Funding Source Research Articles

Effects of the Disbursement of EU Cohesion Policy 2014–2020 Funds on Improving the Energy Efficiency of Buildings in Poland and Germany

Improving the energy efficiency of buildings (IEEBs) is crucial to achieving the European Union’s ambitious climate and energy goals. To channel these efforts, new policies, legislation, sources of funding, mechanisms for distributing funds, programs, and support tools are being introduced. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the effects of the disbursement of EU Cohesion Policy 2014–2020 funds on IEEBs in Poland and Germany, filling the research gap regarding the regional differentiation of investments, beneficiaries, and the spatial distribution of subsidies and projects. An analysis was made of 7818 projects on IEEBs implemented under regional operational programs from European Regional Development Funds under Thematic Objective 4. This research was conducted for two main variables: (1) beneficiaries (8 categories) and (2) investments (8 categories). Based on this division, using a cluster analysis through the use of Ward’s agglomerative hierarchical clustering method, groupings were made in relation to beneficiaries (6 groups) and investments (6 group). The results allowed us to identify regional differences and similarities in the approach to the disbursement of funds on IEEBs, to indicate the main beneficiaries, to highlight trends in this regard, to demonstrate the impact of changes in territorial affiliation on investment targeting, and, furthermore, to capture the variation in the sophistication of the implementation of EU IEEB-related policies and legislation. The results provide a well-documented voice in the discussion of the effects of distributing EU funds for IEEBs in the regions of Poland and Germany and provide a basis for further comparative research.

Development and benefit of FDI in India

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a key source of funds for India's economic development. Totake advantage of India's evolving economic climate and lower labour, foreign firms engage directly in fastgrowingprivate Indian enterprises. There are so many advantages of Foreign Direct Investments in Indialike Promotion of investment in key areas, New technologies, Increase in Capital inflow, Increase inExports, Promotion of Employment opportunities, Promotion of financial services, Exchange ratestability and development of backward areas. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is critical to a country'seconomic development. The entry of foreign cash has allowed India to improve its infrastructure,increase productivity, and increase employment. FDI also serves as a vehicle for acquiring sophisticatedtechnology and mobilizing foreign exchange reserves. This Article is an attempt to explore new benefitsof FDI for the economic growth of the nation.

Pathways to success: a machine learning approach to predicting investor dynamics in equity and lending crowdfunding campaigns

AbstractCrowdfunding has evolved into a formidable mechanism for collective financing, challenging traditional funding sources such as bank loans, venture capital, and private equity with its global reach and versatile applications across various sectors. This paper explores the complex dynamics of crowdfunding platforms, particularly focusing on investor behaviour and investment patterns within equity and lending campaigns in Italy. By leveraging advanced machine learning techniques, including XGBoost and LSTM networks, we develop predictive models that dynamically analyze real-time and historical data to accurately forecast the success or failure of crowdfunding campaigns. To address the existing gaps in crowdfunding analysis tools, we introduce two novel datasets—one for equity crowdfunding and another for lending. Moreover, our approach extends beyond traditional binary success metrics, proposing novel measures. The insights gained from this study could support crowdfunding strategies, significantly improving project selection and promotional tactics on platforms. By enhancing decision-making processes and providing forward-looking guidance to investors, our computational model aims to empower both campaign creators and platform administrators, ultimately improving the overall efficacy and sustainability of crowdfunding as a financing tool.

Strategi Perencanaan Standarisasi Delapan Standar Nasional Pendidikan (SNP) di SDN Pamulang Indah

It can be stated that when designing a plan for a primary school, it is important to ensure that the plan is in line with the 8 National Education Standards (NES). These standards provide a solid performance framework for improving the quality of education, ensuring every aspect of education functions properly. The research method uses a descriptive qualitative approach, with interview techniques, observation and supported by documentation for data collection. The analysis through the data visualisation approach produced by Atlas.ti 9 describes Pamulang Indah Primary School as a pioneer of excellence in education. The school's unwavering commitment to implementing the 8 National Education Standards (SNP) is evident in its comprehensive and structured approach. By prioritising quality education for all. SDN Pamulang Indah has made significant progress in fulfilling most of the 8 National Education Standards (SNP), although there are still shortcomings that need attention, especially in the Financing Standard. The high dependence on APBN and BOS funds has caused some student activities to be hampered when these funds are insufficient or disbursed late. This points to the need for strategic measures to find alternative sources of funding to ensure the smooth running of all educational activities. To overcome the dependence on APBN and BOS funds, SDN Pamulang Indah can seek to diversify funding sources by collaborating with the private sector, raising funds through community activities or applying for assistance from donor agencies. With these measures, the school can be more financially independent and ensure the smooth running of all educational activities, including extra-curricular activities and facility development, without having to rely too heavily on the government budget.

Urban Greening Management Arrangements between Municipalities and Citizens for Effective Climate Adaptation Pathways: Four Case Studies from The Netherlands

The transition towards nature-based cities has increasingly become a central focus in political–environmental agendas and urban design practices, aiming to enhance climate adaptation, urban biodiversity, spatial equilibrium, and social well-being as part of the ongoing socio-ecological urban transition process. Climate adaptation in cities is a complex problem and one of the main collective challenges for society, but the relationships between city managers and citizens as to urban green care still face many challenges. Parks design guided by technical-expert and globalised criteria; inflexibility from bureaucratic inertia; and citizens’ demands to participate in the urban green transition, sometimes without the necessary knowledge or time, are some of the challenges that require further research. In this study, we examine four long-lasting approaches to green-space management in four cities in the Netherlands, ranging from municipality-driven to community-driven management forms, and encompassing diverse spatial configurations of greenery within the urban fabric. Utilising the theoretical lens of the Social–Ecological Systems Framework, we employ a multiple-case-study approach and ethnographic fieldwork analysis to gain a comprehensive understanding of the norms, collective-choice rules, and social conventions embodied in each urban green management arrangement. The purpose of this research is applied, that is, to provide urban managers and decision-makers with a deeper understanding of drivers to promote effective collaborative management approaches, focusing on specific organisational rules that may contribute to more sustained planning and maintenance pathways for urban green spaces, regardless of changes in political leadership or significant external funding sources. The results of the investigated cases show that long-lasting collaborative management of forests and parks has established a set of collective-choice rules for resource transfer between municipalities and citizens, including non-monetary resources (such as pruning-training courses or guided tours that attract tourists and researchers). Additionally, these arrangements have been favoured by the existence of legal norms that enable co-ownership of the land, and monitoring and sanctioning mechanisms that offer a slightly different interpretation from the evidence identified so far in the scientific literature on collective resource management and organisational studies.

Clinical guideline highlight for the hospitalist: Diagnosis and management of acute bacterial arthritis in children.

Clinical Practice Guideline by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA): 2023 Guideline on Diagnosis and Management of Acute Bacterial Arthritis RELEASE DATE: January 1, 2024 PRIOR VERSION(S): n/a DEVELOPER: Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS), Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) FUNDING SOURCE: PIDS and IDSA TARGET POPULATION: Children with suspected or confirmed acute bacterial arthritis.

Анализ возможностей финансирования крупных it-компаний в современной российской экономике за счёт коллективных инвестиций

The study of financing IT companies through collective investments is aimed at analyzing and evaluating this model in the context of modern economic conditions. The relevance of the topic is due to the rapid development of the technology sector and the need to find alternative sources of financing for startups and developing companies in an environment where traditional lending and investment mechanisms are often unavailable or ineffective. The purpose of this study is to assess the potential of collective investments as a tool for supporting and developing IT companies, identify the main factors influencing the success of this type of investment, and develop recommendations to improve the effectiveness of fundraising.

The role of African extractive industries in the global energy transition: An analysis of barriers and strategies

Endowed with a significant proportion of the world’s petroleum and solid mineral resources, Africa is the location of a vibrant and dynamic extractive industries sector, which today, is its chief economic mainstay. The revenue generated from the extractive industries has been a significant source of finance for public infrastructure development and investments in education, health and the development of other economic sectors across the continent. However, the African extractive industries have faced massive setbacks in recent years, in particular due to the economic disruptions caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the global transition to a low carbon economy that has formed a central part of ongoing efforts to respond to the climate change emergency. These challenges have accentuated concerns on the current and future relevance of the African extractive industries in a low-carbon economy world order.This article examines the role played by the African extractive industries in the global energy transition, contextualising these concerns against a continuum of disruption arising as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and emergent efforts to redress the crisis posed by anthropogenic climate change. If well managed, extractive resources could play a crucial role in advancing energy security and transition in the African continent in the face of these challenges. In addition to its role in addressing current high levels of energy poverty across Africa in this disruptive setting, environmentally-responsible production of extractive resources can help sustain economic and social development across Africa in going forward. This article examines the current opportunities and challenges for cleaner and environmentally-responsible extractive investments in Africa in a low carbon world. It analyses the preconditions and barriers to environmentally-responsible fossil fuels developments in Africa and highlights the key considerations for African policymakers. Its analysis is informed by recognition of, and sensitivity towards, the extreme disruption to fossil fuel governance embodied by the twin concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current “climate emergency.” Through a qualitative analysis, this research has found that if well-managed, African resource-rich countries could utilise the revenues from the extractive industries to invest in low carbon technologies.

(De)centralized governance and the value of platform-based new ventures: The moderating role of teams and transparency

AbstractDrawing on institutional and demand-side perspectives, we investigate performance implications of (de)centralized governance modes in platform-based new ventures, and the conditions under which (de)centralization generates more value. Using a sample of 1,431 Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), a new source of entrepreneurial finance, we find that centralization of decision-making is positively associated with platforms’ market value. Further, we consider how platform characteristics affect this relationship, finding that both the presence of an experienced Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and project transparency negatively moderate the positive relationship between centralization and market value. Thus, decentralized platforms need leaders with technical experience and project transparency to generate more value. Overall, this study provides a better understanding of the boundary conditions that increase the value of (de)centralized governance.

FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF CREATING SOURCES OF SHARED WATER USE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

The purpose of the article is to study the financial and economic aspects of creating sources of shared water use in rural communities, substantiating their feasibility, importance for providing the population with high-quality drinking water and sustainable economic growth.|The article states the fact of deterioration of water supply in rural areas both in quantitative and qualitative aspects. The way out can be seen in the solution of issues regarding the use of underground water, which is better protected than surface water resources, by increasing the number of sources of shared water supply. It has been substantiated that as a result of free water use, rural communities can receive such advantages as the improvement of the quality of drinking water, the efficiency of water resources, use the reliability, security and stability of the water supply source. The measures of financial and economic regulation of the use of groundwater, among which the diversification of funding sources for the renewal of water management infrastructure facilities, the attraction of credit and grant funds to renew the technical and technological base of water management enterprises, and to improve monitoring procedure for the extraction of groundwater from deep wells, have been systematized.The article reflects the results of a survey conducted in order to find out the opinion of the respondents regarding the sources of water intake, the presence of interruptions in the water supply of populated areas of Chernihiv Oblast, the need to create shared water use facilities in the community and the sources of funding for their creation. The vast majority of respondents have reported that in their communities they use wells, their own boreholes and there are interruptions in water supply, there are problems with wells drying up.

Developing environmental sustainability policy – How financing and subsidies are influencing green innovation in mineral extraction industries in China

Mineral extraction is regarded as a pollution-intensive industry and is confronted with multiple environmental sustainability challenges. This issue poses an existential crisis for mineral extraction due to continued global pressure to adopt more sustainable practices in their functioning. Despite its importance, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding how these companies encounter financial challenges, particularly in the context of high-risk, long development cycles, and the unique double externalities associated with green innovation. This research, leveraging panel data from 2016 to 2023, aims to fill this gap by examining whether Chinese mineral extraction companies demonstrate distinct preferences for specific financing sources and by evaluating the role of government in facilitating their green innovation activities. Our findings indicate that such companies utilize a mix of internal and external financing to support their green innovation projects. It is observed that the influence of external finances channels, namely government subsidies, equity financing and debt financing, on green innovation progressively weakens, a conclusion supported by multiple robustness checks. Furthermore, the study highlights the crucial role of government subsidies in motivating publicly listed companies to enhance their green innovation activities through debt and equity financing, thereby contributing to a more equitable and sustainable development paradigm in the Global South.

How do Militant Organizations Respond to Counterterrorism? Introducing the LIVE Typology, with Examples from Proscription in Pakistan

ABSTRACT How do militant organizations respond to counterterrorism? A vast literature seeks to understand the effects of counterterrorism, examining outcomes such as levels of violence. However, violence is only one way that militant groups can respond to pressure. We focus on terrorist designation or proscription, the sanctions many states and international organizations impose on militants as an attempt to weaken them. We introduce a new typology of armed group responses to counterterrorism: (L)egal tactics like lawsuits or petitions, (I)dentity shifts like name changes or fragmentation, (V)iolence increases or decreases, and (E)conomic or financial tactics such as changing funding sources. These four approaches can be summarized by the acronym LIVE. Empirically, we illustrate the model with examples from the case of militant organizations in Pakistan, an important and under-studied case. Overall, the LIVE typology can be helpful for anticipating the repertoire of responses to counterterrorism, and for explaining armed group behavior generally.

Antecedents of Financial Behavior of MSME

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have an important role in economic growth and development in Indonesia. MSMEs are an integral part of the national business world and have a strategic position, potential, and role in realizing national development goals. The way to achieve the goals above, it is necessary to have MSMEs that can survive in various conditions. Good management is needed in managing these MSMEs, one of which is the financial behavior of MSMEs because financial behavior is an individual's perception of controlling sources of funds (money). This research aims to analyze the role of financial factors that can influence the financial behavior of MSMEs. This research uses a quantitative method with a structural equation model. So, MSMEs need to have good financial behavior to maintain business continuity. The financial factors used in this research are Financial Literacy, Financial Attitude, Locus of Control, and Financial knowledge. The research results show that all the variables used have an impact on the financial behavior of MSMEs in Gresik.

Mandibular dose-volume predicts time-to-osteoradionecrosis in an actuarial normal-tissue complication probability (NTCP) model: External validation of right-censored clinico-dosimetric and competing risk application across international multi-institutional observational cohorts and online graphical user interface clinical support tool assessment.

Existing studies on osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ) have primarily used cross-sectional data, assessing risk factors at a single time point. Determining the time-to-event profile of ORNJ has important implications to monitor oral health in head and neck cancer (HNC) long-term survivors. Demographic, clinical and dosimetric data were retrospectively obtained for a clinical observational cohort of 1129 patients with HNC treated with radiotherapy (RT) at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. ORNJ was diagnosed in 198 patients (18%). A multivariable logistic regression analysis with forward stepwise variable selection identified significant predictors for ORNJ. These predictors were then used to train a Weibull Accelerated Failure Time (AFT) model, which was externally validated using an independent cohort of 265 patients (92 ORNJ cases and 173 controls) treated at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals. Our model identified that each unit increase in D25% is significantly associated with a 12% shorter time to ORNJ (Adjusted Time Ratio [ATR] 0·88, p<0·005); pre-RT dental extractions was associated to a 27% faster (ATR 0·73, p=0·13) onset of ORNJ; male patients experienced a 38% shorter time to ORNJ (ATR 0·62, p = 0·11). The model demonstrated strong internal calibration (integrated Brier score of 0·133, D-calibration p-value 0.998) and optimal discrimination at 72 months (Harrell's C-index of 0·72). The model also showed good generalization to the independent cohort, despite a slight drop in performance. This study is the first to demonstrate a direct relationship between radiation dose and the time to ORNJ onset, providing a novel characterization of the impact of delivered dose not only on the probability of a late effect (ORNJ), but the conditional risk during survivorship. This work was supported by various funding sources including NIH, NIDCR, NCI, NAPT, NASA, BCM, Affirmed Pharma, CRUK, KWF Dutch Cancer Society, NWO ZonMw, and the Apache Corporation.

Implementation and evaluation of a proactive consultation-liaison model on an inpatient obstetric unit

ObjectivePerinatal mental and anxiety disorders (PMADs) contribute to adverse health outcomes, though they are underrecognized and undertreated. Inpatient obstetric settings represent a unique opportunity for behavioral health engagement, including screening, brief treatment, and referrals for outpatient care. The proactive consultation-liaison (CL) model has proven effective in general hospital settings but is not well-studied in obstetric settings. This article describes the implementation and evaluation of a proactive CL model in an inpatient obstetric unit within a tertiary medical center. MethodsWe implemented a multidisciplinary, proactive CL model in an inpatient obstetric unit with the purpose of identifying patients at risk for or experiencing PMADs and providing intervention and/or referral to treatment. Systematic screening of 7322 admitted patients was performed over a 17-month period to identify eligible patients for behavioral health consultation. Consultation data was retrospectively extracted from the electronic medical record. Key implementation outcomes were assessed using a RE-AIM measures (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework. Results1589 initial consults were conducted by the multidisciplinary team, yielding a consult rate of 21.7 %. The majority of consults (94 %) were completed by a social worker or psychologist, with most patients identified for consultation at multidisciplinary rounds (60.7 %). The most common indications for consultation with a psychiatrist included medication management, history of bipolar disorder, and history of anxiety. All invited staff and providers participated in the model. Alternative funding sources agreed to cover the salaries of the multidisciplinary team following conclusion of pilot grant funding. ConclusionsA proactive CL model implemented in an inpatient obstetric unit led to a higher consult rate (21.7 %) than is observed with traditional CL services. A multidisciplinary proactive CL model shows promise in identifying people at-risk for PMADs and providing targeted interventions to prevent PMADs and treat those with active symptoms.

Procedure for coordination of legislative norms of financial and tax law within the framework of public law regulation

The article explores the peculiarities of harmonizing legislative norms of financial and tax law within the framework of public legal regulation. It is established that the norms of financial and tax law shape the rules for managing the financial system and taxation, contributing to a balance between the state’s needs for financial resources and the preservation of economic stability for citizens and businesses. The demarcation of norms of financial and tax law by the subject of regulation is characterized, emphasizing the common method of legal regulation. It is determined that the norms of financial law regulate budgeting, financial planning, state debt, financial accounting, financial stability, and additional sources of funding. Norms of tax law cover tax rates, tax incentives, tax accounting and reporting, and combating tax evasion. It is noted that due to the common features and subject of legal regulation, conflicts arise between the norms of financial and tax law. It is established that the public legal regulation of conflicts between the norms of financial and tax law involves a systematic and organized process aimed at harmonizing legislative norms and resolving conflicts through the activities of the executive authorities of Ukraine. The competencies of central executive authorities that contribute to the harmonization of norms of financial and tax law are characterized. It is determined that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Ministry of Finance, the State Tax Service, the Ministry of Justice, and the National Bank of Ukraine play a key role in resolving conflicts and coordinating strategies in the financial and tax sectors. It is noted that central executive authorities coordinate and cooperate for systematic conflict management and the achievement of harmony in financial and tax legislation. The efficiency of harmonizing norms of financial and tax law is ensured by creating an Interdepartmental Committee, conducting consultations and discussions, as well as adopting and implementing harmonized subordinate legislative acts. Attention is drawn to the fact that the effectiveness of harmonizing norms of financial and tax law is determined by the efficiency of the procedure for developing harmonized subordinate legislative acts conducted by central executive authorities.

Who funds zombie firms: Banks or non-banks?

Analyses of zombie firms have emphasized the role of bank financing as the reason for zombie survival. This conclusion was made despite no comparative analysis of the sources of external finance for zombie firms. This paper provides the first analysis of that sort using Finnish data. Banks are not found to fund zombie firms by more than other types of funders when shares of the credit market are taken into account. Among different types of funding sources, only the relationship between equity funding and zombie status is found to be statistically significant. While bank funding is found to be associated with a longer zombie lifetime, equity funders are found to prolong zombie lifetime by greater extent than other sources. The choice of zombie definition - of which there are many in the literature - is not uncontentious and plays a role in determining the economic significance of coefficient estimates.

Investigation of the Roles of Functional Solvents in Performance Stability of High Voltage Lithium Batteries

Li-ion batteries (LIBs) have become prevalent for portable and large-scale applications, such as personal electronic devices, unmanned aircraft systems, electric vehicles, and power grids.1 However, LIBs are approaching an asymptotic limit in specific energy (~250 Wh kg-1 at cell level); therefore, they are insufficient to meet future applications that require higher battery specific energies.2 Ni-rich cathodes, such as LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NMC811), have the potential to provide much higher specific energies for next-generation LIBs (e.g., >350 Wh kg-1) and, therefore, are considered the most promising low-cost cathode materials.3 Nevertheless, Ni-rich cathode based LIBs with conventional carbonate solvent based electrolytes face severe technical challenges, especially when cycled at high upper cutoff voltages, due to electrolyte decomposition, parasitic oxidation reactions at the electrolyte/cathode interface, irreversible phase changes in the cathodes, and dissolution of transition metals into electrolytes.4 Therefore, R&D efforts are needed to tackle the above technical challenges of Ni-rich cathode based LIBs before they become commercially viable.In our previous study,5 a ternary of fluorinated solvents was used to formulate a high voltage stable electrolyte (HVE) which was used in Ni-rich cathode based, high-voltage lithium batteries. These HVE-based batteries demonstrated a significant improvement in cycle stability when operated at a charge cutoff voltage of 4.5 V (vs Li/Li+). In this study, we investigated the roles of single-solvents and co-solvents in the cycle stability of the high-voltage lithium batteries. Several families of organic solvents, such as fluorinated carbonates and organosilicon based solvents were investigated. Our preliminary data showed that some unique combinations of the functional solvents could lead to exceptionally stable cycle performance in the high-voltage lithium batteries. We will discuss possible fundamental mechanisms responsible for the observed performance stability of the high-voltage lithium batteries using ex-situ XPS, density functional theory calculations, and other characterization techniques. References (1) Li, J.; Fleetwood, J.; Hawley, W. B.; Kays, W. From materials to cell: state-of-the-art and prospective technologies for lithium-ion battery electrode processing. Chemical Reviews 2021, 122 (1), 903-956.(2) Khan, F. N. U.; Rasul, M. G.; Sayem, A.; Mandal, N. K. Design and optimization of lithium-ion battery as an efficient energy storage device for electric vehicles: A comprehensive review. Journal of Energy Storage 2023, 71, 108033.(3) Xue, W.; Huang, M.; Li, Y.; Zhu, Y. G.; Gao, R.; Xiao, X.; Zhang, W.; Li, S.; Xu, G.; Yu, Y. Ultra-high-voltage Ni-rich layered cathodes in practical Li metal batteries enabled by a sulfonamide-based electrolyte. Nature Energy 2021, 6 (5), 495-505.(4) Yang, J.; Liang, X.; Ryu, H.-H.; Yoon, C. S.; Sun, Y.-K. Ni-Rich Layered Cathodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries: From Challenges to the Future. Energy Storage Materials 2023, 102969.(5) Poches, C.; Razzaq, A. A.; Studer, H.; Ogilvie, R.; Lama, B.; Paudel, T. R.; Li, X.; Pupek, K.; Xing, W. Fluorinated High-Voltage Electrolytes To Stabilize Nickel-Rich Lithium Batteries. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2023, 15 (37), 43648-43655. Acknowledgement This work was supported by the following funding sources. The Larry and Linda Pearson Endowed Chair at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, South Dakoda School of Mines and Technology. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, CA under Contract No N6893622C0017. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, CA. TP acknowledges the support from the SDBOR Governor Research Center for the Electrochemical Energy Storage and NASA EPSCOR-80NSSC23M0072.

Probing the Depths of Electrocatalysis Systems: X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy Reveals Catalyst Behavior

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is a powerful experimental technique used to study the electronic structure and local environment of atoms in a material. It provides valuable insights into the chemical bonding, oxidation states, and coordination geometry of elements. XAS has been widely applied in various fields of electrochemistry, including popular topics like the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR).Despite the growing recognition of the practical importance of XAS techniques, correlating experimental spectroscopy with the working mechanisms and deciphering the structure of the electrochemical interface under reaction conditions remains challenging. In the case of CO2RR, we utilized operando XAS to investigate multiple Cu-based catalysts in different cell configurations. Our findings revealed that altering the reaction environment can induce an alternative pathway for catalyst structural changes. Moreover, operando XAS demonstrated that the reduction of Cu oxide catalysts is not solely governed by applied potentials but is also influenced by mass transport and other parameters. For ORR, in situ XAS not only provides information about the local environment changes of Pt-based catalysts but also unveils surface properties through △μ-X-ray adsorption near-edge spectroscopy (△μ-XANES). This further aids in the discovery of degradation mechanisms in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In the case of HER, in situ XAS enables characterization beyond catalysts and extends to the electrochemical interface.Overall, XAS techniques play a crucial role in understanding the electronic structure and local environment of atoms in electrochemical systems, shedding light on reaction mechanisms and catalyst performance under realistic conditions Acknowledgement The authors thank the funding source from Liquid Sunlight Alliance under the U.S. DOE, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Fuels Award Number DE-SC0021266 and the Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory under the U.S. DOE Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231.

Corporate governance impact on risk disclosure in Shariah-compliant financial firms of Kuwait

Purpose This study aims to investigate the relationship between corporate governance characteristics and risk disclosure in Shariah-compliant financial firms operating in Kuwait. It aims to provide insights into the factors influencing risk disclosure practices within these institutions. Design/methodology/approach The research used manual content analysis to quantify risk disclosure levels in the annual reports of 47 Shariah-compliant financial companies listed in Kuwait in 2020. Subsequently, multiple regression analysis was conducted to assess the impact of various corporate governance factors on the extent of risk disclosure. Findings The study reveals that while Kuwaiti Shariah-compliant firms exhibit limited risk disclosure in their annual reports, larger boards and committees, along with a higher number of independent directors, positively influence the level of risk disclosure. Interestingly, the size of the Shariah supervisory boards did not show a significant impact on risk disclosure practices. Practical implications These findings hold regulatory implications for Kuwait, highlighting the need to ensure information adequacy and promote market efficiency. Additionally, they offer practical insights for managers and investors seeking to optimize fund sourcing and diversify investment portfolios within the context of Shariah-compliant financial institutions. Originality/value This study contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the relationship between corporate governance characteristics and risk disclosure in the specific context of Shariah-compliant financial firms operating in Kuwait. Furthermore, it identifies avenues for future research to delve into the influence of additional governance factors on risk disclosure practices within this unique financial landscape.