Using the rank scale rule, taking 47 major port cities in China from 2001 to 2015 as research samples, this paper discusses the rank scale characteristics and hierarchical structure of coastal port city system from a multi-functional perspective, and divides the coupling type of multi-functional development based on shipping logistics. The research shows that: 1) from 2001 to 2015, the scale-free area of manufacturing function order scale distribution in the coastal port city system appeared bifractal structure, the hierarchical segmentation characteristics appeared, and the other functions were single fractal; From the perspective of long-term evolution, only the order and scale distribution of shipping logistics function has developed from centralization to equilibrium, while the business function, manufacturing function (scale-free region I), modern service function and population distribution function are in a centralized situation. 2) The hierarchical structure of coastal port city system has gradually changed from pyramid structure to spindle structure, and generally formed five levels: national hub, regional hub, regional sub center, regional node and local node. 3) From the perspective of multi-functional coupling types, the traditional functions of port cities are generally ahead, while the high-end service functions lag behind, and the improvement speed of urban functions is slow and tends to be flat, indicating that the multi-functional development of China’s coastal port cities is still at a low level, and the industrial system structure needs to be further optimized. 4) From the perspective of port cities at different levels, the functions of regional hub cities and regional sub central cities are in the stage of rapid growth; regional and local node cities are still in the growth stage of traditional functions such as industry and commerce.

Good health and well-being are embedded in the 3rd Goal amongst the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The primary objective of this research was to identify the most critical economic, social, and administrative barriers to implementing the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. A sequential exploratory design and case study technique were used, employing both qualitative and quantitative methods. In the first stage, in-depth interviews with 50 key officials were conducted to identify the most critical barriers to the EPI program. A quantitative analysis was then performed based on the results obtained from qualitative analysis, and rank orders of barriers were received from the same health department experts. The results indicate that twenty-eight barriers can cause implementation problems for this program. Still, the ten barriers that gained the maximum hits are the most important barriers, which include Shortage of vaccinators, mismanagement of vaccines’ cold chain, biometric android application, ice-lined refrigerators, communication gap, inadequate legislation of EPI program, capacity building issues with EPI staff, Misconceptions about EPI program, lack of awareness of the parents and community, refusal cases and inadequate cooperation of lady health workers (LHWs). Coordinated efforts of the government and the public are highly recommended to address these barriers.

Telecommunications markets have a giant impact on countries’ economies. An example of this is the great potential offered by the internet service, which allows growth in various aspects such as productivity, education, health, and connectivity. A few companies dominate telecommunications markets, so there is a high market concentrations risk. In that sense, the state has to generate strong regulation in the sector. Models for measuring competition in telecommunications markets allow the state to monitor the concentration performance in these markets. The prediction of competition in the telecommunications market based on artificial intelligence techniques would allow the state to anticipate the necessary controls to regulate the market and avoid monopolies and oligopolies. This work’s added value and the main objective is to measure the current concentration level in the Colombian telecommunications market, this allows for competitive analysis in order to propose effective strategies and methodologies to improve competition in the future of Colombian telecommunications services operators. The main result obtained in the research is the existence of concentration in the Colombian telecommunications market.

This study introduces a novel Groundwater Flooding Risk Assessment (GFRA) model to evaluate risks associated with groundwater flooding (GF), a globally significant hazard often overshadowed by surface water flooding. GFRA utilizes a conditional probability function considering critical factors, including topography, ground slope, and land use-recharge to generate a risk assessment map. Additionally, the study evaluates the return period of GF events (GFRP) by fitting annual maxima of groundwater levels to probability distribution functions (PDFs). Approximately 57% of the pilot area falls within high and critical GF risk categories, encompassing residential and recreational areas. Urban sectors in the north and east, containing private buildings, public centers, and industrial structures, exhibit high risk, while developing areas and agricultural lands show low to moderate risk. This serves as an early warning for urban development policies. The Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution effectively captures groundwater level fluctuations. According to the GFRP model, about 21% of the area, predominantly in the city's northeast, has over 50% probability of GF exceedance (1 to 2-year return period). Urban outskirts show higher return values (> 10 years). The model's predictions align with recorded flood events (90% correspondence). This approach offers valuable insights into GF threats for vulnerable locations and aids proactive planning and management to enhance urban resilience and sustainability.

Magnesium hydroxide/melamine phosphate borate (nano MH/MPB), a novel nano-composition intumescent flame retardant, was synthesized with the in-situ reaction method from MgCl₂·6H₂O sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and melamine phosphate borate (MPB) in the absence of H₂O. The structure of the product was confirmed by EDAX IR and XRD. The effects of reaction temperature and time on the dimension of magnesium hydroxide were observed. The effects of mass ratio of magnesium hydroxide to MPB on the flame retardancy of nano-MH/MPB/EP were examined with the limiting oxygen test. The results show that the optimal condition of synthesis of MH/MPB is m_MH/m_MPB = 0.25, reacting under 75 ℃ for 30 minutes. Finally, the mechanism for flame retardancy of nano-MH/MPB/EP was pilot studied by means of IR of char layer and TG of MH/MPB.

This study examines how the framing of organizational gender-equity policies shapes support among Generation Z employees. Drawing on performativity (Butler, 1990) and intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1991), we conceptualize framing as mediating how Gen Z employees perceive equity initiatives. Using a mixed-methods design, we combine survey data from 4,861 Gen Z respondents in 30 countries with directed content analysis of four HR policy documents (coded for equity vs enforcement, identity recognition, and youth engagement). Results reveal a gender gap: Gen Z women strongly endorse inclusive equity measures, consistent with evidence that women show stronger support for equality policies, whereas Gen Z men are more skeptical of policies framed as exclusive or punitive – mirroring polls finding many Gen Z men say equality efforts have gone too far. These findings suggest that performative policy framing activates social identities differently by gender and that intersectional policy language affects reception. Practically, we recommend framing equity initiatives in terms of shared fairness and collective benefit, using transparent rationale and inclusive identity language. Gen Zers expect fair pay, inclusive policies, and transparency, so HR communications should emphasize fairness and allyship to enhance legitimacy and support among this cohort.