Regional Projects Research Articles

CHESS-SCAPE: high-resolution future projections of multiple climate scenarios for the United Kingdom derived from downscaled United Kingdom Climate Projections 2018 regional climate model output

Abstract. In order to effectively model the potential impacts of future climate change, there is a requirement for climate data inputs which (a) are of high spatial and temporal resolution, (b) explore a range of future climate change scenarios, (c) are consistent with historical observations in the historical period, and (d) provide an exploration of climate model uncertainty. This paper presents a suite of climate projections for the United Kingdom that conform to these requirements: CHESS-SCAPE. CHESS-SCAPE is a 1 km resolution dataset containing 11 near-surface meteorological variables that can be used to as input to many different impact models. The variables are available at several time resolutions, from daily to decadal means, for the years 1980–2080. It was derived from the state-of-the art regional climate projections in the United Kingdom Climate Projections 2018 (UKCP18) regional climate model (RCM) 12 km ensemble, downscaled to 1 km using a combination of physical and empirical methods to account for local topographic effects. CHESS-SCAPE has four ensemble members, which were chosen to span the range of temperature and precipitation change in the UKCP18 ensemble, representing the ensemble climate model uncertainty. CHESS-SCAPE consists of projections for four emissions scenarios, given by the Representative Concentration Pathways 2.6, 4.5, 6.0 and 8.5, which were derived from the UKCP18 RCM RCP8.5 scenarios using time shifting and pattern scaling. These correspond to UK annual warming projections of between 0.9–1.9 K for RCP2.6 up to 2.8–4.3 K for RCP8.5 between 1980–2000 and 2060–2080. Little change in annual precipitation is projected, but larger changes in seasonal precipitation are seen with some scenarios projecting large increases in precipitation in the winter (up to 22 %) and large decreases in the summer (up to −39 %). All four RCP scenarios and ensemble members are also provided with bias correction, using the CHESS-met historical gridded dataset as a baseline. With high spatial and temporal resolution, an extensive range of warming scenarios and multiple ensemble members, CHESS-SCAPE provides a comprehensive data resource for modellers of climate change impacts in the UK. The CHESS-SCAPE data are available for download from the NERC EDS Centre for Environmental Data Analysis: https://doi.org/10.5285/8194b416cbee482b89e0dfbe17c5786c (Robinson et al., 2022).

놀이혁신 선도사업은 아동권리를 존중하고 있는가?

Objectives: This study aims to analyze ‘the Play Innovation Leading Project’ based on the perspective of children’s rights. In addition, the study draws implications for the policy direction for expanding ‘the Play Innovation Leading Project’ and promoting the right to play. Methods: This study developed an analysis framework from the perspective of children’s rights based on the General Principles, Related Articles and General Comment of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Using the analysis framework, the contents of the first year of the ‘Play Innovation Leading Project’ selected in 2020 were analyzed.
 Results: The main results are as follows. First, equal opportunities to play were provided to all elementary school students regardless of the income level. However, infant and preschooler with a high desire to play were excluded from service targets, and conditions for guaranteeing for children with special needs such as disabilities for migration backgrounds were not established. Second, there was no legal basis for the continuation and expansion of the project, and the budget system using the community service investment project platform did not conform the nature of ‘child-centered’ play. Third, there were problems such as difficulty in securing the play space, placement and operation of play facilities that did not consider the age and characteristics of children, and the lack of safety measures. Fourth, although some leading regions induced children’s participation in their play planning and play process, there were differences in listening to children’s opinions and guaranteeing opportunities to participate according to the capabilities of service providers.
 Conclusions: Based on the analysis results, this study suggests policy measures to expand ‘the Play Innovation Leading Region Project’ and to promote the right to play.

Mechanism of and Prevention Technology for Water Inrush from Coal Seam Floor under Complex Structural Conditions—A Case Study of the Chensilou Mine

Based on the complex hydrogeological conditions of the Chensilou mine, numerical simulations and field validation methods were used to study the mechanism of water inrush from the floor of the coal seam, which has faults and cracks, as well as the regional advanced grouting reinforcement technology during the coal mining process. The evolution laws of the roof stress field, displacement field, crack field, and plastic area are revealed at different mining distances. The coupling mechanism of floor water inrush channel formation under complex conditions is analyzed. Advanced grout filling reinforcement technology in the ground area is proposed, the slurry diffusion law of different grouting layers under different grouting pressures is revealed, and the grouting effect is evaluated, which provides a research basis for selecting a reasonable grouting pressure. Finally, the application of regional advanced grouting reinforcement technology was carried out at the site, and the grouting reconstruction effect was verified by the transient electromagnetic and three-dimensional DC resistivity method. The results show that the apparent resistivity of the floor after the grouting reinforcement is high, and the water yield of the verification borehole is less than 10 m3/h. The area where the three-dimensional direct current resistivity is less than 12 Ω·m only appears in the lower part of the middle of the working face, and there is no water in the verification borehole. Through our underground supplementary treatment and verification process, the initial water inflow meets the requirements of being less than 10 m3/h. It indicates that the ground regional advanced treatment project achieved significant results. The results of our research can also provide references for water hazard control in similar mines.

The Importance of Construction Project Archives Management and Ways to Strengthen it

China’s economy has been developing rapidly in recent years, leading to an acceleration of urbanization, which in turn caused the number of construction projects in various regions to increase significantly. Archives are important information for construction projects. The quality of archives management can have a great impact on the quality and economic benefits of construction projects. For this reason, it is necessary to increase the emphasis on archives management of construction projects and take effective management measures. This article introduces the concept of construction project archives, highlights the significance of effective management in construction project archives, and examines prevalent issues along with practical measures to enhance construction project archives management, with the goal of offering valuable insights for archive managers.

Modeling temperature change and water migration of unsaturated soils under seasonal freezing-thawing conditions

Frost heave and thawing settlements of seasonally frozen soil have a direct impact on the stability of engineered ground in cold regions. On the basis of the theory of seepage and heat conduction of unsaturated soil, a coupled thermal-hydro-mechanical numerical model of frozen soil was established. The alignment of experimental testing outcomes with numerical simulation results confirms the model's precision. The research findings indicate that the duration of freezing emerges as the primary factor influencing seasonal frost heave, with the soil frost heave rate ranging from approximately 1.5% to 3.3%. Within a period of 45 to 60 days following the conclusion of the freezing period, the ground height will return to its pre-freezing level. Construction of foundations in Daqing between late May and mid-October can help mitigate the damage caused by frozen soil. The variation laws of hydrothermal migration and frost heave in seasonally frozen soil have been summarized. The obtained results offer guidance for predicting soil frost heave and designing frost-heaving-sensitive engineering projects in cold regions.

Public perception and acceptance of CCUS: preliminary findings of a qualitative case study in Greece

The development and implementation of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies plays an increasingly important part in European Union (EU) and global decarbonisation policies and strategies that seek to address climate change to achieve the Paris Agreement goals. Several studies have shown the important role social acceptance plays in determining the outcomes of CCUS projects and how social acceptance is shaped by the national and local contexts. Yet most studies on CCUS and social acceptance have focused on countries in northern Europe and North America despite the increasing numbers of CCUS projects in other regions of the world. This study seeks to help address this gap by conducting a case study on how local dynamics shaped people's acceptance and awareness of CCUS in a Greek community. Based on semi-structured interviews with community members near a CCUS pilot plant, this single case study explores the factors and dynamics that shaped the interviewees' perceptions of CCUS technologies. Our findings indicate that, despite the low level of awareness of CCUS technologies, participants could draw on their situated knowledge to identify potential drawbacks with their application. We identified scepticism regarding the adoption of new technologies and the organisations involved based on past experiences, and a notable lack provision of technology and location-specific information as well public engagement by the project consortium. Our recommendations for future projects and community engagement include the early involvement of the public in project development, location-based transparent information, appropriate channels to facilitate knowledge exchange, and educational initiatives to build communities' capability to influence projects.

Effects of storms on fisheries and aquaculture: An Icelandic case study on climate change adaptation

ABSTRACT Climate change research on fisheries is often focused on changes in species abundance and distribution, yet the impacts of severe weather events are also important. Climate models indicate that storm frequency and intensity may increase in the North Atlantic; however, uncertainties remain and consequences in Iceland are not well studied. This research represents a first attempt to understand local to regional implications of storminess on Icelandic fisheries industries. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the analysis (1) provides regional future wind speed projections in Iceland and surroundings under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) 3–7.0 scenario, (2) documents current local experiences using exploratory interviews with various stakeholders in fisheries and aquaculture, and (3) explores research priorities for understanding climate-change adaptations in coastal communities. Projections show that whereas areas of the west, south, and east of Iceland may experience fewer storm days, the region north/northeast of Iceland features an increase in storm days. Potential adaptations include a flexible management system that does not punish fishers for lost time due to bad weather, cooperative market arrangements among sectors, and job security considerations for fishers and fish processing workers. Future projections are needed for other variables such as precipitation, and future socioeconomic studies should address the predictions and impacts of storminess.

A study of climate resilience in urban tree species of Peninsular Malaysia

<p>Climate change poses significant challenges to Malaysian cities, including heat stress, which high humidity and the urban heat island effect exacerbate. While trees effectively reduce temperatures and improve microclimates, potential sensitivities to climate change impacts require careful species selection. Experts assessed the resilience of 220 tree species from urban and rural areas of Malaysia using eight criteria, based on a list compiled from four sources. We then categorised the species by sensitivity for four urban landscape types. Saltwater sensitivity had the highest proportion of sensitive species, followed by inundation sensitivity. Considering regional climate projections, planners should prioritise species with low inundation sensitivity. Data availability for saltwater, inundation, and high-temperature sensitivities was limited but adequate for the remaining criteria, with susceptibility to predation, parasitism, or disease, and sensitivity to storm conditions being of concern. Urban planners should integrate these criteria into decision-making to ensure climate-smart urban design. Given that our knowledge about the effects of climate change on tree species will advance and should be documented, we developed an open-collaborative online database that assists stakeholders in selecting suitable species for various sites in Malaysia. Moderators will review submissions to ensure consistent application of criteria and alignment between selected answers and supporting information. Assessors can contribute to quality control by voting for assessments they agree with. Our research emphasises the importance of proactively addressing climate change challenges in urban areas and underscores the value of informed decision-making to enhance the resilience of urban tree populations.</p>

415 Awardee Talk: Foraging for Collaboration: Beef-Forage System Strengths Unite Research and Extension Efforts in the Asas Southern Section

Abstract The American Society of Animal Science Southern Section has a rich history of collaboration and hosts an annual professional development meeting for ASAS members. The Section meeting includes scientific presentations, academic quadrathlon, undergraduate and graduate student competitions, symposia, and networking opportunities for its members. The Section has used strategic collaborations to foster multi-state projects and initiatives. One of the key discipline focus areas of the Section is forage-based beef production systems. The Section holds two symposia focused on research, Extension, and industry topics related to beef cattle management. The Bill E. Kunkle Interdisciplinary Symposium was started in 2014 to honor the impact of Dr. Kunkle, University of Florida, and fosters multi-disciplinary communication of beef cattle science. The SERA 41 Symposium is part of the regional NIMSS project focus-group on improving production efficiency of the beef cow herd in the Southeast US. The NIMSS group works collectively to create partnerships and common goal-oriented projects across the Southern Section states. The section is also home to the Randel Physiology Lecture series which was formed in 2016 to highlight Dr. Ron Randel’s commitment to the Southern Section physiology section, and to promote high-quality science for the next generation of physiologists and endocrinologists. More than 25 peer-reviewed publications and several webinars have resulted from these symposia and invited lectureships. This creates a referenceable resource for scientists on emerging topics and identifies potential priority areas of focus for scientists within the Southern region. Another highlight of the Section is the collaborative work of the Extension committee. The Extension committee collaboratively fosters Extension program development across the Southern region. The committee developed a regional webinar series in 2015 for regional training of Extension agents on livestock and forage management topics. Subsequent in-service training courses have emerged through both virtual and in-person delivery. Training is primarily focused on forage-based livestock management systems. Through these opportunities, the Southern Section has remained a gathering point for professional engagement and should continue to evolve to meet the needs of animal scientists.

The Southern Ocean Carbon Cycle 1985–2018: Mean, Seasonal Cycle, Trends, and Storage

AbstractWe assess the Southern Ocean CO2 uptake (1985–2018) using data sets gathered in the REgional Carbon Cycle Assessment and Processes Project Phase 2. The Southern Ocean acted as a sink for CO2 with close agreement between simulation results from global ocean biogeochemistry models (GOBMs, 0.75 ± 0.28 PgC yr−1) and pCO2‐observation‐based products (0.73 ± 0.07 PgC yr−1). This sink is only half that reported by RECCAP1 for the same region and timeframe. The present‐day net uptake is to first order a response to rising atmospheric CO2, driving large amounts of anthropogenic CO2 (Cant) into the ocean, thereby overcompensating the loss of natural CO2 to the atmosphere. An apparent knowledge gap is the increase of the sink since 2000, with pCO2‐products suggesting a growth that is more than twice as strong and uncertain as that of GOBMs (0.26 ± 0.06 and 0.11 ± 0.03 Pg C yr−1 decade−1, respectively). This is despite nearly identical pCO2 trends in GOBMs and pCO2‐products when both products are compared only at the locations where pCO2 was measured. Seasonal analyses revealed agreement in driving processes in winter with uncertainty in the magnitude of outgassing, whereas discrepancies are more fundamental in summer, when GOBMs exhibit difficulties in simulating the effects of the non‐thermal processes of biology and mixing/circulation. Ocean interior accumulation of Cant points to an underestimate of Cant uptake and storage in GOBMs. Future work needs to link surface fluxes and interior ocean transport, build long overdue systematic observation networks and push toward better process understanding of drivers of the carbon cycle.

Effect of Project Planning on Environmental Project Performance: A Case of Flood Management in the Volcano Region Project in Musanze District, Rwanda

Effect of Project Planning on Environmental Project Performance: A Case of Flood Management in the Volcano Region Project in Musanze District, Rwanda

Exposure to low levels of hydrogen sulphide and its impact on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung function in the geothermal area of Mt. Amiata in Italy: The cross-sectional InVETTA study.

The geothermal power plants for electricity production currently active in Italy are all located in Mt. Amiata area in the Tuscany region. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the framework of the regional project "InVETTA-Biomonitoring Survey and Epidemiological Evaluations for the Protection of Health in the Amiata Territories", using objective measures of lung function to investigate the role of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in affecting the respiratory health of the population living in this area. 2018 adults aged 18-70 were enrolled during 2017-2019. Home and workplace addresses of participants were geocoded. Dispersion modelling was used to evaluate the spatial variability of exposure to H2S from the geothermal power plants' emissions. We estimated average long-term historical exposure to H2S and more recent exposure indicators. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) was defined according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to investigate associations between outcome and exposure. Our findings did not showed any evidence of an association between increasing H2S exposure and lung function impairments. Some risk reductions were observed: a -32.8% (p = 0.003) for FEV1<80% and a -51.7% (p = 0.001) risk decrease for FVC<80% were associated with interquartile increase (13.8 μg/m3) of H2S levels. Our study provides no evidence that chronic exposure to low levels of H2S is associated with decrements in pulmonary function, suggesting that ambient H2S exposure may benefit lung function.

MORBIDITY OF PROSTATE CANCER AND FEATURES OF MEDICAL CARE FOR MEN IN THE SUBARCTIC REGION OF NORTH-WEST RUSSIA

Relevance: The need for epidemiological studies of prostate cancer is due to the fact that this type of oncology occupies one of the leading positions among other malignant tumors. Over the past ten years, there has been an increase in the incidence of prostate cancer by almost half. The aim of the study is to identify the features of the prevalence of prostate cancer and its consequences among residents of the Arkhangelsk region, as well as problems in the system of prevention, early diagnosis, medical care and rehabilitation of patients. Materials and methods: The information materials of the Unified State Interdepartmental Information and Statistical System of the Federal State Statistics Service were used. A retrospective analysis of the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer from 2012 to 2021 in the Arkhangelsk region was carried out. To assess the general and annual trend, its degree of reliability, a trend line was constructed and the value of the approximation coefficient R2 was calculated, which in all cases turned out to be acceptable. The results of the study: During the studied period of time, an increase in the incidence of prostate cancer was noted among men of the Arkhangelsk region and the Russian Federation. At the same time, the last decade has been marked by an increase in mortality from prostate cancer. In the diagnosis of prostate cancer in the early stages, the effective organization of the health care system is of great importance. Among them, special attention is paid to regional projects "Fight against oncological diseases". Conclusion. At the regional level, the organization of centers for the supply of specialized (oncological) medical care on the basis of medical organizations has made a great contribution to the early diagnosis of malignant neoplasms of the prostate gland. Such successes had a positive impact on the mortality and survival rates of cancer patients.

A102Embedding Electronic Patient Records Into Routine Medical Simulation Training Across the South East of England, a Pioneering Regional Collaboration

Electronic patient record (EPR) systems are increasingly prevalent in clinical settings, yet UK medical simulation training continues to use outdated paper-based methods for training healthcare staff. While published literature has highlighted the training benefits of incorporating EPRs into medical simulation training [1, 2], the transition has previously been hampered by a lack of bespoke software. To address this, a novel educational EPR (named SimEPR) was created, a bespoke training software designed to be used on a computer at the manikin’s bedside, which features customizable clinical scenarios ( A preview of SimEPR, a novel educational electronic patient record system designed for UK medical simulation training This project aimed to incorporate SimEPR into routine medical simulation training in the South East of England, and report trainee experience using the software. Feedback data was collected from trainees who used SimEPR as part of their simulation training using an electronic feedback form. SimEPR was initially deployed in a medical school and two NHS trusts from 11th February 2021, before the project was scaled up to six additional educational centres (one university and five NHS trusts) from 3rd January 2023. Data from 209 trainees was collected, of which 16% were medical students, 82% were foundation doctors and 2% were post-foundation doctors. Out of these, 86% reported that, compared to using paper notes, the educational EPR created a more realistic training experience. Meanwhile, 83% reported that the use of SimEPR helped improve their clinical learning. Last, 87% reported that they would recommend the simulation department to continue using SimEPR. SimEPR is the first software of its kind designed specifically for UK medical education, and is the product of collaboration with a number of simulation leads and NHS-affiliated organizations. As well as data supporting a higher fidelity training experience, SimEPR incorporates digital skills into practical training, thus supporting the development of a digitally-ready workforce. In addition, by eliminating the use of paper, SimEPR contributes to the sustainable delivery of simulation-based education. Further evaluation work as part of this pioneering regional project aims to collect pre- and post-training feedback, feedback from medical educators and feedback from other healthcare disciplines. In the longer term, SimEPR offers to transform the delivery of simulation training for the NHS workforce. The software’s ‘scenario-sharing’ function allows sharing of simulated patient records between institutions, supporting the standardization of training while saving staff time in building training scenarios. Furthermore, features such as performance analytics for trainee feedback, and AI technology to generate interactive scenarios, are being explored. Authors confirm that all relevant ethical standards for research conduct and dissemination have been met. The submitting author confirms that relevant ethical approval was granted, if applicable.

Artificial intelligence models to evaluate the impact of climate change on groundwater resources

This study develops three different artificial intelligence (AI) models in order to investigate the effects of climate change on groundwater resources using historical records of precipitation, temperature and groundwater levels together with regional climate projections. In particular, the Non-linear Autoregressive Neural Network (NARX), the Long-Short Term Memory Neural Network (LSTM) and the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) were compared. Considering an aquifer located in northern Italy as a case study, the neural networks were trained to replicate observed groundwater levels by taking as input precipitation and temperature records, and in the case of the NARX also antecedent groundwater levels, on a monthly scale. The trained networks were used to infer groundwater levels until the end of the century based on precipitation and temperature projections provided by an ensemble of 13 Regional Climate Models (RCMs) from the EURO-CORDEX initiative. Two emission pathways were considered: the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. All the AI models show good performance metrics during the training phase, but NARXs perform poorly compared to the other models during validation and testing. For the future, the NARX and LSTM models predict a decline in groundwater levels, especially for the RCP8.5 scenario, while slight changes are expected using the CNN. As NARXs are not deep learning techniques and CNNs may not be able to extrapolate values outside the training range, LSTMs appear to be better suited for climate change impact evaluations.

THE SYSTEM OF INDICATORS FOR EVALUATING REGIONAL INVESTMENT PROJECTS FINANCED FROM BUDGETARY FUNDS

The purpose of the study. The article deals with the issues of a comprehensive assessment of regional investment projects implemented at the expense of budgetary funds. In accordance with this, the purpose of the article is to form a system of indicators that takes into account the main and additional criteria for the economic and socio-environmental effectiveness of the implementation of regional investment projects through the prism of assessing the investment attractiveness of the project and its performers. To achieve this goal , the following tasks have been set and solved: 1) the main and additional criteria for evaluating a regional investment project have been identified; 2) a system of indicators for assessing the investment attractiveness of the project and its potential performers has been developed; 3) a summary index of the feasibility of state financing of the project has been proposed; 4) calculations of indicators and a summary index have been carried out on a specific example. Conclusions. In order for the state customer to make an informed decision on the budget financing of a regional investment project, a multiplicative index of the expediency of state financing has been developed, which includes indices of the investment attractiveness of the project itself and its performer. Each index is determined on the basis of basic and additional indicators that characterize, on the one hand, the utility, economic, budgetary, social and environmental effectiveness of the project itself, and on the other hand, economic efficiency, resource potential, compliance with ESG principles of doing business and the business image of the project executor. The results obtained can be used by state and municipal authorities to make an informed decision on the appropriateness of budgetary financing of regional investment projects and their potential performers selected on the basis of the author's system of indicators and the proposed integral index.

Climate-induced shifts in irrigation water demand and supply during sensitive crop growth phases in South Asia

This study investigated the shifts in irrigation water demand and supply of the major staple and water-intensive crops (wheat and rice) in the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra (IGB) river basins of South Asia under the combined impacts of climate change and socio-economic development during the period 1981–2100. It explores irrigation water usage during climate-sensitive crop growth phases (i.e. vegetative and reproductive which required ~ 60% of the total seasonal (sowing to harvest) water demand), which is supposed to be crucial for long-term integrated crop water management. A hydrology vegetation model Lund Potsdam Jena Managed Land is forced with an ensemble of eight downscaled (5 arc-min) global climate model’s using the RCP (Representative concentration pathways) -SSP (Shared socio-economic pathways) framework, i.e. RCP4.5-SSP1 and RCP8.5-SSP3. To investigate phase-specific crop water projections, trend analysis is performed. It shows a significant (p<0.001) increase in irrigation water demand during the vegetative phase of wheat (6 mm) and reproductive phase of rice (26 mm) and a decrease during the reproductive phase of wheat (13 mm) and vegetative phase of rice (11 mm) in selected study sites. The large decrease in projected irrigation demand for wheat can be explained by a shortening of the growing season length as a result of rising temperatures and increased precipitation. Whereas, an increase in irrigation demand for rice is a combined effect of higher temperatures and less precipitation during the reproductive phase in the region. At the same time, irrigation supply by surface water and groundwater is likely to change in future due to warmer and drier growing periods, causing a significant increase in groundwater irrigation, mainly for rice. Our major research findings show the importance of crop water assessments during the sensitive crop growth phases of wheat and rice which vary in space and time. Including crop phase-specific, climate impact assessments of regional and global projection will help improve the region’s existing crop-water management strategies and adaptation practices.

Innovative principles of territorial development

The features of applying innovative approaches in the system of territorial development have been investigated. The fundamental theoretical principles of innovative socio-economic development of regions and territorial communities have been identified. The preconditions for innovative development of regions and the problems of implementing regional innovation projects are characterized. Virtualization has been characterized as a distinct direction in innovative territorial development. The profiles of IT development in Ukrainian regions as of the end of 2021 have been analyzed. The dynamics of the proportion of state institutions in Ukraine with Internet access have been examined. General directions and possibilities of utilizing virtualization in territorial development have been delineated and characterized. In general, innovations in territorial development are necessary not only to achieve specific goals but also to create reserves for adaptation to changes in the modern world. The use of innovative principles is becoming an essential tool in the structure of modern territorial development management. Territorial development virtualization is an effective tool that can be used to improve the analysis, planning, and implementation of regional projects. It has significant potential to improve the efficiency of regional development management. The analysis indicates that innovations are becoming a key factor determining the competitiveness and sustainability of territorial communities. Using innovative approaches in developing infrastructure, economy, and socio-cultural spheres is extremely important in modern conditions. It is important to emphasize that innovations are not limited to introducing new technologies but also cover efficient resource management, developing educational programs, and creating conditions for developing entrepreneurship and attracting investment. Keywords: territorial development, innovative development, innovations, virtualization.

One Health strategies for addressing antimicrobial resistance: an exclusive emphasis on Bulgaria

Abstract Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a public health challenge, primarily driven by the excessive use of antibiotics (ABs). While the European Union (EU) has successfully reduced ABs consumption since 2009, Bulgaria (BG) reports an increase in ABs use in both community and hospital settings. According to the 2021 Eurobarometer, the consumption rate of ABs among Bulgarians is twice as high as that in Germany, with a significant number taking ABs without a prescription. Moreover, only 41% of Bulgarians are aware that ABs do not kill viruses, and 30% took ABs for COVID-19 (as compared to 1% in Finland). This highlights an urgent need for interventions to tackle AMR in BG, using One Health (OH) approaches that consider the complex interplay between human, animal, and environmental health. The data presented aims to alert a wide range of stakeholders that AMR is not just a clinical or national issue but it has cross-border implications. It emphasizes the role that everyone must play in preserving the efficacy of ABs. Strategies for sustainable OH solutions: Researchers and educators should incorporate AMR and OH in their core responsibilities, providing relevant training and raising community awareness regarding prudent ABs use. Encouraging integrative medicine approaches, including traditional practices such as phytotherapy, can help delay the ABs prescriptions. Research is also necessary to support OH legislative changes that restrict ABs sales. Particularly, Bulgaria is among the few EU countries that have not approved an OH Action Plan against AMR or an inter-sectoral OH mechanism between veterinary, food, and health authorities. OH remains relatively unfamiliar in BG. Despite this, there is a political will to develop national OH policies, as demonstrated in the recently adopted National Health Strategy 2030. Urgent actions are needed to address AMR in BG. Using EU's AMR activities as a model, this analysis is a step towards a regional OH project. Key messages • AMR is a pressing public health problem in Bulgaria with cross-border implications. One Health strategies are needed urgently to address it. EU's AMR activities can be a model. • Bulgarian researchers, educators, and policymakers must make AMR their central responsibility. OH Action Plan against AMR and an inter-sectoral collaboration are the keys to success.

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

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