Abstract: This study evaluates regional science and technology (S&T) innovation efficiency across 30 Chinese provinces from 2011 to 2022, integrating a sustainable development perspective. Utilizing a non-oriented global frontier super-slack-based measure (SBM) model considering undesirable outputs, alongside kernel density estimation, cluster analysis, and the Moran’s I, the research explores the spatiotemporal evolution of in-novation dynamics. Results indicate that temporal efficiency progressed through three stages: initial universal low efficiency, a widening disparity gap, and a final phase of overall improvement and stabilization. Spatially, a "strong in the east, weak in the west" disequilibrium persists; however, high-efficiency clusters evolved from isolated "unipolar" points into integrated "multi-center block linkages" and linear belts. The distribution transitioned through four distinct phases: agglomeration, diffusion, reor-ganization, and equilibrium. Furthermore, spatial autocorrelation shifted from weak positive correlation and random distribution to a statistically significant positive cor-relation by 2022, signaling enhanced regional synergy. The findings suggest that while polarization is weakening and the national innovation baseline is rising, policy should focus on fostering these emerging innovation corridors to bridge the remaining east-west gap.

Abstract: For two decades, Central Asian nations have tried to integrate their higher education systems by copying European institutions. This approach has largely stalled due to bureaucratic inertia and limited resources. This article proposes a different path: building a "Digital Trust Infrastructure" (DTI) instead of expanding bureaucracy. Based on the theoretical framework of cryptographic governance and empirical feasibility studies, we present a ten-year strategic roadmap (2025–2035). We outline three phases: creating a regulatory sandbox for pilot universities, establishing national sovereign blockchains, and finally, moving toward algorithmic automation of credit recognition. We argue that technology can allow Central Asia to "leapfrog" traditional institutional development, provided governments shift their role from gatekeepers to digital architects.

Abstract: The Bologna Process has served as the primary template for higher education reform in post-Soviet Central Asia for two decades. However, the linear application of European integration theories fails to account for the region’s distinct governance legacy, characterized by vertical state control and low horizontal trust between institutions. This theoretical paper addresses this gap by synthesizing literature on policy transfer, norm localization, and digital governance to construct a region-specific framework for integration. We propose a "Three-Stage Governance Model" moving from structural comparability to quality assurance mechanisms, and finally to mobility. Crucially, we argue that in the absence of historical institutional trust, the region is pivoting towards "algorithmic trust." By analyzing recent legislative shifts in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan alongside emerging technical infrastructures (e.g., blockchain-based credentialing), we demonstrate that technical interoperability is functioning as a substitute for political harmonization. The study concludes that Central Asian regionalism is evolving not into a cultural community like the EHEA, but into a "techno-institutional" network where digital standards drive policy convergence.

Abstract: Like other agricultural products, food legumes production faces uncertainty risks stemming from climate change, which may affect yields and consequently impact farmers' livelihoods. Agricultural insurance serves as one of the climate change adaptation measures available to farmers, helping mitigate the impacts of climate change on agricultural production and livelihoods. Based on a survey of 460 food legumes farmers in Baicheng City, Jilin Province of China, this study employs a binary probit regression model to analyze how perceptions of climate change influence farmers' adoption of agricultural insurance as an adaptation measure. Robustness tests are conducted by using a replacement econometric model and altering the climate change perception variable. Results indicate that food legumes farmers' perceptions of climate change significantly influence their agricultural insurance purchasing behavior. Farmers who perceive lower temperatures and more severe frosts are more inclined to purchase agricultural insurance. Participation in food legumes production cooperatives and prior experience with yield reductions exert significant positive effects on insurance purchase decisions. Therefore, enhancing climate change awareness campaigns, establishing meteorological risk defense mechanisms, and leveraging the driving role of cooperative organizations hold positive implications for reducing farmers' exposure to climate change risks.

Abstract: The internationalization of higher education has become a strategic imperative for post-Soviet countries in Central Asia. This article examines the implementation of the "Tuning Central Asian Higher Education Area" (TuCAHEA) project in Kyrgyzstan, aimed at aligning local curricula with the Bologna Process. Using qualitative document analysis underpinned by "Institutional Logics" theory, this study investigates the friction between European standards (ECTS, learning outcomes) and the Soviet-legacy regulatory framework. The analysis of recent legislative documents reveals three systemic barriers: (1) structural incompatibility between rigid State Educational Standards (Gosstandart) and flexible credit systems; (2) bureaucratic recentralization that undermines university autonomy; and (3) a state of "institutional hybridity," where neoliberal reforms are layered atop persistent Soviet administrative practices. Without legal harmonization and funding reform, internationalization will remain superficial. Policy recommendations are offered to bridge the gap between legislative intent and institutional reality.

Abstract: Bologna-style reforms have travelled well beyond the European Higher Education Area. Yet outside formal membership, it is often unclear whether these reforms lead to convergence or to local hybrids. This article examines how Bologna-style tools are localized in Kyrgyzstan through a comparative documentary case study of three management master’s programs: Kyrgyz Economic University (KEU), International University of Kyrgyzstan (IUK), and Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov (KSTU). Using Acharya’s (2004) norm localization framework and insights from policy borrowing research (Phillips & Ochs, 2003; Steiner‑Khamsi, 2004), the study traces how credits, curriculum structures, competence language, and quality mechanisms are reframed and adapted in different institutional settings. Evidence from program documents shows formal alignment around a two‑year, 120‑ECTS master’s structure, while the meaning of these tools varies by institutional logic: market‑sectoral (KEU), donor‑driven (IUK), and technocratic (KSTU). The findings suggest limited convergence and strong localization through selective adoption and institutional translation. The study contributes to policy borrowing literature by showing how Bologna-style tools can be reconstructed to fit post-Soviet governance logics while maintaining formal alignment with international standards.

Abstract: This study analyzes long‑term structural and demographic change in Japan by examining prefectural productivity trends from 1975 to 2021 and municipal‑level dynamics in Mie Prefecture. Four benchmark years—1975, 1989, 2006, and 2021—capture major turning points in Japan’s postwar economic trajectory. Spot values and interval‑based changes across the periods 1975–1989, 1989–2006, and 2006–2021 reveal three phases of regional economic development. Metropolitan prefectures led productivity growth until the early 2000s, but their dominance weakened after 2006, when productivity gains became concentrated in non‑metropolitan regions despite substantial population decline. Municipal‑level evidence from Mie Prefecture reinforces this pattern. Between 2011 and 2021, all 29 municipalities recorded increases in income per working‑age person, and municipalities with the steepest demographic contraction often showed the strongest income growth. These findings challenge the prevailing narrative of regional decline and indicate that depopulation may coexist with, or even facilitate, local economic restructuring. Overall, Japan’s regional transformation should be understood not simply as decline but as a process of reorganization driven by demographic change and the emergence of resilient local enterprises.

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) platforms in East Asia often elicit privacy concern yet sustain user participation. This study interprets the pattern as bounded compliance—a satisficing equilibrium in which engagement persists once minimum transparency and reliability thresholds are perceived in platform governance. A symmetric adult survey in Fujian, China (N = 185) and Busan–Gyeongnam, Korea (N = 187) examines how accountability visibility and privacy concern jointly shape platform trust and use. Heat-map diagnostics and logit marginal effects show consistently high willingness (≥0.70) across conditions, with stronger accountability sensitivity in Korea and stronger continuity assurance in China. Under high concern, willingness converges to a “good-enough” zone where participation endures despite discomfort. The findings highlight governance thresholds as practical levers for trustworthy AI: enhancing feedback visibility (e.g., case tracking, resolution proofs) and maintaining institutional continuity (e.g., O&M capacity, incident-response coverage) can sustain public confidence in AI-enabled public-service platforms.

Abstract: The development of cross-border hydrogen energy value chains involves complex interactions between technological, regulatory, and logistical subsystems. Static assessment models often fail to capture the dynamic response of these coupled systems to external perturbations. This study addresses this gap by proposing the Dual Carbon Cooperation Index (DCCI), a data-driven framework designed to quantify the synergy efficiency of the China-Korea hydrogen ecosystem. We construct a dynamic state estimation model integrating three coupled dimensions—Technology Synergy, Regulatory Alignment, and Supply Chain Resilience—utilizing an adaptive weighting algorithm (Triple Dynamic Response). Based on multi-source heterogeneous data (2020–2024), the model employs Natural Language Processing (NLP) for vectorizing unstructured regulatory texts and incorporates an exogenous signal detection mechanism (GRI). Empirical results reveal that the ecosystem's composite synergy score recovered from 0.38 to 0.50, driven by robust supply chain resilience but constrained by high impedance in technological transfer protocols. Crucially, the novel dynamic weighting algorithm significantly reduces state estimation error during high-volatility periods compared to static linear models, as validated by bootstrapping analysis (1,000 resamples). The study provides a quantitative engineering tool for monitoring ecosystem coupling stability and proposes a technical roadmap for reducing system constraints through secure IP data architectures and synchronized standard protocols.

Abstract: This study provides a critical qualitative analysis of the complex and often contradictory relationship between the evolution of human rights in Saudi Arabia and the transformative objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 initiative. Grounded in a theoretical framework that combines Amartya Sen's "Development as Freedom" with the concept of "authoritarian modernization," the paper investigates the central research question: how are human rights addressed within the Vision 2030 framework? Utilizing a methodology based on thematic and critical discourse analysis of official documents, legal texts, and secondary scholarly and institutional sources, this study systematically explores the historical context of human rights in the Kingdom and scrutinizes the recent wave of reforms. It offers an in-depth examination of pivotal strategies aimed at enhancing women’s rights and reforming labor policies, alongside a critical look at the narrowing space for freedom of expression.The discussion extends to analyze recent legal codifications and their broader socio-political implications, highlighting the progress made in empowering certain groups alongside the persistent challenges that hinder comprehensive reform. The findings reveal a pattern of selective, state-controlled liberalization where social and economic rights are advanced instrumentally to serve economic diversification goals, while political and civil liberties are simultaneously curtailed to consolidate state authority. This creates a paradoxical environment of social opening and political repression. The study concludes that despite notable strides, particularly in women's economic empowerment and labor market flexibility, persistent institutional practices, a constrained civic space, and deep-seated cultural barriers remain significant obstacles. Ultimately, the paper calls for continued international engagement and vigorous domestic dialogue to ensure that human rights become a foundational and consistently applied pillar of the Vision 2030 agenda, rather than a selective instrument of economic modernization.

Abstract: This study examines the digital transformation of academic publishing in Libya, highlighting its role in enhancing scholarly visibility, accessibility, and impact. Drawing on data from the Directory of Online Libyan Journals (DOLJ) and Google Scholar Metrics (2025), the research assesses the bibliometric performance of 124 Libyan journals, identifying disparities in citation impact and indexing coverage. While a few journals demonstrate strong international reach, such as the Open Veterinary Journal, most remain underrepresented in global databases like Scopus and Web of Science. The analysis reveals that medical and applied sciences dominate the publishing landscape, with universities serving as primary contributors. Despite challenges in global integration, the emergence of national registries, open-access policies, and digital archiving signals a strategic shift toward quality assurance and institutional prestige. The study advocates for coordinated national efforts to elevate Libyan journals through editorial capacity-building, policy reform, and enhanced digital infrastructure.

Abstract: Classroom Action Research (CAR) is a reflective research method aimed at continuously improving classroom teaching practices. This article examines the implementation of the Kemmis and McTaggart CAR model, carried out in a spiral cycle consisting of planning, action, observation, and reflection stages. CAR provides teachers with opportunities to analyze, plan, and implement instructional improvements based on real problems encountered in the classroom. This model positions teachers not only as facilitators of learning but also as active researchers who act as agents of change. The research is conducted collaboratively among teachers, students, and school stakeholders, thereby strengthening cooperation in enhancing educational quality. The findings indicate that implementing the Kemmis and McTaggart CAR model is effective in improving teaching strategies, increasing student participation, and supporting the professional development of teachers. Furthermore, CAR fosters a research culture among educators that encourages instructional innovation. Therefore, CAR can serve as an important strategy for enhancing the quality of teaching practices, the relevance of education, and student learning outcomes. This article also presents the steps of implementation, procedures, and benefits of CAR in the school learning context.

Abstract: At the beginning of the 19th century, Ottoman-Iranian relations entered a new diplomatic phase shaped by Russia’s expansion in the Caucasus and Britain’s growing influence in the Persian Gulf. This shared perception of external threats led to the establishment of a more structured and representative diplomatic framework between the two empires. This study examines the embassy of Yâsincizâde Abdülvehhâb Efendi, who was appointed as Ottoman ambassador to Iran between 1810 and 1813, in the context of a shifting diplomatic mindset. Yâsincizâde’s mission is analyzed not merely as a temporary diplomatic engagement, but as a form of ideological, sectarian, and cultural representation by a figure from the ulema class. Based on archival sources, the study reveals that his diplomatic reports and observations provided critical input to the central administration, contributing to the development of more institutionalized and long-term strategies in Ottoman policy toward Iran. By focusing on the transitional character of his embassy, the paper reassesses the evolving role of religious scholars in Ottoman foreign relations, and situates this case between the classical sefaretnâme tradition and emerging modern diplomatic practices.

Abstract:

This paper proposes a methodology based on the combined application of climate indices for precipitation and temperature along with multispectral Sentinel 2 imagery, used to generate vegetation indices that serve to diagnose the condition of subtropical irrigated crops through a predictive model. These crops demand significant irrigation, and in Mediterranean semi-arid environments, where water scarcity and drought periods are increasingly frequent and severe, this presents a serious problem. The aim of this methodological proposal is to address the need to adjust cultivated areas to actual water availability. It is now evident and necessary to implement efficient management of agricultural practices, avoiding the expansion of irrigated areas when there is not enough water available. As a result of this work, the climatic interrelation with the real condition of the crops is demonstrated.

Abstract: The European Commission's funding programs have significant implications for enhancing national safety and security in the Danube River region. The Danube River region, encompassing several countries, faces various security challenges, including cross-border crime, environmental risks, and potential instability. The European Commission's funding initiatives play a crucial role in addressing these issues. Funding programs often focus on strengthening institutional capacity, improving infrastructure, fostering regional cooperation, and promoting cross-border initiatives. For example, funding might support the development of joint police operations targeting organized crime, the implementation of advanced surveillance technologies, or the creation of early warning systems for natural disasters. Furthermore, funding can support projects focused on environmental protection, thereby enhancing the region's resilience to climate change and related security risks. However, the effectiveness of these programs is subject to various factors, including the quality of project implementation, the level of political will among participating states, and the adaptability of initiatives to evolving security threats. A key challenge lies in ensuring the coordination and coherence of various funding streams, avoiding duplication of effort, and maximizing the overall impact on national safety and security. During this study I will focus on the Danube as the spine of Europe and a former route of migrations and conquests, I will search for all the streams of foreign investments, EU funds and internal income considering that the country is receiving EU funds, but also grants from private states. I will use a descriptive method, with a focus on understanding more deeply the mechanism for financing this domain of security and defense. Keywords: The European Commission's funding programs have significant implications for enhancing national safety and security in the Danube River region. The Danube River region, encompassing several countries, faces various security challenges, including cross-border crime, environmental risks, and potential instability. The European Commission's funding initiatives play a crucial role in addressing these issues. Funding programs often focus on strengthening institutional capacity, improving infrastructure, fostering regional cooperation, and promoting cross-border initiatives. For example, funding might support the development of joint police operations targeting organized crime, the implementation of advanced surveillance technologies, or the creation of early warning systems for natural disasters. Furthermore, funding can support projects focused on environmental protection, thereby enhancing the region's resilience to climate change and related security risks. However, the effectiveness of these programs is subject to various factors, including the quality of project implementation, the level of political will among participating states, and the adaptability of initiatives to evolving security threats. A key challenge lies in ensuring the coordination and coherence of various funding streams, avoiding duplication of effort, and maximizing the overall impact on national safety and security. During this study I will focus on the Danube as the spine of Europe and a former route of migrations and conquests, I will search for all the streams of foreign investments, EU funds and internal income considering that the country is receiving EU funds, but also grants from private states. I will use a descriptive method, with a focus on understanding more deeply the mechanism for financing this domain of security and defense.

Abstract: This paper provides an in-depth analysis of climate scenarios and climate stress testing as essential tools for driving a sustainable transition within the global banking sector. These instruments are increasingly central to regulatory and supervisory strategies aimed at mitigating climate-related financial risks. The study begins by outlining the historical development and methodological foundations of climate scenario analysis. It then explores the pivotal role played by the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), the European Central Bank (ECB), and the European Banking Authority (EBA) in the design and implementation of climate-related tools. The paper highlights key application areas, including the frequency and severity of climate impacts on financial institutions, and addresses the methodological and operational challenges involved in climate stress testing. Finally, it offers practical recommendations for the effective integration of climate scenarios into banking risk management and strategic planning frameworks, positioning them as catalysts for sustainable transformation in the financial system.

Abstract: This study investigates the dynamics of agribusiness innovation and transformation in Albania, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia using an evolutionary economics framework. Employing a sequential mixed-methods design, it integrates qualitative data from over 600 semi-structured interviews with quantitative evidence from 75 firm-level surveys. Innovation is conceptualized not as a linear or technology-driven process, but as a co-evolutionary outcome of institutional routines, policy environments, and feedback mechanisms shaped by historical and cultural path dependencies. The findings reveal significant heterogeneity in innovation trajectories across countries. In Bangladesh, adaptive governance, robust digital infrastructure, and multi-actor coordination enhance responsive learning and innovation despite high and frequent levels of disruptions, politically and environmentally induced disasters. Ethiopia demonstrates high institutional coherence but limited adaptability due to weak digital integration and constrained horizontal feedback. Albania, by contrast, shows fragmented governance and volatile policy frameworks, resulting in disjointed and unsustainable innovation practices. These contrasts highlight the primacy of institutional diversity over technological availability in shaping innovation outcomes. The study extends evolutionary economic theory into agricultural development contexts in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), showing how firm behavior, market signals, and institutional feedback are interdependent. It concludes that building robust agribusiness innovation systems requires a systemic and adaptive approach, emphasizing learning networks, digital infrastructure, and responsive policymaking to navigate ecological and technological transitions.

Abstract: Iran experienced three devastating famines during 1869-1945. Its population of 11-12 million in 1944 was nearly the same as the 12 million reported in 1900, and about the same as in 1850, a classic case of a Malthusian catastrophe. Despite the centrality of these famines in Iran’s history, they have been subject to neglect and controversy. In particular, the World War II famine has been completely neglected in the historiography of Iran and World War II, and this study attempts to partially compensate the neglect. It re-examines the toll of the famines by using overlooked and neglected primary sources and in ways not previously done. It is established that the Great Famine of 1917-19 was even more deadly than previously estimated and likely the greatest calamity in Iran’s modern history. It is also found that the nearly forgotten 1941-45 famine and two typhus epidemics had killed 5-7 million Iranians compared to 4 million previously estimated by the author. At least 15 million Iranians died in the two world wars, a fact not reflected in the history of Iran and that of the conflicts.

Abstract: Plastic pollution is a critical issue in rapidly developing cities. A nuanced understanding of consumer behavior related to single-use plastic (SUP) usage is therefore essential for effective interventions, in light of the global plastic treaty. This study conducts a survey of 1,492 participants across five Asian cities to analyze SUP consumption and disposal patterns amid the post-COVID “new normal”. Results reveal significant inter-city differences: Shanghai and Harbin demonstrate high overall SUP usage despite lower consumption of plastic shopping bags; Hanoi and Depok exhibit lower total consumption but distinct product preferences, such as elevated use of plastic shopping bags and party cups; and Phnom Penh recorded the highest consumption of plastic shopping bags, bottles, and straws. Plastic shopping bags were the most used item in all cities, ranging from 18 to 34 bags weekly, with no significant differences by urban versus rural areas, age, or gender. Conversely, urban areas showed higher usage of plastic take out containers, cutlery, coffee cups, and party cups. The COVID-19 pandemic has notably reshaped SUP consumption trends. Moreover, over half of SUPs were disposed of without proper separation. These findings underscore that reducing SUPs requires flexible, phased, and region-specific interventions to build a resilient circular economy.

Abstract: This comprehensive analytical literature review examines Saudi Arabia's multifaceted approach to combating violence, extremism, and terrorism through a systematic analysis of diverse academic research. Drawing on more than 30 scholarly studies, the review explores five critical dimensions of the Kingdom's counter-terrorism strategy: (1) security and law enforcement measures, including sophisticated intelligence capabilities, technological surveillance systems, rigorous border controls, and specialized counter-terrorism units; (2) innovative deradicalization and rehabilitation programs such as the internationally recognized "Counseling and Care" initiative that provides psychological counseling, religious re-education, and vocational training for former extremists; (3) counter-ideological efforts promoting moderate Islamic interpretations through religious institutions, educational curriculum reform, and strategic media campaigns; (4) international cooperation through active participation in global coalitions and regional initiatives like the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC); and (5) targeted socioeconomic development programs addressing underlying grievances that may contribute to radicalization. The literature consistently validates Saudi Arabia's comprehensive approach while acknowledging ongoing challenges in a dynamic security environment. The evidence generally affirms the effectiveness of Saudi Arabia's integrated strategy in mitigating terrorism within its borders and contributing significantly to global counter-terrorism initiatives, though future research should examine long-term impacts and address the continuously evolving nature of terrorist threats in the region.