Socio-economic Structure Research Articles

Municipality-level differences in disability retirement in Finland: The contribution of local social characteristics.

Large differences exist in the risk of disability retirement between Finnish municipalities. This study examined whether individual-level and municipality-level characteristics explain these differences and which municipality-level characteristics are particularly important for the risk of disability retirement. Individual-level register data were supplemented with 10 municipality-level characteristics from various databases. A 20% sample of the Finnish population (N=626,391) was followed for transition to disability retirement from 2016 to 2019 using multilevel Weibull models. Of the total variation in the risk of disability retirement, 4.3% was attributed to the municipal-level and decreased to 1.8% when individual-level characteristics (gender, age, education level and entitlement to special reimbursement for medical expenses, reflecting morbidity) were controlled for. Further adjustment for municipality-level characteristics fully erased the differences between municipalities. The proportion of municipality-level variation was larger for disability retirement due to somatic illnesses than mental disorders. Of the municipality-level characteristics, socioeconomic structure, unemployment rate, poverty, net migration between municipalities, dependency ratio, the amount of tax revenue per capita and morbidity were associated with the risk of disability retirement. The municipality-level variation in the risk of disability retirement is largely explained by the individual characteristics of the inhabitants. However, various characteristics of the municipalities show associations with the risk of disability retirement. Recognizing such factors is essential for shaping policies that mitigate disability retirement risk.

Increasing fluctuations in the Arctic summer sea ice cover are expected with future global warming

The loss of Arctic sea ice (ASI) represents a major transformation in the Arctic region, impacting regional and global climate, ecosystems, and socio-economic structures. Observational and reanalysis data have consistently shown a notable shift in polar environmental conditions over recent decades, marked by a substantial reduction in the ASI area and a rise in the variability in its coverage and distribution. Utilizing data from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase, our study reveals a consistent pattern highlighting a fundamental shift in ASI dynamics preceding total loss. We observe increasing fluctuations in the September ASI area as the threshold for an ice-free Arctic is approached across various scenarios and models. This pattern is particularly concentrated in the Central Arctic (CA) sub-region. Spatial analyses reveal increasing variance along the CA’s northern coastlines, accompanied by a substantial increase in open water coverage, underscoring the shift from stable to highly variable ice conditions in this region. Additionally, our findings suggest a potential link between increased ASI fluctuations and variability in surface wind speeds. These specific results underscore the urgency of multidisciplinary approaches in addressing the challenges posed by ASI variability, with implications for marine ecosystems, Indigenous communities, and navigational safety.

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN ISLAMIC LAW AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: A MULTIFACETED ANALYSIS

The gap between Islamic law and economic empowerment needs to be researched and analyzed comprehensively to achieve a deep understanding of the issue. This will help encourage critical thinking and make a significant contribution to the development of innovative solutions related to this gap in an era of increasingly complex and dynamic globalization. Our responsibility as individuals and society is to dig deeper and fully understand the consequences of existing inequalities and seek methods of economic empowerment that are contextually appropriate and in accordance with the principles of Islamic law, which in turn will result in continuous improvement in our society. The importance of an in-depth study of the relationship between Islamic law and economic empowerment cannot be ruled out if we are to achieve meaningful and sustainable progress in this field. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to involve citizens, academics, and other stakeholders in this effort, to ensure that our investigations remain objective, focused on problem-solving, and generate valuable recommendations for a more equitable and sustainable future development. The aim of this study was to multifaceted the gap between Islamic law and economic empowerment. This research will look at various aspects and points of view in the analysis of the gap, such as different interpretations of laws, existing socioeconomic structures, and cultural influences in relation to the economic development of Muslims. By analyzing these things comprehensively, the study aims to provide a deeper understanding of the gap and potential solutions to address it. Overall, this study aims to investigate and uncover the complexity of the gap between Islamic law and economic empowerment, as well as contribute to thought and practice in today's global context.

Barriers and opportunities (B&O) for developing low carbon transportation (LCT) policies in Turkey

From a global perspective, climate change mitigation requires countries to consider Low-Carbon Development (LCD) policies, including “Low-Carbon Transport (LCT)” and decarbonization options, which should be ideally developed within a place-based scope. Due to the complex structure of the transportation sector, mitigation actions require not only technological but also behavioral shifts, which can be challenged by the existing legislative and socio-economic structure of a region. Therefore, it is essential to identify and assess barriers and opportunities (B&Os) as a necessary initial phase in the development of national mitigation strategies. Turkey voluntarily started climate change mitigation by preparing the legislative and political infrastructure as a part of the European Union Harmonization Process. Detection of B&Os in other dimensions required an in-depth evaluation of existing LCT barriers and instruments (B&Is) in the IPCC literature in terms of their applicability and priority for Turkey. A focus group study with transport sector representatives was conducted to evaluate 15 barriers and 19 instruments (proposing 285 B&I matrix combinations), followed by a brain-writing exercise that revealed 12 main barriers (i.e., a lack of measurable targets, an imbalanced modal split, a lack of institutional coordination and data archiving, etc.). Various opportunities have been identified, such as the increased utilization of Intelligent Transportation Systems and the timely adoption of vehicle and fuel technologies in the EU region. These opportunities would not only contribute to the development of a national climate change mitigation strategy but also facilitate the implementation of place-based action plans, including climate change action plans and sustainable urban mobility plans at the city level.

A holistic ubuntu artificial intelligence ethics approach in South Africa

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most spoken-about topics in the media, academia, government and other platforms. One of the aspects that is often discussed is the ethical implications of AI and approaches to mitigate the risks. Artificial intelligence has an undeniable impact on industries as well as socio-economic structures; however, this article focusses on the impact of AI on three concerns mainly, humanity, spirituality and the environment. This article is an interdisciplinary study of African theological ethics and the philosophy of technology. It discusses the theological implications (doctrinal issues) of emerging technologies, particularly AI. It discusses technology as power which has impacted Africa since the first industrial revolution and emphasises the importance of African ethics in the context of AI in Africa. This article critically discusses ubuntu ethics and its critique. It focuses on AI and its impact on humanity, spirituality and the environment, and proposes a holistic ubuntu AI ethics approach in South Africa.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article is an interdisciplinary study of African theological ethics and the philosophy of technology. Ubuntu ethics in this article derives from African Theology and African Philosophy. Ubuntu AI ethics is important for various disciplines such as theology, law, social sciences, computer sciences and information technology (especially designers and developers).

Comparison of Methods for Applying the Data Mining Clustering Concept to Banten Provincial Government Poverty Data: Systematic Review

An in-depth understanding of the phenomenon of poverty in Banten Province is the key to formulating effective strategies in overcoming this problem. In general, poverty in this area is caused by several interrelated and complex factors. This research provides a comparative analysis of the application of clustering data mining methods in calculating population poverty data in certain regions or provinces, especially Banten. This research aims to assess the consistency and effectiveness of various clustering methods used in previous research. Using a qualitative approach with a literature review, secondary data from relevant research was collected through systematic searching, reading, and note-taking. The data collected is then carried out through a process of data collection, filtering, presentation and drawing conclusions. The results show that most of the literature reviews show similar results regarding the effectiveness of various clustering methods in analyzing poverty data in Banten. This shows that there is a consensus among previous studies regarding the efficacy of clustering data mining techniques in overcoming problems related to poverty in the region. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the methodology used in poverty analysis and provide insights for policy makers and researchers to develop more effective strategies in poverty alleviation efforts. The conclusion of this research is that clustering data mining in analyzing poverty data in Banten Province has shown quite high consistency and effectiveness. Various literature studies that have been reviewed show that various clustering methods that have been applied previously provide similar results in identifying poverty patterns, understanding socio-economic structures, and providing valuable insights for developing more targeted policies.

Dungeons and Dragons: Gender, Race, and Power in the Fantasy and Storytelling Space

Fantasy allows for the intermingling of the imagination and the physical. It creates collective spaces that can reify, reiterate, or challenge socio-economic structures and power dynamics that create inequalities in our everyday lives. Fantasy spaces create the possibility of the impossible, the unbelievable, and the extraordinary, while simultaneously being bound to the real world from which these ideas stem. The creators manufacturing characters, stories, and worlds are conditioned by the social and political context in which they exist, with their own positionality drastically changing the way that they create and interact with stories and storytelling structures, as Garcia’s 2017 work “Privilege, power, and Dungeons & Dragons: How systems shape racial and gender identities in tabletop role-playing games” details. We explore the history of race, gender, and other social forces in the Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) 5e text, a gaming system that creates a framework of races, classes, and backgrounds for character creation in a roleplaying game. We grapple with our own experiences of how the game can (re)create biases that often go overlooked, creating both feelings of (un)safety for players. In this article, by documenting our experiences playing the game, we explore the ways that Dungeons and Dragons both harmfully recreates the dynamics of the White cis heteropatriarchy, as well as offers space to challenge these same forces, bringing the tumultuous clashing of social forces into the semi-private space of gameplay.

THE IMPACT OF IMPROVEMENT THE DEGREE OF DIGITIZATION OF FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS ACTIVITIES ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC STRUCTURES IN ROMANIA

This research paper proposes to analyze the impact of the digitization process on the socio-economic structures in Romania. Digitization is an essential factor in terms of controlling the gross domestic product indicator, of investments channelled through public policies, so that their economic efficiency is maximized, and of increasing consumption in the current economic context, taking into account the current geopolitical challenges. As it is known, the Covid 19 Pandemic had an important role in accelerating the digitization process in all fields. In this state, a number of companies with a high digitalization index have been identified, but in addition to the effects of digitalization, there are also recent events that have caused negative effects in the digitalization process, specifically in the banking field. The main objective of the works proposes to highlight the fact that in countries where there is a qualified, healthy workforce and able to adapt to new technologies and the demands of the global market, the digitalization phenomenon contributes to the development of investments, of human capital, which is essential for economic growth and long-term stability. In order to achieve the main objective, that of identifying and highlighting the impact on the e-government development activity that has the effect of increasing the efficiency of the government administration, two stages were considered: one stage refers to the formation of clusters subject to further analysis and the algorithm k -means, and the second involves identifying the public impact that the digitization of services has on increasing the efficiency of governments

СУЧАСНІ ТЕХНОЛОГІЇ ПРОЄКТУВАННЯ НАУКОВО-ДОСЛІДНОГО ТА НАВЧАЛЬНОГО ЦЕНТРУ НАРОДНИХ ПРОМИСЛІВ

The article proposes modern technologies and develops conceptual approaches to the design of a research and educational center that ensure functionality and compliance with historical traditions. The main planning zones and functions of the complex have been determined, including administrative, educational, research, craft, exhibition and recreational zones, ensuring the effective use of the territory and promoting the popularization of folk crafts. In order to form the conceptual foundations, the comparative historical method was used in the study in order to evaluate the organization of places in the past and integrate them into the present. In the 19th century, landlord settlements were a key component of the socio-economic structure on the territory of Ukraine. The analysis of folk crafts and their integration at the cultural heritage site allows for the implementation of a cultural program for visitors, namely: various workshops in weaving, pottery, cheese making, baking, woodworking, as well as holding folk holidays and ceremonies. An important part of the cultural program are folklore performances and theatrical productions, which contribute to the preservation of Ukrainian culture. Planning solutions have been developed that take into account the characteristics of historic buildings and the landscape, including strengthening the banks, installing drainage systems and other engineering measures to ensure the stability, sustainability and safety of the complex. The project of the research and training center of folk crafts in the village of Sednіv (Chernihiv region) is an important step in preserving the cultural heritage of Ukraine. It will contribute to the economic growth of the region and sustainable development, the development of tourism, raising the level of public awareness of folk crafts and traditions.

The Inequality in Healthcare Access in Bihar: Pattern and Determinants

Healthcare access varies across socioeconomic determinants and therefore, states’ demographic and socioeconomic structure plays an important role in an individual’s health status in the state. For example, richer have better access to healthcare than poorer, and women have lower healthcare access than men. In this study, the role of socioeconomic determinants in healthcare access is discussed in five states of India—Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh; therefore, this article aims to determine how healthcare access across socioeconomic determinants varies across states. The study is based on the National Sample Survey 75th round of data on health (2017–2018). A comparative study is conducted to know the percentage of non-access to healthcare (unmet needs) across different socioeconomic determinants such as age, gender, income, religion, caste and others. A logistic regression model is used to determine significant socioeconomic factors in healthcare access in all five states. The concentration index and concentration curve show the inequality in healthcare access across income quintiles. The result shows that Bihar has the highest cases of non-access to healthcare across most socioeconomic determinants followed by Odisha and Jharkhand. In addition, cases of non-access to healthcare in all five states are largely higher than the national average. The result further shows that only a few socioeconomic determinants such as income class and caste are significant to healthcare access and state-wise, they vary. JEL: I140; I150; I18

Socio-Economic Structure and An Empirical Application on the Unemployment-Economic Growth Nexus: The Case of Denmark

Socio-Economic Structure and An Empirical Application on the Unemployment-Economic Growth Nexus: The Case of Denmark

Study of the Impact of New Rural Cooperatives on the Implementation of the Rural Revitalisation Strategy

This study aims to explore the impact of new rural cooperatives on the implementation of China's rural revitalisation strategy, focusing on the roles and challenges of new cooperatives in promoting agricultural modernisation, facilitating the optimisation of socio-economic structures, and achieving an ecological civilisation. Through literature review, case study analysis and field research, this study comprehensively assesses the importance and impact of new rural cooperatives in rural revitalisation. The study finds that new rural cooperatives have significantly improved agricultural productivity and product quality and contributed to agricultural modernisation by pooling farmers' efforts and introducing modern agricultural technologies and management models. These cooperatives have also contributed to the optimisation of rural socio-economic structures by providing employment opportunities, skills training and increasing farmers' incomes. In addition, co-operatives have demonstrated a positive role in promoting rural ecological environment protection and sustainable development, such as promoting green agriculture, conserving resources and protecting the ecological environment. At the same time, this study also points out the challenges faced by new rural co-operatives in the process of development, including management and operational efficiency, market adaptability, balance between environmental protection and sustainable development, fund raising and resource allocation. In response to these challenges, the study proposes a series of countermeasures, such as strengthening the internal management of cooperatives, broadening market channels, promoting environmentally friendly agricultural practices, enhancing the effective use of funds and resources, and strengthening policy support and guidance. Overall, new rural cooperatives play an important role in promoting rural revitalisation strategies, and their successful experiences and challenges are of great reference value in guiding the implementation of rural revitalisation strategies. Through an in-depth study of new rural cooperatives, this paper provides practical insights and suggestions for policymakers, cooperative managers and rural development researchers.

Demographic, socioeconomic, and health structure factors associated with the use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in Brazil: A nationwide ecological study.

Aims: To assess the cumulative rate of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) users in Brazil since its 2018 implementation and to analyze the association between PrEP usage and state-level structural factors. Methods: A nationwide ecological study from 2018 to 2022 was conducted, examining the 5-year cumulative rate of PrEP users in relation to demographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare infrastructure variables. Multiple linear regression analysis identified significant predictors of PrEP utilization. Results: Between 2018 and 2022, 124,796 individuals used PrEP, with a cumulative rate of 61.5 per 100,000 population. The highest usage was in Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Santa Catarina, while the lowest was in Distrito Federal, Maranhão, and Alagoas. Regression analysis showed that higher PrEP usage was associated with lower population density, a younger median age, a lower male to female ratio, and reduced social vulnerability. Additionally, PrEP usage was positively associated with the density of medical doctors and the number of dispensing units. Conclusions: The study reveals significant regional disparities in PrEP usage across Brazil, influenced by socioeconomic and healthcare factors. It highlights the need for targeted public health strategies to enhance PrEP access and uptake, especially in socially vulnerable regions.

Agro-industrial waste management employing benefits of artificial intelligence.

By 2050, the world's population is predicted to reach over 9 billion, which requires 70% increased production in agriculture and food industries to meet demand. This presents a significant challenge for the agri-food sector in all aspects. Agro-industrial wastes are rich in bioactive substances and other medicinal properties. They can be used as a different source for manufacturing products like biogas, biofuels, mushrooms, and tempeh, the primary ingredients in various studies and businesses. Increased importance is placed on resource recovery, recycling, and reusing (RRR) any waste using advanced technology like IoT and artificial intelligence. AI algorithms offer alternate, creative methods for managing agro-industrial waste management (AIWM). There are contradictions and a need to understand how AI technologies work regarding their application to AIWM. This research studies the application of AI-based technology for the various areas of AIWM. The current work aims to discover AI-based models for forecasting the generation and recycling of AIWM waste. Research shows that agro-industrial waste generation has increased worldwide. Infrastructure needs to be upgraded and improved by adapting AI technology to maintain a balance between socioeconomic structures. The study focused on AI's social and economic impacts and the benefits, challenges, and future work in AIWM. The present research will increase recycling and reproduction with a balance of cost, efficiency, and human resources consumption in agro-industrial waste management.

From Recession to Pandemic

Abstract Embarking on an exploration of socio-economic disparities within OECD countries over two decades, this research investigates the effects of the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic on income distribution, labor market dynamics, and health outcomes. Using Exploratory Data Analysis of time-series and mixed-effects models, the study reveals a context characterized by intensifying inequalities, with variations reflecting the unique socio-economic structures of individual countries. It uncovers a pronounced increase in income inequality in countries including Lithuania, Luxembourg, Italy, and the United States, alongside shifts in labor market conditions, with the United States being particularly notable. Furthermore, the analysis highlights a widening of health disparities, evidenced by a decline in life expectancy in countries like the United States, Poland, and Slovakia, and a slowdown in reducing infant mortality rates. The use of mixed-effects models elucidates the role of country-specific factors in shaping these inequalities, revealing a complex interplay of influences that highlight the varied impacts of the pandemic across the OECD. This study not only charts the evolving contours of socio-economic inequalities but also enhances the understanding of global crises’ effects on developed economies.

Forest fire susceptibility assessment under small sample scenario: A semi-supervised learning approach using transductive support vector machine

Forest fires threaten global ecosystems, socio-economic structures, and public safety. Accurately assessing forest fire susceptibility is critical for effective environmental management. Supervised learning methods dominate this assessment, relying on a substantial dataset of forest fire occurrences for model training. However, obtaining precise forest fire location data remains challenging. To address this issue, semi-supervised learning emerges as a viable solution, leveraging both a limited set of collected samples and unlabeled data containing environmental factors for training. Our study employed the transductive support vector machine (TSVM), a key semi-supervised learning method, to assess forest fire susceptibility in scenarios with limited samples. We conducted a comparative analysis, evaluating its performance against widely used supervised learning methods. The assessment area for forest fire susceptibility lies in Dayu County, Jiangxi Province, China, renowned for its vast forest cover and frequent fire incidents. We analyzed and generated maps depicting forest fire susceptibility, evaluating prediction accuracies for both supervised and semi-supervised learning methods across various small sample scenarios (e.g., 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, and 32 samples). Our findings indicate that TSVM exhibits superior prediction accuracy compared to supervised learning with limited samples, yielding more plausible forest fire susceptibility maps. For instance, at sample sizes of 4, 16, and 28, TSVM achieves prediction accuracies of approximately 0.8037, 0.9257, and 0.9583, respectively. In contrast, random forests, the top performers in supervised learning, demonstrate accuracies of approximately 0.7424, 0.8916, and 0.9431, respectively, for the same small sample sizes. Additionally, we discussed three key aspects: TSVM parameter configuration, the impact of unlabeled sample size, and performance within typical sample sizes. Our findings support semi-supervised learning as a promising approach compared to supervised learning for forest fire susceptibility assessment and mapping, particularly in scenarios with small sample sizes.

Different acupuncture and moxibustion therapies in the treatment of IBS-D with anxiety and depression: A network meta-analysis.

Currently, a variety of Western medical interventions are available for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) with comorbid anxiety and depression. However, the attendant negative effects also emerge, putting pressure on healthcare resources and socio-economic structures. In recent years, the benefits of acupuncture (ACU) and moxibustion in the treatment of IBS-D with anxiety and depression have gradually emerged. However, there are many types of ACU-moxibustion-related treatments, and the aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of different ACU-moxibustion therapies in the treatment of anxiety and depression in IBS-D patients. Searched and identified randomized controlled trials (RCTS) of ACU for the treatment of anxiety and depression in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The search spanned from the establishment of the database until September 1, 2023. Revman 5.4 and Stata 15.0 software were used for network meta-analysis (NMA), and the included interventions were ranked by the area under the cumulative ranking curve. A total of 26 articles involving 8 interventions were included. In terms of improving HAMA score, MOX was superior to EA, combined therapies, CH, WM and placebo; In terms of improving HAMD score, MOX was superior to ACU, EA, combined therapies, WM and placebo; In terms of improving the SAS score, The combined therapies were superior to EA, CH and WM; In terms of improving SDS scores, The combined therapies were superior to EA, CH and WM; In terms of improving IBS-SSS score, The combined therapies were superior to WM; In terms of reducing recurrence rates, CH was superior to combined therapies; In terms of improving total effective rates, MOX was superior to EA, CH, WM and placebo; MOX, combined therapies, ACU and EA ranked higher in SUCRA of different outcome indicators. MOX, combined therapies, ACU and EA have certain curative effect on anxiety and depression in patients with IBS-D, and their safety is high. ACU and MOX combined with other therapies also have significant advantages in the treatment effect.

Industrial location and urban macroform prediction model based on cellular automata and multi-criteria decision-making methods (ILAUFM)

The relationships between industrialization and urban regions, as well as technological advancements, innovations, and new work patterns and organizations, significantly impact the structuring of cities. Industrial sectors can become key drivers in shaping the form and macrostructure of a city over time. By examining and evaluating the existing system of structures and relations in the settlements in order to “estimate the land use differentiations” that may arise in the future and “to determine the spatial location of industrial facilities or sites,” a model has been developed. This model aims to predict potential “land use differentiations” and determine the “spatial location selection of industrial facilities or sites” in the future based on the analysis and evaluation of existing structures and relational systems in settlements. The model consists of the integration of the LUCAM, which is based on a cellular automata operating system, along with the “GIS-Based Integrated Industrial Area Location Selection Model,” which evaluates all data under the main headings of natural structure characteristics, socio-economic structure characteristics, and built environment characteristics using weighted overlay analysis. In this article, the general structure of the model developed within the scope of the research and İnegöl sampling are explained. The outputs of this model can be used for alternative separation for logistics centers, residential areas, secondary centers, reinforcement areas, and industrial sites in different settlements. In addition, in the research, a detailed model was designed by integrating decision-makers (central administrations, local administrations, registered users, NGOs) into the urban planning process. The proposed model can be used as a tool in designing transportation and other urban systems (distribution order of equipment areas, green area system, grading of centers, etc.).

Impacts of land use change on surface infiltration capacity and urban flood risk in a representative karst mountain city over the last two decades

Urban areas are undergoing rapid expansion, resulting in diminished vegetation cover and an escalating urban flood problem, and posing substantial threats to aquatic ecosystems, human safety, and socioeconomic structures. However, research on urban flood risk using methods like the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), further exploration of spatiotemporal variations is needed, especially within the context of karst mountainous urban clusters. This study focuses on Guiyang city within a karst mountainous urban cluster, investigating fractional vegetation cover (FVC), infiltration capacity, and urban flood risk. Methodologies encompass slope trend analysis, the utilization of the Google Earth Engine, and geographic detectors to assess the dynamics of FVC and infiltration capacity. AHP is employed to assign weights to infiltration capacity, land use and land cover (LULC), FVC, and elevation, culminating in the generation of flood risk maps through linear weighted overlay. The results showed that: (1) The average FVC in Guiyang City was 0.7440 in 21 years, with relatively low levels in the central and southern regions. The FVC increased by 0.21% per year from 2000 to 2020, driven mainly by land use change and human activities. (2) The infiltration capacity of the city of Guiyang has increased as a whole, mainly due to reforestation efforts in specific areas, while the infiltration capacity of impervious areas tends to decrease. (3) The central urban areas exhibit greater vulnerability, with an estimated ten-year average growth rate of 73.36% in very high flood risk areas by 2030, affecting 7.38% of Guiyang's total area. These urban flood risk maps serve as valuable tools for local governments to enhance urban management practices.

Perspectives of social studies teachers on global issues

This qualitative study aimed to disclose the perspectives of eight volunteer social studies teachers on global issues employed in secondary schools in Denizli province with different socioeconomic and socio-cultural structures and assessed how they reflect their notions in the classrooms. The study used a semi-structured interview form to collect data. The issue-specific data collected from the interviews was presented as a table with themes, categories, and codes, along with actual quotations from the teachers who provided their responses. Accordingly, the study divided the identified global issues into six categories: 'Nature-Related Issues,' 'Informatics-Related Issues,' 'Politics-Related Issues,' 'Economy-Related Issues,' 'Health-Related Issues,' and 'Popular Culture-Related Issues.' Teachers appeared to perform various awareness-raising activities in the classroom to bring these issues to their student's attention. Analyzing the views of social studies teachers supporting all these categories revealed that they discussed global issues from many dimensions, albeit failed to address topics such as education, racism, war, colonialism, human rights, domestic violence, nuclear energy and its use, extinct animals, or the ozone layer's depletion. Contrary to the current literature, however, teachers explicitly expressed the issues related to child labor, informatics, and popular culture as problems at the global level.