Main Activities Research Articles

Dynamics of land-cover change and characterization of charcoal production and trade in southwestern Angola

Miombo and mopane woodlands of southwestern Angola have been overexploited for decades, leading to deforestation and forest degradation driven by social dynamics during and after the civil war (1975–2002), with different patterns of use of natural resources. Our objective was to study the changes in land-cover in three municipalities of southwestern Angola, and to characterize the charcoal production and trade on miombo and mopane woodlands, where that production was identified as one of the main causes of degradation. Land-cover dynamics between 1990 and 2019 was evaluated based on four land-cover maps, and the processes involved in deforestation and forest degradation were identified and discussed. Roadside charcoal sale locations, markets, the most exploited species, and the type, size, and efficiency of the kilns were assessed through field surveys. Between 1990 and 2019, the woodland area decreased and was converted to savanna woodland and agriculture, while the urban area continuously increased. Both miombo and mopane woodlands went through higher annual deforestation rates than those reported by FAO at the national level. The dynamics of land use were different between the war and post-war periods, respectively with the abandonment of agricultural land and migration of rural populations to the cities, and their return to the countryside and use of land and forest resources as primary subsistence activities. Agriculture and charcoal production were identified as the main income-generating activities, and the occupation of unused land by outsiders may have also contributed to intensify deforestation and forest degradation. To slow down the ongoing area loss of miombo and mopane woodlands, it seems crucial to implement conservation and restoration strategies promoting the sustainable use of the resources while ensuring the provision of essential goods to local populations and contributing to reduce poverty.

Ulusal ve Uluslararası Belgelerde Eğitim Hakkının Yasal Dayanakları

Education is a multidimensional social institution that is continuous and open to all citizens, starting from before school, including periods after school and after school, is an obligation of the state and a human right in our age. This perspective, which is gradually expanding the framework of education, requires that education be considered in economic, social and cultural realities in societies. Despite the opinions of thinkers such as Comenius, Locke, Rousseau, the main activities in education have been philosophical and methodological, while legal concerns have remained in the secondary plan. As a result of this situation, the individual's right to education has not been provided with a legal basis for a long period of time. The main goal of the United Nations, which was established after the Second World War in the international arena, is to develop universal respect for human rights and freedoms as a principle. The right to education, which is included in the fundamental rights in this process, has been regulated in some UN and Council of Europe documents, especially the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Human rights and the right to education, which are guaranteed by international conventions, have also been protected by some legal regulations within the national legal system. The fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens in Turkey are regulated through the Constitution and laws. In addition, with the relevant legislation, a framework has been established for how these rights and obligations can be used. Key Words: Right to Education, National Documents, International Documents, Legal Bases

How do plant demographic and ecological traits combined with social dynamics and human traits affect woody plant selection for medicinal uses in Benin (West Africa)?

Several hypotheses have been used in ethnobotany to explain the plant's selection criteria by people for their daily needs. Thus, it is important to assess synergy and complementarity among them, especially, those concerning the plant use value, social dynamics and human traits. The study aims to (i) highlight people's socio-economic factors, and plant ecological traits that affect the plant use-availability dynamic (PUD); and (ii) assess the available species diversity effect on ethno-medicinal knowledge diversity in Benin. Ethnobotanical interviews were carried out to quantify the importance of local species in different ecological zones of Benin with 590 traditional medicine actors. Vegetation surveys were done to assess species availability within 337 plots of 50m x 40m or 60m x 30m, depending on the climatic zone, for a total of 61.6ha, established in 15 forests distributed within the 10 phytodistricts of Benin. The plant use availability hypothesis was quantified as a dynamic link between species use value and availability (PUD). A general and mixed linear models were used to assess the significance of each factor's effect on PUD. Pearson correlation test was applied on Shannon diversity index considering inventoried species in the field and those which were cited by people, for the available species diversity effect on ethno-medicinal knowledge diversity assessment. A hundred and twenty woody medicinal plants, mostly trees (68.33%), were sampled. Growth form and its interaction with phytodistrict have a significant effect (p: 0.005) on PUD. The less available trees were the most used in the phytodistricts 3, 4, 8 and 10. PUD varies significantly according to social factors (p: 0.007). Ethnicity, age and main activity were the most quoted social factors which influenced the PUD. Ethnicity and age have various effects considering the phytodistricts. Moreover, the influence of age changes following the main activity. Plant selection did not solely link to the surrounding diversity (r: - 0.293; p: 0.403). Within some phytodistricts, especially those of 3, 4, 8 and 10, the less available tree species were the most requested. It is urgent to reforest vegetation patches in some phytodistricts (3, 4, 8 and 10) of Benin with widely requested and no available species to avoid the extinction of their wild populations. This concerns Cassia sieberiana DC., Anonychium africanum (Guill. & Perr.) C. E.Hughes & G. P. Lewis, Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir., Cola millenii K. Schum., Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss., Pseudocedrela kotschyi (Schweinf.) Harms, Treculia africana Decne. ex Trécul, Uapaca heudelotii Baill., Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn., Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth. and Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv.) Seem. ex Bureau.

Water Quality Assessment of a Hydro-Agricultural Reservoir in a Mediterranean Region (Case Study—Lage Reservoir in Southern Portugal)

In regions where drought has become a common occurrence for most of the year and where agriculture is the main economic activity, the development of hydro-agricultural systems has made it possible to improve water management. Despite this, the intensification of agriculture combined with climate change leads to a potential decrease in water quality and water management practices are essential to improve agro-environmental sustainability. The aim of this study was to assess the water quality for irrigation and potential ecological status of the reservoir (using support chemical parameters). The results showed biological oxygen demand values above the maximum stipulated for an excellent ecological potential in all sampling periods except April 2018 and December 2020 (with the highest values of 10 mg L−1 O2 in dry periods). Most of the total nitrogen concentrations (TN) surpassed those stipulated for a good ecological potential (0.96 ≤ TN ≤ 2.44 mg L−1 N). In fact, TN and total suspended solids were the main parameters used for water classification. From the perspective of irrigation and according to FAO guidelines regarding infiltration rate, these waters presented light to moderate levels of restrictions. Thus, the results revealed that the decrease in the water quality status and its possible impact on the soil infiltration rate can be related, in part, to the meteorological conditions and to the intensive agricultural practices developed around the drainage basin. Despite that, as the Lage reservoir is part of Brinches–Enxoé hydraulic circuit, the water recirculation is also an important factor that may have affected the results obtained. Furthermore, the experimental design, integrating ecological status, irrigation parameters, and the impact on soil systems; using the same parameters from different perspectives; allowed us to have a global idea of water contamination and its impact on agroecosystems, improving river basin management processes.

Azoximer bromide and hydroxyapatite: promising immune adjuvants in cancer.

Immune adjuvants are immune modulators that have been developed in the context of infectious vaccinations. There is currently a growing interest in immune adjuvants due to the development of immunotherapy against cancers. Immune adjuvant mechanisms of action are focused on the initiation and amplification of the inflammatory response leading to the innate immune response, followed by the adaptive immune response. The main activity lies in the support of antigen presentation and the maturation and functions of dendritic cells. Most immune adjuvants are associated with a vaccine or incorporated into the new generation of mRNA vaccines. Few immune adjuvants are used as drugs. Hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramics and azoximer bromide (AZB) are overlooked molecules that were used in early clinical trials, which demonstrated clinical efficacy and excellent tolerance profiles. HA combined in an autologous vaccine was previously developed in the veterinary field for use in canine spontaneous lymphomas. AZB, an original immune modulator derived from a class of heterochain aliphatic polyamines that is licensed in Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and Slovakia for infectious and inflammatory diseases, is and now being developed for use in cancer with promising results. These two immune adjuvants can be combined in various immunotherapy strategies.

Overcoming the consequences of crop failures and helping victims of famine in the Penza province in the 1860s-1890s.

Despite the increased scientific interest in the problem of famine and food security in the Russian Empire in recent years, the topic remains poorly studied on the materials of the Penza province. The subject of the study is the main activities of the authorities and the public in the fight against famine and its consequences in the Penza province in the 1860s and 1890s. The purpose of the work is to identify the effectiveness of a system of local measures aimed at overcoming the consequences of crop failures and helping the hungry. The principles of historicism and objectivity, methods of grouping and generalizing statistical information, system, functional and comparative analysis were used as a methodological basis. According to the provisions of the socio-natural theory of E. S. Kulpin-Gubaidullin, the genesis of the crises of society is considered in the relationship and interdependence with the crises of nature. The author's special contribution to the research of the topic is that new information about the causes of crop failures and famine, as well as specific measures taken by the authorities and society to provide assistance to the affected population, has been introduced and analyzed. Based on the analysis of archival and literary sources, the state and public forms of assistance to victims of famine are systematized, the joint contribution of government agencies and zemstvo self-government bodies to overcoming the consequences of crop failures is determined. The main conclusion of the study is that the local security system had limited damage compensation capabilities and needed extraordinary government support. It can be argued that the implementation of local measures together with general imperial ones turned out to be generally effective: mass starvation deaths in the Penza province were not recorded in any of the lean years.

ТЕОРЕТИКО-МЕТОДОЛОГІЧНІ ЗАСАДИ ВИВЧЕННЯ СОЦІАЛЬНОГО ПІДПРИЄМНИЦТВА

The article examines the essence and historical development of social entrepreneurship to solve and mitigate social problems, proposes its functions, and outlines the differences between social entrepreneurship and socially responsible business. It is proposed to distinguish the following functions of social entrepreneurship: social function, economic function, innovative function, mobilizing function, and motivational function. The five components of social responsibility of business are summarized: a responsible producer, a responsible employer, a responsible participant in social relations, a responsible participant in economic and political relations with the state, and a responsible business partner, and the essence of each of them is revealed. Several advantages arising from the implementation of social responsibility are emphasized, among them: increasing the reputation of the organization as socially active, increasing the level of public trust in the activities of the organization and its products, increasing the professionalism of the company, and preserving the personnel potential; increase in the level of loyalty of the company's employees; creation of a safe environment for the operation and development of the company; compliance with global standards of business activity; formation of partnership and trusting relations with the authorities, public sector and mass media. The difference between social entrepreneurship and the social responsibility of business is substantiated. It is noted that the social responsibility of business is expressed in the implementation of the main activity of the enterprise, taking into account social and environmental aspects. In contrast, social entrepreneurship's social goal is the basis of its existence. The main goal of socially responsible enterprises is to make a profit, and for social enterprises, it is to solve social problems with the help of the obtained profit. In addition, the percentage of profit spent on social goals within the social responsibility framework can vary within individual decisions or commitments. In contrast, this percentage is clearly defined and fixed in social enterprises.

PERCEPTIONS PAYSANNES DES EFFETS DE LA SALINITE DU SOL SUR LES CULTURES MARAICHERESDANS LA REGION DE TAHOUA AU NIGER

Vegetable crops production is one of the main activities of the population in Tahoua region but which is threatened by land degradation, particularly by soil salinity.The main objective of this study was to evaluate farmers perception of effects of soil salinity on irrigated vegetable crops production in the Tahoua region.The study, conducted on two sites in Tahoua region, namely Bagga and Kehehe, was based on socio-economic surveys of 200 vegetable crops small-farmers.The results of this study showed that 84% of surveyed farmers on sites of Bagga and Keheheclaimed to have observed signs of soil salinity in their plotswhich they mainly appreciatedby whitish spots on soil or by blackishhard layer on soil surface. According to 38% of surveyed farmers, this soil salinity has a natural origin while 33.7% of these surveyed farmers affirmed that irrigation water is the cause of soil salinity in the cultivated plots.According to these surveyed farmers, soil salinity reduces crop yields because of limited growth of vegetable crops and also crops become very sensitive to drought and attacks of diseases and pests.Farmers practices to managing of soil salinity in cultivated plots according to surveyed farmers were mainly water ponding and surface drainage often coupled with plowing, apply of manure, use of plants salt-tolerant plants.Thus, this study confirmed the existence of soil salinization degradation on sites of vegetable crops production in Tahoua region that farmers are well aware of threat to their productive potential.Future studies can be conducted both to characterize and prevent the salinization of irrigated soils and to implement effective solutions for soil salinity remediation in irrigated systems in Tahoua region and in all regions of Niger.

Penerapan Peran Media Relations Dalam Meningkatkan Citra Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta

One of the main activities of Public Relations itself is media relations. Media relations, or relations with mass media, is a strategic means for universities to improve the image of UMJ. Media relations allows the University of Muhammadiyah Jakarta to build public awareness about their programs, activities, and achievements. Through publications in mass media and online media, they can reach a wider audience and introduce the University of Muhammadiyah Jakarta to the public. This study aims to understand and analyze in depth the application of media relations in improving the image of the University of Muhammadiyah Jakarta. The image of the university is one of the things that is quite important in attracting prospective students, supporting development efforts carried out by university residents in terms of research and publications, and strengthening cooperation networks with existing stakeholders. Furthermore, interviews will be conducted with public relations staff of the University of Muhammadiyah Jakarta regarding public relations work practices through existing Media Relations. As a result, media relations has a very significant role in improving the image of an institution, especially in the context of today's digital era. Digital transformation has brought major changes in various aspects of life, including education. With registration, payments, and online classes all going digital, the existence of an institution without a digital presence can make it lag far behind the competition.

Exploring the socio-economic impacts of community based rehabilitated watersheds: an experience from Wera district, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT In developing countries, research evidence on the socio-economic impact is a crucial issue in motivating and encouraging community-based restoration of degraded watershed ecosystems. This paper focuses on exploring the socio-economic impacts of rehabilitating a watershed area in two villages (kebeles) using two independently pooled cross-sectional data sets. 240 households were selected at random to provide the data. Half of the households (120) were randomly chosen from the records of the rural land and agricultural development office in 2007 and the other half (120) were randomly selected and interviewed in 2022 using semi-structured questionnaires. Our results show that the contribution of the restored area to the economy of the local communities dramatically increased between 2007 and 2022. The main economic activities encountered in the restored area are fuelwood collection, the harvesting of construction wood, collecting grasses, and harvesting fodder, which are practiced by 75%, 68%, 59% and 41% of sampled households in 2022, respectively, while the same activities were practiced by 5%, 0%, 0%, and 2.5% households in 2007, respectively. Rehabilitation intervention also created job opportunities, and strengthened social networking among local households. These findings can help government and non-government stakeholders those implement ecosystem restoration by enhancing community-based rehabilitation of watersheds.

Agriculture in Protected Areas of Latin America: News Website Review

There is a close relationship between agriculture and protected areas/conservation units, because the main activity in most human settlements in these areas is agriculture, which depending on the management and type of crop can benefit or affect said territories. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between agriculture and protected areas/conservation units in Latin America, as it reveals the weaknesses or strengths that influence conservation objectives. A systematic review of articles published in the media on agriculture in protected areas/conservation units in Latin America was conducted. The results of the news analysis were supported by scientific information endorsed by different authors, revealing a common pattern in most Latin American countries, with similar contexts based on the exploitation of natural resources and the development of social conflicts (illegal activities, state negligence, and corruption), as well as the existence of projection in management and good agricultural practices. The result was an evident lack of governance and control by responsible authors with objectives other than conservation. However, there is an effort to achieve a harmonious relationship between human activities and the conservation of areas, aimed at finding alternatives that mitigate socio-environmental impacts. Finally, the results provide an analysis that unifies scientific information from different authors and current news material, generating wide, varied, and reliable information that improves scientific literature.

Phenolic Compound, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and In Silico Studies of Extracts from the Aerial Parts of Lactuca saligna L.

Medicinal plants are considered a major source for discovering novel effective drugs. To our knowledge, no studies have reported the chemical composition and biological activities of Moroccan Lactuca saligna extracts. In this context, this study aims to characterize the polyphenolic compounds distributed in hydro-methanolic extracts of L. saligna and evaluate their antioxidant and antibacterial activities; in addition, in silico analysis based on molecular docking and ADMET was performed to predict the antibacterial activity of the identified phenolic compounds. Our results showed the identification of 29 among 30 detected phenolic compounds with an abundance of dicaffeoyltartaric acid, luteolin 7-glucoronide, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, and 5-caffeoylquinic acid with 472.77, 224.30, 196.79, and 171.74 mg/kg of dried extract, respectively. Additionally, antioxidant activity assessed by DPPH scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, and ferrous ion-chelating (FIC) assay showed interesting antioxidant activity. Moreover, the results showed remarkable antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes with minimum inhibitory concentrations between 1.30 ± 0.31 and 10.41 ± 0.23 mg/mL. Furthermore, in silico analysis identified three compounds, including Apigenin 7-O-glucuronide, Quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, and 3-p-Coumaroylquinic acid as potent candidates for developing new antibacterial agents with acceptable pharmacokinetic properties. Hence, L. saligna can be considered a source of phytochemical compounds with remarkable activities, while further in vitro and in vivo studies are required to explore the main biological activities of this plant.

The use of integrative tools and multiple models for aquatic environmental quality assessment: a case study of the Mirim Lagoon, Southern Brazil.

This study performed toxicity assays with microalgae, microcrustaceans, and fish as well as evaluated biochemical and behavioral biomarkers in fish and microcrustaceans to assess the quality of the surface water of Mirim Lagoon, which belongs to one of the largest hydrographic basins in the world, located in southern Brazil. Three distinct sampling periods were chosen (January, March, and June 2022) based on the rice plantation dynamics which is the main activity surrounding the lagoon. In January, the plantation is irrigated; in March, the water is drained into the Mirim Lagoon, and July is the off-season. Concerning toxicity tests, there was significant inhibition in microalgae growth when exposed to water collected in March, but no mortality was observed for Ceriodaphia dubia, Daphnia magna, and Danio rerio. Regarding biomarkers, behavioral variables contributed more to the higher values of the Integrated Biomarker Response (IBR) index for both D. magna and D. rerio, in March. The Redundancy Analysis (RDA) indicated a correlation between the biomarkers for both organisms and abiotic parameters, mainly nutrients (total phosphorus and total nitrogen), thermotolerant coliforms, total solids, and turbidity. Spatially, there was no difference during monitoring, but the most significant ecotoxicological effects were observed in March. Multivariate analysis and the IBR index proved to be useful tools for monitoring of water bodies such as Mirim Lagoon.

Diversity in storage age enables discrepancy in quality attributes and metabolic profile of Citrus grandis "Tomentosa" in China.

The folk proverb "the older, the better" is usually used to describe the quality of Citrus grandis "Tomentosa" (CGT) in China. In this study, CGT aged for 6-, 12-, 16-, and 19-years were collected for the investigation of infusion color, main bioactive components, antioxidant activity, metabolic composition, and pathway. The results found that infusion color, the total phenolic and flavonoid, and antioxidant activity of CGT were obviously changed by aging process. Through untargeted metabolomics, 55 critical metabolites were identified to in discrimination of CGT with different storage ages, mainly including phenylpropanoids, lipids, and organic oxygen compounds. Twenty compounds that showed good linear relationships with storage ages could be used for year prediction of CGT. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment pathway analysis uncovered important metabolic pathways related to the accumulation of naringin, kaempferol, and choline as well as the degradation of benzenoids, thus supporting that aged CGT might be more beneficial to health. Correlation analysis provided that some key metabolites with bitter taste and biological activity were involved in the darkening and reddening of CGT infusion during aging, and total phenolic and flavonoid were more strongly associated with the antioxidant activity of CGT. This study systematically revealed the quality changes and key metabolic pathways during CGT aging at first time. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study reveals the differences in quality attributes and metabolic profile between CGT with different storage ages, providing guidance for consumers' consumption, and also providing more scientific basis for the quality evaluation and improvement of CGT.

Geomorphosites as Geotouristic Resources: Assessment of Geomorphological Heritage for Local Development in the Río Lobos Natural Park

Natural protected areas (NPAs) are territorial resources that have received an increasing number of visitors in societies with a high demand for landscapes of high aesthetic and scenic value. Tourism is one of the main activities in NPAs, and within this, geotourism plays an important role, becoming an effective resource in the promotion of natural heritage with repercussions on local and regional economic development. The aim of this work is to analyse geomorphosites’ tourist potential in natural protected areas, focusing on the case of the Río Lobos Natural Park (Castilla-León, Spain) and its geotourism cartography, as well as the proposal of different geotourism routes. To this end, a methodology is applied to the 14 geomorphosites inventoried in the Cañón del Río Lobos, based on a combination of different methods. Its application results in a classification with three thresholds (high, medium and low) for each geomorphosite analysed. In addition, a series of management proposals are included. The validity of this methodology applied for the evaluation of the tourist potential of geomorphosites endorses its application for other natural protected areas.

Analisis Optimasi Penjadwalan dengan Metode Precedence Diagram Method pada Proyek Konstruksi Pembangunan Rumah Sakit Regina Maris Medan

Good project management in the process of implementing private residential buildings, private buildings, and infrastructure buildings intended for the public interest, is one of the factors for the progress of a country. The study focused on the construction of the Regina Maris hospital in Medan, which is one of the developments in the complex category. The purpose of this study is to provide the results of an analysis of the development in order to achieve goals or targets that can provide efficient use of time, cost and quality which are considered to be the main supporting factors in a development.The research was carried out with three main activity stages, namely the identification stage, the data compilation stage and problem analysis and the use of the Precedence Diagram Method (PDM) method to analyze the optimization of work implementation schedules. The identification stage was carried out in the study area, beginning with observing the condition of the construction implementation, and deepening the identification of environmental conditions or internal/external factors that could hinder work. The results of the identification stage, accompanied by identification of problems and factors that can hinder work, are then used as initial data from the preparation stage of optimizing work implementation schedules using the Precedence Diagram Method

Finance as a critical component of successful implementation of creative innovations in the modern economic system

The article examines theoretical approaches to the interpretation of certain concepts of the innovation economy in the context of modern transformations, as well as the effectiveness of financing creative innovations. The authors highlighted the problems of innovation transfer and intellectual property management. The paper analyzed the main innovation activity indicators in selected world countries for 2010-2022. It reveals the correlation between innovation financing and economic performance at the macro level. In addition, the authors summarized the essence of the "creative innovations" and "transfer of innovations" categories. They proposed criteria for assessing the effectiveness of innovation potential and defined their nature. The evaluation testing confirmed the possibility of using the proposed criteria. In particular, the key aspects of the formation of adequate financing of creative innovations include financial analysis of investments and risk assessment, marketing strategy and transfer of innovations, as well as monitoring and evaluation of the results of innovation implementation. The authors developed practical approaches to increase the effect of innovation implementation. These approaches allow economic systems to ensure a high level of transfer organization and implementation.

КОМУНІКАТИВНІ ПРАКТИКИ УКРАЇНЦІВ У СОЦІАЛЬНИХ МЕРЕЖАХ: АКТИВНІ ДОПИСУВАЧІ ЧИ ПАСИВНІ ЧИТАЧІ?

<p><strong><em>The purpose</em></strong><em> of the article is to find out the most common types of activities of Ukrainian users on Telegram, Instagram, and Facebook and the peculiarities of using such communication practices as posts and comments.</em></p><p><strong><em>Research methodology.</em></strong><em> The following general scientific methods were used to prepare the article: literature analysis in accordance with the purpose and objectives of the study; a survey using a Google form (a total sample of 877 respondents-users of social networks aged 16 and older), descriptive and graphical methods to describe the survey results and visualize them in the form of graphs, a method of systematic analysis and generalization to record the main activities of Ukrainians on the social networks Telegram, Instagram and Facebook and to identify the features of posts and comments as communication practices. </em></p><p><strong><em>Results.</em></strong><em> The following main activities of Telegram users have been identified: communication with friends and relatives in private chats and reading news on the relevant channels. On Instagram and Facebook, the most popular social networks among Ukrainians, the following sequence of activities of their users was established (from the most popular to the least used): reading with likes, writing posts, checking comments on a post, writing comments, creating short videos, checking the reaction of the author of a post to a comment.</em></p><p><em>For the majority of respondents, social networks serve as electronic diaries, as users most often write posts based on their own news - personal or professional news, achievements and awards; to express their own opinion on certain events or phenomena; to share joy about personal holidays and to publish the results of their own creativity. Much less frequently, the reasons for writing posts are the desire to collect aid for the military or victims of military operations; the desire to speak out about an event that «touches the heart» or the desire to develop one's own brand. The commenting strategy is very similar: respondents most often comment on the successes and achievements of their friends, followed by atmospheric posts, condolences and encouragement, and posts on relevant professional topics. </em></p><p><em>If a discussion breaks out under a post, one-third of the authors will moderate it, responding to all constructive comments and remarks. As for the frequency of writing posts, about 17% of respondents produce the main content (from several times a day to 3–4 times a week). At the same time, a little more than 20% of respondents do not post at all.</em></p><p><strong><em>Novelty. </em></strong><em>The study was the first to identify possible user activities on Telegram, Instagram, and Facebook and to determine which of these activities are more common for respondents and which are relatively rare. The survey was also aimed at finding out the informational reasons for writing posts on social media, determining the role of post authors as moderators of discussions that may break out under these posts, and identifying the types of posts under which users are potentially ready to write a comment. In addition, one of the questions in the questionnaire helped to clarify the question of how often users post on their own social media pages and what percentage of users do not post at all. </em></p><p><strong><em>Practical significance.</em></strong><em> We see the practical significance of the results obtained in the possibility of their application within the framework of academic disciplines for students of the specialty 061 «Journalism». Also, the results on the activities and communication practices of Ukrainians in social networks will be useful for media professionals working on these platforms.</em></p><p><strong><em>Key words: </em></strong><em>social networks, Telegram, Instagram, Facebook, user activities, communication practices, posts, comments.</em></p>

Evaluation of the profitability and competitiveness of sugarcane production in Ivory Coast using Pearson and Monke's Policy Analysis Matrix (1987)

In Ivory Coast, sugarcane production is one of the main income-generating activities in rural areas. In recent years, the sugar sector has been booming due to strong demand on the national and international markets. This study therefore aims to assess the profitability and competitiveness of the Ivorian sugar sector. Primary and secondary data have been analysed using Pearson and Monke's (1987) Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM). The results show that the production link in the sugarcane chain is financially and economically profitable. It is also competitive and has a comparative advantage, despite the distortions. However, producers are poorly protected. Agricultural policy measures aimed at increasing yields per hectare and improving incomes would therefore be beneficial for sugarcane growers.

Colonial agricultural estates and rural development in twentieth-century Mexico

ABSTRACT This study documents that municipalities in central Mexico closer in the past to an agricultural estate (hacienda) are associated with higher literacy and lower poverty throughout the twentieth century than municipalities similar in other respects but farther from a hacienda. The results are robust to various specifications, neighbour matching analyses, and a placebo-type test. The complementarities between late-colonial haciendas in central Mexico and mining and trade appear to have set municipalities close to a hacienda on a distinct development path. The evidence points to local-scale economies in hacienda locations that coordinated new investments away from agriculture and towards the new industrial and commercial sectors. The twentieth-century land reform and the railroad play a small role in explaining hacienda legacy. Our findings highlight the role of landed estates as centres linking rural economic activity to the main colonial economic activities, mining and trade.