Rural Regions Research Articles

Bridging the Disparity: An Optimization Model for Equitable Allocation of Urban and Rural Educational Resources in Western China

The persistent disparity in educational resources between urban and rural areas in western China remains a critical barrier to achieving educational equity. This study addresses the critical issue by developing an innovative optimization model. The model aims to allocate financial, human, and physical resources effectively to minimize the educational quality gap between these regions. Using information from the China Education Panel Survey (CEPS) and concentrating on Xinjiang as a representative instance, our design integrates budget constraints, minimum resource requirements, and a unique regional prioritization factor. The goal of the objective function is to reduce the squared disparity in educational quality between city and rural regions. It thinks about variables such as Teacher-Student Ratio (TSR), Per Capita Investment (PCI), and Teaching Equipment Perfection (TEP). Our searchings for show that strategic resource distribution can considerably lessen educational inequalities in between metropolitan and country setups, especially by focusing on underdeveloped rural regions. Sensitivity analysis shows that customizing the local prioritization specification makes it possible for versatile policy strategies, ranging from equitable distribution to plainly sustaining rural regions. This study presents a pragmatic structure for boosting resource allotment in education. It supplies vital understandings for policymakers aiming to promote an extra equitable educational environment in Western China.

Security of Magnetic Resonance Medical Images using Region-based Lossless Image Compression in Healthcare Information Systems

Purpose The purpose of region-based medical image compression is to optimize the compression process by focusing on specific regions of interest within medical images. Unlike traditional compression methods that treat the entire image uniformly, region-based compression techniques identify and prioritize certain areas or regions within the image that are deemed more diagnostically significant or relevant. By allocating more resources to compressing these critical regions while reducing compression in less important areas, region-based compression methods aim to achieve higher compression efficiency while preserving diagnostic quality. This approach is particularly valuable in medical imaging, where accurate representation of anatomical structures or pathological findings is paramount for clinical diagnosis and decision-making. Region-based compression can help reduce storage requirements, transmission bandwidth, and processing time without compromising the diagnostic integrity of medical images, thereby facilitating more efficient healthcare delivery and telemedicine applications. Methods In this study, we utilized distortion-limiting compression techniques to optimize the compression process for specific regions within medical images. We employed lossless scalable RBC (Region-Based Compression) using Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) for Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) images. The initial step involved medical image pre-processing, followed by segmentation to separate the image into regions of interest (ROI) and non-ROI. Compression techniques were then applied to reduce network bandwidth and storage requirements. Fractal lossy compression was employed for the non-ROI portion, while context-tree weighting lossless compression was proposed for the ROI portion, effectively compressing the image while rejecting noisy background elements. During decompression, the original medical image can be reconstructed using the reverse process. This approach optimizes storage and transmission efficiency while preserving diagnostic integrity in medical imaging applications. Results The experiment involved testing various medical images, and the proposed method outperformed previous techniques in terms of results. According to the findings, the improvement in Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) over current techniques reached up to 24.23 dB compared to the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG). Additionally, it achieved up to 12.22 dB improvement compared to other transform approaches. These significant enhancements prompted the development of a web and mobile platform for compressing and sending medical images, particularly microscopic ones, in real time. Conclusion This research focuses on employing wavelet transform techniques to compress the Region of Interest (ROI) within medical images. This ROI-based compression approach is particularly valuable as it retains essential diagnostic information while reducing the overall file size. Such a technique holds significant promise for telemedicine systems, especially in rural regions where network resources may be limited or constrained. By selectively compressing the most diagnostically relevant areas of medical images, this approach ensures that critical information is preserved while optimizing data transmission and storage efficiency. This can ultimately enhance access to medical imaging services and facilitate remote diagnosis and treatment in underserved areas with limited network infrastructure.

“Does Digital Education Bridge the Urban-Rural Divide in STEM Education in China? Analyzing Accessibility, Engagement, and Outcomes”

This paper examines the role of digital education in bridging the urban-rural divide in STEM education across China, focusing on accessibility, engagement, and educational outcomes. Despite significant advances in digital infrastructure and educational platforms, rural areas continue to face challenges in access to high-quality STEM education, primarily due to disparities in teacher training, resource availability, and community support. The study highlights the importance of targeted interventions, including improved teacher training, increased parental and community engagement, and tailored educational programs to address these challenges. By analyzing both short-term outcomes and long-term aspirations, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of how digital education can contribute to reducing educational inequities between urban and rural regions in China.

Rural areas as winners of COVID-19, digitalization and remote working? Empirical evidence from recent internal migration in Germany

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has caused economic crises and increased inter-regional economic disparities. However, the catalyst effect that the pandemic has had on digitalization may change the traditional pattern of internal migration, in favour of rural areas. Using time-sensitive register data we explain changes in net migration rates of German districts from an economic geography perspective. We show that, since the beginning of the pandemic, rural regions benefited more from migration. In particular, younger and highly skilled individuals increasingly move to rural areas. This confirms that rural regions can benefit from increasing remote work, but these effects differ across region types and individual skill levels.

An Analysis of the Development of Sex Education in China

In contemporary China, despite growing awareness and attention to sexual education issues, the promotion and popularization of comprehensive sexual education remain hindered by deeply ingrained conservative attitudes that have persisted for millennia. These attitudes have led to sub-optimal outcomes, including limited access to accurate information and resources, which can negatively impact public health and social development. This study examines the historical development and current state of sexual education in China, as well as the various challenges that hinder its advancement, through an analysis of regionally gathered data. The study highlights the regional disparities in sexual education across China. Urban areas tend to have more progressive attitudes and better access to resources than rural regions, where conservative views and limited infrastructure can further restrict the dissemination of vital information. These disparities underscore the need for tailored approaches that address the specific needs of different communities. To overcome these challenges and optimize promotional efforts, the study suggests several key strategies, including formulating relevant policies by the government, managing relevant courses in schools, and parents’ understanding of related knowledge. By implementing these strategies, it is hoped that promoting and popularizing sexual education in China will lead to improved health outcomes, greater gender equality, and a more informed society overall.

Achieving universal energy access in remote locations using HOMER energy model: a techno-economic and environmental analysis of hybrid microgrid systems for rural electrification in northeast Nigeria

The developing world continues to face substantial obstacles to achieving affordable and dependable electricity access. This issue is especially pertinent for Nigeria, where diesel generators are widely relied upon in urban and rural regions because of an underdeveloped and unreliable national grid. The lack of grid reliability is worsened in Northeastern Nigeria, an area plagued by conflict, extreme poverty, and grid infrastructure deterioration. This study investigates the feasibility of implementing community-scale microgrids in rural areas without grid connection access. It focuses on assessing the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of utilizing these microgrids to deliver inexpensive and dependable electricity to underserved populations to increase energy access. A case study was conducted in Kabuiri, a village with an estimated population of 2,300 residents and an estimated load demand of 610 kWh per day. A hybrid microgrid system was designed and optimized to meet the community’s load demand using HOMER software, sized to produce 610 kWh/day of electricity with a renewable penetration of 99%. The optimal solar PV/battery/generator system had a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of $ 0.093 per kWh, a net present cost (NPC) of $266,709, and an annual operating cost of $9,110. The system contributed 1,624 kg CO2 eq/year of global warming potential and 56.81 kg O3 eq/year of smog formation during operation. Sensitivity analysis showed that the system could effectively react to or adapt to substantial increases in diesel prices, requiring only marginal increases in photovoltaic capacity and reduced generator usage to maintain the most cost-efficient operation. Additionally, the system model can be adapted based on the population of the remote community without substantially impacting the LCOE, however, the NPC increases with increase in population size. This research will aid in increasing energy access in remote locations by providing insights to stakeholders and energy access project developers.

Resilience of Interurban Public Transport and Impact of COVID-19 on Rural Connectivity in Sparsely Populated Regions

The aim of this research consisted of assessing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the interurban public transport system in a rural region with a sparse population density, considering the number of tickets sold and passengers in each locality, as well as the different connecting lines. From a methodological point of view and with the intention of identifying patterns to explain the behaviour of both the routes and passengers, a series of variables were selected, becoming determining factors that sought to offer a solution to the search for a common trend. Additionally, data processing by the means of statistical analysis and the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools complemented the procedure. The results obtained in the investigation were provided both by municipality and by interurban routes. An interesting finding of this research was the uneven recovery of the municipalities. The localities closest to the attractor nucleus have recovered more quickly to pre-pandemic mobility levels due to their geographical proximity, larger populations, higher incomes per household, and need to access certain public services. In terms of routes, all the lines showed significant decreases in ticket sales, although with variations. Although passenger numbers have shown a gradual recovery, the initial loss was considerable, and pre-pandemic normality has not been completely achieved. This research provides a comprehensive overview of the changes in interurban mobility over a four-year period. The incorporation of critical variables and the segmentation by municipality and route provide a way to identify discernible patterns of mobility. However, the lack of previous research focusing on the impact of the pandemic in rural areas of low population density restricts the possibility of establishing a comparison and to generalise the findings. The authors consider that future research should include other alternative means of transport in these interurban areas and incorporate variables to characterise passengers, such as age, gender, etc.

Migration and Agrarian Change in Eastern Hill Region of Nepal

Migration is a fundamental factor of human mobility and civilization through which people largely shift their ways of living to secure better life. The agrarian mode of social stratification dates back to the human civilization that have also been changing across. Among the various sectors, agriculture is considered to be the backbone of developing economy which has been largely influenced by mobility of the people. By considering this fact, the true value of migration lies on the rapid transformation of existing agrarian pattern of most of the economy. The aim of this paper is to analyze the role of migration in agrarian social change in the eastern hill of Nepal. This research paper is primarily based on the secondary data obtained through reviewing different published as well as digital scholarly sources and other official records to obtain the required information. The study reveals that migration is one of the dominant factors of agrarian social change in hill regions of Nepal. Since, agriculture growth is inevitable for better rural livelihood, the gradual diversification of rural livelihood dominantly influenced the agrarian social structure and the development of rural hill regions.

Parental participation in newborn care in the view of health care providers in Uganda: a qualitative study

BackgroundEvidence suggests that family-centered care for sick newborns, where parents are co-caregivers in newborn care units, can result in increased breastfeeding frequency, higher weight gain, earlier discharge, and reduced parental anxiety. This study explored healthcare providers' perceptions and experiences of parental participation in care for sick newborns in the newborn care units in two high-volume maternity units in Uganda, with the aim of informing interventions that promote family-centered care for newborns.MethodsAn exploratory qualitative study was conducted between August and December 2023. Sixteen in-depth interviews were held at a regional and general hospital in the rural eastern region of Uganda. The interviews were audio-recorded and then transcribed, followed by a reflexive thematic analysis approach to generate themes.FindingsWe identified four key themes: (1) creating order to ensure the safety of newborns in the newborn care unit; (2) parental participation as a tool for overcoming workload in the Newborn care unit; (3) redirecting parental involvement to focus on medically endorsed newborn care practices; and (4) stress management targeting mothers to ensure newborn survival.ConclusionHealthcare providers encourage parents to participate in caring for their newborns in the newborn care units, mainly to reduce their workload. However, our study highlights the imbalanced nature of parental involvement, where HCPs control the tasks parents can or cannot perform, essentially deploying them as "assistants" rather than equal partners, contrary to the ideals of family-centered care. Transforming the current "healthcare provider-centered" model of caring for sick newborns to one that is family-centered will require training providers on the benefits of family-centered care and developing guidelines for its structured implementation within a resource-limited setting.

Shaping childhood obesity: behavioral and environmental risk factors associated with body mass index trajectories between 2 and 9 years in Samoan children.

Pacific children are at high obesity risk, yet the behavioral and environmental factors that contribute to obesity development in this setting remain poorly understood. We assessed associations between childhood risk factors for obesity with body mass index (BMI) trajectories between ages 2-9 years in Samoa. In a prospective cohort of 485 children from 'Upolu, we measured weight and height at ages 2-4 (2015), 3.5-8 (2017-18), and 5.5-11 years (2019-20). Modern dietary pattern adherence was assessed using factor analysis of primary caregiver-reported food frequency questionnaire data. Physical activity was estimated with the Netherlands Physical Activity Questionnaire. Socioeconomic resources were assessed using an 18-item household asset score. Urbanicity was based on village residence. Associations of these risk factors with predicted weight, height, and BMI (at 1-year intervals and velocity) were assessed using multilevel cubic spline regressions. Females had greater adjusted weight velocity with high modern dietary pattern adherence compared to low (p-value for interaction with age spline term 1 = 0.028 and age spline term 2 = 0.007). Starting at age 3 years, children with higher physical activity had higher BMI, but this association was not meaningful up to age 9 (all p-value > 0.05). Males with very high compared to low household assets had higher BMI from age 2 to 4 years (95% CI: 0.26-1.53 kg/m2, p = 0.006) and greater BMI velocity (p-value for interaction with age spline term 2 = 0.001). Males in the urban region had the greatest BMI gain after age 5 compared to the rural region (p-value for interaction with age spline term 2 = 0.014). High, centile-crossing BMI trajectories suggest that obesity prevention and intervention are needed among Samoan children before age 9 years. Positive associations between high modern dietary pattern adherence, greater asset ownership, and urbanization offer initial insights into who, and which behavioral risk factors, should be prioritized in implementing public health solutions.

Risk factors for bicycle-related overtaking, rear-end, and door crashes in the United Kingdom

Abstract Background Prior studies have offered valuable insights into risk factors associated with bicycle crashes at intersections. Nevertheless, limited research focuses on investigating three types of bicycle crashes that commonly occur on road segments: overtaking, rear-end, and door crashes. Methods In the present research, risk factors for these three types of crashes on road segments were examined by analyzing British STATS19 reports of crashes from 1991 to 2020. We calculated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for multiple risk factors using multivariate logistic regression models. The analysis included 127,637 bicycle crashes, categorized into 18,350 overtaking, 44,962 rear-end, 6,363 door, and 57,962 other crashes. Results Speed limits of ≥ 40 miles per hour (mph) (AOR = 2.238, 95% CI = 2.159-2.320), heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) as crash partners (AOR = 2.867, 95% CI 2.473-3.323), and elderly crash partners (AOR = 2.013, 95% CI = 1.937-2.092) were significant risk factors for overtaking crashes. Notable risk factors for rear-end crashes included midnight hours (AOR = 1.269, 95% CI = 1.190-1.354) and unlit darkness (AOR = 1.486, 95% CI = 1.404-1.573). Speed limits 20-30 mph (AOR = 16.185, 95% CI = 13.514-19.382), as well as taxis and private rental automobiles (AOR = 2.695, 95% CI = 2.310-3.145), were factors associated with door crashes. Further intriguing findings from our joint-effect analysis included higher probabilities for overtaking crashes in rural regions when older drivers and HGVs were crash partners (AOR = 2.93, 95% CI = 2.79-3.08 and AOR = 2.62, 95% CI = 2.46-2.78). Conclusions The mentioned risk factors have remained mostly consistent since our previous study was conducted in 2011. However, current research elucidated that certain factors have become more significant under specific circumstances. For instance, in rural areas, cyclists were more likely to be involved in overtaking crashes with heavy goods vehicles as crash partners. Key messages • Bicycle crash; Road segment; Door crash; Overtaking crash; Rear-end crash

Light Absorption Properties of Brown Carbon Aerosol During Winter at a Polluted Rural Site in the North China Plain

Brown carbon aerosols (BrC), a subfraction of organic aerosols, significantly influence the atmospheric environment, climate and human health. The North China Plain (NCP) is a hotspot for BrC research in China, yet our understanding of the optical properties of BrC in rural regions is still very limited. In this study, we characterize the chemical components and light absorption of BrC at a rural site during winter in the NCP. The average mass concentration of PM1 is 135.1 ± 82.3 μg/m3; organics and nitrate are the main components of PM1. The absorption coefficient of BrC (babs,BrC) is 53.6 ± 45.7 Mm−1, accounting for 39.5 ± 10.2% of the total light absorption at 370 nm. Diurnal variations reveal that the babs,BrC and organics are lower in the afternoon, attributed to the evolution of planetary boundary layers. BrC is mainly emitted locally, and both the aqueous phase and the photooxidation reactions can increase babs,BrC. Notably, the babs,BrC is reduced when RH > 65%. During foggy conditions, reactions in the aqueous phase facilitate the formation of secondary components and contribute to the bleaching of BrC. This process ultimately causes a decrease in both the absorption Ångström exponent (AAE) and the mass absorption efficiency (MAE). In contrast, the babs,BrC, along with AAE and MAE, rise significantly due to substantial primary emissions. This study enhances our understanding of the light absorption of BrC in rural polluted regions of the NCP.

Assessment of heavy metal contamination in groundwater of rural areas of Kurdistan Province Iran: A comprehensive study

This study focuses on the contamination of groundwater by heavy metals (HMs) in the Kurdistan Province of Iran, an area heavily reliant on these water resources, especially in rural regions. This research aimed to quantify the concentrations of 20 HMs in groundwater sources and assess the associated health risks, including both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects, for different age groups. The study was conducted in 2024. We collected 155 groundwater samples from water resources of the villages in Kurdistan Province, west of Iran. The study encompassed comprehensive sampling of groundwater from various wells and springs throughout the province, which was subsequently subjected to thorough laboratory analysis utilizing Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) for the quantification of heavy metal (HM) concentrations. The highest concentrations of As, Co, Cu, and Mo were 7.90, 0.22, 2.48, and 1.68 μg/l, respectively. It was related to the cities of Qorveh, Sanandaj, Baneh, and Qorveh respectively. A Health Risk Assessment (HRA) was performed, indicating that, while the concentrations of most HMs were within the thresholds established by national and international standards, certain metals, such as arsenic and lithium, presented notable non-carcinogenic risks, especially to children. These metals were responsible for over 48 % of the cumulative hazard index (HI) across all ten cities evaluated. Furthermore, the HI for the adult demographic exceeded 1.0 (specifically 1.23) exclusively in Qorwe city. The study also identified a high carcinogenic risk associated with lead across the province, which has a carcinogenic risk of 7.3 × 10−03 in 10 studied cities, which is more than the guideline value of 10−04. The findings underscore the urgent need for continuous monitoring and the implementation of preventive measures to safeguard public health. The results provide crucial insights for policymakers and health authorities, facilitating informed decisions to mitigate the health risks posed by HM contamination in the region's groundwater.

Educational Inequality and Its Political and Economic Consequences: A Case Study of Nigeria and Kenya

Two of the most populous and economically varied countries in Africa, Nigeria and Kenya, continue to face significant obstacles to their development: educational inequality. The article examines the various facets of educational inequality in different nations, emphasizing the effects on the political and economic spheres. Differences in educational accessibility and quality between rural and urban regions, as well as between the north and the south, have contributed to social discontent, political disenfranchisement, and economic stagnation in Nigeria. In a similar vein, while there has been improvement in Kenya regarding educational access, notable inequalities still exist, especially in disadvantaged areas, which fuels political polarization and increases the economic divide. This article highlights effective solutions meant to solve these issues while examining the effects of unequal educational resource distribution on political polarization, economic development, and national stability. This study offers important insights into the larger consequences of educational disparity for sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa by contrasting the educational systems of Nigeria and Kenya.

Rural Alabamians' Unmet Medical Needs: Rethinking the Roles of Online Health Information-Seeking Behaviors.

Unmet medical needs in rural areas are of grave concern in the U.S. With the advent of digital technologies, the Internet has become a critical means for accessing essential health information. However, racial/ethnic minority rural communities experiencing scarcity in healthcare services and access to the Internet are underrepresented in digital health studies. This study examined the association between online health information-seeking behaviors and unmet medical needs in a sample of African/Black American adults living in a rural region of the U.S. Among a sample of 191 adults, we used descriptive analyses to document the level of unmet medical needs and online health information-seeking behaviors of this population and conducted logistic regressions to test the association between online health information-seeking behaviors and unmet medical needs. Most participants were older than 50years old (60.2%), female (68.1%), unemployed (57.6%), and had an annual income of less than $25,000 (60.2%). About 20% of participants experienced unmet medical needs. The mean score of online health information-seeking behaviors was 2.37 (range 0-12). Increasing online health information-seeking behaviors was associated with 5.95 increased odds of experiencing unmet medical needs (OR = 5.95, 95% CI 1.27-27.77). The finding highlights that it is necessary to develop targeted programs aimed at populations with high unmet medical needs, focusing on providing accessible health information and resources. Further research is warranted to investigate the motivations to engage in online health information-seeking behaviors to inform structural and workforce interventions to address unmet medical needs in this under-resourced region.

CO2 Emissions Estimate From Mexico City Using Ground‐ and Space‐Based Remote Sensing

AbstractThe Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) stands as one of the most densely populated urban regions globally. To quantify the urban emissions in the MCMA, we independently assimilated observations from a dense column‐integrated Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) network and OCO‐3 Snapshot Area Map observations between October 2020 and May 2021. Applying a computationally efficient analytical Bayesian inversion technique, we inverted for surface fluxes at high spatio‐temporal resolutions (1‐km and 1‐hr). The fossil fuel (FF) emission estimates of 5.08 and 6.77 Gg/hr reported by the global and local emission inventories were optimized to 4.85 and 5.51 Gg/hr based on FTIR observations over this 7 month period, highlighting a convergence of posterior estimates. The modeled biogenic flux estimate of −0.14 Gg/hr was improved to −0.33 to −0.27 Gg/hr, respectively. It is worth noting that utilizing observations from three primary sites significantly enhanced the accuracy of estimates (13.6 29.2%) around the other four. Using FTIR posterior estimates can improve simulation with the OCO‐3 data set. OCO‐3 shows a similar decreasing trend in FF emissions (from 6.37 Gg/hr to 6.36 and 5.04 Gg/hr) as FTIR, but its correction trends for biogenic sources differ, changing from 0.37 to 0.48 Gg/hr. The primary reason is OCO‐3's lower temporal sampling density. Aligning the FTIR inversion timing with that of OCO‐3 yielded comparable corrections for FF emissions, yet discrepancies in biogenic emissions persisted, which can be attributed to their different sampling locations in the rural region and discrepancy in X observations. Our findings mark a significant step toward validating OCO‐3 and FTIR inversion results in metropolitan region.

The Rural and Urban China Education Disparities

Abstract: In the last decades, education in China has significantly developed and the majority of Chinese young generations are literate. While the exponential growth in urban adult literacy is a testament to the success of the compulsory education system, it is crucial to acknowledge that rural education has been left behind and marginalized in China. This research delves into the urgent issue of rural education inequality in China. The paper thoroughly investigates the current education problems in rural regions and proposes a solution by adjusting faculty distribution and implementing a national central platform for artificial intelligence classrooms (AIC). These measures aim to address the pressing concern, optimize funding usage, and mitigate inequality in education resources to prevent the urban-rural gap from widening. It is important to note that while implementing these proposals is yet to be completed, this paper provides a theoretical examination of the existing issues. Based on the findings, the study proposes a theoretical AIC model for making a social change of education.

Diabetic Retinopathy Detection using CNN and Telemedicine

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision impairment and blindness among individuals with diabetes. Early detection and timely intervention are critical for preventing severe complications. However, the scarcity of ophthalmologists, especially in rural and underdeveloped regions, limits the accessibility of timely diagnosis and treatment. Telemedicine, combined with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, such as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), offers a promising solution for improving DR detection and patient care remotely. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of recent advancements in DR detection using CNN-based deep learning models, along with telemedicine frameworks for real-time consultation and treatment suggestions. We discuss the underlying architecture of CNN models and their role in automating retinal image classification.

Research on the Development Dilemma and Countermeasures of Chinas Education Industry from the Perspective of Digital Transformation

Amidst the rapid evolution and broadening adoption of information technology in China, the education sector is undergoing unprecedented transformation. While the digitalization of Chinas education industry is advancing swiftly, it is encountering various challenges that require ongoing attention and solutions. Promoting educational equality between cities and villages to reduce the difference is a critical component of this transition. The urban-rural education disparity significantly impedes the pace and quality of digital transformation of the education industry in China. Rural regions encounter issues such as inadequate infrastructure, unequal allocation of educational resources, and insufficient digital literacy among teachers. Implementing tutorial systems, establishing Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), and adopting the three classrooms model can effectively address these challenges. Collaboration among schools, government entities, and broader society is essential to promote educational equity, advance educational modernization, and cultivate talents tailored for future societal needs. Studying the challenges faced by Chinas education industry during its digital transformation phase, along with corresponding strategies, is pivotal for developing innovative teaching models and approaches. This endeavor fosters the evolution of educational content and instructional methods, aligning them with the swiftly changing social and economic landscape.

Socio-Economic Determinants of Human Negligence in Wildfire Incidence: A Case Study from Pakistan’s Peri-Urban and Rural Areas

This study aims to examine the socio-economic determinants of human negligence in wildfire occurrences across Pakistan’s peri-urban and rural regions. Increasingly frequent and severe wildfires, driven by climate change, socio-economic conditions, and human negligence, have become a pressing issue. Rising global temperatures and changing precipitation patterns have created drier conditions, while unsafe human activities—such as improper disposal of flammable materials and unsafe agricultural burning—further escalate wildfire risks. These issues are particularly pronounced in Pakistan, where high poverty levels, limited resources, and low education contribute to dangerous behaviors. Weak governance and poor policy enforcement further exacerbate the problem. Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey from 500 participants across five regions. Multiple regression analysis revealed that higher poverty levels significantly increased negligence, whereas higher education and improved access to resources reduced it. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) highlighted the critical roles of local governance, policy enforcement, and community engagement in mitigating wildfires. Correlation analysis indicated an inverse relationship between wildfire risk awareness and negligent behavior. Chi-square tests demonstrated a strong connection between wildfires and migration patterns, underscoring the socio-economic instability caused by these events. Finally, linear regression showed that wildfires significantly impact regional climate indicators, emphasizing the need for integrated management strategies. This study offers valuable insights into the socio-economic factors driving wildfires in Pakistan and provides guidance for developing targeted mitigation strategies.