staff, under Vorobyev’s leadership, the museum laid down the functioning principles, which would serve as the basis of its work in the following decades. Combining museum work with his academic career, Nikolay Vorobyev left the museum during the period when full supervision of the state was being established over the institution. He left not just a museum, but also an academic institution where research work was constantly carried out.