ABSTRACT This paper examines how network externalities shape the strategic interaction of trade policies between home and foreign countries. Incorporating reciprocal trade policy into an import‐competing model under Cournot and Bertrand competition, we show that the endogenous choice of trade policies depends critically on the strength of network effects. Under Cournot competition, weak network externalities yield an Intervention–Non‐intervention outcome, where the home country imposes tariffs while the foreign country opts for free trade. However, when network externalities are sufficiently strong, two equilibria arise: Intervention–Non‐intervention or Non‐intervention–Intervention, implying that the home country may prefer free trade. Under Bertrand competition, strong network externalities lead the foreign country to subsidize exports rather than impose an export tax. Moreover, depending on the degree of network effects, three distinct equilibria emerge. These findings suggest that when network externalities are strong, the trade policy preferences of the two trading countries converge, making an equilibrium in which the home country adopts free trade and the foreign country pursues export subsidies Pareto optimal.

The study aimed to gain insights into pertinent research and advancements concerning medical adhesive-related skin injuries, thereby enhancing our ability to prevent and manage such injuries effectively. Following the technical report ISO/TP21932:2020 on bibliometric visualization specifications issued by the International Organization for Standardization, a comprehensive search was conducted across the database, spanning from 2013 up to July 25, 2024, to investigate the prevalent topics concerning skin injuries associated with medical adhesives. We visualized and analyzed the collaboration network, co-occurrence, co-citation analysis, co-word analysis, bibliographic coupling, burst detection, timeline view, timezone view, overlay maps, and so on using CiteSpace 6.3 tools. A total of 310 Chinese and 121 English studies were included. The article was distributed across 31 countries, including 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, involving 175 domestic research institutions and 164 foreign research institutions. There are 137 Chinese journals publishing articles and 55 English journals publishing articles. The annual publication volume of medical adhesive-related skin injury-related research, both domestically and internationally, is relatively low. Foreign countries have focused on the research and development of dressings and have refined the research population, such as stoma, tumor, and critically ill patients. After reaching its peak during the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic, the number of publications in China showed a slow downward trend, but those focusing on catheter fixation, pain management, and evidence-based nursing were still slightly higher than those abroad.

Special economic zones (SEZs) are an important tool for government regulation aimed at attracting investment, promoting innovation, developing high-tech industries, and stimulating economic growth in regions. The purpose of this study is to identify trends and patterns in the formation of fiscal regimes for SEZs in different countries. The methodological basis for the research is an object-subject approach to describing entities, as well as methods of theoretical, retrospective, and structural analysis, and a systematic approach to modeling objects. The analysis includes an examination of different types of SEZs, mechanisms for supporting SEZ residents, and the results of these efforts. Based on the comparative analysis of the fiscal stimulation mechanisms and instruments used in SEZs in Russia and other countries, trends in the further development of these zones are identified, including multi-format interactions between the participants. The evaluation of tax incentives, infrastructure subsidies, and administrative support mechanisms is carried out, as well as the identification of the main obstacles and limitations in the Russian practice. Recommendations are developed to optimize fiscal policy measures to increase the attractiveness of SEZs for investment, taking into account successful foreign experience. The results of a comprehensive study on the budgetary and tax regulations of SEZs are presented in a comparative analysis, and a GWR (Geographic Weighted Regression) model is used to assess the effectiveness of SEZs on the territory of the Russian Federation. Based on a systematic analysis of regulatory legal acts, statistical data, and scientific publications, we conclude that the optimal model for fiscal incentives in SEZs should combine clear strategic guidelines with the flexibility to adapt to changing economic conditions. This will ensure the sustainable development of these zones as growth points for the national economy. When choosing tax incentives for SEZ entities, it is important to consider both the industry-specific needs of residents and the socio-economic characteristics of the territory. Monitoring the effectiveness of these incentives is essential, with reference to established indicators of economic growth and technological development. The use of the GWR (Geographic Weighted Regression) model will allow us to develop a regional tax policy that takes into account the specific needs and circumstances of each SEZ. This approach will help ensure that tax preferences are effective and contribute to the overall success of the zone.

In the context of global competition for technological leadership, it is important to identify the factors of technological transformation is important for solving the problems of economic restructuring. This includes determining the optimal balance between public spending and private investment in research and development, as well as choosing effective fiscal instruments. Patent activity serves as an indicator of the effectiveness of scientific and technical policy. The purpose of the work is to evaluate the effectiveness of investments in research and development based on the criterion of patent activity in order to determine strategic guidelines for achieving technological sovereignty. The research focuses on financial and economic indicators from 77 foreign countries between 2019 and 2023. The subject of this research is the factors that influence the increase in the efficiency of investments in research and development. Research methods — in particular, the logarithmic transformation of data for linear approximation, correlation and regression analysis to determine the return on investment in R&D, classification of countries based on the level of efficiency of return on investment in R&D. The scientific novelty of our approach lies in the use of logarithmic data transformation and regression modeling to quantify the elasticity of patent applications from R&D costs. Additionally, we will group countries based on their level of return from research and development efforts. By conducting this study, we aim to demonstrate the impact of R&D investment on technological sovereignty, considering the indicator of patent activity. We also intend to incorporate foreign experience in government support, private investment, and the integration of science and production.. The study revealed a strong correlation between patent activity and R&D expenses. A 1% increase in R&D spending leads to a 1.21% increase in the number of patent applications. This confirms the importance of investing in R&D in order to maintain technological sovereignty. Russia demonstrates relatively high patent activity compared to its R&D investments, indicating a risk of depleting its innovation potential. To address this issue, it is crucial to increase R&D funding and remove barriers to technology commercialization.

The prevention of corruption and the fight against it have been declared as priorities of strategic importance In the Republic of Armenia. In such circumstances, it is important to introduce new internationally accepted tools for fighting corruption and their continuous improvement, aimed at combating corruption both in the civil, administrative and criminal spheres. In this context, the analysis of the characteristics of the crime of illicit enrichment becomes more important. Accordingly, in the article, an attempt was made to address the subject of illicit enrichment, according to domestic legislation, as well as international experience. The article, among other things, refers to the relevant provisions of the RA Law “On Public Service” (both in force at the time of the criminalization of the article and currently in force), the legal positions formulated by the relevant decision of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, international legal documents considered as guidelines in terms of defining the subject of illicit enrichment, as well as domestic legislative regulations of about two dozen foreign countries and presenting relevant conclusions.

ABSTRACT This paper analyzes the career paths of international students in Sweden after graduation. By matching individual data on international graduates with information about their employers, we analyse the sectors in which they began their careers in Sweden after graduation between 2003 and 2014. We propose that international graduates find better job opportunities in firms operating in sectors that require a higher level of analytical knowledge and in expanding sectors with a higher demand for skilled workers. Our findings indicate that international graduates are more likely than Swedish graduates to work in high-tech sectors, both in manufacturing and services, as well as in expanding low-knowledge-intensity service sectors. These findings apply mainly to international graduates from more culturally distant foreign countries.

This research study, entitled as “Chinese FDI in Vietnam under Xi Jinping’s Policy in the 21st Century”, aims (1) to study Chinese FDI in Vietnam under Xi Jinping’s policy, and (2) to study the factors of Chinese FDI in Vietnam and the change on geo-economics. The strategy of Chinese FDI in Vietnam under Xi Jinping’s policy in the 21st century is a result of President Xi Jinping's announcement of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The strategy has evolved into partial cooperation between China and Vietnam, which is shaped by China's economic relations strategy with ASEAN. This extent will be a crucial driving force for China’s investment in Vietnam. Moreover, Vietnam has a high potential as a groundwork for investment, production, and export to other foreign countries. Since the factors of Chinese FDI in Vietnam and the change on geo-economics are involved with politics and economics, they have an impact on China's investment in Vietnam. The political factor has risen due to the policy of President Xi Jinping regarding the declaration of the BRI. Economic factor concerns the opening of new markets, the release of domestic supply, and the adjustment of international reserve funds by establishing the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Meanwhile, China's open strategy towards foreign countries has brought its strategic investment policies in Vietnam closer together, as well as the economic interests of both countries. This may lead to a significant impact on economic and political relations between China and Vietnam in the future.

This study examined pediatric tuberculosis (TB) cases in Osaka City from 2008-2023, focusing on diagnostic methods and molecular epidemiology using variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) analysis and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Among 29 children aged 0-14 years (notification rate: 0.04 per 100,000), three (10.3%) were born abroad, and five (17.2%) were born in Japan with source cases from foreign countries. Source cases were identified for 20 children (69.0%); 18 of these (90.0%) had smear-positive pulmonary TB. Seventeen children (58.6%) were identified through contact investigations, highlighting the crucial role of contact tracing and early detection. Diagnosing pediatric TB was challenging: 15 children (51.7%) were asymptomatic and 17 (58.6%) had culture-negative results. To enhance diagnostic accuracy, interferon-gamma release assays, chest computed tomography, and gastric aspirate examination for acid-fast bacilli are recommended. In pediatric TB cases with identified source patients, VNTR clusters were confirmed by WGS to be closely related. Among children without identified sources, four formed VNTR clusters, and WGS of one representative case revealed no epidemiological links. These findings highlight the need to integrate molecular and epidemiological investigations to clarify transmission routes. Overall, this research underscores the need to integrate diagnostic and epidemiological approaches for effective control of pediatric TB.

The restoration of Ukraine’s transport infrastructure is defined as a priority direction of post-war reconstruction and a relevant direction for ensuring the social and economic state of society. The undeniable relevance and priority of the restoration and reconstruction of transport infrastructure requires the search for effective tools and modernization of the organizational and economic mechanism of restoration. The purpose of the work is to determine the potential of public investment projects as a modern tool for restoring Ukraine’s transport infrastructure. The foreign experience of postwar restoration of transport infrastructure and sources of financing is summarized. The relevance of developing a mechanism for alternative financing of the restoration of transport infrastructure is determined due to limited budget funding, ineffectiveness of infrastructure bonds and other institutional restrictions. The potential of public investment projects as a modern tool for the restoration of the transport infrastructure of Ukraine is confirmed, which has the advantage of focusing on assessing the effectiveness and efficiency for society, a high level of publicity and transparency, and public control at all stages of the investment project. According to the results of the DREAM analytical module, projects in the “Transport” sector are identified as priority, inferior in cost indicators only to projects in the “Energy” sector. The hypothesis of the successful implementation of existing public investment projects on the DREAM as a precursor to the restoration of the transport infrastructure of Ukraine with the involvement of international organizations, governments of foreign countries, and private investors is substantiated. Keywords: transport infrastructure, transport infrastructure restoration, public investment projects, “Build Back Better” principle, DREAM.

This scientific article provides a comprehensive analysis of the processes of transformation and diversification of tourism types based on the experience of foreign countries. The study explores the reforms, strategic approaches and institutional mechanisms implemented in the tourism sector during the post-pandemic recovery phase of 2020-2025. In particular, measures have been analyzed aimed at digital transformation of tourism, product and market diversification, mitigation of seasonality, introduction of sustainable and “green” tourism, as well as increasing the value of tourist services. The study sets out the principles of Public Policy and strategic planning, infrastructural investment, digital technologies, effective use of cultural and Natural Resources, and sustainable development as the main factors for the transformation and diversification of Tourism. Scientific and practical conclusions and recommendations for improving the policy of national tourism have also been developed on the basis of foreign experience.

The study examined the perception of parents, teachers and students on impact of insurgency on school dropout among secondary school students in North East Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria. Three (3) research questions with their corresponding objectives and three (3) hypotheses were generated to guide the study. The study adopted cross-sectional survey research design. The population of the study comprised 369,797 (202,720 students, 14,562 teachers and 152,515 parents) from 696 public secondary schools in three states in the North East Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was employed to select the respondents from the three states. The sample size of the study consists of 6117 respondents. The instrument for data collection was a self-developed questionnaire titled Perception of Parents, Teachers and Students on Impact of Insurgency on Secondary School Students’ Attainment Questionnaire (PPTSIISSSQ). The questionnaire yielded 0.68 as the validity index and 0.75 as reliability index. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while the independent t- test statistics was used to test all the hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed that there is a significant impact of insurgency on school dropout among secondary school students in North East Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria. The study concluded that there is increased rate of dropout, among secondary school students in North East Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria as a result of insurgency. The study recommended that since the insurgency has increased the rate of school dropout among senior secondary school students in North East Geo-Political Zone, the Federal Government of Nigeria should seek technical assistance from foreign countries such as the USA, Israel, among others to train the country’s security agents how to curbed insurgency so that school dropout will be reduced.

The article is devoted to the peculiarities of the state's influence on the process of digitalization of the economy in Russia and foreign countries. The article provides documents that present the main directions of implementing the process of digitalization of the economy in Russia. The article also examines the experience of foreign countries in implementing the process of digitalization.

The article proposes a new digital technology of inflation targeting based on daily monitoring of inflation processes in the country. The purpose of the study is to identify potential opportunities for implementation of neural networks in collecting and processing large volumes of data by statistical services. It will lead to improvements in the efficiency and accuracy of statistics provided, which will be shown on the example of the CPI. Thisresearch is based on the analysis of the use of artificial intelligence technologies applied in foreign countries in the financial market. The novelty of the study lies in the development of a neural network structure that will allow targeting both demand-pull inflation and supply-pull inflation simultaneously. It is assumed that the core of this technology will be a modular controlled recurrent neural network, the architecture of which was developed to solve this specific problem. Taking as input and processing in hidden layers daily values of macro- and microeconomic variables that can affect inflation dynamics, the neural network will calculate as output the daily value of the CPI. If this value turns out to be higher than the target inflation level set by the Bank of Russia, then the neural network, during backpropagation of the error, will issue recommendations for adjusting some of the neural network weighting coefficients and the values of the macro- and microeconomic variables themselves to reduce the inflation level. The paper concludes that only a comprehensive approach to combating such a complex economic phenomenon as inflation, which consists of taking into account not only demand-pull inflation but also supply-pull inflation, will bring tangible results.

The analysis of the state of industrial production in the Republic of Kazakhstan is carried out. The statistical method was used as the main research method. The object of the study was industrial enterprises of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The profitability of industrial enterprises is determined by the choice of those industries whose products are in demand in the market, but in Kazakhstan they are mainly focused on the raw materials sector. The degree of informatization of the Kazakh industry is inferior to foreign countries. There is a high degree of depreciation of fixed assets in industry. Significant financial resources are required for their modernization. Modernization of ICT technologies and innovations is necessary for the development of the non-resource sector in the Republic of Kazakhstan. One of the areas of financing the renovation of fixed assets is public-private partnership and investments

As a core subculture of China's internet era, the fan culture has garnered widespread attention for its unique developmental path and its reference value to niche cultures. However, existing subculture studies predominantly focus on Western traditional types, leaving gaps in exploring China's emerging internet-based subcultures and lacking a systematic analysis of their universal developmental logic. This study, grounded in communication and sociology, centers on the "Chinese path" of fan culture, tracing its formation process, analyzing the root causes of differences between Chinese and foreign fan cultures, and dissecting the driving factors. The research reveals that the distinctive form of Chinese fan culture is the result of a four-dimensional interplay of technology, society, industry, and policy. The divergence from Western individualized and Japanese/Korean rationalized fan cultures stems from multifaceted differences in cultural traditions and social structures, while their experiences in emotional connections and online-offline synergy offer valuable lessons for niche cultures. Based on these findings, this essay proposes that niche cultures require coordinated efforts from governments, platforms, and other stakeholders, balancing inclusiveness with regulation to mitigate risks such as excessive commercialization.

The recent developments in our country have brought a rather unpopular and impractical provision of the Criminal Code into effect. Article 317 of the Criminal Code of Georgia is considered, which refers to a call to violently change the constitutional order of Georgia or to overthrow the state government. The article discusses the criminal nature of the incitement to violently overthrow the constitutional order of the state and its interrelation with the freedom of expression protected by the Constitution of Georgia, and also analyzes the experience of other states and Georgian reality using the method of comparative law research. The explanation of this provision and its demarcation with the framework of freedom of expression are very important, since society must have a clear assessment of what constitutes a criminal nature of the call and what happens when the legal benefits protected by the freedom of expression come into conflict with an act incriminated by the Criminal Code. In addition, the analysis of the issue under discussion will be interesting for the lawyers willing to easily obtain information on the experience of Georgia and foreign countries, namely: how the incitement for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order of the state is punished and the type and extent of the sanction for the crime. Furthermore, on the interpretations and caselaw of the Georgian and German (federal) constitutional courts.

The management of the international relations of the White Movement during the Russian Civil War took on a complex and multifaceted character for objective reasons. An analysis of diplomatic correspondence, both published and preserved in national archives, has made it possible to identify the institutions involved in this work, to clarify the extent of their contribution to policy-making and influence on affairs, and to shed light on the reasons for the fundamental differences between the two most important centres of diplomacy in anti-Bolshevik Russia. The White movement failed to establish an effective vertical structure for managing foreign relations. All four fronts of the anti-Bolshevik struggle had their own foreign policy organs. The most professional staff in the country was employed by the Foreign Relations Bureau of South Russia. However, its communication with foreign countries was not well established throughout the year. The central policy-making bodies were the Omsk government and the Russian diplomatic corps abroad, which had survived from the imperial period. Although outwardly they were subordinate to each other, there were relations of parity: there were cases of unauthorized actions of representatives abroad. The contradictions between the two centres were objective in nature as they were caused by their existence in different political realities. The civil war in the homeland, the inefficiency of telegraph communications, and the minister’s stay in Paris, where he could not rely on the work of the central department due to the circumstances of the international situation, contributed to the increased independence of embassies and missions. In the context of the defeat of the White fronts and the change in the movement’s leadership, the independence of the Foreign Corps continued to develop. In 1920, under the leadership of its elder, M. N. Giers, the Corps subordinated its activities to the Sevastopol government of General Baron P. N. Wrangel as an independent structure.

Abstract: This paper explores the influence of religion on prostitution as portrayed in Vishudha Papangalude India, a travelogue by Arun Ezhuthachan. Through the examination of joining faith, morality, and socio-economic conditions, the study delves into how religious beliefs shape societal perceptions and the lived experiences of sex workers. Through a critical analysis of the text, this research highlights the contradictions between religious ideals and the realities of marginalized communities. The results indicate that religious beliefs not only condemn prostitution but also, ironically, sustain it, providing a complex view of its function in Indian society. This study contributes to the discourse on religion and social marginalization, emphasizing the complexities of moral policing and systemic oppressions. Vishudha Papangalude India, is in the form of a Travelogue. Travel books include documentary, literary, as well as the journalistic, and from memoir to the humorous to serious. They are often associated with tourism and include guide books. Like other languages, in Malayalam also travelogues occupy a prominent place. The first travelogue written in Malayalam is Varthamanappusthakam by Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar published in 1936. S.K Pottakkad is one of the most famous travel writers in Malayalam. He visited many foreign countries and wrote about the places. Nowadays, travel writers write about sex workers and their lives. Prostitutes were common during the period of Pandavas and Kauravas. Kautilya’s Arthasasthra contains rules for prostitutes and their activities, and gives an account of how prostitutes should behave and how their lives are ordered. They have definite liberty, rights and duties. Religious prostitutions were attached to the famous temples of Mahakala of Ujjain and thereafter the system of holy prostitution became very popular. These sacred prostitutes were sacrificed by their parents to the temple in service to the God and temple. Key words: Devadasi Tradition, Religion and exploitation, Social Marginalisation, Marginalized women, Socio Religious Practices.

Under the background of a supply gap expansion for high-quality forage grass in China and the high degree of dependence on foreign countries, it is necessary to clarify the best feeding and harvesting period for Cichorium intybus in the temperate continental monsoon climate zone of Northern China. To achieve this goal, this study systematically explored the agronomic traits and nutritional quality of Cichorium intybus during the nutritional period (June-July), flowering period (July-August), and fruiting period (August-September) in the Hohhot experimental base. We measured agronomic indexes, such as the plant height and basal stem, and nutrients, such as the dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP), and calculated the total digestible nutrients (TDN) and other feeding value indexes. The results showed that the plant height of Cichorium intybus increased from 54.60 cm in the vegetative stage to 204.10 cm in the fruiting stage, and the fresh grass yield increased from 8775.045 kg/hm2 in the vegetative stage to 19,035.09 kg/hm2 in the fruiting stage. The DM content of the stems and leaves was the lowest (stem: 8.73%; leaf: 14.04%), but the CP (leaf: 20.32%) and crude fat (EE, leaf: 5.02%) contents were the highest. The TDN was 66.78%, the relative feed value (RFV) was 255.61, the comprehensive membership function value was 0.54 for the stems and 0.60 for the leaves, and the feeding value was the best. WSC accumulation was significant during the flowering stage; the fiber content of the DM (stem: 20.52%; leaf: 20.31%) and the acid detergent fiber (ADF, stem: 42.43%) were the highest during this stage; and the CP decreased to 10.97%. A correlation analysis showed that the plant height and stem diameter were significantly positively correlated with the yield and fiber accumulation. This study confirmed that the nutritional period was the best harvest period for obtaining high-protein and high-digestibility forage, and the fruiting period was suitable for processing hay or silage. These results provide a scientific basis for the large-scale feed development of Cichorium intybus.

The article attempts to conceptualize digital human rights in the legal system of Ukraine and outlines the possibilities of using constitutional law to protect them. It is emphasized that digital rights are a new category of rights in the legal system of Ukraine, which are the result of the era of active development of digital technologies and require proper legislative regulation and effective protection mechanisms. It is noted that the positions of scientists regarding the definition of digital rights and their legal nature differ to some extent, but what they have in common is that they relate to the use of digital technologies. Therefore, we can determine that digital human rights are a new independent group of human rights that is directly related to the use of digital technologies using additional electronic devices, are implemented on the Internet and provide for the right to freedom and protection of the privacy of an individual in the global network. The following basic digital rights are distinguished: the right to access the Internet (one of the first and defining rights in the digital sphere), freedom of expression online (freely express personal views, search, distribute and receive information online, which is to some extent related to a similar subjective right), the right to privacy (protection of personal data), the right to personal security online, etc. However, this list is not exhaustive and is constantly being supplemented as a result of new substantiated scientific research in the digital sphere, both in view of the rapid development of digital technologies and the digitalization of society. However, all of them require comprehensive and proper legal regulation, and the fundamental ones should be enshrined at the state level or even constitutionalized. It is concluded that to solve the problem of effective legal regulation of human rights in the digital sphere in Ukraine, which is one of the leading states in the provision of public services online, it is necessary to include these rights in the relevant legislation and develop effective mechanisms for their protection. In this case, it is extremely important to apply the experience of foreign countries, in which national legislation has codified the aforementioned digital rights and their protection with positive success.