National Research Institutes Research Articles

IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE OF STATE PROTECTION OF NATIONAL VALUES IN UKRAINE

The author of the article reveals the purpose of implementing the international experience of the system of state protection of national values through the prism of two important trends that should be implemented and and enshrined in the practice of state-building processes in modern Ukraine. One of them stipulates that national values are the central core of the national security system security system, they define the triad of ‘values-interests-goals’. The second trend defines the system of creating mechanisms for legislative support of guaranteeing and protecting of national values, which is embodied in the systemic nature of the state policy on national development and is the actual consolidation of the civilisational civilisational choice of the Ukrainian nation at the level of legal acts. The purpose of the article is to analyse practical aspects of implementation of the state mechanisms for protection of national values in foreign countries and their implementation in the Ukrainian State. The author emphasises that national values of of modern Ukraine should not be subject to political bargaining, speculation, etc. They are are always an element of political struggle. Without this, political processes are impossible, and therefore, national values should be defined and prohibited for political speculation on them, which, by the way, requires the development of an institution of for their criminal law protection; and - to have its own system of mechanisms of legislative protection. It is determined that the first step towards the implementation of the experience of foreign countries in protecting national values should be the introduction of an all-Ukrainian analytical study of the system of national values. It should should be based on long-term and medium-term forecasts of domestic development and the development of the system of world politics, its specific regional and functional subsystems. This means that the full potential of national research institutes in the field of public opinion, civil society, and sociological research should be used to society, and sociological research should be directed within the framework of a single state policy to study and define national values.

Charting the Research Status for Bamboo Resources and Bamboo as a Sustainable Plastic Alternative: A Bibliometric Review

With the increasing pollution caused by plastic products, people’s awareness of environmental protection has gradually increased. Based on the advantages of China’s bamboo resources and bamboo industry, the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan launched the ‘Utilizing bamboo as a sustainable alternative to plastic’ initiative in November 2022 to accelerate the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This initiative provides a nature-based solution for global sustainable development, which will have a profound impact on promoting global green development, industrial science and technology, social services, cultural exchanges, and other fields. It has a huge market capacity and application potential. This study aims to understand the research status, hotspots, development trends, and prospects of this initiative. WoS and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched for the relevant literature on ‘utilizing bamboo as a sustainable alternative to plastic bamboo as plastic’ and ‘bamboo resources’ from the establishment of the database to 2024. Bibliometric methods and VOSviewer were used to analyze 1855 literatures with the above two keywords published in the Web of Science core set database from 2000 to 2024. A visual analysis was performed on the number of publications, national research institutions, researchers, number of citations, and research topics of the literature. For example, China, the United States, and India ranked in the top three in terms of the number of articles published, with 1103, 267, and 167, respectively. China had the highest number of citations, reaching 26,607. At the same time, the literature with ‘bamboo’ as the keyword in CNKI was analyzed to understand the species of bamboo currently studied. A literature investigation was carried out around the resource cultivation of the bamboo industry in our country, and it was found that the research on ‘use bamboo as plastic’ and ‘bamboo resources’ had been valued by scholars at home and abroad, and had formed a relatively stable research group. Using scientific and technological innovation to improve the product quality of ‘bamboo instead of plastic’, expanding its application scope and market demand, and realizeing the sustainable industry development of ‘bamboo instead of plastic’ is the current research hotspot and the future development direction.

Determinants of Food Security in Tobacco and Sugarcane Production Zones, Migori County, Kenya

At 34%, food insecurity in Migori County is considered alarming while its measurement has posed challenges to academicians and researchers whilst many studies exist on food security determinants, none has been done in Migori entailing tobacco producers, sugarcane growers and non-growers in Kuria and Migori sub-counties. The study examined food security determinants guided by a consumer theory and measured by means of HFIAS modelled in ologit model. Data collection was done using an open data kit pre-loaded with a questionnaire and analyzed using stata software wherein results depicted 38.89% as severely insecure, 33.33% moderately insecure, 9.26% mildly insecure and 18.52% food secure while household size, off-farm income, capital sourcing was significant at p<0.001 in varying degrees and categories after ologit regression analysis. There is need for the national government to provide cash crop insurance and fixed contracts to prevent risks associated with price fluctuations as well as invest in innovative biotechnology research through formulation of policies to aid in ensuring capacity building through its stakeholders such as the national research institutes and other donor agencies.

Doctoral training to support sustainable soil geochemistry research in Africa.

Africa's potential for scientific research is not yet being realized, for various reasons including a lack of researchers in many fields and insufficient funding. Strengthened research capacity through doctoral training programmes in higher education institutes (HEIs) in Africa, to include collaboration with national, regional and international research institutions, can facilitate self-reliant and sustainable research to support socio-economic development. In 2012, the Royal Society and the UK's Department for International Development (now the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) launched the Africa Capacity Building Initiative (ACBI) Doctoral Training Network which aimed to strengthen research capacity and training across sub-Saharan Africa. The ACBI supported 30 core PhD scholarships, all registered/supervised within African HEIs with advisory support from the UK-based institutes. Our 'Soil geochemistry to inform agriculture and health policies' consortium project, which was part of the ACBI doctoral training programme network, was implemented in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe between 2014 and 2020. The aims of our consortium were to explore linkages between soil geochemistry, agriculture and public health for increased crop productivity, nutrition and safety of food systems and support wider training and research activities in soil science. Highlights from our consortium included: (i) the generation of new scientific evidence on linkages between soils, crops and human nutrition; (ii) securing new projects to translate science into policy and practice; and (iii) maintaining sustainable collaborative learning across the consortium. Our consortium delivered high-quality science outputs and secured new research and doctoral training funding from a variety of sources to ensure the continuation of research and training activities. For example, follow-on Global Challenges Research Funded Translation Award provided a strong evidence base on the prevalence of deficiencies in children under 5 years of age and women of reproductive age in Zimbabwe. This new evidence will contribute towards the design and implementation of a nationally representative micronutrient survey as an integral part of the Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Surveys conducted by the Ministry of Health and Child Care. The award also generated new evidence and a road map for creating quality innovative doctorates through a doctoral training landscape activity led by the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education. Although our project and the wider ACBI has contributed to increasing the self-reliance and sustainability of research within the region, many challenges remain and ongoing investment is required.

Smart Farming Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture: A Review of the Promotion and Adoption Strategies by Smallholders in Sub-Saharan Africa

Small-scale farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) need to adopt and consistently practice sustainable agriculture to ensure sustainable livelihoods and food security. However, the adverse effects of climate change are threatening the achievement of this goal. Therefore, farmers within the sub-region need to embrace climate-smart agriculture (CSA) as a means for climate change adaptation and mitigation. This study was conducted to understand, on the one hand, how smart farming technologies are being promoted in sub-Saharan Africa, and on the other hand, how farmers are adopting the prevailing technologies. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) procedures were followed to identify 48 scientific papers in sub-Saharan Africa. It was found that promoters of smart farming technologies in sub-Saharan Africa include CGSpace, FAO, National Research Institutions, individual researchers, local institutions, and private institutions. The approach to the smart farming technology discourse in sub-Saharan Africa starts by building on efforts to sustain CSA practices with a gradual shift towards the fourth agriculture revolution innovations. Even where there are efforts to push beyond conventional CSA practices by the private sector, farmers’ responses are still low. It is recommended that any intervention to promote modern smart farming technologies to smallholders should build on conventional CSA practices.

Preservation of Intangible Ethnocultural Heritage in the Electronic Environment

The article considers the issues of preserving and updating the ethnocultural heritage of the peoples of the Russian Federation within the framework of the activities of museums, houses of folk art, higher educational institutions, academic research institutes. Institutions for which the preservation of cultural heritage is not the main essential activity, but has recently been actively developing, are characterized. These are federal and national universities and research institutes of the Russian academy of sciences. Universities integrate successfully knowledge related to intangible cultural heritage into educational programs. Research institutes have become reference bases in their regions in the study and preservation of national languages as objects of intangible cultural heritage, national literature and ethnography. The prospects for such activities of libraries are considered, a new role of which is given in the Federal Law N 402-FL “On the intangible ethnocultural property of the Russian Federation”. The possibility of digitizing and forming digital collections of objects of intangible cultural heritage recorded in the form of texts and static images in libraries, as well as information objects existing in the form of temporary representation (recording of musical works, dances, folklore) has been identified. Particular attention in digitization in libraries should be paid to funds on national languages, collections of audio recordings of folk music and ethnographic collections. Examples of the practice of presenting intangible ethnocultural heritage on federal and regional portals/sites are given.

Navigating the ‘grey zone’: academic collaboration and research on/in Russia during geopolitical crisis

Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and attack on Ukraine in 2022 have led to widespread sanctions being placed on Russia by the European Union, including sanctions related to academic cooperation. National governments, supranational bodies, science academies and research institutions as well as publishers have likewise formed policies suspending and restricting collaboration regarding Russia-related research. These policies are, however, not straight forward and there are many practical and ethical questions that individual researchers must ask themselves. At Finnish Geography Days 2023 in Joensuu, a panel was dedicated to discussing some of these questions. This article summarizes main themes discussed during the panel and sheds light on the multiple ways researchers experience and navigate the ‘grey zone’ of academic collaboration and research on/in Russia in the current geopolitical context. The article emphasizes the necessity of further discussing the effectiveness and impact of the sanctions and restrictions: Are they reasonable? Who benefits from them, and who suffers?

Application of Good Corporate Governance (GCG) Principles in Cirebon Publications According to Islamic Economics

Recent developments show that it is not enough for management to ensure that the leadership management process is effective. In order for management to run well, a new tool is needed, namely Good Corporate Governance (GCG). This concept emphasizes two things, first, the importance of shareholders' rights to obtain accurate and timely information, and second, the company's obligation to publish all information regarding company performance accurately, timely and transparently. property and interested parties. The study aims to evaluate the extent to which the principles of good corporate governance (GCG) have been implemented in the Indonesian banking sector, both in conventional and Islamic banks. In this study, the type of research used is a type of qualitative descriptive research. The results of various national and international independent research institutions show that Indonesian business people do not understand the importance and strategic implementation of GCG principles. In addition, organizational culture also influences the implementation of GCG in Indonesia.

Setting a dutch integrative medicine research agenda: Results of a consensus-based strategy

IntroductionThe WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023 emphasises the significance of traditional medicine systems for preventing and treating diseases, worldwide. As a result, many countries have developed national research programmes and research institutes dealing with traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) (WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary Medicine, Geneva, 2019) or integrative medicine (IM). Despite considerable public interest in IM in the Netherlands, no Dutch programme or research institute has been established, yet. In 2018, a consortium for integrative care and health was founded, and developed a national research agenda with research priorities for the Netherlands. MethodsThe consensus-based strategy for developing the research agenda involved: (1) conducting a literature review, (2) organising an online consensus meeting with a select group of integrative medicine (IM) experts, (3) conducting a survey among IM stakeholders, and (4) organising a second consensus meeting with the same group of IM experts to discuss the survey results and further refine the research agenda. Snowball sampling was used to recruit IM stakeholders, starting from a list of those interested in or connected to IM. ResultsNinety-two stakeholders completed the survey. The most promising research areas were oncology, pain management and palliative care. Respondents awarded the highest priority to research on the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and safety of IM interventions. Directions for research included mind–body interventions, biological interventions and whole medical systems. Moreover, respondents strongly recommended developing reliable patient information tools. Facilitators for IM implementation were increasing attention on prevention, the rising incidence of chronic diseases and the shift from disease-focused to health-focused approaches. The identified barriers included a lack of knowledge about IM, the absence of health insurance reimbursement for complementary medicine, and governance structures of healthcare organisations. ConclusionsThe first Dutch IM research agenda was developed based on consensus among Dutch healthcare professionals, along with input from a smaller group of patients and researchers. This agenda provides clear research directions and distinguishes both positive developments and barriers for IM in the Netherlands.

Suggestion for the training policy of physician-scientists in Korea

Background: A physician-scientist refers to a person with dual Medical Doctor (MD) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, i.e., a physician who has acquired medical knowledge and skills as well as scientific knowledge and research abilities. This study examines the background and current status of physician-scientists in Korea and suggests policy directions to foster physician-scientists suitable for Korea.Current Concepts: With the start of the medical graduate school system in 2005, the MD-PhD dual degree program was implemented under the name of “medical scientist”. With the discontinuation of the medical graduate school system, the term “medical scientist” was replaced with “physician-scientist”. The importance of physician-scientists for the development of biomedical research and industry has been consistently emphasized. Therefore, the government has recently initiated a support policy to train physician-scientists.Discussion and Conclusion: To successfully foster physician-scientists in Korea, the following government policy aspects should be strengthened. First, sufficient economic support should be provided so that physician-scientists could immerse themselves in biomedical research. Second, to guarantee stable employment for physician-scientists, a national research institution such as the National Institute of Health in the United States should be established. Finally, the educational programs of the medical schools should be revised to strengthen the research-related knowledge and skills of the medical students.

International academics in national research institutes in Korea and Japan: contributions, reasons for migration, and challenges

This study aims to explore and compare the experiences of international academics in government-funded research institutes in Korea and Japan and focuses on their integration through primary roles and contributions, reasons to stay, and the challenges they face in their academic and daily lives. Although international academics are critical human resources in academia, their experiences in northeast Asian research institutes, instead of universities, require thorough investigation. Additionally, policy initiatives and projects in these countries tend to emphasize international academics in universities instead of those in research institutes. The study conducted semi-structured interviews between October 2020 and July 2021 with 15 international academics from government-funded research institutes in Korea and Japan. We intend to illuminate their experiences outside of universities and demonstrate that a clear academic role, a (relatively) horizontal organizational culture, and systemic support are the major reasons for their decision to stay and integrate. We also highlight the challenges they face in relation to policy, language, and family issues. International academics help create an internationalized work environment, although they frequently struggle to bridge domestic and international academia. All interviewees were male academics working in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields; thus, further studies are required to explore the experiences of female international academics and those working in other areas and to compare between the academic cultures of universities and research institutes in Korea and Japan.

A Regional Perspective of Socio-Ecological Predictors for Fruit and Nut Tree Varietal Diversity Maintained by Farmer Communities in Central Asia

The five independent countries of Central Asia, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, contain one of the richest areas in the world for the specific and intraspecific diversity of temperate fruit and nut tree species. Research was carried out via the collaboration of national research and education institutes with local community-based agencies and farmer communities. Raw data (2014 observations) for almond, apple, apricot, cherry plum, currant, grapevine, pear, pomegranate, and walnut were collected at the household (HH) level across the five countries: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. A set of models was used, including household variety richness as the dependent variable, to understand the influence of socio-ecological variables on the amount and distribution of crop varietal diversity in the farmers’ production systems. Four variables were included as explanatory variables of variety richness (fixed factors): ecoregion, ethno-linguistic group, management, and abiotic stress. The results show clear evidence that abiotic stress determines a higher richness of intra-specific diversity in the form of local varieties grown by farmers living in climatically unfavorable areas. The results for the studied ecoregions follow the same trend, with ecoregions with harsher conditions displaying a higher positive correlation with diversity. Mild environments such as the Central Asian riparian woodlands show an unexpectedly lower diversity than other harsher ecoregions. Ethno-linguistic groups also have an effect on the level of varietal diversity used, related to both historic nomadic practices and a culture of harvesting wild fruit and nuts in mountainous areas. The home garden management system hosts a higher diversity compared to larger production systems such as orchards. In Central Asia, encouraging the cultivation of local varieties of fruit and nut trees provides a key productive and resilient livelihood strategy for farmers living under the harsh environmental conditions of the region while providing a unique opportunity to conserve a genetic heritage of global importance.

Protection of Rights of Knowledge Holders and Practitioners of Traditional Medicine in Tanzania.

Lack or inadequate implementation and enforcement of legal frameworks for accessing and benefit sharing arising from the use of traditional and indigenous knowledge is associated with sub-optimal exploitation of traditional medicine knowledge and related research outputs in many African countries. This study assessed the practice of protecting the rights of holders of traditional medicine knowledge, and identified challenges in regulating, registering and protecting traditional medicine based services, processes and products in Tanzania. Practice of protecting the rights of holders of traditional medicine knowledge in Tanzania was assessed through interviews with 12 knowledge holders and practitioners of traditional medicines, and 12 key informants from national regulatory authorities, and research and high learning institutions involved in traditional medicine research and development in Tanzania. Absence of frameworks for accessing and benefit sharing arising from the use of tradition medicine knowledge, mistrust and inadequate knowledge on procedures for protection of traditional medicine based intellectual property hampers the practice of protecting the rights of holders of traditional medicine knowledge in Tanzania. Costly and bureaucratic procedures are among the challenges encountered by knowledge holders and practitioners of tradition medicine in registration of their traditional medicine products and practices. Poor network relationship between holders of traditional medicine knowledge and research community slow down the progress of traditional medicine research and development. Lack of guidelines for regulation of traditional medicine research may be the result of overlapping roles of the National Institute for Medical Research and the Council of Traditional and Alternative Medicine. In Tanzania, the environment for protecting the rights of holders of traditional medicine knowledge is suboptimal. To stimulate exploitation of traditional medicine for economic growth, there is a need to develop and implement national and institutional frameworks for accessing and benefit sharing arising from the use of traditional knowledge.

Lupinus mutabilis Breeding in the Andes of Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia: A Review

Lupinus mutabilis, also known as tarwi or chocho, is an important agricultural species that has been cultivated in South America since ancient times. Tarwi is native to the Andean regions of Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador and has very high protein content. Despite its high nutritional value and promotion efforts by regional researchers and breeders, tarwi is not a widely cultivated crop in its center of origin. In this review, we present the work carried out by public breeding programs of L. mutabilis at national agricultural research institutes, universities, and other institutions in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. The main breeding method used in the Andes to improve local landraces has been mass selection to adapt lines to specific environments. At least 25 cultivars or ecotypes have been selected and released over the last 40 years using this breeding system. Nevertheless, breeders are currently struggling to develop new varieties that are high yielding, suitable for mechanized harvesting, have a low content of alkaloids or other anti-nutritional properties, and resistant to anthracnose (Colletotrichum acutatum). Therefore, it is necessary to reassess the potential of this crop and invest in its research to incorporate new techniques and breeding strategies to optimize the development of new varieties in the Andes which address the current cultivation challenges of the species.

Discrepancy between Tumor Size Assessed by Full-Field Digital Mammography or Ultrasonography (cT) and Pathology (pT) in a Multicenter Series of Breast Metaplastic Carcinoma Patients.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on databases encompassing records of BC patients (2012-2022) at the National Research Institutes of Oncology (Warsaw, Gliwice and Krakow Branches). Inclusion criteria comprised confirmed diagnosis in postsurgical pathology reports with tumor size details (pT) and availability of tumor size from preoperative US and/or FFDM. Patients subjected to neoadjuvant systemic treatment were excluded. Demographics and clinicopathological data were gathered. Forty-five females were included. A total of 86.7% were triple-negative. The median age was 66 years (range: 33-89). The median pT was 41.63 mm (6-130), and eight patients were N-positive. Median tumor size assessed by US and FFDM was 31.81 mm (9-100) and 34.14 mm (0-120), respectively. Neither technique demonstrated superiority (p > 0.05), but they both underestimated the tumor size (p = 0.002 for US and p = 0.018 for FFDM). Smaller tumors (pT1-2) were statistically more accurately assessed by any technique (p < 0.001). Only pT correlated with overall survival. The risk of underestimation in tumor size assessment with US and FFDM has to be taken into consideration while planning surgical procedures for BC-Mp.

Digital assistance to support integrated healthcare.

This abstract is devoted to digital assistance as a supportive tool of integrated healthcare. According to the World Health Organization, developing more integrated people-centred care systems has the potential to generate significant benefits to health and healthcare of all people, including improved access to care, improved health and clinical outcomes, better health literacy and self-care, increased satisfaction with care, improved job satisfaction, improved efficiency of services, and reduced overall costs [1]. At the same time, the concept of Digital Health supports the implementation of a person-centred integrative approach in healthcare. The European Commission published a Communication on the digital transformation of health and care, which identified the priorities, including personalised medicine through shared European data infrastructure, allowing researchers and other professionals to pool resources, and citizen empowerment with digital tools for user feedback and person-centred care using digital tools to empower people to look after their health, stimulate prevention and enable feedback and interaction between users and healthcare providers [2].&#x0D; A project to develop a digital assistance platform for long-COVID and associated myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patient healthcare is planned in Latvia. The current main challenge is diagnosis, stratification and monitoring of long-COVID and associated ME/CFS at the point of care, as well as patients’ self-awareness and proper practical navigation within the health system. A technology-grounded solution for m-Health based screening and self-management of ME/CFS will be developed within the patient-centred App model. The objectives of this model are: 1) Patient-centred, societally-oriented, real-time decision-support using an innovative App; 2) Using artificial intelligence to support decision-making on patients and treatment options; 3) Learning opportunities for patients, caregivers and health professionals about the illness. Sustainability of project activities will be supported by integrating of the new databases with the national e-Health and Electronic Health Records (EHRs) systems and national research institutions’ IT systems with the future option to become a base for further developing a common long-COVID and ME/CFS Patients’ Registry.&#x0D; The project intends to actively involve patients and clinicians in the development of a fully-fledged digital assistance platform that will support the development of digital health literacy and the implementation of integrated healthcare principles.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Big Bird teaches English: Sesame Street’s globalisation in Japan and Korea

ABSTRACT This study examines the global expansion strategies that were initiated by the Children’s Television Workshop (CTW), with a specific focus on the adaptations of Sesame Street in Japan and South Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. When CTW began its globalisation in the early 1970s, the international adaptation process of Sesame Street had two key methodologies: Co-production and Open Sesame, serving as the framework for disseminating US educational television internationally. However, Sesame Street in both Japan and South Korea had been mainly perceived as a tool to enhance English proficiency for formal schooling. Another significance of these adaptations was the centralised approach to educational broadcasting. State-run broadcasters or national education research institutes in these countries played pivotal roles in broadcasting Sesame Street for formal schooling. This unique adaptation positioned Sesame Street as an educational programme for English-learning programmes, transcending its original preschool focus. The globalisation of Sesame Street in Japan and South Korea enabled the creation of new local educational programmes for preschool children by borrowing the show’s fundamental educational purposes and programme structures. In sum, the cases of Sesame Street in Japan and South Korea represent how educational broadcasting in local countries interacted with both domestic and foreign influences to establish indigenous educational programmes. These adaptation processes reflect the dynamic interactions between local countries and CTW’s global strategies.

Teaching interdisciplinary courses on responsible conduct in the life sciences — implications for biorisk assessments of GMOs

Genetic engineering is a powerful set of methods used in basic research, biomedicine, and biotechnology. In the molecular biology laboratory, there are established standards in biosafety to protect humans and the environment from unwanted consequences of genetic engineering although internationally agreed, legally binding biosafety standards have not been developed yet. The World Health Organisation as one international actor provides a “Laboratory Biosafety Manual” outlining key biosafety standards and a “Guidance framework for the responsible use of the life sciences” to foster biorisk assessment strategies which could be implemented by national research institutions [1, 2]. Practitioners in both the life sciences and in biotechnology should be trained in comprehensive biorisk assessments which would also further strengthen the implementation of the international agreement on banning biological weapons [3]. Recently, we reported about lessons learned from conducting two iterations of an international interdisciplinary online workshop on responsible conduct in the life sciences [4]. Here, we provide insights from the third workshop and the impact of the lessons learned from this long-standing workshop series on the own work in the molecular biology laboratories of the organisers in respect to biorisk assessments and science communication.

Bridging knowledge gaps in fish health management through education, research, and biosecurity

Education, research, and biosecurity have global recognition as strong pillars of sustainable aquaculture development. In many developing countries, insufficient knowledge and awareness among stakeholders regarding the relevance of education, research, and biosecurity have influenced aquaculture sustainability negatively. To uncover the gaps in education, research, and biosecurity practices in aquatic animal health management, we conducted a questionnaire-based study in various East and West African countries. By adopting the methodology of self-reporting data, we invited a significant number of individuals to participate in the study. In the end, 88 respondents contributed, with the majority from Ghana (47) and Kenya (20), and 21 respondents from five other East and West African nations. The results revealed substantial educational gaps, including the need for practical training in aquatic animal health management, nutrition, and genetics. Respondents also emphasized the importance of creating additional national aquaculture research institutions and augmented funding to enable them to address industry needs. Governments of the represented nations should actively intervene by providing the essential logistics and capacity to support aquaculture research and development. Informed government involvement is paramount for bridging the disconnection among all stakeholders, as revealed in the results. Furthermore, the lack of biosecurity measures and the understanding of the importance of biosecurity measures in the industry addressed through awareness creation. Creating awareness on biosecurity underpinned with national aquaculture biosecurity policies can prevent disease incidences in the industry. The outcomes of this study can serve as a vital working document to enhance aquatic animal health management in East and West Africa, thereby fostering sustainable and resilient aquaculture.

Maritime cultural heritage in Morocco: context and perspectives

Abstract Archaeological research conducted in Morocco over the last two decades has revealed a wealth of diachronic maritime cultural heritage resources, under water and in the coastal zone. However, observation and study has revealed that natural and anthropogenic threats are impacting these resources. Given the challenges to managing maritime cultural heritage (MCH) resources in a country with such an extensive coastline and limited human managerial resources, the national heritage agency and external research institutions have developed methodologies that in part aim at mitigating these threats. This development is illustrated through three projects, briefly outlined here: the Oued Loukkos Survey, the CBDAMM Project and the MarEA Project. These projects incorporate approaches that have been tailored to the Moroccan context, considering the type of resources, the extent of the coastline, types of threats, legislation, and people and institutions involved. In conclusion, this article stresses that an interdisciplinary methodological approach to documentation is necessary in order to inform successful mitigation strategies and to plan for future interventions of MCH.