Regional Cooperation Projects Research Articles

The middle tier of states and the Russia–Ukraine war

Abstract This article examines the concept of the ‘middle tier of states’ proposed by Halford Mackinder in 1919, its failure to prevent German–Soviet Union rapprochement in the interwar years, its recent revival and its geopolitical implications. Mackinder's ‘heartland thesis’ comprises two interrelated parts: the geopolitical significance of the heartland, and the middle tier of states, which he suggested could counteract the pernicious impact of the heartland. Although the middle tier of states paralleled the 1919 Versailles settlement in east-central Europe, its failure to play the role that Mackinder suggested has never been properly investigated. Over the past decade, the middle tier of states has been revived by a range of regional cooperation projects in east-central Europe, while the Russia–Ukraine war attests to its necessity and viability in the current context. The Russia–Ukraine war has shown that a strengthened middle tier of NATO and European Union states will not just reshape the geopolitical landscape of Europe but will have significant implications for world politics.

How international organizations can support the development of cardio-oncology in the Latin American and the Caribbean region.

Health problems in the Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) region are highly concentrated on non-communicable diseases, being cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and cancer the leading causes of death. Different countries of the region are at different stages of development in addressing CVDs and cancer. Opportunities for training and continuing education in cardio-oncology, as well as active cardio-oncology groups, are primarily limited to large academic institutions in major metropolitan areas. In addition, the development of advanced imaging modalities in LAC faces challenges such as the high cost of equipment, a lack of equipment maintenance and service, as well as insufficient specific training for both imaging specialists and referring clinicians. To contribute to the implementation of actionable strategies ensuring equitable access to care for all, international organizations, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), offer support for the regional development of health projects that address educational needs. In this context, a new IAEA regional cooperation project for LAC titled 'Strengthening of regional capacities on the use of Nuclear Medicine techniques in a Cardio-oncology multimodality approach in patients with cancer' will be developed during 2024-2025. The experience of some centres, as well as national experiences in certain countries of the region, that have been previously involved in other regional projects, can be leveraged for the benefit of the entire region. We present a proposed road map for cross-institutional/countries collaboration in the development of cardio-oncology in the LAC region, contributing to decreasing the barriers to the growth of the subspecialty.

Participation of Central Asian Countries in Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation: Transport, Energy

The relevance of the study is due to the fact that the participation of the Central Asian countries in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program in the modern world has the potential to play an important role in the foundation of regional projects in logistics and energy. The purpose of the work is to provide recommendations on how to eliminate errors in the process of improving the projects of Central Asian regional economic cooperation and to analyze this mechanism in logistics and energy. Among the methods used should be noted the analytical method, the classification method, the functional method, the statistical method, and the synthesis method. It is important to analyze the functioning of this mechanism in order to assess its effectiveness and develop work in the logistics and energy sectors. The issues of evaluation of cooperation are considered, indicating problems and prospects, the expediency of participation, their limitations in cooperation, and the impact of limitations on the result. Recommendations re proposed that would contribute to the effective regulation of the issue. It is determined that the improvement of Central Asian regional economic cooperation projects plays an important role in creating conditions for intraregional and interregional trade and contributes to the development of logistics. The practical value lies in applying the findings to rectify organizational errors and enhance Central Asian regional economic cooperation projects related to logistics and energy, considering multiple factors. Thus, recommendations for improved Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation functioning are provided.

THE «FOOTBALL WAR»: THE SALVADOR-HONDURAS CONFLICT OF 1969

In the article investigated the causes and course of the conflict between El Salvador and Honduras in 1969, as well as the consequences of the conflict on integration processes in the region. It was noted that the cause of the Salvador-Honduran conflict was in the problems of land reform in Honduras and demographic problems in Salvador; also, in territorial disputes that lasted between the two countries; as well as the uneven development of Salvador and Honduras. In addition, the press of both countries contributed to the aggravation of the crisis, and violence against Salvadorans in Honduras and against Hondurans in Salvador during football matches. In 1969, relations between the two countries deteriorated due to the forced deportation of Salvadorans from Honduras, whom the Honduran government had agreed two years earlier to accept in their country and provide them with land to cultivate. The problem of the deportation of Salvadorans, which was difficult to integrate into Salvador’s economic life due to limited land resources and Salvador’s population overpopulation, posed a number of challenges for the Salvador government. Consequently, the deportations of Salvadorans from Honduras, territorial disputes between the two countries, and Honduras’ economic backwardness from Salvador provoked conflict. The article states that the conflict between Salvador and Honduras resulted according to various sources from 2 to 6 thousand killed civilian and military casualties on both sides; significant number of Salvadorans (according to various sources, from 60 to 130 thousand refugee) who were forcibly deported from Honduras or fled for fear of their future; Honduras and Salvador have suffered significant industrial and social damage as a result of the bombing. However, Honduras suffered more losses, as most of the hostilities took place in Honduran lands; the social situation in Salvador has deteriorated, and the government has been unable to address the economic and social needs of Salvadorans deported from Honduras; Honduras has officially closed its border with El Salvador, thus hindering the circulation of Salvador’ products in Honduras. Thus, the Central American Common Market terminated its regional economic cooperation project; under the rule of both Salvador and Honduras, the political participation of the military was strengthened.

The impact of economic cooperation projects on Iraq's regional status


 The research discusses the issue of economic cooperation between Iraq and its regional environment and the impact of these projects on the future of Iraq. The success of these projects will increase that status, and divides these projects into investment projects inside Iraq and joint service projects such as electrical or railway linkage projects.The world is changing very quickly, and Iraq is required to move to catch up with change, at least, if it cannot keep up with it. However, catching up requires economic policies based on openness to all the regional environment with which we do not live in a state of hostility and to employ the oil wealth money to invest in finding alternative opportunities to support our economy in case oil prices will decline in the future.The research will be divided into four paragraphs, the first dealing with the importance of Iraq’s position towards regional cooperation projects, the second paragraph will deal with Iraqi-Saudi cooperation projects, the third paragraph will discuss the (New East) project: Iraqi-Egyptian-Jordanian cooperation, and the research will conclude in its fourth paragraph with the Iraqi Iranian cooperation projects.
 

THE ROLE OF NORDISM AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE FORMATION OF THE POLITICAL CULTURE OF THE SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES

The article examines and analyzes the main conceptual foundations of the development of political Nordism and its influence on the formation of the political culture of the Scandinavian countries. The categorical-conceptual apparatus of the study of the problems of the formation of political Nordism is concretized, in particular, the dialectic of development in the modern political process is clarified and the existing approaches of foreign and domestic researchers to the assessment of this phenomenon and its influence on modern political processes in the Scandinavian countries are summarized. Paying comprehensive attention to the analysis of the phenomenon that preceded Nordism, namely the term Scandinavism, which refers to the implementation of regional cooperation projects at the civil, administrative, and cultural levels in the countries of Northern Europe. Analyzing this aspect of the history of regional relations between these countries, we identify the special factors that distinguish the phenomenon of "Scandinavism" and "Nordism" from other forms of regional cooperation in Europe in the second half of the 20th century. All this is traced in the firmly formed and functioning practice of "Nordic cooperation" in the political life of the population of the Northern of Europe. Along with this, the disclosure of the theme of "Nordism" contributes to the refutation of the idea that northern cooperation did not exist or was extremely insignificant before the appearance of the Northern Council. One of the main factors in the formation and effective development of political Nordicism is the absence of certain essential factors that strongly oppose the formation of this phenomenon, which makes it interesting in the global context. Our analysis leads us to believe that all these features are the result that distinguish the Nordic model of cooperation from the global trend of the relationship between political culture and national identity. The model of cooperation envisaged by Nordism went far beyond the scope of simple Scandinavism, in fact it was a modernization and revision of all previously formed postulates of cooperation, which in turn brought considerable progress and gains in the development of the political culture of the Scandinavian region. Let's look at this assumption in more detail and give it great validity.

Great Powers, Core Members, and the Fate of Regional Cooperation: A Study of Indian and the US Behavior towards India-Pakistan-Iran Gas Pipeline Project

This paper elucidates the significance of the role and behavior of a core member - occupying a central position and politically, militarily, and economically superior to others – and the outside great or superpower for the success of the process of regional cooperation especially in the developing world. The core state plays a vital role in either success or failure of any regional cooperative arrangement. Outside powers, especially the great or superpowers can also affect the fate of regional schemes. Moreover, the nature of relations between the core member state and an outside great or superpower also affects in diverse ways the process of regionalism. Under this theoretical framework, this paper investigates why the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline proposal could not materialize. The paper explores internal and external factors that halted the progress of the project with special reference to the role and behavior of India and the United States. It illuminates how the Indo-US strategic partnership and nuclear deal overshadowed a crucial project that was designed to create interdependence between three states, especially India and Pakistan and establish peace in the region. The study finds that India emphasized its connections with the United States to realize its ambitions of becoming a key player in world affairs. The paper shows how the US distracted India from pursuing a crucial regional cooperation project by providing payoffs and incentives that jeopardized the process of regionalism in South Asia.

Practical Marine Spatial Management of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas: Emerging Lessons From Evidence-Based Planning and Implementation in a Developing-World Context

Identifying key sites of marine biodiversity value and implementing the required practical spatial management measures is critical for safeguarding marine biodiversity and maintaining essential ecological processes, especially in the face of accelerating global change and expanding ocean economies. Delineating Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) has been catalytic in progressing toward this aim. However, the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME; comprising three developing countries: Angola, Namibia, and South Africa) is one of few places where practical action to secure biodiversity in EBSAs has followed their description. We aim to document the process of moving from biodiversity priority areas to implemented conservation actions, and distil broadly applicable emerging lessons. EBSAs in the BCLME were reviewed using a systematic conservation planning approach, supplemented with expert input. In this data- and knowledge-driven process, the boundaries and descriptions of existing EBSAs were refined, and gaps filled with new EBSAs. The status of 29 EBSAs was assessed by determining the ecological condition, ecosystem threat status, and ecosystem protection level of constituent ecosystem types. Also, current human uses and their respective impacts were systematically reviewed per EBSA. Management recommendations were proposed by dividing EBSAs into zones with associated multi-sector sea-use guidelines. Throughout the process, facilitated by a regional cooperation project, there was stakeholder engagement, and national, regional, and international review. BCLME States are currently implementing enhanced EBSA management in their respective marine spatial planning and marine protected area processes, noting that there are different but valid outcomes for securing marine biodiversity in each country. Further, the regional approach allowed for cross-border alignment of priorities and management between countries, as well as pooled expertise, technical support, and capacity development. Although full implementation is still underway, the lessons to date highlight some key factors required for a successful process that could guide similar initiatives elsewhere.

Using green infrastructure to stimulate discourse with and for planning practice: experiences with fuzzy concepts from a pan-European, a national and a local perspective

Concepts such as green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and ecosystem services gained popularity in recent discourses on urban planning. Despite their recognition as innovative concepts, all of them share a degree of ambiguity. Fuzziness can be a weakness but also an opportunity to shape novel concepts together with the stakeholders that are supposed to implement them in the planning practice. The paper traces concept development processes of green infrastructure through transdisciplinary knowledge exchange in three different projects, a European and a national research project and a local city-regional project as part of an EU regional cooperation project. In all projects, the green infrastructure concept evolved in different stages. Stakeholder involvement during these stages span from consultation to co-creation. The cases reveal two different approaches: concepts that are developed “for planning practice” might be based on a plethora of insight via consultation, while those “with planning practice” foster co-creation and might result in high acceptance among the involved stakeholders. Depending on the purpose of the novel concept, each approach can be beneficial and result in practice-related and operational products, such as guidance documents or planning strategies. However, the cases also show that in any new context an exchange about fuzzy concepts is not only needed but also a chance to stimulate cooperation and joint understanding about urban challenges and how to address them.

Some Aspects Of Environmental Protection As A Factor Of Sustainable Development In The South Aral Sea Region

The article discusses the study of historical stages in the formation of policies in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development of society in Uzbekistan in general, and in the South Aral Sea region in particular. The implementation of national strategies, programs and action plans, as well as sectoral programs and regional cooperation projects provides the basis for the development of unified approaches to the country's environmental policy.

How Britain’s and Colombia’s Privileged Partnerships with the United States Influenced Their Respective Journeys through the European Community and UNASUR

This paper explores how Britain’s and Colombia’s privileged relations with the United States (U.S.) influenced their journey through the European Community (EC) and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR). The Anglo–American Special Relationship (AASR) was compatible with British participation in the European Single Market, but not with adherence to creating the EC’s common currency, nor with leadership in building a European defence structure autonomous from NATO. Thus, since the start of the Iraq war, Britain played a rather obstructive role in what later was called European Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The US–Colombia Partnership (USCP), based on a longstanding military association reinforced under Plan Colombia, naturally discouraged any meaningful Colombian participation in UNASUR’s South American Security Council (CDS), a regional cooperative security project, promoted by Brazil. Cherished projects of the liberal CAP – such as triangular cooperation (to export Colombian security expertise to Central America with U.S. co-financing and oversight) and NATO partnership – also distracted Colombia’s interest from UNASUR, diminishing the latter’s relevance collaterally. A role for UNASUR – alongside the Organization of American States (OAS) – in South American security management was compatible with the liberal CAP, but not with the neoconservative CAP. Even a lopsided complementation – such as the one between NATO and the CSDP – proved unviable between the OAS and UNASUR.

Izrael i Jordania – dwadzieścia pięć lat po traktacie pokojowym

Twenty-five years after the conclusion of the peace treaty, Israel and Jordan are bound by security partnership and limited economic cooperation. People-to-people relations remain problematic. State-to-nation imbalance occurring on both sides of the relationship has undermined the achievements of the cooperation so far, and the uncertainty regarding the American politics in the region intensifies tensions which grow due to the deadlock in the Israeli-Palestinian relations. The role of the United States as a hegemon guaranteeing the state of ‘cold’ peace is decreasing and this, in turn, activates the diplomacy of states comprising the region as well as other world powers. Finding a satisfactory solution to the Palestinian question conditions the implementation of regional cooperation projects, which are a necessary answer to the new trans-border challenges, such as those related to climate change, that influence the internal stability of the states and the state of peace in the region.

ПІВДЕННО-СХІДНА АЗІЯ ЯК СТРАТЕГІЧНИЙ РЕГІОН В ЗОВНІШНЬОПОЛІТИЧНІЙ СТРАТЕГІЇ КНР

Стаття присвячена аналізу зовнішньополітичної стратегії КНР щодо країн Південно-Східної Азії. Проаналізовано основні виміри зовнішньої політики КНР в регіоні Південно-Східної Азії. Наголошується на важливості морських комунікацій регіону для безпеки КНР в цілому. По мірі потужного економічного зростання КНР, щоб стати великою торговою державою з постійно зростаючим попитом на нафту, що імпортується і природний газ, а також з більшою частиною імпорту енергоносіїв транзитом через Малаккську протоку, безпека Південно-Східної Азії на морських комунікаціях має вирішальне значення для безпеки КНР. Підкреслено, що забезпечення безпечного буфера по периметру своїх кордонів є для Пекіна однією з першочергових цілей.Мета дослідження – проаналізувати важливість Південно-Східної Азії як стратегічного регіону зовнішньополітичної стратегії КНР в контексті дослідження перспектив розвитку відносин між країнами та їх впливу на китайсько-американську взаємодію.Доводиться, що одним з основних чинників зацікавленості КНР в регіоні є створення сприятливих економічних умов для розвитку країни в довгостроковій перспективі. Визначено, що основними інструментами інституціоналізації відносин між країнами АСЕАН та КНР є практична реалізація зон вільної торгівлі та спільне впровадження регіональних проектів співробітництва.Доведено важливість побудови стабільної двосторонньої співпраці в контексті реалізації Пекіном геоекономічної ініціативи «Один пояс, один шлях». Даний проект передбачає укладення двосторонніх меморандумів про співробітництво з державами, розташованими на транспортних євразійських маршрутах.Оцінено вплив американо-китайського суперництва на регіональну трансфігурацію сил в Південно-Східній Азії. Підкреслена стратегічна зацікавленість США в регіоні через те, що постійною складовою зовнішньої політики Америки було недопущення того, щоб інша держава могла домінувати в регіоні.З’ясовано, що Пекін стурбований потенційною дестабілізацією поблизу своїх кордонів. Ось чому основною метою південно-східного напрямку китайської стратегії стає не стільки одноосібне володіння енергоресурсами Південно-Китайського моря, скільки забезпечення політичної та економічної безпеки, необхідної для довгострокового сталого розвитку.

Lessons from the Experience in Wuhan to Reduce Risk of COVID-19 Infection in Patients Undergoing Long-Term Hemodialysis.

Since December 2019, an outbreak of new coronavirus disease (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) has developed into a world pandemic ([1][1]). The city of Wuhan in China, as one of the most seriously affected areas, is now out of the woods ([2][2]), and the aggressive quarantine performed by the

Impact of International Atomic Energy Agency support to the development of nuclear cardiology in low-and-middle-income countries: Case of Latin America and the Caribbean

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region as well as worldwide. Lifestyle, nutritional habits and the upsurge of obesity have contributed to the increase in the prevalence of CVDs in the region. The role of nuclear cardiology in the management of patients with CVDs is well established. Particularly, myocardial perfusion imaging is widely used in LAC countries and has been increasingly integrated into the healthcare systems in the region for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease, risk stratification and to guide patient management. In its role to support countries around the world to address their health needs through the peaceful applications of nuclear techniques, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has provided assistance to the LAC region for the establishment and strengthening of the nuclear cardiology practice. To that extent, the IAEA provides support in building capacities of multidisciplinary teams of professionals, the provision of medical equipment and the promotion of communication and exchange of knowledge among the different stakeholders. In addition, the IAEA encourages the participation of nuclear medicine centers in international multi-center research studies. In this paper, we present some of the projects through which the IAEA has supported the LAC region, including regional technical cooperation projects and coordinated research projects related to cardiology within the current multimodality approach to cardiac imaging.

LncRNA PVT1 Overexpression Improves Premature Ovarian Insufficiency by Inhibiting Granulosa Cell Apoptosis

Background: Long noncoding RNA PVT1 (plasmacytoma variant translocation 1) is aberrantly expressed in a variety of cancers. However, whether PVT1 is aberrantly expressed in granulosa cells from premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) patients and the role of PVT1 in POI is largely unknown. Methods: The interaction between PVT1 and Foxo3a was confirmed by RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Methylation level in PVT1 promoter region was detected by methylation-specific PCR. The subcellular location of PVT1 was detected by FISH assay. Granulosa cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry. The effect of PVT1 on the transcriptional activity of Foxo3a was detected by luciferase reporter assay. Results: PVT1 was down-regulated in ovarian tissues of POI group than control group, which was regulated by high methylation level. PVT1 was mainly localized in cytoplasm of granulosa cells. In addition, we determined PVT1 interacted with Foxo3a, down-regulation of PVT1 inhibited Foxo3a phosphorylation, resulting in the suppression of Foxo3a degradation and the increase of Foxo3a transcriptional activity. Moreover, down-regulation of PVT1 promoted granulosa cell apoptosis through Foxo3a. Finally, in vivo experiment showed that overexpression of PVT1 restored ovarian function in POI mice. Conclusion: Down-regulation of PVT1 inhibits Foxo3a phosphorylation that suppresses its degradation and activates the transcriptional activity of Foxo3a, thereby promoting granulosa cell apoptosis in POI. Funding Statement: This study was supported by International (Regional) Cooperation and Exchange (ICE) Projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (Grant No. 81820108016), Clinical Medical Research Fund of Chinese Medical Association-Reproductive Medicine Research and Development Projects for Youth Grant: Application study of human fetal primordial germ cells to oocyte differentiation and development in vitro (Grant No. 17020210690), and Henan Provincial Science and Technology Project: Study on the mechanism of meiosis initiation induced by human primordial germ cells to oocytes in vitro (Grant No. 182102310139). Declaration of Interests: All authors declare that they have no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: This study was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the first affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou University (Ethical review number: 2019-KY-158). Written informed consents were obtained from all the patients involved. The animal experiment was approved by the Ethics Committee of the first affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou University.

Plasma CXCL16 May Predict Renal Inflammation and the Progression of Immunoglobulin a Nephropathy

Background. A recognized non-invasive biomarker to improve risk stratification of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients is scarce. CXCL16 has been shown to play a key role in inflammatory disease as chemoattractant, adhesion and even fibrosis factor. The current study assessed possibility of plasma CXCL16 as a novel biomarker in IgAN patient. Methods. Plasma CXCL16 was measured in 230 patients with renal biopsy consistent IgAN from 2012 to 2014, and clinical, pathological and prognostic relationships were analyzed. Results. The plasma CXCL16 levels in IgAN patients were significantly correlated with the uric acid and estimated glomerular filtration rate by both univariate and multivariate analysis. Tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis score was still significantly correlated with the plasma CXL16 levels even after adjustment for other potential predictor variables by multivariate analysis. In addition, the counts of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and CD20+ B cells in renal biopsies of IgAN patients were significantly correlated with the plasma CXCL16 levels, but not CD68+ macrophage. Finally, we concluded that patients with higher plasma CXCL16 levels had higher risk of poor renal outcome compared with those with lower plasma CXCL16 levels. No association was observed between the CXCL16 polymorphisms and clinical parameters including plasma CXCL16 levels and prognosis. Human kidney cells (HK2) expression of CXCL16 was up-regulated by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) via p65 pathway and recombinant CXCL16 promoted the chemotaxis of Jurkat T cells. Conclusions: Plasma CXCL16 levels were associated with creatinine level, 24-urine protein, tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis pathological damage, the CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and CD20+ B cells infiltration in renal tissue and renal outcome in IgAN patients. Plasma CXCL16 might be a potential prognosis novel predictor in Chinese patients with IgAN. Funding: This work was financially supported by the Major Research Plan of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 91742204); International (regional) cooperation and exchange projects, (NSFC-DFG, Grant No. 81761138041), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants 81470948, 81670633, 81570667), National key research and development program (Grants 2016YFC0906103) and The National Key Technology R&D Program (Grant 2013BAI09B06, 2015BAI12B07). Declaration of Interest: We declare no competing interests. Ethical Approval: This study conformed with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Tongji Hospital Ethics Committee on Human Experimentation. Written informed consent was obtained from each patient.

Cuba's Role in International Atomic Energy Agency Regional Cooperation in Cardiology.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, and a health problem in low- and middle-income as well as high-income countries. They also constitute the main cause of death in Latin America, with ischemic heart disease as the principal cause in most countries of the region. In Cuba, heart disease is the first cause of death, followed by cancer and stroke. In its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN recognizes the importance of chronic non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. Cuba has participated actively as lead partner in design and implementation of the two regional technical cooperation projects conducted over the last six years by the International Atomic Energy Agency to address cardiovascular diseases in Latin American and Caribbean member states. These projects have generated greater interest among participating countries in the use of myocardial perfusion for dilated cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease compared to other imaging techniques; disseminated knowledge about nuclear cardiology techniques and clinical applications in heart failure and coronary artery disease; and made important contributions to implementing harmonized, appropriate and safe clinical protocols. Cuba's contribution to the International Atomic Energy Agency's regional cardiology projects has fostered development of human resources and harmonized protocols both nationally and regionally, and demonstrated the importance of region-based scientific cooperation that ensures greater opportunities and more equitable access to resources. This participation has also accrued important benefits to Cuba's own nuclear cardiology program. KEYWORDS Cardiovascular disease, myocardial perfusion imaging, nuclear cardiology, scientific cooperation, low-income populations, Latin America, Caribbean region, Cuba.

History and Perspectives of Nuclear Medicine in Myanmar.

Nuclear Medicine was established in Myanmar in 1963 by Dr Soe Myint and International Atomic Energy expert Dr R. Hochel at Yangon General Hospital. Nuclear medicine diagnostic and therapeutic services started with Probe Scintillation Detector Systems and rectilinear scanner. In the early stage, many Nuclear Medicine specialists from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) spent some time in Myanmar and made significant contributions to the development of Nuclear Medicine in our country. The department participated in various IAEA technical cooperation projects and regional cooperation projects. By the late 1990s, new centers were established in Mandalay, Naypyidaw, and North Okkalapa Teaching Hospital of University of Medicine 11, Yangon. The training program related to Nuclear Medicine includes a postgraduate master’s degree (three years) at the University of Medicine. Currently, all centers are equipped with SPECT, SPECT-CT, PET-CT, and cyclotron in Yangon General Hospital.Up until now, the International Atomic Energy Agency has been playing a crucial role in the growth and development of Nuclear Medicine in Myanmar. Our vision is to provide a wide spectrum of nuclear medicine services at a level compatible with the international standards to become a Center of Excellence.

A Study on the Improvement Plan Through Analysis of Regional Housing Cooperative Project Issues

This study recognizes the issues regarding the regional housing cooperative project and suggests improvement plans. Recently, The housing market is changing depending on the recent trend and changes in generational values. Rebuilding⋅redevelopment projects are in stagnation while housing cooperative projects are on the rise again; but unlike the past, this begets various problems as it became a means to the capitalist class’ property expansion. This study compared and analyzed rebuilding⋅redevelopment project systems which are similar to the regional housing cooperative project, and deducted 4 issues through analysis of problematic regional housing cooperative cases and expert F⋅G⋅I; issue arising during the cooperative members recruitment, issue of business agency, issue of land securement, and issue of cooperative operation. The issue arising when recruiting cooperative members requires public control through systemizing preliminary recruitment announcement or approval of the cooperative members. The system of reporting or approval is deemed necessary to minimize the damage occurring to cooperative members during the recruitment of cooperative members before establishing the cooperative. Currently, there is no regulation regarding unauthorized business agencies. Therefore, it seems that the regulation regarding authorizing business agencies and the penalty regulation of illegal actions are necessary. The issue of land securement shall require submitting required documents and business site related data upon reporting or applying for approval. This will be able to review of suitability and prevent the pursuit of overlapping business land cooperative projects. The issue of cooperative operation shall require the legal regulation to secure transparency and fairness through the fair election process of cooperative board members; related guidelines are also deemed necessary.