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Technology and knowledge play important roles in shaping regional economic resilience and are essential keys to fostering high-quality regional development. The paper utilizes domestic and foreign trade data, as well as economic and social development data, from 2001 to 2016 across 30 provinces in China. It aims to depict the characteristics of regional economic resilience and product space, conducting empirical analysis the impact of structure of knowledge-based product space on regional economic resilience. The objective is to explore how regions can promote structural transformation and economic development through knowledge networks. The study revealed that the relationship between knowledge contained within the product space is the key factor shaping economic resilience, particularly in terms of the existing knowledge nodes and the density between these nodes in the network. Owing to the impact of knowledge proximity, the process of promoting economic resilience through a relatively concentrated knowledge network is a path-dependent process. However, an excessive similarity between knowledge may lead to path locking. Therefore, our emphasis is on the structural relationships among knowledge within the region, providing a valuable an important supplement to the investigation of factors influencing economic resilience in networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the data at the prefecture-level city from 1999 to 2019, we study the impact of officials with mismatched higher administrative rank on regional economic development. The study found that the high-level configuration of officials can significantly promote regional economic development. On average, the concurrent appointment of a provincial standing committee member as the municipal party secretary at the prefecture-level city can increase the GDP of the municipality by 9.1%. The mechanism analysis shows that increased transfer payment from up-level government and increased investment in regional fixed asset are the main reasons for the economic growth. Further analysis reveals that the economic growth effect of high-level configuration of officials is heterogeneous in terms of promotion pressure and the development stage of prefecture-level cities, the higher the promotion pressure of officials and the lower the per capita development level of prefecture-level cities, the greater the role of officials with mismatched higher administrative rank in promoting economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, the regional economic development model affected by government competition is an important factor leading to the income inequality of urban and rural residents. This paper aims to study the influence mechanism of tax competition among local governments on urban-rural income gap from the perspective of government intervention and tries to explain the reasons for the gradual narrowing of urban-rural income disparity since 2010. Using a dynamic panel data of 30 provinces, this study reveals that tax competition has alleviated the urban-rural income gap, and this effect shows temporal extensibility and spatial correlation. It is more obvious in eastern and central China and consistent in different local tax categories. Although tax competition has narrowed the overall income gap, the wage income inequality has been exacerbated. In addition, local fiscal autonomy, urbanization, public service provision and industrial structure are the important influencing channels of the mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the four waves of micro panel data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study uses a two-way fixed effect model to analyse the impact of equalization of regional basic public services on the multidimensional vulnerability of families and its mechanism. The main findings of this study are as follows, firstly, regional basic public services and its equalization can significantly alleviate the multidimensional vulnerability of families; Secondly, regional basic public services and its equalization can reduce the multidimensional vulnerability of families by improving the level of regional economic development; Thirdly, the impact of regional basic public services and its equalization on the multidimensional vulnerability of households vary significantly among different groups, urban and rural areas, and different regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fund support is an important way to promote academic innovation in energy-related research. Studies have explored the effect of the principal investigator on academic innovation. These works, however, do not divide technological regions, resulting in low pertinence of the research conclusions. We collected data on energy-related funds in China and divided 30 Chinese regions into technologically advanced, medium and lagging groups, in which the influence of principal investigator on academic innovation was explored, respectively. The results indicated that the principal investigator plays an important role in local and international core academic innovation in advanced regions. In technological medium regions, the principal investigator not only acts on local core innovation but also influences international innovation. While in lagging regions, the principal investigator mainly influences the local academic innovation. The results indicated that the principal investigator and funding agencies need to consider regional technology when making policies to maximise academic innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to test the impact of Green Knowledge Management (GKM) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Green Innovation (GI) in economic firms. The researcher collected data from lower, middle, and upper-level managers of small, medium, and large-sized manufacturing and services firms located in France. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) to explore how GKM processes (creation of green knowledge, acquisition, sharing, and application) impact SDGs (environmental, social, and economic sustainability) and GI (green technology, management innovation). According to the results, GKM significantly impacts both SDGs and GI. The dimensional analysis indicated that, except for acquiring green knowledge and its application, it showed an insignificant impact on green innovation. Finally, firm size and industry type were examined in relation to SDGs and GI. Regarding SDGs, firm size presented significant positive results. However, an insignificant result was found for firm size concerning GI. Similarly, the role of industry type was examined in relation to SDGs and GI, revealing significant results for both paths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The explosion of data and its handling has reshaped business priorities and changed conventional decision-making methods. Organisations need to think about how to successfully redesign jobs and ways of working as a fusion, not a compromise, between people and technology to increase the leverage of technology. People and technologies have become intensive collaborators. Analytical thinking is becoming the most sought-after skill, along with creative thinking and other cognitive skills. Openness, flexibility, and agility, along with a high level of motivation and self-awareness, as well as the desire for lifelong learning, are personal characteristics that distinguish a desirable employee. This paper aims to identify the changes that have occurred because of the digitisation of workplaces and the consequent development of skills as the basis of good and quality work. The scientific contribution of this paper is to methodologically explain the changes caused by digitisation and point out the development factors. The methodological paper describes research on the education and investment of human potential skills in a domestic and foreign sample of surveyed Croatian migrants. This research concludes that the respondents believe that everyone individually deserves the most for the development of human potential and that they are not ready to invest in the development of their skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship between labour market changes and artificial intelligence, utilising Romer's Endogenous growth theory, Schumpeter's Creative destruction, Solow's Growth model and Becker's Human capital theory as theoretical frameworks. The purpose of this research is to clarify the multifaceted impacts of artificial intelligence on economic growth, workforce adjustment and the emergence of novel employment trends, focusing specifically on job losses and gains, wage inequalities, and changing skill requirements. Using a structured literature review methodology, the economic implications of artificial intelligence in the labour market were systematically analysed and synthesised. The results suggest that although artificial intelligence significantly enhances productivity and innovation, it has a complex effect on the labour market, causing employment gains in technologically sophisticated industries and losses in sectors prone to automation. The study emphasises strategic policy interventions and pedagogical reforms that maximise the economic benefits of AI while minimising its disruptive effects on employment. Proponents of such policies argue that by cultivating a workforce that is resilient and capable of adjusting to changes driven by artificial intelligence, they can effectively mitigate inequality and safeguard economic stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of physics, particularly medical physics, plays a crucial role in physiotherapy and medicine in general. Forces and pressures are crucial factors that physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals consider when treating patients. In physiotherapy, these forces can aid rehabilitation and pose challenges. This paper explains the principles of manual muscle testing (MMT) and its relation to physics, specifically the use of gravitational force to assess the muscle condition of patients. It also explores the effects of physics on the human body, focusing on fluid circulation and the musculoskeletal system. Additionally, the paper discusses how forces and pressures are integrated into therapeutic exercises while comparing concentric and eccentric movements. The role of buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and water viscosity in hydrotherapy is also covered, as well as the use of electromagnetism in specific therapies, such as electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, and laser treatments. The paper aims to highlight the significant impact of physics on cardiopulmonary functions and to raise awareness among physiotherapists and healthcare professionals about the importance of understanding the role of physics in medical interventions. Educating patients about the effect of applied forces and pressures on therapy outcomes is also a topic addressed, which can ultimately help them perform movements correctly and maintain proper posture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper 'Međimurje Wine - From Rome to the Decanter' provides a systematic overview of the exceptional tradition of wine production in Međimurje. As one of the most important economic branches for the people of Međimurje, as well as for numerous lords and rulers of the region between the Mura and Drava rivers, its roots date back to the Roman Empire. In the modern era, in the second half of the 20th and early 21st centuries, it was fully realised and presented to the world. The aim of this work, based on numerous sources, is to show the development and numerous changes in vine cultivation and wine production throughout its long history but also to tell the story of the connection of a large part of the Međimurje population with this economic branch. The fertile soil and climate, combined with new varieties and techniques, as well as the association of winemakers, have certainly contributed to the creation of Međimurje wines. This has resulted in an exceptional leap in quality and promotion, creating a consistency in the wines that has led to outstanding results recognised at both national and global levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to examine how the gig economy, as a global trend that is transforming labour markets worldwide, manifests itself in a smaller economy such as Slovenia. Specifically, the paper focuses on how this trend is manifested among Slovenian freelancers, with an emphasis on generational differences. Descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test and the Chi-square test, were used in the study to explore perceptions and generational differences and to determine whether they are statistically significant. The results show that both younger and older individuals are likely to choose freelance work due to the need for flexibility and independence in project selection, reflecting their desire for greater control over their personal and professional lives. In addition, the research reveals a perception of insufficient support for such new types of careers and a need for educational programmes to improve skills and awareness of the digital labour market. The findings suggest the need for targeted policy measures to support freelancers of different age groups by implementing comprehensive government programs that promote lifelong learning and upskilling, enable the development of local coworking spaces, provide digital market information and include entrepreneurship education and digital literacy in school curricula to strengthen freelance careers, making them sustainable and contributing economically to regional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of building a country with a strong transportation network, railway container transportation (RCT) is an important means of reducing costs, increasing efficiency, and adjusting transportation structures. Thus, its impact on regional economic development is important. Based on data from railway container-handling stations and spatial econometric models, this study discusses the differences in the development of RCT and their impact on regional economic development at different leves. This study has three main findings: first, there are significant regional differences in the development of the RCT. The intra-regional differences between the eastern and central regions of China (which do not include Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) are gradually narrowing, while the regional differences in the western region are widening. Meanwhile, the intra-regional differences in important economic zones (such as Pearl River Delta Economic Zone (PRDEZ), Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Zone (CYEZ), Bohai Rim Economic Zone (BHEZ), and Yangtze River Delta Economic Zone (YRDEZ)) are narrowing daily. Second, the development differences of RCT in regional level and important economic regions level show different trends. The unbalanced features of large regions are increasingly evident, whereas the differences in economic regions are decreasing. However, the problem of overlapping RCT remains prominent. Third, the transformation of RCT development mode and fierce competition among transportation modes cause RCT to have a restraining effect on the regional economy at three levels. Rational allocation of resources and other means must be used to guide the transformation from inhibition to promotion, and by formulating targeted policies that will promote the development of RCT, which will improve the transportation structure and help construct a country with a strong transportation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Around 8200 years ago, the Storegga tsunami hit the west coast of South Norway. The physical extent of the tsunami has been well documented but the consequences of the event for contemporary societies have received little attention beyond broad generalizations and, more recently, demographic studies based on statistical modeling of radiocarbon dates. In this paper, we explore whether the different physical impacts of the Storrega tsunami could have initiated observed regional developments in lithic technology. We have analyzed lithic assemblages from 30 carefully selected Middle and Late Mesolithic sites (dated between c. 7500 and 5000 cal BC) spread across six designated "focus areas" along the coast of western South-Norway. We identified five blade production concepts in use during the Late Mesolithic and highlight potentially significant differences in their spatial and temporal distribution. Although neither the tsunami nor the environmental stresses experienced by Mesolithic communities appear to have prompted large breaks in traditional practices, we suggest that the event marks a point in time from where specific differences and modifications in lithic technology start developing at a local scale. We argue that sudden, yet transitory events such as the Storegga tsunami, may rupture the historical contingency of social networks and communication lines resulting in changing social contexts influencing material change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of the spatiotemporal evolution of regional development plays a vital role in regional coordination and sustainable development, and analyzing the characteristics of the spatiotemporal evolution of regional development in Jiangxi Province is of great significance for its deep integration into the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta, and Fujian, and its active undertaking of industries in developed regions. Based on the National Polar-orbiting Partnership–Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (NPP-VIIRS)-like nighttime lighting data from 2003 to 2022, this paper explores and discusses the nighttime lighting data as an effective indicator of regional development from the perspective of Jiangxi Province as a whole, using correlation analysis and multiple linear regression. Meanwhile, the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of regional development in Jiangxi Province are explored by using spatial autocorrelation, hotspot analysis, standard deviation ellipse, and other research methods in 100 counties in Jiangxi Province. The results show the following: (1) The nighttime lighting data in Jiangxi Province shows a strong positive correlation with gross domestic product (GDP) and total population data, with correlation coefficients R2 of 0.957 and 0.896, respectively. (2) The GDP and total population of Jiangxi Province significantly impact nighttime lighting, and the regression model R2 reaches 0.983, indicating that the class NPP-VIIRS nighttime lighting data has an excellent explanatory ability for the regional development of Jiangxi Province. (3) The global autocorrelation index of nighttime lighting in each county in Jiangxi Province shows a significant positive correlation level. However, the value of this index still shows a gradually decreasing trend, indicating that the spatial heterogeneity is gradually increasing. As a whole, the hotspots in Jiangxi Province are mainly dominated by the city of Nanchang and supplemented by Ganzhou city, showing the development of two centers in the north and south. (4) The change in the trajectory of the center of gravity migration from 2003 to 2011 is also more apparent, with greater changes in the direction of regional development in Jiangxi Province. In the period 2012–2022, the direction of regional development is more stable, and the change in the migration of the center of gravity tends to be stable, indicating that the direction of regional development is clear at this stage, and there is little change in the overall direction of the economy and centripetal force. The study results provide important clues for an in-depth understanding of the regional development law in Jiangxi Province and are of some reference significance for relevant decision-making and planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban agglomeration development planning policy (referred to as planning policy in this paper) played a significant role in promoting regional economic development. However, an important issue is whether this planning policy promotes the efficiency of urban economic development. Therefore, based on panel data sets that cover 283 cities from 2007 to 2019, this paper used the planning policy that was approved by the China State Council as a quasi-natural experiment to investigate the effect of this planning policy on the efficiency of urban economic development. The results primarily found that the effect mechanisms of this planning policy on the efficiency of urban economic development contained two paths, which included the intermediary effects of industrial agglomeration and government action. In addition, the results showed that this planning policy played a leading role in influencing the efficiency of urban economic development with the concentration of secondary industries; however, implementing this planning policy did not improve the efficiency of urban economic development. In addition, the results show that the gap in economic development efficiency between cities was narrowing, and implementing this planning policy would facilitate the narrowing trend. Finally, to promote the high-quality development of the urban economy, this paper provides the targeted policy implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU Treaties contain no provision akin to the clause in the United States Constitution empowering spending in the 'general Welfare', i.e., for the general public good. Nonetheless, supporters of a broad reading of the cohesion flexibility clause, Article 175(3) TFEU, now claim that the EU, in effect, already has that power. The claim is inspired by that clause serving as the sole legal basis for the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). This is the cornerstone of the NextGenerationEU (NGEU) Programme, the EU's massive borrowing and spending initiative that has directed a large amount of money to national priorities to address not just economic consequences of Covid but also longer-term issues of climate change, energy transition, and digitalization. This contribution critically assesses whether Article 175(3) TFEU can serve as the basis for general spending authority in the EU, particularly at the expense of its traditional role in regional development in Europe's economic periphery. The analysis draws on the historic purposes of cohesion policy, the existing case law on the limited scope of the cohesion flexibility clause, as well as legal opinions of the Council Legal Service on the same question. This contribution concludes that the crisis-driven reinterpretation of Article 175(3) TFEU not only undermines cohesion as developmental tool for the periphery, but it also raises serious concerns about democratic legitimacy and the rule of law at Europe's core. The EU may well need a general spending power, but the way to achieve it is not through institutional lawyers engaging in strained crisis reinterpretation outside of public scrutiny. Instead, what is needed is democratic politics pure and simple, i.e., Treaty change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the presence and extent of missing links that prevent the transmission and condition the flow of knowledge spillover effects (KSE) across space and time. Findings using a comprehensive database composed of 9242 innovative startups from Italy covering the period 2008–2018 and all 20 geographic regions as well as all economic sectors at the 2-digit level of aggregation indicate that missing links related to observed differences in industry structures and availability of pools of skilled human capital amount for large and persistent differences in terms of firm intensity differential across neighboring regions. More specifically, we observe that regions with initial existent high firm intensity are more likely to continue enhancing their labor pools by both endogenously increasing high-skilled human capital and by attracting high-skilled human capital from neighboring regions. Intra- and inter-industry spillovers are marked by high levels of heterogeneity. Consequently, we find that missing links related to KSE create directional effects, and these effects are neither symmetric nor reciprocal in adjacent geographical regions. Invisible barriers to KSE transmission, imposed by the presence of missing links, prevent the work of the invisible hand. Plain English Summary: The main result of this research is that the evidence using a large sample of Innovative Startups in Italy conclusively indicates that missing links of knowledge spillover effects account for a large proportion of the observed differences in new firm formation and entrepreneurial development. The presence of missing links in the transmission of knowledge spillovers appears to be a relevant element when explaining observed differences across time and space. Efforts to counter the presence of missing links of knowledge, namely, investment in human capital formation, and the development of institutional policy changes, appear to yield mixed results. On the one hand, entrepreneurial activity is fostered, but in a non-homogenous fashion across the entire country. Thus, the principal implication of this study is that in order for policy changes directed to promote economic growth and development via entrepreneurial activity, they need to account for the presence of missing links in the transmission of knowledge spillover effects across sectors of economic activity and across geographic regions given the large presence of heterogeneity across sectors and regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional enlargement and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) has in Sweden been an active policy and strategy at both municipal, regional, and national level to make society more resource efficient and strengthen local labour markets. The paper aims to explore and discuss how strategic local-regional planning can be used to counteract local, municipal and sub-regional uneven development enhanced by city-centric transit-oriented development. Mutual learning processes between local and regional actors can be used to benefit regional investments and manage local expectations. This means including local knowledge of the local situation and local knowledge of the regional context in the regional planning process and to institutionalize local-regional integration and common projections of TOD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the coal phase-out is progressing in many countries, formerly fossil-dependent regions receive transition funding for substitute economic activities. This can steer these regions into a sustainable future, yet it is not clear from the outset whether governance conditions and actors' preferences are conducive to a genuinely sustainable transition. The present study examines to what extent sustainability goals shape the transition process following the coal phase-out in a German coal region (Lusatia), and the guiding logics observed therein. Three key aspects for regional transition processes are considered: enabling conditions for sustainability governance (policy coherence, participation, reflexivity, intergenerational equity); key actors and their sustainability conceptions; and the role of sustainability in selecting and funding transition projects. Based on expert interviews, policy documents, project lists, and sustainability declarations, our findings indicate that sustainability is a rather low priority for key actors. In combination with ambivalent governance conditions, this manifests as a weak sustainability focus among most resulting projects. Nevertheless, our analysis also reveals several projects focusing on selective aspects of sustainability. The phase-out therefore appears to follow the logic of signaling, and it remains unclear whether this might revert to mere energy system substitution or else aspire to comprehensive regional transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valuing the spatial structural characteristics and evolution mechanisms of urban innovation networks (UIN) is crucial for promoting regional innovation development. This study constructs the UIN for the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) and examines its spatial structural characteristics and driving factors from a social network perspective. The results indicate that: First, the network relationships within the urban innovation ecosystem in YREB continue to expand, enhancing stability, synergy and connectivity. Second, interaction relationships dominate the network, establishing distinct block functions, with provincial capitals serving as core nodes. Third, YREB can be divided into four blocks: the main inflow block, the main outflow block, the bidirectional spider block and the agent block, each exhibiting unique roles within the network. Fourth, increasing network density and connectedness while reducing hierarchy and enhancing efficiency positively impacts urban innovation. Strengthening node centrality characteristics is beneficial for promoting urban innovation. Lastly, proximity is conducive to the formation of UIN. Digital technology and traffic integration are replacing geographical and institutional factors, becoming key elements in the formation of UIN. Therefore, we propose optimising the spatial structure of UIN and shifting the driving paradigm from geographic and institution proximity to the digital technology and traffic proximity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Population aging presents a major challenge to China's economic and social development. While some research has addressed the relationship between population aging and energy consumption or generalized carbon emissions, its impact on living carbon emissions has been less explored. This study uses provincial panel data from the Yellow River Basin (2006–2020) and employs a threshold regression model to analyze the relationship between population aging and living carbon emissions. A Multiple Mediation Effect Model is also applied to explore the mechanisms behind this relationship, with a comparative analysis between urban and rural areas. The results indicate a U‐shaped nonlinear effect of population aging on living carbon emissions, which are initially inhibited and then promoted, with different “turning points” for rural and urban regions. As income levels rise, population aging has a marginally increasing effect on living carbon emissions. However, upgrading the consumption expenditure structure, expanding family size, and increasing clean energy consumption can help mitigate the promoting effect of aging on emissions. The mediation model identifies four pathways through which population aging influences living carbon emissions, with income level and consumption expenditure structure playing key roles. This study offers policy insights for addressing urban‐rural disparities and fostering sustainable regional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal education was strongly correlated with adolescent brain morphology, cognitive performances, and mental health. However, the molecular basis for the effects of maternal education on the structural neurodevelopment remains unknown. Here, we conducted gene-environment-wide interaction study using the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development cohort. Seven genomic loci with significant gene-environment interactions (G×E) on regional gray matter volumes were identified, with enriched biological functions related to metabolic process, inflammatory process, and synaptic plasticity. Additionally, genetic overlapping results with behavioral and disease-related phenotypes indicated shared biological mechanism between maternal education modified neurodevelopment and related behavioral traits. Finally, by decomposing the multidimensional components of maternal education, we found that socioeconomic status, rather than family environment, played a more important role in modifying the genetic effects on neurodevelopment. In summary, our study provided analytical evidence for G×E effects regarding adolescent neurodevelopment and explored potential biological mechanisms as well as social mechanisms through which maternal education could modify the genetic effects on regional brain development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The citizens' perspectives on health care are central to the assessment of the health care situation and to regional development. In Germany, however, strategic goals for health care delivery are planned based on population statistics and partly on regional morbidity. Saxony is a German federal state with high average age and low density of physicians which makes the population perspective on quality of health care especially intersting. No existing panel surveys cover issues related to the perceived quality of health care delivery on a regional level in Germany. Aim: We aim to conduct a longitudinal panel study of the perceived health status and perceived quality of health care of the Saxon citizens as a basis for the systematic derivation of health care goals/measures and target group-specific, regionally suitable prevention measures. Methods: With an anticipated 15% response rate, 15,000 potential participants have to be contacted to achieve a calculated sample size of about 2,250 participants. The questionnaire will be circulated every other year with the option for adaptations depending on insights of each panel wave. The study protocol was approved by the local ethics committee of the Technische Universität Dresden, Germany (ethical approval code BO-EK-320072022) and has been registered at the German Clinical Trials Register as the German WHO primary registry (study registration number DRKS00031229). Discussion and outlook: The results are intended to identify gaps in health care and to develop patient-centered health care goals for the region together with stakeholders in Saxon health care planning. At the same time, longitudinal data allow mapping of perceived health status and perceived health care trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying and measuring urban spatial structure is a prerequisite for understanding urban spatial characteristics, formulating urban development strategies and testing urban planning results. As important data sources that can visually reflect the spatial distribution characteristics of urban socio-economic and other physical elements, urban points of interest (POI) and nighttime light data play an important role in the study of urban spatial structure. In this study, the main urban areas of 36 cities of the Three Northeast Provinces (Heilongjiang Province, Jilin Province, Liaoning Province) were selected as the study area, the POI (6,553,294 points of interest) and nighttime light data from 2010, 2016, and 2022 were chosen as the basic research data, and the methods of point kernel density estimation, data griddedness, and multifactor combination mapping were used to analyze the developmental dynamics of the urban spatial structure. The study demonstrated: (1) The spatial coupling consistency of POI and nighttime light data in the main urban areas of the Three Northeast Provinces was high, and both had good applicability in urban spatial structure research; (2) POI and nighttime light values formed the spatial pattern of "axis + core − periphery" with Shenyang, Dalian, Changchun and Harbin as the core, while the coupling relationship between the POI and nighttime light data identified that the main urban areas in the Three Northeast Provinces presented a centralized agglomeration type, a decentralized grouping type, a belt combination type and a radial expansion type urban spatial structure; (3) From the perspective of changes in the coupling relationship between POI and nighttime light, most of the main urban areas of resource-mature cities, resource-regeneration cities and non-resource cities were affected by the regional development agglomeration and the "T" railway network, and the "high/medium–high/medium" area showed an expanding tendency; most of the main urban areas of resource-decline cities were affected by the lower development potential and the deprivation of economic factors by the surrounding core cities, while the "high/medium–high/medium" areas showed a contracting tendency. The results of the study can provide a scientific basis and theoretical reference for the future adjustment of urban spatial structure, planning and construction as well as resource allocation in the main urban areas of the cities in the Three Northeast Provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that sustainable development and regional intelligence can be markedly advanced through the strategic application of bottom-up initiatives, emphasizing participatory vision setting, collaborative production, and resource acquisition via crowdfunding and cooperatives. The study explores how these components are practically implemented within the context of three HORIZON2020 EU projects spanning the period from 2019 to 2024: citizen science hubs, makerspaces, and community bioenergy initiatives. By examining these projects, the paper identifies and analyzes the key elements of regional intelligence that are strengthened through bottom-up approaches. Qualitative analysis reveals that community-based initiatives grounded in citizen science principles play a pivotal role in enhancing citizen trust, transparency, and public engagement. The establishment of citizen science hubs facilitates inclusive decision-making processes and empowers local communities to actively participate in scientific endeavors, thereby fostering a deeper integration of local knowledge into regional development strategies. Moreover, makerspaces, as platforms for collaborative production, promote principles of the circular economy by encouraging resource reuse and promoting sustainable manufacturing practices. They also serve as catalysts for user-driven innovation, facilitating the creation of customized solutions tailored to local needs. Finally, community-driven bioenergy initiatives contribute to sustainable energy production, diversify energy sources, reduce fossil fuel dependency, and enhance regional resilience. Cooperatives play a crucial role in improving organizational efficiency and sustainability, enabling local stakeholders to scale initiatives, maximize impact, and promote equitable distribution of benefits, fostering social cohesion and inclusivity. The findings underscore the critical importance of bottom-up strategies in advancing sustainable development goals through increased regional intelligence. By integrating these initiatives into regional policies and practices, policymakers can leverage local knowledge and resources to address complex challenges, promote innovation, and build resilient, inclusive communities capable of navigating future challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus on high‐quality development in regional tourism involves not only transforming the previous extensive development model and improving the efficiency of tourism development but also promoting the coordinated development of the tourism industry across different regions. Taking the 21 prefecture‐level cities in Guangdong Province as the research object and guided by high‐quality development, a tourism efficiency measurement index system that includes carbon emissions as an unexpected output has been established. By comprehensively applying methods such as the Super‐SBM model, LISA temporal path, and standard deviation ellipse, this study addresses the neglect of spatial relationships in the existing literature and measures the tourism efficiency of Guangdong's 21 prefecture‐level administrative units from 2009 to 2019, exploring its spatiotemporal evolution and collaborative trends. The results show that during the research period, the average tourism efficiency in Guangdong Province was 0.807, at a medium–high efficiency level. Spatially, the tourism efficiency of the province is composed of a main peak and side peaks, with a general leftward shift of the main peak, a fluctuating decrease in peak height, and an expanding width. The evolution of spatial patterns reveals that regions with similar tourism efficiency in Guangdong tend to be spatially concentrated, with strong local stability and clear spatial dependency in the change process of tourism efficiency. The study's insights suggest strategies for Guangdong's tourism sector, advocating for technological innovation, sustainable development practices, and a robust evaluation framework. It emphasizes leveraging regional tourism assets, fostering collaboration, and promoting the "Great Lingnan Tourism Circle" for a balanced industry growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Implementing Territorial Ecological Restoration is a crucial approach to achieving ecological stability and regional sustainable development, and it also serves as an important measure for promoting the coordinated development of socioeconomic and ecological environments in the Yellow River Basin. However, effective identification of key areas for Territorial Ecological Restoration remains challenging in planning ecological restoration projects. This study focuses on ecological security and restoration potential, taking Linxia Prefecture in the ecologically fragile area of the upper Yellow River as an example. By evaluating six types of ecosystem services in this area, utilizing morphological spatial pattern analysis models and circuit theory, we identified the structural elements of ecological security patterns and assessed the potential for ecological restoration, identifying key areas for regional ecological restoration.The findings indicated that (1) 13 ecological patches were identified in total, predominantly distributed in the southwest and central regions of Linxia Prefecture. 25 ecological corridors were identified, demonstrating a high level of spatial coherence in terms of significance and connectivity, establishing a closely integrated ecological security network primarily in the southwest of Linxia Prefecture. (2) Thirteen ecological pinch points and seventeen ecological barrier points have been identified, concentrated in the central and southwestern regions of Linxia Prefecture. (3) Based on the characteristics and urgency of key areas for Territorial Ecological Restoration, they are classified and graded as "point-line-surface" and "primary-very important-important." The primary restoration areas of the point type are mainly located in the central part of Linxia Prefecture, while the primary restoration areas of the line and plane types are mainly in the southwestern part of Linxia Prefecture. This paper emphasizing a holistic approach that prioritizes ecosystem integrity and social support to guide targeted restoration strategies across various ecological features, ultimately aiming for sustainable regional development and maximizing restoration benefits in ecologically fragile areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of land use changes on the coupling coordination of the regional water-food-carbon system in Hebei Province. Moreover, the findings aim to offer insights for achieving comprehensive and coordinated development of regional resources. Methods: By constructing an evaluation index system of the coupled coordinated development of the water-food-carbon system, using the coupled coordination model to study the coupled coordination of the water-food-carbon (WFC) system in Hebei Province from 2010 to 2020, and applying the Pearson correlation coefficient and ArcGIS to analyze the impacts of land-use changes on the degree of coupled coordination. Results: The results show that: (1) The most notable characteristics of land type changes include a decrease in cropland and an increase in construction land, primarily driven by the conversion of cropland to construction sites. The total area converted amounts to 8207.20 km2. (2) The degree of coupled coordination of the water-food-carbon system in the study area as a whole shows an upward and then downward trend, and shows a spatial distribution pattern of "high in the north-east and low in the south-west"; (3) In Hebei Province, the degree of coupling coordination within the water-food-carbon system exhibits a stable positive correlation with forest land, grassland, and water area. Additionally, the transfer of forest land and grassland are significant factors influencing the delineation of cold and hot spots within the region. Discussion: Therefore, in addressing the coordinated development of the water-food-carbon system, it is essential to consider the influence of land. Resources should be allocated judiciously based on regional advantages to promote sustainable development effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This introduction provides the theoretical context of the Special Issue on Literacy Development in Regional Collateral Languages of Europe and an overview of the papers in the collection. For this end, it first discusses contemporary perceptions of the terms ‘literacy’ and ‘literacies’. These go far beyond traditional understandings, even though expressing one's thoughts through writing texts and meaning-making through reading are still at the core of literacies. Then, readers are introduced to the concept and the ideological contexts of ‘regional collateral languages’: These are varieties which are, on the one hand, structurally and ideologically closely related, or ‘collateral’, to major languages, often the main languages of nation states. On the other hand, they are deeply rooted in their regions; the paper therefore argues that they deserve specific attention along the lines of other efforts to maintain and develop autochthonous varieties. Finally, the introduction summarises the papers which focus on Scots in Scotland, Low German in Germany, Csángo in Romania, Silesian, Masurian, and Kashubian in Poland, Võro in Estonian, and Latgalian in Latvia, before identifying common denominators of the case studies and possible topics for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intestinal infectious diseases (IIDs) can impact the growth and development of children and weaken adults. This study aimed to establish a spatial panel model to analyze the relationship between factors such as population, economy and health resources, and the incidence of common IIDs. The objective was to provide a scientific basis for the formulation diseases prevention measures. Methods: Data on monthly reported cases of IIDs in each district and county of Zhejiang Province were collected from 2011 to 2021. The spatial distribution trend was plotted, and nine factors related to population, economy and health resources were selected for analysis. A spatial panel model was developed to identify statistically significant spatial patterns of influencing factors (P < 0.05). Results: The results revealed that each type of IIDs exhibited a certain level of clustering. Each IIDs had a significant radiation effect, HEV (b = 0.28, P < 0.05), bacillary dysentery (b = 0.38, P < 0.05), typhoid (b = 0.36, P < 0.05), other infectious diarrheas (OIDs) (b = 0.28, P < 0.05) and hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) (b = 0.39, P < 0.05), indicating that regions with high morbidity rates spread to neighboring areas. Among the population characteristics, density of population acted as a protective factor for bacillary dysentery (b=-1.81, P < 0.05), sex ratio acted as a protective factor for HFMD (b=-0.07, P < 0.05), and aging rate increased the risk of OIDs (b = 2.39, P < 0.05). Urbanization ratio posed a hazard factor for bacillary dysentery (b = 5.17, P < 0.05) and OIDs (b = 0.64, P < 0.05) while serving as a protective factor for typhoid (b=-1.61, P < 0.05) and HFMD (b=-0.39, P < 0.05). Per capita GDP was a risk factor for typhoid (b = 0.54, P < 0.05), but acted as a protective factor for OIDs (b=-0.45, P < 0.05) and HFMD (b=-0.27, P < 0.05). Additionally, the subsistence allowances ratio was a risk factor for HEV (b = 0.24, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The incidence of IIDs in Zhejiang Province exhibited a certain degree of clustering, with major hotspots identified in Hangzhou, Shaoxing, and Jinhua. It would be essential to consider the spillover effects from neighboring regions and implement targeted measures to enhance disease prevention based on regional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid economic development has led to massive fossil energy consumption and emissions of air pollutants such as PM2.5, which have severely impacted human health and the environment. By uncovering the primary regions and pivotal sectors of PM2.5-related human health impacts (PM2.5-HHI) and evaluating the influence of economic structural factors on them, we can facilitate a more targeted strategy for managing PM2.5 pollution sources. This study employs a structural decomposition analysis method based on input–output analysis to evaluate the impact of China's provincial economic structural transformation and changes in final demand on PM2.5-HHI in the years 2012, 2015, and 2017. Results indicated that PM2.5-HHI is primarily concentrated in economically developed provinces (e.g., Shandong and Guangdong), which is compared to Shanghai, Heilongjiang, Liaoning, and Hebei experienced negative growth in PM2.5-HHI during 2007–2017. The production-based PM2.5-HHI is primarily driven by energy-intensive sectors such as the production and distribution of electric power and heat power. By contrast, the building sector is key to driving consumption-based PM2.5-HHI. An increasing number of regions are reducing PM2.5-HHI by implementing production structure changes. Moreover, the driving effect of production structure changes on PM2.5-HHI growth is strengthening in Beijing and Tianjin. Changes in the final demand structure mainly led to the growth of PM2.5-HHI in areas with higher economic development levels, such as Beijing and Shandong, but this driving effect is weakening. The final demand–driven PM2.5-HHI shows an evolutionary trend of an increasing share driven by fixed capital formation and exports and a decreasing share driven by household consumption. Changes in emission intensity play a key role in decreasing PM2.5-HHI in each region. Alternatively, changes in the structure of emission sources have a relatively minor impact on PM2.5-HHI. To mitigate PM2.5-HHI, regional economic and resource endowment advantages should be used to promote regional coordinated development and strengthen green production-process innovation in energy-intensive industries. Meanwhcile, it is necessary to optimize urban construction planning and improve the energy efficiency of buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: As a means of environmental regulation, the low-carbon city pilot policy aims to address climate change and alleviate environmental resource pressures in economic development. The development of low-carbon cities often requires changes to the existing industrial and energy structures, which will have a significant impact on the regional economy. Methods: The study is based on panel data from 273 prefecture level cities in China from 2012 to 2022, and uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process and Entropy Comprehensive Evaluation Method to construct an evaluation index system for urban circular benefits. Finally, the multiple time point differences model and mediation effect model were used to evaluate the impact and influencing factors of policies on urban economy. Results: The results indicate that at the 1% level, the explanatory variable coefficient significantly improves the level of urban circular economy development after adding control variables. The construction of low-carbon pilot cities has improved the performance of circular economy development by about 6.42%. The mediating effect of industrial structure rationalization is significantly positive at the 1% significance level, indicating that the construction of low-carbon pilot cities has greatly promoted the coordinated development of industrial relations within China's low-carbon development regions. Discussion: It can be seen that the low-carbon city pilot policy has a significant promoting effect on China's economic development and the development of urban circular economy. Therefore, it is recommended to further expand the pilot scope of low-carbon cities and fully leverage their promoting role. This article is based on panel data from 273 prefecture level cities from 2012 to 2012, and uses a multi time difference model to analyze the impact of low-carbon city pilot policies on the development of urban circular economy. The research results indicate that the construction of low-carbon pilot cities has significantly promoted the coordinated development of intra regional industrial relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effective deployment of medical emergency equipment, such as automated external defibrillator (AED), is essential to myocardial infarction (MI) patients. However, there are shortcomings in current studies that simultaneously consider the risk of MI and the availability of medical resources when siting the AEDs. In this study, an AED site recommendation framework was proposed to address the lack of consideration for both the MI risk and medical resources when siting the AEDs. It conducts the AED sitting under different scenarios considering the spatial distribution of MI risk and healthcare accessibility in Chinese cities. First, an automated machine learning framework data is proposed to estimate the MI risk at the community scale based on multi‐source spatio‐temporal. Second, the accessibility of medical resources was calculated by an improved Gaussian two‐step moving search algorithm. Finally, the AED siting in multiple scenarios is conducted based on the coverage model. The performance of the AED siting model was evaluated at Wuhan city. The results show that MI risk is impacted by both socioeconomic and cultural characteristics (municipal utilities, streetscape environment, educational and commercial facilities). There is a strong spatial heterogeneity in the distribution of both MI risk and medical resources in Wuhan, and an unreasonable match between the two was detected in some regions. Medical resources need to be strengthened in some high‐risk areas, such as rural areas and tourist attractions. In addition, 1015 AED candidate sites were identified by the location set covering problem model, with a 15‐min accessibility rate of 96.5%. Given the limited resources, mobile AEDs which have about 15‐min service range can be deployed based on the maximum covering location problem model to meet the demand in central urban areas efficiently. This study can contribute to more rational selection of AED sites and the prevention of myocardial infarction among residents, particularly when supported by policies that promote balanced regional development of pre‐hospital medical emergency networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the ecological security situation of Fuzhou City holds significant theoretical and practical value for the government departments in implementing development strategies and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Using the Data, Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom (DIKW) framework, this study combined various remote sensing and GIS methods to comprehensively analyze Fuzhou's past, present, and future ecological security levels. The results showed a strong isotropic cluster in the city's ecological security. Among the influencing factors, the degree of regional development was found to have the greatest impact, while water body coverage had the least. The influencing factors are mutually reinforcing. Under the natural development scenario, the area of secure level in 2020 decreased by 1243.70 km2, while under the ecological protection scenario, it declined by 1263.34 km2. In the future, Fuzhou's ecological security level is expected to face increasing fragmentation. Based on these findings, the study proposes strategies to balance economic development and ecological protection in Fuzhou City. These recommendations aim to provide the government departments with relevant data support for land resource management and contribute to the high-level development of the City. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to estimate the spatial dynamic evolution of renewable energy development efficiency and justify the dimensions that impact renewable energy development efficiency. The study applies the following methods: the ultraefficient slack‐based model (SBM) (to measure the efficiency of renewable energy development); the Dagum‐Gini coefficient decomposition process (to measure the interregional differences in the development of renewable energy efficiency); nuclear density estimation (to measure the dynamic distribution); the Markov model (to forecast renewable energy development efficiency); and the Tobit model (to justify the influencing factors of renewable energy development efficiency). The empirical findings confirm that the overall regional gaps in renewable energy development efficiency in China are widening year by year. The average value of renewable energy development efficiency increased from 0.932 in 2006 to 1.078 in 2020. The mean Gini coefficient increased gradually from 0.028 in 2006 to 0.174, with mean differences exceeding the average growth trend after 2011 and slowly decreasing post‐2016. There is polarization in the eastern region, while there is no polarization in the northeast. The overall level of renewable energy development efficiency in the middle and western areas is improving and showing a trend of absolute difference narrowing. In addition, economic development, green finance, technological progress, urbanization rate, and economic openness are conducive to renewable energy development efficiency, and renewable energy development efficiency is in a rapid development trend. Considering the findings, China should implement targeted regional development strategies, enhance green finance mechanisms, promote technological innovation, and align urbanization policies with renewable energy goals to reduce regional disparities and accelerate sustainable renewable energy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing maize yield is critical, as it is directly influenced by the crop's growth conditions. Therefore, real-time monitoring of maize growth is necessary. Regular monitoring of maize growth indicators is essential for optimizing irrigation management and evaluating agricultural yield. However, quantifying the physical aspects of regional crop development using time-series data is a challenging task. This research was conducted at the Dengkou Experimental Station in the Hetao irrigation area, Northwest China, to develop a monitoring tool for regional maize growth parameters. The tool aimed to establish a correlation between satellite-based physical data and actual crop growth on the ground. This study utilized dual-polarization Sentinel-1A GRD SAR data, accessible via the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud platform. Three polarization descriptors were introduced: θc (pseudo-scattering type parameter), Hc (pseudo-scattering entropy parameter), and mc (co-polar purity parameter). Using an unsupervised clustering framework, the maize-growing area was classified into several scattering mechanism groups, and the growth characteristics of the maize crop were analyzed. The results showed that throughout the maize development cycle, the parameters θc, Hc, and mc varied within the ranges of 26.82° to 42.13°, 0.48 to 0.89, and 0.32 to 0.85, respectively. During the leaf development stage, approximately 80% of the maize sampling points were concentrated in the low-to-moderate entropy scattering zone. As the plants reached the big trumpet stage, the entire cluster shifted to the high-entropy vegetation scattering zone. Finally, at maturity, over 60% of the sampling points were located in the high-entropy distribution scattering zone. This study presents an advanced analytical tool for crop management and yield estimation by utilizing precise and high-resolution spatial and temporal data on crop growth dynamics. The tool enhances the accuracy of crop growth management across different spatial and temporal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miskolc, which is the focus of our investigation, is the fourth most populous city in Hungary and the center of one of the most underdeveloped NUTS2 (basic territorial category for the regional policy of the European Union) regions in the European Union. The socialist heavy industry played a decisive role in the development of the city, the decline of which also left deep traces in the city. In its current position, the city tries to manage its available resources as efficiently as possible, and the city management is open to the use of modern urban development tools. This is supported by the fact that Miskolc was the first Hungarian city to join the Green Cities for Sustainable Europe movement in 2011, and then in 2015, it joined the Triangulum project of the EU Smart Cities and Communities program as a follower city. In the process of becoming a smart city, the dimensions of environmental sustainability and energy efficiency were given a prominent role, which should not be surprising considering the traditions of the city. Within this, we must first mention the construction of the geothermal central heating system, with which the city really took significant steps in this field. The main goal of the study is to develop a new smart local concept closely linked to regional development and the key energy sector, through which the local adaptation of the defining elements of the internationally defined smart city in several forms for the city of Miskolc will be presented. In our study, we review how the results achieved by Miskolc so far and the development plans for the future fit in with the smart energy developments of smart cities. Before exploring the processes in Miskolc, we will deal in more detail with the possibilities inherent in district heating and geothermal energy utilization and Hungary's capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of the research was to assess Polish rural municipalities' investment activity connected with the development of a low-carbon economy, supported with EU funds in the 2007–2013 and 2014–2020 financial frameworks. The empirical study was based on data from Poland's Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy, Ministry of Finance, and Statistics Poland, analysed through basic descriptive statistics and a logistic model to identify key factors influencing investment activity. The study showed that the greatest number of agreements on funding were, in fact, signed by rural municipalities in the period under analysis. The predominant measures undertaken during this time were the promotion of renewable energy sources and the improvement in energy efficiency. In the earlier financial framework, low-carbon economy projects in rural areas were more often implemented by municipalities with developing demographic potential, including those characterised by a higher level of enterprise development. In the subsequent financial framework, human capital turned out to be of key importance for the investment activity of rural municipalities. Experience gained from 2007–2013 positively influenced fund absorption in 2014–2020, improving project value, number, and support. The study confirmed that rural municipalities play a vital role in advancing a low-carbon economy, as local actions are key to achieving sustainable development and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]