Term Goal Research Articles

The Relationship Between Self-Control and Learning Independence During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Independent learning is a form of desire and a sense of being able to learn on one's own accord, whether in the presence or absence of other people, to decide learning goals in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitudes in solving problems. Individuals who have good learning independence will have good self-control so that they can control their actions both consciously and unconsciously. This study aims to determine the relationship between self-control and learning independence during the Covid-19 pandemic in SMA Negeri 4 Pekanbaru students. This study involved 123 students of SMA Negeri 4 Pekanbaru who were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. The measuring tool used in this study is the self-control scale, which consists of 16 items compiled by Sari (2022). And the learning independence scale totals 11 items compiled by Sari (2022). Data analysis used the Spearman Rho correlation analysis technique, the results of the analysis test obtained a coefficient of r = 0.053. This explains that there is an insignificant positive relationship between self-control variables and learning independence in SMA Negeri 4 Pekanbaru students.

Age-Related Differences in Framing Selective Memory in Terms of Gains and Losses

ABSTRACT We examined whether framing younger and older adults learning goals in terms of maximizing gains or minimizing losses impacts their ability to selectively remember high-value information. Specifically, we presented younger and older adults with lists of words paired with point values and participants were either told that they would receive the value associated with each word if they recalled it on a test or that they would lose the points associated with each word if they failed to recall it on the test. We also asked participants to predict the likelihood of recalling each word to determine if younger and older adults were metacognitively aware of any potential framing effects. Results revealed that older adults expected to be more selective when their goals were framed in terms of losses, but younger adults expected to be more selective when their goals were framed in terms of gains. However, this was not the case as both younger and older adults were more selective for high-value information when their goals were framed in terms of maximizing gains compared with minimizing losses. Thus, the framing of learning goals can impact metacognitive decisions and subsequent memory in both younger and older adults.

The Influence of Dividend Policy, Investment Decisions and Funding Decisions on the Value of Infrastructure, Utilities & Transportation Companies Listed on the IDX for the 2019-2021 Period

The company as an economic entity has short term and long term goals, in the short term the company aims to generate maximum profits and the long term goal is to increase the value of the company. The Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia affected the business management of a company in the infrastructure, utilities and transportation sector, which experienced a decline in company performance. Company value as measured by Price Book Value (PBV) for the infrastructure, utilities and transportation sectors has fluctuated from 2019 – 2021. Internal factors include dividend policy, investment decisions and funding decisions. To determine the effect of dividend policy, investment decisions and funding decisions on firm value is the aim of this study. This type of research is a quantitative approach. This study uses secondary data taken through the IDX data website. Sampling method used is purposive sampling. The sample used in this research is 13 companies consisting of the infrastructure, utilities and transportation sectors which are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the 2019-2021 period. The data analysis technique uses multiple linear regression analysis with the SPSS 25 program. Based on the results of the study, it shows that the dividend policy variable has no effect on firm value, investment decisions have a positive and significant effect on firm value and funding decisions have a significant negative effect on firm value.

Independent work in the area of distance education: a study of university students' opinions

The article shows the results of a study of university students' opinions about independent work in the area of distance education during martial law in the country. The basis of the study is a questionnaire designed to identify students' opinions and attitudes towards independent work as an individual research form of educational activity. The basis for the research and development of the questionnaire is the scientific and educational principles of the concept "independent work". We have found out that this definition is understood by most scholars as a cognitive activity aimed at self-education and achievement of personally significant goals, is based on independence as a personality trait, and contributes to the formation of self-education skills. However, modern students do not always interpret independent work as an individual research educational activity. The questionnaire focused the respondents' attention on the relevance of independent work and emphasised the importance of this component in distance learning while encouraging students to analyse their own preferences and choose qualities that are important for personal motivation. In addition to the research work, the questionnaire provided an educational goal and self-improvement in terms of understanding the need for independent work as a personal value-oriented activity of the student. To analyse the results, conventional levels were used: high-level choices show an understanding of the relevance and importance of the proposed types of independent work; medium-level choices determine the prospect of strengthening motivation for independent work; low-level choices show the need to develop students' motivation for independent work, to form the need for individual independent work. The analysis of the questionnaire results confirmed the predicted tendency: students more or less understand the essence and importance of independent work and have not thought about this aspect in terms of themselves. Thus, the analysis of students' opinions revealed the need to update distance learning methods in order to stimulate students' motivation to work independently to help them acquire professional competences in the higher education system.

Slow strengthening of Latvia’s resilience in preventing and combating corruption: an analysis of causes

The aim of the article is to present the authors’ assessment of the effectiveness of the anti-corruption policy in Latvia, to establish the compliance of national anti-corruption strategies with the EU goals in terms of preventing and combating corruption. The research methods aim at confirming a hypothesis that in order to deepen anti-corruption reforms and strengthen resilience in the fight against corruption, it is not enough for Latvia to conduct only institutional reforms, but it is important to promote anti-corruption values. The study is based on the methodology of new institutionalism and axiological analysis. The authors argue that if the role of non-democratic values is significant, it will slow down the progressive institutional reforms needed to bring Latvia’s anti-corruption policies fully in line with EU development strategies.

Overview of policy and market dynamics for the deployment of renewable energy sources in Italy: Current status and future prospects

In recent years, the international community has been strongly committed to promoting energy transition due to the various challenges presented by the global energy market. In this context, renewable sources have increasingly assumed a significant role, representing a viable solution to accelerate decarbonization and promote diversification of energy mix. This paper examines Italian energy profile, its status, and future prospects. Policies and incentives on a European and national scale have been analysed to observe the commitment of institutions in promoting energy transition. Policies and incentives on a European and national scale have been analysed to observe the commitment of institutions in promoting energy transition. Projections on future investments (2030) and economic and employment implications have also been provided. The analysis shows that shared investments are essential to achieve climate goals in the short term and that existing plants need to be converted through the use of new, more effective, cost-efficient technologies. Thus, innovation and investments in research and development are key drivers of energy transition, and with proper management, climate change mitigation can be ensured. The analysis provides some useful implications for policymakers who should ensure tax incentives, feed-in tariffs, and clear regulation at the national and regional levels that do not hinder the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure.

Анализ и оценка результатов реализации стратегии социально-экономического развития Республики Северная Осетия-Алания

The article is devoted to the analysis and evaluation of the results of the implementation of the socio-economic development strategy of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. The strategy of socio-economic development of the republic is a set of measures implemented jointly by government and business, and aimed at implementing long–term goals and objectives of the region, taking into account its characteristics: weaknesses and strengths, opportunities and limitations. The relevance of the article is due to the fact that in order to effectively use existing opportunities and search for long-term prospects of the region, it is necessary to search for effective forms and methods of strategic management of the development of the region. The problem of strategic planning is a very important aspect of activity, to which public administration bodies and the expert community are paying more and more attention. After all, it is the development of the regions that contributes to the development of the country as a whole, and to increasing its importance on the world stage. The purpose of the article is to analyze and evaluate the results of the implementation of the socio-economic development strategy of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, based on analytical and statistical data. The research materials are federal laws directly related to the topic of the article, statistical data from official sources of information, as well as the works of various authors on the socio-economic development of the region were used in this article. General scientific research methods were used as methods during the study of this topic: quantitative and qualitative methods, comparative and statistical analysis, analysis of the structure and dynamics of indicators; as well as special research methods such as: system analysis, SWOT analysis, strategic planning. The strategy of socio-economic development of the region occupies a central place among the strategic documents of the subject, since the level of development of the region depends on its effective implementation.

Wolverine density distribution reflects past persecution and current management in Scandinavia

After centuries of intense persecution, several large carnivore species in Europe and North America have experienced a rebound. Today's spatial configuration of large carnivore populations has likely arisen from the interplay between their ecological traits and current environmental conditions, but also from their history of persecution and protection. Yet, due to the challenge of studying population‐level phenomena, we are rarely able to disentangle and quantify the influence of past and present factors driving the distribution and density of these controversial species. Using spatial capture‐recapture models and a data set of 742 genetically identified wolverines Gulo gulo collected over ½ million km2 across their entire range in Norway and Sweden, we identify landscape‐level factors explaining the current population density of wolverines in the Scandinavian Peninsula. Distance from the relict range along the Swedish–Norwegian border, where the wolverine population survived a long history of persecution, remains a key determinant of wolverine density today. However, regional differences in management and environmental conditions also played an important role in shaping spatial patterns in present‐day wolverine density. Specifically, we found evidence of slower recolonization in areas that had set lower wolverine population goals in terms of the desired number of annual reproductions. Management of transboundary large carnivore populations at biologically relevant scales may be inhibited by administrative fragmentation. Yet, as our study shows, population‐level monitoring is an achievable prerequisite for a comprehensive understanding of the distribution and density of large carnivores across an increasingly anthropogenic landscape.

State-Space Load Flow Calculation of an Energy System with Sector-Coupling Technologies

This paper addresses the sector-coupling principle, highlights each associated sector’s technologies and showcases their future development, according to the German grid development plan. Furthermore, the research project ESM-Regio, and its goals in terms of simulatively analyzing the sector-coupling approach for a specific model region and future scenarios, is introduced. In this context, the key methods for modeling the electricity sector’s loading behavior are showcased. Most importantly, the state-space load flow calculation, load modeling (including the integration of the power demands of the sector-coupling technologies) and an assessment of grid operating equipment, based on thermal aging models, are described.

Detection of mcr-1-harbouring Escherichia coli by quantum dot labelling of synthetic small peptides mimicking lipopolysaccharide receptors

Overuse of antibiotics and the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria has made colistin the last line of defence against complex infections. In previous studies, MCR-1-mediated colistin resistance was mainly detected through PCR or antimicrobial susceptibility testing. However, intuitive detection methods for phenotype are rarely reported. In this study, two small peptide antibodies were constructed for immunofluorescence detection of mcr-1-harbouring Escherichia coli: one was a small peptide labelled with a quantum dot antibody; and the other was a small peptide labelled with a fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) antibody. Whether using FITC or quantum dots, colistin-resistant bacteria in the sample could be qualitatively detected. The assembled antibodies achieved the desired goals in terms of sensitivity, specificity, precision and repeatability. The non-specific problem of sandwich antigen recognition of lipid A binding to small peptides in modified lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was resolved, and this relatively developed immunofluorescence technique standardised the detection process. Together, in addition to PCR, both fluorescent antibodies can be used for immunofluorescent detection of mcr-1-harbouring E. coli.

Implementation of Strategic Management towards Competitive School Development (Multisite Study at Smp Negeri 1 and Smp Negeri 6 Banjarmasin)

This study aims to describe how the implementation of strategic management towards competitive schools. This research uses a case research approach and is also called descriptive research. Data collection by observation, interviews and documentation. Data analysis uses data analysis, data collection, data condensation, triangulation, data presentation and data inference or verification. The results obtained that a strategic environmental analysis was carried out at SMP Negeri 1 and SMP Negeri 6 Banjarmasin to identify the strengths and weaknesses possessed as well as the opportunities and challenges faced by the school. The strategic formulation in SMP Negeri 1 and SMP Negeri 6 Banjarmasin begins by clarifying the vision and mission to be achieved and determining long and short term goals. The School Development Team will formulate a strategy by identifying Human Resources, funds, and available facilities and infrastructure, then designing a strategy. The principal's policy supports strategic formulation. Strategically implemented on the program with clear procedural and financial support. Strategic evaluation and control are carried out by assessing the overall strategy that has been implemented in the program. The strategic plan made becomes a benchmark for success. School Development Team can make decisions based on the results of strategic evaluation and control. The conclusion of this study shows that strategic implementation is carried out in SMP Negeri 1 and SMP Negeri 6 Banjarmasin in the development of eight National Education Standards. Education units are expected to maintain existing strategic management and improve strategies that are more innovative, emphasize the quality of education, and are oriented towards fund efficiency.

Exploration of Solar Panel Damage and Service Life Reduction Using Condition Assessment, Dust Accumulation, and Material Testing

This paper presents a comprehensive inspection of a 10.044 MWp solar power plant that had operational problems. The condition assessment was necessary because the power plant was constantly producing electricity significantly below the expected peak power. The research confirmed that the cause of the decrease in performance is the pollution from the industrial park and the conventional power plant located next to the solar system. The accuracy of the results is confirmed using on-site thermal imaging at the solar power plant and laboratory tests. During the laboratory tests, the electrical performance of 1063 solar panels was examined as well as their damaging and life-reducing effect with further thermography tests. Surface dirt deposition cause several significant problems during energy generation. Power outages are a minor problem, and sustainable production is the main goal in the long term. If the failure and destruction of the solar modules cause more serious damage, the lifetime of the photovoltaic power plants can be shortened.

Potential Benefits and Disbenefits of the Application of Water Treatment Residuals from Drinking Water Treatment Processes to Land in Scotland: Development of a Decision Support Tool

Water Treatment Residuals (WTRs) are a by-product of the addition of chemical coagulants to water during the water treatment process and are a mixture of water and organic and inorganic matter that coagulates during the treatment process. WTRs often contain metals such as iron, aluminium, and manganese that have been oxidised as part of the process or are constituents of the coagulation chemicals used. The metals within WTRs are of interest with regard to applying these sludges to agricultural land. WTRs can also contain beneficial organic matter and nutrients (primarily nitrogen). The nature of the benefits delivered is largely dependent on the quality of the raw water and these beneficial components are generally found in much smaller quantities in WTRs than are found in sewage sludge produced from wastewater. However, WTRs can still be used to enhance the physical properties of soils. As urban populations increase in size, it is anticipated that the tonnage of WTRs will increase significantly in the future. At present, the majority of WTRs are disposed of in landfills; however, landfill charges are increasing significantly, making disposal of an increasing tonnage of WTRs financially unviable. In terms of a circular economy, the procedure of reusing WTRs for alternative applications satisfies the Scottish Government’s goals in terms of waste prevention and reducing the amount of material being sent to landfill as set out in the Proposals for Legislation in 2019. Given the potential benefits in terms of cost savings and compliance with government legislation, and the complexities of understanding where and when WTRs can be used in land applications, we developed a Decision Support Tool (DST) that uses data obtained from an extensive review of approaches in other countries to assist in decision making. We also conducted a pre-application analysis and provided guidance on when and where WTRs can be used in land applications and when they are not suitable, presented in a simplified format that requires few inputs from the user in order to simplify the process and removes the requirement for a specialist operator during pre-application analyses.

STRATEGIES OF BUSINESS RISK MITIGATION AND MANAGEMENT: A QUANTITATIVE PERSPECTIVE

While, there are numerous small and large scale businesses which largely influence the economy of nations, but there risk mitigation and management is very little known and therefore, has received a very limited attention. In our day to day lives, we continuously manage risks both at work and also in our personal lives. Therefore, certainly there are many business organisations that also have risks which are unique to their environment. The present research work is, going to first identify business risks, analyse them and evaluate their potential likelihood and impact. This study is going, to eventually show us that, long term goal of risk management and mitigation strategy affect businesses supply chain performance and their long term sustainability. There are several tactics and strategies that will bring risk levels to a tolerable level in the business. It will help us realise exactly, what kind of risks our businesses are facing, and the mentioned strategies are unique to business continuity and disaster recovery. In addition, the strategies utilised to manage risk are a powerful stimulus to get the business management thinking. The present study at the end, recommends proper risk mitigation planning. The researcher had considered people from different business sector to know the strategies of business risk mitigation and management and found that Organisations document their risk management policies and processes , Risk mitigation counter measures and decreasing the effect of uncertain consequences and Businesses passes or move the risk consequences to third party or an entity.

Unveiling the impact of economic and political globalisation on the efficiency of microfinance institutions

Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) strive to alleviate poverty by offering financial access and services to the poor in society. MFIs play a significant role in a country's social and economic advancement. This study aims to examine the relationship of the economic and political globalisation with the social and financial efficiency of MFIs in the Philippines and Malaysia from 2012 to 2020. There are two types of analysis adopted in this study: the non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the multiple panel regression model. In the first stage, the DEA approach is employed to determine the MFIs’ level of efficiency. Next, the determinants of financial efficiency and social efficiency are identified through panel regression. The results of the robustness test show that MFIs have better and more effective financial efficiency compared to social efficiency. Therefore, this result shows that the MFIs concentrate more on profitability and sustainability of the operations and they tend to neglect their primary goal in terms of the social function, i.e., reducing poverty, since the scores for financial efficiency are higher than those for social efficiency. Furthermore, the MFIs, government, policymakers, investors, and future researchers benefit from the outcomes of this study, as they can obtain a comprehensive insight on the efficiency of MFIs and the variables that could contribute to the efficiency in MFIs.

A first test of CUPID prototypal light detectors with NTD-Ge sensors in a pulse-tube cryostat

CUPID is a next-generation bolometric experiment aiming at searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay with ∼250 kg of isotopic mass of 100Mo. It will operate at ∼10 mK in a cryostat currently hosting a similar-scale bolometric array for the CUORE experiment at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (Italy). CUPID will be based on large-volume scintillating bolometers consisting of 100Mo-enriched Li2MoO4 crystals, facing thin Ge-wafer-based bolometric light detectors. In the CUPID design, the detector structure is novel and needs to be validated. In particular, the CUORE cryostat presents a high level of mechanical vibrations due to the use of pulse tubes and the effect of vibrations on the detector performance must be investigated. In this paper we report the first test of the CUPID-design bolometric light detectors with NTD-Ge sensors in a dilution refrigerator equipped with a pulse tube in an above-ground lab. Light detectors are characterized in terms of sensitivity, energy resolution, pulse time constants, and noise power spectrum. Despite the challenging noisy environment due to pulse-tube-induced vibrations, we demonstrate that all the four tested light detectors comply with the CUPID goal in terms of intrinsic energy resolution of 100 eV RMS baseline noise. Indeed, we have measured 70–90 eV RMS for the four devices, which show an excellent reproducibility. We have also obtained high energy resolutions at the 356 keV line from a 133Ba source, as good as Ge semiconductor γ detectors in this energy range.

Agile Management Of Sustainable Development - Circular Economy

Purpose: The goal of the article is to create a model whose management method will take intoaccount individual needs (client, entrepreneur), implementing the standards of global economicsustainability. The created model allows defining the Sustainable Development Goals in terms ofthe environmental dimension of the circular economy.Methodology/Approach: For article purpose, circular economy was used as a method improvingthe chances of achieving the goals of sustainable development. The statistical significance of thevariables were checked for obtain data. In addition, this process was supported by the Deming cyclein order to be able to respond to changes using the agility methodology.Findings: The results of the research allowed to identify the most important (SDGs), which, whencombined with the trends of the industry/sector, formed a balanced loop taking into account allparticipants and their needs.Implications/limitations: Managing a company according to global standards is a big challenge.The results of an analysis of own needs (an enterprise) should correlate with the needs of stakeholders in the supply chain and with the direction of development of the industry/sector in order to support the domestic economy and be competitive on global markets.Originality/value: Study explains undertaken activities for implementing process of correlation between entities which must take into account the good of the individual and, above all, of the general public.Keywords: sustainable development, agility, circular economy, organizational improvementPaper type: Research paper

Remyelination in multiple sclerosis from the miRNA perspective.

Remyelination relies on the repair of damaged myelin sheaths, involving microglia cells, oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), and mature oligodendrocytes. This process drives the pathophysiology of autoimmune chronic disease of the central nervous system (CNS), multiple sclerosis (MS), leading to nerve cell damage and progressive neurodegeneration. Stimulating the reconstruction of damaged myelin sheaths is one of the goals in terms of delaying the progression of MS symptoms and preventing neuronal damage. Short, noncoding RNA molecules, microRNAs (miRNAs), responsible for regulating gene expression, are believed to play a crucial role in the remyelination process. For example, studies showed that miR-223 promotes efficient activation and phagocytosis of myelin debris by microglia, which is necessary for the initiation of remyelination. Meanwhile, miR-124 promotes the return of activated microglia to the quiescent state, while miR-204 and miR-219 promote the differentiation of mature oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, miR-138, miR-145, and miR-338 have been shown to be involved in the synthesis and assembly of myelin proteins. Various delivery systems, including extracellular vesicles, hold promise as an efficient and non-invasive way for providing miRNAs to stimulate remyelination. This article summarizes the biology of remyelination as well as current challenges and strategies for miRNA molecules in potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Multi-Period Optimisation of District-Scale Building Integrated Photovoltaic Deployment

The deployment of solar energy technologies such as building integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) is one of many ways to mitigate present greenhouse gas emissions and abate GHG emissions in future urban development. The widespread deployment of BIPVs is therefore ideal, but deployment must be met with an understanding of the life cycle carbon associated with the technologies manufacturing and their availability as a finite resource. In this paper we describe deployment schedules over the next several decades for BIPVs in a redeveloping urban quarter in Zürich, Switzerland, known as Altstetten. Altstetten has near term goals for carbon neutral buildings that must be met through energy retrofits, higher building standards, and renewable energy. In solving how best to deploy BIPV systems to reduce the life cycle emissions of the buildings in Altstetten, we develop a multi period deployment scheme from a Mixed Integer Linear Programming optimization model that determines the optimal PV deployment within a larger urban multi-energy system. This approach intermingles spatially resolved optimisations with temporally resolved projections of how to deploy the BIPV systems. We analyse results of several optimal solutions sets to investigate the role urban morphology and BIPV embodied emissions play in BIPV utility. We find that different planning strategies (e.g. reduce cost before carbon emissions) play a role in the quantity and rate at which BIPV could be expected to be deployed and that a strategy of minimizing carbon before cost results in less required BIPV deployment than if cost is of the prime concern.

The global power sector’s low-carbon transition may enhance sustainable development goal achievement

The low-carbon power transition, which is key to combatting climate change, has far-reaching effects on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in terms of issues such as resource use, environmental emissions, employment, and many more. Here, we assess the potential impacts of the power transition on progress toward achieving multiple SDGs (covering 18 targets across the 17 goals) across 49 economies under nine socioeconomic and climate scenarios. We find that the low-carbon power transition under the representative concentration pathway (RCP)2.6 scenarios could lead to an approximately 11% improvement in the global SDG index score from 54.70 in 2015 to 59.89-61.33 in 2100. However, the improvement would be significantly decreased to 4.42%-7.40% and 7.55%-8.93% under the RCP6.0 and RCP4.5 scenarios, respectively. The power transition could improve the overall SDG index in most developed economies under all scenarios while undermining their resource-related SDG scores. Power transition-induced changes in international trade would improve the SDG progress of developed economies but jeopardize that of developing economies, which usually serve as resource hubs for meeting the demand for low-carbon power transition in developed economies.