Global Trends Research Articles

Envisioning a new model of network governance for global education

AbstractThe 2021 UNESCO report Reimagining Our Futures Together presented a compelling case for establishing a new social contract on education that addresses the persistent exclusion of vulnerable individuals and ensures that knowledge and learning contribute to a more sustainable future. Research literature highlights a global trend towards replacing “hard” with “soft” governance in education, whereby legally binding procedures are replaced by advice and persuasion. The report analyzed how this trend is amplified by the current spread of datafication and digitalization in the field of education, as well as by the increasing role of non-state actors, as exemplified by the early childhood care and education (ECCE) sector. In response to this analysis, this article proposes that the risk of developing a commercial model of soft governance can be moderated by creating an innovative, networked approach to educational governance, led by UNESCO as a global convenor.

Global incidence and mortality trends of gastric cancer and predicted mortality of gastric cancer by 2035.

To study the historical global incidence and mortality trends of gastric cancer and predicted mortality of gastric cancer by 2035. Incidence data were retrieved from the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5) volumes I-XI, and mortality data were obtained from the latest update of the World Health Organization (WHO) mortality database. We used join-point regression analysis to examine historical incidence and mortality trends and used the package NORDPRED in R to predict the number of deaths and mortality rates by 2035 by country and sex. More than 1,089,000 new cases of gastric cancer and 769,000 related deaths were reported in 2020. The average annual percent change (AAPC) in the incidence of gastric cancer from 2003 to 2012 among the male population, South Korea, Japan, Malta, Canada, Cyprus, and Switzerland showed an increasing trend (P > 0.05); among the female population, Canada [AAPC, 1.2; (95%Cl, 0.5-2), P < 0.05] showed an increasing trend; and South Korea, Ecuador, Thailand, and Cyprus showed an increasing trend (P > 0.05). AAPC in the mortality of gastric cancer from 2006 to 2015 among the male population, Thailand [3.5 (95%cl, 1.6-5.4), P < 0.05] showed an increasing trend; Malta Island, New Zealand, Turkey, Switzerland, and Cyprus had an increasing trend (P > 0.05); among the male population aged 20-44, Thailand [AAPC, 3.4; (95%cl, 1.3-5.4), P < 0.05] showed an increasing trend; Norway, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Slovakia, France, Colombia, Lithuania, and the USA showed an increasing trend (P > 0.05). It is predicted that the mortality rate in Slovenia and France's female population will show an increasing trend by 2035. It is predicted that the absolute number of deaths in the Israeli male population and in Chile, France, and Canada female population will increase by 2035. In the past decade, the incidence and mortality of gastric cancer have shown a decreasing trend; however, there are still some countries showing an increasing trend, especially among populations younger than 45years. Although mortality in most countries is predicted to decline by 2035, the absolute number of deaths due to gastric cancer may further increase due to population growth.

Prolonged increase in psychotropic drug use among young women following the COVID-19 pandemic: a French nationwide retrospective study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health, with evidence suggesting an enduring mental health crisis. Studies worldwide observed increased usage of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and hypnotics during the pandemic, notably among young people and women. However, few studies tracked consumption post-2021. Our study aimed to fill this gap by investigating whether the surge in the number psychotropic drug consumers in France persisted 2 years after the first lockdown, particularly focusing on age and gender differences.MethodsWe conducted a national retrospective observational study based on the French national insurance database. We retrieved all prescriptions of anxiolytics, hypnotics, and antidepressants dispensed in pharmacies in France for the period 2015–2022. We performed interrupted time series analyses based on Poisson models for five age classes (12–18; 19–25; 26–50; 51–75; 76 and more) to assess the trend before lockdown, the gap induced and the change in trend after.ResultsIn the overall population, the number of consumers remained constant for antidepressants while it decreased for anxiolytics and hypnotics. Despite this global trend, a long-term increase was observed in the 12–18 and 19–25 groups for the three drug classes. Moreover, for these age classes, the increases were more pronounced for women than men, except for hypnotics where the trends were similar.ConclusionsThe number of people using antidepressants continues to increase more than 2 years after the first lockdown, showing a prolonged effect on mental health. This effect is particularly striking among adolescents and young adults confirming the devastating long-term impact of the pandemic on their mental health.

Can climate change signals be detected from the terrestrial water storage at daily timescale?

The global terrestrial water storage (TWS), the most accessible component in the hydrological cycle, is a general indicator of freshwater availability on Earth. The global TWS trend caused by climate change is harder to detect than global mean temperature due to the highly uneven hydrological responses across the globe, the brevity of global freshwater observations, and large noises of internal climate variability. To overcome the climate noise and small sample size of observations, we leverage the vast amount of observed and simulated meteorological fields at daily scales to project global TWS through its fingerprints in weather patterns. The novel method identifies the relationship between annual global mean TWS and daily surface air temperature and humidity fields using multi-model hydrological simulations. We found that globally, approximately 50% of days for most years since 2016 have climate change signals emerged above the noise of internal variability. Climate change signals in global mean TWS have been consistently increasing over the last few decades, and in the future, are expected to emerge from the natural climate variability. Our research indicates the urgency to limit carbon emission to not only avoid risks associated with warming but also sustain water security in the future.

An R Studio Bibliometrix Analysis of Global Research Trends of Educational Crises in 2020s

The article uses R Studio Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and Connected Papers to structure the scientific work of scientists on the development of educational systems during socio-economic, political, migration, pandemic, and climate crises in the 2020s. The research is based on more than 970 publications (articles, conference abstracts, monographs, and their sections) indexed by Scopus in 2020–2024, selected by keywords: “educational crisis,” “education policy response,” “education disruption,” and “learning loss.” The publication activity grew at an annual rate of 16.45%, peaking in 2023, while the peak of public interest (determined by Google Trends) was in 2022. The study consists of seven parts: the first examines shifts and patterns in the fields of educational crisis; the second analyzes influential publications; the third identifies key research institutions; the fourth explores various counties; the fifth highlights prominent researchers in these fields; the sixth delves into key areas of study; and the seventh uncovers core themes and insights in the research. The study identifies a number of important areas of concentration for the study of educational crises from a thematic perspective. These include education disruption and learning loss, and the broader impact of these issues on inclusive growth and sustainable development. Among all the crises that took place in the world in 2020–2024, COVID-19 and the full-scale war in Ukraine had the greatest impact on the transformation of education systems. China and the United States dominate the world in terms of publication activity and citation of articles by scientists from these countries (their point of view actually determines the emphasis with which the scientific world speaks about challenges in education), while scientists from Australia, India, and the United Kingdom have significantly increased their research activity in this area over the study period. The findings of this study are aimed at understanding the causes and consequences of educational crises and formulating recovery plans to mitigate global risks.

A bibliometric and systematic review of scientific publications on metaverse research in architecture: web of science (WoS)

AbstractThe global trends related to the concept of Metaverse in architecture have significantly expanded in recent years, thanks to the increasing number of scientific publications. Systematically examining the literature on this topic and identifying research trends and potential directions provides comprehensive data maps, thus charting a roadmap for researchers interested in working in this field. In this context, the research aims to identify the trends and tendencies of the concept of the Metaverse in the scientific literature over time at the primary analysis levels, such as countries, institutions, resources, articles, authors, and research topics. The research conducted with this aim involves a dynamic, visual, and systematic examination of the academic literature on academic publishing using data accessed without year limitations from the Web of Science Core Collection-Citation database. In the research conducted without year limitations, a sample comprising 334 articles published/planned to be published between 2005 and 2024 is analyzed. The bibliometrix R-Tool was used to enhance the analysis, and metadata was obtained from the WoS database. This analysis analyzed publications, citations, and information sources, including the most published journals, the most used keywords, the most cited and leading articles, the most cited academics, and the most contributing institutions and countries. In conclusion, this study aims to define the profile of international academic publishing in the field of the Metaverse, present its development, identify research fronts, detect emerging trends, and uncover the working themes and trends in the Metaverse specific to architecture. This study describes the profile of international academic publishing on the metaverse, presents its development, identifies research frontiers, identifies emerging trends, and reveals metaverse study themes and trends in architecture. As a result, education, virtual perception of space, building operation and maintenance, building evacuation, BIM (Building Information Modeling), cultural heritage, physical environment, built environment/planning, smart home, design and creativity, universal design/accessibility, sustainability, smart city/GIS, urban transportation systems, and in-use evaluation are identified as themes that have been studied in relation to the metaverse concept in architecture and design disciplines.

Global Trends in Virtual Luxury: Examining Avatar Identification, Virtual Materialism, and Status Consumption in Online Gaming

Despite the global increase in online gaming with luxury fashion items, gamers’ purchases of these items in virtual environments remain understudied. Utilizing the diffusion of innovation theory, the research analyzes data from 268 Fortnite gamers in Fiji to understand the influence of avatar identification, materialism, and status consumption on purchasing in-game luxury fashion items. The study confirms positive relationships between relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, observability, and in-game luxury avatar identification by employing covariance-based structural equation modeling. It also highlights how materialism and status consumption drive the intention to purchase luxury items in-game, with gamer competence reinforcing the association between avatar identification and purchase intention. The findings offer a deeper theoretical understanding of luxury fashion consumption within the context of online gaming, a rapidly growing global phenomenon. The study provides fresh insights into luxury fashion consumption in online gaming, highlighting the applicability of diffusion of innovation theory across cultures and the changing perception of luxury in virtual spaces. Its findings are valuable for game developers, marketers, and luxury brands in developing and marketing in-game luxury items to a worldwide audience. This study enriches international marketing and digital consumer behavior literature and offers strategic directions for global digital gaming marketing.

Global Trends and Frontier in Research on Pancreatic Alpha Cells: A Bibliometric Analysis from 2013 to 2023.

Over the past 20 years, much of the research on diabetes has focused on pancreatic beta cells. In the last 10 years, interest in the important role of pancreatic alpha cells in the pathogenesis of diabetes, which had previously received little attention, has grown. We aimed to summarize and visualize the hotspot and development trends of pancreatic alpha cells through bibliometric analysis and to provide research direction and future ideas for the treatment of diabetes and other islet-related diseases. We used two scientometric software packages (CiteSpace 6.1.R6 and VOSviewer1.6.18) to visualize the information and connection of countries, institutions, authors, and keywords in this field. A total of 532 publications, published in 752 institutions in 46 countries and regions, were included in this analysis. The United States showed the highest output, accounting for 39.3% of the total number of published papers. The most active institution was Vanderbilt University, and the authors with highest productivity came from Ulster University. In recent years, research hotspots have concentrated on transdifferentiation, gene expression, and GLP-1 regulatory function. Visualization analysis shows that research hotspots mainly focus on clinical diseases as well as physiological and pathological mechanisms and related biochemical indicators. This study provides a review and summary of the literature on pancreatic alpha cells through bibliometric and visual methods and shows research hotspot and development trends, which can guide future directions for research.

Predictors and outcomes of genomic knowledge among nurses in a middle eastern country: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundGenomics has received significant attention in recent years. Nurses can uniquely contribute to the field of genomics and improve genomic healthcare. However, they lack the necessary knowledge to accomplish this, impacting their confidence, willingness, and ability to implement genomics healthcare negatively. Given Oman's unique healthcare context, its prospective genomics application, and the global trend toward genomic competency, it is essential to gauge nurses' genomic knowledge as basis for equipping them. AimThis study assessed the genomic knowledge among nurses in the Sultanate of Oman. It also explored the predictors and outcomes of their genomic knowledge. DesignThis study used a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional design. SettingsNurses from four public hospitals in Muscat Governorate, Sultanate of Oman were recruited to participate in the study. MethodsA total of 661 out of 700 nurses responded to the pen and paper self-report questionnaire (94 % response rate). Univariate, bivariate, and regression analyses were used for data analysis. ResultsConsistent with international studies, nurses in Oman had low to moderate genomic knowledge. Years of experience in genetics healthcare and working in either the surgical and maternity units were positively associated with higher genomic knowledge. Working in the bone marrow transplant unit and having a family history of consanguinity were associated with poorer genomic knowledge. Higher genomic knowledge was associated with an increased willingness to care for patients with genetic issues, higher confidence in providing genomic healthcare, and a lower intention to pursue continuing education on genomics. ConclusionStrategies targeting variables, particularly those that are amenable to interventions, should be developed and implemented to foster genomic knowledge in nurses.

Profiling Residential Energy Vulnerability: Bayesian-Based Spatial Mapping of Occupancy and Building Characteristics

With global trends in electrification, communities highly dependent on electricity are facing increasing challenges, particularly due to more frequent weather events, which lead to significant surges in electricity demand or result in blackouts. However, the impact is disproportionate across space and time, which raises an urgent need to comprehensively assess residential energy vulnerabilities to ensure energy security for households. Existing methodologies, whether large-scale regional assessments or community-based surveys, predominantly rely on static data. This reliance significantly limits their ability to capture the spatial and temporal dynamics of energy vulnerability, which is particularly important in the face of climate change. This study analyses residential energy vulnerability in the dimensions of social vulnerability, building resilience, and energy burden by innovatively linking occupancy patterns with the built environment through a Bayesian-based spatial mapping methodology. We applied this method through a case study in a Philadelphia census tract area identified for its high vulnerability based on FEMA's National Risk Index. By mapping occupancy with residential buildings, we simulated the energy consumption patterns of approximately 900 residential buildings. The simulations utilized DOE single-family energy prototypes, tailored to account for empirical occupancy and building features, to predict hourly energy consumption and assess indoor thermal comfort during power outages on days with extreme temperatures. The findings reveal disparities across different dimensions of energy vulnerability and illustrate the dynamic nature of energy vulnerability that fluctuates with daily activities. The study also highlights areas with low thermal resilience, suggesting a need for retrofitting older buildings to improve energy efficiency. The implications of this research extend beyond the built environment to the socioeconomic aspects of energy use, advocating for adaptive community planning and the development of resilient energy infrastructures. The results serve as a foundation for stakeholders to implement targeted interventions, prioritize retrofitting efforts, and support equitable access to energy resources, thereby enhancing urban sustainability and resilience.

Global research status of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: A bibliometric analysis of hotspots, bursts, and trends

BackgroundResearch on intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) has recently gained attention. However, no bibliometric analysis was performed in the ICP research field. Therefore, the present study aimed to use bibliometric analysis to analyze the current research hotspots and identify global research status in ICP to reference for future research directions. MethodsWe comprehensively searched the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database from its inception to December 31, 2023. Articles and reviews related to ICP were downloaded as plain text file records. We used the VOSviewer and Citespace to perform the bibliometric analysis and visualization. The main bibliometric features were tabulated and calculated. ResultsA total of 1092 documents, including 921 original articles and 171 reviews, were identified in WoSCC. These publications were published in 395 journals by 4751 authors from 1250 institutions and 61 countries/regions. The global publication numbers exhibited a gradual upward trend. China, the United States, and the United Kingdom were top contributors to scientific research on ICP. King's College London, London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, and Sichuan University were the most productive institutions. Catherine Williamson had published the most papers and received the most total citations. The most productive journal was Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine. The most cited paper was Beuers et al. in the Journal of Hepatology (2009). Citation burst terms showed that “risk factors” and “perinatal outcomes” were hotspots. “Inflammation”, “risk factors”, “perinatal outcomes”, and “bile acid” have gained attention in more recent research. ConclusionThe present study comprehensively summarizes the global research status and research trends in ICP. Our study identifies hotspots, collaborative networks, and trends that will provide new insights and guidance for further research in the field.

The emergence, isolation, and phylogenetic analysis of a closely related human strain of parainfluenza virus 5 from a case of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome in China

Reports of Parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) epidemics have been on a global upward trend, with an expanding host range across various animals. In 2020, we isolated a PIV5 strain from a PRRSV-positive serum sample. This strain was named GX2020. Genetic analysis revealed that GX2020 belongs to group A, represented by the AGS strain isolated from a human in the USA. Comparisons of amino acid identity in the coding regions showed that GX2020 had the highest amino acid identity (99.6%) with the AGS strain. The emergence of PIV5 strains genetically similar to human strains in pigs highlights its zoonotic potential and underscores the need for enhanced PIV5 surveillance in the future.

Trends and hot spots in research related to aqueous humor from 2014 to 2023: A bibliometric analysis

PurposeTo analyze publication trends and investigate research hotspots of aqueous humor (AH) studies. MethodsA bibliometric study was conducted based on the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC). VOSviewer v. 1.6.18 was utilized to create a knowledge map visualizing the number of annual publications, the distribution of countries, international collaborations, author productivity, source journals and keywords in the field. ResultsA grand total of 4020 peer-reviewed papers concerning AH were retrieved from 2014 to 2023. The United States of America secured the top position among the most published countries and Duke University emerged as the most active institution. Stamer, WD contributed the most papers in this area. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science was the most prolific journal in AH research. Retrieved publications mainly concentrated on the correlation between AH as a biomarker carrier and different ocular disorders. Six clusters were formed based on the keywords: (1) the diagnosis of endophthalmitis and AH pharmacokinetics; (2) the association of AH with pathogenesis and prognosis of glaucoma; (3) diagnosis and treatment of AH associated with uveitis; (4) the relationship between AH and refractive diseases of the eye; (5) the association of AH with mechanism and biomarkers of ocular tumorigenesis; (6) the indicators of AH associated with fundus disease. ConclusionsThis study unveiled present patterns of global collaboration, emerging frontiers, fundamental knowledge, research hotspots and current trends in AH.

Non-Native Species in Marine Protected Areas: Global Distribution Patterns

Marine protected areas (MPAs) across various countries have contributed to safeguarding coastal and marine environments. Despite these efforts, marine non-native species (NNS) continue to threaten biodiversity and ecosystems, even within MPAs. Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on the inventories, distribution patterns, and effect factors of NNS within MPAs. Here we show a database containing over 15,000 occurrence records of 2,714 marine NNS across 16,401 national or regional MPAs worldwide. To identify the primary mechanisms driving the occurrence of NNS, we utilize model selection with proxies representing colonization pressure, environmental variables, and MPA characteristics. Among the environmental predictors analyzed, sea surface temperature emerged as the sole factor strongly associated with NNS richness. Higher sea surface temperatures are linked to increased NNS richness, aligning with global marine biodiversity trends. Furthermore, human activities help species overcome geographical barriers and migration constraints. Consequently, this influences the distribution patterns of marine introduced species and associated environmental factors. As global climate change continues to alter sea temperatures, it is crucial to protect marine regions that are increasingly vulnerable to intense human activities and biological invasions.

Time-dependent Stellar Flare Models of Deep Atmospheric Heating

Optical flares have been observed from magnetically active stars for many decades; unsurprisingly, the spectra and temporal evolution are complicated. For example, the shortcomings of optically thin, static slab models have long been recognized when confronted with the observations. A less incorrect—but equally simple—phenomenological T ≈ 9000 K blackbody model has instead been widely adopted in the absence of realistic (i.e., observationally tested) time-dependent, atmospheric models that are readily available. We use the RADYN code to calculate a grid of 1D radiative-hydrodynamic stellar flare models that are driven by short pulses of electron-beam heating. The flare heating rates in the low atmosphere vary over many orders of magnitude in the grid, and we show that the models with high-energy electron beams compare well to the global trends in flux ratios from impulsive-phase stellar flare, optical spectra. The models also match detailed spectral line-shape properties. We find that the pressure broadening and optical depths account for the broad components of the hydrogen Balmer γ lines in a powerful flare with echelle spectra. The self-consistent formation of the wings and nearby continuum level provides insight into how high-energy electron-beam heating evolves from the impulsive to the gradual decay phase in white-light stellar flares. The grid is publicly available, and we discuss possible applications.

Geomorphological traits of landscapes in continental rifts—From fault‐elastic rebound to sedimentary sinks

AbstractWe analyse 498 faults identified in satellite imagery and interpret the height and width of associated footwall ranges with respect to co‐seismic elastic rebound from tectonic and erosional unloading. The dynamics of footwall uplift link uplands to catchment patterns and interrelated hanging wall sedimentary fans. Height–length relations of some catchments and associated alluvial fans scale linearly whereas others, such as fault‐slope catchments and related down‐fault fans (building out from faults) show a significant scatter without an obvious trend. Perched basins abandoned in the footwalls of younger faults offer catchment‐fan height–length relations like watergap and dipslope‐related fans and, besides, hint at reduction of dip angle due to rollback of larger faults before abandonment. Analysis of the width‐to‐height ratio (W/h) of footwall ranges offer a robust linear statistical trend, h = 0.06 W and is identical between datasets. This trend is valid for both arid and tropical rifts, the latter offering smaller rebounds. Contributions of elastic rebound on fault throw in our data are simplistically considered through comparison to global trends on fault length versus throw. This allows consideration around maximum throw (Tmax) linked to the maximum height of footwall ranges (h) and to their width (W) above the reference level. Basic calculations indicate that co‐seismic rebound contributes from &lt;1% to 17% of extensional fault throw. Width‐to‐height ratios for large faults (L &gt; c. 50 km) show less spread than smaller faults. Such large faults expectedly dissect the brittle crust, indicating that these large faults which root in the ductile–brittle transition approach a balanced, steady‐state kinematic pattern. We speculate that significant crustal thinning associated with these large faults triggers the onset of isostatic adjustments that drive fault rotation, instigating fault abandonment and disconnected perched basins.

Time-dependent Stellar Flare Models of Deep Atmospheric Heating

Optical flares have been observed from magnetically active stars for many decades; unsurprisingly, the spectra and temporal evolution are complicated. For example, the shortcomings of optically thin, static slab models have long been recognized when confronted with the observations. A less incorrect—but equally simple—phenomenological T ≈ 9000 K blackbody model has instead been widely adopted in the absence of realistic (i.e., observationally tested) time-dependent, atmospheric models that are readily available. We use the RADYN code to calculate a grid of 1D radiative-hydrodynamic stellar flare models that are driven by short pulses of electron-beam heating. The flare heating rates in the low atmosphere vary over many orders of magnitude in the grid, and we show that the models with high-energy electron beams compare well to the global trends in flux ratios from impulsive-phase stellar flare, optical spectra. The models also match detailed spectral line-shape properties. We find that the pressure broadening and optical depths account for the broad components of the hydrogen Balmer γ lines in a powerful flare with echelle spectra. The self-consistent formation of the wings and nearby continuum level provides insight into how high-energy electron-beam heating evolves from the impulsive to the gradual decay phase in white-light stellar flares. The grid is publicly available, and we discuss possible applications.

Research into super-resolution in medical imaging from 2000 to 2023: bibliometric analysis and visualization.

Super-resolution (SR) refers to the use of hardware or software methods to enhance the resolution of low-resolution (LR) images and produce high-resolution (HR) images. SR is applied frequently across a variety of medical imaging contexts, particularly in the enhancement of neuroimaging, with specific techniques including SR microscopy-used for diagnostic biomarkers-and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)-a neuroimaging method for the measurement and mapping of brain activity. This bibliometric analysis of the literature related to SR in medical imaging was conducted to identify the global trends in this field, and visualization via graphs was completed to offer insights into future research prospects. In order to perform a bibliometric analysis of the SR literature, this study sourced all publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database published from January 1, 2000, to October 11, 2023. A total of 3,262 articles on SR in medical imaging were evaluated. VOSviewer was used to perform co-occurrence and co-authorship analysis, and network visualization of the literature data, including author, journal, publication year, institution, and keywords, was completed. From 2000 to 2023, the annual publication volume surged from 13 to 366. The top three journals in this field in terms of publication volume were as follows: (I) Scientific Reports (86 publications), (II) IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging (74 publications), and (III) IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control (56 publications). The most prolific country, institution, and author were the United States (1,017 publications; 31,301 citations), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (124 publications; 2,758 citations), and Dinggang Shen (20 publications; 671 citations), respectively. A cluster analysis of the top 100 keywords was conducted, which revealed the presence of five co-occurrence clusters: (I) SR and artificial intelligence (AI) for medical image enhancement, (II) SR and inverse problem processing concepts for positron emission tomography (PET) image processing, (III) SR ultrasound through microbubbles, (IV) SR microscopy for Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases, and (V) SR in brain fMRI: rapid acquisition and precise imaging. The most recent high-frequency keywords were deep learning (DL), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Over the past two decades, the output of publications by countries, institutions, and authors in the field of SR in medical imaging has steadily increased. Based on bibliometric analysis of international trends, the resurgence of SR in medical imaging has been facilitated by advancements in AI. The increasing need for multi-center and multi-modal medical images has further incentivized global collaboration, leading to the diverse research paths in SR medical imaging among prominent scientists.

Hierarchy-oriented Bureaucracy of South Korea : a type of Neo-Weberian State?

This paper explores the evolution and operational dynamics of South Korea’s bureaucracy through the lens of a Neo-Weberian State (NWS) model. It argues that South Korea’s bureaucratic system, deeply rooted in Confucian hierarchical principles, has uniquely adapted to modern administrative challenges and reforms influenced by New Public Management (NPM) ideologies. We trace the historical trajectory from the Confucian meritocracy of the Choson Dynasty through various significant reform periods up to the contemporary handling of the COVID-19 crisis with a focus on the variation of hierarchy, H1, H2, and H3. This analysis highlights how the Korean bureaucracy has managed to maintain efficiency and effectiveness while integrating market-driven and performance-oriented reforms. The paper also discusses the bureaucratic response to ‘wicked problems’?complex social issues requiring multi-faceted and innovative solutions?demonstrating adaptability in times of crisis. To illustrate this, we examine key case studies, including the rapid implementation of COVID-19 drive-through testing centers, showcasing the bureaucracy’s agility and effectiveness in crisis management.. This paper ultimately supports the view that despite global trends toward decentralization and deregulation, a strong hierarchical bureaucracy can still effectively meet contemporary governance challenges, reflecting a distinctive Neo-Weberian State approach

THE ROLE OF BOARD STRUCTURES IN INCREASING BANK ACCOUNTABILITY: GLOBAL EXPERIENCE

The governance of banking institutions plays a critical role in the stability and integrity of financial systems globally. The structure of the board of directors significantly influences how banks manage risks, comply with regulations, and align operations with the interests of shareholders and other stakeholders. Understanding how board structures differ across regulatory and cultural landscapes is crucial for enhancing bank accountability and performance. This article aims to critically evaluate how various board structures impact the accountability of banking institutions across different global contexts. The goal is to identify effective governance practices that can be adapted to improve bank accountability worldwide. Employing a comparative case study methodology, this research analyzes board structures in banking institutions across continents including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Data from primary sources like interviews and secondary sources such as regulatory documents and academic articles are synthesized to assess the impact of board configurations on governance and accountability. The analysis reveals that effective board structures often include a high proportion of independent directors, robust audit and risk committees, and a commitment to diversity, which correlate with enhanced accountability and financial performance. However, variations exist due to cultural, economic, and regulatory differences that influence board effectiveness across regions. The findings suggest that while there is a global trend towards standardizing governance practices, local adaptations remain essential. The study recommends that banks and regulators focus on enhancing board independence, diversifying board composition, and strengthening risk oversight to improve governance frameworks. Future governance models should incorporate a dynamic approach to adapt to technological advancements, economic shifts, and societal expectations, ensuring that banking institutions can effectively meet emerging challenges and opportunities.