Sector Research Research Articles

From Closed Banking to Open Banking: Risks and Opportunities

Rapid digitalization and technological advances in the banking sector have moved away from the traditional closed banking model and brought open banking, which is a more open and innovative structure, to the agenda. This article examines the evolution of open banking in the financial sector and the risks and opportunities presented by this transformation. In the introduction part of the article, the purpose and importance of the research is emphasized by focusing on the transformation process in the banking sector and the definition of open banking. Within the scope of the research method, the current situation and future potential of open banking are evaluated by analyzing the data obtained through methods such as current literature review, source selection, surveys and interviews. One of the main sections of the article focuses on the key differences between closed banking and open banking models. The basic principles of closed banking operation and open banking are discussed in detail. This chapter sheds light on the fundamental changes in the industry by focusing on changes in technological infrastructure. Another important part of the research addresses the risks posed by open banking. Security and data privacy concerns, legal challenges, and competition and innovation risks are evaluated in detail in this section. On the other hand, the opportunities provided by open banking are also examined in a separate section. Issues such as improvements in customer experience, increase in financial product diversity and innovation opportunities highlight the positive changes in the sector. In the results and discussion section, the comparison of closed and open banking models, the future of open banking and expectations are evaluated. Additionally, suggestions are offered to reduce risks and evaluate opportunities. The solution section of the article addresses practical solutions such as security strategies in open banking applications, development of regulatory frameworks and training of bank employees. In the References section, basic sources on open banking, literature on transformation in the banking sector and current research on risk-opportunity analysis are presented as resources.

Advancements in Learning-Based Navigation Systems for Robotic Applications in MRO Hangar: Review.

The field of learning-based navigation for mobile robots is experiencing a surge of interest from research and industry sectors. The application of this technology for visual aircraft inspection tasks within a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) hangar necessitates efficient perception and obstacle avoidance capabilities to ensure a reliable navigation experience. The present reliance on manual labour, static processes, and outdated technologies limits operation efficiency in the inherently dynamic and increasingly complex nature of the real-world hangar environment. The challenging environment limits the practical application of conventional methods and real-time adaptability to changes. In response to these challenges, recent years research efforts have witnessed advancement with machine learning integration aimed at enhancing navigational capability in both static and dynamic scenarios. However, most of these studies have not been specific to the MRO hangar environment, but related challenges have been addressed, and applicable solutions have been developed. This paper provides a comprehensive review of learning-based strategies with an emphasis on advancements in deep learning, object detection, and the integration of multiple approaches to create hybrid systems. The review delineates the application of learning-based methodologies to real-time navigational tasks, encompassing environment perception, obstacle detection, avoidance, and path planning through the use of vision-based sensors. The concluding section addresses the prevailing challenges and prospective development directions in this domain.

From Education for a Sustainable Development to Ecological Civilization in China: A Just Transition?

This article uses just transition to understand the education for sustainable development (ESD) transition in China. The latter has shifted from an internationally recognized response to support sustainable development to an “ecological civilization,” that is, a policy agenda combining domestic environmental and political interests. Using a climate justice framework, this article interprets the ESD transition on three levels: stakeholder engagement, education scope, and environmental governance. The findings reveal that (a) the concept of ecological civilization is heavily political, (b) its scope is limited to environmental sustainability, and (c) stakeholders from the education sector who participated in the new agenda as policy recipients are underrepresented in decision‐making processes. Most importantly, despite the heavy political endorsement of the agenda, many previous challenges associated with ESD, such as lack of policy support, inadequate professional training, and exam pressures, continue at the institutional level. This article recommends establishing an overarching ESD or ecological civilization framework in the education sector to sustain the growing attention given to ecological civilization in the Chinese education sector and calls for further research on the roles of education in just transition in the global context.

Microbial Cell Factories: Biodiversity, Pathway Construction, Robustness, and Industrial Applicability

The microbial biosynthesis of proteins, primary metabolites, and chemicals is gaining extraordinary momentum and is presently viewed as an advancing approach in the industrial research sector. Increased threats to the environment and the possibility of declining petroleum assets have switched the spotlight to microbial cell factories (MCFs). Aside from possessing various advantages over chemical synthesis, such as less toxicity, cheaper methodologies, and an environmentally benign nature, microbes can be cultivated in fermenters, resulting in an effective bioprocessing approach in terms of industrial relevance. As the overwhelming majority of biodiversity is microbial, this review first highlights the microbial biodiversity of industrially vital microorganisms. Then, the paper delineates the production pathways for generating valuable bioproducts via microbial workhorses. Many host cells synthesize bio-compounds as a part of their natural mechanism; however, several techniques have also been developed to attain the desired end product from non-native microbes with selected properties. The microbial biosynthetic pathways can be categorized as native-existing pathways, heterologous pathways, and artificial de novo pathways. Systems metabolic engineering, which integrates metabolic engineering with evolutionary engineering, synthetic biology, and systems biology, has further revolutionized the field of engineering robust phenotypes. The employment of these strategies improves the performance of the strain, eventually achieving high titer and productivity rates of bio-chemicals. Modern trends and tools for exploiting native pathways and designing non-native-created pathways are also briefly discussed in this paper. Finally, the review discusses the use of microbial workhorses for producing a myriad of materials and chemicals, including carboxylic acids, amino acids, plant natural products (PNPs), carotenoids, flavors, and fragrances, unveiling the efficacy of utilizing microbial species to generate sustainable bio-based products.

Competitiveness as a Result of Creativity and Innovation

The aim of this article is to highlight that critical thinking and creativity generate innovation that is at the core of long-term competitiveness. The creation of culture of critical thinking and creativity should start with the education system – in primary and secondary schools, then it should find its way in science and research activities of institutes and universities, and finally, it should be implemented at all business levels – with the purpose of achieving systemic innovation. It is only in the conditions of a strategic education-science-business synergy, in an environment of promoting critical thinking, creativity and innovation, that long-term competitiveness is possible, which can result in large-scale development of nations, societies and businesses. The achieved level of competitiveness should in its turn be protected against external and internal threats by introducing security measures that include the entire system of physical, technical, information and procedure security, while recognizing and protecting intellectual property and trade secrets. In terms of relevance and methodology, this article reviews existing significant challenges to innovation and competitiveness management; questions are proposed demanding further research in the field of regulations, as regards leading innovation in a global context. Conclusions are drawn about the need of strategic synergy of the priorities of state policies in the fields of science, education and business. It is stated that only coordinated long-term prioritization and planning in economy, science and education, which involves development of focused scientific research in priority sectors (industries) and creation of staff predominantly for these priority sectors of national business development, can ensure long-term competitiveness, sustainability and growth.

Countermeasure Strategies to Address Cybersecurity Challenges Amidst Major Crises in the Higher Education and Research Sector: An Organisational Learning Perspective

Purpose: The purpose of this research paper was to analyse the counterstrategies to mitigate cybersecurity challenges using organisational learning loops amidst major crises in the Higher Education and Research Sector (HERS). The authors proposed the learning loop framework revealing several counterstrategies to mitigate cybersecurity issues in HERS. The counterstrategies are explored, and their implications for research and practice are discussed. Methodology: The qualitative methodology was adopted, and semi-structured interviews with cybersecurity experts and top managers were conducted. Results: This exploratory paper proposed the learning loop framework revealing introducing new policies and procedures, changing existing systems, partnership with other companies, integrating new software, improving employee learning, enhancing security, and monitoring and evaluating security measures as significant counterstrategies to ensure the cyber-safe working environment in HERS. These counterstrategies will help to tackle cybersecurity in HERS, not only during the current major crisis but also in the future. Implications: The outcomes provide insightful implications for both theory and practice. This study proposes a learning framework that prioritises counterstrategies to mitigate cybersecurity challenges in HERS amidst a major crisis. The proposed model can help HERS be more efficient in mitigating cybersecurity issues in future crises. The counterstrategies can also be tested, adopted, and implemented by practitioners working in other sectors to mitigate cybersecurity issues during and after major crises. Future research can focus on addressing the shortcomings and limitations of the proposed learning framework adopted by HERS.

Reconceptualizing Job Satisfaction in Trinidad and Tobago

The current research explores the latent drivers of job satisfaction in Trinidad and Tobago. The aim is to determine the construct validity of the Hackman Oldham (1975) Job Characteristics Model (JCM) to measure job satisfaction. Data was collected from employees using the cross-sectional research method and conveniently sampled from twelve (12) service institutions.The twelve (12) service institutions span three sectors: information and communications technology (ICT), tertiary education, and public utilities. These three (3) sectors were chosen because they represent the three most significant sectors in the Trinidad and Tobago economy and three (3) different levels of industry. Using three (3) different sectors in research enhances generaliz ability by providing a more diverse sample, reducing the risk of bias, and increasing the likelihood that findings can be applied to a broader range of contexts or populations. The service institutions include TSTT, FLOW, and DIGICEL (Information and Communications Technology). UTT, UWI, SBCS, ALJ-GSB, SAMS-TT, and CTS-CBS (Leaders in Tertiary Education). WASA, T&TEC, and PTSC (Public Utilities).

The Relation Between Perceived Racial Discrimination and Civic Engagement Among People of Asian Descent

Although people of Asian descent are the fastest-growing ethno-racial group in the United States, there has been limited research on how racialized experiences are related to their civic engagement behaviors. This study examines how perceived racial discrimination relates to political and community civic engagement among people of Asian descent living in California. Analyzing novel data from the 2021 California Health Interview Survey, we find that after the onset of COVID-19 people of Asian descent showed both the sharpest rise in perceived racial discrimination and the lowest level of civic engagement among all ethno-racial groups in California. Moreover, perceived racial discrimination was significantly associated with political engagement but not with community engagement among people of Asian descent. Finally, people of Asian descent showed some unique dynamics in comparison with other minoritized groups. We discuss the implications of these findings for nonprofit and voluntary sector research on the racialization of civic engagement.

The new EU-US data protection framework's implications for healthcare.

In July 2023, the United States and the European Union introduced the Data Privacy Framework (DPF), introducing the third generation of cross-border data transfer agreements constituting adequacy with respect to personal data transfers under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) between the European Union (EU) and the US. This framework may be used in cross-border healthcare and research relationships, which are highly desirable and increasingly essential to innovative health technology development and health services deployment. A reliable model meeting EU adequacy requirements could enhance the transfer of patient and research participant data. While the DPF might present a familiar terrain for US organizations, it also brings unique challenges. A notable concern is the ability of individual EU Member States to establish individual and additional requirements for health data that are more restrictive than GDPR requirements, which are not anticipated by the DPF. This article highlights the DPF's potential impact on the healthcare and research sectors, finding that the DPF may not provide the degree of lawful health data transfer desirable for healthcare entities. We examine the DPF against a background of existing Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act obligations and other GDPR transfer tools to offer alternatives that can improve the likelihood of reliable, lawful health data transfer between the US and EU.

Second Report on Italian Sea Workers: Activities and risk factors

This is a summary of the results of a research work, born from a collaboration between multiple Italian bodies and published by the Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (Inail) in March 2024: Second report on maritime workers. Activities and risk factors of sea workers.To disseminate the contents, the work offers a global overview of safety and health in the sector: with an analysis of accidents in the sector (which also involves some remarks on the event reporting form), workers' risk perception is examined and occupational diseases monitored through the MalProf system, managed by the Inail Research Sector and the local health authorities. Finally, an in-depth study is dedicated to exposure to asbestos on ships.

Improving staff retention in the research and development department sections of NHS hospitals in the United Kingdom: A systematic review

Background: This study undertook a comprehensive examination of the imperative task of improving staff retention within the National Health Service (NHS) Research and Development (R&D) sector in the UK. The motivation stemmed from the observed decline in staff retention over the years, posing a significant threat to the continuity of healthcare research and innovation. Aim: The primary objective of this systematic review was to elucidate impactful measures aimed at enhancing staff retention within NHS R&D. The study recognized the critical role of sustained staff commitment in preventing disruptions to research projects, ensuring efficient resource utilization, and maintaining the retention of crucial knowledge, research quality, and impact. The overarching aim was to mitigate the potential hindrances to the progress of medical advancements. Method: Conducted as a systematic review, the study employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting checklist. The research followed the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) format to frame research questions systematically. A meticulous search and screening process was employed to identify relevant studies, and data synthesis methods were utilized to draw meaningful conclusions from the selected literature. Conclusion: The study concluded by emphasizing the critical need to address staff retention issues within NHS R&D sections. The systematic review supported a comprehensive and tailored approach, urging the NHS to invest in its researchers, create a supportive work environment, and prioritize the physical and mental well-being of staff. By implementing these evidenced-based strategies, the NHS can effectively enhance the retention of its research talent, thereby fostering ongoing healthcare innovation and improvement. The findings presented in this study contribute to a detailed understanding of staff retention issues within R&D sections, providing a valuable foundation for future initiatives in this crucial domain.

Identification of synthetic consortia from a set of plant-beneficial bacteria.

The use of microbial inoculants in agriculture as biofertilisers and/or biopesticides is an appealing alternative to replace or reduce the practice of agrochemicals. Plant microbiota studies are revealing the different bacterial groups which are populating plant microbiomes re-energising the plant probiotic bacteria (PPB) translational research sector. Some single-microbial strain bioinoculants have proven valid in agriculture (e.g., based on Trichoderma, mycorrhiza or rhizobia); however, it is now recommended to consider multistrain consortia since plant-beneficial effects are often a result of community-level interactions in plant microbiomes. A limiting step is the selection of a fitting combination of microbial strains in order to accomplish the best beneficial effect upon plant inoculation. In this study, we have used a subset of 23 previously identified and characterised rice-beneficial bacterial colonisers to design and test a series of associated experiments aimed to identify potential PPB consortia which are able to co-colonise and induce plant growth promotion. Bacterial strains were co-inoculated in vitro and in planta using several different methods and their co-colonisation and co-persistence monitored. Results include the identification of two 5-strain and one 2-strain consortia which displayed plant growth-promoting features. Future practical applications of microbiome research must include experiments aimed at identifying consortia of bacteria which can be most effective as crop amendments.

Design, fabrication, and measurement of a miniaturized MIMO antenna applicable for 5G communication

Abstract The design of low-profile Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) antennas for various 5G applications is a topic of huge interest in academia, research, and telecommunication sector. In this aspect, a compact and low-profile 5G MIMO antenna has been designed and analyzed for various 5G applications, specifically for the 24 GHz bands (24.25–24.45 GHz and 25.05–25.25 GHz) and local multipoint distribution system band (27.5–28.35 GHz) of the 5G spectrum. The proposed antenna structure is 20 × 20 × 1 mm3 in dimension. Two spade-shaped radiators composed of Copper (annealed) material are placed orthogonally to improve isolation and maintain signal diversity. Rogers RT 5880 is used as the material for substrate. The antenna exhibits a wide bandwidth of 21.5–28.5 GHz. The mutual isolation |S21| has been maintained ≤29 dB due to the insertion of a T-shaped parasitic strip in between the radiating elements. Novelty in design and superiority in performance has been observed when compared with related antenna categories.

Understanding the Relationship Between Immigration and Innovation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The relationship between immigration and innovation has become an urgent topic of discussion in the USA and in the European Union due to the current migration patterns and the crucial role played by innovation as a driver of growth in modern economies. The present study is a systematic review regarding the investigation of the status of the research on immigration, ethnic diversity, and their impact on innovations, especially at the firm’s organisational level. With a focus on high-skilled immigrants, a closer examination of the link between migration and economic performance of the private sector has been conducted during the research. The paper will focus on the elements that impact the contributions of migrants towards the total level of innovation of host countries. Cultural diversity, demographic agglomeration forces, and the educational backgrounds of newcomers are identified as drivers of innovation which influence patenting activity. Additionally, the research provides an overview of the positive influence of migration on innovation spillovers, taking into account its ability to isolate the channels concerning education history and labour supply that lead to this beneficial effect. The evidence suggests that immigrants contribute to the overall level of economic growth and innovation in destination countries, as spillovers of entrepreneurial capabilities and scientific and technological knowledge appear to be fundamental to innovation in host countries. Nonetheless, policy-makers are presented with expected outcomes, as well as no evidence to suggest that migration is detrimental to a strong research and development sector.

Trends in U.S. forest business sector and market research

Trends in U.S. forest business sector and market research

Developing Sukuk for Research and Innovation Project

The growth of creative economics in Indonesia, especially in research and innovation development, has a potential appointment for improving the growth of Indonesia's economy. Most developing countries including Indonesia have a fundamental problem, namely the lack of availability of state funds and investment for infrastructure development. One form of implementation of limiting the lack of development funds of a country is to use the concept of PPP (Public-Private Partnership). Basically, the concept of PPP is not much different from the concept of sukuk in the Islamic capital market. This research tries to know how the concept of mudaraba sukuk and istisna sukuk can urge the growth of research and development sector. As we know sukuk development has grown rapidly in the world, that becomes sukuk as capital base for financing the project. Therefore, for improving this research and development sector, the writer innovates and creates skim of capital for improving research and development sector in Indonesia.

Regional variability of the Black Sea ichthyoplankton state during the change of the spring hydrological season to the summer

The species diversity and spatial distribution of ichthyoplankton in the coastal and open waters of the northern part of the Black Sea and the southwestern part of the Sea of Azov in June 2020 are presented. The species diversity and abundance of ichthyoplankton changed in accordance with the regional conditions of warming of the sea upper layer during the formation of a vertical thermal structure of the summer type. The most favorable conditions for the survival of ichthyoplankton were observed in the open and coastal waters of the Western Sector of research in the initial phase of the summer hydrological season.

Glass Fibre-Reinforced Extrusion 3D-Printed Composites: Experimental and Numerical Study of Mechanical Properties.

The properties of 3D-printed bodies are an essential part of both the industrial and research sectors, as the manufacturers try to improve them in order to make this now additive manufacturing method more appealing compared to conventional manufacturing methods, like injection moulding. Great achievements were accomplished in both 3D printing materials and machines that made 3D printing a viable way to produce parts in recent years. However, in terms of printing parameters, there is still much room for advancements. This paper discusses four of the 3D printing parameters that affect the properties of the final products made by chopped glass fibre-filled nylon filaments; these parameters are the printing temperature, nozzle diameter, layer height, and infill orientation. Furthermore, a polynomial function was fitted to the measured data points, which made it possible to calculate the tensile strength, flexural strength, and Young's modulus of the 3D-printed samples based on their printing parameters. A Pearson correlation analysis was also carried out to determine the impact of each parameter on all three mechanical properties studied. Both the infill orientation and printing temperature had a significant effect on both strengths and Young's modulus, while the effect of nozzle diameters and layer heights were dependent on the infill orientation used. Also, a model with excellent performance was established to predict the three mechanical properties of the samples based on the four major parameters used. As expected from a fibre-reinforced material, the infill orientation had the most significant effect on the tensile strength, flexural strength, and Young's modulus. The temperature was also quite significant, while the nozzle diameters and layer height effect were situational. The highest values for the tensile strength, flexural strength, and Young's modulus were 72 MPa, 78.63 MPa, and 4243 MPa, respectively, which are around the same values the manufacturer states.

Improving modelling for epidemic responses: reflections from members of the UK infectious disease modelling community on their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background The COVID-19 pandemic both relied and placed significant burdens on the experts involved from research and public health sectors. The sustained high pressure of a pandemic on responders, such as healthcare workers, can lead to lasting psychological impacts including acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, burnout, and moral injury, which can impact individual wellbeing and productivity. Methods As members of the infectious disease modelling community, we convened a reflective workshop to understand the professional and personal impacts of response work on our community and to propose recommendations for future epidemic responses. The attendees represented a range of career stages, institutions, and disciplines. This piece was collectively produced by those present at the session based on our collective experiences. Results Key issues we identified at the workshop were lack of institutional support, insecure contracts, unequal credit and recognition, and mental health impacts. Our recommendations include rewarding impactful work, fostering academia-public health collaboration, decreasing dependence on key individuals by developing teams, increasing transparency in decision-making, and implementing sustainable work practices. Conclusions Despite limitations in representation, this workshop provided valuable insights into the UK COVID-19 modelling experience and guidance for future public health crises. Recognising and addressing the issues highlighted is crucial, in our view, for ensuring the effectiveness of epidemic response work in the future.

Identifying China's distinctive academic fields among the top 2% of influential scientists: A bibliometric analysis using Rasch KIDMAP.

Leading scientists worldwide are recognized by their placement in the top 2% based on their career-spanning contributions, as categorized by the Science-Metrix classification. However, there has been little focus on the unique scientific fields and subfields that separate countries. Although the KIDMAP in the Rasch model has been utilized to depict student performance, its application in identifying distinctive academic areas remains unexplored. Our study uses this model to pinpoint unique research domains specific to countries based on the top 2% author data. We sourced our data from Elsevier career-long author database updated until the end of 2022. This encompassed 168 countries, 22 scientific domains, and 174 subdomains in 2021 and 2022 (with a total of 194,983 and 204,643 researchers, respectively). Our approach was threefold: identifying unique fields, subfields, and researchers. Visualizations included scatter plots, KIDMAP, and the Impact Bam Plot (IBP). China distinctive research areas were identified using the Rasch KIDMAP. Key insights include the following: The US prevailing dominance in scientific domains in both 2021 and 2022. China distinct contribution in the "Enabling & Strategic Technologies" domain. China notable emphasis on the "Complementary & Alternative Medicine" subfield in 2022. Dr Phillip Low from the Mayo Clinic (US) emerged as a leading figure in the General & Internal Medicine research domain. Despite trailing the US in global research achievements, China showcased pronounced expertise in specific scientific areas, such as the "Complementary & Alternative Medicine" subfield in 2022, when compared to China other subfields based on the level of academic performance (-3.09 logits). Future research could benefit from incorporating KIDMAP visuals to gauge other countries' strengths in various research sectors, expanding beyond the China-centric focus in this study.