Global Economic Development Research Articles

Green finance, green development and decarbonization of the energy consumption structure.

Energy plays a crucial role in global economic development, but it also contributes significantly to CO2 emissions. China has proposed a "dual-carbon" goal, and a key aspect to achieving this objective is finding effective ways to promote the decarbonization of the energy consumption structure (DECS). Compared with traditional finance, green finance is pivotal in advancing green and low-carbon development. However, the mechanism through which green finance impacts DECS has not been thoroughly explored. This study employs an enhanced weighted multi-dimensional vector angle method, which is more systematic and scientific, to measure DECS. Then, dynamic panel data from 30 provinces in China spanning the years 2003 to 2020 are used. A double fixed-effects model is applied to investigate the impact of green finance on the DECS and identify potential pathways. Results reveal that green finance significantly enhances DECS, primarily by reinforcing green development. The critical impact pathway involves the promotion of green technology innovation and green industry development. Moreover, the enhancing effect of green finance on the DECS is considerably significant in regions with relatively low government spending on science and technology (S&T), and where the focus is not on the "Atmospheric Ten" policy. The measurement of DECS is innovative, and the conclusions derived from it can offer compelling evidence for various social stakeholders. The government has the opportunity to establish a green financial system, supporting green technological innovation and the development of green industries. This approach can accelerate the DECS and work toward achieving the "double carbon" goal at an earlier date.

Building Sharia Law Banking System in Global Economic Development Under Local Wisdom Basis

Purpose: The aim of this research is to find out about building an Islamic legal banking system in global economic development based on local wisdom. Method: The research method used in this research is normative juridical and sociological juridical with this type of research taking field data. In sociological juridical research, this research uses primary data. In addition, this research uses normative juridical methods as an inseparable part in analyzing the development process of the sharia banking system in various regions in Indonesia with existing local wisdom, such as in Bali with Village Credit Institutions and in West Sumatra with Village Credit Institutions. Lumbung Pitih Nagari (LPN). The approach methods used are the conceptual approach and the statutory approach. Meanwhile, the data used is secondary data supported by primary data. Result and Conclusion: The results of the research can be concluded that public trust in the development of the Sharia Banking system plays a very fundamental role, where with public trust and knowledge, Sharia banking which manages the financial system will attract public interest so that it is easier to develop and develop. deeply rooted in people's lives. Apart from that, the development of the sharia financial system in various regions cannot be separated from local culture and wisdom. The role of positive law, which is supported by openness and harmony between religious communities and mutual respect as Indonesians, will make the sharia financial system an alternative in the global economy to support the national economy which is embedded in local wisdom. Implication of the research: This research contributes to the understanding of the integration of sharia principles in the global financial system and its impact on overall global economic development. Originality/value: The novelty of this research is that it explains building a sharia banking system in global economic development based on local wisdom which highlights deeper integration between Islamic economic principles and the current global economic context.

Maddison‐style estimates of the evolution of the world economy: A new 2023 update

AbstractThis paper surveys the literature on historical national accounting, discusses the importance of relative income benchmarks for, in particular, historical income estimates, and presents an update of long run global economic development with a new version of the Maddison Project Database (MPD). As benchmarks are central to methodologies for global income comparisons over time, and therefore vital to MPD, we analyze the consequences and biases of three benchmarks, the 1990 benchmark, the 2011 benchmark and the multiple benchmark method following the recent Penn World Tables (PWT) methodology, for pre‐1940 income estimates. We develop a methodology to determine which benchmark in combination with time series produces the best anchor for the historical income estimates in the MPD. We conclude that the best way forward for the Maddison Project is to stick to the original 1990 benchmark, yet with two important changes. First, we integrate the 2011 benchmark for the post‐1990 period, and second, we fine tune the dataset for the pre‐1940 period by integrating a new historical benchmark for the US/UK comparison in 1909. By integrating more benchmarks, the MPD moves closer to a multiple benchmark approach as developed by the PWT.

The Great Tea Road and the Formation of the Community of the Chinese Nation

The Great Tea Road is another important international commercial and cultural channel connecting China to the world that has emerged on the Eurasian continent after the decline of The Silk Roads. It is the result of the prosperity and development of economic globalization since the 16th century. The Chinese National Community is a national community of economic interdependence and cultural compatibility formed by the people of all ethnic groups in China during the long-term historical development. As an important part of The Belt and Road Initiative, The Great Tea Road is the product of the integrated development of Chinese cultural identity and national economy, the concentrated embodiment of the consciousness of Chinese National Community, and an important medium to convey the Chinese nation's concept of friendly economic and cultural exchanges with other countries and to build a community with a shared future for mankind. It is of great significance to explore the value and realization path of The Great Tea Road to the formation the sense of community for Chinese nation for the using of The Great Tea Road as a heritage site and the promotion of economic and cultural cooperation among cities in countries along the route through tea culture as a medium.

The spatial spillover effects of clean energy consumption and production on sustainable economic development in China

The massive consumption of fossil energy has resulted in high CO2 emissions, posing a formidable challenge to global sustainable economic development (SED). As countries endeavor to shift from fossil to clean energy sources to achieve SED, research on the impact of clean energy is scarce, and quantitative analysis is lacking. This study measured China's SED and used a spatial econometric model to examine the impact of clean energy consumption and production on SED across 30 provinces in China from 2008 to 2020. Results show that (1) China's SED exhibits significant positive spatial autocorrelation characteristics, forming a “point-to-area” development pattern. (2) Clean energy consumption, production, and consumption structure all contribute to the promotion of SED in the region and have positive spatial spillover effects. (3) A considerable regional disparity exists in the spatial impact of clean energy on SED. The eastern and central regions have significant positive spatial spillover effects, whereas the western region is opposite. Notably, the estimated coefficient of the spatial Durbin model is relatively small, reflecting China's ongoing transition to clean energy and its limited role in promoting economic sustainability. Joint efforts and differentiated policies are essential to develop clean energy and sustainable economic.

Analysis of the Difficulties and Countermeasures of East Asian Regional Economic Cooperation

Global economic development witnessed two significant developments during the 1990s: economic globalization and regional economic integration. East Asia's economy has been steadily developing, making it one of the most promising areas in the world economy. Nonetheless, East Asia's economic cooperation is developing far more slowly than that of the European Union and the North American Free Trade Area. East Asian nations have deeply realized that the only way to increase the competitiveness of their economies and, consequently, their overall economic strength is to actively participate in economic cooperation, as evidenced by the rapid development of trade and economic ties between the European Union and the North American Free Trade Area. This article aims to study the difficulties and countermeasures of East Asian regional economic cooperation in the context of current economic globalization and regional economic integration. According to this study, there are three key reasons why regional economic cooperation among Southeast Asian countries is problematic: political factors in East Asian countries, economic factors in East Asian countries, and social and cultural factors in East Asian countries. Various measures have been suggested to address the current challenges. These include fostering East Asian regional cooperation around ASEAN, expediting economic recovery through trade and economic cooperation, and fortifying cultural exchanges and cooperation to further the development of East Asian regional economic cooperation.

A rapid in-situ hardness detection method for steel rails based on LIBS and machine learning

The railway, as a public transportation system, has played a significant role in global economic development. However, the pursuit of high speed and heavy load in trains has brought significant bending and shear stresses on the rails, making the performance of steel rails a notable focal point. The properties of steel rails are crucial factors determining the operational safety of high-speed trains, while the surface hardness is regarded as a key mechanical characteristic. This study is to develop a new rapid in-situ method to measure the hardness of steel rails, by employing Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and specified analysis technology. Three distinct methods, including spectral line intensity ratios, plasma excitation temperature and machine learning, have been compared and analysed. Particularly, a multivariate model is established and optimized using the machine learning methods for U71Mn steel rail hardness analysis. In the machine learning algorithms, variance normalization is utilized, resulted in a significant improvement for the information retention during the data dimensionality reduction process. Subsequently, twelve algorithm combinations were explored, revealing that the Particle Swarm Optimization employed in Support Vector Regression (PSO-SVR) yielded the lowest mean squared error (MSE). Further refinement of the PSO-SVR was achieved through the incorporation of adaptive stochastic weights, resulting in an elevated coefficient of determination (R2) to 0.9876. Finally, the performance of the model on the new five samples was validated with an R2 of 0.9864. Otherwise, its potential applicability may be extended to broader domains, providing robust support for enhancing the precision and reliability of LIBS technology in surface hardness quantitative analysis.

COMPETITIVE DEPRECIATION. A GLOBAL OBSTACLE TO MONETARY REGULATORY TASKS’ CONSENSUS

At the current stage of development of global economy and international economic relations, certain disputes over the goals of regulatory framework on international economic activity may arise. Such regulatory objectives of domestic monetary authorities as promoting the global competitiveness of domestic producers, may contradict the regulatory objectives international monetary authorities. One of such contradictions is competitive depreciation, the concept of which is defined, in particular, by the Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund. The issue of competitive devaluation as a theoretical phenomenon has been studied by such foreign scholars as P. Bergin, D. Corsetti, D. Li, G. Lima, D. McCombie, R. Ribeiro, A. Rodnianski, S. Xiao, L. Tang, Y. Tervala, S. Zhou; among the domestic scholars whose works are devoted to this topic, we can distinguish O. Vinogradova, V. Holiuk, V. Dergachova, M. Kravchenko, Z. Lutsyshyn, N. Reznikova and others. This article analyzes the modern theoretical foundations of domestic currency depreciation as a way to promote gains of competitive advantages on global markets by domestic producers. The purpose of the study is to determine the fundamentals of monetary regulation on which available to monetary authorities mechanisms of influencing the domestic monetary system may simultaneously contribute to gains of global competitive advantages by domestic producers and cause the domestic currency depreciation. The main areas of regulatory activity of domestic monetary authorities that need to be modernized, namely, the mechanism for regulating the money supply in order to facilitate the acquisition of competitive advantages by national producers in world markets have been identified in this article.

Economic effects of sustainable energy technology progress under carbon reduction targets: An analysis based on a dynamic multi-regional CGE model

Advancing sustainable energy technologies (SET) is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality and effectively addressing climate change. Unlike most studies that focus on individual sustainable energy policies, this research constructs a recursive computable general equilibrium (CGE) model with comprehensive sustainable energy modules to analyze the macroeconomic effects of multiple policies related to SET advancement. Covering 8 regions, 13 energy sectors, and 37 intermediate input sectors, the study evaluates the economic and ecological impacts of various SET advancement scenarios from a global economic perspective, aiming for consistent carbon reduction. The findings reveal that : (1) SET implementation reduces electricity costs for residents, optimizes industrial structure, decreases fossil fuel usage, enhances energy use structure, and lowers carbon taxes; (2) the collective impact of renewable energies surpasses that of individual sources, with newer renewables like wind and solar power outperforming traditional ones such as hydropower and nuclear power; and (3) advancements in alternative energy technology have had diverse effects on the global energy environment and economic development. Based on these conclusions, we recommend that: (1) prioritizing the development of solar and wind power in the short term; (2) optimizing SET advancement mechanisms to support progress, including enhancing the market-based price formation for sustainable energy generation and promoting technological innovation and cost reduction; (3) encouraging a synergistic transformation of renewable energy with coal, gas power, and other sources to maximize policy synergies.

Современные особенности и тенденции развития европейского экономического и валютного союза

One of the key aspects of modern global economic development is the deepening of the systemic economic crisis in the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). This article examines the current characteristics and trends in the development of EMU. The relevance of the research is due to the need to study the problems and risks arising in the process of European integration at the present stage. The aim of this work is to identify, analyze and assess the current characteristics and trends of development of the European Economic and Monetary Union. The research methodology includes structuring, comparison, generalization, systemic, eco-nomic, institutional, logical, statistical analysis, as well as the use of induction, deduction and synthesis. The results of the study are analysis and assessment of the features and flaws of European economic integration and the systematization of negative trends leading to a weakening of the EMU’s position in the global econo-my.

Изменения границ внутри человеческого общества. В преддверии постгуманизма

With the prevailing ideas of humanism in the public consciousness, many boundaries were created that divide people into categories. At the same time, on one side of the border there are those who are more deserving of the title ‘human’ in comparison with those who are on the other side. Over the course of history, these borders have been actively rebuilt, and the pace of their changes has become increasingly rapid in recent years. The article examines changes at five such boundaries: between men and women, according to belonging to different religious denominations, to different nationalities and races, between healthy people and disabled people (including between the mentally healthy and the crazy), as well as changes in attitudes over time to the homeless and tramps. The author considers the consequences of changes that have already occurred or are planned at each of these five boundaries. The author believes that a mandatory factor in global economic development has always been the “friendly-alien” division. With the help of such division in economic activity, trust is generated, which is the most important institution necessary for the existence and development of the economy and social organization. Trust facilitates the interaction of economic agents and facilitates the functioning of monetary mechanisms. Large-scale attempts to erase boundaries between people are being made through coups and revolutions, but they lead to the replacement of previously existing boundaries between people with new ones. An attempt to eliminate classes leads to the creation of a new system of boundaries - property inequality. An attempt to eliminate property inequality and the exploitation of man by man leads to the creation of a new system of boundaries – by the place in the vertical of power, by membership in the ruling party, and others. For this reason, with any reforms and radical transformations, it is advisable to anticipate the formation of new borders, and also to evaluate if they are much better than the previous ones in terms of social justice and economic efficiency.

Income and electricity consumption issue: evidence from European households

Research on electricity consumption plays an important role in the development of sustainable national strategies and mitigation of global climate change. With global economic development in general, and Europe in particular, the demand for electricity in households is increasing. Therefore, based on demand theory, this study evaluates the impact of income on electricity consumption in European households. Data were collected from 35 European countries and analyzed. The instrumental variable regression results indicate that income positively impacts electricity consumption in European households. The electricity consumption of European households provides evidence that supports the prediction of demand theory, as an increase in household income as well as a decrease in price leads to a rise in overall consumption. However, the effect of price is not statistically significant. The findings also show that population growth and inflation positively influence household electricity consumption. The outcomes of this study have theoretical and practical implications for improving energy efficiency and effective electricity use in European households. Therefore, it is necessary to continue implementing energy-saving strategies at the household level in the context of increasing electricity consumption in Europe.

Deciphering genome-wide molecular pathways for exogenous Aeromonas hydrophila infection in wide-bodied sand loach (Sinibotia reevesae)

Aquaculture, as a rapidly growing industry, plays a significant role in global food production and economic development. However, various infectious diseases, particularly those caused by the gram-negative bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila, pose a critical threat to the sustainability and productivity of world-wide aquaculture operations. Investigating the molecular mechanisms of A. hydrophila infection can help to identify key targets for therapeutic interventions and vaccines, thereby reducing economic losses associated with disease outbreaks. Our present study focuses on wide-bodied sand loach (WBSL, Sinibotia reevesae), a captive-bred commercial fish, to explore detailed molecular effects of exogenous A. hydrophila infection. Firstly, a high-quality chromosome-level haplotype genome with a total length of 774 Mb and 49 chromosomes was assembled, providing valuable insights into its genetic components. Secondly, we isolated and characterized a newfound A. hydrophila F4S strain, examined pathological symptoms of WBSL after infection, and then investigated dynamic gene expressions. Our results revealed that the bacterial infection decreased metabolic activity, causing disruptions in cardiac function, cellular homeostasis, tissue damages, and impaired energy utilization. The immune system responds multifaceted, potentially impacting overall health and survival. In summary, our findings contribute to the understanding of the complicated interactions between WBSL and exogenous A. hydrophila, especially shed lights on the genetic complexity, immune responses, and potential impacts on fish health and survival. Furthermore, this study provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying A. hydrophila infection, and offers potential strategies to offload corresponding pathological effects, not only in WBSL but also in other aquaculture species.

Modeling and multi-objective optimization for energy-aware scheduling of distributed hybrid flow-shop

With the development of economic globalization and sustainable manufacturing, energy-aware scheduling of distributed manufacturing systems has become a research hot topic. However, energy-aware scheduling of distributed hybrid flow-shop is rarely explored. Thus, this paper is the first attempt to study an energy-aware distributed hybrid flow-shop scheduling problem (DHFSP). We formulate a novel mathematical model of the DHFSP with minimizing makespan and total energy consumption (TEC) criteria. A hybrid multi-objective iterated greedy (HMOIG) approach is proposed to address this energy-aware DHFSP. In this proposed HMOIG, firstly, a new energy-saving method is presented and introduced into the model for reducing TEC criterion. Secondly, an integration initialization scheme is devised to produce initial solutions with high quality. Thirdly, two properties of DHFSP are used to invent a knowledge-based local search operator. Finally, we validate the effectiveness of each improvement component of HMOIG and compare it with other well-known multi-objective evolutionary algorithms on instances and a real-world case. Experimental results manifest that HMOIG is a promising method to solve this energy-aware DHFSP.

Does Geopolitical Risk Affect Agricultural Exports? Chinese Evidence from the Perspective of Agricultural Land

Geopolitical conflicts and power games among major nations present substantial challenges to cross-border trade and global economic development; however, the existing literature has paid limited attention to the role of geopolitical risk in agricultural exports, especially the underlying macroimpact mechanisms from the perspective of agricultural land. This paper utilizes China’s agricultural export data spanning 1995–2020 to empirically investigate the influence of geopolitical risk on China’s agricultural exports and unveil its specific internal mechanisms. The findings reveal that China’s agricultural exports are negatively affected when its trading partners are exposed to geopolitical risk. Notably, trading partners’ agricultural land is instrumental in mitigating the adverse effects of geopolitical risk on China’s agricultural exports. Moreover, a heterogeneity analysis shows that the impact of geopolitical risk on China’s agricultural exports is more significant in non-Belt and Road countries than in Belt and Road countries. Given China’s status as one of the world’s major agricultural exporting nations, the results of this study hold significant importance in proactively addressing and alleviating the impact of geopolitical risks on both Chinese and global agricultural exports.

Research and development factor mismatch, production losses, and energy efficiency: A study on Chinese regional economies

In the face of global economic development and increasing energy demands, the efficient allocation of Research and Development (R&D) resources emerges as a universal concern. This study illuminates the complex relationship between R&D factor mismatch, production losses, and changes in regional energy intensity. Utilizing factor mismatch accounting framework and the STIRPAT model, we systematically assess the impact of spatial mismatches in R&D factors on R&D output and regional energy intensity. The analysis unfolds in three steps, first, the estimation of the degree of spatial R&D factor mismatch and the resulting output gap; second, the calculation of R&D output loss as a function of spatial mismatch coefficient and output share per location; and third, the examination of changes in energy intensity induced by R&D factor mismatch in terms of Total Factor Productivity (TFP), factor mismatch, and output structure. Our findings reveal that R&D factor mismatches can hinder energy intensity reduction, and that regional disparities in the process of factor market marketization significantly contribute to variations in regional energy intensity. These insights emphasize the critical role of efficient R&D resource allocation in promoting energy conservation and productivity, providing substantial implications for policy-making in sustainable growth and energy efficiency across diverse economies.

INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION PROCESSES IN THE CONTEXT OF MILITARY CONFLICTS AS A FACTOR OF GLOBAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRANSFORMATION

Purpose. The aim of the article is to analyse the impact of international migration processes on global economic development in the context of armed conflicts. Methodology of research. The following research methods were employed to achieve the set goal: statistical data analysis (utilizing statistical data on migration flows, armed conflicts, and economic indicators to identify correlations and trends in their interrelation); documentary analysis (investigating official documents, reports from international organizations, scientific publications, and other sources to gather information about armed conflicts, migration flows, and their implications for the economy); case studies (conducting in-depth analyses of specific migration cases resulting from armed conflicts and their impact on the economic situation in both origin and destination countries). Findings. The problems of the development of migration processes and their regularities are summarized. The state of migration processes related to military conflicts is analysed. The advantages and disadvantages of forced migration for host countries and countries of origin of migrants are systematized. The integration of refugees into the environment of the host country was monitored and the challenges associated with this process were analysed. The regularities of the impact of migration processes caused by military conflicts on the transformation of global economic development have been revealed. Peculiarities of modern migration processes in Ukraine are studied. Originality. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the detailed analysis of the relationships between migration flows and armed conflicts and their impact on global economic development. Current situations and conflicts are analyzed, allowing for fresh data and conclusions regarding their influence on migration and the economy. Practical value. The substantiated results of the study of international migration processes in the context of military conflicts can have a significant practical impact on the development of policies, programmes and strategies at both the country and international levels. Key words: migration, migration processes, global economy, economic development, forced migration, refugee, host country.

Diversity within commonality: A comparative study of the impact of foreign direct investment and trade openness on economic growth

The relationships between foreign direct investment (FDI), trade openness, and economic growth are complex and analyzed by many researchers. Still, there are some gaps in our knowledge as literature documents positive, negative, and ambiguous impact of FDI and trade openness on economic growth. This paper addresses one of these gaps and focuses on the similarities and differences among countries from Central and Eastern Europe and West Africa. The econometric analysis covers the 1995-2022 period and employs panel data methods to reveal the long-term positive impact of FDI and trade openness on economic growth in West African countries and long-term positive impact of FDI on economic growth in Central and Eastern European countries. We also demonstrate that apart from cross-border linkages captured by FDI and trade flows, economic growth in Central and Eastern European countries positively correlates with global economic development, however, in case of West Africa this effect is statistically insignificant.

Экотопия Мюррея Букчина: утопия или реальная альтернатива?

Using the works of the famous American philosopher, sociologist, environmentalist, speaker and publicist Professor Murray Bookchin (1921–2006), this article examines his project of social structure. In the first part of the study, the author dwells on the relevance of this issue at the present stage of the global socio-political and economic development. In particular, it is noted that idealized utopian ideas were inherent in human society literally at all stages of historical development, being especially pronounced during the periods of social shifts and upheavals. This thesis is confirmed by a number of written and other sources. The current situation is no exception. The economic crises of 2008 and 2020, the global energy crisis of 2021–2023 and a series of food crises of 2022–2023 as well as the growing geopolitical tension have called for finding ways of alternative development. This makes Bookchin’s social ecology especially relevant in view of its detailed elaboration. The second part of the article is devoted to the analysis of the conceptual and methodological basis of Bookchin’s theory, whose main feature is the variability of historical development. Using the anarchist approach and the dialectical method (dialectical naturalism in his terms), Bookchin identifies libertarian and authoritarian tendencies, which have been manifested throughout the written history of humankind, since the appearance of social stratification, cities and the state, and which have eventually led humanity to a deadlock. In the third part, the author examines the transition to a new ecological social structure described by Bookchin, who believed that the scientific and technological progress of the 20th century had made it possible. Real prospects of this project’s implementation in current conditions are discussed. Answering the main question of the study, the author notes that the social structure project, despite all the elaboration and appeal to rationalism, can, with good reason, be considered a classic utopia. In addition, the article points out obvious contradictions in Bookchin’s theory.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Towards Osteoporosis Among Adults in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2023.

Osteoporosis, the silent epidemic, is defined as a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low mineral bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue. Osteoporosis is considered a burden to global economic, social, and health development. Osteoporosis exerts a substantial global influence, markedly influencing rates of illness and death on a broad scale. Clinical features of osteoporosis can include chronic back pain, loss of height, and a stooped posture, as well as an increased risk of fractures in the spine, hip, and wrist. Accurate identification and monitoring of these clinical features are essential for effective management and treatment of osteoporosis. This study aims to identify the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of adults (over 18 years) about osteoporosis and identify relations between knowledge, attitudes, and practices with demographic data. Furthermore, to assess the risk factors and preventive measures for osteoporosis. Data from 446 responders were collected using a Google Forms questionnaire, including questions to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practice levels among adults 18 years and above in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The collected data and statistical analysis were done through the IBM® SPSS® Statistics. Chi-Square was used in SPSS Statistics; the chi-square test was used for the relation between categorical variables, and P less than 0.05 was the cut-off level of significance. The research revealed that 41.9% of the participants had good knowledge, 38.8% had a positive attitude, and 45.3% had poor practices. The results also showed that there is a statistically significant correlation between gender and knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Our research demonstrates that there's a statistically significant correlation between gender variables with knowledge, attitudes, and practices. These findings have important implications in assessing the correlation between variables in our research that could be used to prevent osteoporosis further, target the specific demographic group, and provide the required education. Overall, our research contributes to a better understanding of the knowledge, attitude, and practices towards Osteoporosis among adults in the UAE and underscores the importance of further awareness in this area.