Search Results (570)

Fruit flies that belong to the genus Zeugodacus (Diptera: Tephritidae) pose significant threats as invasive pests of agricultural crops in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The intensification of transboundary trade in fresh horticultural produce has increased the risk of introducing invasive species such as fruit flies, more so through the inadvertent transport of their immature developmental stages. Such immature stages of fruit flies belonging to the Tephritidae family are frequently intercepted at the international borders worldwide and are unable to be identified to the species level using morphological characteristics. Molecular identification using mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) gene has proven to be quite useful, as they are not constrained by developmental stages, sex, or colour morphs of the pest species in question. Also, real-time PCR-based species-specific assays offer quicker turnaround time since they do not require any post-PCR procedures. This study evaluated the utility of a real-time PCR assay based on the COI gene region to identify Zeugodacus cucurbitae from other Tephritid species. The developed real-time PCR assay provides a swift and precise way of discriminating between these highly invasive pest species during an interception event for rapid decision making. High specificity, having no cross-reactions with closely related Tephritids, and sensitivity of the developed assay will be extremely useful in discriminating Z. cucurbitae from other closely related fruit fly species. Z. cucurbitae-specific real-time PCR developed in this study is appropriate for organizations that carry out routine diagnostics to facilitate fresh produce imports and exports. Our assay is fully optimized for rapid deployment at international borders, offering reliable detection of the target species regardless of developmental stage, sex, or geographic origins. Full article

This study synthesizes the rapidly expanding evidence on how digital technologies reshape international trade, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Guided by two research questions—(RQ1) How do digital tools influence the volume and composition of cross-border trade? and (RQ2) How do these effects vary by countries’ development level and firm size?—we conducted a PRISMA-compliant systematic literature review covering 2010–2024. Searches across eight major databases yielded 1857 records; after duplicate removal, title/abstract screening, full-text assessment, and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT 2018) quality checks, 86 peer-reviewed English-language studies were retained. Findings reveal three dominant technology clusters: (1) e-commerce platforms and cloud services, (2) IoT-enabled supply chain solutions, and (3) emerging AI analytics. E-commerce and cloud adoption consistently raise export intensity—doubling it for digitally mature SMEs—while AI applications are the fastest-growing research strand, particularly in East Asia and Northern Europe. However, benefits are uneven: firms in low-infrastructure settings face higher fixed digital costs, and cybersecurity and regulatory fragmentation remain pervasive obstacles. By integrating trade economics with development and SME internationalization studies, this review offers the first holistic framework that links national digital infrastructure and policy support to firm-level export performance. It shows that the trade-enhancing effects of digitalization are contingent on robust broadband penetration, affordable cloud access, and harmonized data-governance regimes. Policymakers should, therefore, prioritize inclusive digital-readiness programs, while business leaders should invest in complementary capabilities—data analytics, cyber-risk management, and cross-border e-logistics—to fully capture digital trade gains. This balanced perspective advances theory and practice on building resilient, equitable digital trade ecosystems. Full article

Cities serve as the primary arenas for achieving the strategic objectives of “carbon peak and carbon neutrality”. This study employed the LMDI method to systematically analyze the evolution trend of energy-related carbon emissions in Hong Kong and their influencing factors from 1980 to 2023. The main findings are as follows: (1) Hong Kong’s energy consumption structure remains dominated by coal and oil. Influenced by energy prices, significant shifts in this structure occurred across different periods. Imported electricity from mainland China, in particular, has exerted a promoting effect on the optimization of its energy consumption mix. (2) Economic output and population concentration are the primary drivers of increased carbon emissions. However, the contribution of economic growth to carbon emissions has gradually weakened in recent years due to a lack of new growth drivers. (3) Energy consumption intensity, energy consumption structure, and carbon intensity are the primary influencing factors in curbing carbon emissions. Among these, the carbon reduction impact of energy consumption intensity is the most significant. Hong Kong should continue to adopt a robust strategy for controlling total energy consumption to effectively mitigate carbon emissions. Additionally, it should remain vigilant regarding the potential implications of future energy price fluctuations. It is also essential to sustain cross-border energy cooperation, primarily based on electricity imports from the Pearl River Delta, while simultaneously expanding international and domestic supply channels for natural gas. Full article

This article explores how the European Union (EU) promotes gender equality beyond its borders, situating the analysis within broader debates on external Europeanization and normative power. While most studies have examined the domestic impact of EU policies, this paper focuses on how gender equality norms are projected internationally and conceptually investigates the mechanisms involved in their diffusion. Drawing on existing theoretical literature, the article analyzes how EU-level normative strategies may interact with domestic political, institutional, and societal dynamics in third countries, often in complex and contested ways. Rather than providing empirical testing, the study identifies core mechanisms—such as strategic communication, partnerships, and funding tools—and reflects on their limitations and the role of local agency in interpreting or resisting EU-promoted norms. The findings highlight the difficulty of isolating EU influence from other international and transnational drivers of norm diffusion, and the need for caution in attributing policy shifts solely to EU action. The article concludes that a better understanding of these processes requires more attention to domestic contexts, as well as future empirical research to complement conceptual analyses of Europeanization in sensitive policy domains such as gender equality. Full article

This paper applies a multi-level social network analysis to examine Aragón’s innovation ecosystem, focusing on a decade of competitive public projects (2014–2023) aligned with the region’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) 2021–2027. By mapping and weighting the participation of regional entities across regional, national, and European calls, the study uncovers how all types of local actors organise themselves around key specialisation areas. Moreover, a comparative benchmark is introduced by analysing more than 33,000 Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe initiatives without Aragonese partners, revealing how to fill structural gaps and enrich the regional ecosystem through international collaboration. Results show strong funding concentration in four fields—Energy, Health, Agri-Food, and Advanced Technologies—while other historically strategic areas like Hydrogen and Water remain underrepresented. Although leading institutions (UNIZAR, CIRCE, ITA, AITIIP) play central roles in connecting academia and industry, direct collaboration among them is limited, pointing to missed synergies. Expanding previous SNA-based assessments, this study introduces a diagnostic tool to guide policy, proposing targeted actions such as challenge-driven calls, dedicated support programs, and cross-border consortia with top EU partners. Applied to two contrasting specialisation areas, the method offers sector-specific recommendations, helping policymakers align Aragón’s innovation capabilities with EU priorities and strengthen its position in both established and emerging domains. Full article

This study examines the geostrategic role of Hungarian-language higher education institutions beyond Hungary’s border. These institutions not only fulfil an educational function but also play a role in preserving identity and geopolitics in the national policy of the Hungarian state. This research is based on a narrative review of the literature, which analyses the demographic situation of Hungarians living beyond the borders and the tools used to support higher education by synthesising domestic and international literature, statistical data, and forecasts. The results highlight that Hungarian-language higher education plays a key role in preserving ethnocultural identity and increasing the chances of success in the homeland, but also faces constraints such as labour market disadvantages resulting from a lack of state language skills. This study concludes that, in order to ensure the sustainability of Hungarian higher education beyond the border, it is necessary to strike a balance between identity preservation and integration, thereby promoting geopolitical stability and cultural cohesion with the majority society. Full article

During the 10th to 12th centuries, the Song, Liao, and Goryeo Dynasties and Japanese regimes in East Asia engaged in frequent activities of requesting and granting the Chinese Tripitaka (the Chinese Buddhist Canon), forming a distinctive diplomatic phenomenon termed “Tripitaka Diplomacy”. This paper examines the political and cultural dynamics underlying these cross-border interactions by analyzing the historical records of such activities among the polities. It also explores the multifaceted role of the Tripitaka in East Asian international relations, which transcended its religious significance to shape diplomatic strategies and power dynamics. Through this lens, this paper reveals the complexity of the East Asian international order during this period, emphasizing how the circulation of the Tripitaka served as both a cultural bridge and a tool for political negotiation. Full article

Peste des petits ruminants is a highly contagious transboundary viral disease that poses a serious threat to small ruminant populations worldwide. In 2024, seven outbreaks of PPR were recorded in sheep flocks from Timiș County, marking the second confirmed incursions of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) in Romania. This study aimed to document the clinical presentation, pathological findings, and diagnostic confirmation with these field outbreaks. Comprehensive field investigations were carried out between July and September 2024, including clinical examinations, post mortem analysis, serological screening, and molecular detection using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A total of 13,203 sheep were evaluated, with an overall mortality rate of 12.77%. Characteristic clinical signs included mucopurulent nasal discharge, oral erosions, respiratory distress, and diarrhea. Gross lesions observed during necropsy included hemorrhagic bronchopneumonia, bile-stained liver, catarrhal enteritis, and mucosal hemorrhages. Serological testing revealed flock-level seroprevalence rates ranging from 46.7% to 80.0%, with higher rates observed in older animals. RT-PCR confirmed PPRV infection in all affected flocks. Our findings provide strong evidence of virulent PPRV circulation in an area where the virus had not been reported before. The results highlight an urgent need to strengthen surveillance systems, enhance diagnostic capacity, and foster cross-border collaboration. These field-based insights can contribute to both national and international efforts aimed at controlling and ultimately eradicating the disease. Full article

As Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) gradually become the common language for sustainable development of international society and international cooperation in China, it is worth discussing whether ESG practices can help Chinese enterprises shape a responsible international image, overcome the liability of foreignness (LOF) and improve the long-term performance of cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As). On the basis of theoretical discussion, combined with the panel data of cross-border M&As of China A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2021, this paper empirically examines that the ESG performance of acquirers has a significant positive impact on the long-term performance of cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) of China A-share listed companies. Furthermore, the ESG performance of environment and governance dimensions and heavily polluting enterprises has stronger incentive effects on the long-term performance of cross-border M&As. The ESG performance of the acquirer positively affects the long-term performance of cross-border M&As of China A-share listed companies by acquiring capital market resources, product market competitiveness, regulatory legitimacy, and enhancing internal synergy. Full article

Refugee settlements are often positioned around natural borders, which often have a heightened danger of environmental hazards. Here, we aim to better understand why settlements are in environmentally vulnerable land and what social and physical factors contribute to this phenomenon. To do this, we present a holistic narrative that maps climate threats among displaced populations in Cox’s Bazar district, Bangladesh, while contextualizing environmental vulnerability by incorporating historical and social constraints. Using ArcGIS, an online mapping program, we illustrate the overlap between different climatic events and how these vulnerabilities compound and intensify one another. We also discuss the history of natural migration and settlement pertaining to the physical landscape and the sociopolitical reasons refugees remain in environmentally vulnerable areas. Overall, we find an emerging trend that may be broadly applicable to instances of forced displacement; physical settlement locations near international borders demarcated by landforms may be more vulnerable to the effects of climate change and extreme climate events. However, physical, social, and political reasons often cement these locations. Recommendations include enhancing the resilience of refugee camps through infrastructure improvements, sustainable land management, and reforestation efforts, which would benefit both the environment and local and refugee communities. Full article

Background/Objectives: Overhead athletes, including swimmers, are prone to shoulder adaptations and pathologies, such as scapular dyskinesis (SD) and glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD). While SD has been extensively studied in various overhead sports, its prevalence and clinical implications in swimmers remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate static scapular asymmetries (SAs), defined as differences in the observed position of the scapulae at rest or in a fixed position, in young elite swimmers and compare these findings with functional scapular dyskinesis (SD) tests, which assess alterations in scapular motion patterns during arm movement. It also assesses potential relationships between SA and SD. Methods: A cohort of 661 young elite swimmers (344 males, 317 females) was assessed during the National Young Swimming Championships. Scapular asymmetries were measured in two positions: at rest and at 90° abduction with internal rotation. The measurements included the following: (1) dHeight: Difference in superomedial scapular angle height from the C7 spinal process; (2) dDistance: Difference in the distance of the superomedial scapular angle from the body midline; (3) dAngle: Angular deviation of the medial scapular border from the plumb line, assessed using a goniometer. The presence of scapular dyskinesis (SD) was determined using a functional test, and SA findings were compared with SD results. Statistical analyses included ANOVA and chi-square tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Scapular asymmetries were observed in 3.63% to 15.43% of swimmers, with no significant associations with age, gender, BMI, training years, or swimming characteristics (p > 0.05). A significant difference was observed between dominant limb and scapular height in abduction (p < 0.05). In position 1 (resting position), SA was significantly more prevalent in swimmers without SD (p < 0.001 for dHeight, p = 0.016 for dDistance). In position 2 (abduction), SA was significantly associated with SD-negative subjects in dAngle (p = 0.014) and dDistance (p = 0.02), while dHeight was not significant (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that static scapular asymmetries do not necessarily correlate with dynamic scapular dysfunction (SD), and, indeed, a negative correlation was observed where SA was significantly more prevalent in swimmers without SD in several measures (position 1, p < 0.001 for dHeight and p = 0.016 for dDistance; position 2, p = 0.014 for dAngle and p = 0.02 for dDistance). Conclusions: Young elite swimmers exhibit a relatively symmetrical scapular positioning, with scapular asymmetries potentially representing normal adaptations rather than pathological findings. The lack of positive correlation between SA and SD, and the higher prevalence of SA in SD-negative subjects, suggests the need for caution when interpreting static scapular assessments in swimmers as SA may reflect sport-specific adaptations rather than pathology. Full article

This scoping review investigates the digital transition of critical energy infrastructure (CEI) in maritime ports, which are increasingly vital as energy hubs amid global decarbonisation efforts. Recognising the growing role of ports in integrating offshore renewables, hydrogen, and LNG systems, the study examines how digital technologies (such as automation, IoT, and AI) support the resilience, efficiency, and sustainability of port-based CEI. A multifaceted search strategy was implemented to identify relevant academic and grey literature. The search was performed between January 2025 and 30 April 2025. The strategy focused on databases such as Scopus. Due to limitations encountered in retrieving sufficient, directly relevant academic papers from databases alone, the search strategy was systematically expanded to include grey literature such as reports, policy documents, and technical papers from authoritative industry, governmental, and international organisations. Employing Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and PRISMA-ScR (scoping review) guidelines, the review synthesises insights from 62 academic and grey literature sources to address five core research questions relating to the current state, challenges, importance, and future directions of digital CEI in ports. Literature distribution of articles varies across continents, with Europe contributing the highest number of publications (53%), Asia (24%) and North America (11%), while Africa and Oceania account for only 3% of the publications. Findings reveal significant regional disparities in digital maturity, fragmented governance structures, and underutilisation of digital systems. While smart port technologies offer operational gains and support predictive maintenance, their effectiveness is constrained by siloed strategies, resistance to collaboration, and skill gaps. The study highlights a need for holistic digital transformation frameworks, cross-border cooperation, and tailored approaches to address these challenges. The review provides a foundation for future empirical work and policy development aimed at securing and optimising maritime port energy infrastructure in line with global sustainability targets. Full article

With China’s emergence as a major global economy, its involvement in tackling climate change and fostering sustainable growth has garnered considerable focus. What impact does global direct investment have on carbon emissions within Belt and Road economies? This study innovatively utilizes a quantile regression model to analyze the varied impacts of international direct investment across distinct carbon emission quantiles, further delving into the conditional probability distribution of the dependent variable to provide a strong theoretical basis for precise policy-making by relevant departments and integrating time and space delays in examining the effects of carbon reduction strategies within the Belt and Road Initiative. Furthermore, this study aims to concentrate its research efforts on the host nations. Findings from this study indicate that global direct investments could escalate carbon emissions in economies with lower carbon emissions; yet, with the rise in the host nation’s carbon emissions, the ripple effect of international direct investments in green technology becomes increasingly evident. Empirical evidence indicates that global direct investment in Belt and Road economies demonstrates a significant mitigating effect on carbon emissions, thereby amplifying the decarbonization benefits associated with such cross-border capital flows. Full article

This study examines the symmetric and asymmetric impacts of international trade on consumption-based carbon emissions (CBEs) in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the United States of America (USA) from 1990 to 2018. The analysis uses autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and non-linear ARDL (NARDL) methodologies to capture short- and long-run trade emissions dynamics, with economic growth, oil prices, financial development and industry value addition as control variables. The findings reveal that exports reduce CBEs, while imports increase them, across both economies in the long and short run. The asymmetric analysis highlights that a fall in exports increases CBEs in the USA but reduces them in the PRC due to differences in supply chain flexibility. The PRC demonstrates larger coefficients for trade variables, reflecting its reliance on energy-intensive imports and rapid trade growth. The error correction term shows that the PRC takes 2.64 times longer than the USA to return to equilibrium after short-run shocks, reflecting systemic rigidity. These findings challenge the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, showing that economic growth intensifies CBEs. Robustness checks confirm the results, highlighting the need for tailored policies, including carbon border adjustments, renewable energy integration and CBE-based accounting frameworks. Full article

Background/Objectives: A resurgence of measles has been observed in Europe and worldwide since 2023. The aim of this article is to describe characteristics of cases reported to the Italian national measles surveillance system and discuss reasons for the outbreak and its public health relevance. Methods: We analyzed measles cases reported to the Italian national measles surveillance system with a symptom onset from August 2023 to January 2025. Results: Overall, 1164 cases were reported, of which 1065 (91.5%) were laboratory confirmed. The median age was 30 years, but the highest incidence was in children under one year of age. Transmission occurred mainly in families and nosocomial settings. Multiple importations occurred during 2023, which initially led to localized outbreaks with limited spread but was subsequently followed by increasing local transmission in 2024. Conclusions: These findings suggest lingering immunity gaps in children and adults in Italy, highlighting the potential severity of measles and the ease with which measles crosses country borders. Besides improving routine immunization coverage, targeted vaccination opportunities should be provided to susceptible population groups. Communication activities are also needed to increase awareness about disease severity, especially among young adults. In view of the upcoming travel season, travel clinics should encourage persons without evidence of measles immunity to be vaccinated before any international travel. Full article