Regional Level Research Articles

Does cluster farming matter for commercialization? Empirical evidence from priority crops in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

PurposeIn Ethiopia, cluster farming (CF) of ten priority crops has been introduced in four regions with potential for agricultural commercialization. However, their commercialization has rarely been studied at the regional level. We measured the extent of commercialization of these crops and investigated factors affecting their commercialization in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia.Design/methodology/approachData collected from 558 smallholder farmers were analyzed by using the household commercialization index, descriptive statistics, t-test, and fractional response models.FindingsCF participants sold on average 13% more wheat, 22% more malt barley, 3% more maize, and 6% more teff than non-participants, but 2% less sesame. CF participation was positively and significantly associated with the commercialization of wheat, malt barley, and maize. On-farm income, off-farm income participation and storage access were positively and significantly associated with wheat commercialization, unlike neighbor participation in CF. Educational status and storage access were positively and significantly correlated with malt barley commercialization. Maize commercialization was influenced positively by on-farm income and negatively by respondents’ age.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are based on cross-sectional data collected from small samples and a limited number of variables.Originality/valueThis is the first study to measure the extent of commercialization of CF priority crops and to investigate factors affecting their commercialization in the Amhara region.

The impact and projection of the COVID-19 pandemic on the burden of stroke at global, regional, and national levels: A comprehensive analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

The impact and projection of the COVID-19 pandemic on the burden of stroke at global, regional, and national levels: A comprehensive analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Operationalizing regional One Health initiatives in Southeast Asia: Ways forward.

Operationalizing regional One Health initiatives in Southeast Asia: Ways forward.

The needs and challenges of the Blue Economy sector in Portugal: bridging national and European strategies with the perceptions of the stakeholders.

The needs and challenges of the Blue Economy sector in Portugal: bridging national and European strategies with the perceptions of the stakeholders.

Predicting climate change impacts on marine fisheries, biodiversity and economy in the Canary/Iberia current upwelling system.

The vulnerability of fisheries to climate change (CC) is driven by exposure factors that can affect species and fisheries differently at regional level. Ecological and socioeconomic consequences of climate change were assessed by evaluating a set of species (N=53), caught by Portuguese fleet, that are likely to be affected by changes in oceanographical conditions (climatic scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) by the middle of this century (2041-2060). A novel approach was used which consist in estimate species habitat vulnerability index to CC by combining species habitat suitability with species sensitivity (life history ecological-biological traits), that was considered the weighting score for habitat suitability estimations by niche ecological models. Exploited species denote little specialization and have a large marginalization range with results showing that shifts in environmental variables, expected in the future, did not alter general distribution patterns of study species. Specialization was associated with sea surface temperature while marginality to depth, indicating that species can find refuges at higher depths without losing distribution range. Predicted changes in habitat suitability values across all species varied between a decrease of 11% and an increase of 7%, with species mean shifts around ±4%. Catch composition by species (similarity >95% regardless scenario/area), functional groups (similarity >97% regardless scenario/area), trophic level structure (similarity >98% regardless scenario/area) and marine biodiversity (marine trophic index∼3.35 regardless scenario/area) projected for the middle of this century, showed similarities to the present scenario. Economic losses estimated for the middle of this century correspond to a maximum value of 3% in catch and 2.3% economically. Fisheries revenue could not be jeopardized due to CC until the middle of the century. Under results found maintaining sustainable fishing management strategies is the best way to mitigate CC effects.

Rethinking the Election Process Dispute Resolution Model to Implement the Election Justice Principle

The implementation of the 2019 and 2024 elections was conducted simultaneously on the same day to elect the president and vice president, as well as the legislative bodies at the central level (DPR and DPD) and at the regional level (Provincial and District/City DPRD), because the design of the implementation is normatively regulated in Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning general elections (Law No. 7 of 2017 concerning General Elections). The research method used to analyze the case involves several approaches, namely the legal approach and the case approach related to the relevant theme. That the results of the research explain that the regulation of the principle of electoral justice is not significantly addressed in Law No. 7 of 2017 concerning General Elections.

Neuroimaging pattern interactions for suicide risk in depression captured by ensemble learning over transcriptome-defined parcellation.

Neuroimaging pattern interactions for suicide risk in depression captured by ensemble learning over transcriptome-defined parcellation.

Tracing the dual-circulation value chain: Measurement on the embedding characteristics and evidence from China

Tracing the dual-circulation value chain: Measurement on the embedding characteristics and evidence from China

Difference in stiffness-related functional disability between decompression alone and decompression with short segments fusion (1 or 2 levels) in the lower lumbar region: a propensity scores matching study.

Difference in stiffness-related functional disability between decompression alone and decompression with short segments fusion (1 or 2 levels) in the lower lumbar region: a propensity scores matching study.

Individualism/collectivism and charitable donations: An empirical analysis at the national, regional, and personal levels

Individualism/collectivism and charitable donations: An empirical analysis at the national, regional, and personal levels

Dissemination, adaptation, and uptake of patient-facing materials to improve care coordination in primary care.

Dissemination, adaptation, and uptake of patient-facing materials to improve care coordination in primary care.

Aristolochia species (Aristolochiaceae) from the Americas, a review of their traditional medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties.

Aristolochia species (Aristolochiaceae) from the Americas, a review of their traditional medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties.

How does improvements in regional security level mitigate corporate financing constraints?

How does improvements in regional security level mitigate corporate financing constraints?

Spring festival firework activities exacerbate toxic effects of aerosol essential components.

Spring festival firework activities exacerbate toxic effects of aerosol essential components.

Expanding Global IR Outreach to Address Postpartum Hemorrhage in Kenya Using Geospatial Analytic Mapping.

Expanding Global IR Outreach to Address Postpartum Hemorrhage in Kenya Using Geospatial Analytic Mapping.

Heavy metals prediction system in groundwater using online sensor and machine learning for water management: the case of typical industrial park.

Heavy metals prediction system in groundwater using online sensor and machine learning for water management: the case of typical industrial park.

Global Epidemiology and Socioeconomic Correlates of Salivary Gland Cancer From 2020 to 2040.

To report the epidemiology and socioeconomic correlates of salivary gland cancers (SGCs) at global, regional and national levels by age, sex and country. Data on the incidence and mortality of SGC for the year 2020 were extracted from the Global Cancer Observatory. The relationships between incidence and mortality rates with the human development index (HDI) and the ratio of current healthcare expenditure to gross domestic product were investigated using bivariate correlation tests. Also, projections for new cancer cases or mortalities in a specific nation or region between 2025 and 2040 were estimated by multiplying age-specific incidence or mortality rates, with the anticipated population for the years 2025-2040. In 2020, the global crude incidence and mortality rates of SGC were 0.69 and 0.29, respectively. Among the World Health Organization regions, the Americas and Africa had the highest SGC age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR), respectively. By HDI classification, the very high HDI group had the highest SGC ASIR at 0.69, whereas the low HDI group had the highest SGC ASMR at 0.49. Among different age groups, those aged 70+ had the highest SGC incidence and mortality crude rates. Globally, males had higher SGC incidence and mortality crude rates than females. A strong negative correlation was found between HDI and SGC ASMR and the mortality-to-incidence ratio (p < 0.001). By 2040, the global incidence and mortality numbers of SGC are projected to increase by 50% and 60%, respectively. These findings provide crucial insight into the global distribution and disparities in SGC care quality. Furthermore, this report has the potential to aid in the planning of SGC control initiatives.

Who’s on the podium? Geographic and career diversity of ASCO Annual Meeting presenters.

9006 Background: The ASCO annual meeting is the world’s preeminent meeting of oncology professionals. Giving an oral presentation at the ASCO annual meeting is a landmark in a career. We examined the training and geographic diversity of presenters. Methods: We identified all oral abstract or moderator presentations from the ASCO Annual Meeting 2021-2024 using asco.org. Further information on each speaker was gathered from publicly available information through internet searches of institutional websites and professional social media. We queried degree, pronoun use, medical school, institutions of post-graduate training and years of graduation. Institutions were classified by geographic region (country, state, and U.S. Census Geographic Area), type (academic versus community) and NCI-designation. Presentations per population (PPP) of 10^6 persons were standardized by state and region level 2020 US Census data. Study was IRB exempt at investigators respective institutions. Results: Between 2021-2024, there were 1563 oral presentations in abstract sessions from 1310 speakers representing 491 institutions. 253 (19%) presented more than once (range: 1-5). 57% use the ‘he’ pronoun. Most presenters were from US institutes (66.7%; n=1043), 6.3% (n=99) from China, 4.0% (n=63) from France, and 3.2% (n=50) from the UK. 69.7% (n=1090) were from North America, 17.6% (n=275) from Europe/UK, 10.2% (n=16) from Asia, and 2% (n=31) from Australia. Few presentations were given by speakers from institutions in the Middle East (0.1%, n=2) or South America (all Brazil; 0.3%, n=4), and no presentations were given by speakers from African institutions. 22% (n=347) of presentations were from the top 5 presenting institutions, all of which were in the US and 3 of 5 on East coast. 87.1% (n=768) of presentations from US institutions were from NCI-designated centers. 21 of 33 (64%) US based plenary presenters were from New England or Mid Atlantic states, while 25% (n=11/44) were from non-US institutions. PPP were highest in northeast 6.0/10^6 compared to Midwest (2.9/10^6), South (2.6/10^6), and West (2.2/10^6). Highest PPP states were MA (15.5/10^6), DC (11.6/10^6), and CT (8.6/10^6) while 13 states had no presenters. Presenters were a median of 13.0 (SD: 9.2) years post training (YPT). By ASCO definitions, 6.8% (n=63) were students/trainees, 6.1% (n=57) were early career (&lt;3 YPT), 53.8% (4-15 YPT) were mid-career, and 35.1% (n=326) were later career (&gt;15 YPT). Trainee and early career speakers gave 0 plenary presentations, 9.6% (n=91) of oral abstract presentations, and 22.1% (n=40) of rapid oral abstracts (p=&lt;0.001). Conclusions: Oral presenters were most frequently mid to late career, medical oncologists and from Northeastern, US, academic, NCI-designated centers while few speakers were from community sites or early career/trainees suggesting there is room for continued diversification to represent all oncologists and those they treat.

Total Factor Productivity Growth of Indian Iron and Steel Industry: An Interstate Comparison

The study attempts to measure the productivity performance in terms of total factor productivity (TFP) growth of the Indian Iron and Steel Industry for the entire period, 1997–1998 to 2016–2017, at both national and regional levels. Output growth is decomposed into the perspiration, component (factor accumulation) and inspiration component (TFP growth). The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) based Malmquist Productivity Index has been used as a technique to obtain TFP growth. It is deduced that the inspiration component of output growth (i.e., TFP growth) is contributing significantly as the growth of TFP in the Indian Iron and Steel Industry has been found to be growing at an average growth rate of 10.28% per annum. However, a negative growth of the perspiration component to the tune of −7.99% per annum has restricted the Indian Iron and Steel Industry from achieving potential growth rates. If we assume that input growth is zero, the industry must grow at a potential growth rate equal to the TFP growth of 10.28%. However, if the growth of the input becomes positive, the industry can record much higher growth rates of Iron and Steel output. JEL: C610, D240, L610

Global disparities in rural and urban population exposure to compound drought and heatwave events

The high occurrence of compound drought and heatwave events (CDHWs), driven by global climate change, poses a serious threat to humanity. However, their impacts on rural and urban populations remain unclear. This study analyzed CDHWs exposure in both rural and urban populations and found that the number of people chronically exposed to CDHWs has shown a clear upward trend over time. From 1901 to 2021, rural populations experienced 2.5 times the total exposure to CDHWs compared to urban populations. Over the past three decades, however, urban populations have experienced significantly higher exposure and a faster rate of increase than rural populations. Regionally, rural populations in Asia, North America, and Africa accounted for 41.06, 16.51, and 13.69% of the total global rural population exposure, respectively, while urban populations in Asia, North America, and Europe accounted for 32.31, 18.70, and 16.85% of global urban exposure, respectively. The climate-population interactive effects have been the dominant factors driving recent changes in population exposure. Our findings contribute to the risk assessment of CDHWs at both global and regional levels and provide reliable information for disaster prevention and mitigation strategies.