Search Results (593)

The aim of this study was to analyze international differences in online consumer behavior. The analysis was carried out on a sample of 763 participants from the countries of Spain, France, Poland and Russia. Online consumer behavior was examined from the perspective of seven dimensions: shipping-related concerns and preferences, price sensitivity and perceived cost advantage, quality perception, security concerns, time-related benefits, availability and quality of information, and shopping service satisfaction. Data were verified using Average inter-item correlation, the Shapiro–Wilk test and Levene Statistic. Subsequently, Welch’s ANOVA and one-way ANOVA and the Games–Howell and Tukey HSD post hoc tests were applied. Statistically significant differences were fully identified in all examined dimensions. The largest differences were recorded in price sensitivity, shipping-related concerns and security concerns. The effect measurements, in addition to ANOVA and post hoc tests, confirm the significance of these differences. National context, shaped by culture, institutional trust and digital infrastructure, continues to influence online consumer behavior. The strategies that the businesses should adopt should focus on approaches that are tailor-made for a specific market. This means that adapting pricing models, strengthening trust (e.g., through secure payments and strengthening safe return policies), and adapting delivery options to local preferences can lead to improved customer satisfaction in cross-border e-commerce. Full article

The China Railway Express (China-Europe container railway freight transport) is pivotal to Eurasian freight, yet its transcontinental railway faces escalating cascading risks. We develop a coupled map lattice (CML) model representing the physical infrastructure layer and the operational traffic layer concurrently to quantify and mitigate cascading failures. Twenty critical stations are identified by integrating TOPSIS entropy weighting with grey relational analysis in dual-layer networks. The enhanced CML embeds node-degree, edge-betweenness, and freight-flow coupling coefficients, and introduces two adaptive cargo-redistribution rules—distance-based and load-based for real-time rerouting. Extensive simulations reveal that network resilience peaks when the coupling coefficient equals 0.4. Under targeted attacks, cascading failures propagate within three to four iterations and reduce network efficiency by more than 50%, indicating the vital function of higher importance nodes. Distance-based redistribution outperforms load-based redistribution after node failures, whereas the opposite occurs after edge failures. These findings attract our attention that redundant border corridors and intelligent monitoring should be deployed, while redistribution rules and multi-tier emergency response systems should be employed according to different scenarios. The proposed methodology provides a dual-layer analytical framework for addressing cascading risks of transcontinental networks, offering actionable guidance for intelligent transportation management of international intermodal freight networks. Full article

Cross-border Fifth Generation Mobile Communication (5G) roaming requires secure N32 connections between network operators via Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP) interfaces, but current Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.3 implementations face a critical trade-off between connection latency and security guarantees. Standard TLS 1.3 optimization modes either compromise Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS) or suffer from replay vulnerabilities, while full handshakes impose excessive latency penalties for time-sensitive roaming services. This research introduces Zero Round Trip Time Forward Secrecy (0-RTT FS), a novel protocol extension that achieves zero round-trip performance while maintaining comprehensive security properties, including PFS and replay protection. Our solution addresses the fundamental limitation where existing TLS 1.3 optimizations sacrifice security for performance in international roaming scenarios. Through formal verification using ProVerif and comprehensive performance evaluation, we demonstrate that 0-RTT FS delivers 195.0 $\mathsf{\mu }$s handshake latency (only 17% overhead compared to insecure 0-RTT) while providing full security guarantees that standard modes cannot achieve. Security analysis reveals critical replay vulnerabilities in all existing standard TLS 1.3 optimization modes, which our proposed approach successfully mitigates. The research provides operators with a decision framework for configuring sub-millisecond secure handshakes in next-generation roaming services, enabling both optimal performance and robust security for global 5G connectivity. Full article

Hydrological simulation of large, transboundary water systems like the Laurentian Great Lakes remains challenging. Although deep learning has advanced hydrologic forecasting, prior efforts are fragmented, lacking a unified basin-wide model for daily streamflow. We address this gap by developing a single Entity-Aware Long Short-Term Memory (EA-LSTM) model, an architecture that distinctly processes static catchment attributes and dynamic meteorological forcings, trained without basin-specific calibration. We compile a cross-border dataset integrating daily meteorological forcings, static catchment attributes, and observed streamflow for 975 sub-basins across the United States and Canada (1980–2023). With a temporal training/testing split, the unified EA-LSTM attains a median Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) of 0.685 and a median Kling–Gupta Efficiency (KGE) of 0.678 in validation, substantially exceeding a standard LSTM (median NSE 0.567, KGE 0.555) and the operational NOAA National Water Model (median NSE 0.209, KGE 0.440). Although skill is reduced in the smallest basins (median NSE 0.554) and during high-flow events (median PBIAS −29.6%), the performance is robust across diverse hydroclimatic settings. These results demonstrate that a single, calibration-free deep learning model can provide accurate, scalable streamflow prediction across an international basin, offering a practical path toward unified forecasting for the Great Lakes and a transferable framework for other large, data-sparse watersheds. Full article

Europe has experienced a growing divergence in trends of population change across the urban hierarchy. A key driver of this divergence is internal migration, which underpins the efficient functioning of the economy by enhancing labor market flexibility and allowing people to choose the most desired locations. Internal migration in Latvia is of increasing importance, as the propensity to change residence within national borders has become the primary mechanism of demographic change, shaping population redistribution across regions and the urban hierarchy. We used Latvia as a case study, exemplified by the monocentric urban system with Riga City at its center, as well as a relatively dense network of small towns spread across all regions. Small towns in Latvia, although not characterized by high levels of internal migration, exhibit notable changes in their demographic and socioeconomic composition. Our analysis uses administrative data on registered migration for each year from 2011 to 2021 to characterize migration patterns, as well as data from the 2011 and 2021 census rounds on 1-year migration to analyze the composition of the migrant population. The results showed sociodemographic variations in the characteristics of individuals migrating to small towns. Understanding the temporal and spatial dynamics of internal migration patterns and compositional effects is vital for effective local and regional development policies to plan essential services and infrastructure. Full article

Cultural heritage is increasingly mobilized as a tool of international engagement, yet the diplomatic uses of heritage remain conceptually underdeveloped and analytically fragmented. This paper introduces the Heritage Diplomacy Spectrum, a multidimensional framework that maps how states and affiliated actors use heritage—both tangible and intangible—to pursue strategic, symbolic, and normative goals in cross-border contexts. Drawing on critical heritage studies, international relations, and memory politics, this study identifies six analytical dimensions (e.g., proactive vs. reactive, cultural vs. historical, strategic vs. moral) and develops seven ideal types of heritage diplomacy, ranging from soft power projection to post-dependency and corrective diplomacy. These ideal types, constructed in the Weberian tradition, serve as heuristic tools to illuminate the varied motivations and diplomatic postures underlying heritage-based engagement. A central matrix is presented to illustrate how each type aligns with different strategic logics and affective registers. This study argues that heritage diplomacy constitutes a distinct modality of heritage governance—one that transcends soft power narratives and encompasses conflict, reconciliation, symbolic redress, and identity assertion. The framework contributes both to theory-building and policy analysis, offering a diagnostic lens through which the ethical, political, and communicative dimensions of heritage diplomacy can be more systematically understood. Full article

Climate change poses significant risks to both natural and urban systems, and fostering climate literacy among younger generations is increasingly recognized as a key component of resilience strategies. This paper presents the outcomes of a transnational climate education project involving high school students from Cinisello Balsamo (Italy) and Edremit (Turkey), developed under the EU-funded Town Twinning program. The project combined scientific seminars, experiential learning, and digital tools (including carbon footprint calculators and immersive virtual glacier tours) to enhance climate knowledge and civic engagement. Youth Climate Councils were established to co-develop local sustainability proposals and engage with municipal authorities. Quantitative tests and qualitative evaluations confirmed significant learning gains and high satisfaction among participants. A comparative analysis with international initiatives highlights the project’s unique integration of scientific rigor, participatory methods, and cross-border cooperation. The proposed model offers a replicable framework for embedding place-based climate education into urban governance and youth policy. Full article

Internally displaced people (IDPs) are individuals forced to leave their homes due to conflicts or disasters without crossing international borders. Since 2008, weather-related extreme events—primarily storms and floods—have displaced more than 20 million people annually. With global temperatures rising and extreme weather intensifying, the number of IDPs is projected to increase in the coming decades. In the Philippines, resettlement has emerged as a key climate adaptation strategy, with IDP camps established to reduce risks in highly vulnerable areas. Yet, it remains unclear whether these camps are actually located in regions of lower climate vulnerability. This study aims to examine the climate vulnerability of 17 IDP camps by considering physical and infrastructural dimensions to assess whether they are located in safer areas, and to suggest the development of urban forms that can improve community resilience and the living conditions of their populations. Results show significant variation in climate vulnerability, with Villa Diana scoring the lowest and Villa Sofia the highest. Using emergency response facilities as a proxy for social capital, we identified drivers of vulnerability: Villa Sofia faces heightened risks due to population density, flood exposure, and limited emergency facilities, while Villa Diana benefits from greater emergency capacity and abundant vegetation that reduces risk. Our findings provide a systematic framework for assessing climate vulnerability among IDPs and highlight the critical role of social capital in mitigating climate impacts for displaced populations in the Global South, where climate risk mapping and reliable data remain limited. Full article

Gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs) are commonly identified during routine endoscopy. Most SETs are asymptomatic and small (<2 cm) and exhibit benign behavior over time. Various histopathological types exist, including benign lesions, such as lipomas and heterotopic pancreas, and malignant lesions, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) plays a critical role in evaluating the lesion size, layer of origin, border characteristics, and internal echogenicity. Approximately 4–15% of gastric SETs increase in size over ~5 years. The risk factors for the growth and malignant potential of SETs include initial tumor size, irregular or heterogeneous EUS features, mucosal ulceration, and confirmed GIST diagnosis. While lesions ≥2 cm in size or those with high-risk features are typically subjected to resection, small and low-risk SETs are managed with periodic EUS or endoscopic surveillance. Tissue acquisition via EUS-guided biopsy or endoscopic resection is warranted for indeterminate or suspicious cases. A risk-stratified approach minimizes unnecessary interventions while enabling timely detection of clinically significant lesions. Surveillance protocols should be tailored according to characteristics of SETs, patient comorbidities, and diagnostic confidence. This review highlights the long-term outcomes of gastric SETs, evaluates established risk factors for their growth and malignant potential, and discusses evidence-based strategies for surveillance and management. Full article

This study first situates the discourse on Proudhon’s federalism and nationalism within the framework of his comprehensive economic, social, and philosophical system. Proudhon attempts to construct a federalism based on an associational and decentralized political structure that could accommodate plural groups and avoid the exclusive interpretation of sovereignty that prevailed in nationalism at the time. Such federalism is not only a design of political institutions but also a reflection of his economic mutualism and the idea of commutative justice. Then, this study proposes a relatively concise and intuitive dual critique framework to focus on how his federalism directly refutes nationalism. Proudhon’s federalism aims to protect the culture, language, and identity of minority groups from the oppression of the unitary nation-state internally, and advocates the establishment of an external confederation beyond national borders to eliminate national conflicts and achieve universal peace. Full article

This article argues that the asylum policy and legislative changes introduced by the UK government in the years 2022–2024 altered the original meaning of the concept ‘safe country’ as understood in international and EU law. The UK modified this concept, which from a solidarity concept became a means of exclusion, and which negatively affects the lives and rights of people seeking asylum in the UK. Using a doctrinal approach, the first part of this article sets the legal and historical context of the concept ‘safe country’. Departing from the analysis of the Refugee Convention, the article discusses how this mechanism was used by the EU legislation. From an idea of solidarity among EU Member States, it shifted from responsibility-sharing to burden-sharing while still allowing some guarantees to people seeking asylum. Using content analysis, the second part of this article evaluates the legal requirements set by the UK legislation together with implications of applying the ‘safe country’ concept to the asylum claims. It argues that, in recent years, the UK Government used the term ‘safe country’ as synonym of two (possibly three) different concepts, such as ‘first safe country’ and ‘safe third country’. It also shifted and pushed its meaning beyond the current commonly agreed interpretation of the term because it eroded the requirement of a link between the person seeking asylum and the ‘safe country’. Thus, the UK legislation deviated even further from the rationale underlying the Refugee Convention, international human rights standards and EU legislation because it passed the obligation to assess asylum claims to states with no link to people seeking asylum and without adequate risk assessment. The final part of this article discusses the limit to this policy and analyses the legal battle between the UK Parliament, the Government’s executive power, the UK Supreme Court and the Belfast High Court, which barred the UK Government from deporting people seeking asylum to a third country. This article concludes that there is some irony in the fact the term ‘safe country’ has been weaponised as a bordering tool by the UK Government, but ‘a border’ between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is limiting the negative effect of the concept ‘safe country’ on the very same people that is attempting to exclude from protection. Full article

This study explores the impact of credit spreads—defined as the difference between corporate bond yields and matched government bond yields—and macro-financial conditions on Japanese firms’ decision-making regarding whether to issue corporate bonds in domestic or international markets. Using firm-level panel data from 2010 to 2019, we employ fixed-effects regressions to identify the determinants of credit spreads and assess their influence on issuance location. The results suggest that firms strategically opt for foreign markets when anticipating narrower spreads, despite the typically higher borrowing costs associated with overseas issuance. Sensitivity to credit spreads systematically varies with issuer characteristics—such as leverage and credit ratings—and market elements—including the United States volatility and stock performance. Interaction models further demonstrate that market selection dynamically responds to pricing signals and uncertainty. By connecting credit spread formation to venue choice, this study provides a new perspective on cross-border financing in segmented capital markets. These findings offer theoretical insights and practical implications for understanding how firms adapt their debt strategies in response to global financial conditions. Full article

This paper examines the risks linked to E-business collaboration between China and West Africa, with particular emphasis on Ghana as a pivotal digital commerce centre. This research employs the Hesitant Fuzzy Best–Worst Method (HF-BWM) to systematically identify and prioritise the institutional, technological, sociocultural, and legal issues affecting cross-border e-business operations. This study combines Transaction Cost Theory (TCT), the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and Commitment–Trust Theory to create a comprehensive framework for analysing the interplay of these risks and their effects on transaction costs and company sustainability. The findings indicate that institutional risks constitute the most substantial obstacles, with deficient digital transaction legislation and inadequate data governance recognised as the principal drivers of uncertainty and increased transaction costs. The research indicates that these institutional challenges necessitate immediate focus, as they immediately affect corporate operations, especially in international digital commerce. Technological risks, such as cybersecurity vulnerabilities, insufficient IT skills, and deficiencies in digital infrastructure, were identified as the second most critical factors, leading to considerable operational disruptions and heightened expenses. Sociocultural hazards, such as language difficulties and varying consumer behaviours, were recognised as moderate concerns that, although significant, exert a weaker cumulative impact than technological and institutional challenges. Eventually, legal risks, especially concerning cybercrime legislation and the protection of intellectual property, were identified as substantial complicators of e-business activities, increasing the intricacy of legal compliance and cross-border contract enforcement. The results underscore the imperative for regulatory reforms, investments in cybersecurity, and methods for cultural adaptation to alleviate the identified risks and promote sustainable growth in China–West Africa e-business relationships. This study offers practical insights for governments, business leaders, and investors to effectively manage the intricate risk landscape and make educated decisions that foster enduring collaboration and trust between China and West Africa in digital trade. Full article

Background: Mpox is an emerging zoonotic disease, caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). Since its discovery, it has been considered endemic in Central and West Africa. Mpox is of global significance as of May 2022, due to the report of simultaneous outbreaks in more than 70 countries where the disease was not endemic. The global spread of mpox has shown the importance of maintaining active surveillance for emerging zoonotic diseases, many of which can cross borders. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse mpox cases and national incidence in Mexico related to the global outbreak. Methods: Epidemiological data (confirmed cases and incidence of MPXV infection) were obtained from the morbidity yearbook of the General Directorate of Epidemiology of the Mexican Ministry of Health. The information was analysed for the construction of epidemic curves, distribution of cases by age and sex and quartiles of geographical incidence. Results: A total of 4081 cumulative confirmed cases were recorded with a peak and national incidence of 1191 and 1.87, respectively, in September 2022. The distribution of cases by age and sex showed that males were more prevalent (above 95%) in the 25–44 years age group compared to females. Finally, geographical analysis showed that cosmopolitan and population-concentrated states had the highest incidence, clustered in the top quartile. The 2022 mpox outbreak in Mexico was consistent with other countries as reported in the international literature, with most cases occurring among exposed individuals in cosmopolitan cities. Conclusions: The need for active surveillance of emerging diseases, access to specific diagnostics and implementation of vaccination strategies is analysed and discussed. Full article

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the Leishmania genus. Once confined to endemic regions such as the Middle East, Americas, North Africa, and Central Asia, CL is increasingly emerging in non-endemic areas due to a multitude of drivers, including population displacement, environmental disruption, and political instability. These overlapping drivers contribute to expanding sand fly habitats, degrading living conditions, and weakening health systems, increasing transmission. Rising global temperatures further facilitate vector expansion into new regions, where clinical unfamiliarity often leads to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, increased morbidity, and greater financial burden. Despite its rising incidence and global spread, CL remains a neglected tropical disease since it is seldom fatal, with scant interest by public health authorities and financial donors, limiting activities that further research and prevent spread of the disease. This review synthesizes current evidence on how geopolitical instability, forced migration, and climate-driven ecological changes collectively reshape CL epidemiology and complicate diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance. As CL extends beyond traditional geographic boundaries, it requires integrated strategies that address its multifaceted drivers through strengthened cross-border surveillance, provider education, and international coordination—focusing on prevention, diagnosis, and equitable access to diagnostics and therapeutics, especially among displaced and underserved populations. Full article