Regional Context Research Articles

Late Upper Palaeolithic ornaments from Vlakno cave, Croatia

This paper presents the richest prehistoric assemblage of ornaments in the Eastern Adriatic discovered to date, found in the Late Upper Palaeolithic layers of Vlakno cave, Croatia. The abundance and multiform of bead types indicate that the site was likely used as a workshop for ornaments, i.e. that production was performed on site. Technological and use-wear analysis of each taxon used for beads allowed us to elaborate on its mode of production, use, and overall position of the Vlakno cave site and its role in the regional context during the Late Pleistocene.

Dolsko – Spodnje Škovce and a new insight into the settlement, chronology, ceramic style(s), and subsistence strategies of the Late Neolithic Sava group in Slovenia

Radiocarbon dates, analysis of ceramic finds, animal bones, fruits/seeds and wood (charcoal) from settlement features of the Sava group of the Lengyel Culture at the site of Dolsko – Spodnje Škovce in central Slovenia are presented and discussed in this paper. The aim of the study was to place the excavated material culture in its regional and supra-regional context in order to improve the understanding of Late Neolithic settlement features, chronology, pottery style(s) and subsistence strategies in settlements throughout the area of distribution of the Sava group. This is the first synthesis of archaeobotanical and archaeozoological data from the 5th millennium cal BC sites in Slovenia, including the evaluation and comparison of plant macro-remains and animal bones, and the first synthesis of data on technological and typological aspects of pottery production in the settlements obtained using the same analytical approach. Uncertainties regarding the chronology of different variations of a pottery style and subsistence strategies are emphasized.

Exploring the Unraveled Naktauri-Geet: A Study on a Ritual Performance in an All-Women Space in a Hindu marriage Ceremony

This research explores the ritual performance action known as Naktauri, which occurs during Hindu marriage ceremonies. In these ceremonies, women from the bridegroom’s family are excluded from the wedding rituals at the bride’s house and are left behind by the men. (In contemporary times, few women have begun to attend the wedding ceremony at the bride’s house. However, this step remains very limited in rural parts of the northern belt of India.) These women then engage in a ritual performance that enacts the entire sequence of the marriage, including the first night of the couple (suhagraat) and the birth of a child. This enactment is complemented by geet (songs), dance, and male impersonation, and it takes place in an all-women space where men are strictly prohibited. Any male attempt to intrude is met with a barrage of abuses. Based in Akbarpur, Uttar Pradesh, a place in northern India, this study underscores the importance of location as this performance holds multiple signifiers depending on its regional context. The performance of Naktauri has received negligible attention in academic discourse. This research aims to illuminate the significance of the geet and dance elements within this ritual performance, highlighting their role in providing a space for women’s cultural expression and agency.

ЦИФРОВОЕ СЕЛЬСКОЕ ХОЗЯЙСТВО: ОПЫТ РОССИЙСКИХ РЕГИОНОВ

The article is devoted to certain aspects of digitalization of the Russian agro-industrial complex in the regional context. The task of increasing the efficiency of agricultural activities and the transition to import-substituting food production is key in modern conditions of sanctions pressure and trade restrictions. One of the effective solutions to this task is the large-scale digitalization of the agro-industrial sector in all regions of Russia. The article reveals the most popular digital solutions currently used by Russian agricultural enterprises. Among them are precision agriculture, precision animal husbandry, agricultural robotization, artificial intelligence, and drone technologies. Precision agriculture and precision animal husbandry are considered in the context of individual regions. It is proved that the leading positions in the field of application of precision farming elements belong to such Russian regions as the Krasnodar Territory, the Voronezh Region and the Belgorod Region. Krasnodar Region is also one of the leaders in the use of digital elements in the livestock sector. Along with it, the leading regions for the use of precision livestock farming solutions are the Udmurt Republic, the Altai Territory, and the Sverdlovsk Region. As a result of the study, it was concluded that an increasing number of agricultural enterprises use digital solutions in their practice. This, on the one hand, allows agricultural producers to receive additional benefits associated with increased productivity and efficiency, and on the other hand, creates new problems in terms of high costs for the introduction of digital technologies and a shortage of qualified IT agri-specialists. Each agricultural enterprise has to independently find a compromise between the possible benefits and costs of digitalization.

Streaming diversity: Studying screen diversity in the streaming era

The unprecedented growth of video-on-demand (VOD) streaming platforms has brought both new optimism and new complications to concerns around screen ‘diversity’. To what extent have major global and smaller regional VOD platforms invested in screen diversity, at the level of genres, languages, country-of-origin, social representation or creative labour? Just how ‘diverse’ are the catalogues of VOD services? How is this content represented to audiences and made discoverable through platform interfaces and recommendation systems? How might this vary across the major US-based services, compared with smaller and more niche platforms, or with local broadcaster VODs, or with national public service VODs? This introduction to a special collection on diversity in the streaming era surveys recent developments in screen and media studies scholarship that attempt to address these questions. In doing so, we examine how streaming platforms are addressing diversity at the levels of industry, policy, texts, technologies and audiences. At each level, we observe different definitions, operationalisations, and practices of ‘diversity’ that are informed by a range of disciplinary theorisations, policy histories and priorities, and national and regional contexts, all of which come to intersect with each other in new and challenging ways in the VOD era. In conclusion, we argue that to properly respond to the problem of ‘diversity’, research on screen diversity and on VODs must engage with these diverse dimensions of ‘diversity’.

ASPECTS OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN THE CONTEXT OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT DURING MARTIAL LAW

The article represents at attempt to outline the most important aspects, challenges, and prospects for public administration in Ukraine in regional context during the wartime. It is shown that poverty and regional disbalances in Ukraine aggravated during two years of war, and the situation in comparative plane is worse than it was in Syria during first two years of war in 2011-2013. Based on Pakistani and Syrian experience and practices, vectors for public administration necessary tasks and available options concerning regional development are suggested.

SECURITISING HEALTH CRISES ON REGIONAL COOPERATION: HINDERING OR FACILITATING COOPERATION?

The securitisation theory (ST) often gives rise to the debate on the positive and negative dimensions of security. ST is frequently quoted in this debate to explore what happens when threats are labelled as a security issue. The positive and negative points in the debate on ST are closely related to migration, environment, and health. However, like other international relations (IR) theories, the ST debate often fails to reflect the voices and experiences of different regional contexts. This article contributed to the securitisation debates by adding the perspectives and experiences of the Southeast Asia region by applying critical literature review analysis, using primary and secondary sources data collection. Although public health challenges are global phenomena, the way they are addressed may vary across geographical regions. The article reviews the consequences of securitising on contagious diseases in Southeast Asia as the region is often associated with distinctive political cultures that shape the governing norms. Securitisation has clearly made a positive impact on the health security cooperation in the region. Instead of encouraging state-centric thinking, the securitisation of health crises has prompted ASEAN countries to be more region-centric, ultimately challenging the regional norms that have historically obstructed cooperation across the nations. Keywords: ASEAN, health security, regional cooperation, securitisation theory, Southeast Asia. Cite as: Mohd Azmi, N. (2024). Securitising health crises on regional cooperation: Hindering or facilitating cooperation. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 9(2), 557-576. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss2pp557-576

Дошкольник и региональная культура: социальный заказ

The article examines topical issues of sociocultural education of older preschool children, their essence, and the necessity of their solution. The author specifies the concept of regional culture in relation to the education of older preschool children, analyzes the specifics of familiarization with regional culture and the formation of sociocultural competence of children of the designated age. In the course of the study, the works of scientists and practicing teachers studying the problems, ways and prospects of socio-cultural education of senior preschool children, as well as the results of the influence of both external and internal factors on the process of education in a preschool educational institution were studied. Depending on the degree of the child’s activity, types of his interaction with regional culture are emphasized. Key objectives for involving older preschool children in regional culture are identified within the research framework, aiming to enhance their socio-cultural development and integration into regional contexts.

Interpersonal and environmental microaggressions & depression: Thai LGBQ+ perspectives

Microaggressions, which are subtle verbal and non-verbal insults or denigrations, have been identified as prevalent experiences among LGBQ+ populations, often resulting in adverse mental health outcomes. In the Thai context, little research has explored the impact of both types of microaggressions on depression among LGBQ+ individuals. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between interpersonal (INMG) and environmental microaggressions (ENMG) and depressive symptoms among Thai LGBQ+ individuals. A sample of 307 Thai LGBQ+ participants was surveyed using the Thai Sexual Orientation Microaggressions Scale and the PHQ-9 for depressive symptoms. Hierarchical regression analyses were employed to determine the unique effects of interpersonal and environmental microaggressions on depression, controlling for sociodemographic variables and internalized heterosexism (IHP). Both INMG (β = .172, p = 0.008) and ENMG (β = .173, p = 0.007) were significant predictors of depressive symptoms, accounting for approximately 24.2% of the variance. When introduced into the model, they accounted for a significant ΔR2 of 0.079 (p < 0.001). After controlling for sociodemographics and IHP, these microaggressions contributed significantly to the explanation of depressive symptoms, emphasizing their key role in influencing the mental health of LGBQ+ individuals in Thailand. Interpersonal and environmental microaggressions impose unique mental health challenges on Thai LGBQ+ individuals. These findings accentuate the pressing need for interventions tailored to the cultural and regional contexts within Thailand. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of acquiring a holistic understanding of the LGBQ+ experience, advocating for a more systematic exploration across Thailand's varied geographical landscapes to offer comprehensive solutions.

Laboratory profiling of patients with long COVID in the Brazilian Amazon region: A cross-sectional study.

The condition commonly referred to as long coronavirus disease (COVID) is characterized by the continuation of symptoms, sometimes accompanied by new symptoms that persist after the resolution of acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This observational cross-sectional study investigated 332 patients with long COVID in the Brazilian Amazon region. The study aimed to elucidate the systemic interactions associated with long COVID by compiling the findings related to hematological, coagulation, immunological, metabolic, hepatic, renal, and muscular profiles. Participants with long COVID were identified using rigorous criteria and underwent thorough laboratory examinations. The obtained data were subsequently analyzed, allowing for comparisons, associations, and correlations between findings within distinct groups in the study. Significant associations were observed between hospitalization during the acute phase and persistent laboratory abnormalities, suggesting a potential link between acute severity and long-term effects. Notably, individuals with long COVID for over a year exhibited elevated levels of monocytes, prolonged prothrombin times, reduced prothrombin activity, high levels of lactate dehydrogenase, and an increased frequency of qualitative C-reactive protein detection. This study provides valuable insights into the laboratory risk profile of patients with long COVID, particularly in the unique context of the Amazon region, where patients exhibit persistent symptoms lasting up to 1261 days.

Landslide life-loss risk quantification based on historical fatalities

Life-loss risk estimates inform decisions that have dramatic impacts on individuals and communities in landslide hazard zones. Literature provides methods for making these estimates through multiplication of site-specific parameters. However, there is no method in the literature for calibrating those estimates, and regional context is needed to make efficient, fair, and affordable decisions. Therefore, we developed methods to quantify risk to individuals and groups based on regional historical fatality and hazard zone population data. The methods can be used to evaluate the accuracy of large sets of site-specific risk estimates, to assign quantitative risk values to buildings and hazard zones at a regional scale, to develop a long-term regional budget for landslide risk management, or to inform selection of a risk tolerance threshold that can inform where limited resources are invested in landslide mitigation. An example of the methods is provided for a case study of residential landslide risk in British Columbia, Canada. It estimates that there are between a few hundred and a few thousand people living with individual risk exceeding 100 micromorts (1 in 10,000) per year, and between 70 and 370 landslide hazard zones with annual probable life loss greater than 1E-3 (1 death in 1,000 years), based on a historical fatality rate of 0.4 to 1.4 deaths per year across the entire province.

Sustainability of fishing cooperatives in the Gulf of Mexico: A case study

Small-scale fishing, characterised by small groups of people working with basic technology and little investment, is an important economic activity in regional and global contexts. In Latin America, inland fisheries play a very important socio-economic role, providing food and income to local families, alleviating poverty, and contributing to social well-being. They are often structured as a social cooperative, as a way to ensure productivity. Cooperatives tend to be sustainable, and their performance can be judged from the impact they have on the social, economic, and environmental spheres. The aim of this study was to measure the sustainability of inland fishing cooperatives in Mexico from these three viewpoints. Though cooperatives generally show a medium-high level of sustainability, on account of their historical background and their contribution to social and economic indicators, our results revealed some weaknesses in terms of environmental indicators, which are locked in a negative relationship with economic ones. Social indicators, however, were positively related with the other two. The sustainability of fishing cooperatives today faces various challenges, as political decision-making tends to favour the social and economic dimensions over the environmental one.

Human resource management (HRM) practices and organizational commitment in higher educational institution (HEI): a mediating role for work engagement

Purpose This study aims to investigate the effects of HRM practices on administrative and faculty members’ work engagement and organizational commitment at Minhaj University Lahore, Pakistan. The primary objectives of the research are to investigate how HRM practices – such as selection and recruitment, training and development, rewards and compensation, job security, employee, participation and performance appraisal, directly and indirectly, influence organizational commitment via work engagement. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a quantitative research methodology using a survey questionnaire given to academic and administrative staff at Minhaj University Lahore. For descriptive statistics, SPSS was used, and Smart PLS 3.3.3 was used for structural equation modelling (SEM). Findings The results indicate that while selection and recruitment, rewards and compensation and job security do not show a significant direct impact, training and development, employee participation and performance appraisal significantly influence work engagement. Moreover, work engagement also influenced organizational commitment. In addition, work engagement significantly mediates the relationship between training and development, employee participation, performance appraisal and organizational commitment. However, selection and recruitment, rewards and compensation and job security do not show significant mediation effects. Practical implications To enhance work engagement in Pakistani HEIs, focus on tailored training, active faculty participation, effective appraisals and competitive compensation while fostering a supportive environment and recognizing accomplishments to increase commitment and institutional performance. Originality/value This study emphasizes the importance of particular tactics catered to the regional academic context for institutional performance and sustainability, providing novel insights into enhancing work engagement and organizational commitment in Pakistani higher education.

Factors influencing millennial employees’ turnover intention in multinational corporations in Penang, Malaysia

This quantitative study explores the influence of organizational culture on the turnover intentions of millennial employees within multinational corporations (MNCs) in Penang, Malaysia. As millennials increasingly comprise a substantial portion of the workforce, their turnover rates have significant implications for organizational efficacy. The research examined the relationship between key elements of organizational culture—namely employee empowerment, work-life balance, and reward systems—and millennials’ decisions to stay with or leave their employers. Data were gathered through a questionnaire distributed to 183 millennial employees in the Penang MNC sector, employing a random sampling approach and utilizing Google Forms for submission. The survey instruments were based on established scales from prior research to ensure robustness and relevance. The findings indicate that all the studied variables significantly affect turnover intentions, with employee empowerment emerging as the strongest predictor, followed by work-life balance, and then reward systems. These results underscore the critical role of organizational culture in shaping millennial turnover intentions. The study’s insights can guide MNCs in Penang to implement strategic initiatives aimed at fostering a positive work environment that emphasizes empowerment, balance, and appropriate rewards, thereby enhancing employee retention within this pivotal demographic. While this study provides detailed insights specific to the Malaysian context, its findings may serve as a preliminary reference point for MNCs in similar regional contexts, suggesting further research to explore the applicability of these insights globally.

Integrated home renovation services as a means to boost energy renovations for homeowner associations: A comparative analysis of service providers’ business models

Across the European Union (EU), approximately 46% of the population resides in apartment buildings. A majority of these buildings are in need of energy renovation and are managed by Homeowner associations (HOAs). HOAs face distinct challenges in renovating their buildings. Integrated home renovation services (IHRS) have emerged as a potential solution to accelerate highly energy-efficient renovations for HOAs. The question arises: How do current integrated home renovation service providers facilitate energy renovations for homeowner associations, overcoming the prevailing barriers to uptake? This paper explores the current state of IHRS providers operating in four European regions with a focus on the Netherlands and Flanders. The study offers insights into the dynamics of their business models, strategies, and ways forward. The methods employed involve a combination of qualitative approaches. Fourteen business models of IHRS providers in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Austria were analysed, to define their strategies within the regional context. The results reveal that while public entities prioritize broad societal challenges, private models focus on operational efficiency and financial sustainability. Public-private partnerships offer a hybrid approach, blending strengths but requiring precise governance to align diverse interests and achieve comprehensive, sustainable outcomes. The findings can inform policymakers, practitioners, and researchers in developing effective and targeted IHRS initiatives in the EU.

Exploring the Supporting Role of Finance in the Development of Clean Energy in China Based on the Panel Vector Autoregressive Model

The efficient development and widespread utilization of clean energy hold global significance, particularly for developing countries like China, which has committed to carbon peak and neutrality targets. In this context, the financial sector plays a crucial role in supporting the renewable energy industry, ensuring a reliable energy supply for economic growth. To statistically assess the impact of financial characteristics—such as financial efficiency, financial size, and green finance—this paper employs a panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model with province-level data from China spanning the period 1991 to 2018. The key findings demonstrate that (1) financial factors significantly contribute to the development of clean energy in China, and among these factors, financial scale has a greater impact than financial efficiency and green finance; (2) there are distinct regional variations in how financial development affects the clean energy sector, and the role of financial scale is particularly pronounced in the central and western regions of China while the impact of financial efficiency on the clean energy industry is not significant across all regions; and (3) other drivers—including industrial structure, financial expenditure, and technological advancements—also spur the growth of the clean energy industry. However, due to diminishing marginal effects, the forces driving its growth may gradually diminish. Therefore, the article proposes critical policy suggestions for promoting clean energy development in China. These policies should consider the regional context and address both financial and non-financial aspects. Understanding the interplay between finance, regional dynamics, and clean energy development is crucial for achieving sustainable and resilient energy systems in China.

Sustainable Development Goals in a regional context: conceptualising, measuring and managing residents’ perceptions

ABSTRACT This study explores how national-level Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are implemented at the regional level in Italy by achieving three objectives: (1) conceptualising local residents’ perceptions of the SDGs; (2) creating a scale to measure these perceptions; and (3) validating this scale across Italian regions. Using a six-step methodology, including panel data analysis and surveys with 2303 respondents, this research validates key SDGs significant to Italian regions. The results provide policymakers with a framework to tailor regional policies that resonate with residents’ views on SDGs.

Spherical Superpixel Segmentation with Context Identity and Contour Intensity

Superpixel segmentation is a popular preprocessing tool in the field of image processing. Nevertheless, conventional planar superpixel generation algorithms are inadequately suited for segmenting symmetrical spherical images due to the distinctive geometric differences. In this paper, we present a novel superpixel algorithm termed context identity and contour intensity (CICI) that is specifically tailored for spherical scene segmentation. By defining a neighborhood range and regional context identity, we propose a symmetrical spherical seed-sampling method to optimize both the quantity and distribution of seeds, achieving evenly distributed seeds across the panoramic surface. Additionally, we integrate the contour prior to superpixel correlation measurements, which could significantly enhance boundary adherence across different scales. By implementing the two-fold optimizations on the non-iterative clustering framework, we achieve synergistic CICI to generate higher-quality superpixels. Extensive experiments on the public dataset confirm that our work outperforms the baselines and achieves comparable results with state-of-the-art superpixel algorithms in terms of several quantitative metrics.

A holistic platform for accelerating sorbent-based carbon capture

Reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions urgently requires the large-scale deployment of carbon-capture technologies. These technologies must separate CO2 from various sources and deliver it to different sinks1,2. The quest for optimal solutions for specific source–sink pairs is a complex, multi-objective challenge involving multiple stakeholders and depends on social, economic and regional contexts. Currently, research follows a sequential approach: chemists focus on materials design3 and engineers on optimizing processes4,5, which are then operated at a scale that impacts the economy and the environment. Assessing these impacts, such as the greenhouse gas emissions over the plant’s lifetime, is typically one of the final steps6. Here we introduce the PrISMa (Process-Informed design of tailor-made Sorbent Materials) platform, which integrates materials, process design, techno-economics and life-cycle assessment. We compare more than 60 case studies capturing CO2 from various sources in 5 global regions using different technologies. The platform simultaneously informs various stakeholders about the cost-effectiveness of technologies, process configurations and locations, reveals the molecular characteristics of the top-performing sorbents, and provides insights on environmental impacts, co-benefits and trade-offs. By uniting stakeholders at an early research stage, PrISMa accelerates carbon-capture technology development during this critical period as we aim for a net-zero world.

Multiscale dimensions of the foreign working citizens participation to the Italian labour market: intra-regional heterogeneities across the North–South divide

This article delves into the distinctive intra- and interregional geographical heterogeneity of Italy, emphasizing demographic and socio-economic variations and the role of foreign employment, considering the labour market as a fundamental driver for migration and local inclusion. The article identifies a gap in understanding the employed foreign population as a multiscale process in Lombardy and Campania, representative regions as case studies from the North and South divide using a MGWR approach. The results reveal contrasting effects of the Italian labour force’s unemployment rate (URI). In Lombardy, a positive effect suggests working competition between labour force components while, in Campania, the relation is less clear. The analysis underscores significant local heterogeneity, emphasizing the importance and urgency of employing local scale analysis for accurate statistics. The study emphasizes the multiscale nature of the analysed process, demonstrating variable effects across different regional contexts. While the study is limited to two regions and cross-sectional data, it marks the first attempt in Italy to address the foreign presence as a multiscale process, highlighting the need for localized and multiscale approaches in understanding spatial processes related to demography and population issues.