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This brief article dedicates a few subjective considerations to the versatility and afterlives of Paasi's conceptual thinking, enriching the way we perceive spaces and borders in highly differentiated environments and times. I will confess my uneasiness with bounded spaces and explore the origins of that unease. I draw inspiration from feminist geography, which embraces subjectivity, dispelling the myth of objectivity. Although not explicitly referenced by Paasi himself, Paasi's article implicitly poses similar feminist questions: Who gains? Who is overlooked and who loses within bounded spaces and 'borderless' orders? For whom are spatial and territorial borders beneficial, and whom do they oppress? I will further examine how the ideas of spaces, borders and boundaries have evolved in my specific interpretation of Paasi's writing. The text will be interspersed with insights into lived experiences of regions, products, brands and people's consciousness, or, as in my case, awkward embodied experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2024 TESG Forum revisits Anssi Paasi's 2001 article Bounded Spaces in the Mobile World: Deconstructing 'Regional Identity'. This work expanded Paasi's ideas on the institutionalisation of regions by highlighting the interplay between the social construction of regions and the changing regional identities of individuals and communities in the context of Europeanisation. The article places Paasi's theoretical work on how regions emerge as bounded spaces in the whirlwind of a rapidly globalising world. In exploring the relation between regions and identity, Bounded Spaces in the Mobile World reveals tensions between fixity and mobility. Revisiting this important paper 20 years later makes us realise how the world around us has changed. The tension between mobility and fixity remains but in different imaginaries and power constellations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clusters can play an important role in helping regions to address transformative innovation policies in Europe focusing mainly on (i) sustainability (ii) smart specialization, promoting diversified specialization and (ii) reshoring/regionalization of value chains to secure economic sustainability and resilience. Clusters can be considered key change agents in aligning cluster policies with transformative policies and repositioning their role in the innovation policy landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-growth firms (HGFs) are important for job creation and productivity growth. We investigate the relationship between product and labour market regulations, as well as the quality of regional governments that implement these regulations, and the development of HGFs across European regions. Using data from Eurostat, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Economic Forum (WEF), and Gothenburg University, we show that both regulatory stringency and the quality of the regional government relate to the regional shares of HGFs. In particular, we find that the effect of labour and product market regulations is moderated by the quality of regional government. Depending on the quality of regional governments, regulations may have a 'good, bad or ugly' influence on the development of HGFs. Our findings contribute to the debate on the effects of regulations and offer important building blocks to develop tailored policy measures that may influence the development of HGFs in a region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the network flow of social capital (SC) among regions for natural disaster resilience from the perspective of urbanization. Assistance between residents is a significant factor during natural disasters, and these ties are called SC. On the other hand, the relationship between residents in metropolitan areas is changing, and many urban residents do not interact closely with each other. This trend is accelerating with urbanization. Therefore, the networks beyond the community are essential during the disaster period. Two metropolitan areas, each with six districts, were chosen for this study. Honolulu County, Hawaii, in the U.S., is in the suburbanization stage, and Aichi prefecture, Japan, is in the reurbanization stage. SC data were collected by conducting a web-based survey, and the total number of valid samples was 1324. The quality of SC networks was analyzed compared with six types of SC, and the structure between districts was examined by the maximum flow. As a result, the SC network flow in high-population growth districts had the highest value; therefore, the high-population growth area can be the most SC exchangeable area. The mutual assistance networks, shaped by trust, empowerment, and cooperation, are strong even if urbanization progresses. On the other hand, personal relationship networks, such as safety confirmation, information exchange, and ethnically diverse acquaintances, become the weaker linkage in the transition from suburbanization to reurbanization. Finally, the use of SC networks for natural disaster resilience actions was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In August 2023, a collective of arts and humanities scholars undertook a mobile residency on the Far West Coast of South Australia, along the Great Australian Bight. Moving through deeply storied country that is largely marginal and neglected in the cultural and political imaginary, and negotiating our relation to this displacement as settler-colonial scholars with the privilege of mobility, the residency sought creative and critical approaches to self, place and others that might build capacity for shared reparative futures. Encounter, embodiment and entanglement – modes of staying with shadows cast by global forces of capitalism, industrialization, colonization and climate change and, just as importantly, staying clear of research methods that rehearse epistemic violence – formed the core of our intentionally indeterminate methodology. In keeping with a framework that accepts the contingency of knowledge and knowledge production, we offer not findings but seekings: invitations to engage in pursuing new collaborations, methods and politics for expanding imaginaries of materiality and connection, resistant to the dematerialization, dissociation and disregard inherent to the contemporary global order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though the link between trust and transparency is a central concern of social science, the relationship between the two concepts has remained a ‘black box’. Many empirical studies concentrate solely on verifying whether transparency impacts trust and do not elaborate on the mechanisms that facilitate this relationship. Trust and transparency need to be qualified to be understood and captured in a meaningful sense by empirical research. Hence, the article proposes an interpretative matrix for exploring relationships between types of trust and transparency. It presents a framework of analysis that is sufficiently precise to make sense of complex interactions in six European regions in three European states (the UK, Germany, and France) and sufficiently generic to have a heuristic value as a tool for comparative study. It also contributes to broader discussions of the role of trust and transparency as factors of public management. The framework might equally be applied to evaluating trust and transparency as modes of public action in fields such as health or the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the relationship between household food waste and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in various European regions, aiming to determine how economic prosperity influences the levels of household food waste. Using comparative analysis of secondary and tertiary data, a synthetic indicator (IpFW) was developed to assess the interaction between GDP per capita and household food waste per capita. Linear correlation analysis was also applied for better interpretation of the data. Despite expectations, higher GDP is not consistently correlated with lower household food waste, challenging economic prosperity and environmental stewardship assumptions. This research highlights the complexity of the interaction between economic factors and household food waste management, revealing a lack of significant correlation even at the regional level. The findings indicate a need to re-evaluate current policies and highlight that improving food supply chains and influencing consumer behavior can promote more sustainable consumption patterns, which is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article is the first empirical investigation of attitudes towards immigration in Europe via small area estimation providing reliable regional estimates across European regions. Four dimensions of regional attitudes are considered, i.e., restrictive attitudes towards specific groups, restrictive attitudes towards acquired criteria, threat, and restrictive attitudes towards ascribed criteria. We produce maps of these, as well as validation outputs, demonstrating that our estimates are reliable, hence, have a strong potential in informing policy makers. We show that, although there is a large between-country variation of these attitudes, there are also large spatial differences between-region in some countries. Overall, Swedish public attitudes tend to be quite homogeneous across regions, and located towards the positive side, whereas Eastern European countries tend to show negative attitudes across all the dimensions apart from the acquired criteria. However, in these countries, we can see larger spatial differences across regions, especially in the ascribed criteria and attitudes towards specific groups indicator. In general, the threat dimension does not show a large between-region variability, compared to the other three dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the impact of production methods and geographical origin on honey quality, honey from three regions in Ghana was analysed using INAA and FAAS for the presence of some selected metals. Five metals were found in all the ninety samples as Mg (321.1 mg/kg), Cu (56.2 mg/kg), V (8.18 mg/kg), Fe (3.28 mg/kg), and Pb (0.0400 mg/kg). Co and Cr were detected in 12% and 45% of the samples respectively but As, Cd, and Hg were not detected. The concentrations of Pb varied significantly based on production practices. Cu, Mg, and V showed differences based on geographical sources, according to the Kruskal Wallis test at p < 0.05. Co was below the WHO levels for drinking water and Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg and V were above the WHO levels. Ultimately, the honey source, as opposed to production practices, affected the metal content and potentially, honey consumption can have health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The given document is a final report of a research project titled "Disruption in regional housing: Policy responses for more resilient markets." It examines housing trends and supply processes in rural and regional areas of Australia, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report highlights challenges such as shortages of land for development and workforce shortages that continue to affect housing supply. It includes case studies and insights from policy makers, emphasizing the need for support for community housing providers and place-based policies. The report suggests various policy responses, including utilizing existing programs, implementing direct government action, and implementing place-based policies. It emphasizes the importance of addressing housing challenges in regional areas to prevent further pressure on metropolitan housing markets. The report also discusses the findings of a quantitative research project on regional housing markets in Australia, identifying six clusters of housing markets with their own characteristics and challenges. It emphasizes the need for tailored policy responses to address the specific challenges faced by each housing cluster. The report further discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on housing supply and highlights resource limitations as a barrier to affordable housing supply in regional Australia. It provides case studies of regional housing markets and highlights the challenges faced by smaller communities and those located far from major cities. The report also discusses the housing challenges and pressures faced by specific regions in Australia, such as Dubbo, Bendigo, and Murray Bridge. It suggests that addressing these challenges will require coordination between government agencies and flexible funding. The report concludes by discussing the outcomes of an investigative panel and [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Considerable attention has focused on Ukraine as a divided country along ethno-cultural lines. But regional economic differences and trends over time are the primary drivers that influence citizens' wellbeing and likewise contribute to a sense of place. This article focuses on how Ukraine's economic development has unfolded across the country during a time of conflict and how these changes can be understood. Using the framework of state capacity, aggregate data reflective of human security are adduced to illustrate and suggest reasons for these shifting patterns and the implications thereof for a postwar Ukraine. Findings suggest that the spatial realignment of Ukraine's economy has been and will continue to be a function of location, markets, and human capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural sector of Ukraine, playing a significant role in the formation of the main macroeconomic indicators, is under the constant influence of various factors, which makes it dynamic and unpredictable. These challenges present the agrarian sector with the task of flexible adaptation in the conditions of martial law and the post-war period to the need for reconstruction to ensure sustainable functioning and positioning it for the future. The purpose of the article is to determine the directions of funding needs for the restoration and reconstruction of the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine in accordance with the strategic and tactical contours of solving the tasks of its long-term development, the implementation of which will contribute to the economic growth of this industry, the further transformation of the agrarian policy of Ukraine regarding state support for enterprises of the agro-industrial complex, internationalization and strengthening of the international partnerships. The article proposes an original scientific-methodical approach to determining the directions of financing the needs of the reconstruction of the agricultural industry of Ukraine, which involves determining the ratio of the directions of financing the needs of restoration and reconstruction of the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine in accordance with the strategic and tactical contours of solving the tasks of its strategic development, which form its current and prospective state and the fulfillment of the set of socioeconomic conditions for their implementation in the conditions of transformational changes Among the socio-economic conditions for the implementation of the proposed directions, the article defines: ensuring the diversification of the structure of agriculture; conducting constant monitoring of competition and access to markets, regional differentiation, conducting administrative expertise on the management of recovery funds and constant assessment of the effectiveness of agrarian policy instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to analyse the interaction between civil society and the government in combating crime at the national and regional levels. The research was conducted using the comparative legal method, formal legal method, legal modelling method, and statistical method. The study's main conclusion was that at the present stage, any rule-of-law democratic state's decisions should consider public opinion and the position of civil society. The state should ensure the responsibility of those responsible for such decisions, including using public control instruments. The article also reveals practical approaches to implementing public control in Ukraine. The study concludes that decentralisation of the law enforcement system of the internal affairs bodies guarantees stable political, social and economic development of the country, provided that the state and society interact and society exercises public control in combating crime. In the future, scientific research may study the forms, methods, and means of implementing the interaction between society and the state in tackling crime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional productivity differences and their determinants have long been key issues for regional researchers and policymakers. This study considers regional export variety as a factor determining regional productivity differences. Using a panel dataset covering 16 South Korean regions from 2000 to 2015, we find that export variety in South Korea accounts for 28.1% of cross-region productivity differences and 47.6% of within-region productivity growth. Export varieties are important in determining the cross-region differences and time-series variations in productivity. This study highlights the importance of export variety as a mechanism by which trade affects regional productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to find empirical evidence of long-run equilibrium relationship between the personal savings ratio and several factors that, in the author’s opinion, determine this ratio. To achieve this purpose, a panel for 82 regions of the Russian Federation for the years 2000–2022 was assembled on the basis of official statistics data. In the descriptive part of the paper, we examined theories of personal savings, saving behavior of the population, the impact of personal savings on economic growth and the reasons why regional authorities should improve the climate for personal savings and growth of the working-age population in their regions. We used the PMG method to estimate our empirical ARDL model and found that the personal savings ratio is mainly determined by the age composition of the regional population and regional inflation, while money income and household final consumption are robust control variables. There is a long-run equilibrium relationship between these variables.

Climate change can affect the frequency and intensity of infectious diseases worldwide, which may further aggravate disparities in the health and disease burden. Apart from the known risk factors, the concurrent COVID-19 pandemic exposed a range of social vulnerabilities that influenced its local impacts and responses. Even though global policies consider various local vulnerabilities, the literature notes an increasing need to address their intertwined spatial implications. This paper offers a review of studies focusing on infectious diseases to understand regional variations in vulnerability and policy implications. By using the scoping review method it compares the trends of regional vulnerability in literature with the ones observed during COVID-19 along with the recent regional reports addressing issues of climate change and health for their policy implications. It finds that due to the overarching nature of global policies, various aspects of regional vulnerability remain unaddressed, and many important regional observations do not find their way to inform global policies. The paper thus argues that considering variations in regional vulnerability in global policies and developing regional guidelines could contribute to an integrated response and effective management of global hazards concerning climate change and health.

Contemporary development policy concentrates predominantly on reducing noticeable economic differences in a spatial system, and an important role in this respect is played by EU Cohesion Policy. Owing to the considerable scale of financial exposure of Cohesion Policy, the assessment of effectiveness of the implemented measures and their greater reliance on evidence are of major significance. Despite numerous attempts to empirically verify the effects of EU funds spending, the problem remains unresolved, and the results of recent studies lead frequently to ambiguous conclusions.

The spatial development of territories in Ukraine, in particular in the context of the introduction of decentralization principles into the public administration system, is characterized by the identification of an additional wide range of internal and external factors and problems of functioning in various spheres of society, as well as the actuation of issues regarding the need to find and implement more effective instruments that can solve them. Domestic experience in overcoming various kinds of territorial problems is limited and insufficient, therefore, the study of the best foreign theories and practices in this regard, including the use of instruments for the implementation of project activities, as well as the analysis of opportunities for their implementation, remains relevant. In the context of the spatial development of territories, project activities can be considered as a purposeful system of actions organized by any public governance entities or established in the process of their interaction with each other, aimed both at solving a specific territorial problem and at stimulating the development of various spheres of community life, involving a wide range of mechanisms and instruments for managing spatial development based on planning, financing and implementation of a specific project in order to achieve the final result. The article provides an analysis of the global and European experiences in the use of an instrumentarium for the implementation of project activities in public management of spatial development of territories; approaches are generalized and features of the use of projects depending on the priorities of spatial development, individual characteristics and the presence of territorial problems within each country are determined; the possibilities and relevance of using positive examples of the implementation of multidirectional project activities in the process of managing the spatial development of territories in Ukraine, which is expedient in the period of their post-war recovery, are considered. Acquaintance with the global and European experiences of formation by individual countries, in accordance with national characteristics and the chosen model of development, of priority goals, objectives, mechanisms and instruments of territorial management will allow using positive achievements and, on the basis of the formed strategic directions, introducing effective instruments, in particular for the implementation of project activities, support and stimulation of the development of their own territories, taking into account the characteristics inherent in Ukraine.

The research relevance is determined by the prevalence and impact of brucellosis in the developing livestock landscape of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which requires immediate assessment to understand the current state due to dynamic changes in animal breeding technologies. The study aims to implement various diagnostic programmes and compare the data obtained with information provided by other organisations. To achieve this goal, the “gold standard” research methods were used, a set of classical serological methods, which included the Rose-Bengal test, agglutination reaction, complement binding reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, as well as the analysis method and graph analytical method. The results showed that the most infected with brucellosis were epizootic units in Aktobe, Kostanay, Mangistau, Atyrau, Akmola and West Kazakhstan regions, with infection rates exceeding 23.4%. At the same time, Almaty, Turkestan, and Karaganda regions were the least vulnerable, with infection rates not exceeding 3.1%. The largest number of animals with brucellosis was registered in West Kazakhstan Region and the smallest – in Zhambyl Region. This is due to the peculiarities of keeping and geographical locations of the regions of Kazakhstan. Thus, we can classify the situation in Almaty, Pavlodar, Karaganda and Zhambyl regions as class A, as having a low degree of infection. Kostanay, Akmola, Kyzylorda and Atyrau regions are considered to be zones with a medium degree of infection, belonging to class B. In turn, all other regions are characterised by a high degree of infection and are assigned to class C. The practical significance of the study is due to the contribution of valuable information to the scientific understanding of the epidemiology of brucellosis in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The findings provide a basis for the development of targeted intervention strategies and policy recommendations to mitigate the impact of brucellosis on livestock

The continuation of the war and the resulting significant losses in the functional capacity of the country’s territories, its human, economic, infrastructural, environmental, and other potentials have long-term negative consequences and limitations on the future development of both individual regions and the country as a whole. The objective reality of the existing problems requires the development and implementation of certain measures in order to minimize the negative consequences of these challenges on the existence and development of any territories in Ukraine. Of relevance are the development of the security space and infrastructure for the functioning of the country and its regions; the need for planning the development and recovery of the affected areas; creating conditions for the return of Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced persons; formation of safe living conditions; full access to all public services; restoration of functioning and competitiveness of local, regional and national economies, etc. In the face of the challenges caused by the war, these issues have become more specific, aimed at finding ways to rebuild the affected territories of the country, in particular in the post-war period. Analysis and generalization of approaches to the introduction of the components of the recovery mechanism into regional development, determination of its functional orientedness and principles of organization allow us to propose components of the mechanism for recovering the socioeconomic development of the regions of Ukraine in the post-war period, taking into account the security capabilities of both the State and the region. The peculiarity of the study is the formation of components of the mechanism for recovering the socioeconomic development of the regions of Ukraine in the post-war period on the basis of allocation of two kinds of groups: the main groups that correspond to the problem situations of the region and determine the directions of recovery; the auxiliary, or supportive groups, which help in the implementation of the main ones, thereby increasing the impact on solving problem situations. This allows, on the one hand, to generalize the structural elements of the mechanism, and on the other hand, to specify their use depending on functional feasibility. The stage-by-stage distribution of the components of the mechanism for recovering the socioeconomic development of the regions of Ukraine in the post-war period allows them to be grouped taking into account functional capabilities, which makes the mechanism more effective and purposeful in the process of practical implementation.

This study is devoted to assessing the weighted average distances between the regions of Russia according to different metrics – the shortest distances on the sphere, as well as distances by railways and highways. Such aggregated estimates are necessary for researchers of interregional processes (from migration to cargo transportation), but these estimates are not publicly available. The article fills this gap. We describe the methods for estimating distances using various metrics (relying on the Russian Railways data on ‘tariff distances’ between railway stations, information on cities’ coordinates and population, and web-services for calculating inter-city distances). The proposed metrics can be considered as an economic distance metric developed in the context of gravitational interaction studies. We estimate the distances between Russian regions using recent and highly detailed data (the distances between 2840 railway stations, the population data gathered for about 10,000 settlements). For scientific and practical purposes, the open access to resulting estimates is provided. We discuss and interpret the cases of significant discrepancies in the estimates of distances between Russian regions according to different metrics. We demonstrate that, for a number of regions, location of transport infrastructure determines the need to choose the metric of interregional distance carefully, depending on the task. We estimate the weighted distance between all regions of Russia with an account for changes in regional structure of population; on this basis, we show that since 1990s migration has been directed to regions with greater relative transport connectivity

This study analyzes the interregional effects of innovation in Russia. The hypothesis of the presence of interregional effects is tested by combining the methods of spatial econometrics and Bayesian approach. Using panel data on Russian regions for the period from 2000 to 2021, the author calculates posterior probabilities for a set of spatial regression models that model interregional effects of innovation in different ways. Within the framework of Bayesian approach 6 models were selected for comparison: model without spatial effects (OLS), model with spatial lag of the dependent variable (SAR), model with spatial lag of the error (SEM), model with spatial lags of the explanatory variables (SLX), spatial Durbin model with lags of dependent and explanatory variables (SDM), as well as spatial Durbin model with lags of the explanatory variables and error (SDEM). Based on our calculations, we can conclude that the spatial correlation of innovation in Russian regions is not as strong as it has been assumed in previous studies. This can be considered as evidence in favor of the fact that the concept of interregional spillovers of innovations is poorly consistent with the historical, institutional and territorial peculiarities of Russia, and the methods generally accepted in other countries for such analysis are unsuitable in the Russian context. The results obtained can be taken into account in further research involving spatial modeling of regional innovations. More attention should be paid to the spatial effects of explanatory variables, in particular, interregional spillovers of R&D expenditures, as well as dynamics in the innovation process

The upsurge in wage inequalities is a common prediction in the literature analyzing the labor market outcomes of the diffusion of information and communication technologies and automation technologies. More controversial, instead, is the relationship between wage inequalities and digital technologies. This article addresses this issue on conceptual and empirical grounds. Specifically, the article elaborates on the distinction between digital technologies adoption and digital transformation and derives a conceptual typology of the different modes of digital service economy, that is, different types of digital transformation, each characterized by specific consequences in terms of intraregional wage inequalities. Empirically, based on an analysis of 164 European regions in the period 2009–16, the article documents that only regions characterized by the most pervasive types of digital service economy experience a rise of intraregional wage inequalities, a result that partly mitigates the automation anxiety frequently dominating the public and, sometimes, the scholarly debates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While in recent times many regions have flourished, many others are stuck—or are at risk of becoming stuck—in a development trap. Such regions experience decline in economic growth, employment, and productivity relative to their neighbors and to their own past trajectories. Prolonged periods in development traps are leading to political dissatisfaction and unrest. Such discontent is often translated into support for antisystem parties at the ballot box. In this article we study the link between the risk, intensity, and duration of regional development traps and the rise of discontent in the European Union (EU)—proxied by the support for Eurosceptic parties in national elections between 2013 and 2022—using an econometric analysis at a regional level. The results highlight the strong connection between being stuck in a development trap, often in middle- or high-income regions, and support for Eurosceptic parties. They also suggest that the longer the period of stagnation, the stronger the support for parties opposed to European integration. This relationship remains robust whether considering only the most extreme Eurosceptic parties or including parties with more moderate levels of Euroscepticism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the relationship between changes in manufacturing employment and political discontent in European regions, using a multilevel hybrid model and data from the European Social Survey and European Commission. The analysis reveals that within regions, a decrease in manufacturing jobs leads to greater political discontent, but this relationship is not observed when comparing variation in manufacturing levels across regions. Additionally, the analysis demonstrates that this discontent manifests more as dissatisfaction with the government, rather than distrust in political institutions and actors. Native-born, lower social classes and individuals living in rural areas display more discontent, even after considering material factors. The study highlights the role of declining social status and identity threats due to manufacturing job losses as a likely driver of political discontent. It calls for more research on the effects of manufacturing transitions in Europe on the formation of political attitudes among various social groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the article is to assess the level of sustainable development in individual countries in one of the regions of the Earth. The object of the study is the development in the Middle East and the e-commerce system. At the same time, the scientific task will be to form a system for an integral assessment of information and e-commerce in these countries in order to understand which countries are ready for the era of Industry 5.0 and which are not. We have determined that sustainable development is a long-term phenomenon in which countries must be prepared both from a technological and legal point of view for the new era of Industry 5.0. The research methodology involves the use of an integral assessment method to determine the level of sustainable development in the countries of the Middle East, and a standardization method to normalize selected indicators. As a result of the study, a methodological approach to assessing the level of sustainable development based on performance indicators of commercial activities in the region was presented. We selected several countries in the Middle East and determined their level of sustainable development based on indicators of commercial activity in the regions in order to understand which are ready for the era of Industry 5.0 and which are not. The study has a limitation by not taking into account all countries in the selected region of the Earth. Prospects for further research will be aimed at expanding the system for assessing the level of sustainable development for a larger number of countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores what needs to be done to better address the growing and substantial inequalities in the UK and how the 'Levelling Up' policy that seeks to address them could be improved. It argues that a much longer-term vision and a sharper, cross-government focus on fewer challenges is required to make a more tangible impact. Four key findings are identified: a focus on health and education is fundamental for our social and economic prosperity; there is a need for greater devolution of power, with transparent and robust accountability; an open, nationwide knowledge base to share what works and what does not, and the lessons learned from innovative pilots, is required; and a more holistic approach is needed to support businesses and provide them with better-quality support. This paper argues that without these issues being taken into consideration, the lives and well-being of our disadvantaged citizens, our children and our economy will continue to worsen. It concludes that making economic development a statutory function, putting it at the very heart of our public services, is needed to ensure that the levelling up outcome is achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chagas disease is a complex clinical entity caused by a protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted by the bite of infected triatomines. The objective of this study was to establish the distribution of vector species of T. cruzi according to all the geopolitical regions of Ecuador. This narrative review was conducted from December 2022 to July 2023 by searching the following databases: PubMed, Elsevier, Google Scholar, Scielo, Latindex, and Dialnet. Also, websites of international and national health organizations: WHO and PAHO, Epidemiological Gazette of Ecuador, SIVE-ALERTA, Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador, and national repositories of theses generated by Ecuadorian universities. In the Coastal region, T. dimidiata was found as the predominant vector (83%), followed by Panstrongylus howardi, P. chinai and P. geniculatus, all with the same percentage of circulation (33%) and Rhodnius ecuadoriensis (17%). In the Andean region, the most important species was R. ecuadoriensis in the Province of Loja (59%). The province of Orellana (Amazon region) had the highest value of R=0.471 and greater species diversity (P. geniculatus, P. lignarius, R. robustus, R. pictipes, R. pallences, R. barreti, E. cuspidatus, E. mucronatu). Currently, the circulation of 4 genera and 17 species of triatomines is reported in Ecuador. It is necessary to expand the collection sites in different regions to update the geographical distribution of triatomine species circulating in Ecuadorian territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and increasing anthropogenic activities, such as over-exploitation of groundwater, are exerting unavoidable stress on groundwater resources. This study investigated the spatio-temporal variation of depth to groundwater level (DGWL) and the impacts of climatic (precipitation, maximum temperature, and minimum temperature) and anthropogenic (gross district product (GDP), population, and net irrigated area (NIA)) variables on DGWL during 1994–2020. The study considered DGWL in 113 observation wells and piezometers located in arid western plains (Barmer and Jodhpur districts) and semi-arid eastern plains (Jaipur, Ajmer, Dausa, and Tonk districts) of Rajasthan State, India. Statistical methods were employed to examine the annual and seasonal patterns of DGWL, and the generalized additive model (GAM) was used to determine the impacts of climatic and anthropogenic variables on DGWL. During 1994–2020, except for Barmer District, where the mean annual DGWL was almost constant (around 26.50 m), all other districts exhibited increase in DGWL, with Ajmer District experiencing the most increase. The results also revealed that 36 observation wells and piezometers showed a statistically significant annual increasing trend in DGWL and 34 observation wells and piezometers exhibited a statistically significant decreasing trend in DGWL. Similarly, 32 observation wells and piezometers showed an statistically significant increasing trend and 37 observation wells and piezometers showed a statistically significant decreasing trend in winter; 33 observation wells and piezometers indicated a statistically significant increasing trend and 34 had a statistically significant decreasing trend in post-monsoon; 35 observation wells and piezometers exhibited a statistically significant increasing trend and 32 observation wells and piezometers showed a statistically significant decreasing trend in pre-monsoon; and 36 observation wells and piezometers reflected a statistically significant increasing trend and 30 observation wells and piezometers reflected a statistically significant decreasing trend in monsoon. Interestingly, most of the observation wells and piezometers with increasing trends of DGWL were located in Dausa and Jaipur districts. Furthermore, the GAM analysis revealed that climatic variables, such as precipitation, significantly affected DGWL in Barmer District, and DGWL in all other districts was influenced by anthropogenic variables, including GDP, NIA, and population. As a result, stringent regulations should be implemented to curb excessive groundwater extraction, manage agricultural water demand, initiate proactive aquifer recharge programs, and strengthen sustainable management in these water-scarce regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to China's policies on pollution control and carbon emission (CE) reductions, more stringent regulations have been implemented to evaluate CE in wastewater treatment facilities. In this study, we have analyzed CE from China's wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and influencing factor. Emission factor (EF) and operational data integrated methods (ODIM) were utilized to measure emissions, using data collected from 247 WWTPs over a 1-year period across seven regions in China. The average CE intensity was 0.45 kgCO2-eq/m3, affected by region, season, influent water quality, treatment processes, effluent discharge standards, and facilities. The scale effect was obvious only in the range of 2 × 105 m3/day. Underground WWTPs exhibited significantly higher CE compared to aboveground WWTPs. In summary, the assessment of CE in 247 actual WWTPs not only identifies emission reduction potential but also provides a scientific basis for formulating targeted emission reduction measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decentralisation has frequently been sold as a means to increase well-being and development. Yet, questions remain as to whether decentralisation improves economic performance. This is possibly because decentralisation processes have often led to 'unfunded mandates', that is, a mismatch between the powers transferred to subnational tiers of government and the resources allocated to them. In this article, we analyse how unfunded mandates shape regional economic growth across 518 regions in 30 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries over the period 1997–2018. There is a negative, statistically significant, and robust impact of unfunded mandates on economic growth. This effect is higher in more politically and less fiscally decentralised regions and in regions with a higher level of wealth. Unfunded mandates thus represent a serious drag on the potential positive economic effect of political decentralisation. Hence, for those benefits to materialise, better not more decentralisation – ensuring that finance follows function – should be pursued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper argues that the UK's endemic regional–national productivity problems cannot be addressed by the UK's current institutional and governance set-up. This paper argues that the establishment of an appropriate institution, body or forum is essential in order to fill the current governance vacuum. The appropriate nature, form and logic of such a body can be gleaned by observing various international comparator bodies which undertake different aspects of the types of roles and tasks that a UK body must necessarily undertake. The options for a UK body comprising elements of these comparator institutions are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research relevance is determined by the prevalence and impact of brucellosis in the developing livestock landscape of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which requires immediate assessment to understand the current state due to dynamic changes in animal breeding technologies. The study aims to implement various diagnostic programmes and compare the data obtained with information provided by other organisations. To achieve this goal, the "gold standard" research methods were used, a set of classical serological methods, which included the Rose-Bengal test, agglutination reaction, complement binding reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, as well as the analysis method and graph analytical method. The results showed that the most infected with brucellosis were epizootic units in Aktobe, Kostanay, Mangistau, Atyrau, Akmola and West Kazakhstan regions, with infection rates exceeding 23.4%. At the same time, Almaty, Turkestan, and Karaganda regions were the least vulnerable, with infection rates not exceeding 3.1%. The largest number of animals with brucellosis was registered in West Kazakhstan Region and the smallest - in Zhambyl Region. This is due to the peculiarities of keeping and geographical locations of the regions of Kazakhstan. Thus, we can classify the situation in Almaty, Pavlodar, Karaganda and Zhambyl regions as class A, as having a low degree of infection. Kostanay, Akmola, Kyzylorda and Atyrau regions are considered to be zones with a medium degree of infection, belonging to class B. In turn, all other regions are characterised by a high degree of infection and are assigned to class C. The practical significance of the study is due to the contribution of valuable information to the scientific understanding of the epidemiology of brucellosis in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The findings provide a basis for the development of targeted intervention strategies and policy recommendations to mitigate the impact of brucellosis on livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of social and spatial inequalities on the spread of COVID-19 and the efficacy of lockdown measures in French regions during the third wave (22 March and 3 May 2021), with a focus on population density and poverty. It based on data from French government websites, adopting quantitative methods including the Pearson Coefficient and One-Way ANOVA. The results indicate a significant correlation between population density and COVID-19 deaths in 92 departments (R = 0.695), which is stronger than the correlation between density and infection rates (R = 0.633, p < 0.001). In the 25 most affected departments, this pattern shifts, with a weaker correlation between density and deaths (R = 0.644) compared to density/infections (R = 0.716, p < 0.001). Although insightful, these statistics do not capture regional disparities. A minor correlation between poverty and death rates was recorded in French regions. Spatial observations showed that areas exceeding the national poverty average experienced higher infection/death rates. The lockdowns were effective, leading to a reduction (51.7%) in infections. The present results showed that there is a significant need for a new social contract based on a new urban and regional paradigm focused on socio-spatial equality and Sustainable Development Goals locally and globally, a vital task for policymakers, planners, and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The mental health and well-being of GPs is a critical issue as they play a vital role in providing healthcare services to individuals and communities. Research has shown that GPs often face high levels of stress, burnout, and mental health problems due to their demanding work environment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, GPs faced additional challenges which further impacted their mental health and well-being. This study aims to investigate the impact of systemic work-related stressors on the level of well-being of GPs in Belgium during the pandemic, with a particular emphasis on identifying regional variations between Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels-Capital. Methods: Data were collected with a self-reported online questionnaire from 479 GPs Belgian practices between December 2020 and August 2021 as part of the international PRICOV-19 study that explored the organization of general practices during COVID-19 in 38 countries to guarantee safe, effective, patient-centered, and equitable care. Well-being was evaluated by the Mayo Clinic's expanded 9-item well-being index. Results: The findings of this study reveal notable regional discrepancies in the degree of well-being experienced by Belgian GPs, with the Walloon region displaying the lowest level of well-being (37%) in a population highly susceptible to professional distress (57%). Among the key stressors contributing to such distress, financial difficulties among patients (p < 0.011), the fee-for-service payment system (p = 0.013), a lack of work-related purpose (p = 0.047), and inadequate work-life balance (p < 0.001) were identified as significant factors. When examining the influence of regional disparities, it was found that the sole significant interaction between work-related stressors and region regarding the probability of experiencing distress was related to the possibility of workload sharing among practice personnel. Conclusion: The findings from this study underscore the imperative for more comprehensive research aimed at scrutinizing the differences in well-being across the three regions in Belgium and identifying the systemic factors that influence the practice environment, as opposed to exclusively concentrating on enhancing individual resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy efficiency in buildings has a central role to play in reaching the climate neutrality goal set by the European Green Deal. With detailed knowledge of their building stock and the profile of their occupants, regional and local authorities can forge an important link between financiers, industry professionals and homeowners to ensure the successful deployment of financial schemes that support the uptake of energy efficiency upgrades. This paper provides a first assessment of the role of regional and local authorities by reviewing relevant initiatives and programmes on energy efficiency. Based on a questionnaire completed for more than 150 schemes, it explores how European municipalities and regions stimulate energy upgrades in residential, commercial and public buildings through public financial support. It is found that 60% of the examined schemes are offered in the form of grants and subsidies, and 45% of them targeted residential upgrades. The use of EU cohesion policy funds in supporting regional schemes, and promotion of energy efficiency investments at local level through the European Covenant of Mayors initiative are also explored. In spite of possible resource limitations at this level of governance, regional and local authorities are in a good position to utilise European structural or research funds to develop financial schemes, as standalone programmes or blended with national ones, thus providing additional support and funds for deep renovations. The results suggest that energy efficiency in buildings has become an important part of local and regional strategies in several European countries, but could be further enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Difficulties accessing homeownership and reduced rates of owner-occupation among recent birth cohorts are a major concern for Global North policymakers. However, surprisingly little is known about how patterns of entry into homeownership have varied spatially across the early lives of recent birth cohorts. Using life course perspectives and survey data, this study examines how regional disparities in homeownership trajectories and transitions have varied across the life courses of four birth cohorts who entered the British housing system after 1990. The results show a nonlinear pattern of postponed homeownership across cohorts which has not varied greatly across regions. London is the most distinctive area and delayed homeownership transitions have long been a feature of the capital's housing market. Taken together, the findings illustrate the value of more thoroughly examining how place intersects with biographical and historical time in nuanced ways to shape housing careers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the role of semantic similarities of place names in forming larger regions. The environment´s place names allowed two alternative semantic categorizations corresponding to two equally valid regionalizations. In a priming phase, participants were biased to one or the other categorization scheme. Region perception was assessed by having participants choose between two equidistant routes crossing different numbers of region boundaries. Participants selected routes with a lower number of region crossings according to the primed categorization in 61% of all cases. The results show that perceived semantic similarity of place names affects route choice and the formation of spatial regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new concept charting a new direction for regional socio-economic development in the early 2020s is the circular economy (CE). The novelty means that there is no empirically verified methodology for implementation, and therefore, the extent and scope of incorporating CE into regional declarations and actions will vary. For regions, structured activities should follow the adopted development strategy. Therefore, based on an analysis of the invocation of the CE concept in elements of the strategic management model, included in the regional development strategy (2018-2021), it is possible to determine the degree of its structuring. For this purpose, content analysis and correlation analysis were used. The study aims to explain differences in the institutionalisation of CE in voivodeship development strategies in Poland. The article hypothesises that a high level of CE structuring is correlated with its definition in the strategy and also the state of the environment in the region, and explains the variation in CE institutionalisation using adaptive governance theory. We conclude, based on the results, that regions with higher environmental pollution use CE in more detail in regional development strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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