Search Results (20,629)

Vietnam’s exports expanded dramatically from $14.5 billion in 2000 to $405 billion in 2024, elevating the country to the world’s 22nd largest exporter despite persistent global shocks. This paper introduces the application of the Causal Machine Learning Approach to Resilience Estimation (CLARE) to industry-level trade analysis, utilizing a comprehensive panel of 97 HS2 sectors from 2000 to 2024 (2425 observations) drawn from UN COMTRADE and WITS databases. We implement Double Machine Learning to estimate causal effects of the Global Financial Crisis (2008–2009) and COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021) on export growth. Results reveal stark industry disparities: electrical machinery (HS85) exhibits exceptional resilience, fueled by 72% high-technology content and low product concentration, while knitted apparel (HS61) proves highly vulnerable. Fixed effect regressions substantiate core hypotheses: a 10-percentage-point increase in high-tech share elevates the resilience index by 0.031 points (approximately 4.1% relative to the sample mean); a one-standard-deviation reduction in product HHI (0.14 units) yields a 0.026-point gain (3.6% relative); and each additional FTA contributes 0.047 points (approximately 6.2% relative), with all estimates significant at conventional levels. Robustness encompassing alternative learners, detrended outcomes, and synthetic controls upholds findings. Policy recommendations center on accelerating high-tech global value chain integration—targeting semiconductors and electric vehicles—while optimizing CPTPP and EVFTA utilization (currently 35%) and mitigating US–China market concentration (45% of exports). These insights chart pathways for Vietnam’s Vision 2045 high-income ambition amid intensifying geopolitical and climate risks, providing a replicable framework for other export-reliant emerging economies. Full article

Exchange rate volatility has intensified in recent decades, yet its systematic implications for banking-sector stability remain contested. This study investigates whether exchange rate volatility constitutes a meaningful source of financial fragility using a global panel of 103 countries over the period 2000–2021. Financial stability is proxied by the banking-sector Z-score, while exchange rate volatility is estimated using a EGARCH-based framework to capture time-varying uncertainty. To address cross-sectional dependence, heterogeneity, and endogeneity, the analysis employs Driscoll–Kraay fixed effects, two-step system GMM, and quantile regressions. The results reveal that exchange rate volatility exerts a statistically and economically significant negative effect on banking stability, reducing Z-scores across countries and income groups. The findings remain robust across alternative specifications and estimators. Bank-level fundamentals—capitalisation, liquidity, and credit—enhance stability, whereas higher non-performing loans and risk exposure amplify fragility. Macroeconomic conditions also matter, with stronger growth, institutional quality and external balances supporting resilience, while inflation, economic policy uncertainty and expansionary government spending weaken stability. By integrating time-varying volatility modelling with dynamic panel techniques in a large cross-country setting, this study provides new global evidence that exchange rate volatility is not merely a macroeconomic fluctuation but a structural source of banking-sector risk. The findings carry important implications for macroprudential policy, foreign-exchange management, and coordinated monetary–fiscal responses aimed at safeguarding financial stability in open economies. Full article

This study investigates the determinants of GDP per capita across 26 European Union member states over the period of 2006–2024, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship, institutional quality, and macroeconomic factors. Given the presence of long-run income differences across EU countries, the analysis explicitly accounts for structural heterogeneity in economic development and institutional capacity. To ensure robust estimation in the presence of cross-sectional dependence and slope heterogeneity, the study employs advanced panel econometric techniques, including tests for cross-sectional dependence, unit roots, and cointegration. Long-run relationships and short-run dynamics are estimated using the Cross-Sectionally Augmented Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) model, complemented by robustness checks based on the Augmented Mean Group (AMG) and Common Correlated Effects Mean Group (CCEMG) estimators. In addition, the Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) is applied to capture heterogeneity across different points of the income distribution, thereby reflecting long-run income disparities among EU member states. The empirical results confirm the existence of a stable long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables. The baseline CS-ARDL estimates indicate that institutional quality, entrepreneurial activity, trade openness, and government expenditure exert positive and statistically significant effects on GDP per capita, while financial development exhibits a negative effect and foreign direct investment remains insignificant. In the short run, entrepreneurship and trade openness contribute positively to GDP per capita, whereas government expenditure and credit expansion generate contractionary effects. The robustness analysis using AMG and CCEMG estimators largely supports these findings, as the direction of the coefficients remains consistent across alternative specifications, although some variation in statistical significance is observed due to differences in the treatment of cross-sectional dependence and unobserved common factors. The MMQR results further reveal substantial heterogeneity across the income distribution, indicating that the effects of key determinants vary depending on countries’ long-run income levels. In particular, trade openness and institutional quality exert stronger positive effects in lower-income quantiles, while the adverse effects of excessive financial development are more pronounced in higher-income quantiles. Overall, the findings underscore the importance of promoting productive entrepreneurship, strengthening institutional frameworks, facilitating trade integration, and ensuring efficient financial intermediation to enhance GDP per capita within the European Union. The results also highlight the need for differentiated policy approaches that explicitly account for long-run income heterogeneity, structural differences, and varying institutional capacities across EU member states. Full article

A recurring question in contemporary society is: How can one survive on a single income? Escalating socioeconomic challenges worldwide are pushing many households beyond their financial comfort zones. As a coping strategy, many individuals have adopted side hustles, income-generating activities pursued alongside full-time employment. However, a crucial question arises: do side hustles come at the expense of primary employment, particularly in terms of employee commitment and workplace loyalty? This study examined the moderating role of work–life integration in the relationship between side hustles, employee commitment, and workplace attachment. The unit of analysis consisted of academic and support staff at South African higher education institutions. Primary data were collected through a survey of a stratified random sample of 300 employees, and the data were analysed using structural equation modelling. The findings support that side hustles offer meaningful opportunities to enhance individual livelihoods by mitigating the impact of declining income levels. Moreover, the results indicate that flexible work arrangements are critical for employees engaged in hustle, as such flexibility strengthens organisational commitment and workplace attachment. The study recommends adopting a humanistic management approach that promotes boundaryless jobs, thereby fostering employee commitment and workplace attachment through an inclusive, supportive, and empowering work environment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Traumatic spine injury is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries, yet detailed epidemiologic data from sub-Saharan Africa remain limited. We used a fracture registry to characterize injury patterns, care pathways, and short-term outcomes among patients presenting with traumatic spine injury at a tertiary referral center in Ethiopia. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained fracture registry at a tertiary referral hospital in Ethiopia from June 2023 to July 2025. Patients with traumatic spine injury were included. Variables included demographics, injury mechanism and context, injury region, AO morphology, neurologic status (ASIA), referral status, mode of transportation, time to presentation, treatment, and 30-day outcomes. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the cohort. Bivariate associations were assessed using chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests, and crude odds ratios were calculated for prespecified 2 × 2 comparisons. Results: A total of 252 patients were included (mean age: 33.1 ± 13.6 years; 81.3% male). Falls (45.2%) and road traffic accidents (26.2%) were the most common mechanisms, and injuries most often occurred on farms (40.1%) and roads/streets (33.7%). The thoracolumbar (31.3%) and cervical (30.6%) regions were most frequently affected. Complete spinal cord injury (ASIA A) occurred in 36.5% of patients. Most patients were referred (88.5%), 62.7% presented >24 h after injury, and 65.5% were managed non-operatively. Referral status was strongly associated with delayed presentation (OR: 10.49, 95% CI: 3.84–28.64). Thirty-day mortality was 22.2%. Complete SCI (OR: 6.17, 95% CI: 3.23–11.90) and cervical/thoracic injuries (OR: 6.54, 95% CI: 3.12–13.70) were associated with higher mortality. Conclusions: Traumatic spine injury in this Ethiopian cohort disproportionately affected young adults and was marked by severe neurologic injury, delayed presentation, and high early mortality. Full article

Background/Objectives: Excess consumption of energy-dense foods (EDF; ultra-processed snacks, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages) among preschool-aged children is a public health concern, particularly in low-income families. Caregiver parenting style, psychological stress, and food-parenting practices (FPP) may shape children’s EDF consumption, yet little is known about how these factors operate in real time. This exploratory pilot study examined (1) associations between baseline characteristics and EDF feeding episodes across 1 week and (2) whether caregivers’ momentary stress during EDF episodes related to FPP used. Methods: In total, 22 caregivers of Head Start children (ages 3–5) completed baseline measures and 7 days of ecological momentary assessment (up to seven prompts/day). At each prompt, caregivers reported child EDF consumption in the past hour; if confirmed, they reported FPP used and rated momentary stress. Aim 1 used Poisson regression to model caregiver-level EDF episode counts. Aim 2 tested momentary stress–practice associations during EDF episodes using GEE, with within-person and between-person stress modeled separately. Results: Authoritarian parenting was associated with a higher weekly rate of EDF episodes (RR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.23–1.66, p < 0.001); authoritative parenting trended lower (RR = 0.90, p = 0.065). Higher baseline stress was associated with more EDF episodes (RR = 1.25, p = 0.001). Momentarily, elevated stress above a caregiver’s own average increased odds of using food as a reward (OR = 1.08 per +10 points, p = 0.011), while higher average momentary stress was associated with co-eating (OR = 1.59, p = 0.042). Domain-level FPP composites showed no association with momentary stress. Conclusions: Authoritarian parenting and higher caregiver stress were associated with increased EDF feeding, and momentary stress was linked to reward-based feeding during those episodes. These hypothesis-generating findings suggest potential behavioral targets for just-in-time adaptive intervention, pending replication in adequately powered studies. Full article

This study examines how the allocation of export expansion across sectors affects economy-wide outcomes in Bangladesh. Using a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) framework, we combine linkage analysis with simulation to evaluate how sectoral export growth propagates through the production network. The results show that the impact of export diversification depends critically on sectoral allocation rather than export intensity alone. While aggregate differences between scenarios are modest, reallocating export growth toward sectors with stronger intersectoral linkages generates larger economy-wide gains in GDP and labor income. In particular, sectors with low initial export shares but high network connectivity—such as agriculture, hunting, forestry, and fishing; retail trade; other community, social and personal services; and inland transport—produce stronger multiplier effects than most export-intensive sectors. These findings highlight a key distinction between export intensity and network centrality, demonstrating that sectors with limited direct export participation can play a central role in transmitting economic gains. The results provide a network-based perspective on export diversification and offer policy-relevant insights for designing strategies that promote more inclusive and efficient economic growth. Full article

High population growth across developing Pacific countries has increased the share of young people, creating potential for a demographic dividend alongside accelerating digitalisation driven by technology transfer. This study empirically investigates the dynamic relationship between the demographic dividend, digitalisation (ICT access), and economic growth. An endogenous growth framework is employed and extended to incorporate demographic change and information technology adoption, along with education (human capital) and renewable energy use to capture the broader dimensions of sustainable economic growth. The results show that both the demographic dividend and ICT are positively associated with per capita income. Moreover, technology adoption and the demographic dividend exhibit a complementary relationship, implying that improvements in one reinforce the growth effects of the other, while education exerts a positive and statistically significant impact on economic growth. In contrast, renewable energy shows a positive but statistically insignificant effect, suggesting its role is emerging but important for long-term sustainability. In assessing the determinants of digitalisation, the findings indicate that demographic structure and urbanisation contribute positively; however, a substantial share of variation in digitalisation is explained by income levels and mobile phone technology. These results highlight the importance of policies that leverage demographic transition through education and digital technologies, and sustainable energy transitions to accelerate sustainable economic growth and improve welfare outcomes in Pacific developing economies. Full article

Deciphering the dynamic fracture evolution of rock masses, particularly the interaction between dynamic stress waves and localised weak interlayers, is essential for optimising dynamic rock excavation in mining engineering. To systematically explore how these structural planes halt propagating cracks and generate a dynamic shielding effect, this study integrated Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar experiments, Digital Image Correlation techniques, and computational modeling. The findings demonstrate that altering the geometric orientation of the soft layer dictates the ultimate failure pattern. While an orthogonal interface (i.e., an interface with 0° inclination perpendicular to the loading direction) allows a tension-driven crack to cleave directly through the entire composite specimen, introducing an inclined obliquity of 15° forces the advancing fracture to deviate and permanently halt inside the soft stratum. Macroscopically, this barrier capability is validated by a rapid decrease in fracture speed, which drops abruptly by 75.5% upon encountering the inclined zone. Microscopic numerical evaluations confirm that this fracture arrest originates from wave mode conversion at the misaligned boundary. The angled interface forces incoming compressional pulses to transform into intense shear stresses, promoting extensive fracture. Substantial energy dissipation within the interlayer fully deprives the primary crack of the tensile stress required for propagation, effectively confining the stress-propagated hard rock within an energy shadow zone and suppressing further fragmentation. Full article

The prevalence of chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is rising globally, yet access to continuous care remains limited, particularly in rural low- and middle-income countries. This study evaluated the acceptability and psychosocial predictors of retention in a linkage-to-care (LTC) intervention for patients with chronic conditions in rural South Africa. We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study with a retrospective cohort component among 1673 patients diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes, and/or HIV in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Acceptability and psychosocial factors were assessed cross-sectionally using a theory-informed, interviewer-administered questionnaire between January and June 2024. Retention in care over the preceding six months (July–December 2023) was extracted from routine clinic records and classified as consistent (no gaps > 6 months between visits) or inconsistent (≥1 gap > 6 months. Logistic regression examined associations between psychosocial factors and retention outcomes, adjusting for age, gender, marital status, and diagnostic category. Overall, 25.1% of participants maintained consistent retention over six months, while 74.9% were retained inconsistently. Acceptability of the LTC intervention varied significantly by diagnosis (p < 0.001): 79.5% of participants with multimorbidity rated the intervention as acceptable compared to 54.9% with hypertension, 64.5% with diabetes, and 46.8% with HIV. However, only 12.8% of multimorbid participants agreed that intervention activities fit well with their daily lives. In adjusted analyses, participants who were not happy to participate had 85% lower odds of consistent retention (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.09–0.22) and 7.2 times higher odds of inconsistent retention (AOR = 7.2, 95% CI: 4.8–10.9). Most participants supported de-identified data sharing, though privacy concerns were elevated among those with multimorbidity. Acceptability of LTC interventions differs by diagnosis, with multimorbid patients reporting poorer alignment with daily routines. Retention is strongly associated with emotional engagement and self-efficacy, suggesting that LTC interventions should integrate psychosocial support and be contextually adapted for multimorbid patients in rural settings. Full article

Understanding the impact of rural digitalization on the resilience of the swine industry is crucial to promoting its transformation toward efficient and low-carbon production. However, existing research has not yet clarified how rural digitalization influences the resilience of the swine industry, and there is a particular lack of discussion regarding potential nonlinear relationships. Based on panel data from 30 Chinese provinces for the period 2011–2023, we employed the entropy method to measure the level of rural digitalization and the resilience of the swine industry. Two-way fixed-effects, mediation, and threshold models were adopted to empirically examine the relationship and underlying mechanisms. The findings indicated that rural digitalization significantly enhances the resilience of the swine industry, and this finding remained robust after multiple robustness checks and endogeneity treatments. This effect is primarily mediated by two pathways: industrial-scale expansion and industrial agglomeration. Additionally, well-designed environmental policies and higher rural household incomes can strengthen the beneficial effect of rural digitalization on industrial resilience. Heterogeneity analysis further reveals that the positive influence is stronger in regions with poor transportation infrastructure and in central and western China, where digitalization effectively strengthens the industry’s shock resistance and adaptive capacity. This study offers meaningful implications for policymakers seeking to accelerate rural digitalization and promote high-quality development of the swine industry in the digital age. Full article

This article analyses budgetary expenditures on agriculture and rural development in Poland in 2004–2025, i.e., after Poland’s accession to the European Union (EU). The study examines the size, real dynamics, and structure of total agricultural budget expenditures, including both national budgetary funds and EU funds allocated through the instruments of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The analysis assesses the importance of EU budget funds for the level and structure of public expenditures on agriculture and rural development in Poland and attempts to determine the relationship between national and EU funds. The study employed time series analysis, structural analysis, and an analysis of the interdependence of variables (i.e., correlation and multiple regression). It was found that during the 22 years of EU membership, budgetary expenditures on agriculture, agricultural markets, and rural development in Poland were strongly determined by the volume of European funds, which accounted for the sharp increase in Poland’s agricultural budget compared with the pre-accession period. Compared with 2003 levels, expenditure rose by an average of 162% in nominal terms and 129% in real terms. EU funds also acted as a stabilising factor for the size of this budget throughout the analysed period. The proportion of European funds in Poland’s agricultural budget (PAB) rose sharply in the early years of Poland’s EU membership (2004–2011), increasing from 20.1% to 48.7%. However, it remained relatively stable in subsequent years, averaging 47.8%. Nevertheless, the appreciation of the Polish zloty against the euro caused the real value of these expenditures to decline, a trend that became apparent from 2017 onwards. This resulted in the need to increase expenditures from the national budget and led to national funds assuming a greater share of the financial burden of supporting agriculture. Between 2017 and 2025, the share of EU funds in the PAB fell from 43% to 33.1% (averaging 40.3%). The structure of expenditures within the CAP evolved over time as a result of changes in CAP priorities, although farmers’ income support as well as assistance for the modernization and improvement of the competitiveness of Polish agriculture remained key objectives. Full article

Optimizing olive orchard management requires timely, per-tree data to enhance productivity and sustainability. Unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV)-based red, green, and blue (RGB) imagery offers a low-cost solution for acquiring high-resolution spatiotemporal insights for orchard management, which are not yet common in Tunisia. This study monitored tree structural parameters, leaf area index (LAI), and leaf nitrogen content (%N DW) in two Tunisian olive orchards during 2022 and 2023. UAV-derived imagery was photogrammetrically processed into 3D point clouds and analyzed using an automated approach. Target variables of the automated approach included tree-wise estimates of height, projected crown area, and crown volume, as well as raster cell counts of the canopy cloud and spectral indices such as the normalized green-red difference index (NGRDI) and green leaf index (GLI). In addition, the estimated parameters per tree were used to model LAI and leaf nitrogen content. Analyses were conducted separately for trees represented by a high and a low number of points in the dense point cloud. Outcomes were compared to reference data collected in the field on dates close to the UAV flights. The findings showed strong relationships for the projected crown area (R² = 0.82 and 0.91) and tree height (R² = 0.89 and 0.88) when compared to reference values. Linear regression models for LAI (R² = 0.73 and 0.68) and crown volume (R² = 0.85 and 0.91) estimation also show strong relationships. However, leaf nitrogen estimation was not feasible from RGB spectral index values, as it showed a weak relationship (R² = 0.34). A dataset with multispectral imagery could overcome this limitation but would increase costs, making it less suitable for the low-budget approach required in price-sensitive farming contexts, particularly in low-income regions. Full article

Water scarcity is one of the main constraints on maize production in semiarid regions, making it essential to adopt management strategies that reconcile water savings, crop resilience, and economic viability. This study evaluated the effects of deficit irrigation strategies integrated with the use of bioinputs on physiological, productive, and economic parameters of maize grown under field conditions in the Brazilian semiarid region over two growing seasons (2023 and 2024). The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with a split-plot arrangement. Irrigation strategies comprised full irrigation (FI; 100% of crop water requirements), continuous deficit irrigation (RD50%; 50% throughout the crop cycle), and stage-specific controlled deficit irrigation (50%) imposed during the vegetative (CDV50%), flowering/grain formation (CDF50%), and grain-filling (CDG50%) stages, while seed treatments involved inoculation with Bacillus aryabhattai, coinoculation with B. aryabhattai + Azospirillum brasilense, and control treatments. Physiological variables, yield components, water use efficiency, the crop sensitivity coefficient to water deficit (Ky), and economic indicators were assessed. Controlled deficits irrigation, particularly under CDV50%, maintained grain yield comparable to FI (6465.80 kg ha⁻¹, in second growing season), whereas RD50% reduced yield in 26%. Inoculation treatments enhanced gas exchange, carboxylation efficiency, and water use efficiency, resulting in higher agricultural income under specific production systems. The CDV50% strategy combined with coinoculation showed the greatest potential as a sustainable approach for maize production in semiarid environments and reduced the water use by up to 18.9%. Full article

Background: Plantar fasciitis is a leading cause of heel pain, affecting approximately 10% of the population. Despite its prevalence, treatments may result in symptom recurrence and chronicity, which can significantly increase patient dissatisfaction. Google Trends provides insights into public interest through search volume analysis. This study examines global and USA trends in plantar fasciitis, focusing on temporal, seasonal, and income-based variations. Methods: Google Trends data for “Plantar Fasciitis” (2004–2024) were analyzed for both global and USA search trends. Monthly and seasonal search volumes were grouped by time and location. Regression and post hoc tests were conducted to identify significant patterns. Comparisons were made between high- and low-income states in the USA. Results: Public interest in plantar fasciitis increased significantly over time, both globally (R² = 0.871, p < 0.001) and in the USA (R² = 0.854, p < 0.001). Interest peaked in summer and declined in winter, with seasonal differences significant worldwide (p < 0.05). Monthly variations were significant only in the USA. No significant difference was found between high- and low-income states (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Interest in plantar fasciitis has grown steadily, reflecting its prevalence and impact. The findings emphasize the need for accessible, high-quality information to address public demand. These insights can guide healthcare professionals and policymakers in developing targeted resources. Full article