Local Factors Research Articles

Divergent impacts of financial factors on Islamic vs conventional stock markets: insights from advanced countries using MM-QR

PurposeThis study aims to explore how financial factors affect both conventional and Islamic stock market indices of G7 countries from July 27, 2015, to February 29, 2024.Design/methodology/approachIt examines local factors like CDS, exchange rates and bond yields, along with global ones such as USCDS, VIX, OVX and MSCI, using the innovative MM-QR method to identify any asymmetric effects on stock market returns during bull, bear and normal market phases.FindingsThe findings suggest that CDS has a more pronounced negative impact on the conventional index compared to the Islamic index. While 10-year bond yields generally have a positive influence on both indices, except during bullish phases in Islamic markets. Exchange rates tend to negatively correlate with stock returns in both markets, except for a specific quarter in conventional markets. USCDS has a positive relationship with both conventional and Islamic indexes. The MSCI World Index has a significant positive effect on both markets, while VIX negatively affects the conventional market but tends to be positive in Islamic markets during bear and normal market conditions. OVX indicates that adverse news from the global oil market negatively impacts both conventional and Islamic stock markets.Originality/valuePrevious research has overlooked the comparative analysis, focusing solely on either Islamic or conventional equities. Therefore, the study initiates by analyzing how changes in financial factors affect Islamic equity returns within the G7 nations, with a parallel investigation into whether these effects align with those observed in conventional equity markets.

Soil properties and environmental factors across different altitudes influence biodiversity of root endophytic fungi in the orchid Bletilla sinensis

Context Bletilla sinensis is a perennial orchid herb widely used in Chinese herbal medicine. The endophytic fungi associated with its roots significantly affect plant growth and secondary metabolite accumulation, whereas environmental factors crucially determine the community and diversity of these fungi. Aims This study investigated the impact of habitat environment on the symbiotic relationship between B. sinensis and its endophytic fungi by analysing the community composition and diversity of endophytic fungi in B. sinensis roots at various altitudes. Methods B. sinensis roots were sampled from three altitudes (HXJ1, HXJ2, HXJ3) in Jinjiang Town, Shangri-La County, Yunnan Province, China. Endophytic fungi were isolated and analysed using high-throughput sequencing technology. Key results The endophytic fungi were dominated by Ascomycota (85.4%) and Basidiomycota (14.6%). α-Diversity analysis showed that HXJ2 had the highest species richness (Chao1 = 34), while HXJ1 exhibited the highest diversity (Shannon = 2.25, Simpson = 0.84). β-Diversity analysis revealed moderate community similarities between sampling sites (Bray–Curtis indices: 0.433–0.597). Notably, fungal abundance showed strong positive correlations with soil total phosphorus (r = 1.000, P < 0.01) and total carbon (r = 0.998, P < 0.05) in HXJ1. Conclusions The study revealed a clear altitudinal pattern, where higher altitudes exhibited lower fungal diversity. However, the mid-altitude site (HXJ2) showed higher fungal diversity compared with both higher (HXJ3) and lower altitudes (HXJ1), suggesting that local environmental factors, such as soil nutrients and surrounding vegetation, may interact with temperature to influence fungal diversity. Implications This study sheds light on the symbiotic relationship between B. sinensis and its endophytic fungi, with implications for the cultivation and medicinal properties of this herb.

High metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease prevalence in type 2 diabetes: Urgent need for integrated screening and lifestyle intervention.

This letter discusses the recent study by Mukherjee et al, which identifies a significant prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) among newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Bihar, India, and underscores the pressing need for integrated MASLD management within T2DM care. With 72.3% of the study cohort affected by MASLD, implementing routine liver function tests and ultrasound screenings is recommended as a standard practice in diabetes care, especially in regions with high prevalence rates. The study also advocates for dietary and lifestyle modifications, particularly the reduction of saturated fats, to slow MASLD progression. Patient education on monitoring body mass index and waist circumference, coupled with the integration of these metrics into digital health records, could enhance patient involvement and support proactive health management. Moreover, the letter emphasizes the advantages of developing a region-specific MASLD risk model that incorporates local dietary patterns and socioeconomic factors. Continued research into genetic and environmental determinants of MASLD remains essential for advancing our understanding of its etiology and informing targeted public health strategies.

Current Status of Pulsatilla patens in Latvia—Population Size, Demographic and Seed Viability Indicators, Soil Parameters and Their Relationships

Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill. (Eastern pasque flower) is classified as a highly endangered and declining species in Europe. The present research assessed the current status of P. patens in Latvia by collecting data on its distribution in historical places, Natura 2000 territories, and other areas, largely covering the entire country. We aimed to analyze the relationships between P. patens populations size, demographic indicators, and soil parameters, in order to gain knowledge on the impact of local ecological factors and optimal growth conditions, which are important for conservation and potential reintroduction. Although P. patens was not detected in more than a third of the surveyed 624 locations, more than 18 thousand individuals were recorded. Our results indicate that optimal growth conditions for P. patens occurred near highways, forest roads, and paths, that is, in places with reduced competition from other species and improved lighting conditions. The seed viability ranging from 22% to 62% can be considered potentially sufficient for the continuation of the species if enough flowering plants and moss-free spaces for germination are maintained. Although P. patens tolerates a broad soil pH range, in Latvia this species mainly grows in acidic sandy soils with an average pHKCl of 4.07. The soil parameters that most strongly positively correlated with P. patens regional population size and performance included higher soil pH level and plant available nutrient content, particularly P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn and B. Increased soil P and Mn levels significantly enhanced flowering, while high organic matter content could be associated with reduced population sizes. Despite its still large current population, long-term risks remain without active management. Conservation measures, such as creating open soil areas, where vegetation is removed and shading is reduced, are necessary to mitigate population decline.

Detecting and Explaining Long-Term Trends in a Weed Community in a Biennial Cereal–Legume Rotation

The technique of Dynamic Factor Analysis (DFA), which aims to reduce the dimensionality of time-series data, was utilized in order to model the changes over time in eight different long-time-series weeds (26 years) growing in a biennial cereal–legume rotation. The aim of the present study was to determine the existence of long-term trends in a weed community and to identify the factors that determine them. A common trend was extracted that captured the main signal of abundance over time, indicating latent influences affecting all species. Canonical correlation analysis showed strong associations between the common trend and specific weed species, suggesting differential responses to this latent factor. Local (temperature and precipitation) and global weather factors (North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)) were considered as explanatory variables to explain the common trend. The local weather variables considered did not play a significant role in explaining the commonly observed trend. Conversely, NAO showed a significant relationship with the weed community, indicating its potential role in shaping long-term weed dynamics. DFA was found to be useful for studying the variability in multivariate weed time-series without the need for detailed a priori information on the underlying mechanisms governing weed population dynamics. Overall, this study provided valuable insights into the long-term drivers of weed dynamics and set the stage for future research in this area.

Spatial variations in urban woodland cooling between background climates

Urban woodland composition and configuration have strong associations with land surface temperatures (LST), but the evidence is contradictory due to different spatial scales, regional climate zones, woodland types and urban contexts. In this study, we analyse associations between urban woodland and LST within and between five cities in different Köppen climate zones. Our consistent methodology is framed around local climate zones and conducted at a fine spatial scale. We find that urban woodland fragmentation, connectedness, and shape complexity all influence LST, though much less than overall cover. The importance of cover holds for all climates except for hot-desert (Cairo). Otherwise, every 1% increase in woodland cover corresponds to a reduction of LST of around 0.07 °C to 0.02 °C (London-Cfb > Toronto-Dfa > Nanjing-Cfa > Shenyang-Dwa). Within cities, increasing urban woodland cover generally reduces LST more in built-up compared to vegetated zones. Nevertheless, associations between local LST and urban woodland composition and configuration are highly heterogeneous across cities, especially in cooler climates. Thus, to unravel the complexities of urban woodland cooling, systematic analysis of contemporaneous local and regional factors is required.

Drivers of amphibian species richness in European ponds

Amphibians are commonly occurring inhabitants of most lentic freshwater ecosystems, yet their global populations are in alarming decline. Ponds in particular play a crucial role in supporting amphibian biodiversity. In this study, we identified the main drivers influencing amphibian species richness by conducting a comprehensive ecological characterization in 201 ponds across seven European countries spanning a large latitudinal and longitudinal gradient. The amphibian species richness in each of these ponds was assessed using environmental DNA metabarcoding on water samples. The relative influence of climatic, local abiotic and biotic, and land use variables on variation in species richness across ponds was quantified using boosted regression trees. Our results suggest that local factors, particularly chlorophyll‐a concentration, but also pond area and depth, are the main drivers of amphibian richness, together with climatic variables such as annual mean precipitation and temperature. The highest richness was observed in low‐nutrient, fishless, intermediate‐sized, shallow ponds, located in warmer regions with higher precipitation rates. These potential drivers of amphibian richness should be considered in the planning and implementation of amphibian conservation and management actions.

Ben Weinstein, MD (1913-1974) and his enduring impact on the history of medicine experience in medical school.

The history of medicine as a component of the medical school curriculum has been a long-standing subject of debate and controversy. Ultimately, local factors may determine this experience and be aligned with or outside of the curriculum. The opportunity at Tulane University School of Medicine is long-standing and successful. It came to fruition through the efforts of Benjamin Bernard Weinstein, MD. A native New Orleanian, he received his undergraduate (1933) and medical (1937) degrees from Tulane as well as his training in obstetrics and gynaecology. He then joined the faculty and remained there until 1953 when he entered private practice with an interest in reproductive medicine. Weinstein was internationally known in the field, travelling the globe as a prominent educator and intersecting with world leaders. But his passion was the Tulane History of Medicine Society, founded by Weinstein in 1933 as a medical student. He became its guiding force and benefactor and built the foundation that remains highly relevant and successful 91 years later with a lengthy list of distinguished Weinstein Lecturers annually. Following his death in 1974, his family has continued to engage and support the Society. Weinstein's legacy of an enriched life through the study and knowledge of the history of medicine continues through the Society.

Thymus ad astra, or spaceflight-induced thymic involution

Spaceflight imposes a constellation of physiological challenges—cosmic radiation, microgravity, disrupted circadian rhythms, and psychosocial stress—that critically compromise astronaut health. Among the most vulnerable organs is the thymus, a cornerstone of immune system functionality, tasked with generating naive T cells essential for adaptive immunity. The thymus is particularly sensitive to spaceflight conditions, as its role in maintaining immune homeostasis is tightly regulated by a balance of systemic and local factors easily disrupted in space. Cosmic radiation, an omnipresent hazard beyond Earth’s magnetosphere, accelerates DNA damage and cellular senescence in thymic epithelial cells, impairing thymopoiesis and increasing the risk of immune dysregulation. Microgravity and circadian rhythm disruption exacerbate this by altering immune cell migration patterns and stromal support, critical for T-cell development. Psychosocial stressors, including prolonged isolation and mission-induced anxiety, further compound thymic atrophy by elevating systemic glucocorticoid levels. Ground-based analogs simulating cosmic radiation and microgravity have been instrumental in elucidating mechanisms of thymic involution and its downstream effects on immunity. These models reveal that long-duration missions result in diminished naive T-cell output, leaving astronauts vulnerable to infections and possibly at high risk for developing neoplasia. Advances in countermeasures, such as pharmacological interventions targeting thymic regeneration and bioengineering approaches to protect thymic architecture, are emerging as vital strategies to preserve immune resilience during prolonged space exploration. Focusing on the thymus as a central hub of immune vulnerability underscores its pivotal role in spaceflight-induced health risks. Understanding these dynamics will not only enhance the safety of human space missions but also provide critical insights into thymus biology under extreme conditions.

Rehabilitation for Chronic Constipation: Integrative Approaches to Diagnosis and Treatment

Background: Chronic constipation is a well-recognized complication which is caused by hard and/or infrequent defecation. According to estimates, constipation presents as a chronic illness affecting 16% of adults globally, who deal with insufficient bowel movements that cause discomfort, bloating, or a sensation of incomplete bowel. Objectives: This review looks at the many local and systemic factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of the causative, including dietary habits, genetic factors, colon function and absorption, social and economic factors, lifestyle, and biological and drug factors. Results: Appropriate diagnostic and management modalities are the cornerstone in the management of patients with chronic constipation. However, there are still controversies regarding the timing of these diagnostic and management approaches. This condition is common and reduces the quality of life of patients and represents a burden on any healthcare system. In clinical practice, it remains problematic, as physicians are most of the time indecisive on which therapy to administer and at what time. Conclusions: Constipation management is a new topic that was introduced over a decade ago and the purpose of this study is to shed some light onto the practice, problems and modern day techniques that can be used to treat constipation in patients, primarily through behavioural, conservative, medical, and surgical means. Additionally, this particular management is to be used in conjunction with an algorithm designed to enhance and support clinical practice.

Ocean current modulation of the spatial distribution of microplastics in the surface sediments of the Beibu Gulf, China.

Microplastic pollution, a major global environmental issue, is gaining heightened attention worldwide. Marginal seas are particularly susceptible to microplastic contamination, yet data on microplastics in marine sediments remain scarce, especially in the Beibu Gulf. This study presents a large-scale investigation of microplastics in the surface sediments of the Beibu Gulf to deciphering their distribution, sources and risk to marginal seas ecosystems. The results reveal widespread microplastic contamination, with an average abundance of 391 ± 27 items/kg in sediments. The spatial variability of microplastic abundance was significant, with lower levels in the western Beibu Gulf and higher concentrations in the northeastern and southeastern regions. The spatial distribution of microplastics was largely driven by geological features, hydrodynamic conditions, and human activity, with minimal influence from local environmental factors such as water depth, sediment grain size, organic carbon content, and sediment types. The pollution load index (PLI) suggests a low level of microplastic contamination, but the polymer hazard index (PHI) identified a high ecological risk, likely due to the presence of PVC, a polymer with higher chemical toxicity. Our findings highlight the significant role of hydrodynamic processes in determining microplastic distribution in the Beibu Gulf. These insights enhance our understanding of microplastic dispersal and its governing factors in semi-enclosed marginal seas, providing foundation for targeted pollution control strategies.

Coupled Thermal and Moisture Modeling of Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements: A Sensitivity Study

This study outlines a coupled thermal and moisture transfer simulation model to simulate the environmental effects that impact a concrete pavement slab through its internal relative humidity (RH) profile. The model is validated by use of observed temperature and internal RH field data from an in-situ concrete pavement test section. A sensitivity simulation of this coupled model for arid region concrete slabs is conducted to better assess the impact of localized climatic factors such as wind speed, air RH, and local rainfall distribution on the concrete slab’s internal RH profile. Better understanding of the coupled effects of temperature and moisture will help improve predictions of critical concrete pavement factors such as moisture warping, differential drying shrinkage, chloride ion ingress, and other moisture durability-related concerns.

Challenges in nature-based health and therapy research and critical considerations for application in musculoskeletal health

Nature-based health and therapy (NBHT) is a term incorporating a broad suite of practices that focus on engagement with the natural world and nature-rich spaces for potential physical and mental health benefits. As healthcare professions such as physiotherapy and osteopathy move away from biomedical/reductionist models of care for complex conditions towards approaches which take into account social and environmental determinants of health, NBHT may become part of clinical interventions and public health messaging. However, there are multiple challenges in aspects of NBHT research and application, from methodological issues in the primary research base, to questions of environmental injustice and access inequalities in many areas. In addition, engaging with natural environments which are vulnerable to the entwinned threats of climate change and biodiversity collapse requires consideration of the effects of ecological disturbance and the underlying anthropocentric/utilitarian view of the natural world. In this perspective, we outline a critique of NBHT literature and offer positive suggestions for how better-quality research can be conducted and implemented by focusing on local environmental, social, and political factors. We conclude by outlining a set of critical considerations that healthcare professionals might use to develop and implement NBHT programmes in their specific regional contexts.

Community structure and diversity of myxobacteria in soils from Inner Mongolia, China

Myxobacteria are a special kind of Gram-negative bacteria that can slide and produce a variety of bioactive substances against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It has great development and research value in medicine and agriculture. Although myxobacteria have become a research hotspot at home and abroad, there are few systematic studies on the relationship between its diversity, geographical location, and environment factors. In order to solve these problems, 133 soil samples were collected from the east to the west of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and divided into five groups. The water content, pH, organic matter, available phosphorus, hydrolytic nitrogen, and available potassium content of soil samples were determined by national standards and other methods. The quantitative assessment of the abundance of myxobacteria in the soil sample was performed by quantitative real-time PCR. The composition of myxobacteria in the soil was determined by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology to analyze the differences in the community structure of myxobacteria among different groups, explore the relationship between the diversity of myxobacteria resources and the distribution and physical and chemical properties of the soil, and predict and analyze its community function. The results showed that there were abundant myxobacteria resources in the soils of Inner Mongolia, and the average relative abundance of myxobacteria in the soil samples from the central part of Inner Mongolia was higher than that in the eastern and western parts, but the richness and diversity of samples from the central to eastern regions were significantly higher than those from the western regions. The myxobacteria resources in the whole region included 10 families and 22 genera, among which the dominant genera were Labilitrix, Sandaracinus, Archangium, and Haliangium. The analysis of the species composition of myxobacteria among different groups found that the distribution of soil and soil type had an impact on the species composition of the samples. The species with significant differences in relative abundance among the five groups of samples were Labilitrix, Archangium, Sandaracinus, Minicystis, Polyangium, and Myxococcus. In addition, the latitude and longitude of the sampling point and the soil pH, water content, available phosphorus content and organic matter content had a greater impact on the myxobacteria community structure of samples, while the altitude of the soil sample and the contents of available potassium and alkaline nitrogen had a relatively small impact. Our data suggest that the distribution, type and nutrient composition of soil samples have an impact on the relative abundance and species composition of myxobacteria community. The completion of this work can provide basic data for the in-depth study of myxobacteria in the soil.

Management of renal cell carcinoma with ablation in comparison to nephrectomy: A 5-year analysis of inpatient procedural data to evaluate utilization disparities in the United States.

To perform a nationwide analysis of ablation compared to partial and total nephrectomy for the management of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) to evaluate utilization trends and disparities in the USA. The 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample was analyzed. Using ICD-10, we identified the diagnosis of RCC then analyzed the utilization trends of ablation and nephrectomies (both partial and complete). To determine if any disparities exist, a multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the influence of age, sex, race, income, payer, illness severity, geographical location, and hospital factors. From the 183,885 inpatient encounters with RCC, 3045 (1.65%) underwent ablation, 70,080 (38.1%) underwent partial nephrectomy, and 110,760 (60.2%) underwent total nephrectomy. There was no significant difference in the sex between all groups. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean age of those undergoing ablation (67.30, SD=12.05) versus those undergoing partial nephrectomy (59.27, SD=13.26) and total nephrectomy (62.22, SD=14.42) (OR: 1.04, 95%CI: 1.03-1.05, P<0.001). Compared to White patients, Hispanic and African Americans were more likely to undergo ablation versus nephrectomy (OR: 1.52, 95%CI: 1.16-1.98, P=0.002 and OR: 1.65, 95%CI: 1.28-2.13, P<0.001, respectively). Compared to patients on private insurance, those on Medicaid and Medicare were more likely to have ablation than nephrectomy (OR: 1.85, 95%CI: 1.31-2.61, P<0.001, and OR: 1.62, 95%CI: 1.26-2.08, P<0.001, respectively). Furthermore, patients were less likely to undergo ablation than nephrectomies in 2020 compared to 2016 (OR: 0.69, 95%CI: 0.53-0.90, P=0.006). Since 2016, there has been a decreasing trend in the use of ablation for treating RCC in hospitalized patients. Those undergoing ablation tend to be older, African American, Hispanic, and insured by Medicare or Medicaid. Further research is needed to ensure equitable access for optimal treatment of RCC.

Prevalence of epilepsy across 25 sub-counties in three districts of northern Uganda.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions worldwide, with large variation in prevalence across Sub-Saharan Africa countries. Northern Uganda is one of the poorest areas of the country and has seen high density of pigs and prevalence of Taenia solium, a zoonotic tapeworm transmitted which cause neurocysticercosis in humans. The objective of this study was to estimate the population-level prevalence of active epilepsy in 25 sub-counties of northern Uganda. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2010-2011 in 25 sub-counties of Moyo, Adjumani and Gulu districts, northern Uganda. Participants were sampled using a multistage cluster sampling strategy including sub-counties, parishes, villages, and households as sampling levels. Eligible individuals were interviewed using a previously validated screening questionnaire for epilepsy. Screen positive individuals were further examined by a team of neurologists for confirmation of active epilepsy. Sampling weights and post-stratification to account for sex distribution in each of the 25 sub-counties sampled based on projected 2010 population sizes were applied. A total of 38,303 individuals were sampled across 299 villages from 25 sub-counties. The overall weighted and post-stratified prevalence estimate of active epilepsy was 3.7% (95% Confidence Interval: 3.4%-3.9%). However, there were large variation across sex (4.6% (95%CI: 4.2%-5.0%) in men and 2.7% (95%CI: 2.4%-3.0%) in women) and across sub-counties ranging from 1.7% in Pece Division (Gulu District) and Moyo Town Council (Moyo District) to 6.6% in Awach (Gulu District). People aged between 10 and 19 were the most affected. In northern Uganda, active epilepsy was very prevalent but varied largely across sub-counties. Males were a lot more affected than women, making the use of weighted and post-stratified methods to estimate the prevalence of epilepsy essential. Implementing programs and interventions targeting the control of local risk factors of epilepsy such as neurocysticercosis and improving population health care access could help reduce the rather high prevalence of epilepsy in this area of the country.

Predicting dengue incidence in high-risk areas of China through the integration of Southeast Asian and local meteorological factors.

Dengue, a climate-sensitive mosquito-borne viral disease, is endemic in many tropical and subtropical areas, with Southeast Asia bearing the highest burden. In China, dengue epidemics are primarily influenced by imported cases from Southeast Asia. By integrating monthly maximum temperature and precipitation from Southeast Asia and local provinces in China, we aim to build models to predict dengue incidence in high-risk areas of China. From 2005-2023, a total of 117,839 dengue cases were reported, with Guangdong and Yunnan provinces accounting for 57.8 % and 26.2 % of cases, respectively. Large outbreaks occurred in 2014 (47,052 cases), 2019 (22,688 cases), and 2023 (19,936 cases), with peak incidence typically observed from August to October. The number of provinces reporting cases and outbreaks gradually linearly increased from 10 and 0 in 2005 to a peak of 30 and 11 in 2019, respectively, before declining in 2021 and 2022, then rebounding to 29 and 8 in 2023. Of the 13,927 imported cases, 91.3 % were from Southeast Asia, primarily from Myanmar (41.3 %) and Cambodia (27.3 %). Predictive models for dengue incidence in Guangdong Province showed high adjusted R2 values (0.993-0.999) and deviance explained values (0.975-0.989). The models from Cambodia, Thailand, and the Philippines outperformed the other six models. In Yunnan, adjusted R2 values and deviance explained values ranged from 0.81-0.84 and 0.90-0.92, respectively, with models from Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia achieving the best predictive performance. Incorporating meteorological data from Southeast Asia along with local data from China, we were able to develop accurate predictive models for dengue incidence in the high-risk areas of China.

Recent Advancements in Anomaly Detection for Manufacturing Systems

Recent advancements in anomaly detection and root cause analysis have revolutionized manufacturing processes, enabling improved efficiency, quality control, and cost reduction. This review explores the latest developments in these fields, focusing on supervised and unsupervised anomaly detection methods, statistical techniques for root cause analysis, and predictive modeling approaches. Supervised anomaly detection methods, such as classification-based approaches, support vector machines, and decision trees, leverage labeled data to identify anomalies. Unsupervised techniques, including clustering-based methods (e.g., k-means and DBSCAN), density-based approaches (e.g., local outlier factor), and dimensionality reduction (e.g., PCA and autoencoders), detect anomalies without prior knowledge of anomalous instances. Statistical methods for root cause analysis, such as statistical process control, hypothesis testing, correlation analysis, and multivariate techniques (e.g., factor analysis), enable the identification of the underlying causes of manufacturing issues. Predictive modeling techniques, including time-series forecasting, machine learning for predictive maintenance, and optimization methods for process improvement, further enhance manufacturing efficiency. The integration of these techniques has led to significant improvements in quality control, equipment failure prediction, and supply chain optimization. However, challenges remain in handling complex, high-dimensional data and integrating domain knowledge with data-driven approaches. Future research directions include the development of explainable AI, edge computing, and federated learning for anomaly detection in manufacturing. This analysis offers a thorough examination of cutting-edge techniques for detecting anomalies and analyzing root causes, emphasizing their capacity to transform manufacturing operations and stimulate future advancements in these research areas. Keywords—anomaly detection, manufacturing, supervised and unsupervised anomaly detection

Networks abroad and culture: global individual-level evidence

This paper analyzes whether natives with a network abroad have a distinctive cultural stance compared to similar individuals without such connections within the same region. Using individual-level data on connectedness from the Gallup World poll across 2256 within-country regions over 148 countries, it characterizes individuals’ cultural stance based on three traits: pro-social behavior, religiosity, and gender-egalitarian attitudes. The paper shows that natives who have a connection abroad are characterized by stronger pro-social behavior, religiosity, and gender-egalitarian attitudes. To address potential biases arising from omitted variables, it controls for an extensive array of individual characteristics and region-by-year fixed effects. The results are robust to employing comprehensive measures of connectedness, employing matching techniques, and assessing selection biases related to unobservable factors. Finally, by leveraging both country and individual-level heterogeneity, the analysis indicates that the pro-social behavior stance of connected individuals is fairly consistent across different contexts and individuals, while the findings on religiosity and gender-egalitarian attitudes are more sensitive to local and individual factors. The paper therefore shows that factors enhancing or dampening this relation are cultural trait specific.

Multi-level governance of low-carbon tourism in rural China: policy evolution, implementation pathways, and socio-ecological impacts

Low-carbon rural tourism development presents a critical challenge for environmental governance in emerging economies, yet the multi-level dynamics of policy implementation remain underexplored. This study examines China’s approach to this challenge, employing a mixed-methods approach including analysis of 16 central and 559 provincial policy documents, case studies in 15 rural villages across five provinces (Hunan, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Shanxi, and Hainan), and a survey of 637 stakeholders. Our findings reveal a complex policy landscape characterized by evolving national frameworks, varied provincial adoption patterns influenced by economic, environmental, and institutional factors, and three distinct local implementation pathways: technology-driven, community-based, and policy-led. We uncover significant variations in stakeholder perceptions and socio-economic impacts across different contexts, highlighting the critical role of adaptive governance mechanisms and local contextual factors in determining policy effectiveness. This study contributes to policy diffusion and multi-level governance theories by demonstrating the intricate interplay between top-down directives and bottom-up innovations in shaping sustainable tourism outcomes. Based on these insights, we propose evidence-based policy recommendations emphasizing flexible, context-sensitive approaches and improved stakeholder engagement to enhance low-carbon rural tourism governance. This research provides valuable guidance for policymakers and practitioners working towards sustainable rural development and environmental conservation in China and other developing countries.