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The agricultural sector in developed countries has been experiencing a growth in the percentage of women, yet very little economic research documents the role and contribution of farm women across these countries. Through an interdisciplinary systematic literature review of 184 international peer-reviewed, English-language studies between 1970 and 2020 we investigate the economic contribution and visibility of women working in the agricultural sector in the United Kingdom (UK). Differences within farm women as a group are explored and used to develop a framework characterising the different economic classifications of farm women across a spectrum of economic contribution and visibility. A comparison of the economic contributions of farm men and women also reveals key differences between farming practices and outcomes. As such, the study reveals key barriers to women's economic participation and visibility in agriculture to be associated with access to land, education and organisations. These factors are evaluated in the context of wider policy. The outcomes of this study increase understanding of factors shaping women's economic contribution and visibility in UK agriculture and will inform further research investigating female participation in agricultural business management and decision making. As the UK formulates its own domestic agricultural acts, UK-wide research will be needed to inform policy and overcome barriers facing women in farming. • Systematic literature review of 184 international papers published 1970–2020. • Farm women's economic identities can be characterised by contribution and visibility. • Gendered differences can be characterised by economic contributions, farming practices and outcomes. • Key barriers to farm women are associated with access to land, education and organisations. • Further UK-specific research is needed as domestic Agriculture Acts are developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving climate justice is an important goal and basic principle of global climate governance. This paper evaluates the progress of achieving global climate justice by quantitatively depicting the evolution characteristics, group differences and driving factors of global embodied carbon emissions. The results indicate that the phenomenon of embodied carbon inequality is more obvious. Furthermore, a data-driven clustering algorithm is adopted to divide the world's major economies into four convergence clubs based on the embodied carbon emissions levels. We find that the embodied carbon emissions gap between different clubs has widened since 2008, which may be related to the re-industrialization of developed countries. The results of SDA analysis indicate that the embodied carbon emissions of developed countries, such as the United States, are more driven by per capita end-use. On the contrary, unclean consumption and investment structure is the main driving force for the increase of embodied carbon emissions in developing countries such as China. Therefore, efforts should be made in developing countries on the clean adjustment of consumption and investment structure to promote the convergence of embodied carbon emissions with developed countries. • Phenomenon of global embodied carbon inequality is more obvious. • Driving factors of global embodied carbon inequality is examined. • Embodied carbon emissions gap between different clubs has widened since 2008. • Clean adjustment of consumption and investment structure should be emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As cities continue to expand and climate change exacerbates flooding, development within flood risk zones becomes an increasingly pressing concern. Engineered solutions alone cannot fully address the risks to individuals and communities, especially when local officials and residents have conflicting understanding of the risk. Participatory GIS (PGIS) offers a unique opportunity to bridge this gap by engaging with communities to better understand their perceptions of flood risk. While PGIS has traditionally been used in developing nations as an alternative to numerical flood models, its potential for use in developed nations is largely unexplored. This paper presents a case study of survey-based PGIS conducted in Reading, a large town in Berkshire, UK. Findings suggest that local residents possess a surprisingly accurate understanding of flood risk zones, but discrepancies with modelled flood risk were also identified. These discrepancies may be due to issues with cartographic representation, but also raise concerns about the accuracy of numerical flood models. By examining local perceptions of flood risk, this study highlights the importance of considering community perspectives in flood risk management and offers valuable insights for practitioners seeking to bridge the gap between modelled and perceived flood risk zones. • Participants show remarkably robust local knowledge of flood risk in a UK city. • Findings highlight the value of stakeholder engagement in FRM. • Participatory GIS can help bridge the gap between modelled and perceived flood risk. • Approach could help address conflicts between flood managers and stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer remains the primary cause of mortality in developed nations. Although localized tumors can be effectively addressed through surgery, radiotherapy, and other targeted methods, drug efficacy often wanes in the context of metastatic diseases. As a result, significant efforts are being made to develop drugs capable of not only inhibiting tumor growth but also impeding the metastasis of malignant tumors, with a focus on hindering their migration to adjacent organs. Cancer stem cells metastasize via blood and lymphatic vessels, exhibiting a high mutation rate, significant variability, and a predisposition to drug resistance. In contrast, endothelial cells, being less prone to mutation, are less likely to give rise to drug-resistant clones. Furthermore, the direct contact of circulating anti-angiogenic drugs with vascular endothelial cells expedites their therapeutic impact. Hence, anti-angiogenesis targeted therapy assumes a pivotal role in cancer treatment. This paper provides a succinct overview of the molecular mechanisms governing the interaction between cancer stem cells and angiogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has long suffered from failures in urban governance, arable land conservation, and environmental conservation because of the lack of accurate and reliable land use data. To fill these gaps, China has been conducting a once-a-decade census of national land use status. On August 26, 2021, China released the third national land survey data, which revealed several challenges that require further attention. In this paper, we first review the land resource surveys that have been and are being conducted in the world's major economically developed countries, and then we compare China's three national land surveys in terms of the data used, core survey technologies, the land use classification system, and main outcomes. Second, according to the major data results of the second national land survey and the third national land survey and other auxiliary data, using such methods as the data envelopment analysis and the land cover conversion matrix to highlight the existing land use issues such as shrinking arable land, inefficient construction land use, and low targeting efficiency of ecological restoration programs, as well as the drivers of these issues. Finally, we conclude the paper by discussing the next steps necessary to achieve the goal of sustainable land use in China, and the potential of satellite remote sensing technology and its derived land cover products to better support future national land surveys. • We review the land resource surveys that have been conducted in the world's major economically developed countries. • We compare China's three national land surveys since the 1980 s. • The land use issues were quantitatively highlighted using released land survey data, combined with other ancillary data. • The next steps necessary to achieve the goal of sustainable land use in China was discussed. • The potential of satellite remote sensing technology to better support future national land surveys was investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While in the developed countries electrification is paving the way for progress and prosperity, nowadays electricity is still not accessible for about 18% of the world’s population. Lack of power grids is the main reason that prevents millions in remote areas in developing countries from using electricity for the daily basic needs. PV systems provide an effective solution for these regions, but affordability remains an issue. This barrier can be widely overcome on the short term by limiting PV power supply to very high added value applications and by properly exploiting innovations, especially in energy efficiency and cost reductions. Additional to that, the long-term perspectives of off-grid PV are very favourable based on its ongoing technological improvements and cost reductions. This paper studies four off-grid PV cases of which each could cover a combination of basic energy needs regarding light, cooking, food conservation and electronic appliances. Case I considers a system that supplies power for LED lamps and electronic devices. Accordingly, Case II adds a fridge and Case III an electric rice cooker to Case I, while Case IV adds both. The paper elaborates on available technologies and future developments regarding all components in order to assess the long term evolution and potential of these applications, most specifically how their affordability would evolve over time. The modelling and optimization of the four cases are performed using the software iHOGA, which is an efficient tool to provide the lowest cost solution for off-grid PV systems. The use of iHOGA for the four cases and the installation years 2020, 2030 and 2040, taking thereby into account different developing regions, provide an evolutionary techno-economic assessment of these applications and a clear picture about the developments to be expected from off-grid PV in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Luxembourgish telecommunications market, not too dissimilar to many other advanced industrial countries around the world, is undergoing a process of market liberalisation. However, there are some particular features of Luxembourg’s ‘informed follower’ mode of market liberalisation, which are sociospatially distinct and therefore warrant investigation. In particular, the government of Luxembourg has sought to proactively intervene in the direct provision of telecommunications services, in the form of two competing but 100% state-owned operators, whilst simultaneously supporting market liberalisation. An understanding of the role of the state in this process is clarified through the conceptual lens of the state as policy-make r, regulator and operator . Through examining the multiple roles performed by the Luxembourgish state in the wider context of the EU telecommunications reform packages, the paper reveals the competitive tension that exists between each of the different arms of the state, that is, between POST and Luxconnect. The paper critically appraises the intertwining decisions, factors and considerations that led to this state-controlled duopoly and analyses the outcomes to date of attempts to liberalise the telecommunications market as well. This analysis of the geographical and historical complexity of the Luxembourgish telecommunications sector helps to reveal the powerful role of the state in market liberalisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental consciousness of customers and the emergence of stricter environmental regulations has pushed industries to think about environmental management by means of reverse logistics (RL) implementation. In order to implement RL systems, a careful analysis of barriers that hinder the reverse flow must be taken. However, most existing research on the barriers for RL implementation is focused on developed countries. Among the most important emerging economies, Brazil, the largest Latin America economy, faces challenges such as a deficient logistics infrastructure and the recently enacted National Policy on solid waste. To bridge this gap, this paper identifies and evaluates the barriers for RL in the Brazilian context. An eleven-step research methodology is proposed. First, literature was thoroughly reviewed. fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) was used to obtain the critical list of barriers by experts and industrial managers’ opinions. Then, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) questionnaires were answered by electrical–electronic equipment (EEE) industry sector experts in order to obtain the priority ranking of barriers. This paper contributes with a compilation of the RL barriers from a systematic literature review process, a list of most common RL barriers accepted by Brazilian organizations, and a priority ranking of RL barriers for the electrical-electronic industry sector in Brazil. The “Economic related issues” category of barriers seems to be the first priority. The financial burden of tax and the uncertainty related to economic issues appear to be major obstacles for RL implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In most developed countries, the acceleration of coastal urbanization during the second half of the twentieth century has gradually resulted in a concentration of residential housing and associated infrastructure and facilities along a narrow coastal strip, along with various environmental, functional and social impacts. This has led certain countries, such as France, to adopt protection legislation with respect to their coastlines. However, while numerous studies describe and analyse the consequences of urbanization on the coastal environment, few of them examine the influence of the coast on urbanization. This paper focuses on the residential development process, considering the coastline as both a pull factor on account of its amenities, and as a constraint due to the legislation put in place to protect it. Our study aims to build a database describing the factors that influence the probability of housing development on vacant land and to analyse the spatiotemporal evolution through a logistic regression modelling approach. While controlling the factors usually mentioned in the scientific literature on urban sprawl and suburbanization, this method is also able to isolate the effects of coastal attractiveness, taking laws and bylaws regulating urbanization in such areas into consideration. It shows in particular that, since the early 2000s, the gradual implementation of a land planning framework specific to the coastal zone has led to improved regulation of housing development in the study area. Throughout the country, the French Coastal Law limited available land for housing development, particularly in coastal areas, by enforcing building restrictions in accordance with conservation principles. The paper concludes with potential improvements to our models, e.g. the integration of local economic factors, such as land costs or changes in taxation, all of which influence housing choices and could potentially regulate suburbanization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A few years after TRIZ appearance in highly industrialized countries, many experts in Case Based Reasoning pointed out potential similarities between both approaches. Later on, research activities have been conducted and publications appeared on this subject. This paper presents the results of an in depth study of the roots of both approaches, from the point of view of their philosophy and the scope of their relevant action. After several tests and investigations, we arrived to the point that each approach weakens the other if any of the two let the other govern its conduction. The paper discusses this claim and provides some potential directions for new research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the gradual development and competition among enterprises, the products of motion control system are diversified and the performance difference is bigger. The technology of motion control system is monopolized by a few foreign professional manufacturers. The development of motion controller in China is relatively late, and the number with independent research and development ability is still in the minority. Compared with foreign countries, some developed countries still restrict the export of high-end products to China. This paper will use Loongson 3A3000 processor to realize open motion controller. Loongson series processor is a general domestic processor developed by Institute of computing technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. It uses MIPS instruction system. At present, Loongson is gradually catching up with and surpassing the world advanced level. The communication module of motion controller uses EtherCAT real-time Ethernet, which has the characteristics of high efficiency, flexible topology and short refresh cycle. At present, there are few cases of open motion controller based on domestic CPU Loongson, which provides a typical case for independent innovation in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We analyze the impact of inward FDI on countries' economic complexity • We use a panel Granger causality and a panel VAR approach • Inward FDIs Granger cause economic complexity, and not viceversa • The short-run impact of FDI on economic complexity is very small • Knowledge-intensive greenfield FDI Granger cause economic complexity in developing countries In this paper, we assess whether attracting higher amounts of FDI induces a greater level of economic complexity in a country. Using a panel of 117 countries and 22 years, from 1995 to 2016, we test for the causal relationship between inward FDI and economic complexity using a panel VAR approach and Impulse Response Functions. We find that accumulating a higher stock of inward FDI per capita Granger-causes a greater economic complexity in a country, and not vice versa. This causal effect is very small, however, and occurs only in countries with above-average levels of GDP per capita, tertiary education, tertiarization or financial development. We also find that only greenfield FDIs Granger-cause economic complexity in developed countries. Finally, knowledge-intensive greenfield projects are the only type of FDI that Granger-cause complexity in a less developed country, but the estimated effect is near zero and disappears after two years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We analyse the long run relation between GDP per-capita growth and employment. • In the mid-1990s this relationship turned to be non-positive. • We found Jobless Growth and Decoupling between productivity and compensations. • Both can be explained by an inadequate aggregate demand growth. • Knowledge intensity of the economic sectors plays a key role. This paper is aimed at studying the long run relationship between GDP per capita growth and the job "required" by such a growth. This relationship, which has been positive for a long period after World War II, leading to a more equal and wealthy society via the labour market, turned out to be non-positive since the middle of the 1980s, giving rise to the so-called "Jobless Growth" and "Jobless Recovery" phenomena. By analysing data from STAN databases throughout the period 1970–2015, we found that the break in the relation between GDP per capita growth and employment can be explained by the decoupling between productivity from one hand, and labour compensation and utilisation from the other. Our findings further suggest that different economic sectors specifically contributed to the productivity change in accordance with their technological and knowledge intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the impact of artificial intelligence on unemployment in the most high-tech and developed countries, using a theoretical model that is also supported empirically. The empirical methodology follows a nonlinear approach by using panel threshold and GMM-system estimations. The dataset covers the period 1998–2016, and includes 23 countries. The main results show that artificial intelligence has a nonlinear impact on unemployment, with the acceleration of the use of artificial intelligence reducing unemployment, but only occurring at low levels of inflation. In this case, no "switch effect" between "displacement effect" and "replacement effect" is registered Otherwise, the contribution of artificial intelligence to unemployment is rather neutral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use the Christensen, Diebold, and Rudebusch (2011) representation of the yield curve to test the functioning of the interest rate transmission mechanism along the yield curve based on government paper in advanced, emerging market, and low-income countries. We find a robust link from the policy and short-term interbank rates to the longer-term bond yields in all countries. Two policy implications emerge. First, the presence of well-developed secondary markets does not seem to affect transmission of short term rates along the yield curve. Second, the strength of the transmission mechanism seems to be affected by the choice of the monetary regime and the level of development: advanced countries with a credible inflation targeting regime seem to have better-behaved yield curves than the countries with other monetary regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents downstream cost-benefit analysis for electronic waste (e-waste) recycling workers in Pakistan, a country that both generates large quantities of e-waste domestically and imports a significant amount from developed countries. Financial cost-benefit elements – reduction in productive capacity, lost wages, medical expenses, wages (and meals) and non-financial cost-benefit elements – opportunity cost, cost of illiteracy and value of life have been quantified. Primary data collected on site was analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. The estimated total net economic cost to recycling workers is between Rs.34,069 and Rs.85,478 (US$ 203–510 1 1 PKR to US$ conversion rate of 167.686 was used as of 1 July 2020.) per month or an average of Rs.50,363 (US$ 300) per worker. This main finding suggests that cost exceeds by 2.6–4.7 times the estimated economic benefits derived by these workers. Related qualitative data suggests government and owners of recycling businesses are largely blind to many of the less visible costs of this industry, while recycling workers and their families appear trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty. Understanding that what can be measured can be managed and improved, a systematic assessment of informal recycling based on identified impact factors may help mitigate and ideally also motivate a shift towards formal processing that would reduce the downstream negative impacts, both visible and hidden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts to provide empirical evidence on whether two variables potentially affecting firms' liquidity needs have an impact on inflation. Before doing that, since we are interested in the portion of inflation that can be linked to firms' willingness to produce goods, we identify supply inflation: the part of aggregate GDP-inflation that can be explained by shifts in aggregate supply. Specifically, we test the impacts of corporate bond financing and depreciation on supply inflation and markups for several Latin American countries. Results show that domestic currency depreciation robustly increases supply inflation and aggregate markups, but corporate bond financing does not affect supply inflation. Presumably, when a depreciation occurs, financial constraints for the economy's supply-side become binding and lead to increasing domestic prices. These results provide an alternative description to the exchange rate pass-through narrative. In several countries, since a sizable part of depreciation can be explained by the global financial cycle, there is also a potential transmission mechanism from advanced countries' monetary policy actions to supply inflation – through depreciation – in Latin American countries. • We separate supply from demand inflation in GDP-inflation. • The impacts of corporate bond financing and depreciation on supply inflation are estimated. • Results show that a depreciation increases supply inflation and markups in Latam countries. • Price increases with depreciation presumably reflect suppliers' greater financing needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has gained an increasing attention all over the world, but studies are mainly about developed countries. Developing countries have promoted CSR but concepts and approaches can be different from those in developed countries due to geographic, political, and economic contexts. In a unique developing country of China, the government has initially encouraged state-owned companies (SOCs) to implement CSR practices. However, no clear and commonly accepted CSR definition or concept exists. This paper develops items on CSR practices mainly based on the internationally accepted ISO26000 framework while integrating characteristics of Chinese SOCs. Statistical results of 146 usable questionnaires show that Chinese SOCs implement four types of CSR practices under the ISO26000 framework, they are those related to employee rights, consumer issues, fair operation and labor practices. Charity is a specific CSR dimension in China, but it is only implemented at the low level. Chinese SOCs have the high internal CSR values which promote most CSRs except those related to charity and employee rights. External institutional drivers for CSR practices are relatively low. Normative drivers motivate most CSR practices while competitive drivers only motivate consumer issues-related CSR practices. This paper contributes to extend previous studies mainly for developed countries to develop a CSR concept for Chinese SOCs by using both the international ISO26000 framework and considering the specific context. Statistic results identify how to motivate CSR practices among Chinese SOCs effectively, which can provide implications for not only the Chinese government, but also multi-national companies that do or plan to do business in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of education and training in the aerospace sector for establishing sufficient levels of absorptive capacity in newly industrialized countries is substantial and forms a fundamental part of a nation’s ability to establish and cultivate absorptive capacity on a national or organization-specific level. Successful international technology transfer as well as absorption of aerospace technology and knowledge into recipient organizations, depends prodigiously on the types of policy adopted in education and training of all groups and individuals specifically outlined in this paper. The conducted literature review revealed surprisingly few papers that translate these vital issues from theoretical scrutiny into representations that have practical policy value. Through exploration of the seven key aspects of education and training, this paper provides a practical template for policy-makers and practitioners in Asian newly industrialized countries, which may be utilized as a prototype to coordinate relevant policy aspects of education and training in international technology transfer projects across a wide variety of actors and stakeholders in the aerospace realm. A pragmatic approach through tailored practical training for the identified groups and individuals identified in this paper may lead to an enhanced ability to establish and strengthen absorptive capacity in newly industrialized countries through the development of appropriate policy guidelines. The actual coordination between education and training efforts deserves increased research and subsequent translation into policies with practical content in the aerospace sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid population growth has outpaced the planning interventions in most large Indian cities resulting into unplanned, leapfrogged physical development and considerable transport challenges for intra-city and regional traffic. As an afterthought, these concerns have been addressed by formulation of spatial development strategies to guide rapid urban expansion creating planned real estate development opportunities, and to ease regional traffic movements. This paper is based on two unique case studies of regional transportation corridors developed in the fringe areas of rapidly growing mega cities – Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Global Corridor (KMPGC) in the national capital region of Delhi (16 million people and the largest city in India) and Sardar Patel Ring Road (SPRR) in the City of Ahmadabad, India (6 million people and the seventh largest city in India). Both the cases employed unique land development strategies to achieve the larger public purpose while creating planned land and real estate development opportunities. The KMPGC Delhi case employed compulsory purchase for reserving 325-foot wide right-of-way (ROW) and created multiple economic nodes as theme cities, strategically located along its 135 km (84 miles) corridor. While, the case of SPRR Ahmadabad employed land readjustment (LR) technique for reserving 76 km (47 miles) long and 200-foot wide ROW of a regional ring road. Using these two cases, this paper explains both types of land development processes and the financing models involved in these cases, and compares benefits and constraints of compulsory purchase and LR technique, especially in context of regional level real estate and economic development opportunities via new real estate markets as spatial corridors and economic nodes. The paper finally recommends a new hybrid model – a strategy for rapidly growing cities, where both models can be used in a hybrid form to achieve regional level public asset, create real estate market opportunities in fast growing fringe areas and achieve a planned development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policies toward the diffusion of electric vehicles received a lot of attention in the latest years in many developed countries. Yet the real costs and benefits for society as a whole of this technology have received limited attention from economists. In this context, the present paper proposes a thorough cost benefit analysis of policies for the development of electric vehicles in Germany. It also reviews the main existing models of EV diffusion to shed light on the modeling issues underlying the evaluation of EV policies. Elaborating on a comprehensive simulation model, it shows that the potential for EV is fairly limited while there is more room for intermediate technologies like Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles and Range Extenders. The paper concludes that most of the investigated policies have a negative benefit-cost balance. These results are strongly driven by the regulatory framework in which EV diffusion could take place and especially the Car Average Fleet Emission regulation EU 443. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of payments for ecosystem services (PES) to steer land use practices has increased considerably at an international level over past years. An efficient and effective PES implementation strategy often relies on active support from intermediaries. This paper provides an analytical framework for assessing the potential of intermediaries to improve the environmental effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of PES. Cost-effectiveness refers to transaction costs, whereas environmental effectiveness refers to ecological benefits provided. The framework assists in assessing how and for what activities of PES implementation intermediaries can improve performance based on the intermediaries’ institutional design. The analytical framework is based on institutional economics and applies mainly the theoretical underpinnings of transaction cost economics (TCE). This paper illustrates an example of the practical application of the framework by assessing the potential of German Landcare Associations (LCAs) to improve the performance of public PES programs. It is emphasized how key institutional design characteristics of LCAs can potentially influence (1) public and (2) private transaction costs as well as (3) participation in and (4) spatial targeting of governmental agri-environmental programs and schemes in Germany. The analytical framework is, however, not restricted to assessing the potential of intermediaries in the large public PES programs of industrialized countries. This paper discusses how the framework can be transferred to smaller private or larger supra-national PES programs and to the contexts of developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity loss is a global issue that has more recently been brought to the forefront of local governments with the aid of the 2008 Bonn Call-for-Action. However, species at risk conservation continues to receive little attention at the local level even though urbanization is primarily responsible for habitat destruction in developed countries. This paper illustrates that urban residents lack awareness of policy and endangered species based on 900 survey responses from Toronto and Vancouver residents. Additionally, this study finds that urbanities feel very little responsibility for conservation as compared to other actors like farmers and the federal government. To address the lack of awareness and bolster positive attitudes toward urban conservation the paper argues municipal governments should create eco-literacy programs and link biodiversity conservation into already existing climate action plans or green strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for sustainability has now become a duty for all those entities, nations or people who intend to combat poverty in the world, safeguard the environment and bridge the gap of disparities that unfortunately still exist between underdeveloped countries and medium-high developed nations. The agrifood sector plays an important role in this vision, and the development of sustainable analytical devices at low cost and easy to use for everyone, suitable for being adopted by those countries whose technological development does not allow them to take up expensive and sophisticated laboratory techniques, may constitute a contribution towards achieving the objectives listed above. In this review we illustrate some examples of electrochemical devices realized utilizing sustainable materials, such as paper, as support for disposable and reagent-free (bio)sensors applied to the monitoring of food quality and safety. We also mention the first applications of new carbonaceous materials obtained from the recycling of agrifood waste products, which promise interesting features for electrochemical applications. • Ecodesigned devices for sustainable foodstuff monitoring. • Paper based electrochemical sensors for quality and safety food control. • Waste recycling materials as electrode modifiers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The riding performance of all participants is significantly impaired at 0.05 BAC. • Novice participants perform higher mean speed and acceleration than experienced ones. • This study suggests to reduce the legal BAC limit for motorcyclists to zero. It is largely accepted that drink-driving significantly increases the likelihood that a driver may engage in risk-taking behavior and thus road crash. Although there have been a few studies examining the effect of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) on rider performance in developed countries, there has not been any research on the effect of BAC levels on motorcycle rider's performance in developing countries. This study is attempted to evaluate the effect of low BAC levels (i.e., ≤0.05 g/dL or 0.05) on riding performance of motorcycle riders in Vietnam using an advanced motorcycle riding simulator. Thirty-four motorcycle riders aged 18–40 complete simulated rides on three BAC levels, namely 0.00, 0.02, and 0.05. Riding performance indicators are measured and compared at different BAC levels. These indicators include average speed, average lateral overtaking distance, brake reaction time, acceleration, deceleration, and frequency of lane change. At the level BAC = 0.02 or lower, the negative effects on the rider's ability to control a motorcycle safely are statically insignificant. At the level BAC = 0.05, all the performances are impaired and the negative effects become statistically significant. In comparison of between novice participants and experienced participants at the same level of BAC, mean speed and acceleration rates of novice participants are significantly higher than the experienced participant. Based on the findings, the paper further discusses empirical relationships between reduced riding performances and road crash risk, and insights into drink-riding deterrence policy-making with regard to motorcycle riders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recovery from the recent financial crisis and "great recession" has been slower than after previous recessions in most developed countries and areas, especially Europe. But Europe's growth problem is structural in character and started much earlier. This paper analyzes the structural causes of the European slow growth, evaluates the policies that Europe adopted to overcome it, and concludes that even with the appropriate policies, the prospects for accelerating growth in Europe will be difficult, especially in the context of the current US-China trade war. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Capnography is universally accepted as an essential patient safety monitor in high-income countries (HICs) yet is often unavailable in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Increasing capnography availability has been proposed as one of many potential approaches to improving perioperative outcomes in LMICs. This scoping review summarises the existing literature on the effect of capnography on patient outcomes to help prioritise interventions and guide expansion of capnography in LMICs.Methods: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for articles published between 1980 and March 2019. Studies that assessed the impact of capnography on morbidity, mortality, or the use of airway interventions both inside and outside the operating room were included.Results: The search resulted in 7445 unique papers, and 31 were included for analysis. Retrospective and non-randomised data suggest capnography use may improve outcomes in the operating room, ICU, and emergency department, and during resuscitation. Prospective data on capnography use for procedural sedation suggest earlier detection of hypoventilation and a reduction in haemoglobin desaturation events. No randomised studies exist that assess the impact of capnography on patient outcomes.Conclusion: Despite widespread endorsement of capnography as a mandatory perioperative monitor, rigorous data demonstrating its impact on patient outcomes are limited, especially in LMICs. The association between capnography use and a reduction in serious airway complications suggests that closing the capnography gap in LMICs may represent a significant opportunity to improve patient safety. Additional data are needed to quantify the global capnography gap and better understand the barriers to capnography scale-up in LMICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the drivers of renewable energy production by employing variables of technological factors, economic factors, and environmental factors for two panels of developed and developing countries. Using GLS (Generalized Least Square) panel data estimation method, this paper finds that the determinants towards renewable sources vary in accordance with the level of income. The results reveal that renewable energy production is significantly determined by high technology export in developed countries, while high technology export is not statistically significant in explaining the use of RE sources in developing countries. Oil price has the smallest impact on renewable energy production in both groups. Although GDP per capita yields a positive impact on renewable energy production per capita in both groups, per capita CO 2 emission shows considerably different impacts in developed and developing countries. • Determinants toward renewables vary in accordance with the development level. • Technological factor and GDP mainly drive renewable energy use in developed countries. • GDP and CO 2 emission mainly drive renewable production in developing countries. • Technological factor cannot explain renewable energy dynamics in developing countries. • Oil price only marginally explain the dynamics of renewable energy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy justice, building on foundations within both the field of environmental justice and wider justice scholarship, has grown rapidly as a research field over recent years. However, the dominant energy justice theoretical frameworks, and many of the field's core case studies, originate from work in developed countries, with energy justice research only recently spreading to new areas of the world. This paper thus systematically reviews the current state of 'developing economy' and 'economy in transition' literature in the energy justice field. In doing this we analyse the (1) methods, energy types and locations explored thus far, unearthing key gaps, as well as (2) the multitude of 'justice-led' theoretical frameworks used. We also identify core themes illuminated by energy justice research in the developing world, including: (3) decentralisation, access and sustainability, (4) exposing institutional instability and corruption, (5) acknowledging marginalised communities and gender inequalities, while extracting key (6) policy implications. Vital questions are raised for the continued advancement of energy justice research into new contexts and thus its conceptual evolution. Our review highlights the potential for energy justice-led attention to expand current institutional, contextual and empirical scope in specific ways, including greater attention to the poorest global regions, and certain energy technologies including nuclear and CCS. We suggest four ways in which future theoretical developments of the field might take place: (i) greater attention to spatial analyses of neglected regions; (ii) expanding the field to further include non-western philosophical traditions; (iii) more work on applying tenets, frameworks and principles specific to energy justice and (iv) systems approaches to developed-developing country relations, with an emphasis on how they relate to low-carbon transitions. Thus, while we explore past and present applications of energy justice in developing world contexts, we also offer guidance on the ways in which it could be applied in the future, alongside encouraging dialogue between different 'justice' fields. • First systematic review of energy justice studies in developing world contexts • Research emphasis on renewables, qualitative methods and specific regions noted • Three-tenets approach dominates; environmental/social/climate justice also central. • Energy decentralisation advocated to increase access and/or enhance sustainability. • Policy emphasis on increasing participation; little on reducing power of elites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a study to reveal hidden knowledge in the online patient medication reviews for phentermine HCL is presented. Phentermine HCL is used most frequently in the treatment of obesity. Obesity is a complex health disorder that affects huge amount of people. In recent years, the number of overweight people in industrialized countries has increased significantly and people who are obese are at a much higher risk for serious medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and diabetes. Considering the importance of the medication of obesity, knowledge discovery from online patient reviews is performed. Some information technologies and data mining techniques are used to discover some hidden knowledge between patient information and side effects in these reviews. Our results can give new ideas to medical researchers and pharmaceutical industry for drug safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the impact of labor regulation on total and youth employment of 108 countries over the timespan, 1996–2013. The methodology used is the dynamic panel data technique which distinguishes between short-run and long-run effects of legal change and takes into account dynamic interactions between legal and economic variables. It is observed that laws protecting the interests of labor do not hamper the long-term employment prospects of the general work force and the youth population. By and large this result holds in the two sub-samples: one consisting of 23 developed countries and the other consisting of 85 less-developed countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Financial liberalization and years since last regulatory reforms increase banking crisis vulnerability. • Financial liberalization- banking instability (crisis) link depends largely on the regulatory framework updating. • Regulatory delays- banking instability (crisis) relationship depends on the level of financial liberalization. • The relationship between financial liberalization and banking system vulnerability can be illustrated by a U-Shaped relationship according the number of years since last regulatory reforms. Similarly, the link between years since the last reform and banking system situation can be estimated by a U-Shaped curve depending on the level of financial liberalization. This paper aims at bringing new insights concerning the effect of financial reforms on banking system vulnerability. We show that the link between financial liberalization and banking crisis depends on the number of years since last regulatory reforms. Similarly, we show that updating regulations indirectly affect banking crisis according to the financial liberalization level. Then, we show that banking crisis can be largely explained by a gap between financial innovations and regulation update on a sample of 49 developed and developing countries from 1980 to 2010. Our empirical evidence supports that the regulatory environment is more important in developed countries as it reduces banking fragility perhaps because of highly-risky exchanged financial products. The effect of financial liberalization depends largely on the number of years since last reform. However, destabilizing effect of financial liberalization in developing countries cannot be neutralized by updating regulations and gets more obvious as regulations become older. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Intrinsic permeability of Chinese MSW is tested under both liquid and gas flow. • Testing results are compared with reported data from raw and MBT MSW. • The influences from waste composition, porosity and particle size are studied. Changing patterns of municipal solid waste (MSW) management, for example sorting for recycling and mechanical–biological treatment (MBT), will change the nature of the residual material going to landfill and in particular its intrinsic permeability. This is an important parameter, not least because of its influence on gas and leachate flows and the ramifications for gas and leachate management. This paper reports the results of laboratory permeability tests on specimens of MSW recovered from boreholes drilled in a Chinese landfill, under both liquid and gas flow. The test results are used to assess the intrinsic permeability of the waste, and are compared with corresponding data from raw and MBT municipal solid wastes from developed countries in the context of differences in waste composition, porosity and particle size. For the Chinese waste, the intrinsic permeability decreased with depth, while at a given depth the permeability determined with gas flow was consistently larger than that determined with liquid flow. Intrinsic permeabilities determined in liquid flow showed no clear trend of variation with effective particle diameter d 10 , but reduced with drainable porosity (the drainable porosity, n e , being a more appropriate and useful measure than the total porosity, n). Conversely, intrinsic permeabilities determined in gas flow showed a clear decrease with decreasing d 10 , but no consistent variation with porosity. These differences are potentially significant in assessing the impacts and interactions between gas and liquid flows; some reasons for them are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• NAPs reflect a global agenda instead of local specificities and characteristics. • To succeed, National Adaptation Plans/Strategies (NAPs/NASs) need broad support. • Mitigation measures need to be complemented by evaluation mechanisms. • Limited participation of non-governmental stakeholders in the development of NAPs constrains the effectiveness of responses. • The mechanisms of engagement are identical among countries despite their different socio-cultural characteristics. Climate policies are essential to mitigate climate change and to develop successful adaptation processes. However, there is a paucity of international studies that analyse the status of climate change policies. This paper reports on research undertaken in a sample of 13 highly diverse countries, in regards to their geography, socioeconomic development, vulnerability elements, adaptation, and climate-risks. The results draw attention to the global spread and standardisation of climate change policies, namely through the adoption of comprehensive National Adaptation Plans/Strategies (NAPs/NASs) that include mitigation measures and evaluation mechanisms. Although NAPs tend to take into account different non-governmental stakeholders, they are still mainly state-centred (i.e. their steering and implementation are the responsibility of each country´s Ministry of the Environment) in most of the 13 countries in which this study was carried out. The results show that NAPs' objectives mainly reflect more a global agenda and pay less attention to national/regional vulnerabilities and contexts. In fact, despite different socioeconomic levels of development, diverse climate-risks, and dissimilar vulnerability and readiness status among countries, the examined NAPs tend to focus on the same critical sectors and objectives. Notwithstanding their similarities, our results highlight two different logics of adaptation reflected on the NAPs: one focused on economic risks and opportunities, characteristic of developed countries; and others focused on natural resources and conservation, characteristic of developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we attempt to identify the reasons behind the differences in environmental policy between Japan and other developed countries, particularly the US. Japan's environmental policy is unique in that voluntary approaches have been taken to reduce total emissions. This strategy is quite different from the traditional approach of heavy-handed regulation. In Japan, voluntary approaches are conducted through negotiations with polluters. The idea behind this type of voluntary approaches is that the government can induce polluters to abate emissions voluntarily by using light-handed regulations and the threat of heavy-handed regulations. The light-handed regulation is quite effective especially when it is costly to introduce heavy-handed regulations, although the negotiations are difficult to conduct when the number of stakeholders is large. To strengthen our analysis, we provide some examples of Japanese environmental policies which are successful and the ones that are not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mathematical modelling plays an important role in food engineering having various mathematical models tailored for different food topics. However, mathematical models are followed by limited information on their application in food companies. This paper aims to discuss the extent and the conditions surrounding the usage of mathematical models in the context of European food and drinks industry. It investigates the knowledge, nature and current use of modelling approaches in relation to the industry main characteristics. A total of 203 food companies from 12 European countries were included in this research. Results reveal that the country where the company operates, and size of the company, are more important predictors on the usage of mathematical models followed by the type of food sector. The more developed countries are positioned at the higher level of knowledge and use of available models. Similar pattern was observed at the micro level showing that small or medium sized companies exhibit lack of knowledge, resources and limiting usage of models. • 203 food companies from 12 European countries were included in this research. • Use of mathematical models in food companies is on a low level. • Most food models are not "user-friendly" for food companies. • Higher level of knowledge and use of models is in developed countries. • Lower level of knowledge and use of models is in small and medium sized companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomous driving is the future of the automotive industry across the globe. Many challenges must be resolved in designing and developing successful Autonomous Driving Systems (ADS), especially in developing countries with poor road infrastructure. Detecting obstacles in lanes is essential for robust ADS to decide whether to change lanes, slow down, or even stop. Developing countries like India present challenges, including poor or no lane line demarcation, poor traffic management, and diverse driving behaviors. That brings many challenges to developing robust lane-keeping or lane-changing decision systems in an ADS. Publicly available driving datasets have an inherent bias towards the road infrastructure of developed countries and hence cannot cater to the needs of the Indian requirements. That makes the existing obstacle-lane segment detection models unsuitable for road infrastructures in developing countries. Due to these factors, the rate of advancement of ADS and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in developing countries is meager compared to other developed countries. This makes it even more critical for future research to focus on these developing countries. This paper proposes a deep-learning-based novel decision-making network named LaneScanNET to assist the ADS in lane-changing or lane-keeping decision-making. The proposed system assists ADS in detecting obstacles, localization of the Ego Vehicle (EGV) on roads, and estimating lane status in its Field of View (FOV). The proposed LaneScanNET uses a parallel pipeline with an Obstacle Detection Network (ODN) and a Lane Detection Network (LDN) to simultaneously process the incoming image frames for detecting obstacles and segmenting lane lines, respectively. Further, the Obstacle-Lane Fusion Network (OLFN) fuses these results to predict the status of the obstacle lane in the FOV of autonomous vehicles. Vellore Institute of Technology's (VIT's) real-time driving dataset on indigenous roads has been collected to train the proposed LaneScanNET with 2464 obstacle-lane images obtained by driving over 60 km. The dataset generated for obstacle detection and its corresponding lane detection has also been made publicly available to promote research work for these developing countries. The proposed system outperforms all existing networks on Indian roads with an accuracy of 75.28% in obstacle detection and 91.36% in lane detection. Additionally, the proposed system can analyze the lane status with an accuracy of 92.54%. The proposed network performs exceptionally well in unforeseen circumstances like shadows, fog, dust, and occlusions making LaneScanNET a robust network that can be an add-on for ADS to make lane-keeping or lane-changing decisions. The LaneScanNET can be integrated into real-time vehicles to assist drivers or ADS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrialized nations face the imminent need to transform their food systems in service to climate, biodiversity, and humanity, and inroads to such transformation are arguably already being made in pockets of innovation and activism around the world. However, debates rage over the various technologies and values that ought to drive those transformations. In this essay I argue that we are in the midst of a paradigm shift in how we think about and design our food systems, away from the industrial paradigm and toward an approach informed by the nature and function of living systems. As a part of that ongoing change, I argue we need to develop a new set of language to replace the familiar industrial values and concepts that underpin how we think about solutions—including scalability, standardization, efficiency, and control. I offer suggestions for alternative concepts drawn from emerging work in the areas of regenerative design, Indigenous stewardship, and complex systems, concepts that can reframe how proponents of food system transformation design and evaluate new ideas and approaches that are more healthful, sustainable, and just. • Food systems transformations are critical and nascent. • Industrial design concepts like scalability are ill-fit to radical solutions. • Alternative concepts must embody the nature of living systems. • The paper discusses examples including diversity, resilience, generativity and trust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) that emphasizes sustainable and affordable energy presents a practical pathway to achieve sustainable growth. Moreover, this goal aligns with SDG 13, which focuses on climate action. Nonetheless, it is important to consider factors such as political and financial risk, as they can influence climate action efforts and the renewable energy sources adoption. Hence, this study broadens the conversation surrounding CO 2 emission reduction and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It accomplishes this by investigating the interplay between renewable energy, political risk, financial risk, and CO 2 emissions in Finland spanning from 1990/Q1 to 2021/Q4. Notably, this research distinguishes itself through its exploration of these complex connections, employing a wavelet-based quantile methodology. Unlike traditional quantile regression, which can only reveal connections between variables within each quantile, the wavelet-based quantile approach enables the simultaneous capture of correlations across quantiles and periods. The results show that in the long-term and across all quantiles (0.01–0.99), energy efficiency, specifically gas and oil efficiency, lessens CO 2. In addition, low financial and political risks improve ecological quality by lessening CO 2 across all periods and quantiles (0.01–0.99). The paper outcomes serve as a basis for formulating a policy framework aimed at achieving SDG 7 and SDG 13 in Finland. • We explore the impact of energy efficiency and country risk on CO 2 emissions. • The role of renewable energy and economic growth are also analyzed. • The Time series data of the Finland is used from 1990/Q1 to 2020/Q4. • Various wavelet-based quantile correlation is applied. • Renewable energy, oil and gas efficiency decrease CO 2 emissions in each quantile and across periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research on overwork has predominantly been conducted in developed countries. This study examines the role of affordable housing in Chinese cities and provides evidence from a developing country. Using data from China's National Health and Family Planning Commission's "China Migrants' Dynamic Survey," this study explores the relationship between affordable housing and overwork among migrant workers in Chinese cities, as well as the mechanism underlying this association. The results imply that migrant workers in China can work fewer hours if they reside in affordable housing. The impact of affordable housing on the overwork of migrant workers is partially mediated by their housing cost burden and their sense of local self-identity. Women, the younger generation, and later-arriving migrant workers are more negatively affected than men, the older generation, and earlier-arriving migrants. This study gives insight into the evaluation of the efficiency of affordable housing in China and evidence for future research on the issue of overwork in developing nations. • This study evaluates the effect of affordable housing on migrant workers' overwork in China. • The impact of affordable housing reduces migrant workers' overwork occurs partly through their housing cost burden and self-identity. • CMP, PSM and IV are applied to control endogeneity problems and perform robustness checks. • Conventional labor economic theory and identity economic theory are introduced to this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The industrialization has been the primary cause of the economic boom in almost all countries. However, this happened at the cost of the environment, as industrialization also caused carbon emissions to increase exponentially. According to the established literature, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is related to carbon emissions (CO 2) which could be optimally employed to precisely estimate a country's GDP. However, the scarcity of data is a significant bottleneck that could be handled using transfer learning (TL) which uses previously learned information to resolve new tasks, more specifically, related tasks. Notably, TL is highly vulnerable to performance degradation due to the deficiency of suitable information and hesitancy in decision-making. Therefore, this paper proposes 'Intuitionistic Fuzzy Transfer Learning (IFTL)', which is trained to use CO 2 emission data of developed nations and is tested for its prediction of GDP in a developing nation. IFTL exploits the concepts of intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs) and a newly introduced function called the modified Hausdorff distance function. The proposed IFTL is investigated to demonstrate its actual capabilities for TL in modeling hesitancy. To further emphasize the role of hesitancy modelled with IFSs, we propose an ordinary fuzzy set (FS) based transfer learning. The prediction accuracy of the IFTL is further compared with widely used machine learning approaches, extreme learning machines, support vector regression, and generalized regression neural networks. It is observed that IFTL capably ensured significant improvements in the prediction accuracy over other existing approaches whenever training and testing data have huge data distribution differences. Moreover, the proposed IFTL is deterministic in nature and presents a novel way for mathematically computing the intuitionistic hesitation degree. • Intuitionistic fuzzy transfer learning (IFTL) is proposed to enhance TL. • Modified Hausdorff distance function is introduced to compute similarity. • A 'fuzzy transfer learning (FTL)' is also proposed and compared with IFTL. • Developing country's GDP is predicted using only CO2 emission data. • IFTL ensured significant improvements over other machine learning approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development requires more investment in sustainable companies and less in unsustainable firms. However, the factors driving sustainable investing are not well understood. To address this gap, this paper uses institutional theory to examine three determinants of sustainable investing: (1) investor commitment to sustainable investing initiatives; (2) normative pressure; and (3) home-country influences. The findings indicate that sustainable investing initiatives do not guarantee more sustainable asset allocation among members. Normative pressure correlates with reduced investment in unsustainable companies. Investors from home-countries with legal systems prioritizing diverse stakeholders, and with governments committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), tend to invest less in unsustainable companies. Conversely, investors from countries with limited SDG progress show higher investment in unsustainable firms, while those from more developed nations invest more in sustainable companies. These results highlight the need for a critical examination of institutional efficacy in promoting sustainable investing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The paper presents an exhaustive comparison of principal traffic noise models adopted in recent years in developed nations. The comparison is drawn on the basis of technical attributes including source modelling and sound propagation algorithms. Although the characterization of source in terms of rolling and propulsion noise in conjunction with advanced numerical methods for sound propagation has significantly reduced the uncertainty in traffic noise predictions, the approach followed is quite complex and requires specialized mathematical skills for predictions which is sometimes quite cumbersome for town planners. Also, it is sometimes difficult to follow the best approach when a variety of solutions have been proposed. This paper critically reviews all these aspects pertaining to the recent models developed and adapted in some countries and also discusses the strategies followed and implications of these models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Compared to the Feed-in tariff in China, the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) could not only help to change the driving force of renewable energy industry development, but also provide the renewable energy industry with incentives to achieve the governments' planned goal. This paper first compares the features of RPS of the major industrialized countries. Second the barriers of implementing the Renewable Portfolio Standard in China are analyzed from five aspects. Finally, based on the above analysis, this paper puts forward relative institutional arrangements for the implementation of Renewable Portfolio Standard in China making recommendations for the development of renewable energy industry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Historically, there has been a debate on the effects of recessions on population health, and especially on mortality and its distribution across different social groups. This paper contributes to this discussion by means of a critical review of the research on the impact of economic recessions on mortality inequalities in the period 1980–2020. We analyzed 19 studies according to their mortality outcomes, socioeconomic indicators, design, analysis, and main findings. Twelve studies focused on European countries or urban areas, two on Asian countries, two on Russia, one on Asia and Europe, one on the USA, and one in Somalia. Five articles included cross-country comparisons (four between European countries or cities and one between Asian and European countries). The Great Recession of 2008 was the most researched economic crisis, followed by country-specific crises in the 90s, the fall of the Soviet Union, and some crises during the 80s. Most studies (n = 15) showed an overall or partial increase in mortality inequalities after an economic recession. However, two papers found a decrease in mortality inequalities due to the worsening of the health of the upper and middle classes, one article found a decrease in inequalities due to a general improvement in population health, and a study found a "slow-down" effect of pre-existent mortality inequalities. • Most articles study recessions and inequalities in the Great Recession in Europe. • Recessions in high-income countries generally increase mortality inequalities. • Few studies analyze recessions and inequalities in low-middle-income countries. • Studies on long-term effects, inequality axes and other health outcomes are lacking. • Recessions and inequalities must be analyzed from an intersectional perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infrastructure plays a vital role in the development and growth of a nation. Nevertheless, in modern times some infrastructure have become so significant that the future sustainability of the country is dependent on them. Such infrastructure is termed Critical Infrastructure (CI), a term coined in 1995 by the United States of America (USA). Thus, the USA and other developed countries have taken measures to protect and improve the resilience of their CI. However, CI is a new concept, therefore the developing countries are lacking a policy framework that could enhance the robustness of their CI. This paper aims to fill the gap by constructing a framework for the augmentation of resilience in the CI of developing countries like Pakistan. The formulation of the framework is achieved using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) based Fuzzy VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (FVIKOR) technique. FAHP results in the identification of the energy sector as the most important CI whereas FVIKOR identifies data acquisition and monitoring systems as the best resilience strategy. The study recommends to the policymakers of the developing countries to follow the proposed framework of the study to devise relative guidelines for their implementation and ensure the future sustainability of their countries. The devising of a framework for the improvement of CI resilience for developing countries and the practicality of the research based on the case study of Pakistan are the principal novelties of the paper. • Infrastructures play a vital role in the development and progress of a country. • In 1995, the term Critical Infrastructure (CI) was coined in the United States of America (USA) in which sixteen CI were identified. • CI are vital for the security and future sustainability of a nation; therefore, their protection is of paramount importance. • This paper aims to overcome the literature gap by devising a CI resilience framework for developing countries like Pakistan. • Based on the results it is advised to the policymakers of the developing countries that the proposed frameworks should be closely followed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholarly research has not yet discussed the totality of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) as part of a broader picture of sustainable development. This paper provides a unique analysis of the linkages between institutions, SDGs and digital technologies to establish their exact interdependencies. Factor analysis of the grand challenges of sustainable development has shown only SDG3 and SDG17 might progress through institutions' development in developed countries, while only SDG16 in developing countries. In developed countries, the institutions of human development, globalisation and innovations influence SDG3, and SDG17, which depend on digitised knowledge and the application of digital technologies. Human development and economic freedom, which rely on digital infrastructure and technologies, impacted SDG16 in developing countries. The digital knowledge index and the digital technologies index in developed countries enhance management efficiency, having a maximum impact on SDG3 and SDG17. The findings of this paper contribute to social and economic policy implications on digital technology development for addressing grand challenges. • Digital advancements can adequately address the grand challenges of sustainable development. • We weigh results separately for each SDG to create a theory of digital technology advancement. • This paper showcases the differences in sustainable development goals. • We supply reliable strategic milestones for managing digital technology development. A thorough analysis to figure out the differences in meeting the gran challenges of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Pb exposure on full-scale IQ score in pediatric subjects. Following PRISMA guidelines, the data from January 2010 to April 2020 were systematically searched and collected on electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Embase). The eligibility criteria included cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies that were published in English, from 2010 to 2020, that analyzed the blood Pb levels of pediatric subjects (0–19 years) and possible changes in the full-scale IQ score. In this study, 2174 scientific papers were collected from three electronic databases. From those, 726 were duplicates and 1421 were excluded because they did not meet the eligibility criteria, resulting in a total of 27 papers, from which, seven were used to perform the meta-analysis. The 27 scientific papers systematically selected for this study were separated by the country where the study was realized in developed and underdeveloped/developing countries. In the underdeveloped/developing countries the blood Pb levels are higher and showed a greater variation (1.30–11.66 μgPb/dL of blood) than in countries with higher development index (0.57–4.80 μgPb/dL of blood). The full-scale IQ score are inversely proportional to the blood Pb values, and it is possible to see that in the underdeveloped/developing countries the full-scale IQ score showed lower values and greater variation (59.2–111) compared to the individuals from developed countries (91.9–114.5). In conclusion, it was observed that blood Pb levels alter the full-scale IQ score. Thus, policies for the prevention of environmental contamination and the reduction of Pb exposure must be taken, mainly, in underdeveloped/developing countries. [Display omitted] • Individuals with high blood Pb levels have low full-scale IQ score. • Blood Pb levels lower than 5 μg Pb/dL cause full-scale IQ score alterations. • Pb exposure sources differ according to the countries index of development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper analyzes China's challenges toward carbon neutrality (CN) by 2060. • Currently, up to 85% of China's energy consumption relies on fossil fuels. • China's zero-carbon technologies and economy are not yet sufficient for CN. • Thus, we propose a three-stage/four-step strategy for China to achieve CN. • This paper also presents seven suggestions to foster China's green transition. In response to climate change, the Chinese government has set a clear goal to reach its carbon peak by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, endeavoring to gradually realize net-zero carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions. This paper explores the concept of carbon neutrality and makes a comparative analysis of the gap between China, the European Union, and the United States vis-à-vis carbon neutrality based on international data. The main challenges China faces in its progress toward carbon neutrality are the following: first, China's energy consumption and CO 2 emissions continue to increase, while its carbon peak has not yet been reached; second, carbon emission reduction in China is an arduous process, as the transition period allowed for the country to transition from its carbon peak to carbon neutrality is shorter than that of developed countries; third, China remains reliant on high-carbon fossil energy, with high energy consumption and low energy utilization efficiency; fourth, China's low level of economic development, compared with those of the EU, the US, or other developed countries, makes it relatively weak to withstand economic risks; and fifth, China's low-carbon and zero-carbon technologies are not mature. Therefore, this paper posits a three-stage/four-step strategy as well as seven specific suggestions that could benefit China's progress toward carbon neutrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Provides a multi-dimensional and multi-domain measurement of industrial modernity. • Combines text mining of newspapers with data from various databases. • Finds evidence of major continuities in 3 countries (AU, GER, RUS) between 1900 and 2020. • Detects rupture in environmental discourse and institutions but less so in practices. • Changes in optimism about technological innovation are less visible in comparison. The world is confronted by a socio-ecological emergency, requiring rapid and deep decarbonization of a broad range of socio-technical systems. A recent Deep Transitions framework argues that this fundamentally unsustainable trajectory has been generated by the co-evolutionary dynamics of multiple systems during the last 250 years. Altering this direction requires transformation in industrial modernity – a set of most fundamental ideas, institutions, and practices characterizing every industrial society to date. Although the proponents of the framework suggest that this shift has been unfolding since the 1960s, no attempts have been made to operationalize the concept of industrial modernity and to assess this claim. This paper develops a comprehensive multi-dimensional and multi-domain approach for the measurement of industrial modernity. As such it seeks to provide empirical evidence of long-term continuities and emerging ruptures in the dominant ideas, institutions, and practices of industrial societies along the domains of environment and technology. Using a methodologically novel approach where the text mining of newspapers is combined with data from various databases the paper provides results from three countries – Australia, Germany, Soviet Union/Russia – between 1900 and 2020. Despite considerable country-level differences the results show shifts in public environmental discourse from the 1960s, followed by institutional changes from the 1980s but with only a modest change in practices. We also observe some change in the direction of innovative activities and their regulation coupled with a resurgent optimism in technology-environment discourse. The findings tentatively suggest that industrial modernity might be in the process of hollowing out along ideational and institutional dimensions in the environmental domain but less so in the domain of technology and innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]