Official Definition Research Articles

How to improve informal caregiver’s quality of life and health literacy? – a NGT approach

Abstract Background Previous studies revealed that informal caregivers have a large number of unmet needs, reinforcing the necessity of national policies that ensure an adequate sustainability of the provision of informal care and takes into account the needs of caregiving dyads in the planning process. This study aimed to identify and consensualize initiatives and action strategies to improve the Portuguese Informal Caregiver’s reality and health literacy levels. Methods A Nominal Group Technique (NGT) was conducted with 10 experts. The NGT panel was asked about feasible action strategies to improve informal caregiver’s reality, consensualized and voted them according to perceived relevance in a semantic differential (1 pts to nothing relevant and 6 pts to very relevant), allowing a score calculation. Results Thirty-two initiatives emerged from the NGT. The five most relevant initiatives were identified based on an average score namely: 1) Pressure political decision-makers on the need for an effective implementation of the Informal Caregiver status, which is not being done (score=56); 2) Creation of a specific emergency social line for informal caregivers, as a measure of greater equity (score=52); 3) Raise employers awareness about caregiving demands (score=52); 4) Creation of a proximity social manager, linked to primary care services, that facilitates caregiver connection to health and social care services (score=51); 5) Decentralization of respite care services support, with multidisciplinary teams (score=49). Conclusions The informal caregiver’s role needs to be recognised and understood by healthcare and social care providers. (Re)design political, economic and social policies that address both caregiver and care recipients’ needs is critical to enable the continuity of informal care provision. Key messages • Informal caregivers play a fundamental social role but still have many needs to be addressed, particularly at the level of the official definition of their role. • (Re)design political, economic and social policies targeted to informal carers is imperative to enable the continuity of informal care provision.

Empirical challenges in assessing the “leaky STEM pipeline”: how the research design affects the measurement of women’s underrepresentation in STEM

BackgroundDespite a well-documented underrepresentation of women in STEM majors and occupations, empirical evidence on whether there really is a “leaky STEM pipeline” is mixed due to a lack of methodological consistency. Studies vary by (1) the definition of STEM, (2) the decision to measure choices alone or to also include aspirations, and (3) the use of longitudinal or cross-sectional data.ResultsIn order to analyze how variations in the research design affect the measurement of women’s underrepresentation in the field of STEM, we critically reviewed relevant literature on the “leaky pipeline” and identified three central features in the designs of existing empirical studies. We illustrate how the variation of these affects the results by applying them to the German context. Our results support the “leakage” perspective for Germany only during the transition to the labor market. Changes in STEM aspirations between grades 9 and 12 do not follow a clear pattern. Indeed, a comparison of grade 12 aspirations to actual college major choices even shows an increasing share of women in STEM.ConclusionGermany does not exhibit a significant “leaky STEM pipeline”. Due to more men choosing STEM, gender gaps widen in higher education, while the pipeline remains stable. Therefore, we challenge the “leaky pipeline” metaphor, advocating a life-course perspective to better understand STEM trajectories. We call for refined measurement standards, emphasizing official STEM definitions, long-term observations from aspirations to career entry, and the use of longitudinal data.

Digital Markets Dynamics and Ethical Considerations of Online Drug Sales via Cryptomarkets

The article is devoted to a topical topic – the analysis of a new way of selling drugs via the Internet and using cryptocurrency. In the article, the authors analyzed the Internet as a medium for drug trafficking; the composition of the criminal offense, which consists of the illegal sale of drugs; the social conditionality of criminalization of drug trafficking via the Internet; trends in the use of cryptocurrencies for drug trafficking; money laundering from drug trafficking through cryptocurrencies and measures to combat drug trafficking online and through cryptocurrency. It is emphasized that the appearance of this way of selling drugs is due to the development of technologies and their undoubted advantages, which criminals, from small fraudsters to criminal groups, adapt to carry out illegal activities. The number of people who buy illegal drugs on the dark web is gradually increasing; more and more buyers prefer to pay with cryptocurrency, and criminals are trying to legalize the proceeds of drug crime through the crypto market. All this indicates the increased social danger of such drug trade compared to other forms of their sale due to significant profits, the involvement of a large number of consumers, and direct and hidden effects on the growth of a country: public health issues, organized crimes, security concerns, etc. However, the fight against drug trafficking on the Internet and with the use of crypto-currency has not been properly regulated at the national and international levels. Considering this to fight against such actions effectively, the following is necessary today: an official definition of the status of cryptocurrency in legislation and the development of new methods, tactics, and technologies for the investigation of crimes. Drug business on the Internet and through cryptocurrencies, which will consider the latter's peculiarities and will be constantly updated in accordance with the pace of evolution of digital currencies; establishment of cooperation of cryptocurrency exchanges, financial institutions, regulators, law enforcement agencies, and technology providers.

When we talk about Big Data, What do we really mean? Toward a more precise definition of Big Data.

Despite the lack of consensus on an official definition of Big Data, research and studies have continued to progress based on this "no consensus" stance over the years. However, the lack of a clear definition and scope for Big Data results in scientific research and communication lacking a common ground. Even with the popular "V" characteristics, Big Data remains elusive. The term is broad and is used differently in research, often referring to entirely different concepts, which is rarely stated explicitly in papers. While many studies and reviews attempt to draw a comprehensive understanding of Big Data, there has been little systematic research on the position and practical implications of the term Big Data in research environments. To address this gap, this paper presents a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on secondary studies to provide a comprehensive overview of how Big Data is used and understood across different scientific domains. Our objective was to monitor the application of the Big Data concept in science, identify which technologies are prevalent in which fields, and investigate the discrepancies between the theoretical understanding and practical usage of the term. Our study found that various Big Data technologies are being used in different scientific fields, including machine learning algorithms, distributed computing frameworks, and other tools. These manifestations of Big Data can be classified into four major categories: abstract concepts, large datasets, machine learning techniques, and the Big Data ecosystem. This study revealed that despite the general agreement on the "V" characteristics, researchers in different scientific fields have varied implicit understandings of Big Data. These implicit understandings significantly influence the content and discussions of studies involving Big Data, although they are often not explicitly stated. We call for a clearer articulation of the meaning of Big Data in research to facilitate smoother scientific communication.

Improvement of dairy characters in farms and breeding value of the breeding bulls when assessing the quality of offspring

The article presents studies on comparison of the levels of precocity and milk productivity indicators of the daughters of Holstein bulls, who are evaluated for the quality of offspring simultaneously in two breeding plants of the Moscow region. According to the official ratings of breeding values, the bulls were divided into groups of "improving" and "worsening". The ratio of the daughters of the "best" and "worst" breeding bulls was 511:568 and 160:127 heads over the farms. It was determined which values of the differences in the "daughter – mother" indicators were increased in groups of officially evaluated bulls that received ratings of "improvers" and "deteriorators" according to the characteristics in these two breeding plants. The bulls being tested were fixed individually, and according to the number of pairs as the main ones. At the first insemination, the daughters of the "improving" group of bulls had 6.5–8.5 kg increased live weight of, but were relatively older by 0.36–0.6 months. According to the milk yield trait, the total yield of milk fat and protein, highly rated fathers in breeding plants were significantly inferior to competitors with low breeding value in milk yield by 688–1136 kg, according to the difference "mother – daughter" in the total yield of milk fat and protein per lactation – by 43.1–97.3 kg. In one of the farms, the "daughter – mother" differences in milk yield in all bull clusters increased by 599–1275 kg of milk; according to mass fat fraction (MFF) — by 0.02–0.20% and for mass protein fraction (MPF) — by 0.19–0.31%; in another farm, the increase in milk yield was by 43.8–1551 kg of milk and 0.05–0.13% according to the MPF. The daughters of the "worst" fathers in terms of MFF and MPF significantly outperformed the group of daughters of the "best" fathers in terms of "daughter–mother" differences by 35.6 and 61.7 kg of total milk protein and fat output over 305 days of lactation. At the same time, there were no significant differences between daughters and peers. The relativity of the official definition of the values of the breeding value of breeding bulls has been proved. It is proposed, regardless of the "commercial" and previously conducted estimates of breeding bulls, to take into account the indices of pedigrees and types of selection when breeding them. Conclusions are drawn about the significant influence of the factor and selection methods on the values of milk production traits; in order to save growing costs, it is proposed to optimize the live weight and age of insemination of heifers in farms.

Protein quality, nutrition and health.

Dietary proteins are energy macronutrients providing nitrogen, amino acids (AA), and energy. AAs are the main nitrogen-containing compounds in the body and are the precursors for the synthesis of body proteins and of several other AA-derived molecules. Among the 20 AAs included in protein sequence, 9 are classified as "nutritionally essential" or "indispensable" AA (IAA) because they cannot be synthesized in the body and must be provided by the diet. IAAs are limiting components for protein synthesis. An adequate intake of protein is required to support growth, maintenance, body functions, health and survival. Official definition of protein requirement is based on nitrogen balance. Protein quality is related to the capacity of protein to provide an adequate quantity of nitrogen and of each of the 9 IAAs for the different physiological situations in humans. Protein source is considered high quality for humans when the protein is readily digested, simultaneously providing an adequate quantity of nitrogen and of each of the 9 IAAs to maintain an adequate metabolic AA pool. The most accurate assessment of protein quality of foods for humans is through metabolic studies that measure nitrogen balance. The protein quality score is the ratio of the content of each IAA in the food and in a reference profile. This score corresponds to the calculated composition of a protein which, when meeting protein requirements, simultaneously meets the requirements of each of the 9 IAAs. AA scores as predictors of protein quality must be adjusted for protein and AA availability.

Anatomy of the Moroccan Middle Class: Characterization and Determinants

This article conducts an in-depth analysis of the Moroccan middle class, addressing the central question: To what extent is the official definition of the middle class in Morocco adapted to the Moroccan context and, to a large extent, to the African context? Utilizing a clustering method that combines economic and sociological approaches, the study reveals the vulnerability and strong heterogeneity of the middle class. Three distinct social fractions emerge: the new middle class, primarily comprised of middle and senior managers and highly educated employees; the marginal middle class, mainly consisting of the unskilled in the informal sector; and the inactive middle class, exclusively composed of inactive and unemployed individuals. While the new middle class embodies typical characteristics of the middle class, a significant portion of this category remains vulnerable to poverty, emphasizing the inadequacy of income as the sole defining factor and highlighting the need to introduce additional dimensions.

Dansk konsensus-betegnelse og definition for Advance Care Planning (ACP): Ønsker for Fremtidig Pleje og Behandling (FPB)

Aim This study aimed to reach national consensus on a Danish term for Advance Care Planning (ACP) and to translate the English definition into Danish using an internationally accepted method. Background: Interest exists in incorporating ACP into Danish health care. However, confusion about the concept has limited the implementation, and ACP has no official Danish term or definition. Methods: Two sub-studies were conducted: a Delphi study to reach consensus on a Danish term for ACP, and a systematic forward-backward translation procedure to reach a Danish definition on ACP. Results In the Delphi study, mails were sent to relevant Danish organisations and interested persons to reach a ‘snowball effect’ and obtain as many suggestions as possible for a Danish term for ACP. An expert panel (29 persons) evaluated 78 unique suggestions for terms in nine Delphi rounds. When 19 suggestions were left, an online meeting was held in the expert panel to discuss desirable characteristics for the future term before the Delphi rounds continued until one term was selected. In the 10th round, an abbreviation of the Danish term for ACP was chosen. In the systematic forward-backward translation procedure, changes to the wording were made and documented in five steps. A primary focus was placed on ensuring loyalty to the source text while adapting to cultural norms. Conclusion A Danish consensus term for ACP was reached, and a structured and culturally adapted definition was made. This work may serve as a foundation to ensure alignment of term and definition of ACP to support the implementation of ACP in the Danish healthcare system.

Pediatric and adult osteoporosis: a contrasting mirror.

Pediatric osteoporosis (PO) is a condition that is currently gaining recognition. Due to the lack of official definitions over the past few decades, the exact incidence of PO is unknown. The research does not provide a specific prevalence of PO in different world regions. However, this is expected to change with the latest 2019 guidelines proposed by the International Society of Clinical Densitometry. Although adult osteoporosis (AO) has been postulated a pediatric disease because its manifestation in adulthood is a result of the bone mass acquired during childhood, differences between PO and AO should be acknowledged. AO is defined as low bone density; however, PO is diagnosed based on existing evidence of bone fragility (vertebral fractures, pathological fractures). This is particularly relevant because unlike in adults, evidence is lacking regarding the association between low bone density and fracture risk in children. The enhanced capacity of pediatric bone for reshaping and remodeling after fracture is another difference between the two entities. This contrast has therapeutic implications because medication-free bone reconstitution is possible under certain conditions; thus, background therapy is not always recommended. In this narrative review, differences between PO and AO in definition, assessment, and medical approach were investigated.

Research Status, Synthesis and Clinical Application of Antiepileptic Drugs.

According to the 2017 ILAE's official definition, epilepsy is a slow brain disease state characterized by recurrent episodes. Due to information released by ILAE in 2017, it can be divided into four types, including focal epilepsy, generalized epilepsy, combined generalized, and focal epilepsy, and unknown epilepsy. Since 1989, 24 new antiepileptic drugs have been approved to treat different types of epilepsy. Besides, there are a variety of antiepileptic medications under clinical monitoring. These novel antiepileptic drugs have plenty of advantages. Over the past 33 years, there have been many antiepileptic drugs on the mearket, but no one has been found that can completely cure epilepsy. In this paper, the mentioned drugs were classified according to their targets, and the essential information, and clinical studies of each drug were described. The structure-activity relationship of different chemical structures was summarized. This paper provides help for the follow-up research on epilepsy drugs.

Uma crítica das definições de migração climática e ambiental: rumo a uma ecologia política da migração

Abstract This article analyses the concept of environmental and climate migrations, uncovering inherent complexities and contradictions within their official definitions. The analysis traces the historical roots of environmental migration discussions, beginning in the 1980s. Methodologically, the study scrutinizes the definitions provided by international organizations and advocates for a political ecology framework inspired by Sayad's sociology of migrations. It challenges prevailing concepts such as "environmental refugees" and "climate refugees," highlighting the contentious nature of these terms. The article emphasizes the need to move away from an emergency-oriented approach and instead adopt a political ecology perspective that explores human mobility within socio-ecological contexts. It critiques the predominant focus on climate-induced displacement, arguing for a more comprehensive understanding grounded in political and historical dimensions. By transcending epistemological reductions, the study contributes to ongoing debates on current migration issues, urging a more nuanced and inclusive approach to addressing the intricate challenges posed by environmental changes and human mobility.

Effectiveness of a diagnostic algorithm for dengue based on an artificial neural network.

Dengue is a disease with a wide clinical spectrum. The early identification of dengue cases is crucial but challenging for health professionals; therefore, it is necessary to have effective diagnostic instruments to initiate timely care. To evaluate the effectiveness of an algorithm based on an artificial neural network (ANN) to diagnose dengue in an endemic area. A single-center case-control study was conducted in a secondary-care hospital in Ciudad Obregón, Sonora. An algorithm was built with the official operational definitions, which was called the "direct algorithm," and for the ANN algorithm, the brain.js library was used. The data analysis was performed with the diagnostic tests of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (ppv), and negative predictive value (npv), with 95% confidence intervals and Cohen's kappa index. A total of 233 cases and 233 controls from 2022 were included. The ANN presented a sensitivity of 0.90 (95% CI [0.85, 0.94]), specificity of 0.82 (95% CI [0.77, 0.87]), npv of 0.91 (95% CI [0.87, 0.94]) and ppv of 0.81 (95% CI [0.76, 0.85]) and a kappa of 0.72. The direct algorithm had a sensitivity of 0.97 (95% CI [0.94, 0.99]), specificity of 0.96 (95% CI [0.92, 0.98]), npv 0.97 (95% CI [0.94, 0.98]), ppv 0.96 (95% CI [0.93, 0.98]) and kappa 0.93. The direct algorithm performed better than the ANN in the diagnosis of dengue.

ON THE OFFICIAL DEFINITION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACT

The relevance of the article is due to the fact that the administrative contract is one of the important tools of public administration, since its use is aimed at the implementation of the main functions of public administration: 1) its conclusion involves the selection of certain goals and the means necessary for their implementation, that is, actions that constitute the quintessence of the process planning; 2) it, in particular, serves to distinguish the competence of subjects of public-authority powers, determine the order of interaction between them, coordinate their actions, delegate public-authority management functions, and therefore, for organization; 3) it is used to motivate the implementation of the goals of public administration; 4) the terms of administrative contracts belong to the control standards used in the process of implementing the control function of public administration. The purpose of the article is to analyze the official definition of an administrative contract. In the process of realizing this goal, a systematic approach, methods of analysis and synthesis, and the method of expert evaluations have been used. The reasons for the appearance in the Code of Administrative Procedure of Ukraine of a definition of an administrative contract different from the one contained in the first edition of this code have been revealed. Attention is drawn to the most convincing critical assessments of the current definition of an administrative contract. Its definition proposed by O.V. Konstantyi has been analyzed. The following conclusions have been made: 1) an administrative contract is a bilateral or multilateral written agreement (agreement, protocol, memorandum, etc.), which is concluded on the basis and within the limits of the prescriptions of the law and formalizes the will of its parties, one of which is necessarily a carrier of public authoritative powers; establishes, changes, or terminates their mutual rights and obligations in the field of public-legal relations for the purpose of realizing a socially significant goal, which either reflects exclusively public interests, or, along with them, takes into account private interests; 2) this description of the essence of the administrative contract must be supplemented with an exhaustive list of its application areas. Keywords: administrative contract, purpose, interests, agreement.

Post-acute care in China: development, challenges, and future prospects

Introduction: Post-acute care has been proved to be a crucial component of the health care system which promotes autonomous living functions, reduce unnecessary hospitalization, prevent unnecessary placement in a long-term care facility, and coordinate care between different levels of care.Different countries have built various forms of a PAC systems for decades. In light of the ongoing payment reform and population aging, PAC is becoming increasingly important as a part of the integrated health system in China. Based on comprehensive literature review, this paper summarizes Chinese health policies and progress that addressed PAC system in recent decades and provides outlook for future development.
 Methods: We based our review on published work and grey literature, including reports (international and domestic) and government policy documents. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, EconLit, MEDLINE, Social Science Research Network, Wiley Online Library, and China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database for relevant research published since January 2009, until June 2022. We restricted our search to works published in English or Chinese and used the search terms “post-acute care”, “rehabilitation”, “nursing care”, “intermediate/transitional care”, “continuous medical/healthcare”, AND “China”, and combinations of these terms.
 Results: In the past decade, China has released various policies to support and regulate the development of rehabilitative and nursing facilities, in order to meet the increasing demand for PAC, including the building of rehabilitation and nursing facilities, strengthening PAC at the primary care level, constructing a tiered rehabilitative network, and experimenting innovative payment methods. However, the challenges and gaps remain. China lacks clinical consensus for PAC delivery and continues to face a severe shortage of PAC resources, both in terms of facilities and professionals. Moreover, quality of PAC at the primary level health facilities needs improvement for the hierarchical care system to function well. The development of a sound financing and payment mechanism for PAC services is still at the initial stage.
 Conclusions: This is the first paper comprehensively examining the current development progress of PAC as a whole, and point direction for future PAC system development in China.In its overall health system design, although the name of PAC is not explicitly stated in domestic policy documents, it is considered as an integral part towards a more continuous system, and a preliminary framework of the PAC system has been established through various efforts. To promote the further development of China’s PAC system, attention should be given to setting up of official definition and clinical guidelines, development of sound financing and payment models, increasing public and private investment in PAC infrastructures, establishing health provider requirements, strengthening the training and retaining of professionals and development of unified information system for PAC based on functional assessment. 
 

Emerging concerns of atypical hand foot and mouth disease caused by recombinant Coxsackievirus A6 variants in Henan, China.

An increasing number of studies have reported that atypical hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is becoming a new concern for children's health. At present, there is no official definition for atypical HFMD, but some studies have defined that it occurs at anatomic sites not listed in the definition of HFMD issued by the World Health Organization. Several pathogens have been reported to cause atypical HFMD, such as Coxsackievirus (CV)A6. As one of the most prevalent enteroviruses in the world, CVA6 seems to affect a wider range of children and causes more severe and prolonged illness than other enteroviruses. The early lesions of atypical HFMD are very similar to the clinical presentations of other diseases, such as eczema, which poses a challenge for clinicians aiming to identify and diagnose HFMD in a timely manner. Here, we report on six atypical HFMD patients caused by recombinant CVA6 variants, and the atypical manifestations include eczema coxsackium, large herpes, rice-like red papules and herpes, purpuric rash, and onychomadesis, as well as and large red herpes on scalp, perianal, testicles, shoulders and neck, and other atypical eruption sites, hoping to draw the attention of other pediatricians. This study will provide scientific guidance for timely diagnosis of HFMD to prevent serious complications.

The Administrative Burden Framework: A New Horizon for Research and Practice in Social Work?

Social work is widely recognized as a human rights profession. The commitment to protect and advocate for social and economic rights has been incorporated into official definitions and codes of ethics of the profession globally, undergirding social work models and services. However, despite the overwhelming recognition of the importance of social work advocacy, a unified framework for research and practice has not been agreed upon, and new challenges to welfare states have somewhat contested the existing, primarily European advocacy framework built on the literature on take-up of social and economic rights. The purpose of this integrative context review is to introduce the administrative burden (AB) literature as a potential framework for meeting social work advocacy challenges by emphasizing a subjective viewpoint, a multifaceted understanding of the bureaucratic encounter, and the secondary effects of burden. The article concludes by identifying directions for future research and practice concerning the nexus between AB and social work.

Comparing biogenic blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) reef definitions in Northern Europe: Implications for management and conservation

To combat biodiversity loss, the European Union (EU) established a network of protected areas to be implemented by 2000, termed Natura 2000 (N2000). However, several N2000 sites remain unmapped, and various habitats remain undefined. Delayed implementation allows continued habitat degradation and biodiversity loss. Targeting biogenic reefs by blue mussels (Mytilus edulis and Mytilus trossulus), this study 1) compared blue mussel reef definitions across EU member states surrounding the North Sea and Baltic Sea, 2) scrutinized biological mechanisms underpinning the habitat definitions, and 3) provided suggestions for harmonized habitat definitions, respecting spatial and biological variation. By comparing official definitions of blue mussel reefs applied in Denmark, Sweden, The United Kingdom, and Germany, this study revealed A) decadal delay in implementation, B) reef definitions varying significantly regarding number of parameters used for identification (e.g., mussel seabed area (m2), and proportion seabed mussel coverage (%)) and the associated parameter limits (e.g., 2.500 m2, and 30%, respectively). Specifically, parameter limits for identification of reefs range between 1 and 10,000 m2 for mussel area and between 5% and 30% seabed mussel coverage. The study failed to identify biological mechanisms justifying this variation. Variable habitat definitions, unjustified by biological and spatial variation, may result in uneven protection levels across borders, potentially compromising connectivity of the N2000 network. To avoid this scenario, our study highlights the need for compatible biogenic reef definitions reflecting spatial and biological properties and suggests moving from protection of individual reefs to protection of areas where habitat forming blue mussels are regularly occurring.

Confiscation of assets in the EU – legal or (just) effective?

The European Union is empowered to legislate in criminal matters; the European Parliament and the Council may establish minimum rules, in certain areas, concerning the definitions of criminal offences and sanctions or facilitating cross-border cooperation. However, in the field of asset confiscation, the EU authorities seem to go beyond these competences in their legislative activity. In this paper the author refers to this and other problems of EU legislation in criminal matters: covering up the insufficient competence to legislate with the argument of needing harmonisation, the lack of reliable data that would justify EU legislative activity and the problematic concept of effectiveness in EU legislation.

State of urbanization in Nepal: The official definition and reality

Nepali government's official delineation of several human settlements as new urban areas has been questionable because many important criteria such as urban infrastructure and services, open space, population density, and economic viability are not thoroughly analyzed while defining what is urban. Many settlements in Nepal officially defined as urban, often driven by political considerations, are operating in the rural framework forming ruralopolises. This paper analyzes various criteria needed for defining urbanization that are internationally accepted to assess Nepal's official definition of urban settlements. Urban areas have been expanding in Nepal at the cost of agricultural, forest, and shrubland land uses. We found that using the road as the main variable but keeping agriculture, forest, and shrubland constant, a one percent increase in road length will lead to an increase in the geographical area of urban settlements by 0.47 percent. Spatial visualization of urban expansion and road network clearly indicates that new urban areas that are radiating from the established large urban centers are expanding along the road network on land that is relatively flat with less than 15° slopes to the horizontal plane. In the mountainous region, undulated landscape, low-density population, and lack of road infrastructure, among other factors, have limited the expansion of urban areas. To develop a sustainable urban development plan, this paper detailed land use and land cover analyses of all seven provinces. Using 10 × 10 m sentinel satellite imagery, the paper presents analyses of land use and cover changes from 2017 to 2021. These years were chosen because rapid urbanization started after the promulgation of the new constitution in 2015. However, its implementation and state restructuring began only after 2017. The urban areas, as defined by the government, expanded rapidly in the Tarai and mid-Hills regions from 23 % in 2014 to 66.08 % in 2015.

Strategic partner election: proposal for a Binary Logistic Model for the European Union

The European Union awarded the special status of strategic partner to ten states. Its key partners are dissimilar in political philosophies and structure, power status, ethical values, economic development, unequal in size and mineral reserves. Some of them are traditional Post-Second World War partners while the others have established recent partnerships in a new multipolar world order. However, from the very beginning the EU Conception of Strategic Partnership was just an assemblage of political statements without any official definition and clear established criteria for being chosen as a strategic partner. In this regard, this paper aims to analyze the strategic partnership phenomenon in EU Foreign Policy and provide our own definition of the term with a view to underpin it subsequently by common criteria. Based upon obtained main components the Binary Logistic Model was applied, which not only did allow to make the election of EU strategic partners more science-based but also propose the potential EU partners.