Centralized Research Articles

Revolution, reform and the rise of China: a political and social transformation

Purpose This study proposes a new political science–based interpretation of the rise of China and focuses on the academic discussion regarding its root causes. This study aims to identify the historical, economic and sociological perspectives in the relevant literature by offering a political science perspective on the factors that enabled China’s rise, analyze and comment on the controversy surrounding Perry Anderson’s theoretical approach and contribute to the literature by focusing on political and social transformation. Design/methodology/approach By offering a political science perspective on the factors that enabled China’s rise, this study aims to identify the historic, economic and sociological perspectives in the relevant literature; analyze and comment on the controversy surrounding Perry Anderson’s theoretical approach; and contribute to the literature by focusing on political and social transformation. Findings First, revolution and reform together provided the conditions for China’s rise, by establishing a sovereign state and revitalizing the system, respectively. Second, China’s reform model has resulted in a combined and complex institutional structure that effectively integrates the market, the state and political parties in a party-state system. Third, during the rise of China, the market economy, local competition and the authority of political parties have been the source of vitality, the driving force and the stabilizer, respectively. Originality/value This paper offers a critique of the theoretical interpretations of scholars such as Perry Anderson regarding the root causes of the rise of China.

The „limited recognition” problem and the international presence of the Republic of Kosovo

This paper aims to examine the connection between foreign policy of the states with limited recognition and their security. Author analyzes the position of Kosovo in international relations. Explaines differences between de facto states, quasi-states, unrecognized states, pseudo states and states with limited recognition, arguing that Kosovo should be consider as the latter. Author also points out consequences of international recognition (including the case of Kosovo), shows the main goals of foreign policy of this state and relations between Kosovo and international governmental organizations, which conduct ‘engagement without recognition policy’ and selected countries, which recognized Kosovo as a sovereign state. The paper is based on examination of primary and secondary sources, critical analysis of sources and data analysis. Author argues that limited recognition of Kosovo has a direct influence on foreign policy of this state. This foreign policy is strictly connected with security issues. However, limited recognition reduced foreign policy of Kosovo and made that this country cannot be a party of military pacts, which is crucial in maintaining peace and security in this country.

Electrochemical-Enhanced Charge State Modulation of Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers for Ultrasensitive Biodetection of MicroRNA-155.

Sensitive and accurate miRNA detection is important in cancer diagnosis but remains challenging owing to the essential features of miRNAs, such as their small size, high homology, and low abundance. This work proposes a novel electrochemical (EC)-enhanced quantum sensor achieving quantitative detection of miRNA-155 with simultaneous EC sensing. Specifically, fluorescent nanodiamonds/MXene nanocomposites were synthesized and modified with dual-mode signal labels, enabling miRNA-155 concentration measurement via T1 relaxation time of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers and EC signals. Quantum sensing was enhanced via external voltage during the EC process, which modulated the negatively charged state of the NV centers, thereby improving the sensitivity and accuracy of miRNA-155 detection. EC sensing improved the accuracy and reliability of miRNA-155 detection while enhancing quantum sensing. The limit of detection (LOD) of the EC-enhanced quantum biosensor reached 10.0 aM, nearly 106 and 10 times lower than the reported LODs of a quantum sensor using bulk diamond and fluorescent sensors, respectively. The LOD of EC sensing was 2.6 aM, aligning with previous reports. The findings of the study indicated that quantum sensing combined with EC sensing can achieve ultrasensitive miRNA-155 detection with high accuracy and reliability, providing an advanced approach for early cancer diagnosis.

The success of the Eurosceptic opposition forces in the European Parliament deputies’ elections 2024: causes and consequences

The article examines the results of the elections of deputies of the European Parliament, which took place on June 6-9, 2024 in all 27 member states of the European Union. Ten mains officially registered European parties participating in these elections are represented, including six so-called Euro-optimistic ones supporting the EU, and three Eurosceptic ones criticizing the current state of the Union. The analysis of the main results of the activities of the European Parliament of the previous IX convocation from 2019 to 2024, including the results of the activities of all parliamentary groups operating in it and representing eight leading European parties, was carried out. The key trends in the transformation of the European party and political system over the past five years are considered, including the decline in popularity of the leading European parties and their member parties: Conservatives, Social Democrats, Liberals and Greens, and the growing attractiveness of Eurosceptic and populist parties in many EU member states, electoral successes in national elections of representatives of the right, including right-wing radicals the parties that have been in opposition for many years and the aggravation of problems related to the security and defense capability of the EU. The electoral positions of the leading European parties, as well as the forecast estimates of their participation in the Eurovision 2024. The results of these European elections are considered and the results of the formation of a new structure of the European Parliament are analyzed, including the formation of new opposition Eurosceptic right-wing groups: Patriots for Europe, formed by the Hungarian Fidesz party of V. Orban, the French National Rally party of M. Le Pen, the Czech ANO party of A. Babiash, etc., and the Europe of Sovereign Nations, which arose on the initiative of the Alternative for Germany party.

Relevance of state-building in the 2020s and the case of Africa

The study examines the relevance of state-building in the 2020s within the framework of International Relations (IR) theories, with a focus on the Liberal World Order (LWO). Rooted in liberal ideology, the theory of state-building asserts that adherence to universally accepted norms and regulations by sovereign states best achieves global security. We explore the concept of ‘offensive liberalism’, emphasising the proactive role of stable states in enforcing these norms in regions where state capacity is lacking. The paper revisits the literature on state-building and the international system, noting a decline in scholarly focus over the past fifteen years. However, contemporary conflicts such as the war in Ukraine have brought state-building back to the forefront of global political discourse. The study underscores the importance of state-building in maintaining the stability and security of the LWO and emphasises the need for comprehensive reconstruction efforts in war-torn regions. It argues for the continued relevance of state-building in maintaining the LWO, particularly in regions facing instability. It calls for flexible, context-aware strategies that prioritise local engagement and regional cooperation to address Africa’s unique socio-political landscape’s challenges and opportunities.

Effects of M & E Planning Process on Performance of County Government Funded Water Projects in Kisii County, Kenya

Purpose: Project Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is a critical component of the project management phase, which if not properly handled, may lead to project failure. Currently, Kenya faces transitional challenges from a centralized state to devolved governance system. This has prefigured both challenges and opportunities. The decentralized form of governance has exerted pressure on especially the performance of government water departments in funded water projects in counties. Despite this need most county governments initiate water projects without putting into consideration the importance of having effective M&E frameworks. One aspect that has not been given much consideration is effective implementation of M&E systems as advised by M & E experts. The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of M & E Planning process on performance of county government funded water projects in Kisii County Methodology: The study will adopt a descriptive survey design. The study target population includes 201 county water staff managing 90 water projects across the county. The census method was used to research the 201 staff involved in water projects. The primary data was collected by use of questionnaires and Key Informant interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed by employing descriptive statistics and inferential analysis, and the results were presented by tables and figures. Whereas, qualitative data was done through narrative analysis and presented in form of verbatim and narrations. Findings: M&E planning enables the construction of a logical framework that acts as a roadmap guiding the project's progress and allowing the stakeholders to understand the relationships between different project elements. The positive effect of M&E planning on project implementation affirms the pivotal role of this planning process in guiding and optimizing the execution of water-funded projects in Kisii County. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This study was anchored in the program theory. Project managers and policymakers should emphasize the importance of these planning components, recognizing them as integral drivers of project success. Furthermore, capacity-building initiatives focusing on these planning aspects can further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of M&E planning practices.

Інституційна структура радянської економіки та її роль у формуванні економічної спадщини України

The article is devoted to the historical and economic analysis of the key determinants of the institutional structure of the planned and distributed economy and their influence on the formation of the economic heritage of Ukraine. The purpose of the study is to summarize the main trends in the evolution of the institutional structure of the Soviet economy and to determine its role in the formation of the «track effect» in the economic development of Ukraine. The article reveals the historical prerequisites of the institutional breakdown and the formation of the Soviet socialist economy, and characterizes the peculiarities of its institutional structure at various historical stages. The author reveals the mechanism of interaction between formal and informal institutions and their role in the economic development of the planning and distribution system of management. Defined the institutional features of the formation and functioning of the mobilization economy and the system of centralized state management of economic processes. The impact of the economic reforms of the 1950s and 1960s on the strengthening of the communicative value of horizontal economic ties and the formation of the «administrative market» as a matrix of the shadow economy has been established. Revealed the main distortions of the institution of property, the essence of power-property relations, the reasons for their rooting, and the economic consequences of its functioning. The author identifies the role of the Soviet institutional heritage in the distortions of the Ukrainian business environment and the risks of the emergence of the «historical rut» effect in the institutional development of the Ukrainian economy. Substantiated the conclusion about the advisability of a limited application of mobilization methods of economic management in the post-war economic revival and the need to develop state policy measures aimed at strengthening the institution of private property, protecting the rights of owners, overcoming corruption and establishing social control over the distribution of economic power and responsibility.

Centralization and Long-Term System Performance: Evidence From State Takeovers of School Districts

Does centralization affect the performance of public institutions in the long run? Can states more successfully improve struggling bureaucracies than local governments? This paper explores these questions in the context of educational governance with a focus on state takeovers of school districts in the U.S.—a shift away from the traditional school board governance arrangement toward more centralized decision-making at the state level. In recent decades, takeovers have become a more common policy response to perceived low performance of public school systems. This paper extends an earlier study on the topic to examine the longer-run effects of this form of political centralization on system performance. Using a nationwide sample and up-to-date event study methods, the paper finds no evidence that takeovers of districts between 2010 and 2018 generated improvements in student reading and math performance, up to nearly a decade after takeover occurred. Takeovers lasting a greater number of years are not associated with differential impacts. Findings are not driven by compositional changes in student populations or bias due to variation in treatment timing. This form of political centralization from local to state levels therefore does not appear to be a consistent tool for improving the performance of public institutions.

Synergizing Federated AI Systems with Circular Economy Principles: A Framework for Sustainable and Resilient Data Science

The convergence of Federated Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems and Circular Economy (CE) principles marks a transformative approach to sustainable and resilient data science. Federated AI, with its decentralized architecture and emphasis on data privacy, seamlessly integrates with CE's objectives of maximizing resource efficiency, reducing waste, and fostering closed-loop systems. This paper proposes a novel framework that synergizes CE principles with Federated AI to address persistent challenges, including data siloing, scalability, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. The framework leverages adaptive learning models and resource-aware algorithms to optimize data- driven decision-making across applications such as smart city development, sustainable supply chain management, and renewable energy optimization. Through rigorous simulations and real-world case studies, the study demonstrates measurable improvements: a 20–30% increase in resource efficiency and a marked reduction in computational energy consumption compared to traditional centralized AI systems. These findings highlight the transformative potential of Federated AI in driving circular and sustainable ecosystems. The research also contributes to ethical AI discourse, providing actionable insights for policymakers, academics, and industry leaders to harmonize AI advancements with global sustainability imperatives.

The 1971 Separation and Its Legacy: A Historical Analysis of Pakistan-Bangladesh Relations

The struggle for separate homeland for the Muslims of Subcontinent was fulfilled in 1947 but soon after the independence, the Eastern wing of Pakistan showing dissatisfaction over the Policies of Central government. And finally after a war of 1971, Pakistan was disintegrated. Bangladesh emerged as sovereign state and after that both the countries, Pakistan and Bangladesh faced bilateral issues in their relations. The memories of 1971 war a major factor to come close and established cordially bilateral relations. The Purpose of this research is to elucidate historical factors that based disintegration of Pakistan and after that how memories haunts/ Sour bilateral relations.

Fiducial Reference Measurements for Air Quality Monitoring Using Ground-Based MAX-DOAS Instruments (FRM4DOAS)

The UV–Visible Working Group of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Changes (NDACC) focuses on the monitoring of air-quality-related stratospheric and tropospheric trace gases in support of trend analysis, satellite validation and model studies. Tropospheric measurements are based on MAX-DOAS-type instruments that progressively emerged in the years 2010 onward. In the interest of improving the overall consistency of the NDACC MAX-DOAS network and facilitating its further extension to the benefit of satellite validation, the ESA initiated, in late 2016, the FRM4DOAS project, which aimed to set up the first centralised data processing system for MAX-DOAS-type instruments. Developed by a consortium of European scientists with proven expertise in measurements, data extraction algorithms and software design specialities, the system has now reached pre-operational status and has demonstrated its ability to deliver a set of quality-controlled atmospheric composition data products with a latency of one day. The processing system has been designed using a highly modular approach, making it easy to integrate new tools or processing updates. It incorporates advanced algorithms selected by community consensus for the retrieval of total ozone, lower tropospheric and stratospheric NO2 vertical profiles and formaldehyde profiles. The ozone and NO2 products are currently generated from a total of 22 stations and delivered daily to the NDACC rapid delivery (RD) repository, with an additional mirroring to the ESA Validation Data Centre (EVDC). Although it is still operated in a pre-operational/demonstrational mode, FRM4DOAS was already used for several validation and science studies, and it was also deployed in support of field campaigns for the validation of the TROPOMI and GEMS satellite missions. It recently went through a CEOS-FRM self-assessment process aiming at assessing the level of maturity of the service in terms of instrumentation, operations, data sampling, metrology and verification. Based on this evaluation, it falls under class C, which is a good rating but also implies that further improvements are needed to reach full compliance with FRM standards, i.e., class A.

Regime Type and Data Manipulation: Evidence from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Context: This study examines whether autocratic governments are more likely than democratic governments to manipulate health data. The COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity for examining this question because of its global impact. Methods: Three distinct indicators of COVID-19 data manipulation were constructed for nearly all sovereign states. Each indicator was then regressed on democracy and controls for unintended misreporting. A machine learning approach was then used to determine whether any of the specific features of democracy are more predictive of manipulation. Findings: Democracy was found to be negatively associated with all three measures of manipulation, even after running a battery of robustness checks. Absence of opposition party autonomy and free and fair elections were found to be the most important predictors of deliberate undercounting. Conclusions: The manipulation of data in autocracies denies citizens the opportunity to protect themselves against health risks, hinders the ability of international organizations and donors to identify effective policies, and makes it difficult for scholars to assess the impact of political institutions on population health. These findings suggest that health advocates and scholars should use alternative methods to estimate health outcomes in countries where opposition parties lack autonomy or must participate in uncompetitive elections.

A reinforcement learning hyper-heuristic algorithm for the distributed flowshops scheduling problem under consideration of emergency order insertion

Large enterprises are composed of several subproduction centers. The production plan is changed based on the procedure of the manufacturing system. The distributed flowshop scheduling problem under consideration of emergence order insertion is challenging as the assignment of the product, and the scheduling of the process are coupled with each other. A general distributed flow shop scheduling problem regarding emergency order insertion (DFSP_EOI) is addressed under rescheduling circumstances in this paper. The Q-learning hyper-heuristic algorithm with dynamic insertion rule (QLHH_DIR) is proposed to solve the DFSP_EOI. Eight low-level heuristics (LLHs) for static job assignment. A dynamic insertion rule based on the state of each production center is designed for emergency order insertion. The Q-learning mechanism at high-level space selects appropriate LLH through learning the experience from the optimization process. The computational simulation is carried out, and the results confirm that the proposed algorithm is superior to the competitors in solving the distributed flow shop rescheduling problem. The results of the 720 problem instances show that the proposed algorithm is highly efficient in rescheduling problems.

Hydrogen production efficiency: A critical factor in integrated planning of distribution and transmission system for large-scale centralized offshore wind-hydrogen system

Hydrogen production efficiency: A critical factor in integrated planning of distribution and transmission system for large-scale centralized offshore wind-hydrogen system

Relationship between anxiety and poor sleep quality in family caregivers of psychiatric patients based on history of sharp object injuries: a case-control study in Bitlis, Turkey

ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the relationship between anxiety levels and poor sleep quality among family caregivers of psychiatric patients, based on the history of sharp object injuries (SOI) inflicted...

AI-enabled intelligent inventory and supply chain optimization platform for SMEs

An AI-enabled intelligent inventory and supply chain optimization platform offers SMEs a transformative solution to streamline operations, improve forecasting accuracy, and reduce costs. SMEs often face challenges in managing inventory efficiently, forecasting demand, and maintaining strong supplier relationships, largely due to limited resources and fragmented data. This platform integrates data from multiple sources such as sales, ERP, and supplier systems into a centralized system, enabling comprehensive visibility across inventory and supply chain functions. The platform employs machine learning algorithms to analyze historical data, identify trends, and predict demand patterns, resulting in more accurate forecasting and optimized stock levels. With predictive analytics, SMEs can set dynamic reorder points, minimizing overstock and stockouts while maintaining optimal safety stock. Additionally, the platform provides real-time tracking of shipments and supplier performance, allowing SMEs to monitor logistics in real-time and make informed, proactive decisions. Intelligent automation tools further enhance productivity by automating reorder processes, handling order generation, and reducing manual intervention in restocking. Benefits of this AI-driven platform include increased operational efficiency, reduced inventory holding and ordering costs, and enhanced customer satisfaction through timely order fulfillment. By optimizing stock levels and supply chain flows, SMEs can adapt quickly to market fluctuations and demand shifts, gaining a competitive edge. While challenges remain, such as data integration and employee training, the platform’s scalable design allows SMEs to start small and expand as needed. As AI technology advances, SMEs adopting these intelligent systems will position themselves for sustainable growth, improved resilience, and higher customer satisfaction in a rapidly evolving market landscape.

Comparative Analysis of Zakat Implementation in Three ASEAN Countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore) from 2021 to 2023: A Study on Regulations and Practices

The purpose of this study is to analyze the implementation of zakat in three ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore) during 2021–2023, focusing on the policies and practices applied in each country. A comparative approach is used to identify differences and similarities in legal frameworks, governance mechanisms, and their impact on society. Research data were obtained through the analysis of policy documents, zakat institution reports, and a review of relevant literature. The findings of this study reveal that the regulatory systems for zakat in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore reflect differing approaches tailored to the characteristics of their societies and governmental structures. Indonesia has a robust legal framework through Law No. 23 of 2011, which provides a foundation for BAZNAS and LAZ to collaborate in managing zakat. Malaysia employs a decentralized system, with each state having full authority over zakat management. While this approach allows responsiveness to local needs, the absence of national regulation leads to weak coordination and disparities in transparency and efficiency among states. Singapore demonstrates the most centralized and professional zakat management system through the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), regulated by the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA). Supported by modern technologies such as online zakat payment systems, Singapore achieves a high level of efficiency despite its Muslim community comprising only 15% of the total population. This study provides recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of zakat implementation in the ASEAN region through policy harmonization and strengthened inter-country collaboration.

A further examination of sovereign domestic and external debt defaults

Theoretical and empirical studies have generally ignored interactions between political, economic and financial factors, in determining or predicting external sovereign debt defaults across geographic clusters. In addition, investigating and predicting defaults on domestic debt is relatively uncommon. This study looks into both domestic and external debt defaults of sovereign countries from diverse regions by interacting political, financial and economic factors and draws broad conclusions that domestic and sovereign debt defaults share some common features, although significant heterogeneities also exist. The findings of this study have significant policy implications in predicting and managing sovereign domestic and external debt defaults.

Spin Regulation of Nickel Single Atom Catalyst via Axial Phosphor‐Coordination Achieves Near Unity CO Selectivity in Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

AbstractThe engineering of the spin state and axial coordination of the metal center of single‐atom catalyst (SAC) represents an effective strategy for regulating the catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability toward electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 (ECO2R). However, rational design and deliberate fabrication of SACs with axial coordination of specified atoms remain challenging. Herein, Ni single atoms with axial coordination of phosphorus (NiP−N4−C) and four planar nitrogen atoms are fabricated, which induces reorientation of the 3d orbitals of the Ni atom and shift of the spin state from low (S = 0) to high (S = 2). The enhanced d−p orbital coupling between the Ni and the adsorbents enhances CO2 activation and reduces energy barrier for formation of *COOH, a key intermediate in the ECO2R to produce CO, enabling the high activity and near unity selectivity of CO in ECO2R in a broad potential range of 600 mV (−0.4–−1.0 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode vs RHE), achieving a turnover frequency of 37.2 s−1 at −1.0 V versus RHE. As a bifunctional cathode electrocatalyst, NiP−N4−C demonstrates a peak power density of 18.5 mW cm−2 and maintains cycling durability over 70 h in rechargeable Zn−CO2 batteries.

Health system efficiency and equity in ASEAN: an empirical investigation

BackgroundEquity and efficiency are two fundamental principles for the sound development of health systems, as advocated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite the notable progress made by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in advancing their health systems, gaps persist in achieving global health goals. This paper examines the efficiency of health system stages and the fairness of health resource distribution in ASEAN countries, analyzes the underlying causes of the existing gaps, and suggests potential solutions to bridge them.MethodsData spanning 2011 to 2019, sourced from the WHO Global Health Observatory and the World Bank Database, form the foundation of this study. This study employs an enhanced two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) to assess the efficiency of health system stages in ASEAN countries. Equity in health resource distribution is evaluated using health resource agglomeration degree and concentration curves across demographic, geographic, and economic aspects. Furthermore, the Entropy-Weighted TOPSIS method is utilized to integrate equity across these dimensions, measuring the overall fairness in health resource allocation across different countries. Finally, rankings of health system fairness and efficiency are compared to assess the overall development level of health systems.ResultsThe overall efficiency of the ASEAN health systems from 2011 to 2019 averaged 0.231, with an upward trend in the first stage efficiency at 0.559 and a downward trend in the second stage at 0.502. The health resource agglomeration degree indicated that Singapore, Brunei, and Malaysia had HRAD and HRPD values significantly greater than 1, and Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos predominantly had indices significantly less than 1. The concentration curve for hospital beds was the closest to the line of absolute equity. During the study period, the health resource concentration curve increasingly approached absolute equity, shifting from above to below the concentration curve. Singapore, Brunei, and Malaysia consistently remained in the first quadrant of the quadrant plot, and Myanmar and Cambodia were consistently in the third quadrant.ConclusionASEAN countries face two key challenges in their healthcare systems: first, while many nations such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam have improved resource allocation efficiency, this hasn’t yet translated into better health services. To address this, establishing national health sector steering committees, focusing on workforce training and retention, and implementing centralized monitoring systems are crucial. Second, there is a growing disparity in healthcare development across ASEAN. Promoting balanced resource distribution and leveraging ASEAN’s economic integration for regional collaboration will help bridge these gaps and foster more equitable healthcare systems.