Search Results (708)

Major immunization programs and initiatives have prioritized the advancement of equity in immunization. Over the past decade, the World Health Organization has made contributions to understanding inequalities in immunization, including global analyses of immunization inequality as well as tools for knowledge dissemination and capacity strengthening. This article provides an overview of these contributions, highlighting key findings of scholarly reports and journal articles and identifying areas for further research and development to expand monitoring efforts and enhance their impact. Global analyses have primarily drawn from household survey data to explore inequalities related to economic status, education, gender, and geography. Reports and articles address childhood immunization, COVID-19 vaccine indicators, and maternal tetanus protection. Inequalities were reported across all dimensions, with variation by country and income grouping. Time trends generally suggest persistent, though narrowing, inequalities. Areas for further development include the following: increasing awareness and political support for advancing equity in immunization; expanding the collection, availability, and use of disaggregated immunization data; continuous capacity building of inequality monitoring, especially at national and subnational levels; adapting inequality monitoring practices to changing contexts and priorities; strengthening the links between data/evidence and action/impact; and building on existing partnerships and collaborations. Full article

The cement industry accounts for approximately 7–8% of global CO₂ emissions, primarily due to energy-intensive clinker production and limestone calcination. With cement demand continuing to rise, particularly in emerging economies, decarbonization has become an urgent global challenge. The objective of this study is to systematically map and synthesize existing evidence on technological pathways, policy measures, and economic barriers to four core decarbonization strategies: clinker substitution, energy efficiency, alternative fuels, as well as carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) in the cement sector, with the goal of identifying practical strategies that can align industry practice with long-term climate goals. A scoping review methodology was adopted, drawing on peer-reviewed journal articles, technical reports, and policy documents to ensure a comprehensive perspective. The results demonstrate that each mitigation pathway is technically feasible but faces substantial real-world constraints. Clinker substitution delivers immediate reduction but is limited by SCM availability/quality, durability qualification, and conservative codes; LC₃ is promising where clay logistics allow. Energy-efficiency measures like waste-heat recovery and advanced controls reduce fuel use but face high capital expenditure, downtime, and diminishing returns in modern plants. Alternative fuels can reduce combustion-related emissions but face challenges of supply chains, technical integration challenges, quality, weak waste-management systems, and regulatory acceptance. CCUS, the most considerable long-term potential, addresses process CO₂ and enables deep reductions, but remains commercially unviable due to current economics, high costs, limited policy support, lack of large-scale deployment, and access to transport and storage. Cross-cutting economic challenges, regulatory gaps, skill shortages, and social resistance including NIMBYism further slow adoption, particularly in low-income regions. This study concludes that a single pathway is insufficient. An integrated portfolio supported by modernized standards, targeted policy incentives, expanded access to SCMs and waste fuels, scaled CCUS investment, and international collaboration is essential to bridge the gap between climate ambition and industrial implementation. Key recommendations include modernizing cement standards to support higher clinker replacement, providing incentives for energy-efficient upgrades, scaling CCUS through joint investment and carbon pricing and expanding access to biomass and waste-derived fuels. Full article

Background: Evolutionary game theory (EGT), originating from Darwinian competition studies, offers a powerful framework for understanding complex healthcare interactions where multiple stakeholders with conflicting interests evolve strategies over time. Unlike traditional game theory, EGT accounts for bounded rationality and strategic evolution through imitation and selection. Aims and objectives: In our study, we use Synthetic Knowledge Synthesis (SKS) that integrates descriptive bibliometrics and bibliometric mapping to systematically analyze the application of EGT in healthcare. The SKS aimed to identify prolific research topics, suitable publishing venues, and productive institutions/countries for collaboration and funding. Data was harvested from the Scopus bibliographic database, encompassing 539 publications from 2000 to June 2025, Results: Production dynamics is revealing an exponential growth in scholarly output since 2019, with peak productivity in 2024. Descriptive bibliometrics showed China as the most prolific country (376 publications), followed by the United States and the United Kingdom. Key institutions are predominantly Chinese, and top journals include PLoS One and Frontiers in Public Health. Funding is primarily from Chinese entities like the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Bibliometric mapping identified five key research themes: game theory in cancer research, evolution game-based simulation of supply management, evolutionary game theory in epidemics, evolutionary games in trustworthy connected public health, and evolutionary games in collaborative governance. Conclusions: Despite EGT’s utility, significant research gaps exist in methodological robustness, data availability, contextual modelling, and interdisciplinary translation. Future research should focus on integrating machine learning, longitudinal data, and explicit ethical frameworks to enhance EGT’s practical application in adaptive, patient-centred healthcare systems. Full article

This autoethnographic study examines my transformation as an educator teaching gender and sexuality to future helping professionals in South African higher education. Through systematic analysis of personal journals, teaching reflections, and pedagogical materials collected over 180 contact hours, I explore how innovative approaches can create collaborative learning environments in traditionally sensitive subject areas. Drawing on critical pedagogy, queer theory, and decolonizing methodologies, the research reveals three interconnected pedagogical innovations: structured vulnerability protocols that transcend traditional “safe space” models, progressive exposure pedagogy that challenges heteronormative assumptions by introducing diverse content early, and indigenous knowledge integration that positions students as knowledge co-creators. The findings demonstrate how my professional evolution from knowledge authority to learning facilitator enabled authentic engagement with diverse epistemologies while maintaining academic rigor. Students consistently contributed concepts absent from academic literature—from social media discourse about sexual identity hierarchies to traditional cultural practices—enriching collective understanding. This study addresses significant gaps in South African literature on tertiary-level sexuality education pedagogy, offering concrete strategies for implementing transformative approaches. The research contributes to autoethnographic scholarship by demonstrating how systematic reflection can generate theoretical insights about collaborative knowledge construction while acknowledging the ongoing challenges of teaching sensitive subjects within complex cultural contexts. Full article

This study presents a bibliometric and thematic analysis of economic convergence analysis from 1982 to 2025, based on a corpus of 2924 Scopus-indexed articles. Using VOSviewer and the bibliometrix R package, this research maps the field’s intellectual structure, identifying five main thematic clusters: (1) formal statistical models, (2) institutional-contextual approaches, (3) theoretical–statistical foundations, (4) nonlinear historical dynamics, and (5) normative and policy assessments. These reflect a shift from descriptive to explanatory and prescriptive frameworks, with growing integration of sustainability, spatial analysis, and institutional factors. The most productive journals include Journal of Econometrics (121 articles), Applied Economics (117), and Journal of Cleaner Production (81), while seminal contributions by Quah, Im et al., and Levin et al. anchor the co-citation network. International collaboration is significant, with 25.99% of publications involving cross-country co-authorship, particularly in European and North American networks. The field has grown at a compound annual rate of 14.4%, accelerating after 2000 and peaking in 2022–2024, indicating sustained academic interest. These findings highlight the maturation of convergence analysis as a multidisciplinary domain. Practically, this study underscores the value of composite indicators and spatial econometric models for monitoring regional, environmental, and technological convergence—offering policymakers tools for inclusive growth, climate resilience, and innovation strategies. Moreover, the emergence of clusters around sustainability and digital transformation reveals fertile ground for future research at the intersection of transitions in energy, digital, and institutional domains and sustainable development (a broader sense of structural change). Full article

Prefabricated Construction (PC) Technology is recognized for its advantages in reducing carbon emissions, lowering energy consumption, conserving materials, and improving waste management. Despite significant research efforts, few systematic analyses have been conducted to consolidate the current understanding of carbon emissions in PC. To address this gap, the present study undertakes a comprehensive review using a synergistic approach that integrates scientometric and rigorous qualitative analyses. The aim is to synthesize state-of-the-art research on carbon emissions in PC and provide insightful directions for future academic work in this field. A database of 114 relevant journal articles was compiled through a meticulous data collection process, followed by scientometric analysis to map influential journals, key articles, active countries, and emerging research trends. The qualitative analysis identifies prevailing research domains, highlights critical research gaps, and anticipates future needs. This study contributes to enriching the existing knowledge base and offers both theoretical insights and practical guidance for advancing low-carbon construction, optimizing assessment frameworks, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and informed policymaking. Full article

In accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this systematic review analyzed 73 publications (1997–2025) to summarize advancements in robotic aircraft skin inspection, focusing on the integrated pipeline from data acquisition to defect analysis. The review included studies on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) for external skin inspection, which present clear technical contributions, while excluding internal inspections and non-technical reports. Literature was retrieved from IEEE conferences, journals, and other academic databases, and key findings were summarized via the categorical analysis of motion planning, perception modules, and defect detection algorithms. Key limitations identified include the fragmentation of core technical modules, unresolved bottlenecks in dynamic environments, challenges in weak-texture and all-weather perception, and a lack of mature integrated systems with practical validation. The study concludes by advocating for future research in multi-robot heterogeneous collaborative systems, intelligent dynamic task scheduling, large model-based airworthiness assessment, and the expansion of inspection scenarios, all aimed at achieving fully autonomous and reliable operations. Full article

This study presents a vertically integrated Project-Based Learning (PBL) and Community-Based Learning (CBL) framework that connects postgraduate and undergraduate programs in Applied Chemistry and Agricultural Engineering. Postgraduate students synthesized zeolite-based materials for nutrient recovery, which were subsequently applied by undergraduate students in field trials conducted in collaboration with rural farming communities. The project was evaluated using rubrics, surveys, focus groups, and reflective journals. Results demonstrated substantial development of technical, communication, and critical thinking skills, with students highlighting the value of linking theory to practice. Community feedback confirmed the perceived benefits of the material for soil improvement and fertilizer efficiency, while also underscoring the need for sustained engagement. Despite challenges such as curricular coordination and resource constraints, the model effectively fostered interdisciplinary learning and social impact. These findings highlight the contribution of this sequentially instructional design to STEM education by connecting research, teaching, and outreach within a constructivist, sustainability-oriented approach. Full article

Background: The aim of this bibliometric study was to evaluate publication trends in the most frequently cited clinical trials on the treatment of gingival recession, taking into account the augmentation materials used. Methods: A Web of Science search was performed among articles published by 30 September 2024. Two independent reviewers evaluated year of publication, journal, authorship country of authors, collaborative relationship, keywords, and the main domains. Results: The top one hundred most-cited clinical trials were published in the span of 26 years from 1993 to 2019, and the total citation counts varied from 44 to 284 (83.69 citations per paper). There was correlation between the time of publication and the number of citations. The articles were authored by 333 researchers representing twenty-two countries. Italy contributed the highest number of articles (n = 36), followed by the USA (n = 28) and Brazil (n = 17). International collaborations were predominantly observed between Italy, the USA, and Switzerland. The type of graft was the most cited field of research (34), followed by guided tissue regeneration (17) and enamel matrix derivative (13). Conclusions: The country that produced the highest number publications among the 100 most-cited clinical trials on gingival recession treatment was Italy. The use of connective tissue graft (CTG) and coronally advanced flap (CAF) was the most prominent trend. Future work should combine bibliometric mapping with critical quality appraisal and explore whether citation trends align with best available evidence. Full article

Background: As diabetes mellitus continues to escalate into a global health crisis, particularly in China, the limitations of conventional pharmacotherapy underscore the need for complementary interventions. This study systematically reviews two decades of research progress on acupuncture for diabetes management. Methods: A total of 391 publications met the inclusion criteria from the Web of Science Core Collection (2004–2024) using the search terms “acupuncture” AND “diabetes”. These comprised 294 original studies and 97 reviews. CiteSpace 6.3.R1 was used to perform multidimensional analyses, including co-occurrence networks, centrality algorithms, and silhouette metrics across countries/regions, institutions, authors, journals, references, and keywords. Results: The analysis shows a significant increase in publications on acupuncture for diabetes management after 2013. China and the United States lead in research output, yet collaboration between the two countries remains limited. Most researchers currently work within isolated clusters, underscoring the need for greater exchanges and cooperation. Furthermore, this study identified three key research hotspots: insulin resistance, complications, and interdisciplinary research. Conclusions: This bibliometric analysis reveals dynamic growth patterns and paradigm shifts in acupuncture and diabetes research. The findings provide valuable implications for integrating acupuncture into diabetes treatment. Full article

Soil erosion is a pressing global environmental challenge that threatens ecosystem stability, water quality, and biodiversity. While much research has focused on agricultural landscapes, erosion processes within protected areas have received comparatively less attention, despite their implications for conservation and the provision of ecosystem services. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 527 Scopus-indexed journal articles on soil erosion in protected areas and follows the PRISMA protocol. The analysis maps the thematic structure of the field, highlights influential publications and dissemination outlets, and examines global collaboration patterns. Results show a steady growth in research output and a thematic evolution from process-focused, site-specific studies toward integrated approaches that connect erosion processes with ecosystem services, sustainability, and advanced geospatial tools. Influential works draw on two complementary intellectual pillars, namely recreation ecology and soil conservation science. Knowledge dissemination takes place through a diverse range of journals, while collaboration networks link both regional partnerships and transcontinental connections. These findings provide a roadmap for enhancing the scientific and practical relevance of research in this field. Full article

Digital transformation (DT) is rapidly reshaping education at multiple levels, including curriculum, instructional practices, and institutional culture. Within this context, entrepreneurship education has become a key field for preparing individuals to navigate uncertainty and generate social and economic value in a digital society. Entrepreneurial competencies are increasingly conceptualized as a multidimensional construct that encompasses creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and digital literacy. This study aims to identify core entrepreneurial competencies relevant to the digital era and examine how technology-integrated instructional strategies contribute to their development. A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, analyzing 72 peer-reviewed journal articles published between January 2021 and June 2025. The findings indicate that DT drives structural changes in education beyond tool adoption, with technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and digital collaboration platforms serving as catalysts for innovative thinking and entrepreneurial behavior. These technologies are not merely supportive tools but are embedded in competency-based learning processes. This review provides a comprehensive competency framework integrating three domains, AI-collaborative pedagogy validation, and implementation strategies, enabling educators, curriculum developers, and policymakers to redesign entrepreneurship education that aligns with the realities of digital learning environments and fosters future-ready entrepreneurial capabilities. This conceptual framework theoretically systematizes the integration of innovative thinking and ethical execution capabilities required in the digital era, contributing to defining the future direction of entrepreneurship education. Full article

Machine learning (ML) is reshaping how environmental chemicals are monitored and how their hazards are evaluated for human health. Here, we mapped this landscape by analyzing 3150 peer-reviewed articles (1985–2025) from the Web of Science Core Collection. Co-citation, co-occurrence, and temporal trend analyses in VOSviewer and R reveal an exponential publication surge from 2015, dominated by environmental science journals, with China and the United States leading in output. Eight thematic clusters emerged, centered on ML model development, water quality prediction, quantitative structure–activity applications, and per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances, with XGBoost and random forests as the most cited algorithms. A distinct risk assessment cluster indicates migration of these tools toward dose–response and regulatory applications, yet keyword frequencies show a 4:1 bias toward environmental endpoints over human health endpoints. Emerging topics include climate change, microplastics, and digital soil mapping, while lignin, arsenic, and phthalates appear as fast-growing but understudied chemicals. Our findings expose gaps in chemical coverage and health integration. We recommend expanding the substance portfolio, systematically coupling ML outputs with human health data, adopting explainable artificial intelligence workflows, and fostering international collaboration to translate ML advances into actionable chemical risk assessments. Full article

This study provides a systematic overview of 207 econometrics-related R packages identified through CRAN and the Econometrics Task View. Using descriptive and inferential statistics and text mining to compute the word frequency and association among words (n-grams and correlations), we evaluate the development patterns, documentation practices, publication outcomes, and methodological scope. The findings reveal that most packages are created by small-to-mid-sized teams in Europe and North America, with mid-sized collaborations and packages including vignettes being significantly more likely to achieve journal publication. While reverse dependencies indicate strong ecosystem integration, they do not predict publication, and Bayesian or dataset-only packages remain underrepresented. Growth has accelerated since 2010, but newer packages exhibit fewer updates, raising concerns about sustainability. These findings highlight both the central role of R in contemporary econometrics and the need for broader participation, methodological diversity, and long-term maintenance. Full article

In recent years, the field of European funds for business development has generated significant interest in the academic literature, stimulated by European Union (EU) regulations and the implementation of business financing programs. This context has led to an increase in research on the impact and use of European funds, particularly in terms of support for economic development and infrastructure. This paper presents a bibliometric analysis, using topic modeling, to examine academic publications on the use and absorption of European funds and how they influence the business environment. Using a dataset of 74 publications indexed in the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science Core Collection, covering the period 2005–2024, the present study aims to identify the main authors, institutions, journals, and collaboration networks involved. It also analyzes research trends, dominant themes, and the countries with the largest contributions in this field, using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) and BERTopic analysis as a complement to the classical bibliometric approach. The thematic analysis reveals a thematic cohesion around entrepreneurship, EU structural funds, regional development, and innovation. In addition, there has been a significant annual increase in publications in this field, and through the use of thematic maps, word clouds, and collaboration networks, this study provides an overview of the evolution of research on the absorption of European funds and its impact on the business environment. These findings contribute both to deepening academic knowledge and to formulating more effective European policies for optimizing fund absorption and supporting the sustainable development of the business environment. Full article