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While previous studies have focused on the technical aspects of groundwater extraction and optimal cropping patterns, there is a notable lack of research on the socio-economic factors affecting groundwater access and agricultural productivity, especially at a micro-level in Punjab, India. This study, therefore, investigates the water use efficiency (WUE) and economic water productivity (EWP) of paddy and wheat crops across diverse farm sizes and districts in Punjab, offering critical insights into agricultural water management. The study is based on primary data from Punjab, India, with Sangrur, Jalandhar, Pathankot, and Bathinda districts selected for groundwater profile analysis via multistage random sampling of 246 farmers. Notably, Punjab exhibits high EWP for wheat, surpassing the national average. However, disparities exist across districts, emphasizing the importance of localized interventions. Larger farms consistently demonstrate higher WUE and EWP, underlining the significance of scale in optimizing water inputs. Factors such as farm size, crop variety, and regional variations significantly influence WUE and EWP. Tailored approaches for marginal farmers and districts with lower efficiency are crucial for promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The findings underscore the need for targeted policy interventions to enhance water use efficiency and productivity in Punjab's agriculture sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-quality economic development (HQED) in China is an important embodiment for adapting new normal of economy and implementing new concept of sustainable development. Accurately portraying the evolution trajectory of China's HQED and tracing sources of its spatial–temporal disparities are of great significance for promoting balanced and healthy economic development. Since the evolution of HQED is dynamic and motivated by the need for continuously monitoring the time-varying process of HQED, we develop a functional high-quality economic development index (HQEDI(t)) in the context of functional data analysis. We use the functional ANOVA to examine the significance of disparities between regions, in terms of static absolute level and dynamic development potentials, based on the continuous measurement of provincial HQED. The extended functional Dagum Gini coefficient is also used to decompose the overall and structural inequality of China's HQED. The results show the following. (1) The overall level of China's HQED has been steadily increasing, and innovation efficiency is the leading factor for improvement of China's HQED. (2) Uneven development between regions exists only at the absolute level and grow velocity of HQED, but it is not significant in acceleration. (3) The overall regional disparities of China's HQED show a downward trend, and inter-regional disparities dominate the inequality of HQED. We make a contribution to the idea of a dynamic framework for evaluating HQED and provide guidance for policy-making authorities to formulate target development policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The 2023 approval of lecanemab for early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) highlighted the need for routine 1.5T or 3.0T MRI scans to monitor amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIAs). Regional disparities in MRI scan frequency, MRI scanner availability, and scanner magnetic field strengths could affect readiness for anti-amyloid therapy and lead to inconsistencies in ARIA detection nationwide. (2) Methods: We assessed regional variance in MRI scan frequency and field strength across Japan using the National Database (NDB) Open Data website, which summarizes Japanese public health insurance claims from the fiscal years (FYs) 2015 to 2021. We employed a mixed-effects model with prefecture-level random intercepts and slopes over time, subsequently categorizing prefectures into clusters based on MRI usage. (3) Results: 1.5T MRI was the most common magnetic field strength, remaining stable from FY2015 to FY2021. 3.0T MRI usage slightly increased, although the COVID-19 pandemic in FY2020 led to a maximum reduction of 5%. Prefecture-level variance was higher for 3.0T MRIs, with more frequent usage in western Japan. (4) Conclusions: This study highlights prefecture-level variance in MRI usage across Japan. The insights gained could be instrumental in improving healthcare preparedness for anti-amyloid treatment and patient management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the impact of public policy guidelines on social entrepreneurship in Croatia, focusing on regional disparities and the effectiveness of various policy areas. Using a mixed-method approach, this research highlights how these variations influence policy outcomes, particularly in terms of the diverse levels of support across regions. The findings reveal the necessity of adopting region-specific and policy-area-specific strategies to effectively nurture a robust social entrepreneurship ecosystem. Additionally, enhancing public awareness and education is found to be critical for fostering a supportive environment for social entrepreneurship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the potential of OpenStreetMap (OSM) data in predicting local well-being and resilience in Italy. The linear Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) is used to handle multicollinearity problems and select the most influential OSM features. The data-driven approach provides evidence that OSM information is highly correlated with several socioeconomic metrics at a provincial scale (NUTS-3 level). Moreover, it claims that some specific points of interest—e.g., bookmakers—can be used for a rapid territorial appraisal of vulnerable territories, i.e., areas that are affected by economic backwardness, poor institutions, low human capital and that, for these adverse conditions, deserve special attention by policymakers concerned with a reduction of regional disparities. While OSM can become a powerful source for policy planning, monitoring and evaluation, future works in the field should explore the scalability of the approach, its use for forecasting purposes, and the adoption of various models and tools such as machine learning techniques to grasp even non-linear relationships between variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution exposure is closely linked to population age and socioeconomic status. Population aging and imbalance in regional economy are thus anticipated to have important implications on ozone (O3)‐related health impacts. Here we provide a driver analysis for O3 mortality burden due to respiratory disease in China over 2013–2050 driven by population aging and regional inequity. Unexpectedly, we find that population aging is estimated to result in dramatic rises in annual O3 mortality burden in China; by 56, 101–137, and 298–485 thousand over the periods 2013–2020, 2020–2030, and 2030–2050, respectively. This reflects the exponential rise in baseline mortality rates with increasing age. The aging‐induced mortality burden rise in 2030–2050 is surprisingly large, as it is comparable to the net national mortality burden due to O3 exposure in 2030 (359–399 thousand yr−1). The health impacts of O3 pollution, shown as mortality burden per capita, are inequitably distributed, with more severe effects in less developed provinces than their developed counterparts by 23.1% and 21.5% in 2019 and 2030, respectively. However, the regional inequity in O3 mortality burden is expected to be mitigated in 2050. This temporal variation reflects evolving demographic dividend characterized by a larger proportion of younger individuals in developed regions. These findings are critical for targeted improvement of healthcare services to ensure the sustainability of social development. Plain Language Summary: Air pollution exposure is closely linked to the age distribution and socioeconomic status of the population. The ongoing process of population aging and the pronounced disparities in regional economic growth across China are thus anticipated to have substantial implications for the health effects stemming from ozone (O3) exposure. Our finding reveals that population aging is projected to lead to a significant upsurge in annual O3 mortality burden; the health impacts of O3 pollution, measured in terms of mortality burden per capita, exhibit significant disparities, with more severe effects in less developed provinces than their developed counterparts. These results hold critical implications for the targeted improvement of healthcare services, ensuring the sustainable development of society in China over the coming decades. Key Points: Ozone‐related mortality burden are increasing in the future except for the SSP1 scenarioThe mortality burden increases were mainly driven by the population aging in ChinaThe O3 mortality burden per capita, are inequitably distributed, with more severe effects in developed regions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart city construction is an essential practice in the effort to promote the digital transformation of society as a whole. Taking China's 'National Smart City' pilot project as a quasi‐natural experiment, this paper studies the income distribution effect of smart city construction by building a differences‐in‐differences model and using the data of China's prefecture‐level cities from 2008 to 2018. The results show that implementing China's 'National Smart City' pilot project has significantly reduced regional income inequality. However, this effect has heterogeneity. In regions with a higher level of economic development, human capital accumulation and R&D investment, the impact of smart city construction on reducing income inequality is stronger. In areas with a higher level of human capital accumulation, smart city construction can reduce income inequality. However, this effect is insignificant in areas with a lower level of human capital accumulation. Mechanisms tests show that smart city construction can reduce regional income inequality by creating more jobs, narrowing the digital divide and improving public service delivery. As stated above, this paper implies that accelerating the construction of smart cities and improving the digital and intelligence levels of the wider society is of great significance to reducing income inequality and building a more reasonable income distribution structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ocean is the largest carbon sink on Earth and an important pathway to China achieving carbon neutrality. From a consumption perspective, studying the capacity of marine carbon sink in each of China's provinces and its interregional transfer is of great significance in harnessing the increase in ocean carbon sink driven by final demand. This article first calculates the productionside carbon sink in coastal provinces. Then, based on the 2007, 2012, 2015, and 2017 Chinese inter-regional input-output tables, each province's consumptionside marine carbon sink is calculated. The article further examines the influencing factors and key transfer paths for the growth of marine carbon sink through Structural Decomposition Analysis (SDA) and Structural Path Analysis (SPA) methods. The results show that each province's total consumption-side carbon sink continues to rise, with significant regional disparities, demonstrating a trend of higher carbon sink in coastal provinces than inland provinces. Among the nine coastal provinces, Hainan and Guangdong are in a net input state regarding carbon sink transfer, while the other seven are in a net output state. SDA results indicate that the carbon sink intensity effect and the consumption demand effect are important factors inhibiting and promoting carbon sink growth, respectively, while the influence of the input-output technical effect is weak and variable. SPA analysis reveals that carbon sink outputs are primarily transferred to the food and tobacco sector, the agricultural and forestry products and services sector, and the wood processing and furniture industry. The key transfer paths mostly occur within a province, with a relatively small proportion of interprovincial transfer paths. Based on the research findings, this article suggests steadily increasing the proportion of marine product consumption, actively expanding the value chain of shellfish and seaweed industries, continuously strengthening coordination between land and marine industries, and further promoting the domestic circulation of marine carbon sinks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Improving the public's understanding of how regional and socioeconomic inequalities create and perpetuate inequalities in health, is argued to be necessary for building support for policies geared towards creating a more equal society. However, research exploring public perceptions of health inequalities, and how they are generated, is limited. This is particularly so for young people. Our study sought to explore young people's lived experiences and understandings of health inequalities. Methods: We carried out focus group discussions (n = 18) with 42 young people, aged 13–21, recruited from six youth organisations in England in 2021. The organisations were located in areas of high deprivation in South Yorkshire, the North East and London. Young people from each organisation took part in three interlinked focus group discussions designed to explore their (i) perceptions of factors impacting their health in their local area, (ii) understandings of health inequalities and (iii) priorities for change. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most discussions took place online (n = 15). However, with one group in the North East, we carried out discussions face-to-face (n = 3). Data were analysed thematically and we used NVivo-12 software to facilitate data management. Results: Young people from all groups demonstrated an awareness of a North-South divide in England, UK. They described how disparities in local economies and employment landscapes between the North and the South led to tangible differences in everyday living and working conditions. They clearly articulated how these differences ultimately led to inequalities in people's health and wellbeing, such as linking poverty and employment precarity to chronic stress. Young people did not believe these inequalities were inevitable. They described the Conservative government as prioritising the South and thus perpetuating inequalities through uneven investment. Conclusions: Our study affords important insights into young people's perceptions of how wider determinants can help explain the North-South health divide in England. It demonstrates young people's contextualised understandings of the interplay between spatial, social and health inequalities. Our findings support calls for pro-equity policies to address the structural causes of regional divides in health. Further research, engaging young people in deliberative policy analysis, could build on this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclusive green growth is an essential way to achieve sustainable development. We construct an index system for inclusive green growth performance levels (IGGPLs) in Chinese cities and measure the IGGPLs of 271 cities in the Chinese mainland from 2006 to 2020 based on the vertical and horizontal scatter degree method. We employ the Kernel density method, Dagum Gini coefficient method, Moran index method, and Markov chain method to investigate distribution evolution, regional disparities, spatial correlations, and state transition of IGGPLs at the city level, respectively. The research results reveal that: (1) China's IGGPL has improved rapidly, but regions with lower IGGPLs still predominate. The eastern region is far ahead, followed by the northeastern region, with the western and center regions trailing; (2) The development trends of IGGPLs in the eastern and central regions are positive, with no signs of polarization. Although polarizations are obvious in the western and northeastern but have been improved significantly; (3) Regional differences exist, but are gradually narrowing over time. By decomposing regional differences, we find that regional differences are the main cause of total differences; (4) The IGGPLs of cities have significant spatial correlations, presenting the spatial agglomeration characteristics of "high-high" and "low-low". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research letter analyzes the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and associated risk factors in the United States using data from 2012 to 2022. The study reveals that diabetes prevalence has significantly increased during this time period, with certain regions experiencing higher increases than others. Disparities in prevalence between different sociodemographic groups persist and, in some cases, have worsened. Factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, lower education/income, and race/ethnicity contribute to these disparities. The study highlights the need for interventions to reduce diabetes prevalence, particularly among high-risk groups. [Extracted from the article]

Big mobility data (BMD) have shown many advantages in studying human mobility and evaluating the performance of transportation systems. However, the quality of BMD remains poorly understood. This study evaluates biases in BMD and develops mitigation methods. Using Google and Apple mobility data as examples, this study compares them with benchmark data from governmental agencies. Spatio-temporal discrepancies between BMD and benchmark are observed and their impacts on transportation applications are investigated, emphasizing the urgent need to address these biases to prevent misguided policymaking. This study further proposes and tests a bias mitigation method. It is shown that the mitigated BMD could generate valuable insights into large-scale public transit systems across 100+ US counties, revealing regional disparities of the recovery of transit systems from the COVID-19. This study underscores the importance of caution when using BMD in transportation research and presents effective mitigation strategies that would benefit practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates waterlogging disasters in winter wheat using the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) model. This research explores the effects of soil hypoxia on wheat root systems and the tolerance of wheat at different growth stages to waterlogging, proposing a model to quantify the degree of waterlogging in wheat. Remote sensing data on soil moisture and wheat distribution are utilized to establish a monitoring system for waterlogging disasters specific to winter wheat. The analysis focused on affected areas in Bengbu and Jingzhou. Experimental results from 2017 to 2022 indicate that the predominant levels of waterlogging disasters in Bengbu and Jingzhou were moderate and mild, with the proportion of mild waterlogging ranging from 30.1% to 39.3% and moderate waterlogging from 14.8% to 25.6%. A combined analysis of multi-source remote sensing data reveals the key roles of precipitation, evapotranspiration, and altitude in waterlogging disasters. This study highlights regional disparities in the distribution of waterlogging disaster risks, providing new strategies and tools for precise assessment of waterlogging disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into hospital mobility within the Italian regions of Apulia and Emilia-Romagna, interpreting it as an indicator of perceived service quality. Utilizing logistic regression alongside other machine learning techniques, we analyze the impact of structural, operational, and clinical variables on patient perceptions of quality, thus influencing their healthcare choices. The analysis of mobility trends has uncovered significant regional differences, emphasizing how the regional context shapes perceived service quality. To further enhance the analysis, SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) values have been integrated into the logistic regression model. These values quantify the specific contributions of each variable to the perceived quality of service, significantly improving the interpretability and fairness of evaluations. A methodological innovation of this study is the use of these SHAP impact scores as weights in the data envelopment analysis (DEA), facilitating a comparative efficiency analysis of healthcare facilities that is both weighted and normative. The combination of logistic regression and SHAP-weighted DEA provides a deeper understanding of perceived quality dynamics and offers essential insights for optimizing the distribution of healthcare resources. This approach underscores the importance of data-driven strategies to develop more equitable, efficient, and patient-centered healthcare systems. This research significantly contributes to the understanding of perceived quality dynamics within the healthcare context and promotes further investigations to enhance service accessibility and quality, leveraging machine learning as a tool to increase the efficiency of healthcare services across diverse regional settings. These findings are pivotal for policymakers and healthcare system managers aiming to reduce regional disparities and promote a more responsive and personalized healthcare service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper empirically studies the impact of telecommunications infrastructure construction on economic and social innovative development using panel data from 31 provinces in China spanning from 2009 to 2022. The research findings indicate that telecommunication infrastructure significantly promotes innovation in terms of R&D investment, knowledge output, and application output. In addition, at various stages of telecommunication technology development, the impact on innovative development varies. Iterative updates in telecommunication technology drive higher R&D expenditures, facilitating better utilization of innovation outcomes in industries. Moreover, there are regional disparities in the influence of telecommunications infrastructure on economic and social innovative development. In the eastern regions, telecommunications infrastructure construction primarily promotes mobile communication, with clear spillover effects. In contrast, in western regions, it mainly facilitates fixed communication networks. Thus, further strengthening telecommunications infrastructure construction provides a new impetus for social innovative development and long-term sustainability. It is essential to persistently advance the coordinated construction of mobile and fixed communication infrastructure to achieve regional development coordination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discourse on the ascendancy of city‐regions as a geopolitical framework predominately derives from neoliberal experiences, articulating the interplay between the politics of city‐regional distribution and the evolving role of the state in distribution governance, alongside the challenges related to post‐suburban development. Given the diverse political and economic frameworks across the state, exploring the geopolitics of city‐regional distribution beyond overwhelmed neoliberal assumptions is imperative. This study aims to explicate alternative geopolitics of distribution within China's recent city‐region‐building. Through studying the negotiation and development of two Enclave Industrial Parks (EIPs) in the Pearl River Delta, Southern China, we recontextualise the centrally orchestrated city‐regional distribution within the authoritarian framework of the developmental party‐state. We propose a conceptual framework delineating the transitional rationality of the multi‐scalar state, illustrating the political and territorial negotiation of distribution within a hierarchical resource arrangement. We argue that authoritarian distribution schemes, while manipulating the market regime, do not inherently impede the local distribution. Nonetheless, political and territorial mandates on city‐region‐building, which arbitrarily redefine the opportunities of local communities, perpetuate an authoritarian and contested nature of distribution, ultimately contributing to widening regional development disparities in contemporary China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the evolution and current state of industrial policies in the European Union (EU) from the 1980s to the present day. We specifically focus on the resurgence of interest in such policies from 2020. We argue that industrial policies in the EU during the second half of the 2020s and into the 2030s will differ significantly from previous decades, while acknowledging challenges in fully understanding their scope and implementation. In particular, it is argued that the lack of a meaningful EU fiscal capacity constitutes the biggest challenge for the design and implementation of effective industrial strategies, which risks exacerbating regional and national disparities in the dual transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancing agricultural carbon emission efficiency and farmers' income simultaneously is crucial for the sustainable progress of agriculture. Our study centered on 31 provinces and cities in China and investigated regional variances and the dynamic evolution aspects of coordinated development in farmers' income and agricultural carbon emission efficiency, utilising panel data from 2005 to 2021. The analysis revealed the following trends: Firstly, China's overall agricultural carbon emission efficiency was steadily increasing, mainly because of technological advancements. Secondly, the correlation between farmers' income and agricultural carbon emission efficiency in China had notably improved from 0.318 to 0.775. Throughout the observation period, disparities in the levels of coordinated development were observed in various provinces with a diminishing fluctuation, indicating regional disparities as the primary instigator. Thirdly, the level of coordinated development highlighted positive clustering attributes, demonstrating an 'east high, west low' pattern; the evolution of coordinated development levels exhibited stability in maintaining the current status. This study holds significant value for developing countries in enhancing farmers' income and agricultural carbon emission efficiency in a coordinated manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to review the evolution of the Hungarian food retail network between 1989 and 2023 and to analyse the acquisition processes of the firms in order to point out future trends. It was examined how the individual networks have evolved and how the ranking of food retailers has evolved, highlighting the reasons behind them. The aim of the research was to follow the expansion of food retailing multinational and domestic retailers both in space and time. The authors' findings show a steady decline in the number of small food stores and a rise in the number of discounters in the Hungarian grocery stores networks. New trends and sales models in the field of retail 4.0 are posing serious challenges for retailers, which may lead to further transformations in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Methods Results Conclusion This study aims to comprehensively examine the employment and practices of embryologists in Japan's assisted reproductive technology (ART) laboratories, focusing on the impact of various factors such as ART cycle numbers, add‐ons, and regional differences. Additionally, it seeks to assess the extent to which Japanese ART facilities meet international minimum standards set by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).A survey was conducted from December 2021 to February 2022 among 621 ART facilities in Japan. The study categorized facilities into five ART cycle groups and compared the number of embryologists across these groups. It also examined the correlation between the number of embryologists, ART cycles, add‐ons, and regional differences. Data were analyzed using linear regression and multiple linear regression analyses.The study's findings revealed a significant correlation between the total number of embryologists at each facility and the ART cycles. Notably, there were significant differences in the number of embryologists across all ART cycle categories. Of the 435 facilities, only 44.6% met the ASRM minimum embryologist staffing requirement. The regression analysis further highlighted the significance of ART cycles and preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies as factors. Moreover, the number of embryologists stationed at urban facilities was significantly higher than at nonurban facilities, indicating a potential regional disparity.In Japan, it was first found that more than 50% of ART facilities do not have sufficient embryologists in place relative to the number of ART cycles. Furthermore, the add‐ons and regional differences affect the placement of embryologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the measurement invariance of a neuropsychological battery across rural and urban older adults from Costa Rica. Rural and urban older adults (N = 295) from the Epidemiology and Development of Alzheimer's Disease (EDAD) study in Costa Rica were assessed. The baseline factor model for the EDAD neuropsychological measures was identified with nine neuropsychological measures and three cognitive constructs: Verbal Memory, Spatial Reasoning, and Cognitive Flexibility. Measurement and structural invariance were established, and, then, group comparisons of the latent cognitive factors were conducted to explore regional disparities. The findings showed that most of the neuropsychological tests in EDAD can be directly compared across the groups, allowing for cognitive constructs comparisons. The rural sample showed a disadvantage in the Spatial Reasoning and Cognitive Flexibility abilities. When age and education were included in the models, differences between the regions disappeared. Having more years of education was associated with higher cognitive abilities, with a larger effect for the rural group. Norms for Costa Rican older adults should consider age and education adjustments. This study contributes to the growing area of measurement invariance in neuropsychological assessment as it highlights the importance of examining the comparability of assessment measures across different cultural groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV early detection (CD4 counts ≥350 cells/μL) is correlated with higher life expectancy among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Several factors, including physical, cultural, structural, and financial barriers, may limit early detection of HIV. This is a first-of-its-kind study on population-level differences in early detection of HIV across time within Tajikistan and any country in the Central Asia region. Utilizing the Tajikistan Ministry of Health's national HIV data (N = 10,700) spanning 2010 to 2023, we developed median regression models with the median CD4 cell count as the outcome and with the following predictors: time (years), region, age, gender, and area (urban/rural status). Individuals younger than 19 years old were detected early for HIV, whereas those older than 39 years were detected late. Females were detected earlier compared to their male counterparts regardless of region of residence. Rural populations were detected earlier in most years compared to their urban counterparts. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated HIV early detection in 2021 but most regions have returned to near pre-pandemic levels of detection in 2022 and 2023. There were differences identified among different demographic and geographic groups which warrant further attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the United States (US), three types of vaccines are available to prevent invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), a severe and potentially fatal infection: quadrivalent conjugate vaccines against serogroups A, C, W, Y (MenACWY), and monovalent vaccines against serogroup B (MenB) as well as a newly licensed pentavalent vaccine (MenABCWY) protecting against serogroup A, B, C, W, and Y. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) routinely recommends MenACWY vaccine for all 11- to 12-year-olds with a booster dose at 16 years. MenB vaccination is recommended based on shared clinical decision-making (SCDM) for 16- to 23-year-olds. Recently, the pentavalent meningococcal vaccine (MenABCWY) was recommended by the ACIP. Meningococcal vaccine uptake is suboptimal across the country, particularly among individuals with lower socioeconomic status (SES), despite these recommendations. The objective of the spatial analyses was to assess the relationship between stocking of MenACWY and MenB vaccines, area-level SES, and state-level policies. Methods: The number of MenACWY and MenB doses stocked by vaccinators was obtained from IQVIA and the CDC's Vaccine for Children (VFC) program and compiled into a county-level dataset from 2016 to 2019. SES, as measured using the CDC's Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), state-level school recommendations, and universal purchasing programs were among the main county-level covariates included to control for factors likely influencing stocking. Data were stratified by public and private market. Bayesian spatial regression models were developed to quantify the variations in rates of stocking and the relative rates of stocking of both vaccines. Results: After accounting for county-level characteristics, lower SES counties tended to have fewer doses of MenB relative to MenACWY on both public and private markets. Lower SES counties tended to have more supply of public vs. private doses. Universal purchasing programs had a strong effect on the markets for both vaccines shifting nearly all doses to the public market. School vaccination strategy was key for improving stocking rates. Conclusions: Overall, the results show that MenACWY has greater stock relative to MenB across the US. This difference is exacerbated in vulnerable areas without school entry requirements for vaccination and results in inequity of vaccine availability. Beyond state-level policy and SES differences, SCDM recommendations may be a contributing factor, although this was not directly assessed by our model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Market-driven closures of coal mines have typically been associated with negative economic consequences for the affected regions. In Germany, structural policy directed towards ameliorating the negative effects of hard coal decline in the Ruhr area lagged behind the onset of decline, caused major political conflicts, and has been variously criticized for its reactive character that failed to generate a positive image of the future. The phase-out of lignite coal in Germany, in contrast, is policy-driven and accompanied from the outset by compensatory and investment policies that strive to facilitate regional structural change proactively. Against this backdrop, we investigate how the policies of lignite coal phase-out initiated in 2018 and the accompanying public discourse affect the economic worries of individuals in the remaining three lignite coal mining areas in Germany. We focus on the period 2016–2021, using a longitudinal multilevel design based on regional and individual data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP). Overall, probabilities of strong economic worries decrease throughout the observed period. Results show that subjective economic worries do not significantly differ between residents of lignite mining regions and those in the rest of the country. Further robustness analyses confirm that the coal phase-out policy has not increased economic uncertainties in the populations of German lignite mining regions. Based on our results, we discuss the need for future research on the effects of policy designs of clean energy transitions on subjective perceptions of the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uneven regional development fomented by city-centric growth agendas generates significant challenges for regional peripheries. Placing regional margins and other plural geographies at the centre, in this article we apply a normative framework based on justice theory to uncover the dominance of urban viewpoints in urban regional development policy. Departing from Nancy Fraser's three-dimensional justice theory, we provide a deconstruction of city-centrism by illustrating how regional disparities in two regions in Sweden are not only reproduced by economic maldistribution but also by political misrepresentation and cultural misrecognition. By doing so, we illustrate the fruitfulness of applying a normative justice framework to create a broader understanding of factors that contribute to the political production of uneven regional development and need to be addressed if a transformative and progressive change is to occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The promotion of R&D carries the risk that economically strong regions will benefit to a greater extent and that regional disparities will increase by focusing the economy on high technology. However, this is expected to depend on the specific sectoral and technological composition of R&D funding. R&D funding for a bio-based economy in Germany is particularly illustrative for a shift in funding focus from a narrow concept of biotechnology to a broader concept of bioeconomy. Along with this shift, an impact on the spatial distribution of R&D funding is assumed. Against the background of inclusive innovation policy, this study examines the potential of the bioeconomy for a reduction of regional disparities in public R&D funding. Based on a database containing publicly-funded R&D projects in Germany and further regional data, comparative regressions are conducted in order to identify spatial patterns. The results demonstrate distinct funding mechanisms in the different areas of the bioeconomy. The broadening of R&D funding for bio-based activities from the biotechnology vision towards bioresources and bioecology leads to a greater participation of rural and lagging regions which is expected to be the result of the inclusion of more traditional industries as recipients of R&D funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a structured dialogue between its four authors on the question "How might future scenarios nourish our thinking about climate action?" A scenario set for the future of European regional inequality in the year 2048, developed by the Horizon Europe funded IMAJINE programme, is used as the prism for this conversation. Each author has a distinct disciplinary and professional background, and initially approaches the question from their own angle. These individual explorations encompass: the nature of climate change and our understanding of it in each IMAJINE scenario; questions of risk and responsibility now and in times to come; the use of scenarios to identify current blind spots and stimulate creative thinking; and the possibility that scenarios might offer fresh perspectives which allow us to reevaluate our notions of the sustainable "good life" and identify vulnerabilities which are overlooked in the present day. The second part of the paper comprises reflections on these individual contributions, with the authors pairing off so that two authors comment on the inputs by the other two, and vice versa. This exemplifies the polyphonic and discursive nature of scenarios, understood as "the art of strategic conversation". The concluding comments reflect on the wider ability of readers, writers, and researchers to use scenario processes and structured conversations like those in this paper to sustain open spaces of mutual uncertainty, exploration, and generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land disputes have significantly disrupted legal order, production, and social harmony, and has been regarded as a quintessential challenge in public governance, attracting worldwide attentions from scholars. As an emblematic feature of China's latest reform and opening-up strategy, the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) in China has experienced rapid development after entering the new era (2012–2021) alongside substantial risks and challenges, particularly regarding land disputes. Better understanding of the manifestation and formation mechanism of new characteristics of land disputes is beneficial for contemporary public governance and for achieving a high-quality development of the YREB, whose Gross Domestic Product (GDP) accounted for 46.3% of the national GDP in 2023. A total of 325,105 land dispute cases in 11 provinces or municipalities of the YREB from 2012 to 2021 were collected and analyzed. On this basis, an evaluation index system of the new characteristics of land disputes, named the overall land dispute (OLD) index, was constructed according to measurement theory by coupling the interactions of quantity, claim amounts, duration periods, and the appeal rate of land dispute. Then, the OLD index was evaluated by descriptive statistical methods, a geographic information system (GIS) spatial analysis, a center of gravity model, kernel density estimation, and Theil index methods, to reveal the new characteristics and formation mechanisms of land disputes in the YREB from 2012 to 2021. The results indicated that: (1) The OLD index exhibited a trend of an initial increase followed by a decline, indicating that land disputes in the YREB showed signs of alleviation. (2) The government's capacity for resolving land disputes was significantly improved, as evidenced by the decline in the OLD index from 0.59 in 2018 to 0.51 in 2021. This improvement could be attributed to the effectiveness of enhanced governmental working mechanisms, regulatory standards, and the integration of digital technologies. (3) The analysis of the center of gravity model indicated that the focus of land disputes shifted westward, propelled by national policy support for upstream regions of the YREB and the need for land ecological protection. (4) The analysis of kernel density estimation indicated that regional disparities in land disputes within the YREB had declined, driven by a positive trend toward balanced regional development and rural governance. This study provides scientific insights into the new characteristics of land disputes in the YREB and guidance for policy decision making on effective land dispute management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation is an important link between land, atmosphere, and water, making its changes of great significance. However, existing research has predominantly focused on long-term vegetation changes, neglecting the intra-annual variations of vegetation. Hence, this study is based on the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) data from 2000 to 2022, with a time step of 16 days, to analyze the intra-annual patterns of vegetation changes in China. The average intra-annual EVI values for each municipal-level administrative region were calculated, and the time-series k-means clustering algorithm was employed to divide these regions, exploring the spatial variations in China's intra-annual vegetation changes. Finally, the ridge regression and random forest methods were utilized to assess the drivers of intra-annual vegetation changes. The results showed that: (1) China's vegetation status exhibits a notable intra-annual variation pattern of "high in summer and low in winter," and the changes are more pronounced in the northern regions than in the southern regions; (2) the intra-annual vegetation changes exhibit remarkable regional disparities, and China can be optimally clustered into four distinct clusters, which align well with China's temperature and precipitation zones; and (3) the intra-annual vegetation changes demonstrate significant correlations with meteorological factors such as dew point temperature, precipitation, maximum temperature, and sea-level pressure. In conclusion, our study reveals the characteristics, spatial patterns and driving forces of intra-annual vegetation changes in China, which contribute to explaining ecosystem response mechanisms, providing valuable insights for ecological research and the formulation of ecological conservation and management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric burn care is an essential component of emergency care and there are disparities in access to regional burn centers. Teleburn is a tool that enables providers without a certified burn center to provide photos of a burn to experts and receive recommendations. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a Teleburn system to the in-person consultation regarding burn infection rate, clinic follow-up rate, postburn admission rate, and 72-h bounce back rate. Data were collected from December 2019 to March 2022 through the electronic medical record. A total of 416 patient encounters that met the criteria were analyzed. A non-inferiority study was designed comparing proportional outcomes of Teleburn initial visits to emergency department visits regarding burn infection rate, clinic follow-up rate, postburn admission rate, and 72-h bounce back rate. The data were compared with a difference of greater than 10% being considered inferior. No differences were identified in rates of readmission—1.67% difference (95% CI −27%< x < 23.8%) and return within 72 h—0.7% difference (−18.4%< x < 19.7%). Teleburn patients were 12.6% less likely to follow-up (2.7%< x < 22.40%). Only one infection was identified, which was insufficient to conclude non-inferiority. While convenient, Teleburn consult could not be demonstrated to be non-inferior to in-person consultation. No differences in infection rates were identified, and differences in readmission and return were clinically insignificant. This study demonstrates that Teleburn may be effective and feasible for regional burn centers if follow-up can be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the ongoing debate surrounding the allocation of public funding to regions that have experienced economic decline or stagnation. Some economists argue against providing more funding to these areas, claiming that it would not generate significant economic returns compared to investing in more prosperous regions. This debate has led to narratives suggesting that elites in the capital are unfairly depriving these regions of their fair share of funding, which has contributed to the rise of populist and Eurosceptic parties. The article highlights the importance of transparency in the distribution of public funding and presents six benchmarks for determining a fair allocation, including autonomy, efficiency, continuity, equality of input, equality of output, and anti-disparity. The text also discusses the need to address the economic decline in these regions to prevent further decline and reduce the appeal of populist parties, but suggests that efforts should focus on adjusting public services and infrastructure to accommodate smaller populations rather than trying to reverse population decline. The article emphasizes the necessity of reliable data on public expenditure and calls for a more informed and nuanced debate on the distribution of funding. [Extracted from the article]

Small businesses within the digital sector are spread across the USA. However, a significant number of promising small businesses concentrate in major technology hubs, either initially or through relocation. This phenomenon can be attributed to the influential role played by localized markets for financing and acquisition, which is, in turn, driven by the dominant market positions held by major digital platforms. Our research demonstrates a clear pattern of localized acquisition markets, particularly in sectors frequently targeted by the seven largest American digital giants—Amazon, Alphabet (Google), Apple, Microsoft, Meta (Facebook), Oracle, and Adobe, collectively known as 'Big Tech'. This localization trend has become more pronounced between 2000 and 2020. Our analysis indicates that the gravitational pull of these acquisition markets poses challenges to local initiatives aimed at fostering digital businesses. These efforts would be more successful if measures were taken to limit the market influence of digital platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of China's resolute advancement of dual carbon goals (carbon peaking and carbon neutrality), urban agglomerations emerge as pivotal areas for carbon emission mitigation due to their dense economic activities and rapid urbanization. Previous studies overlook regional disparities in carbon emission prediction, disregarding the variations and policy directives across different provinces or cities. Therefore, this study addresses the research gap by investigating synergistic strategies to foster regional carbon peaking within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Employing a novel approach tailored to regional segmentation policies, we provide more accurate predictions reflecting real-world conditions and distinct policy landscapes. Meanwhile, we integrate carbon emission efficiency into our analysis, emphasizing the dual goals of emission reduction and quality economic growth. Our empirical investigation in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, utilizing the Super-SBM and extended STIRPAT models, reveals upward trends in carbon emission efficiency, with varying trajectories across cities. Scenario simulations informed by the "14th Five-Year Plan" demonstrate that under the green development scenario, carbon peaking accelerates, alongside enhanced efficiency, supporting long-term emission reduction. Moreover, we design seven regional synergy carbon peak strategies for scenario simulations to facilitate the rational layout of dual carbon policies for collaborative development. We find that synergistic strategies have proven more effective in reducing regional carbon emission and increasing efficiency than strategies focusing solely on economic development or energy conservation. This innovative finding emphasizes the necessity of comprehensive green development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and provides strong evidence for policymakers. Our research contributes to targeted strategies for improving carbon emission efficiency and reducing emissions, emphasizing the importance of synergistic approaches for regional carbon reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green transition will affect different places in diverse ways, as place specific and contextual factors, such as pre-existing industrial specialisations, shape how transitions unfold in various territories. In the absence of a place-sensitive approach to decarbonisation, regional disparities are likely to intensify. This may make those who will be potentially hard hit reluctant to support policies necessary for reducing GHG-emissions. Research shows that populist parties that have been the most vocal opponents of climate policies in many countries can capitalize on this sentiment. Thus, investigating how both economic and political costs of the transition will be distributed regionally is key to crafting policies that make a just transition possible. By drawing on the findings of Südekum and Rademacher (2024), the text at hand discusses how the costs of the green transition are likely to be distributed among regions in Germany and what to do about it. It calls for a proactive approach to regional policy and outlines how Germany's most important regional policy programme can be updated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residential energy storage systems offer significant potential for price arbitrage by capitalizing on fluctuations in electricity prices throughout the day. This study investigates the potential revenue from optimal battery scheduling for residential storage in different north-western European electricity price zones during 2023. Using Nord Pool day-ahead prices, we applied an optimization model to determine the revenue for two types of batteries: 5 kW/10 kWh and 10 kW/10 kWh. The analysis considered battery capacity, charging and discharging efficiency, and maximum charge/discharge rates. Our results show notable variations in potential revenue across different regions, with the Baltic states demonstrating the highest revenue potential. The findings indicate that while 10 kW batteries can generate higher total revenue, 5 kW batteries are more efficient in terms of revenue per cycle. These regional disparities underscore the need for targeted incentives and policies to enhance the economic viability of residential energy storage. The research results provide valuable insights into optimizing residential battery storage for price arbitrage, offering guidance for consumers, policymakers, and energy providers to maximize economic benefits in various electricity markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spain is one of the eight EU-27 countries that failed to reduce early school leaving (ESL) below 10% in 2020, and now faces the challenge of achieving a rate below 9% by 2030. The determinants of this phenomenon are usually studied using cross-sectional data at the micro level and without differentiation by gender. In this study, we analyse it for the first time for Spain using panel data (between 2002 and 2020), taking into account the high regional inequalities at the macroeconomic level and the masculinisation of the phenomenon. The results show a positive relationship between ESL and socio-economic variables such as the adolescent fertility rate, immigration, unemployment or the weight of the industrial and construction sectors in the regional economy, with significant gender differences that invite us to discuss educational policies. Surprisingly, youth unemployment has only small but significant impact on female ESL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ensuring proper menstrual hygiene management remains a significant challenge for young women in India. The term "exclusive use of hygienic period products during menstruation" refers to relying solely on period products like sanitary pads, tampons, or menstrual cups. Poor menstrual hygiene practices not only increase the risk of reproductive tract infections but also lead to various negative health outcomes, including discomfort and potential complications. This study explores factors associated with the exclusive use of period products during menstruation aged 15–24, investigates geographic disparities, examines rural–urban gaps, and assesses inequality in India. Utilizing data from the fifth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), responses from 2,41,180 women aged 15 to 24 were analysed using logistic regression and multivariate decomposition analyses to explore socioeconomic predictors. Moran's I statistics also assessed spatial dependency, while Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients measured inequality. Quintile and LISA maps visualized regional disparities. The study found that 76.15% of women in India reported exclusive use of hygienic period products during menstruation. Rural areas reported a lower percentage of exclusive use of hygienic period products (72.32%) during menstruation compared to urban areas (89.37%). Key factors associated with the exclusive use of hygienic period products among 15–24-year-old women in India include age, education, place of residence, wealth, access to media, and healthcare discussions. Geographically, central districts exhibited the lowest coverage ( 85). The GINI coefficient of 0.39 highlighted moderate inequality in distribution. Decomposition analysis revealed that household wealth contributed 49.25% to rural–urban differences, followed by education (13.41%), media access (7.97%), and region (4.97%). This study highlights significant regional disparities and low utilization of hygienic period products among young women in India, particularly in central districts. Policymakers should prioritize interventions targeting these regions, addressing socio-economic disparities. Strategies to promote education, improve media access, and enhance household wealth can facilitate menstrual hygiene adoption. Initiatives to reduce sanitary napkin costs and increase accessibility, particularly in rural areas, are crucial to mitigating geographical disparities nationwide.

Abstract Background Equitable geographical distribution of health resources, such as hospital beds, is fundamental in ensuring public accessibility to healthcare services. This study examines the distribution of hospital beds across Saudi Arabia's 20 health regions. Methods A secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2022 Saudi Ministry of Health Statistical Yearbook. The study focused on calculating the hospital beds-per-1,000-people ratio across Saudi Arabia's 20 health regions. The analysis involved comparing regional bed distributions using the Gini index and Lorenz curve to assess the distribution of hospital beds. Results The national average beds-per-1,000-people ratio was 2.43, serving a population of approximately 32.2 million. The calculated mean Gini index for bed distribution was 0.15, which indicates a relatively equitable distribution. Further analysis revealed some regional disparities, with health regions like Makkah and Jeddah displaying critically low bed-to-population ratios. In contrast, others like Al-Jouf and the Northern region reported higher ratios. The study also identified the need for an additional 17,062 beds to meet international standards of 2.9 beds per 1,000 people. Conclusions The findings revealed a national average beds-per-1,000-people ratio of 2.43, with some regional disparities. The study highlights the critical need for targeted healthcare planning and policy interventions to address the uneven distribution of hospital beds across Saudi Arabia. Trial registration Not applicable.

Optimizing factor allocation structure and improving total factor efficiency is crucial for narrowing regional development disparities and promoting high-quality economic development. Therefore, this paper considers the multiple demands of high-quality economic development and incorporates the dual constraints of input structure optimization and non-decreasing environmental welfare into the research framework of total factor structure efficiency (TFSE). It establishes a progressive research path from total factor efficiencies to TFSE, conducts a dynamic measurement from total factor efficiencies to TFSE, and investigates their spatio-temporal evolution. The main conclusions are: China's TFSE exhibits a stable fluctuating trend with a decreasing regional distribution from the Southeast to the Northwest under the 'Hu Huanyong Line'. The total factor efficiencies exhibit a decreasing trend of 'clean energy – capital – environmental construction – labour - non-clean energy'. Significant spatial correlation effects exist for TFSE and total factor efficiencies in China, with a slight decline over time. TFSE exhibits significant conditional convergence, with a convergence speed of 2.03%. The convergence speeds of total factor efficiencies decrease in the following order: 'non-clean energy – environmental construction – labour - capital – clean energy'. Moreover, regional TFSE and total factor efficiencies exhibit club convergence with positive spatial spillover effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze the temporal trends, spatial heterogeneities, and potential improvements in the burden of major depressive disorders (MDD) attributable to intimate partner violence (IPV) against women across 21 global burden of disease (GBD) regions, and 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. We evaluated the burden of MDD attributable to IPV against women, as measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 100,000 people across 21 GBD regions and 204 GBD countries and territories, using data from the 2019 GBD Study. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) of the DALY age-standardized rates (ASRs) was used to reflect trends over time. LOESS and quantile regression were used to model the relationship between the five GBD sociodemographic index (SDI) categories and DALY ASRs. Frontier analysis determined the minimum achievable DALY ASR associated with developmental status, as measured by the SDI. The overall AAPC in age-standardized DALY rates for MDD attributable to IPV declined globally between 1990 and 2019. Despite the overall global decline (AAPC −0.08 [95 % UI −0.2, 0.03]), certain GBD regions, particularly high-income North America and Central Latin America, have experienced increases in DALY ASRs. The relationship between SDI and MDD burden showed a U-shaped variability, with low-SDI regions consistently exhibiting higher and stable DALY rates. Frontier analysis revealed that several countries, regardless of their SDI, have substantial gaps between observed and potentially achievable DALY rates, indicating areas for targeted intervention to reduce the burden of MDD due to IPV. Significant spatial and temporal heterogeneity in MDD due to IPV was observed globally from 1990 to 2019, highlighting the substantial potential for improvement in various countries. Protective measures should be customized to suit the unique cultural contexts, developmental statuses, and regional disparities of each country. • Temporal trends and geographical disparities in MDD attributed to IPV exist. • The overall AAPC of the age-standardized DALY rates exhibited a global decrease. • Pivotal years for global shifts in DALYs of MDD due to IPV: 1992, 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010 • High-income North America had the highest increased AAPC, while East Asia had the highest decreased AAPC. • "U-shaped" relationship found between SDI and DALY rates for MDD due to IPV [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The objective of this research is to investigate the dynamic developmental trends between Age-Friendly Environments (AFE) and healthy aging in the Chinese population. Methods This study focused on a sample of 11,770 participants from the CHARLS and utilized the ATHLOS Healthy Aging Index to assess the level of healthy aging among the Chinese population. Linear mixed model (LMM) was used to explore the relationship between AFE and healthy aging. Furthermore, a cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) and a random-intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) were used to examine the dynamic developmental trends of healthy aging, taking into account both Between-Person effects and Within-Person effects. Results The results from LMM showed a positive correlation between AFE and healthy aging (β = 0.087, p

Abstract Regional population mortality correlates with regional socioeconomic development. This study aimed to identify the key socioeconomic factors influencing mortality patterns in Chinese provinces. Using data from the Seventh Population Census, we analyzed mortality patterns by gender and urban‒rural division in 31 provinces. Using a functional regression model, we assessed the influence of fourteen indicators on mortality patterns. Main findings: (1) China shows notable gender and urban‒rural mortality variations across age groups. Males generally have higher mortality than females, and rural areas experience elevated mortality rates compared to urban areas. Mortality in individuals younger than 40 years is influenced mainly by urban‒rural factors, with gender becoming more noticeable in the 40–84 age group. (2) The substantial marginal impact of socioeconomic factors on mortality patterns generally becomes evident after the age of 45, with less pronounced differences in their impact on early-life mortality patterns. (3) Various factors have age-specific impacts on mortality. Education has a negative effect on mortality in individuals aged 0–29, extending to those aged 30–59 and diminishing in older age groups. Urbanization positively influences the probability of death in individuals aged 45–54 years, while the impact of traffic accidents increases with age. Among elderly people, the effect of socioeconomic variables is smaller, highlighting the intricate and heterogeneous nature of these influences and acknowledging certain limitations.

Driven by factors such as structural economic shifts, technological breakthroughs, policy changes, and global economic transformations, China's economic growth drivers have continuously evolved. We constructed a panel dataset encompassing 31 provinces in China from 2002 to 2021 and utilized both panel data models and panel quantile models to delve into the underlying factors driving this transition. We further investigated the varying impacts of these factors across different temporal and geographical contexts based on the stage analysis and spatial cluster analysis. The findings revealed that capital accumulation, digital economy, and technological innovation were the major drivers shaping China's economic growth momentum transition, exhibiting significant heterogeneity across different quantile levels. Additionally, we observed heterogeneity in the influencing factors across temporal periods and regions.

The fight against poverty is considered one of the most critical tasks in achieving sustainable development goals. This study aims to identify the key determinants of household poverty in Algeria. The information base is data from the Sixth Cluster Survey (MICS 6) conducted by the National Statistics Office during 2018-2019 with a sample of 31,325 households in each province, which are divided into three groups (poorest, poor, non-poor) using a well-being index, which is based on the data about household assets and living conditions. Polynomial logistic regression was used to model the correlation between the poverty status of households and various demographic (household size, gender, age and education level of the head of the household), socio-economic (employment of the head of the household) and spatial (place of residence (urban/rural), region) characteristics. The results showed that a higher level of education of the head of the household significantly increased the probability of households moving from the "poorest" to the "poor" or "non-poor". As the age of the household head increases, the likelihood that the household will be non-poor increases. The gender of the head of the household was not a statistically significant factor. The increase in the number of dependents as a factor of creating additional financial pressure and falling into poverty is essential only in a situation of a very drastic change in status - when moving from the status of "non-poor" to "the poorest". In contrast, a slight change in well-being (a shift from "poor" to "poorest") is not associated with an increase in the number of household members. Modeling showed that extreme poverty is more common in rural areas than in cities. Regional differences are also revealed, as the poverty level is higher in the southern regions than in the northern ones. The slight increase in household welfare (transition from the category of "poorest" to "poor") in Algeria is not due to the economic activity of the head of the household. Still, it may be related to the nature of the analyzed data (only the fact of employment was considered without specifying the nature and type of activity). Instead, a significant change in welfare (moving from the category of "non-poor" to "poorest" households) directly depends on whether the head of the household is employed or unemployed. The results of the study are essential in the context of the development of a targeted policy to reduce the poverty risks of Algerian households: increasing the level of education and skills should be a priority, especially for young people and in disadvantaged regions, targeted programs for the development of rural areas and mechanisms for the fair distribution of public investments between provinces are needed to overcome regional disproportions.

Climate variability has become one of the most pressing issues of our time, affecting various aspects of the environment, including the agriculture sector. This study examines the impact of climate variability on Ghana's maize yield for all agro-ecological zones and administrative regions in Ghana using annual data from 1992 to 2019. The study also employs the stacking ensemble learning model (SELM) in predicting the maize yield in the different regions taking random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), gradient boosting (GB), decision tree (DT), and linear regression (LR) as base models. The findings of the study reveal that maize production in the regions of Ghana is inconsistent, with some regions having high variability. All the climate variables considered have positive impact on maize yield, with a lesser variability of temperature in the Guinea savanna zones and a higher temperature variability in the Volta Region. Carbon dioxide (CO2) also plays a significant role in predicting maize yield across all regions of Ghana. Among the machine learning models utilized, the stacking ensemble model consistently performed better in many regions such as in the Western, Upper East, Upper West, and Greater Accra regions. These findings are important in understanding the impact of climate variability on the yield of maize in Ghana, highlighting regional disparities in maize yield in the country, and highlighting the need for advanced techniques for forecasting, which are important for further investigation and interventions for agricultural planning and decision-making on food security in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given limited institutional resources, low-income populations often rely on social networks to improve their socioeconomic outcomes. However, it remains in question whether small-scale social interactions could affect large-scale economic inequalities in under-resourced contexts. Here, we leverage population-level data from one of the poorest South African settings to construct a large-scale, geographically defined, inter-household social network. Using a multilevel network model, we show that having social ties in close geographic proximity is associated with stable household asset conditions, while geographically distant ties correlate to changes in asset allocation. Notably, we find that localised network interactions are associated with an increase in wealth inequality at the regional level, demonstrating how macro-level inequality may arise from micro-level social processes. Our findings highlight the importance of understanding complex social connections underpinning inter-household resource dynamics, and raise the potential of large-scale social assistance programs to reduce disparities in resource-ownership by accounting for local social constraints. Yu and colleagues leverage population-level data to construct a large-scale, geographically defined, inter-household social network. Using a multilevel network model, they show that having social ties in close geographic proximity is associated with stable household asset conditions, while geographically distant ties correlate to changes in asset allocation. Notably, they find that localised network interactions are associated with an increase in wealth inequality at the regional level, demonstrating how macro-level inequality may arise from micro-level social processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]