Month: April 2024

Effects of immigration on native entrepreneurship in the US: an analysis of self-employment over 1980–2018

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Abstract

This paper examines the causal impact of immigration on entrepreneurship among US-born non-Hispanic whites in non-agricultural private sectors from 1980 to 2018. Using self-employment as a proxy for entrepreneurship and distinguishing between incorporated individuals and unincorporated self-employed workers, I find a sizable negative impact of immigration on native self-employment. Importantly, this effect is consistent across incorporated and unincorporated self-employment and remains robust across demographic groups based on gender, age, and education. Results are robust to the choice of controls and estimation methods.

The role of automatic pollen and fungal spore monitoring across major end-user domains

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Abstract

The advent of automatic pollen and fungal spore monitoring over the past few years has brought about a paradigm change. The provision of real-time information at high temporal resolution opens the door to a wide range of improvements in terms of the products and services made available to a widening range of end-users and stakeholders. As technology and methods mature, it is essential to properly quantify the impact automatic monitoring has on the different end-user domains to better understand the real long-term benefits to society. In this paper, we focus the main domains where such impacts are expected, using Europe as a basis to provide qualitative estimates and to describe research needs to better quantify impacts in future. This will, in part, also serve to justify further investment and help to expand monitoring networks.

Does identity change matter? Everyday agency, moral authority and generational cascades in the transformation of groupness after conflict

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Abstract

Everyday identity change is common after conflict, as people attempt to move away from oppositional group relations and closed group boundaries. This article asks how it scales up and out to impact these group relations and boundaries, and what stops this? Theoretically, the article focusses on complex oppositional configurations of groupness, where relationality and feedback mechanisms (rather than more easily measured variables) are crucial to change and continuity, and in which moral authority is a key node of reproduction. It uses the normatively weighted concept of transformation to augment existing research on boundary and identity change, while elaborating it to recognise the role of everyday agency in furthering change and moral inertia in impeding it. Substantively, the article compares the processes of everyday transformation of groupness in three cases that are very similar in historical depth, social embeddedness, symbolic opposition and everyday change, but very different in time-scale and with contrasting outcomes: successful transformation of reformation religious groupness; partial transformation of national groupness; and failed transformation of complexly-configured ethnic groupness in Northern Ireland. This allows tracing of the patterns and mechanisms at work. To anticipate, the article argues that everyday identity change can erode the moral authority of groupness. Its impact is generational and dependent on institutional linkages. The article highlights the importance of moral mechanisms as drivers of and obstacles to change; and it suggests ways that the obstacles could be overcome by radical policy interventions.

Challenges and opportunities for European energy policy and sustainable transformations in the aftermath of Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine

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Abstract

This paper explores the challenges and opportunities for European energy policy and sustainable transformations as well as to examine and evaluate the possible consequences of a military confrontation between Russia and Ukraine. This paper modelled the possible outcomes of a confrontation between Russia and Ukraine using historical data, expert opinions, and geopolitical research. In order to support the analysis, this paper also took historical precedents and theories of international relations into account. According to this research, a conflict of that kind would have far-reaching consequences both locally and globally. These might have an impact on global alliances and security dynamics, as well as have economic, political, social justice and humanitarian repercussions. This manuscript provides a theoretical study based on current scenarios that can be used to comprehend the possible effects of geopolitical wars. It highlights the significance of international collaboration and the necessity of diplomatic measures to avert such conflicts. Based on the current situation, wherein a Russian attack on Ukraine appears imminent, diplomatic diplomacy and war prevention tactics must be given top priority by international leaders. The study’s conclusions emphasize the value of international collaboration and peacekeeping operations in preserving regional security and averting far-reaching effects.

Exploring Opportunities and Limitations of Kazakhstan’s Multilateral and Bilateral Cooperation in Renewable Energy within Central Asia: A Comprehensive Analysis

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Abstract

Global energy architecture changes under the influence of energy transitions and geopolitical events, which actualize the task of strengthening Kazakhstan’s energy security. The study aims to analyse the prospects for cooperation in the field of energy security within the framework of the Energy Club of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and assess the potential benefits for Kazakhstan. The study used the following. Structural-functional, forecasting systems, and comparative analysis. The study demonstrates that Kazakhstan needs to transform its energy system, and the SCO Energy Club has the potential to attract investment and technology in this area. Promising areas of cooperation in the fields of renewable and hydrogen energy and the digitalization of energy infrastructure are identified. A significant asymmetry in the economic and technological potential of the key SCO Energy Club members was noted. This complicates the development of a balanced agenda for energy cooperation within the SCO. It is concluded that the SCO Energy Club can become a platform for the formation of a new multipolar energy geopolitics, provided that the interests of all participants are considered. In the context of the global energy transition, Kazakhstan faces the need for a large-scale transformation of the energy sector. The country needs significant investments in the development of renewable energy sources, hydrogen technologies, and the modernization of its electricity infrastructure. Participation in the SCO Energy Club is seen as an opportunity to attract financial resources and advanced technologies from SCO partners to address these challenges. Specific promising areas of Kazakhstan’s cooperation in the field of green energy have been identified, including the implementation of joint projects in solar and wind energy, hydrogen production, and hydrogen export. Opportunities for the digitalization of Kazakhstan’s electricity infrastructure through the transfer of Chinese and other technologies were identified. For Kazakhstan, cooperation within the SCO Energy Club opens up prospects for diversifying export energy markets, attracting investment in the development of energy infrastructure, and increasing energy independence. The practical significance of the study lies in the development of recommendations for utilising the potential of the SCO Energy Club to strengthen energy security and build up Kazakhstan’s energy potential.

Alternate realities in interactive digital narratives – understanding and improving design and prosocial effects through empirical methods

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Abstract

Interactive digital narratives (IDNs) create alternate realities using both fictional and non-fiction material. The interactive aspect of IDN turns audiences into participants and enables the exploration of alternative perspectives and actions within a single artifact. Such multifaceted representations make IDN a vehicle for representing complex issues, a crucial capability at a time when the limits of traditional narrative media to adequately represent complex issues such as climate change become apparent. Conversely, properly evaluated, generalized knowledge about how exactly IDNs engage and influence us and what this means for the design of such works is still scant and thus this topic needs scholarly attention. In this overview paper, we discuss the potential of IDN, but also the difficulties of realizing this potential in terms of design and of verifying the effectiveness through empirical research methods. The potential of IDN as dynamic, participatory, and encyclopedic artifacts can be clearly expressed, yet the same cannot be said when it comes to the design and especially the evaluation of intended prosocial effects, the topic this paper is focused on. We start by identifying the problem of IDN design resulting from a combination of the lack of generalized knowledge and formal professional training. Then, we discuss the challenge of measuring the effectiveness of IDN design for prosocial effects and report on several case studies. In this context, we discuss methodological issues and advocate for best practices. Finally, we consider future steps in addressing the continuing challenge of evaluating IDNs.

Image forgery detection: comprehensive review of digital forensics approaches

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Abstract

Image is a powerful way to share information in the digital world. The sources of images are everywhere, magazines, newspapers, healthcare, entertainment, education, social media and electronic media. With the advancement of image editing software and cheap camera-enabled mobile devices, image manipulation is very easy without any prior knowledge or expertise. So, image authenticity has questioned. Some people use the forged image for fun, but some people may have bad intentions. The manipulated image may use by political parties to spread their false propaganda. Fake images use by people to spread rumours and stoking someone. In addition to harming individuals, fake images can damage the credibility of media outlets and undermine the public trust in them. The need for reliable and efficient image forgery detection methods to combat misinformation, propaganda, hoaxes, and other malicious uses of manipulated images. These are some known issues on digital images. The researcher, scientist, and image forensic experts are working on the development of fake image detection and identification tools. Presently digital image forgery detection is a trending field of research. The main aim of this paper is to provide the exhaustive review on digital image forgery detection tools and techniques. It also discusses various machine learning techniques, such as supervised, unsupervised, and deep learning approaches, that can be employed for image forgery detection it demonstrate the challenges of the current state of the work.

Building energy savings by green roofs and cool roofs in current and future climates

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Abstract

The global energy demand has greatly impacted greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Since buildings are responsible for a large portion of global energy consumption, this study investigates the energy-saving potential of green roofs and cool roofs in reducing building energy consumption. Using an integrated approach that combines climate change modeling and building energy simulation, the study evaluates these strategies in six global cities (Cairo, Hong Kong, Seoul, London, Los Angeles, and Sao Paulo) under current and future climate change scenarios. The results show that in future climates, the implementation of green and cool roofs at the city level can lead to substantial annual energy reductions, with up to 65.51% and 71.72% reduction in HVAC consumption, respectively, by 2100. These findings can guide the implementation of these strategies in different climatic zones worldwide, informing the selection and design of suitable roof mitigation strategies for specific urban contexts.