Technology Development Agency Research Articles

Impact of Human Resources Management Activities on Staff Development and Performance at Nigeria National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

Impact of Human Resources Management Activities on Staff Development and Performance at Nigeria National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

A digital service standardization model for Nigeria: The role of NITDA in regulatory compliance

The digital transformation in Nigeria has accelerated the need for effective standards and regulations to ensure quality and interoperability of digital services. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) plays a crucial role in this context by overseeing regulatory compliance and fostering a conducive environment for digital innovation. This review presents a comprehensive model for digital service standardization tailored to Nigeria's unique socio-economic and technological landscape. The proposed model emphasizes the importance of regulatory frameworks established by NITDA in promoting consistency, reliability, and security across various digital platforms and services. The model outlines key components necessary for effective standardization, including policy formulation, compliance monitoring, and stakeholder engagement. It integrates best practices from international standards while adapting them to local needs and challenges. Central to the model is the role of NITDA in developing and enforcing standards that align with global benchmarks, thereby ensuring that Nigerian digital services are competitive and secure. A significant aspect of the model is its focus on regulatory compliance, which is vital for maintaining the integrity of digital services and protecting user data. The review discusses how NITDA's regulatory initiatives address common issues such as data privacy, cybersecurity, and service quality. By examining case studies and industry feedback, the review highlights the impact of NITDA's efforts on improving the overall digital service ecosystem in Nigeria. The model also addresses the need for continuous evaluation and adaptation of standards in response to technological advancements and emerging threats. It proposes mechanisms for regular updates and revisions to standards, ensuring that they remain relevant and effective. Additionally, the review explores the role of collaborative partnerships between NITDA, industry stakeholders, and academic institutions in advancing digital service standardization. The proposed digital service standardization model provides a structured approach to enhancing regulatory compliance and fostering a robust digital environment in Nigeria. It underscores the pivotal role of NITDA in driving these efforts and offers a framework for ongoing improvement and adaptation to the dynamic digital landscape.

Preface

3nd ASEAN International Conference on Energy and Environment (AICEE) Nusa Dua Bali, Indonesia, 24 August 2023 Accelerating a Just, Secure, and Resilient Energy Transition in ASEAN through Innovation and Interconnectivity Introduction ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is an intergovernmental organization within ASEAN structure that represents the 10 ASEAN Member States’ (AMS) interests in the energy sector. With their growing population and economic growth, AMS are expected to be a new global epicentrum of energy market in the future. This trend pushes energy security as one of the highest priorities in energy development in the region. On the other hand, the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025, a regional blueprint on energy cooperation, has a theme and sub-theme in which embracing energy transition is one of the key elements to achieve regional energy security and environmental sustainability. To further accelerate the progress towards a sustainable future, enhance collaboration among various sectors, and bridge the gap between academia, policymakers, and businesses, we are delighted to announce that the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) will be hosting the 3rd ASEAN International Conference on Energy and Environment (AICEE) in conjunction with The ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) 2023 and The 41st ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) on August 24-25, 2023. These events will offer a platform for academics, practitioners, and stakeholders to network, exchange ideas, and explore innovative solutions to address the challenges of energy and the environment. The conference will take place in Bali, a stunning island renowned for its breathtaking scenery and rich cultural heritage. This unique location will provide participants with a memorable and immersive experience, allowing them to explore the fascinating local culture and gain a deeper understanding of the region’s energy and environmental issues. The event promises to be a remarkable occasion fostering collaboration and driving progress towards a sustainable future. This year’s AICEE is the third edition of the annual flagship conference held by ACE. Under the 3rd AICEE, we received 145 extended abstracts, accepted 96 extended abstracts to be compiled as Conference Proceeding and invited 76 authors to submit their full papers. To proceed with the publication, 59 papers are recommended to be the IOP Publishing process, and 44 papers are accepted for the IOP Publication of 2023 AICEE Volume. The 3rd AICEE was convened in-person presentation in partnership with Universitas Pendidikan Nasional (UNDIKNAS), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Energy Research Institute (ERI) Chulalongkorn University, National Energy Technology Center-National Science and Technology Development Agency (ENTEC-NSTDA), (ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT), Universitas Indonesia (UI), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Hawaii University, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN). List of Theme, Topic, Key Dates, Participants, Agenda, Steering Committee, Scientific Committee, Organizing Committee and Documentation are available in this Pdf.

Regulatory compliance in the age of data privacy: A comparative study of the Nigerian and U.S. legal landscapes

This comparative study delves into the intricate regulatory compliance mechanisms governing data privacy in Nigeria and the United States. Employing a qualitative methodology, this research synthesizes existing literature and case studies to highlight the pivotal role of data protection regulations in safeguarding personal information in an increasingly digital world. The analysis begins with an exploration of the conceptual framework of data privacy, emphasizing key principles such as transparency, accountability, and data minimization. It then meticulously examines the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and the diverse U.S. legal landscape, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The main findings reveal significant differences in regulatory approaches, with Nigeria's centralized enforcement by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) contrasting sharply with the U.S.'s fragmented state and federal oversight. Case studies underscore the challenges faced by both jurisdictions in ensuring compliance, ranging from resource constraints in Nigeria to the complexities of navigating multiple regulatory requirements in the U.S. The study concludes that while both countries emphasize the importance of data privacy, their divergent legal landscapes reflect unique cultural, economic, and operational contexts. The research recommends harmonizing data protection standards, enhancing enforcement mechanisms, and fostering greater public awareness to address the evolving challenges of data privacy. This study contributes to the global discourse on data privacy by offering insights into the strengths and weaknesses of different regulatory frameworks, thereby providing a roadmap for policymakers, businesses, and other stakeholders to navigate the complexities of data privacy compliance. Keywords: Data Privacy, Regulatory Compliance, Nigeria, United States, Data Protection, Legal Frameworks.

Unlocking the Potential of 5G: Innovations and Challenges in Next-Generation Telecommunication Networks in Nigeria

This study investigates the unlocking of 5G potential, focusing on innovations and challenges in next-generation telecommunication networks within Nigeria. Three research questions guided the study, employing a survey research design. The study population consisted of 38 respondents, comprising 17 Technical Unit Heads from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and 21 Heads of Telecommunication and Innovation Units from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) across six regional offices in Nigeria. Due to the small population size, the entire population was included, eliminating the need for sampling. Data collection utilized a structured questionnaire developed by the researchers, titled "Innovations and Challenges in Fifth-Generation Telecommunication Networks Questionnaire (ICFTNQ)," achieving a reliability index of 0.87 through the Cronbach Alpha reliability method. Mean statistics were utilized to address the research questions. The findings revealed the significant enhancements brought by 5G to telecommunication infrastructure in Nigeria, particularly in speed, reliability, innovation, and economic development. Key innovative strategies crucial for 5G deployment were identified, including network optimization, collaboration, infrastructure development, and regulatory support. The study recommends collaborative efforts among government, industry stakeholders, and international partners to overcome challenges and establish a robust foundation for successful 5G deployment in Nigeria.

Optimization of performance of the KM2A full array using the Crab Nebula* *Supported by the National Key R & D Program of China (2018YFA0404201, 2018YFA0404202, 2018YFA0404203, 2018YFA0404204), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (12022502, 12205314, 12105301, 12261160362, 12105294, U1931201), the Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS (2022010) and in Thailand by the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), and

The full array of the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) has been in operation since July 2021. For its kilometer-square array (KM2A), we optimized the selection criteria for very high and ultra-high energy γ-rays using data collected from August 2021 to August 2022, resulting in an improvement in significance of the detection in the Crab Nebula of approximately 15%, compared with that of previous cuts. With the implementation of these new selection criteria, the angular resolution was also significantly improved by approximately 10% at tens of TeV. Other aspects of the full KM2A array performance, such as the pointing error, were also calibrated using the Crab Nebula. The resulting energy spectrum of the Crab Nebula in the energy range of 10-1000 TeV are well fitted by a log-parabola model, which is consistent with the previous results from LHAASO and other experiments.

Long-term effects of ambient particulate matter on hypertension among royal Thai army officers: a retrospective cohort study

Recent research on the link between exposure to ambient particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter up to 2.5 microns (PM2.5) and hypertension risk has primarily concentrated on spatial variation (or between-individual comparisons). Research into temporal variations (or within-individual comparisons over time) has largely been neglected. This study sought to examine the spatial–temporal effects of long-term exposure to PM2.5 on hypertension risk among military personnel in Thailand. A retrospective cohort study was conducted, encompassing 40,984 Royal Thai Army officers from 400 army units stationed across 51 provinces in Thailand. Medical check-up data from 2018 to 2021 were analyzed alongside ambient PM2.5 data from 2015 to 2017, sourced from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency. Two parameters, PM2.5-baseline and PM2.5-change, were introduced to assess the impact of spatial and temporal PM2.5 variations on hypertension incidence. Cox proportional hazard regression was used, with hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) serving as the measure of association. The association between PM2.5-baseline and hypertension incidence yielded hazard ratios in Quartiles 2 to 4 compared to Quartile 1 of: Q2 HR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.10–1.28; Q3 HR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02–1.20; Q4 HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.05–1.22. Additionally, the PM2.5-change showed a J-shaped association with hypertension incidence. Our findings underscore the role of both temporal and spatial factors in hypertension development and highlight the necessity for comprehensive investigations into the causal relationship between PM2.5 exposure and hypertension risk. They also provide valuable insights for devising effective strategies to mitigate the adverse health impacts of PM2.5 pollution.

Performance Improvement - A Driver of Enterprise Information Systems for Public Sector Transformation: Lessons for Developing Countries

The performance of public sector institutions has been a major concern across the globe. Performance improvement has been a matter of persistent pursuit across a variety of countries, particularly in developing countries contexts. It is generally believed that the private sector usually outperforms the public sector counterpart. It can be argued that if the public sector institutions can increase their performance like the private sector counterpart, the level of social development and economic growth, particularly in developing countries, could be exponential since the public sector is the foundation upon which the private sector drives development. However, a variety of factors prevent public sector institutions from competing with their private sector counterparts. The cultures and sentiments are different in the two sectors. For example, private organisations are profit-driven and they operate in highly competitive and performance-based environments. Therefore, performance is key to their success. Meanwhile, public institutions are social and public service-driven in nature. They are owned by the government and are politically motivated. Public institutions that want to transform and achieve accelerated performance and impact will fundamentally jettison some public service culture and embrace new, dynamic, forward-looking approaches and best practices.Research findings and empirical evidence have shown that information systems are great enablers of an organisation’s increased performance and total transformation. However, the people’s roles in shaping how information systems work, deliver value and transform organisations, especially, public institutions, is fundamental. Without people’s understanding, buy-in, capability and optimal adoption and use of information systems, an organisation’s performance and transformation will remain elusive. Public institutions need to take actions that both boost performance and inspire their people. This research paper practically demonstrates how enterprise performance, transformation and information systems are related using the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) as a case. The research validates how public sector enterprise performance and its four indicators (efficiency, effectiveness, productivity and responsiveness) drive enterprise transformation and its four major enablers (leadership, strategy, management and innovation practices) and how the transformation enablers are shaping and optimising adoption and use of enterprise information systems. The whole process is like a cycle. That is, the three performance indicators are accelerated when enterprise information systems are optimally used even with limited investment and budget provision. Having optimally deployed information systems naturally enables (helps to implement) enterprise transformation effectively. It clearly shows that an optimised enterprise information system is critical to enterprise performance and transformation.

Video Relay Service Recording System Using Packet-Capture Multiple Buckets Architecture

This paper presents a research and development work for the automatic service recording system using network-based monitoring approach. The project is under the cooperation of National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and Thai Telecommunication Relay Service (TTRS). The goal is to archive and record video relay services offered to the deaf and hard of hearing community. Using the network-based monitoring approach, we can develop a video recording system that is fully automated and intelligent to analyze different kinds of video relay services. In brief, the system functions to capture network traffic and analyze network packets, signaling, and related protocols such as TCP, UDP, SIP, SDP, RTP, as well as H.264, G.711 encoding. Then, it records the relevant media streams, creates a video file containing the whole video relay service conversation, and send the file to archive in the cloud storage. The benefits include verification in case of appeal, service evaluation, and service improvement. A technical challenge in this system development is how to process real-time interactive multi flows because it must detect and process a large number of call signaling and media streams that occur as interactive real time. The optimization is vital so that the system can swiftly do the processing in time, without causing the buffer overflow problem that can degrade the recording quality. In this regard, we developed a novel methodology for processing PCAP (Packet Capture) called Multiple Buckets Architecture. Our test results showed that it can significantly reduce the probability of buffer overflow, making the processing more efficient when compared to the traditional processing of single bucket.

Community based asian agrifuture: how it can be achieved

Asia is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world, however the quality control of agricultural food products should be severely and strictly managed from the view point of food security and safety due to the increase of food feeding demand to cover the drastic and rapidly increase of world human population in recent years. In this paper the current status of Asian agriculture is overviewed first, then the Asian agrifuture is discussed and proposed from the community-based viewpoint how it should / can be promoted and achieved. The author helped to organized and hold the workshop on precision agriculture and agricultural machinery industry for Thailand 4.0 based on the request of NSTDA, National Science & Technology Development Agency) in 2017, however, it seems that no progress has been made without being talked about. However, knowing what the current situation is now going is really important for predicting the future of Asian agriculture, so the author added some findings from his own point of view.

Association of Generation and Group Size With the Usage of a Mobile Health App in Thailand: Secondary Analysis of the ThaiSook Cohort Study.

In Thailand, The National Science and Technology Development Agency developed ThaiSook, a behavior-tracking app, to promote healthy lifestyles. The Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University (MED PSU)×ThaiSook Healthier Challenge encouraged employees to use the app over a 28-day period (from July 11 to August 7, 2022). Until recently, no previous studies have examined the association of generations and group sizes with mobile health (mHealth) app use. Understanding these relationships can inform the design of effective mHealth interventions and facilitate targeted interventions. This study aimed to (1) compare the overall app usage and logging function across different generations and group sizes and (2) describe the demographic characteristics of the participants of the MED PSU×ThaiSook Healthier Challenge. We conducted a secondary data analysis of the data from the ThaiSook prospective cohort study. Data were collected through the app and comprised demographic characteristics (ie, age, sex, weight, height, and group size) and behaviors (ie, water consumption, fruit and vegetable consumption, sleep hours, and exercise). The outcomes consisted of users who used the app for at least 80% of the participation period (≥23 days). Bivariate tests (Pearson chi-square test for categorical variables and Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests for continuous variables) were conducted over sex, generations, initial BMI, and group size. Finally, multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between the independent variables used by the ThaiSook app and consistent users who had used the app for at least 80% of the participation period. Of the 827 participants, most were female (734/827, 88.8%), belonged to a medium-sized group of 6-10 members (479/827, 57.9%), and belonged to generation Y (377/761, 49.5%). Multivariate analysis revealed that the overall app usage was 2.09 times higher in women than in men (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.09, 95% CI 1.27-3.44). The older generations used all logging functions more frequently than did generation Y (baby boomers AOR 2.54, 95% CI 1.31-4.92; generation X AOR 1.96, 95% CI 1.42-2.72). The use of all logging functions was higher among participants belonging to larger groups than among those belonging to smaller groups (large groups AOR 2.85, 95% CI 1.58-5.16; medium groups AOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.47-2.88). Water logging was most used (806/827, 97.5% participants), followed by food, sleep, and workout logging. The MED PSU×ThaiSook Healthier Challenge participants were mostly females from generation Y and medium-sized groups. Water logging was most frequently used, followed by fruit and vegetable logging. The results indicate that generation and group size were significantly associated with consistent and daily usage (P<.05). Older generations and larger groups engaged with the app more consistently than younger generations and smaller groups and individuals.

Workout Logging Through an mHealth App for Weight Reduction Among Different Generations: Secondary Analysis of the MED PSU×ThaiSook Healthier Challenge.

Being overweight or obese presents a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and musculoskeletal disorders. These problems are preventable and solvable via weight reduction and increased physical activity and exercise. The number of adults who are overweight or affected by obesity has tripled in the last 4 decades. Using mobile health (mHealth) apps can help users with health issues, including reducing their weight by restricting their daily calorie intake, which can be recorded along with other parameters, such as physical activity and exercise. These features could further enhance health and prevent NCDs. ThaiSook, a ThaimHealth app developed by the National Science and Technology Development Agency, aims to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce the risk behaviors of NCDs. This study aimed to determine whetherThaiSookusers were successful in 1-month weight reduction and identify which demographic factors or logging functions were associated with significant weight reduction. A secondary data analysis was performed using data collected from the "MEDPSU×ThaiSook Healthier Challenge," a month-long challenge to encourage a healthy lifestyle. We enrolled 376 participants to evaluate the study outcomes. The variables, comprising demographic characteristics (ie, sex, generation, group size, and BMI), were classified into 4 groups: normal (18.5-22.9 kg/m2), overweight (23-24.9 kg/m2), obese I (25-29.9 kg/m2), and obese II (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). Logging functions (ie, water, fruit and vegetables, sleep, workout, step, and run) were classified into 2 groups: consistent (≥80%) and inconsistent (<80%) users. Weight reduction was categorized into 3 groups: no weight reduction, slight weight reduction (0%-3%), and significant weight reduction (>3%). Of 376 participants, most were female (n=346, 92%), had normal BMI (n=178, 47.3%), belonged to Generation Y (n=147, 46.7%), and had a medium group size (6-10 members; n=250, 66.5%). The results showed that 56 (14.9%) participants had 1-month significant weight loss, and the median weight reduction of the group was -3.85% (IQR -3.40% to -4.50%). Most participants (264/376, 70.2%) experienced weight loss, with an overall median weight loss of -1.08% (IQR -2.40% to 0.00%). The factors associated with significant weight reduction were consistently logging workouts (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.69, 95% CI 1.07-2.68), being Generation Z (AOR 3.06, 95% CI 1.01-9.33), and being overweight or being obese compared to those with normal BMI (AOR 2.66, 95% CI 1.41-5.07; AOR 1.76, 95% CI 1.08-2.87, respectively). More than half of the "MEDPSU×ThaiSook Healthier Challenge" participants achieved a slight weight reduction, and 14.9% (56/376) of users lost significant weight. Factors including workout logging, being Generation Z, being overweight, and being obese were associated with significant weight reduction.

Axial Postural Abnormalities in Parkinsonism: Gaps in Predictors, Pathophysiology, and Management.

Axial Postural Abnormalities in Parkinsonism: Gaps in Predictors, Pathophysiology, and Management.

Normal Approximation for Fire Incident Simulation Using Permanental Cox Processes

Estimating the number of natural disasters benefits the insurance industry in terms of risk management. However, the estimation process is complicated due to the fact that there are many factors affecting the number of such incidents. In this work, we propose a Normal approximation technique for associated point processes for estimating the number of natural disasters under the following two assumptions: 1) the incident counts in any two distinct areas are positively associated and 2) the association between these counts in two distinct areas decays exponentially with respect to distance outside some small local neighborhood. Under the stated assumptions, we extend previous results for the Normal approximation technique for associated point processes, i.e., the establishment of non-asymptotic $$L^1$$ bounds for the functionals of these processes. Then we apply this new result to permanental Cox processes that are known to be positively associated. Finally, we apply our Normal approximation results for permanental Cox processes to Thailand’s fire data from 2007 to 2020, which was collected by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency of Thailand.

Prevalence and Effects of Body-Shaming on Social Media among Undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka

One of the most widespread forms of humiliation used by people globally is body-shaming. It has frequently led to suicide because of its negative impacts on the people and their mental health. This paper examined the prevalence and effects of body-shaming among undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. The objectives of this study are to find out the causes, the effects and the prevalence level of body-shaming among undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University. The study was anchored on cultivation analysis theory; while survey method was used with the adoption of a questionnaire as a data collection instrument. A sample of 300 respondents were drawn from the population of the study, which comprises undergraduate students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Findings from the study showed that the majority of the respondents have been exposed to body-shaming at different times for either their facial looks or complexion and that females experience body-shaming more than the males. Lastly, that Social media has played a critical role in incessant form of body-shaming. The study recommended, that Students should be taken to workshops and awareness program where they should be guided about self- esteem, self- recognition and self- confidence. Public awareness program on the negative effect of body-shaming should also be promoted by the government and that National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) should censor contents that may likely lead to body-shaming especially on social media.

მრეწველობის განვითარების ხელშემწყობი ეკონომიკური პოლიტიკა საქართველოში

In connection with the transition to a market economy, the industrial industry inherited from the Soviet economy was almost completely dismantled. In 1990-1994, compared to the Soviet era, the production of industrial products decreased fivefold and the number of jobs fourfold (National Statistical Service of Georgia, 1995). Industrial products became uncompetitive in both domestic and foreign markets. The production of machines, devices, tools, electric machines, vehicles, products of light and partly food industry was stopped. Accordingly, the level of industrial production fell, the specific share of industry in the total domestic product decreased, and industrial ties were dissolved. All this led to the deindustrialization of the country. In 1999, the Ministry of Industry of Georgia developed: the Industrial Concept of Georgia and “Strategic Programs for the Development of Industrial Enterprises of Georgia in 2000-2005” in order to solve the extremely important tasks facing the industry of Georgia in the period of transition to a market economy and for their further development. However, they did not have a major impact on the revitalization of the industrial sector. In the years 2003-2012, the share of industry in the total domestic product decreased. By 2020, sales of industrial products and production increased significantly, but the pandemic had a serious impact on both indicators. In 2022, compared to 2020, sales decreased by 2.6 times and output by 2.9 times. The number of employees has increased slightly in recent years; there were no major changes during the pandemic. Wages increased 1.9x in 2022 compared to 2014, with a slight increase in the post-pandemic era. The largest sub-sector of the industry is manufacturing, the share of which has increased compared to previous years (2018 - 18.4%, 2019 - 18.4%, 2020 - 20%). The share of the mining industry has also increased slightly (2018 - 1.2%, 2019 - 1.4%, 2020 - 1.9%). This is followed by the supply of electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning, the share of which is characterized by a downward trend (2018 - 2.3%, 2019 - 2.1%, 2020 - 2.1%). The water supply is also characterized by a decreasing trend; Sewage, waste management and decontamination works (2018 - 0.7%, 2019 - 0.7%, 2020 - 0.6%) (Georgian National Statistics Service, 2021). The economic policy of the state plays an essential role in the development of industry. Institutes have been established in Georgia since 2012, the aim of which was, among other things, to promote the development of various branches of industry. To date, the Government of Georgia has implemented a number of programs in this direction. Specifically, Produce in Georgia, Partnership Fund, Industrial Development Group, Innovation and Technology Development Agency of Georgia, Startup Georgia. After the implementation of programs to support the industrial sector, there are some positive results both in terms of employment and business development. At the current stage of industrial development, the country should choose a model aimed at technological development and maximum growth of export potential. An industrial policy should be developed in the country, which will allow us to apply innovative approaches in the priority branches of industry. It is necessary to use such instruments of industrial policy as: innovations and technologies, education and skills, orientation to foreign trade, development of a mechanism to support priority industries, competitiveness and protection of competition. Based on the identified challenges in the area of ​​industry, recommendations for the implementation of an active industrial policy in short and long term periods were developed. Namely: the government's priority orientation of industrial development; paying special attention to the processing industry sectors that Georgia has the potential to produce; supporting the development of scientific fields; Determination of certain benefits for those investors who invest money in industrial production; State partnership with the private sector, manifested in the fight against bureaucracy, corruption and crime, creating favorable business conditions for entrepreneurs; Coordination between education - science - production should be implemented in the country. Much attention should be paid to basic scientific research, which does not require purely commercial returns in the short term, science should become a real productive force; Particular importance should be attached to the formation of such an entrepreneurial ecosystem that will contribute to the expansion of export-oriented production; Overcoming entry barriers in export markets. Keywords: Industry, sectoral structure of industry, export-import of industrial products, institutions implementing industrial policy. JEL Codes: L16, L52, L53, O25

Myeloid differentiation factor 2 inhibitor and N-acetyl cysteine synergistically reduced left ventricular dysfunction in rats with cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury

Abstract Background Myeloid differentiation factor 2 inhibitor (MD2i) is a novel anti-inflammatory agent that exerts favorable outcomes in various diseases including cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, whether a potent antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) can augment the beneficial effects of MD2i in rats with cardiac I/R injury have never been investigated. Purpose We tested the hypothesis that NAC increases the beneficial effects of MD2i against cardiac I/R injury in rats. Methods Rats were divided into either a sham (n=6) or cardiac I/R group (n=72). Rats in the I/R group received one of the following 6 treatments (n=12 each) at the onset of reperfusion: vehicle, MD2i at 20 and 40 mg/kg, NAC at 75 and 150 mg/kg, and combined MD2i 20 mg/kg with NAC 150 mg/kg. Left ventricular (LV) function, infarct size, arrhythmia score, and cardiac mitochondrial function and dynamics were determined. Results Myocardial infarction, LV dysfunction, and cardiac arrhythmias were observed in rats with cardiac I/R injury, along with mitochondrial dysfunction (Fig. 1). Treatment with MD2i at either 20 or 40 mg/kg effectively reduced LV dysfunction but failed to reduce the infarct size (Fig. 1). NAC at 150 mg/kg, but not at 75 mg/kg, significantly decreased both LV dysfunction and infarct size following cardiac I/R injury (Fig. 1). However, combined treatment exerted even greater efficacy in reducing cardiac I/R injury than monotherapy, through a greater reduction of cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial fission (Fig. 1). However, no benefit on reducing the arrhythmia score in all groups. Conclusion Combined MD2i and NAC treatment exerted a superior cardioprotective effect against cardiac I/R injury than either monotherapy regimen via an improved cardiac mitochondrial function. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): 1. NSTDA Research Chair Grant from the National Science and Technology Development Agency Thailand2. National Research Council of Thailand

Chronic mitochondrial fusion promotor as a novel pharmacological intervention to alleviate left ventricular dysfunction in rats with chronic myocardial infarction

Abstract Background Decreased cardiac mitochondrial fusion associated with increased mitochondrial dysfunction has been demonstrated in acute myocardial infarction pathology. However, whether this pathophysiologic process is associated with myocardial injury in chronic myocardial infarction (CMI) is still unclear. Recently, a novel pharmacological intervention to promote mitochondrial fusion using mitochondrial fusion promotor-M1 (M1) has been shown to exert cardioprotection against myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury. However, the roles of M1 in CMI has never been investigated. Purpose We investigated the potential cardioprotective benefits of chronic treatment with mitochondrial fusion promotor-M1 in rats with chronic MI model. Methods Adult male Wistar rats were assigned to the sham group (n=5) and the CMI group (n=15), which was induced by a permanent left anterior descending coronary occlusion. After 1 week of operation, rats in the CMI group were randomly divided into 3 subgroups which was treated with one of the followings: 1) vehicle (3% DMSO/day, ip, CON, n=5), 2) enalapril (10 mg/kg/day, po, ENA, n=5), or 3) mitochondrial fusion promotor-M1 (2 mg/kg/day, ip, M1, n=5) once daily for 4 weeks. In the end, echocardiography for the left ventricular (LV) function was performed, and the heart was removed to determine the mitochondrial function and malondialdehyde (MDA) level for oxidative stress. Results CMI rats that received vehicle showed significantly impaired LV function and cardiac mitochondrial function as evidenced by a 60% reduction in LV ejection fraction (LVEF) along with increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial depolarization and mitochondrial swelling, respectively, when compared with the sham rats (Fig. 1A–D). The CMI rats also exhibited a higher cardiac tissue MDA level than those of sham rats, further indicating cardiac oxidative stress (Fig. 1E). Interestingly, chronic treatment with either enalapril or M1 effectively attenuated CMI-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress upregulation, thus increasing LVEF (27% improvement for both ENA and M1), when compared with the vehicle group (Fig. 1A). Conclusion Long-term promotion of mitochondrial fusion mitigated cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, eventually culminating in improved LV function in rats with CMI. These findings suggest that chronic modulation of mitochondrial fusion could be a promising pharmacological intervention to improve LV function in CMI. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): 1. The National Science and Technology Development Agency Thailand2. The Thailand Research Fund (RGJ)

Cardiac autonomic modulation with donepezil attenuates pyroptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to improved left ventricular function in trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity in rats

Abstract Background Trastuzumab (Trz)-induced cardiotoxicity (TIC) is one of the most common cardiovascular complications of targeted anticancer agents. Cardiac inflammation, cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and cardiac autonomic dysfunction have been identified as potential mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of TIC. Although cardiac inflammation is one of the key mechanisms triggering “pyroptosis”, i.e. a new inflammatory form of programmed cell death, the association between TIC and pyroptosis is still largely unknown. Moreover, the modulation of cardiac autonomic activity using an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChE) has been shown to exert cardioprotection in various heart diseases. However, the role of donepezil (DPZ), an AChE, in treating TIC has never been investigated. Purpose We evaluated the cardioprotective effects of DPZ on left ventricular (LV) function, cardiac mitochondrial function, and pyroptosis in rats with TIC. We hypothesised that DPZ reduces mitochondrial dysfunction and pyroptosis, leading to a reduction of LV dysfunction in TIC rats. Methods Fifteen male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group (n=5, 0.9% normal saline solution, ip) and the Trz group (n=10, 4 mg/kg/day for 7 days, ip). Trz-treated rats were subdivided into the vehicle group (n=5, drinking water, po) and the DPZ group (n=5, 5 mg/kg/day for 7 days, po). At the end of the experiment, echocardiography was performed, and the heart was removed to determine the cardiac mitochondrial function and pyroptosis. Results Compared with the control group, %LV ejection fraction (%LVEF) was significantly decreased in the Trz group (Fig. 1A). Trz treatment also markedly increased cardiac mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial depolarisation, as indicated by a lower red/green fluorescence intensity ratio (Fig. 1B and C, respectively). Furthermore, Trz induced pyroptosis by increasing NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) expression and cleaved Gasdermin D/Gasdermin D ratio, compared to the control group (Fig, 1D–F). Notably, DPZ co-treatment potentially reduced mitochondrial ROS production, mitochondrial depolarisation, and pyroptosis (NLRP3 and cleaved Gasdermin D/Gasdermin D ratio), leading to improved %LVEF (Figure 1). Conclusion DPZ alleviated cardiac dysfunction in TIC rats by improving mitochondrial function and reducing pyroptosis. These findings suggested that DZP could be a novel effective pharmacological intervention against TIC. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): 1. The National Science and Technology Development Agency Thailand2. The Thailand Research Fund (RGJ)

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