Global Perspective Research Articles

Global Ethical Principles in Healthcare Networks, Including Debates on Euthanasia and Abortion.

In today's ever-evolving healthcare landscape, the focus is shifting towards integrated care, inter-organizational cooperation, and healthcare networks (HCNs) as alternatives to traditional healthcare institutions. This transformation is driven by factors such as an aging population and increasing healthcare costs, necessitating a reevaluation of ethical considerations to ensure the well-being of patients remains central. This review provides a narrative overview of ethics within HCNs, with a focus on patient-centered medical ethics. It elaborates on the four fundamental ethical principles, namely justice, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and autonomy. The principle of justice underscores HCNs' ethical obligation to provide equitable and transparent access to all patients, ensuring fairness in resource allocation. The principle of nonmaleficence underscores the responsibility to prioritize patient safety, while beneficence obliges HCNs to ensure continuity of care across all dimensions. Furthermore, the principle of autonomy is redefined as a commitment to actively promote and respect patient choices. HCNs that do not adhere to these ethical principles raise concerns and lack ethical justification. Additionally, the review delves into the legal aspects of euthanasia and abortion, both of which present complex ethical challenges in healthcare systems globally. A comparative analysis is provided, examining their legal status in Islamic countries, European nations, and the United States. This study sheds light on the evolving ethical landscape in HCNs and the diverse global perspectives on contentious issues. Therefore, harmonizing legislation and defining appropriate boundaries are crucial steps toward upholding ethical standards in healthcare practices on a global scale.

Asian-Australian monsoon as a mediator on North American surface air temperature anomalies

The Asian-Australian monsoon (AAM) significantly shapes global weather and climate patterns, yet existing research has primarily focused on regional monsoon subsystems rather than adopting a comprehensive global perspective on the AAM. This study addresses this gap by elucidating the interannual variability of the AAM during boreal summer and underscoring the pivotal mediating role of AAM precipitation anomalies as a driving force behind surface air temperature anomalies (SATA) over central and southern North America (CSNA). To investigate AAM characteristics, we employ an empirical orthogonal function analysis to identify the primary mode of the AAM. The corresponding principal component serves as a representative measure for the AAM. Our findings reveal a distinct ‘wet (dry) Maritime Continent-dry (wet) Western North Pacific (WNP)’ dipole pattern in strong (weak) AAM years. Vertical motion anomalies emerge as the dominant contributors to these precipitation anomalies. Both observed data and model results indicate that the sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) in the central and eastern Pacific (CEP) play a crucial role in explaining the vertical motion anomalies. This explanation is facilitated through two key systems: the east–west Walker circulation-like anomaly and the anomalous equatorially symmetric anticyclonic pair in the Pacific. AAM precipitation anomalies act as a mediator between SSTA in the CEP and SATA over the CSNA. These generate Rossby wave source over the WNP, triggering Rossby waves that propagate to CSNA along a great circle path. This process results in upper-level positive geopotential height anomalies, thereby influencing SATA positively over the CSNA, as illustrated by the linear baroclinic model. These findings not only deepen our understanding of the AAM but also offer novel insights into the mechanisms influencing SATA formation over North America.

The Significance and Practical Path of Integrating Chinese and Western Culture into Ideological and Political Teaching in Colleges and Universities

This article will explore the comparison of Chinese and Western cultures, especially the significance of exploring the origins of cultural differences in ideological and political education, and propose a teaching path for ideological and political education in universities that integrates the comparison of Chinese and Western cultures, including teaching content design, teaching methods and means, as well as evaluation and feedback mechanisms. Through these measures, the goal of teaching ideological and political courses in universities can be better achieved, and students can be trained to become young people with cultural confidence, institutional confidence, and a global perspective.

Discussing New Trends in Peace Between the Palestinian - Israeli Conflict

The Palestinian - Israeli conflict has stirred up again, focusing on the global perspective. Why have conflicts between Palestine and Israel continued for nearly a century? The disputes between Palestine and Israel revolve around territorial and security issues. The deep-seated conflicts involve historical origins, religious beliefs, nationalism, international situations and other complex factors. Thousands of years of grievances and centuries of war have brought a heavy price to the people of the two countries. How will the "Palestinian - Israeli conflict" end? Where is the road to peace? It not only requires the two countries to trace their history, reflect on the present, and plan for the future, but also requires the coordinated intervention of all countries in the world and the joint efforts of global humanitarians.

A 30-nation investigation of lay heritability beliefs.

Lay beliefs about human trait heritability are consequential for cooperation and social cohesion, yet there has been no global characterisation of these beliefs. Participants from 30 countries (N = 6128) reported heritability beliefs for intelligence, personality, body weight and criminality, and transnational factors that could influence these beliefs were explored using public nation-level data. Globally, mean lay beliefs differ from published heritability (h2) estimated by twin studies, with a worldwide majority overestimating the heritability of personality and intelligence, and underestimating body weight and criminality. Criminality was seen as substantially less attributable to genes than other traits. People from countries with high infant mortality tended to ascribe greater heritability for most traits, relative to people from low infant mortality countries. This study provides the first systematic foray into worldwide lay heritability beliefs. Future research must incorporate diverse global perspectives to further contextualise and extend upon these findings.

Global chessboard: Analyzing how geopolitical risk shapes renewable energy technology investments.

The allocation of budgets for renewable energy (RE) technology is significantly influenced by geopolitical risks (GPRs), reflecting the intricate interplay among global political dynamics, social media narratives, and the strategic investment decisions essential for advancing sustainable energy solutions. Against the backdrop of increasing worldwide initiatives to transition to RE sources, it is crucial to understand how GPR affects funding allocations, informing policy decisions, and fostering international collaboration to pursue sustainable energy solutions. Existing work probes the nonlinear effect of GPR on RE technology budgets (RTB) within the top 10 economies characterized by substantial research and development investments in RE (China, USA, Germany, Japan, France, South Korea, India, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Italy). Past research largely focused on panel data techniques to delve the interconnection between GPR and RE technology, overlooking the distinctive characteristics of individual economies. Contrarily, existing investigation implements the "Quantile-on-Quantile" tool to explore this association on an economy-particular basis, enhancing the precision of our analysis and offering both a comprehensive global perspective and nuanced perceptions for entire countries. The findings manifest a significant reduction in funding for RE technology associated with GPR across various quantile levels in the chosen economies. The disparities in results spotlight the necessity for policymakers to perform thorough assessments and carry out competent strategies to address the variations in GPR and RTB.

A single-frame infrared small target detection method based on joint feature guidance

AbstractSingle-frame infrared small target detection is affected by the low image resolution and small target size, and is prone to the problems of small target feature loss and positional offset during continuous downsampling; at the same time, the sparse features of the small targets do not correlate well with the global-local linkage of the background features. To solve the above problems, this paper proposes an efficient infrared small target detection method. First, this paper incorporates BlurPool in the feature extraction part, which reduces the loss and positional offset of small target features in the process of convolution and pooling. Second, this paper designs an interactive attention deep feature fusion module, which acquires the correlation information between the target and the background from a global perspective, and designs a compression mechanism based on deep a priori knowledge, which reduces the computational difficulty of the self-attention mechanism. Then, this paper designs the context local feature enhancement and fusion module, which uses deep semantic features to dynamically guide shallow local features to realize enhancement and fusion. Finally, this paper proposes an edge feature extraction module for shallow features, which utilizes the complete texture and location information in the shallow features to assist the network to initially locate the target position and edge shape. Numerous experiments show that the method in this paper significantly improves nIoU, F1-Measure and AUC on IRSTD-1k Datasets and NUAA-SIRST Datasets.

Global Perspectives on the Medicinal Implications of Green Walnut and Its Benefits: A Comprehensive Review

Green walnuts have been valued for their health and medicinal effects for many years. Green walnuts have several bioactive metabolites, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. With previous records of increased inclination towards natural or botanical sources of therapeutics, green walnuts have regained the uniqueness of therapeutic prominence globally. This comprehensive review provides a deep understanding of the use of green walnut (Juglans regia L.) around the globe and shows its potential pharmacological benefits. It explores the different therapeutic and medicinal uses of green walnuts, including their historical use in traditional medicine throughout different continents and regions, including Asia, Europe, America, Africa, and the Middle East. This review also provides the substantial studies conducted on green walnuts, which investigate the bioactive substances found in various parts of the walnut tree, including the kernel, shell, leaves, shoots, bark, and roots, indulging in their health advantages. It also diversifies the antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, and antihypertensive activities of the green walnut, which clearly shows the prospective use of the walnut in nutraceutical and medicinal applications. This review continues by emphasizing the necessity for further research to focus on and attract global researchers to aim for a detailed understanding of the pharmacological implications of green walnuts and enhance their use in traditional and modern medicine.

A Model of Android - Dependent Vehicle Monitoring System

From a global perspective, the number of cars using our roads around-the-clock has increased dramatically, and this has tremendously amplified the insecurity on our roads. This has become a key subject, especially in Nigeria. Consequently, automobile trailing schemes are gradually becoming evident amongst common users in the transport sector in most major metropolises. This paper aims to showcase a developed Android-based application system for vehicle trailing schemes that integrates Google Maps real-time features, the “Global Positioning System (GPS), and employs the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)” technology. The GPS component is a space-based navigation system that runs on location and time data at all times, irrespective of place and time on the globe, provided there is a line of sight to any of the four or more GPS satellites. The time and location are displayed, utilising Google Maps, which serves as an interface with the application so that the user will be able to constantly monitor moving vehicles via the smartphone. Presented here are the designed model and the experimental outcome of the automobile trailing system that verifies the possibility of the system trailing the movement of vehicles from one location to another at any given time, as well as an interactive Graphical User Interface (GUI) for the Smartphone application.

Community Based Tourism: A Global South Perspective

The analysis of the impact of Community Based Tourism (CBT) has revealed a significant divergence in assessments. This paper aims to analyse the factors contributing to the observed "Duality Dilemma" in CBT projects. The research seeks to leave behind a simplistic binary perspective that categorises CBT solely as either beneficial or problematic. The paper identifies three key variables contributing to this dual perspective: a) the Context Variable, which displays how the outcomes of CBT projects m can vary based on the specific circumstances in which they are implemented; b) the Methodological Variable, which underlines the importance of developing long-term and longitudinal fieldwork to avoid a biased analysis based on the short-term observations; c) the Paradigm Variable which takes into account that the researcher's theoretical framework inevitably shapes their focus, potentially emphasising certain outcomes over others. Finally, the paper draws on empirical evidence based on a 30-year longitudinal ethnographic study conducted on Amantaní island (Lake Titicaca, Peruvian Andes)

Evolutionary model and risk analysis of ship collision accidents based on complex networks and DEMATEL

To manage and control ship collision risk, this paper aims to develop a quantitative risk analysis approach based on complex networks and Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), to study the evolution of ship collision accidents. Firstly, through the search, selection and analysis of accident investigation reports of ship collisions in the world, 46 Risk Influential Factors (RIFs) were identified, and a network model for the evolution of ship collision was established. Secondly, a risk analysis of the evolution model for ship collision accidents was conducted by utilizing the topology characteristics of the complex network theory. Thirdly, a robustness analysis was used to identify 10 key RIFs involved in ship collisions from a global network perspective, and the grey relation analysis technique was employed to verify the key RIFs. Finally, the DEMATEL method was utilized to identify 11 key RIFs from a perspective of causality, and corresponding risk control measures were proposed to mitigate those key RIFs. The research results provide theoretical support for identifying the key RIFs and controlling the risk transmission of ship collision, and have practical significance for preventing the occurrence of ship collision accidents and ensuring the safe navigation of ships.

The Impact of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies on Food Security: A Global Perspective

Climate change poses a serious threat to the agricultural sector due to its nature of being dependent on natural conditions. As a result, food productivity decreases by threatening global food security. This study aims to analyze the impact of climate change adaptation adopted by farmers on food security by providing impressions and perspectives from related studies. According previous studies, the variables of gender, education, family size, land size, livestock ownership, agricultural extension, access to credit, and climate information are factors that have a positive influence on farmers' decisions to adopt climate change strategies. Meanwhile, the age variable has a negative influence on farmers' decisions to adpot it. In addition, the results also show that the adaptation of climate change strategies has a significant impact on food security. Farmers will gain more benefits and beneficial impacts from implementing climate change adaptation that limits the negative impacts of climate change on household livelihoods in an effort to alleviate food insecurity. This study provides important insights for future research on developing climate-resilient approaches to address complex global food system challenges.

Parkinson's Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa: Pesticides as a Double-Edged Sword.

Long-term exposure to pesticides used in agriculture is increasingly being identified as a risk factor for developing Parkinson's disease. How chronic pesticide exposure might contribute to the growth of Parkinson's disease in the mainly agricultural communities of Sub-Saharan Africa has thus far received limited attention. There are specific concerns in this area of the world: aging of the population, in combination with chronic exposure to widely used pesticides, including those that have been restricted elsewhere in the world because of neurotoxicity and other health risks. Of interest, the prevalence of Parkinson's disease among specific (semi)nomadic populations in Tanzania seems very low, possibly due to their lack of exposure to agricultural chemicals. But at the same time, pesticides have also brought important benefits to this part of the world. Specifically, in Sub-Saharan Africa, pesticides have been directly helpful in preventing and controlling famine and in containing major human infectious diseases. This creates a complex risk-benefit ratio to the use of pesticides within a global perspective, and urgently calls for the development and implementation of affordable alternatives for areas such as Sub-Saharan Africa, including non-neurotoxic compounds and non-chemical alternatives for the use of pesticides.

Digital Innovation Hubs Transforming Business and Marketing Collaboration

In the fast-evolving landscape of business and marketing, Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) have emerged as transformative catalysts, reshaping collaboration dynamics. The innovation hub, like incubators, R&D labs, and impact hubs, designates a physical space dedicated to fostering innovation within an organization or community. Defining an innovation hub proves challenging, as it is often linked to an open co-working space with a stylish design and tools for creative thinking. However, it extends beyond being merely a physical space for idea generation. A well-designed physical space facilitates in-person collaboration, while a digital platform enables global collaboration, transcending geographic constraints. Innovation hubs embody a distinctive entrepreneurial culture marked by a global perspective and values that often prioritize social behavior. Particularly in regions with conservative politics and cultural norms, these hubs can function as a secure environment for embracing culturally unfamiliar behaviors and mindsets. A Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) serves as an all-encompassing structure, empowering organizations to enhance competitiveness through the optimization of processes and the innovation of products and services using innovative digital technologies. Received: 25 December 2023 / Accepted: 25 February 2024 / Published: 23 April 2024

Global perspectives on death and immortality

Global perspectives on death and immortality

Progress and Prospects of Non-Grain Production of Cultivated Land in China

Cultivated land is essential for grain production. As a major agricultural country, China’s non-grain use of cultivated land not only affects national food security and sustainable agricultural development but also impacts the quality of cultivated land and farmers’ livelihoods. This study used bibliometrics to visualize and analyze 413 articles from the China Knowledge Network (CNKI) and Web of Science (WOS) databases concerning non-grain production of cultivated land (NGPCL). The results reveal the following: (1) The number of annual publications in this area has increased from 2009 to 2023 with the focus of NGPCL research shifting from describing the phenomenon to analyzing its driving mechanisms and then to exploring spatial patterns and governance. (2) The spatial distribution of research institutions is marked by the convergence of multiple entities with the central and eastern regions of China being pivotal research areas and transnational collaborative research becoming increasingly visible. (3) High-frequency keywords include NGPCL, food security, and farmland transfer, focusing on the historical context, effects, driving mechanisms and preventative strategies related to NGPCL. There is a notable evolutionary relationship between farmland transfer and NGPCL themes. (4) Future research should broaden the geographical scope and assess NGPCL trends from global, regional, and multiscale perspectives. Efforts should be made to enhance data accuracy and conduct spatial and temporal simulations, trend analyses, and risk assessments. Furthermore, policy design should consider the structure of human–land relationships to support sustainable agricultural development. This study provides an important reference for deepening and broadening the field of NGPCL.

Africa–Asia: a tale of worldmaking between alterity and contestation

Abstract Is South-South Cooperation providing a path of alterity for Global South states or is it indelibly caught in extractive and exploitative competition over resources and markets? Do Chinese engagements in the Global South increase African agency? Do they compete with or undermine Western-led Liberal International Order norms and standards? There is now a robust scholarship examining the failures and trepidations of the Liberal International Order especially from the vantage point of Global South perspectives. This scholarship sheds light, among other things, on the threat posed to the existing order by emerging powers engaging in South-South cooperation. Yet, despite the anxiety (or excitement) around South-South cooperation as an alternative to the liberal order, the question remains one of substance and concrete outcomes on whether the global order as we know it is being challenged or reinforced by emerging powers. This article argues for the need to look beyond the state as the main focus of analysis and interrogate the mechanisms, processes, and strategies undertaken by a wide array of actors engaging in South-South Cooperation. The article surveys African Affairs scholarship which takes a granular analysis of these dynamics on the ground from the perspectives of enterprises, agents, private business ventures and so on from China, India, and Brazil and how they navigate their engagements with African counterparts.

The moderating role of individual and social resources in gender effect on entrepreneurial growth aspirations

PurposeThis study aims to examine how the effect of gender on entrepreneurial growth aspirations is moderated differently by individual resources (human and financial capital) compared to those within the social environment (availability of entrepreneurial knowledge and role models).Design/methodology/approachA multilevel estimator is used to investigate the determinants of growth aspirations of owners-managers of nascent start-ups. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor database is employed, covering the period 2007–2019, with 99,000 useable cases drawn from 95 countries.FindingsThe results suggest that individual financial resources and human capital have positive effects on entrepreneurial growth aspirations; yet these effects are weaker for female entrepreneurs relative to males. In contrast, the impact of the availability of entrepreneurial social knowledge and role models on their growth aspirations is more positive than for male entrepreneurs.Originality/valueThis study offers a novel insight into entrepreneurial growth ambition, as it utilises a global perspective to scrutinise whether individual and social resources contribute differently to male versus female growth-aspirations, employing a multilevel approach. It also integrates insights from the resource-based view and from the relevant business literature on entrepreneurs’ gender to develop theoretical explanations.

Globalization and Education: Exploring the Exchange of Ideas, Values, and Traditions in Promoting Cultural Understanding and Global Citizenship

In today’s interconnected world, globalization has significantly impacted various aspects of society, including education. This research aims to investigate the influence of globalization on the education system and the exchange of ideas, values, and traditions in schools and universities. The study explores the role of international education programs, cross-cultural exchanges, and multicultural curricula in promoting cultural understanding and global citizenship. To begin, the research examines how globalization has transformed the education system. With the advent of technology and the ease of travel, students have greater access to educational opportunities worldwide. International education programs, such as student exchange programs and study abroad initiatives, have become increasingly popular, enabling students to experience different cultures firsthand. These programs foster the exchange of ideas, values, and traditions by immersing students in diverse environments, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of different cultures and perspectives. Furthermore, cross-cultural exchanges play a vital role in promoting cultural understanding within the education system. Through collaborations between schools and universities from different countries, students and educators have the opportunity to engage in dialogue, share experiences, and learn from one another. These exchanges facilitate the exchange of ideas, values, and traditions, promoting a more inclusive and globally aware educational environment. Multicultural curricula also contribute to the exchange of ideas, values, and traditions in education. As societies become increasingly diverse, it is crucial for educational institutions to incorporate multicultural perspectives into their curricula. By teaching students about different cultures, histories, and belief systems, multicultural education promotes empathy, respect, and appreciation for cultural diversity. It encourages students to critically analyze their own cultural biases and develop a global perspective. Moreover, the research explores how the exchange of ideas, values, and traditions in education contributes to the development of global citizenship. Global citizenship refers to the recognition of our interconnectedness and responsibility towards addressing global challenges. Through exposure to diverse cultures and perspectives, students develop a sense of global identity and a commitment to social justice and sustainability. They become equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in cross-cultural dialogue, collaborate with individuals from different backgrounds, and contribute to the betterment of society on a global scale. However, the research also acknowledges the challenges and limitations of globalization in education. While international education programs and cross-cultural exchanges offer valuable opportunities for cultural exchange, they can also perpetuate power imbalances and reinforce cultural stereotypes. It is crucial for educational institutions to approach these initiatives with sensitivity and ensure that they promote equitable and inclusive practices. In conclusion, globalization has had a profound impact on the education system, facilitating the exchange of ideas, values, and traditions. International education programs, cross-cultural exchanges, and multicultural curricula play a crucial role in promoting cultural understanding and global citizenship. By embracing these opportunities, educational institutions can prepare students to navigate an increasingly interconnected world, fostering empathy, respect, and appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives. However, it is essential to approach globalization in education with caution, ensuring that it promotes inclusivity, equity, and cultural sensitivity. Received: 25 December 2023 / Accepted: 25 February 2024 / Published: 23 April 2024

Bibliometric Analysis of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus in the Context of The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS): A Global Perspective to the Ecuadorian Local

Objective: The objective of this study is to understand the global and local Ecuadorian landscape of the water-energy-food nexus in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a bibliometric analysis, considering the advances, trends and challenges of the last decade (2010-2020). Theoretical Framework: The Water-Energy-Food Nexus is currently perceived as an approach capable of proposing solutions to improve the integrated governance of these critical resources and coherently implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To explore the potential of the Nexus, it is necessary to characterize it, identifying the main interrelationships, public policies and governance aspects related to this approach, from the global to the local Ecuadorian level. Method: The methodology adopted comprises a mixed design that includes a documentary review of the scientific literature on the Nexus from different contexts, as well as a bibliometric analysis of the scientific production related to the topic, compiled from Elsevier's SCOPUS database. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed that in the context of the water-energy-food nexus, Environmental Sciences are the main area of research worldwide, with sustainable development and climate change being some of the most prominent topics. In Latin America, the study of the nexus from the areas of Environment, Energy and Social Sciences prevails. In Ecuador, the study of the nexus is still incipient. Implications of the research: The work methodology can be considered in future research tending to strengthen the understanding of the Nexus in local areas, make comparisons between determined periods of time and identify public policy programs with potential strategies for the management of Nexus elements. Originality/value: The research provides useful information to the scientific community, public policy makers and decision makers, and society, by promoting the understanding of the water-energy-food nexus and its main interrelationships in different contexts, as a strategic approach for the governance of these critical resources.