Development Perspective Research Articles

Guaranteeing the rights of children and adolescents in Brazilian foster care institutions

ABSTRACT Rights violations of children and adolescents cause these social actors to be considered vulnerable. When this occurs, they are referred to family or institutional care programs, as a way of guaranteeing the protection of their fundamental rights. This study aimed to explore how professionals working in foster care institutions (in a city of Southern Brazil) understand and guarantee the human rights of institutionalised children and adolescents, considering the contexts of vulnerability, family trajectories, and the implications of institutionalisation. This descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative approach to the data carried out semi-structured interviews with 12 professionals from three foster care institutions. The data was organised using NVivo software and analysed using the content analysis technique. The results indicate that the foster care institution comes to supply what was violated by a certain family in which the child or adolescent was. However, referring vulnerable children and adolescents to these spaces does not automatically ensure these rights, going through complex and contradictory situations. Although this study indicates some of the State’s downfalls in ensuring the rights of children and adolescents, the reality investigated demonstrates an advantageous perspective for the integral development of these institutionalised and invisible young people.

Advanced in Socioproductive Inclusion: The Protection of Tangible and Intangible Assistances of the Quilombola Community Traditional of Cachoeira Dos Forros - Passa Tempo/MG

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the development of a sustainable and collective business model, by and for the community, aiming, in principle, at its economic emancipation. Theoretical Framework: Today, cooperation is recognized as a source of efficiency and well-being, opposing competition, rational selfishness and neoliberal individualism. However, the simple normative constitution or even the defense of the collective based on moral values ​​is insufficient to develop real cooperation. Therefore, traditional knowledge, understood as communal material and immaterial resources, reveals itself as resources capable of guiding community-based enterprises. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises a study in the Traditional Quilombola Community of Cachoeira dos Forros (CTQCF/MG), located in Passa Tempo, in the state of Minas Gerais. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed that it is possible to outline perspectives for communal development, based on the appreciation of traditional knowledge, from the perspective of community enterprise. However, for this approach to be viable, it is necessary to recognize the obstacles that may interfere with the path to be taken by this community, towards its autonomy as an Afro-diasporic culture. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of intellectual property. These implications may include contributing to the emancipatory process of the CTQCF/MG, already underway. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the originality of the research, whether through an innovative approach, new discoveries or practical contributions. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by adversities to be overcome, highlighting the discredit and lack of engagement of a portion of its members in achieving the common project, which permeates the compelling need to develop methodologies capable of creating enabling conditions in the process of building trust and cooperation among its actors.

Advancing equitable value chains for the global hydrogen economy

Hydrogen is a rapidly growing focus for countries seeking to develop green industries, but there are many questions about how the nascent global hydrogen economy will develop, and what this implies for equitable sharing of benefits and burdens between nations. In this perspective we summarize emerging trends in national hydrogen strategies and develop recommendations for researchers and policymakers to center equity in hydrogen development. This will require integrating innovation and development perspectives on international technology transfer, developing more detailed representation of hydrogen trade in systems models, building equity considerations into national and international planning processes, and establishing robust technology transfer efforts. Policymakers will also need to grapple with the difficulties of verifying life cycle emissions of hydrogen if hydrogen trade emerges as a significant trend, potentially requiring new methods of emissions accounting and trade reforms that prioritize international equity.

Synthesis and Anti-bacterial Activity of New Substituted 2-trifluoromethyl-4-quinolinylhydrazone Analogs against Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious disease that still affects humanity, despite being old, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The emergence of drug-resistant strains has alarmed governments and international organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO). The need for research on new drugs that are effective in a shorter treatment time and active against resistant strains still persists. The objective of this study is to synthesize and evaluate forty-four substituted 2-trifluoromethyl-4-quinolinylhydrazone analogs, as probable inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth. The anti-mycobacterial activities of all tested compounds against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, as well as the cytotoxicity test, were evaluated using the in vitro microplate procedure with broth microdilution assay. Thirteen compounds exhibited some activity against sensitive strain ATCC 27294, six of which were the most active: 4a, 4c, 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6g; with MIC around 7 - 8 μM, close to that presented by ethambutol (15.9 μM), a drug used in the treatment of tuberculosis. These same compounds also were active against a resistant strain of Mtb (T113), with MIC around 7 - 8 μM. Three of these compounds 4a, 6a, and 6c were not cytotoxic against Vero cells at concentrations near the MIC. This study indicates the importance of the hydrazone function to obtain promising anti-TB compounds and open new perspectives for drug development.

Generative artificial intelligence, present and perspectives in public administration

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in public administration, offering innovative solutions for efficiency and better public services. The application of AI in public administration aims to modernise and streamline the services offered to citizens. AI contains advanced algorithms, neural networks, and machine learning techniques to improve performance and efficiency over time. Smart algorithms, responsibly implemented, could help governments enhance service delivery and strengthen citizen engagement in local, city, regional, and national administrations around the world. Governments in some states have discreetly launched pilot programs to test developing AI applications, demonstrating an enthusiasm for technology at least as great as that in the private sector. By utilising AI, public administrations can automate repetitive processes, optimize resource usage, and improve interaction with the public. The purpose of the research is to show the extent and scope that AI tools integrated into organisations have in almost all areas of the public and private sectors in general, and state administrations in particular. The research objectives were: to analyse the dynamics of investments in AI tools; to discover the main services in state administrations that can be better performed using AI; to analyse the risks; and to highlight the perspective of development and integration of AI in public administrations of a few European states. The research is based on a comparative analysis of the implementation of AI tools across fields, components, and regions at the European level mainly, but also for Romania. The analysis period is 2021-2030. The results show a continuously increasing trend and an ever-faster rate of assimilation of AI tools in the field of public administration in an increasing number of states from most developed regions worldwide.

A critical analysis of the factors influencing peaceful coexistence between Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

IntroductionBangladesh currently hosts over a million Rohingya refugees in 33 fetid, dire, and confined camps, with the majority arriving after the 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Although Rohingya refugees have been arriving in Bangladesh since the 1970s, the mass influx following the 2017 military hostilities in Myanmar’s Rakhine State marked a significant crisis escalation. Initially, the local host communities displayed positive, sympathetic attitudes toward the refugees. However, recent evidence suggests a significant decline in social cohesion and peaceful coexistence, with host communities expressing diminished sympathy and growing concerns over the refugees’ prolonged presence in Cox’s Bazar.ObjectivesThis paper investigates the factors influencing the peaceful coexistence between Rohingya refugees and host communities, drawing on the perspectives of development and humanitarian service providers in the Ukhiya and Teknaf sub-districts of Cox’s Bazar.MethodsThe study utilized a mix of theoretical literature and empirical data to identify five determining factors: economic, social, political, cultural, and environmental. Data collection included 18 in-depth key informant interviews, supplemented by analyses of secondary sources drawn from both gray and academic literature.FindingsThe findings indicate that perceived outgroup threats are increasingly undermining peaceful coexistence, despite the absence of direct conflicts between the host and refugees. While political and cultural factors have remained relatively stable, social, economic, and environmental factors continue to erode the current status of peace.DiscussionThe study highlights spatial and psychological proximity as critical overarching factors in fostering peaceful coexistence. It concludes that closer proximity heightens integrated threats, whereas maintaining optimal distance enhances the likelihood of peaceful coexistence. Therefore, the Rohingya response plan should incorporate conflict-sensitive strategies to tackle the adversity of threat factors while maintaining social cohesion as promoting peaceful coexistence between hosts and refugees.

The Effect of Childbearing on the Subjective Well-being of the Elderly and Its Psychological Mechanisms

From the perspective of psychological development, childbearing is an essential or substitutive compensatory experience in life. The sense of hope and permanence that we can derive from our adult children, or from other substitutes, as we grow older is not only a matter of individual physical and mental health and well-being, but also of the success of our country's ageing strategy.In this paper, three aspects of the positive, negative, and uncertain impacts of childbearing on the subjective well-being of older adults and their psychological mechanisms are examined from a psychological perspective.Current research is mostly on changes in the subjective well-being of older people after having children, and in the future it could be studied how young people choose to have offspring in the present in order to enhance their well-being in old age, thus increasing the birth rate.

Willingness for Land Transfer and Coupling Coordination Analysis in Poverty Alleviation Resettlement Areas: A Sustainable Development Perspective

This study focuses on the land transfer intentions of migrants and surrounding villagers in the SZ resettlement area of BS City, Guangxi. It systematically analyzes the coupling coordination relationship between migrants’ land transfer-in intentions and the land transfer-out intentions of surrounding villagers, verifying the practical value of the “Shared Land Resource Model” in the resettlement area and its surroundings. The study yields the following key conclusions: (1) there is a strong coupling between the land demand intentions of migrants and the land supply intentions of surrounding villagers, yet the actual coordination in the transfer process is limited, which constrains resource allocation efficiency and prevents land transfer from fully utilizing shared resources; (2) in the evaluation of migrants’ land transfer-in intentions, external environmental factors have the greatest influence (with a weight coefficient of 0.7877), while individual characteristics (0.0486) and psychological characteristics (0.0593) have relatively low weight coefficients, indicating that migrants primarily rely on government policy support and lack internal motivation; (3) the land transfer-out intentions of surrounding villagers are most affected by farmland resource endowment (weight coefficient of 0.3284), indicating that the quality and quantity of land resources are key factors affecting villagers’ transfer-out willingness, while individual endowment factors have the smallest impact (weight coefficient of 0.1220). Three recommendations are proposed: stimulating migrants’ intrinsic motivation to enhance livelihood autonomy, protecting villagers’ land rights to increase transfer participation, and building a systematic land resource sharing model to promote sustainable resource allocation. This study provides theoretical support for optimizing the land transfer mechanism in resettlement areas, aiming to improve land use efficiency, support the livelihood transition of migrants, and offer practical insights for land management planning in poverty alleviation and resettlement projects in other countries.

Pathways and enhanced evaluation system for green low-carbon development across diverse Chinese regions

Pathways and enhanced evaluation system for green low-carbon development across diverse Chinese regions

On account of “double carbon” targeted regional public buildings in Beijing—Research on carbon emission measurement

Energy conservation and carbon reduction in the construction field is an important part of China’s dual-carbon strategy. And construction operation Carbon emissions during the period. It is also the stage where carbon emissions account for the largest proportion of the whole life cycle of buildings, among which. The carbon emissions per unit area of public buildings are twice that of civil buildings. This study takes the sub-center of Beijing City as an example, focusing on “double carbon”. Under the goal, the research on the measurement of carbon emissions of public buildings within a radius of about 812 square kilometers in the sub-center, from the perspective of urban construction development and the overall carbon emissions of regional-level buildings, on the basis of the research on the actual operation data of urban buildings, the bottom-up carbon emission measurement method of the sub-center has been established, combined with research data analysis, during the operation period, the carbon emissions per unit area of public buildings are twice that of civil buildings. This finding highlights the key role of public buildings in the stage with the largest carbon emissions in the entire life cycle of buildings. In addition, our study also puts forward the characteristics and suggestions of carbon emission reduction of public buildings in the sub-center area, which are instructive for formulating targeted work suggestions on the “dual carbon” goals of urban development. This study not only focuses on the carbon emission measurement of individual buildings, but also expands the perspective to urban construction development and regional levels, filling the gap in the overall research on regional building carbon emission measurement in existing research. It also combines the latest building energy-saving design standards and green building ratings to conduct detailed measurement and analysis of the carbon emission levels of buildings with different energy-saving design standards.

Beyond the usual suspects: contrasting perspectives of developers and peripheral users of model-based energy scenarios

Beyond the usual suspects: contrasting perspectives of developers and peripheral users of model-based energy scenarios

The Significance of Achieving Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality Goals in the Gansu Section of the Yellow River Basin from the Perspective of High-quality Development

The high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin and the strategies of peaking carbon dioxide emissions and achieving carbon neutrality are of great significance to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the sustainable development, and are major strategic decisions made by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China after careful consideration. Gansu Province deeply implements Xi Jinping's ecological civilization ideology, adheres to the organic integration of the goals of peaking carbon dioxide emissions and achieving carbon neutrality with the strategy of high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin, in order to ensure that the Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin achieves the "dual carbon" goals as scheduled. Based on data from the "Statistical Yearbook of Gansu Province", this article analyzes the economic development, carbon emissions, and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin in Gansu Province. It is concluded that from 2009 to 2021, the gross domestic product, total carbon emissions, and per capita carbon emissions in Gansu Province showed an overall fluctuating upward trend, while the carbon emission intensity showed a downward trend year by year. In combination with the actual situation in Gansu Province, achieving the "dual carbon" goals in the Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin will help promote the process of ecological civilization construction, build a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient energy system, promote energy consumption revolution, facilitate the upgrading and transformation of traditional industries, drive the construction of beautiful rural areas, and achieve the six aspects of significance for the people to live a better life.

Measurement of Free Trade Zones’ Investment Attraction: Sustainable Corporate Development Perspective

This study explores the measurement of FTZs’ investment attraction from a sustainable corporate development perspective. Through a comprehensive evaluation framework, the study assesses FTZs’ investment attraction across five indicators: urban business environment, economic development strength, innovation and openness vitality, urban environmental friendliness, and high-quality enterprise development. The weights of each layer’s indicators are calculated using entropy weight and the PCA method. The evaluation results of the investment attractiveness of China’s FTZs show that the investment attraction of FTZs in different regions exhibits hierarchical characteristics and unbalanced development. East China and South China occupy the forefront. Disparities in provincial FTZs’ developmental balance are conspicuous. Guangdong, Shanghai, and Beijing top the charts in terms of congruence with their overall environment rankings, whereas Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian exhibit a mismatch between their sub-indices and their relatively strong overall investment attractiveness. Conversely, Henan, Anhui, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Hunan, and Tianjin, though balanced in sub-environmental development, lag in overall investment appeal, necessitating concerted efforts towards balanced development. On the whole, compared with other indicators, innovation and openness vitality and high-quality enterprise development seem relatively weak. Drawing from our insights, foreign investors can choose free trade zones according to their own development needs. Policymakers can devise targeted interventions to bolster FTZs’ investment attractiveness, tailored to scores and rankings.

Can high-speed rail promote regional technological innovation? An explanation based on city network centrality

The relationship between high-speed railway and technological innovation has attracted wide interest of scholars, but there are few studies pay attention to the role of urban status in the impact of high-speed rail on innovation from the perspective of urban development. In this paper, we construct the theoretical framework of high-speed railway, city network centrality and regional technology innovation, and explore the influence mechanism of high-speed railway on regional technological innovation. Referring to the concept of global urban interlocking network model in Taylor and Derudder (2015), we measure the city network centrality of China's prefecture-level administrative regions based on advanced producer services (APS), and empirically test the mediating effect of city network centrality in high-speed rail's influence on regional technological innovation using prefecture-level data in China from 2007 to 2016. The results suggest that the city network centrality is a mechanism by which high-speed railway affects regional technological innovation. The construction of high-speed railway promotes regional technological innovation by improving the city network centrality. In addition, the promotion of high-speed railway on technological innovation capability varies with urban features, where the small-scale and relatively backward cities gain more benefits from the construction of high-speed railway.

Biosensor‐Based Microfluidic Platforms for Rapid Clinical Detection of Pathogenic Bacteria

AbstractPathogenic bacteria are commonly found in food, water, and soil, posing significant public health challenges globally. Therefore, early, rapid, and highly sensitive strategies for monitoring the bacterial proliferation are crucial for ensuring public health, medical diagnosis, and food safety. Compared to traditional techniques, microfluidic platforms provide powerful detective tools characterized by high integration, high throughput, ease of operation, low reagent consumption, and high sensitivity. Driven by substantial commercial demand, research and development in microfluidic‐based rapid detection methods and technologies has progressed significantly derived by the interdisciplinary integration of multiple disciplines. In this review, progress in clinical detection of pathogenic bacteria with microfluidic biosensors, including microfluidic devices for point‐of‐care (POC) testing, is summarized. Strategies for pathogenic bacteria detection, containing their advantages and disadvantages are discussed in detail. Advanced platforms for capturing and detecting pathogenic bacteria, such as microchannels, microarrays, digital microfluidics (DMF) and paper‐based platforms, are highlighted. The accomplishments and shortcomings of these microfluidic devices are also summarized. Additionally, case studies of biosensor‑based microfluidic devices used for detecting diseases caused by bacterial imbalances are listed. Finally, possible research perspectives for further development in highly effective biosensor‑based microfluidics for clinical detection of pathogenic bacteria are proposed.

Implementation of Artificial Intelligence Systems in Radiology: Historical Development, Trends, and Future Perspectives

Implementation of Artificial Intelligence Systems in Radiology: Historical Development, Trends, and Future Perspectives

Feminist urban futures: Envisioning the future of Ukrainian cities through the lens of the displaced community in Valencia (Spain)

Amidst the context of the ongoing war, Ukraine faces the challenge of reconstruction. Similarly to other post-disaster and post-conflict contexts, the recovery efforts are being guided by the principles of “Build Back Better” (BBB). While these principles can be interpreted as embracing the ideals of sustainability, the challenge lies in how "better" is defined, particularly when the concept is generally interpreted through a lens that prioritizes top-down planning with a focus on infrastructure and economic outputs. The concept of “better” needs to be rethought, particularly from the perspective of the affected populations. However, the viewpoints and experiences of internationally displaced Ukrainians are notably absent from these discussions.This research proposes a participatory approach to envisioning urban recovery from displacement, centring on the experiences of displaced Ukrainians residing in Valencia, Spain. By working with this community, the study aims to redefine “better” in the context of urban recovery in Ukraine. Drawing on feminist urbanism, critical development perspectives and futures studies, the study investigates the intersectional oppressions and insights of displaced individuals, through workshops, interviews, and photovoice methodologies.The findings highlight a collective vision that prioritizes emotional resilience, social cohesion and care, with participants prioritizing community-oriented green spaces, inclusive public services, and sustainable mobility. These insights challenge conventional interpretations of BBB in traditional recovery models, which often focus on measurable economic outcomes and risk-perpetuating "destructive reconstruction". Instead, this research advocates for a more inclusive, sustainable, and socially just recovery process that honours the diverse needs and aspirations of everyone, including those displaced abroad.

Seawater Desalination System Driven by Sustainable Energy: A Comprehensive Review

Seawater desalination is one of the most widely used technologies for freshwater production; however, its high energy consumption remains a pressing global challenge. Both the development and utilization of sustainable energy sources are anticipated to mitigate the energy shortages associated with seawater desalination while also effectively addressing the environmental issues linked to fossil fuel usage. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the classification and evolution of traditional desalination technologies, emphasizing the advancements, progress, and challenges associated with integrating various sustainable energy sources into the desalination process. Then, the cost, efficiency, and energy consumption of desalination systems driven by sustainable energy are discussed, and it is found that even the most widely used reverse osmosis (RO) technology driven by fossil fuels has CO2 emissions of 0.3–1.7 kgCO2/m3 and the lowest cost of desalinated water as high as 0.01 USD/m3, suggesting the necessity and urgency of applying sustainable energy. A comparison of different seawater desalination systems driven by different sustainable energy sources is also carried out. The results reveal that although the seawater desalination system driven by sustainable energy has a lower efficiency and a higher cost than the traditional system, it has more potential from the perspective of environmental protection and sustainable development. Furthermore, the efficiency and cost of desalination technology driven by a single sustainable energy source is lower than that driven by multi-sustainable energy sources, while the efficiency of desalination systems driven by multi-sustainable energy is lower than that driven by hybrid energy, and its cost is higher than that of desalination systems driven by hybrid energy. Considering factors such as cost, efficiency, consumption, economic scale, and environmental impact, the integration of various seawater desalination technologies and various energy sources is still the most effective strategy to solve water shortage, the energy crisis, and environmental pollution at present and in the future.

Research on the impact of the digital economy on haze pollution: evidence from prefecture-level cities in China

Lately, the ongoing issue of haze pollution in multiple cities across China has had a profound impact on the residents’ wellbeing and overall health. The urgent necessity to address haze pollution is undeniable. Meanwhile, the rapidly evolving digital economy has sprung up as a pivotal driver for China’s economic growth, providing innovative approach to tackle haze pollution. This research explores the impact of the digital economy on haze pollution through utilizing the big data pilot zone as a quasi-natural experiment. Panel data from 280 prefecture-level cities in China is adopted, covering the period from 2011 through 2020. This analysis incorporates various models, namely, difference-in-differences model (DID), mediation effect model, and difference-in-differences spatial Durbin model. The findings highlight the substantial contributions of digital economy in alleviating haze pollution. Furthermore, these findings hold true even after a series of rigorous robustness checks. The constraint influence of the digital economy on haze pollution is particularly prominent in metropolitan areas, cities with elevated administrative levels, primary environmental protection cities, as well as economically developed cities. Financial development and technological innovation serve as important mechanisms through which the digital economy suppresses haze pollution. After accounting for spatial factors, the digital economy exhibits consequential spillover effects, leading to substantial inhibition of haze pollution in surrounding cities as well as locally. The novel aspects of this paper are as follows: Firstly, it regards the establishment of big data experimental zones as the exogenous policy shock of digital economy and employs a multi period DID model to evaluate the impact of the digital economy on haze pollution. Secondly, it explores the transmission pathways through which the digital economy affects haze pollution from the perspectives of financial development and technological innovation. Thirdly, it investigates the heterogeneous characteristics of the impact of the digital economy on haze pollution. Fourthly, it examines the spatial spillover effects of the digital economy on haze pollution from the perspective of spatial econometrics.

Spatial Analysis of Lung Cancer Patients and Associated Influencing Factors from the Perspective of Urban Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Jiangsu Province, China

With global environmental changes, lung cancer has become one of the most common types of cancer worldwide, posing a significant public health challenge. Jiangsu Province, located in the eastern part of China, is an economically and socially developed region. According to the latest cancer registration data in Jiangsu Province, lung cancer ranks first in both incidence and mortality of cancer in the province. Thus, studying the spatiotemporal distribution of lung cancer cases and analyzing the influence of various factors on this distribution are crucial for the effective prevention and control of the disease in Jiangsu Province. This study takes the statistical data of lung cancer patients in Jiangsu Province in 2020 as the research object, uses Geographic Information System (GIS) visualization and spatial analysis to study the spatial distribution characteristics of lung cancer patients in Jiangsu Province, and employs the geographical detector to numerically express the impact of various environmental factors on the distribution of lung cancer patients in Jiangsu Province. The results reveal a notable spatial clustering of lung cancer cases, with high-incidence areas concentrated in Suzhou, Nanjing, and Xuzhou cities. Among the seven environmental factors examined, PM2.5, SO2, and PM10 concentration exert the most significant influence. This study employs multifactorial spatial analysis to elucidate the intricate relationships between people’s health and air quality, medical resource distribution, and lung cancer incidence in the process of pursuing sustainable development in cities and provides an important reference for the improvement in lung cancer prevention and control strategies.