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Background and Objectives: There are significant challenges when obtaining clinical and economic evidence for health technology assessments of rare diseases. Many of them have been highlighted in previous systematic reviews but they have not been summarised in a comprehensive manner. For all stakeholders working with rare diseases, it is important to be aware and understand these issues. The objective of this review is to identify the main challenges for the economic evaluation of orphan drugs in rare diseases. Methods: An umbrella review of systematic reviews of economic studies concerned with orphan and ultra-orphan drugs was conducted. Studies that were not systematic reviews, or on advanced therapeutic medicinal products, personalised medicines or other interventions that were not considered orphan drugs were excluded. The database searches included publications from 2010 to 2023, and were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane library using filters for systematic reviews, and economic evaluations and models. These filters were combined with search terms for rare diseases and orphan drugs. A hand search supplemented the literature searches. The findings were reported by a compliant Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram. Results: Two hundred and eighty-two records were identified from the literature searches, of which 64 were duplicates, whereas five reviews were identified from the hand search. A total of 36 reviews were included after screening against inclusion/exclusion criteria, 35 from literature searches and one from hand searching. Of those studies 1, 27 and 8 were low, moderate and high quality, respectively. The reviews highlight the scarcity of evidence for health economic parameters, for example, clinical effectiveness, costs, quality of life and the natural history of disease. Health economic evaluations such as cost-effectiveness and budget-impact analyses were scarce, and generally low-to-moderate quality. The causes were limited health economic parameters, together with publications bias, especially for cost-effectiveness analyses. Conclusions: The results highlighted issues around a considerable paucity of evidence for economic evaluations and few cost-effectiveness analyses, supporting the notion that a paucity of evidence makes economic evaluations of rare diseases more challenging compared with more prevalent diseases. Furthermore, we provide recommendations for more sustainable approaches in economic evaluations of rare diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This paper examines the impact of local economic activity on criminal behavior. We build on existing research by relaxing the identification assumptions required for causal inference, and estimate the impact of local economic activity on recidivism. Methods: We use the fracking boom as a source of credibly exogenous variation in the economic conditions into which incarcerated people are released. We replicate and extend existing instrumental variables analyses of fracking on how many released offenders return to state prison seperately from aggregate crime and arrests. Results: Our instrumental variables estimates imply that a ten thousand dollar increase in the value of per capita production is associated with a 2.8% reduction in the 1-year recidivism of ex-offenders at the county level. Improved labor market conditions, specifically an increase in wages for young adults, may explain a non-negligible fraction of the reduction in recidivism associated with economic booms. In contrast, we replicate existing work finding that fracking increased aggregate measures of crime and arrests. Conclusion: Increased economic opportunity appears to have a different impact of overall crime than on recidivism. This suggests that the relationship between economic opportunity and offending may be conditioned by local social ties. Further research examining how social connections and labor markets affect individual criminal behavior is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European defence policy offers opportunities for spending more and better where better achieves more from existing resources. Increased defence spending needs to be justified by the threats to Europe which have to be identified and defined. Higher defence expenditure usually focuses on inputs rather than final outputs in the form of greater peace, protection, security and the safety of a nation's citizens. The task is to show the opportunities for applying economic analysis to the complexities of European defence policy and collaborative defence projects. Economic efficiency criteria identify the contribution of final outputs, substitution and competition to the formulation of European defence policy, but the final outcomes are likely to be determined by military-political factors rather than economic efficiency criteria. The paper provides a critique of European defence policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a thorough examination of methane capture from Polish coal mines, contextualized within the framework of the European Union's (EU) climate policy objectives. Through a strategic analysis encompassing the interior of coal mines, the surrounding environment, and the macro environment, this study elucidates the complex dynamics involved in methane emissions and capture initiatives. The key findings include a declining trend in absolute methane emissions since 2008, despite fluctuations in coal extraction volumes, and a relatively stable level of methane capture exceeding 300 million m3/year since 2014. The analysis underscores the critical role of government support, both in terms of financial incentives and streamlined regulatory processes, to facilitate the integration of methane capture technologies into coal mining operations. Collaboration through partnerships and stakeholder engagement emerges as essential for overcoming resource competition and ensuring the long-term success of methane capture projects. This paper also highlights the economic and environmental opportunities presented by methane reserves, emphasizing the importance of investment in efficient extraction technologies. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, particularly regarding the low efficiency of current de-methanation technologies. Recommendations for modernization and technological innovation are proposed to enhance methane capture efficiency and utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a host–parasitoid model with a Holling type-II functional response and incorporate harvest effort. The Holling type-II response leads to saturation in parasitized hosts, creating a potential economic harvesting opportunity. To address overexploitation risks, we integrate a harvest effort function, determining an optimal threshold to prevent depletion. We explore model dynamics and bifurcations, including co-dimension one behaviors such as flip and Neimark–Sacker bifurcations, we provide numerical examples for validation. Our suggested difference-algebraic model, compared to continuous-time models, exhibits rich dynamics within the Nicholson–Bailey host–parasitoid framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building on previous research, this study investigates the international migration network and its changes from 1990 to 2017. The findings suggest that certain core countries play pivotal roles in shaping global migration by providing economic opportunities or political refuge. Community detection identified nine groups of nations in 2017, indicating regionalization. The study also examined the networks of antecedent factors that reflect both structural factors, such as geography, language, colonial history, political stability and economic differences, as well as transnational interactions, including student flow, trade, Internet flow and remittance, in relation to the international migration network. Applying multiple regression quadratic assignment procedure, it was found that these networks constituted approximately 11% of the migration network's distribution when chain migration was excluded, and 16.5% when it was included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global pig production has increased by 140% since the 1960s. The increase in global population, coupled with improving socioeconomic conditions of many countries has led to an increased consumption of meat globally, including pork. To keep up with demand and capitalize on economic opportunities, the countries of China, the United States (US), and the European Union (EU) have become the top 3 pork producers globally. China is of particular interest, as it is the both the largest country in pork production and pig numbers, as well as being the largest importer of pork from other countries. Globally, the efficiency of pork production has improved, in relation to the integration of pig production and the dramatic increase in research efforts in pig nutrition and production. Through integration, large producers can consolidate resources and maximize profits and efficiency. The increased research interest and efforts in pig production have given scientists and producers the opportunity to collaborate to adapt to challenges and identify possible solutions to issues brought on by a volatile global market. Intestinal health (23%), general nutrition and growth (23%), and amino acid nutrition (15%) were the top 3 areas (61%) leading research trends in pig nutrition and production. Major dietary interventions with feed additives evaluated include functional amino acids, feed enzymes, pre-/pro-/post-biotics, and phytobiotics with a common goal to improve the growth efficiency by enhancing nutrient utilization and intestinal health. With increasing global issues with environment, pig producers and the supporting scientists should continue their efforts to improve the production efficiency and to reduce the environmental footprint from pig production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic unleashed a global crisis with far-reaching impacts on various aspects of society, including labor migration and family dynamics. Among the vulnerable populations affected were transnational mothers who, having migrated in pursuit of economic opportunities, found themselves unexpectedly laid-off and compelled to return to their home countries. This phenomenological research endeavored to unravel the lived experiences of these laid-off transnational mothers as they navigate the complex journey of emergency return and reintegration during the pandemic. Drawing on a qualitative phenomenological approach, this study engaged in-depth interviews to explore the dimensions of these mothers' experiences. The research journey illuminated the challenges, coping mechanisms, and transformations that emerged as these mothers embarked on a journey of returning to rebuild their lives and identities. Findings revealed that the sudden job loss and subsequent return disrupted established life trajectories, leading to a profound sense of dislocation and ambiguity. The mothers' narratives captured the struggles of renegotiating roles within families and communities, grappling with economic instability, and confronting the intersections of gender, migration, and resilience. By bringing these individual stories to the forefront, the research underscored the urgent need for tailored support mechanisms, inclusive policy responses, and heightened awareness of the unique challenges faced by transnational mothers in crisis situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of geography in debates around education and labour market inequality is an enduring public policy concern. This paper argues that local economic contexts have a role in shaping the kind of university and career trajectories working-class young people are exposed to. Drawing on multi-sited data on working-class young people in different local contexts across England, it underlines the importance of regional economic development, the geography of elite universities and the spatial patterning of widening participation networks and activity. In the capital, a sophisticated widening participation infrastructure exists – including multiple partnerships between schools and the third and private sectors – which far exceeds the networks and support found elsewhere. Combined with London's high economic capital and elite career pathways, this infrastructure greatly facilitates systems of support designed to drive aspirations to elite universities and careers. Whilst advocating for a fairer distribution of educational opportunities nationwide, we argue that, without acknowledging the origins of spatial imbalances within the UK, any attempt at simply 'spreading out the same' opportunities risks offering a superficial response. If long-term change is to be truly advanced, a more systematic dismantling of how economic functions and social relations are configured spatially must first be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the space economy and its profound geopolitical implications. Artificial intelligence is increasingly powering space missions, satellite networks and resource utilization, thereby reshaping the global landscape of the space industry. AI-driven advances are fueling economic opportunities and competition among nations in space-related sectors and the resulting geopolitical effects. From satellite services to lunar and Martian exploration, AI is poised to become a driving force in shaping the balance of power in the space arena, making it a critical topic for policymakers, strategists and industry leaders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural tourism helps preserve cultural heritage and provides economic opportunities for local communities. A walkable cultural tourism route has been developed for the old town of Ratchaburi, Thailand. Here, we assessed changes in PM1 after cars were banned from the walkable tourist route. A near-roadway dispersion model, R-LINE, was evaluated and used to explore the base case (BC) and two scenarios, S1 and S2. In the BC, road traffic activities reflected the current situation; in S1, all vehicles were banned from the walkable route; and in S2, all drivers were encouraged to park their vehicles outside the study area. The road traffic activities in the study area were observed and used to calculate the PM1 emission rates for the model inputs. The model was capable of simulating PM1 concentration, especially the average PM1 concentration over the monitoring period. An increase in PM1 concentration was seen at the main road in S1 due to the increased traffic volume that had been redirected from the walkable route, with an increase in daily PM1 of 4.5% compared to BC. S2 showed a decrease in the PM1 concentration of 8.9%. These findings suggest the need for traffic mitigation measures prior to initiating a walkable route for cultural tourism, to meet environmental sustainability requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between African urban peripheries and informal development that also aligns with the broader goal of creating inclusive and sustainable urban environments. The authors employed a literature review approach and examined the complexities of informal settlements. In the presentation of their findings, the authors focus on conceptualizing of informality beyond slum areas, unravelling urbanization complexities in African urban peripheries, analysing the emergence of informal development in urban peripheral zones, and addressing informal settlements in the context of SDG 11. The findings reveal the embeddedness of informal practices in African urban peripheries, and the emphasis on adaptability, hybridity, and the role of informal entities in shaping complex urban fabrics. Additionally, inclusivity, safety, resilience, and sustainability are emphasized within the context of SDG 11. The authors conclude that a holistic and collaborative approach is important for shaping inclusive and sustainable urban futures in African urban peripheries. Additionally, they propose strategies for upgrading and formalizing informal settlements, the provision of essential social services, creation of economic opportunities, enhancement of safety, and to foster resilience through adaptive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since Estonia joined the European Union in 2004, there has been a steady growth in transnational mobility for work or study among Estonian young adults, a phenomenon further boosted by the economic recession of 2008–09. This article analyses the factors that have influenced or would potentially influence their return to Estonia, following an online survey of over 2,000 participants from Estonia aged 20–35 years with a recent experience of living abroad. By deploying an analysis of logistic regression, we developed two models concerning the 'actual return factors' (comparing the stayers with those who have returned) and the 'aspirational return factors' (how the migrants imagine their future location). Some of the highlights of our results demonstrate that the likelihood of return migration is significantly lower for those whose prime reasons for leaving Estonia were related to living conditions and salary abroad. The extent of people's ties and connections to Estonia does not play a significant role in actually returning to Estonia. However, these connections do play a role, albeit limited, in envisioning one's future in Estonia. The outcomes of our analysis suggest that diaspora policies cannot be implemented without addressing the sending country's internal sociopolitical situation, which influences the living conditions and economic opportunities of its citizens, scrutinized particularly carefully by those who have left the country before deciding whether or not to return. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article employs ordered probit to examine the effect mother's education and other socio-economic and community factors on the prevalence of childhood anaemia in urban and rural areas and severity of anaemia in Uganda using the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey. In Uganda, 53% of children aged 6–59 months suffered from some degree of anaemia, with 24% being mildly anaemic, 27% moderately anaemic, and 2% severely anaemic (UDHS, 2016). Anaemia has substantial negative effects on the health and economic wellbeing of nations and communities. The study findings indicate that mother's education attainment and the partner's schooling and socio-economic factors are important in explaining the prevalence of childhood anaemia in Uganda. The major implication of these results is that raising women's education improves their economic opportunities, and the behavioural responses and this can greatly improve children's health outcomes in terms of low prevalence of childhood anaemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been a crucial trade and development initiative, offering preferential access to qualified Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries to the United States market since its enactment in 2000. This paper presents a comprehensive review of scholarly articles and policy reports that analyze the impact of AGOA on the economic performance of SSA countries. Employing various econometric methods and data analysis techniques, researchers have investigated the effects of AGOA on trade flows, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, employment, economic growth, and poverty levels. The findings reveal that AGOA has positively affected the region's trade, particularly in apparel, textiles, and agriculture. However, its influence on promoting export diversification and attracting FDI is nuanced, with substantial heterogeneity among the beneficiary countries and industries within each country. While some SSA countries have experienced substantial export growth and FDI inflows, others have not fully leveraged the benefits of AGOA due to absorptive capacity constraints and governance challenges. AGOA's effectiveness in promoting broad-based employment, GDP growth, and poverty reduction remains an active area of inquiry, necessitating further research to understand the policy's sustained impact and inform future trade policy designs for SSA countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent passage of the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act (2021) (Cth) opened up the potential for Australia to produce renewable energy at unprecedented scale. Six regions have been identified as potential locations for developing offshore wind projects, promising thousands of new local jobs to legacy industrial regions. This paper charts the regulatory framework for Australia's offshore wind industry and how it positions local economic benefits in the licencing of projects. It then draws on interviews with key stakeholders supported by media and policy analysis to examine the early development of offshore wind capability in one of the proposed regions, the Illawarra, in NSW. Here existing steelmaking capacity positions the region to play a key role in supply chains for local and potentially national projects, but considerable structural and geographical constraints in the labour market will need to be addressed. In light of overseas experience indicating that economic benefits often fall short of promises, greater attention by policy makers is required to ensure hosting communities can develop local skills in the industry and facilitate their relative supply chain capabilities. This paper also calls for careful evaluation of early projects to allow for adjustments to policy settings as the industry matures domestically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union has made the development of a circular economy one of the central ambitions of its Green Deal, in which plastics are a defined priority. Current policies, however, have drawn criticism that the narrow focus on techno-innovation opportunities and economic growth falls short of addressing multifaceted socio-ecological challenges, overlooks trade-offs between proposed solutions, and conceals conflicts of interest among different actors. This paper contributes to opening-up the critical political debate on the circular plastics economy using discourse analysis. Looking at how arguments are framed, which priorities are defined, and how actors take positions, we identify three circular plastics economy discourses in Europe: 'Plastic fantastic' (material-focused), 'Circular economy will fly us to the moon' (plastics economy-focused), and 'Even plastic flowers are dead in this system' (socio-ecological systems-focused). Our paper demonstrates that the circular plastics economy is inherently political and is actively imagined, built, and created through discursive mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last three decades, Santiago, Chile has experienced rapid urbanisation. The city's expansion has prompted the proliferation of high-rise residential buildings, mediated by spatial segregation along class lines and fragmented urban governance. Concurrently, economic opportunities in Chile have drawn regional labour migrants, resulting in an unprecedented increase in migratory flows. Drawing on ethnographic research, this article charts the everyday experiences of migrants in high-rise residences. As new arrivals seek housing, social networks channel migrants – particularly Venezuelans – into shared high-rise apartments, producing specific buildings as vertical enclaves. Lived experiences within the confines of verticality are frequently shaped by the challenges of overcrowding. As migrants craft daily practices to mitigate these limitations, their routines make full use of limited space and meaningfully engage with building common areas, public spaces and neighbourhoods. The everyday practice of verticality articulates links between high-rises and surrounding sites, neighbourhoods and the broader urban fabric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young people in cities in the Horn of Africa engage with diasporic mobility through social media on a daily basis. Apparent opportunities on these platforms both reflect and shape ideas about life in the diaspora, potential migration, and social mobility. These connections also bring risks of scamming, extortion and misinformation that contribute to the involuntary immobility of those who wish to move for economic or educational opportunities. Drawing from 'screen-shot elicitation' group interviews with young men in Hargeisa (Somaliland) and digital ethnographic investigation of social media content gathered before, during and after these sessions, this article argues that transnational flows of mobility-related information need to be studied from the perspective of people within contexts commonly understood as 'sources' of south-north migration, but beyond policy-orientated questions about the impact of ICTs on rates of migration. Emphasising the highly ambivalent role played by social media in shaping aspirations and experiences of youth (im)mobility, this approach brings into view a wider range of socially significant online practices. These include the transnational assemblage of elaborate digital scamming techniques, as well as multiple other types of mobility-focused user-generated content that circulate in transnational Somali social (media) networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integration is always at the core of migration studies and is examined from various theoretical perspectives. While integration models are valuable for understanding how national political systems influence the integration of foreigners into society, the real challenge of integration manifests at the local level. From a neighbourhood-based approach, this article addresses the integration trajectories of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs in Rione Sanità, Naples, which is a socio-economically deprived neighbourhood hosting a substantial segment of foreign populations and has been the target of significant urban regeneration initiatives over the past decade. Sri Lankans established travel agencies, fiscal assistance centres, restaurants, takeaways, and retailers in a transformative context. This article highlights how entrepreneurial initiatives are shaped by the mutual connection linking immigrants with the place where they found economic and relational opportunities. The results serve as a crucial starting point for better understanding the long-term outcomes of the socio-economic integration at the neighbourhood level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on ethnographic data on the use and supply of cocaine in Hong Kong among privileged expatriates, we examine how members of the subculture enter into and navigate the fluid yet instrumental social supply networks and learn "bag politics" (the negotiation of using, obtaining, and sharing drugs). At the heart of "bag politics" lies a process of developing, sustaining, and strengthening one's social capital within and beyond social supply networks. Our research builds upon theoretical arguments in the Bordieuan application to the criminological context of drug markets, looking specifically at "street capital" and "street social capital". We show that "street social capital" can develop and be used in illicit settings beyond low socio-economic and marginalized communities. In looking at other socio-economic contexts, we raise the possibility that "street capital" and "street social capital" may facilitate rather than obstruct opportunities to succeed in broader society. We argue that within social supply networks among privileged expatriates, the development of "street social capital" provides opportunities for social and economic benefits both within and beyond the subculture. Finally, we argue that the desire to forge and develop such capital is a motiving factor to use and socially supply cocaine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing studies show that the deployment of a peacekeeping operation (PKO) can provide an economic boost to the host state and its population. Some of those studies also suggest that such a boost is unsustainable and that peacekeeping exit may trigger economic downturn within host states. If that is the case, however, do some locals feel the adverse economic effects of PKO exit more than others? In this article, we argue that individuals who come to directly or indirectly depend on economic opportunities that emerge following the deployment of peacekeepers are particularly likely to experience negative economic effects after PKO exit. However, those effects may be partly mitigated through individuals' economic actions and/or their access to new sources of outside support after the exit of peacekeepers. We test our argument on original data gathered through a large-scale household survey of Monrovia, Liberia, conducted in early 2020. We also draw on qualitative interview data. After noting an overall downturn in Liberia's economy after 2018 (when the UN Mission in Liberia closed), we find broad support for our claims in the survey data, albeit qualified by nuances in a secondary, disaggregated analysis. We conclude by highlighting implications of our study for the planning and management of peacekeeping withdrawal. Los estudios existentes demuestran que el despliegue de una operación de mantenimiento de la paz (OMP) puede proporcionar un impulso económico al Estado receptor y a su población. Algunos de esos estudios también sugieren que ese impulso resulta insostenible y que la finalización de las operaciones de mantenimiento de la paz puede llegar a desencadenar una recesión económica en los Estados receptores. Sin embargo, si ese es el caso, ¿existen algunos ciudadanos que noten en mayor medida los efectos económicos adversos derivados de la finalización de una OMP con relación al resto de la población? En este artículo, argumentamos que las personas que llegan a depender directa o indirectamente de las oportunidades económicas que surgen tras el despliegue del personal de mantenimiento de la paz tienen una mayor probabilidad de experimentar efectos económicos negativos después de la finalización de una OMP. Sin embargo, esos efectos pueden mitigarse, en parte, mediante las medidas económicas adoptadas por los ciudadanos y/o su acceso a nuevas fuentes de apoyo externo después de la partida del personal de mantenimiento de la paz. Ponemos a prueba nuestro argumento usando datos originales, que fueron recopilados a través de una encuesta realizada a gran escala en hogares de Monrovia, Liberia, a principios de 2020. También, nos basamos en datos cualitativos obtenidos de entrevistas. Observamos una desaceleración general de la economía de Liberia después de 2018 (cuando se cerró la Misión de las Naciones Unidas en Liberia), la cual proporciona un amplio apoyo a nuestras afirmaciones en los datos de la encuesta. Sin embargo, encontramos matices para este apoyo al realizar un análisis secundario y desagregado. Concluimos destacando las consecuencias que tiene nuestro estudio para la planificación y la gestión de la retirada de las operaciones de mantenimiento de la paz. Des études existantes montrent que le déploiement d'opérations de maintien de la paix (OMP) peut stimuler l'État hôte et sa population sur le plan économique. Certaines d'entre elles suggèrent que cet effet n'est pas durable et que la fin de l'OMP peut avoir des effets négatifs sur l'économie des États hôtes. Néanmoins, si tel est le cas, certains résidents ressentent-ils ces effets plus que d'autres? Dans cet article, nous affirmons que les personnes qui finissent par dépendre directement ou indirectement des opportunités économiques créées par le déploiement de l'OMP auront plus de chances de ressentir des effets économiques négatifs quand cette opération prend fin. Toutefois, ces effets peuvent être atténués en partie par les actions économiques individuelles et/ou l'accès à de nouvelles ressources d'aide extérieure après la fin de l'OMP. Nous évaluons notre argument grâce à des données inédites collectées à l'aide d'un sondage de grande échelle auprès de particuliers de Monrovia, au Libéria, mené au début de l'année 2020. Nous nous fondons également sur des données qualitatives d'entretiens. Nous notons une récession généralisée au Libéria après 2018 (quand la mission de l'ONU au Libéria a pris fin), puis nous trouvons nombre d'éléments pour venir étayer nos arguments dans les données de sondage, malgré qu'ils soient nuancés par une analyse ventilée secondaire. En conclusion, nous soulignons les implications de notre étude pour la planification et l'organisation de la fin des OMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the unconscious influence of beauty on perceptions of commonly-sought employee traits. To do this, we develop a set of photos rated for "societal attractiveness" and use eye-tracking technology to measure participants' pupil sizes while they rate the same set of photos on perceived levels of competence, friendliness, and trustworthiness. We find that the same autonomic response to attractiveness occurs even when participants are asked to rate individuals on traits other than attractiveness. Each additional millimeter of pupil dilation results in about a seven percentage point increase in the perception of rated characteristics. Our data also suggest that societal and personal perceptions of beauty are substitutes rather than complements. These findings contribute to our understanding of the unconscious biases underlying the beauty premium and highlight the importance of considering both personal and societal perceptions of beauty in evaluating individuals. These results are important for labor market outcomes and suggest the need for further research on the unconscious role of beauty in shaping economic opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite India's impressive economic growth and the implementation of a large-scale antimalnutrition program, the country continues to face the highest levels of child malnutrition globally. Among the affected children, half of those under the age of 3 years, in both tribal and nontribal populations, are underweight, while a third of the wealthiest children experience overnutrition. Economic inequality plays a significant role in contributing to malnutrition in both tribal and nontribal communities. Therefore, utilizing data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (2019-21), the present study aims to examine the socioeconomic disparities in childhood malnutrition across all 640 districts of India, with a specific focus on tribal and nontribal populations. Methods: The analysis includes a sample of children aged 0 to 59 months from tribal and nontribal communities. Sociodemographic, personal, clinical, and environmental factors are considered as independent variables. The outcomes of interest include stunting, wasting, and underweight, which are assessed using binary variables. Linear modeling are used to determine the associations between the independent variables and child undernutrition. Results: The study reported a negative Z value (-4.763), indicating greater overall inequality in the tribal population compared to the nontribal population. In terms of odds ratios, females had lower odds of being underweight in both tribal and nontribal populations. Children aged 1 to 2 years had higher odds of being underweight compared to those aged 1 year. The duration of breastfeeding showed varying associations, with breastfeeding for 7 to 12 months increased the risk of underweight in nontribal areas, while longer durations (13-24 and >24 months) were associated with higher chances of wasting in nontribal areas. Higher maternal age at first birth, higher education levels, and sufficient antenatal care visits were protective factors against underweight in both populations. A higher wealth index consistently correlated with reduced odds of underweight in both tribal and nontribal populations. Institutional delivery was associated with higher odds of underweight in tribal areas but lower odds in nontribal areas. Conclusion: The study concludes that in order to address the socioeconomic disparities contributing to stunting, wasting, and undernutrition among tribal populations, targeted interventions are required. These interventions should focus on improving access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, particularly among tribal communities. Additionally, policies should aim to reduce income inequality and promote inclusive economic development, ensuring that the benefits of progress are equitably distributed across all population groups. By addressing these socioeconomic factors, it is possible to improve the nutritional status and overall well-being of tribal populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines patterns and trends in household food security in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, from 2010 to 2019. We use data from a household panel nested in the Agincourt Health and Socio-Demographic Surveillance System. Findings indicate that there have been improvements in household food security in this rural setting over the last decade. By polychoric principal component analysis, an aggregate food security index was constructed and we observed a small, yet important, proportion of households (7.8%) that remained chronically food insecure. An ordered probit model was used to estimate the determinants of food security. Findings reveal that the observed differences in household food security status are as a result of differences in socioeconomic status. We therefore recommend that focus must be placed on identifying economic opportunities and empowering the chronically food insecure households if universal household food security is to be attained in rural South Africa and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced manufacturing-a range of innovative, integrated, and controlled technological processes aimed at enhancing efficiency and optimizing outcomes-offers opportunities for rural economic development. However, the presence of advanced manufacturing and its related opportunities are not well understood in rural Canada, particularly at the local level. As part of a project exploring advanced manufacturing in the rural Kootenay region of British Columbia, researchers identified the need for a nuanced and rurally inclusive definition of advanced manufacturing and an accompanying assessment to assist in better understanding needs and opportunities. This article summarizes the case study and proposes the 'advanced manufacturing spectrum', a model illustrating and defining advanced manufacturing, with an accompanying assessment tool that aims to assist users to identify themselves within the advanced manufacturing sector and to better understand the current state of advanced manufacturing and potential for advancement. The application of the assessment tool to the case study demonstrates the potential of the spectrum as a diagnostic and planning tool, able to reveal placebased challenges and opportunities and to enable targeted action. However, given the range of rural contexts, we acknowledge potential limitations in the transferability of the spectrum and assessment tool. The purpose of this article is to share the proposed advanced manufacturing spectrum model for further discussion, testing, and refinement based on its application in other rural regions. We invite further testing of the proposed spectrum and assessment tool to better understand the size and scope of current advanced manufacturing activities across rural places, and to share observations and lessons around the transferability of the spectrum. This article highlights the complex dynamics between government policies, local capacities, and entrepreneurial initiatives in the context of rural development, offering valuable considerations for policymakers and researchers interested in advancing manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Africa is the most rapidly growing continent, and its growth (demographic, economic, cultural etc.) will inevitably influence the World System (and the further, the stronger). The growth of African societies will bring at the same time both challenges and opportunities. The authors discuss both of them in detail. They consider Africa as the main intrigue of demographic transformations in the twenty-first century. But they also think that this continent can constitute a very important intrigue in other respects (economic, political, ethnical etc.). No doubt, in the future, African countries will produce many surprises both positive and negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a concept, the green economy refers to the transition from coal to renewable energy sources to reduce pollution, the energy efficiency of production processes to achieve savings, the reuse of materials from waste in business and energy production, changes designed to stop harmful climate change and bring new opportunities for economic development. In this way, conflicts between economic development and environmental issues are resolved, with the aim of achieving sustainability of the economy and society. The aim of the study is to provide a comparative analysis of the level of development of the green economy in selected 20 emerging economies and their progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the 2030 Agenda using the EEPSE Green Economy Index (EEPSE GEI), based on Quintuple Helix Innovation Model (QHIM), and examine the interdependence between each of the 5 subsystems (quality of education system, economic aspects, political system, civil society, and natural environment) with this index. The results indicate that among the group of countries observed, Estonia is the best performer, while Egypt has the lowest performance. The results, also, indicate the important role of each of the subsystems in EEPSE GEI. The study can be useful for policy makers to identify weaknesses in achieving the SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large portion of the world's rural population has limited access to paved roads, which is widely believed to constrain rural economic growth opportunities. Using a panel of nighttime lights and road placement data from the Integrated Road Investment Program (iRoad), a large-scale rural road development program in Sri Lanka, this study examines the relationship between rural road connectivity and local nighttime luminosity. The program was found to result in better and more consistent rural road conditions. Rural areas with improved connectivity after two years show higher local nighttime luminosity, a proxy for economic activity, compared to areas without connectivity. These gains hold even for indirectly targeted rural areas where the iRoad passes through. The gains vary spatially, which are most pronounced in areas at a moderate distance to socioeconomic centers and with more adequate complementary infrastructure provisions. These findings support the notion that improving rural connectivity can ease development constraints, increase resilience in managing negative economic shocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and contribute to post-pandemic economic recovery. The findings also lend to the idea that targeted placements based on the beneficiary's location and complementary infrastructure (e.g., educational and medical facilities) can enhance the effectiveness of rural road investments. An intensive margin analysis suggests that post-construction maintenance is effective in bringing about sustained impact. • Using data from a large-scale rural road program in Sri Lanka, we study the relationship between rural connectivity and local economic activity. • The rural road program was found to result in better and more consistent rural road conditions. • Rural areas with improved connectivity after two years show higher local nighttime luminosity compared to areas without connectivity. • The gains vary spatially, which are most pronounced in areas at a moderate distance to socioeconomic centers and with more complementary infrastructure. • The findings lend to the idea that targeted placements can enhance the effectiveness of rural road investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely acknowledged that geographic data in Ghana and most of Sub-Sahara Africa is patchy, and lack geographic coverage and detail. This has implications for mobility and access to socioeconomic, and cultural opportunities which require address and location data typically provided through geocoding. A critical component of geocoding is a reference database to lookup matching address and location information. Accordingly, we investigate the suitability of, and the use of electoral polling stations to build a reference database for geocoding. This was undertaken by mapping their geographic coordinates, analyzing their geographic spread and detail, and outlining the database structure for building the reference database. Using the 2020 electoral polling station data for the Greater North area of Ghana, we found that 93% of the geographic coordinates can be obtained from open data sources. Also, there is high proximity with a nearest neighbor distance of 663 m, a reasonable service area of 4300 m, and a median distance of 3700 m from a community location. The widespread availability, large geographic spread and moderate detail, make polling stations a creditable data source for geocoding. It is recommended the polling station data be augmented with a detailed geographic data like those from landmarks and paratransit service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community colleges are vital sources of educational and economic opportunities in urban areas. This chapter provides readers with a review of the research on students served by these institutions. While the experiences of this population are similar in many ways to those of community college students across the country, the influence of their urban environment makes their lived experiences quite distinct. This chapter highlights that although a great deal of emphasis in the literature has been placed on the economic, educational, personal, and social struggles faced by urban community college students, resiliency is also a prominent positive characteristic of this population. The chapter concludes with recommendations for evidence‐based strategies that affirm these students' cultural capital and are proven to be effective approaches to enhancing the resiliency and success of urban community college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper looks into the factors which have prevented large-scale or desirable level of economic integration between South and Central Asian economies and analysing the cost of this lack of economic integration in the backdrop of immense potential of inter-regional trade, energy supply from the former to the latter and opportunities of the overall economic integration and development. Even after three decades of the Central Asian Republics' (CARs) independence, South Asian countries, particularly Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, have failed to access and utilize the vast hydrocarbon reserves and economic opportunities offered by Central Asia by linking their economies to the latter. Central Asia once served as an important commercial hub of the old Silk Route and is a vital intersection in Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) which not only aims at connecting China with West Asia, South Asia and Europe but also all-out interregional connectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional peripheralisation has been repeatedly described as a process resulting in the combination of regional structural and social disadvantage. In theory, peripheries are characterised by the interdependence of these two types of disadvantage. Few studies have examined this interdependence in rural peripheries across several countries. In this study, we operationalise rural peripherality combining poor opportunity structures that constrain the social and economic opportunities of the local population, and increased concentrations of social disadvantage and decreased quality of life. Comparing Czech and eastern German regions, we uncovered intercorrelated spatial patterns of low education, poor employment quality, deficient labour market opportunity and accessibility to medical, educational and other services, which together represent key aspects of rural peripherality from the perspective of disadvantage. Although there is a clear coincidence of structural and social disadvantage in rural peripheries, neither increased levels of poverty nor long‐term unemployment are typical of these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst growing displacement, global policy is increasingly oriented towards the inclusion of refugees in national education systems in countries of exile. This shift is understood to enable improved education for refugees as well as post-school opportunities but also means that refugee young people must often contend with education in unfamiliar languages. This article engages the definition of social justice as 'parity of participation' to examine the relationship between economic, political, and cultural participation and language in refugee education. Analysing 76 semi-structured interviews with Sudanese and South Sudanese refugee heads-of-households living in Uganda, national Ugandan teachers working in schools attended by refugee and national children, and policymakers and program leaders intervening in refugee education, this article considers tensions between education policies premised on English for economic opportunity and the kinds of political, cultural, and economic participation refugees seek in the present and for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An estimated 17.6% of blue-collar, manufacturing jobs were lost in the United States between 1970 and 2016. These jobs, often union-represented, provided relatively generous pay and benefits, creating a path to the middle class for individuals without a four-year college degree. Evidence suggests the closure of manufacturing facilities and resulting decline in economic opportunity increased demand for disability insurance (SSDI) among blue-collar workers. In recent years, the opening of Amazon Fulfillment Centers (FCs) has accelerated around the country, driving a wave of blue-collar job creation. We estimated the extent to which the opening of FCs affected SSDI application rates, including rates of approvals and denials, using a synthetic control group approach. We found that FC openings were associated with a 1.4% reduction in the SSDI application rate over the subsequent three years, translating to 5,528 fewer applications per year across commuting zones with an FC opening. Our findings are consistent with FC openings improving economic opportunities in local labor markets, though our confidence intervals were wide and included the null. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of chatbots is becoming widespread as they offer significant economic opportunities. At the same time, however, customers seem to prefer interacting with human operators when making inquiries and as a result are not as cooperative with chatbots when their use is known. This specific situation creates an incentive for organizations to use chatbots without disclosing this to customers. Will this deceptive practice harm the reputation of the organization, and the employees who work for them? Across four experimental studies, we demonstrate that prospective customers, who interact with an organization using chatbots, perceive the organization to be less ethical if the organization does not disclose the information about the chatbot to their customers (Study 1). Moreover, employees that work for an organization which requires them to facilitate the deceptive use of a chatbot exhibit greater turnover intentions (Study 2) and receive worse job opportunities from recruiters in both a hypothetical experimental setting (Study 3) and from professional job recruiters in the field (Study 4). These results highlight that using chatbots deceptively has far reaching negative effects, which begin with the organization and ultimately impact their customers and the employees that work for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation: Women are especially vulnerable to not being able to cover the costs of living or meet sudden demands for funds to pay for emergencies (financial vulnerability). The COVID‐19 pandemic put additional stress on household incomes and the ability to meet emergency expenses, thus bringing into sharp relief the lack of inclusion of women in formal financial systems and the gender gaps between them and men. Purpose: How financially vulnerable are women in Latin America? What causes vulnerability? How do financial inclusion, personality traits, cognitive characteristics, and financial literacy affect financial vulnerability? Methods and approach: Using Financial Capabilities Surveys, we use regression to model the determinants of an index of financial vulnerability for eight countries in Latin America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru. We use Oaxaca‐Blinder decomposition to establish the extent to which the gender arises from the different characteristics of men and women, or from the way in which such characteristics affect groups. Findings: We find a gender gap in financial vulnerability in most of the eight countries. Individual characteristics that often explain this gap are socioeconomic, such as belonging to a low socioeconomic class and not having a regular income. In addition to gender and socioeconomic characteristics, the use of savings products, some personality traits (ability to plan, self‐control), economic preferences, and numeracy skills also drive financial vulnerability. Policy implications: Interventions to reduce financial vulnerability need, first and foremost, to address socioeconomic conditions. People on low incomes will always be financially vulnerable. In addition, programmes to expand financial inclusion and educate people on finances can help. Given the significant gender gaps, more effort must be made to reduce such gaps in education, employment, and social norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The land application of food-processing wash-waters provides valuable nutrients and soil organic matter to agriculture lands if properly applied. Many jurisdictions have processes in place to ensure that land application provides positive benefits while protecting the environment. However, Ontario food processors have indicated that the land application regulations for wastes are overly burdensome and hindering economic opportunities. Therefore, research was completed to identify potential improvements to Ontario's land application framework. The research revealed that Ontario has one of the best regulatory frameworks for land application compared to other North American jurisdictions. Ontario's documents are easy to find and navigate, but the standards are overly burdensome for lower risk sources of waste. For example, high-risk sources for pathogens and heavy metals such as sewage wastewater are grouped with lower risk sources such as food-processing wash-waters. Potential improvements are presented, including decreased sampling frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research shows student success in advanced-level science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs is connected to future educational and economic opportunities. Yet, Black students have been excluded from participating in rigorous mathematics courses that prepare them to engage in STEM majors and careers. This article reviews research on Black student mathematics participation at the pre-college, post-secondary, and professional levels. Three systemic barriers to Black student participation are limited access, limiting mindsets and beliefs, and lack of support. Eliminating these barriers can result in an increase in Black students' enrollment, persistence, and achievement in advanced mathematics courses. The article provides strategies proven successful in urban contexts to ensure equitable learning environments that maximize the full potential of Black students. Educational leaders must address systemic inequities rooted in racism, purposefully engage Black students in rigorous and extended learning opportunities, and provide them with peer and faculty support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Following the mass influx of Rohingya refugees into Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh in 2017, makeshift settlement camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf have been overburdened, leading to livelihood challenges for both Rohingya and host communities. The humanitarian crisis has had adverse effects on vulnerable populations, which include older people, persons with disabilities, adolescents, and single female household heads. Using a subset of a larger dataset on households with most vulnerable groups in both communities, we analysed the effect of the pandemic and lockdown on the livelihood of single female household (HH) heads. Methods: A cross-sectional household roster survey was designed to collect data from households with most vulnerable groups (MVGs) of host and Rohingya communities from December 2020 to March 2021; 11 host community villages and 10 Rohingya camps purposively selected as per the affiliated intervention of the project. The paper analysed quantitative and qualitative data from the sub-group of single female household heads without any income/low income. Participants were surveyed for their socio-demographic characteristics, COVID-19 experiences and knowledge, food security situation, social experiences and mental health using PHQ-2 test for depression. Results: We surveyed 432 single female HH heads. Support during the pandemic was reported to be low, with less than 50% of HHs reporting relief meeting their needs; only 36% and 15% of these HHs received rations in camps and host communities respectively. Loan facilities were mostly unavailable and there were reported insufficiencies in food consumption. Over 50% of respondents tested positive on the PHQ-2, a scale used to screen for depression. Further analyses indicates that having a chronic health issue (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.33–3.66) was positively associated with the PHQ-2 score for Rohingya single females. For host single females, having an ill member in the HH (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.02–2.08) and the inability to save before the pandemic (OR 1.57 95% CI 1.11–2.23) increased the odds of screening positive for depression. Conclusion: Our study findings revealed insufficiencies with economic opportunities and food security for single female-headed households, as well as a high rate of positive screening for depression amongst this population. These findings call for a more in-depth understanding of the needs of this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines, both theoretically and empirically, the relationship between rapid‐onset disasters and women's economic freedom. Rapid‐onset disasters create difficulties for all involved, but without proper discussion of and changes to women's economic status in society, they will continue to suffer disproportionately. The study answers the following question: 'how do disasters impact women's economic empowerment?'. It argues that there are underlying factors contributing to unequal economic opportunities that are exacerbated by disasters. Current literature discusses how disasters affect women's economic and political rights, but often it does not account for variables that may not have been captured in contemporary indices. The paper assesses women's burden of care, restrictions on mobility, formal economic employment, and access to recovery resources with respect to their economic empowerment. And it analyses 180 countries and territories that experienced disasters between 1981 and 2019 to uncover their effects on women's economic freedom. This research could facilitate and help to alter the overall narrative on women's empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of the Internet of Things has opened up commercial and economic opportunities, but there are also risks and threats to cybersecurity: a significant amount of private data is exposed in an untrusted cyberspace. In view of this issue, the research on reversible data hiding in encrypted image (RDHEI) aims to establish a secure and private communication channel between a sender and a recipient by embedding data into encrypted images. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel RDHEI scheme that employs a Huffman-based lossless image coding technique to achieve a high embedding capacity. Specifically, we compress the original image into a bitstream through the JPEG-like compression and then further encode the difference values between the reconstructed JPEG image and the original image via the Huffman coding. Due to the high compression rate and coding efficiency of the combined strategy, a large embedding space can be created. Our proposed scheme not only ensures a lossless recovery of the original image but also an error-free extraction of the secret messages. Several experiments are conducted to verify that our proposed scheme achieves a state-of-the-art performance compared with the prior art in terms of embedding capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on Kristeva's theory of abjection, Wallerstein's world system theory, and Petras' imperialist-centered model of capitalist accumulation, this article argues that the immigration of Changez from Pakistan to America in The Reluctant Fundamentalist demonstrates a structural shift from the periphery to the center as a highly educated and skilled human capital in the era of global capitalism. The article contends that Changez's decision to accept a funded scholarship at Princeton University is a result of the lack of economic opportunities in Pakistan and the corrupt economic and political systems that impoverished his family. Furthermore, the article critically examines America's paradoxical policies of inclusion and exclusion toward Changez. While he gains access to Princeton University and the Underwood Samson company, his economic inclusion is not accompanied by genuine acceptance. In the context of global capitalism, Changez is economically included but psychologically abjected due to his ethnic identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize is a commodity crop providing millions of people with food, feed, industrial raw material and economic opportunities. However, maize yields in Africa are relatively stagnant and low, at a mean of 1.7 t ha−1 compared with the global average of 6 t ha−1. The yield gap can be narrowed with accelerated and precision breeding strategies that are required to develop and deploy high‐yielding and climate‐resilient maize varieties. Genomic and phenotypic selections are complementary methods that offer opportunities for the speedy choice of contrasting parents and derived progenies for hybrid breeding and commercialization. Genomic selection (GS) will shorten the crop breeding cycle by identifying and tracking desirable genotypes and aid the timeous commercialization of market‐preferred varieties. The technology, however, has not yet been fully embraced by most public and private breeding programmes, notably in Africa. This review aims to present the importance, current status, challenges and opportunities of GS to accelerate genetic gains for economic traits to speed up the breeding of high‐yielding maize varieties. The first section summarizes genomic selection and the contemporary phenotypic selection and phenotyping platforms as a foundation for GS and trait integration in maize. This is followed by highlights on the reported genetic gains and progress through phenotypic selection and GS for grain yield and yield components. Training population development, genetic design and statistical models used in GS in maize breeding are discussed. Lastly, the review summarizes the challenges of GS, including prediction accuracy, and integrates GS with speed breeding, doubled haploid breeding and genome editing technologies to increase breeding efficiency and accelerate cultivar release. The paper will guide breeders in selection and trait introgression using GS to develop cultivars preferred by the marketplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing an original data set, this paper demonstrates how protectionist industrial policy during the period of hybrid liberalization has shaped the organizational structure of clothing firms in Egypt. It investigates determinants of vertical integration of clothing firms into fabric production. High-end market segments are a critical determinant of integration. Limited access to finance restricts the possibilities for many firms to undertake the investment required to integrate, whilst volatile and uncertain market conditions make firms more likely to rely on the market for their inputs. But there are nuances related to market segment. Producers of higher quality garments rely on imported textiles, so these producers do not integrate even if search and switch costs are high. But the opposite is true of producers relying on domestic suppliers. Foreign institutions are better able to ensure contract enforcement with respect to quality and timely delivery so that suppliers' opportunistic behaviour is deterred, reducing the necessity of clothing firms to integrate. This may not be the case with respect to domestic suppliers when domestic institutions do not guarantee the same level of enforcement. The adoption of the hybrid liberalization model meant that the transition to a market economy was not preceded by the creation of the necessary regulatory framework. This model resulted in inefficient upstream production and in an institutional setting conducive to agency problems. It also meant that business suffers excessive and inefficient bureaucracy. It is thus not possible for firms to achieve the first best outcome of arm's length relations based on frictionless market transactions. Given these structural constraints firms opt for the second best solution of make rather than buy, i.e. vertical integration. But only some firms are able to use the arbitrary and discretionary decision making system to their favour, negotiating government obstacles to successful business. Those linked to power, prospered, whilst the businesses of others foundered against the wall of patronage, bureaucracy and red tape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Belt and Road Initiative rattled the South Asian security environment vigorously as it involved strong territorial sensitivities of India, which found itself engaged on two fronts with Pakistan and China. The BRI has been the geoeconomic drive projecting China's peaceful rise. It has been welcomed with hope and suspicion as Western powers are equally interested in containing China in the Asian order. This paper examines BRI as a source of external transformation to the regional security complex model devised by Buzan. South Asia's inadequacies in bringing internal transformation, as envisioned by Buzan, allow the BRI to be a source of cold peace in the region. The BRI looks at decentered region-building with an appeal of great power overlay. This tier is relevant in diluting the South Asia geopolitical polarities. The paper claims that BRI influences South Asian geopolitics, where India and Pakistan are no longer locked into bipolarities. The smaller states are bandwagoning with China, and that calibrates the South Asian regional security complex. The cold peace laced with geoeconomic transformation can render a regional transformation to the security complex such that the South Asian regional security complex might dissipate into two or more mini-complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development is achieved when policies are effectively implemented to foster the well-being of all. Research on equality has generally focused on women's empowerment as the foundation of empowering a nation. Similarly, there has been increased attention given to working with men in gender equality. However, researchers have not considered these two lines of thought side by side to achieve sustainable development. We examine the relationship between gender equality and development by empirically identifying country-specific factors that are associated with the level of gender equality over time for a sample of 44 African countries. Using trend analysis, we find a linear relationship between male and female inclusion in economic participation and opportunity. In particular, the empirical findings suggest that among the socio-economic, infrastructural, and governance-related factors, income, rural revitalization, mobile subscription, fixed telephone subscription, and rule of law are important factors in explaining the level of gender balance. In contrast, we find that unemployment positively impacts gender equality. We associate this outcome with the role expansion theory. These findings support debate in the literature that when economies grow, they stand better chances of fostering gender equality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]