Role Of Cooperation Research Articles

India and the Indo-Pacific in the Post-Pandemic World Order

Indo-Pacific is a geopolitical construct that combines the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, representing the new strategic reality of the twenty-first century. Indo-Pacific is also considered significant for countries as it is a strategic and economic domain with a critical role in maritime security and cooperation. With a strategic location in the Indo-Pacific region, India is now a theatre of opportunity to increase its role regionally and globally. The Indian Ocean carries 90 per cent of India’s trade and its energy sources, and nearly 50 per cent of India’s trade is centred in the IndoPacific region. India’s relations with incredible powers, island nations, and smaller littoral states will significantly shape India’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Increasing non-traditional threats and growing challenges from rising China are significant drivers of India’s policy options in the post-pandemic world. India’s soft power diplomacy and bilateral and multilateral partnerships in the region continue to be decisive factors for security and balance of power in the post-pandemic scenario. Thus, the geo-strategic environment of the Indo-Pacific in the post-pandemic era is crucial for India and the countries in the Indo-Pacific region as a whole for their growth, development, and security. Thus, this paper explores India’s crucial role in ensuring the security and equilibrium of the post-pandemic Indo-Pacific through a comprehensive analysis of its strategic initiatives and regional dynamics.

정서적 양극화 줄이기 : 상위정체성과 협치의 효과에 관한 두 개의 실험

정서적 양극화 줄이기 : 상위정체성과 협치의 효과에 관한 두 개의 실험

Effect of innovation voucher-based collaboration on high-tech SMEs’ innovation: the moderating role of knowledge stock

ABSTRACT Innovation voucher is an “innovation currency” issued by the government to subsidize high-tech small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to purchase services from external knowledge providers. Based on the knowledge-based view, this study examines the effect of the breadth and depth of innovation voucher-based collaboration on exploratory innovation and exploitative innovation. We use a sample of 865 high-tech SMEs that received innovation voucher support in Shanghai from 2019 to 2020. The results demonstrate that collaboration breadth is beneficial to SMEs’ exploitative innovation, and knowledge stock plays a positive moderating role in the relationship; while collaboration depth is detrimental to SMEs’ exploratory innovation, and knowledge stock negatively moderates the effect. This study adds empirical evidence to the role of innovation voucher cooperation in promoting innovation among high-tech SMEs, and it is an important guide for high-tech SMEs to carry out innovation activities in the context of innovation voucher policy.

The relationship between coauthorship and the research impact of medical doctoral students: A social capital perspective

Research impact is an important manifestation of research competence and the focus of medical education. This study is dedicated to exploring the relationships between coauthorship networks and the research impact of Chinese medical doctoral students from a social capital perspective. A total of 16291 scientific papers from 237 doctoral students and 126 mentors at Chinese universities were selected from databases, and a study dataset including 19 variables was constructed. Nine independent variables were defined and obtained through coauthorship network analysis, and the doctoral students’ research impact, as the only dependent variable, was used to test the hypothesized relationships among the variables. The results show that the betweenness centrality, student-mentor coauthorship count and the partnership ability index significantly affect the h-index. Specifically, the coauthorship unit count plays the most important role in developing centrality, which, in turn, produces a higher h-index. In addition, betweenness centrality, student–mentor coauthorship count and the partnership ability index are good predictors of the likelihood of doctoral students entering the greater research impact group and especially improving their betweenness centrality. Specifically, doctoral students whose partnership ability index is greater than 2, student-mentor coauthorship count is greater than 4, coauthorship unit count is greater than 6, and betweenness centrality is greater than 0.02 are considered to have greater research impact. These findings suggest that the important roles of cooperation in the development of research competence and good mentorship in the acquisition of social capital by doctoral students should be emphasized. Several strategies are advised for harnessing social capital rooted in doctoral students’ coauthorship network for relevant organizations, mentors and doctoral students who want to increase medical doctoral students’ research impact.

LEGAL FRAMEWORKS FOR REGULATING CYBERCRIME AND CYBER TERRORISM

Cybercrime and cyber terrorism pose significant challenges to global security and stability in the digital age. This paper explores the legal frameworks established to regulate these phenomena, analyzing their effectiveness and limitations. It examines the evolving nature of cyber threats, the complexities of defining cybercrime and cyber terrorism, and the role of international cooperation in addressing these issues. Drawing on case studies and legislative examples, this paper identifies key strategies for enhancing legal frameworks to combat cyber threats in the 21st century. Keywords: Cybercrime, Cyber Terrorism, Legal Frameworks, Legislation, Cybersecurity, International Cooperation.

The Rise of Cybercrime-as-a-service: Implications and Countermeasures

The rise of Cybercrime-as-a-Service (CaaS) represents a new frontier in the evolution of cybercrime, where sophisticated tools and malicious services are made readily available to a broad range of users through online marketplaces, often on the dark web. CaaS has democratized cybercrime, enabling even low-skilled attackers to launch powerful cyberattacks such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), phishing campaigns, and ransomware attacks with ease. This paper explores the operational structure of CaaS, including the use of cryptocurrencies for transactions and the global reach of these illicit platforms. The implications of this shift extend beyond economic losses, threatening national security, corporate stability, and personal privacy. While governments and law enforcement agencies are struggling to keep pace with the rapid evolution of these services, the paper examines legal and regulatory challenges in combating CaaS, as well as the role of international cooperation. Furthermore, it discusses technological countermeasures, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, as potential solutions to mitigate the threat. Ethical considerations surrounding the surveillance and control of online spaces are also addressed. The paper concludes by highlighting future trends in CaaS and stressing the need for a balanced approach between innovation and security to effectively counter this growing threat.

Does cooperative membership facilitate access to credit for women farmers in rural Kenya?

Potential borrowers' demand for credit is restrained by agricultural risk, while microfinance institutions favor male over female farmers because the latter have no collateral. We investigate whether women's membership in cooperatives facilitates access to credit. Primary data from Kenya were used. Descriptive statistics, propensity score matching, and probit regression methods were applied. The results show that 78 % of the respondents did not apply for credit mostly because of high interest rates and being risk-averse; while 60 % of those denied credit were due to lack of collateral. The estimates indicate that joining cooperatives increases the probability of female farmers' access to credit; transparency in cooperatives' financial activities increases the probability of accessing credit by 72 %. Given the core role of cooperatives, there is a need for a favorable environment in which cooperatives can form, develop, and thrive. Cooperatives need support from the government and development agencies to buffer their financial and management capacities and skills training. Subsequently bolstering women farmers' participation in cooperatives.

Cooperative performance and lead firm support in cleaner production adoption: SEM-fsQCA analysis of precision agriculture acceptance in Vietnam

To drive sustainable agricultural development, farmers in developing countries must prioritize adoption of precision agriculture (PA) as a cleaner production practice. This study investigates factors influencing smallholder rice farmers' behavioral intention (BI) to adopt such technology in Vietnam. Data from 568 farmers was analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). This study makes a significant contribution to extending the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) by demonstrating the substantial positive influence of lead firm support on the intention to adopt PA technology. Also, a key novelty of this research is its exploration of the moderating role of cooperatives’ performance in enhancing the effects of external support factors, such as government and lead firms. Additionally, the fsQCA indicates that the combination of strong external support from the government, lead firms, and cooperatives can foster high adoption intentions even under challenging internal facilitating conditions. The findings may be generalized beyond Vietnam to other developing countries to offer insights for policymakers, cooperatives, and lead firms to improve agricultural efficiency and productivity.

BUILDING A PEOPLE'S ECONOMIC ECOSYSTEM THROUGH THE SYNERGY OF COOPERATIVES AND MSMES FOR GOLDEN INDONESIA 2045

This article analyzes strategies for building a people's economic ecosystem through optimizing synergy between cooperatives and MSMEs in order to realize the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045. Using a literature analysis and secondary data approach, this study explores the concept of the people's economic ecosystem, the role of cooperatives, the challenges and opportunities of MSMEs, and the synergy strategy between the two sectors. The implementation of the grand theory of growth and equity was also discussed as a policy foundation. The results of the analysis show that strengthening the digital ecosystem, optimizing collaboration between stakeholders, and developing a data-based monitoring system are the keys to building effective synergy between cooperatives and MSMEs. This study concludes that with the right strategy, the synergy of cooperatives and MSMEs can be the main driver in creating inclusive and sustainable economic growth towards Golden Indonesia 2045. Policy recommendations include strengthening digital infrastructure, improving cross-sector coordination, and developing a comprehensive evaluation system to support evidence-based decision-making in the development of the cooperative and MSME sectors

Az Europol-együttműködés tapasztalatai

Aim: The aim of the article is to present the practical experience of cooperation between Europol, which plays a key role in international criminal cooperation, and Hungary. Methodology: The author collected knowledge about the operation of Europol and its investigative support services by studying the available EU legislation, and by working as the Head of the Hungarian Liaison Bureau at Europol, as well as by carrying out the tasks of the former expert in the cyber-attacks priority and the deputy national EMPACT coordinator. Findings: Europol’s system of cooperation with the Member States and operational and strategic partners provides the law enforcement agencies of the countries concerned with an opportunity that no other agency, institution or organisation can offer. In addition to supporting specific investigations, the institutional system also provides countries with IT, strategic and financial support. Value: The article aims to provide a practical and comprehensive overview of the state of cooperation with Europol, to give a deeper insight into the day-to-day work of the law enforcement and judicial authorities and to provide the interested reader with contextualized insights into the steps and processes involved.

Experience of the Europol cooperation

Aim: The aim of the article is to present the practical experience of cooperation between Europol, which plays a key role in international criminal cooperation, and Hungary. Methodology: The author collected knowledge about the operation of Europol and its investigative support services by studying the available EU legislation, and by working as the Head of the Hungarian Liaison Bureau at Europol, as well as by carrying out the tasks of the former expert in the cyber-attacks priority and the deputy national EMPACT coordinator. Findings: Europol’s system of cooperation with the Member States and operational and strategic partners provides the law enforcement agencies of the countries concerned with an opportunity that no other agency, institution or organisation can offer. In addition to supporting specific investigations, the institutional system also provides countries with IT, strategic and financial support. Value: The article aims to provide a practical and comprehensive overview of the state of cooperation with Europol, to give a deeper insight into the day-to-day work of the law enforcement and judicial authorities and to provide the interested reader with contextualised insights into the steps and processes involved.

The coexistence of a BRCA2 germline and a DICER1 somatic variant in two first-degree cousins suggests their potential synergic effect

Cancer predisposition syndromes are recognized in about 10% of pediatric malignancies with several genes specifically involved in a subset of pediatric tumors such as DICER1, in pleuropulmonary blastoma, cystic nephroma, and brain sarcomas. By contrast, the role of BRCA1/2 in pediatric cancer predisposition is still under investigation. We present two cases of young first-degree cousins, both carrying a germline BRCA2 variant and developing tumors characterized by somatic DICER1 mutations. Patient 1 presented with a cystic nephroma harboring a somatic DICER1 variant (p.Asp1810Tyr), while patient 2 had a primary intracranial DICER1-mutated sarcoma showing a distinct somatic DICER1 variant (p.Asp1709Glu) as well as biallelic inactivation of TP53 (p.Val173Leu, VAF 91%) and APC (p.Ile1307Lys, VAF 95%) and a pathogenic variant in KRAS (p.Gln61His). Both patients carried the same germline BRCA2 variant (p.Arg2842Cys) of unknown significance. The same variant was found in the mother of patient 2 and in the father of patient 1, who are siblings. A homologous recombination deficiency signature was not identified in any of the two tumors, possibly suggesting a reduction of BRCA2 activity. The association of BRCA2 and DICER1 variants in our cases hints at a potential cooperative role in cancer pathogenesis. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the interplay between BRCA1/2 and DICER1 variants and their implications for cancer predisposition and treatment in pediatric patients.

The European Conservatives and Reformists Group: Cooperation or Opposition in Europe’s Parliament?

ABSTRACT The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group has emerged as an important player in European Parliament (EP) decision-making. Drawing on about 1,300 EP plenary votes from July 2019 to June 2022, we demonstrate that the ECR group has played an active and often cooperative role in the politics of the EP, albeit not in the policy areas where its national conservative and soft Eurosceptic ideology comes to prominence, such as women’s rights or institutional affairs. We complement the quantitative analysis with an in-depth investigation of the group’s position on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. Our investigation shows that the ECR group’s unified stance against migration has often failed to translate into cohesive legislative actions by its national party delegations, aligning instead with national interests as defined by these parties.

Pengaruh Peran Koperasi Dalam Menumbuhkan Jiwa Kewirausahaan Pada Pengurus Dan Anggota Koperasi Sekolah SMAN Banjarmasin

This study aims to analyze the influence of the role of cooperatives in fostering the entrepreneurial spirit, especially in the administrators and members of school cooperatives in SMAN Banjarmasin City. The research method used is descriptive research with a quantitative approach. Samples were taken using purposive sampling technique as many as 163 people consisting of administrators and members of school cooperatives. Data collection techniques through observation, interviews and questionnaires to administrators and members of school cooperatives and by taking references from journals, books and other relevant sources. Instrument analysis in this study used the Rasch Model. Data analysis in this study was conducted using descriptive statistical analysis, classical assumption analysis, simple regression analysis and partial test (t-test). The results showed that there was a positive influence between the role of cooperatives on the entrepreneurial spirit of the administrators and members of school cooperatives in Banjarmasin City High School.

BIMSTEC at a Crossroads: Enhancing Regional Cooperation through Institutionalization and Leadership

BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) represents a significant framework for regional cooperation, linking South Asia and Southeast Asia. Despite its potential, BIMSTEC has historically faced challenges in institutional development, struggling to distinguish itself from other regional organizations such as SAARC and ASEAN. However, recent geopolitical shifts and the stagnation of SAARC have positioned BIMSTEC as a more viable platform for regional integration. This study explores strategies to rejuvenate BIMSTEC by focusing on institutionalization and leadership dynamics, particularly in light of India’s growing influence within the organization. It examines how effective institutionalization can enhance BIMSTEC’s operational capacity, with particular emphasis on the role of formal and informal leadership. The study also analyzes the economic and political motivations of member states, highlighting the critical need for robust institutional frameworks to support sustainable cooperation. Through a comprehensive review of secondary data, including academic research and official documents, this paper provides policy recommendations for strengthening BIMSTEC’s role in regional cooperation.

Sustainability Analysis of the Revolving Fund Program of the LPDB (Revolving Fund Management Institution): MICMAC Method Approach

The importance of access to credit for micro, small, and household craft enterprises, including cooperatives, has become a major focus in improving working capital financing and capital accumulation to support industrial income. The government through the LPDB (Revolving Fund Management Institution) has launched a revolving fund program that aims to strengthen the capital base of cooperatives, increase the capacity of human resources in business and financial management, and increase the role of cooperatives in expanding employment opportunities and reducing poverty. According to data from the Cooperative Business Development Division of the Denpasar City MSME Cooperative Office, from 2021 to 2023, there were five cooperatives that received the LPDB revolving fund program, but did not consistently reapply for the funds. This raises concerns regarding the sustainability of the program and the factors that influence it. This study aims to identify the factors that influence the sustainability of the LPDB program for cooperatives in Denpasar City. Using the MICMAC (Matrix of Cross Impact Multiplications Applied to a Classification) analysis method, this study reveals that the revolving fund administration requirements and members' information and knowledge about the revolving fund have the most significant direct influence. These findings underscore the importance of simplifying the administrative process and improving member knowledge to ensure the success of the program. In addition, active member participation emerged as an important predictor of program sustainability, highlighting the importance of members' direct involvement in supporting their economic activities. Thus using this method can uncover critical factors, and provide a comprehensive understanding that can inform policy adjustments and strategic implementation to improve program sustainability.

Neuroimmune Crossroads: The Interplay of the Enteric Nervous System and Intestinal Macrophages in Gut Homeostasis and Disease.

A defining unique characteristic of the gut immune system is its ability to respond effectively to foreign pathogens while mitigating unnecessary inflammation. Intestinal macrophages serve as the cornerstone of this balancing act, acting uniquely as both the sword and shield in the gut microenvironment. The GI tract is densely innervated by the enteric nervous system (ENS), the intrinsic nervous system of the gut. Recent advances in sequencing technology have increasingly suggested neuroimmune crosstalk as a critical component for homeostasis both within the gut and in other tissues. Here, we systematically review the ENS-macrophage axis. We focus on the pertinent molecules produced by the ENS, spotlight the mechanistic contributions of intestinal macrophages to gut homeostasis and inflammation, and discuss both existing and potential strategies that intestinal macrophages use to integrate signals from the ENS. This review aims to elucidate the complex molecular basis governing ENS-macrophage signaling, highlighting their cooperative roles in sustaining intestinal health and immune equilibrium.

Agent-based evolutionary game dynamics uncover the dual role of resource heterogeneity in the evolution of cooperation

Cooperation is a cornerstone of social harmony and group success. Environmental feedbacks that provide information about resource availability play a crucial role in encouraging cooperation. Previous work indicates that the impact of resource heterogeneity on cooperation depends on the incentive to act in self-interest presented by a situation, demonstrating its potential to both hinder and facilitate cooperation. However, little is known about the underlying evolutionary drivers behind this phenomenon. Leveraging agent-based modeling and game theory, we explore how differences in resource availability across environments influence the evolution of cooperation. Our results show that resource variation hinders cooperation when resources are slowly replenished but supports cooperation when resources are more readily available. Furthermore, simulations in different scenarios suggest that discerning the rate of natural selection acts on strategies under distinct evolutionary dynamics is instrumental in elucidating the intricate nexus between resource variability and cooperation. When evolutionary forces are strong, resource heterogeneity tends to work against cooperation, yet relaxed selection conditions enable it to facilitate cooperation. Inspired by these findings, we also propose a potential application in improving the performance of artificial intelligence systems through policy optimization in multi-agent reinforcement learning. These explorations promise a novel perspective in understanding the evolution of social organisms and the impact of different interactions on the function of natural systems.

Mental health of the Pacific Island Nation communities: What the rest in the world can contribute to and learn from?

Creating Futures initiative has established a network of mental health professionals, researchers, and community members from the Pacific Island Nations (PIN), Australia, and New Zealand to address the growing challenges of mental health conditions compounded by the climate change crisis. The enormous amount of work done in Global Mental Health can be particularly helpful to improve population-level mental health. However, translation of this evidence base into practice poses several challenges. This perspective paper discusses the role of local culture and health systems context in determining the feasibility and acceptability of implementing and scaling up evidence-based interventions designed in an American-European context. The paper also advocates development (and evaluation) of mental health interventions in the PIN communities particularly and Global South generally and exporting these interventions to the rest of the world. COVID-19 crisis underlined the role of global cooperation as well as national level 'self-reliance'. In this post COVID-19 world, it will be desirable for the mental health community to cooperate and collaborate to scale up evidence-based interventions through rigorous contextualization and at the same time main-stream mental health interventions developed in the Global South by incorporating them in the Global Mental Health discourse.

Biological and clinical relevance of correlated expression levels of coding and long noncoding RNAs in HPV16 positive cervical cancers

Human papillomavirus (HPV) drives cervical cancer (CaCx) pathogenesis and viral oncoproteins jeopardize global gene expression in such cancers. In this study, our aim was to identify differentially expressed coding (DEcGs) and long noncoding RNA genes (DElncGs) specifically sense intronic and Natural Antisense Transcripts as they are located in the genic regions and may have a direct influence on the expression pattern of their neighbouring coding genes. We compared HPV16-positive CaCx patients (N = 44) with HPV-negative normal individuals (N = 34) by employing strand-specific RNA-seq and determined the relationships between DEcGs and DElncGs and their clinical implications. By performing Gene set enrichment and protein–protein interaction (PPI) analyses of DEcGs, we identified enrichment of processes crucial for abortive virus life cycle and cancer progression. The DEcGs formed 16 gene clusters which we identified through Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) plugin of Cytoscape. All the gene clusters portrayed cancer-related functions. We recorded significantly correlated expression levels of 79 DElncGs with DEcGs at proximal genomic loci based on Pearson’s Correlation coefficients. Of these gene pairs, 24 pairs portrayed significantly altered correlation coefficients among patients, compared to normal individuals. Of these, 6 DEcGs of 6 such gene pairs, belonged to 5 of the identified gene clusters, one of which was survival-associated. Out of the 24 correlated DEcG: DElncG pairs, we identified 3 pairs, where expression of both members was significantly associated with patient overall survival. The findings justify the cooperative roles of these gene pairs, in patient prognostication, thereby bearing immense potential for translation. Thus, elucidation of correlative strengths between paired DElncGs and DEcGs in patient and normal samples, could serve as a foundation for identification of therapeutic and prognostic targets of HPV16-positive CaCx.Graphical abstract