Regional Level Research Articles

Food and peace? Exploring the link between conflict and food insecurity in Africa

ABSTRACT This paper contributes to the literature on the costs of conflict, focusing on the important channel of its effect on food security. It does this by examining whether people in conflict zones lack sufficient food and whether this can be directly attributed to armed conflicts. It uses the Afrobarometer household survey and data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) for conflict indicators, specifically, the number of battle-related events at the regional level. The dataset spans 2012–2022 across 29 African countries. The effect of battle-related events (i.e. battle deaths) on food insecurity is evaluated using a two-way fixed effect and a weighted regression framework that directly addresses unobserved heterogeneity. The model shows that a rise in battle-related events in a region leads to increased food insecurity and this result is found to be robust. When more intense food insecurity is considered, conflict is also found to have an even larger effect. This provides evidence that conflict has a significant impact on food security in Africa. This has important health implications and adds to the evidence of the important legacy costs of conflict that can last long after the conflict ends.

Leveraging synthetic data to improve regional sea level predictions

The rapid increase in sea levels driven by climate change presents serious risks to coastal communities around the globe. Traditional prediction models frequently concentrate on developed regions with extensive tide gauge networks, leaving a significant gap in data and forecasts for developing countries where the tide gauges are sparse. This study presents a novel deep learning approach that combines TimesGAN with ConvLSTM to enhance regional sea level predictions using the more widely available satellite altimetry data. By generating synthetic training data with TimesGAN, we can significantly improve the predictive accuracy of the ConvLSTM model. Our method is tested across three developed regions—Shanghai, New York, and Lisbon—and three developing regions—Liberia, Gabon, and Somalia. The results reveal that integrating TimesGAN reduces the average mean squared error of the ConvLSTM prediction by approximately 66.1%, 76.6%, 64.5%, 78.2%, 81.7% and 85.1% for Shanghai, New York, Lisbon, Liberia, Gabon, and Somalia, respectively. This underscores the effectiveness of synthetic data in enhancing sea level prediction accuracy, across all regions studied.

Burden of NASH related liver cancer from 1990 to 2021 at the global, regional, and national levels

BackgroundThe global burden of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related liver cancer (NRLC) is increasing, making NASH the fastest-growing cause of liver cancer worldwide. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of NRLC burden at the global, regional, and national levels, further categorized by age, sex, and sociodemographic index (SDI).MethodData on NRLC from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) study 2021 were downloaded at global, regional, and national levels. The numbers and age-standardized rates (ASRs) of incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were analyzed to quantify the global burden of NRLC. Additionally, percentage changes in ASRs were used to identify trends in NRLC from 1990 to 2021.ResultsGlobally, both the number of cases and ASRs for NRLC increased between 1990 and 2021. In 2021, there were 42,291 new cases, 40,925 deaths, and 995,475 DALYs attributed to NRLC. East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia reported the highest absolute case numbers, while Western, Southern, and Eastern Sub-Saharan Africa exhibited the highest ASRs. From 1990 to 2021, Australasia, Southern Latin America, and High-income North America showed the most significant increases in NRLC incidence. Nationally, Mongolia, Gambia, and Mozambique exhibited the highest ASR in 2021.The greatest percentage increases in ASIR occurred in Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand between 1990 and 2021. NRLC incidence rates were higher in men and increased with age, peaking at 80–89 years. Similar patterns were observed for NRLC-related deaths and DALYs. Regionally, ASRs initially declined but then increased as SDI rose. At the national level, ASRs consistently decreased with higher SDI.ConclusionThis study highlights the substantial burden of NRLC at global, regional, and national levels. Males and older individuals bear a higher disease burden, and considerable variation exists across different regions and countries. These findings provide critical insights for formulating effective strategies to prevent and manage NRLC.

Determinants of future anxiety across individual, household, and regional levels in South Korea using a social ecological model

This study is the first to examine the determinants of future anxiety in South Korea using the Social Ecological Model (SEM). It aimed to show that, beyond individual factors, mezzo- and macro-level aspects, particularly those related to housing, may influence anxiety. Utilizing 2018 data from the Korean Health Panel Survey, we employed a three-level multilevel analysis to investigate how these factors contribute to the perception of future anxiety among Koreans. Our findings reveal that future anxiety is influenced by a complex interplay of demographic and socio-economic factors, including gender, age, health status, economic stability, living conditions, and regional socio-economic indicators. Notably, the study highlights the significant role of household-level factors, such as income and housing status, in shaping individuals’ anxieties about the future. Additionally, regional characteristics like housing vacancy rates and suicide rates are found to have an impact, suggesting the importance of broader socio-economic and cultural contexts in understanding future anxiety. Given South Korea’s socio-economic challenges, including the real estate crisis and demographic shifts, our study underscores the need for targeted policies to alleviate future anxiety, enhance mental well-being, and promote a more equitable society.

Ochrana práv dítěte za ozbrojeného konfliktu

The aim of this contribution is to examine the applicability and effectiveness of the norms of IHL and human rights relating to children in armed conflict situation. The question must be asked and answered in the context where the nature of armed conflicts has undergone profound changes since the 83 major international treaties, such as the 1949 Geneva Conventions and 1977 Geneva Protocols, were drafted. New armed conflicts; international as well as non-international are conducted in ways that have a profound, devastating impact on children, both as civilians and combatants. Question is, how does the international law effectively apply to armed conflicts that do not conform to earlier IHL models and their very aim has been the genocidal annihilation of ethnic group including its children, as in Rwanda and Yugoslavia. As clearly political trendy issue of the world community, new legal instruments have been created; UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), including its art. 38, a provision that traditionally belongs to the IHL, the Child Soldiers Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflicts. The issue was also introduced in the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the 1999 ILO Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child work dealing with child soldiers. On the regional level, the only binding instrument was adopted, containing provisions on child recruitment and use in armed conflicts – African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1990). Moreover, UN resolutions and recommendations discuss the issue, reports and extensively outlined disastrous effects of armed conflicts on children. New political and legal activities express broadly accepted conviction that children caught up in armed conflict constitute a group particularly vulnerable to human rights violations. In this way can be explained the inclusion of art. 38 in CRC. Being an IHL provision in human rights treaty, art. 38 contributes to fill a gap in the protection of the rights of children in armed conflicts. Hybrid character of art. 38 makes it possible to expand certain IHL features and new trends to human rights law. In the same way, being part of human rights treaty, art. 38 of CRC can also contribute to the actual interpretation of IHL. As to the significance of art. 38, the contribution of the Committee on Rights of the Child is the most important. Its concluding observations can actually change States Parties policies, legislation and practice. It is hoped that CRC Committee continues to be important actor in the era of application in which international community redirects its energy from the juridical task of the developing standards of protection of children in armed conflicts to the political projects of ensuring their application and respect on the ground.

Short-Term Residential Load Forecasting Based on the Fusion of Customer Load Uncertainty Feature Extraction and Meteorological Factors

With the proliferation of distributed energy resources, advanced metering infrastructure, and advanced communication technologies, the grid is transforming into a flexible, intelligent, and collaborative system. Short-term electric load forecasting for individual residential customers is playing an increasingly important role in the operation and planning of the future grid. Predicting the electrical load of individual households is more challenging with higher uncertainty and volatility at the household level compared to the total electrical load at the feeder and regional levels. The previous research results show that the accuracy of forecasting using machine learning and a single deep learning model is far from adequate and there is still room for improvement.

Modelling current and future forest fire susceptibility in north-eastern Germany

Abstract. Preventing and fighting forest fires has been a challenge worldwide in recent decades. Forest fires alter forest structure and composition; threaten people's livelihoods; and lead to economic losses, as well as soil erosion and desertification. Climate change and related drought events, paired with anthropogenic activities, have magnified the intensity and frequency of forest fires. Consequently, we analysed forest fire susceptibility (FFS), which can be understood as the likelihood of fire occurrence in a certain area. We applied a random forest (RF) machine learning (ML) algorithm to model current and future FFS in the federal state of Brandenburg (Germany) using topographic, climatic, anthropogenic, soil, and vegetation predictors. FFS was modelled at a spatial resolution of 50 m for current (2014–2022) and future scenarios (2081–2100). Model accuracy ranged between 69 % (RFtest) and 71 % (leave one year out, LOYO), showing a moderately high model reliability for predicting FFS. The model results underscore the importance of anthropogenic parameters and vegetation parameters in modelling FFS on a regional level. This study will allow forest managers and environmental planners to identify areas which are most susceptible to forest fires, enhancing warning systems and prevention measures.

Application of HP-LSTM Models for Groundwater Level Prediction in Karst Regions: A Case Study in Qingzhen City

Groundwater serves as an indispensable global resource, essential for agriculture, industry, and the urban water supply. Predicting the groundwater level in karst regions presents notable challenges due to the intricate geological structures and fluctuating climatic conditions. This study examines Qingzhen City, China, introducing an innovative hybrid model, the Hodrick–Prescott (HP) filter–Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network (HP-LSTM), which integrates the HP filter with the LSTM network to enhance the precision of groundwater level forecasting. By attenuating short-term noise, the HP-LSTM model improves the long-term trend prediction accuracy. Findings reveal that the HP-LSTM model significantly outperformed the conventional LSTM, attaining R2 values of 0.99, 0.96, and 0.98 on the training, validation, and test datasets, respectively, in contrast to LSTM values of 0.92, 0.76, and 0.95. The HP-LSTM model achieved an RMSE of 0.0276 and a MAPE of 2.92% on the test set, significantly outperforming the LSTM model (RMSE: 0.1149; MAPE: 9.14%) in capturing long-term patterns and reducing short-term fluctuations. While the LSTM model is effective at modeling short-term dynamics, it is more prone to noise, resulting in greater prediction errors. Overall, the HP-LSTM model demonstrates superior robustness for long-term groundwater level prediction, whereas the LSTM model may be better suited for scenarios requiring rapid adaptation to short-term variations. Selecting an appropriate model tailored to specific predictive needs can thus optimize groundwater management strategies.

RIPK1 expression and inhibition in tauopathies: implications for neuroinflammation and neuroprotection

Tauopathies are a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the alteration/aggregation of TAU protein. One of the main challenges of these diseases is that they have neither biomarkers nor pharmacological targets to stop the neurodegenerative process. Apart from the neurodegenerative process, tauopathies are also characterized by a chronic low-grade neuroinflammation process, where the receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) protein plays an essential role. Our research aimed to explore the role of RIPK1 in various tauopathies. We examined mouse models of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), as well as brain tissue samples from patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a primary form of 4R tauopathy, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is considered a secondary tauopathy. Our findings show elevated levels of RIPK1 mRNA levels across various forms of tauopathies, in both mouse models and human tissue samples associated with primary and secondary TAU-related disorders. Furthermore, we investigated the potential of using a RIPK1 inhibitor, known as GSK2982772, in a mouse model as a novel treatment strategy for FTD. The data showed that GSK2982772 treatment effectively reduced the reactive astrocyte response triggered by TAUP301L overexpression. However, this RIPK1 inhibitor failed to protect against the neurodegeneration caused by elevated TAUP301L levels in the hippocampal region. These results suggest that although inhibiting RIPK1 activity may help reduce TAU-related astrogliosis in the brain, the complexity of the inflammatory pathways involved could explain the absence of neuroprotective effects against TAU-induced neurodegeneration.

Circular Economy for Construction and Demolition Waste in the Santiago Metropolitan Region of Chile: A Delphi Analysis

This study investigates the design and implementation of circular economy (CE) strategies for managing construction and demolition waste (CDW) in the Santiago Metropolitan Region of Chile (SMRC). The research aimed to identify key factors influencing the current and future adoption of CE practices for CDW management related to socio-environmental, technical, financial, and strategic-regulatory aspects, employing the Delphi method to gather expert insights. Findings reveal that the lack of knowledge about sustainable practices and the absence of regulatory frameworks for CDW disposal are the most critical barriers to effective CE implementation. The study recommends enhancing public awareness and environmental education through government and school programs, as well as enacting stricter legislation to combat illegal disposal and encourage sustainable practices and valorization of secondary raw materials within companies. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of designing projects that prioritize waste avoidance and the development of infrastructure, technology, and processes for efficient material separation and recycling. The research also highlights potential challenges such as stagnation in the adoption of sustainable practices, skilled labor shortages, and limited research and innovation. It underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to CDW management that integrates socio-environmental, technical, financial, and regulatory dimensions to promote sustainability at both regional and global levels.

Fluvial fragmentation and functional quality of the Guadalquivir River’s right bank tributaries (Southern Spain)

ABSTRACT The fragmentation of fish populations caused by dams has been extensively studied within the scientific community. However, there is limited data regarding the impact of riverine fragmentation on the loss of the functional quality of ecosystems, a key aspect for the optimal development of environmental, ecological, and landscape functions within river systems. In this context, an assessment of fragmentation was conducted across the Sierra Morena river network in the Guadalquivir basin using the Dendritic Connectivity Index (DCI). This analysis revealed that 88.4% of the network was disconnected from its regional base level, with 64.6% exhibiting a high degree of fragmentation. Furthermore, hydrogeomorphological alterations were investigated in three rivers from the basin – Bembézar, Guadalbarcar, and Rivera de Huéznar – characterized by different levels of fragmentation. Hydrological data from the period 2010–2021 were analyzed, and geomorphological diagrams were created to compare the functional floodplains of the three rivers in both pre-dam (1956) and post-dam (2010) conditions. Preliminary results indicate a strong correlation between the fragmentation level and various parameters: the degree of hydrological regulation (r = 0.98), reduction in flow circulation (r = 0.86), sediment retention (r = 0.92), and the loss of floodplain functionality (r = 0.86). Moreover, a very strong correlation (r = 0.999) was found between fragmentation and the decline in functional quality across the studied rivers.

DETERMINANTS OF REGIONAL ORIGINAL REVENUE AND ITS IMPACT ON REGIONAL INDEPENDENCE IN BANTEN PROVINCE

The study aims to examine the influence of taxpayer compliance, organizational culture, and organizational commitment on local revenue, as well as its impact on regional independence in Banten Province. The data analysis in this study uses a quantitative analysis method with the analysis tool used is Partial Least Square-Path Modeling (PLS-PM 3.0). The results of this study show that there is a significant positive influence of regional taxpayer compliance with regional original income. The coefficient of the path parameter obtained a path coefficient value of 0.012 significantly at 2.068 > t-table 1.96 and a p-value of 0.000 a significance level of 0.05, which states that there are significant positive influences of regional tax compliance with the original income of the region. Organizational commitment has no effect on the original regional income. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and local government officials on the importance of fostering a culture of compliance and commitment within organizations to enhance financial performance. The findings also add to the existing literature on public finance and governance, highlighting the interconnectedness of taxpayer behavior and organizational dynamics in achieving fiscal independence at the regional level.

The position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the Palestinian issue during the years (1927-1931)

The Palestinian cause is one of the most prominent Arab and Islamic issues that has received the attention of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since its establishment. The Kingdom realized early on the importance of supporting the Palestinian people in their journey towards regaining their legitimate rights and establishing their independent state on their land. Based on its Islamic and Arab principles, the Kingdom made the Palestinian cause a fundamental focus of its foreign policies, as it stood by the Palestinian people in various international forums and provided political, economic and humanitarian support. In this research, we will review the Kingdom’s position on the Palestinian issue, starting with diplomatic efforts, through the initiatives it has presented to achieve peace, and ending with the ongoing support it provides at the regional and international levels. We will also discuss the impact of this position in strengthening Arab and Islamic solidarity towards the Palestinian issue.

Democratization and its Impact on Foreign Relations in Turkey

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the democratization and its impact on foreign relations in Turkey. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Turkey’s democratization has significantly influenced its foreign relations, shaping both regional and global engagements. Periods of reform aimed at aligning Turkey with Western standards improved ties with the European Union and fostered diplomatic dialogue, yet political setbacks and civil liberties concerns have strained these relationships. At the regional level, democratization has contributed to a more proactive foreign policy, balancing Turkey’s roles in NATO and the Middle East. However, internal power shifts and fluctuating democratic practices continue to affect Turkey’s credibility and negotiation power, underscoring the interdependence between domestic political evolution and international diplomacy. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Modernization theory, dependency theory & democratic peace theory may be used to anchor future studies on democratization and its impact on foreign relations in Turkey. In practical terms, a solid democratic framework provides political stability, which is key for building credible and reliable foreign alliances. Policy should focus on institutional reforms that consolidate democracy, thereby enhancing international confidence.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of plant flowers growing in distinct geological habitats (serpentine, gypsum, and limestone)

ABSTRACT In this study, the flowers of 20 plant species [Gypsum (Linum flavum, Paracaryum stenolophum, Onobrychis nitida, Gypsophila lepidioides, Psephellus recepii, Tanacetum heterotomum, Verbascum alyssifolium, limestone (Teucrium leucophyllum, Stachys sparsipilosa, Phlomis oppositiflora, Pelargonium endlicherianum, Chrysophthalmum montanum, serpentine (Convolvulus pseudoscammania, Fumana aciphylla, Gladiolus halophilus, Hypericum thymbrifolium, Salvia indica, Artedia squamata, Erysimum pulchellum, Consolida olopetala], including 11 endemic species, growing in various habitats (gypsum, limestone, and serpentine) in Erzincan province were examined. By focusing on the antioxidant capacities and antibacterial activities of these species, the study aims to elucidate the effects of these ecosystems on the biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites, primarily phenolic compounds and flavonoids, and their adaptive biochemical responses to unique environmental conditions. Antioxidant properties were assessed using DPPH, FRAP, TPC, and TFC assays. Results showed significant differences in antioxidant compound concentrations among plants from different habitats, with the highest levels in serpentine and gypsum regions. Artedia squamata L. from serpentine had the strongest DPPH activity (24.83 ± 1.25 µg/ml), Erysimum pulchellum had the highest TPC (89.44 ± 0.76 mg GAE/g), and Tanacetum heterotomum had the highest TFC (43.48 ± 2.08 mg QE/g) in gypsum. FRAP activity was highest in serpentine species, particularly Consolida olopetala (32.14 ± 1.84 mg TE/g). Furthermore, Antibacterial assays against eight ATTC strains revealed significant inhibitory effects by Stachys sparsipilosa, Tanacetum heterotomum, Teucrium leucophyllum, and Verbascum alyssifolium against Enterococcus faecium and Salmonella enteritidis with Teucrium leucophyllum showing the highest activity (MIC of 31.25 µg/ml against Salmonella enteritidis). The study highlights the influence of habitat on the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds, suggesting that plants from serpentine and gypsum soils have enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, making them potential candidates for natural therapeutic agents.

Framework for Biodiversity Conservation Governance in the Context of Regional Administration in Indonesia

Indonesia, as a megadiverse country, carries a significant responsibility to ensure the sustainability of biodiversity conservation. This conservation effort requires strategic regulation and adaptive governance within the context of local government administration. This study aims to explore the theoretical concepts and policy frameworks for implementing biodiversity conservation in the context of sustainable development, and to examine the strategies for regulating and governing biodiversity conservation at the regional level. The research employs a normative juridical method with a legislative, analytical, and conceptual approach. Data for this study is sourced from primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials, including laws and regulations, expert doctrines, and supporting literature, to analyze biodiversity conservation regulation within local governance.The study finds that biodiversity conservation at the regional level requires the integration of sustainability principles into local government planning and program implementation. Key challenges identified include a lack of synergy among relevant authorities, limited local government capacity, and low participation from local communities. These issues need to be continually evaluated and analyzed to map out the appropriate policy solutions for effective governance of biodiversity conservation, particularly at the regional level. The study recommends strategic approaches such as strengthening an inclusive policy framework, establishing collaborative mechanisms between the government and local communities, and developing programs based on local needs and regional potential. Furthermore, the research suggests the development of data-driven policies to support sustainable biodiversity conservation governance at the regional level. This will ensure that conservation efforts become an integral part of effective local government administration, aligned with the needs of sustainable development.

Optimizing healthcare big data performance through regional computing

The healthcare sector is experiencing a digital transformation propelled by the Internet of Medical Things (IOMT), real-time patient monitoring, robotic surgery, Electronic Health Records (EHR), medical imaging, and wearable technologies. This proliferation of digital tools generates vast quantities of healthcare data. Efficient and timely analysis of this data is critical for enhancing patient outcomes and optimizing care delivery. Real-time processing of Healthcare Big Data (HBD) offers significant potential for improved diagnostics, continuous monitoring, and effective surgical interventions. However, conventional cloud-based processing systems face challenges due to the sheer volume and time-sensitive nature of this data. The migration of large datasets to centralized cloud infrastructures often results in latency, which impedes real-time applications. Furthermore, network congestion exacerbates these challenges, delaying access to vital insights necessary for informed decision-making. Such limitations hinder healthcare professionals from fully leveraging the capabilities of emerging technologies and big data analytics. To mitigate these issues, this paper proposes a Regional Computing (RC) paradigm for the management of HBD. The RC framework establishes strategically positioned regional servers capable of regionally collecting, processing, and storing medical data, thereby reducing dependence on centralized cloud resources, especially during peak usage periods. This innovative approach effectively addresses the constraints of traditional cloud processing, facilitating real-time data analysis at the regional level. Ultimately, it empowers healthcare providers with the timely information required to deliver data-driven, personalized care and optimize treatment strategies.

Islamic Financing Policy Scenario in the Agricultural Sector: Interpretative Structural Model Approach

Access to capital for farmers requires the intermediation function of Islamic financing amidst high business risks. The research aims to identify the appropriate construction of Islamic financing products in the agricultural sector to increase access to capital in the agricultural sector in Indonesia. The research method uses the Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) Analysis model. The study of Islamic agricultural financing was carried out with 3 structural elements namely purposes, constraints and policy recommendations. The findings of the research results establish 3 policy clusters. First, the construction of a parallel greeting contract model between Islamic Banking, Rice Mills, and Agents in the Warehouse Receipt System scheme. Second, strengthening farmers' access to Islamic financial institutions and adjusting Sharia financial contracts in farming capital at the central and regional levels. Third, Islamic Cooperative microfinance institutions and financial arrangements for Islamic financing in the agricultural sector. This research recommendation provides valuable insights and practical solutions for implementing Islamic financial products with an agribusiness system approach based on feasibility studies of financial arrangements and risk mitigation for agricultural financing.

Systematic review of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in the Arabian Peninsula: molecular epidemiology and resistance patterns

BackgroundThe rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDR K. pneumoniae) is a major public health and economic burden worldwide. Various resistance mechanisms complicate treatment, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Despite numerous studies conducted in Gulf Health Council (GHC) countries, the molecular epidemiology of MDR K. pneumoniae remains not clearly defined. This systematic review aims to analyze the emergence of antimicrobial resistance genes in MDR K. pneumoniae across GHC countries.MethodsA systematic search was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and OpenMD for articles published up to March 15, 2023. The search strategy focused on the bacterial name, drug-resistance genotypes, and GHC countries. The review followed PRISMA guidelines, with two independent reviewers assessing the risk of bias using NIH Study Quality Assessment tools.ResultsThe primary search yielded 1,663 studies, of which 67 met the inclusion criteria. Saudi Arabia contributed the most studies, with 41 (61.1%), followed by Kuwait with 7 (10.4%), and the UAE with 6 (9%) studies. Oman and Qatar each contributed 4 studies (6%), and Bahrain contributed three studies (4.5%). The remaining 4 studies (4.4%) were from multiple GHC countries. The studies exhibited considerable heterogeneity in detection methods, target genes, and resistance mechanisms. Notably, only one environmental study was conducted in the UAE, and one community-based study in Kuwait, while the remaining studies focused on clinical samples. Various resistance mechanisms and patterns were observed between countries and across different years within the same country. The review highlighted the widespread prevalence of ESBL genes, particularly blaTEM and blaCTX-M-15, and the emergence of carbapenemase genes such as blaOXA-48 and blaNDM-1 and blaKPC-2. Additionally, colistin resistance through the mcr-1 gene and mgrB mutations was reported in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, posing a significant public health challenge.ConclusionData from GHC countries shows significant gaps, particularly in community and environmental and molecular epidemiology studies. Limited molecular and genome-based investigations hinder comprehensive AMR surveillance. Implementing standardized methodologies and fostering molecular and genome-based AMR surveillance programs at both national and regional levels within the GHC are essential for effectively combating the spread of MDR K. pneumoniae and improving public health outcomes in the region.

Internet Development Empowering Innovation Activities to Achieve Efficient and Balanced Development

Based on China's provincial panel data from 2011 to 2021, this study examines the relationship between Internet development and regional innovation efficiency. The results show that Internet development can effectively improve innovation efficiency in China, and the promoting effect in the central region & western region is obviously stronger than that in the eastern region. Internet development can accelerate the convergence of the nationwide innovation efficiency gap in China, but it will hinder the convergence of innovation efficiency in the central region & western region and expand the innovation efficiency gap among its provinces. The coupling coordination degree between Internet development and innovation efficiency in China shows a steady upward trend, but there are obvious regional differences. During this period, the average coupling level in the eastern region has reached 7, which is in the primary coordination stage, while that in the central region & western region is only 5, which is on the verge of imbalance.