Regional Efforts Research Articles

Roles, Objectives, and Structural Framework of the East African Community Regional Force's Intervention in Managing the Democratic Republic of Congo's Intractable Intra-State Conflict

The protracted new generation warfare in the Eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the intervention by the EAC Regional Force are indicative of the need for comprehensive security strategy and the vitality of regional efforts. Intra-state conflicts in eastern DRC have been protracted since its independence in 1960. The conflicts have varied from political, ethnic to resource use-based. They have rendered the Eastern part of the country ungovernable and contributed to a huge influx of refugees into neighbouring countries as well as millions of internally displaced persons. This paper sought to investigate the Roles, Objectives, and Structural Framework of the East African Community Regional Force’s Intervention in Managing of DRCs intractable intra-state conflict. The paper is anchored on interpretivism research philosophy and buttressed by neo functionalism theory to explain the interplay of its variables. The study adopted two research designs- descriptive survey and historical longitudinal research designs. The target population was 297 from which a sample of 177 was derived. Sampling techniques included census, simple random, snowballing and purposive sampling. Primary data were collected using an interview guide and questionnaire. Analyses of quantitative data were conducted utilizing descriptive statistics, including percentages and frequencies. Version 28 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was utilized to conduct the analysis. The findings were visually represented through the use of tables, pie charts, photographs, and graphs. Qualitative data were analysed through content analysis, which involved an examination of aspects of the information gathered through open-ended queries, interviews, and observation. Findings of this paper indicated that East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) major role is military coordination of 85(56.66%) of the respondents, rapid deployment of troops is 40(25.66%) while capacity to respond in Crisis is 25(16.66%). However, military coordination challenges occur as a result of intervening state interests in the DRC conflict, therefore, deployment of these troops in DRC is seen as a ploy to undermine conflict management efforts. The paper concludes that EACRF's efforts to restore peace and security in the DRC have been hampered by inadequate personnel deployment structures. This could potentially result in their overall responsibility being limited to peacekeeping due to the presence of structural capacity deficits. The EAC peacekeeping force is a multifaceted organization that, in a sense, works in tandem with various militia and military entities present in the region. The paper recommends expended role and structure for East African Community Regional Force. Besides the military and political wing, there is need to include local police and civilian’s role to effectively and comprehensively manage the conflict. This means the one-year period of deployment was inadequate to realize peace in DRC.

Non-communicable diseases prevention and control by government ministries in Guyana.

Countries of the Caribbean Community signed the Declaration of Port of Spain in 2007 with the vision to stop the epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The adoption of the Declaration by member states represented a regional effort, challenging governments, the private sector, and civil society to act together. Multisectoral actions in Guyana aimed at achieving this goal are the focus of this article, demonstrating the work of different actors in addressing the burden of NCDs in the country. To analyze multisectoral actions developed among five ministries for the implementation of the Declaration of Port of Spain 2007 in Guyana. This qualitative study was guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist and conducted in five ministries (Agriculture, Education, Finance, Health, and Trade) in Georgetown, Guyana. The thematic analysis was guided by a framework consisting of four elements: context (why the policy is needed), content (what the policy is mainly about), process (how the policy was brought forward and implemented), and actors (who participates in and influences the formulation and implementation of the policy). The framework considers how these elements interconnect to shape policy development and implementation processes. Data analysis provided the researchers with insights into possible topic areas and codes for consideration during the analysis, hence a deductive approach to data analysis was used. The results highlighted the importance of coordination among government entities, national and international agencies, private actors, industry players, and civil society. Participants did not mention the use of responsibility metrics but cited mechanisms that facilitated collaboration. The results showed limitations in transforming multisectoral initiatives into intersectoral collaboration to achieve real integration among the different actors involved, considering the actual context and content. Actions could be more effectively implemented with significant outcomes for NCD control in Guyana.

Cultural Heritage and Regional Tourism Development in Yunnan, China

This study explores the relationship between cultural heritage and regional tourism development in Yunnan. The provincial government has initiated efforts to save and conserve the cultural heritage of its many ethnic communities. With the preservation, the government is also building the tourism industry. In order to achieve a harmonious equilibrium between economic advantages and the safeguarding of cultural treasures, it is imperative for all stakeholders to engage in meticulous and deliberate deliberations. This research therefore seeks to comprehensively explores Yunnan's experience with the goal of elucidating the mechanisms via which cultural heritage influences tourism and, reciprocally, how tourism influences the perception and preservation of cultural heritage. The research indicates that there is a distinction between national and regional officials efforts in spearheading the direction of tourism development.. The long-term impact of the subject under consideration will be contingent upon its ability to effectively integrate preservation initiatives with sustainable development.

Cybercrime in Association of Southeast Asian Nations: Regional Effort and Its Effectiveness

Abstract The world has already observed how digitalization is reshaping countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ASEAN has experienced a positive gross domestic product (GDP) trend of over US$3.6 trillion by 2022, becoming the fifth largest economy in the world. However, ASEAN countries have become a prime target for cybercrimes, such as online scam hubs where people are forced to work in scam centers, data breaches, and cyberattack launchpads. This study analyzes the effectiveness of ASEAN’s regional approach in dealing with cybercrime issues while considering ASEAN’s substantial challenges in enhancing its cooperation against cybercrime. The conclusions will provide policy recommendations for strengthening ASEAN’s cybercrime framework.

Mapping of Soil Erosion Vulnerability in Wadi Bin Abdullah, Saudi Arabia through RUSLE and Remote Sensing

This study investigates soil loss in the Wadi Bin Abdullah watershed using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) combined with advanced tools, such as remote sensing and the Geographic Information System (GIS). By leveraging the ALOS PALSAR Digital Elevation Model (DEM), Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS) rainfall data, and the Digital Soil Map of the World (DSMW), the research accurately evaluates soil loss loads. The methodology identifies significant variations in soil loss rates across the entire watershed, with values ranging from 1 to 1189 tons per hectare per year. The classification of soil loss into four stages—very low (0–15 t/ha/yr), low (15–45 t/ha/yr), moderate (45–75 t/ha/yr), and high (>75 t/ha/yr)—provides a nuanced perspective on soil loss dynamics. Notably, 20% of the basin exhibited a soil loss rate of 36 tons per hectare per year. These high rates of soil erosion are attributed to certain factors, such as steep slopes, sparse vegetation cover, and intense rainfall events. These results align with regional and global studies and highlight the impact of topography, land use, and soil properties on soil loss. Moreover, the research emphasizes the importance of integrating empirical soil loss models with modern technological approaches to identify soil loss-prone locations and precisely quantify soil loss rates. These findings provide valuable insights for developing environmental management strategies aimed at mitigating the impacts of soil loss, promoting sustainable land use practices, and supporting resource conservation efforts in arid and semi-arid regions.

A study based on high-density data examines the current status and evolution laws of heavy metal environmental capacity in the Bardawu area of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

As the first ladder of China, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has always been known as the “roof of the world”. Its environmental carrying capacity can be estimated more accurately than other regions because of its harsh natural environment, low population density, limited industrial and agricultural development, and low human activities. However, the current ecological risks of Co and threshold research are limited, and there is a lack of awareness of W’s environmental risks. Hence, this study assessed the ecological support potential of the Bardawu region within Dulan County, Qinghai Province, using 7373 soil specimens, determined regional soil baseline measures, and applied the substance equilibrium linear technique along with the ecological aggregate indicator technique to examine the heavy metal content of the soil. A comprehensive evaluation of the environmental capacity and health risks was conducted to provide a reference for pastoral planning. The findings indicated that the cumulative static ecological capacity of the six trace heavy elements in the soil was ranked as follows: Cr > Li > Ni > Cu > W > Co, with W and Co positioned as the final pair. The remaining areas with a high environmental capacity were predominantly found in the study zone. The central sector exhibited diminished environmental capacity in the southwest and northeast and presented a contamination hazard. Land use, soil type, and geological type considerably affected the six elements in the study area at the p < 0.05. The Bardawu region’s mean comprehensive index of soil environmental capacity was 0.98, indicating an intermediate level of environmental capacity and a moderate health risk. This study focuses on the geological context and influence of pastoral activities on the soil, augments the distribution of various elements across the Tibetan Plateau, and suggests preliminary soil governance strategies. The findings of this study lay the groundwork for soil environmental conservation and remediation efforts in highland regions.

Diplomatic webs: the influential figures shaping U.S. policy in Israel, Qatar, and Iraq

Abstract Purpose This study examines the Twitter/X networks of U.S. ambassadors in Israel, Iraq, and Qatar from 2017 to 2024, aiming to assess how digital diplomacy is conducted through these platforms. Utilizing Sprinklr, we gathered 586,736 mentions involving the ambassadors’ Twitter handles, with a focus on evaluating the influence and communication strategies within these networks. Design/methodology/approach We analyzed a random sample of 30,000 tweets from the collected data using network analysis techniques. This approach enabled the examination of centrality metrics within the ambassadors’ digital networks, providing insights into the influence patterns and communicative interactions via Gephi. Findings The analysis revealed a significant influence of state actors and established political elites who predominantly engage in unidirectional communication, despite the platforms’ capabilities for interactive and reciprocal dialogues. We identified elected officials and specific non-governmental organizations as key actors shaping the diplomatic narratives, highlighting the diverse yet controlled actor interplay in digital diplomacy. Practical implications This research underscores the need for strategic adjustments in digital diplomacy practices to enhance interaction and inclusivity. Our work provides policymakers with insights into leveraging digital platforms for more effective and dynamic diplomatic exchanges. Social implications The study illuminates the role of digital platforms as critical venues for shaping diplomatic narratives by both state and non-state actors. Notably, our findings highlight the use of hashtags in advancing human rights movements and in discussions surrounding the Israel–Palestine conflict, demonstrating hashtags’ impact on global and regional advocacy efforts. Originality/value This research offers a unique perspective on the integration of traditional diplomatic roles with contemporary digital strategies, particularly highlighting the constraints and potentials within Middle Eastern contexts. We suggest ways to enhance the inclusivity and effectiveness of diplomatic engagements through improved social media utilization, thereby contributing to the evolving field of international relations and public diplomacy.

A landscape conservation perspective of state Species of Greatest Conservation Need

AbstractState Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs), including lists of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), outline state strategies for protecting species and habitats in the United States. In developing the current, second revision SWAPs, states are increasingly pursuing coordinated landscape conservation approaches. Analyzing SGCN lists in the first revision SWAPs, we found evidence that they already support multistate conservation. Most states address a common set of vertebrate and invertebrate groups, include most of the imperiled species from these groups, do not prioritize endemics over non‐endemics, and often include most imperiled species that are shared with neighboring states. Also, a regional SGCN coordination effort was successful. Although 65% of animals on each SGCN list were assessed as at elevated risk of extirpation by state authorities, only 43% of the combined national list were at elevated risk of global extinction. Over 40% of the combined animal SGCNs are considered globally apparently secure. Plants, snails, freshwater shrimps, and freshwater insects were poorly represented in SGCN lists. For the current SWAP revisions, we recommend improving foundational data on taxonomy, range‐wide distribution, and conservation status; expanded taxonomic coverage in SGCN lists; supporting existing and establishing new interstate initiatives; and diversifying funding mechanisms that target regional cooperation.

Assessing extraterritorial fishing operations in Türkiye's Contiguous Zone: A decade of observations and implications for fisheries management in the Eastern

The protracted maritime jurisdictional disputes in Türkiye's EEZ in the Eastern Mediterranean have perpetuated economic disparities and engendered lacunae in fisheries management that could undermine marine biodiversity and regional collaboration efforts. This study interrogates the extent and frequency of extraterritorial fishing operations within the contiguous zone of Türkiye's territorial waters, with a particular emphasis on the years 2013 through 2023. Utilizing data acquired from Global Fishing Watch, the analysis delineates the monthly average fishing hours engaged by different gear types-namely small scale, trawl, undefined, and purse seine-across various neighboring countries, including Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Libya, and Morocco. Findings reveal a persistent increase in fishing activities within these contentious waters over the observed period, reflecting a rise in the deployment of ship-tracking systems, which have potentially inflated reported fishing hours. This surge underscores the urgent need for comprehensive fisheries management strategies that harmonize economic pursuits with the preservation of delicate marine ecosystems. The study's methodology involved analyzing vessel movements via Marine Traffic and Global Fishing Watch data, assessing parameters such as fishing areas, periods, methods, and national affiliations. The results, illustrated in Tables and Figures without direct citation due to the aggregative nature of the data, show varied patterns of fishing activities. The significant increase in Türkiye's trawl fishing hours in 2022, peaking at 857.29 hours, underscores the intensification of certain fishing practices in the region. The need for resolving international disputes is pivotal for establishing effective fisheries management in the Eastern Mediterranean. The findings advocate for enhanced diplomatic endeavors and cooperative governance among littoral nations, supported by international entities to ensure sustainable exploitation of marine resources and to bridge management gaps illuminated by this decade-long empirical inquiry.

THE ANTICOAGULATION STRATEGIES FOR MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION OF STROKE IN NEUROLOGICAL PRACTICE

Strokes are categorized as either ischemic or hemorrhagic and the specific interventions will be based on the type of stroke. About 13% of stroke is hemorrhagic and 87% is ischemic. Transient Ischemic Attacks require emergency intervention to decrease the threat of stroke, which is thought to be maximum within the first few days after TIA. Anticoagulants play a major role in the primary and secondary prevention of ischemic strokes. The optimal timing of anticoagulants initiation or resumption inpreventing and managing ischemic strokes is very important. This article will explore certain controversies surrounding this issue, while also highlighting the benefits of antithrombotic therapy used in prevention of ischemic strokes in antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS), atrial fibrillation, prosthetic heart valve, cancer, and vascular disorders. Aggressive local and regional efforts to organize stroke care and greater use of evidence-based recommendations may help improve outcomes. Peer Review History: Received 16 May 2024; Reviewed 11 July 2024; Accepted 24 August; Available online 15 September 2024 Academic Editor: Essam Mohamed Eissa, Beni-Suef University, Egypt, dressamceutics@yahoo.com Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewers: Taha A.I. El Bassossy, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Department, Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt, tahachemist2008@gmail.com Dr. George Zhu, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, sansan4240732@163.com

APOYOnline: A Sustainable Approach to Heritage Preservation Across the Americas

ABSTRACT For 35 years, APOYOnline – Association for Heritage Preservation of the Americas has been building bridges of communication and promoting professional development in the field of heritage preservation, strengthening, empowering, and transforming our community, increasing inclusion and access, and reducing social inequalities in the Americas and in Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries. As a grassroots, volunteer-based, non-profit organization, we listen to the community and work to address needs caused by widely recognized discrepancies in working conditions, adverse climate conditions, social inequalities in training, and other factors that directly impact heritage preservation and to provide access to specialized technical resources. This paper presents the voices of APOYOnline and the impact of the organization’s catalyzing work in improving resource accessibility and connecting people. This work has mobilized regional and global networks, providing equal opportunities through translation of reference materials in multiple languages, professional development grants for students and emerging professionals, and training and regional networking events in underserved territories in the region. It also addresses our special community-based initiative Manos a la Obra, which strengthens long-term community engagement as a collaborative knowledge-sharing process, based on learning through participation and dialogue. The program improves access to technical information and fosters the long-term sustainability of local and regional cultural heritage preservation efforts, and has served as a model for similar activities in other countries. APOYOnline pursues sustainability through volunteer-based networking showing that communication and horizontal interaction with local communities creates awareness and better opportunities for our professionals and positively impacts heritage preservation in the region.

The Reinvigoration of the Organization of Turkic States amid Ongoing Geopolitical Unrest and Economic Uncertainty

The recent regional events and the geopolitical consequences of the Russo-Ukrainian war have had a profound impact on the dynamics among Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and the Central Asian Turkic states (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan). This shifting geopolitical landscape has been the catalyst of collaboration and integration for these countries under the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), an intergovernmental organization that aims to foster cooperation among Turkic-speaking nations. Being established in 2009, this emerging bloc has pursued a relatively low-profile policy on geopolitical issues in the past decade. However, after years of relatively little activity, things have started to change drastically due to the global situation that is being shaped by wider geopolitical factors. The OTS steadily began to pursue a more ambitious agenda and eventually helped bolster relations and stimulate regional socio-economic development efforts during the last four years, focusing on building stronger regional cooperation through ethnocultural links. The article examines how the Turkic alliance has stimulated functional cooperation through the facilitation of trade, investment, and economic cooperation among its members and observer states.

Estimating ungulate migration corridors from sparse movement data

AbstractMany ungulates migrate between distinct summer and winter ranges, and identifying, mapping, and conserving these migration corridors have become a focus of local, regional, and global conservation efforts. Brownian bridge movement models (BBMMs) are commonly used to empirically identify these seasonal migration corridors; however, they require location data sampled at relatively frequent intervals to obtain a robust estimate of an animal's movement path. Fitting BBMMs to sparse location data violates the assumption of conditional random movement between successive locations, overestimating the area (and width) of a migration corridor when creating individual and population‐level occurrence distributions and precluding the use of low‐frequency, or sparse, data in mapping migration corridors. In an effort to expand the utility of BBMMs to include sparse GPS data, we propose an alternative approach to model migration corridors from sparse GPS data. We demonstrate this method using GPS data collected every 2 h from four mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and four elk (Cervus canadensis) herds within Wyoming and Idaho. First, we used BBMMs to estimate a baseline corridor for the 2‐h data. We then subsampled the 2‐h data to one location every 12 h (a proxy for sparse data) and fitted BBMMs to the 12‐h data using a fixed motion variance (FMV) value, instead of estimating the Brownian motion variance empirically. A range of FMV values was tested to identify the value that best approximated the baseline migration corridor. FMV values within a species‐specific range (mule deer: 400–1200 m2; elk: 600–1600 m2) successfully delineated migration corridors similar to the 2‐h baseline corridors; overall, lower values delineated narrower corridors and higher values delineated wider corridors. Optimal FMV values of 800 m2 (mule deer) and 1000 m2 (elk) decreased the inflation of the 12‐h corridors relative to the 2‐h corridors from traditional BBMMs. This FMV approach thus enables using sparse movement data to approximate realistic migration corridor dimensions, providing an important alternative when movement data are collected infrequently. This approach greatly expands the number of datasets that can be used for migration corridor mapping—a useful tool for management and conservation across the globe.

A regional One Health approach to the risk of invasion by Anopheles stephensi in Mauritius.

Anopheles stephensi is an invasive malaria vector in Africa that threatens to put an additional 126 million people at risk of malaria if it continues to spread. The island nation of Mauritius is highly connected to Asia and Africa and is at risk of introduction due to this connectivity. For early detection of An. stephensi, the Vector Biology and Control Division under the Ministry of Health in Mauritius, leveraged a well-established Aedes program, as An. stephensi is known to share Aedes habitats. These efforts triggered multisectoral coordination and cascading benefits of integrated vector and One Health approaches. Beginning June 2021, entomological surveys were conducted at points of entry (seaport, airport) and on ships transporting livestock in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Department, the Mauritian Port Authority and National Veterinary Services. A total of 18, 39, 723 mosquito larval surveys were respectively conducted in the airport, seaport, and other localities in Mauritius while two, 20, and 26 adult mosquito surveys were respectively conducted in the airport, seaport, and twenty-six animal assembly points. Alongside adult mosquito surveys, surveillance of vectors of veterinary importance (e.g.- Culicoides spp.) was also carried out in collaboration with National Parks and Conservation Service and land owners. A total of 8,428 adult mosquitoes were collected and 1,844 larval habitats were positive for mosquitoes. All collected mosquitoes were morphologically identified and 151 Anopheles and 339 Aedes mosquitoes were also molecularly characterized. Mosquito species detected were Aedes albopictus, Anopheles arabiensis, An. coustani, An. merus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Cx. thalassius and Lutzia tigripes. Anopheles stephensi was not detected. The One Health approach was shared with the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), strengthening collaboration between Mauritius and Réunion Island on vector surveillance at entry points and insecticide resistance monitoring. The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) was also alerted to the risk of An. stephensi, leading to regional efforts supporting trainings and development of a response strategy to An. stephensi bringing together stakeholders from Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion Island and Seychelles. Mauritius is a model system showing how existing public health entomology capabilities can be used to enhance vector surveillance and control and create multisectoral networks to respond to any emerging public and veterinary health vector-borne disease threat.

Analysis of Sharia Partnership Program Implementation, Sustainability Management, and Green Technology Use on Sustainable Economic Development in Banten

This study examines the impact of the Sharia Partnership Programme, sustainability management, and green technology use on sustainable economic development in Banten. Employing a quantitative approach, data were collected from 170 respondents using a Likert scale and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS 3). The results indicate that all three factors have significant positive effects on sustainable economic development, highlighting the importance of integrating ethical financial practices, sustainability management, and technological innovations. The findings suggest that these strategies play a crucial role in promoting sustainable growth, offering valuable insights for policymakers and business leaders seeking to enhance sustainability efforts in Banten and similar regions. This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of sustainable development and provides practical recommendations for fostering economic growth that aligns with social and environmental goals.

Linking Between Molecular and Biodiversity Data: A BiCIKL Perspective

Molecular sequencing data generation is being driven by global and regional efforts to discover, understand and monitor biodiversity. To fully explore this data in biodiversity research we need a network of connected data resources, linking sequence data with natural history collections, taxonomy and literature. The BiCIKL project (Biodiversity Community Integrated Knowledge Library, Penev et al. 2022) has set the groundwork towards creating this network of linked data and fostering FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) practices in the biodiversity domain. Connecting biodiversity and molecular data along the biodiversity research cycle requires a foundation of well-structured and rich metadata in the molecular sequence databases. Referencing the physical specimens is important as this provides context about the source of the material that was used for generating the molecular sequence data, including information about origin and species identification. To connect biodiversity and molecular data, we developed tools and workflows for improving and standardising metadata, federated searches and validations for specimen reference in sequence data, such as the SpASe tool, which enables the discovery of links between natural history collections and sequences, and the European Nucleotide Archive Source Attribute Helper API, which facilitates the construction of specimen attributes in a structured format. This work was done in close collaboration with DiSSCo (Distributed System of Scientific Collections) and some biodiversity genomics projects (e.g. Biodiversity Genomics Europe, BGE). Furthermore, we enabled community curation of biological source annotations such as specimen references in sequence data through the PlutoF platform and the ELIXIR Contextual Data Clearinghouse (Abarenkov et al. 2021, Balavenkataraman Kadhirvelu et al. 2022) and increased bidirectional linking from sequences in the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) to collections, taxonomy and literature services (e.g., Plazi TreatmentBank, OpenBioDiv). We also worked closely with the community to enable the structured publication of environmental DNA data, promoting and engaging in the definition of standards and developing tools to facilitate data deposition and retrieval. Overall, the project has contributed significantly to strengthen the connections between the biodiversity and genomics communities towards higher data integration and interoperability. Structured, enriched, accessible and linked sequence data will provide a strong foundation for the application of biodiversity knowledge in the response to global challenges, such as biodiversity loss, ecosystem change and food security. Beyond BiCIKL, we will continue our work as a community to promote a culture of FAIR linked molecular data, towards a fully integrated biodiversity knowledge ecosystem.

Spatial Dynamic Interaction Effects and Formation Mechanisms of Air Pollution in the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration in China

Accurately identifying the dynamic interaction effects and network structure characteristics of air pollution is essential for effective collaborative governance. This study investigates the spatial dynamic interactions of air pollution among 30 cities in the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration using convergent cross mapping. Social network analysis is applied to assess the overall and node characteristics of the spatial interaction network, while key driving factors are analyzed using an exponential random graph model. The findings reveal that air pollution levels in the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration initially increase before they decrease, with heavily polluted cities transitioning from centralized to sporadic distribution. Among the interactions, Heze’s air pollution impact on Kaifeng was the strongest, while Xinxiang’s impact on Changzhi was the weakest. The emission and receiving effects peaked during 2010–2012. The air pollution interactions among cities exhibit significant network characteristics, with block model results indicating that emitting and receiving relationships are primarily concentrated in the bidirectional spillover plate. Natural factors such as temperature and precipitation significantly influence the spatial interaction network. Economic and social factors like economic level and industrial sector proportion also have a significant impact. However, population density does not influence the spatial interaction network. This study contributes to understanding the spatial network of air pollution, thereby enhancing strategies for optimizing regional collaborative governance efforts to address air pollution.

Understanding regional structure through spatial networks: A simulation optimization framework for exploring balanced development

The spatial structure inherently reflects a region's pattern and developmental processes. Understanding the rationality behind this structure and identifying optimization directions are pivotal for macro-level regulation of regional development and collaborative efforts. This study initiates a discussion on the composition and optimization mechanisms inherent in spatial structures. Adopting a spatial network perspective, we interpret the interaction dynamics within regional morphological structures as the consumption of resources through flows. We transform structural optimization into an equilibrium matching process of resources and establish a quantitative research framework that integrates network modeling, structural issue identification, and optimization strategies. Then, we selected the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as our empirical subject, and obtained three important results: (1) Before optimization, we identified structural spatial imbalance characteristics; (2) We explored the evolutionary trend of optimization and delineated four main optimization stages; (3) The spatial structure of the region was improved, and significant benefits in equilibrium and resource utilization was achieved. Finally, we discussed the feasibility of the framework and the necessity to integrate policy networks, hoping to assist regional managers in macro-governance and enhance the rationality of regional planning and coordination.

Long-Term Cumulative Effects of Wildfires on Soil-Vegetation Dynamics in the “Baixa Limia–Serra do Xurés” Natural Park

Wildfires are recognized as major contributors to forest loss and soil degradation on a global scale. Understanding the cumulative effects of fire regimes on forest ecosystems and soil dynamics necessitates a deeper exploration of wildfire-vegetation-soil interactions over the long term. This study delves into the wildfire-landscape dynamics within the “Baixa Limia Serra do Xurés” Natural Park, a region prone to fires in Galicia, Spain. By analyzing available statistical and remote sensing data, we identified significant shifts in fire regimes and landscape dynamics between the periods of 2000–2010 and 2010–2020. Our findings indicate a potential extension of the fire season, reflecting the impacts of climate change. Despite improvements in firefighting capabilities, the occurrence of large fires is on the rise in the Natural Park, underscoring the need for proactive management strategies in such areas. Notably, significant fire events in 2011, 2016, 2017, and 2020 extensively affected wooded areas, constituting the majority of the burned area. Shrubs and forests emerged as particularly vulnerable, with varying degrees of burn severity influencing post-fire vegetation recovery rates. While shrublands expanded their coverage between 2000 and 2010, rocky areas with sparse vegetation showed an increase over the subsequent decade (2010–2020), indicating soil degradation and potential desertification in areas affected by recurrent and severe fires, especially within zones designated for the highest levels of protection (with fire rotation periods of less than 1 year). In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the impacts of wildfires, changes in land cover, and post-fire soil-vegetation dynamics, which can inform management and conservation efforts in fire-prone mountainous regions. Leveraging advanced remote sensing techniques enables the monitoring of cumulative soil degradation resulting from repeated wildfires over extended periods.

Chronic challenges: picturing chronic disease by the World Health Organization

Chronic diseases are among the leading causes of mortality in the world, the subject of major regional and international efforts to tackle shared risk factors, implement prevention and control measures...