Search

INTRODUCTION: The LIfestyle for BRAin Health (LIBRA) index yields a dementia risk score based on modifiable lifestyle factors and is validated in Western samples. We investigated whether the association between LIBRA scores and incident dementia is moderated by geographical location or sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS: We combined data from 21 prospective cohorts across six continents (N = 31,680) and conducted cohort-specific Cox proportional hazard regression analyses in a two-step individual participant data meta-analysis. RESULTS: A one-standard-deviation increase in LIBRA score was associated with a 21% higher risk for dementia. The association was stronger for Asian cohorts compared to European cohorts, and for individuals aged ≤75 years (vs older), though only within the first 5 years of follow-up. No interactions with sex, education, or socioeconomic position were observed. DISCUSSION: Modifiable risk and protective factors appear relevant for dementia risk reduction across diverse geographical and sociodemographic groups. HIGHLIGHTS: A two-step individual participant data meta-analysis was conducted. This was done at a global scale using data from 21 ethno-regionally diverse cohorts. The association between a modifiable dementia risk score and dementia was examined. The association was modified by geographical region and age at baseline. Yet, modifiable dementia risk and protective factors appear relevant in all investigated groups and regions.

Cow milk is rich in proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and minerals; however, its precise nutrient content varies based on various factors. In the current study, we evaluated the differences in the fatty acid and protein contents of milk and the factors associated with these differences. To achieve this, samples were collected from seven types of cows in different regions. These included samples from three dairy breeds: Chinese Holstein milk from Beijing, China (BH), Chinese Holstein milk (HH) and Jersey milk (JS) from Hebei province, China; and four dairy/meat breeds: Sanhe milk (SH) from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, Xinjiang brown milk (XH) and Simmental milk (SI) from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China, and Shu Xuanhua milk (SX) from Sichuan province, China. Breed significantly affects total fat, fatty acid, and protein contents. Additionally, geographic region significantly affects the contents of different fatty acids, α-lactalbumin, and lactoferrin. JS has the highest total fat and casein contents. XH samples contain significantly higher unsaturated fatty acid content than BH samples and do not differ significantly from JS. Additionally, the low β-lactoglobulin and high lactoferrin contents in XH samples may be favorable for the growth and development of infants. Our results may inform the development of dairy products from different cow breeds and advance the process of accurate breed identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indo-Pacific region, linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans through Southeast Asia, is becoming increasingly significant in academic discourse and global politics. The geopolitical background of the idea is evident as it connects several major powers around China. However, can the concept serve as a cornerstone for a viable regional setting beyond geopolitics? And in extension, why do some regions institutionalize while others are unable to do the same? Drawing on social constructivism and region-building theories, we argue that three intersubjectively shared preconditions—proximity, interests, and identity—play a crucial role in regional consolidation. We posit that this framework operates as a scale, wherein meeting these conditions positively influences region formation and institutionalization. Comparing the Indo-Pacific to the Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia, we contend that while the latter two possessed these components, the Indo-Pacific severely lacks shared ideas of proximity and identity, and the component of interests remains contested. We conclude that this limitation significantly hampers the possibility of the Indo-Pacific emerging as a viable and intersubjectively shared regional framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article proposes a Dual-Target Cross-City Sequential POI Recommendation mathematical model (DCSPR), emphasizing the significance of city signatures in enhancing sequential Point of Interest (POI) recommendations. Topics include the model's methodology for capturing geographical and cultural characteristics, the introduction of a transfer strategy for sharing cultural insights between cities and the design of a region- and function-aware network to analyze user check-in behaviors.

Centre‐periphery relations have constituted a paradox for the English National Health Service (NHS) since its creation in 1948. Is it a top‐down national service organised locally, or a bottom‐up arrangement of local health systems managed nationally? North West England provides a regional case study which traces the changing organisational, relational and spatial dimensions of the intermediate tier. These reposition centre‐periphery tensions. In foregrounding, situating and conceptualising region in these terms, I offer new insight into existing narratives and centre‐periphery relations in the NHS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Prostate cancer (PCa) was the leading incident cancer and 3rd leading cause of cancer death in men in France in 2015 with inter-regional disparities. The objectives were to describe PCa incidence and mortality in France and by region, using real life data from the National Health Data System and to identify the factors associated with all-cause or PCa-specific mortality. Methods: Men aged ≥ 18years hospitalized and/or on long-term care for PCa (ICD-10 code C61) in France between 2010 and 2021 were included. An incident case was defined by the absence of any cancer in the five years preceding the first coding. Incidence and mortality estimates were age-standardized: France 2018f standardized rates (FSR), all-cause mortality (SMR) and PCa-specific mortality (SMRspe). Factors associated with death were identified using cause-specific Cox models. Results: The mean annual incidence was 47,081cases/year (FSR:179.6/100,000men), increasing over the period except 2020. All-cause mortality was 20,259 deaths/year (77.3/100,000men), and PCa-specific mortality was 7,265 deaths/year (27.7/100,000men). A PCa-specific mortality excess was found in Centre-Val-de-Loire (SMRspe = 1.21), Bretagne (1.18), Hauts-de-France (1.17) Normandie (1.15). After adjustment, significant PCa mortality excess was observed in Bretagne (HR = 1,29;95%IC[1.09–1.46]) and Hauts-de-France (HR = 1.19[1.03–1.34]). The other factors associated with death were an age ≥ 60years, an increasing comorbidity index, metastatic disease at onset (major weight in specific mortality with hazard ratio HR = 16.1[15.2–17.0]), precariousness, affiliation to the agricultural scheme, and the COVID period in all-cause mortality. Conclusion: This study updated incidence and mortality data in France. It showed differences in mortality between regions in France. The adjustment moderates regional findings based on raw mortality data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the presence of ochratoxin A (OTA) residues in the blood serum of slaughtered pigs in Greece. Samples were obtained from 1695 healthy slaughtered pigs originating from 113 different farms located in 21 geographic regional units in 8 different geographic regions of Greece and were analyzed using an immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector (HPLC-FD). OTA contamination assessment showed that 782 (46.1%) and 1233 (72.7%) samples were OTA-positive, with a concentration range of 0.20–5.38 μg/L and 0.15–5.96 µg/L according to ELISA and HPLC-FD analysis, respectively. Also, 88 (77.9%) and 108 (95.6%) of farms were found to be OTA-positive by ELISA and HPLC-FD analysis, respectively. The highest OTA serum positivity rate (>98%) and toxin level (5.96 µg/L) determined by HPLC-FD were observed in the Thessaly region, whereas a high prevalence of up to 100% (range 75–100%) was found on farms in the Crete Island region. The detection of OTA in the serum of slaughtered pigs in different regions in Greece poses a risk for animal and human health and highlights the need for constant OTA monitoring in the swine industry and pork meat production facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If anthropology once concerned itself with politics in stateless societies outside Euro-America over and against prevailing Euro-American political theory, today anthropologists see the state at work everywhere. Anthropologists have sought to trouble spatial metaphors of state power that assumed, among other things, its centralization and the unitary character of sovereignty. Locating the state through an attendant question of region, we explore recent literatures on everyday state practices in Central and Eastern Europe and South Asia to show how different regional histories and configurations of knowledge continue to structure our assumptions about the state and its functions as well as the grammar of our descriptions. We suggest that the state could prove to be a useful optic for the study of region, which provides an alternative to an overly rigid local/global dichotomy that continues to shadow our theorizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine if decreasing lifetime use of methamphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy, and inhalants among high school students occurring from 2009 to 2019 in the U.S. also occurred in five southeastern states, Youth Risk Behavior Survey data representative of high school students in grades 9–12 in 2009 and 2019 were analyzed. In a classroom setting, lifetime use of methamphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy, and inhalants were self-reported. Students nationwide (n = 30,087) were compared to students in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina (n = 18,237). Lifetime methamphetamine use significantly increased from 4.8% in 2009 to 6.2% in 2019 in the southeast but decreased from 4.1 to 2.2% nationwide. Use of cocaine, ecstasy, and inhalants remained stable in the southeast while decreasing significantly nationwide from 2009 to 2019. During a period when use of methamphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy, and inhalants among high school students in the U.S. decreased, use in southeastern states did not change. Culturally specific programs and interventions may be needed to prevent illicit drug use in communities of southeastern states where youth remain at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To comprehensively analyze trends in myelodysplastic neoplasm (MDS) mortality across Spain (1999–2022), examining sex and regional differences. Methods: We analyzed nationwide death records and population data, calculating age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) stratified by sex and Autonomous Community (AC). Joinpoint regression identified significant shifts in trends. Results: Across Spain, MDS mortality risk varied among men, with rates ranging from 1.08 to 4.38 per 100,000 across regions, while women's rates ranged from 1.23 to 2.02. Five regions had higher risks than the national average, while six had lower risks. Joinpoint analysis revealed three periods nationally: a decline until 2008, and an increase until 2017, followed by a significant decrease. Despite the overall stable national trend (−0.5% annual change), significant regional variations emerged. Andalusia stood out with a worrying increase in MDS mortality, while Aragon and Murcia demonstrated promising declines. Extremadura displayed a unique trajectory with an initial rise followed by stabilization, while Galicia exhibited a contrasting trend with an initial decline and subsequent increase. Notably, men consistently faced a higher risk of MDS mortality compared to women, with significant disparities across regions. Extremadura, in particular, showed a marked difference in risk between genders. Conclusion: MDS mortality trends in Spain are complex, and influenced by gender, region, and time. Further research is needed to understand regional disparities, recent national decline, and higher risk in specific demographics. Tailored interventions based on local factors and targeted research are crucial to address these complexities and improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The budget revenues of the federal subjects of the Russian Federation for the period 2012–2020 at constant prices are analyzed. The territories with maximum and minimum amounts of tax and nontax revenues, as well as gratuitous transfers, have been identified. To determine the direction of the federal center's budget policy, indicators of heterogeneity of tax and nontax revenues, total revenue and gratuitous transfers received by regional budgets, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient for regional revenues with and without accounting for these transfers were calculated. Using regression analysis tools, it was established that, in general, budget policy is aimed at smoothing out interregional differences in the structure of budget revenues of Russian regions; however, regions need broader tax powers, which will increase their interest in increasing tax revenues. The composition of the regions with the lowest values of tax and nontax revenues practically did not change during the period under review; thus, it is impossible to draw a conclusion about the effectiveness of the applied transfer mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sahel is a region particularly characterized by undernutrition in several forms. In Burkina Faso, where several interventions have been carried out across the past several years, the nutritional situation of children under five years of age is still characterized by persistent stunting in the Est, Sahel, and Cascades regions. This study aims to understand the factors associated with the high prevalence of chronic malnutrition in these regions. National nutrition survey data as well as data from the Ministry of Water and Sanitation were used for bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses to identify factors statistically associated with stunting in children aged 0–59 months who participated in the national nutritional surveys from 2009 to 2019. Around one in ten mothers in all regions had no schooling at all. The improving of IYCF practice has a positive impact on the reduction of the prevalence of chronic malnutrition among children in the Cascades, Est and Sahel regions. In the three target regions, gender and province were significantly associated with stunting. Fever, diarrhea, vitamin A supplementation, household size, and maternal education level were also associated with stunting but only in the Sahel and Cascades regions. Overall, the results of the study show that the fight against stunting must be carried out in a multisectoral approach and target certain provinces particularly because stunting is not uniformly present in all provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses tourism industry competitiveness in Czechia using statistical and economic research methods. The scientific contribution of this study is defined in three ways: (i) the study of the competitiveness of the tourism industry in the 13 Czech regions and Prague, using Porter's model of the five forces of competition, has identified a significant level of competition among regions and a small impact of substitute services; moreover, based on the model, the use of substitute services among neighbouring regions in the tourism industry outside the country is recommended; (ii) the result of an ABC analysis, which covers all functions of the tourism industry in the Czech regions, is to strengthen the positions of powerful regions in the tourism industry by reducing the cost of prices for tourism services; (iii) based on the results of building a strategic map of the tourism industry in the Czech regions, it is recommended to strengthen advertising activities for certain regions, which will increase the cash flow in the tourism industry in the Czech regions. The study confirms that the tourism industry is one of the industries that continues to benefit from competitive advantages, a finding which should benefit the Czech tourism industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The distribution and biology of Protaetia fieberi (Kraatz, 1880) (Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) in European Russia were investigated. This species is reliably known from 26 regions. The limiting factors that prevent the spread to the north, south, and southeast of European Russia have been identified. Within its range, the species inhabits deciduous and mixed forests of various types. The species also inhabits anthropogenic forest ecosystems. In forests, the species adheres to the upper tiers of the forest. Adults feed on the leaking sap on trunks and less often on flowering plants. Seasonal dynamics is characterized by highs from the third decade of June to the second decade of July. The status of the species is being discussed. Studies on saproxylic species of Coleoptera have garnered significant attention due to the rarity of some of them. To investigate the distribution and biology of Protaetia fieberi (Kraatz, 1880) (Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) in European Russia, we analyzed data from 16 regions collected between 2018 and 2024. This species has been reliably recorded in 26 regions. We describe the species' distribution area boundaries and discuss limiting factors that inhibit its spread to the north, south, and southeast of European Russia. The primary limiting factor is the lack of suitable biotopes. Within its distribution, Protaetia fieberi prefers deciduous and mixed forests of various types. These habitats include both old-growth forest ecosystems and secondary forests that have regenerated following logging. The species also inhabits man-made forest ecosystems, such as field protection forest belts, old parks, and gardens. In forest ecosystems, Protaetia fieberi tends to occupy the upper levels and is rarely found on the ground layer. Conversely, in open areas such as glades, the species is more commonly found at ground level. This distribution pattern is linked to the adults' feeding preferences, which include consuming sap on tree trunks in forests and feeding on flowering plants in open ecosystems. The seasonal activity of Protaetia fieberi peaks from the third decade of June to the second decade of July. It is hypothesized that the perceived rarity of Protaetia fieberi in research samples is due to the specific baiting methods used, with beer traps being the most effective. The status of the species is re-evaluated in light of new data, suggesting that Protaetia fieberi is common rather than rare in European Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This commentary revisits the main elements of Paasi's ideas about the institutionalisation of regions and bounded spaces. It reviews his analysis of the identity of a region and the regional identity of its residents (as addressed in his TESG 2002 article). Next, it discusses how his work on bounded spaces contributed to the reinvention of border studies in political geography and how his innovative conceptual work grounded in and written from Finland, was inspiring for a whole generation of researchers working at the margins of the Anglo‐American academic world. Finally, it reasserts the enduring value of his heuristic framework in a time where the complexity of social spatialisation and of spatial socialisation has greatly increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution aims firstly to contextualize the author's article Bounded spaces in the mobile world: Deconstructing "regional identity" and, secondly, to give a response to four invited comments on that article published on this forum. This paper is organized as follows. After the introduction, the geographical and conceptual contextualization of the TESG article and the scientific links behind the article will be discussed. These are followed by a response to four comments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

Innovation is an indispensable element in any sphere of social life, offering new vision on the primary challenges in global and Russian development, particularly at the regional level. Numerous studies acknowledge the significant role of the regional innovation system as a crucial point of development of regional potential. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the core role of universities in fostering innovative regional systems and establishing the link between universities and regional innovation. The correlation was identified by building a model, using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The results showed that the regions with the most active universitiesdriven innovation include the Moscow region, the Arkhangelsk region, St. Petersburg, the Republic of Mordovia, the Republic of Tatarstan, the Perm region, the Amur region, and the Magadan region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvement of the investment climate is one of the main priorities of the Russian tax policy, in which special economic zones (SEZ’s) play a significant role. The pace of their creation has increased significantly in recent years. The main idea, as always, is to attract investment. However, the more such zones appear, the more obvious becomes the gap in defining the strategic role of the SEZ regime, which has already been introduced in dozens of Russian regions, but still lacks a clear conceptualization. Moreover, the revival of interest in SEZ’s contrasts sharply with the recent moratorium on their creation. Such dramatic changes have underlying motives, the understanding of which is necessary to avoid a superficial view of investment attraction policies. Since they are currently of particular importance for ensuring macroeconomic stability, the purpose of the article is to identify the problems that may hinder the effective application of the SEZ regime in Russia. On this basis, the article systematizes the prerequisites for lifting the moratorium, establishes patterns and explains trends in the creation of SEZ’s, as well as gives proposals for the development of the concept of economic zoning.

Purpose: is to work out the scientifically sound theoretical and methodical framework for the «smart» complementarity of trade flows, aimed at selecting and substantiating potential commodity niches in trade of Russian regions with foreign countries.Methods: the general methodological basis of the study is the critical analysis of the scientific literature that forms the theoretical and methodological basis for the global competitiveness of individual regions of a country presented in the theories of regional and spatial economy. The study has been carried out by methods of system, structural-logical and abstract-logical analysis.Results: the research resulted in some fundamental scientific novelties such as: the scientifically grounded theoretical concept of “smart” complementarity, which makes it possible to identify the presence of specific foreign trade niches in a geographical (country, region) and commodity contexts, based on an analysis of the complementarity of trade flows at the level of a Russian region and a foreign country, and assessment of the global competitiveness of the regional economy, as well as “fine” criteria that determine the activity of participants in foreign economic activity. The applied results included a specific configuration of "smart" complementarity – the algorithm for determining promising economic specializations of the region, allowing to combine trade statistics of a foreign country with data regional statistics, indicating the presence of foreign trade potential, taking into account regional economic specializations. The developed algorithm is intended for the use in an information and analytical system to support management decisions in the field of foreign economic activity of the region.Conclusions and Relevance: the concept and configuration of «smart» complementarity in their practical implementation in the form of an information and analytical system are proposed in the article to provide the participants of foreign economic activity with data on promising export groups for selected countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. This approach allows moving the «center of gravity» of building trade and economic relations with foreign countries from the federal to the regional level.

Purpose: the study aims to analyze industrial development in the Udmurtia and propose measures to foster innovation. These efforts may enhance regional manufacturers' order portfolio and enhance the region's competitiveness both nationally and internationally.Methods: the research employs a complex of methods including factual, dynamic, causal, correlation-regression and structural analysis, alongside generalization, comparison, logical analysis, and graphical visualization.Results: the article analyzes the development of the industry in the Udmurtia, known for its strong presence in the military-industrial complex (MIC). The study delves into current industry trends, innovation indicators, and practices of MIC enterprises. It highlights obstacles to innovation and suggests measures to boost innovation, increase output volumes, and bolster the industry's adaptability to emerging challenges.Conclusions and Relevance: the regional enterprises of the manufacturing industry and MIC are the leading producers of innovation in the region. However, the proportion of innovative industrial products in the overall regional output is limited to 10%. Correlation and regression analysis showed the significance of the level of innovative activity of organizations and the share of organizations carrying out technological innovations in the effectiveness of innovative activity in the manufacturing industry. Innovation can be encouraged through various means, such as attracting investments, establishing a regional Agency for Innovation Development, digital platformization, and fostering integration among innovation entities with the help of an innovation accelerator, taking advantage of new market niche opportunities, stimulated by promoting corporate entrepreneurship. The region’s future prospects are closely tied to the development of the high-tech sector of unmanned aerial systems, what is the subject of scientific interest of the author's future research.

The changeable, unknown, complex, and multivalent world embraced by innovations makes new demands on auditors’ professional competencies, which are inseparable from the mastery of technologies. Innovative auditing technologies of regional finance and real economy auditing have been analyzed to substantiate the value of auditors’ digital maturity in the diversity of such technologies. Quantitative methods based on statistical studies confirmed the growth of audit, control, expert analytical activities, and the need to implement innovative technologies for greater coverage of the control data set. Innovative technologies used in audit practice have been presented. The definition of digital maturity in an auditor has been given, which substantiates the need for continuous training in modern technologies such as digital inspector of state and municipal financial audit, conducting and accounting of general audit results, and processing of huge arrays of reporting data, analytical dashboards, and tools for checking counterparties using the analysis of their debts and risks. Digital maturity has been proposed to be assessed by considering digital culture, professional knowledge, skills and competencies of tool ownership, and process thinking in quality data collection implementation during the udit. The planning, execution, and automation of audit control activities with innovative technologies create the basis for prompt effective management of the entire process, company resources, and regional finances. Visualization of the reporting verification results provides for their visibility for users in order to immediately make management decisions aimed at sustainable financial development.

The educational services sphere of Stavropol Krai occupies a significant place in the Russian economic sector development, as its main task is to meet the needs of the region, which is currently receiving special attention from the state, in qualified personnel. It is the end result of the functioning of the sphere that is a reliable foundation for human resources formation in this constituent entity. The role of education and human resources in the development of the regional economy of Stavropol Krai has been considered. The influence of the educational system on qualified specialists training necessary for sustainable development of the regional economy has been analyzed. The main trends and challenges related to education development in the region have been studied, and practical recommendations for optimizing educational programs and improving the quality of training offered. Particular attention has been paid to the issues of training highly qualified personnel and creating favorable conditions for their retention in the region. The influence of the human factor on educational services development in the region by means of SWOT-analysis has been considered. The purpose of the study is to develop institutional tools for the human factor development in the educational services sphere. The objective of the study is the identification of forms and issues of human factor development in the sphere. The research methodology is represented by institutional analysis and statistical method, SWOTanalysis is also applied. The results obtained can be used for forming and implementing a strategy for improving the education system in order to increase the region’s competitiveness.

The study examines the problem of the genesis of Russian-language literature in the context of the interaction between Russian and national literatures of the former Soviet Union. New research by scientists on the study of regional literatures was used. The concept of strata and culturalhistorical nests is used as a theoretical basis. The dynamics and direction of development of Russianlanguage literature in Tatarstan are shown. The significance of cultural and historical nests in the process of development of national literatures is revealed.

Purpose – Needs change as people get older. Procuring resources to satisfy them can generate anguish and insecurities in consumers due to their financial situation. This study aims to analyze the relationship between age and financial stress among Mexican adults and estimate the age of their maximum financial stress. Design/methodology/approach – This study is based on constructing a financial stress indicator using the confirmatory factor analysis and linear regression models with a quadratic term, employing data from the National Survey on Financial Inclusion 2021. Findings – Results show that the relationship between age and financial stress follows a quadratic pattern, with a maximum level at age 56, which varies according to sex, marital status, number of dependents, education and regions. These findings interest financial product designers and policy developers who aim to improve consumers' well-being. Research limitations/implications – Longitudinal studies and indicators, such as financial fragility, are needed to facilitate refining models over time. Originality/value – There is no evidence of studies that have addressed the age of maximum financial stress in Latin America. Doing so is relevant because identifying the stages in life when adults are most vulnerable to financial stress helps assess its causes more precisely, thus mitigating its adverse effects.

Policymakers, educators, and businesses must develop artificial intelligence-related initiatives and strategies to effectively engage and benefit the population. The study aims to evaluate awareness and readiness to utilize artificial intelligence by the adult population of Ukraine in 2022. The paper employed a questionnaire consisting of two sets of questions: 1) awareness of artificial intelligence and 2) readiness to use artificial intelligence. A total of 806 respondents were interviewed via an online survey. The margin of error does not exceed 5%. The results indicate that while Ukrainians have a generally positive view of artificial intelligence, they remain skeptical about the prospect of robots functioning as workplace partners. The majority find it difficult to envision collaborating with a robot in a professional setting (only 36.9% of Ukrainians are ready to work with a robot). The survey highlights that the primary benefits of AI products and services valued by Ukrainians include timesaving, increased comfort, and enhanced service accessibility. Ukrainian men demonstrate a greater degree of commitment and awareness of artificial intelligence products/services than Ukrainian women. Young people are the most informed age group about artificial intelligence products/services. Residents of the western regions indicate a more significant impact of artificial intelligence on the present, unlike respondents from the eastern regions of Ukraine. AcknowledgmentThis research was funded by a grant “Restructuring of the national economy in the direction of digital transformations for sustainable development” (№0122U001232) from National Research Foundation.

INTRODUCTION: Renal disorders are becoming increasingly common today. There is a clear correlation between social and economic deprivation and the advancement of many kidney illnesses, as well as premature death. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to reveal trends in the prevalence of renal diseases among the population below the poverty line (BPL) using the Karnataka method. METHODS: The current study is based on the data available on the government-managed website containing details about people who received treatment for several renal diseases under various government health insurance schemes by the BPL population from 2010 to 2020 in Karnataka state, South India. RESULTS: Renal calculi, enlarged prostate, and bladder calculus are the most common renal disorders among BPL communities in the age group of 20–40 years. Regarding renal calculi, there is a consistent increase in cases from 563 in 2010–2011 to a peak of 3901 in 2020–2021, indicating a continuous upward trend. Fluctuations are observed in the case of an enlarged prostate, with variations in the number of cases each passing year. Bladder calculus disease also shows an increasing trend, particularly evident from 2017 to 2018 onward. CONCLUSION: This study found the potential relationship between socioeconomic status and renal diseases among individuals in the BPL segment of Karnataka state. Renal disorders such as calculi, renal failure, and chronic kidney disease exhibit a rising trend over time, whereas diseases such as enlarged prostate and bladder calculus display fluctuations. The findings underscore the urgent necessity for targeted healthcare interventions and awareness programs tailored to BPL communities.

The balanced development of the hydrocarbon potential in the Arctic is currently a strategic priority for Russia. Given the present conditions of the global energy sector, alongside new geopolitical challenges and trends towards low-carbon and ecologically balanced development, there is a need for a system of coordinated strategies across the industry, regional, and corporate levels. To effectively develop Arctic oil and gas resources, it is necessary to ensure technological sovereignty, which involves equipping oil and gas companies with domestically produced equipment and software. Strategies should also focus on the development of industries that produce high value-added products, particularly in the petrochemical sector. Public administrators and corporate managers responsible for key decisions must have a clear, long-term vision for the development of the Arctic oil and gas sector and employ established methodological approaches in strategy design. The goal of this study is to substantiate the specific characteristics of multilevel strategies and assess the feasibility of using a matrix approach when designing strategic alternatives relevant to the current economic environment. The research methodology is based on the approaches, methods, and tools of strategic management and planning, with a particular focus on methods for designing strategic alternatives. The novelty of the research lies in the development of a system of criteria for comparing strategies and their target priorities at the industry, regional, and corporate levels. The study identifies current trends and challenges arising from the energy transition, stringent sanctions policies, and growing technological capabilities. It proposes an approach to designing alternative strategies of related and unrelated diversification for oil and gas companies. Developing a holistic concept of coordinated industry and corporate strategies is identified as a promising area for further research.

Innovation is an indispensable element in any sphere of social life, offering new vision on the primary challenges in global and Russian development, particularly at the regional level. Numerous studies acknowledge the significant role of the regional innovation system as a crucial point of development of regional potential. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the core role of universities in fostering innovative regional systems and establishing the link between universities and regional innovation. The correlation was identified by building a model, using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The results showed that the regions with the most active universities-driven innovation include the Moscow region, the Arkhangelsk region, St. Petersburg, the Republic of Mordovia, the Republic of Tatarstan, the Perm region, the Amur region, and the Magadan region.

Abstract The Sahel is a region particularly characterized by undernutrition in several forms. In Burkina Faso, where several interventions have been carried out across the past several years, the nutritional situation of children under five years of age is still characterized by persistent stunting in the Est, Sahel, and Cascades regions. This study aims to understand the factors associated with the high prevalence of chronic malnutrition in these regions. National nutrition survey data as well as data from the Ministry of Water and Sanitation were used for bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses to identify factors statistically associated with stunting in children aged 0–59 months who participated in the national nutritional surveys from 2009 to 2019. Around one in ten mothers in all regions had no schooling at all. The improving of IYCF practice has a positive impact on the reduction of the prevalence of chronic malnutrition among children in the Cascades, Est and Sahel regions. In the three target regions, gender and province were significantly associated with stunting. Fever, diarrhea, vitamin A supplementation, household size, and maternal education level were also associated with stunting but only in the Sahel and Cascades regions. Overall, the results of the study show that the fight against stunting must be carried out in a multisectoral approach and target certain provinces particularly because stunting is not uniformly present in all provinces.

The russian aggression against Ukraine underscores the need to reassess regional strategies for digitalization and inclusivity. The study aims to identify strategies for enhancing these areas during wartime. Taxonomy and cluster and factor analysis methods have shown that regions with a higher level of digitalization have lower levels of poverty and unemployment. Specifically, regions in the top quartile of the digitalization index reported, on average, 12% lower unemployment rates compared to those in the bottom quartile. The analysis identifies distinct regional groupings: areas such as Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk are partially occupied and exhibiting low digitalization and inclusivity, in contrast with Mykolaiv and Kirovohrad that show moderate progress. Rural regions face a significant digital divide, with only 60% of rural households having stable internet access compared to 90% in urban areas. Factor analysis confirms that wartime conditions have accelerated digital transformation, evidenced by a 42% increase in Diia app usage from 2021 to 2023 and a rise in internet penetration from 62% in 2019 to 78% in 2023. Additionally, IT sector export revenues grew by 20% in 2022, and technology startups doubled between 2019 and 2023. The study proposes a strategic framework for regional adaptation: intensive digitalization and inclusivity for Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions; digitalization for Mykolaiv region; inclusivity for Kirovohrad and Zakarpattia regions; and balanced adaptation for Chernivtsi and Khmelnytskyi regions. Recommended measures include modernizing digital infrastructure, expanding educational opportunities, supporting startups, and aligning digital and social initiatives to foster regional resilience and development.

This article covers issues related to conducting functional analysis, which aims to derive given trends and processes in regional development. The aim of the article is to characterize the main elements selected platform supporting the implementation of professional functional solutions in regional development and the experience of evaluation a its development. The approach requires in the field of regional development to approach in an integrated way or with a variety of methods of space and territory assessment. Thus, the model of functionality and usability is imposed in regional development. The stated objective is used to implement the method of analysis and critique of the literature on the subject, the method of observation and individual case methods. The main result of the work done is a detailed presentation of the chosen platform to create a detailing of the results of functional processes in regional development

This article focuses on the impact of disasters and accidents on the conditions for socio-economic and demographic development of rural areas in Bulgaria. The topicality of the topic is caused by the necessity of the new conditions of globalization to overcome regional and local risks related to the way of life of the population. To a large extent, the processes of urbanization and the relocation of the population in urban areas lead to the creation of threats to its security, mainly by disrupting the reliability of the functioning of the natural-ecological and socio-economic systems. Rural areas and their potential for security and regional development must therefore be strengthened. In this regard, it is important to create the necessary basic conditions for the life and development of the population - minimum infrastructure, taking measures to reduce natural and environmental risks through a system encompassing activities and facilities for monitoring, maintaining, and cleaning riverbeds and forests in sparsely populated areas in Bulgaria.

This article explores the question of the integration ability of peripheral regions into innovation-led growth. While previous research has suggested that peripheral regions may be at a disadvantage, recent studies have argued that there may be potential benefits to their integration into the innovation process. This article offers a different approach for the examination of this controversy. First, it uses knowledge-based occupations as a measure of innovation activity (instead of types of activities such as startups, high-tech activities or services). Second, it considers innovation advance under two perspectives: demand (as measured by types of occupations installed in a region) and supply (as measured by types of occupations of the resident labour force). We use regression analysis to compare trends in the last two decades in Israel.Although findings indicate a process of adaptation of both periphery and centre to the innovation trend (in terms of increasing relative growth of high-level occupations), both in terms of supply and demand, steady gaps between the growth coefficients lead to a process of degradation of the periphery: lower increase of skills in the periphery and lower adaptation of demand to increasing skills. This results in a higher commuting rate (or migration) of skilled workers from the periphery, a substantial relative concentration of blue-collar occupations and an increasing supply of unskilled workers to the centre.The prevention or attenuation of such a process requires the consideration of policy measures regarding the prevailing ecosystem factors.

This paper uses panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2006 to 2018 to empirically test the influence of the Internet on the innovation gap between regions. Contrary to our intuition, the test results show that the development of the Internet has increased the innovation gap between regions. At the same time, we found that this impact is different in different regions, and the impact on those underdeveloped regions is more significant. We analyze the mechanism that causes this effect through the mediation effect model, and the results show that the Internet mainly affects the unbalanced flow of labor, thereby increasing the innovation gap between regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of a study attempting to assess to what extent the results attained by the regions meet the targets of socio-economic development set by the defined strategic goals. The purpose of the study is determined by the need to form a well-founded opinion on the sufficiency of the methodological support for the process of strategic planning for regional socio-economic development with the minimum necessary and effectively used tools for forecasting and planning, which most directly determines the quality of strategic planning. The object of the study is a separate macro-region of Russia represented by the regions within the North-West Federal District (NWFD). The study confirmed that devising an effective methodology of strategic planning and forecasting of regional development is a serious and challenging task that requires rethinking the traditional methodology, searching for new approaches and tools for the prudent management of the future, and integrating them into the practice of the regional authoritative bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of the study is the assessment of the financial viability of industrial enterprises. The purpose of the paper is to develop a methodological approach to assessing the prospects for bankruptcy of enterprises in various industries interritorial systems and testing it on the example of an industrially developed region. The relevance of the study is due to the fact that in the conditions of significant sanctions pressure on the Russian economy, narrowing of the markets of sale of produced products and disturbance of logistics chains, restrictions on the import of high-tech equipment, Russian enterprises face problems of shortage of operating funds, non-liquidity of assets, high levels of debt. The significant deterioration in the financial situation of enterprises, that is currently observed, creates the prospects for bankruptcy of entire industries, which creates threats to the socio-economic development of territorial systems. The novelty of the study is the author’s methodological approach to assessing the prospects for bankruptcy of industrial sectors, based on the use of multidimensional discriminant analysis of the financial viability of not individual enterprises, but of industrial sectors as a whole to determine sectoral priorities for state support for their development. General scientific and empirical methods, multivariate discriminant analysis were used. During testing of the developed methodological approach using the example of the Sverdlovsk region, the following results were obtained: currently, the risks of bankruptcy of enterprises in the entire industrial complex of the Sverdlovsk region are significantly increasing; The Altman curve has approached a critical threshold value, indicating a high level of probability of enterprise bankruptcy. It was concluded that in the Sverdlovsk region, enterprises in the food production, electrical equipment, chemical production and mineral mining industries are in the most critical condition. Increased risks of loss of financial viability are observed in the industries of metallurgical production, production of finished metal products, as well as other non-metallic mineral products, production and distribution of electricity, gas and water, which dominate the industry structure of the region. These industries require government support in the implementation of industrial policy at the federal and regional levels.

The development of the milk food market and the level of food independence of the region set trends in the development of the milk reproduction process. The level of self-sufficiency of the region’s population, the level of economic accessibility of food, the development of market relations, exports and imports depend on the type of milk reproduction. Reproduction and market issues are considered from different perspectives: production and satisfaction of needs, but they are closely intertwined and, giving an assessment as a whole from both positions, it is possible to cover the current situation in the region in more detail.The purpose of the study. The purpose of the research is to analyze reproduction and assess the current situation on the milk market and dairy products in the conditions of food independence of the Irkutsk region and to develop recommendations for their development.Materials and methods. The study uses normative, reference and statistical information. The empirical base of the study was made up of data from the Federal State Statistics Service, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Irkutsk region, accounting statements of agricultural organizations, and publications in open sources. The object of the study is the supply of milk and dairy products in the Irkutsk region on the market. Statistical methods were used in the paper: descriptive statistics, comparative analysis, dynamic series analysis, monographic and other research methodsResults. The conducted assessment revealed that the average annual rate of decline in production volumes of milk in the Irkutsk region is 0,15%. The number of cows decreases by 32,22%, which affects the volume of production; they decrease, in turn, the productivity of cows increases by 74,34%, which compensates for the decrease in livestock, but not enough to conduct an expanded reproductive process. The main producers are the households of the population, which indicates the high labor intensity of the products. Irkutsk region is provided with milk of its own production by 87,6%, which does not correspond to the approved level of food independence (more than 90%). The economic accessibility of food has the highest value of 61,85% in 2021-2022. It shows that the population of the Irkutsk region consumes milk less than the rational norm of its consumption meeting the requirements of a healthy diet by 38,15%. Conclusion. According to the results of the study, the following conclusions can be drawn: milk reproduction in the region has a narrowed type; the region has not reached the level of food independence for milk; the economic accessibility of milk does not reach the established value in the doctrine of food security, which indicates that the population consumes milk less than the rational consumption rate established for medical reasons. A further increase in the level of food security is possible if an expanded type of reproduction process is achieved and maintained, which in modern conditions in the Irkutsk region is achievable with great effort, since the region has been exposed to a disease of cattle (nodular dermatitis) and the infected livestock is eliminated by burning, which will affect production volumes. The Ministry of Agriculture of the Irkutsk region is taking all necessary measures to normalize the situation and eliminate the consequences, as well as to support the affected agricultural producers

The purpose of the article is to develop and test a methodological approach to assessing the effectiveness of the regional investment environment in the context of the intensification of technological development of the country and regions and the achievement of technological sovereignty of the national economy.The research uses information data related to investment development institutions; materials of regional Development Strategies, regulatory legal acts; information posted on websites and portals dedicated to the investment policy of the regions. The article has been prepared using the following methods of scientific research: analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, comparison, generalization.The analysis of scientific sources on the research problem was carried out, on the basis of which the author’s methodological approach to assessing the quality of the regional investment environment in terms of ensuring the technological sovereignty of the economy was developed and tested. In the process of approbation, integral indicators of the quality of the regional investment environment were calculated, as a result of which the level of its quality was identified according to the analyzed methodological blocks. According to the results of the approbation, gaps and shortcomings in the system of the regional investment environment were identified and conclusions about the trends of its development were concluded.The results obtained indicate the presence of problems and a number of limitations in the formed regional investment environment for regulating innovation, investment and technological development of the economy. The practical significance of the work lies in the proven methodological approach to assessing the quality of the regional investment environment. The results of the work can be applied by the authorities in order to achieve technological independence of the region’s economy.

COVID-19 poses a global health crisis, necessitating precise diagnostic methods for timely containment. However, accurately delineating COVID-19-affected regions in lung CT scans is challenging due to contrast variations and significant texture diversity. In this regard, this study introduces a novel two-stage classification and segmentation CNN approach for COVID-19 lung radiological pattern analysis. A novel Residual-BRNet is developed to integrate boundary and regional operations with residual learning, capturing key COVID-19 radiological homogeneous regions, texture variations, and structural contrast patterns in the classification stage. Subsequently, infectious CT images undergo lesion segmentation using the newly proposed RESeg segmentation CNN in the second stage. The RESeg leverages both average and max-pooling implementations to simultaneously learn region homogeneity and boundary-related patterns. Furthermore, novel pixel attention (PA) blocks are integrated into RESeg to effectively address mildly COVID-19-infected regions. The evaluation of the proposed Residual-BRNet CNN in the classification stage demonstrates promising performance metrics, achieving an accuracy of 97.97%, F1-score of 98.01%, sensitivity of 98.42%, and MCC of 96.81%. Meanwhile, PA-RESeg in the segmentation phase achieves an optimal segmentation performance with an IoU score of 98.43% and a dice similarity score of 95.96% of the lesion region. The framework’s effectiveness in detecting and segmenting COVID-19 lesions highlights its potential for clinical applications.

The relevance of the study is conditioned by the fact that in recent years the level of regional socio-economic systems development has been significantly affected by various negative factors, and it is necessary to carry out an operational analysis that will help to identify them in a timely manner. Uneven development of regions is characteristic of many countries and is determined by the peculiarities of historical traditions, current economic potential and interrelations with international communities, as well as by state regional policy. The level of innovative development and society digitalization creates conditions for the transition of Russia from a resource-based economy to an investment and innovation economy in order to improve and maintain competitiveness. As a result of the research and study of the scientists’ materials, who have investigated the ways and mechanisms of analyzing regional socio-economic systems formation and development, as well as their impact on the Russian economy development, which at the present stage is reaching a new level in the conditions of sanctions, we have conducted an assessment of regional socio-economic systems and various methods of its implementation.

Abstract Texture segregation studies indicate that some types of textures are processed by edge-based and others by region-based mechanisms. However, studies employing nominally edge-based textures have found evidence for region-based processing mechanisms when the task was to detect rather than segregate the textures. Here we investigate directly whether the nature of the task determines if region-based or edge-based mechanisms are involved in texture perception. Stimuli consisted of randomly positioned Gabor micropattern texture arrays with five types of modulation: orientation modulation, orientation variance modulation, luminance modulation, contrast modulation and contrast variance modulation (CVM). There were four modulation frequencies: 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 cpd. Each modulation type was defined by three types of waveforms: sinewave (SN) with its smooth variations, square-wave (SQ) and cusp-wave (CS) with its sharp texture edges. The CS waveform was constructed by removing a sinewave from an equal amplitude square-wave. Participants performed two tasks: detection in which participants selected which of two stimuli contained the modulation and discrimination in which participants indicated which of two textures had a different modulation orientation. Our results indicate that threshold amplitudes in the detection task followed the ordering SQ

Purpose: is to evaluate the modern role of transport infrastructure as the factor in the development of the regional economy and strengthening competitive positions outside the country using the example of China.Methods: the correlation-regression analysis, traditionally used to solve the task of the identifying influencing factors, was applied to the economic and transportation indicators across 28 Chinese regions for the year 2021. It was supplemented by the analysis of statistical data and the thematic case study of data on Chinese investments into the transport infrastructure projects both domestically, and abroad.Results: the assessment of infrastructure development of the railway and port infrastructure was carried out based on the analysis of the dynamics of the main indicators. The construction of a correlation and regression analysis model made it possible to form an idea of the impact of China's transport infrastructure on the gross regional product of the provinces. The degree of penetration of Chinese influence into other economies of the world through investments in transport infrastructure has been assessed. The tools for promoting infrastructure projects have been identified that characterize Chinese specifics and make it possible to ensure the country's competitiveness at the global level.Conclusions and Relevance: China is the striking example of the widespread construction of ports, railways, and highways, in addition to the creation of direct freight vehicles and dry cargo ships for the distribution of their products. The high importance of transport infrastructure and the number of employed people in this industry for the growth of the regional product of the provinces of China has been revealed. In the external circuit, the PRC is actively using the strategy of lending to other countries for the construction of infrastructure on their territories. The construction of roads, airports, seaports, power plants and transmission lines allow China to create infrastructure enclaves in developing countries to market its goods and export raw materials for subsequent processing. Borrowing the experience of the PRC in terms of mechanisms for granting grants and loans for the implementation of infrastructure projects will allow Russia to create an extensive system of movement of national goods to markets where they are most in demand in the territories of neighboring states.

The article examines the issues of the formation of regional policy in Russia. The need for its consistent implementation in any socio-political and socio-economic conditions is substantiated. Comparisons are made between the practice of developing and implementing regional policy at the beginning of market transformations and modern conditions. The fundamentally important role of the state in solving the problems of eliminating imbalances in regional development is substantiated. The types and directions of Russian regional policy, as well as methods of its financial resource support, are considered. The characteristics of the most relevant measures of financial regulation of regional development processes related to ensuring the balanced development of territories, the implementation of large-scale projects, the possibility of attracting borrowed funds and involving the population in decision-making processes on the allocation of resources to solve socially significant problems of regional development are given.