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Apprenticeship enrollment in Ghana is declining according to recent rounds of the Ghana Living Standards Survey, despite its importance as an avenue for human capital development among young people. This trend is alarming, especially during an era of economic crises and constraints in technical and vocational education. The paper utilizes qualitative approaches involving interviews with key stakeholders such as master craftspeople and apprentices, apprenticeship experts, and secondary data to explore the reasons behind the decline in apprenticeships. The findings reveal that young people’s desire for quick financial gains and lack of interest in apprenticeships, along with structural factors, contribute to the decline. The paper concludes by offering a nuanced critique of the human capital theory’s application to the declining apprenticeship trends in Ghana, underscoring the need for a more comprehensive framework that incorporates social, cultural and environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic growth is a primary objective for countries worldwide since it has a pivotal impact on enhancing living standards, alleviating poverty, and promoting general societal well-being. Hence, this study examines the connection between life expectancy, environmental pollution, and economic growth in Somalia by using time-series data from 1990 to 2020. The study employs the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bound test and fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) method. The empirical results of the bound test indicate that life expectancy is statistically significant and positively affects economic growth in the long run. However, it does not significantly affect economic growth in the short run. Furthermore, environmental pollution does not significantly impact economic growth in the long run but enhances it in the short run. The study indicates that life expectancy improves economic growth. Based on the empirical evidence, the study provides several policy implications, including public health initiatives, health-related infrastructure, and sustainable environmental practices, which are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correction notice addresses errors in the original publication regarding multidimensional poverty in Indian households, with changes made to indicators and definitions. The corrections aim to provide accurate data on poverty measures among Indian households based on the National Family Health Survey 2019-2021. The table in the document provides data on poverty measures in various states and Union Territories in India, showing variations in poverty levels across different regions. The information is presented in a factual and analytical manner, highlighting the diverse socio-economic landscape of the country. [Extracted from the article]

Community perception is essential for influencing the physical, social, and environmental growth of a region and is key to achieving a high Quality of Life (QOL). Tourism serves as a common means of introducing outsiders to the area where the community lives. Embracing tourism in remote locations like small towns or rural areas can be difficult, and the success of tourism hinges on community attitudes towards it. The community's engagement and approval of tourism are dependent on the benefits such as how tourism improves their QOL in both the short. Therefore, this study aims to explore the local community's perceptions on how tourism influences various aspects of QOL. A survey of 160 households in Palangan Village was conducted to collect primary data, using a conceptual model with 16 indices to evaluate QOL. The findings indicate that the local community generally has a positive perception of the effects of tourism, especially on key QOL components. Civic and generative well-being are considered more significant than other aspects of QOL. Analysis of the data reveals differences in perception across the 16 QOL indices. The highest average ratings were for institutional participation (3.476), quality of employment (3.456), and individual capability (3.203), while the lowest ratings were for standard of living (1.883), social solidarity (2.289), and environmental resource quality (2.725). For instance, the institutional participation index received an average response rating of 3.476. Additionally, the dispersion coefficient index highlighted notable variations in perception, particularly for satisfaction with living conditions (0.488) and standard of living (0.488). Conversely, employment quality (0.360), institutional cooperation (0.385), and freedom of choice had the lowest dispersion coefficients (0.386). Other indices showed moderate levels of dispersion and distribution of perception. In conclusion, these results underscore the significance of community perception in tourism development and its affect on QOL. They also underscore the importance of strategic planning and balanced development to ensure that all aspects of QOL benefit from the expanding tourism sector, leading to a more sustainable and harmonious community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As living standards improve, there is a growing demand for fresher, healthier and more sustainable food options, with a concomitant challenge to develop new biodegradable packaging. This investigation centres around the synthesis of quaternary phosphonium salt (triphenyl octylphosphonium bromide P8) and use it to modify vermiculite (VMT). The structure of P8 was determined using both NMR and FTIR. The structural investigation and performance analysis of P8‐modified vermiculite (P8@VMT) were carried out by particle size, XRD, FTIR and microstructure. In addition, P8@VMT/PBAT composite films were prepared by solution method using PBAT as matrix material and P8@VMT as filler. The properties of P8@VMT/PBAT composite films were compared to those of pure PBAT films using TGA, DSC, SEM, and antibacterial tests. Results showed that the melting and crystallization temperatures of P8@VMT/PBAT composite films were higher than those of pure PBAT films. However, increasing the content of P8@VMT led to a decrease in thermal stability as well as melting enthalpy, crystallization enthalpy, and crystallinity. On the other hand, loss modulus, storage modulus, and complex viscosity significantly increased with the addition of P8@VMT. Compared to pure PBAT film, P8@VMT/PBAT‐20% composites exhibited a 19.6% reduction in tensile strength and a 94.7% decrease in elongation at break due to the presence of quaternary phosphonium salt (P8) used as a modifier for VMT during melt blending method preparation. Highlights: Quaternary phosphonium salt P8 was successfully synthesized.PBAT/P8@VMT composite films with different P8@VMT were prepared.P8@VMT improves compatibility between VMT and PBAT.PBAT/P8@VMT composite films have antimicrobial effects.The PBAT/P8@VMT composite films are biodegradable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate sanitation has catastrophic consequences for public health, standard of living, and productivity, as well as gender equality and social inclusion. Urban sanitation programmes yield suboptimal outcomes regarding long-term impact, effectiveness, sustainability, and fairness. To ensure that all urban dwellers in Low- to Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) have access to sanitation facilities that are properly maintained and safe, it is crucial to bring about a fundamental change in the urban sanitation sector through the implementation of Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS). This research analyses the sanitation regulatory framework and stakeholders' perspectives in Bandung City, Indonesia. The goal is to determine the possible obstacles and advantages of implementing a comprehensive CWIS (Citywide Inclusive Sanitation) system in Indonesia. The CWIS idea has been recognised at the national level in Indonesia. While existing legislation and policies partially govern and deal with CWIS components, there is no official programme establishment yet and limited implementation at the local level. Some challenges that have been identified include conflicting priorities in serving marginalised populations, a lack of political commitment and capacity to provide comprehensive services for all types of domestic wastewater (including grey water) and throughout the entire sanitation service chain (from containment to treatment and/or reuse and recovery), inadequate knowledge management and data transparency, a lack of incentives and penalties for local governments to meet sanitation standards, and limited motivation for meaningful and institutionalised private sector involvement. This study also delineates four crucial domains for efficiently fostering the deployment of CWIS in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study aims to analyze and learn from the unanticipated economic shocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We examine the ramifications of the pandemic on household well-being in Ethiopia, uncovering the layers of socio-economic impact through a rigorous microsimulation exercise. Drawing on robust data from the 2018/19 Living Standards Measurement Study – Integrated Surveys on Agriculture, we assess the significant disruptions caused by the pandemic. Our findings reveal a 2 to 4 percentage point increase in the poverty rate within the first three months, driven largely by shifts in direct incomes and food prices. The analysis highlights differential impacts across rural and urban areas, as well as between male- and female-headed households. Moreover, the study underscores the vital role of social protection programs in mitigating the effects of such shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractCooking with relatively clean fuel has numerous benefits, including reducing pollution and improving health and socioeconomic outcomes. Hence, some developing countries have implemented policies to promote LPG use. However, risks of accidents and explosions may prevent risk-averse households from adopting LPG. This study examines the causal effect of risk aversion on the adoption and expenditure of LPG using the seventh round of the Ghana Living Standards Measurement Survey and a double hurdle approach. We find that risk-averse households are four per cent less likely to adopt LPG and, if adopted, spend significantly less on LPG. The result holds even after endogeneity has been addressed with diverse econometric strategies. However, the effect disappears in households where the primary decision-makers have no formal education, while it is systematically stronger when they are educated. The results imply measures that reduce the actual and perceived dangers of LPG usage could effectively increase adoption rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of access to reliable and affordable electricity in Mbo'o community and the reliance on kerosene lamps for lighting has impacted various aspects of daily life in the area such as education, health, safety and economic productivity. Yields rural exodus and poverty. The aim of this research is to address the challenge of inadequate lighting in the Mbo'o community by developing a sustainable and affordable solution using the AEM10941 solar lamp and thus improving the quality of life for community members and reducing environmental impacts. The methodology involved utilizing the AEM10941 and connecting it with an ATMEGA328pu, switch and LED to construct the lamp. This included configuring the AEM10941, designing the printed circuit board for the lighting and control circuits, and then crafting the lamp casing. The lamp was designed to operate in two modes including indoor and outdoor/security modes. Performance evaluation tests revealed that the AEM10941 effectively charges the battery to full capacity within three hours. Additionally, in indoor mode, a single charge can sustain up to 10 h of lighting, demonstrating the lamp's efficiency and reliability in providing prolonged illumination. At full brightness, the lamp produced an illuminance of 1436 lx. the AEM10941 based solar lamps performance characteristics including illumination intensity, runtime and charging time are in accordance with the standards values and even above. This sustainable way of lighting is the convenient solution to improve the general living standard of the Mbo'o community. The key contribution of this work is the development of a sustainable, affordable and versatile solar lamp tailored to the specific needs of the Mbo'o community. This work provides an innovative solution to address the community's reliance on kerosene lamps, thereby potentially reducing emissions while improving safety and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livelihood diversification (LD) is crucial for rural households due to increasing climate variability and declining farm incomes in the global south. Literature has extensively documented the benefits of LD in emerging economies. However, there is still a gap in the econometric evidence of LD on the food security of rural households in Ghana. This study addresses this gap by examining the factors that influence LD using the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS 7) data collected from 133 rural households in Northern Ghana. Results from the censored Tobit regression model, multiple linear regression, and Simpson Diversification Index (SDI) indicated that diversification averaged 0.313 and ranged from 0.000 to 0.709 (zero to 70.9%). Total food expenditures (TFE) measured as a proxy of food security declined at low levels of diversification. Beyond the diversification level of 0.480, total food expenditure increased steadily. The findings revealed that only 24.6% of the households had diversification scores higher than the turning point of 0.480. The Tobit model also showed that remittance income, technical education, household size, marital status, access to extension services, and ownership of mobile phones were significant drivers of LD. The findings have demonstrated that LD improves food security in rural Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a cornerstone of marine conservation efforts, with the potential to protect biodiversity and provide socioeconomic benefits. We quantified the effect of MPAs on fishing outcomes, economic activities, and material living standards in 24 coastal villages of Tanzania over two decades. We accessed original data from a study conducted in 2003 that found no effect of MPAs 3–8 years after their creation. Eighteen years later, we replicated the survey and used a Before‐After Control‐Intervention design to quantify the effect of MPAs. We found that villages near MPAs experienced a 50% higher improvement in living standards compared to those further from MPAs. This benefit is not related to higher fishing outcomes but to a diversification of economic sectors. Our findings highlight a decoupling between fish catches and economic benefits, revealing that socio‐economic outcomes can be observed for MPAs whose ecosystems’ productivity has declined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wealthy and orderly city of Geneva, Switzerland, accommodation centres built in haste between the 1950s and the 1980s to house seasonal guestworkers from southern Europe are still standing and still inhabited. Today's residents are precarious workers, undocumented or with temporary permits as well as asylum seekers. While the seasonal status disappeared in the early 2000s, the demand for low-skilled, flexible labour did not. Analysing the historical trajectories of specific buildings helps us to answer the question of who replaced the seasonal workers, not only in the labour and the housing markets, but also in the symbolic spectrum of legitimacy. This article introduces the notion of 'Subaltern Housing Policies' to account for the public action that leads to the production and subsequent use of forms of housing characterised by standards of comfort and security far below those of the rental and social housing stock, but considered 'good enough' for their occupants. We argue that 'subaltern' relates not only to housing conditions, but also to the policies themselves, and last but not least to the people who are subjected to them. This notion allows us to trace a link between the production of substandard forms of housing and the production of categories of people who are kept on the margins of full citizenship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global increase in energy consumption, driven by population growth and improved living standards, has led to a heavy reliance on fossil fuels, causing significant environmental concerns. This has prompted a shift toward sustainable energy sources, with biomass, especially lignocellulosic forest biomass, emerging as a key alternative due to its abundance and carbon-neutral potential. Microwave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP) is an efficient method for converting forest biomass into valuable bioproducts and bioenergy with reduced energy use. This review introduces biomass types, focusing on forest biomass and its role in global energy production. It compares MAP to conventional pyrolysis, highlighting the benefits of rapid, uniform heating and improved product yields. Key operational conditions, such as temperature, microwave power, biomass size, and catalyst ratios, are discussed in relation to their impact on product quality and yield. Despite its advantages, MAP faces challenges, particularly in temperature control, which can affect bio-oil yield and quality. High temperatures may cause unwanted secondary reactions, while low temperatures can lead to incomplete decomposition. Research into biomass dielectric properties and process modeling is essential in order to optimize MAP and scale it up for industrial use. Addressing bio-oil quality issues through catalytic upgrading is also critical for broader adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several theories in economics and finance suggest that risk attitudes play a vital role in economic choices, including being an entrepreneur and the choice of finance for businesses. However, there are limited empirical tests of these theories in the African context, where majority of firms are small and medium-scale enterprises. Using the 7th round of the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS 7), this study estimates the effect of risk attitudes on the decision to own a household enterprise and the choice of finance by owners of household enterprises. The study finds no significant impact of risk aversion on household enterprise ownership. We find risk aversion to significantly influence the use of self-financing as start-up capital; however, after controlling for access to finance, this effect reduces. We also did not find a significant relationship between risk aversion and the use of loan financing as working capital. The findings from this study shed light on the risk management strategy of household enterprise owners and suggest that access to finance is an important determinant of sources of financing. Hence, to spur growth of these critical household enterprises, the essential role of access to finance should be addressed by policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United Nations anticipates that by 2050, around two-thirds of the global population will reside in urban areas, necessitating a concerted effort to elevate the benchmarks guiding living standards in sustainable cities. The pursuit of sustainable urban development necessitates the identification of robust socio-ecological indicators to ensure the synchronous optimization of human well-being and environmental integrity. Therefore, the study explores the existing quality-of-life indicators grounded in ecosystem services within the urban parks of Lahore. For this, a field survey was conducted in the parks of Lahore, primarily focusing on identifying key measures to enhance living standards. The study was collected by identifying quality-of-life indicators from ecological, social, and economic perspectives and analyzed in MS Excel and ArcGIS version 10.8. The results illustrate that nearly all the examined parks contribute significantly to the quality-of-life key indicators by regulating the air quality and reducing noise and temperature. Jallo Park and Bagh-e-Jinnah have sufficient areas and are adequately maintained, which is a key indicator of the quality of life, but only Gulberg town aligns with global standards (9 to 50 m2) for per capita green space (25.523 m2). So, it is concluded that the urban parks of Lahore support sustainable living with their proper mountainous and sufficient green area. Therefore, a critical need for proactive green infrastructure initiatives is recommended, particularly addressing the shortfall in per capita green space. A strategic intervention in urban planning and green development is a key recommendation for policymakers for a sustainable future in Lahore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In this study, we examine whether a positive income shock, measured by lottery wins, affects labor supply and the employment of individuals in Vietnam using Vietnam Living Standard Surveys 1993 and 1998. We do not find significant effects of lottery wins on the probability of working or on working hours. However, we find that lottery wins tend to be invested in productive assets and nonfarm household businesses. As a result, individuals from lottery-winning households tend to quit their wage-earning jobs and move to nonfarm self-employment. A 1% increase in lottery winnings results in a 0.22% increase in nonfarm income and a 0.056% increase in per capita income (excluding lottery winnings). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poverty, unemployment, and environmental degradation are growing issues and significant challenges to sustainable development. They are visible obstacles to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The three ZEROS (zero net carbon emissions, zero poverty, and zero unemployment) within the SDGs have not yet been thoroughly explored and need to be empirically examined. This is the primary aim of this study, which focuses on 10 developing countries in Asia & the Pacific. The study utilized panel data from 1997 to 2021 and a stochastic impact by regression on population, affluence, and technology (STIRPAT) model and implemented the second‐generation panel unit root test, cross‐sectional augmented autoregressive distributed lags (CS‐ARDL), panel fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) approaches, and panel Granger‐causality test. The empirical results of the CS‐ARDL approach vindicate that poverty contributes to the environmental deterioration proxied by CO2 emissions, while the unemployment rate inhibits the environmental damage. The other regressors, namely national income by real gross domestic product per capita, energy use, and population are harming the environment, while technological innovation and digitalization reduce environmental degradation. These results are re‐corroborated by implementing the FMOLS estimator. The Granger causality results reveal a bidirectional causality between poverty and environmental degradation. Therefore, it is essential for management authorities to implement pragmatic public policies that focus on sustainable development strategies, such as investing in education and stimulating sustainable economic growth. This will help to reduce unemployment, improve living standards, decrease poverty, and ultimately achieve the Three Zeros Club initiative and sustainable development goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than half of Japan's land area experiences significant snowfall during winter, and the damage caused by various snow and ice disasters remains a dire issue, which also leads to decreased living standards. Simultaneously, the nature of snow and ice disasters has been transformed due to climate change and the increasing occurrence of extreme weather conditions. The National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED) has been continuously conducting research to address these problems in relation to snow and ice disasters. This study presents the results of the project "Research on Combining Risk Monitoring and Forecasting Technologies for Mitigation of Increasingly Diverse Snow Disaster" conducted by the NIED over a seven-year period from April 2016 to March 2023. This project developed technology for conducting accurate observations of snowfall and snow cover conditions over wide areas as well as technology for areal prediction of snow and ice disasters through simulations. Based on collaboration with stakeholders, such as local governments, our study investigated how to optimize the use of our information products for snow and ice disaster mitigation. Through these insights, the NIED provides information for prompt and appropriate responses to snow and ice disasters, thus supporting safe and comfortable living in both snowy and non-snowy areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Pakistan, due to low per capita income and weak socio-economic policies the poverty has remained core problem in every era. Thus, as per sensitivity of the issue, the present study key objectives are to empirically address the dilemma of multidimensional poverty among agrarian and non-agrarian communities of Agro-environmental Regions of Pakistan. For assessment of comprehensive outcomes, one decade survey data (2010/11 to 2019/20) of Pakistan social and living standard measurement and globally acknowledged Alkire and Foster (Counting and multidimensional poverty measurement, 2007) indexing methodology has been adopted. Stepwise outcomes under dual cut-off K = 2 logically reveal that multidimensional poverty is purely an agrarian phenomenon at the national level and across all the nine agro-environmental regions of Pakistan. Further, at the national level in each study year, residents of the agrarian community with poverty estimates 46.40, 39.00, 34.90, and 31.90% are harshly victimized by precise menace compared to their non-agrarian counterparts with poverty measures 23.00, 20.60, 19.10, and 17.70%, respectively. Like national measure, similar trend has also been observed across each agro-environmental region where agrarian community is severely victimized of multiple attributes poverty menace compared to non-agrarian counterpart. Moreover, a comparative analysis of current valuations highlights that over time, especially in the short run, 2010/11 to 2012/13; 2012/13 to 2014/15, and 2014/15 to 2019/20, multiple aspect poverty at national level and across each zone in Pakistan presents fluctuating trend for both communities. However, in the long run, with the time gap of complete decade since to 2010–11 to 2019–20, multidimensional poverty reveals a declining trend at the national level as well as across each study zone in Pakistan. These valuations indicate a noteworthy improvement in all three attributes; education, health, and housing services specifically in longer span of time. Precise improvements are appreciable but still a strong policy like adoption of modern technology as per advance countries in all three aspect is essentially needed to achieve the UNDP agenda within the prescribed time limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Subjective wellbeing has been defined as an individual's personal appraisal of their quality of life. Subjective wellbeing is associated with positive health behaviours and improved coping abilities. This study aimed to investigate the subjective wellbeing of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), using the novel Personal Wellbeing Index, and make comparisons with the general population. Methods: Cross-sectional data was obtained from the Australian Multiple Sclerosis Longitudinal Study and the How Is Your Life Australian general population study in August-October 2020. Subjective wellbeing was measured as life satisfaction using the Personal Wellbeing Index. This instrument measures life satisfaction globally and in seven life domains, allowing the importance of domain-specific life satisfaction to be explored. Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses were conducted. Results: One thousand six hundred eighty-three MS and 1,021 general population participants entered the study (mean age 52.4 and 58.6; female 79.9% and 52.4%, respectively). For people living with MS the most important life domains were standard of living and achieving in life. The domain of personal health was more influential for people living with MS (p < 0.01) than the general population. The life domains most susceptible to MS-related disability were personal health, achieving in life, and community connectedness (p < 0.01 for these domains). Conclusion: Personal health and achieving in life are key domains through which the subjective wellbeing of people living with MS is modified. This study recommends the development of interventions to support healthy perceptions of illness and continued employment as paramount in improving the subjective wellbeing of people living with MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study examines how the state categorises and governs the urban poor in the Philippines, implementing different housing policies for citizens who can pay regular prices and the urban poor who cannot. Slum dwellers who cannot afford land are categorised as “underprivileged and homeless citizens” and receive state protection. Meanwhile, those considered able to afford land are classified as “professional squatters” and are subject to imprisonment and/or fines. Since the 2000s, the state protection has been via market-driven policies, which have proven insufficient as local governments and private developers relocate slum dwellers for high-end housing projects that force these dwellers to purchase relatively expensive socialised housing in suburbs with inadequate infrastructure or livelihood opportunities. This article reviews the inadequacy of state protection by examining the role of courts that might protect slum dwellers from the state’s market-driven policies. This analysis indicates that, based on the building materials of houses, the courts are likely to define slum dwellers as professional squatters. This is not necessarily an accurate reflection of their living standard, compared to income. Underprivileged and homeless citizens are easily relocated under market-driven policies, and if they resist in court, they are likely to be treated as professional squatters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nowadays, the contradiction between the rapid improvement of people's material living standard and the loss of spiritual pursuit or the increase of pressure is becoming more and more serious.With the impact of the new corona-virus pandemic, the employment situation of college students is more severe. This leads to the growth of psychological problems and alienation behavior of college students. In the promoting positive psychology and enhancing the happiness of the whole people, the relationship between interpersonal relationship and subjective well-being of college students is an interesting and valuable research topic. Methods: The structural model with AMOS21.0 was used to verify the mediating effect of psychological capital between interpersonal relationship distress and SWB from the survey data of 673 college students. Results: The interpersonal distress has a negatively correlated with psychological capital and SWB, while psychological capital has a positively correlated with SWB. Psychological capital has Partial mediating effect between interpersonal distress and SWB, and the indirect effect accounts for 57% of the total effect. Conclusion: This study indicates that schools should pay attention to education and intervention in psychological capital, except for strengthening knowledge and skill training of college students in how to communicate with others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the development of low-carbon buildings and carbon emission control in Jiangsu Province, China, utilizing a mathematical model. Through correlation analysis and principal component analysis, the carbon emissions of the entire life cycle of residential buildings are evaluated, and a Grey Prediction Model is established. The study shows that the annual carbon emission from air conditioners is 370.92 kg, given an annual electricity consumption of 1324.71 kW and a carbon emission of 0.28 kg per kWh. It identifies the key carbon emission indicators, including precipitation, temperature, energy consumption, building area, construction materials, water, natural gas, and waste. Principal component analysis ranks building area as the most significant factor. Using the GM (1,1) model, the carbon emissions of Jiangsu Province in 2024 were predicted to be 1.5576 million tons by historical data. Emission reduction suggestions are proposed, such as constructing thicker walls, increasing green spaces, reducing construction waste, and promoting balanced economic development. Moreover, prioritizing insulation materials in building design can reduce winter energy consumption since energy consumption is higher in winter than in summer. This research supports China's goals of achieving a carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060 while encouraging low-carbon technological innovation and improving people's living standards. This study also emphasizes the importance of locally tailored strategies for effective emissions reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a noticeable surge in electric power load due to economic development and improved living standards. The growing need for smart power solutions, such as leveraging user electricity data to forecast power peaks and utilizing power data statistics to enhance end-user services, has been on the rise. However, the misuse and unauthorized access of data have prompted stringent regulations to safeguard data integrity. This paper presents a novel decentralized collaborative machine learning framework aimed at predicting peak power loads while protecting the privacy of users’ power data. In this scheme, multiple users engage in collaborative machine learning training within a peer-to-peer network free from a centralized server, with the objective of predicting peak power loads without compromising users’ local data privacy. The proposed approach leverages blockchain technology and advanced cryptographic techniques, including multi-key homomorphic encryption and consistent hashing. Key contributions of this framework include the development of a secure dual-aggregate node aggregation algorithm and the establishment of a verifiable process within a decentralized architecture. Experimental validation has been conducted to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed scheme, demonstrating its potential to address the challenges associated with predicting peak power loads securely and preserving user data privacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aimed to assess the urban-rural gap in mathematics achievement among secondary education students in Peru using the ECE 2018 evaluation and the Oaxaca-Blinder method. Employing a retrospective observational design, the study analyzed data from the ECE to understand this disparity. It revealed a significant gap favoring urban areas, even after adjusting for socioeconomic factors and school contributions, with a difference of 63.28 points. Decomposition analysis showed that 82.58% of this gap is explained by differences in observable attributes (endowments), primarily socioeconomic variables and school inputs. These findings underscore the importance of public policies targeting improvements in both school resources and the living standards of impoverished populations to address educational disparities effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Global climate change (CC) significantly impacts sustainable food systems and the agricultural sector, primarily through increasing adverse weather events. This study aims to explore the adaptation strategies farmers use to address these challenges and evaluate the effectiveness of climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices on food performance. Methods: We collected data from 720 crop farmers located in three provinces of Pakistan using a random sampling method. To address potential biases, this study employed the endogenous switching regression (ESR) model. This model effectively addresses endogeneity and selection bias by considering both observable and unobservable characteristics. Results: Study findings indicate that CSA practices substantially enhance net farm returns, reduce volatility, and mitigate downside risks. The analysis also highlights key features affecting the acceptance of CSA practices, including higher education, age, climate information, and availability of agricultural extension services. Discussion: These insights are essential for policymakers, offering a framework for informed decision-making to tackle CC's effects on food production, improve living standards, and enhance global food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Human Development Index is a useful measure of a country's overall prosperity and standard of living (HDI). The Human Development Index (HDI) provides data on the social and economic progress of a nation by accounting for variables such as life expectancy, education attainment, and per capita income. This research delves into the intricate correlation of a nation's historical background, policy framework, and advancements on the Human Development Index. The remarkable journey of South Africa, from apartheid to inclusive growth, is an important example. The study uses an average yearly growth rate to examine how changes in political ideologies, ongoing development initiatives, and historical contexts of inequality have shaped South Africa's HDI trajectory. By examining crucial turning points and policy influences, the study aims to reveal the complex relationship of factors affecting human development results. Despite improvement, challenges like unemployment and poverty continue. The study stresses the relevance of understanding historical context and policy changes in shaping HDI outcomes. Ultimately, the study emphasises the need of maintaining a long-term commitment to effective and inclusive human development policies. Understanding the complex relationship of factors influencing South Africa's HDI will help policymakers make better informed decisions that will lead to a more prosperous and fair society for all South Africans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the idea that the misdeeds of ancestors will have negative consequences for their descendants, as encapsulated by biblical quotes about 'the sins of the fathers'. The prevalence of these ideas in religion and folklore, through the notion of family curses, is discussed, as is an analysis of what constitutes 'sin'. How the so-called sins of our forebears might reach across future generations is considered in two ways. The first is that detrimental characteristics, behaviours, and health conditions can be transmitted to descendants via genetic, epigenetic, environmental, and psychosocial mechanisms (and the interactions between these). The second is that descendants can feel guilt and shame as a result of the actions of their ancestors. Overcoming the effects of ancestral fault and disadvantage may occur through improvements in living standards, medical advances, more tolerant and inclusive cultural beliefs, as well as other environmental and social changes. These processes are also likely to be assisted by greater knowledge and understanding of one's own family history. Such knowledge, in historical context, has the potential to facilitate both personal psychotherapeutic change and decisions about appropriate reparations where these are indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of remittances on the labor supply decisions of recipients remains a subject of contention. To contribute to the debate, we investigate how the educational attainment and household income of remittance recipients shape their decisions to work. Using data from the 2018–2019 living standard measurement survey for over 61,000 Nigerians and applying the instrumental variable probit and Tobit techniques, we find that remittances are associated with an occupational switch from agriculture to nonagricultural (paid jobs and nonfarm enterprises) works. Specifically, the results show that remittance recipients are more likely to exit or reduce the hours worked on the farm, regardless of educational attainment and household income status. On the other hand, remittances promote labor supply to paid jobs and nonfarm enterprises, especially among the less educated in Northern Nigeria. In terms of household income, the positive effect of remittances on nonfarm jobs only holds for individuals in the top income quartile, regardless of their region of residence. Our findings are robust to alternative estimation techniques and hold important cues for policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health care spending has grown significantly in the US, and is a major cause of rising federal deficits. Official projections find that low economic growth and aging of the population will lead to a modest continuation of this situation, but they miss that labor shortages have a particular impact on inefficient sectors, raising the cost of health care. We develop a unified macroeconomic model to address this shortcoming, with key variables—particularly in the health care sector and interest rates—endogenously determined. We find that the current fiscal trajectory of the US is unsustainable, with future deficits and debt well beyond both historical norms and official projections. Policy steps, focusing on reducing health care spending, increasing capital, and fiscal retrenchment, can lead to sustainable fiscal conditions and raise living standards that will otherwise fall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forestry and fruit industry are two of the most significant components in the agricultural sector, high ecological and economic benefits in China. The forest fruits have been ever-increasingly produced annually. However, it is a high demand for the high-quality forest products, as living standards rise. Accurate assessment of fruit quality can dominate food safety to optimize the transportation and storage for the subsequent grading. Therefore, it is necessary to develop rapid, accurate, and non-destructive quality detection for forest fruits. Particularly, deep learning has been widely applied in the non-destructive quality detection of forest fruits in recent years, due to the automatic features extraction, wide applicability, and end-to-end learning. This review was focused on the research progress of deep learning in forest fruit quality from three aspects: safety, external and internal quality. It was found that Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) were the most widely used deep learning models in the field of non-destructive quality detection of forest fruits. However, several challenges still remained, including data quality, generalization, and practical implementation. Therefore, some recommendations were then proposed for further application of deep learning. The publicly available datasets should be established to validate the model performance. Future endeavors should explore the application of deep learning-based data augmentation to generate spectral data, beyond only image datasets. Additionally, interdisciplinary collaboration should be fostered to combine microbiology, insect ecology, and plant pathology. Furthermore, standardized evaluation metrics should be developed to validate the scientific soundness of deep learning models, in order to generate various pest and disease data. In terms of models, meta-learning can be expected to design models that can adapt and improve learning strategies. Some challenges are to overcome the influences of origin, batch, environment, and variety on the accuracy of the model. Since most existing studies have been focused mainly on the high model accuracy in recent years, only a little attention can be given to model runtime and detection efficiency. Consequently, a tradeoff between accuracy and efficiency should be explored to develop lightweight models. Moreover, the deep fusion of multiple models is crucial to leverage their respective strengths. In terms of applications, quantitative studies can be concentrated on the severity of fruit pests, diseases, mechanical damage, and appearance defects using semantic segmentation. The time detection of pest infection and mechanical damage occurrence can be improved to increase the collection time and frequency, in order to improve the database for model training. Future research on forest fruit flavors should also be emphasized to facilitate consumer choice. Since deep learning is mostly confined to the laboratory stage, adequate attention can be received in practical production. Therefore, there is a high demand to integrate industry, academia, and research for the intelligent assessment equipment of fruit quality. Some insights can be provided for the further development of deep learning in non-destructive fruit quality assessment, particularly in the digitalization of the fruit industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the various fundamental causes of rural poverty in China and justifies its eradication within the framework of a new rural renewal strategy. The main objective of this research lies in conducting a multidimensional analysis of the causes of rural poverty in China, examining the trends in its evolution, and substantiating the prospects for the development of rural territories within the country. The primary research methods are multidimensional quantitative and qualitative analyses of rural development in China and poverty and its causes. According to the study, rural households' economic well-being is still very low in Central and Western China's 22 provinces and other comparable administrative units. In 2022, per capita disposable income of rural households was 40.9% of the income of urban households nationwide. Compared to the year 2000, the average Engel Coefficient has decreased from 48.3%, indicating a moderately prosperous standard of living, to 33%, an excellent qualitative indicator of a certain improvement in rural living standards. The research uncovered a direct relationship between the income of rural households and regional gross domestic product, exports, budgetary expenditures, and the proportion of secondary and tertiary industries in the local economy. A dynamic econometric model has been proposed to elucidate the interdependence between exogenous and endogenous factors influencing the genesis of multidimensional poverty in rural regions. Given the global significance of China's rural strategies, the incorporation of these research findings makes an additional contribution to the global discourse on the development of rural areas and their prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Chinese Institute of Food Science & Technology is the property of Journal of Chinese Institute of Food Science & Technology Periodical Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article "Quo Vadis, Cohesion Policy? European Regional Development at a Crossroads" by Thomas Schwab delves into the current identity crisis facing European cohesion policy, examining debates on its objectives and strategies for regional development. It emphasizes the challenges posed by global dynamics and suggests recommendations to overcome emerging obstacles. The paper underscores the significance of cohesion policy in tackling underlying causes of crises and fostering resilience in cities, regions, and Europe as a whole. Additionally, the collection of articles and reports in the document sheds light on various aspects of EU cohesion policy, administrative capacity building, renewable energy transition, and regional development, offering valuable insights for researchers interested in these topics. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Revista de Historia Económica / Journal of Iberian & Latin American Economic History is the property of Cambridge University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Caste, an integral part of India's history and contemporary society, has traditionally marginalized Dalits, assigning them to the lowest rung of the caste hierarchy and frequently compelling them to engage in low-status work abroad. However, in the present era, Dalits have spread out around the world in search of better living standards and prospects. Although diaspora has been extensively studied by scholars, there has been less focus on the presence and impact of the caste system within the Indian diaspora, which is a crucial aspect of the South Asian diaspora. This study analyzes the personal stories of Thenmozhi Soundararajan and Yashica Dutt, who are both Dalits residing in the United States. They serve as tangible illustrations of the Dalit diaspora in the US. Their narratives offer significant perspectives on the obstacles and achievements encountered by Dalits residing beyond the borders of India. This article investigates the impact of Dalit migration on their perception of caste discrimination, development of Dalit identity, and commitment to advocating for their rights using a narrative inquiry approach. This research emphasizes that the impact of the caste system, which originated in India, now has a global reach. Despite encountering prejudice and discrimination, Dalits residing overseas have gained a greater understanding of these challenges through migration. This has allowed them to establish their cultural identity and actively support their rights even when living in foreign countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliches Institut Mitteilungen is the property of Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of China Brewing is the property of China Brewing Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this case study, seventy Tibetan residents selected from two Tibetan villages in Danba county, Southwest China, were invited to participate in an investigation of their everyday use of Tibetan, standard Chinese, and English, as well as their expectations of future multilingual practices. It was found that there are intergenerational differences in the participants' use of these languages. This paper, in the context of neoliberal ideology and rural development, suggests that attention should be given to support local Tibetan residents' language learning and improve their multilingual competence, thus enabling the conversion of their linguistic/human capital to economic capital. The study contributes to understandings of how local multilingual resources can be exploited for the betterment of living standards and opportunities, and it calls for governments to address the issues regarding poverty reduction, rural development, and language preservation by improving the quality of multilingual education in ethnic minority areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social progress and the improvement of living standards are often accompanied by the intensification of ecological crises. The long-term abuse of natural resources has led to the accumulation of ecological liabilities, which in turn seriously hinders economic development. This has prompted all sectors of society to recognize the importance of ecological carrying capacity (ECC) and ecological security (ES). Remarkable progress has been made in karst desertification control (KDC), which has helped reshape the ECC and ES pattern of forests. Currently, the research field of ECC and ES is experiencing rapid development. Further studies in these areas have immeasurable value in promoting regional sustainable development strategies and strengthening ecological civilization construction. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the current research status and potential challenges in the field of ECC and ES, with a view to optimizing the program of forest restoration and protection in KDC. This study systematically analyzed 350 relevant studies and found that (1) research on forest ECC and ES has shown a strong growth trend overall, especially after 2017, with a growth rate exceeding 75%; (2) the literature predominantly focuses on the assessment of forest ECC (40.58%) and the enhancement of forest ES (23.42%); and (3) geographically, research findings are heavily concentrated in Asia, representing 95.40% of the total. Notably, China emerges as the primary contributor to research in this field, accounting for a substantial 94.12%. Based on the above analysis, this review summarizes the significant advancements in forest ecosystems, ECC, and ES, while also delving into the key scientific issues that need to be addressed. Furthermore, it offers valuable insights from forest ecosystems in tackling KDC, with the goal of offering guidance and strategic recommendations for future research and practices in managing delicate ecological environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By relying on information on wages from primary sources, I estimate welfare ratios in Lima in 1757–1819. I use two alternative methods to estimate the subsistence basket and welfare ratios. The results indicate that working families in Lima faced severe difficulties to cover their basic needs if they did not deviate from typical consumption habits. However, they could cover their nutritional and other basic needs if they replaced expensive foods, such as meats and bread, with cheaper sources of nutrients, such as maize flour. An international comparison shows that the welfare ratio in Lima was lower than the ratios in Northern Europe and North America. However, Lima compared well to several important European cities, such as Paris, Munich and Toledo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The socioeconomic factors influencing small-scale dairy producers in the border area between Ecuador and Colombia were meticulously identified. Employing a non-experimental design, the study leveraged multivariate statistical analysis to discern key determinants. Data processing was executed using the statistical software SPSS v27, facilitating comprehensive analysis. A random survey was administered to 532 small and medium-scale dairy producers in the Carchi province of Ecuador, employing a structured questionnaire supplemented with a Likert scale for nuanced insights. Based on 35 original variables, seven determining factors were identified in dairy farms: political representation, adequate housing, equipment, innovation, empathy, profitability, social welfare, which combined explain 60.95% of the system’s variability. Such factors affect production, the level of household income, as well as their effect on the standard of living of households. Three groups were formed, the first with a low perception of economic development (Traditionalists 33.3%); the second with a better expectation of economic development (Modernizers 27.6%); and the third, identified with greater economic development (Innovators 10.3%). Each group presents cases with a low to high standard of living perspective. The groups have peculiarities in terms of their performance that can be applied to the entire population. A significant relation was established between socioeconomic factors and standard of living. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uneven regional development has long been a focal issue for both academia and policymakers, with numerous studies over the past decades actively engaging in discussions on measuring regional development disparities. Generally, most existing studies measure the Human Development Index (HDI) using relatively simple indicators, with a focus on national and provincial scales. As a crucial component of regional development, counties can directly reflect the regional characteristics of socio-economic progress. This study employs a multi-dimensional approach to develop an improved Human Development Index (improved HDI) system, using machine learning techniques to establish the relationship between nighttime light (NTL) data and the improved HDI. Subsequently, NTL data are utilized to infer the spatial distribution characteristics of the improved HDI across China's county-level regions. The improved HDI for county-level areas in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was validated using a machine learning model, resulting in a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.93. The adjusted R-squared value for the linear fit was 0.86, and the residuals were relatively balanced, ensuring the accuracy of the simulations. This study reveals that 1439 county-level units, representing 50% of all county-level units in China, have development levels at or above the medium level. At the provincial and national levels, the improved HDI shows significant clustering, characterized by a multi-center pattern with declining diffusion. The spatial distribution of the improved Human Development Index remains closely associated with the natural geographic background and socio-economic development levels of the county regions. Lower HDI values are predominantly found in the inland areas of central and western China, often in ecologically sensitive areas, inter-provincial border zones, and mountainous regions of mainland China, sometimes forming contiguous distribution patterns. This underscores the need for the government and society to focus more on these specific geographic development areas, promoting continuous improvements in health, education, and living standards to achieve coordinated regional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of the economy and the continuous improvement of people's living standards, the printing and packaging industry plays an increasingly important role in people's lives. The traditional printing industry is a discrete manufacturing industry, relying on a large amount of manpower and manual operation, low production efficiency, higher labor costs, wasting of resources, and other issues, so the realization of printing factory intelligence to improve the competitiveness of the industry is an important initiative. Automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) are an important part of an intelligent factory, serving the function of automatic transportation of materials and products. To optimize the movement paths of AGVs, enhance safety, and improve transportation efficiency and productivity, this paper proposes an alternative implementation of the A* algorithm. The proposed algorithm improves search efficiency and path smoothness by incorporating the grid obstacle rate and enhancing the heuristic function within the A* algorithm's evaluation function. This introduces the evaluation subfunction of the nearest distance between the AGV, the known obstacle, and the unknown obstacle in the global path in the dynamic window approach (DWA algorithm), and reduces the interference of obstacles with the AGV in global path planning. Finally, the two improved algorithms are combined into a new fusion algorithm. The experimental results show that the search efficiency of the fusion algorithm significantly improved and the transportation time shortened. The path smoothness significantly improved, and the closest distance to obstacles increased, reducing the risk of collision. It can thus effectively improve the productivity of an intelligent printing factory and enhance its flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Engineering (17264073) is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

With economic growth and improved living standards, the incidence of metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus caused by over-nutrition has risen sharply worldwide. Elevated blood glucose and complications in patients seriously affect the quality of life and increase the economic burden. There are limitations and side effects of current hypoglycemic drugs, while probiotics, which are safe, economical, and effective, have good application prospects in disease prevention and remodeling of intestinal microecological health and are gradually becoming a research hotspot for diabetes prevention and treatment, capable of lowering blood glucose and alleviating complications, among other things. Probiotic supplementation is a microbiologically based approach to the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which can achieve anti-diabetic efficacy through the regulation of different tissues and metabolic pathways. In this study, we summarize recent findings that probiotic intake can achieve blood glucose regulation by modulating intestinal flora, decreasing chronic low-grade inflammation, modulating glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), decreasing oxidative stress, ameliorating insulin resistance, and increasing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) content. Moreover, the mechanism, application, development prospect, and challenges of probiotics regulating blood glucose were discussed to provide theoretical references and a guiding basis for the development of probiotic preparations and related functional foods regulating blood glucose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring microclimate variables within cities with high resolution and accuracy is crucial for enhancing urban resilience to climate change. Assessing intra-urban characteristics is essential for ensuring satisfactory living standards. This paper presents a comprehensive methodology for studying urban heat islands (UHIs) on a university campus, emphasizing the importance of multi-modal and multi-temporal data collection. The methodology integrates mobile surveys, stationary sensor networks, and drone-based thermal imaging, providing a detailed analysis of temperature variations within urban microenvironments. The preliminary findings confirm the presence of a UHI on the campus and identify several hotspots. This comprehensive approach enhances the accuracy and reliability of UHI assessments, offering a cost-effective, fine-resolution approach that facilitates more effective urban planning and heat mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expanding footprint of urban Asian settlements and increasing living standards have put pressure on cemetery sites. Public health narratives and the sanctity associated with death matters in Asian urban landscapes have fed into the rhetoric of cemeteries as undesirable heritage spaces. Often lacking protection, many cemeteries have been exhumed, cleared, and relocated to allow room for new developments and infrastructure, risking the survival of this quiet element of the urban cultural patrimony. Within an Asian context, synergies between nature and cultural heritage preservation are not prevalent in major cities like Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok. In light of increasing recognition of urban cemeteries as multi-valued sites with both natural and cultural heritage values, this paper turns to deconstructing the nature–cultural binary and the concept of entanglement to frame an investigation of collaborative interactions. A focused study on Asian urban cemeteries follows, examining existing trends and adapted mix uses and highlighting the region's unique conservation challenges. The analysis reveals three major typologies encapsulating the region's current nature–cultural heritage entangled preservation approaches: sustainable compromises, memories, and everyday sustainability. To conclude, the paper distils respectful alternative futures for these spaces to be better integrated into the modern textures of the cities, unlocking functional recourses to destruction or oblivion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]