This study offers a focused examination on Xinfang system, China’s unique mechanism particularly on its ability and efficacy in mediating land disputes between farmers and governmental bodies for social governance purposes. Based on interviews with 10 farmers, the study elucidates the system has low entry barriers and user-friendly, thus fast becoming the preferred system option when dealing with land conflicts. Xinfang facilitates direct communication between farmers and government officials, thereby in line with the sociocultural conventions of the rural populace. The study also highlights several constraints. While the Xinfang system employs a multifaceted approach to conflict resolution, including negotiation and grassroots governmental intervention, it lacks legislative power and institutional authority that are required for effective management of more complex or multi-stakeholder land disputes. The study advocates for a comprehensive reassessment and subsequent reform of the Xinfang system, focusing particularly on its mechanisms and procedures for dispute resolution. Such reforms are not merely instrumental for the more robust safeguarding of farmers’ land rights, but also for enhancing the overall integrity and public trust in China’s legal and administrative frameworks.
South Korea’s over 3300 islands play vital roles in the nation’s geography, economy, culture, and national security. Despite their importance, these islands face significant challenges, including population decline, aging demographics, and a severe lack of healthcare, childcare, and education facilities. With only 20% of inhabited islands connected to the mainland by bridges, coastal ferries are the primary transportation mode. However, the infrequent ferry services and numerous intermediate stops cause considerable inconvenience. This study conducts an analysis of the coastal ferry route connectivity within the Mokpo Area, focusing on proposing improvements to enhance access to community infrastructure for local island residents. This study analyzes the Mokpo Area’s coastal ferry network, identifying Dochodo as a central hub island to improve connectivity for sustainable island development. By reorganizing routes around Dochodo with larger ferries for main routes and smaller ferries for local trips, the study aims to enhance service access and boost tourism for island communities.
One of Indonesia’s main characteristics of tourism development is maritime tourism, which is synonymous with archipelagic countries. The diversity of maritime tourism offered by Indonesia will never end, so it needs to be considered more carefully and used relevantly to create sustainable tourism in Indonesia that provides broad benefits for the country. Many maritime tourism locations in Indonesia are beautiful but require more active promotion. The level of security and terrorism issues are a requirement that the government must consider. The novelty of this research describes the potential ecotourism development in the town of Makassar that stakeholders should consider in the formation of tourism policy. The research locations are in Makassar City, Samalona Island, Langkai Island, and Lanjukang Island. Ecotourism developed in the coastal areas of Makassar City, especially in Samalona, Lanjukang, and Langkai Islands, produces superior objects that collaborate elements of nature and society as the main attraction in the long term. Therefore, local governments need to strengthen monitoring of regional geopolitical developments in order to avoid security and terrorism problems that might cause inconvenience to tourists.
The article discusses the essence of integrative geography and its importance for the theory and practice of geographical science. Such areas of integrative geography are characterized, the development of which will further increase the importance of applied geographical science. They include teaching about cultural landscape and historical landscape (part of landscape studies), geoecological expertise and environmental impact assessment (part of geographic ecology), geographic archeology and ecological culture (part of historical geography), landscape management and landscape services (part of landscape planning), and tourism—Assessment and planning of recreational resources (part of recreational geography).
Objective: To evaluate the imaging features of spondyloarthritis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the sacroiliac (SI) joints in terms of topography (in thirds) and affected margin, since this aspect is rarely addressed in the literature. Methods: Cross-sectional study with MRI (1.5 T) evaluation of the SI in 16 patients with diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis regarding the presence of acute (subchondral bone edema, enthesitis, synovitis and capsulitis) and chronic changes (erosions, subchondral bone sclerosis, bone bridging and fatty replacement), performed by two radiologists, blinded to clinical data. MRI findings were correlated with clinical data including age, disease duration, medications, HLA-B27, BASDAI, ASDAS-VHS and ASDAS-PCR, BASMI, BASFI, and mSASSS. Results: Bone edema pattern and erosions showed predominance in the upper third of SI (p = 0.050, p = 0.0014, respectively). There was a correlation between the time of disease and structural changes by affected third (p = 0.028-0.037), as well as the presence of bone bridges with BASMI (p = 0.028) and mSASSS (p = 0.014). Patients with osteitis of the lower third had higher ASDAS values (ESRV: p = 0.011 and CRP: p = 0.017). Conclusion: Chronic inflammatory changes and the pattern of bone edema predominated in the upper third of the SI, but there was also concomitant involvement of the middle or lower thirds of the joint. The localization of involvement in the upper third of the SI was insufficient to differentiate between degeneration and inflammation.
This study evaluates the influence of quality certificates on sustainable food production in Poland, considering economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Analyzing 25 different certificates, the research explores their criteria, procedures, and costs across various food product categories, including meat, fish, and plant-based products. The study provides a detailed review of certification processes, from initiation to audits and inspections. It identifies both commonalities and differences among certificates, each addressing unique aspects such as environmental impact, worker rights, and product origins. Despite the diversity in standards and procedures, the study underscores the need for standardized international criteria to improve transparency and meet consumer expectations, highlighting the significant role of quality certificates in advancing sustainable food production.
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