An Evolutionary Economic Geography Perspective on Types of Operation Development in West Lake, China

The types of operation play a key role in facilitating tourism consumption and economic development in a tourism destination. By adopting evolutionary economic geography theory, the paper analyzes the types of operation in West Lake Scenic Area from 1978 to 2013. First, an evolution process consisting of four stages is underpinned, and they are: the new establishment stage, the preliminary development stage, the speedup development stage, and the stabilized maturity stage. Specifically, the distinct characteristics associated with operation types are compared and evaluated at different stages throughout the process. The evolution trees are introduced to scrutinize types of operation development. The results of evolution trees demonstrate the substantial increase in both numbers and types. Second, by applying GIS spatial analysis, the paper also analyzes the spatial evolution characteristics on the types of operation, and the results unveil the co-existence of centripetal and centrifugal forces: the processes of spatial agglomeration and spatial dispersion. More specifically, we recognize the spatial process includes the emergence of node and concentration(1978–1995), the sparse distribution and intensity reduction(1996–2002), the patchy distribution and spatial agglomeration intensification(2003–2008), the dispersed distribution and core area agglomeration(2009–2013). Lastly, path dependence on resource endowment, government and market innovation, knowledge learning and spillover can reasonably explain the types of operation evolution. In conclusion, the evolutionary economic geography theories provide new theoretical and empirical perspectives for tourism policy analysis. At the same time, our comprehensive evidences impart more comprehensive insights and offer useful managerial and policy implications.

Comparative Research on the Economic Development of Xinjiang i n the Perspective of Development of the West Regions

In the context of Development of the West Regions, by using the annual data from 1999 to 2009 in whole China and 12 provinces of the western regions, we analyze the achievements of socio-economic development of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from 1999 to 2009 as follows: the economic aggregate has increased prominently and the growth rate is increasing ceaselessly; the primary industry, secondary industry and tertiary industry develop evenly, and the industrial structure is incessantly optimized; the quality of economic growth is promoted increasingly and the living standard of people is improved greatly; the primary industry, secondary industry and tertiary industry stride in tandem, and the momentum of growth is strong. We conduct horizontal comparison on the main economic indicators of Xinjiang, 12 provinces of the western regions and whole China, which include GDP and its growth rate, investment of fixed assets, structure of the primary industry, secondary industry and tertiary industry, the industrial added value, GDP per capita, gross retail sales of social consumption, export and import trade, net income per capita of peasants and herdsmen, and general budget revenue. The result shows that although the implementation of the strategy of Development of the West Regions and the economic development of Xinjiang have achieved some remarkable results, there is a conspicuous gap in comparison with the expected effect. The problems existing in the operation of Xinjiang's economy are analyzed as follows: the industrial level is low, and the economic growth mode is yet to be transformed; the disposable income per capita of urban residents grows slowly, and the increasing gap between the urban areas and rural areas has no trend of dwindling; the investment aggregate is very low, and the momentum of economic growth is short. In order to make the central government and 19 provinces and cities offer pointed aid for Xinjiang, promote the implementation of new strategic development of Western China, and promote the better economic development of Xinjiang in the period of the Twelfth Five-Year Plan, we put forward some feasible suggestions as follows: Xinjiang should grasp favorable opportunities and quicken the pace of industrial structural adjustment; continue to open up to the outside world unswervingly, and improve investment environment ceaselessly; strive to maintain the continuous and rapid development of economy, and improve the living standard of people.

Influence of socio-economic status and environmental factors on serologically diagnosed Japanese encephalitis cases in the state of West Bengal, India during 2005-2010

Objectives: The main aim of the current study is to examine the influence of socio-economic status and environmental factors on serologically diagnosed Japanese encephalitis cases in the state of West Bengal, India during 2005-2010. Materials and methods: A total of 648 blood/CSF specimens were collected and/or referred from the suspected AES cases, admitted in the different medical colleges and hospitals of the state during the year of 2005-2010. These specimens were subjected to JE Mac ELISA to determine the actual JE case amongst these AES. The association of the socio-economic status and environmental factors with the serologically diagnosed JE positive cases was studied by a statistical analysis through Normal Deviate test or Z test. Result: Out of 648 specimens, only 175 (27.0%) specimens were reactive to JE IgM antibody, of which 60.0% were from the male individuals and 40.0% from the female population. Major cases were observed in the age group of 0 - 10 years;followed by 11 - 20 years. Regarding literacy, only 58.3% cases had no education and 41.7% were from the literate with varying level of education, i.e., from primary level to post gra- duate level. A total of 65.7% cases were from low income group where as only 34.3% cases were from high income group. Regarding house type, 62.3% cases lived in mud house and 37.7% cases lived in the brick house. In most of the cases (74.3%), persons were living in close proximity to rice fields/lakes/ponds. 69.7% cases were found to occur in the monsoon and post-monsoon period whereas 30.3% cases were reported in the pre-monsoon period. Conclusion: Our study concludes that socio-economic status and environmental conditions were statistically significant contextual risk factors for serologically diagnosed JE incidences in West Bengal where JE is proved to be endemic in nature and such study constitutes a new report of this kind in the region.

The Impact of Chinese Trade and Investment on West African Economic Growth: A Spatial Econometrics Approach

This paper has studied the West African region or Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which includes fifteen countries and its relationship with China. Three countries (Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria) of the fifteen countries which are economically representative in the west African region to represent the overall-region were studied. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the spatial effect of Chinese trade and investment on the economic growth of West Africa. The study focuses on the period from 1960-2014 using the dynamic panel data approach and spatial autoregressive approach for the econometric analysis of this topic. Empirically, the results show that trade openness with China has a positive impact on the neighboring countries of the region, especially for those who share the same border. Chinese investment is vital to the region’s economic growth as the results show that one dollar investment increase from China to the host country increases the economic growth in the neighboring countries by 0.328%.

An Analysis of Farming in the Rural Economic Development of West Virginia

Farming is still an important sector in rural economic development of West Virginia where 44% of the population lives in rural areas and 24% of the land is used for farming. While income earnings, education and employment rates are low in rural areas, poverty rates and unemployment are high compared to the urban areas. Thus, in the context of rural development farming is a potential major economic sector where 42% of the people＇s primary occupation is reported as farming. The objective of this study is to identify and estimate the potential impacts of farm employment in rural economic growth of West Virginia. Data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S Census Bureau for the period of 1993 to 2008 are used for the empirical analysis. A model derived from the three simultaneous equations of Duncan is used for analysis. Three-Stage Least Squares （3SLS） method using the statistical package of STATA is used for estimation. The results concerning simultaneous relationships with population density growth, per capita income growth, and farm employment growth reveal significant importance of farming in rural economic development of West Virginia. Furthermore, the results indicate the positive impacts of population density, number of people with farming as principal occupation, and crop production on rural farming sector.

Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts Assessment of Using Different Rainwater Harvesting Techniques in Sarida Catchment, West Bank, Palestine

A statistically representative questionnaire targeted people using rainwater harvesting(RWH)techniques in rural communities of Sarida catchment,West Bank,Palestine was distributed and analyzed.The main objective of this study is to assess the social,economic,and environmental impacts of adopting RWH techniques(e.g.cisterns,concrete and clay ponds,Wadi ponds,earth dams,and stone terraces)in different uses to increase water availability.The results showed a simple sharing of the female component among beneficiaries,while concrete ponds and cisterns were the most used techniques.Actually,social impacts were noticeable by sharing the same RWH structure and reflected to responsibility skills and role exchange increases.On the other hand,RWH techniques showed a significant economic impact for end users represented by enhancing domestic,agricultural,and recreational activities leading to good profit increase.In addition to food security as output,the most important environmental impact was water wasting prevention,which in turn could be linked to sustainable water management and considered as universal challenge for future generations.

Socio-economic determinants of underweight children in West Bengal,India

Objective:To study the extent of undernutrition at district level and the socio-economic determinants of underweight children aged 0-71 months in West Bengal.Methods:The data were accessed from the Reproductive and Child Health Survey(RCHS-II),which contained information of 7 SSO children and their parents.Information of socio-economic variables about the associated families of these children had also been taken for our study.This study computed weight-for-age z-scores to assess the nutritional status of the children using WHO(2006) reference.Results:The prevalence of underweight varied over the districts.Districts with very high prevalence of underweight children were Murshidabad,Burdwan,Purulia,Medinipur, Howrah and South 24 Parganas.High prevalent districts for both boys and girls were Jalpaiguri and Coochbihar.Low prevalent districts for both boys and girls were South Dinajpur,Nadia and Kolkata.The percentage of underweight children were more in rural areas among Muslim families with illiterate parents and low standard of living.In Murshidabad,Bankura,Nadia, Medinipur and South 24 Parganas districts,i.e.,where prevalence of underweight children were higher,the rural and urban differences were less.The characteristics like religion,parents’ educational status and standard of living index showed significant effect on the children’s weights.Conclusions:Public intervention programs on the parent’s education and the standard of living of the households at district level should be given high priority to combat the children’s undernutrition problems so far as weight for age is concerned.

Social and Economic Bene-fits of the West-East Gas Pipeline Project

On July 4 2002, a project attracting world attention, i.e., the West-East Gas Pipeline Project was declared in full-scale commencement. The project will write history with its enormous social and economic benefits.

Economic Analysis of Diversified Rotational Cropping Systems in the Lateritic Belt of Lower Gangetic Plain of Eastern India

Economic analysis of different diversified rotational cropping systems under Farmers＇ package/practices and improved package/practices was conducted in Birbhum district, West Bengal, located in the red and lateritic belt of lower Gangetic plain of eastern lndia. Diversified triple cropping systems （peanut-brinjal＋brinjal, rice-potato-pumpkin, and cucumber-cabbage-basella） required higher cost for cultivation, but also produced higher rice equivalent yield, higher net return and higher return rupee1 invested in both management practices. Considering the resource-ability and risk-bearing capacity, and net return and return rupee^-1 （RPR） invested, these cropping systems can be recommended for resource-rich farmers. Rice-rapeseed-cowpea, rice-wheat-green gram and radish-tomato-amaranthus systems profitable. These cropping systems can be required less inputs for cultivation, were less risky, and economically viable and recommended for resource-poor farmers. Peanut-brinjal ＋ brinjal-okra-chilli ＋ chilli-cucumber-cabbage-basella system was the best among all the 3-year rotational systems in respect to RPR in both management practices. This rotational system will be suitable for resource-rich farmers. Vegetable-based rotational systems （ridge gourd-marigold-okra-black gram-pointed gourd ＋ pointed gourd-radish-tomato-amaranthus） or rice-based rotational system （rice-wheat-green gram-rice-rapeseed-cowpea-rice-potato-pumpkin） also found to be suitable to increase the profitability and system sustainability. These cropping systems can be recommended for all groups of farmers.

基于改进三维生态足迹模型的珠江—西江经济带生态补偿价值测度及分区研究

生态补偿机制构建难点在于厘清补偿主客体、评估补偿优先时序及精准测算补偿标准,构建科学有效的生态补偿机制有助于流域上下游生态保护责任合理分配。本文以珠江—西江经济带地级市为研究单元,将改进三维生态足迹模型与生态系统服务价值估算相结合,测度2005—2020年各市生态补偿价值与标准,引入生态补偿优先级,最终划定优先支付、潜力支付、平衡、潜力受偿及优先受偿5类分区。结果表明:1)2020年经济带生态补偿赤字为288.09亿元,广州支付价值最高为185.14亿元,人均生态补偿标准为987.92元,仅崇左获生态补偿,受偿价值为0.68亿元,人均受偿标准为32.62元。2)广州、佛山与南宁长期为优先支付区;崇左长期为优先受偿区;肇庆、柳州及百色近年转为潜力支付区;来宾、贵港、梧州与云浮为平衡区;经济带优先受偿区与潜力受偿区逐步转为优先支付区、潜力支付区与平衡区。3)广州、佛山及南宁应率先支付生态补偿平衡经济带区际生态保护责任,协调区际生态保护共治关系;应优先给予崇左生态补偿以实现生态保护受益,获得生态环境治理的经济支持。

化学储氢介质实现“西氢东送”的可行性研究

氢能是实现能源安全和“双碳”目标的重要途径,是全球新能源发展的重要方向之一。我国西部地区可再生能源丰富,绿氢制备潜力大,但能源消费主要集中在东部地区,供需错配问题突出,研究开展“西氢东送”能有效缓解我国资源错配问题,促进我国氢能产业高质量发展。本文阐述了实施“西氢东送”的必要性,介绍了气态、液态、化学储氢介质、固态及有机液体储运技术路径,从技术特点、技术成熟度、标准体系和市场应用4个方面进行了技术可行性分析比较,提出以化学储氢介质、液氢、管道输氢为近期、中期、远期实现“西氢东送”可行的技术路径。再进一步以甘肃省酒泉市运输至上海市为实例,分别以绿氨、绿色甲醇、液氢和管道输氢为“西氢东送”实现路径,构建包括制氢、介质、运输、还原和配送各环节的供应链模型,通过测算供应链全过程综合成本,分析比较了经济可行性。综合研究表明,近期通过成熟的绿氨及绿色甲醇作为储运介质、中期逐步发展液氢运输方式、远期建设大规模长距离输氢管道,是我国实现“西氢东送”的可行路径。

金融科技对区域发展的影响——基于西北地区现状

长期以来,我国一直面临着区域发展不平衡的挑战,这一现象抑制了我国经济的良性循环,主要原因在于东部地区和西部地区之间的发展差距,涵盖了资源利用和经济活力等方面。新时代“西部大开发”战略在一定程度上改善了我国区域发展不平衡的局面,但区域间绝对差距依然在扩大。现有研究主要聚焦于东部地区,少有西部地区的相关研究及两个区域之间的差别等。据此,本文利用相关数据和文献资料,对比分析西北地区和东部地区山东、浙江、广东三省的人均GDP等面板数据,评估地区金融发展水平,挖掘潜在问题,并提出发展建议。文章旨在探讨如何通过金融科技手段解决我国区域发展不平衡,进而助力我国金融科技体系的完善,逐步缓解我国发达地区的发展压力,同时促进经济可持续增长。

数字服务贸易竞争性与互补性研究——基于“中国—中亚—西亚”经济走廊的分析

随着“新基建”的加速推进,5G、云计算、人工智能等数字技术的快速发展,各国对数字服务贸易关注度日益上升。本文基于2012-2021年中国—中亚—西亚经济走廊内主要国家数字服务贸易数据,对走廊内数字服务贸易发展现状进行分析,并采用贸易竞争指数RCA和贸易互补指数,对走廊整体和廊内国家发展情况进行了竞争性和互补性研究。通过研究发现,中国—中亚—西亚经济走廊数字服务贸易规模差距较大,中国廊段的数字服务贸易规模明显高于其他廊段,各国数字服务贸易结构较为单一,走廊整体对外依存度过高。此外,走廊内数字服务贸易竞争性和互补性相对较低,西亚廊段竞争性略大于中国及中亚廊段,但西亚廊段内主要国家数字服务贸易发展水平差距较大。从走廊内国家数字服务贸易发展水平来看,大部分国家数字服务贸易呈波动式上升趋势,走廊数字服务贸易市场潜力巨大,可发展性较强。在未来发展中,廊内各国需积极合作,发挥各自优势,合力研发核心技术,提高走廊数字服务贸易国际竞争力。

新发展格局下推进能源国际合作的历史演进、现实依据与路径选择

文章将打造中国主导的亚洲能源价值链、重塑全球能源价值链作为“十四五”及未来时期中国能源行业高水平对外开放的重要内容。为此,首先描述了改革开放40多年中国能源国际合作的历史演进过程;其次从经济增长效应、科技创新效应和价值链攀升效应三个方面评价了改革开放以来中国能源国际合作的绩效;最后分析了中国推进能源国际合作的现实依据,提出了通过深化与中亚和西亚国家合作,共同打造中国-中亚-西亚能源区域价值链,进而重塑能源全球价值链的路径选择。本文的研究为新发展格局下推进能源国际合作提供了理论支撑和政策选择。

高速铁路与城市群发展社会经济效应探究

城市群作为高度一体化、同城化的城市集群,在引领区域经济发展、高效配置资源、推动技术变革,以及提高区域经济活力等方面起着关键作用,同时高速铁路发挥着至关重要的助推作用。在阐释高速铁路与城市群发展关联关系的基础上,从城市交通可达性、绿色低碳发展、经济要素流动、产业发展、营商环境及全要素生产率等不同维度,探讨高速铁路与城市群发展的社会效应和经济效应,提出高速铁路与城市群发展社会经济效应策略,即:优化高速铁路网络布局,实现城市群内外通道联通;促进轨道交通“四网融合”发展,扩大高速铁路服务辐射范围;优化高速铁路客运产品系列,充分衔接城市群交通方式;优化高铁快运产品系列,大力增强城市群物流联系。

Genetic diversity of hepatitis viruses in West-African countries from 1996 to 2018

The severity of hepatic pathology and the response to treatment depend on the hepatitis virus genotype in the infected host. The objective of this review was to determine the distribution of hepatitis virus genotypes in West African countries. A systematic review of the literature in PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct was performed to identify 52 relevant articles reporting hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and G viruses genotypes.Hepatitis B virus(HBV) genotype E with a prevalence of 90.6%(95%CI: 0.891-0.920) found in this review, is characterized by low genetic diversity. Hepatitis C virus(HCV) genotypes 1 and 2 represented 96.4% of HCV infections in West African countries, while hepatitis delta virus, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis G virus genotypes 1 and HEV genotype 3 were reported in some studies in Ghana and Nigeria. HBV genotype E is characterized by high prevalence, low genetic diversity and wide geographical distribution. Further studies on the clinical implications of HBV genotype E and HCV genotypes 1 and 2 are needed for the development of an effective treatment against this viral hepatitis in West African countries. Surveillance of the distribution of different genotypes is also needed to reduce recombination rates and prevent the emergence of more virulent viral strains.

Impacts of Increasing Temperature on the Future Incidence of West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease in the United States

Multiple studies have identified links between climate and West Nile virus disease since the virus arrived in North America. Here we sought to extend these results by developing a Health Impact Function (HIF) to generate county-level estimates of the expected annual number of West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) cases based on the county’s historical WNND incidence, annual average temperature, and population size. To better understand the potential impact of projected temperature change on WNND risk, we used the HIF to project the change in expected annual number of WNND cases attributable to changing temperatures by 2050 and by 2090 using data from five global climate models under two representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). To estimate the costs of anticipated changes, as well as to enable comparisons with other public health impacts, projected WNND cases were allocated to nonfatal and fatal outcomes, then monetized using a cost-of-illness estimate and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s value of a statistical life, respectively. We found that projected future temperature and population changes could increase the expected annual number of WNND cases to ≈2000 - 2200 cases by 2050 and to ≈2700 - 4300 cases by 2090, from a baseline of 970 cases. Holding population constant at future levels while varying temperature from a 1995 baseline, we estimated projected temperature change alone is responsible for ≈590 and ≈960 incremental WNND cases in 2050 and 2090 (respectively) under the RCP4.5 scenario, and ≈820 and ≈2500 cases in 2050 and 2090 (respectively) for the RCP8.5 scenario, with substantial regional variation. The monetized impact of these temperature-attributable incremental cases is estimated at $0.5 billion in 2050 and $1.0 billion in 2090 under the RCP4.5 scenario, and $0.7 billion in 2050 and $2.6 billion in 2090 under the RCP8.5 scenario (undiscounted 2015 U.S. dollars).