SV Euroopa Liidu rahastatud projektid

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Nüüd näidatakse 1 - 20 335

A Case Study of the Public Sector Digital Ecosystem in Estonia
(IEEE Xplore, 2024-05-03) Solvak, Mihkel; Lauringson, Ave
We discuss the core features of the Estonian digital ecosystem that have led to an exponential growth of in public digital service usage and started a move into the so-called post-digital society. A universal electronic identification system ensures that all citizens have default access to digital services. Uniform universal access is complemented with a distributed data exchange layer called X-Road, which allows service owners to engage in peer to peer data exchanges. Such a system has created positive dynamics from service demand (citizens) and supply (service owners) side. The secure digital identity enjoys high trust, which leads to high service usage rates and increased demand for more digitalized service. That same secure universal access and a data exchange system that is designed to create network effects, ensures a large immediate customer base for service owners, which makes data intensive digital service development faster and more cost-efficient. Finally, the frequent exchange of technologists between the private and public sector ensures rolling out of services and policies, like the e-residency program, that create new international customers for otherwise national digital services.
A Tale of Two Orthodoxies: Europe in Religious Discourses of Russia and Georgia
(Routledge, 2018) Makarychev, Andrey; Kakabadze, Shota
The article seeks to analyze discourses of two Orthodox Churches—Georgian (GOC) and Russian (ROC)—from the vantage point of their various interconnections with Europe and the ensuing representations of Europe framed in religious terms. Of particular salience are relations between ROC and GOC, on the one hand, and the Roman Catholic Church, on the other, as well as the positioning of both ROC and GOC within the global community of Orthodox Churches. The analyzed political circumstances force religious hierarchs of both institutions, even if they share the similar ambivalence toward the West, to differently reproduce the image of Europe. The broader geopolitical picture puts the GOC in the position of supporting government’s foreign policy agenda which goes in opposition to the Kremlin, in spite of the fact that the former has a lot of common with the Moscow Patriarchate when it comes to criticism toward the Western liberal value systems.
A Taste of Georgia. Far Right Populism with a Unique Georgian Flavour
(2020) Cole, Michael
Georgia has proved no exception to recent political trends which have seen the increased prominence and influence of far right populist parties and movements purporting to represent ‘the people’ in an antagonistic struggle against the ‘elites’ or ‘enemies’. However, while a great deal of academic attention has been devoted to cases in Central and Western Europe (CWE), studies of Georgian far right populism are much less common. Therefore, this paper first examines the political styles of two Georgian far right actors, the Alliance of Patriots of Georgia (APG) and Georgian March (GM). I argue that the populist discursive frames both employ demonstrates enough commonalities with their CWE counterparts to consider them members of the far-right populist ‘family’. However, the prevalence of populist ways of ‘doing politics’, highly influential role of ‘traditional values’ promoted by the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC), and influence of Russia, are three important factors which produce a uniquely Georgian ‘flavour’ to far right populist movements in Georgia.
A theoretical framework for understanding trust and distrust in internet voting
(2022) Duenas-Cid, David
Each and every case of success and failure in the implementation of internet voting is permeated by a common element: the concept of trust. Several researchers highlighted the relevance of creating trust for the successful implementation of technology [15] and, in particular, of internet voting [13]. But the concept itself is complex and challenging to define, for one fundamental reason: it is a concept of everyday social use that has been transposed to academia. When used in academic environments, the laxity of its definition [21] is problematic, because it leaves several relevant questions unanswered. Some of them are discussed briefly in this short paper, which aims to contribute to better understanding of the concept and its implications
A Time for Alternative Options? Prospects for the Nordic-Baltic Security Community During the Trump Era
(Helsinki: Finnish Institute of International Affairs, 2017) McNamara, Eoin Micheál
Äärioikeiston paluu Romanian politiikkaan
(2022) Chiruta, Ionut
Academic assets, life-cycle, and entrepreneurship: a longitudinal study of Estonian academic workers
(2021) Mõttus, Maksim; Lukason, Oliver
This study aimed to find out how academic assets are interconnected with firm creation by academic staff at different academic life-cycle stages. The applied theoretical setting integrated resource-based and life-cycle explanations of academic entrepreneurship. A longitudinal whole population dataset of Estonian academic workers was applied, with a dependent variable reflecting firm creation, and independent variables representing different academic assets. The logistic regression results indicated the varying importance of different academic assets at different academic career stages, while divergence also exists with respect to academic discipline. The results enable postulating several theoretical propositions, accompanied by practical implications for technology transfer at universities.
Adaptation of an i-voting scheme to Italian Elections for Citizens Abroad
(2022) Longo, Riccardo; Morelli, Umberto; Spadafora, Chiara; Tomasi, Alessandro
We adapt the Ara´ujo-Traor´e protocol to Italian elections, with emphasis on anti-coercion measures. In this short paper we focus on a new method for managing anti-coercion credentials for each voter.
ADHD co-morbidities: A review of implication of gene × environment effects with dopamine-related genes
(2022) Kanarik, Margus; Grimm, Oliver; Mota, Nina Roth; Reif, Andreas; Harro, Jaanus
ADHD is a major burden in adulthood, where co-morbid conditions such as depression, substance use disorder and obesity often dominate the clinical picture. ADHD has substantial shared heritability with other mental disorders, contributing to comorbidity. However, environmental risk factors exist but their interaction with genetic makeup, especially in relation to comorbid disorders, remains elusive. This review for the first time summarizes present knowledge on gene x environment (GxE) interactions regarding the dopamine system. Hitherto, mainly candidate (GxE) studies were performed, focusing on the genes DRD4, DAT1 and MAOA. Some evidence suggest that the DRD4 exon 3 variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) and MAOA uVNTR may mediate (GxE) interactions in ADHD generally, and comorbid conditions specifically. For other polymorphisms, evidence is contradictory and less convincing. Particularly lacking are longitudinal studies testing the interaction of well-defined environmental with polygenic risk scores reflecting the dopamine system in its entirety. Only such an approach would be less susceptible to false-positive findings and provide clues on how genes could interact with non-genetic factors to shape psychopathology over the life span.
Adopting microblogging solutions for interaction with government: survey results from Hunan province, China
(2022) Homburg, V.; Bekkers, V.; Moody, R.; Yang, Q.
Authorities in the People’s Republic of China communicate with citizens using an estimated six hundred thousand Sina Weibo microblogs. This study reports on a study of Chinese citizens’ adoption of microblogs to interact with government. Adoption results from trust and peer pressure in smaller-network ties (densely knit, pervasive social networks surrounding individual citizens). Larger-network ties (trust in institutions-at-large, such as the Chinese Communist Party, executive organizations, the judicial system, media, et cetera) are not associated with adoption of microblogging. Furthermore, higher levels of anxiety are correlated with lower levels of use intentions, and this finding underlines the impact of the Chinese authority’s surveillance and control activities on the lives of individual Chinese citizens. Based in these findings, we outline a theory of why citizens use microblogs to interact with government and suggest avenues for further research into microblogs, state-citizens communication patterns and technology adoption.
Assessing Populism at Europe’s Margins: Pervasive, Performative, Persistent
(Brill, 2020) Makarychev, Andrey; Crothers, Lane
This special issue is a collection of articles whose authors explore different forms of populism in countries located beyond the Western core and therefore much less known to specialists in the field. The country-based case studies selected for this issue reflect diversity of populist forces in non-central polities in Europe. Each of them has a rich legacy of conflicts and controversies with major European powers, which serves as one of powerful sources of contemporary populist discourses, pushing many of them towards national reassertion and EU-skepticism.
Association between platelet MAO activity and lifetime drug use in a longitudinal birth cohort study
(2022) Sakala, Katre; Kasearu, Kairi; Katus, Urmeli; Veidebaum, Toomas; Harro, Jaanus
Rationale: Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity, a marker of central serotonergic capacity, has been associated with a variety of problem behaviours. However, studies on platelet MAO activity and addictive drugs has not been consistently linked with addiction or found to predict illicit substance use initiation or frequency. Objectives: Platelet MAO activity and illicit drug use was examined in a longitudinal birth cohort study. Methods: The sample included both birth cohorts (original n = 1238) of the Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study. Longitudinal association from age 15 to 25 years between platelet MAO activity and lifetime drug use was analyzed by mixed-effects regression models. Differences at ages 15, 18 and 25 were analyzed by t-test. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to assess the association between platelet MAO activity and the age of drug use initiation. Results: Male subjects who reported at least one drug use event had lower platelet MAO activity compared to nonusers, both in cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis. Males with low platelet MAO activity had started to use drugs at a younger age. Moreover, in male subjects who had experimented with illicit drugs only once in lifetime, low platelet MAO activity was also associated with higher risk at a younger age. In females, platelet MAO activity was not associated with drug use. Conclusion: In males, low platelet MAO activity is associated with drug abuse primarily owing to risk taking at early age.
Association between Transcription Factor AP-2B genotype, obesity, insulin resistance and dietary intake in a longitudinal birth cohort study Transcription Factor AP-2B associated with obesity
(Springer Nature, 2019) Joost, U.; Harro, J.; Veidebaum, L.; Oreland, L.; Comasco, E.; Villa, I.
The development of obesity has a large genetic component, and the gene encoding the transcription factor 2 beta (TFAP2B) has been identified as one of the responsible factors. We investigated the effect of TFAP2B intron 2 variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) genotype on obesity, insulin resistance and dietary intake from 15 to 33 years of age.
Association of FTO rs1421085 with obesity, diet, physical activity and socioeconomic status: a longitudinal birth cohort study
(2020) Katus, Urmeli; Villa, Inga; Ringmets, Inge; Vaht, Mariliis; Mäestu, Evelin; Mäestu, Jarek; Veidebaum, Toomas; Harro, Jaanus
Background and aims Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) variants are among genetic variants frequently associated with obesity. We analyzed the association between FTO rs1421085 polymorphism and obesity, dietary intake, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), physical activity, and socioeconomic status (SES) from the age of 9–25 years. Methods and results The sample included both birth cohorts (originally n = 1176) of the Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study. The association between FTO rs1421085 and obesity, dietary intake, CRF, physical activity, and SES from the age of 15–25 years was assessed using linear mixed-effects regression models. Associations at ages 9 (younger cohort only), 15, 18, and 25 years were assessed by one-way ANOVA. Male C-allele carriers had significantly (p < 0.05) higher body mass index (BMI), sum of 5 skinfolds, body fat percentage, and hip circumference from the age of 15–25 years. Findings were similar at the age of 9 years. In female subjects, waist-to-hip ratio was significantly greater in CC homozygotes. Interestingly, female CC homozygotes had a greater decrease in the rate of change in daily energy intake and lipid intake per year and higher physical activity score at every fixed time point. Moreover, in females, an effect of FTO × SES interaction on measures of obesity was observed. Conclusion The FTO rs1421085 polymorphism was associated with obesity and abdominal obesity from childhood to young adulthood in males, and with abdominal obesity from adolescence to young adulthood in females. This association is rather related to differences in adipocyte energy metabolism than lifestyle.
Association of Impulsivity With Food, Nutrients, and Fitness in a Longitudinal Birth Cohort Study
(2022) Matrov, Denis; Kurrikoff, Triin; Villa, Inga; Sakala, Katre; Pulver, Aleksander; Veidebaum, Toomas; Shimmo, Ruth; Harro, Jaanus
Background: Impulsivity is a psychiatric vulnerability factor strongly associated with substance abuse but also with unhealthy diet. Whether these associations extend to specific nutrients is largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated the longitudinal association between diet, cardiorespiratory fitness, and 2 impulsivity dimensions in a representative sample of south Estonian adolescents and young adults. Impulsivity and dietary intake were measured 3 times in 2 birth cohorts at regular intervals in individuals aged 15 to 33 years. Methods: The sample included 2 birth cohorts of the longitudinal Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study. The analytic sample size consisted of 2883 observations (56.4% females). The primary outcomes were adaptive and maladaptive impulsivity scores measured by an original 24-item Likert-type questionnaire. Impulsivity scores were predicted from the food diaries data converted into nutrient categories. A linear mixed-effects approach was used to model the time dependence between observations. Results: Lower maladaptive impulsivity was associated with higher cardiorespiratory fitness (β = −.07; 95% CI = −0.12; −0.03). Higher maladaptive impulsivity was associated with lower dietary intake of zinc (β = −.10; −0.15; −0.06) and vegetables (β = −.04; −0.07; −0.01) and higher intake of sodium (β = .06; 0.02; 0.10). Vitamin B6 was positively associated with adaptive impulsivity (β = .04; 0.01; 0.07). Additionally, some of the adjusted models showed significant but weak associations with selenium, alcohol, fish, and cereal products. Conclusions: Food choice may affect the neurochemistry and therefore regulate the manifestations of impulsivity. We identified associations between several (micro)nutrients and maladaptive impulsivity.
Association of orexin/hypocretin receptor gene (HCRTR1) with reward sensitivity, and interaction with gender
(Elsevier, 2020) Pulver, Aleksander; Kiive, Evelyn; Harro, Jaanus; Kanarik, Margus
Orexins/hypocretins maintain wakefulness, increase appetite and participate in the coordination of stress response. We have recently provided evidence on the role of orexins in aggression, showing the association of the HCRTR1 genotype. (rs2271933 G > A; leading to amino acid substitution Ile408Val) with aggressiveness or breach of law in four independent cohorts. Aggressive behaviour can be reward driven and hence we have examined the association of HCRTR1 rs2271933 genotype with different aspects of reward sensitivity in the birth cohort representative Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study. HCRTR1 genotype was associated with reward sensitivity in a gender dependent manner. Male HCRTR1 A/A homozygotes had higher Openness to Rewards and the overall reward sensitivity score while, in contrast, female A/A homozygotes scored lower than G-allele carriers in Openness to Rewards. In the total sample, aggressiveness correlated positively with reward sensitivity, but this was on account of Insatiability by Reward. In contrast, the HCRTR1 A/A homozygotes had a positive association of aggressiveness and Openness to Rewards. Experience of stressful life events had a small but significant increasing effect on both aspects of reward sensitivity, and correlated in an anomalous way with reward sensitivity in the HCRTR1 A/A homozygotes. Conclusively, the higher aggressiveness of HCRTR1 A/A homozygotes appears based on a qualitative difference in sensitivity to rewards, in the form that suggests their lower ability to prevent responses to challenges being converted into overt aggression.
Association of the COMT Val108/158Met genotype with professional career and education: The Val-allele is more frequent in managers and in enterprising occupations
(ScienceDirect, 2018-01) Kurrikoff, Triin; Kaarma, Katrin; Tooding, Liina-Mai; Vaht, Mariliis; Tulviste, Tiia; Veidebaum, Toomas; Harro, Jaanus
Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) is a key player in neurotransmission by catecholamines, and the functional COMT Val108/158Met polymorphism is strongly related to prefrontal reactivity and to dopamine levels. As dopamine is a critically important neurotransmitter in cognition, emotion and motivation, we addressed the potential impact of this genotype on life course by examining its association with being in enterprising professions. The parents (n = 1410) of the target subjects in the Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study reported their current occupation, and those classified as enterprising (n = 197; 18%) were compared with the remaining group. Additionally, the subjects self-classified themselves according to the International Standard Classification of Occupations and the group of managers (6.2%) was compared to other groups. We found that the COMT Val108/158Met Val/Val homozygotes were overrepresented among enterprising occupations and the Val-allele carriers among self-classified managers. While several measures associated with the Val/Val homozygosity were also associated with enterprising occupation, no simple path from the genotype to enterprising occupations emerged from structural equation models, suggesting that the COMT Val108/158Met genotype contributes to choices of profession via multiple interactive features. We also reproduced a previous finding that the COMT genotype is associated with educational attainment in a gender-dependent manner.
Auditing Ranked Voting Elections with Dirichlet-Tree Models: First Steps
(2022) Everest, Floyd; Blom, Michelle; B. Stark, Philip; Stuckey, Peter J.; Teague, Vanessa; Vukcevic, Damjan
Ranked voting systems, such as instant-runo voting (IRV) and single transferable vote (STV), are used in many places around the world. They are more complex than plurality and scoring rules, presenting a challenge for auditing their outcomes: there is no known risk-limiting audit (RLA) method for STV other than a full hand count. We present a new approach to auditing ranked systems that uses a sta- tistical model, a Dirichlet-tree, that can cope with high-dimensional pa- rameters in a computationally e cient manner. We demonstrate this ap- proach with a ballot-polling Bayesian audit for IRV elections. Although the technique is not known to be risk-limiting, we suggest some strategies that might allow it to be calibrated to limit risk.
Auf dem Weg zu einer wissensbasierten Media Governance. Die Mediadelcom-Methode
(Tartu Ülikool, 2023) Eberwein, Tobias, toimetaja; Krakovsky, Christina, toimetaja; Oggolder, Christian, toimetaja; Kreutler, Marcus, toimetaja
Auf dem Weg zu einer wissensbasierten Media Governance. Die Mediadelcom-Methode
(Tartu Ülikool, 2023) Eberwein, Tobias, toimetaja; Krakovsky, Christina, toimetaja; Oggolder, Christian, toimetaja; Kreutler, Marcus, toimetaja

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