Search Results (98)

Maple syrup production has the potential to promote sustainable rural economic development in regions with suitable forest and climate conditions. Kentucky emerges as a promising candidate due to its extensive maple tree inventory and favorable seasonal patterns. However, the broader economy-wide implications of developing a maple syrup industry in the state remain underexplored. To fill this knowledge gap, this study employs a customized static single-region computable general equilibrium (CGE) modeling approach for Kentucky under nine scenarios based on production capacities and potential levels. The results consistently show positive impacts on net household income, social welfare (measured by equivalent variation), government revenues, and state GDP across all scenarios. Medium production capacities generate the most balanced and efficient outcomes, while high-potential scenarios, especially under small and large scales produce the largest absolute gains. These results underscore the viability of maple syrup production as an economic development strategy and highlight the role of production scale in maximizing benefits. Furthermore, expanding maple syrup production can enhance rural livelihoods by diversifying forest-based income and promoting long-term stewardship. As a non-timber forest product, maple syrup tapping provides economic incentives to maintain healthy forests, strengthening rural sustainability and resilience. Our findings indicate that developing this industry beyond traditional regions can generate meaningful economic benefits while encouraging sustainable resource use when appropriately scaled and managed. Full article

Despite extensive scholarly attention, the exploration of individual-level determinants of news media trust still offers substantial room for further research, particularly from non-Western perspectives. This article moves beyond traditional political and media-related perspectives by incorporating individual capital and cultural values into the analysis of media trust. Using data from the fifth wave of the Asian Barometer Survey (14 countries and territories, N = 25,321), this study employs Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) to examine the effects of four key factors on news media trust in Asia. The findings suggest that individual-level characteristics, including economic capital, traditional values, and authoritarian values, contribute to trust in news media in Asia, whereas social capital has a negative influence. These associations even remain significant after controlling for some political factors. Additionally, authoritarian values shape news media trust through a moderating mechanism, weakening the influence of political trust while reinforcing the role of interpersonal trust. At the societal level, GDP per capita and press freedom influence news media trust in Asia primarily through cross-level interactions rather than direct effects. These findings highlight the complex interaction between societal and individual determinants in shaping news media trust. Full article

In an era where economies increasingly rely on knowledge and innovation, sustaining long-term growth depends on understanding how education drives productivity beyond conventional measures. Yet, existing studies on the education–growth nexus remain fragmented, often focusing narrowly on schooling attainment while overlooking the complementary roles of lifelong learning and public investment in human capital. Addressing this critical gap, the present study adopts a multidimensional approach to evaluate how educational attainment, adult learning participation, and government expenditure on education collectively shape economic performance across the 27 European Union (EU) member states. Drawing on an unbalanced Eurostat panel dataset (2013–2022), the study employs a fixed-effects regression model with White cross-section robust standard errors to account for heteroskedasticity and serial correlation. The empirical results reveal that all three educational dimensions exert positive and statistically significant effects on GDP, with government educational expenditure emerging as the most influential driver, followed by adult learning participation, underscoring the transformative role of continuous skill renewal in dynamic labor markets. These findings advance Human Capital Theory by framing education not merely as an individual asset but as an interactive, systemic driver of national productivity and resilience. The study offers actionable insights for policymakers, calling for integrated strategies that align formal education, lifelong learning systems, and sustained public investment to foster inclusive, knowledge-driven, and sustainable economic growth across the EU. Full article

In recent years, Peru’s agricultural sector has expanded steadily despite recurrent external shocks and persistent volatility in global commodity markets. This sustained performance reflects the sector’s exposure to international price dynamics, a connection with direct implications for structural sustainability in a small, open and commodity-dependent economy. In this context, the study examines whether the terms of trade (TOT) sustain a stable long-run relationship with Peru’s agricultural GDP and assesses how this linkage shapes structural sustainability. The analysis applies Johansen’s cointegration method combined with a bivariate Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), enabling the identification of common long-run trends and the estimation of adjustment speeds following external shocks. The results reveal a single cointegrating vector and a negative, highly significant error-correction term in the agricultural equation, indicating that the sector gradually corrects deviations from its long-run equilibrium. In contrast, the TOT display no meaningful adjustment mechanism, behaving as a weakly exogenous driver. Short-run effects of external shocks are small and statistically fragile, suggesting that quarterly disturbances are overshadowed by the longer-run correction process. Beyond quantifying these dynamics, the study offers a structural reading of how volatile imported inputs—fertilisers, fuels and agricultural machinery—influence agricultural performance, even when export prices are favourable. Overall, the findings underscore that long-term sustainability depends not only on global price trajectories but also on domestic productive capacities and gradual technological improvement, highlighting the need for adaptive strategies in an environment of persistent global volatility. Full article

Approximately 27.6% of Italian beaches are currently affected by erosion, despite the widespread implementation of coastal defence structures. Around 10,500 installations—mainly groins and detached breakwaters—occupy nearly 24.6% of the national shoreline. Although primarily designed to protect tourist beaches, these hard-engineered structures often degrade coastal landscapes, alter nearshore circulation, and pose risks to swimmers. Nevertheless, beaches remain a fundamental asset for the “3S” (Sun, Sea, Sand) tourism sector, which contributes approximately 2.2% to Italy’s GDP, accounting for over 175 million tourists’ overnight stays in 2024, frequently concentrated near protected coastal zones. In this study, drowning incidents along the Italian coastline were analyzed using press reports complemented by official statistics. Between 2016 and 2021, an average of 145 fatalities occurred per bathing season. Sudden drownings following medical emergencies accounted for 41% of cases, non-swimmers for 18%, accidental falls into the water for 3%, and water sports activities for an additional 3%. Rip currents on natural beaches were responsible for 22% of drownings, whereas those generated by coastal defence structures accounted for 12%. A further 12% of non-swimmer fatalities are suspected to have resulted from falls into depressions or channels formed in proximity to these structures. Evidence from previous studies and seabed morphology analyses indicates that coastal defence structures can generate rip currents through two main mechanisms: (1) hydraulic pressure exerted against groins, which drives offshore flow, and (2) water outflow between pairs of breakwaters resulting from wave setup behind them. Both processes, though often less intense, are also observed near submerged structures. The erosional channels formed by these currents may persist well beyond storm events, maintaining dangerous conditions for bathers. As Italy continues to rely predominantly on hard coastal protection measures, improving the understanding of drowning dynamics associated with these structures is crucial. This should be accompanied by regulatory updates requiring designers and coastal managers to systematically assess related hazards and to propose effective mitigation and safety strategies. Full article

Under the dual pressures of climate change and rapid urbanization, extreme heat events pose growing risks to densely populated megaregions. The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), a densely populated and economically vital region, serves as a critical hotspot for heat risk aggregation. This study develops a high-resolution multi-dimensional framework to assess the spatiotemporal evolution of its heat risk profile from 2000 to 2020. A Heat Risk Index (HRI) integrating heat hazard and vulnerability components to measure potential heat-related impacts is calculated as the product of the Heat Hazard Index (HHI) and Heat Vulnerability Index (HVI) for 1 km grids in GBA. The HHI integrates the frequency of hot days and hot nights. HVI incorporates population density, GDP, remote-sensing nighttime light data, and MODIS-based landscape indicators (e.g., NDVI, NDWI, and NDBI), with weights determined objectively using the static Entropy Weight Method to ensure spatiotemporal comparability. The findings reveal an escalation of heat risk, expanding at an average rate of 342 km² per year (p = 0.008), with the proportion of areas classified as high-risk or above increasing from 21.8% in 2000 to 33.3% in 2020. This trend was characterized by (a) a pronounced asymmetric warming pattern, with nighttime temperatures rising more rapidly than daytime temperatures; (b) high vulnerability dominated by the concentration of population and economic assets, as indicated by high EWM-based weights; and (c) isolated high-risk hotspots (Guangzhou and Hong Kong) in 2000, which have expanded into a high-risk belt across the Pearl River Delta’s industrial heartland, like Foshan seeing their high-risk area expand from 3.4% to 27.0%. By combining remote sensing and socioeconomic data, this study provides a transferable framework that moves beyond coarse-scale assessments to identify specific intra-regional risk hotspots. The resulting high-resolution risk maps offer a quantitative foundation for developing spatially explicit climate adaptation strategies in the GBA and other rapidly urbanizing megaregions. Full article

Traffic accidents remain a major global burden, causing mortality, disability, and socio-economic losses that hinder sustainable development. Beyond human suffering, crashes place long-term pressures on health systems, labor markets, and national economies, disproportionately impacting low- and middle-income countries. Estimating the true societal costs of accidents is therefore essential for designing effective, equitable, and sustainable road safety policies. This study applies the Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) method to evaluate the external costs of traffic-related deaths and injuries in Türkiye between 2008 and 2018. By incorporating material and immaterial losses, the WTP framework captures a broader spectrum of impacts than traditional approaches, offering valuable insights into the scale of welfare losses and the value of risk reduction. The findings reveal that external costs rose substantially over the decade, from 1.63% to 2.72% of national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), underscoring that economic losses from road crashes are growing faster than the economy. These results highlight the need for systematic interventions that integrate road safety into national sustainability agendas, including safer infrastructure, behavioral programs, advanced vehicle technologies, and efficient emergency response systems. The evidence presented strengthens the case for prioritizing traffic safety as a fundamental component of sustainable transport and public health strategies. Full article

This study investigates the relationship between economic growth and environmental performance in selected Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries through the lens of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. Due to data availability constraints, our sample includes Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Mauritius, Morocco, and Oman, covering the period 1990–2022. Using annual panel data, we apply panel cointegration techniques alongside Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) estimators, complemented by Granger causality tests, to examine the interaction among GDP per capita, renewable energy consumption, and transport service exports in determining CO₂ emissions per unit of GDP. The empirical findings provide only partial support for the EKC: while the DOLS results confirm an inverted U-shaped income–emissions relationship, the FMOLS estimations contradict it, suggesting a more complex and nonlinear pattern. Beyond testing the EKC, this study contributes two novel dimensions to the literature. First, it shows that renewable energy exerts a statistically significant negative effect on carbon intensity in the long run, despite weak short-run causality, highlighting the delayed but durable environmental benefits of clean energy adoption. Second, it introduces transport service exports as a proxy for structural economic transformation, capturing the role of trade-driven diversification in reducing emissions. By embedding renewable energy deployment and service-based trade dynamics into the EKC framework, the study advances a more policy-relevant and region-specific understanding of the growth–environment nexus in the selected MENA economies. The results underscore the importance of scaling renewable energy, promoting low-carbon service sectors, and aligning trade and environmental policies to ensure that economic growth supports long-term climate objectives. Full article

Aboveground biomass (AGB) is a key indicator of forest structure and carbon sequestration, yet its dynamics under concurrent anthropogenic disturbances remain poorly understood. This study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics and driving mechanisms of AGB in the Jianfengling tropical lowland rainforest (JFLTLR) within Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park (NRHTR) from 2015 to 2023. Six machine learning models—Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), Support Vector Machine (SVM), k-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Decision Tree (DT), and Random Forest (RF)—were evaluated, with RF achieving the highest accuracy (R² = 0.83). Therefore, RF was employed to generate high-resolution annual AGB maps based on Sentinel-1/2 data fusion, field surveys, socio-economic indicators, and topographic variables. Human pressure was quantified using the Human Influence Index (HII). Threshold analysis revealed a critical breakpoint at ΔHII ≈ 0.1712: below this level, AGB remained relatively stable, whereas beyond it, biomass declined sharply (≈−2.65 mg·ha⁻¹ per 0.01 ΔHII). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) identified plantation forests as the dominant negative driver, while GDP (−0.91) and road (−1.04) exerted strong indirect effects through HII, peaking in 2019 before weakening under ecological restoration policies. Spatially, biomass remained resilient within central core zones but declined in peripheral regions associated with road expansion. Temporally, AGB exhibited a trajectory of decline, partial recovery, and renewed loss, resulting in a net reduction of ≈ 0.0393 × 10⁶ mg. These findings underscore the urgent need for a “core stabilization–peripheral containment” strategy integrating disturbance early-warning systems, transportation planning that minimizes impacts on high-AGB corridors, and the strengthening of ecological corridors to maintain carbon-sink capacity and guide differentiated rainforest conservation. Full article

This paper estimates a nonlinear asymmetric dynamics model in the threshold panel data framework to study the extent to which the quality of governance, investment, and financial stability affect the impact of external debt on economic growth in 47 African countries from 2002 to 2022. As a general approach, we use the first-differenced GMM estimator, which allows both threshold variables and regressors to be endogenous. The results confirm that external debt becomes a drag on growth beyond a threshold of 53.49% relative to GDP. Furthermore, the results show that external debt appears to stimulate economic growth mainly by orienting it towards productive investment. In addition, the results show that better governance quality and financial stability accentuate the positive impact of external debt on economic growth. Based on the findings, this study proposes several policy recommendations. Full article

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, unveiled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on 25 April 2016, aims to diversify the economy beyond oil dependency and engender robust foreign direct investment (FDI). This research investigates the primary economic challenges impeding foreign investors from entering the Saudi market and devises effective strategies to sustain FDI inflows. The study employs a comprehensive methodology, including an extensive literature review spanning from 2016 to 2023, supported by quantitative statistical analysis using a Multiple Linear Regression Model and qualitative insights derived from Delphi interviews with industry experts. The study’s outcomes reveal a significant disparity between the targeted FDI growth from 3.8% to 5.7% of GDP and the existing trajectory, highlighting pressing economic challenges that require immediate attention. Key findings indicate that factors such as population growth, government spending, and trade openness significantly influence FDI dynamics, with a particular emphasis on the positive impact of investment protection agreements. The integration of qualitative methodologies further elucidates the importance of robust legal frameworks and regulatory reforms in fostering an investor-friendly environment. Overall, this research provides strategic recommendations for improving the investment landscape in Saudi Arabia, aligning with the broader goals of Vision 2030, and enhancing the country’s attractiveness as a global investment destination. The commitment to fostering a conducive investment ecosystem serves as a pivotal mechanism for driving economic growth and achieving sustainable development goals within the Kingdom. Full article

RAC3 encodes a small Rho-family GTPase essential for cytoskeletal regulation and neurodevelopment, and de novo RAC3 variants typically act as gain-of-function alleles that cause severe neurodevelopmental disorders. In this study, we analyzed a fetus with multisystem congenital anomalies and identified a de novo RAC3 p.(T17R) variant by genome sequencing. To elucidate the pathogenicity of this variant, we combined in silico variant prioritization, structural and energetic modeling, and pathogenicity prediction with in vitro biochemical assays, including GDP/GTP exchange, GTP hydrolysis, effector pull-down, and luciferase reporter analyses in COS7 cells, as well as morphological analysis of primary hippocampal neurons. Furthermore, we performed in vivo analyses using a mouse in utero electroporation to assess cortical neuron migration, axon extension, and dendritic development. Our biochemical results suggest that RAC3-T17R exhibits markedly increased GDP/GTP exchange, with a preference for GDP binding, and undetectable GTP hydrolysis. The mutant displayed minimal binding to canonical RAC effectors (PAK1, MLK2, and N-WASP) and failed to activate SRF-, NFκB-, or AP1-dependent transcription. Neuronal overexpression of RAC3-T17R impaired axon formation in vitro, while in vivo expression delayed cortical neuron migration and axon extension and reduced dendritic arborization. Clinically, the fetus exhibited corpus callosum agenesis, microcephaly, organomegaly, and limb contractures. Collectively, these findings indicate that the RAC3 p.(T17R) variant may represent a signaling-deficient allele with pleiotropic, variant-specific mechanisms that disrupt corticogenesis and broader organogenesis. Our multi-tiered in silico–in vitro–in vivo approach demonstrates that noncanonical RAC3 variants can produce complex, multisystem developmental phenotypes beyond previously recognized RAC3-related neurodevelopmental disorders. Full article

Background/Objectives: The study proposes an indicator-based framework for monitoring health inequalities in Greece by examining key socioeconomic and health-related determinants. Methods: The framework draws on the World Health Organization’s Social Determinants of Health model and the Dahlgren–Whitehead model, using Eurostat data (2008–2023). Results: Life expectancy at birth showed a moderate negative correlation with public health expenditures (r = −0.716), while healthy life years were positively linked with GDP (r = 0.765) and public health expenditures (r = 0.743). Self-perceived health was strongly negatively correlated with poverty risk (r = −0.864). Chronic conditions and functional limitations were inversely associated with GDP and health spending. Social factors also mattered: healthy life years correlated negatively with unemployment (r = −0.814) and positively with employment (r = 0.810). Educational attainment influenced both self-perceived health and reported health problems. Conclusions: This framework goes beyond existing WHO/EU models by systematically integrating economic, social, and health outcome indicators tailored to the Greek context. It provides a comprehensive view of the determinants impacting health in Greece, enabling policymakers to tackle the underlying causes of health inequalities and enhance both the fairness and efficiency of healthcare services. Strengthening primary healthcare is crucial to reducing unmet medical needs, minimizing private health expenditures, and improving overall public health. Full article

Moving beyond Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the sole measure of economic performance is increasingly critical for addressing the complex challenges of sustainable development. The Inclusive Wealth Index (IWI) offers a more comprehensive framework for assessing long-term sustainability by accounting for changes in produced, human, and natural capital. This paper contributes to this debate by examining the comparative dynamics of these three forms of capital in Greece in relation to European Union averages. Specifically, we employ a repeated-measures design and the mixed ANOVA method to analyse their interactions over time (1990–2020) and across regional contexts. The novelty is to cover the research gap on how the different capitals interact, with Greece serving as a critical case given its environmental vulnerabilities, economic challenges, and position within the European sustainability agenda. The empirical results demonstrate a consistent hierarchy (human > produced > natural), significant growth over time, and pronounced regional disparities, with Western and Northern Europe outperforming Eastern and Southern Europe in overall capital stocks. Moreover, human, produced, and natural capital differed significantly (${\eta }_p^2=0.967)$, with the EU-27 dominated by human and produced capital, while Greece lagged substantially (${\eta }_p^2=0.71$). A robust interaction effect indicated structural divergence (${\eta }_p^2=0.811$). The pairwise comparisons confirmed these results with very large effect sizes (Cohen’s d = 2.3–11.2 in the 95% CI). These findings underscore the importance of moving beyond GDP and highlight the policy relevance of inclusive wealth accounting for ensuring resilience and intergenerational equity. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered unprecedented economic disruptions, raising critical questions about the resilience and adaptability of macroeconomic productivity across countries. This study examines the impact of COVID-19 on macroeconomic efficiency and productivity dynamics in 37 OECD countries using quarterly data from 2018Q1 to 2024Q4. By employing a Slack-Based Measure Data Envelopment Analysis (SBM-DEA) and the Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI), we decompose total factor productivity (TFP) into efficiency change (EC) and technological change (TC) across three periods: pre-pandemic, during-pandemic, and post-pandemic. Our framework incorporates both desirable (GDP) and undesirable outputs (inflation, unemployment, housing price inflation, and interest rate distortions), offering a multidimensional view of macroeconomic efficiency. Results show broad but uneven productivity gains, with technological progress proving more resilient than efficiency during the pandemic. Post-COVID recovery trajectories diverged, reflecting differences in structural adaptability and innovation capacity. Regression analysis reveals that stringent lockdowns in 2020 were associated with lower productivity in 2023–2024, while more adaptive policies in 2021 supported long-term technological gains. These findings highlight the importance of aligning crisis response with forward-looking economic strategies and demonstrate the value of DEA-based methods for evaluating macroeconomic performance beyond GDP. Full article