Athens Institute for Education and Research

Background/Objectives: Statins decrease the risk of cardiovascular events by lowering low-density lipoproteins (LDLs). Despite this, statins induce toxic effects by a mechanism of action that has not yet been elucidated. The aim of the present work was to create a mathematical simulation model to evaluate the effect of statins on LDL concentration reduction and the threshold value of toxic reversible concentrations. Methods: Fifteen calcified coronary artery biopsies from non-diabetic hyperlipidemic patients treated with statins were used. For this study, an advanced modified model including the Caputo Fractional Operator and molecular dynamics was employed. Results: The new characteristic absorption bands in the FTIR spectral region frequencies near 1744 and 976 cm⁻¹, assigned to the chemical functional groups of aldehydes (vCHO) and phosphates V(PO4³⁻) of the atheromatic plaques, respectively, were used for mathematical model development. The energy of the functional chemical bonds caused by redox modifications during atheromatic plaque progression was used to show the effects of statin concentrations numerically. The model provides the anti-atheromatic effects of statins by the inhibition of LDL formation. Furthermore, the mathematical model highlights the dose medication–statin dependence on the reverse point of the statins’ protective role. Conclusions: The new mathematical model shows both the beneficial and harmful actions of statins, which are associated with critical dose-dependent treatments with statins. The model also indicates that, upon increasing the statin dose, excessive secondary oxidation products were obtained. These products control the upregulation of the biological response by triggering other new pathways of redox homeostasis reactions.

This research investigates the influence of boardroom tenure and financial expertise on US bank performance in a nonlinear dynamic framework. To this aim, we utilize a sample of 305 banks during the 2010–2021 period, and we implement three empirical methodologies: GMM analysis, threshold technique, and quantile approach. Our findings reveal that the individual and interaction effects of boardroom financial expertise and tenure on bank performance are positive. Also, we provide evidence of an inverted U-shaped relation between boardroom tenure and bank performance, and between the board’s financial expertise and bank performance. Moreover, threshold analysis shows the presence of threshold effects in the relationship between boardroom tenure, expertise, and performance. Quantile results demonstrate that boardroom financial expertise improves the performance of high-performing banks. In contrast, boardroom tenure enhances the performance of low-performing banks but diminishes the performance of their highperforming counterparts.

This study delves into the pivotal role of chain shareholders in fostering digital transformation within Chinese-listed companies from 2014 to 2022. By employing a robust empirical analysis, we uncover a significant positive relationship between the presence of chain shareholders and the likelihood and extent of digital transformation initiatives. Our findings highlight the crucial influence of chain shareholders in supplying necessary financial resources, facilitating the exchange of vital information, and leveraging their extensive networks to spur innovation and technological adoption. Interestingly, the impact is more pronounced in non-state-owned businesses, companies outside high-tech sectors, enterprises in “Broadband China” demonstration cities, and those in growth stages, underscoring the multifaceted nature of digital transformation drivers. Furthermore, through robustness checks and endogenous tests, we validate the significance of chain shareholders in mitigating financial constraints and providing a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving digital economy. This research contributes to the understanding of corporate governance’s impact on technological innovation, offering valuable insights for policymakers, business leaders, and academics striving to harness digital technologies for sustainable development in the knowledge economy. Our findings advocate for strategic stakeholder engagement and governance reforms to facilitate a conducive environment for digital transformation, thereby enhancing corporate competitiveness and economic resilience in the digital era.

Organizations are embracing innovation and strategic development driven by three powerful forces, technology, big data, and corporate entrepreneurship (CE), to achieve revenue growth, sustainability, and global leadership. The three levels of an organization—individual, group, and organizational—are interconnected and mutually impact one another, ultimately determining the organization’s outcomes in terms of efficiency, performance, and sustainability. A study employing multiple research methods was carried out to understand this complex situation. A total of 450 professionals from various industries participated in an online survey, sharing their experiences and viewpoints. The analysis, conducted using both SPSS and Microsoft Excel, revealed a number of significant findings: Approximately 30% of individuals come from the telecommunications industry. 42.5% consider CE the initial step for strategic initiatives, while technology is regarded as the dominant force (70.45%). Surprisingly, although only 42% utilize all three levels, 40% believe their combined effort leads to the best possible outcomes. This study illustrates a complex ecosystem where big data, technology, and CE must collaborate to achieve organizational sustainability and ensure the success of executive initiatives. By utilizing the combined strength of this triumvirate, organizations can ascend to the highest position on the competitive hierarchy.

China’s trade, once a predictable engine of global growth, now moves to a complex beat amid financial crises, trade conflicts, and shifting geopolitical sands. This study reveals the intricate choreography shaping China’s trade trajectory, introducing the “trini graph displays noticeable fluctuations between the “Realized” ty of uncertainty”—exchange rates, trade policy anxieties (domestic and American), and geopolitical shadows. We reveal the nuanced time-varying impact of these forces using a dynamic framework informed by the “growth-at-risk” model and the insightful concept of relative entropy. Like a graceful waltz partner, the real effective exchange rate has a long-term influence. In contrast, trade policy uncertainty in the USA delivers a potent jive, particularly through short-run shocks. Geopolitical risks, a constant tango partner, cast a gloomy shadow over all time horizons. Nonetheless, China’s trade growth is remarkable, weathering shocks with adaptable grace; despite a more favorable future with greater upside potential, downside risks persist, urging caution in this delicate dance. This research provides policymakers and business leaders with the knowledge and tools to navigate the turbulent waters ahead, paving the way for informed decisions, resilient strategies, and a more stable global trade environment.

Chloroquine (CQ) is a 4-aminoquinoline derivative largely employed in the management of malaria. CQ treatment exploits the drug’s ability to cross the erythrocyte membrane, inhibiting heme polymerase in malarial trophozoites. Accumulation of CQ prevents the conversion of heme to hemozoin, causing its toxic buildup, thus blocking the survival of Plasmodium parasites. Recently, it has been reported that CQ is able to exert antiviral properties, mainly against HIV and SARS-CoV-2. This renewed interest in CQ treatment has led to the development of new studies which aim to explore its side effects and long-term outcome. Our study focuses on the effects of CQ in non-parasitized red blood cells (RBCs), investigating hemoglobin (Hb) functionality, the anion exchanger 1 (AE1) or band 3 protein, caspase 3 and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B) activity, intra and extracellular ATP levels, and the oxidative state of RBCs. Interestingly, CQ influences the functionality of both Hb and AE1, the main RBC proteins, affecting the properties of Hb oxygen affinity by shifting the conformational structure of the molecule towards the R state. The influence of CQ on AE1 flux leads to a rate variation of anion exchange, which begins at a concentration of 2.5 μM and reaches its maximum effect at 20 µM. Moreover, a significant decrease in intra and extracellular ATP levels was observed in RBCs pre-treated with 10 µM CQ vs. erythrocytes under normal conditions. This effect is related to the PTP-1B activity which is reduced in RBCs incubated with CQ. Despite these metabolic alterations to RBCs caused by exposure to CQ, no signs of variations in oxidative state or caspase 3 activation were recorded. Our results highlight the antithetical effects of CQ on the functionality and metabolism of RBCs, and encourage the development of new research to better understand the multiple potentiality of the drug.

This research investigates the impact of clan cultures and special trust on audit fees within Chinese organizations, elucidating a unique cultural facet of financial oversight in the knowledge economy, innovation, and technology management. By integrating Social Identity Theory, Resource Dependency Theory, and Institutional Theory, the study examines how clan-based cultural dynamics influence auditor–client interactions and auditing practices, affecting audit fees independently of workload considerations. Utilizing quantitative data from 44,375 firms, our analysis reveals that clan cultures necessitate increased auditor effort and prolonged audit tenure, leading to inflated audit fees. This phenomenon underscores the importance of understanding cultural dimensions in the enhancement of audit quality and financial reporting integrity. The findings contribute to the knowledge economy by highlighting the interplay between cultural trust and organizational dynamics in financial oversight, proposing a need for culturally sensitive audit strategies that balance innovation and traditional values. This study not only enriches the literature on auditing and cultural studies but also offers practical insights for auditors, regulatory bodies, and organizations in culturally diverse contexts, advocating for the integration of entrepreneurship and knowledge management practices in auditing to navigate the complexities of clan cultures effectively.

Principal leadership significantly influences teacher job satisfaction, yet a conclusive consensus remains elusive. A meta-analysis was undertaken to investigate diverse leadership styles’ impact on teacher satisfaction, guided by the Two-factor Theory. Examining 98 papers with 148 effect sizes and 740,477 participants, the results unveiled positive correlations (1) between leadership styles like transactional, instructional, authentic, transformational, distributed, paternalistic, servant, ethical, and teacher job satisfaction. Ethical leadership yielded the highest influence, followed by servant leadership. (2) Cultural context, leadership measurement, job satisfaction assessment, and publication language partially moderated the relationship. (3) These findings substantiate theoretical assumptions, resolve research debates, and offer a foundation for principals to enhance teacher job satisfaction.

In this chapter, we study the importance of digital technology in the growth of indigenous entrepreneurship in emerging nations in Southeast Asia. We examine how family, community, and business partners can support one another to fill institutional gaps and promote indigenous entrepreneurship in enterprises. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using relevant keywords and academic databases. A thorough search of the extant literature was done in Scopus and Google Scholar using a combination of keywords such as indigenous entrepreneurship, digital transformation, business model innovation, value creation, and business development. Digital technologies have facilitated the creation and development of new businesses by indigenous people, as well as distribution systems that can increase the number of transactions that companies can complete within a given period, leading to increased sales and profit. A conceptual framework illustrates the role of digital technologies in launching new indigenous entrepreneurs and ventures.

We study the dynamics of particles in cold electron plasma medium based on two dissimilar approaches: the fractional actionlike varia-tional and fractal calculus approaches. In each case, the corresponding Boltzmann and Vlasov-Boltzmann equations were derived. Although the mathematical relationships between fractional calculus and fractal calculus were established in the literature, it was revealed throughout this study that the corresponding physics for its approach is quite different. Each model is characterized by its corresponding Boltzmann and Vlasov-Boltzmann equations which describe dissimilar dynamics and gives rise to unrelated Bohm-Gross formulas for electron plasma waves (dispersion relations) and different group velocities connected to the numerical ranges of the matching fractional parameter. Several consequences were obtained and discussed accordingly.

This study explores the phenomenon of managerial behavioral patterns resulting from complex social environments and investigates the behavioral differences of government officials under different conditions based on an irrational hypothesis. Leveraging big data and text sentiment analysis, the study introduces a measure of self-confidence by analyzing the texts of officials’ work reports and speeches. Focusing on innovation as a common goal pursued by local governments, the research examines whether irrational factors, such as overconfidence, influence the allocation of innovation investment by municipal officials and subsequently impact urban innovation development. The study employs an environmental boundary model rooted in high-level echelon, deviance, and innovation theories. Panel data from innovative cities spanning the period 2006–2021 serve as the research sample to examine the hierarchical relationship between mayoral self-confidence levels, government innovation investment, and urban innovation power. The empirical analysis reveals that government innovation investment significantly contributes to urban innovativeness. However, the findings indicate that mayoral overconfidence negatively moderates this relationship, and the moderating effect of overconfidence varies across different environments. This research sheds light on the crucial role of government officials’ self-confidence in influencing innovation investment and urban innovation outcomes. The findings emphasize the importance of considering the impact of irrational factors on decision-making processes in local governance. By understanding the moderating effect of mayoral overconfidence, policymakers and stakeholders can develop strategies that enhance the effectiveness of government innovation initiatives and promote sustainable urban innovation.

This paper examines the impact of digital transformation on over-investment behavior among Chinese A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2016 to 2020. The study reveals that enterprise digital transformation effectively inhibits over-investment. Compared to firms without digital transformation, those undergoing or possessing a higher degree of digital transformation exhibit lower probabilities and degrees of over-investment. Moreover, digital transformation has a stronger inhibitory effect on enterprises characterized by high levels of over-investment. These findings hold true even after accounting for factors of robustness and endogeneity. Heterogeneous group testing further demonstrates that the impact of digital transformation on over-investment is particularly prominent in non-state-owned, manufacturing, and high-tech enterprises. The study identifies “rational decision-making” as a mechanism through which digital transformation influences over-investment, and it finds that good corporate governance partially mediates this relationship. The research provides empirical evidence of the governance effect of digital transformation on investment decisions and expands our understanding of the economic consequences of digital transformation. The findings offer valuable insights for market investors and enterprise management as a meaningful reference in decision-making processes.

This study explores the critical role of interrelationships among e-commerce supply chain members in shaping sustainability outcomes. It adopts a qualitative approach, drawing from Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) and Resource Dependency Theory (RDT) to gain a deeper understanding of sustainability within e-commerce supply chains. In a comprehensive investigation involving 35 key stakeholders from prominent e-commerce companies in China, such as Amazon, Alibaba, Suning.com, Shein, and Wayfair, this research examines how robust interrelationships, characterized by collaboration, knowledge exchange, trust-building, and joint problem-solving, facilitate efficient resource utilization, innovation, waste reduction, and enhanced social and environmental responsibility throughout the supply chain. The findings underline the practical implications for supply chain managers and practitioners, emphasizing the need to foster these robust interrelationships through effective communication, trust-building, collaboration, and information sharing as tangible strategies to elevate sustainability performance and gain a competitive edge in the dynamic e-commerce landscape. The insights are based on structured, in-depth interviews conducted in English with participants familiar with the language, lasting approximately 35 to 55 min.

This study proposes a comprehensive evaluation system for industrial sewage treatment projects based on the G1-Entropy Improved TOPSIS model to accurately quantify and objectively evaluate such projects. A comprehensive evaluation index system is constructed based on four levels: environmental, economic, managerial, and social. G1-entropy is used to revise the empirical results of experts and improve the accuracy and practicality of evaluation index weight. The study’s feasibility and practicality are demonstrated through the evaluation of a sewage treatment project by Q City Water Group Co., Ltd. in China. The research on multi-attribute decision-making is crucial, especially as stakeholders are increasingly involved in decision-making issues. Environmental problems, particularly water pollution, have become increasingly severe, necessitating the scientific evaluation of sewage treatment projects to improve living standards and promote social sustainability. This study proposes a comprehensive evaluation system and applies the G1-entropy improved TOPSIS model to determine an objective and accurate evaluation index weight. The improved TOPSIS method simplifies the calculation process, making it more efficient and practical. This study’s technological implications are significant, as it presents a novel and efficient approach for evaluating sewage treatment projects. The proposed system and model can provide technical support and decision-making guidance for the operation and management of sewage treatment projects, thus enhancing their efficiency and effectiveness. Additionally, the study’s practical implications are important for promoting the sustainable development of environmental projects and enterprises. The proposed evaluation system can improve the quality of life for residents and promote the sustainable development of society.

This empirical study explores the factors influencing farmers’ decisions to withdraw from homesteads with compensation in the Chengdu–Chongqing area. Based on survey data from rural households, a structural equation model was constructed to investigate the relationships between individual characteristics of farmers, household characteristics, and the characteristics of farmers’ homesteads and their impact on farmers’ employment, life, and income. The results indicate that household characteristics influence farmers’ willingness to quit homestead with compensation, significantly impacting the proportion of non-agricultural employment, stability of non-agricultural employment, agricultural income, and per capita annual income. Furthermore, higher education levels, younger age, and a fondness for urban life also influence farmers’ willingness to withdraw from homesteads. The study highlights the importance of reasonable compensation calculation methods and modes in promoting homestead withdrawal. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers in designing more effective compensation programs and other policies to promote sustainable rural development in the Chengdu–Chongqing area. This study underscores the importance of technology transfer in rural development and highlights the potential of homestead withdrawal policies as a form of technology transfer. The findings have significant theoretical and managerial implications for policymakers to design more effective compensation programs and other policies promoting sustainable rural development in the Chengdu–Chongqing area.

This paper deals with Bulgarian съм+-л (‘be’+past active participle) perfect verb forms with aorist and imperfect participles, the distinction between these two participles being a phenomenon found only in Bulgarian among the Slavic languages and generally absent in other languages too. According to the majority of Bulgarianists today, imperfect participles are not used in perfect verb forms. However, this thesis is considered here a fully defective one for several reasons, among which: no argumentation has ever been provided to explain the thesis in essence – for example, in its possible connection to the aspectual values encoded in aorist and imperfect participles, or to the general characteristics of съм+-л forms. These forms can effectuate many TAM meanings – not only of “a standard perfect” but also modal ones such as inferentiality, renarration, dubitativity. Following the author’s definition of aspect as an all-pervading and perpetual process of mapping temporal features between verbal and nominal referents, specific uses of imperfect and aorist participles in sentences with perfect verb forms are analyzed, and the impact the relevant participle (imperfect or aorist) exerts on the temporal values of situation-participant NP-referents is analyzed and identified. The major generalization is that the never-ending process of mapping temporal features from verbs to nominals (NPs) that occurs in verbal-aspect languages (Slavic, Greek, Georgian), and vice versa, from nominals (NPs) to verbs that occur in compositional-aspect languages (Dutch, English, Finnish) is a crucial psychophysiological mechanism ingrained in peoples’ heads and conditioning the development of grammatical structures of languages. Intriguingly, this process is linguistically fully identifiable at the speaker-hearer interaction level but remains entirely beyond the awareness of the ordinary native speaker. Author: Krasimir Kabakčiev 0000-0002-5529-0872 kkabakciev@atiner.gr