Organisation For Economic Co-operation And Development Research Articles

Unveiling heavy metal removal mechanisms in mulberry and rice husk biochars via sacrificial mineral descriptors.

Rice husk biochar (RBC) and mulberry biochar (MBC) have gained significant attention in the removal of heavy metals in aquatic environments. Their easy affordability and eco-friendly nature make these biochar's a powerful adsorbent for sustainable water remediation applications. Although their heavy metal adsorption characteristics of individual biochar's have been widely studied, a clear understanding of how the inherited mineral composition in RBC and MBC influences Pb2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+ removal in both deionized water (DIW) and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) water is currently lacking. In this study, heavy metal removal mechanisms of RBC and MBC in these water systems were investigated using various kinetic models and correlated them with their mineral composition. With the highest correlation coefficient of modified two-compartment first-order kinetic model (MTCFOKM), the measured qe values highlight MBC as a promising candidate for heavy metal removal in both acidic and alkaline conditions. pH edge experiments revealed significant differences in metal removal efficiency between these biochars, despite their similar specific surface areas and surface charges (pHpzc). XRD and FTIR characterization provided a strong support in explaining the high heavy metal removal ability of MBC stem from calcite mineral that inherited from biomass. Furthermore, the pH edge experiment combined with MINEQL+ speciation profiles revealed that heavy metal removal by MBC at low pH is linked to calcite leaching, shift in system pH, and heavy metal precipitation.

Impacts of natural resources and technological innovation on SDG achievement of OECD countries: how does democracy and globalization behave?

This research evaluates the roles of natural resources and technological innovation on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement in the organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD) countries. The study considers the data period from 1990 to 2020 and employs robust econometric techniques. The study uses globalization and participatory democracy as control variables. Several models interacting natural resources with technological innovation, globalization and democracy are also introduced to see if they moderate the association between natural resources and sustainable development index (SDI). The study outcomes reveal that natural resources and technological innovation both positively and significantly affect SDI of these nations. Moreover, participatory democracy and globalization have also been found to support the SDI. The interaction between natural resources and democracy shows a negative impact, while the interaction between natural resources and globalization shows a positive impact on SDI. Based on these results, several policy directions are suggested to advance the SDGs in OECD nations.

Bacillus subtilis ZB423: 90-Day repeat dose oral (gavage) toxicity study in Wistar rats.

The novel genetically modified probiotic Bacillus subtilis ZB423 was assessed in a 90-day repeated-dose oral toxicity study adhering to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines. Spray-dried spores at a concentration of 1.1E12 CFU/g were administered at doses of 130, 260, and 519 mg/kg body weight/day correlating to 1.43 × 1011, 2.86 × 1011, and 5.71 × 1011 CFU/kg/day, respectively, by oral gavage to Wistar rats for a period of 90 consecutive days. Results showed no toxicologically relevant findings for B. subtilis ZB423 from measured parameters. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of B. subtilis ZB423 is 519 mg/kg body weight/day corresponding to 5.71 × 1011 CFU/kg/day for lyophilized B. subtilis ZB423 spores under the test conditions employed.

Explainable machine learning models for predicting the acute toxicity of pesticides to sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus)

A quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) study was conducted on 313 pesticides to predict their acute toxicity to Sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) by using DRAGON descriptors. Essentials accounting for a reliable model were all considered carefully, giving full consideration to the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) principles for QSAR acceptability in regulation during the model construction and assessment process. Nine variables were selected through the forward stepwise regression method and used as inputs to construct both linear and nonlinear models. The obtained models were validated internally and externally. Generally, machine learning-based methods, namely support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and projection pursuit regression (PPR), perform better than the multiple linear regression (MLR) model. The statistical results (R2 = 0.682–0.933, Q2LOO = 0.604–0.659, Q2F1 = 0.740–0.796, CCC = 0.861–0.882) of the developed models show that they are robust, reliable, reproducible, accurate and predictive. Comparatively, the RF model performs best, giving predictive correlation coefficient Q2 of 0.814, root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.658 and mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.534 for the test set, respectively. The RF model (as well as SVM and PPR models) was visualized and explained by using the SHapley Additive explanation (SHAP) analysis to enhance its transparency and credibility. In addition, the applicability domain (AD) range of the RF model was characterized by the Williams plot and the tree manifold approximation and projection (TMAP) technology was utilized to illustrate similarity and diversity of the entire data space, to assist in the analysis of the outliers. Activity cliff detection was investigated by using Arithmetic Residuals in K-groups Analysis (ARKA) descriptors. It was found that none of the pesticides was identified as an activity cliff in the training set or a potential prediction cliff in the test set. Therefore, the RF model fulfills each OECD principle in regulation for QSAR models. The research in this work will aid in the in silico QSAR prediction of the acute toxicity to Sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) for untested and new toxic pesticides and can also be extended to other studies.

Is death included in international education guidelines? Towards education for a more conscious life

ABSTRACT The awareness of death and finitude define an educational field that is crucial yet absent from national curricula. Here we enquire into its presence in the guidelines of the international bodies that are most influential in educational and curricular change: Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the World Bank. The objective was to determine whether death was included in the educational guidelines of these bodies in recent years. The study design was documentary, with analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data. We explored the presence of 24 chosen terms in documents having an influence on objectives and proposals for educational change and development. Our results showed that in the documents studied there were no educational guidelines or approaches that included death. We may conclude, then, that the pedagogical approaches of these organisations do not address the need for education for a more conscious life, embracing the educational dimension of death.

Clearing the Hurdle of Corruption: Indonesia’s Path to OECD Accession

Indonesia has recently entered into formal talks with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). While debate persists about the wisdom of such a move, it is relevant to recognize that there are many hurdles to overcome. The OECD has provided Indonesia a roadmap outlining both procedures and substantive legislative provisions required for accession to the OECD treaty. Among these requirements, OECD membership candidates must establish law that are in compliance with the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention. Given Indonesia’s history, this component may pose a significant impediment to OECD membership. To explore this, the study examines the accession path of other recent members to the OECD and provides guidance for clear changes that are required to Indonesia’s legal framework surrounding corruption. This study found that compliance with the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention as imperative, as demonstrated by the experiences of countries that have recently joined the OECD and other candidate countries that are further along in the accession process than Indonesia. This research also demonstrates that significant legislative changes to Indonesia’s legal framework on corruption are required for full accession to the OECD Convention

Canada-wide survey of school food programs.

Canada remains one of few Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries without a well-established nationally harmonized and funded school food program (SFP); however, the Canadian federal government recently announced the development and implementation of a national SFP that might supersede the uncoordinated patchwork of SFPs currently delivered across Canada. We designed and conducted novel survey research to systematically identify the characteristics of organization-led SFPs, building on previous research that focused on the characteristics of provincial and territorial government involvement in school food programming. An electronic survey was developed to include items deemed most relevant based on applicable literature and expert content validation, and distributed to organizations involved in the purchasing, planning, and/or preparation of school foods. Responses were categorized post-hoc into the RE-AIM categories to assess SFP Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance. Analysis identified key SFP implementation characteristics (including funding source, payment model, and student eligibility), program components, SFP goals/mandates, and factors that determine what foods are served; and assessed correlations among key characteristics. Results from 67 SFPs across 10 provinces indicate considerable variability in SFP characteristics. SFP-delivering organizations reported a predominant goal of reducing student food insecurity, while nutrition and cost were cited as the main factors determining food served. Collectively, organizations were found to rely primarily on donations, while provincial funding accounted for only 30% of total funding. These findings reveal strengths and areas for improvement within the current school food landscape and highlight important gaps that could be addressed with federal involvement.

Chemical characterization, assessment of acute oral toxicity, and antinociceptive potential of the methanolic extract of Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott leaves from Brazil.

Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott is popularly known as "aninga," "aningaçu," "aningaíba," and "aninga-do-igapó." Compresses and plasters made from the leaves of this medicinal plant are used to treat abscesses, tumors, and pain caused by stingray stings. This study aimed to chemically characterize the methanolic extract of M. linifera leaves (MEMLL), as well as to verify their acute oral toxicity and antinociceptive potential. The leaves were collected during the rainy season, and the methanolic extract was obtained after gradient extraction using different solvents. MEMLL was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Acute oral toxicity testing followed the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guideline 423. Subsequently, acetic acid, hot plate, and formalin tests were used to evaluate the analgesic effects. In the chemical characterization of MEMLL by HPLC, three flavonoids were identified: rutin, quercetin, and epicatechin. In addition, when NMR spectroscopy was performed, rutin and quercetin were again identified, as well as the chemical compounds luteolin and chrysoeriol. In the acute oral toxicity test, MEMLL showed no physiological or behavioral changes. In the nociceptive study, MEMLL showed an effect at doses of 50 and 100mg/kg in the 0.6% acetic acid test, i.e., 51.46% and 75.08%, respectively. In the hot plate test, the MEMLL group at a dose of 50mg/kg was effective at times of 30 and 60min, i.e., 164.43% and 122.95%, respectively. Similarly, the MEMLL group at a dose of 100mg/kg was also effective in increasing latency at times of 30 and 60min, i.e., 162.62% and 136.68%, respectively. In the formalin test, MEMLL showed an antinociceptive effect on neurogenic pain at doses of 50 and 100mg/kg when compared to the control group, 35.25% and 52.30%, respectively. In the inflammatory phase, inhibition was observed in the MEMLL at doses of 50 and 100mg/kg, i.e., 66.39% and 72.15%, respectively. MEMLL has analgesic properties and is non-toxic, validating the Brazilian ethnopharmacological use of this plant for pain treatment. The leaves of the species M. linifera showed central and peripheral antinociceptive effects.

Combating tax crimes in Indonesia: tackling the issue head-on

Taxes are undeniably the lifeblood of a country’s financing. However, tax evasion is becoming increasingly rampant in Indonesia, resulting in substantial state losses. Enhanced tax enforcement policies are necessary to combat this crime. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has established principles for fighting tax crimes; however, the Indonesian government has been unable to integrate these principles into its tax enforcement policies, leading to gaps related to strategy, investigative powers, organizational structure, resources, and cooperation, which prevent the current measures from being fully effective. This article conducts a descriptive, evaluative, and comparative study of the Directorate General of Taxes’ (DGT) current tax enforcement policy and proposed practices based on the OECD’s principles to identify and elaborate on these gaps and analyse internal and external obstacles hindering effective implementation. This study’s findings reveal a fundamental difference between tax and legal interests that must be appropriately managed within their boundaries; therefore, the key to improving tax enforcement policy in Indonesia lies in combining Primum Remedium (criminal sanctions as the initial response) and Ultimum Remedium (criminal sanctions as the last resort) strategies. Additionally, the provision of adequate investigative powers, sufficient resources, gradual policy implementation, and necessary law amendments are also crucial factors. This study aims to provide the Indonesian government with insights and recommendations to enhance the tax enforcement policy, to combat tax crimes more comprehensively.

Aligning the new work environment with OECD Goal 8: a design case of a global automobile brand from Turkey

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the economic sustainability of new work environments by exploring how interior design strategies can contribute to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8, which focuses on decent work and economic growth. SDG 8 aims to foster sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic development, as well as full and productive employment. Design/methodology/approach The pilot study was conducted at a global automobile brand’s largest facility in Kocaeli/Turkey, where 102 employees participated in stakeholder meetings divided into 18 groups. Additionally, 46 employees were interviewed through focus groups and one-on-one sessions across nine encounters. The collected data were analyzed using deductive thematic analysis, interpreting codes and themes related to spatial politics, timing politics and hybrid working culture in the new work environment. Findings Identified themes include individually focused tasks, virtual collaboration, agile working, socialization and urban interaction. These themes are then traced through the conceptual design proposal developed by the interior design team and discussed in relation to their alignment with SDG 8.2 (diversify, innovate and upgrade for economic productivity), SDG 8.4 (improve resource efficiency in consumption and production) and SDG 8.8 (protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers). Research limitations/implications These three targets (for inclusivity and innovation, for environmentally sustainable and for employee well-being) were selected for their relevance in shaping the physical work environment. Originality/value The key finding of this paper is the need for a deeper understanding of economic sustainability in interior design and the contribution of SDG 8 targets on the spatial, temporal and cultural dimensions of new work environments. Brands committed to sustainability must adopt new work models and reimagine their work environments to enhance employee satisfaction and performance, through comprehensive user research and design solutions aligned with SDG 8.

Analysis of Ghana—Nigeria Export Trade: Linkages, Impacts and Policy Implications

This study hypothesised that the Ghana-Nigeria export trade has a significant impact on the economy of Ghana. Time series on variables of interest were obtained from the World Development Indicator (WDI) of the World Bank and the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). The 2018 input-output table for Ghana was obtained from the social accounting matrix of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, input-output analysis, and the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bound testing approach. Through input-output analysis, this study found significant total impacts (151.585 to 190.139 million Ghana Cedis) in 2017 and 2018, centred around export commodities such as food and live animals, beverages, and tobacco. The expanding field of influence (214.373 to 268.898) and the ratio of impacts to Ghana's GDP (0.058% to 0.062%, then 0.044%) substantiate their pronounced role in the economy. The ARDL model showed that a percent increase in Ghana-Nigeria exports led to a 0.1017% increase in Ghana’s real GDP on the log-run. The speed of adjustment was 42.18% in each period. By providing support to exporters, both countries can leverage their comparative advantages, strengthen economic ties, and foster sustained growth through increased export trade.

Beyond bits and bytes: Examining the dynamic influence of digital economy on ecological footprint in OECD economies

This study explores the effect of digital economy on ecological footprint in 37 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) economies between 2007 and 2022. We employed different econometric models and techniques, such as the panel regression model, the polynomial quadratic model, the modified structural equation model, and the Sobel test. Our study results reveal that digital development directly reduces ecological footprint through improved energy-efficient data centers, optimized production processes, and real-time resource management. Additionally, the relationship between digital development and ecological footprint shows an inverted U-shaped pattern. This implies that the growth of digital economy initially increases the ecological footprint due to the resource-intensive nature of setting up digital infrastructure, including data centers and communication networks. However, as digital development matures, efficiency gains from technological advancements lead to a reduction in the ecological footprint. The mediation analysis reveals that economic growth, green technology adoption, and industrial structure transformation significantly mediate the nexus between digital economy and ecological footprint at a proportion of 85.2%, 31%, and 65.6%, respectively. From the findings of our study, significant policy implications are proposed to enhance environmental quality.

Rural energy poverty alleviation in OECD nations: An integrated analysis of renewable energy, green taxation, and the United Nations agenda 2030

Energy poverty in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries is a complex issue that needs careful and targeted solutions. Tens of millions of households in OECD countries struggle to pay for enough electricity and heating to meet their basic needs. Thus, it is essential to make a detailed assessment of rural energy poverty with an integrated approach. In so doing, we first measure rural energy poverty composite index across 38 OECD countries and their 5 major partners from 2000 to 2021. We then explored the linear effect of renewable energy technologies on energy poverty alleviation. Moreover, the mediating effect of green taxes on rural energy poverty through renewable energy technologies was analysed. Finally, the fuzzy regression discontinuity (FRD) method is employed to address the endogeneity issue associated with the assignment of the 2030 United Nations (UN) Agenda and to identify treatment effects. The results show that rural energy poverty improves over time. However, significant spatiotemporal disparities in alleviation efforts are found across countries. The results of Method of Moment Quantile Regression (MMQR) approach reveal that renewable energy technologies can accelerate rural energy poverty mitigation in the sample countries. We find that green taxation is an important mediating channel through which the adoption of renewable energy technologies alleviates rural energy poverty. The results of the Fuzzy-RD show that the 2030 UN agenda was effective in increasing the likelihood of rural energy poverty mitigation. The results remain consistent after a battery of robustness tests. This study offers valuable insights that can aid policymakers in formulating robust public policies.

Korean Templestay as a Sustainable Global Cultural Product: The Case of Manggyeongsansa

While the trend of de-religiousization has accelerated globally, Korean Buddhism has become very hip around the world. While it was traditionally known as a symbol of a solemn and old religion, with its innovative transformation, Korean Buddhism has gained wide popularity in friendly and trendy atmospheres, especially among people in their 20s and 30s in Korea and abroad, regardless of religion. Thus, Korean Buddhism has a cultural affinity beyond religion, nationality, age, and gender. At the center of this popularization of Buddhism, there exists “Templestay”. Templestay is defined as staying in a Korean temple and experiencing traditional Korean culture, the spirit of Buddhist practice, the natural environment, and the daily life of temples. Templestay was selected as one of the world’s top five most successfully developed tourism and cultural resources by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and one of the top 10 icons representing Korea according to the Republic of Korea’s Presidential Council on Nation Branding. Thus, Templestay is not just a Buddhist cultural experience but has been officially recognized as a sustainable global cultural product representing Korea with a history of 1700 years, where a global cultural product is defined as a cultural product that is shared on a global level. Considering Templestay’s wide global popularity, as well as its significant impact on the national economy, tourism, and cultural succession, with over 7 million participants, it is important to investigate Templestay from the perspective of sustainable management, such as CSR, CSV, and ESG. However, while a few studies exist on Templestay, the theoretical aspects of Templestay as a subject of sustainable management have not been sufficiently developed, since most research on Templestay has focused on the perspectives of religion or visitor experiences. Thus, by focusing on Manggyeongsansa Templestay, which was selected as one of the best Korean temples among the 150 temples offering Templestay in 2023, the findings from this case study provide significant implications and practical guidelines for the sustainable management of global cultural products to address fundamental issues from an angle that has not been covered sufficiently.

Excessive Pharmaceutical Pricing and Repercussions on Paediatric Health Services

Context: Paediatric pharmaceutics have a significant share in expensive drugs. Recent years have seen significant calls for intervention against high prices for pharmaceutical products. The prohibition of prices that are excessive as a form of abuse of dominance is considered as Competition law violation in the European Union Law and national legal orders of its Member States. Majority of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries have similar prohibitions in their respective Competition laws with important exemption of United States (US) Antirust Law, although there is some indication of change in US exactly in the area of pharmaceutical sector. Regulation of excessive prices also exists in Competition laws of all BRICS (Brazil, Russian Federation, India, China, and South Africa) countries. The problem of excessive prices in pharmaceutics is one of the emerging themes in Competition law literature and case law development. This is the area where intellectual property rights, usually patent protection, collide with competition rules. Costs of research and development for such pharmaceutics are often very high emphasizing the need for balance between colliding legitimate interests: access to health and research development. Aim: To present regulatory and case law development of application of excessive prices as form of abuse of dominance in pharmaceutical sector with emphasis on paediatric health services. Data source: OECD, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus. Conclusion: Balance between competition rules on excessive prices as form of abuse of dominance and intellectual property rights in the area of expensive paediatric pharmaceutics can be regarded as suboptimal. Thus, there is a need for further regulatory development and application of rules on excessive prices in that field.

Study of the Acute Toxicity of an Aqueous Extract of the Leaves of Senna alata (L.) ROXB (Caesalpiniaceae) to Mammals

Senna alata (L.) ROXB (Caesalpiniaceae) is a plant known and appreciated by the Ivorian population. It is commonly used to treat high blood pressure and constipation. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of leaves of Senna alata leaves (EAqSa) in mammals. To do this, a phytochemical study of this extract was carried out. Acute toxicity was assessed by the intraperitoneal and oral routes. The oral toxicity tests were carried out in accordance with directive 423 of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) using three (3) lots of three (3) rats, one control lot and two (2) test lots. The control lot received 2 ml of distilled water, one test lot received 2000 mg/ kg bw of EAqSa and the second test lot received 5000 mg/ kg bw of the extract in a single dose. Toxicity tests by intraperitoneal administration are carried out using six (6) lots of six (6) mices including a control lot receiving 0.5 ml of EAqSa. The five (5) test lots received 0.5 ml of doses ranging from 750 to 2000 mg/kg bw of the extract. The animals from the different test lots were observed for twenty-four (24) hours. Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of polyphenols, sterols and polyterpenes, flavonoids, catechic tannins, saponosides, quinonic compounds and alkaloids. Acute toxicity tests show that this extract is only slightly toxic by the intraperitoneal route and non-toxic by the oral route. The oral route of administration would be the most recommended for the pharmacological use of this extract, but should be used in moderation.

Microbial biopesticides are inhibited by honey bee royal jelly and in vitro larval diet

The interest in and use of biological materials in crop production is increasing globally at a rapid pace. In many cases, testing methods for conventional chemicals are applied to microbial-based biopesticides because specific microbial test methods are lacking. However, not all methods are easily transferred to microbial-based products. An evaluation was conducted to determine if OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) Guidance Document No. 239 on honey bee larval toxicity could be adapted to microbial pesticides. In our study, five microbes, including B. pumilus, B. thuringiensis, B. velezensis, Paenibacillus larvae, and Ascophaera apis were grown on agar media and spotted with either honey bee in vitro larval diet or royal jelly. We observed that the honey bee larval bee diet and royal jelly did not inhibit the fungal honey bee pathogen Ascophaera apis, yet inhibited the growth of bacteria, including a known honey bee larval pathogen. This finding may make the test unreliable for certain biopesticides. The OECD is considering biopesticide-specific testing guidelines, and the EPA has indicated it to update itsbiopesticide bee test guidelines. However, additional research is needed to determine which options may be feasible and provide the best improvements.

A 2024 inventory of test methods relevant to thyroid hormone system disruption for human health and environmental regulatory hazard assessment

Thyroid hormone system disruption (THSD) is a growing concern in chemical hazard assessment due to its impact on human and environmental health and the scarce methods available for assessing the THSD potential of chemicals. In particular, the general lack of validated in silico and in vitro methods for assessing THS activity is of high concern. This manuscript provides an inventory of test methods relevant to THSD. Building on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidance Document 150 and recent international developments, we highlight progress in in silico and in vitro methods, as well as in vivo assays. The provided inventory categorizes available methods according to the levels of the OECD Conceptual Framework, with an assessment of the validation status of each method. At Level 1, 12 in silico models that have been statistically validated and are directly related to THSD have been identified. At Level 2, 67 in vitro methods have been listed including those assessed in key initiatives such as the European Union Network of Laboratories for the Validation of Alternative Methods (EU-NETVAL) validation study to identify potential thyroid disruptors. At Levels 3-5, THSD-sensitive endpoints are being included in existing fish-based OECD Test Guidelines to complement amphibian assays. In total, the inventory counts 108 entries comprising established methods (e.g., OECD Test Guidelines) as well as citable methods that are under further development and in some cases are ready for validation or in the initial stages of validation. This work aims to support the ongoing development of strategies for regulatory hazard assessment, such as integrated approaches to testing and assessment (IATAs), for endocrine disruptors, addressing critical gaps in the current testing landscape for THSD in both human and environmental health contexts.

A multimodal in vitro approach to assess the safety of oral care products using 2D and 3D cellular models.

Periodontitis, affecting approximately 3.9 billion individuals globally, significantly impacts quality of life and has raised interest in its potential systemic effects. Sodium perborate, a common component in oral care products for biofilm control, is widely used, though concerns about its safety persist. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro toxicity of six commercial oral care products and varying concentrations of sodium perborate, utilizing human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and keratinocytes (HaCat) as cell models. Experiments were performed in both 2D monolayer and 3D cultures using MTT and electrical impedance assays, adhering to the manufacturer's recommended exposure time of 30-60s for product testing. For the reconstructed epidermis model, a prolonged exposure time of 42min was applied, following the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Test Guideline 439. Results indicated that all products and sodium perborate at 1mg/mL were cytotoxic in monolayer cultures. However, at concentrations relevant to commercial formulations (0.06mg/mL sodium perborate), no significant toxicity was observed. In contrast, the 3D culture models, including spheroids and reconstructed epidermis, exhibited minimal to no cytotoxic effects for the commercial products, with sodium perborate showing no significant toxicity below 0.1mg/mL. The reconstructed epidermis model, used as surrogate for oral mucosa, further confirmed that the products were non-irritating, in compliance with OECD TG 439 standards. This study highlights the importance of considering exposure time, dosage, and cellular model when assessing the safety of oral care products. While 2D models are useful for preliminary screenings, 3D models provide a more physiologically relevant assessment, emphasizing the need for robust testing protocols to ensure product safety.

Instrument constituencies and the brokering of OECD-knowledge in Nordic school reforms - a three country comparison

ABSTRACT Major international surveys and reports have considerably altered the expectations and outlooks of national policymakers in education over the last three decades. Through a comparative content analysis of bibliographies in policy documents, this article explores the intermediary bodies that facilitate salient interconnections between international organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and national policymakers and experts who prepare comprehensive school reforms in three Nordic countries: Denmark, Norway and Sweden. This article builds on a large Nordic research project that studied the transfer and translation of international policies in a Nordic reform context. It extends the study by examining the role of publishers as intermediary policy brokers that legitimize the usage of OECD knowledge as significant members of instrument constituencies. This study enhances our understanding of the variations in citation patterns across policy documents from three Nordic countries. It also investigates the extent to which differences in instrumental constituencies arise from institutional arrangements and the ideational foundations underpinning reform trajectories. Additionally, it examines the topics addressed by these reforms and the governments’ affiliations with new policy brokers supported by both public and private publishers.