Credit risk assessment is one of the most important aspects of financial decision-making processes. This study presents a systematic review of the literature on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques in credit risk assessment, offering insights into methodologies, outcomes, and prevalent analysis techniques. Covering studies from diverse regions and countries, the review focuses on AI/ML-based credit risk assessment from consumer and corporate perspectives. Employing the PRISMA framework, Antecedents, Decisions, and Outcomes (ADO) framework and stringent inclusion criteria, the review analyses geographic focus, methodologies, results, and analytical techniques. It examines a wide array of datasets and approaches, from traditional statistical methods to advanced AI/ML and deep learning techniques, emphasizing their impact on improving lending practices and ensuring fairness for borrowers. The discussion section critically evaluates the contributions and limitations of existing research papers, providing novel insights and comprehensive coverage. This review highlights the international scope of research in this field, with contributions from various countries providing diverse perspectives. This systematic review enhances understanding of the evolving landscape of credit risk assessment and offers valuable insights into the application, challenges, and opportunities of AI and ML in this critical financial domain. By comparing findings with existing survey papers, this review identifies novel insights and contributions, making it a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in the financial industry.

This study investigates the link between debt and political alignment in international relations between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and African nations. Using recorded roll-call votes on United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolutions, we explore whether PRC investment in sovereign debt influences the voting behaviour of loan recipient countries. We compile voting data for African countries from 2000 to 2020 to calculate an annual voting affinity score as a proxy for political alignment. Concurrently, data on Chinese public and publicly guaranteed (PPG) loans to African governments are collected. A Two-Stage Least-Squares analysis is employed, using the ratio of Chinese PPG debt to GDP as an instrument to address endogeneity. Results reveal a negative impact of Chinese lending on African political support, while trade, foreign direct investment (FDI), and Chinese GDP positively influence political alignment. In high debt-risk African countries, interest rates have a negative impact, whereas loan maturity shows a positive effect. These findings suggest that Chinese loans, particularly under commercial terms, may have strained bilateral relations due to debt sustainability concerns. Nevertheless, the positive impacts of trade and FDI may enhance international relations, highlighting the limitations of China’s loan diplomacy in fostering long-term strategic alignment in Africa.

Loans are a critical transmission channel for commercial banks as well as an important revenue source. Macroeconomic factors are not within the control of commercial banks, however, select factors are observed to have a direct impact on lending behaviour in studies around the world. This study examined the relationship between macroeconomic variables and the lending behaviour of banks in South Africa for the period ranging from 2001 to 2022. Quarterly time series data was employed using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL). The empirical results of the paper revealed that there is a long-run relationship between the repurchase rate (repo rate), inflation, the real effective exchange rate (REER) and lending behaviour in South Africa. The REER and inflation were both found to have a positive relationship, whilst the repo rate had a negative relationship. In addition, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the activity rate and sovereign credit rating (SCR) changes returned insignificant results. Overall, these findings show that select macroeconomic factors do influence lending behaviour in South Africa. Furthermore, the results suggest that monetary policy decisions have a direct influential effect on lending and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has implemented their policies effectively.

Laozi’s Ming (name), Qi (tangible part) and Dao (intangible part), coexisting in the same substance, can be compared with Heidegger’s triad existences: Seiende (being), Dasein (beings) and Sein (to be). In Laozi, Dao is the essential metonymy for the existence of things from Wu (void, nothing) to You (there is, reality). The effect of Dao is De (virtue) and the combined term of them is Dao-De (morality). By conceptual blend theory, we may draw the following conclusion from the perspective of Heidegger’s ontology of triad existences and Laozi’s Dao with its companions: any being (Seiende or Ming) exists in the form of combination beings (Dasein or Qi) and to be (Sein or Dao). According to Proper Parts Principle, if z, x, y is used to represent being, beings and to be respectively, then, the expression of all things will be the form: z∃ (x) ⊕ y. In terms of independent concept and function, Dao exists as whole. While from Laozi’s triangular relationship among Ming, Dao and Qi, Dao can be considered as a proper parthood, too. Both Laozi and Heidegger emphasized that existence is changing, but Heidegger attributed the reason for change to time, while Laozi to Dao. Dao can be considered as way, essence, nothingness, empty, void etc. in structure, but it doesn’t mean it’s zero or none-existing. On the contrary, it is a form of existence from exotic domain. Both the numeric expression of Heidegger’s triad existences and Laozi’s triangle existences of Dao with its companions can be written as "z∃x (1) ⊕ y(Ø) Û z{1, Ø}. In which, Ø is empty set as Laozi’s Dao or Heidegger’s Sein (Ø Û 0).

The history of organic polymers is a remarkable journey from the discovery of natural materials like rubber and silk to the development of sophisticated synthetic polymers that have transformed industries and modern life. This comprehensive review article presents a detailed account of the evolution of organic polymers. It begins with the early uses of natural polymers and explores key breakthroughs, including the invention of Bakelite, nylon, and neoprene. The theoretical foundations of polymer science, laid by Hermann Staudinger, are discussed, and the post-war surge in polymer development is examined, including the introduction of polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC. Notable advances in polymer chemistry, such as isotactic polypropylene and silicone polymers, are highlighted. The article also delves into the development of high-performance polymers like Kevlar and carbon-based materials, offering insights into their applications. Moreover, it discusses the current trends in polymer science, emphasizing sustainability and biodegradability. As the world continues to rely on polymers for numerous applications, this review provides a historical perspective and a glimpse into the future of organic polymers, where innovations are expected to shape various aspects of technology, healthcare, and environmental protection.

With the continuous development of globalization, communication among countries around the world is increasingly frequent, and multicultural integration has become the mainstream of the development of the current era. Language, as the carrier of multicultural integration, is an important tool to promote international communication and integration, especially English, as an international language with the largest number of users and the widest range, has extensive practicability and communication. With the continuous deepening of China's reform and opening up, communication with foreign countries has become increasingly close. English has become a basic language skill that college students must master proficiently. The transformation of English education is an inevitable trend that conforms to the development of the times. However, in the current process of English teaching in universities, there are outdated educational ideas and methods, and English teaching and cross-cultural awareness cultivation have not been effectively combined, Causing a lack of interest in English among college students, the inability to truly apply learning outcomes to practical situations, and the loss of its true significance in English teaching. This article analyzes the important impact of the current multicultural integration environment on college English teaching, as well as the problems existing in contemporary college English teaching practice, and proposes targeted transformation paths for college English education in the context of multicultural integration.