Government Research Research Articles

Mapping trade opportunities in Central and South Asia: an exploration through trade indices and metrics

Purpose This study aims to explore the possibilities for regional (intra and inter) trade between Central Asia and South Asia (CASA) by examining several frameworks that impact the economic integration of these regions. Design/methodology/approach The study uses five indices, specifically the export diversification index, export survival rates, export sophistication, revealed comparative advantage and intra-industry trade index in South and Central Asia, from 2005 to 2021. Findings The findings show a twofold increase in the potential trade value between the two regions compared to the actual level. The intra-regional trade in Central Asia accounts for less than 5% of trade with all countries, whereas the intra-regional trade in South Asia accounts for 1.5%, and the inter-regional trade accounts for between 0.2 and 4% of total trade to all destinations. The intensity of trade measurements shows that inter-regional trade flows are modest because they make up a relatively small percentage of the entire trade volume, which includes all destinations, ranging from 0.2 to 4 %. Research limitations/implications These findings have a significant impact on the successful implementation of trading-related measures, initiatives and institutional mechanisms for encouraging improved trade between and within both regions. Practical implications Export diversification initiatives aim to provide favourable outcomes for all parties involved, focusing on expanding the range of goods and services exchanged. CASA countries with higher diversification have shown more favourable outcomes than those relying on a restricted range of products. The authors expect policies promoting a broader array of exports to boost market shares, while maintaining a narrow focus may hinder new export prospects. In addition, regional value chains and policy initiatives promoting trade and investment could lead to increased value additions to exports, technological transfers and job creation. Social implications The study emphasises the significance of trade-related policies, programmes and institutional mechanisms in promoting trade between CASA. It emphasises the need for policies that support investment and trade, adopt new requirements of the Agreement on Trade Facilitation and promote diversity and latency. Originality/value Based on economic analysis, the study offers practical insights and strategies for businesses in the CASA regions. It also provides analytical tools for academics and decision makers, as well as policy and programme recommendations for government agencies, development partners, researchers and individuals interested in trade dynamics in these regions.

The gravity of the status quo: the response of research governance to system-level shocks

The gravity of the status quo: the response of research governance to system-level shocks

Standardizing Excellence: Metric Assemblages in Mathematics Research in Chile

This study investigates the development, implementation, and establishment of evaluation metrics within the mathematics research community in Chile, a discipline where the use of bibliometric indicators for quality assessment has been highly controversial. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study conducted focus groups with mathematicians at different stages of their academic careers and analyzed the ANID Mathematics Studies Group's method for assessing researcher productivity. The findings reveal that the evaluation metrics in mathematics remain in a state of “magmatic flow,” fluid and solid, constantly changing yet stable enough to articulate multiple social worlds. The study highlights the challenges faced in three closely linked spheres: mathematical research, science and higher education governance, and organizational management. The functioning of this metrics assemblage as boundary infrastructure, which meets the information needs of diverse social worlds while maintaining the integrity of the interests involved, is a temporal achievement of situated practices that provide continuous adjustment and stabilization. The study suggests that academic metric assemblages are made unstable through practical politics involving controversies and qualitative deliberation. Concurrently, they achieve stability through translation and blackboxing practices.

A review on tillage system and no-till agriculture and its impact on soil health

Soil tillage is a fundamental agriculture practice aimed at preparing the soil for planting, managing crop residues, controlling weeds, preparing the ground for the next crop, integrating leftover crops and nutrients into the soil, and enhancing soil structure. However, tillage practice significantly influences activities like soil moisture, temperature, aeration, and mixing the crop residues within the soil. This article explores the impacts of traditional tillage methods and alternative approaches to reduce production costs, environmental consequences, and safeguard soil for sustainable crop production through the secondary source of results as published research papers, documents, government official and institution reports. Traditional tillage method involves the mechanical disruption of soil, which affects critical factors such as moisture retention, temperature regulation, and aeration. While use of such heavy machines can improve short-term productivity, its long-term impacts include soil compaction, erosion, and loss of organic matter, leading to environmental degradation and declining soil health. In contrast, No-till and reduced tillage practices offers a promising solution to contemporary challenges such as global climate change, water conservation, rapid soil degradation, and desertification. Under this system, wide range of crops can be grown effectively in low production cost by reducing fuel and labor requirements. No-tillage and minimal tillage is being adopted across a wide range of farm sizes, from small plots of land to vast expanses, in various countries around the world with promising sustainability.

Meritocracy, governmental intervention, and academic nepotism: a South Korean academic publishing landscape [The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea

Abstract While engaging with Klein’s (1989. Schreiben oder Lesen, aber nicht beides, oder: Vorschlag zur Wiedereinführung der Keilschrift mittels Hammer und Meißel. Zeitschrift für Literaturwissenschaft und Linguistik 74. 116–119) suggestions to control the quantity of publications, this brief paper explores the reasons behind the intense publishing pressure on South Korean scholars and examines the consequences for the development of an academic public sphere. We underscore that the evaluation systems of neoliberal universities, which prioritize quantity and speed, together with a social concern with “fairness,” compel researchers to embrace a meritocratic ethos. This is further intensified by the multiple excellence benchmarks set by government research agencies. Moreover, the prevalence of insular academic networks, often formed by individuals from elite backgrounds, restricts the circulation of scholarly work within exclusive groups. Consequently, the academic environment in South Korea struggles to cultivate an academic public sphere that tackles critical issues and encourages productive debates. In response to these challenges, we propose to adopt the principles of the “slow professor” movement, foster collaboration with practitioners, and diversify scholarly genres.

Where is rural? An analysis of the agreement between quantitative measures of rurality

Government agencies and researchers often rely on quantitative measures to map where rural places are and who belongs to rural communities. To better understand the consistency, or lack thereof, across different quantitative rural measures, we compare four common measures applied at the county level for the contiguous United States. Our purpose was to (1) quantify and map the degree of rural agreement among these selected rural measures and (2) describe key characteristics of counties classified as rural through urban. We found that different measures yielded little agreement on rural places with consensus of only 114 of 3108 counties. County variables contributing to good separability in rural to urban classifications included remoteness, population density, percent of the population aged 65 and over, employment in the agricultural sector, and both developed and grassland landcover. Closer examination of the underlying characteristics of the 114 consensus rural counties provides an opportunity to reflect on the nature of popular rural measures and the variables they use. If these counties are not representative of how researchers conceptualize “rural” across US regions, it is motivation for working toward new and/or spatially adaptive rural measures that better represent the communities that policy and research intends to help.

Integrating radiological technology in environmental health surveillance to enhance public safety

The integration of radiological technology into environmental health surveillance represents a significant advancement in enhancing public safety. Radiological technologies, including advanced imaging and monitoring systems, offer powerful tools for detecting and assessing environmental hazards that impact public health. This review explores the potential benefits, methodologies, and challenges associated with integrating radiological technology into environmental health surveillance. Recent advancements in radiological technology, such as high-resolution imaging systems and portable radiation detectors, have greatly improved the ability to monitor and analyze environmental radiation levels with precision. These technologies enable real-time detection of radiation exposure, providing critical data for assessing risks associated with radiation sources, such as industrial activities, nuclear power plants, and natural radioactive materials. By integrating these tools into environmental health surveillance frameworks, public health agencies can enhance their capacity to identify and address radiation-related hazards more effectively. The application of radiological technology in environmental health surveillance facilitates comprehensive monitoring of radiation levels across various environments, including urban, rural, and industrial areas. This data is crucial for identifying contamination hotspots, tracking changes in radiation levels over time, and evaluating the effectiveness of radiation control measures. Additionally, the integration of radiological technology supports the development of predictive models for assessing potential health impacts and guiding emergency response strategies in the event of radiation incidents. Despite its advantages, integrating radiological technology into environmental health surveillance presents several challenges. These include the high costs of advanced equipment, the need for specialized training for personnel, and the management of large volumes of data generated by monitoring systems. Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated approach involving government agencies, research institutions, and industry stakeholders to ensure effective implementation and sustainability. In conclusion, integrating radiological technology into environmental health surveillance has the potential to significantly enhance public safety by providing accurate and timely data on radiation exposure. Continued innovation and collaboration in this field will be essential for optimizing the benefits of radiological technology and addressing the challenges associated with its integration into environmental health monitoring systems. Keywords: Integrating; Radiological Technology; Environmental Health Surveillance; Enhance; Public Safety

Could deep-sea mining sustain sustainability? The international seabed authority and the UN 2030 agenda

Madureira et al. (2023)published a timely article about the role of deep-sea mining in sustainable development – UN Agenda 2030. We take the opportunity to join the discussion initiated by the authors and highlight the known challenges in deep-sea mining discussions using rich, empirical social and natural science literature. Our premise is the following: sustainable development depends on careful assessment of pressing, known issues that need attention. Local problems require context-specific, local solutions to make propositions about the future and sustainability unambiguous and workable. Meaningful discussions on sustainability in relation to ocean and terrestrial mining depend on engagement with a broad body of literature, from anthropology to human geography, policy and governance research, among others. In sum, we hope to contribute to a more comprehensive interdisciplinary discussion on the contested topic of deep-sea mining and its role in sustainability.

Aflatoxins in Cameroon: Occurrence, Potential Health Risks and the Way Forward in Implementing the Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA) Country-Led Model

Aflatoxin hazard is present among the main food dangers in Cameroon. This paper gives insight on how affected crops and commodities such as maize and groundnuts are likely to be contaminated with aflatoxin. Possible negative effects of aflatoxin include hepatic injury, cancer risk, kwashiorkor, and marasmus kwashiorkor is also discussed. Therefore, this report recommends using the Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA) method for Cameroon. This policy also targets aflatoxin control to be a country-led, multi-sectoral approach. The aims of the study propose useful strategies for guiding the PACA approach; these include raising awareness of the health risks of aflatoxins, enhancing the laws on food safety, supporting adequate agricultural practices, and improving proper disposal and utilization procedures of post-harvest storage and processing systems. Government authorities and research institutes must collaborate to successfully execute aflatoxin control measures. The report emphasizes the need of capacity building, resource allocation, and monitoring systems in ensuring the efficacy of these initiatives. Thus, Cameroon can apply the PACA concept and the mentioned measures to decrease the level of aflatoxin contamination. Therefore, enhance the conditions for food safety and decrease the level of health risks. Consequently, this research provides useful information and suggestions to policymakers, researchers, and any party interested in Cameroon’s aflatoxin-related programs. This paper emphasizes the need for capacity enhancement, resource mobilization, and the proper monitoring and implementation of the strategies. Through the application of the PACA approach and the above-outlined strategies, Cameroon can reduce the incidence of aflatoxin contamination and its disturbing impacts on consumer health and food security. In conclusion, the findings and recommendations of this paper are highly informative to policymakers, researchers, and other interested stakeholders in Cameroon’s aflatoxin management processes.

Challenges and opportunities of translating animal research into human trials in Ethiopia

Background and objectivesAlthough the goal of translational research is to bring biomedical knowledge from the laboratory to clinical trial and therapeutic products for improving health, this goal has not been well achieved as often as desired because of many barriers documented in different countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the challenges and opportunities of translating animal research into human trials in Ethiopia.MethodsA descriptive qualitative study, using in-depth interviews, was conducted in which preclinical and clinical trial researchers who have been involved in animal research or clinical trials as principal investigator were involved. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic process.ResultsSix themes were emerged for challenges: lack of financial and human capacity, inadequate infrastructure, operational obstacles and poor research governance, lack of collaboration, lack of reproducibility of results and prolonged ethical and regulatory approval processes. Furthermore, three themes were synthesized for opportunities: growing infrastructure and resources, improved human capacity and better administrative processes and initiatives for collaboration.Conclusion and recommendationsThe study found that the identified characteristics/features are of high importance either to hurdle or enable the practice of translating animal research into human trials. The study suggests that there should be adequate infrastructure and finance, human capacity building, good research governance, improved ethical and regulatory approval process, multidisciplinary collaboration, and incentives and recognition for researchers to overcome the identified challenges and allow translating of animal research into human trials to proceed more efficiently.

Buying inferior to selling: Explore the impact of transaction direction on the effects of related-party transactions

Throughout, the effects of related-party transactions (RPTs) have been a hot topic in financial markets and corporate governance research. This paper analyzes the theoretical foundation of the effects of RPTs and constructs a new indicator, the quasi-profit margin, to assess the effects of RPTs by studying their impact on the quasi-profit margin. Based on the information asymmetry between transaction parties and the information screening theory, the paper proposes the buying inferior to selling theory, systematically explaining the impact of transaction direction on the effects of RPTs. Subsequently, using panel data from Chinese A-share listed companies from 2016 to 2021, the paper constructs fixed-effects models and conducts empirical studies from both exogenous and endogenous perspectives, employing estimation methods such as high dimensional fixed effects method, two-stage least squares method, and three-stage least squares method. The research indicates that RPTs of Chinese A-share listed companies generally exhibit a tunneling effect, and the transaction direction significantly affects the effects of RPTs. The higher the proportion of RPTs conducted as sellers to the total RPTs, the smaller the overall tunneling effect of the RPTs. This study has implications for reducing the tunneling risk of RPTs and improving corporate governance for listed companies, as well as providing some references for financial regulatory authorities to identify and rectify illegal RPTs.

A study on awareness and attitude of youth towards the use of herbal cosmetic products in Rajkot district

There is a significance growth in allocation of funds in budget 2022-23 by government of India to Ministry of Ayush as compare to last 10years. At the same time data researched and revealed by ministry and CII shows that CAGR is increasing rapidly of herbal products. Rajkot district is populated and multi cultured city. Youth in particularly will be the contributor to this herbal cosmetic industry in future. Therefore this research mainly focused on awareness and attitude towards herbal cosmetic product amongst youth between 15-29 years of age. Study also focuses their difference of opinions based on gender and age wise.Total Revenue in the Herbal Cosmetics segment amounts to US$0.84bn in 2022. The market is expected to grow annually by 3.41% (CAGR 2022-2026). This shows the potential for growth but at the same time it is important to see awareness and attitude of youth in Rajkot district so that government and companies can design their strategies accordingly.In this research, after studying a lot of literature, data released by government official and research output of CII, researcher has decided to use descriptive research methodology. Sampling technique used is Convenience (non-random sampling) sampling with sample size of 237 out of total population of Rajkot district within decided sample frame.This study reveals that awareness amongst youth related to herbal cosmetic product is very high but at the same time only 9.3% respondents using herbal cosmetics products frequently in their day to day life. If respondents are given a chance they majority of respondents are willing to use herbal cosmetic products. This shows a huge potential to grow in this segment in near future.

A Research on Gaziantep Chukar production station

Chukar (Alectoris chukar), is one of the most popular game birds in Turkey. The generation of this species has been greatly reduced in the last century. It is possible to reproduce this bird species, to bring it to nature, to develop hunting tourism in our country, to make special hunting areas and to earn income from hunting tourism. Chukar (Alectoris chukar) is found over a large areas in Turkey as well as over the world. Unfortunately, their population has been decreasing due to human pressure in the country. Breeding stations have been established for the production of this species in Turkey in order to increase their population and make them available for hunting. The breeding stations are the areas where the extinct species are artificially produced and the facilities required for production are established. Their main purpose is to produce extensively species in artificially established facilities, and to place these animals in suitable habitats or new production stations and to benefit from animals placed in production stations as new breeding stations. Chukar breeding, some people in Turkey just as a hobby, is made by some government agencies and research purposes Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary some universities with the aim to ensure the continuation of his generation in recent years. In this study, located in Gaziantep province, studies were carried out on the production and release of wild animals to the nature at the production stations. General information about the establishment of production stations, production techniques, working order, encountered problems, applications to be made to solve problems and precautions to be taken are given. A detailed investigation and research has been carried out on Chukar Production Station established in Gaziantep province. In this context, Gaziantep Chukar Production Station is located at the provincial borders. After the production of hunting and wild animals produced in this station, they are placed in nature in the docking sites. In this study, deficiencies and problems of the production station mentioned above have been revealed.

Public research institutes in Brazil: evidence of research and innovation impact

Here, we look at the impact of the scientific production of Brazilian research institutions. Data were collected from SciVal and InCites for governmental research institutions (state and federal), and then we focussed on the two largest: Embrapa (Agriculture) and Fiocruz (Health). Institutions in the area of health, environment and physics tended to show higher impact than other areas, those in physics showed low first, last and corresponding authorships (<20%). Health institutions had a high profile in Policy and Patents, especially abroad, while agriculture had a more local impact. Citations in policy documents increased impact by 220%. Brazilian institutions in Defence, Agriculture, Energy & Nuclear, and Economic areas generally perform below world means. While some institutions may show a higher impact on specific indicators, the present study raises the need for an in-depth analysis of these institutions and their return on investments. Information contained here can help these institutions in strategic planning to improve impact results, including the uptake of science by the Brazilian government. While Fiocruz seems to meet this demand, Embrapa still needs to reaffirm its space within the system. Discussion on the return on investment (monetary and other resources) made in institutions these institutions require future studies.

Challenges in Early Years data and their implications on programme evaluations

The Welsh Government funds a wide range of Early Years programmes to both support parents to remain in work and children’s social, emotional and educational development. The interest of Welsh Ministers in this policy area has grown in recent years with expansions in this area carefully considered. The potential for expanding the offer has generated a greater need for evidence to understand the effectiveness of the delivery against the proposed objectives. Data linking is a valuable and efficient way to provide complex evaluations of policy programmes as it maximises the use of existing data sources without increasing the burdens on data providers and provides comprehensive information that would otherwise be limited with a single dataset. However, Welsh Government research on programme evaluation in Early Years is facing challenges and this work aims at providing an overview of these issues, their impact on Early Years analytical work and progress made to address them. In particular, the main challenges are related to data quality and data availability that stem from lack of metadata and contextual information, poor technological infrastructure and, at times, a disconnect between policy / operational delivery and data collection. Progress is being made to address these challenges, such as acquiring new datasets or improving the quality of existing ones but these developments take time. At the same time as helping to tackle these structural challenges, the Early Years analytical team is exploring a range of novel approaches to provide robust evaluation of Early Years interventions despite the data issues.

Pushing health data access boundaries - adapting NHS governance for 3 challenges: clinical free-text, safe commercial access and AI development

This presentation will demonstrate expansions to TRE governance frameworks developed to facilitate safe data access in three advanced areas: commercial access, clinical free-text, and innovation with AI/Machine Learning. NHS research governance frameworks - originally set up for clinical trials and expanded into the TRE and secondary data use space – are not an immediate fit for advanced techniques in data science research. Over 2 years, public, expert and user engagement approaches were utilised to support developing frameworks within DataLoch, a Health and Social Care TRE and data access service in South-East Scotland. Surveys, workshops and continuous user and data controller feedback allowed the testing of tools and assessments to adapt traditional NHS governance structures. These frameworks utilise the Five Safes framework to make NHS data controllers supportive of innovative research in the public and health service’s benefit. The presentation will summarise the challenges faced for one TRE and researchers working to support these areas, and the frameworks that are now are being tested within an NHS Scotland Health Board. The development and implementation demonstrates that governance structures can be adapted collaboratively and paves the way for more flexible TRE governance to allow the use of NHS patient data to remain legally and ethically robust while supporting advanced techniques of analysis.

Advancing Rural Entrepreneurship: Does Microfinancing Matter?

This paper examines the effect of microfinance products on the performance of rural businesses in developing economies. The study is survey research that uses multiple regression models with a sample of 228 small businesses from rural communities. Two regression models were developed and tested. The two dependent variables are: profits and sales growth. The four independent variables are: loans, savings, insurance, and education, with five control variables: gender, managerial skills, age, industry, and size. Both regression models are significant (0.000) with adjusted R-squared values &gt; 70%. Thus, the two models are valid predictors of financial performance. The optimal strategy is to get micro-loans, education and insurance, and to have micro-savings. The study extends the literature on the microfinance drivers and other characteristics influencing the development of rural businesses in an emerging market context. The study also serves as a benchmark in utilizing scarce resources for the sustainability and performance of rural businesses. Implications for practice and research for rural entrepreneurs, microfinance institutions, and government as well as limitations and further studies, are discussed.

Progress in adaptive governance research and hotspot analysis: a global scientometric visualization analysis

Adaptive governance has emerged as a prominent theoretical and methodological approach in environmental governance, recognized for its capacity to address evolving conditions and future uncertainties. Despite the extensive literature on adaptive governance since its inception in 2003, a comprehensive review of the literature spanning two decades remains to be conducted. This study addresses that gap by selecting 3274 articles from the Web of Science Core Collection and performing a global scientometric visualization analysis. Our analysis identifies the most productive institutions, authors, journals, publication trends, and research frontiers in adaptive governance research. The findings reveal that there has been a significant acceleration in global research on adaptive governance over the past two decades. Furthermore, the majority of contributions to the field of adaptive governance research have been made by scholars based in the United States, Australia, England, Canada, and the Netherlands. Additionally, existing studies in adaptive governance field focus mainly on subject categories of environmental studies, environmental sciences, and ecology. Finally, the concept of adaptive governance, environmental governance, social-ecological systems, climate change adaptation and social learning were identified as hot topics and emerging trends. This study provides researchers and practitioners with an extensive understanding of the salient research themes, trends, and patterns in global adaptive governance research in an intuitive manner.

Applied Crop Production Research Across the Canadian Prairies

AbstractThere is world‐class government and academic research conducted throughout the Canadian Prairies. To adapt government and academic research to local growing environments, there is a broad network of organizations across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba that conduct applied research and demonstrations. This article provides an overview of the provincial networks and highlights one organization from each province to showcase the value of applied research that is being conducted across western Canada.

Translational Bioethics in China: Brain-Computer Interface Research as a Case Study.

The research and development of emerging technologies has potential long-term and societal impacts that pose governance challenges. This essay summarizes the development of research ethics in China over the past few decades, as well as the measures taken by the Chinese government to build its ethical governance system of science and technology after the occurrence of the CRISPR-babies incident. The essay then elaborates on the current problems of this system through the case study of ethical governance of brain-computer interface research, and explores how the transition from research ethics to translational bioethics, which encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and focuses on societal implications, may respond to the challenges of ethical governance of science and technology.