National Capacity Research Articles

High Incidence of Gastric Cancer in El Salvador: A National Multisectorial Study 2000-2014.

Gastric adenocarcinoma (GC) is the fourth leading cause of global cancer mortality, and leading infection-associated cancer. GC has significant geographic variability, with a high incidence in East Asia and mountainous regions of Latin America. In the U.S., GC represents a marked disparity with incidence rates that are 2-3 times higher in Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic whites. We conducted a national retrospective study of incident GC in El Salvador from to 2000-2014 to estimate the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) by using a combination of pathology and endoscopy databases. A unique multisectorial coalition was formed between the Ministry of Health (MINSAL) and ES Gastroenterology Society (AGEDES), representing public hospitals (n=5), governmental employee hospitals (ISSS, n=5), and private facilities (n=6), accounting for >95% of national endoscopy capacity. HER2 and EBV tumor status was ascertained in a representative sample during 2014-2016. 10,039 unique cases of GC were identified, 45.5% female, and mean age of 65. 21% and 9.4% were <55 and <45 years old, respectively. ASIRs (M, F) were 18.9 (95%CI;14.4-20.7) and 12.2 per 100,000 persons (95%CI;10.9-13.5), respectively, in the period 2010-2014 with all centers operational. Intestinal GC was 2.8 times more common than diffuse GC. 23.2% had partial or complete pyloric obstruction. The HER2 2+/3+ status was 16.7% and EBER positivity was 10.2%. A high incidence of gastric cancer was confirmed in El Salvador, and nearly half of patients were female. The findings have implications for cancer control in the Central America LMICs and for U.S. Latino populations.

Research of Tax Governance on Urban Village Rent: A Case Study of X Village in Dongguan City

Tax governance is an important part of the national governance system and also a significant reflection of the national governance capacity. Using X Village in Dongguan City as a case study, this paper summarizes the tax governance issues in the urban rental market through field investigations and online data collection, as well as identifies the deficiencies in current laws, regulations, and policies. The research reveals that there are practical problems such as regulatory gaps and implementation difficulties, asymmetric market information, inadequate participation in social governance, and difficulty in coordinating conflicting interests in X Village. In response to these issues, the study explores corresponding paths for governance and proposes methods such as establishing comprehensive regulations and strengthening law enforcement, creating an information-sharing platform, enhancing participation in social governance, and balancing economic interests to address the tax irregularities in urban village rentals. This will help provide a solid foundation for the sustainable development of urban villages.

Laboratory capacity expansion: lessons from establishing molecular testing in regional referral laboratories in Ethiopia.

Respiratory viruses contribute to high morbidity and mortality in Africa. In 2020, the Ohio State University's Global One Health Initiative, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, took action to strengthen Ethiopia's existing respiratory virus surveillance system through decentralization of laboratory testing and scale-up of national and regional capacity for detecting respiratory viruses. In August 2022, four regional laboratories were established, thereby raising the number of reference laboratories conducting respiratory virus surveillance to five. This article highlights lessons learned during implementation and outlines processes undertaken for laboratory scale-up and decentralization.

Tangible, intangible assets and labour productivity growth

PurposeThe aim of this study is to investigate the contribution of tangible and intangible investments in driving labour productivity growth in the European Union over the period 2000–2017 and their role in the short and medium run. Additionally, heterogeneity across countries is accounted for by performing estimates separately for Eastern and Western European countries.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used to conduct the analysis of the determinants of productivity is the two-way fixed-effect and the system generalised method of moments. We also include country-specific dummies in place of our variable on national innovative capacity as a means to further reduce the number of instruments.FindingsThe results reveal a long-term relationship of investment in intangible assets with labour productivity growth, more specifically of investment in R&D. This relationship holds both when considering the whole set of European countries and for Western European countries, demonstrating that R&D is key to enhancing labour productivity growth. On the contrary, the effect for Eastern countries is negative, probably due to the lack of capacity to turn this investment into an efficient and effective way to foster productivity.Originality/valueBesides confirming the well-known role of tangible and intangible assets in productivity, the heterogeneity shown in our analysis highlights the need for improving capabilities in Eastern countries. Diversifying the decisions on the investments in European countries, depending on the specific needs and their heterogeneity, could help bridge the productivity gap and enhance specific capabilities of the country systems.

The Dilemma and Mechanism Guarantee of Promoting the Modernization of Rural Governance in the New Era

As agriculture has become the foundation of the country, managing the rural society with good governance and development is the "ballast stone" for creating a new situation of rural development in China. Effective rural governance relates to the overall promotion of modernization of the national governance system and capacity. And, the fundamental starting point and goal of rural governance are to resolve the problems that restrict rural development, better maximize interests of farmers. Under the clear objective of promoting the modernization of rural governance in the new era, this paper analyzes the dilemmas in the process of promoting the modernization of rural governance in the new era, and propose a mechanism structure for the modernization of rural governance in three aspects, clarifying the value guidance mechanism, optimizing the governance operation mechanism and improving the support and guarantee mechanism, in order to solve the development shackles of the modernization of rural governance.

Assessing the potential for energy efficiency improvements in Latin America and Caribbean

This study assesses energy intensity trends in the Latin America and Caribbean region, identifies key regional drivers for energy efficiency improvements, and proposes policy recommendations using a rich panel dataset of 25 Latin American countries over the last 20 years. The results of the Fisher Ideal Index Decomposition, followed by the regression analysis, demonstrate that sectoral energy efficiency improvements account for most of the historical energy intensity declines in the region, also highlighting the importance of energy prices and regulatory policies. Counterfactual simulations show potential for significant improvements in otherwise stagnant energy intensity in the region by eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and achieving better national planning, strengthening implementation and governance capacity, and improving access to energy efficiency financing mechanisms.

Pathways of scientific input into intergovernmental negotiations: a new agreement on marine biodiversity

A new legally binding agreement for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) was adopted by consensus on 19th June, 2023. Setting new regulations and filling regulatory gaps of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea are expected to be informed by “best available science”. It is critical to understand how science entered the negotiations, which defined the global scientific knowledge base of decision-makers. This paper presents various pathways over which scientific input entered the BBNJ negotiations, using empirical data, collected through collaborative event ethnography, including participant observation and semi-structured interviews at the BBNJ negotiation site. Results show that scientific input in the BBNJ negotiations was not systematic and transparent but dependent on (a) available national scientific capacity, (b) financial resources, (c) established contacts and (d) active involvement of actors. Results of the study call for formalised science-policy interfaces, initiated by the UN Secretariat to guarantee a global knowledge base for decision-making. Keywords: international negotiations; United Nations; marine biodiversity; BBNJ; ocean protection; science-policy interfaces.

Expert consultation on strengthening national capacity for the conduct of randomized controlled trials and large-scale studies in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Expert consultation on strengthening national capacity for the conduct of randomized controlled trials and large-scale studies in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Can government digitalization promote the urban–rural equalization of basic public services? Evidence from double machine learning

ABSTRACT Information technology, as an important tool for realizing the modernization of national governance system and capacity, has brought new opportunities for improving the government’s capacity to deliver basic public services (BPS). Taking the information benefiting people pilot policy as an exogenous shock, we use the double machine learning model to examine the impact of government digitization on urban – rural BPS equalization based on panel data of prefectural cities in China from 2006 to 2021, which overcomes the limitations of the linear setting of traditional causal inference models and maintains estimation accuracy under high-dimensional control variables. The findings suggest that government digitization can significantly contribute to urban – rural BPS equalization, and this conclusion holds after a series of robustness tests. Mechanism test reveals that government digitization promotes urban – rural BPS equalization by improving the efficiency of BPS supply and the efficiency of fiscal transfer payment. Moreover, for cities with low fiscal pressure, high fiscal transparency and low economic growth pressure, government digitization will have a stronger driving effect on urban – rural BPS equalization. This study provides valuable theoretical insights and policy ideas for promoting BPS equalization through digital governance.

Sub-Saharan African experience of neurosurgical oncology care: challenges and barriers encountered at 7 cancer treatment centers

OBJECTIVE Wide disparities in neurosurgical oncology care and treatment outcomes exist globally despite recent improvements in diagnostics and cancer therapy. To better understand the challenges to neurosurgical oncology care in low-resource settings, the authors collected data on national neurosurgical capacity and hospital diagnostic and treatment capacity across 7 national referral hospitals in 7 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). METHODS In April 2023, a 42-item self-administered questionnaire was distributed to partner neurosurgeons at the 7 centers via REDCap to provide country- and hospital-level capacity data on neurosurgical oncology care. RESULTS Neurosurgical and neurosurgical oncology care were reported to be available in a limited number of provinces, states, regions, and counties in 6 of the 7 countries. The general neurosurgical workforce density across the 7 countries ranged from 0.03 to 0.67 per 100,000 persons, and that of the pediatric neurosurgical workforce ranged from 0 to 0.05 per 100,000 persons. Two centers had no pediatric ICUs, and the remaining 5 centers had pediatric ICUs with bed capacities between 1 and 8. One hospital had neither a CT nor an MRI scanner available and relied solely on private diagnostic facilities for neuroimaging. Histopathology services were largely limited to basic histopathology staining only; molecular subtyping was available at a single center. Three hospitals offered pediatric anesthesia expertise. None of the hospitals offered subspecialty neuro-oncology care or had a pediatric neuro-oncologist. None of the 7 hospitals had formal neurocritical care, neuroradiology, or neuropathology expertise. Neither adjuvant chemotherapy nor radiotherapy was available at 3 centers. Rehabilitation was largely limited to basic physical and occupational therapy at all 7 centers. Although all 7 countries had a multiple health payer system, the payment structure differed across the 7 hospitals for different neurosurgical oncology services, with patients making out-of-pocket payments for all services in some cases. CONCLUSIONS There are significant challenges to timely and quality neurosurgical oncology care in SSA especially for children. System-level interventions are needed to strengthen neurosurgical oncology care capacity in SSA.

Lingua franca proficiency and cross-border mergers and acquisitions: Language matters

The study explores the effect of lingua franca proficiency on cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Based on data from 2000 to 2019 in Zephyr database, we find that lingua franca proficiency measured by combined English score can promote cross-border M&As from deal value, deal number and success rate dimensions. Language output ability (writing and speaking skills) is more important that input ability (listening and reading). Also, its effect is more evident for countries with higher education level and unlisted firms. In addition, two main channels through which lingua franca proficiency functions are national openness extent and innovation capacity.

Designing a 10 MW peak solar power plant using a system advisor model (SAM software). Case study: Somalia, Mogadishu Region

Globally, there has been a sharp increase in energy needs due to industrialization and technological advancement. The wisest course of action is to switch from traditional energy sources to renewable energy sources, or ecologically friendly types of energy. Solar energy is one of the most abundant and widely accessible renewable energy sources. Photovoltaic (PV) systems using solar energy to generate electricity are weather-dependent. With the data available in the System Advisory Model (SAM), the Mogadishu region of Somalia can produce about 10 MW peak solar PV system design, which will be helpful to reach the country's target of total installed solar energy capacity by 2025. The SAM was used in this paper to design (system technical design and financial analysis) the small, medium, and large PV systems for the different countries. A 6% annual growth in producing capacity is the ultimate objective of the Somali National Development Plan (NDP). The nation's production capacity increased from 115 MW to 344 MW between June 2021 and June 2015. The target of the NDP is to raise generating capacity to 1043 MW between 2022 and 2027. It is intended to raise the electrification rate to 75% from its present 36% level. 41 MW of solar and 1 MW of wind power are Somalia's total installed capacity for renewable energy (RE). There are 3,000 hours of sunshine each year in the nation, and daily solar radiation levels range from 5 to 7 kWh/m2. Somalia has 41 MW of installed solar capacity and uses it nationwide. A solar photovoltaic system in Somalia attained a performance ratio of 70.8%. By 2030, the UN wants to run all of its operations with 80 percent renewable energy.

Mapping Hydrogen Initiatives in Italy: An Overview of Funding and Projects

The global momentum towards hydrogen has led to various initiatives aimed at harnessing hydrogen’s potential. In particular, low-carbon hydrogen is recognized for its crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement and heavy-duty transport. This study focuses on the presentation of all hydrogen-related financing initiatives in Italy, providing a comprehensive overview of the various activities and their geographical locations. The examined funding comes from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), from projects directly funded through the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) and from several initiatives supported by private companies or other funding sources (hydrogen valleys). Specific calls for proposals within the PNRR initiative outline the allocation of funds, focusing on hydrogen production in brownfield areas (52 expected hydrogen production plants by 2026), hydrogen use in hard-to-abate sectors and the establishment of hydrogen refuelling stations for both road (48 refuelling stations by 2026) and railway transport (10 hydrogen-based railway lines). A detailed description of the funded initiatives (150 in total) is presented, encompassing their geographical location, typology and size (when available), as well as the funding they have received. This overview sheds light on regions prioritising decarbonisation efforts in heavy-duty transport, especially along cross-border commercial routes, as evident in northern Italy. Conversely, some regions concentrate more on local transport, typically buses, or on the industrial sector, primarily steel and chemical industries. Additionally, the study presents initiatives aimed at strengthening the national manufacturing capacity for hydrogen-related technologies, alongside new regulatory and incentive schemes for hydrogen. The ultimate goal of this analysis is to foster connections among existing and planned projects, stimulate new initiatives along the entire hydrogen value chain, raise an awareness of hydrogen among stakeholders and promote cooperation and international competitiveness.

From the First to the Common Wealth: The Logic of Evolution of the Division of Labor and Paradigm Shift

The division of labour is an intrinsic mechanism for the creation of national wealth, and the creation of national wealth over the past 40 years or so since the reform and opening-up has been the result of the continued evolution of the specialized division of labour. In terms of the logic of the evolution of the division of labor, the key from first rich to common rich lies in the realization of the paradigm change of the division of labor in which the first rich drive the latter rich . The logical path is to transform the accumulated wealth of developed regions into the kinetic energy of the division of labor in less developed regions, promote the reorganization of factors of production in the industrial and spatial dimensions, and coordinate the evolution of the division of labor in the industrial and spatial dimensions, thereby promoting industrial, regional and urban-rural integration, broadening the radiation and diffusion scope of productive capacity and exchange capacity, and constructing a more endogenous-driven and technology-driven economy. It will also broaden the scope of radiation and diffusion of production capacity and exchange capability, construct a large-country division of labor system that is more endogenously driven and technology-driven, and thereby enhance the national wealth-creating capacity of the rural areas, the central and western regions, and the lessdeveloped regions in the northeast.

Integrated Supervision Center of Huaihua International Inland Port: The Feasibility and Essentiality

Building an integrated supervision center in Huaihua is feasible and essential because Huaihua City is at the center of the border regions of Hunan, Hubei, Chongqing, Guizhou, and Guangxi. In addition, it is a national transportation hub in China because of its distinctive geographic location, abundant resources and labor force. Due to the development of Huaihua International Inland Port, Huaihua has an excellent opportunity to be a logistics and trade center for inland areas in Central China. Given considerations in national strategies, food security, economic development and other factors, an integrated supervision center can be built in Huaihua, as it can promote the connectivity of the Wuling Mountain area and the neighboring provinces, contribute to regional economic development, and enhance China’s national security and supervisory capacity. The development of Huaihua as an integrated supervision center facilitates the processing, bonded warehousing and logistics distribution of high-quality imported commodities from neighboring countries, especially ASEAN countries.

Mobile infrastructure quality, regulatory quality, government effectiveness: Does e‐government development matter?

AbstractThere is a great deal of interest in how mobile infrastructure quality, regulatory quality, and a nation's capacity to develop efficient e‐government systems affect government effectiveness. The literature ignores the part electronic government plays in either the regulatory quality‐government effectiveness or mobile infrastructure quality‐government effectiveness nexuses, despite the fact that existing research indicates that the effects of these factors on government effectiveness vary across nations. Secondary data for 52 African nations was extracted from World Governance Indicator (WGI), Mobile Connectivity Index (MCI), and United Nations E‐government Database to empirically investigate the mediating relationship of e‐governments using hypothesized model. The positivist paradigm is considered appropriate for this study because it focuses on validating and testing a hypothesized model. The results show a significant relationship between mobile infrastructure quality and e‐government development, regulatory quality and e‐government development, e‐government and government effectiveness. However, there was no significant relationship between mobile infrastructure quality and government effectiveness. Additionally, e‐government was found to mediate the relationship between regulatory quality and government effectiveness and the relationship between mobile infrastructure quality and government effectiveness. This suggests that government effectiveness is enhanced when a country is able to develop and implement a good electronic system. The successful implementation of e‐governance practices offers better delivery of services to citizens, improved interactions with business, citizen empowerment through access to information, greater convenience, and cost reductions. In addition, establishing protections and legal reforms will be needed to ensure, among other things, the privacy, security and legal recognition of electronic interactions and electronic signatures.

Quantifying the air pollution impacts on solar photovoltaic capacity factors and potential benefits of pollution control for the solar sector in China

Solar photovoltaic (PV) plays a crucial role in China's energy transition. However, air pollution diminishes solar radiation resources, thereby reducing PV power generation efficiency. This study aims to quantify the impacts of air pollution on PV capacity factors in China while emphasizing the geographically specific potential benefits of improved air quality for the future PV sector. Using a PV power generation evaluation model, this study estimated solar PV capacity factors from 1961 to 2016 under both all-sky and clear-sky scenarios. Also, the spatiotemporal patterns of air pollution-induced capacity factor changes were analyzed. The results indicate that the all-sky and clear-sky PV capacity factors showed consistent annual anomalies, suggesting that air pollution due to aerosol emissions drove PV capacity factor temporal evolutions and trends in China. From 1961 to 1990, the national average clear-sky PV capacity factors for fixed modules with optimal tilt angle showed a significant decreasing trend of −0.0053 per decade, whereas from 1990 to 2016, an upward trend of 0.0030 per decade was observed. Compared with fixed modules, tracking systems suffered from greater productivity losses due to air pollution. In comparison to 1961–1965 averages, the provincial PV capacity factors for 2012–2016 decreased by 0.48–13.54%, 1.15–11.40%, 1.06–14.83%, and 1.31–16.51% for fixed modules with optimal tilt angle, horizontal fixed, one-axis horizontal tracking, and two-axis tracking modules, respectively, with decreases of 7–17% in the central and southeast. Furthermore, according to the provincial PV installation targets projected in China's 14th Five-Year Plan, national solar PV power generation was expected to increase by 81.333 TWh to 1069.997 TWh in 2025 with average PV capacity factors for 1961–1965, compared to 2012–2016 averages. In a scenario of keeping grid parity, additional power generation would offer an economic benefit of approximately 30.102 billion CNY.

Assessing and Improving the Care of Patients With Heart Failure in Ghana: Protocol for a Prospective Observational Study and the Ghana Heart Initiative-Heart Failure Registry.

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with a high disease burden. The prevalence of HF in Ghana is increasing rapidly, but epidemiological profiles, treatment patterns, and survival data are scarce. The national capacity to diagnose and manage HF appropriately is also limited. To address the growing epidemic of HF, it is crucial to recognize the epidemiological characteristics and medium-term outcomes of HF in Ghana and improve the capability to identify and manage HF promptly and effectively at all levels of care. This study aims to determine the epidemiological characteristics and medium-term HF outcomes in Ghana. We conducted a prospective, multicenter, multilevel cross-sectional observational study of patients with HF from January to December 2023. Approximately 5000 patients presenting with HF to 9 hospitals, including teaching, regional, and municipal hospitals, will be recruited and evaluated according to a standardized protocol, including the use of an echocardiogram and an N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) test. Guideline-directed medical treatment of HF will be initiated for 6 months, and the medium-term outcomes of interventions, including rehospitalization and mortality, will be assessed. Patient data will be collated into a HF registry for continuous assessment and monitoring. This intervention will generate the necessary information on the etiology of HF, clinical presentations, the diagnostic yield of various tools, and management outcomes. In addition, it will build the necessary capacity and support for HF management in Ghana. As of July 30, 2023, the training and onboarding of all 9 centers had been completed. Preliminary analyses will be conducted by the end of the second quarter of 2024, and results are expected to be publicly available by the middle of 2024. This study will provide the necessary data on HF, which will inform decisions on the prevention and management of HF and form the basis for future research. ISRCTN Registry (United Kingdom) ISRCTN18216214; https:www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN18216214. DERR1-10.2196/52616.

Investing in the Pioneering Varieties as an Agreement to Attaining Economic Take-off on Smallholder Seed Firms in West Africa

Farmers everywhere depend on access to good quality seed, which is fundamental to their crop production systems. Most governments have made significant investments in strengthening national agricultural production capacities, yet farmers in developing countries still face difficulties in accessing the quality seed of the varieties that they require. Guaranteeing farmers’ access to quality seed can only be achieved through a viable seed supply system that can multiply and distribute seeds, which have been produced or preserved. This is better achieved by the private sector, but medium- to large-scale international seed companies concentrate on high-value crops and avoid dealing in the self-pollinating, open-pollinating and vegetative-propagated varieties on which most smallholder farmers depend for their food security as the biology of these crops makes it easy for farmers to keep their seeds for several seasons. However, smallholders are often seen as the driving force of economic growth, poverty reduction and food security. This is also true for smallholder seed enterprises, which, in the absence of large companies, provide a valid alternative for the production and distribution of food security crops. This paper reviews case studies on smallholder seed enterprise in Côte d’Ivoire, as well as relevant world literature in order to identify key issues that facilitate or constrain the development of the seed sector. The final section provides some guidelines on policy design and implementation to promote the development of sustainable seed enterprises at different stages in the evolution of national seed sectors. It provides examples of good practices and hence seeks to assist governments in identifying ways in which they can support the development of smallholder seed enterprises that will provide the most appropriate varieties to smallholder farmers in their efforts to boost food production.

Energy poverty and shadow economy: evidence from Africa

PurposeEnergy poverty is a global phenomenon, but its prevalence is enormous in most African countries, with a potential impact on quality of life. This study aims to investigate the impact of energy poverty on the shadow economy.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses panel data from 45 countries in Africa over a period of 1996–2018. Using panel cointegrating regression and panel vector auto-regression model in the generalized method of moments technique.FindingsThis study provides that energy poverty deepens the size of the shadow economy in Africa. It also documents that there is a bidirectional causality between shadow economy and energy poverty. Therefore, the two variables can predict each other.Practical implicationsThe study suggests that lack of access to clean and modern energy services contributes to the depth of the shadow economy in Africa. African authorities are advised to strengthen rural and urban electrification initiatives by providing adequate energy infrastructure so as to reduce the level of energy poverty in the region. To ensure energy sustainability delivery, the study proposes that the creation of national and local capacities would be the most effective manner to guarantee energy accessibility and affordability. Also, priorities should be given to the local capital mobilization and energy subsidies for the energy poor. Energy literacy may also contribute to the sustainability and the usage of modern energy sources in Africa.Originality/valuePrevious studies reveal that income inequality contributes to the large size of shadow economy in developing economies. However, none of these studies analyzed the role of energy poverty and its implications for underground economic operations. Inadequate access to modern energy sources is likely to deepen the prevalence of informality in developing nations. Based on this, this study provides fresh evidence on the implications of energy deprivation on the shadow economy in Africa using a heterogeneous panel econometric framework. The study contributes to the literature by advocating that the provision of affordable modern energy sources for rural and urban settlements, and the creation of good energy infrastructure for the firms in the formal economy would not only improve the quality of life but also important to discourage underground economic operations in developing economies.