Development Priorities Research Articles

An approach based on ecosystem services for assessing progress towards sustainable development goals at both national and provincial levels in China

Ecosystem services (ESs), the benefits nature provides to people, are an important basis for fulfilling sustainable development goals (SDGs). Therefore, an ES-based approach will help deepen our understanding of the relationships between natural systems and human well-being and provide co-benefit pathways for sustainable development. However, monitoring progress towards achieving the SDGs based on the contributions of ESs to SDGs is lacking. Using the linkages between ESs and SDGs, this study quantified progress towards the SDGs in China from 2000 to 2020 and determined future development priorities at both the national and provincial levels. Our results indicated that (1) during the period 2000–2020, China showed decreasing trends in the 11 SDGs and SDG index scores; (2) there were significant differences in the scores for SDGs and the SDG index across 31 provinces; (3) SDG 3, SDG6, SDG11, SDG13, and SDG15 were recognized as the highest national priorities, concerning health and environment; and (4) 31 provinces faced diverse economic, social, and environmental development challenges. The ES-based approach may assist policy-makers in monitoring and comparing progress towards the SDGs in an integrated and composite way, prioritizing local action, and providing a scientific basis for formulating policies to achieve SDG implementation.

Implementing Scientific and Technological Territorial Potential Through Interregional Integration Based on the “Smart” Specialization Approach

Relevance and objectives of the research. Regional scientific and technological potential can be revealed and fully realized only taking into account the possibilities of interregional partnership and cooperation and provided that the priorities of scientific and technological development of the regions are aligned. The purpose of the article is to analyze the possibilities and prospects for using the “smart” specialization approach to the formation and development of interregional scientific and technological spaces.Materials and methods. The methodological basis of the study was the general scientific methods of system analysis, abstraction, induction and deduction, analogy, modeling, specification, comparative and logical research methods. The special methods used were content analysis of literature, bibliometric, comparative geographical and others. The empirical basis of the study was based on data from the Federal State Statistics Service, the statistical information platform Statista, as well as individual strategic regulatory documents. The instrumental base for the analysis was made up of the VOSviewer program, version 1.6.20.Results. The author analyzed and generalized theoretical approaches to the definition of “interregional scientific and technological integration”, presented the author’s understanding of “smart” specialization as a strategic approach to the development of regional structural and innovation-technological policies. Unique tools for using this approach are identified and described based on an analysis of European experience. The main barriers to the practical implementation of “smart” specialization in order to build effective interregional scientific and technological integration are analyzed (departmental inconsistency, the content and specificity of requirements for the targeted use of federal budget funds, fragmentation and multidirectionality of measures and instruments of state support, etc.), and key tools for its support are identified. The role of the state in the processes of building internal cooperation chains, the formation of interregional scientific and technological spaces in order to ensure the comprehensive implementation of regional potentials is revealed.Conclusions. It is advisable to implement a unified scientific and technological policy that ensures the synchronization of actions of management subjects at different levels, which will require the elimination of departmental inconsistencies in its implementation, the establishment of uniform transparent principles and rules of the game, a verified system of economic incentives, and, in general, the creation of a high-quality institutional environment. In addition, for the purpose of scientific and technological development of regional spaces, it is necessary to constantly monitor the status and results of using various government support instruments with a view to their subsequent prioritization and linking “smart specialization” strategies with real support measures and distribution of subsidies.

Program Development for Enhancing Teachers’ Training Competencies for Working in Mutual Enterprise Between Entrepreneurs and Educational Institutions under the Office of the Vocational Education Commission in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)

Abstract This research aims 1) to study the components and indicators of teachers’ training competencies for working in the mutual enterprise, 2) to study current states, desirable states, methods of development, and necessary needs of teachers’ training competencies for working in the mutual enterprise, 3) to design and develop the program for enhancing teachers’ training competencies for working in the mutual enterprise, and 4) to study the results of implementing the program for enhancing teachers’ training competencies for working in the mutual enterprise. This research was research and development that was conducted in 4 phases following the research objective. The results showed that 1) components and indicators of teachers’ training competencies consist of 5 components, 30 indicators, confirmed by 7 qualified experts is appropriate at the highest level. 2) The current state of teachers’ training competencies as a whole was at a moderate level, and the desirable state overall was at the highest level, Competency development methods include (1) self-development (2) training (3) workshops/learning exchanges (4) coaching (5) mentors and mentoring, and priorities of competency development needs were (1) preparation of a professional training plan, (2) measurement and evaluation of vocational, (3) coaching techniques, (4) coaching psychology, and (5) teacher trainers and the ethics of the teaching profession, respectively. 3) The program for enhancing teachers’ training competencies consists of (1) Principles, (2) Objectives, (3) Contents and methods of development consisting of 5 content modules, and 5 methods of development, (4) Measurement and Evaluation, (5) Expected outcomes, and (6) Success condition. The result of the program evaluation by 5 qualified experts is appropriate, useful, and possible at the highest level. 4) The results of implementing the program to enhance teachers’ training competencies in the workplace found that (1) the knowledge of the teachers training in the workplace before the development received an average score of 17.53 (58.44%) out of a full score of 30 after development received an average score of 25.86 (86.22%). Knowledge after development was higher than before development and was statistically significant at the .01 level. (2) The overall performance before development was moderate after development was at the highest level, and (3) the satisfaction assessment results of program participants overall and each aspect were at the highest level.

National Tourism Policy in the Russian Far East of Russia: a Case Study of the Republic of Buryatia

The development of tourism in the Russian Far East is a priority for the strategic development of Russia in the current geopolitical environment. The state is implementing unprecedented measures to support the tourism industry in this macro-region. This article analyzes the implementation of the federal agenda for comprehensive tourism development in the Far East, using the Republic of Buryatia as an example (the republic is located in the Baikal natural territory and has been part of the Far Eastern Federal District since 2018). This article presents the key measures of state tourism policy for the Far East, as well as the mechanisms of state regulation and support of tourism in Buryatia. It demonstrates the changing territorial structure of tourism and recreational activities in the region. The study is based on legislative and regulatory documents, national projects, state programs, scientific publications and websites, as well as official statistical data from both federal and regional sources. The results of this study indicate that the Republic of Buryatia is actively enhancing its regional policy on tourism development by utilizing innovative approaches and progressive state support measures. Tourism in Buryatia has not only successfully overcome the consequences of the pandemic but is also developing in current conditions. This is evident in the prioritization of tourism in the Russian Far East and the significant efforts of the authorities of Buryatia, who participate in all competitive selections for federal financial support. At the same time, a significant increase in the number of accommodation facilities and tourist flow without insufficient consideration of environmental factors in investment and economic activities may manifest itself in increased environmental degradation. The article proposes measures to improve tourism policy in line with the solution of strategic tasks of tourism development in the Republic of Buryatia and the preservation of the unique ecosystem of Lake Baikal.

Defense Policy Shaping and Security Governance: The Role and Impact of Defense Industry and Military Contractors

This research explores the pivotal role of defense contractors in shaping defense policy and their significant impact on national security dynamics. Using qualitative research methods, with an emphasis on secondary data analysis, the study synthesizes findings from government reports, academic literature, and industry analyses. Key findings reveal the considerable influence of defense contractors’ lobbying activities on defense budget allocations and procurement policies, often redirecting resources toward projects that align with their technological expertise and profit motives. Additionally, defense contractors play a crucial role in shaping defense research and development priorities, driving innovation in areas such as cybersecurity, missile defense systems, and unmanned technologies. Ethically, the revolving door phenomenon between defense contractors and government officials raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest, undermining impartial decision-making and public trust. This research offers a comprehensive understanding of the strategic implications of contractor influence on defense policy, highlighting the need for greater transparency, accountability, and balanced competition in defense procurement. By illuminating these dynamics, the study contributes to policy discussions aimed at promoting ethical governance and ensuring the integrity of national security.

Creative Practice in a Sustainable Green Village? Connection of Service Design Identity and Pro-Environmental Behavior

Harmonious coexistence between human beings and nature is a priority for the sustainable development of rural communities in the global South, and the cultivation of pro-environmental behaviors in communities based on service design for green village construction is undoubtedly one of the most important initiatives. Starting from the perspective of service design identity of rural community residents, based on the research data of 380 rural community residents in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian Provinces, the structural equation method and hierarchical regression method were used to explore the factors influencing the pro-environmental behaviors of rural community residents and reveal the mechanism of cultivating pro-environmental behaviors of rural community residents. The results show that: design philosophy identity and design space identity have a significant positive effect on the pro-environmental behavior of rural community residents; Risk identity has a significant negative effect on the pro-environmental behavior of rural community residents; Value perception plays a mediating role in the influence of design philosophy identity, design space identity and risk identity on the pro-environmental behavior of rural community residents, and community interaction plays a moderating role in the influence process. Strengthening the value perception of pro-environmental behaviors among rural community residents is the key to fostering pro-environmental behaviors. This will contribute to the building of green villages where humans and nature coexist in harmony.

Whose Priorities? Examining Inequities in Earth Observation Advancements Across Africa

AbstractEarth Observation (EO) technology continues to gain momentum for applications like crop monitoring and food security mapping across Africa. However, the development of these systems and the direction of the sector, even for locally relevant data sets, applications, and solutions, has been and remains largely externally driven. We utilized a database of ”leading organizations” in EO for Machine Learning” and partnerships in African space programs to investigate the landscape of EO for Agriculture in Africa. We analyze key actors based on origin, activities, funding sources, and other factors. Results reveal an imbalance where most African EO activities are directed by non‐African entities, highlighting data sovereignty issues and the need for enhanced local capacity building. Across the EO pipeline, African participation and leadership are limited despite national efforts to launch satellites and expand space programs. Analysis of a sample of organizations involved in the EO sector worldwide showed that 71% had active initiatives focused on the continent, despite only one organization being headquartered locally. Only around 1/3 of active satellites for African countries were contracted locally, and reports show that users face barriers to accessing their data. By mapping participation and funding flows, this research elucidates how African countries can exert greater control over EO data, build sustainable expertise, and harness EO technology to serve national development priorities. As the EO sector evolves rapidly, African voices must help shape the applications and priorities for these powerful technologies.

Cost‐efficiency and effectiveness of coral restoration pathways

Coral reefs play a crucial role in supporting over half a billion human livelihoods through their contributions to fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection. In light of substantial global declines in coral cover and the deterioration of reef habitats due to climate change and other human‐driven influences, the urgency of coral reef restoration has escalated to help preserve their vital ecosystem services. Comprehending the economic costs associated with existing and potential future coral restoration approaches has become time‐sensitive. The median cost of coral reef restoration is estimated to be 400,000 USD/ha (at base year 2010). This estimate comes with limitations due to its reliance on reported project costs associated with various techniques. Here we look to standardize expenses through uniform costing of reported efforts based on the time invested to estimate specific per‐unit costs for restoration methods. We complement literature‐extracted values with independent estimates based on real‐world operations. Using this approach, we decipher comparative costs of different nursery and outplanting approaches and identify incorporated dependencies. To gain insights into the impact of labor costs on global coral reef restoration expenditures, we examine variations in the costs of labor in two coral reef regions. Overall, our data‐based approach identifies limitations within the most commonly practiced restoration pathways, opportunities to reduce operational costs, and points toward priorities for future research and development.

Development and conservation in the tropical forest frontier: a 50-year analysis of policy evolution and interplay in Marqués de Comillas, Chiapas, México

ABSTRACT Tropical forests are vital for global biodiversity and climate stability, but the political economy of deforestation and land-use change constantly challenges their integrity. In this article, we analyse 50 years of policy development in the municipality Marqués de Comillas, located in Selva Lacandona, Chiapas, Mexico, to understand how development and conservation priorities have evolved, interacted, and shaped land-use in a tropical forest frontier. By analysing peer-reviewed literature and empirical data, we identify five phases of policy continuity and change that have produced diverse socio-environmental outcomes. We reveal a persistent state-led prioritisation of rural development over environmental concerns, pursued through policies promoting settlements and agricultural expansion and exacerbated by external market forces. This focus has caused substantial ecosystem degradation and deforestation without significant livelihood improvements. Recent conservation initiatives, such as payment for ecosystem services, show potential for challenging the status quo by offering alternative livelihood opportunities benefiting both people and ecosystems.

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) for Ethiopian Educators: Evaluating MOOCs as a global development tool

This study examines how global educational technologies interact with local development priorities through the lens of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in Ethiopian higher education teacher training. While digital learning platforms promise to democratize education globally, their effectiveness depends critically on alignment with local institutional contexts and development needs. Using survey data from 164 educators across 15 public universities, we investigate how institutional contexts shape technology integration patterns. Our analysis, integrating development theory with technology acceptance models, reveals three critical dimensions: the gap between awareness and participation reflects broader implementation challenges; previous experiences with development initiatives significantly influence adoption patterns; and state support proves crucial for enabling participation. While MOOCs offer potential for professional development in resource-constrained contexts, their effectiveness depends on complex interactions among infrastructure quality, institutional capacity, and material conditions. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of how global technological innovations interact with local institutional contexts to produce varied development outcomes, while offering practical insights for educational technology implementation in the Global South.

The sanctions’ resistance analysis of economic sectors: Priorities of sovereign development and technological modernization

The purpose of the study is to develop analytical tools and methodological support for assessing the stability and vulnerability of sectors of the national economy to the effects of external sanctions. The study of the problem was based on the general scientific methods of generalization, analysis and classification. Methods of logical, economic, content, statistical, investment and expert analysis were used, as well as methods of econometric and mathematical modeling to achieve the research goal. A system of indicators for assessing the operational (technological and commercial) and investment dependence of the economic sector on imports is proposed. Methodological methods for assessing the sanctions dependence of the industry in the formation of production and investment development programs are substantiated. Examples of calculations of dependence indicators by levels and aspects of the industry description in the operating and investment areas are given. Recommendations are given on the use of the proposed indicators in the process of strategic and programming development in the conditions of ensuring technological independence and structural adaptation of the Russian economy.

An analysis of Metaverse literacy and college teachers’ need for learning: the need for a cognition perspective

ABSTRACT The concept of the Metaverse has increased in realizability with the rapid development of emerging technology, and this has led to the need for cognition of how to create a Metaverse world in educational settings. However, there is still little discussion in the existing research on teachers’ understanding of Metaverse literacy and their need for learning. In order to expand the understanding of this issue, in this study we developed a Metaverse literacy scale to assess teachers’ understanding of Metaverse literacy and their need for learning about the Metaverse. Adapting the importance-performance quadrant analysis approach, we integrated four quadrants: Keep up with professional development, possible motivation for future professional development, low priority for professional development, and prospective professional development. Results indicated that the need for learning to use Metaverse technology in the educational field is low, as most of the questions fell into the “Prospective professional development” quadrant. The attributes located in this quadrant can threaten teaching practices designed to attract students to face the Metaverse age. The results imply that Metaverse-related technologies can be used by college teachers to develop their students’ Metaverse literacy and to promote teachers’ and students’ Metaverse literacy competence.

Paediatric palliative care in Aotearoa New Zealand-current state and future direction.

This paper seeks to explore the current state of paediatric palliative care in Aotearoa New Zealand. The low priority afforded to paediatric palliative care for more than two decades has had a significant impact on service provision, education and research within this specialty. As a result, provision of specialist paediatric palliative care to children with serious illness and their whānau (family, including extended family) is inequitable and vastly inadequate. This paper considers the consequences of having limited access to specialist palliative care for children and whānau, and outlines what is required for both service development and current priorities for research.

Study on the Evolution of Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Carbon Emissions from Land Use in a River Basin

Land-use change significantly contributes to carbon emission. Analyzing this relationship fosters exploration of low-carbon, efficient land-use patterns at regional levels. Using ArcGIS 10.5 and the PLUS model, this study investigated land transfer trends across six counties and one district in the Malian River Basin between 2000 and 2020. It quantified carbon emissions from land use and performed spatial distribution analysis using land-use and socio-economic data. The study demonstrates the following: (1) Between 2010 and 2020, significant land-use changes occurred in the Malian River Basin with 72,919.49 km2 of land undergoing transformation. Notably, the farmland-to-forest and grassland conversion project in Qingyang City was a major factor contributing to the shift from arable land to forest and grassland. (2) Natural factors influencing land conversion in the Loess Plateau region primarily include precipitation and elevation. Conversely, social factors such as population density, road networks, and local government establishments in districts and counties are pivotal in driving land-use changes within the Malian River Basin. (3) Carbon emissions vary significantly among different land-use types, with building land, cropland, unutilized land, watershed, grassland, and forest land showing descending emissions. The rapid expansion of building land notably increases carbon emissions in the study region, while forest land, a significant carbon sink, absorbs approximately 88% of total carbon emissions. (4) Districts and counties in the study area exhibit varying levels of carbon emissions, with Ning County, Xifeng District, Huan County, Qingcheng County, Zhengning County, Heshui County, and Huachi County listed in descending order. Regions with higher carbon emissions typically host abundant energy resources and significant energy production and consumption activities. Variations in carbon emission levels are largely influenced by resource availability and development priorities. Variations in resource levels and developmental focus are pivotal in explaining differences in carbon emission levels. Thus, it is crucial to explore the dynamic interplay between land-use carbon emission efficiency and land evolution in the Malian River Basin. This research will support ecological management and sustainable economic development in the Yellow River Basin, while also contributing to the achievement of the “double carbon” goals.

In vitro activity assessment of cefiderocol against Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter spp., including β-lactam nonsusceptible molecularly characterized isolates, collected from 2020 to 2021 in the United States and European hospitals.

This study reports the activity of cefiderocol against Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter spp. isolates collected from the United States and Europe, including Israel and Turkey, from 2020 to 2021. Among Enterobacterales, 2.8% were carbapenem nonsusceptible (CNSE); cefiderocol inhibited 96.6%/85.1% [Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)/European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) breakpoints] of these isolates. Imipenem-relebactam, meropenem-vaborbactam, and ceftazidime-avibactam displayed susceptibilities lower than cefiderocol against CNSE isolates (67.4-84.6% susceptible, CLSI). Cefiderocol was the only agent active against CNSE isolates carrying metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) carbapenemase or multiple carbapenemase genes (84.6%-92.3% susceptible, CLSI). Approximately 18% of carbapenem-susceptible Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis carried extended-spectrum-β-lactamases and/or plasmid-borne AmpC-encoding genes; cefiderocol inhibited 99.8%-100.0% (CLSI) of these genotypic groups. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) phenotypes were observed in 16.9% and 52.5% of P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii-calcoaceticus isolates, respectively. Carbapenemase genes were rare (4.9%) among cephalosporin and/or carbapenem nonsusceptible P. aeruginosa, compared to 87.6% carriage in A. baumannii-calcoaceticus, respectively. Against the MDR and carbapenemase-carrying P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii-calcoaceticus subsets, cefiderocol was active against 98.6%/98.7% and 97.1%/97.4% (CLSI), respectively. Only 69 isolates (0.3%) across all species groups were identified as cefiderocol nonsusceptible per CLSI criteria (>4 mg/L). Cefiderocol was the most active agent in vitro against Enterobacterales, P. aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter spp., with uniform activity against all phenotypic- and genotypic-resistant subsets. Coupled with the low incidence of nonsusceptibility observed across species groups, these results demonstrate cefiderocol as an important option for treating infections caused by pathogens with diverse mechanisms of resistance in US and European hospitals.IMPORTANCEThe worldwide spread of multi-drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and Acinetobacter spp. poses a serious challenge in healthcare settings as infections caused by these organisms are commonly refractory to many frontline therapeutic agents. Multiple global health organizations highlighted these pathogens as critical priorities for new antibiotic development, thus necessitating continued surveillance of the activities of currently available antimicrobial agents and circulating mechanisms of resistance. To meet this need, this study phenotypically and genotypically characterized priority Gram-negative pathogens collected from patients in US and European hospitals to examine the activity of cefiderocol and other currently available treatment options, including carbapenems and β-lactam-β-lactamase inhibitor combinations. The results presented here provide a detailed perspective to healthcare practitioners of cefiderocol's broad applicability, manifested in high activity and low nonsusceptibility rates, across phenotypic and genotypic organism groups relative to other agents and further support its use against the most intransigent infections.

State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation Edition XV: Development Priorities

INTRODUCTION. Regular reviews of the current portfolio of general chapters and monographs are essential to ensure the well-balanced development of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation (Ph. Rus.) in line with the priorities of the national healthcare system.AIM. This study aimed to identify the most promising areas for further Ph. Rus. development through an analysis of recent legislative changes in Russia and the current compendial portfolio.DISCUSSION. This article compares Ph. Rus. editions XIV and XV, analyses the key features and structure of edition XV, and reviews amendments to the regulations governing the Ph. Rus. publication. The current compendial portfolio is dominated by monographs on chemical active substances; it also includes a substantial number of monographs on herbal drugs and herbal drug preparations. Noteworthy, edition XV is the first Ph. Rus. edition to include a separate section dedicated to monographs on excipients necessary for the development of pharmacy compounding. Moreover, this article analyses the coverage of active substances that are used for the production of listed vital and essential medicines.CONCLUSIONS. The authors outlined the priority areas for the development of quality standardisation. The Ph. Rus. should continue developing monographs on active substances that are used for the manufacturing and compounding of listed vital and essential medicines. In addition, the coverage of herbal drugs should be expanded. The Ph. Rus. should develop monographs on excipients that are used for the manufacturing and compounding of medicinal products. Finally, the Ph. Rus. should complete the development of requirements for biological medicinal products and relevant test methods.

Bias in medical AI: Implications for clinical decision-making.

Biases in medical artificial intelligence (AI) arise and compound throughout the AI lifecycle. These biases can have significant clinical consequences, especially in applications that involve clinical decision-making. Left unaddressed, biased medical AI can lead to substandard clinical decisions and the perpetuation and exacerbation of longstanding healthcare disparities. We discuss potential biases that can arise at different stages in the AI development pipeline and how they can affect AI algorithms and clinical decision-making. Bias can occur in data features and labels, model development and evaluation, deployment, and publication. Insufficient sample sizes for certain patient groups can result in suboptimal performance, algorithm underestimation, and clinically unmeaningful predictions. Missing patient findings can also produce biased model behavior, including capturable but nonrandomly missing data, such as diagnosis codes, and data that is not usually or not easily captured, such as social determinants of health. Expertly annotated labels used to train supervised learning models may reflect implicit cognitive biases or substandard care practices. Overreliance on performance metrics during model development may obscure bias and diminish a model's clinical utility. When applied to data outside the training cohort, model performance can deteriorate from previous validation and can do so differentially across subgroups. How end users interact with deployed solutions can introduce bias. Finally, where models are developed and published, and by whom, impacts the trajectories and priorities of future medical AI development. Solutions to mitigate bias must be implemented with care, which include the collection of large and diverse data sets, statistical debiasing methods, thorough model evaluation, emphasis on model interpretability, and standardized bias reporting and transparency requirements. Prior to real-world implementation in clinical settings, rigorous validation through clinical trials is critical to demonstrate unbiased application. Addressing biases across model development stages is crucial for ensuring all patients benefit equitably from the future of medical AI.

Realization of the humanitarian potential of a higher mathematics course in the professional training of technical university students

Introduction. The next stage of globalization of relations is being formed – the creation of a digital economy, including smart manufacturing, smart finance, telemedicine, etc. The UNESCO Science Report: the Race Against Time for Smarter Development – Executive Summary, published in 2021, calls this phase the “fourth industrial revolution.” The development and basis of this revolution in the fields of science and engineering is directly related to digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain technology, which intersect with nano- and biotechnologies, and cognitive sciences. Scientific institutions and higher education systems are actively involved in this process as direct participants and as training institutions. Mathematical training is rightfully considered the methodological basis of most educational and special disciplines. The purpose of the study is to reveal the humanitarian potential of a higher mathematics course in the professional training of a technical university student. Materials and methods. In accordance with the provisions of the system-activity and information approaches, the authors have developed a questionnaire to identify preferences in realizing the humanitarian potential of the higher mathematics course at a technical university. Respondents are asked to rank the proposed six statements that characterize the mathematical preparation of students. 368 people took part in the survey, among them students of bachelor's degree (136 people), specialty (124 people), master's degree (78 people) and postgraduate studies (30 people) of St. Petersburg Mining University. The method of summarizing and grouping statistical observation materials was used. Results. The highest rating of 3.74 was occupied by the contradiction between the awareness of the leading role of mathematics in the development of logical thinking and at the same time the predominance of theoretical facts over their practical application in the university course of higher mathematics. This statement was noted as the most significant by 20% of students, 27% of undergraduates and 24% of graduate students. The other two, in terms of the severity of the contradiction, have a rating of 3.55 (mastering the content of a higher mathematics course is accompanied by objective difficulty due to the high abstractness of the subject) and 3.56 (insignificant inclusion of heuristic methods in the content of the course). In the context of constantly increasing requirements for the quality of engineering education, the problem of increasing the role of mathematical knowledge can be solved through didactic support of the educational and cognitive process in the classroom and as part of students’ independent work. In a multi-component educational activity, the basic dominants (spatial, logical, numerical and symbolic) are highlighted and the methodological features of their implementation in the student’s mathematical preparation are revealed. Conclusion. The humanitarian potential of the higher mathematics course presupposes a system of measures aimed at the priority development of intellectual and general cultural qualities of students. The realization of humanitarian potential involves the formation of a student's value attitude towards himself, the world around him and his activities in it. The realization of the humanitarian potential of the discipline in the training of a future engineer is possible through the organization of symbolic activities by means of practice-oriented tasks and educational cases of an applied nature.

Multi-Scenario land cover changes and carbon emissions prediction for peak carbon emissions in the Yellow River Basin, China

Research on future land cover changes and carbon emissions is essential for effective land resource management and developing feasible carbon mitigation strategies. This study focused on the Yellow River Basin and employed the Future Land Use Simulation (FLUS) and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models to project future land cover and carbon emissions. Additionally, bivariate spatial autocorrelation was utilized to analyze the relationship between them. Key findings are as follows: 1) Historically, the Yellow River Basin has experienced an expansion in construction land, forests, grasslands, and water, while cropland and unused land have diminished. Notably, construction land displayed the most significant changes, whereas grasslands showed minimal modification. Looking ahead, both the ecological protection and inertial development scenarios exhibit consistent trends with historical patterns across the land type categories. In contrast, the economic priority development scenario forecasts an increase in construction land, cropland, and grasslands, indicating a distinct shift compared to the other scenarios. However, the ecological protection scenario proves to be more sustainable. 2) In the absence of intervention, the simulated carbon emissions from construction land throughout the basin display a linear increase across various scenarios, with provincial-level variations showing an increase from southwest to northeast. However, Henan and Sichuan are expected to experience slower reductions in carbon emissions, compared to other projections. There is a notable positive correlation between carbon emissions and the comprehensive index, indicating that regions with high emissions typically experience substantial land and economic development. 3) Energy consumption projections for 2030 and 2060 indicate that to align with China’s carbon goals, it is essential to reduce energy consumption and adjust the fossil to non-fossil fuel ratio to reduce carbon emissions. Substituting coal with clean energy and enhancing energy efficiency will be more effective for achieving low-carbon emission targets. In summary, this study provides significant guidance for China’s ecological conservation, low-carbon emission strategies, and global carbon emission control efforts.

The Polyglot’s Playground: Navigating KMP, Flutter, and React Native in Cross-Platform Ecosystems

Abstract: This white paper compares three prominent cross-platform mobile development frameworks: Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP), Flutter, and React Native. Through analysis of key features, performance, development efficiency, community support, UI/UX capabilities, and learning curves, this study aims to guide developers and decision-makers in selecting the most appropriate framework for their projects. The paper scrutinizes each framework’s strengths and limitations based on extensive literature review and empirical testing. Key findings reveal that KMP excels in native performance and code sharing, Flutter facilitates rapid development with rich UI capabilities, and React Native offers a gentle learning curve with extensive community support. The optimal choice among these frameworks ultimately depends on project requirements, team expertise, and development priorities. As cross-platform development evolves, this paper equips readers with insights to make informed decisions in the dynamic mobile app landscape