Global Transformation Research Articles

A World in Transition: Rethinking the Current Global Order

Over the past three decades, the world has experienced significant turbulence, shaped by conflicts, global transformations, and crises within the international community. The end of the Cold War disrupted a long-established order, leaving both policymakers and scholars in uncharted territory. During the Cold War, international relations were more predictable, offering a stable framework for strategic analysis. In the aftermath, a wave of activity in the United States — fueled by a sense of victory — sought to redefine the future. This effort went beyond physical actions, extending into research institutions, think tanks, and academia, all striving to chart new courses in both practice and theory. Yet, the rapid pace of change and the fluid nature of the global landscape led to numerous missteps and misjudgments, affecting both major and middle powers to varying degrees. This paper examines the consequences of these intellectual efforts and the transitional phase that followed. It explores the defining features of this period and the forces that have shaped it. By shedding light on these dynamics, the paper aims to equip policymakers and scholars with the insights needed to better understand and influence the emerging international order. The ultimate goal is to foster a practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead, helping navigate the complexities of the evolving global landscape.

Radar signal modulation identification using global context vision transformer

Abstract The accurate identification of phase-coded radar waveforms is critical in electronic warfare (EW) systems, particularly with the increasing use of low probability of intercept (LPI) radars. However, current methods struggle to reliably recognize these waveforms at low signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). To address this challenge, we propose an AI-based Global Context Vision Transformer (GC-ViT) model that leverages short-time Fourier transform (STFT) phase spectrum for feature extraction. The GC-ViT model enhances recognition accuracy by incorporating both local and global self-attention mechanisms, enabling more effective identification of phase-coded signals in noisy environments. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves approximately 80\% recognition accuracy at an SNR of -12 dB, which significantly outperforms existing techniques. This advancement in radar waveform recognition enhances the situational awareness and decision-making capability of EW systems in complex electromagnetic environments.

Dynamic interactions among exchange rate, natural gas demand, production in manufacturing and battery industry export – evidence from Hungary

In the context of the current global economic transformation, the rapid rise of the electric vehicle industry has made the battery industry a new focus of competition among countries. Despite its relatively small economic and demographic size, Hungary has garnered significant academic interest by emerging as the world’s third-largest battery producer in 2021. The study employed a dynamic vector autoregressive (VAR) model to determine that fluctuations in the Hungarian exchange rate have a notable immediate influ-ence on exports in the battery business，which suggests that changes in exc-hange rates directly affect international competitiveness. The battery sector is experiencing a progressive increase in the influence of fluctuations in na-tural gas demand, particularly in terms of their impact on production costs and supply chains. The battery industry has had substantial advancements in technological innovation and production efficiency as a direct result of the expansion in manufacturing production. And Hungary’s total industrial deve-lopment is significantly influenced by the long-term effects of export expan-sion in the battery industry. JEL Codes: L62, E44, O14, C22

Drifting Away from the Roots: Genderfluidity as Diola’s Mangrove Fishing Strategies in Three Island-Villages of Northern Guinea-Bissau

AbstractBiodiversity loss, habitat degradation, globalization, and societal transformations are challenging rural, and especially coastal communities in Guinea-Bissau where mangrove-dependent livelihoods are exposed to increased vulnerability. The Diola, traditional farmer-fishermen of the northern island-villages, have witnessed swift societal changes following the country’s economic liberalization, climate change, and youth migration from rural areas. Despite historically being a secondary subsistence activity with more predefined gender roles rooted in tradition, mangrove fishing has become a major source of cash income. Yet, women’s mangrove fishing contributions are still overlooked, resulting in general assumptions of static female fishing identities with limited control over their income. We present three case studies of Diola women’s involvement in mangrove fishing through a mixed method approach that combines qualitative techniques and household surveys conducted between 2017 and 2023. Specifically, we explore: (1) diverging societal coping strategies and livelihood developments in three Diola villages; (2) the primary drivers behind village-specific societal transformations; (3) social dynamics and female roles in mangrove fishing-related activities and village decision-making; and (4) the political ecology of interventions. Our findings underscore the complexity of gender-fluid small-scale fishing strategies as female roles beyond fish trade defy cultural generalizations. Contemporary Diola women make autonomous personal and work choices that meet their current needs and add to their household budget to face new welfare demands. Inclusive resource governance needs more gender-specific data for meaningfully implemented interventions adapted to local circumstances, enabling an active participation of all genders in conservation practices and development.

The impact of information and communication technologies on export diversification: Evidence from developing countries

As economies increasingly rely on digitalization, information and communication technologies (ICT) have become critical in shaping global economic transformations. This study explores the impact of ICT on export concentration and diversification in emerging markets and developing countries. Using a panel data set of 110 countries from 2000 to 2019, the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator has been employed to assess the short- and long-term effects of ICT on these economies. To summarize information on various ICT channels, an ICT index has been constructed through principal component analysis (PCA). Additionally, the study examines the combined influence of ICT and human capital on export concentration. Findings indicate that ICT development significantly accelerates export diversification in developing countries, aligning their export structures with global standards. The interaction between ICT and human capital positively impacts export concentration, suggesting that higher levels of human capital enhance ICT's effects. Overall, ICT not only boosts human capital but also equips developing countries with the skills needed to enter new markets, develop high-value products, and compete globally. Consequently, governments in developing countries should prioritize investments in ICT infrastructure to lower trade costs, diversify exports, and promote sustainable economic growth.

Making decisions on the basis of data science in managing social and economic systems

Aim. To identify the prospects and possible areas of data science use in the decision-making process in the management of social and economic systems.Objectives. To analyze existing approaches and promising directions of data science use; to analyze methods that allow to obtain real-time data for decision-making, to identify gaps and shortcomings; to briefly formulate conclusions relevant for practitioners and policy makers in the process of decision-making based on data science.Methodology. The authors analyzed the scientific literature, applied methods of logical analysis and interpretation of data.Results. In the course of the research, it was found that data science makes a significant contribution to the global transformation of society, allowing solving urgent problems of socioeconomic development. Methods that facilitate the acquisition of real-time data increase the effectiveness of decisions in the management of social and economic systems. These methods were analyzed, their advantages and disadvantages were identified, and examples of their use were presented. The key data requirements were defined: confidentiality, ethics, and security. A range of new questions for future research in the context of the topic under consideration was proposed.Conclusions. The results obtained contribute to the theoretical development of new approaches to the application of data science, as well as the practical use of best practices in cases of decision-making in the management of social and economic systems. These results can form the basis for the design and implementation of solutions by policy makers and practitioners.

Impact of International Law Fragmentation on the Development of Integration Processes

This article analyzes the relationship between the phenomenon of fragmentation of international law and integration processes aimed the modern global transformations. Various approaches to understanding the fragmentation of international law are considered, including its causes, forms, and consequences. The article examines how fragmentation impacts the functioning of international integration entities, the development of interstate relations, and the effectiveness of international legal regulation. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of fragmentation as a conducive factor for the advancement of international integration and the establishment of specialized legal regimes within integration associations. Consequently, the degree of fragmentation in international law within established regions correlates with the level and depth of integration. In the current context, the fragmentation serves as a favorable element for participating states in fostering their integration interactions. In addition, international law functions as a crucial instrument for regulating these integration processes. The methodological foundation of this article comprises well-established general and specific methods of scientific research. The article’s purpose and objectives are to investigate the degree of influence and the nature of the interaction between the fragmentation of international law and modern international integration processes.

Opportunities and Challenges of Multi-Ion, Dual-Ion and Single-Ion Intercalation in Phosphate-Based Polyanionic Cathodes for Zinc-Ion Batteries.

With the continuous development of science and technology, battery storage systems for clean energy have become crucial for global economic transformation. Among various rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion batteries are widely used, but face issues like limited resources, high costs, and safety concerns. In contrast, zinc-ion batteries, as a complement to lithium-ion batteries, are drawing increasing attention. In the exploration of zinc-ion batteries, especially of phosphate-based cathodes, the battery action mechanism has a profound impact on the battery performance. In this paper, we first review the interaction mechanism of multi-ion, dual-ion, and single-ion water zinc batteries. Then, the impact of the above mechanisms on battery performance was discussed. Finally, the application prospects of the effective use of multi-ion, dual-ion, and single-ion intercalation technology in zinc-ion batteries is reviewed, which has significance for guiding the development of rechargeable water zinc-ion batteries in the future.

Проблемы традиционной культуры коренных малочисленных народов юга Дальнего Востока России и роли государства в этих процессах (XX–начало XXI века)

During the XX-XXI centuries, aboriginal ethnic groups turned from independent ethnic formations into constituent parts of a large multinational state, with a fundamentally different spiritual dominant, a different social structure and type of economy. The changes affected both traditional material and spiritual culture. In the process of these changes, the concepts themselves were transformed, the lines between tradition and reality began to blur, since the latter is in constant dynamics. We made an attempt to assess the role of the state in the ongoing processes, as well as to compare the situation with the indigenous minorities in neighboring China, and note general trends. The study identifies the role of the main factors that influenced global transformations in the field of spiritual and material development of the Primorye Territrory, as well as outlines a somewhat new understanding of the problem of preserving ethnic identity.

Rebranding God: The Jewish Revival Movement between Homeland and Diaspora

Against the gloomy forecast of “The Vanishing Diaspora”, the end of the second millennium saw the global emergence of a dazzling array of Jewish cultural initiatives, institutional modalities, and individual practices. These “Jewish Revival” and “Jewish Renewal” projects are led by Jewish NGOs and philanthropic organizations, the Orthodox Teshuva (return to the fold) movement and its well-known emissary Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidism, and alternative cultural initiatives that promote what can be termed “lifestyle Judaism”. This range between institutionalized revival movements and ephemeral event-driven projects circumscribes a diverse space of creative agency. Indeed, the trope of a “Jewish Renaissance” has become both a descriptive category of an increasingly popular and scholarly discourse across the globe, and a prescriptive model for social action. This article explores the global transformations of contemporary Jewishness, which give renewed meaning to identity, tradition, and politics in our post-secular world in two different sociopolitical contexts. Drawing on long-term ethnographic research, we interrogate the relations between “diaspora” and “homeland” by analyzing two case studies: the Jewish revival movement in Budapest, Hungary, and the Jewish renewal initiatives in Israel. While the first instantiates a diasporic movement anchored in a post-denominational and post-secular attempt to reclaim Jewish tradition for a new generation of Jew-llennials (Millennial Jews), the second group operates against the Orthodox hegemony of the institutional Rabbinate by revisiting religious ritual and textual study. By proposing new cultural repertoires, these movements highlight the dialectic exchange between center and periphery. The ethnography of religious revival decenters the Israeli Orthodoxy as “the homeland” and positions the diaspora at the core of a network of cultural creativity and renewal, while remaining in constant dialog with Israel and other diasporic communities.

High-entropy strategy to suppress volumetric strain and enhance diffusion rate of Na3V2(PO4)2F3 cathode for durable and high-areal-capacity zinc-ion battery pouch cells

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are pivotal contributors to the global energy transformation. Cathode materials with NASICON-type structures are promising candidates for zinc-ion batteries but are hindered by their low electrical conductivity, sluggish ionic diffusion, and structural instability. This work introduces a high-entropy, carbon-coated NASICON-type Na3V2(PO4)2F3 (HE-NVPF@C) cathode by incorporating five metal elements (Al, Zn, Mn, Cr, and Nb) mainly into the V sites of the VO4F2 octahedral structure. Systematic experimental and simulation studies of the Zn2+ storage mechanism in high-entropy NASICON-type cathode are presented for the first time. The high-entropy doping strategy contributes to significantly enhanced cycling stability by suppressing Jahn-Teller distortion, reducing lattice change during Zn2+ extraction and insertion, and decreasing the Zn2+ migration energy barrier. As a result, the HE-NVPF@C cathode demonstrates exceptional cycling stability over 6000 cycles at 20 C with a capacity loss of a mere 0.0031 % per cycle and a high areal capacity retention of 2.17 mAh cm−2. In addition, the pouch cell provides a long cycling lifespan with 90.8 % capacity retention at 5 C after 200 cycles. This feasible high-entropy approach broadens the perspective for developing practical zinc-ion batteries with a long cycle lifespan and high areal capacity.

Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Global Food Transformation System: Edible Insects vs. Livestock.

Antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) pose a significant threat to the global food transformation system. The increasing prevalence of ARGs in food has elicited apprehension about public health safety. The widespread dissemination of ARGs in food products, driven by the inappropriate use of antibiotics, presents significant adversity for the safety of emerging future food sources such as edible insects. As the world faces increasing challenges related to food security, climate change, and antibiotic resistance, edible insects offer a sustainable and resilient food source. The intriguing possibility of edible insects serving as a less conducive environment for ARGs compared to livestock warrants further exploration and investigation. In this recent work, we listed ARGs from edible insects detected so far by in vitro approaches and aimed to construct a fair comparison with ARGs from livestock based on relevant genes. We also presented our argument by analyzing the factors that might be responsible for ARG abundance in livestock vs. edible insects. Livestock and edible insects have diverse gut microbiota, and their diets differ with antibiotics. Consequently, their ARG abundance may vary as well. In addition, processed edible insects have lower levels of ARGs than raw ones. We hypothesize that edible insects could potentially contain a lower abundance of ARGs and exhibit a diminished ability to disseminate ARGs relative to livestock. A regulatory framework could help intercept the increasing prevalence of ARGs. Due diligence should also be taken when marketing edible insects for consumption.

Satellites Reveal Global Migration Patterns of Natural Mountain Treelines during Periods of Rapid Warming

Profound global transformations in the Anthropocene epoch are hastening shifts in species ranges, with natural mountain treeline migration playing a crucial role in this overarching species movement. The varied reactions of mountain treelines to climatic conditions across diverse climatic zones, when compounded by local disturbances, result in distinct migration patterns. Usually, warming encourages mountain treelines to migrate to higher elevations. Nevertheless, in a period of rapid warming, it remains unclear whether the natural mountain treeline in global thermal climatic zones and subclimatic zones has expedited its upward movement. Here, we employed remote sensing observations and the random forest algorithm to investigate the natural treeline dynamics across 24 major mountain ranges worldwide amidst a period of rapid warming (1990–2020). Our research shows substantial disparities in the migration patterns of natural mountain treelines across the global thermal zone. The natural mountain treeline in tropical and subtropical zones descends by an average of 1.1 and 0.8 m per year, respectively. Only 18.8 and 35.5% of the natural mountain treelines in these regions had undergone upward migration, respectively. The average migration rates of natural mountain treelines in temperate and boreal zones were 0.7 m per year. Correspondingly, 47 and 33.2% of the natural mountain treelines in these zones had already shifted to higher elevations. The highest average migration rate of natural mountain treelines occurs in temperate continental climates (1.7 m per year). The loss or degradation of alpine species habitats, a direct consequence of the upward movement of the treeline, highlights the necessity for increased monitoring and protection of alpine species in temperate and boreal zones in the future.

Neural Network Algorithms in Current Processes of Transformation of Traditional Worldview and Ideological Systems.

This study is devoted to identifying potential risks, challenges, and threats of intensive development and active implementation of artificial intelligence technologies and in particular self-learning neural network algorithms in the current practice of socio-political communications associated with active information impact on mass consciousness. This study proves that contemporary digital technological transformations and the active spread of digital technologies most directly influence the transformation of traditional worldview systems and ideologies. Based on the results of the study, it is concluded that with the help of digital tools, there is a significant information and communication impact on mass consciousness in terms of influencing traditional worldview and ideological systems. In this regard, the author puts forward the thesis about the need to form and maintain the digital sovereignty of contemporary states as a key conclusion. It is viewed as a critical condition for preserving and protecting national worldview and ideological spaces in the conditions of current global technological transformations

Dialogue with the World: Reflections on the Fate of Civilization and Personality in the Era of Global Transformations (Review)

In the review there is a dialogue of modern thinkers on the problems of the philosophy of civilization. In the era of global changes, the attention of researchers is focused on discussing the planetary nature of civilizational changes, the general dynamics of the world historical process and the place of Russia in it. Of particular interest are studies on Russia as a civilization, on the Russian path of civilizational development, on the search for civilizational identity, on the challenges of the time that Russia is facing today. The review includes a collective monograph “Civilization: the Polyphony of Meanings. Memoria” [2023], the book by G.S. Pomerants “The Roads of the Spirit and the Zigzags of History” [2008], and the book by I.S. Vdovina “Emmanuel Munier: Personality and Civilization” [2023]. The monographs presented in the review contribute to the understanding of the phenomenon of civilization, to reflections on the fate of civilization, culture, society, and man in the modern era.

ВПЛИВ ВІЙНИ НА МІЖНАРОДНІ ТРАНСПОРТНІ ПЕРЕВЕЗЕННЯ УКРАЇНИ

The article found that the full-scale war in Ukraine had a strong impact on international transportation. The structure of the volume of cargo transportation and the number of transported passengers were analyzed. It was determined that there is uncertainty in the market of international freight transportation of Ukraine during the studied period. On the one hand, the war had a negative impact on the country's economy and led to a decrease in the volume of cargo transportation. On the other hand, Ukraine is an important transit country through which key logistics routes connecting Europe and Asia pass. It was established that the blocking of air transport and sea trade, with the exception of the "Grain Initiative", led to a radical change in the structure of domestic import/export and the leadership of land corridors. Global transformations in world trade caused by the war in Ukraine also affected the configuration of existing supply chains, Ukrainian exports were completely reoriented towards the EU. It is indicated that Ukraine's signing of an agreement on visa-free transport cooperation with the European Union has opened up new prospects for bilateral international road transport, freeing Ukrainian carriers from the need to obtain permits for flights to EU countries. However, there are also negative trends that affect the growth of transport services and, as a result, decrease the competitiveness of transport companies. A list of legislative and regulatory innovations and organizational measures aimed at improving international transportation is given. It is argued that a successful solution for the recovery of the country will be the integration of the Ukrainian economy into the EU economic system with the help of various European logistics and infrastructure projects. It was determined that the key factors in the normalization of transportation were: the conclusion of the "Grain Initiative" with the UN and Turkey, which allowed to unblock the ports of Great Odesa; signing the Agreement on the Liberalization of Road Freight Transportation with the EU; development of border infrastructure, in particular, increasing the capacity of existing road and railway checkpoints, as well as the opening of new ones; increasing cargo handling in the ports of the Danube port cluster.

Planning virtual and hybrid events: steps to improve inclusion and accessibility

Abstract. The past decade has seen a global transformation in how we communicate and connect with one another, making it easier to network and collaborate with colleagues worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a rapid and unplanned shift toward virtual platforms, resulting in several accessibility challenges that have excluded many people during virtual events. Virtual and hybrid conferences have the potential to present opportunities and collaborations to groups previously excluded from purely in-person conference formats. This can only be achieved through thoughtful and careful planning with inclusion and accessibility in mind, learning lessons from previous events' successes and failures. Without effective planning, virtual and hybrid events will replicate many biases and exclusions inherent to in-person events. This article provides guidance on best practices for making online/virtual and hybrid events more accessible based on the combined experiences of diverse groups and individuals who have planned and run such events. Our suggestions focus on the accessibility considerations of three event planning stages: (1) pre-event planning, (2) on the day/during the event, and (3) after the event. Ensuring accessibility and inclusivity in designing and running virtual events can help everyone engage more meaningfully, resulting in more impactful discussions that will more fully include contributions from the many groups with limited access to in-person events. However, while this article is intended to act as a starting place for inclusion and accessibility in online and hybrid event planning, it is not a fully comprehensive guide. As more events are run, it is expected that new insights and experiences will be gained, helping to continually update standards.

Phase unwrapping via fully exploiting global and local spatial dependencies

Phase unwrapping (PU) is the process of extracting the authentic phase image from its noisy wrapped measurements, playing a crucial role in scientific imaging techniques. PU requires solving a challenging non-linear ill-posed problem, particularly in the presence of noticeable noise. In recent years, deep learning has emerged as a promising approach for PU. Inspired by the success of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in image restoration, many existing works trained CNNs for PU. However, due to the locality of convolutional kernels, CNNs are not efficient in capturing global spatial dependencies, a critical cue for PU. As an alternate, recent studies employed recurrent neural networks (RNNs) defined on handcrafted pixel paths. Nonetheless, a limited number of pre-defined pixel paths cannot fully exploit global spatial dependencies existing in complex phase structures. In this paper, we introduce a vision transformer (ViT) model that effectively captures both global and local spatial dependencies using a hierarchical structure with a multi-scale process. The proposed ViT model employs a series of global transformer blocks to capture global spatial dependencies at the roughest scale. The resulting global features are used to guide a set of local transformer blocks to analyze local spatial dependencies in a coarse-to-fine progressive manner for unwrapping. Extensive experiments show that, our proposed ViT model produces higher-quality unwrapped phases over existing CNN/RNN-based methods, while maintaining a lightweight nature.

Application and practice of industrial IoT cloud platform in oilfield intelligent transformation

Abstract Under the context of global energy transformation and low-carbon development, the traditional petroleum industry is facing a series of challenges such as technological innovation, market competition, environment protection, etc. Therefore, there is an urgent demand to realize green, safe, economical, and efficient development of oil and gas through oilfield intelligent transformation. This study develops a novel cloud platform covering the whole business based on the technical architecture of the industrial Internet of Things (IoT) for assisting the intelligent transformation of oilfields. Since the application of the IoT-based cloud platform in Qingcheng Oilfield, functions such as automatic collection of whole-domain data, remote monitoring, early warning, as well as intelligent analysis and decision-making have been realized. Furthermore, compared with the traditional platform, the new platform has improved eight indicators, such as data processing efficiency and sharing capacity, by more than 20%. Consequently, the developed IoT-based cloud platform can significantly improve the production and management level of the oilfield, and efficiently support oilfield intelligent transformation.

Competitiveness, Competitive Intelligence, And Strategic Positioning: An Integrated Approach For Organizational Success

In an era marked by rapid globalization and digital transformation, businesses face unprecedented challenges. Understanding and integrating key concepts such as competitiveness, competitive intelligence, and strategic positioning has become essential for organizations aiming to maintain a sustainable competitive edge. This article explores how these three strategic elements interact to create synergy, enabling organizations to identify opportunities, anticipate threats, and develop strategies that drive long-term success. By analyzing foundational theories from notable authors like Porter, Prahalad, Hamel, and Mintzberg, and using real-world examples, this study highlights the importance of a holistic approach in strategic management. The findings suggest that companies capable of harmonizing these concepts are better positioned to innovate, adapt, and thrive in the competitive business landscape