Cardiovascular diseases （CVDs） are among the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Due to their high prevalence and often asymptomatic progression， there is a pressing need for diagnostic tools that enable the early， accurate， and accessible detection of them. Acute coronary syndrome （ACS）， as a common and severe CVDs with high morbidity and mortality rates， has attracted considerable scientific interest. Various methods have been developed to detect ACS rapidly and accurately. Traditional diagnostic methods relying on antibody-based assays are effective. However， they face significant limitations， including high production costs， poor stability under varying environmental conditions， batch-to-batch variability， and cross-reactivity leading to false positives. These challenges have motivated the search for robust， cost-effective alternatives capable of detecting biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity. Molecularly imprinted polymers （MIPs） have emerged as a promising alternative solution， offering antibody-like molecular recognition capabilities， superior stability， lower production costs， and resistance to harsh environmental conditions. This review systematically examines the latest advancements in MIP-based sensors for ACS biomarker detection in the last fifteen years， including imprinting strategies for key ACS biomarkers， sensor development and integration， and current challenges along with future perspectives. The first section focuses on the molecular imprinting techniques for essential ACS biomarkers， such as cardiac troponin （cTnI/cTnT）， myoglobin （Myo）， and creatine kinase （CK）. It compares whole-protein imprinting with epitope imprinting， highlighting the advantages of the latter in reducing template costs and enhancing binding specificity. Epitope imprinting using short peptide sequences has demonstrated femtomolar detection limits while overcoming challenges associated with large protein templates， such as structural denaturation and difficult template removal. The review also explores innovative approaches like dummy template imprinting， where structurally similar but cheaper molecules are used to create MIPs for high-cost biomarkers， achieving comparable specificity and sensitivity. The second section discusses the integration of MIPs with advanced biosensing platforms. Electrochemical sensors， using MIP-modified electrodes， have achieved remarkable sensitivity and rapid response times， making them suitable for point-of-care testing （POCT）. Optical sensors， particularly those based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance， enable label-free， real-time detection with ultra-low detection limits. The review also addresses the integration of MIPs with microfluidic technology， where miniaturized devices facilitate automated， high-throughput biomarker analysis. Examples include paper-based microfluidic sensors that combine capillary action with MIP-SERs tags for multiplexed detection， achieving low detection limits without complex instrumentation. Despite these advancements， the review identifies key challenges hindering widespread clinical adoption of the MIP's based ACS sensor. Although the sensitivity and specificity of MIPs are impressive， they still lag behind those of monoclonal antibodies in some applications， particularly for low-abundance biomarkers. Reproducibility issues arise from variations in polymerization conditions and template removal efficiency. Commercialization barriers include the lack of standardized production protocols and regulatory frameworks for MIP-based diagnostics. The review proposes several strategic directions to address these limitations. Computational modeling and machine learning could optimize monomer selection and polymerization conditions to enhance MIP's performance. The development of hybrid systems combining MIPs with nanomaterials may further improve sensitivity and signal transduction. Multidisciplinary collaborations among chemists， engineers， and clinicians will be essential to translate laboratory innovations into commercially viable diagnostic tools. Additionally， the integration of MIPs with artificial intelligence machine learning algorithms could support the development of personalized diagnosis and treatment strategies. These future perspectives are likely to have a significant impact on the early diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In conclusion， MIP-based sensors represent a promising direction in ACS diagnostics， offering a unique combination of affordability， stability， and precision. By addressing current technical and translational challenges， MIP technology has the potential to revolutionize early disease detection， particularly in resource-limited areas. This review not only summarizes a decade of research progress but also provides a plan for future developments that could make personalized， decentralized cardiovascular diagnostics a widespread reality.

Initial public offerings represent one of the most information‑dense and uncertainty‑laden stages in corporate finance. Although regulatory frameworks require firms to disclose extensive risk information, long‑standing questions remain about whether investors genuinely understand these disclosures or simply navigate around them. This study examines the relationship between investor awareness of IPO risk factors and the risks that issuing firms formally disclose. Grounded in behavioural finance and disclosure theory, the research explores whether a meaningful gap exists between what companies communicate and what investors actually comprehend. The study draws on survey data from a multi‑country sample of IPO investors and uses structured Likert‑scale analysis to assess awareness across seventeen categories of macroeconomic, regulatory, financial, and firm‑specific risk. These categories reflect the breadth of risks typically highlighted in prospectuses and provide a detailed basis for evaluating how investors interpret disclosed information. The findings reveal a high degree of alignment between investor awareness and the risk categories disclosed by firms. This challenges the common assumption that retail investors routinely misunderstand IPO risks or are overwhelmed by disclosure complexity. Instead, the results suggest that investors engage selectively but meaningfully with the information they consider most relevant. The study contributes empirical evidence to ongoing debates about disclosure effectiveness, investor cognition, and market transparency. It also offers practical implications for regulators seeking to refine disclosure requirements, for issuing firms aiming to communicate risk more effectively, and for investor education initiatives focused on strengthening informed participation in IPO markets.

Urbanization in developing countries has intensified ecological degradation and reduced the availability of Urban Green Spaces (UGS), including in Bogor City, Indonesia, where public UGS covers only 4.26%—far below the national minimum requirement of 20%. Agroforestry is increasingly recognized as a viable strategy to enhance the ecological, economic, and social functions of limited urban green areas. This study assesses the sustainability of agroforestry practices in Bogor City’s public UGS using the Multi-Aspect Sustainability Analysis (MSA) method across five aspects: ecological, economic, social, infrastructure–technology, and legal–institutional. This study is grounded in three principal hypotheses: (i) the implementation of agroforestry exerts a positive effect on ecological, social, and infrastructural–technological sustainability; (ii) economic and legal–institutional dimensions constitute the major limiting factors affecting overall sustainability performance; and (iii) strategic improvements targeting key leverage factors can significantly enhance the composite sustainability index. Primary data were collected through field observations, interviews, and surveys, supplemented by secondary policy and spatial data. Results show an overall sustainability score of 51.84%, categorized as “sustainable”. Ecological (66.71%), social (60.71%), and infrastructural–technological (60.50%) aspects were sustainable, while economic (26.14%) and legal–institutional (45.14%) aspects were less sustainable. Key leverage factors influencing sustainability include microclimate regulation, canopy density, biodiversity, tourism management, consumer dependence on agroforestry products, product quality standardization, availability of processing industries, and the presence of management institutions and SOPs. Scenario analysis demonstrates that targeted improvements in these levers can substantially increase sustainability scores, with optimistic scenarios raising the aggregate index to 78.45%. Strengthening economic value chains, regulatory frameworks, management institutions, and data infrastructure is essential to enhance the adaptive capacity and long-term viability of urban agroforestry in Bogor City.

Additive manufacturing (AM), commonly referred to as three-dimensional (3D) food printing, has emerged as a disruptive technology within modern food systems, enabling precise control over food structure, composition, and functionality. In the context of alternative protein production, AM offers novel opportunities for fabricating plant-based meat analogues and structured cultured meat with improved textural, nutritional, and sensory properties. This review provides a comprehensive overview of AM technologies applied to meat production, including extrusion-based printing, inkjet printing, laser-assisted techniques, and bioprinting. Particular emphasis is placed on printable food inks and bioinks, food-grade biomaterials, scaffold design, and tissue assembly strategies. The current state of industrial development, nutritional and sensory performance, regulatory frameworks, and sustainability implications are critically examined. Key technical and economic challenges such as scalability, cost reduction, food safety, and consumer acceptance are discussed alongside future research priorities. Overall, this review highlights the potential of 3D-printed meat to contribute to sustainable, resilient, and personalized protein systems, while outlining the scientific advancements required for widespread commercial adoption.

In recent years, digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) have begun to transform nutrition research and dietetics practice. This review examines how AI and digital tools are applied in dietary assessment, personalized planning and behaviour monitoring; how mobile apps and digital platforms support nutrition counselling; how machine-learning models predict nutrient intake and health outcomes; the ethical, privacy and equity concerns that arise; and future trends including AI-driven virtual dietitians and fully integrated nutrition-care ecosystems. Although promising, the deployment of these innovations must navigate issues of data quality, algorithmic bias, professional roles, user engagement and regulatory frameworks. Effective integration into dietetics will require interdisciplinary collaboration, transparent methods, and equitable access.

The accelerated advancement of digital communication systems has emerged as a major trigger in developing smart cities across various parts of the globe. The programs of digital transformation in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as developing cognitive cities in NEOM, demonstrate a strong commitment towards developing futuristic communication systems in line with. The underlying foundation of such programs centers upon FTTH, 5G backhaul, along with overall IoT communication systems, as part of such smart city frameworks. This paper refers to the technological foundation as well as the strategic significance of the integration between the technologies of FTTx, 5G backhaul networks, and IoT connections, in the developing Smart City environment in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, it looks into the infrastructural options related to the technological platform: FTTx access network, wireless backhaul network, as well as IoT communication protocols connecting massive devices. Architectural paradigms to transfer data among IoT devices, network cores, and cloud computing platforms. It talks about the main use cases associated with intelligent cities. It covers important use cases for smart cities, intelligent transportation management, energy management for the city itself, public safety management for citizens, healthcare management for citizens, and environmental sustainability within the city. Apart from this, the paper also covers the economy and the regulatory framework through discussions on relevant partnerships between the government and private organizations, national broadband plans, and the use of the radio frequency spectrum for further enabling the city's overall digitization.It also critically discusses challenges it might face in terms of scalability, security, data privacy, and long-term sustainability, through mitigation techniques that include network slicing, edge computing, and security in the Internet of Things. Finally, this paper aims to illustrate and discuss how the well-planned deployment of FTTH, 5G, and IoT technologies in Saudi Arabia will give an impetus to the development of data-oriented and sustainable smart cities to take the leadership position in the world.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has caused a global public health crisis, contributing to approximately five million deaths in 2019 and predicted deaths of approximately ten million annually by 2050. This equates to approximately 1.4-fold more deaths annually from AMR in 2050 than the entire COVID-19 pandemic to date. To tackle this AMR pandemic, regulatory and policy frameworks have been prepared at local, national and international levels with multi-faceted proposals and advances encompassing surveillance, diagnostics, infection prevention, antibiotic prescribing and variation of existing and novel treatment approaches. This narrative review primarily focuses on research and development which have been documented over the last five years in relation to therapeutic approaches at various stages in clinical development and the potential role that vaccines can play in the fight against AMR. This review provides an overview on antibacterial drugs, including novel classes of antibiotics, which have been recently approved, as well as combination antibiotic therapy and the potential of repurposed drugs. The potential role of novel antimicrobial, antibiofilm and quorum sensing inhibitors, such as antimicrobial peptides, nanomaterials and compounds from the extreme and natural environments, as well as ethnopharmacology including the antimicrobial effects of plants, spices, honey and venoms are explored. Novel therapeutic approaches are critically discussed in terms of their realistic clinical potential, detailing recent and ongoing trials to highlight the current interest of these approaches, including immunotherapy, bacteriophage therapy, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), antimicrobial sonodynamic therapy (aSDT), nitric oxide therapy and microbiome manipulation including faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). The potential of predatory bacteria as living antimicrobial agents is also discussed. Importantly, there have been many technological developments which have enhanced bioprospecting and research and development of novel antimicrobials which this review draws attention to, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and Organ-on-a-Chip devices. Finally, key messages from the recent World Health Organization report into the role of vaccines against AMR provides an interesting perspective relating to prevention which can be of significance in tackling the AMR burden.

Abstract Restoring forests can help conserve biodiversity, mitigate climate change and enhance human well‐being. Despite financial and political support for global forest restoration initiatives, projects continue to face persistent challenges and trade‐offs between environmental, climatic and socio‐economic goals. To better understand existing and future challenges and opportunities, we convened a diverse panel of 25 international experts from academia, science and policy organisations, funding agencies and the private sector. Through a structured expert elicitation process, we collectively identify seven key socio‐ecological issues likely to substantially shape forest restoration in low and middle‐income countries over the next decade. The identified issues are linked to: (i) adverse environmental impacts of poorly designed forest restoration initiatives; (ii) continued inattention to human well‐being and diverse values; (iii) the funding gap for long‐term restoration and challenges of private investment; (iv) new power dynamics and elites; (v) the looming technological revolution from Artificial Intelligence and related technologies; (vi) increasing need for adaptation to climate change to be built into restoration practice; and (vii) increasing competition and contestation for land. Our findings reinforce rising concerns that current restoration paradigms, which often favour large‐scale carbon‐centric interventions, risk undermining environmental and social outcomes. Whether emerging AI technologies and diversified private‐sector funding mechanisms can support community‐led, bottom‐up restoration depends on establishing robust regulatory frameworks, equitable access to technology and capacity building. Raising awareness of these unresolved and emerging issues can help to inform forest restoration practice that is ecologically effective, more equitable and resilient to future change. Success depends on policymakers and practitioners seizing emerging opportunities while critically evaluating current practices to ensure they promote, rather than undermine, these goals. Building decentralised governance structures and diversified funding sources can help sustain and safeguard restoration efforts, particularly against policy volatility from political regime changes. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Spanish translation: Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

This symposium examines how international sport organisations design and implement policies in response to sustainability, technological innovation, and safeguarding challenges. Bringing together three complementary contributions based on diverse methodological approaches, it aims to systematically compare these responses to highlight both striking similarities and notable divergences in strategic orientations. The first presentation investigates the sustainability policies developed by two international federations, identifying underlying normative assumption presumed in their conceptual definition of sustainability. The second presentation analyses documents produced by 46 international federations regarding technological advancements, demonstrating how sport governing bodies construct autonomous regulatory frameworks that balance innovation, fairness, and market pressures within the lex sportiva. The final presentation focuses on the safeguarding approaches adopted by 40 international federations and highlights the challenges of institutionalising safeguarding within global sport governance. By simultaneously considering sustainability, technological innovation and safeguarding, this symposium offers a global perspective on the evolving governance role of sport organisations. It underscores how shared global challenges may drive the emergence of comparable policy frameworks. Ultimately, this symposium also sheds light on distinct approaches across the international sport landscape.

One of the greatest concerns of San in Namibia revolves around land rights. The Nyae Nyae Conservancy in Tsumkwe District East of Otjozondjupa Region was the first communal conservancy of its kind in Namibia, established in 1998. In Nyae Nyae today, there are some 36 communities in an area just under 9 000 km² in extent. These communities largely consist of Ju/’hoansi San. Key efforts of the Nyae Nyae Conservancy have focused on wildlife conservation, community development and land management, while also working on an ancestral land claim for the Nyae Nyae area. In this article, we draw from our anthropological and legal work to lay out some of the major challenges facing the Ju/’hoansi of Nyae Nyae and elaborate on how they intersect with land matters. A major challenge to the Nyae Nyae Ju/’hoansi began in April 2009 with the incursions of Herero pastoralists who brought their cattle herds into Nyae Nyae. The Nyae Nyae Conservancy and the Ju/’hoansi Traditional Authority have sought the assistance of lawyers who have helped formulate an ancestral land claim which they aim to file with the Namibian High Court. By expanding on Ju/’hoansi customary land rights, as well as current regulatory frameworks, we put challenges like this into a broader perspective.

Home infusion therapy (HIT) is a value-based healthcare delivery model where patients receive intravenous medications with home health services (HHS) outside the hospital. Our objective was to provide a comprehensive review of HIT services, tracing its historical development and examining its current role as a critical component of healthcare delivery worldwide. We evaluated peer-reviewed papers and online resources on HIT and HHS, published in English from 1959 to May 2025. Our review supports HIT services globally for three reasons: advance long-term care for the aging population, decrease antimicrobial resistance, and improve healthcare affordability, efficiency and access with continuation of post-acute complex care. The US has pioneered and dominated this field of HIT since 1970’s, providing affordable, safe, effective and convenient services to patients, especially those requiring long-term care. While Canada, Europe, and Australia have offered HIT services, many other countries, including low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), provide limited to absent HIT services due to lack of regulations, experience, knowledge and training. HIT is viewed as a cost-effective alternative to hospital care, and payers have generally accepted higher home-based charges as long as they remain below inpatient costs. The strategic roadmap to safe and cost-effective HIT implementation must include provisions for a robust regulatory framework; competitive reimbursement structures to foster scalability; accreditation and certification standards to ensure patient safety; and access with modern technologies and digital transformation. Both HIT and HHS offer a safe, effective, and economical alternative to inpatient care. Policy reforms that initiate or expand coverage and streamline provider entry can strengthen this growing industry while improving patient outcomes and system-wide efficiency. KEYWORDS: Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy, antibiotic resistance, home infusion therapy, global health

To survive in challenging environments, plants must rapidly activate immune responses while maintaining developmental plasticity and reproductive success. This requires continuous negotiation of limited energy and metabolic resources between growth, development, and defense. Ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis has emerged as a versatile regulatory mechanism that may integrate immune responses with plant developmental programs. In this review, we summarize accumulating evidence that ubiquitination shapes immune responses at multiple regulatory levels. Many of these immune-regulatory mechanisms depend on ubiquitin-dependent pathways that also govern developmental processes and cell cycle regulation. This overlap points to shared molecular nodes that integrate defense with growth. This functional overlap provides a mechanistic basis for growth–defense trade-offs and highlights how plants optimize fitness under stress conditions. Together, these findings position ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis as a unifying regulatory framework through which plants integrate immune responses with developmental programs and cell cycle control. This coordination helps maintain resilience and productivity in a fluctuating environment.

ABSTRACT Environmental fines function as regulatory instruments that compel firms to adopt innovative approaches to environmental protection. This fosters more efficient industrial processes, strengthens sustainability practices, and stimulates competition as regulatory frameworks evolve. Whereas some corporations perceive such fines merely as punitive measures, others regard them as catalysts for innovation. However, the relationship between environmental fines and innovation, as well as the moderating roles of financial slack, firm size, and board environmental expertise, remains underexplored in the literature. This study addresses these gaps by drawing on Porter's hypothesis and focusing on nonfinancial entities listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Using purposive sampling, data were collected from 347 firms covering the period 2008–2024 through the Bloomberg database. To address cross‐sectional dependence, slope heterogeneity, and endogeneity, the study employed advanced estimation techniques, including the two‐step generalized method of moments, fixed effects with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors, and the Common Correlated Effects Mean Group estimator. The results indicate a significant positive relationship between environmental fines and environmental innovation. Furthermore, financial slack, firm size, and board environmental expertise were found to significantly and positively moderate this relationship. These findings offer important insights for corporations, highlighting that compliance with environmental fines can stimulate innovation, strengthen sustainability initiatives, optimize operational efficiency, and create long‐term value.

Parabens, preservatives commonly used in personal care products (PCPs), have emerged as environmental contaminants of concern due to their biological activity, water solubility, and pseudo-persistence. This study assessed the occurrence of methylparaben (MeP), ethylparaben (EtP), propylparaben (PrP), and butylparaben (BuP) in PCPs available on the Argentine market, as well as their distribution in surface water, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and sediments from La Plata city and the surrounding metropolitan area, Argentina. A total of 183 PCPs were analyzed in sampling campaigns conducted in 2018 and 2022. MeP and PrP were the most frequently detected compounds, with an overall decrease in detection frequency between the two campaigns, suggesting a shift toward "paraben-free" formulations. However, inconsistencies were observed between product labeling and actual paraben content. In environmental matrices, MeP and PrP were consistently detected across all campaigns, primarily in water and SPM, with maximum concentrations of 1519ng/L and 24,610ng/g (dry weight), respectively. Detection patterns were spatially and temporally homogeneous, indicating a continuous input from urban sources. Multivariate analysis confirmed the association of MeP and PrP with surface water and SPM and suggested limited retention in sediments. These findings highlight the need for stricter regulatory frameworks, improved labeling transparency, and the implementation of systematic monitoring programs that address both consumer products and their environmental implications. This study provides the first integrated evaluation of parabens in consumer products and urban aquatic environments in Argentina.

International sporting federations (IFs) occupy a unique regulatory position within the transnational legal landscape. Benefiting from a high degree of autonomy, they have historically exercised near-exclusive authority over the governance of sport, including the specific regulatory question of technology development. This autonomy has enabled IFs to frame technological innovation according to internal principles – such as fairness, safety, and the preservation of the “spirit of sport” – thus creating a specific sub-classification of the lex sportiva as well as a distinct sociotechnical ordering. However, this autonomy is increasingly challenged by external forces: market interests promoting technological visibility and sponsorship, judicial scrutiny by bodies like the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) of the Court of justice of the EU (CJEU), and the growing intersection with national and supranational regulations, notably in areas such as data protection and intellectual property. These tensions reveal that technological regulation in sport is not merely technical but profoundly normative, influencing the evolution of the lex sportiva itself. This presentation analyses how IFs construct, justify, and adapt their regulatory frameworks for technology development in sport. It aims to identify the underlying legal and ethical principles shaping these decisions and to question whether the current lex sportiva can still sustain its coherence amid accelerating technological change.

Rising infertility rates have emerged as a serious global health issue driven by a complex interplay of environmental, biological, and socioeconomic factors. There is growing evidence that environmental conditions play a significant role in influencing reproductive health outcomes. This study explores a wide range of environmental factors associated with infertility, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals, air and water pollution, altered lifestyle patterns, dietary habits, stress, and disparities in healthcare access. Both physical and chemical environmental stressors are considered, highlighting their cumulative and interconnected effects on human fertility. Understanding these environmental impacts is crucial for developing effective interventions aimed at reducing infertility and improving reproductive health at both individual and population levels. Infertility not only affects physical health but also has significant psychological, emotional, and social consequences for individuals and couples, underscoring the need for holistic and preventive approaches. Furthermore, exploring the relationship between environmental factors and infertility supports global public health priorities and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focusing on health, well-being, and sustainable development. To systematically assess the impact of environmental factors, the COPRAS-G (Complex Proportional Assessment with Gray relations) decision-making method is employed. This approach helps in identifying key evaluation criteria, assessing alternatives under conflicting conditions, and determining overall performance. Five alternatives – Country A, Country B, Country C, Country D, and Country E – are evaluated based on pollution levels, stress levels, healthcare access, and dietary quality. Country A achieves the highest ranking, indicating the most favorable conditions for reproductive health, while Country C ranks the lowest. The findings emphasize the importance of environmental policies, regulatory frameworks, and targeted public health strategies in mitigating infertility risks and safeguarding reproductive well-being.

Aim. To conduct a legal analysis of the institution of commissions for the settlement of disputes between participants in educational relations, identify problems in their work, and develop recommendations to increase the effectiveness of activities to protect and restore the violated rights of participants in educational relations. Methodology. The article is based on the formal legal method, which made it possible to conduct a scientifically grounded analysis of the existing regulatory framework in the area under consideration. In addition, general scientific methods (analysis, synthesis, and generalization) were used, as well as data obtained from studying the official websites of universities subordinate to the Ministry of Education of Russia. Results. Proposals have been formulated to improve the efficiency of the work of commissions for settling disputes between participants in educational relations. It is established that further investigation of the human rights potential of the commissions requires consistent improvement of the regulatory framework governing their organization and activities. Research implications. The conducted research contributes to a deeper understanding of the legal nature and role of commissions for settling disputes between participants in educational relations. The conclusions and proposals formulated can form the basis for further scientific research in this area.

Sovereign wealth funds enhance the international movement of capital and often facilitate economic development in domestic and host countries. However, the lack of transparency and accountability of SWFs varies, and state ownership gives rise to suspicions and realizations of political motivations, unfair commercial advantages, opportunities for corruption, and national security threats, thereby challenging the liberal economic order. This paper provides an overview and identifies major concerns and policy options associated with SWFs. Defining SWFs, measuring their size and transparency, domestic, cultural, and political origins, and policies for oversight and mitigation of geopolitical risk are discussed. The goals and behavior of SWFs are too diverse to draw broad, general conclusions. The growth in the number of funds and assets under management has increased their diversity, but the essential defining characteristic is that they are state-owned financial investment vehicles not subject to the hard budget constraints or regulations of comparable private sector, market-oriented entities. Transparency varies, with democratic country SWFs more transparent and less problematic than those of autocracies. SWFs have evolved into unbounded state-owned entities ushering in a new era of financial statecraft. Policies to guide their behavior and enforcement mechanisms are host-country specific and highly variable. An often-discussed international regulatory framework to mitigate geopolitical risk has not emerged and is not likely.

This study examines the state-level factors influencing the absorption of foreign direct investment (FDI) and the decision-making of multinational enterprises (MNEs) to invest in foreign markets, with a particular focus on regulatory determinants along the firm life cycle. Building on recent evidence that institutional and regulatory quality significantly shape FDI inflows in developing economies (Krasniqi & Fetai, 2024; Topçu, 2023), the study uses data from the World Bank for six Western Balkan countries over the period 1998–2022. Using a panel data regression model, it identifies key institutional and economic factors affecting FDI inflows. The empirical results show that countries with lower tax rates on income and profits, stronger control of corruption, and simpler business entry procedures tend to attract higher levels of foreign investment. Furthermore, higher gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and a favorable business environment positively influence FDI decisions. These findings highlight the importance of transparent, efficient, and predictable regulatory frameworks in fostering investment attractiveness. The study offers important policy implications for governments in the region, suggesting that reforms aimed at improving institutional quality and reducing administrative barriers can significantly enhance FDI inflows. Future research could extend this analysis by incorporating qualitative dimensions such as political stability, infrastructure development, and legal enforcement to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the factors driving FDI in emerging economies.

There is an urgent demand for sustainable agricultural practices that minimize environmental impacts and reduce the reliance on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Endophytes represent a largely untapped resource of beneficial microorganisms with multiple potential applications as natural biocontrol agents and promoters of plant growth and development. This paper aimed at identifying new fungal strains and performing a series of preliminary in vitro screenings to evaluate their potential use for plant-growth promotion and antifungal activity. A total of 102 fungal endophytes were isolated from different plant tissues of seven wild relatives of barley (Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromus hordeaceus, Bromus sterilis, Elymus farctus, Elymus repens, Leymus arenarius and Lolium perenne) that were sourced from 22 contrasting wild habitats. Fungal endophytes were isolated using standard culture-based methods and identified via DNA barcoding of the nrITS marker. Based on a literature search, a sub-group of endophytes were selected and evaluated for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) synthesis, ammonia production and phosphorous (P) solubilization. From these, 15 endophytes were also tested for antifungal activity against Ramularia collo-cygni, Pyrenophora teres, and Gaeumannomyces tritici. All the endophytes were positive for ammonia production at variable rates, but no P solubilization nor IAA synthesis without L-tryptophan were observed. On the contrary, five promising isolates (2 Daldinia concentrica, Metapochonia suchlasporia, Chaetomium sp., and Ophiocordyceps sinensis) had mean pathogen growth inhibition rates above 80%, compared to the untreated negative controls. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first published report that investigates natural antagonism against Ramularia collo-cygni and expands the list of endophytic strains with natural antagonism on the tested cereal pathogens. Results are discussed in the context of endophytes application to barley cultivation within the European regulatory framework.