Administrative Districts Research Articles

Evaluating the Spatial Heterogeneity and Driving Factors of Sustainable Development Level in Chengdu with Point of Interest Data and Geographic Detector Model

Over the past few decades, China has undergone the largest and fastest urbanization process in world history. By 2023, Chengdu’s urbanization rate had reached 80.5%, significantly higher than the national average of 66.16%. Studying the urbanization experience of Chengdu is of great significance for optimizing urban planning policies in Chengdu and other cities in China. Although much literature has explored the urbanization process from macro and micro perspectives, studies using a top-down approach to examine urban fringe expansion are relatively scarce. This study first applies the entropy weight method to analyze the spatial-temporal evolution trends of urban development, identifying areas of imbalanced development and prominent issues. Secondly, the K-means machine learning algorithm and nightlight data are used to reconstruct and classify urban regions, and a comparative analysis is conducted with administrative divisions to further identify unreasonable areas in urban spatial distribution and structure. Finally, POI data and the geographical detector method are used to analyze the micro-driving forces in areas of imbalanced development, identifying major limiting factors and solutions. The study found that the gap between urban and rural development in Chengdu is narrowing during the urbanization process, but there is severe differentiation in the second circle of Chengdu, where economic development is accelerating but residents’ happiness is declining. Moreover, analysis based on urban nightlight data and land-use data reveals that the expansion areas on the urban-rural fringe are mainly concentrated in the second circle of Chengdu. Micro-level driving factor analysis found that the western region of the second circle has many but small urban settlements, with a dense road network but scattered functional areas. The eastern region has inefficient and extensive use of construction land. Additionally, the mismatch between student status and household registration has resulted in relatively lagging educational resource development, and high entry barriers have hindered the progress of urbanization, leading to low per capita welfare expenditure. These reasons are the main factors causing the decline in residents’ happiness, and this impact shows significant differences at different temporal and spatial scales. Encouraging innovation in research and development or education can serve as a long-term and effective driving force for promoting sustainable urbanization. This study provides valuable insights for scientifically planning sustainable urban development and promoting the urbanization process.

Uncovering regional inequalities in digitalization: A multifaceted measurement for Germany

The ongoing global digital transformation has significant implications for economies and societies, with potential benefits and challenges. This study addresses the critical need for a comprehensive measurement of regional digitalization in Germany to better understand its impact on various aspects of life, including education, employment, and working conditions. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), it introduces a multifaceted regional digitalization measure at the administrative district level (NUTS-3) that incorporates digital infrastructure, culture, technology capacity, high-tech human capital, and digitalization-related innovativeness. Results for 2013 and 2017 are compared. The study reveals that digitalization varies significantly across regions, but hardly over time. Urban regions tend to have higher digitalization levels, which are positively associated with economic productivity and high-skilled labor demand. Our developed measurement of regional digitalization is publicly available.

A cross-sectional assessment of injection of "salts" and HIV transmission-related behaviours among a cohort of people who inject drugs in Kyrgyzstan.

Despite the increasing availability of new psychoactive substances (hereafter referred to as "salts") in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, there is a dearth of epidemiological data on the relationship between injecting "salts" and HIV risk behaviours. This is particularly relevant in settings where injection drug use accounts for a substantial proportion of the HIV burden, such as in Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet Republic. This study assessed whether injecting "salts" is associated with sexual and injection-related HIV risk behaviours among people who inject drugs in Kyrgyzstan. The Kyrgyzstan InterSectional Stigma Study is a cohort of people who inject drugs in Kyrgyzstan's capital of Bishkek and the surrounding rural administrative division of Chuy Oblast. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using survey data collected from cohort participants between July and November 2021, which included information on injection drug use (including "salts") and HIV risk behaviours. To minimize confounding by measured covariates, we used inverse-probability-weighted logistic and Poisson regression models to estimate associations between recent "salt" injection and HIV risk behaviours. Of 181 participants included in the analysis (80.7% men, 19.3% women), the mean age was 40.1 years (standard deviation [SD] = 8.8), and 22% (n = 39) reported that they had injected "salts" in the past 6 months. Among people who injected "salts," 72% (n = 28) were men, and most were ethnically Russian 59% (n = 23), with a mean age of 34.6 (SD = 9.6). Injecting "salts" was significantly associated with a greater number of injections per day (adjusted relative risk [aRR] = 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.30-1.95) but lower odds of using syringe service programmes in the past 6 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.12-0.32). Injecting "salts" was also significantly associated with lower odds of condomless sex in the past 6 months (aOR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.24-0.76) and greater odds of having ever heard of pre-exposure prophylaxis (aOR = 4.80, 95% CI = 2.61-8.83). (PWID) people who inject drugs who inject "salts" are a potentially emergent group with increased HIV acquisition risk in Kyrgyzstan. Targeted outreach bundled with comprehensive harm reduction and pre-exposure prophylaxis services are needed to prevent transmission of HIV and other blood-borne viruses.

Evaluation of the Performance of SMEs in the Context of Regional Development

Research background: Regional development of the European territory is becoming a key priority area and thus arouses interest in analyzes of the impact of development not only of business activities on economic competitiveness. Entrepreneurship is an important part of every country's economic system and has important implications for the growth of society. The paper focuses on the possibility of identifying the determinants of regional competitiveness of the manufacturing industry with a focus on defining their impact on SME performance, in the sense of EVA in the programming period 2014-2020. Purpose of the article: The presented paper focuses on the performance of companies in the Czech economy in connection with the reflection of national regional policy documents. Purpose of the article is to evaluate the economic performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing industry in connection with the level of development of the regions in the Czech Republic in which they are located. Methods: The evaluation of the achieved level of regional development is performed at the level of regions and administrative districts of municipalities with extended powers. Through multidimensional regression modelling, the determinants of regional development disparities are identified with a focus on defining their impact on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises expressed by the economic value added (EVA) indicator. Findings & Value Added: Public sector expenditure on science and research was evaluated as the most important parameter of regional disparities, which explains the economic performance of companies. Based on the achieved results, measures are proposed for the cultivation of the business environment for the next programming period. The contribution is the proposals for the formulation of regional policy with a focus on the segment of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Unpacking the impact of COVID-19 on child immunization: evidence from Ghana

BackgroundWith the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments implemented social distancing regulations to limit the spread of the disease. Some health experts warned that these measures could negatively affect access to essential health services, such as routine childhood immunizations. Others noted that without these regulations, COVID-19 cases would increase, leading to overburdened health systems.MethodsWe analyze four years (2018–2021) of monthly administrative data on childhood immunizations in all administrative districts in Ghana and exploit variations in social distancing regulations across districts. Given variations in social distancing regulations across Ghanaian districts, we can further differentiate between the effect of public lockdowns and the effect of the pandemic.ResultsWe find that child immunizations in Ghana declined by 6% during the public lockdown in April 2020, but the country compensated with higher vaccination rates starting in June, and immunization services recovered to pre-pandemic growth levels by 2021. Time-critical vaccines, such as polio, were not affected at all. We do find a substantially larger disruption in April 2020 (14%) and a slower recovery in 2020 in the 40 lockdown-affected districts. Interestingly, vaccination rates already decreased in February and March by about 5% before the public lockdown and before the pandemic had reached Ghana, but with the pandemic already spreading globally and in the news.ConclusionOur results indicate that the negative effect on child immunization was less severe and shorter than predicted by experts. Fear of COVID-19 and delayed vaccination campaigns had a substantial impact on childhood immunization while rising COVID-19 cases and moderate social distancing regulations did not seem to affect immunization rates.

An ecological dynamics approach to promote physical literacy and well-being of primary school children: a cluster randomised controlled trial study protocol

BackgroundLittle is known about the impact of an ecological dynamics (ED) intervention (EDI) on primary school children’s physical literacy and well-being in the Hong Kong context. The aim of this...

NEW FACTORS AND PREREQUISITES FOR THE ECONOMIC ZONING OF RUSSIA

Economic zoning in the USSR was focused on the practical tasks, first of all, comprehensive planning for the long-term development of the national economy. In the 1990s, with the beginning of radical political and economic transformations in the country, the economic zoning lost its practical significance. However, even under market economy, the objective processes of territorial division of labor, industrial and technological connectivity of enterprises and companies still persist, as well as, agglomeration processes. Recently, new factors and prerequisites for the growing importance of economic zoning have emerged, such as the restoration of multilevel strategic planning, changes in the geopolitical situation of the country’s development and the need to achieve industrial and technological sovereignty. With this background it seems that the need to take into account the objective processes of complex formation and district formation, and to perform a new multi-level economic zoning of Russia on this basis sharply increases. The article provides a possible scheme of seven large economic regions and 22 mesorayons. The main links of production and technological chains and priority activities are identified for the large regions. Such zoning could be useful for the long-term planning of sustainable development of the country and its regions.

Sociodemographic and Health Factors of the Alcohol Treatment-seeking Population in New South Wales, Australia.

Although factors associated with alcohol use have been researched at a population level, descriptions of the alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment-seeking population in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, are limited. This study addresses this gap by analyzing sociodemographic and health characteristics in the NSW AOD treatment-seeking population. Self-reported Australian Treatment Outcomes Profile data on substance use, health ratings, and sociodemographic factors were acquired from public AOD services (offering services from counseling to ambulatory/inpatient withdrawal management) in 6 administrative health districts from 2016 to 2019 (n = 14,287). Gaussian and multiple logistic regressions were conducted to examine associations between these factors and alcohol consumption quantity. Data were analyzed for patients seeking treatment for alcohol consumption specifically (n = 5929; median age, 44 years; 65% male). Valid alcohol consumption data were available for 5460 patients, among whom the mean volume of alcohol consumed was 311 standard drinks (3110 grams of ethanol) over the past 28 days and 15 standard drinks (150 grams of ethanol) per occasion. Higher volumes were consumed by males and those with recent experiences of violence and/or injecting drug use. Caring for children younger than 5 years and having above-median health ratings were associated with lower alcohol consumption. This study contributes to the characterization of the NSW public AOD treatment population and identifies associations between alcohol consumption, sociodemographic factors, and health ratings among people seeking treatment for alcohol consumption. Findings point towards multilevel assessment and comprehensive interventions for people engaging in treatment for alcohol use. Future research should address barriers to treatment.

Multilevel Change of Urban Green Space and Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity Analysis of Driving Factors

Analyzing the change trend of urban green space (UGS) and exploring related driving forces can provide scientific reference for sustainable development in rapidly urbanizing areas. However, the spatial and temporal driving mechanisms of the drivers on UGS patterns at different scales are still not deeply understood. Based on the GlobeLand30 land cover data, nighttime lighting data and spatial statistics from 2000 to 2020, this study analyzed the size, shape and diversity of UGS in Guangzhou at the urban level, gradient level and township level with multiple landscape indices. Diversity means the richness of UGS patch types. The selected indices include percent of landscape (PLAND), largest path index (LPI), landscape shape index (LSI), aggregation index (AI) and Shannon’s diversity index (SHDI). The spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the drivers was then explored using the spatiotemporal weighted regression (GTWR) method. Results showed the following: (1) During 2000−2020, the total amount of UGS in Guangzhou increased slightly and then decreased gradually. UGS was mainly transferred into artificial surfaces (lands modified by human activities). (2) The UGS landscape showed a non-linear trend along the urban–rural gradient and fluctuated more in the interval of 20–60% urbanization level. PLAND, LPI and AI decreased significantly in areas with higher levels of urbanization. LSI increased and SHDI decreased significantly in areas with lower levels of urbanization. At township level, the landscape indices showed significant spatial autocorrelation. They transformed from discrete changes at the edge and at the junction of the administrative district to large-scale aggregated change, especially in northern areas. (3) The size of UGSs was mainly influenced by natural factors and population density, but their shape and diversity were mainly influenced by socio-economic factors. More regular shapes of green patches were expected in higher urbanization areas. Population agglomeration positively influenced green space patterns in the northeastern and southern regions (Zengcheng, Conghua and Nansha). Meanwhile the negative influence of urban expansion on the green space pattern in the central and southern regions decreased over time. This study contributes to an in-depth understanding of how the key factors affect the different changes of UGS with time and space and provides methodological support for the long-term zoning planning and management of UGS.

Spatiotemporal carbon sequestration by forests among counties and grids in China

Top-down emission reduction target setting results in inability of local governments to develop differentiated plans for emission reduction. Forests have received considerable attention as an important source of carbon sequestration, especially following China's commitment to carbon neutrality. However, studies have paid little attention to spatiotemporal differences of downscale forest carbon sequestration in China over the long term due to data limitations, while also ignoring the large differences in forest carbon sequestration per unit area among different regions. Here, a basic dataset of forest carbon sequestration among counties and grids in China is constructed and the temporal drivers and spatial differences of forest carbon sequestration were investigated from the perspectives of counties' administrative boundaries and 0.5 by 0.5 degree grid combining modelling, GIS spatial analysis and a decomposition method. Changes in forest land use between 2000 and 2020 were also analysed. The results highlight the importance of forests in managing carbon sequestration among all types of terrestrial vegetation and the differences in forest carbon sequestration per unit area. The scale effect increased forest carbon sequestration in the first two periods (2000–2005 and 2005–2010), followed by a decrease since 2010. The intensity effect promoted carbon sequestration; in particular, a dramatic increase was observed from the second (2005–2010) to the third period (2010–2015). The heterogeneity of the scale effect of forest carbon sequestration increased compared to that of the intensity effect, both from administrative and geographical divisions. The scale and intensity effects of counties located in the northern regions of northeast China enhanced forest carbon sequestration, while counties located in southern and central China inhibited it during the study period. The scale effect of grids changed from enhanced to inhibited forest carbon sequestration mainly in northeast China near 120°E, whereas the intensity effect of grids increased from inland regions in central China to eastern coastal regions during the study period. This study provides references for policymakers to set differentiated emission reduction targets considering the local forest carbon sequestration.

Geographic disparities in brachytherapy accessibility for cervical cancer.

1577 Background: While brachytherapy stands as a crucial component of the treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer, the issue of geographic disparities in brachytherapy accessibility has become a noteworthy public health concern in South Korea. Moreover, the specific factors contributing to these disparities have not been clearly elucidated. In light of this, we conducted a nationwide ecologic study to comprehensively investigate the socioeconomic factors associated with brachytherapy accessibility. Methods: A total of 2,998 patients newly diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2020 were identified through the Korea Central Cancer Registry (KCCR). Across 17 administrative districts in South Korea, 32 brachytherapy facilities were available. To capture unique socioeconomic factors for each region, including the number of Korean Medicaid (K-Medicaid), Medicare (K-Medicare) beneficiaries, marriage immigrants, registered foreigners, and total residents, data were obtained from the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS). Notably, K-Medicaid and K-Medicare represent governmental medical insurance assistance for patients in poverty and those aged over 65, respectively. The brachytherapy accessibility rate (BAR) was defined as the number of brachytherapy procedures divided by new cervical cancer cases. Additionally, each district's socioeconomic factor was normalized by the number of residents. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the relationships between BAR and socioeconomic factors. Results: The capital city and its adjoining metropolitan area accounted for 46.9% of the total brachytherapy facilities, with Seoul having 25% (8 out of 32) and Gyeonggi having 21.9% (7 out of 32). Conversely, three non-metropolitan regions had no brachytherapy facilities. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the brachytherapy accessibility rate (BAR) demonstrated an inverse association with both the number of K-Medicare beneficiaries and the total immigrant population (Odds ratios of 0.66 and -2.85, respectively). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the inaugural study highlighting the robust associations between older age and foreign residency status with reduced accessibility to brachytherapy. The observed inaccessibility to brachytherapy has the potential to impede the delivery of standard care, consequently leading to a poorer prognosis for vulnerable populations. Future research endeavors and targeted social interventions will be imperative to rectify geographic disparities in brachytherapy accessibility and ensure equitable healthcare outcomes.

First Broad-Range Serological Survey of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever among Hungarian Livestock.

(1) Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an emerging tick-borne disease endemic in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Balkan and Mediterranean regions of Europe. Although no human CCHF cases have been reported, based on vector presence, serological evidence among small vertebrates, and the general human population, Hungary lies within high evidence consensus for potential CCHF introduction and future human infection. Thus, the aim of our pilot serosurvey was to assess CCHF seropositivity among cattle and sheep as indicator animals for virus circulation in the country. (2) Methods: In total, 1905 serum samples taken from free-range cattle and sheep in 2017 were tested for the presence of anti-CCHF virus IgG antibodies using commercial ELISA and commercial and in-house immunofluorescent assays. (3) Results: We found a total of eleven reactive samples (0.58%) from five administrative districts of Hungary comprising 8 cattle and 3 sheep. The most affected regions were the south-central and northwestern parts of the country. (4) Conclusions: Based on these results, more extended surveillance is advised, especially in the affected areas, and there should be greater awareness among clinicians and other high-risk populations of the emerging threat of CCHF in Hungary and Central Europe.

Reports generation methodology on public solutions in housing matters

ABSTRACT In this article, the authors aim to show an example of the use of a DSS (Decision Support System) as a governmental tool to provide a comprehensive and dynamic overview of the challenges and opportunities in the field of social housing, and to support informed and compassionate decision-making. This paper introduces a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) to analyse populations with high housing expenditures as a strategic tool for public policy making by identifying vulnerable populations, evaluating the effectiveness of current policies, and designing specific interventions. The KPI is calculated using data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) Household Living Conditions Survey for each of the autonomous administrative divisions in Spain.

Parasitological investigation of soil biotope in the territory of Moscow

The purpose of the research is to conduct a sanitary and parasitological examination of soil biotopes on the territory of Moscow. In addition to traditional soil studies, we conducted coproscopic analyzes of samples of dog feces collected from the soil surface in Spring.Materials and methods. 83 combined soil samples were taken in 9 administrative districts of Moscow using the envelope method at a depth of up to 10 cm. From each combined sample, 4 samples were taken and examined using the Romanenko method according to MUK 4.2.2661-10 “Methods of sanitary and parasitological research”. From the same areas where soil was collected, 365 dog fecal samples were collected. Feces were studied using a combined flotation method. Soil and fecal samples were taken in Spring of 2023 during a period of positive temperatures immediately after the snow melted. Microscopy was performed using a Motic BA410T microscope. Identification of the detected objects was carried out on the basis of morphometric data. Species differentiation of Toxocara canis and T. cati eggs was carried out based on differences in the size of the eggs and the structure of the outer shell.Results and discussion. The city's soil is contaminated with pathogens of parasitic diseases in 9.3% of samples. Toxocara eggs were found (5.7%), of which T. canis in 3.9% of samples, and T. cati in 1.8% of samples. Eggs of Capillaria sp. detected in 1.5%, eggs of Trichuris sp. at 0.9%. Eggs of Hymenolepis sp. and coccidia were detected in 0.6% of samples. In dog feces, pathogens of parasitic diseases were detected in 3.3% of samples. Toxocara sp. eggs were found in 1.4% of samples, isospores in 0.8%, sarcocystis in 0.8%, Toxascaris leonina eggs in 0.3%. Toxocara sp. eggs are the leaders in the frequency of detection in the soil; these are mainly viable eggs with larvae. This is consistent with the data that T. canis eggs are most often recorded in anonymized dog feces. Eggs of Trichuris sp. and Capillaria sp. found in soil with formed viable larvae. The findings show the potential of urban soils as a parasite transmission factor for humans and susceptible animals, and dogs play a leading role in the contamination of urban soils with Toxocara sp. eggs.

Spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of traditional villages based on geodetector: Jiarong Tibetan in Western Sichuan, China.

Jiarong Tibetan is a regional group with distinctive regional characteristics and possess precious traditional village resources. Studying the spatial distribution and influencing factors of traditional villages is of vital significance for the protection and renewal of villages and the revitalization of cultural heritage. Nevertheless, due to the fact that the Jiarong Tibetan inhabited area has not been clearly defined for a long time, there is a lack of holistic discussion on the distribution features and driving mechanisms of traditional villages in this region. In order to fill this research gap, the paper is the first to break away from the existing county administrative divisions to define the study area. Moreover, the analysis is carried out by using the nearest neighbor index, kernel density, GoeDa and Geodetector, etc. for traditional villages at national-level and provincial-level. The results show that the spatial distribution of the traditional villages of Jiarong Tibetan is characterized by typical aggregation, with the core intensive area in Danba County and the sub-core intensive area in the central and northern parts. The results of factor detection show that the spatial distribution pattern of the traditional villages is the consequence of the synergistic effect of multiple factors, and the interaction effect is significantly enhanced. The economic level and climatic conditions play a controlling role, and population, elevation, intangible cultural heritage and rivers also have notable effects. The findings of study can offer scientific guidance and suggestions for the inheritance and development of traditional villages in Jiarong Tibetan settlement area.

Exploring the Burden of PM2.5-Related Deaths and Economic Health Losses in Beijing.

Air pollution is one of the major global public health challenges. Using annual fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration data from 2016 to 2021, along with the global exposure mortality model (GEMM), we estimated the multi-year PM2.5-pollution-related deaths divided by different age groups and diseases. Then, using the VSL (value of statistical life) method, we assessed corresponding economic losses and values. The number of deaths attributed to PM2.5 in Beijing in 2021 fell by 33.74 percent from 2016, while health economic losses would increase by USD 4.4 billion as per capita disposable income increases year by year. In 2021, the average annual concentration of PM2.5 in half of Beijing's municipal administrative districts is less than China's secondary ambient air quality standard (35 μg/m3), but it can still cause 48,969 deaths and corresponding health and economic losses of USD 16.31 billion, equivalent to 7.9 percent of Beijing's GDP. Therefore, it is suggested that more stringent local air quality standards should be designated to protect public health in Beijing.

Review of: Olga Karagiorgou – Pantelis Charalampakis – Christos Malatras (eds.), TAKTIKON. Studies on the Prosopography and Administration of the Byzantine themata

This volume presents the first results of the TAKTIKON research project on the prosopography and administration of the Byzantine themata (the large administrative divisions of the Byzantine State), which is being realized at the Academy of Athens by Olga Karagiorgou (Project instigator and director), Christos Malatras and Pantelis Charalampakis (Scientific collaborators), as well as the papers of a one-day International Workshop organized in the framework of the same project.

The Arab Spring and the Prolonged National Integration in Yemen; a Critical Discussion

This study examines how the Arab Spring affects the national integration in Yemen. Despite the Arab Spring’s bringing forth tangible democratic transitions through inclusive democratic elections in Tunisia and Egypt, it created a social and political divide more than the previous time through diminishing the likelihood of national integration in Yemen. Some scholarly debates ascribe Arab Spring to Yemen’s lagging for national integration. However, others are on the opinion that Yemen never could realize a sustainable national integration due to its going through a perennial authoritarian or autocratic rule like some other Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and a long territorial and ideological division, as well as manifold power-seeking sections. The Arab Spring just exacerbated the remaining disintegration. This study holds on to the latter consideration and firstly, discusses the pre-Arab Spring territorial and political schism in Yemen. Then, it examines facts that triggered political fragmentation and instability in Yemen during and in the aftermath of the Arab Spring leaving little hope for the country to step into a successful national integration in near future. The main aim of this paper is to illustrate how a regional or global event impact potential national integration of a country that is heavily divided socially, politically, and ideologically along with corruption and state controlled civil society.

Peculiarities of investment and innovation potential in the assessment of the development of agribusiness enterprises

Three main criteria of investment-innovation potential of agricultural sector enterprises are identified: investment-innovation potential is a set of resources necessary for investment-innovation activities; investment and innovation potential is primarily related to the possibility and conditions (both internal and external) of using resources; investment and innovation potential should be aimed at the optimal use of investment and innovation resources to ensure the effective operation of this development subject. This allows for the identification of resource, organizational, economic and performance components that are key components of investment and innovation opportunities. A step-by-subject characterization of the investment-innovation potential of agro-industrial complex enterprises and a methodology for assessing the investment-innovation potential have been developed, which allows to qualitatively assess the investment-innovation potential of agricultural and processing enterprises (including special groups of indicators that take into account the specifics of their activities) and evaluate and compare them among themselves. It is proved that the inactivity of agricultural commodity producers in mastering the achievements of science and technology is due to the lack of a developed intermediate connection between science and production, which provides the most complete information about the modern achievements of science and technology to producers of raw materials. According to the results of the conducted research, it was established that at the current stage of development in domestic agriculture, the main subjects of innovative infrastructure can become agricultural technology parks and information and consulting centers, which are part of a single information and consulting service. Considering the peculiarities of the domestic agro-industrial complex, it is considered most expedient to create an agro-technological park in the form of a non-commercial partnership, which will contribute to the integration of multifaceted resources. organizations, mainly highly efficient agricultural commodity producers and educational establishments of higher education institutions, capable of carrying out innovative activities to achieve a common goal - innovative development of the agrarian sector of the economy. Agrotechnoparks should be created based on the product base, that is, their activities should be aimed at innovative development of agricultural production and the development of certain types of products. Agrotechnopark can be considered as a set of administrative, production, educational, research and marketing divisions.

Mongolian Pastoralist Parents’ Experiences in Managing Their Primary School Children’s Living Arrangements

Sending children, especially six-year-old ones, to school put pressure on pastoralist or herder households to balance their livestock herding needs and their children’s schooling needs at the same time. Due to remote campsites located in isolated rural areas far from any schools, pastoralists need to arrange a place for their children to stay during the school year. In this interpretive phenomenological study, we explored pastoralist parents’ experiences in managing different living arrangements for their primary school children during the school year. We conducted semi-structured interviews with five pastoralist parents from a remote county (an administrative division under a province) in Mongolia. Living arrangement options included staying in a boarding school dormitory, staying at a relative’s place, and staying with mothers in split households. The pastoralist parents’ own school experiences, the presence of first-grade school children, boarding school conditions, and family resources were found to be important factors for deciding the best living arrangement. We recommend that the government agencies should work on improving conditions of school dormitories and on providing better educational opportunities for pastoralists and their children.