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Agroecological farming emerges among approaches for managing crop pests including the "True" fruit fly (Diptera, Tephritidae). We conducted baseline interviews and field experiments in Eastern Central Tanzania to determine farmers' perception on the approach and verify its socio-economic performance in cucurbit crop production. The performance of small-scale cucurbit farming in agroecological and conventional agriculture was broadly comparable. Farmers perceived the approach as effective and beneficial over conventional farming and pesticide-based agriculture but constrained by its more elaborate/laborious implementation. Still, agroecological farming significantly lowered the production costs. Therefore small-scale agroecological cucurbit farming in Tanzania represents a viable alternative and promising tool to reduce use of synthetic pesticides that negatively impact human health and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waqf is one of the financial instruments that can improve the socioeconomic status of Ummah. However, the number of waqf assets exceeds expectations due to a lack of proper management. The socioeconomic well-being of the Ummah is among the core principles of waqf management in the form of accountability and transparency. This study aims to unveil the implementation of the Socioeconomic well-being of Waqf Board Management, taking the case of the Muhammadiyah Waqf Council in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This research employs descriptive analysis through structured interviews, passive participation observation, and documentation. The study found that the principles of socio-economics well-being have been implemented by the Waqf Board Management of Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta in the form of accountability, including compliance and Integrity, Administration, Programs, Practice, and Finance. The principle of transparency includes the level of openness in the delivery of public services, ease of understanding of the rules and procedures for providing services, and the availability of information on various fields of public administration. This paper implies the massive policy direction of Waqf Board Management among the Muhammadiyah Organization in Indonesia, which is the second largest Muslim organization in the country, to ameliorate the way of implementing the socio-economics of waqf management.

Cultures in Mediterranean climate zones (MCZs) around the world have long been reliant on groundwater and springs as freshwater sources. While their ecology and cultural sustainability are recognized as critically important, inter-relationships between springs and culture in MCZs have received less attention. Here we augmented a global literature review with case studies in MCZ cultural landscapes to examine the diversity and intensity of cultural and socio-economic relationships on spring ecohydrogeology. MCZs are often oriented on western and southern coasts in tectonically active landscapes which control aquifer structure, the prevalence of westerly winds, and aridity, and generally expose associated habitats and cultures to harsh afternoon sunlight. Cultural appreciation and appropriation of springs ranges widely, from their use as subsistence water supplies to their roles in profound traditions such as Greco-Roman nymphalea as well as Asian and Abrahamic spiritual cleansing and baptism. The abandonment of traditional ways of life, such as rural livestock production, for urban ones has shifted impacts on aquifers from local to regional groundwater exploitation. The commoditization of water resources for regional agricultural, industrial (e.g., mining, water bottling, geothermal resorts), and urban uses is placing ever-increasing unsustainable demands on aquifers and spring ecosystems. When the regional economic value of springs approaches or exceeds local cultural values, these irreplaceable aquatic ecosystems are often degraded, over-looked, and lost. Sustainable stewardship of springs and the aquifers that support them is a poorly recognized but central conservation challenge for modern Mediterranean societies as they face impending impacts of global climate change. Solutions to this crisis require education, societal dialogue, and improved policy and implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to determine socio-economic factors influencing the use of information and communication technology (ICT) for accessing agricultural information among cowpea farmers in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Nigeria using using structured questionnaire. The result of the study showed that 83.33% of the respondents were males and about 77.50% of the cowpea farmers were married. Findings from the study also revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 39 year while the mean farming experience of the cowpea farmers was 18.60 years. Findings on educational status show that majority of the farmers had one form of formal education or another. The result also reveals that 70% of the cowpea farmers had no contact with an extension services. The co-efficient of gender and education were both positive and significant at 1% level and the co-efficient of farming experience was significant at 5%. Some of the major problems identified include unstable power supply, unaffordable cost of ICT tools, and lack of technical know-how and lack of confidence to operate ICTs. It was concluded that education, gender and farming experience were the socioeconomic variables that determine the use of ICTs for agricultural information on cowpea production among small holder farmers in the study area. It was recommended that trainings should be organized to help small holders cowpea farmers acquire the skills needed to operate ICTs tools, help them gain confidence on how to use ICTs, thereby facilitating adoption and use of ICTs for agricultural information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seaweed plays an essential role in the people's economy in Pari Island because its cultivation has been the main livelihood for a long time. Currently, seaweed cultivation activities are no longer found, possibly due to tourism activities that directly degrade the cultivation activities. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the status of sustainability and determine the strategy of cultivation management in 5 aspects: ecological, social, economic, institutional, and infrastructure. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources related to socio-ecology in Pari Island. The assessment of the level of sustainability in each dimension was carried out using multidimensional scaling analysis, and a fairly sustainable average suitability value was obtained, namely the infrastructure (73.37), institutional (71.24), ecological (62.48), and economics (62.16). Meanwhile, the dimension with a very suitable sustainability value is the social dimension, with a value of 76.33, meaning that it is very suitable. Overall, the sustainability of seaweed cultivation, if viewed from several dimensions, shows the level of suitability of cultivation, both in terms of infrastructure, institutions, ecology, and economics. However, several dimensions, such as economic and ecological dimensions, must still be considered and continue to be encouraged so that sustainability can be achieved in all dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Social and economic information is limited for coastal commercial and recreational fisheries, particularly shark fisheries, which are perceived as unsustainable and as targeting sharks for fins. Aims: To characterise the social and economic dimensions of one of the world's few long-standing sustainable shark fisheries. Methods: We reviewed historic data and surveyed stakeholders to understand the economic and social dimensions of the shark fishery currently operating in Western Australia. Key results: Since the fishery's historic peak, there has been a substantial reduction in the number of operating vessels and ports due to management intervention. For the vessels that have remained, catches and catch rates increased through time. Fishers sold only flesh and fins, whereas processors also sold cartilage. Revenue mostly originates from the domestic sale of flesh, not fins. This fishery provides additional social and economic returns through the employment of an average of 102 people per annum, the supply of local fresh seafood to communities and the expenditure of most of operational costs in local government areas. In addition, the average annual market value through the supply chain was A$32.6 × 106 (US$20.9 × 106). Conclusions: Our study is the first step towards a more comprehensive valuation of the societal contribution of sustainable shark fisheries. Implications: This novel information has a range of applications, from developing social and economic objectives in fisheries harvest strategies to empowering government agencies when making decisions on natural resource management. We calculated the social and economic contribution of the shark fishery operating in Western Australia, one of the world's few sustainable shark fisheries. We found substantial management-driven reductions in fishing effort and improvement in catch rates. This fishery provides considerable socio-economic returns to regional economies, with an average annual market value of A$32.6 × 106. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) is a premium table fish in the eastern and some parts of the north-eastern region of India, especially for the Bengali community, contributing uniquely to the societal and economic significance of artisanal fisheries of the country. The major distribution of the fish species in India lies in the Bhagirathi-Hooghly component of the Ganga River system. The aim of the study was to examine if traditional Hilsa fisheries in India are sustainable as the livelihood of artisanal fishers in light of the socio-economic conditions of Hilsa fishers in West Bengal. Structured socio-economic surveys were conducted with 402 fishermen from the upper stretch of river Hooghly to its lower stretch (300 km) in West Bengal during 2020-2021. The average monthly income of the Hilsa fishers in the lower stretch of river Hooghly (Godakhali) (₹25,000-30,000/USD 301-361) was higher than that in the upper stretch at Farakka (₹10,000-15,000/USD 120-180). However, fish species other than Hilsa are generating significantly higher returns for 56% of fishers in the Hooghly district; 40% of Hilsa fishers in South 24 Parganas and Murshidabad (Farakka) districts are engaged in non-fishery activities for livelihood. There are significant differences between Hilsa fishers with other fisheries as secondary occupations and those with non-fishery activities as secondary occupations in terms of socio-economic characteristics. These imply that Hilsa fisheries are profitable as a continued traditional livelihood, but it alone is not sufficient enough to support the livelihood of the artisanal fishers. This indicates the threatened economic sustainability of the Hilsa fisheries sector at present. Considering the high market demand for Hilsa in the eastern and north-eastern regions of India and the market complexities, more significant investments need to be channeled into the Hilsa fisheries of the northern Bay of Bengal region. Such investments encompass a wholesome approach, including more governmental initiatives for conservation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the socioeconomic factors determining rural households' reliance on forest resources, a case of forested communities in Quan'Pan Council Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. Using a multistage sampling process, 150 household heads were chosen for the study. Descriptive statistics, five point Likert scale and binary logit regression analysis were used to achieve the objectives of the study. The study's outcome showed that the heads of the households were averagely 40years. About 71% of the selected persons were men with a greater (89%) number married. Majority (58%) of them had only primary education. Findings from the study also revealed that 82% of the heads of the households were into farming as their major occupation. They practice farming on average farm sizes of 1.6hectares. All (100%) interviewed household heads collected and utilized a variety of forest products throughout the year for their daily subsistence and income generation. The respondents showed high level of dependability on resources from the forest to support themselves such as firewood (4.7), timber (4.0), charcoal (4.0), fruits and nuts (3.8), bush meat (3.7), honey (3.7) and medicinal herbs (3.0). Forest products contributed the second largest proportion of income in the home by 27.0% after income from agriculture (51.0%). Gender (0.944), education status (-0.385), household size (0.432), farm size (-0.581) and farm income (-0.024) were significant determinant of households reliance on the resources of the forest. Gender (0.944) and household size (0.432) had positive and significant relationships with households dependence on forest resources while education status (- 0.385), farm size (-0.581) and farm income (-0.024) showed a significant inverse relationship with the reliance of households on forest resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polders and islands in the salt-affected coastal zone of the Ganges Delta, home to approximately 15 million people in Bangladesh and 5 million in West Bengal, face challenges such as poverty, food insecurity, environmental vulnerability, and limited livelihood opportunities. Historically, agricultural production in these areas was mainly confined to the wet/Kharif season, with much of the land remaining fallow during the dry/Rabi season due to waterlogging, soil salinity, and perceived lack of irrigation water. Since 2015, researchers and NGOs from Australia, Bangladesh, and India collaborated on the project "Cropping system intensification in the salt-affected coastal zones of Bangladesh and West Bengal, India" to sustainably increase cropping intensity and productivity in this area. During 2015-2021, the project has made significant achievements and has demonstrated strategies that are likely to increase productivity, cropping intensity, and livelihoods of the people. However, to maintain these gains and address risks like climate change impacts, untimely rainfall, and market fluctuations, further research was deemed necessary. Thus, ACIAR funded Phase 2 of the project for 2021-2025 which aims to sustain and enhance the achievements. This special issue presents some research findings on projected climate change, agronomic experiments, irrigation and drainage management, and social and economic issues conducted under the project Phase 2 in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates into the complex interplay among communication strategies, globalization, and socio-economic factors within the context of regional development, with a specific focus on Ukraine. Employing a mixed-methods approach, it seeks to investigate the profound impact of effective communication strategies on socio-cultural management and their contribution to regional growth in the era of globalization. The study combines quantitative data from regional development reports with stakeholders across various Ukrainian regions. A theoretical model, based on game theory and the Prisoner's Dilemma, is employed to examine strategic choices in communication, globalization integration, socioeconomic focus, infrastructure development, and cultural initiatives. Through an extensive analysis combining quantitative data derived from regional development reports with insights from stakeholders representing diverse Ukrainian regions, this research reveals that cooperative communication strategies, characterized by robust engagement, a balanced approach to globalization, equitable socio-economic development, strategic infrastructure investment, and active promotion of cultural initiatives, yield the most favourable outcomes for regional development. The key takeaway from this study is the paramount significance of inclusive and participatory approaches, effective communication strategies, and harmonious integration of globalization to foster sustainable regional development. Notably, tailored communication strategies exhibit a significant correlation with the success of socio-cultural initiatives, consequently exerting a positive influence on regional development. These encompass community engagement, cultural sensitivity, and adaptive information dissemination. In conclusion, comprehending and optimizing communication strategies emerge as critical imperatives for harnessing the benefits of globalization in the realm of regional development in Ukraine and analogous contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to determine socio-economic factors influencing the use of information and communication technology (ICT) for accessing agricultural information among cowpea farmers in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Nigeria using using structured questionnaire. The result of the study showed that 83.33% of the respondents were males and about 77.50% of the cowpea farmers were married. Findings from the study also revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 39 year while the mean farming experience of the cowpea farmers was 18.60 years. Findings on educational status show that majority of the farmers had one form of formal education or another. The result also reveals that 70% of the cowpea farmers had no contact with an extension services. The co-efficient of gender and education were both positive and significant at 1% level and the co-efficient of farming experience was significant at 5%. Some of the major problems identified include unstable power supply, unaffordable cost of ICT tools, and lack of technical know-how and lack of confidence to operate ICTs. It was concluded that education, gender and farming experience were the socioeconomic variables that determine the use of ICTs for agricultural information on cowpea production among small holder farmers in the study area. It was recommended that trainings should be organized to help small holders cowpea farmers acquire the skills needed to operate ICTs tools, help them gain confidence on how to use ICTs, thereby facilitating adoption and use of ICTs for agricultural information.

The proposed study is based on a place known as “Nayalap” situated in a small village called Salla Rautela, having proximity to notable towns of Almora and Ranikhet, Uttarakhand. The current study is based on the case study of an entrepreneur couple who dared to establish their start up in Ecotourism in a totally abandoned and non-descript place; without any financial aid from the Government or non-government organizations. The objective is analyzed by employing survey data collected in the form of surveys, questionnaires, interviews and client testimonials. The study is based on Sustainable Eco tourism and local participation in employment generation through individual effort and entrepreneurship. The proposed study is the first of its kind on sustainable eco-tourism that is set up in a village which has seen almost the entire population migrating to cities and Nayalap could notably bring a paradigm shift towards the reverse migration after COVID-19.

Thailand has the social and economic development policies since 1960s that causes the migration, land change, and population dispersion. The policy effects led to the urbanization in the Chao Phraya River Basin (CPRB) catchment areas, and conceptually synergizes with the water-related disasters by Climate Change. This research aims to highlight the role and influence of urban socio-economic factors on sensitive areas, flood risk exposure, and flood impact in the CPRB. This examination is a multiple-scale analysis based on the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response Framework using data from government agencies. The collected data is utilized in mixed quantitative methods: Principal Component Analysis, Multiple Linear Regression, and K-Means Clustering. The district is a unit of analysis to represent the Meso-level. These data analyses are operated with 17 variables from 295 districts: municipal population, commercial values, water consumption, flood frequency, affected households, and economic losses. As a result, the analysis confirms that urban socioeconomics is necessary for urban expansion into flooded areas, especially the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. This expansion can enhance the urban flood risk and impact the local residences and commercials, especially the traditional town and lower-income communities. The finding implies the social and economic adaptive capacity-building requirement for balancing public infrastructure, compensation and funding mechanisms, and institutionalization. Financial measures to support capacity building are necessary. In conclusion, this scrutiny can lead to a strategic resilience framework essential in policy implication. This framework should include social adaptive capacity building, financial funding, and compensation mechanisms in traditional towns and lower-income communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates into the complex interplay among communication strategies, globalization, and socio-economic factors within the context of regional development, with a specific focus on Ukraine. Employing a mixed-methods approach, it seeks to investigate the profound impact of effective communication strategies on socio-cultural management and their contribution to regional growth in the era of globalization. The study combines quantitative data from regional development reports with stakeholders across various Ukrainian regions. A theoretical model, based on game theory and the Prisoner's Dilemma, is employed to examine strategic choices in communication, globalization integration, socioeconomic focus, infrastructure development, and cultural initiatives. Through an extensive analysis combining quantitative data derived from regional development reports with insights from stakeholders representing diverse Ukrainian regions, this research reveals that cooperative communication strategies, characterized by robust engagement, a balanced approach to globalization, equitable socio-economic development, strategic infrastructure investment, and active promotion of cultural initiatives, yield the most favourable outcomes for regional development. The key takeaway from this study is the paramount significance of inclusive and participatory approaches, effective communication strategies, and harmonious integration of globalization to foster sustainable regional development. Notably, tailored communication strategies exhibit a significant correlation with the success of socio-cultural initiatives, consequently exerting a positive influence on regional development. These encompass community engagement, cultural sensitivity, and adaptive information dissemination. In conclusion, comprehending and optimizing communication strategies emerge as critical imperatives for harnessing the benefits of globalization in the realm of regional development in Ukraine and analogous contexts.

Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) is a premium table fish in the eastern and some parts of the north-eastern region of India, especially for the Bengali community, contributing uniquely to the societal and economic significance of artisanal fisheries of the country. The major distribution of the fish species in India lies in the Bhagirathi–Hooghly component of the Ganga River system. The aim of the study was to examine if traditional Hilsa fisheries in India are sustainable as the livelihood of artisanal fishers in light of the socio-economic conditions of Hilsa fishers in West Bengal. Structured socio-economic surveys were conducted with 402 fishermen from the upper stretch of river Hooghly to its lower stretch (300 km) in West Bengal during 2020–2021. The average monthly income of the Hilsa fishers in the lower stretch of river Hooghly (Godakhali) (₹25,000–30,000/USD 301–361) was higher than that in the upper stretch at Farakka (₹10,000–15,000/USD 120–180). However, fish species other than Hilsa are generating significantly higher returns for 56% of fishers in the Hooghly district; 40% of Hilsa fishers in South 24 Parganas and Murshidabad (Farakka) districts are engaged in non-fishery activities for livelihood. There are significant differences between Hilsa fishers with other fisheries as secondary occupations and those with non-fishery activities as secondary occupations in terms of socio-economic characteristics. These imply that Hilsa fisheries are profitable as a continued traditional livelihood, but it alone is not sufficient enough to support the livelihood of the artisanal fishers. This indicates the threatened economic sustainability of the Hilsa fisheries sector at present. Considering the high market demand for Hilsa in the eastern and north-eastern regions of India and the market complexities, more significant investments need to be channeled into the Hilsa fisheries of the northern Bay of Bengal region. Such investments encompass a wholesome approach, including more governmental initiatives for conservation and management.

This study evaluated the socioeconomic factors determining rural households' reliance on forest resources, a case of forested communities in Quan’Pan Council Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. Using a multistage sampling process, 150 household heads were chosen for the study. Descriptive statistics, five point Likert scale and binary logit regression analysis were used to achieve the objectives of the study. The study's outcome showed that the heads of the households were averagely 40years. About 71% of the selected persons were men with a greater (89%) number married. Majority (58%) of them had only primary education. Findings from the study also revealed that 82% of the heads of the households were into farming as their major occupation. They practice farming on average farm sizes of 1.6hectares. All (100%) interviewed household heads collected and utilized a variety of forest products throughout the year for their daily subsistence and income generation. The respondents showed high level of dependability on resources from the forest to support themselves such as firewood (4.7), timber (4.0), charcoal (4.0), fruits and nuts (3.8), bush meat (3.7), honey (3.7) and medicinal herbs (3.0). Forest products contributed the second largest proportion of income in the home by 27.0% after income from agriculture (51.0%). Gender (0.944), education status (-0.385), household size (0.432), farm size (-0.581) and farm income (-0.024) were significant determinant of households reliance on the resources of the forest. Gender (0.944) and household size (0.432) had positive and significant relationships with households dependence on forest resources while education status (-0.385), farm size (-0.581) and farm income (-0.024) showed a significant inverse relationship with the reliance of households on forest resources.

Cultures in Mediterranean climate zones (MCZs) around the world have long been reliant on groundwater and springs as freshwater sources. While their ecology and cultural sustainability are recognized as critically important, inter-relationships between springs and culture in MCZs have received less attention. Here we augmented a global literature review with case studies in MCZ cultural landscapes to examine the diversity and intensity of cultural and socio-economic relationships on spring ecohydrogeology. MCZs are often oriented on western and southern coasts in tectonically active landscapes which control aquifer structure, the prevalence of westerly winds, and aridity, and generally expose associated habitats and cultures to harsh afternoon sunlight. Cultural appreciation and appropriation of springs ranges widely, from their use as subsistence water supplies to their roles in profound traditions such as Greco-Roman nymphalea as well as Asian and Abrahamic spiritual cleansing and baptism. The abandonment of traditional ways of life, such as rural livestock production, for urban ones has shifted impacts on aquifers from local to regional groundwater exploitation. The commoditization of water resources for regional agricultural, industrial (e.g., mining, water bottling, geothermal resorts), and urban uses is placing ever-increasing unsustainable demands on aquifers and spring ecosystems. When the regional economic value of springs approaches or exceeds local cultural values, these irreplaceable aquatic ecosystems are often degraded, over-looked, and lost. Sustainable stewardship of springs and the aquifers that support them is a poorly recognized but central conservation challenge for modern Mediterranean societies as they face impending impacts of global climate change. Solutions to this crisis require education, societal dialogue, and improved policy and implementation.

The efficacy of marine protected areas (MPAs) depends on their governance and management. We review their history in South Africa and recognise four periods. Period 1 (1964–1994) provided initial protection but was based on exclusionary, preservationist policies, was ad hoc in the absence of a national plan, and neglected social considerations. Period 2 (1994–2010) began introducing people-oriented policies, focused on ecosystems rather than species, and was strengthened by the formation of a national coordinating body. Period 3 (2010–2019) heralded improvements in design, ecosystem representation and stakeholder engagement, yet fractured governance hindered coordination and management. Period 4 (Since 2019) added challenges in managing new offshore MPAs. Progress in achieving effective MPA governance and management was assessed over these periods for 17 components of governance and management, representing key issues for which changes could be identified throughout. Fifteen components indicated overall improvements—most notably legislation and policies, MPA establishment, planning and design, and staff training and skills—whereas progress for most of the other components was weaker. Zero net gains were recorded for enforcement and compliance, and for the staff complement. Our recommendations flow principally from components assessed as faring poorly. We conclude with eight critical needs: (1) specify detailed objectives for every MPA; (2) fast-track management plans for new MPAs; (3) improve law enforcement and compliance; (4) enhance participation of adjacent communities and other stakeholders; (5) address MPA-related social impacts and injustices, and improve benefit sharing; (6) ensure financial sustainability; (7) strengthen evaluations of management effectiveness; and (8) improve cooperation between government authorities responsible for MPAs and fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recovery of industrial waste heat and its reuse in district heating networks can be economical for both the industry and the district heating operator. While the potential for external use of industrial waste heat remains significant, there are already many implemented practical examples. This paper describes an Austria-wide survey of industrial companies that supply waste heat to district heating networks in order to assess the (i) initiation and implementation, (ii) business model design, and (iii) risks and uncertainties associated with external waste heat cooperation. Based on the survey results, good personal relationships are essential, and local politicians can be crucial for initiation. Major changes in the industrial supplier or district heating company are triggers for contact and implementation. For negotiations to be successful, the partners must feel they are being treated fairly, which requires a high degree of transparency. The most commonly used business model is the use of clear interfaces, i.e., a point that separates investment, billing, and responsibility. Billing is usually per kWh, possibly supplemented by other contractual arrangements such as take-or-pay. The lower the industry's share of the joint investment, the less it receives for the waste heat. Conversely, the more guarantees and risks the industry takes on, the higher the price per kWh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst escalating global crises, universities and colleges are becoming increasingly digitalized to respond to evolving educational demands. However, technology and digitalization are also introducing new forms of inequality and extending existing disparities. The purpose of this study was to investigate these disparities, their impact on education, and how academic institutions’ responses during the COVID 19 crisis further impacted these disparities and inequalities. We used a grounded theory approach with an interpretive epistemology which is appropriate and well suited for this study. We interviewed 24 informants holding university leadership and decision-making positions, including deans, IT managers, university presidents, provosts, and chief information officers. Public and private universities, historically black colleges and universities (HBCU), and minority institutions were represented. Our findings showed that digitalization of learning and institution processes expanded gaps in digital access, equity, and socio-economic status. The findings also supported that some universities proactively implemented best practices that extended beyond investing in digital infrastructure to include initiatives to support equity, inclusivity, and accessibility. The outcome of the study can inform evidence-based decision making, develop targeted crisis interventions, and advocate for systemic changes that promote an equitable and inclusive digital learning environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to identify the socio-economic aspects that influence farmers' decisions to unload ratoons (ratoon plant cane). The research was conducted in Gondang Legi District, Malang Regency, East Java Province, which is one of the largest sugarcane plantation areas where there is a sugar factory. Data collection was carried out by in-depth interviews with 172 farmer respondents who were obtained using a non-proportional stratified random sampling method. To find out the socio-economic aspects, the probit regression analysis method is used which is a method to find out the relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variable in making decisions. Based on the results of the study, it was explained that the variable farming experience was significant and had a negative value with a marginal effect value of 0.0709, meaning that farmers experienced a decrease in attitude in deciding to unload ratoons by 0.709%. Furthermore, the number of family members is a significant variable with the acquisition of a marginal effect value of 0.037614 which means that by increasing the number of family members, sugarcane farmers tend to decide on ratoon plant cane activities by 3.7614%, while the use of reserved seeds is significant and negative with a marginal effect value of 0.045737. With a large number of reserved seeds, the probability of the decision to dismantle ratoons decreases by 4.5737%. For the variable land area, it has positive relationship where the value of the marginal effect is 0.1527412 with the addition of arable area; the tendency of farmers to decide to unload the ratoon is 15.27412%. Thus increasing productivity can be done by developing and assisting the right ratoon plant cane unloading activities, transparency of information and revitalization of sugar factories.

BackgroundChina is witnessing an accelerated aging process and an increasingly serious situation of Parkinson's disease. Research on the pre-disease stage and its related influencing factors has gained more and more attention.ObjectiveTo analyze the current situation of prodromal Parkinson's disease (pPD) of people aged 55 years and above in four provinces of China, and to explore its influencing demographic and socio-economic characteristics.MethodsUsing the data of Community-based Cohort Study on Nervous System Disease in 2020, a total of 10724 participants with complete data on demographic and socio-economic factors and risk factors on Parkinson's disease were selected. Based on the criteria recommended by the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS), we evaluated risk level (i.e., post-test probability) of pPd, prevalence of possible or probable pPD, and number of pPD-related risk/prodromal markers in the participants. Multiple linear regression and multiple logistic regression models were used to analyze the influencing socio-demographic factors of risk level of pPd and prevalence of possible or probable pPD, and Poisson regression and multinomial logit regression models were used to analyze the influencing socio-demographic factors of the number of pPD-related risk/prodromal markers in the total sample, men, and women, respectively.ResultsThe median (P25, P75) of post-test probability of pPD in 2020 was 0.78% (0.42%, 1.66%), the prevalence rate of possible or probable pPD was 0.34%, and 69.03% of the participants reported 3-5 pPD-related risk/prodromal markers. The post-test probabilities of men, those with older age, lower education level, per capita monthly household income < 1000 yuan, urban residency, or without active employment were higher (P

The VUCA world which refers to ‘volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity’ forces higher education institutions (HEIs) to be aware and understand strategic drivers. Further knowledge of the interplay between strategic drivers, neoliberalism, and ‘public good’ can assist HEIs not to seize the notion of furthering the neoliberal agenda at all cost, but to strive for a more balanced outcome. This article attempts to explore how strategic drivers can act as a ‘reality check’ to ensure that HEIs serve the interests of the communities and that of society in general, and that higher education does not become a mechanism to serve the neoliberal agenda above all else. This is a conceptual article in which a reflective, dialectical approach was employed, extrapolating on a PhD study on strategic drivers for South African HEIs. Strategic drivers are confirmed as key forces the South African HEIs should reckon with and manage in pursuing the socio-economic agenda within the growing popularity of neoliberalism. Contribution: This study alerts South African HEIs and institutions internationally on using strategic drivers to transform in serving the socio-economic agenda and the ‘public good’ in the midst of the neoliberal.

This study analyses certain socio-economic aspects of continental fishing in Mauritania. It shows that more than 367 pirogues are used for fishing and that more than 3117 people are employed. Of these, 2816 are fishermen, 144 are fishmongers and 157 are processors. Inland fishing, once considered a subsistence activity, with production intended for self-consumption, is increasingly moving towards commercial fishing. The value of landings is estimated at €19.2 million for landings, €729,564 for processing and €4.45 million for fish trade. The study shows that although inland fishing is carried out alongside and in addition to other activities (livestock farming, agriculture, trade), it is a highly profitable activity for fishermen. This profitability is explained by the low level of investment and the non-payment of taxes and royalties. However, fishermen face a number of constraints, including a lack of fishing equipment and funding.

The arrival of specific telecommunication technologies has enabled road users and traffic managers to use shared information to coordinate their actions. Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) aim to improve road safety, reduce environmental impacts and congestion, and optimize transport efficiency. For this reason, the European Commission and its Member States are explicitly looking forward to connected vehicles to help reach major societal goals in terms of traffic safety (Vision Zero) and traffic emissions (Green Deal). As the necessary roadside infrastructure requires substantial investments from road authorities, societal benefit estimation of C-ITS on these domains is essential within efficient public budget allocation. Therefore, this paper investigates to what extent the societal benefits of roadside unit (RSU) investments in Flanders contribute to obtaining the societal goals, for the upcoming 15 years. It is shown that the contribution of C-ITS with regard to societal goals is rather limited. Adoption of C-ITS in passenger cars is found to be the major limiting factor for benefits. • Societal C-ITS benefit quantification should take into account the correct baseline. • Incremental C-ITS benefits are reduced if legacy ITS infrastructure is present. • The penetration of C-ITS in passenger cars is most determinative for benefits. • The impact of a single, or interoperable technologies on benefits is substantial. • Contribution of C-ITS in reaching European societal goals is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local governments in big cities of the Punjab (Pakistan) have moved animals out of cities in order to avoid severe difficulties of congestion, hygiene, safety and traffic. This move resulted in development of dairy colonies in the peri-urban areas of big urban centers. Peri-urban dairy colonies provide an important link between peripheries of big cities and urban centers through provision of milk and meat. This important peri-urban production system needs to be studied in detail in terms of collecting basic data about its economic viability, ascertaining major constraints and suggesting policy options for its improvement. Keeping the above in view, the present research investigated peri-urban dairy production system in third largest city of Pakistan i.e., Faisalabad during the year 2021. About sixty respondents from seven different peripheries of Faisalabad were chosen purposively and interviewed. The data collected from peri-urban milk producers was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, percentages, averages, mean values and cross-tabulation. The study revealed that net income from livestock farming on overall basis was Rs.1108 per day while net income on farm size categories wise were Rs. 170, Rs. 910 and Rs. 2005 for small, medium and large livestock owners respectively. Major proportion of farmers (about 38 percent) from all three categories consider ed costly inputs as a major issue in peri-urban livestock farming followed by poor veterinary services (about 16 percent). Peri-urban dairy production system needs improvement in the form of various key factors such as proper feeding, availability of quality veterinary services, improved marketing of milk etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the same time, workers' collective organizations were greatly weakened in many countries, conglomerate firms were dismantled and the state was expected to reduce its redistributive functions and focus instead on providing a regulatory framework in which markets would do the work of coordinating the economy. While sociologists dealing with the economy during the post-war period did so primarily from an organizational and a (Marxist) political economy perspective, the shift from the state and conglomerate firms to globalized markets opened up new research topics around market operations. Keywords: economic sociology; embeddedness; socio-economics; political economy; theory (up to five); A13 General Economics - Relation of Economics to Social Values; B55 Current Heterodox Approaches - Social Economics; Z1 Cultural Economics; Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology (up to three) EN economic sociology embeddedness socio-economics political economy theory (up to five) A13 General Economics - Relation of Economics to Social Values B55 Current Heterodox Approaches - Social Economics Z1 Cultural Economics Economic Sociology Economic Anthropology (up to three) 703 720 18 06/09/23 20230401 NES 230401 We are all political economists now Correspondence: marion.fourcade@gmail.com The Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics (SASE) was born in 1989 out of the normative aspiration to anchor economic institutions and processes in communitarian values as opposed to egoistic ones. The coordinated western post-war economies went through a profound crisis from the 1970s onwards and a new policy regime began to take shape that relied on liberalized markets instead of state coordination. [Extracted from the article]

This study aims to analyze the socio-economic dimensions and performance expected by customers in using Kredit Adil Cooperative application fintech, Sakti.link. This research was carried out at the Kredit Adil Cooperative in Dlingo, Bantul, the only cooperative that has used fintech and serves areas spread across Bantul. Data was collected by survey method on 200 respondents with purposive sampling technique. The data analysis technique used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) PLS. The results show that the socio-economic effect that affect customers using fintech in cooperatives are income, occupation, the distance (space) of the customer's domicile with financial institutions, and education (education). The variable of performance expectancy that affect the use of fintech include cost efficiency, residual income, ability to disburse loans/liquidity (ability to disburse loans), time efficiency (time efficiency), and environmentally friendly (paperless). The use of fintech is seen based on transaction traffic, the number of users, and changes in the structure of outstanding loans and bad loans.

The purpose of this research was to analyze the influence of RAISA technology application on Farmer’s Income in Muara Telang District, Banyuasin Regency; This research conducted in Telang Makmur, Telang Rejo and Sumber Hidup Village, Muara Telang District. The method used was the survey method. Total of respondent in this research was 240 farmers in 3 villages which divided into two groups (farmers that applied RAISA technology and conventional farmers). The analysis method was using Farming Analysis. The result was the application of RAISA technology had significant impact on Farmer’s income in Muara Telang District. Based on farming analysis, farmers that used RAISA technology had higher income than conventional farmers.

The Constantine tramway line in Algeria has many variables that can be analysed to assess the impact of the line. These variables include social ones, such as the rational supply of transport between different modes of travel, the place of people with reduced mobility in the supply and interior and exterior design. Moreover, the economic variables that are the most dominant in relation to its importance in the development of the economy of the city are the reliability and comfort made to the regularity of the transport time in relation to time savings and intermodality at stopping points. To this end, this article examines these different variables during several commissioning periods in order to determine the impact of the introduction of the tramway line in the Constantine metropolitan area. Its approach is carried out through a field survey, interviews and on-site observations with a population made up of users of different travel modes. The results confirm that the tramway line linking the city of Constantine and the new town of Ali Mendjeli has a strong effect on ridership. On the other hand, its effects seem minimal in terms of rational supply and intermodality between different travel modes. Meanwhile, reliability and regularity are topics that deserve to be explored. The accessibility of people with reduced mobility is considered a primary objective of the tramway system.

Modern-day coral reef conservation requires connections between researchers, decision-makers and stakeholders to achieve holistic ecosystem-based management (EBM), rooted in and supported by local communities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic, global political and financial instability and growing concerns over emissions from air travel have meant that face-to-face meetings and in-person fieldwork are increasingly difficult for many researchers at distant institutions. In this paper we discuss how to achieve EBM remotely, using a combination of freely available online data, remote fieldwork techniques and virtual communication and engagement tools. We highlight resources that have been useful in our work for components of overseas EBM and discuss lessons learned from those experiences. There are benefits to remote working, including reduced carbon emissions and travel costs, the ability to record and re-use electronic training materials, the ability to reach a wider audience than through face-to-face meetings and an increased reliance and division of labour with local researchers and stakeholders. However, developing new relationships and gaining a deeper contextual understanding of the local site and culture is not easily replaced by online or remote methods. Post-COVID-19, it is likely that some aspects of remote working within coral reef conservation will continue, as in many other aspects of global collaboration. We propose a blended approach where much of the work and collaboration is conducted online, but with some in-person visits to develop the key relationships or decisions are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decisions to shutdown economic activities to control the spread of COVID-19 early in the pandemic remain controversial, with negative impacts including high rates of unemployment. Here we present a counterfactual scenario for the state of California in which the economy remained open and active during the pandemic’s first year. The exercise provides a baseline against which to compare actual levels of job losses. We developed an economic-epidemiological mathematical model to simulate outbreaks of COVID-19 in ten large Californian socio-economic areas. Results show that job losses are an unavoidable consequence of the pandemic, because even in an open economy, debilitating illness and death among workers drive economic downturns. Although job losses in the counterfactual scenario were predicted to be less than those actually experienced, the cost would have been the additional death or disablement of tens of thousands of workers. Furthermore, whereas an open economy would have favoured populous, services-oriented coastal areas in terms of employment, the opposite would have been true of smaller inland areas and those with relatively larger agricultural sectors. Thus, in addition to the greater cost in lives, the benefits of maintaining economic activity would have been unequally distributed, exacerbating other realized social inequities of the disease’s impact.

Socio-economic constraints like gender, education, age, and income significantly affect the adoption of improved agricultural technologies. The objective of this study was to determine socio-economic factors that affect the adoption of improved cowpea varieties in the Senegalese peanut basin. The study was conducted in three (Bambey, Kebemer, and Kaffrine) of six regions of the peanut basin based on regional importance of cowpea production and rainfall gradient. In each study region, ten villages were selected, and random sampling was used to select eight heads of agricultural households within each village. The questionnaires were administered to 240 randomly selected farmers across the three study regions, 7 communes, and 30 villages. Results showed most heads of households were middle-aged (52–54 years old), married (95–100%), illiterate (84%), and men (95–100%). Households were mostly agriculture dependent (87%), low literacy rates (26% least primary school), and large family sizes (average of 15 members). The median cowpea yields across the study area varied from 35–100 kg ha−1, well below the ~300–400 kg ha−1 average yields reported for Senegal and Sub-Saharan Africa. The majority of farmers (67%) in the study regions did not use improved varieties, and the main reasons were low seed availability (78.8%) and limited access to technical knowledge and information (76.3%), but only 5.8% indicated seed price as a barrier to improved variety adoption. Major uses of cowpea in the study area were for marketing, livestock feed, and human consumption. In Kaffrine, fodder production was the major (85%) criterion for cowpea variety selection, whereas in the north (Bambey and Kebemer), taste, maturity date, and grain yield were major selection criteria. Factors that had positive effect on the likelihood of using improved cowpea varieties include; access to extension services, membership in farmers' organization, cowpea being the main crop of production, organic farming, market, and livestock-oriented production systems, access to farmland and credit, dependence on agriculture as the main source of household income, and education of head of household. We conclude that there is a critical need for training, access to improved seeds, awareness, and financial support to producers to increase the adoption of new improved cowpea varieties, yields, profitability, and nutritional security among smallholder farmers in the Senegalese peanut basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: For a long time, return to work (RTW) has been neglected in patients harboring a diffuse low-grade glioma (LGG). However, a majority of LGG patients worked at time of diagnosis. Moreover, these patients now live longer given current treatment paradigms, especially thanks to early maximal surgery. Methods: We systematically searched available medical databases for studies that reported data on RTW in patients who underwent resection for LGG. Results: A total of 30 studies were selected: 19 considered RTW (especially rate and timing) as an outcome and 11 used scales of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) which included work-related aspects. Series that considered RTW as a main endpoint were composed of 1014 patients, with postoperative RTW rates ranging from 31 to 97.1% (mean 73.1%). Timing to RTW ranged from 15 days to 22 months (mean 6.3 months). Factors related to an increased proportion of RTW were: younger age, better neurologic status, having a white-collar occupation, working pre-operatively, being the sole breadwinner, the use of awake surgery, and greater extent of resection. Female sex, older age, poor neurologic status, pre-operative history of work absences, slow lexical access speed, and postoperative seizures were negatively related to RTW. No studies that used HRQoL scales directly investigated RTW rate or timing. Conclusions: RTW was scarcely analyzed in LGG patients who underwent resection. However, because they are usually young, with no or only mild functional deficits and have a longer life expectancy, postoperative RTW should be assessed more systematically and accurately as a main outcome. As majority (61.5–100%) of LGG patients were working at time of surgery, the responsibility of neurosurgeons is to bring these patients back to their previous activities according to his/her wishes. RTW might also be included as a critical endpoint for future prospective studies and randomized control trials on LGGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]