Regional Priorities Research Articles

Germany’s Initiatives in the Sahel in the Framework of the Niger Events

The article is devoted to the study of targeted initiatives of Germany in one of the most priority regions for European countries – the Sahara-Sahel region. The relevance of the research topic is determined by events related to anti-French and generally anti-European sentiments in such countries as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The events in Niger provoked the withdrawal of French forces from the country. Against this background, Germany is trying to pursue a chance to strengthen its military presence in the country by maintaining a military base, as well as through social, investment and humanitarian projects. The author analyzes the events of 2023 that occurred in Niger and compares them with the behavioral model of Germany, explaining the causal relationships between the actions and interests of the country in the region. An analysis of the statements of German officials regarding the situation in the region makes it possible to determine what tasks Germany faces as a separate state and as one of the driving forces of the European Union. Conclusions are drawn regarding Germany’s current priorities, its competitive opportunities in the field of security, investments and humanitarian projects, as well as possible scenarios for the development of the situation in the region, taking into account German activity.

Evaluating sustainable water management strategies using TOPSIS and fuzzy TOPSIS methods

This study evaluates sustainable water management strategies using TOPSIS and Fuzzy TOPSIS (FTOPSIS) to address global water scarcity by comparing rainwater harvesting, water recycling, and desalination across five criteria: water efficiency, cost-effectiveness, environmental impact, social equity, and technological feasibility. The results show Rainwater Harvesting as the most balanced option with a relative closeness value of Ci+=0.640, excelling in social equity and environmental sustainability. Water Recycling ranks closely behind (Ci+=0.608), highlighting its adaptability and technological feasibility, while Desalination, though highly efficient, is hindered by lower cost-effectiveness (Ci+=0.578). By integrating TOPSIS and FTOPSIS, the study addresses uncertainties and subjective criteria, providing a robust multi-dimensional assessment framework for resource management. This methodology aids decision-makers in identifying strategies that align with sustainable development goals and adapt to regional priorities. Future work can expand this framework to include stakeholder engagement and policy factors, enhancing water management strategies for resilient, long-term solutions.

DYNAMICS OF RISK FACTORS IN THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ENVIRONMENT

The past decade was marked with an embrace of both positive and negative trends that entrenched new global security threats that occasioned both international and regional risks. However, it is possible to achieve major objectives in this time lapse; yet there has been an emergent necessity to build a new architecture of international/ regional security phenomenon. Nevertheless, the contemporary world still offers numerous conflicts based on the access to resources and such aspects as ethnic, cultural, religious and ideological diversities. The present paper now turns to one of the areas greatly affected by instability, uncertainty and disruption of the established international relations. Current conflict dynamics depict a different picture, with terrorist attacks in 2015 being clear evidence of need for different approach to the problem than the military one. They have a significant role in protecting national security as public order is a state of order within a country characterized by harmony, law and order in societies. It is essential as it relates to stability and protection and which requires national and international security to be in synergy and to admit extensive multidimensional international cooperation. This era stresses out the need to update national legislation to the international level and the development of international police cooperation. A management of public order through information is crucial to tackle existing security challenges. Thus, the protection of security and public order is currently one of the main worldwide and regional priorities in a condition of constant alteration and uncertain risks, requires an extensive and integrated interdisciplinary view on the current and future problems.

Renewable Energy Communities in Rural Areas: A Comprehensive Overview of Current Development, Challenges, and Emerging Trends

Achieving environmental and economic stability amid climate change requires renewable energy technologies. This review analyses 86 articles on rural energy communities, highlighting key technological, economic, and social drivers of their growth and sustainability. Findings show that rural energy development (38%), community engagement (36%), and agricultural integration (26%) are key focus areas, supported by drivers like technological innovation, regulatory frameworks, and community participation. Emerging trends reveal a shift from localised solutions to integrated hybrid systems and smart grids across three stages (2004–2024). Cross-country comparisons indicate varied regional priorities, with environmental benefits emphasised in China, Thailand, and Italy, and economic gains in the U.S., Poland, and India. Main challenges include financial constraints (21%), infrastructure (35%), regulation (44%), and participation (52%). Core elements for development are resilience, scalability, and innovation, with strong correlations (R2>0.80) between resilience, economic benefits, and social engagement. This review underscores the need for innovation, policy support, and community involvement to foster resilient, scalable rural energy communities, promoting sustainability and energy security.

A practical approach to multifaceted perspectives for sustainable international collaboration on mosquito-borne diseases in Southeast Asia

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic highlighted the necessity and limitations of scientific collaboration and equitable and effective international research partnerships. The spread of mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) presents severe public health challenges, particularly in Southeast Asia. Addressing these threats requires establishing regional priorities, bridging research gaps, and strengthening long-term international collaboration. We propose a practical approach to multifaceted perspectives to enhance collaboration across Asia. This study examines MBD-related scientific publications from nine Southeast Asian countries between January 2017 and June 2024, utilizing bibliometric analysis and data visualization to identify research trends, research capacities, key institutions, and international collaborative partners. Thailand and Singapore led the dengue research, followed by Malaysia and Indonesia. Vietnam and the Philippines demonstrated moderate research capabilities, whereas Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar had lower capacities. Relationships with high-income countries drove international collaboration, whereas intra-regional collaboration in Southeast Asia increased. Furthermore, we identified directions for cooperative opportunities between South Korea and other Southeast Asian countries by analyzing their relative research capacities for infectious MBDs. We propose a practical approach to bridge research-capacity gaps and strengthen collaboration between low- and middle-income countries. These findings provide fundamental information for developing future infectious-disease-response strategies and international-collaboration research partnerships and facilitate the implementation of effective global public health preparedness policies and evidence-based decision-making, such as knowledge-transfer and resource-sharing.

Regional anaesthesia research priorities: a Regional Anaesthesia UK (RA-UK) priority setting partnership involving patients, carers and healthcare professionals.

Regional anaesthesia provides important clinical benefits to patients but is underutilised. A barrier to widespread adoption may be the focus of regional anaesthesia research on novel techniques rather than evaluating and optimising existing approaches. Research priorities in regional anaesthesia identified by anaesthetists have been published, but the views of patients, carers and other healthcare professionals have not been considered previously. Therefore, we launched a multidisciplinary research priority setting partnership that aimed to establish key regional anaesthesia research priorities for the UK. Research suggestions from key stakeholders (defined by their interaction with regional anaesthesia) were gathered using an online survey. These suggestions were analysed to identify common themes and then combined to formulate indicative research questions. After an extensive literature review, unanswered and partially answered questions were prioritised via an interim online survey and then ranked as a top 10 list during a final live virtual multidisciplinary prioritisation workshop. In total, 210 individuals completed the initial survey and suggested 518 research questions. Fifty-seven indicative questions were formed, of which three were considered fully answered after literature review and one not feasible. The interim online survey received 335 responses, which identified the 24 highest priority questions from the 53 presented. At the final live prioritisation workshop, through a nominal group process, we identified the top 10 regional anaesthesia research priorities. These aligned with three broad thematic areas: pain management (two questions); patient safety (six questions); and recovery from surgery (two questions). This initiative has resulted in a list of research questions prioritised by patients, carers and a multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals that should be used to inform and support future regional anaesthesia research in the UK.

The role of collaborative governance in translating national cancer programs into network-based practices: A longitudinal case study in Canada.

Networks (multiple organizations or actors coordinating their activities towards a common goal) have been promoted in the cancer programs of a number of countries. But there is little empirical evidence on whether and how they overcome the siloed functioning endemic in specialized domains. This study examines how collaborative governance takes shape to support integrated network-based practices within a prescribed national cancer program. A longitudinal qualitative single-case study was conducted of the Quebec cancer network in Canada. Data were collected in 2018-2020 through semi-structured interviews with stakeholders (n = 37) involved in regional and/or national cancer network structures and a review of documents (n = 45) generated at national and regional level. Abductive thematic analysis during and post-field work was based on Emerson's collaborative governance framework. It aimed to identify how collaborative governance mechanisms (principled engagement, shared motivation and capacity for joint action) were activated in the network, and their contribution to translating a national cancer program into network-based practices at the point of care. Principled engagement was driven through interdisciplinary committees at national and regional level, communities of practice and trajectory-development efforts. These mandated structures supported knowledge exchange and contributed to the recognition of interdependencies, distribution of leadership and development of mutual understanding and trust. Shared motivation benefitted from a vision of patient-centred care but was hindered by top-down communication vehicles that did not allow regional priorities to filter upwards to central level. Between care providers in different settings, trust and candidacy were identified as mechanisms important to shared motivation, though network actions did not sufficiently support trust across care settings, or even between members of the same profession. Candidacy issues hindered family physician participation in cancer network structures that mirrored ongoing difficulties to including them in cancer care practice. Institutional arrangements were important drivers of capacity for joint action in the network. Common indicators were recognized as important to generating efforts towards common goals; however, questions around their validity reduced their contribution to capacities for joint action. Despite favorable starting conditions from the national cancer program and its central leadership promoting collaborative governance, tensions that emerge through the pursuit of network integration limit the transition to a more collaborative practice. Taking the time to work out these tensions as integration proceeds in waves appears essential to arrive at a governance model that is appropriate and acceptable for all network members.

Do High-Level Visits Reflect Regional Priorities? A Study of U.S. News Media Data

This study examines the representation of regional organization (RO) interests during high-level visits of their member states to the United States using a novel dataset of 1,040 news articles from 1991 to 2023. The data analysis focuses on ASEAN, BRICS, ECOWAS, and GCC and employs sentiment analysis and topic modeling to explore how member states leverage these visits and how U.S. news media frames these events. The analysis of data reveals that member states strategically utilize high-level visits to promote RO agendas and interests, with varying levels of success depending on the RO and the U. S. media’s reception. Furthermore, the analysis reveals a shifting focus from bilateral issues to regional and international concerns over time, underscoring the evolving priorities of RO member states in a globalized world. The findings offer valuable insights into the interplay of national and regional interests during high-level diplomatic visits and the influential role of U.S. news media in shaping public perception.

Intermediate-dose Immune Tolerance Induction Outperforms with Faster Success, Less Bleeding and No Added Cost in Comparison with Low-dose: a Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial

BackgroundLow-dose (LD) or intermediate-dose (MD) immune tolerance induction (ITI) are effective in severe hemophilia A (SHA) children with high-titer inhibitors (HTI) and are attractive in countries with economic constraints. However, high-quality evidence for their use is lacking. ObjectivesThis is a multicenter randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy, safety and medication cost between LD-ITI and MD-ITI for SHA-HTI children. MethodsSHA children less than 8 year-age with historical/pre-ITI inhibitor-titer 5-200 Bethesda Units/mL in 3 centers were randomized 1:1 to receive LD-ITI (recombinant [r]FVIII 50 IU/kg every-other day) or MD-ITI (rFVIII 100 IU/kg/day) from January 2022 to June 2024 (ChiCTR2200056603, https://www.chictr.org.cn.). ResultsThirty-one patients (16 in MD-ITI, 15 in LD-ITI) were enrolled and followed for more than 24 months (median 26.9, range 24.0-29.5 months). The 2 groups had similar baseline clinical characteristics and similar success rate (93.8% [MD-ITI] vs. 86.7% [LD-ITI]). Compared to LD-ITI, MD-ITI patients took shorter median time to success (4.2 months vs. 10.1 months), to partial success (2.7 months vs. 6.6 months) and had lower mean rates for all bleeding (0.38/month vs. 1.40/month) and joint bleeding (0.11/month vs. 0.83/month). Between the 2 groups, although MD-ITI group had higher rFVIII consumption (12775 vs. 7680 IU/kg), their total medication costs to success were similar (3626.49 vs. 3240.38 US$/kg). ConclusionsFor SHA-HTI children, success rate and cost for MD-ITI and LD-ITI regimens were similar. MD-ITI regimen would be a priority for regions with economic constraints considering the shorter time to success, better bleeding control, and no increase in medication cost.

Seaweed farming households and their livelihood strategies in North Buton, Indonesia

Abstract There is limited information on the livelihood strategies practiced by seaweed farmers in Southeast (SE) Sulawesi. This study aims to describe the livelihood strategies of seaweed farmers in Langere village, North Buton district, SE Sulawesi, Indonesia as they cope with poverty by cultivating and producing seaweed. A three-stage approach was applied to determine the impact of seaweed culture on the livelihood strategies of seaweed farmers. This was followed by in-depth interviews with formal and informal community leaders in the village, officials from government agencies, and selected households. The data were then analyzed descriptively. The results of the study suggested that farmers used various strategies, such as common culture practices, fishing, and non-fishery activities. Furthermore, to prioritize seaweed culture in Langere as a regional priority in the fisheries sector, certain constraints and opportunities must be addressed, particularly production, fluctuating prices, market instability, institutionalization, and policy-making. These challenges must be discussed thoroughly to ensure the continuous the seaweed culture development.

Identifying WHO global priority endemic pathogens for vaccine research and development (R&D) using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA): an objective of the Immunization Agenda 2030

To date, global priorities for new vaccine R&D have not been systematically identified for endemic pathogens. As part of Immunisation Agenda 2030 (IA2030), we have systematically identified priority endemic pathogens for new vaccine R&D based on country and regional stakeholder values to address this need. MCDA surveys targeting policy makers and immunisation stakeholders in each World Health Organization (WHO) region were used to weight eight criteria for prioritisation. Applying those weights to regional pathogen data yielded regional top ten pathogen lists, which are intended to inform regional deliberations on R&D priorities. The regional top ten lists were combined into an IA2030 global priority list. To inform R&D, use cases for new vaccines and monoclonal antibodies were identified, then categorized in terms of the activities needed to accelerate progress. In five out of six WHO regions, Annual deaths in children under five and Contribution to antimicrobial resistance were the most heavily weighted criteria. How participants weighted the criteria was not associated with their region, biographical characteristics, or areas of expertise. Five pathogens were common priorities across all regions: M tuberculosis, HIV-1, K pneumoniae, S aureus, and Extra-intestinal pathogenic E coli. Six pathogens were priorities in single regions. Combining regional top ten lists provided a global list of 17 priority pathogens for new vaccine R&D. Thirty-four distinct use cases were identified for new products targeting these pathogens. While most are in the "Advance product development" category, ten are in the "Research" category and seven are in the "Prepare to implement" category. These priorities for new vaccine R&D will help stakeholders better respond to regional and country needs. The use cases will inform R&D and enable monitoring of R&D under IA2030. The work was funded by a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant to WHO (INV-005318).

Approaches to assessing the socio-economic effects of the implementation of strategic priorities in regional economic systems: The Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug case

Subject. The article deals with a review and formation of approaches to the assessment of strategic priorities of resource-oriented regions. Objectives. The study aims at preparation of systems approaches to the assessment of strategic priorities of resource-oriented regions and regional economic systems in general, for further implementation in the adapted model of interperiod choice. Methods. The study rests on the theory of strategy and methodology of strategizing by V.L. Kvint, a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and employs econometric, statistical, and cognitive methods. Results. I presented an overview of existing approaches to assessing strategic priorities, formulated proposals for formalizing and systematizing the priority assessment system based on specific and inclusive approaches. The paper shows how the results of this analysis can be implemented in the model of interperiod choice. Conclusions. The findings can be used by public authorities when devising strategies for socio-economic development, while theoretical insights can be adapted for use not only in regional economic systems, but also in the analysis of strategic development of other systems.

Developing a Taught Module on ‘Law, Religion, and Environment’

Building on the Arab Barometer seventh wave survey, which highlights the regional priorities on climate change, water resources, and environmental development in Middle East and North Africa, this paper explores the potential for a module on “Law, Religion and Environmental Sustainability”. The module aims to mainstream environmental sustainability in the legal education curriculum through forging the intersections between law, religion, and the environment. The growing body of interdisciplinary research on religion and environmentalism mainly involves scholars from academic disciplines such as sociology, theology, and religious studies, but not law. The Arab Barometer results indicate that citizens’ environmental concerns are mostly linked to the micro level, without directly reflecting on related macro level issues. However, religious beliefs and faith systems often cut across the micro and macro levels, and could potentially advance environmental and sustainable development objectives. Moreso, there have been pockets of non-international armed conflicts that are in some ways tied to religious beliefs and cultural values on access to natural resources such as land and water. This paper addresses how to train law students to embrace and contribute to the emerging field of religion and environmentalism. Such training would equip law graduates to (a) have a good understanding of the contemporary social, economic and political context of environmental governance and sustainable development laws; (b) appreciate the interlinkages between law, religion and environment at a theoretical and practical level; and (c) be better equipped to maximise the opportunities and resolve tensions that may arise from mainstreaming legal principles, including human rights and justice, in advancing sustainable development goals, including environmental sustainability. , , CurriculumDevelopment, MENA region, Legal Education,

Assessment of soil erosion risk and vulnerability in the transboundary Sio-Malaba-Malakisi watershed in Kenya and Uganda

Persistent soil erosion poses a significant threat to water quality, ecosystem viability and soil health in many regions of the world. Addressing this challenge requires a comprehensive understanding of local soil erosion rates, including the identification of vulnerable areas, to facilitate effective and integrated environmental management. In East Africa, however, many affected regions are data poor and lack measured hydrological data from which soil erosion estimates can be derived. This study used the physically based Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model to estimate the annual rate of soil erosion in the transboundary Sio-Malaba-Malakisi catchment, straddling Kenya and Uganda. Soil erosion events were quantified by integrating input factors derived from physical datasets using a Geographical Information System (GIS). The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique was then used to assess the importance of selected physical factors influencing the soil erosion process in order to identify regions of increasing environmental vulnerability. The results obtained indicate a wide range of soil erosion rates across the region, with an estimated mean annual rate of 250 t ha−1 yr−1 for the whole catchment. Upstream areas characterized by intensive agricultural activity had erosion rates of up to 2000 t ha−1 yr−1, while downstream areas recorded erosion rates below 600 t ha−1 yr−1. Areas with intensive agriculture, unprotected soils, and a soil loss tolerance value above 12 t ha−1 yr−1 were found to be most vulnerable. Rainfall and vegetation cover were identified as key factors influencing erosion susceptibility. Regions with soil erosion rates above 50 t ha−1 yr−1 were identified as high priority regions for targeted soil and water conservation measures. The identification of vulnerability zones, including the classification of their severity, provides an opportunity to prioritize sustainable environmental management interventions; a process that can be replicated for such affected regions elsewhere.

Identifying Veterans with a Higher Risk of Social Needs Using Cluster Analysis.

Many social need screening to advance population health and reduce health disparities, but barriers to screening remain. Improved knowledge of patient populations at risk for social needs based on administrative data could facilitate more targeted practices, and by extension, feasible social need screening and referral efforts. To illustrate the use of cluster analysis to identify patient population segments at risk for social needs. We used clustering analysis to identify population segments among Veterans (N=2010) who participated in a survey assessing nine social needs (food, housing, utility, financial, employment, social disconnection, legal, transportation, and neighborhood safety). Clusters were based on eight variables (age, race, gender, comorbidity, region, no-show rate, rurality, and VA priority group). We used weighted logistic regression to assess association of clusters with the risk of experiencing social needs. National random sample of Veterans with and at risk for cardiovascular disease who responded to a mail survey (N=2010). Self-reported social needs defined as the risk of endorsing (1) each individual social need, (2) one or more needs, and (3) a higher total count of needs. From the clustering analysis process with sensitivity analysis, we identified a consistent population segment of Veterans. From regression modeling, we found that this cluster, with lower average age and higher proportions of women and racial minorities, was at higher risk of experiencing ≥ 1 unmet need (OR 1.74, CI 1.17-2.56). This cluster was also at a higher risk for several individual needs, especially utility needs (OR 3.78, CI 2.11-6.78). The identification of characteristics associated with increased unmet social needs may provide opportunities for targeted screenings. As this cluster was also younger and had fewer comorbidities, they may be less likely to be identified as experiencing need through interactions with healthcare providers.

Методический подход к согласованию стратегических приоритетов государственной региональной политики развития старопромышленных регионов Российской Федерации

The formation of strategic priorities of the state regional policy for the development of old-industrial regions is complicated by the multiplicity of its actors and the need to coordinate spatial and sectoral priorities of regulatory impact. The article presents a methodological approach to coordinating the priorities of spatial and sectoral development of old industrial regions in the format of a scheme reflecting the logic and sequence of actions aimed at achieving strategic goals of regional development in accordance with the strategic national priorities of the Russian Federation. The methodological approach was tested on the example of the Saratov region, one of the old industrial regions of Russia with growth potential within the framework of the industrial development model. The necessity of using two approaches in the coordination process is justified: the first should be used to achieve the strategic priorities of the federal Center in a coordinated manner, on the one hand, and the old industrial regions and enterprises and organizations of the "industrial core", on the other (coordination "vertically"); the second — in order to coordinate the regional priorities of spatial and sectoral development of the old industrial region (horizontal alignment). Proposals are presented for the formation of a list of agreed priorities for the spatial and sectoral development of the Saratov region, the implementation of which will contribute to the transformation of the region into a point of growth of the national economy of Russia.

Flood prevention benefits provided by Canadian natural ecosystems

The escalating impacts of climate change have heightened concerns about the frequency and severity of natural disasters, particularly extreme flooding events. Future projections underscore the necessity for innovative flood prevention strategies, including broad-scale nature-based solutions. Here, we present the first comprehensive assessment of the flood prevention benefits provided by Canadian natural ecosystems and identify key areas crucial for human well-being. Using spatially explicit modeling, we (1) evaluated the potential runoff retention by natural ecosystems and (2) identified downstream urban and agricultural areas critically dependent on these natural benefits, particularly those in floodplains and close proximity to upstream natural ecosystems. The natural ecosystems within the top 5 % of sub-basins, representing regions with a high priority for conservation practices aimed at flood prevention, play a crucial role in safeguarding approximately 54 % (∼6,000 km2) of the total built-up area and 74 % (∼16,900 km2) of the total cropland situated within floodplains. Additionally, they are positioned upstream of floodplain-based urban zones belonging to 358 population centers, directly benefiting 3.7 million people (∼10 % of the Canadian population) and indirectly benefiting almost 20.1 million people (∼56 % of the Canadian population). Moreover, among Canada’s 5.2 million km2 of flood-preventing natural ecosystems, we identified a small fraction (10 %) whose loss or degradation would result in a significant (>50 %) increase in runoff. Several of these crucial ecosystems are situated in less populated northern regions, where local governments might want to incentivize conservation initiatives to support flood prevention. Our research underscores the imperative to integrate nature-based solutions into national strategies that consider the results of spatial planning analyses. Establishing other effective area-based conservation measures in the priority regions highlighted in this study can contribute towards reaching current ambitious environmental goals and provide critical flood prevention benefits. Additionally, our methods are transferable to other regions worldwide, leveraging globally available datasets and ensuring computational feasibility.

Accurately uncovering the regional ecological restoration priorities: A multidimensional approach to eco-dynamic sustainable management

Accurate identification, projection and dynamic evaluation of ecological degradation priorities are important prerequisites for realizing ecological restoration and territorial protection. However, the complexity of ecological systems and environmental diversity often limit the effectiveness of single-model evaluation approaches. Utilizing Badong County as a case study, this paper integrated the InVEST-Circuit-PLUS model to comprehensively analyze the eco-dynamic sustainability and restoration needs. Through performing projection of land cover, construction of ecological source areas, calculation of ecological resistance characteristics and extraction of ecological elements, we were able to identify priority ecological restoration areas over a twenty-year period (2007–2027). The results revealed cyclical land cover transformations from forest to cropland and back to forest, with an overall trend of forest cover expansion. While the county's ecological quality showed a slight decline, the location and extent of high-value ecological source areas were mapped in detail. By integrating ecosystem service value assessments, driver factor analyses, and the development of a "One Belt, Two Axes, Three Sources and Four Zones" ecological management framework, we were able to uncover the nuanced spatial and temporal dynamics shaping the regional ecology. These findings provide an evidence-based foundation to guide targeted ecological restoration and sustainable land use planning, which has verified the feasibility of the framework.

A Host Tree and Its Specialist Insects: Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) Availability Largely Determines the Future Range Dynamics of Its Specialist Insects in Europe.

Black locust is the only host of Robinia-specialist insects in Europe. However, no study to date has examined future range shifts of specialist insects, and the relative effects of host plant availability and other factors on their range shifts. Here, we characterized the future range shifts in the host and its four specialist insects and the factors contributing to changes in their ranges. We detected substantial range expansions in all target species. Climate predictors and host plant availability were expected to have the strongest effects on the range shifts in the host and its specialist insects, respectively, suggesting that the specialist insects will track the ranges of their host. Parectopa robiniella showed the largest potential and expanding ranges and should be made a priority species for controlling invasions of Robinia-specialist insects in Europe. The expanding ranges of all specialist species were largely identified in the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, suggesting that these should be priority regions for mitigating their effects on ecosystems. Reducing future climate change is essential for preventing the spreading of specialist insects in Europe since specialist insects track their specialist host plants, and host range expansions are mainly driven by future climate changes.

Feasibility of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) implementation in Japan: A regional analysis of the electricity supply and demand adjustment market

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology forms a critical bridge between electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy, playing a transformative role in the global shift towards a low-carbon future. Despite its promise, the impact of regional differences on V2G potential, particularly within specific application scenarios, remains largely unexplored. This study employs an agent-based modeling approach to evaluate V2G potential across Japan's 47 prefectures, with a focus on its integration into an energy reserve service business model. Our analysis reveals that EV ownership is the dominant factor influencing regional variability, with the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Aichi, and Kanagawa emerging as top candidates for V2G deployment. Interestingly, when EV ownership is excluded from consideration, regions like Okinawa, Kagoshima, and Ibaraki show leadership in V2G potential. These findings highlight the existence of regional priorities for V2G application. Moreover, a ‘High Demand Disparity’ is observed in the power supply and demand adjustment market, where V2G systems are often either underutilized or overwhelmed, leaving many idle. The study underscores the need for region-specific strategies and the integration of diverse business models to fully capitalize on V2G's potential in various demand adjustment scenarios.