Organization For Economic Cooperation Research Articles

The Impact of Social Work Relationships on Preschool Teachers' Social and Emotional Competence

In recent years, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) initiated a survey focused on the social and emotional competence (SEC) of educators, garnering significant attention across the educational community. Despite this interest, there remains a notable gap in research concerning the development of SEC among preschool teachers within the context of various social relationships. Addressing this gap, our study examines the influence of leadership trust, collegial relationships, pro-teacher relationships, teacher-child interactions, and self-efficacy on the SEC of preschool educators. This investigation aims to elucidate the role these social relationships play in shaping the SEC of preschool teachers. The study sample consisted of 223 Chinese preschool teachers, with data analyzed through hierarchical regression techniques. Findings reveal that leadership trust, pro-teacher relationships, and self-efficacy are significant predictors of teachers' SEC. These results underscore the importance of fostering a positive, trust-based, and supportive social work environment as a pivotal strategy for enhancing preschool teachers' SEC, thereby contributing to the broader understanding of how social relationships influence educators' emotional and social capabilities.

Development of a Robust Read-Across Model for the Prediction of Biological Potency of Novel Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Delta Agonists

Development of a Robust Read-Across Model for the Prediction of Biological Potency of Novel Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Delta Agonists

“On the books” yet “off the record”-occupational injury and migrant women: scoping review findings from OECD countries, with implications for New Zealand

IntroductionLittle appears to be known regarding the work-related injury (WRI) experiences of migrants (those born in a country other than their identified host country) and specifically, women migrants.MethodsAs part of a wider PhD project investigating the WRI experiences of New Zealand (NZ) migrants, a review of NZ mainstream media coverage of migrants WRIs was undertaken, which identified no representations of migrant women's WRI experiences. In turn, a scoping review was undertaken to identify peer-reviewed publications reporting empirical findings about WRI experiences and outcomes for migrants in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries, including NZ. This paper aims to identify and describe findings for migrant women specifically. From 2,243 potential publications, 383 proceeded to full text review; ultimately 67 were retained. These 67 publications were reviewed to identify findings specifically for occupationally injured migrant women; 22 such publications (from 21 studies) were found. This paper reports: the characteristics of identified studies; characteristics of migrant women within; frameworks and theories used, and knowledge (and gaps) related to occupationally injured migrant women.ResultsPublications came from only four OECD countries, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Spain. A range of study designs, and topic areas (working conditions, legal rights, identities, the role of gatekeepers, and precarity), were identified; however, only three studies reported findings for longer-term experiences and outcomes of WRIs. Nine publications considered theoretical models underpinning research, including theories about precarious work, stigmatization, and citizenship. However, there was a paucity of analyses of the WRI experience throughout the life-course, highlighting a gap in understanding of how these experiences are “lived” over the long term by occupationally injured migrant women.DiscussionScoping review findings were synthesized using a provisional “matryoshka framing narrative” model, to be refined through forthcoming qualitative interviews with occupationally injured NZ migrant women. This model highlights the multitude of influences in WRI experiences, potentially specific to migrant women, suggesting the consequences of WRIs may be uneven, with migrant women experiencing different, and potentially, greater disparities in outcomes. These findings provide an impetus to investigate knowledge gaps and urgently address potential disparities in WRI outcomes for migrant women specifically.

In vivo genotoxicity assessment of N-(-9 acridinyl)-b-alanine hydrochloride (S-300) using a validated Pig-a mutagenesis assay.

N-(-9 acridinyl)-b-alanine hydrochloride (S-300) is the main byproduct of red blood cell (RBC) amustaline/glutathione(GSH) pathogen reduction, currently undergoing phase III US clinical trials following successful European studies(1-3). Phosphatidylinositol glycan, class A (Pig-a) X-linked gene mutagenesis is a validated mammalian in vivo mutation assay for genotoxicity, assessed as clonal loss of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked CD59 cell-surface molecules on reticulocytes (RETs) and RBCs. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received continuous infusion of S-300 up to the maximum feasible dose (240 mg/kg/day-limited by solubility and volume) for 28 days. Positive controls received a known mutagen by oral gavage on Days 1-3. Plasma levels of S-300 were assessed by HPLC before, during and after infusion. CD59-negative RBCs and RETs were enumerated in pre-dose and Day 28 samples, using a flow cytometric method. Outcome was evaluated by predetermined criteria using concurrent and historical controls. Toxicity was assessed by laboratory measures and necropsy. S-300 reached maximum, dose-dependent levels (3-15 μmol/L) within 2-8 h that were sustained for 672 h and undetectable 2 h after infusion. Circulating RET levels indicated a lack of hematopoietic toxicity. Necropsy revealed minimal-mild observations related to poor S-300 solubility at high concentrations. Pig-a assessment met the preset acceptability criteria and revealed no increase in mutant RBCs or RETs. Maximum feasible S-300 exposure of rats by continuous infusion for 28 days was not genotoxic as assessed by an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development-compliant, mammalian, in vivo Pig-a gene mutation assay that meets the requirements of International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) S2(R1) and FDA guidances on genotoxicity testing.

Measuring the gap between optimal and observed energy structure: Evidence from 36 OECD countries

Sustainable development has always been given priority by economic authorities, therefore pursuing both environmental emissions reduction and economic growth at the same time is required. However, energy structure is often disregarded in existing performance evaluation methodologies, despite its essential function in determining environmental efficiency or productivity. This study shows how ignoring the energy structure can lead to distorted policy recommendations as well as evaluation results. The present study provides a non-parametric estimating approach to quantify the difference between the optimal (theoretical) energy structure required to achieve sustainable development and the actual (observed) energy structure. This method may assess the energy transition process and evaluate the observed and optimal energy structure of a country or region. We demonstrate that using the countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development as an example, that only a limited number of countries are able to meet their objectives for carbon reduction and economic development simultaneously without transforming their energy structure. The relationship between energy structure and green total factor productivity (GTFP) was further studied using a two-stage least squares regression on the observed energy structure and GTFP. The findings indicate that most countries need to increase their share of renewable energy in order to achieve green growth.

A systematic literature review to explore the antecedents of employee engagement among remote workers

PurposeThis study aims to identify and review research articles to understand the conceptualization of employee engagement (EE) in a remote working environment. Specifically, the aim is to explore the antecedents impacting remote workers’ engagement.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review was conducted, encompassing empirical studies sourced from EBSCO, Emerald and Gale databases. Studies published in peer-reviewed journals between 2013 and 2023 covering countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) were included. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed to capture the review process.FindingsA total of 25 empirical studies published across 18 journals were synthesized, with the results being reported in terms of three research objectives. The researchers identified that individual, organizational/job resources and organizational/job demands are the three main antecedents affecting EE in remote working environments.Research limitations/implicationsThis study can serve as an important source of information for academics and practitioners as well as postulate new avenues for the future research. While the Job Demands-Resources model remains relevant in specifying demands and resources as antecedents of workforce engagement, technological antecedents gain prominence as additional factors contribute to the engagement of remote workforce.Originality/valueThis article studies the shifting landscape of EE with the rise of remote working and the need to gain a better understanding of how to keep remote workers engaged.

Quantitative read-across structure-activity relationship (q-RASAR): A novel approach to estimate the subchronic oral safety (NOAEL) of diverse organic chemicals in rats

We have developed a quantitative safety prediction model for subchronic repeated doses of diverse organic chemicals on rats using the novel quantitative read-across structure-activity relationship (q-RASAR) approach, which uses similarity-based descriptors for predictive model generation. The experimental -Log (NOAEL) values have been used here as a potential indicator of oral subchronic safety on rats as it determines the maximum dose level for which no observed adverse effects of chemicals are found. A total of 186 data points of diverse organic chemicals have been used for the model generation using structural and physicochemical (0D–2D) descriptors. The read-across-derived similarity, error, and concordance measures (RASAR descriptors) have been extracted from the preliminary 0D–2D descriptors. Then, the combined pool of RASAR and the identified 0D–2D descriptors of the training set were employed to develop the final models by using the partial least squares (PLS) algorithm. The developed PLS model was rigorously validated by various internal and external validation metrics as suggested by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The final q-RASAR model is proven to be statistically sound, robust and externally predictive (R2 = 0.85, Q2LOO = 0.82 and Q2F1 = 0.94), superseding the internal as well as external predictivity of the corresponding quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model as well as previously reported subchronic repeated dose toxicity model found in the literature. In a nutshell, the q-RASAR is an effective approach that has the potential to be used as a good alternative way to improve external predictivity, interpretability, and transferability for subchronic oral safety prediction as well as ecotoxicity risk identification.

Acute Toxicity, Analgesic, and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Folk Thai Herbal Medicine: Yafon Formula

Yafon (YF), a formula composed of 14 herbal constituents, has been used in folk Thai herbal medicine to treat various indications, including pain relief, antipyretics, and anti-inflammatory properties. Nevertheless, this formula lacks adequate toxicological and efficacy data. Hence, this study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of YF in animal models. The study on acute oral toxicity was conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) number 420 guidelines. The results demonstrated that the administration of YF at a high dose of 2000 mg/kg did not result in fatality or exhibit any toxicity. The analgesic effect of YF in mice was investigated using the acetic acid-induced writhing test and the formalin test. The anti-inflammatory activity of YF was assessed in rats using the carrageenan-induced paw edema test. This investigation employed YF doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg/day. The study found that all YF doses reduced writhing in the acetic acid, and YF doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg/day reduced the licking time in the late phase of the formalin test. In addition, all YF doses effectively suppressed paw edema in the carrageenan-induced paw edema test. This study demonstrated that the YF formula showed no acute toxicity and possessed acute anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects by blocking pain signals originating from the peripheral nervous system. These findings provided empirical evidence supporting the use of YF formula as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent.

The OECD and the nation-state: an interdependent but ambivalent relationship

ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to explore the interrelationships between a national government and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in terms of the power and legitimization of education reforms, here based on the reciprocal dependence of the two actors. Although the current case study only analyses the shifting relationships between Sweden and the OECD, the assumption is that the case is quite representative of the ambiguities of power in the relationships between the OECD and its smaller member countries and the Nordic countries in particular. To explore the relationship between the Swedish national government and OECD, we make use of discursive institutionalism as a general framework. For a closer understanding of the standpoints of the OECD and Sweden on different matters and at different times, two explanation logics are used. The discourses we found characterizing the different kinds of relationships over time are a discourse of opposition, a discourse of mentorship and a discourse of subordination. We argue that there are both ideational and institutional reasons affecting the conditions for cooperation on educational policy. Although institutional reasons strengthen the maintenance of the cooperation, ideational reasons both challenge and develop the nature of the collaboration between the OECD and Sweden.

Evaluation of the Genotoxicity of Almond Hull: Implications for Its Use as a Novel Food Ingredient.

Almond hull, a substantial byproduct comprising more than half of almond fresh weight, has recently gained attention due to its functionality and sustainability benefits. Despite heightened interest, information regarding its toxicity remains limited. In order to assess its genotoxic potential, we conducted Good Laboratory Practice-compliant in vitro and in vivo studies following Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines. No evidence of toxicity or mutagenicity was observed in a bacterial reverse mutation assay using five tester strains, evaluating almond hull at concentrations up to 5 mg/plate, with or without metabolic activation. Almond hull did not induce chromosome structural damage in a chromosome aberration assay using Chinese hamster ovary cells, nor did it cause any spermatogonial chromosomal aberration in tested male BALB/c mice. To evaluate its ability to induce DNA damage in rodents, a combined micronucleus assay was conducted in KM mice of both sexes. Almond hull was administered at doses of 1250, 2500, and 5000 mg/kg/day via gavage once daily for 2 days. No adverse effects of almond hull were observed in the micronucleus assay. Our results indicate no evidence of the genotoxic potential of almond hull administered up to the maximum concentrations of 5 g/kg, as recommended by OECD guidelines.

Scottish Performance in the Programme for International Student Assessment, 2006–2022: Falling Attainment and Rising Inequality

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), run by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), is the largest regular investigation of school students’ attainment globally. It has been conducted usually every three years since 2006, measuring attainment of 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics and science. It also records wide-ranging information about students’ social characteristics and about their experience of school. The most recent round, in 2022, showed Scottish attainment to have fallen in all three domains. Although the decline since 2018 was partly due to the disruption caused by the Covid pandemic, this was not the whole explanation because Scottish scores have been falling since 2006. At the same time, social inequality has been widening. The paper summarises the evidence on this, and, by comparing the Scottish results with those in England, considers whether part of the explanation might be the different policies on the school curriculum in the two systems.

How natural resource, renewable energy, and energy productivity integrate with environmental quality under the load capacity curve in OECD nations

Previous research highlights the impact of renewable energy (REN) sources and natural resources (NRP) on environmental sustainability, but it leaves out the possible consequences of energy production (EP). Additionally, clean environment is addressed by Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 12. This study evaluates the outcomes of meeting the OECD's carbon zero targets by 2050 as well as the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties' 2030 carbon neutrality target. Therefore, evaluating how these factors affect the load capacity factor (LCF) may have pertinent ramifications for the government's pursuit of sustainable development objectives. Therefore, the effects of REN, NRP, and energy efficiency on LCF were examined for Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. The method of momentum quantile regression (MMQR) is applied during the period of 1990-2022. The results show that REN is increasing LCF by 0.157% to 0.161% in four quantiles and NRP is also contributing to environmental quality by 0.385% to 0.233% in 25th to 90th quantiles. EP is lowering LCF by 0.091% to 0.073% in the long run. The paper provides policy implications for a cleaner environment in OECD nations.

SOCIOLOGY OF SAFETY: PREVENTIVE MEASURES IN INSURANCE AS AN OBJECT OF ANALYSIS

Modern sociology actively examines issues related to occupational safety and preventive measures in the field of insurance, with a specific focus on safeguarding the well-being and health of workers. This article presents a sociological analysis of preventive programs in insurance, paying close attention to their sociological dimensions. The study investigates the experiences and future prospects of countries belonging to both the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Eurasian Economic Union that have implemented preventive measures within their social insurance systems. The article discusses the key components of preventive programs, their role in guaranteeing worker safety and health, and the effectiveness of investments made in preventive measures. Furthermore, it presents data regarding the allocation of resources for preventive measures in different countries and evaluates the return on investment in preventive programs. In conclusion, the article highlights the significance of further developing and enhancing preventive programs in insurance to ensure the safety and well-being of workers in their respective work environments.

TOXICITY OF LITHIUM BATTERY WASTE ON SELECTED INVERTEBRATES

Electronic waste poses a major menace to ecosystems owing to the toxic properties of materials used for the manufacture of electronic goods. In this present study, the toxicity of lithium battery waste on invertebrates, snails (Archachatina marginata) and earthworms (Apporrectodeal longa) were evaluated using appropriate concentrations of toxicant. The physicochemical and heavy metal analysis of the toxicant was carried out according to the method of APHA (2008). The standard protocol obtained from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the protocol obtained from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) were adopted for the 14-day exposure to varying concentrations of the toxicant (0.3125, 0.625, 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg) for earthworm and (3.125,6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg) for snail respectively. The pH, Electrical conductivity. Total dissolved solids, Lithium, cadmium and mercury results of the toxicant were (2.6, 13500, 8640, 36.60, 2.03 and 10.48mg/L) respectively. The result also shows an increased in the mortality of test organisms with increase in toxicant concentration. LC50, LOEC, NOEC, TUc and TUa with exposure time for snails and earthworms were (1.05, 0.86,0.77,94.88, 129.87 mg/kg) and (0.68, 0.41,0.31, 147.06, 322.58.mg/kg), respectively. The study established that the toxicant (lithium battery) is considered a high risk to animals, plants and the environment as it adversely affects soil invertebrates which bring about soil fertility if not properly disposed of.

Corporate governance through the lens of Islam: A comparative review and analysis

Corporate governance is a set of relationship between a company’s boards, its shareholders, and other stakeholders as well as provides the structure and mechanism through which the objectives of the company are set and the means for attaining those objectives and monitoring performance are determined. The concept of corporate governance (CG) has gained critical interest and has become a debating point since the mid-1980s. It became an aspect of concern when the corporate world became aware of the importance of protecting the rights of all stakeholders. This paper critically reviews the existing literature on Islamic Corporate Governance (ICG), presents a basic understanding of Islamic Corporate Governance (ICG) and compares the Islamic concept of Corporate Governance to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development principles. The study reveals that the Islamic system of governance encourages and promotes the ethical norms of transparency and honesty in every business transaction.

Electricity Consumption, Renewable Energy Production, and Current Account of Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development Countries: Implications for Sustainability

This paper uses the bootstrapped Granger Causality Testing approach to investigate the relationship between electricity consumption, renewable energy production, and the current account of the six OECD countries. One of the main advantages of using this approach is that it captures the cross-section dependence in our sample and applies the Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) to examine the causality relationship between the variables. The empirical findings show the presence of cross-section dependence in our sample as the six Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries share resources, capabilities, and key competencies. Notably, a unidirectional causality exists running from electric power consumption to the current account of the USA. The current account balance causes electric power consumption in the case of France and Switzerland. The tri-variate causality relationship between electricity consumption, renewable energy production, and current account balance could not be established in the case of Germany, Finland, or the UK.

The Legal Definition of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract In the last five years, several issues related to the development of artificial intelligence have been tackled by various countries and international organisations and the legal definition is one of them. Fundamentally to understand what Artificial Intelligence is, and when to apply the related rules, the definition issue is addressed in this essay considering various documents adopted by several countries and international organizations, such as the European Union, United Kingdom, United States of America, China and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (oecd). Moreover, the paper also considers the intended meaning of “trustworthy ai” in considered countries and supranational organizations and eventually, aims to give a comprehensive definition of Artificial Intelligence starting from what is exposed and trying to merge the considered solutions.

A cross-national performance comparison universal healthcare systems of Chile, Costa Rica, Italy, and Spain using OECD data

Abstract Objectives To analyze Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) indicators for the Health Systems of Costa Rica, Spain, and Italy, focusing on year-to-year changes. Study design and methods Examining each country’s healthcare systems utilizes a value-for-money approach, aiming to outline their healthcare expenditures relative to the OECD average, while also assessing the value obtained from these investments. This involves contrasting reported indicator values for each country and the OECD average during a year close to the last decade’s outset (year 1) with data around 2020 (year 2). Results Results obtained are based on different indicators and the countries being examined. Costa Rica stood out with lowest healthcare investment, while Chile had the less population coverage for a set core of services. Italy and Spain achieved 100% healthcare coverage. All four regions reported decreased tobacco consumption in terms of non-medical determinants of health. Costa Rica showcased the highest vaccination coverage and experienced the most significant increase in this aspect within healthcare utilization. In the context of resource accessibility, waiting times from specialist assessment to treatment increased the most for hip replacement procedures in Chile, Costa Rica, Italy, and Spain. The Pharmaceutical Consumption analysis highlighted agents acting on the Renin-Angiotensin system as the most widely consumed category. Conclusion This analysis helps reveal the workings of diverse health systems, allowing us to pinpoint areas for potential improvement within each region. By examining the achievements and obstacles faced by other nations, policymakers and healthcare stakeholders acquire a valuable foundation on which to enact reforms.

Development of a stroke network in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo): a humanitarian project of the Italian Stroke Association—Associazione Italiana Ictus

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), stroke incidence is ~316 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and in 75% of SSA countries stroke is among the top three causes of death. This epidemiological evolution results from the exponential growth of the African population as well as the lack of policies for prevention and therapy. The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the countries included as a “low-income country” in the 2023 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's Development Assistance Committee List; its capital, Kinshasa, is a megalopolis with more than 18 million inhabitants. According to our knowledge, no hospital in Kinshasa is currently capable of admitting and treating patients with stroke according to international guidelines. The Italian Stroke Association—Associazione Italiana Ictus (ISA-AII) is a multidisciplinary scientific society for the fight against cerebrovascular diseases. Some members of the ISA-AII joined to form a working group dedicated to the care of stroke in Africa. In this article, we explain the project designed by ISA Africa that, in collaboration with the referral hospital of a district of Kinshasa, has the aim of building a network for diagnosing and treating stroke, including ambulance services, a stroke team in the emergency room, a stroke unit, an outpatient clinic, and primary prevention activities among the population.

Academic Productivity in Ophthalmology and Its Correlation to National Economic Indicators Among the OECD Countries: A Bibliometric Analysis

ABSTRACT Purpose Prompted by the clinical concern that limited healthcare resources allocation affects physicians’ research productivity, this study examines the association between bibliometric indices of ophthalmologic research and national economic indicators in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Methods The Scimago Journal and Country rank source was searched for research productivity data in ophthalmology among OECD countries between 1996 and 2019. Bibliometric indices included: documents number, number and percent of citable documents, citations number, citations per document, and H-index. The updated economic indicators of each country (gross domestic product [GDP] per capita, health spending as percent of GDP (health expenditure), gross domestic expenditure on research, and development as percent of GDP [GERD]) were collected from the World Bank and the OECD websites. Correlation between economic and bibliometric metrics and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed. Results Among 267,444 documents analyzed, correlation analysis found a strong correlation between health expenditure and H index (r = 0.711, p < 0.001); a moderate correlation between health expenditure and documents number (r = 0.589, p < 0.001), number of citable document (r = 0.593, p < 0.001) and citations number (r = 0.673, p < 0.001); and a moderate correlation between GERD and H index (r = 0.564, p < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis controlling for economic factors, population and language showed the independent association of these parameters with bibliometric indices. Conclusions This study demonstrates a positive correlation between bibliometric indicators of ophthalmology research and economic factors, particularly health expenditure, among the OECD countries. Our results suggest an advantage of domestic investment in health to expand academic productivity in the field of ophthalmology.