focalinterest.net

Tag: Information Systems & Data

  • SmarTrim reduces redundant transaction sequences in smart contract analysis

    What the study found

    SmarTrim is a symbolic execution technique for smart contracts that reduces the search space by pruning redundant transaction sequences. The abstract says this approach outperforms eleven state-of-the-art analyzers when detecting critical vulnerabilities in real-world smart contracts.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors say smart contracts need rigorous safety validation because flaws can cause significant financial loss. The study suggests that reducing the transaction-sequence search space can improve vulnerability detection in smart contract analysis.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers developed SmarTrim, a symbolic execution method that generates vulnerable transaction sequences while detecting and pruning redundant ones. They evaluated it experimentally against eleven state-of-the-art analyzers on real-world smart contracts.

    What worked and what didn't

    The abstract reports that SmarTrim safely reduces the search space for transaction sequences. It also says the technique greatly outperforms eleven existing analyzers in detecting critical vulnerabilities in real-world smart contracts.

    What to keep in mind

    The available summary does not give details about the specific vulnerabilities tested, the size of the evaluation set, or the exact performance measures. It also does not describe any limitations beyond the general challenge of the large search space.

    • SmarTrim is a symbolic execution technique for smart contract vulnerability detection.
    • It prunes redundant transaction sequences to reduce the search space safely.
    • The abstract says it outperforms eleven state-of-the-art analyzers.
    • The evaluation was performed on real-world smart contracts.
    • The paper frames smart contract safety as important because flaws can cause significant financial loss.

  • Blockchain is framed as usable for both operational and strategic governance in higher education

    What the study found

    The authors argue that blockchain can be adapted for both routine university services and broader governance functions in higher education. The paper presents a strategic framework and policy recommendations for its adoption.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The study suggests that blockchain may improve educational service delivery and promote accountability through openness and transparency, which the authors connect to good governance. The authors also indicate that its use may extend beyond operational tasks into areas such as governmental oversight, funding, licensure, auditing, and review.

    What the researchers tested

    This is a policy commentary, not an experimental study. It examines whether blockchain is adaptable to both operational and strategic governance in higher education and offers a guiding framework with policy recommendations.

    What worked and what didn't

    The abstract says universities have already used blockchain for credential verification, transcript management, and degree certification. It also says the paper assesses whether this use can extend from those operational services to strategic governance domains, but it does not report measured outcomes or compare what worked against what did not.

    What to keep in mind

    The available summary does not describe empirical data, study sample, or evaluation results. It is a policy commentary, so the claims are framed as guidance and recommendations rather than as tested findings.

    • Blockchain has been used by some universities for credential verification, transcript management, and degree certification.
    • The authors say blockchain may support both operational services and strategic governance in higher education.
    • The paper presents a framework and policy recommendations for adopting blockchain effectively.
    • The abstract does not report experimental results or measured outcomes.
    • The summary available here does not include specific limitations beyond the policy-commentary format.

  • Financial development affects social progress differently across income levels

    What the study found

    The study found that the effect of financial development on social progress is nonlinear and varies by income level. Information and communication technology (ICT) appears to act as a key enhancer, especially in low-income countries.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that effective governance, digital infrastructure, and context-specific policies are needed to turn financial growth into more inclusive social outcomes. They also suggest that societies with different income levels need tailored financial development strategies to improve social well-being.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers used a quantitative panel quantile regression approach to examine the nonlinear impact of financial development on social progress. They also tested the moderating role of ICT, including digital inclusion and connectivity, and used Dawson graphs to show the moderation effect.

    What worked and what didn't

    The findings indicate that financial development is linked to social progress in a way that is not the same across income levels. ICT strengthened this relationship, with the strongest effect reported in low-income countries.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not provide detailed limitations beyond noting that the study focuses on income groups from high-income to low-income countries. It also does not report specific numerical estimates in the available summary.

    • Financial development was found to have a nonlinear effect on social progress.
    • The effect varied across income groups.
    • ICT moderated the relationship and strengthened it, especially in low-income countries.
    • The authors point to governance, digital infrastructure, and context-specific policy as important.
    • The study uses panel quantile regression and Dawson graphs.
  • Mobile money adoption is linked to fewer violent conflicts

    Mobile money adoption is linked to fewer violent conflicts

    What the study found

    The study finds that mobile money adoption is associated with lower levels of violent conflict in 103 developing countries from 2000 to 2020. The abstract reports an average decrease of 282 conflict-related deaths.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that digital financial services, especially mobile money, may be strategically important for promoting peace and economic development in low- and middle-income countries.

    What the researchers tested

    The article examines the impact of mobile money adoption on armed conflict across 103 developing countries over the period 2000 to 2020. To address selection bias, the researchers used the Entropy Balancing method, and they also tested alternative model specifications, instrumental variable techniques for reverse causality, and dynamic and spillover effects.

    What worked and what didn't

    The findings show that mobile money significantly reduces violent conflicts, with an average decrease of 282 conflict-related deaths. The abstract says these results are robust across sensitivity checks and vary by the type of mobile money service, the country’s level of development, conflict duration, financial sector development, and geographic region. It also identifies income, unemployment, inequality, and consumption volatility as economic channels linked to the reduction in violent conflict.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not provide detailed information on the specific data sources or the exact measures used for conflict, mobile money adoption, or the economic channels. It also does not describe all possible limitations beyond noting the use of methods to address selection bias and reverse causality.

    • Mobile money adoption is associated with fewer violent conflicts in 103 developing countries.
    • The abstract reports an average reduction of 282 conflict-related deaths.
    • The results are described as robust to alternative models, instrumental variables, and tests of dynamic and spillover effects.
    • The impact varies by service type, development level, conflict duration, financial sector development, and region.
    • The authors identify income, unemployment, inequality, and consumption volatility as channels linked to the effect.

  • Capital account openness shows an inverted U-shaped link with growth

    What the study found

    The study found an inverted U-shaped relationship between capital account openness and economic growth in emerging market economies. In this setting, moderate openness was linked to stronger growth, while very high openness was linked to weaker growth.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that the findings offer guidance for China’s Fifteenth Five-Year Plan, suggesting a need to balance openness with stability. They also report that effective institutions may help reduce the negative effects of excessive openness.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers used panel data, which means repeated data from multiple countries over time, from emerging market economies between 1980 and 2022. They examined the relationship between capital account openness and economic growth, along with the mechanisms behind it.

    What worked and what didn't

    Moderate capital account openness appeared to support economic growth. The study also identified a financing promotion–risk accumulation pathway, with short-term external debt serving as an important mechanism. Extreme openness appeared to impede growth, and effective institutions were reported to mitigate that negative effect.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not describe detailed model settings, country coverage, or robustness checks beyond the panel-data period and setting. The summary also does not provide exact effect sizes or specific institutional measures.

    • The study reports an inverted U-shaped relationship between capital account openness and economic growth.
    • Moderate openness is associated with higher growth, while excessive openness may hinder growth.
    • A financing promotion–risk accumulation pathway is identified as part of the mechanism.
    • Short-term external debt is described as a crucial mechanism in the analysis.
    • Effective institutions are reported to reduce the negative effects of excessive openness.

  • Review identifies nine blockchain application areas in Bangladesh education

    What the study found

    The review found nine key areas where blockchain, a digital record-keeping system, could be applied in Bangladesh's higher education sector. After considering feasibility and urgency, the authors prioritized five of those areas for blockchain use to support SDG 4, the United Nations goal for quality education.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that the findings help fill a gap in knowledge about blockchain applications in education in an emerging-country setting. They suggest the study can provide a foundation for future actions by policymakers, institutions, regulatory bodies, and educators to adopt blockchain in higher education and progress toward sustainability.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers carried out a systematic literature review focused on Bangladesh's higher education sector. They searched Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and ScienceDirect using targeted keywords from 2016 to 2024, and they used the PRISMA flow diagram to screen and select studies.

    What worked and what didn't

    A total of 39 articles were included after screening, covering articles, conference papers, and book chapters. The included papers examined different aspects of blockchain application in educational institutions, and the review identified nine possible application areas, with five then prioritized based on feasibility and urgency in the Bangladesh context.

    What to keep in mind

    The summary does not describe detailed results for each of the nine areas or name the five prioritized domains. It also does not report limitations beyond the scope of the review itself.

    • The review identified nine potential blockchain application areas in Bangladesh's higher education sector.
    • Five of those areas were prioritized based on feasibility and urgency in the Bangladesh context.
    • The review included 39 studies published as articles, conference papers, and book chapters.
    • The search covered major databases and publications from 2016 to 2024.
    • The authors say the study addresses a knowledge gap about blockchain in education in an emerging-country setting.

  • Blockchain can support traceability and verification in agri-food systems

    What the study found

    The study found that blockchain can strengthen product-level traceability and improve verification of sustainability and safety claims in agri-food systems. It also found that blockchain may act as an enabling digital layer for sustainable and resilient food systems.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that blockchain should be embedded in wider, participatory strategies that align digital innovation with long-term sustainability and equity goals in the agri-food sector. They say this is relevant to building sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems under global megatrends.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers used a structured literature review of peer-reviewed and industry sources. They also analyzed a curated dataset of European and international pilot implementations, and used stakeholder-based foresight activities and scenarios from the TRUSTyFOOD project to examine links between blockchain adoption and megatrends.

    What worked and what didn't

    Evidence from the literature and pilot cases indicates that blockchain can improve transparency, certification, supply chain coordination, traceability, and verification of sustainability and safety claims. Cross-case analysis also identified persistent constraints, including heterogeneous technical standards, limited interoperability, high deployment costs for smallholders, and governance risks from consortium-led platforms.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not describe detailed study limitations beyond the constraints found in the cross-case analysis. It also does not provide enough information here to determine how broadly the pilot outcomes apply beyond the cases reviewed.

    • Blockchain was found to improve product-level traceability in agri-food systems.
    • The evidence reviewed also linked blockchain with better verification of sustainability and safety claims.
    • The study identified barriers such as poor interoperability, varied technical standards, and high costs for smallholders.
    • Governance risks were noted for consortium-led blockchain platforms.
    • The authors say blockchain should be part of broader participatory strategies for sustainability and equity.

  • Blockchain features align with specific supply chain financing frictions

    What the study found

    The study found that blockchain-enabled supply chain financing (BCF) solutions are linked to specific financing frictions, and that these links are not random. Transactional friction was the most prominent, while bankruptcy costs and taxes were rarely associated with blockchain features in the sample.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that understanding how blockchain features align with particular financing frictions may improve the chances of success in supply chain finance. They also suggest that the study provides a way to use AI to evaluate large amounts of unstructured data in operations management research.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers used a theory elaboration approach to examine which financing frictions BCF solutions aim to address, which blockchain features they use, and how those frictions and features are associated. They analyzed 312 documents describing 11 BCF solutions, including both successful and failed cases, and used AI-based large language models to identify patterns.

    What worked and what didn't

    The analysis identified seven types of financing frictions and three key blockchain features. Transactional friction and hidden actions frictions were linked to all three blockchain features, while other frictions were usually linked to only one. Tokenization was used sparingly and appeared only in successful BCF solutions in this sample.

    What to keep in mind

    The findings come from 11 BCF solutions described in 312 documents, so the scope is limited to that sample. The abstract does not provide further limitations beyond this scope.

    • The study examined 312 documents describing 11 blockchain-enabled supply chain financing solutions.
    • Transaction-related friction was the most prominent friction in the sample.
    • Bankruptcy costs and taxes were rarely associated with blockchain features in the analyzed cases.
    • Tokenization was used sparingly and appeared only in successful BCF solutions.
    • Transactional and hidden actions frictions were linked to all three blockchain features.

  • Blockchain evidence has limits in civil litigation

    What the study found

    The study found that blockchain technology can create reliable digital records, but technical security by itself does not make those records legally certain in civil litigation. It also found that blockchain records are most effective in limited situations, especially when they document activity directly on a blockchain network.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that integrating blockchain into evidence law requires clear legal rules that balance technical reliability with procedural safeguards. They also recommend specific admissibility criteria, standardised verification methods, judicial training, and coordination with international standards such as UNCITRAL and EU regulations.

    What the researchers tested

    The article used comparative legal analysis to examine how different legal systems treat blockchain evidence in civil litigation. It compared China, the United States, the European Union, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Türkiye.

    What worked and what didn't

    The findings indicate three situations where blockchain evidence is most effective: proving transactions carried out directly on blockchain networks, acting as an electronic detection tool for transactions outside the network, and recording real-world events directly onto blockchain systems. The study also reports difficulties across jurisdictions, including no harmonised standards, attribution problems, the "garbage in, garbage out" issue, and the need for expert testimony.

    What to keep in mind

    The article says blockchain records have functional limits, especially because they can only guarantee data integrity within the digital environment and cannot by themselves prove physical-world events. The available summary does not describe empirical testing, and it does not provide details about specific case outcomes.

    • Blockchain can create reliable digital records, but technical security alone does not establish legal certainty.
    • The study compares approaches in China, the U.S., the EU, France, Germany, the U.K., and Türkiye.
    • Blockchain evidence is most effective for on-chain transactions and certain forms of digital recording.
    • The article identifies problems with attribution, harmonised standards, and the "garbage in, garbage out" principle.
    • The authors recommend admissibility criteria, standardised verification, judicial training, and coordination with UNCITRAL and EU regulations.
  • Positive CBDC stance linked to higher bank net interest margins

    Positive CBDC stance linked to higher bank net interest margins

    What the study found

    The study found that a more positive central bank stance toward central bank digital currencies, or CBDCs, is associated with significantly higher banks' net interest margin (NIM), the difference between lending and deposit rates. The authors also describe a mechanism in which banks raise deposit rates to keep funds, which can be followed by higher lending rates.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that the findings offer a new perspective on how sovereign digital currencies may be integrated with traditional financial intermediaries. The study suggests CBDC development may affect bank profitability and intermediary functions.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers analyzed bank-level data from 43 countries covering 2017 to 2022. They combined this with a CBDC stance index built from official central bank statements to examine how CBDC development relates to bank profitability.

    What worked and what didn't

    A more positive CBDC stance by central banks was associated with significantly improved NIM. The abstract says banks may respond to tougher deposit competition by raising deposit rates, and that this can also lead to higher lending rates.

    What to keep in mind

    The summary provided does not describe specific limitations, robustness checks, or causal identification details. It reports an association between CBDC stance and bank NIM, but does not state that the relationship is causal.

    • A more positive central bank stance toward CBDCs was linked to higher bank net interest margin.
    • The study used bank-level data from 43 countries from 2017 to 2022.
    • The CBDC stance measure was based on official central bank statements.
    • The authors describe deposit-rate increases as one response to deposit competition, with higher lending rates following.