This study examines the development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s Self-Certification of Origin mechanism through two key phases. From 1993 to 2015, ASEAN strove to establish a common market and deepen economic integration. During this period, it introduced various pilot projects to enhance trade, streamline certification procedures, and experiment with trade facilitation initiatives. Following the official establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, the focus shifted towards harmonizing trade procedures, enhancing regional coordination, and standardizing customs processes. These efforts culminated in the launch of the ASEANwide Self-Certification (AWSC) in 2020. In Vietnam, however, the implementation of AWSC has faced significant challenges. Despite these obstacles, the country has taken proactive steps to integrate AWSC into its trade system by issuing domestic regulations and guidance from regulatory authorities. This study explores the specific difficulties Vietnam faces in implementing AWSC and proposes recommendations to enhance its effectiveness.

Recent global efforts to combat climate change have accelerated, with nations adopting carbon strategies such as carbon taxes and emission trading system (ETS) to support their net-zero commitments. These initiatives enable governments to enforce mitigation while maintaining their dual goal of fostering economic growth. Vietnam, a developing country, has emerged as a proactive participant by launching a national ETS, drawing from international best practices and domestic geographical advantages. This article examines the process and challenges involved in designing and implementing an ETS in Vietnam, exploring the necessary policy frameworks, institutional structures, and market mechanisms. It highlights key considerations such as the selection of sectors and entities to be covered, the allocation of emission allowances, and the establishment of new market management solutions. This article concludes with strategic recommendations to support the development of a successful and sustainable ETS mechanism in developing country like Vietnam.

본 연구는 ‘설향’ 딸기 유묘를 대상으로, 꽃눈 분화 유도 조건(단일일장, 야간 15°C)과 비유도 조건(연속광, 24－25°C)에서의 형태적 및 생리적 반응을 비교하여, 꽃눈 분화와 관련된 주요 생장 지표를 확인하고자 수행되었 다. 유묘는 15일간 각각의 환경 조건에 따라 처리된 후, 모든 처리구를 동일한 비유도 조건(연속광, 24－25°C) 하에 배양하며 총 49일간 관찰하였다. 관부 직경, 잎 수, 엽면적, 런너 수 등 형태적 지표와 함께 건물중 분포, 엽록소 농도 (SPAD), 가용성 당(자당, 포도당, 과당) 함량을 조사하였다. 그 결과, 꽃눈 분화 유도 처리군은 관부 직경과 뿌리 생 체량, 잎의 엽록소 농도가 유의하게 높았으며, 이는 생식 생장으로의 전환을 나타내는 초기 지표로 판단되었다. 반 면, 비유도 조건에서는 잎 수, 런너 수, 줄기 생체중, 엽면적이 증가하여 영양생장이 지속됨을 확인하였다. 특히, 유 도 처리 28일 이후 관부 내 자당 농도가 두드러지게 증가하였으며, 이는 꽃눈 분화 개시와의 관련성을 시사한다. 본 연구는 환경 조건에 따른 딸기 유묘의 생장 반응 차이를 규명하고, 꽃눈 분화 예측과 정식 시기 결정을 위한 유용한 생리적 지표를 제시함으로써, 환경 제어 기반의 효과적인 유묘 관리 전략 수립에 기초자료를 제공할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

Road infrastructure development and biodiversity conservation are essential for sustainable development. However, many developing countries struggle to balance them. This study examines the impact of road construction in 24 African countries and evaluates strategies for achieving sustainability. Using a case study approach, road construction variables from individual country reports (2024) were quantitatively analyzed alongside Red List Index (RLI) scores from the Yale University's 2024 Environmental Performance Index Report. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were applied to assess the relationship between road development and biodiversity conservation to provide insights into effective mitigation strategies. Results indicate that in 2024, the average RLI score for the 24 African countries was 64.74, with a 10-year mean decline of -2.85. On average, 17,162.21 ha of biodiversity habitats were cleared for road construction, emphasizing the vulnerability of biodiversity. Burkina Faso (95.4), Mali (92.9), and Botswana (92.2) exhibited strong biodiversity health, whereas Kenya (24.9), South Africa (24.4), Uganda (15.7), and Tanzania (0) faced critical challenges. Wildlife crossing was the most significant predictor in lower-income economies (R² = 0.49, p < 0.0001), traffic volume in lower-middle income economies (R² = 0.35, p = 0.0007), and road width in upper-middle income economies (R² = 0.83, p = 0.0054). Habitat clearance exhibited a weak correlation. These findings highlight the crucial role of road construction variables—particularly wildlife crossings, road width, and traffic volume—in biodiversity conservation across income groups. Targeted road planning is required to mitigate biodiversity loss. These findings contribute to the emerging literature on the impact of infrastructure on conservation, policy guidance, and mitigation efforts in developing countries.

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common health problem among female caregivers. In Korea, 70.4% of caregivers experience LBP after caregiving. The prevalence of LBP was higher in female caregivers of patients who required physical assistance with transfer than in those caring for patients who did not require physical assistance. Lifting movements, such as patient transfer and positioning, are associated with lumbopelvic stability (LPS) and knee muscle strength. However, no studies have investigated the differences in LPS and knee muscle strength between female caregivers with and without CLBP. Objects: This study was conducted to investigate the differences of the LPS, knee extension strength (KES) and knee flexion strength (KFS) between female caregivers with and without CLBP. Methods: Thirty-one female caregivers participated in this study. Participants were divided into two groups: (1) caregivers without CLBP (n = 13) and (2) caregivers with CLBP (n = 18). LPS, KES, and KFS levels were measured. An independent t-test was used to compare the LPS, KES, and KFS between caregivers with and without CLBP. The statistical significance was set at α of 0.05. Results: The LPS and KES scores were significantly lower in caregivers with CLBP than those without. In contrast, the KFS did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusion: This study observed associations of both LPS and KES with CLBP among female caregivers.