Background: Head and neck (H&N) cutaneous melanomas have poorer outcomes than melanomas at other sites, yet sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB)—a key prognostic tool in clinically node-negative disease—is less frequently performed, particularly outside tertiary centers. We evaluated the feasibility and prognostic relevance of SLNB in a medium-volume regional institution. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with primary H&N cutaneous melanoma who underwent SLNB at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Szeged, between 2010 and 2022. Clinicopathological features, nodal outcomes, recurrence patterns, recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier methods and univariate Cox regression. Results: Thirty-eight patients underwent SLNB, with a 100% sentinel lymph node identification rate and no major complications. Positive sentinel lymph nodes were identified in 8 patients (21.1%). Two false-negative events occurred, resulting in a false-omission rate of 6.7% and a negative predictive value of 93.3%. SLN-negative patients demonstrated longer RFS and OS, although differences were not statistically significant. Among patients with intermediate-risk melanoma (pT1b–pT3a), 18.5% had a positive SLN. Conclusions: SLNB is a safe and clinically meaningful staging procedure for H&N melanoma in a medium-volume regional center. Sentinel node status provides important prognostic information and supports appropriate patient selection for contemporary adjuvant therapy.

This study aims to identify and analyze the main benefits of implementing the E-Regional Revenue (E-Pendapatan Daerah) application in managing regional revenue, particularly revenue derived from local taxes and retributions. The research problem arises from the persistence of manual, complex, and inefficient payment and reporting processes, which may hinder the optimization of regional revenue management. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach using a case study method. The research subjects are regional revenue management institutions that have implemented the E-Regional Revenue application. The informants include system administrators, policy-making officials, and technical officers directly involved in the operation and utilization of the application. The selection of research subjects was conducted using purposive sampling, based on their direct involvement and relevance to the research objectives. Data collection techniques consisted of document analysis, in-depth interviews, and limited observation of the application-based revenue management process. Data analysis techniques were carried out using qualitative descriptive analysis, involving data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing, supported by source triangulation to ensure data validity. The findings indicate that the implementation of the E-Regional Revenue application provides four major benefits. First, service convenience is achieved through online payment facilities that eliminate the need for taxpayers to visit service offices, thereby improving time and cost efficiency. Second, complex bureaucratic procedures are simplified through transaction automation. Third, the application accelerates the availability of reports and information systems in real time. Fourth, accurate and timely data supports optimized decision-making by leaders without reliance on manual reports. In conclusion, the E-Regional Revenue application functions not only as a technical payment tool but also as a strategic instrument that enhances operational efficiency and accountability in regional government financial management.

Introduction: The 2014 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa was the largest in history, exposing critical weaknesses in surveillance, health systems, and cross-border coordination. A decade later, regional institutions have implemented numerous initiatives to strengthen preparedness and response capacities for Ebola and other viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs). This paper reviews progress, lessons learned, and ongoing challenges in VHF preparedness and response across West Africa, based on the outcomes of a regional workshop organized by the West African Health Organization (WAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in July 2024. Methods: A qualitative thematic analysis of workshop proceedings was conducted, encompassing country presentations, panel discussions, and group work sessions with representatives from 15 West African countries, the WHO, Africa CDC, UNICEF, Médecins Sans Frontières, the World Bank, and other key regional stakeholders. Data were analyzed to identify common themes related to achievements, gaps, challenges, and strategic priorities for strengthening regional preparedness and response. Results: Key lessons highlighted the importance of resilient health systems, early detection, cross-border collaboration, community engagement, and sustainable financing. Progress over the past decade includes the establishment of Public Health Emergency Operations Centres (PHEOCs), expanded surveillance and laboratory networks, capacity-building initiatives, and deployment of Ebola vaccines. Nonetheless, significant challenges remain, including limited laboratory capacity in rural areas, inadequate treatment centres, weak cross-border coordination, and dependency on external funding. Conclusion: Ten years after the West Africa Ebola outbreak, substantial gains have been made in preparedness and response capacities, but critical gaps persist. Sustained investments in laboratory systems, community engagement, and cross-border collaboration, supported by predictable domestic and regional financing, are essential to build resilient health systems and prevent future outbreaks.

Aim . Assessment of the development of higher educational institutions in the context of digital transformation. Methodology . In the study a modern scientific toolkit for a comprehensive analysis of the reports of regional education committees, specialized departments and institutions was used. All this makes it possible to ensure the validity of the conclusions made and lead to socially significant changes. Results . Proposals for improving the process of digitalization of education in Russia are justified. In the context of considering universities as knowledge corporations, the article presents improved methods for enhancing innovation using the resources of digital platforms. Research implications lies in the discovery of modern technological innovations that can transform higher education, turning it from a traditional academic center into a unique educational scientific innovation complex.

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the inclusivity of economic growth and check whether spatial interdependencies matter in inclusive growth analysis across 39 African countries situated south of the Sahara. Design/methodology/approach These objectives were achieved using the inclusiveness matrix, social mobility curve and panel-based regression. This paper tests the existence of spatial effects by using the spatial Durbin approaches hinged on geographically and institutionally informed weight matrices. Findings Country-specific results reveal that 13 countries demonstrate both income and equity growth. In 20 countries, income growth is achieved at the expense of equity. Two countries record equity over income growth, while four experience declines in both. The social mobility curves support these findings, illustrating rising average incomes but an uneven income distribution. The panel-based regression indicates that economic growth, though modest, has been inclusive and that spatial effects are significant, with substantial cross-border spillovers influencing inclusive growth from neighbouring countries. Research limitations/implications The results point to the necessity of promoting inclusive growth through equitable income distribution and reiterate the importance of recognizing and managing spatial interdependencies across African economies. Strong spatial spillover observed in income distribution and growth suggests that efforts to improve equity nationally can portend positive regional effects. However, given resource constraints and varying institutional capacities, prioritized and targeted investment is essential. Countries should focus on high-impact and equity-enhancing sectors (e.g. basic education, rural health care and social safety nets) that benefit the bottom income cadre and exert strong multiplier effects on growth and equity. Given the presence of spatial effects, a coordinated regional approach is recommended in tandem with strengthened economic integration. While regional co-ordination is pivotal, policy actors should be wary of barriers of unequal bargaining power, weak regional institutions and donor dependency. Therefore, regional spillover policies can begin with blocs that already exhibit economic interlinkages and political alignment. Within these blocs, the equity benchmarks could be harmonized to track distributional outcomes. Cross-border infrastructure and labour mobility can be better aligned to spread growth benefits evenly. Donors and international financial institutions (IFIs) should support regional public goods that foster inclusive growth. Practical implications Given the presence of spatial effects, a coordinated regional approach is recommended in tandem with strengthened economic integration. While regional co-ordination is pivotal, policy actors should be wary of barriers of unequal bargaining power, weak regional institutions and donor dependency. Therefore, regional spillover policies can begin with blocs that already exhibit economic interlinkages and political alignment. Within these blocs, the equity benchmarks could be harmonized to track distributional outcomes. Cross-border infrastructure and labour mobility can be better aligned to spread growth benefits evenly. Donors and IFIs should support regional public goods that foster inclusive growth. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by integrating spatial interdependence into inclusive growth analysis, a dimension often overlooked in economic development studies. Using the spatial Durbin approach, it provides novel empirical insights into cross-border spillovers on equity and income growth.

Social exchange theory (SET) has been extensively used to recognize students’ perceptual behavior (PB) and social interaction (SI). Research has examined the potential factors of recognition and socialization against the economic factors in individual evaluation, seeking rewards or avoiding costs in relationships. The positive impact of PB and SI is a significant experimental approach to studying social psychology. Therefore, the processes of individuals’ perceptual behavior and their social interactions in Esports might address this research gap. Hence, the purposes of this study were to explain the PBs and SIs toward Esports among college students in China. Method: 341college students were selected as participants in this study from higher education institutions in the eastern region of China. PB and SI were tested with 15 items in relation to the three main factors (economic, recognition, and socialization) among Chinese college students. All items were based on previous research studies and were a 7-point Likert scale. The data were collected through online survey tools (e.g., Tencent Survey, SurveyMonkey). Data Analysis included scale reliability, descriptive statistics, and bivariate correlations. Scale reliability analysis revealed that participants demonstrated good reliability (αs = .728–.802) across all potential items. The mean and standard deviation scores provided by Chinese college students revealed the factors of perceptual behavior (PB) and social interaction (SI), specifically in economics (M = 4.77, SD = 1.10), recognition (M = 4.67, SD = 1.06), and socialization (M = 5.13, SD = 0.99). The factors of economic and recognition were significantly correlated (r = .56, p < .001); the factors of economic and socialization were significantly correlated (r = .598, p < .001); and the factors of recognition and socialization were significantly correlated (r = .629, p < .001). One of the most important results of this study indicates that PB and SI of Chinese college students were significantly influenced by economic, recognition, and socialization factors. Specifically, the positive correlation between recognition and socialization suggests that students who value recognition in Esports are more likely to engage in social interactions within the collegiate Esports community. The significance of this finding is that SET may have a long-term effect on college students’ behavior in perception and social interaction in Collegiate Esports. Therefore, we strongly recommend that leaders navigate the digital arena by leveraging the potential of embedding Esports in higher education.

Modelling sustainability challenges and opportunities for microfinance institutions in the Arab region

The Horn of Africa (HoA) has changed dramatically, from a region inundated by local conflicts, droughts and famines into a must grab critical arena for 21st-century geopolitical competition. At the core of this competition is geopolitics and logistics infrastructure driving the region's contemporary stability, conflict, and integration dynamics. The glitter of HoA has pitted the global and regional powers in a “new scramble” for influence. It is a mortal combat primarily manifesting through a race to finance and control ports, railways, and military bases. The research leverage a multidisciplinary methodology combining geopolitical mapping, a logistics infrastructure audit, and policy framework analysis. This moves the study beyond cataloguing investments to critically analyse how controlling logistical networks can confer power, create dependencies, and reshape alliances.Thus, a fundamental contradiction framed in the rhetoric of “development” and “connectivity” is revealed. The study shows how infrastructure competition in HoA actually undermines regional integration and sovereignty. Reviewing the projects like the UAE’s port in Berbera and Turkey’s investment in Mogadishu shows deepened fractures, rifting regional relations, and extra-continental rivalries. On another angle infrastructure needs in the HoA have driven cooperation, as seen in the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway or the Ethiopia-Eritrea rapprochement. Notwithstanding, the rsearch finds that external strategic imperatives systematically override local developmental needs. They lead to debt-trap diplomacy, the weaponisation of logistics, and the heightened militarisation of vital trade chokepoints like the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The study concludes, without a concerted effort for agency by the HoA states and regional institutions, this new scramble will produce a legacy of unsustainable debt, strategic dependency, and a deeply fractured regional relations that set the stage for future conflicts.

This study examined the challenges of developing a sustainable economy and promoting green development in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) through a comprehensive literature review. ASEAN has experienced rapid economic growth over recent decades; however, this growth has been accompanied by increasing environmental degradation, climate vulnerability, and social inequality. These conditions have intensified the need for development pathways that balance economic progress with environmental protection and social inclusion. By synthesizing academic studies, policy documents, and reports from international and regional institutions, this study identified the key factors shaping sustainable economy outcomes in the ASEAN region. The findings revealed that environmental pressures, including climate change impacts, pollution, and resource depletion, pose significant risks to long-term economic stability. Economic and financial constraints, such as high costs of green technologies, limited access to green finance, and dependence on carbon-intensive industries, further hinder green development efforts. Institutional and governance challenges, including fragmented policymaking, weak regulatory enforcement, and uneven implementation of regional initiatives, were also found to limit progress. In addition, social dimensions particularly employment transitions, inequality, and limited public participation play a critical role in determining the inclusiveness and effectiveness of green development strategies. While ASEAN regional cooperation frameworks demonstrate strong collective commitment to sustainability, their impact remains constrained by varying national capacities and the principle of non-interference. Overall, this study highlights the need for integrated policy approaches, strengthened institutional capacity, inclusive social strategies, and enhanced regional cooperation to advance a sustainable economy and green development in ASEAN.

China's successful implementation of its outward-looking policies and its acceptance into the WTO after the Cold War have led to a reduction in trade barriers. China has thereby accelerated its economic rise and developed its methods of cooperation with regional institutions. China, which initiated official and commercial relations with the EU in the 1970s, took a holistic approach to Europe until the 2010s due to its concerns about attracting investment and export concern. However, the rise of voices calling for preventing increasing dependence on China in the mid-2000s and the loss of income and employment suffered by European countries during 2008 economic crisis marked an important turning point. On the other hand, China's success during this period and its substitution of Central and Eastern European countries played an active role in the establishment of the 17+1 platform. China's promise to increase its global investments under the BRI has also increased interest in China across Europe. This has also raised suspicions that China is involved in a new initiative to divide the EU from within through its 17+1 platform in Europe. The main objective of this study is to reveal what China aims to achieve through its multifaceted cooperation in Europe and to determine how realistic the growing suspicions about China are. This study applies a qualitative research method, utilizing fieldwork, pre-interviews, and comprehensive data analysis. The findings of the study indicate that there has been no significant change in China's traditional perspective toward Europe, and investments in the 17+1 countries are not large enough to divide the EU. China's trade and investment policies continue to focus heavily on Western European countries. On the other hand, China's projects, acquisitions, and construction activities in different parts of Europe show that it is seeking to advance its national interests across the continent.

In contemporary scientific literature, there are significant discrepancies regarding the levels of evidence for the criteria and the advantages of performing blood transfusions in the prehospital setting. Objective. To study the problems, assess the prospects, and evaluate the outcomes of performing blood transfusions at the prehospital stage in the provision of emergency medical care to patients with massive blood loss. Materials and Methods. An analytical literature review was conducted through a targeted search of scientific publications on the Medline, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. The study presents the results of a retrospective randomized analysis involving 140 patients with massive traumatic blood loss who received inpatient treatment in medical facilities of the Sumy region during the fourth quarter of 2024 and required blood transfusions. Results. The issues of logistics, duration of the prehospital stage, assessing indications for blood transfusion, and selection of blood products were analyzed. The results of a retrospective randomized study conducted among 140 patients with massive traumatic blood loss who received inpatient treatment in medical institutions of the Sumy region during the fourth quarter of 2024 are presented. An analysis of the frequency and volume of transfusions of donor blood components was conducted at the prehospital stage of medical care. The obtained results may serve as approximate reference indicators for further evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of transfusion therapy during the early stages of medical evacuation. Conclusions. Adapting international experience can significantly improve the practice of prehospital blood transfusion in Ukraine. Studying the methods applied in leading countries and analyzing domestic practical experience will help enhance existing protocols, making them more effective and better aligned with the current realities of Ukraine.

ABSTRACT This paper reports the findings of a study that evaluates the development of an innovative approach to developing curriculum and pedagogy initiated by Information Technology (IT) faculty at a regional Australian tertiary institution. The novel approach is underpinned by a theoretical framework combining elements of an Agile mindset and Backward Design to create a model that we call Agile Backward Design (ABD). This model is cross-disciplinary and applicable to both unit (academic module that makes up a program) and program (degree) levels of curriculum development. With the mobilisation of this unique framework that combines a focus on learner needs, situated pedagogical approaches, context and industry requirements, the researchers aimed to address gaps in higher education curriculum with the construction of a collaborative model of curricular development. This framework for developing curriculum and student-centred pedagogies formed the basis for a new Bachelor of Information Technology (B.IT) degree. A mixed methods case study approach was employed in the evaluation project reported in this paper. Key findings from this pilot study indicate the effectiveness of ABD with students showing a preference for active learning opportunities and industry-facing curriculum and learning experiences.

Introduction. The formation of professionals as a stratum in ethnic republics and regions became a strategic direction of the korenizatsiia in the first decades of the Soviet era. Goals. The article aims to identify some features of ethnic professional training and the shaping of the vocational education system in Kara-Kirghiz Autonomous Oblast, Kirghiz Autonomous Oblast, and Kirghiz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic throughout the 1920s. Materials and methods. The study primarily deals with documents from the Central State Archive of the Kyrgyz Republic (collection ‘Kirghiz ASSR People’s Commissariat for Education’) and other sources. The conducted analysis rests on the classical research principles of historicism and objectivity, employs the general scientific, statistical, comparative historical, and problem-chronological methods. Results. The severe shortage of native professionals and absence of vocational schools forced the RSFSR People’s Commissariat of Education to send young residents of Kirghizia ― on a centralized basis ― to educational institutions of other regions. The targeted student recruitment program of the 1925–1926 and 1926–1927 academic years involved 728 individuals. The bulk of the latter were ethnic Kyrgyz from poorest social strata (peasants, farm laborers, workers). And most of the allocated funds would be used for sustenance scholarships. The formation of a professional education system in the ethnic autonomy included efforts for the establishment of various educational institutions with different specializations. The educational mobilization of youths during the specified period laid the foundation for the would-be ethnic intelligentsia and provided required conditions for the modernization of Kyrgyzstan throughout the decades to come.

Hop growing in the Russian Federation is a sector of agro-industrial complex that is largely dependent on imported technological solutions and products, the lack of domestic production of these products creates significant barriers to the intensification of domestic hop production and processing. The Chuvash Republic is the country’s primary hop-producing region for bitter-aromatic varieties, necessitating the implementation of systematic measures to provide scientific and technological support for the development of hop production and economic potential. Based on a study of the current regional model of scientific and technological support for hop cultivation, the authors identified key areas of focus – from the concept of implementing continuous agricultural education and research to the breeding of new hop varieties and development of promising specialized machinery and mechanisms. In the Chuvash Republic, effective cooperation has been established between the participants in the support system, represented by both federal and regional institutions. The region is actively developing new competencies related to scientific and technological support for investment projects in hop cultivation, and this area is specifically highlighted in the state program for scientific and technological development of the region. The analysis of existing measures to support scientific and technological support for hop cultivation in Chuvashiya demonstrates their adequacy and comprehensiveness at the current stage, as well as the potential for adjustment in light of changing priorities. Authors identify the introduction of biotechnological tools in hop breeding, as well as the development and implementation of a promising system for advanced hop processing, as priority areas for increasing the effectiveness of scientific and technological support for the development of the production and economic potential of hop growing.

Boko Haram insurgency has had devastating socio-economic implications for communities in northeastern Nigeria, particularly in Borno State, the epicenter of the conflict. This study examines the livelihood disruptions, economic displacements, and social vulnerabilities induced by the prolonged insurgency. Using a mixed-method approach, data were gathered from 450 respondents across Maiduguri, Bama, and Konduga Local Government Areas through questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. Simulated data analysis revealed that over 72% of respondents experienced severe income loss, 64% reported displacement from their homes, and 58% indicated complete disruption of agricultural or trading activities. The study found that the destruction of farmlands, market structures, schools, and transport networks not only crippled economic productivity but also deepened poverty, food insecurity, and dependency on humanitarian assistance. The findings also show that gender and occupation significantly shaped vulnerability patterns with widows, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and small-scale traders being the most affected groups. The research concludes that Boko Haram’s activities have undermined local resilience, eroded social capital, and reversed years of development progress in Borno State. It recommends a multi-sectoral recovery framework that integrates livelihood restoration, psychosocial rehabilitation, and community security partnerships. These findings provide crucial insights for post-conflict reconstruction and the achievement of SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) in conflict-affected regions of Nigeria.

On September 25, 2025, the 4th All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference with International Participation, “Socio-Pedagogical and Psychological-Pedagogical Activity: Current Issues, Achievements, and Innovations,” was held at Kostroma State University. The conference was organized jointly by Kostroma State University and the Kostroma Regional Institute for Education Development. This article highlights the main research areas that received scientific attention during the conference, highlights the current challenges facing psychologists, educators, and other specialists within the framework of the stated topic, and presents conclusions on a number of significant issues in modern psychological and pedagogical science that emerged from the conference.

This study aims to analyze the influence of tax sanctions and tax socialization on the compliance of individual motor vehicle taxpayers at the Yogyakarta City SAMSAT (One-Stop Administration Service for Motor Vehicles). A quantitative approach with an associative causal design was employed. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire using a Likert scale, distributed to 100 respondents selected through simple random sampling from the population of motor vehicle taxpayers. The collected data were analyzed using multiple linear regression with SPSS to test the proposed hypotheses. The results indicate that both tax sanctions and tax socialization have a significant positive effect on taxpayer compliance, both partially and simultaneously. Partial tests (t-test) confirm that each variable individually strengthens compliance. The regression model explains 73.4% of the variance in compliance (R² = 0.734), demonstrating the strong combined explanatory power of these two factors. The findings suggest that SAMSAT authorities and similar regional institutions should adopt an integrated policy strategy. Enhancing compliance requires a dual approach that synergizes consistent and fair enforcement of sanctions with proactive, transparent, and continuous taxpayer education and outreach programs. This research contributes to the literature on behavioral taxation by empirically examining the drivers of compliance specifically among individual motor vehicle taxpayers at the regional level—a context often overlooked in prior studies focusing on corporate taxpayers. It provides actionable, evidence-based insights for designing more effective local tax administration systems.

In West Africa, accurate predictions of temperature are very essential for agriculture, health and energy planning, where climate change and increasing heat pose a high risk. This study develops an open and propagative pipeline for predicting monthly surface temperature anomalies using the ERA 5 Reanalysis inputs and interpretable machine-learning models. The predicting variables include land -atmosphere flux, soil moisture, radiation conditions, circulation fields, and oceanic indices, which are processed into anomalies and lagged features to capture persistence and memory. The results show that machine-learning models continues leading the climatological and persistence baselines, With the strongest gains occurring during transition seasons and over semi-arid regions where land–atmosphere coupling is strong. Interpretive analysis reveals physically relevant relationships: deficits of soil moisture operate positive anomalies through lowered cooling by evaporation; Shortwave radiation and cloud cover modulate surface energy balance; And the lagged anomalies encode land-split memory. Water-borne countries, especially the Gulf of the Guinea SST, contribute during the transitional months, but are secondary to local reactions. Case studies and sensitivity analysis confirm the strength of these mechanisms by identifying coastal gradients and strongly convection periods. The findings suggest that machine learning provides efficient and physically consistent predictions of West African temperature discrepancies, providing practical value for climatic services in agriculture, health and energy fields. The released pipelines and artifacts carry forward the route towards fertility, integration with regional institutions, and integration with dynamic forecasts, operating climate-informed decision support in the region.

As globalisation advances, driven by shared goals of development and crisis management, regions have evolved to create new institutions that address the demands of economic governance within the Bretton Woods institutions. This paper focuses on the asymmetry between the regional and global institutions and the governance boundaries of each, exploring the intricate interconnections between regional and global institutions such as competitive cooperation, complementary cooperation, decoupled competition, and hierarchical institutions. The heterogeneity of power configurations within global governance bodies, coupled with variations in multi-level needs among global governance, collectively contribute to the intricate vertical complexity of institutional dynamics. The article specifically examines the hierarchical, competitive-cooperative, and cooperative relationships among institutions like the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the World Bank. Additionally, the study identifies the wobble nature of European-global institutional cooperation and the decoupling trend in Asian institutions within the International Monetary Fund framework. In practice, the United States, motivated by its pursuit of hegemony, engaged in geopolitical competition, while emerging market nations sought to establish a new global political-economic order. These interactions inherently shaped the development of global governance and its equilibrium interaction with regionalism. This article contributes to understanding the aforementioned complex reality and inspires solutions for global-regional governance.

Amendments to the 1945 Constitution have reinforced the presidential system at the regional level through the direct election of regional heads and a dismissal mechanism analogous to that of the president. However, key elements of presidentialism in regional governance are obscured by the requirement that regional heads submit an Accountability Report (LKP) to the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD), while the DPRD is also positioned within the regional government structure. This research examines, first, how presidential and unitary state perspectives conceptualize the LKP obligation and, second, whether it undermines the DPRD’s role as part of the legislative branch. Using normative legal analysis with juridical and conceptual approaches, the research finds that the relationship between regional heads and the DPRD continues to be framed by unitary state logic, thereby legitimizing central regulations mandating the LKP. In substance, however, this relationship aligns more closely with a presidential framework involving two distinct and coequal regional institutions. The LKP requirement therefore weakens the presidential character of regional governance. Moreover, defining the DPRD as part of the regional executive is conceptually flawed, as it risks implying multiple legislatures in a unitary state. As a representative body, the DPRD belongs to the legislative branch, differing from the DPR only in jurisdiction, and the LKP obligation further obscures this role and conflicts with the principle of checks and balances.