Analysis of the effectiveness of the implementation of digital technologies in the educational process of medical HEIs: challenges, optimization

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the more intensive use of digital technologies in higher medical education. The purpose of the study was to analyze the effectiveness of the implementation of digital technologies in the educational process of Ukrainian medical universities, to identify the current challenges e-learning faces, and to propose potential ways of optimization. General scientific methods (for example analysis, synthesis) specific pedagogical methods (specification, ion, comparison forecasting) were used for the research. The results outline the main advantages of using digital technologies in the medical higher school system. Attention is also drawn to the main challenges that have a certain negative impact on the educational process. Among the latter, problems with the practical training of future doctors were noted since distance learning does not provide an opportunity to fully implement skills building component. The results also highlight possible ways to solve the problems of using digital technologies in medical higher education institutions. It is proposed to introduce to use not only distance learning technologies, but to combine them with the traditional approach and independent learning. It is emphasized about further studies, as empirical measurements of the effectiveness of distance education in the medical field. And, this effectivenessstill needs to be ultimately proven.

Financial Technology: Digital Legal Challenges and Indonesia's Economic Prospects After Covid-19 Outbreak

Online loans are one of the financing business models organized using applications on the internet, the online loan business is currently developing so fast because it offers loans that can reach a sufficiently large amount with easy terms, procedures and transaction processes, all intended to improve people's economic conditions. However, its implementation still sparks many legal problems and presents challenges for digital law in Indonesia. This study aims to study the challenges faced by Indonesian digital law due to the growth of the online loan business and to explore how the prospects of the online loan (fintech) business in improving the economic conditions of the Indonesian people. This research used empirical juridical methods, a case, and a statutory approach. The results showed that the challenges faced by Indonesian law in anticipating the growth of online businesses tainted by various legal cases require a more comprehensive rule of law in the form of legislation, thereby supporting the growth of prospects of the online loan business in an effort to improve the economy of the people of the state. © 2022, University of Muhammadiyah Malang. All rights reserved.

Professional shariah audit training via the e-learning approach during COVID-19: challenges and prospects

PurposeThis study aims to explore and identify potential challenges and prospects for conducting the professional shariah audit training programme via an e-learning approach during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaires were administered to 296 participants who were enrolled in the professional shariah audit training programme via e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in 2020. These participants were final-year students from selected Malaysian public universities.FindingsFindings show that several main challenges are faced in adopting an e-learning approach for conducting the professional shariah audit training programme such as the inability to do more hands-on, group and physical activities, different understandings based on academic backgrounds, difficulty in learning practical and technical topics, technical issues and problems during e-learning sessions. These lead to the unsuitability of conducting professional training via the e-learning approach. In terms of prospects of knowledge learnt via the e-learning approach, participants showed that they are able to master all six modules covered in the professional shariah audit training programme via the e-learning approach. These include (1) shariah principles;(2) shariah governance;(3) Islamic financial transactions;(4) shariah risk management;(5) shariah audit planning and programme;and (6) shariah audit fieldwork and communication.Practical implicationsBased on the findings, it is suggested to have more time spent and earlier preparation on the learning contents and sessions, more discussion on actual contents and practical exercises and competency of the trainers in delivering e-learning sessions.Originality/valueThis study is believed to be one among the pioneering studies on the potential challenges and prospects in adopting e-learning for conducting the professional shariah audit training programme due to COVID-19.

Kinetic Energy Recovery from a Landing Aircraft: Energy Analysis, Environmental and Economic Prospects

The Intergovernmental panel on Climate Change has sounded its alarm through its special report on the impact of global warming of 1.5oC and called for a strengthened global response to the threat of climate change. Despite that the COVID-19 pandemic has left a devastating effect on the aviation industry, this is forecasted to bounce back and recover within a few years. It is therefore important now to revisit opportunities for a better balance between social, environmental and economic impact of the sector. The European Union has been leading the way in limiting the environmental impacts of aviation. Despite that most of the R&D effort has been focused on the airborne phase, the European Union is legislating so that all aircraft movements on the ground are set to be emission-free by 2050. The paper focuses on engineless aircraft taxiing with the aim to reduce emissions on the ground. We demonstrate that upon landing, an aircraft has enough kinetic energy, which if recovered could power a 5-minute engineless taxiing process. When scaled to a large fleet such as low-cost carriers, this emissions problem can be turned on its head and becomes an opportunity for fuel savings and a reduction in emissions on the ground. The paper also demonstrates that the cost to retrofit such technology can be recovered in a short timeframe and therefore there is an economic incentive to the airline. © 2022 ICAS. All Rights Reserved.

Risk Perception Management Related to COVID-19: A Study of Scenario Planning in Cuba

The COVID-19 pandemic is the most disastrous health event of the twenty-first century with significant impacts on the economy, institutions, organizations and people's well-being and lifestyle. Risk perception is a knowledge process that manifests itself in risk behavior and reflects people's experiences, beliefs and social influences. The management of risk perception is essential in contributing to people's protective behaviors in the presence of health risks. In Cuba, one of its significant effects is reflected in the psychology of individuals, despite policies to mitigate its consequences. Minimizing COVID-19 transmission requires the application of effective policies that contribute with adequate perceptions, depending on the risk factors. The goal of this research is to develop a system of actions that can contribute to the transition of a favorable scenario for the management of risk perception regarding COVID-19 in Cuba according to the new normality and through the use of a scenario planning methodology. The findings allow characterizing the current scenario and proposing actions and indicators in order to achieve the most favorable scenario for risk perception management related to COVID-19 from a geographic perspective. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

Corporate flexibility in a time of crisis

We use the COVID shock to study the direct and interactive effects of several forms of corporate flexibility on short- and long-term real business plans. We find that i) workplace flexibility, namely the ability for employees to work remotely, plays a central role in determining firms' employment plans during the health crisis;ii) investment flexibility allows firms to increase or decrease capital spending based on their business prospects in the crisis, with effects shaped by workplace flexibility;and iii) financial flexibility contributes to stronger employment and investment, in particular when fixed costs are high. While the role of workplace flexibility is new to the COVID crisis, CFOs expect lasting effects for years to come: high workplace flexibility firms foresee continuation of remote work, stronger employment recovery, and shifting away from traditional capital investment, whereas low workplace flexibility firms rely more on automation to replace labor.

Transitioning towards human–robot synergy in agriculture: A systems thinking perspective

Digital transformation has unveiled new prospects for increased performance and productivity in the agricultural sector to meet rising food security needs. Continuous industrialization and unexpected disruptions (e.g., workforce mobility restrictions due to the COVID‐19 pandemic) call for the adoption of agricultural robots. However, automated solutions could be associated with societal challenges in rural areas;unemployment growth has been perceived as a major threat that jeopardizes societal welfare, potentially hindering the implementation of digital technologies. In this context, human–robot synergistic systems could act as a promising socially viable alternative. Through systems thinking, this research investigates the complex interconnections and key feedback mechanisms of automation diffusion (conventional and human–robot interactive) under the socio‐economic perceptions (drivers and barriers) of agribusinesses and rural communities. Overall, this study contributes towards eliciting the mental models that underpin the transition from agricultural robots to human–robot collaboration by transforming automation‐related societal risks into opportunities for sustainable rural development.

Resveratrol regulates inflammation and improves oxidative stress via Nrf2 signaling pathway: Therapeutic and biotechnological prospects.

Usually, in aerobic metabolism, natural materials including nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids can experience auxiliary injury by oxidative responses. This damage produced by reactive oxygen/nitrogen species has been identified as "oxidative stress." As a natural polyphenol got from red wine and peanuts, resveratrol is one of the most eminent anti-aging mixtures. Based on many studies', resveratrol hinders destructive effects of inflammatory causes and reactive oxygen radicals in several tissues. The nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 is a factor related to transcription with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant possessions which is complicated by enzyme biotransformation and biosynthesis of lipids and carbohydrates. This review provides current understanding and information about the character of resveratrol against oxidative stress and regulation of inflammation via Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Targeted reflection, mutual understanding, and collaborative working. Building blocks for post-pandemic models in higher education

This introduction to the COVID-19 Special Section highlights the importance for targeted reflection on pandemic experiences, mutual understanding of perspectives and best practice sharing by and across stakeholder groups. Higher education, similar to other global sectors, has been profoundly shaken by the realities brought about since March 2020, and different stakeholders have felt the impact and consequences of the pandemic on a daily basis. Reports of challenges go a long way towards enabling understanding;however, unless these are combined with demonstrations of responses in context and analyses of their effectiveness, they remain at the level of awareness and cannot move towards action. Sharing the lessons learned, alerting to specificities and gaining perspectives have never been more timely, as higher education shapes future models for enhanced stakeholder experiences within increased quality parameters. Notwithstanding the disruptive effect on societies, COVID-19 must also be recognised as an accelerator for higher education, impacting digitalisation, accessibility and creating opportunities for new approaches to educational delivery and collaboration. The papers in this Special Section cover a variety of contexts, moving swiftly from Spain to Poland to the United States of America, India and Iran to return to Europe, i.e. Slovenia. Authors tackle specific challenges experienced by stakeholders, be they students, teaching and administrative staff, researchers or policy makers, and discuss lessons learned, highlight perceived benefits and recommend how these may be translated into policy and practice.

Does regional integration improve economic resilience? Evidence from urban agglomerations in China

Under the dual pressure of "slow-burn" challenges and acute shocks, increasing economic resilience is gaining attention around the world to ensure the security and stability of economic activities. With the goal of achieving sustainable development, the China is exploring an innovative, coordinated, green, open, shared and secure development path for the regional economy. Using panel data for 241 cities at the prefecture level and above in China from 2010 to 2019, this research considers urban agglomeration planning as a quasi-natural experiment of regional integration and use a difference-in-differences method to explore the effect of regional integration on economic resilience. The results show the following. 1) Regional integration does improve economic resilience after various robustness tests. 2) The policy effect of regional integration on economic resilience varies by time, region, and urban structure. 3) Urban size structure and industrial structure are important ways in which regional integration affects economic resilience. Our findings enrich the theoretical study of the relationship between regional integration and economic resilience and provide a new path to improve regional economic resilience and achieve sustainable development.

Financial Inclusion Challenges and Prospects During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe

Financial inclusion is a process that enables the ease of access, availability and usage of formal financial services for all members of an economy. It is a United Nations Sustainable Develop Goal (SDG) earmarked to alleviate poverty and income inequality. As such, financial inclusion has attracted the attention of many researchers and policymakers. However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the whole world to a standstill. It has impacted many facets of the economy. The pandemic has reshaped the financial services sector. Financial inclusion is one facet of the economy that has been affected positively and negatively by the pandemic. This chapter explores the literature on financial inclusion and its challenges and opportunities induced by COVID-19. The chapter further explains the challenges and prospects of financial inclusion due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It concludes by illuminating future research directions. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Measuring feelings about choices and risks: The Berlin Emotional Responses to Risk Instrument (BERRI).

We introduce a brief instrument specifically validated for measuring positive and negative feelings about risks-the Berlin Emotional Responses to Risk Instrument (BERRI). Based on seven studies involving diverse adults from three countries (n = 2120), the BERRI was found to robustly estimate anticipatory affective reactions derived from subjective evaluations of positive (i.e., assured, hopeful, and relieved) and negative emotions (i.e., anxious, afraid, and worried). The brief BERRI outperformed a 14-item assessment, uniquely tracking costs/benefits associated with cancer screening among men and women (Studies 1 and 2). Predictive validity was further documented in paradigmatic risky choice studies wherein options varied over probabilities and severities across six contexts (health, social, financial, technological, ethical, and environmental; Study 3). Studies 4-6, conducted during the Ebola epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic, indicated BERRI responses were sensitive to subtle effects caused by emotion-related framing manipulations presented in different cultures and languages (the United States, Spain, and Poland). Study 7 indicated BERRI responses remained stable for 2 weeks. Although the BERRI can provide an estimate of overall affect, choices were generally better explained by the unique influences of positive and negative affect. Overall, results suggest the novel, brief instrument can be an efficient tool for high-stakes research on decision making and risk communication.

Prospects for attaining the multidimensional poverty target of SDG 1.2: evidence from the most recent multiyear harmonized data for 75 developing countries

This paper uses recent multiyear harmonized data on multidimensional poverty for 75 developing countries to judge prospects for attaining SDG Target 1.2 of reducing multidimensional poverty by one-half. Exponential rate of decline in multidimensional poverty headcount is calculated and extrapolated to the SDG period 2015–2030 to see whether the rate of decline would lower multidimensional poverty headcount by 50% over the 15-year period. There are 43 countries in which the observed rate of decline is large enough to reduce the headcount by half in 15 years. These countries had a total population of 3.9 billion and multidimensional poverty headcount of 580.7 million. There are 24 countries, with multidimensional poverty headcount of 549.9 million, where rate of reduction is not large enough to lower MDP headcount by one-half in 15 years. There are 8 countries that may or may not make the target. The international community needs to focus on the 24 countries that are likely to miss the target even in the pre-COVID scenario studied in this research. When post-COVID data become available in a few years, it should be possible to reassess the situation and to judge the effect of COVID on prospects for reaching the SDG Target 1.2.

Tourist Potential of Ukraine: Challenges and Prospects of the Post-War Time

The tourism industry is one of the sectors of the global economy most affected by the pandemic. At the same time, in 2022, having not yet fully recovered from the impact of quarantine restrictions, it was forced to face a completely new challenge for itself-large-scale military operations on a large part of the European territories. It was Ukraine and its tourism sector that suffered the most from the war, and since the prospects for the end of the war are very uncertain, the issue of preserving the country's tourism potential, finding ways to speed up its recovery and post-war development of the tourism sector of Ukraine are gaining particular relevance. To substantiate the prospects and challenges for the tourism potential of Ukraine in the post-war period and to determine the key directions of actions of the state and business for its preservation, effective use and expansion during the war period. The methodological basis of the study was made up of general scientific and special methods of economic theory, in particular, methods of theoretical generalization and comparative analysis and synthesis for the purpose of researching all processes and phenomena of the tourism sector of Ukraine in interdependence and interconnection. In the course of the study, statistical materials of the European Union and Ukraine were applied on the functioning of the tourism sector of the economy and processed using the methods of statistical analysis: comparison, grouping, calculation of average values and proportions, as well as analytical data and assessments of specialized state agencies of Ukraine were used. A comparison of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of the tourism sector of Ukraine and individual EU countries and the shares of tourism trade turnover in their GDP is made, which has revealed to note the low level of use of Ukraine's own tourism potential in the pre-war period. The key strengths and weaknesses of the tourism sector of Ukraine according to the version of the World Economic Forum have been studied and the prospects and consequences for them as a result of the war have been substantiated. A number of strategic courses of action for the state and business are proposed, based on the main possible prospects for the duration of active hostilities. © 2023, ASERS Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Exploring Foreign Teachers' Perceptions of Communication with Students in Online Learning in China: A Case Study

Under the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic, and with the widespread use of online learning, the way in which teachers communicate with students via the internet has attracted great attention. Online communication bears unique challenges, such as the absence of nonverbal cues and lack of social interaction, both of which are necessary to enrich and assist learning in an online setting. This paper aims to explore foreign teachers' perceptions of online communications for learning and to examine the communication challenges in that environment. Set in China, this study adopts a qualitative design using semi-structured online interviews as data collection instrument. Seven foreign teachers (non-Chinese) (three females and four males) participated in this research. The thematic analysis method was adopted for data analysis. Results showed that four themes were generated, which were effectiveness, emotional feelings, means of communication, and communication skills. In addition, three themes were discussed in terms of communication challenges in online learning, such as technical obstacles, cultural issues, as well as communication problems. Teachers are encouraged to be prepared to deal with these problems. This research brings new and practical thoughts to learners and instructors in order to optimize the effect of online learning and makes recommendations for future projects. © 2023 Society for Research and Knowledge Management. All rights reserved.

The COVID-19 pandemic and life expectancy among older adults in Asian countries

Millions of lives in Asia were lost in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, causing a reduction of 1.66 years in life expectancy at birth (e0) in 2019–2021 and a reduction of 1.41 years in life expectancy at age 60 (e60). Using the World Population Prospects 2022, we decomposed mortality changes at older ages (ages 60+) that contributed to Asia's reduction in e0 and e60. Overall, changes in mortality at older ages contributed to more than 70 per cent of reduction in e0 for all its subregions, except Eastern Asia (<37 per cent), and changes in mortality at oldest-old ages (80+) led to a reduction in e60 by 25 per cent. The sex difference in reduction of e60 varied across Asian countries, despite a similar pattern across subregions. These findings helped us understand the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on human mortality and the large variations across subregions and countries, which could have important policy implications. © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

The Covid 19 Exogenous Shock and the Crafting of New Multilateral Trade Rules on Subsidies and State Enterprises in the Post-Pandemic World

This Article discusses existing WTO rules on subsidies and state enterprises, relevant caselaw and reform prospects in light of key geopolitical developments and changes in the global economy emerging in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Following a general introduction, the Article critically analyzes present WTO rules on industrial subsidies, focusing inter alia on the new problems raised by activist industrial policies pursued by global trading powers, foreign subsidization, the climate change shock and environmental exigencies. It then shifts attention to the application of WTO rules on subsidies to the state sector and the increasing demands for new international trade rules on non-subsidies measures to address the negative spillover effects on trade from government influence on state-owned enterprises (SOEs). With respect to each of these matters, the Article first clarifies the terms of the problem in relation to existing WTO rules and caselaw, and next examines the question of how, and to what extent, "deeper” free trade agreements (FTAs)—those that experts designate as models for WTO reforms on the matter—establish new rules that permit to adequately address the trade concerns raised by SOEs' commercial and financial activities. Based on this multi-layered analysis, the article concludes by examining prospects of reform of WTO rules on state interventionism.

Systemic Changes in the Politicization of the International Trade Relations and the Decline of the Multilateral Trading System

This Article contributes to the discussion about the development of international trade regulation of state interventionism by situating the tensions that exist about the future design of subsidies and state enterprises treaty regulation in the broader context of current systemic challenges to the multilateral trading system. While recent studies have explored the issues of subsidies and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) as one of the most significant in impact among the contemporary challenges to the WTO, there is certainly scope to discuss further such a problem from the broader point of view of the crisis of the multilateral trading system, its systemic challenges and the concomitant increasing politicization of international trade relations. To this end, this Article analyzes the interactions between the lasting decline of the WTO, growing political interferences with international trade flows and the prospects of reforming multilateral trade rules to address its systemic challenges and manage/mitigate newly central problems of the 21st century such as the Covid-19 Pandemic, climate change and the greening of economic production and international trade. The Article argues that existing WTO rules are not adequate to address these challenges and problems. It concludes that, like in the GATT era, it is only the spirit of pragmatism that may provide chances to find alternatives to growing frustration with negotiating inaction and, hence, to reform the system. However, the question remains whether it is possible to find an approach to imagine, remodel and craft multilateral rules that are sensitive to different economic, political, and social choices and able to rebalance the position of all members, large and small, rich and poor.

The New Challenges of Kazakhstan's Education System: Distance Learning and the Student Environment

The article deals with the problems of students' adaptation to learning in a distance format. For this purpose, at the end of September - middle of October 2021 we conducted an experimental study among students studying at one of the leading universities of Kazakhstan - L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. We analyzed the answers of 229 respondents to the questions, the content of which was aimed at identifying various factors that influenced the learning system in the context of pandemic CОVID-19. The results of the study helped to identify the students' attitude to the transition to online learning, find out their preferences in the education format, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of online learning, to conclude on the need to develop new approaches to its application. Such research is highly relevant today, as it can serve to develop a qualitatively new learning environment for students in the future. This provides an opportunity to coordinate the educational policy of a university, draw conclusions and make appropriate decisions to improve the education system in order to improve its quality. Undoubtedly, further multidimensional study of current distance education processes and its impact on the formation of professional competences is necessary. © Siberian Federal University. All rights reserved.

Europe's Fragile Unity

The EU is unlikely to develop the kinds of efficient collective responses to the Russia–Ukraine war that it produced in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. The conditions of strategic interdependence generated by the Ukraine crisis are more demanding than those triggered by the pandemic because its consequences are asymmetrically distributed across member states. Germany will find it difficult to play the role of regional stabiliser, anti-Europe parties could become stronger, new intra-European cleavages may arise over collective goals, and the expansion of the crisis's time horizon could weaken prospects for effective collective action.