Search Results (1,781)

To understand virtual leaders’ work at the intersection of equity and community, virtual school leadership (VSL) was examined with relevance to preparation and research. Research questions were: How is VSL described in extant literature? How is VSL applicable to leaders’ preparation and development? An integrative review approach was applied to online learning and virtual leadership linked to community and equity concepts. Document analysis was used to qualitatively code 34 (of 132) studies. Despite the demand for cyber schooling, some US preservice programs may lack training on leading equitably and collaboratively in virtual environments. Five findings address what virtual school leaders (aspire to) do in their jobs. Community and equity were leadership orientations as well as concerns discerned from perceptions of virtual schooling. Online public education is ensnared in global democratic backsliding for 82 countries, yet VSL remains underexplored in research. This literature review/conceptual work introduces Equity and Community in K–12 Online Leadership, an original conceptual framework informed by professional standards, virtual learning theories, and factors central to leadership. A critique of findings, along with recommendations for leadership preparation and practice, responds to the call for better preparing preservice leaders for the demands of K–12 online learning. Full article

Green space (GS) exposure reflects how well urban dwellers engage with GSs, which is closely related to sustainable communities. However, the associations between GS exposure and multi-dimensional social vulnerability (SoV) remain to be elucidated. To address this gap, this study develops a comprehensive framework to investigate the associations between GS exposure and SoV using methods of the Gini coefficient, bivariate mapping, and discriminant analysis, taking the Xuhui District of Shanghai as a case study. The results show the following findings. (1) The GS exposure was improved by good accessibility of GSs, particularly for the downtowns suffering a low level of GS availability; (2) The distribution of GS exposure is relatively equitable across different levels of SoV; (3) Communities with low GS exposure and high SoV are characterized by a high proportion of children and a low proportion of highly educated and employed people. The findings highlight the necessity of a systematic evaluation of GS exposure from a SoV perspective. Such a systematic evaluation could help optimize the GS patterns and allocate the valuable GSs to vulnerable groups for a more inclusive and sustainable community. Full article

There is a growing global demand for cost-effective alternatives to high-priced biologic therapies, which has significantly accelerated the development of biosimilars and positioned them as sustainable and affordable treatment options. Biosimilars include therapeutic products such as monoclonal antibodies, soluble receptors, growth factors, and hormones that demonstrate comparable efficacy, safety, and quality to their reference biologics. By providing lower-cost alternatives, biosimilars play a vital role in bridging the affordability gap and expanding patient access to essential, life-saving treatments, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This review focuses on current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) in biosimilar development, highlighting critical processes such as cell line engineering, glycosylation optimization, and bioprocess refinement aimed at improving cell culture productivity and product yield while ensuring consistent safety, efficacy, and quality across production batches. Advances in biotechnology, especially in proteomics and advanced analytical characterization, have improved understanding of cellular mechanisms influencing product quality and strengthened comparability with reference biologics. These scientific innovations have enhanced regulatory and clinical confidence, supporting wider acceptance and use amongst patients. In addition, this review examines the evolving global regulatory landscape governing biosimilars and its role in reducing development timelines and costs. Together, scientific innovation, standardized manufacturing practices, and harmonized regulatory frameworks foster competition, accelerate market entry, and ultimately help bridge the gap between innovation and affordability, ensuring equitable and sustainable global access to advanced biologic therapies. Full article

Background: The rapid diffusion of large language models (LLMs) such as Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, LLaMA, and Mistral is reshaping logistics and supply chain management by embedding generative intelligence into planning, coordination, and governance processes. While prior studies emphasize algorithmic capability, far less is known about how differences in diffusion pathways shape productivity outcomes, managerial cognition, and institutional control. Methods: This study develops and applies an integrative analytical framework—the AI Diffusion Triad—comprising Productivity, Perspective, and Power. Using comparative qualitative analysis of five leading LLM ecosystems, the study examines how technical architecture, access models, and governance structures influence adoption patterns and operational integration in logistics contexts. Results: The analysis shows that diffusion outcomes depend not only on model performance but on socio-technical alignment between AI systems, human workflows, and institutional governance. Proprietary platforms accelerate productivity through centralized integration but create dependency risks, whereas open-weight ecosystems support localized innovation and broader participation. Differences in interpretability and access significantly shape managerial trust, learning, and decision autonomy across supply chain tiers. Conclusions: Sustainable and inclusive AI adoption in logistics requires balancing operational efficiency with interpretability and equitable governance. The study offers design and policy principles for aligning technological deployment with workforce adaptation and ecosystem resilience and proposes a research agenda focused on diffusion governance rather than algorithmic advancement alone. Full article

University campuses located within cities function as small-scale urban living areas and are expected to be designed to ensure easy and equitable access for all segments of society. In this context, in the first stage of the present study, the criteria identified from the literature on campus-scale accessibility were presented to experts for weighting. The weighted criteria were scored using the AHP method by an expert group across four commonly used pedestrian axes within the campus. In the second stage, a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based composite Accessibility Suitability Index (ASI) was applied across the entire campus pedestrian network. Then, this index was combined with the renormalized AHP weights. The analyses revealed that at Osmaniye Korkut Ata University, Axis 1 fell into the “medium” category, while the other three axes were classified as “low.” Improvement proposals were developed to address the deficiencies identified in the study area. These recommendations are expected to positively influence environmental factors and boost pedestrian use on the Karacaoğlan Campus of Osmaniye Korkut Ata University. Full article

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs), into education, marks a profound shift in how knowledge is accessed, processed, and applied. These tools offer clear advantages—including improved efficiency, immediate support, and high productivity—but it may simultaneously weaken foundational skills. This Perspective examines the dual impact of AI on education, arguing that over-reliance on AI may displace essential cognitive processes that reinforce professional competence. Emerging evidence points to troubling associations between frequent AI use and diminished critical reasoning. We propose a model of critical alliance, in which AI augments but does not replace core intellectual processes. Unlike existing AI competency or digital literacy, this model centers on preserving human cognitive agency, judgment, reflection, and intellectual ownership, as primary educational outcomes. This framework not only emphasizes cognitive independence, but also equitable access, ethical vigilance, and faculty development as cornerstones of AI literacy. Addressing these questions is essential to safeguard both intellectual growth and educational equity in an AI-augmented era. Unlike existing digital literacy or AI competency frameworks, the critical alliance explicitly centers on preserving human cognitive agency and intellectual ownership as educational priorities, particularly in environments increasingly shaped by high-performing generative systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Unequal access to cervical cancer screening and treatment remains a significant contributor to preventable morbidity and mortality for women in the Amazon Basin, compounded by geographic, social and infrastructural barriers. Given the fragmented nature of the existing evidence, this systematic review aims to synthesize available findings on barriers to cervical cancer screening and treatment for this region. The implications of these findings are examined to inform the development of actionable strategies to improve equity in prevention and care. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020. Searches were conducted on November 7, 2025, in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and SciELO, utilizing combinations of MeSH terms, keywords, and free-text expressions. Studies were considered eligible if they addressed barriers to cervical cancer screening or treatment among women living in the Amazon Region. Two reviewers independently screened the studies and extracted the relevant data. The risk of bias was assessed using the JBI checklists, the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, and the MMAT. A narrative synthesis summarized the results. Results: Of 57 studies identified, 11 were included. Organizational and health-system barriers were reported most frequently, including scheduling difficulties, long wait times, a shortage of professionals, and equipment unavailability. Socioeconomic barriers were most often related to younger age, low income, limited schooling, and care related expenses. Cultural factors were frequently linked to fear of the procedure and insufficient knowledge about cervical cancer. Geographic barriers included rural residence and travel difficulties. Conclusions: This systematic review indicates that disparities in cervical cancer screening in the Amazon region are primarily associated with organizational and health-system-related barriers, together with socioeconomic, cultural, and geographic factors. These findings highlight the need for equitable, multisectoral interventions to strengthen service organization, improve health literacy, and expand timely access to screening and treatment for underserved women. Full article

Background: The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has triggered a global transformation, with the healthcare sector experiencing significant disruption and innovation. In current public health practice, AI is being deployed to power various aspects of public functions, including the assessment and monitoring of health, surveillance and disease control, health promotion and education, policy development and planning, health protection and regulation, prevention services, workforce development, community engagement and partnerships, emergency preparedness and response, and evaluation and research. Nevertheless, its use in leadership and management, such as in change management, process development and integration, problem solving, and decision-making, is still evolving. Aim: This study proposes the adoption of the Public Health AI Framework to ensure that inclusive data are used in AI development, the right policies are deployed, and appropriate partnerships are developed, with human-relevant resources trained to maximize AI potential. Implications: AI holds immense potential to reshape public health by enabling personalized interventions, democratizing access to actionable data, supporting rapid and effective crisis response, advancing equity in health outcomes, promoting ethical and participatory public health practices, and strengthening environmental health and climate resilience. Achieving this goal will require a deliberate and proactive leadership vision, where public health leaders move beyond passive adoption to collaborate with AI specialists to co-create, co-design, co-develop, and co-deploy tools and resources tailored to the unique needs of public health practice. Call to action: Public health professionals can co-innovate in shaping AI evolution to ensure equitable, ethical, and value-based public health. Full article

This paper examines the regressive nature of the value-added tax and proposes an integrated framework combining a uniform value-added tax rate with progressive, digitally administered rebates. The model was performed using household- and firm-level microsimulations with Monte Carlo methods. It demonstrates that equity can be reached without revenue neutrality being undermined. Simulation results for a calibrated 2024–2025 economy show the proposed rebate structure reduces the effective tax burden on the lowest income quintile from 13.5% to 5.4% of income, delivering a net cash benefit of USD 786.88 and a welfare gain of 6.10%. The policy is projected to generate a robust average VAT revenue of USD 17.44 million, with a 97.8% probability of a positive fiscal impact, while reducing the poverty rate by 2.6% and lowering inequality (Gini coefficient of utility to 0.199). The outcomes present a welfare gain for the poor, a small firm-level effect, and a decrease in poverty and inequality. The results suggest a feasible policy route towards a more equitable tax system, thus promoting indirectly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities). Full article

This study examines the effectiveness and implementation fidelity of the Mind–Grit Pathways framework, a blended and personalized learning intervention integrating academic instruction with growth mindset and grit development in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education). Using a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design, the study analyzed Grade 11 students from two demographically comparable urban high schools (n = 933). Treatment students (n = 491) participated in the intervention across mathematics, science, and English/reading for one academic year, while control students received traditional instruction. Multivariate analyses indicated significantly greater academic gains for treatment students across all subject areas and total achievement (p < 0.001). Within the treatment group, substantial teacher- and homeroom-level variation was observed, with large effects in mathematics and moderate effects in science and English/reading, highlighting the role of instructional enactment. Teacher professional development hours were positively associated with student engagement and achievement gains, and student platform usage demonstrated a strong relationship with academic growth, providing objective evidence of implementation fidelity. The results suggest that blended learning frameworks can produce meaningful and equitable academic gains when supported by sustained professional development and high-quality classroom implementation. Full article

This study examines how student–faculty partnerships are experienced within undergraduate mathematics coursework at a majority Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Drawing on the Student as Partners (SaP) theoretical framework and using an interpretive phenomenological research design, we examined the lived experiences of student and faculty partners who participated in a series of professional development sessions on student-faculty partnerships and equitable teaching and learning practices in mathematics courses. Findings indicate that student partners’ lived experiences in the partnership program contributed to the development of sense of belonging, self-efficacy, and awareness of the need to link real-world and culturally responsive applications to mathematics learning. On the part of the faculty partners, findings indicate that their lived experiences in the student-faculty partnership program contributed to enhanced self-efficacy through professional growth, development of new perspectives on teaching, and awareness of fostering culturally responsive teaching and learning experiences. The study highlights the transformative potential of student-faculty partnerships in bridging traditional mathematics instruction with students’ lived learning experiences and perspectives on fostering real-world, reflective, and student-centered learning environments for all students. Specifically, the study showcases the promise of partnership models in mathematics settings and points to the need for future research on scalable approaches that support the success of culturally and linguistically diverse students in STEM. Full article

(1) Background: Although integrated STEM education is an important policy focus, teacher preparation to implement high-quality integrated STEM and STEAM learning experiences in an equitable manner is not widespread. Teacher beliefs significantly impact how they teach; therefore, this study explores preservice teachers’ self-reported perceptions of teaching integrated STEM after participating in an integrated STEAM course. (2) Methods: We employed qualitative methods to explore 47 preservice elementary teachers’ perceptions about teaching integrated STEM based on their lived experiences in an integrated STEAM course. Guided by our conceptual framework, we used deductive methods to better understand preservice elementary teachers’ perceptions. We also used open coding to understand their lived experiences in the course. Pattern coding was used in the second cycle to identify themes. (3) Findings: Three primary themes emerged, including understanding integrated STEM frameworks through a transdisciplinary and critical lens; perceiving STEAM is engaging because it is relevant; and developing self-efficacy for future STEAM integration without infrastructure. (4) Conclusions: Although preservice elementary teachers had positive experiences in the course and believe integrated STEM and STEAM to be important, more work is needed to develop their understanding of equitable integrated STEM and STEAM instruction. Full article

This study examines the interrelated challenges of climate change and energy poverty across two distinct industrial regions: Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén in Hungary and Zarqa in Jordan. Both areas face unemployment and low-income levels, as well as environmental legacies of industrial activity; however, they differ significantly in their energy policies and infrastructure development. Using 2025 survey data, we develop indices of energy poverty, financial poverty, and climate perceptions, aligned with OECD guidelines. Regression analysis indicates that the model accounts for approximately 40% of the variance in energy poverty. Notably, heightened perceptions of climate change are associated with increased reports of energy hardship, suggesting that economically deprived households possess greater climate risk awareness. Resilience capacities, including adaptive skills, income stability, and community support, are found to substantially mitigate energy poverty. Income and employment status also play protective roles, underscoring the importance of economic resources. The impact of financial poverty varies markedly, being negligible in Hungary but severe in Jordan due to structural and infrastructural constraints. Our findings underscore the need for tailored, inclusive policy interventions that emphasize energy efficiency and retrofitting in Hungary and promote financial support and the adoption of renewable energy in Jordan. Integrating principles of energy justice into climate resilience strategies is crucial for promoting equitable and sustainable energy transitions, mitigating local vulnerabilities, and enhancing overall household resilience. Full article

Ensuring equitable and inclusive access to children’s extracurricular activity facilities represents a profound manifestation of educational equity and is crucial for promoting children’s holistic development and societal sustainability. However, the underlying spatial mechanisms shaping their equity remain insufficiently explored. Using Tianjin’s central urban area as a case study, this study examines the spatial accessibility and equity of such facilities under dual government–market provision systems. The multi-mode Huff two-step floating catchment area model (MM-Huff-2SFCA) was employed to assess accessibility across walking, e-bike, public transport, and private car modes, integrating facility quality, household preference, and time-based distance decay. Equity was further evaluated using Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients across multiple spatial scales, while geographically weighted regression (GWR) identified spatial heterogeneity in factors such as child population density, transport infrastructure, household economic status, and basic education coverage. Results indicate that macro-level spatial balance masks substantial micro-scale inequities, particularly among transport-disadvantaged groups. Government and market systems exhibit contrasting spatial logics, forming a compensation–complementarity pattern across urban space. These findings underscore the need for refined and differentiated governance in extracurricular activity facilities planning, integrating spatial planning, transport accessibility, and social equity to advance child-friendly urban development and equitable public service provision. Full article

The circular economy offers effective strategies to support the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. However, research at the nexus of the circular economy and energy transition remains fragmented across disciplines and lacks a systematic and integrative overview of its intellectual structure and thematic evolution. To address this gap, this study conducts a large-scale bibliometric analysis of 2977 journal articles published between 2008 and 2025 to examine the development, knowledge structure, and global distribution of this field. Performance analysis and scientific mapping are employed to evaluate research output, subject areas, thematic structures, intellectual foundations, journal dissemination, and international collaborations. The results indicate that the circular economy–energy transition nexus is a rapidly growing and multidisciplinary field. It is anchored by conceptual and policy-oriented works and complemented by applied studies on waste management, bioenergy, and decarbonization technologies that directly relate to energy production, conversion, and system efficiency. The geographical distribution shows a multi-pillar but uneven research landscape, with Europe and China emerging as leading contributors, while other regions remain comparatively underrepresented, shaped by regional priorities and collaborative networks. The study highlights emerging research gaps and future directions, offering insights into how circular economy strategies such as resource circularity and waste-to-energy applications can contribute to sustainable and equitable energy transitions and inform future energy-focused research agendas in the context of low-carbon transformation. Full article