Identification Of Opportunities Research Articles

A Formulated Method for Streams Splitting in Heat Exchanger Network Design Using Pinch Analysis

Abstract Thermal processes constitute a significant portion of energy consumption in the industrial sector. In this context, pinch analysis has emerged as a powerful method for achieving substantial energy savings. By systematically analyzing process streams and their heat transfer characteristics, pinch analysis enables the identification of heat recovery opportunities, leading to the design of an optimized heat exchanger network that minimizes energy requirements. In this study, a formulated stream splitting method is proposed to design a feasible minimum energy requirement heat exchanger network. This method aims to achieve two main goals. First, it gives a practical formulated method to help the designer when splitting streams and focuses on splitting the streams in such a way that creates sub-streams with the exact enthalpy required to satisfy heat exchanges with a specific number of streams, in order to minimize the need for process-utility heat exchangers whenever possible. Subsequently, the method aims to eliminate exergy destruction caused by temperature differences in the mixer used to recombine the split streams, by ensuring an isothermal mixture of streams, preventing unnecessary energy losses. The design of the heat exchanger network is conducted using the hint software, allowing for a comprehensive and detailed analysis of each step. The results obtained show that the heat exchanger network attained not only achieves the minimum energy consumption but also mitigates exergy destruction and avoids unnecessary process-utility heat exchangers, resulting in enhanced overall system performance.

Reprogrammed mitochondria: a central hub of cancer cell metabolism.

Mitochondria represent the metabolic hub of normal cells and play this role also in cancer but with different functional purposes. While cells in differentiated tissues have the prerogative of maintaining basal metabolism and support the biosynthesis of specialized products, cancer cells have to rewire the metabolic constraints imposed by the differentiation process. They need to balance the bioenergetic supply with the anabolic requirements that entail the intense proliferation rate, including nucleotide and membrane lipid biosynthesis. For this aim, mitochondrial metabolism is reprogrammed following the activation of specific oncogenic pathways or due to specific mutations of mitochondrial proteins. The main process leading to mitochondrial metabolic rewiring is the alteration of the tricarboxylic acid cycle favoring the appropriate orchestration of anaplerotic and cataplerotic reactions. According to the tumor type or the microenvironmental conditions, mitochondria may decouple glucose catabolism from mitochondrial oxidation in favor of glutaminolysis or disable oxidative phosphorylation for avoiding harmful production of free radicals. These and other metabolic settings can be also determined by the neo-production of oncometabolites that are not specific for the tissue of origin or the accumulation of metabolic intermediates able to boost pro-proliferative metabolism also impacting epigenetic/transcriptional programs. The full characterization of tumor-specific mitochondrial signatures may provide the identification of new biomarkers and therapeutic opportunities based on metabolic approaches.

Study of the principles and strategic directions of cultivation and use of industrial hemp in Ukraine

The article examines: brief information about hemp cultivation and its origin, the current state of cultivation of industrial hemp in Ukraine and identification of opportunities for improvement; the experience of the EU countries and the obligations of Ukraine; principles of the United Nations (UN) conference; horizons of legalization and deregulation of hemp cultivation in the legislative field of Ukraine; key principles of the development of modern hemp cultivation in Ukraine and their verification. The basic components of the strategy for the production, processing and use of industrial hemp in Ukraine should include: expanded information policy, accelerated development of regulatory and institutional foundations for supporting the exploitation of all parts of industrial hemp, ensuring sustainable development of the industry, flexibility of the industrial strategy and improvement of the policy of stimulating the industry.

Abstract PO4-24-08: Genomic Landscape of Malignant Phyllodes Tumors Identifies Subsets for Targeted Therapy

Abstract Introduction: Phyllodes tumors (PT) are rare fibroepithelial tumors of the breast, comprising ~1% of all breast cancers, a subset of which have considerable malignant potential. Malignant phyllodes tumors (MPTs) have aggressive biological behavior and high local and distant recurrence rates. Distant metastases of MPTs have a poor prognosis given the limited treatment options available. Surgery remains the primary treatment modality for these patients; however, initial investigations suggest a potential for targeted therapies in managing this disease. The identification of targetable opportunities and a comprehensive understanding of the mutational profiles of MPTs could greatly enhance treatment options. Therefore, we aimed to assess the molecular landscape of these tumors. Methods: Phyllodes tumor samples underwent molecular profiling at Caris Life Sciences through DNA (592-gene panel or whole exome) and RNA sequencing (whole transcriptome). The MPTs were classified into primary and metastatic based on the specimen biopsy site. PD-L1+ expression was tested by IHC (SP142; ≥2+, ≥5%). Tumor mutational burden (TMB)-High was defined as ≥10 mutation/Mb. Immune cell fractions in the tumor microenvironment (TME) were estimated using quanTIseq (Finotello, 2019). Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square, and Fisher-Exact tests were applied where appropriate. Results: We identified 57 analyzed MPTs, all from female patients, with a median age of 53 years (range: 19-88). Approximately half of samples (53%, n=30) were labeled as from primary breast sites, and the remaining sites were metastatic (47%, n= 27). Of metastatic sites, lung was the most common location (74.1%, n=20/27), followed by bone, sacrum, pancreas and small bowel. Alterations in MPT include TERT promoter (56.8%, n=21/37), MED12 (51.6%, n=16/31), TP53 (40.0%, n=22/55), and NF1 (31.8%, n=14/44) mutations, with less frequent mutations of EGFR (10.5%, n=6/57), PIK3CA (7.0%, n=4/57), and BRAF (3.5%, n=2/57). As compared to primary MPT, metastatic MPT had roughly 2-fold higher prevalence of NF1 (45.5%: n=10/22 vs 18.2% n=4/22, p=0.05), KMT2D (25.9%: n=7/27 vs 10.7%: n=3/28, p=0.18), and RB1 (25.0%: n=6/24 vs 9.5%: n=2/21, p=0.25) though not significant. Multiple gene mutations were observed exclusively in lung metastases, as compared to non-lung sites including: TERT promoter (64.3%: n=9/14 vs 0.0%, p=0.08), MED12 (60.0%: n=6/10 vs 0.0%, p =0.044), and RB1 (35.3%: n=6/17 vs 0.0%, p=0.01). Conversely, NF1 (43.8%: n=7/16 vs 50.0%: n=3/6, p=1.0) and KMT2D (20.0%: n=4/20 vs 42.9%: n=3/7, p=0.32) mutation prevalence was higher in other metastatic sites. PD-L1+ expression was observed in 13.3% (n=7) of MPT overall, with similar prevalence among local and metastatic sites. No dMMR/MSI-H was observed, while low LOH (those with genomic LOH in < 16% of segment analyzed) was seen across MPT. Compared to a large cohort of breast adenocarcinoma samples (n=9,926) representing both HER2+ and HER2- tumors, MPT had low ERBB2 expression comparable to HER2- samples. B cells, M2 macrophages and neutrophils had the highest median cell fractions in the TME of MPT. Additionally, one MPT sample harbored a pathogenic NTRK1 fusion (TPM4:NTRK1), and treatment with larotrectinib for over 16 months suggests a clinical response to therapy. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the importance of employing next generation sequencing (NGS) in MPTs to detect actionable genomic alterations. To effectively analyze fusions, an NGS panel that include RNA sequencing is recommended, considering the occurrence of NTRK1 fusion reported herein. Although HER2 transcriptional expression was low, further investigations examining HER2 IHC in PTs are still necessary. These finding therefore highlight the importance of NGS in phyllodes tumors research, as it may uncover potential targeted treatment options for patients. Citation Format: Rani Bansal, Tolulope Adeyelu, Andrew Elliott, Antoinette Tan, Jane Meisel, Matthew Oberley, Stephanie Graff, Jorge Reis-Filho, George Sledge Jr, Sarah Sammons, Laura Rosenberger. Genomic Landscape of Malignant Phyllodes Tumors Identifies Subsets for Targeted Therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO4-24-08.

Abstract PO5-06-10: Evaluating Disparities in Access to Quality Cancer Care for Black Women with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in the US: A Provider Perspective

Abstract Introduction: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents unique challenges due to its aggressive nature and limited treatment options. Black women are disproportionately affected by TNBC, experiencing higher incidence rates and poorer outcomes compared to other racial/ethnic groups. This study aims to evaluate disparities in access to quality cancer care for Black women with TNBC from the perspective of oncology healthcare providers. Methods: From December 2022 to February 2023, the Association of Community Cancer Centers conducted a survey of 84 multidisciplinary care team members who provided care to Black patients with TNBC. The online survey captured quantitative and qualitative data on challenges related to accessing timely TNBC diagnosis and treatment services, care coordination for work-up and biomarker testing, confidence in TNBC treatment, clinical trial enrollment, supportive care services, and related referrals. Additionally, a follow-up focus group was conducted in May 2023 to further interpret select survey data, with a focus on shared decision-making, patient-provider communication, and ways to support cancer programs in improving screening, biomarker testing, and care coordination for individuals with TNBC. Results: Respondents reported several barriers to accessing timely diagnosis and treatment services for Black women with TNBC, including challenges in coordinating care for work-up and biomarker testing, providers' confidence in providing guideline-concordant comprehensive cancer care services for this patient population, enrolling patients in clinical trials, and making referrals for supportive care services. The survey revealed that community cancer programs treated an average of 21-50 patients with TNBC annually, with 31% of them being Black. Perceived patient-level factors contributing to challenges in accessing TNBC diagnosis and treatment included geographic distance to care facilities (14%), health literacy (18%), and insurance-related factors (21%). Practice-level barriers included limited accessibility of practice location (19%), capacity to accommodate new patients (27%), and insurance-related factors (34%). Additional findings highlighted slightly lower provider confidence in areas such as tobacco cessation (only 54% very confident), breast reconstruction (59% very confident), fertility counseling (52% very confident), and coordinating care across a fragmented healthcare system (52% very confident). Respondents identified the most commonly offered comprehensive cancer care services as palliative care (82%), nutrition support (77%), telemedicine (68%), psychological counseling (68%), and financial advocacy (68%). Less commonly offered services include recreational therapy (21%), legal aid (17%), and childcare (16%). Conclusion: This study highlighted the barriers faced by providers in delivering quality cancer care to Black women with TNBC. The findings underscore the importance of addressing challenges related to timely diagnosis and treatment services, care coordination, confidence in treatment options, clinical trial enrollment, and referrals for supportive care services. Insights from the focus group discussions further highlight the need for shared decision-making, improved patient-provider communication, and identification of opportunities to support cancer programs in addressing the specific needs of Black women with TNBC. To advance equity in cancer care, targeted interventions should focus on enhancing provider education, improving care coordination systems, and promoting cultural sensitivity. Efforts should also be made to overcome barriers related to limited accessibility of practice location, and insurance-related factors. By addressing these gaps, providers can play a crucial role in reducing disparities and improving outcomes for Black women with TNBC. Citation Format: Doreen Effange, Niharika Dixit, Ruth O'Regan, Ogori Kalu, Ryann Norcereto, Richard Simonds, Elizabeth Valencia, LaToya Bolds-Johnson, Aubrey Van Kirk Villalobos, Christie Mangir, Elana Plotkin, Karen Tacka, Leigh Boehmer. Evaluating Disparities in Access to Quality Cancer Care for Black Women with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in the US: A Provider Perspective [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO5-06-10.

Navigating Entrepreneurial Horizons: Students Perspectives Analysis of the Entrepreneurial Competences in Teaching Context

Entrepreneurship education largely influences the social and economic dimensions of many countries. In the framework of development, frequent changes seek to discover the most effective way of adopting and integrating educational services to meet the requirements of the labour market. This paper aims to analyse entrepreneurial competence in a teaching context from the students’ perspectives. The main objective of the research study aims to measure students’ attitudes towards entrepreneurial intentions, as impacted in an entrepreneurial teaching context. Additionally, it seeks to highlight the significance of the entrepreneurial competence of the lecturing team that goes beyond traditional teaching methods and focuses on fostering an educational environment. As entrepreneurial competence guides opportunity identification by combining skills, knowledge, and attributes and developing them into values, it bridges the gap between teaching and learning, preparing the students to cope with the challenges of the entrepreneurial world. The data were gathered by administering a structured questionnaire that focuses on the perspectives of students in the third cycle of study. The disseminated questionnaire included closed-ended questions related to the entrepreneurial education context, the entrepreneurial competence of the lecturing team, and entrepreneurial intentions. The results of this study demonstrate that the relationship between the entrepreneurial competence of lecturers and entrepreneurial education is crucial for fostering a dynamic and effective learning environment to enhance the entrepreneurial intentions of the students.

Student experience in academic libraries: analysis of intellectual structure and opportunities for future research

In recent years, student experience (SX) has drawn the attention of researchers and librarians due to its impact on student engagement and, eventually, academic success. This study aims to explore the intellectual structure of literature focusing on the student experience with academic libraries. Through bibliometric and thematic analyses, we analyzed a sample of 160 articles published between 1995 and 2022. The findings underscore the multifaceted nature of SX research regarding academic libraries. Its intellectual structure unveils six predominant themes: (1) international students' experience; (2) servicescape and service design; (3) impact of technologies; (4) information literacy; (5) psychological and emotional aspects; and (6) engagement and motivation. Additionally, we propose a future research agenda, shedding light on prevalent theories and underexplored topics. This study serves as a valuable resource for researchers and librarians seeking insights into the nuances of SX in academic library settings. In particular, the identification of research clusters and opportunities can assist researchers in better positioning their studies and finding connections across several theoretical lenses and approaches.

Harnessing business analytics for gaining competitive advantage in emerging markets: A systematic review of approaches and outcomes

In today's rapidly evolving global economy, businesses operating in emerging markets face unique challenges and opportunities. To gain a competitive edge in such dynamic environments, harnessing the power of business analytics has become imperative. This systematic review aims to explore the diverse approaches and outcomes associated with leveraging business analytics for competitive advantage in emerging markets. The study employs a comprehensive review methodology, analyzing a wide range of scholarly articles, case studies, and industry reports. Through this systematic approach, key themes and patterns emerge, shedding light on the multifaceted strategies employed by organizations to leverage business analytics effectively. Findings reveal that successful utilization of business analytics in emerging markets involves several interconnected dimensions. These include data collection and management, advanced analytics techniques such as predictive modeling and data mining, and the integration of analytics into strategic decision-making processes. Moreover, organizational factors such as leadership support, organizational culture, and resource allocation significantly influence the effectiveness of business analytics initiatives. Furthermore, the review highlights the diverse outcomes associated with adopting business analytics in emerging markets. These outcomes encompass enhanced operational efficiency, improved customer insights, better risk management, and the identification of new market opportunities. Additionally, business analytics enables organizations to adapt swiftly to market changes and gain a deeper understanding of customer behaviors and preferences. Overall, this systematic review underscores the critical role of business analytics in enabling organizations to navigate the complexities of emerging markets and achieve sustainable competitive advantage. It provides valuable insights for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers seeking to leverage analytics-driven strategies for success in dynamic business environments.

AI can empower agriculture for global food security: challenges and prospects in developing nations.

Food and nutrition are a steadfast essential to all living organisms. With specific reference to humans, the sufficient and efficient supply of food is a challenge as the world population continues to grow. Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be identified as a plausible technology in this 5th industrial revolution in bringing us closer to achieving zero hunger by 2030-Goal 2 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). This goal cannot be achieved unless the digital divide among developed and underdeveloped countries is addressed. Nevertheless, developing and underdeveloped regions fall behind in economic resources; however, they harbor untapped potential to effectively address the impending demands posed by the soaring world population. Therefore, this study explores the in-depth potential of AI in the agriculture sector for developing and under-developed countries. Similarly, it aims to emphasize the proven efficiency and spin-off applications of AI in the advancement of agriculture. Currently, AI is being utilized in various spheres of agriculture, including but not limited to crop surveillance, irrigation management, disease identification, fertilization practices, task automation, image manipulation, data processing, yield forecasting, supply chain optimization, implementation of decision support system (DSS), weed control, and the enhancement of resource utilization. Whereas AI supports food safety and security by ensuring higher crop yields that are acquired by harnessing the potential of multi-temporal remote sensing (RS) techniques to accurately discern diverse crop phenotypes, monitor land cover dynamics, assess variations in soil organic matter, predict soil moisture levels, conduct plant biomass modeling, and enable comprehensive crop monitoring. The present study identifies various challenges, including financial, infrastructure, experts, data availability, customization, regulatory framework, cultural norms and attitudes, access to market, and interdisciplinary collaboration, in the adoption of AI for developing nations with their subsequent remedies. The identification of challenges and opportunities in the implementation of AI could ignite further research and actions in these regions; thereby supporting sustainable development.

Unravelling the process of idea generation and assessment during the PhD trajectory: A case study approach

AbstractThe three missions of universities are education, research, and knowledge/technology transfer. At the micro‐level of the research and knowledge/technology transfer mission, we position researchers, as individuals who decided to pursue a scientific career in academia, with the PhD as the starting point. While existing literature acknowledges the supervisor's significance during this process from dependency to autonomy, this paper advocates for a closer examination of external factors such as the network, supervisor's experience, and work environment in idea generation. Ideas in this context encompass both curiosity‐driven and entrepreneurial concepts, often evolving from one to the other. Our research builds upon the theory of opportunity identification, drawing parallels between ideas and opportunities. The research asserts that PhD students primarily rely on their networks for idea generation due to limited prior knowledge and experience. Our findings underscore the dynamic interplay between PhD students, supervisors, and networks in the process of idea generation, advancing a comprehensive framework encapsulating the multifaceted influences on the trajectory from idea generation to execution in the context of PhD education. The framework is based on empirical evidence from a qualitative case study comprising 16 PhD students in a European H2020 project in the field of Photonics, illuminating the intricate relationship between supervisors' orientations (entrepreneurial or curiosity‐driven) and the types of ideas generated by PhD students. Practical implications highlight the need for tailored support and resources to foster independent research capabilities among PhD students, considering individual variations in supervisory support and networking opportunities.

КОНЦЕПЦИЯ ВНЕДРЕНИЯ КОНТРОЛЛИНГА БИЗНЕС-ПРОЦЕССОВ НА АГРОПРЕДПРИЯТИЯХ ДЛЯ ОБЕСПЕЧЕНИЯ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОЙ БЕЗОПАСНОСТИ

In modern conditions of uncertainty, manufacturers face many problems and risks that are sometimes impossible to predict. In these conditions, effective enterprise management requires a reorientation from standard tools and methods used in accounting or management accounting to modern monitoring methods. Such methods are based on the concept of controlling, which is extremely in demand today in foreign business management practice, since it is an information and analytical tool for making and implementing management decisions synchronized with accounting, analysis, and planning systems. Controlling is not an innovation for Russian commodity producers, but it is still greatly underestimated as a tool for effective business process management. To build a business process control system, enterprises need a systematic study of its essence, tasks, basic concepts and regulatory regulation in order to ensure economic security. The article examines the genesis of the development of the controlling system, as well as the use of available resources and the identification of potential opportunities formed through modern controlling tools and methods in management accounting.

Perceived Technological Innovativeness, Entrepreneurial Proactiveness, and Performance in Established Women-Led Companies

The contribution of women as corporate executives to their companies’ entrepreneurial outcomes is significant, as they can often enhance critical aspects of organizational innovativeness and proactiveness. This research investigated the effect of perceived technological innovativeness (PTI) on perceived entrepreneurial proactiveness (PEP) and, subsequently, the effect of PEP on the perceived company performance (PCP) of established firms with females in their top management teams. An examination of a judgmental sample of 83 female executives employed in Greek firms with over €10 million annual turnover showed that PTI had a significant and positive effect on PEP, and subsequently, PEP had a significant and positive effect on PCP. Apart from corroborating existing literature about the positive impact of entrepreneurial proactiveness on company performance, the study indicated that, according to the perceptions of female executives, entrepreneurial proactiveness acts as a bridge between technological innovativeness and company performance. Thus, it appeared that when a company is characterized by (or fosters the advancement of) technological innovativeness, it encourages creative thinking and focuses on opportunity identification and exploitation. This proactive approach to technological innovativeness enables the organization to improve its performance by staying ahead of its competitors, adapting to the dynamic environment, anticipating future market trends and exploiting opportunities.

198 Community & Recruitment Programs at OHSU: Leveraging a team science approach to ensure representative study populations through community engagement and recruitment

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Investigators are looking to integrate DE&I into trials, increasing study population diversity. In response, the Community and Recruitment programs of the Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute (OCTRI), built a collaborative, community-focused system for investigators interested in community engagement and recruitment. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Historically, the OCTRI Community and Recruitment programs operated independently. To build a community-focused support system for investigators, we began with the programs learning about each other’s goals, values, and operations over a six-month period. Over the next two years, we then began integrating into each other’s team meetings and processes. Each team has their own process for providing services to investigators, consisting of intake and consultations. To these, we added tags for the other’s program topics. This allowed efficient identification of opportunities for referrals and joint consultations. Program leads meet regularly to discuss referrals and partnerships allowing for more effective and consistent collaboration. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Over the last two years, OCTRI Community and Recruitment built a collaborative process that allows investigators to work with both programs, receiving comprehensive, supportive assistance and education on how to design their study, engage with community, and recruit participants in a community-based setting. During this time, the programs have: provided consultations that discussed the other’s program (N=21); made direct referrals to the other program (N=4); and, provided joint consultations (N=2). Studies that are investigator-initiated, in planning phase, and population focused were found to benefit most from the collaborative efforts. Additionally, we have improved the collaborative process during this time, resulting in more streamlined, efficient support services for investigators. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Diverse study populations and DE&I are essential to research. This collaborative, community-engaged recruitment approach by our programs allows investigators to leverage both programs’ resources and expertise. We continue to identify best practices and study types that benefit from this collaborative approach to improve our services.

Entrepreneurship training and assistance for group businesses in Karangploso District, Malang Regency

BUMDes (Village-Owned Enterprises) and KWT (Women's Farmers' Groups) in villages play a crucial role in fostering rural economic growth. Therefore, it is essential to bolster the entrepreneurial spirit among members of these groups. Community service activities conducted in Karangploso District, Malang Regency, aim to enhance the management capacity of BUMDes and KWT through training and mentoring approaches. The training targeted the chairpersons of BUMDes in Bocek Village and the leaders of KWT from all villages in Karangploso District. Training materials covered entrepreneurial motivation, business management, and product marketing. Post-training support was provided through the establishment of a social media group for consultation and discussion on group business activities. Topics included initiating new businesses, digital marketing, and business accounting. Ongoing mentoring activities were facilitated through social media and site visits as necessary. The outcome of this training and mentoring initiative was an increase in entrepreneurial motivation among participants. This heightened motivation translated into proactive identification and pursuit of business opportunities, generation of new product or service ideas, and enhanced participation in developing skills and knowledge related to business management, marketing, and finance.

Construction Management in the Amazon: Analysis of Performance Indicators and Impacts of COVID-19

Management failures in public construction projects result in significant resource wastage and delays in social development goals. This research aims to evaluate the management of contracts for public school construction projects using cost, schedule, and scope performance indicators, as well as investigate the influence of the characteristics of the Amazon region and the COVID-19 pandemic on project execution. The methodology involved document analysis of selected samples, describing the projects, geographical locations, contractual changes, and statistical correlation tests. Subsequently, the study surveyed the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the analyzed projects, along with an analysis of performance indicators. The results revealed that all projects experienced cost increases, with an average percentage of 24.36%. Regarding schedule extensions, 92.30% of the projects underwent contractual changes, with an average increase in time of 142.19%. Scope changes were present in all projects, with an average modification percentage of 61.84%. It is believed that this study contributes to a critical analysis of the management of public engineering projects, enabling the identification of problems and improvement opportunities.

استكشاف سلاسل القيمة في قطاع المجترات الصغيرة: مراجعة موجزة للأدبيات

The current study was conducted in order to deepen the understanding of how small ruminants fit into the economy and enhance the competitiveness of live animals and value-added products. This study focuses on previous efforts to understand what value chains mean in the small ruminant sector, what it really means to deliver value to customers, understand the links between production, marketing, etc. activities of products and services in an effective manner, and the role of value added in providing wealth to all stakeholders who participated. Previous literature was reviewed in detail especially for that included a case study and detailed analysis of the five value chain elements, identification of actors and promoters, horizontal and vertical links, flow mapping through the chain, identification of marketing channels, key challenges and opportunities and review the possible interventions within vertical and horizontal interactions and management structure according to this literature. It was found that strategies for good breeding, improving health care, providing credit, improving markets, improving pasture productivity and rehabilitating them, in addition to the involvement of potential actors and the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders; It will increase the productivity of small ruminants and improve product/market development and thus have sustainable value chains for small ruminants.

AI and English language teaching: Affordances and challenges

AbstractEnglish is one of the most used languages for jobs, markets, tourism, discourse and international connectivity. However, English learners face many challenges in gaining English language skills. Extant studies show that AI has affordances to support in English language teaching and learning ELT/L. This study answers the call to examine specific challenges and affordances for using AI in ELT/L. A systematic review method was used with PRISMA principles to identify 42 studies. Findings reveal the geographical locations of studies, learner ages and years of study. Grounded coding was then used to identify affordances of the use of AI in ELT/L in the areas of speaking, writing, reading, pedagogy and self‐regulation. AI in ELT/L challenges uncovered were technology breakdowns, limited capabilities, fear and standardising language. Policymakers, funders, practitioners and educational leaders can use the information provided in this study to gain a holistic understanding of the current trend in the use of AI in ELT/L, and practical implications are provided to guide future use of AI. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic English is one of the most used languages for jobs, markets, tourism, discourse and international connectivity. Empirical evidence shows that pupils can often face difficulties when learning English, with challenges such as irregularity in English spelling. AI has supported language teaching and learning with studies showing that AI can support language‐specific skills. What this paper adds Provides the scholarly community with a unique systematic review in the use of AI in ELT/L across learner levels. Identifies affordances of AI in ELT/L in speaking, writing, reading, pedagogy and self‐regulation. Identifies challenges of AI in ELT/L in technology breakdowns, limited capabilities, fear and standardising language. Provides researchers with a review of the field with identification of gaps and future research opportunities. Implications for practice and/or policy Provides practical implications from the findings for educators, policy makers and program designers. Highlights the gaps in academic knowledge as a lack in the use of AI for assessment in ELT/L.

Meaning-of-life Orientations and Strategies of Coping Behavior in Young People with Different Orientations for the Future

Introduction. At the moment an urgent topic of psychological research is the identification of opportunities for young people to overcome difficult life situations, especially in situations of uncertainty. One of the areas of research in this area is the relationship of the choice of coping strategies with elements of the value-meaning sphere, this can shed light on the mechanisms of meaning regulation of the choice of ways to overcome difficult situations.Objective. The study of the choice of various coping strategies in connection with life orientations is depending on the type of orientation for the future in young people.Materials and methods. The method “Meaning-of-life orientations” by D. A. Leontiev was used to determine the meaning-of-life orientations of young people. According to this methodology, the respondents’ orientation towards the future was also determined using indicators on the “goals in life” scale: the presence of a goal in the future, orientation and time perspective, and on the “process of life” scale. The methodology “Methods of coping behavior” by R. Lazarus was applied to determine the choice of coping strategies.Results. The subjects were young people aged 19–23 years. According to the severity of the orientation towards the future, the sample was divided into two groups: with high and medium orientation towards the future (group 1, 47.3 %), and with low and below average (group 2, 52.7 %). An analysis of the results obtained which is used the “Life-meaning orientations” method showed that the studied groups of young people have differences in the severity of all scales of CSF. According to the results, the greatest differences were found on the scales of “Goals in life” and “Locus of control of life”. Statistical analysis of the differences which used the Mann-Whitney U criterion in the severity of coping behavior strategies showed that significant differences between the groups were identified by the indicator “Problem solving planning”.Discussion. The results obtained on the type of orientation towards the future as a predictor of the choice of coping strategies are consistent with existing data that overcoming a problem through a purposeful analysis of the situation and possible behaviors, planning one’s own actions taking into account objective conditions, past experience and available resources can help a person manage a difficult situation more effectively and reduce negative consequences through the use of imagination and constructive modeling of the future.

Business model innovation in healthcare: A theoretical review of entrepreneurial strategies in the medical sector

This theoretical review explores the critical role of business model innovation in the healthcare industry, focusing on entrepreneurial strategies within the medical sector. With the constant evolution of healthcare needs, technologies, and regulations, traditional models are becoming increasingly insufficient to meet the demands of patients, providers, and other stakeholders. Business model innovation offers a pathway for organizations to adapt, thrive, and deliver value in this dynamic landscape. Drawing upon existing literature and case studies, this paper examines the fundamental concepts of business model innovation and its application within healthcare. It explores various entrepreneurial strategies, including opportunity identification, collaboration, technology integration, and patient-centered approaches, highlighting their impact on reshaping the healthcare ecosystem. Furthermore, the theoretical framework delineates key components of successful business model innovation, such as value proposition design, revenue model development, infrastructure optimization, and customer segmentation. Through analysis of real-world examples and challenges, this review elucidates the opportunities and barriers associated with business model innovation in healthcare. It underscores the importance of fostering a culture of innovation, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and addressing regulatory complexities to drive sustainable change. Additionally, it outlines future directions for research, implications for healthcare practitioners and policymakers, and the imperative for continuous adaptation and improvement. Ultimately, this review contributes to a deeper understanding of how entrepreneurial strategies can catalyze business model innovation in healthcare, paving the way for enhanced quality, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare services in the digital age.

Crowdfunding versus Traditional Banking: Alternative or Complementary Systems for Financing Projects in Portugal?

In an era where crowdfunding in Portugal is garnering increased public attention, exemplified by notable campaigns like the recent funding of the nurses’ strike, we explore its potential as an alternative financial source to traditional banking. Through a comprehensive case study, we delve into pertinent issues, encompassing European legislation, market dynamics, and a survey disseminated to representatives of the four prominent Portuguese crowdfunding platforms. Comprising forty-one questions across four categories, the survey extracts insights on platform details, company/project information, investor perspectives, and the financing process, along with an evaluation of platform advantages/disadvantages vis-à-vis traditional banking. Despite heightened visibility, crowdfunding remains relatively unfamiliar to the broader public, yet it diverges from banking not as a substitute but as a complementary financial mechanism. Emphasizing accessibility, process agility, and reduced bureaucracy, crowdfunding serves as a means of swiftly gaining recognition for a company or project while tapping into a broad audience. Rather than competition, it offers supplementary support, facilitating the identification and validation of investment opportunities and concepts. Moreover, it streamlines subsequent interactions with banks and investors, enhancing confidence in a project’s viability. In essence, crowdfunding emerges not as an alternative but a strategic complement, enriching the financial landscape with its unique attributes.