Software Solutions Research Articles

Born to go far: analyzing how emerging economy born globals make strategic changes toward internationalization

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the drivers of the internationalization scope of born global from the digital and software solution sector in an emerging economy context, which presents an unexplored avenue of research. This study endeavors to understand the individual and market-level drivers of internationalization scope. Relying on the effectuation and causation framework and reactive/proactive driver typology, this paper sheds light on the individual decision-maker’s makeup and market conditions that influence the changes between strategies in the internationalization process.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative multiple case study approach is used to explore drivers of the internationalization scope of born globals. Seven born globals from the digital and software solution sectors were depicted, and interviews with their founders were conducted.FindingsStudy findings support the utilization of effectuation theory in explaining the scope of internationalization of born globals. Furthermore, the findings attest that the two decision-making logics are interchangeable. On the market level, several context-specific factors have stirred the diversity of markets pursued by born globals. The findings evince that the founders of the born globals perceive the domestic market as small and underdeveloped; therefore, they seek more developed, easily accessible, distant markets.Originality/valueThe study contributes to a better understanding of the internationalization of born globals in an emerging economy context. We find that born globals change their strategies iteratively with the stage of internationalization.

Improving the budgetary policy of municipalities

The subject of the study is financial relations of municipalities in terms of income generation. The purpose of the article is to disclose and justify measures to increase fairness of the distribution of personal income tax by fixing the share of such a tax for the municipality in which the citizen lives but does not work. The research methods are general scientific (analysis, synthesis, deduction, classification, work with sources) and empirical ones (horizontal analysis). The article considers the problem of imbalance of local budgets caused by pendulum migration and, consequently, by outflow of income from municipalities. An information and software solution has been proposed to ensure the fair distribution of part of the personal income tax between municipalities by the place of residence and work of taxpayers. The logical model of the proposed solution and necessary changes in legislation for its implementation are described. The scope of application is the budget system of the Russian Federation, namely the spheres of municipal finance. Further research should be aimed at identifying additional reserves for strengthening the financial autonomy of municipalities. The expected results of the work include improving the financial situation of the population, optimising the budget system and leveling the level of development of municipalities. The importance of the proposed solution for balanced regional development and improving the quality of life of citizens is emphasised.

The potential of helichrysum italicum essential oil-infused alginate coatings and film for prolonging the shelf-life of cherry tomatoes

This study aimed to develop edible coatings and films using sodium alginate (1 % Alg) and varying concentrations of Helichrysum italicum essential oil (HIEO) (0.3 % and 0.5 %) for cherry tomato preservation. The treatments consisted of Alg, Alg/0.3 % HIEO, and Alg/0.5 % HIEO. The physico-chemical, mechanical, water vapor permeability, optical, thermal, and antifungal properties of these coatings and films were examined. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses showed that the addition of HIEO resulted in a heterogeneous morphology and slight chemical structural changes in the Alg film. The Alg/0.5 % HIEO films exhibited improved water vapor permeability, antioxidant capacity, ultraviolet light barrier properties, elongation at break, and thermal stability. Additionally, 0.5 % HIEO significantly reduced the mycelial growth of Botrytis cinerea (in vitro), making Alg/0.5 % HIEO the optimal coating. Cherry tomatoes coated with Alg/0.5 % HIEO and stored at 25 °C and 60 % relative humidity for 18 d showed reduced weight loss (5.22 ± 1.45 %) and preserved firmness (6.43 N). This coating also inhibited the Rhizopus stolonifer lesion diameter by 61.36 % (in vivo). In conclusion, Alg/0.5 % HIEO coatings are promising sustainable active packaging solutions for cherry tomato storage applications.

“Design of a Trustworthy Cloud-Native National Digital Health Information Infrastructure for Secure Data Management and Use”

Abstract Since 2022, Malawi Ministry of Health (MoH) designated the development of a National Digital Health Information System (NDHIS) as one of the most important pillars of its national health strategy. This system is built upon a distributed computing infrastructure employing the following state-of-art technologies: (1) digital healthcare devices to capture medical data; (2) Kubernetes-based Cloud-Native Computing architecture to simplify system management and service deployment; (3) Zero-Trust Secure Communication to protect confidentiality, integrity and access rights of medical data transported over the Internet; (4) Trusted Computing to allow medical data to be processed by certified software without compromising data privacy and sovereignty. Trustworthiness, including reliability, security, privacy and business integrity, of this system was ensured by a peer-to-peer network of trusted medical information guards deployed as the gatekeepers of every computing node on this system. This NDHIS shall facilitate Malawi to attain universal health coverage by 2030 through its scalability and operation efficiency. It shall improve medical data quality and security by adopting a paperless approach. It will also enable MoH to offer data rental services to healthcare researchers and AI model developers around the world. This project is spearheaded by the Digital Health Division (DHD) under MoH. The trustworthy computing infrastructure was designed by a taskforce assembled by the DHD in collaboration with Luke International in Norway, and a consortium of hardware and software solution providers in Taiwan. A prototype that can connect community clinics with a district hospital has been tested at the Taiwan Pingtung Christian Hospital.

Spatiotemporal Moisture Field

For monitoring capillary moisture conduction, the most important parameter is the moisture conductivity coefficient, which is a material characteristic; however, its use in practical calculations is not very common. For further development in the field of liquid moisture propagation, an automated measuring apparatus has been developed and granted a European patent. Its essence lies in detecting the liquid water content based on a well-known physical phenomenon: electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range. The determination of the spatiotemporal moisture field is the first and fundamental step for describing transportation phenomena. The moisture field thus created allows for the viewing of the moisture conductivity coefficient, which is one of the most important parameters in describing transportation phenomena as a function of moisture. The presence of water in building materials can significantly affect their physical properties, such as mechanical or thermal–technical characteristics. This may lead to unacceptable consequences, which might only manifest after a certain period of time. In the case of multi-layered structures, moisture can transfer from one material to another. Therefore, it is essential to address this process. The advantage of the software solution described by the methodology is the use of an open communication protocol in the form of a synchronized array, which is not common in typical applications of this type. The principle of separating hardware modules is also unusual for devices of this type, as it requires the independent communication of each module with the control software. Mutual communication is handled exclusively at the software level, making it possible to modify, optimize, or parameterize the procedures as needed. Upon closer examination of the wetting curves of various materials, anomalies were revealed in some of their structures. This can be advantageously utilized in the research of newly developed composite materials. The assembled system of measuring instruments, their software integration, and control provide a foundation for the practical application of the described procedures and methods for determining the moisture field of building materials. The parameterization of individual processes, as well as the open access to data, allows for the optimization of the methodology, as materials of entirely different characteristics may require an individual approach, which will certainly contribute to the advancement of science and research in this area. Currently, this work is being followed by further extensive studies, not yet published by the authors, focusing on the application of the described moisture field to evaluate the moisture conductivity coefficient as a function dependent on the material’s mass moisture content. Their application requires specific mathematical and programming approaches due to the significant volume of data involved.

Technical, hardware and software solutions for monitoring natural processes in the southern part of the Sea of Okhotsk

Technical, hardware and software solutions for monitoring natural processes in the southern part of the Sea of Okhotsk

Control System for a Heavy Ion Laser Source at Synchrotron Complex ICCR

The article describes the control system for a laser source of heavy ions. The control system has a hierarchical multilevel architecture, determined by the hierarchical structure of the laser ion source, and is a part of the control systems of the linear heavy ion injector and the entire synchrotron complex. The article describes the basic requirements for the control system and the general principles of its construction, and the circuitry and software solutions selected in accordance with these requirements and principles, such as: organization of data exchange between individual nodes in the automated control system; determination of algorithms for working with individual devices and subsystems of the ion source, and with the ion source as a unified system; selection of types and structural schemes of controllers of individual subsystems. The hierarchical structure of the automated control system and control subsystems for all the main devices of the laser source are also described.

Study of Bulk Packaging for Black Mustard [Brassica nigra (L.) W.D.J. Koch] and Assessment of Shelf Life for Export

Mustard is a shelf-stable product with suspended respiration processes, though biochemical, microbial, and other decomposition activities can persist depending on storage conditions. To address these challenges, a study was undertaken to develop effective bulk packaging solutions for mustard. This involved testing various packaging materials, analyzing shelf life, and setting specifications for export packaging.

Sustainable Software Solutions: A Tool Integrating Life Cycle Analysis and ISO Quality Models

Sustainable Software Solutions: A Tool Integrating Life Cycle Analysis and ISO Quality Models

Automatic Method of Macular Diseases Detection Using Deep CNN-GRU Network in OCT Images

Abstract The increasing development of Deep Learning mechanism allowed ones to create semi-fully or fully automated diagnosis software solutions for medical imaging diagnosis. The convolutional neural networks are widely applied for central retinal diseases classification based on OCT images. The main aim of this study is to propose a new network, Deep CNN-GRU for classification of early-stage and end-stages macular diseases as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema (DME). Three types of disorders have been taken into consideration: drusen, choroidal neovascularization (CNV), DME, alongside with normal cases. The created automatic tool was verified on the well-known Labelled Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) dataset. For the classifier evaluation the following measures were calculated: accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score. Based on these values, it can be stated that the use of a GRU layer directly connected to a convolutional network plays a pivotal role in improving previously achieved results. Additionally, the proposed tool was compared with the state-of-the-art of deep learning studies performed on the Labelled OCT dataset. The Deep CNN-GRU network achieved high performance, reaching up to 98.90% accuracy. The obtained results of classification performance place the tool as one of the top solutions for diagnosing retinal diseases, both early and late stage.

Improving functional properties of starch-based films by ultraviolet (UV-C) technology: Characterization and application on minced meat packaging

This study aimed to utilize UV-C technology to improve the functional properties of starch-based films for minced meat packaging. Starch film solutions were exposed to UV-C light for varying durations (15, 30, 60, and 120 min). Results revealed significant reductions in the water solubility, swelling degree, and elongation at break values of films following treatment (P < 0.05). Opacity values consistently increased with prolonged UV exposure time, particularly in films treated for 30, 60, and 120 min (P < 0.05). Also, the water contact angle of films significantly increased (P < 0.05) while their water vapor permeability decreased. SEM observations showed that UV-C treatment resulted in excellent miscibility, compatibility, and strong intermolecular bonding in starch films. FTIR, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis further confirmed the excellent compatibility of UV-C-treated films within the film matrix. Notably, starch films treated with UV-C for 60 min exhibited the best characteristics for minced meat packaging. Minced meat packaged with these treated films showed lower thiobarbituric acid values (0.033 mg MDA/kg sample) and total viable counts (5.93 log CFU/g) than those packaged with untreated films throughout storage. These findings highlight the significant potential of UV-C-treated starch-based films, particularly those treated for 60 min, as functional packaging solutions for minced meat preservation.

Inter-Vendor differences in speckle tracking strain - A ten year follow-up on the Strain Standardization Task Force Inter-Vendor Comparison Study

Abstract Background Global longitudinal strain (GLS) derived from two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography is feasible and accurate. Nonetheless, in 2013, the Inter-Vendor Comparison Study showed significant differences of measurement results among vendors. In order to make tracking-based strain imaging a clinically accepted and useful parameter, it is of outmost importance to have interchangeable and accurate measurement results from all vendors. Purpose To investigate if the efforts of the EACVI/ASE/Industry Task Force to Standardize Deformation Imaging have led to a reduction of inter-vendor differences during the past ten years. Methods In an unique setting, in one single room, 372 echocardiographic examinations were performed in sixty-two subjects (50 male, age 56.1 ± 16.98) with a wide range of left ventricular (LV) function (ejection fraction from 30% to 64%) using ultrasound systems from six manufacturers. Each subject was scanned consecutively on all machines by the same assigned experienced sonographer. For each subject two image sets of LV apical views were acquired in order to assess reproducibility in a true test-retest setting. We assessed mean GLS (GLSAV) as average peak systolic global strain from the three apical views on five vendor-specific and five vendor-independent software solutions. We measured endocardial and mid-/full-wall GLS. Since there is no gold standard method to measure GLS, we compared GLSAV of each vendor to the average of the GLS values only from vendors that provide tracking software solutions (SWS) for clinical use. Results For both endocardial (Figure 1) and mid-/full-wall (Figure 2) GLS measurements from clinical SWS were comparable and within a very narrow range (mean GLS of vendors 17.25 ± 0.3% and 15.36 ± 0.3% respectively). The maximum absolute difference between all SWS was 4.1% and 4.9% strain units for endocardial and mid-/full-wall GLS respectively. GLSAV of each software versus the mean of clinical SWS showed significant correlation for most of the companies (r² &amp;gt;0.8, p&amp;lt;0.001). Test-retest variability of GLS measurements expressed as relative mean error was good and lower than for LV ejection fraction (6.3% on average for mean GLS and 7% for LV ejection fraction, p&amp;gt;0.05). Conclusions Our data show a substantial inter-vendor bias in GLS measurements. Nevertheless, in contrast to the situation ten years ago, companies that provide tracking software solutions for clinical use provide now very similar GLS values. In addition, most companies do now allow mid-/full-wall tracking. Our data indicate that the efforts of the strain standardization task force have been fruitful. A continuing effort is needed until all software providers adhere to the task force consensus recommendations.Figure 1Figure 2

Cloud-Based Automatic Configuration and Disaster Recovery of Communication Systems Applied in Engineering Training

Network management and troubleshooting require not only a grasp of advanced concepts but also the development of analytical and problem-solving skills. To bridge this gap, this paper introduces a novel network administration system, DRACSC (Spanish acronym for device for automatic recovery and configuration of communication systems), designed for the automatic configuration and disaster recovery of communication equipment. This system transcends the limitations of current hardware and software solutions by combining their advantages, boasting portability, automated functions, and a cloud-based repository as its main features. The DRACSC system, undergoing a comprehensive large-scale evaluation involving diverse user groups across multiple institutions, was tested with 89 users, including students and teachers at educational centers and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) professionals. The benefits of the system were evaluated through a training program based on simulated real-world ICT environments, focusing on both quantitative results on the reduction in time to complete user tasks, as well as qualitative results on the interface and usability of the system. Statistical analysis, including Welch’s t-test on opinion surveys, indicated a significant increase in knowledge and understanding, demonstrating the system’s potential to enhance education and practice. Moreover, the evaluation shed light on the user experience, with positive impacts observed for learning and teaching implications. As a result, the study has verified that the system has the potential to significantly influence network management practices, enhancing both learning and professional application through improved efficiency and usability.

Visible light-activated dye-sensitized TiO2 antibacterial film: A novel strategy for enhancing food safety and quality

Antibacterial packaging holds promise in addressing food spoilage by inactivating bacteria, but current antimicrobial packaging solutions face challenges like depletion of antibacterials and concerns of antibiotic abuse. In response to these limitations of existing packaging materials, we developed a novel antibacterial packaging film by incorporating titanium dioxide (TiO2)- tetra(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TcPP) conjugates into cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) films. Unlike conventional antimicrobial packaging, this film harnesses visible light energy to excite electrons from TcPP to TiO2, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) that inactivate bacteria without relying on antibiotics. Results demonstrated that the film reduced 4.5, 4.6, 4.1, and 4.7-log Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Leuconostoc lactis, and Listeria innocua, respectively, in phosphate-buffered saline within 72h under 6000 lux light (3.13mW/cm2). The antimicrobial efficacy decreased as the light intensity decreased. Notably, it retains significant antimicrobial properties even under an extremely low light intensity of 600 lux (0.60mW/cm2). The analysis also revealed that singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide are the major generated ROS from the film under light exposure. When applied to cucumbers, the film reduced E. coli by 3.5 logs after 48-hour light exposure. The designed photocatalytic antibacterial film represents a major advancement in sustainable food preservation, reducing food waste by extending the shelf life of fresh produce.

Novel Forming Shoulder for Coated Paper‐Based Materials With Improved Convertibility and Minimum Wrinkles for Use in Vertical Form, Fill and Seal Machines

ABSTRACTMost vertical form, fill and seal machines use thermoplastic films. However, the gradual shift towards sustainability has created challenges for the packaging industry to employ flexible coated paper‐based materials for packing products. Forming shoulders are a crucial component in packaging machinery for creating coated paper‐based packaging as the size and shape of the packaging depend on their geometrical features. However, the shoulder geometry and design can negatively affect paper packaging by causing unwanted wrinkles and tears, which can affect the shelf lives of products. Therefore, this study focused on developing a new shoulder and optimizing its geometrical parameters for coated paper‐based packaging. Conventional forming shoulders were experimentally investigated by evaluating the influence of their geometrical parameters on flexible coated papers before focusing on optimizing the new shoulder. Additionally, this study aimed to improve the overall runnability and convertibility of the coated paper on the forming shoulder. The newly designed optimized shoulder features an enhanced geometry that can minimize the stress–strain effect. Additionally, the computerized numerical control machined new shoulder features improved web tracking and material handling process. The study achieved to produce lower surface roughness with minimum number of wrinkles on the pillow bag's surface. Furthermore, it ensures that the oil‐ and grease‐resistance properties of the converted coated paper are maintained and feature an enhanced geometry that minimizes the stress–strain effect on paper, thereby offering a more sustainable and efficient packaging solution.

The Catalog of Procedures as Part of Recordkeeping

The Regulation of the Government of the Republic of Serbia on recordkeeping of state administration bodies, which applies to other holders of public administration bodies from 2023, adapted recordkeeping to the needs of e-administration. The designed ePisarnica (Serbian erecords centre) as a unique software solution for recordkeeping and managing centralized registry of records, and a unique system for managing documents as a separate software solution, caused a number of changes in the way of managing registries on files in regard to the so far way of recordkeeping. The catalog of procedures is a new element in office business, it is a record of all administrative and non-administrative procedures of administration bodies and entities exercising public powers. The catalog also contains a codebook of records categories with retention periods. The paper will show the development and innovations in recordkeeping and the role of the catalog of proceedings in the central record of cases with special reference to the catalog of proceedings of provincial bodies.

White-light driven sterilization based on chlorine-doped cuprous oxide for antibacterial food packaging

Microbial spoilage and pathogen contamination present significant challenges to food quality and safety. Incorporating photodynamic sterilization (PDT) into active packaging films, especially using white light-driven methods, is recognized as one of the most effective strategies to combat microbial contamination and extend shelf-life. Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) shows promise due to its suitable band gap for absorbing visible light, although its photocatalytic effectiveness is hindered by electron-hole recombination. In this study, a chlorine (Cl) doping strategy was investigated to enhance Cu2O’s PDT capabilities under visible light. This approach aimed to improve Cu2O’s band structure for generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to enhance charge carrier separation efficiency, thereby inhibiting recombination. The resulting Cl-doped Cu2O (Cl-Cu2O) exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity, which was integrated into a gelatin (Gel) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)-based food packaging film, referred to as the GC/Cl-Cu2O film. This innovative film provides a white light-driven active packaging solution designed to extend the shelf life of fruits by suppressing microbial growth. This approach not only addresses food safety concerns but also mitigates economic losses associated with food waste, offering a sustainable solution to enhance the quality and safety of perishable goods.

Smart conducting polymer innovations for sustainable and safe food packaging technologies.

Biofilm formation on food packaging surfaces is a major issue in the industry, as it leads to contamination, reduces shelf life, and poses risks to human health. To mitigate these effects, developing smart coatings that can actively sense and combat microbial growth has become a critical research focus. This study is motivated by the need for intelligent packaging solutions that integrate antimicrobial agents and sensors for real-time contamination detection. It is hypothesized that combining conducting polymers (CPs) with nanomaterials can enhance antimicrobial efficacy while maintaining the mechanical integrity and environmental stability required for food packaging applications. Through the application of numerous technologies like surface modification, CP-nanoparticle integration, and multilayered coating, the antimicrobial performance and sensor capabilities of these materials were analyzed. Case studies showed a 90% inhibition of bacterial growth and a tenfold decrease in viable bacterial counts with AgNPs incorporation, extending strawberries' shelf life by 40% and maintaining fish freshness for an additional 5 days. Moreover, multilayered CP coatings in complex systems have been shown to reduce oxidative spoilage in nuts and dried fruits by up to 85%, while maintaining the quality of leafy greens for up to 3 weeks under suboptimal conditions. Environmental assessments indicated a 30% reduction in carbon footprint when CP coatings were combined with biodegradable polymers, contributing to a more transparent and reliable food supply chain. CP-based films integrated with intelligent sensors exhibit high sensitivity, detecting ammonia concentrations below 500ppb, and offer significant selectivity for sensing hazardous gases. These findings indicate that CP-based smart coatings markedly enhance food safety and sustainability in packaging applications.

Open-Source Solutions for Real-Time 3D Geospatial Web Integration

Abstract. The recent development of Urban Digital Twin (UDT) structures and the spread of Internet of Things (IoT) technology have extended the concept of Digital Twin (DT) to urban environment representation, enabling real-time connections between geospatial representations and their real-world counterparts. Concurrently, advancements in surveying technologies and web geospatial services have facilitated the acquisition of extensive 2D and 3D geospatial data, making their spatial integration essential. While some proprietary software solutions have recently enabled initial examples of UDT by integrating various 3D geospatial data and real-time sensor acquisition, the development of open-source solutions for real-time web-based geospatial management remains a challenge. This work demonstrates a possible open-source solution for developing a UDT accessible via the web. The case study involves the web visualization platform of the new Faculty of ITC building at the University of Twente in Enschede (The Netherlands), which is connected in real-time with weather data services provided by Visual Crossing (1). The platform is based on an HTML5 framework and employs WebGL JavaScript graphic libraries to visualize different modules of 3D web visualization that integrate various local and remote 3D datasets. The framework adopted in this experiment can be used in the future for developing low-cost UDT web platforms beneficial for researchers, municipalities, and private companies interested in the real-time geospatial management of urban environments.

SensorHUB – a Novel, Open-source Software Stack for Enhanced Accessibility and Secure Interoperability in IoT Project Management

Abstract. The Internet of Things (IoT) seeks to achieve seamless device connectivity and data sharing, thereby enhancing automation, efficiency, and insights in various fields of application. By delivering real-time data, IoT is essential for systems that aim to model and map the physical world to digital formats, such as digital twins or metaverses. In the recent years, there has been a surge in high-quality commercial IoT products available to various sectors. However, these solutions often come with high costs and proprietary interfaces, which hinder seamless interoperability. For users seeking cost-effective and flexible solutions, open-source software and international standards present viable alternatives. Nonetheless, despite technological progress, the adoption of open and standardized IoT software solutions is still predominantly seen among technology-affine groups or within research and development initiatives. We propose the sensorHUB, a novel IoT stack, which builds upon the Open Geospatial Consortium’s (OGC) data standard SensorThings API and enhances existing solutions towards more accessible, production-oriented solutions for diverse application domains and user groups. Key features include the provision of a new, state-of-the-art graphical user interface for managing data flows and the access to related software modules, and a secure and flexible user and access management.