This study examines how circular economy (CE) practices contribute to energy resilience by mitigating the impacts of energy shocks and supporting sustainable development. Through a systematic literature review (SLR) of recent studies, we analyze the ways in which CE strategies—such as resource recovery, renewable energy integration, and closed-loop supply chains—enhance energy security and reduce vulnerability to energy disruptions. Our research draws on academic databases, focusing on publications from 2018 to 2024, to identify key themes and practices that illustrate the transformative potential of the circular economy. Findings reveal that CE practices at macro, mezzo, and micro levels support resilience by fostering efficient resource use, reducing dependency on non-renewable energy sources, and promoting sustainable economic growth. Additionally, we highlight the roles of foreign direct investment (FDI), research and development (R&D), and supportive policies in accelerating the adoption of circular systems. The study concludes with recommendations for future research to address identified gaps, suggesting a roadmap for advancing circular economy practices as a means to enhance energy resilience and sustainability aims to reveal how wide array of factors affect transition towards more sustainable or circular economy.

The food insecurity and inadequate management of family farm production is a problem that per-sists today in all corners of the world. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the socioeconomic and agricultural production management factors associated with food insecurity in rural households in the Machángara river basin in the province Azuay, Ecuador. The information was collected through a survey applied to households that were part of a stratified random sample. Based on this information, the Latin American and Caribbean Household Food Security Measurement Scale (ELCSA) was constructed to estimate food insecurity as a function of socioeconomic factors and agricultural production management, through the application of a Binomial Logit model and an Ordinal Logit model, in the STATA^® 16 program. The results show that head house a married head of household, living in an informal house, having a latrine, producing medicinal or ornamental plants, and the relationship between expenses and income are significant variables that increase the probability of being food insecure. In this way, this research provides timely information to help public policy makers employ effective strategies to benefit rural household that are food vulnerable.

A The meaning of life is the purpose that defines a person’s existence based on a set of fundamental objectives that give meaning to life or not. Furthermore, not all individuals have a meaning in life, and it may be absent at some point or stage of life. Objective: To analyze Peruvian older adults’ socioeconomic factors and the meaning of life. Method: A descriptive, comparative, quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted. One thousand older adults were intentionally selected through quotas of 100 older adults in 10 localities in Arequipa, Peru. They were administered a survey validated with high levels of reliability on the meaning of life and socioeconomic factors. Results: A moderate level of meaning in life was found. Most older adults believe that increasing age decreases the purpose of living, and existential emptiness grows. Conclusions: Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between the meaning of life and the following socioeconomic factors: retirement, religion, educational level, cohabitation, marital status, income, and occupation. It is understood that older adults who scored higher on these factors indicate having meaning in life because they still fulfill the role of providers for the family economy, being util to their families compared to the majority who scored low, which indicates an absence of meaning of life leading to an increase existential void.

Purpose: This research aims to unravel the intricate dynamics that connect economic status with individuals’ engagement in dance training institutes. Focusing on the affordability of classes, access to resources, awareness, cultural background, and geographic location, the study seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of how economic considerations influence various facets of engagement within the dance community. Method: Conducted through 13 semi-structured interviews, this research adopts a qualitative approach to explore the multi-faceted relationships between economic status and dance engagement. Thematic analysis, structured in three steps, is employed to uncover patterns, themes, and insights within the qualitative data. Findings: The study uncovers a myriad of findings that illuminate the impact of economic factors on dance engagement. Affordability emerges as a significant barrier, influencing access to classes and participation in competitions or performances. Access to resources, including studio space and trained instructors, proves pivotal in shaping individuals’ experiences within dance education. Awareness and exposure play crucial roles, with limited exposure hindering engagement, while the cultural background and geographic location intersect with economic considerations, shaping preferences and opportunities within the dance community. Originality/Significance: This research contributes to the field by offering a focused exploration of economic influences within the dance community. The originality lies in its holistic approach, considering the interconnected nature of affordability, access to resources, awareness, cultural background, and geographic location. From a policy and institutional standpoint, the findings have practical implications, guiding initiatives to address disparities and foster a more accessible and supportive environment within dance training institutes.

Loans are a critical transmission channel for commercial banks as well as an important revenue source. Macroeconomic factors are not within the control of commercial banks, however, select factors are observed to have a direct impact on lending behaviour in studies around the world. This study examined the relationship between macroeconomic variables and the lending behaviour of banks in South Africa for the period ranging from 2001 to 2022. Quarterly time series data was employed using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL). The empirical results of the paper revealed that there is a long-run relationship between the repurchase rate (repo rate), inflation, the real effective exchange rate (REER) and lending behaviour in South Africa. The REER and inflation were both found to have a positive relationship, whilst the repo rate had a negative relationship. In addition, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the activity rate and sovereign credit rating (SCR) changes returned insignificant results. Overall, these findings show that select macroeconomic factors do influence lending behaviour in South Africa. Furthermore, the results suggest that monetary policy decisions have a direct influential effect on lending and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has implemented their policies effectively.

This research presents a bibliometric review of scientific production on the social and economic factors that influence mortality from tuberculosis between the years 2000 and 2024. The analysis covered 1742 documents from 848 sources, revealing an annual growth of 6% in scientific production with a notable increase starting in 2010, reaching a peak in 2021. This increase reflects growing concern about socioeconomic inequalities affecting tuberculosis mortality, exacerbated in part by the COVID-19 pandemic. The main authors identified in the study include Naghavi, Basu and Hay, whose works have had a significant impact on the field. The most prominent journals in the dissemination of this research are Plos One, International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease and The Lancet. The countries with the greatest scientific production include the United States, the United Kingdom, India and South Africa, highlighting a strong international contribution and a global approach to the problem. The semantic development of the research shows a concentration on terms such as “mortality rate”, “risk factors” and “public health”, with a thematic map highlighting driving themes such as “socioeconomic factors” and “developing countries”. The theoretical evolution reflects a growing interest in economic and social aspects to gender contexts and associated diseases. This study provides a comprehensive view of current scientific knowledge, identifying key trends and emerging areas for future research.