Search Results (3,136)

Teacher education faces persistent challenges, including limited access to authentic field experiences and a disconnect between theoretical instruction and classroom practice. While virtual reality (VR) simulations offer an alternative, most are constrained by inflexible design and lack scalability, failing to mirror the complexity of real teaching environments. This study introduces TeacherGen@i, a generative AI (GenAI)-enhanced VR simulation designed to provide pre-service teachers with immersive, adaptive teaching practice through realistic GenAI agents. Using an explanatory case study with a mixed-methods approach, the study examines the simulation’s usability, design challenges, and instructional utility within a university-based teacher preparation course. Data sources included usability surveys and reflective journals, analyzed through thematic coding and computational linguistic analysis using LIWC. Findings suggest that TeacherGen@i facilitates meaningful development of teaching competencies such as instructional decision-making, classroom communication, and student engagement, while also identifying notable design limitations related to cognitive load, user interface design, and instructional scaffolding. This exploratory research offers preliminary insights into the integration of generative AI in teacher simulations and its potential to support responsive and scalable simulation-based learning environments. Full article

Compared to commuting, grocery shopping trips, despite their profound implications for mixed land use and transportation planning, have received limited attention in travel behavior research. Drawing upon a travel diary survey conducted in a fast-growing metropolitan region of the United States, i.e., Salt Lake County, UT, this research investigated a variety of influential factors affecting mode choices associated with grocery shopping. We analyze how built environment (BE) characteristics, measured at seven spatial scales or different ways of aggregating spatial data—including straight-line buffers, network buffers, and census units—affect travel mode decisions. Key predictors of choosing walking, biking, or transit over driving include age, household size, vehicle ownership, income, land use mix, street density, and distance to the central business district (CBD). Notably, the influence of BE factors on mode choice is sensitive to different spatial aggregation methods and locations of origins and destinations. The straight-line buffer was a good indicator for the influence of store sales amount on mode choices; the network buffer was more suitable for the household built environment factors, whereas the measurement at the census block and block group levels was more effective for store-area characteristics. These findings underscore the importance of considering both the spatial analysis method and the location (home vs. store) when modeling non-work travel. A multi-scalar approach can enhance the accuracy of travel demand models and inform more effective land use and transportation planning strategies. Full article

Museums serve as essential cultural centers, yet their mostly visual exhibits restrict access for blind and partially sighted (BPS) individuals. While recent technological advances have started to bridge this gap, many accessibility solutions focus mainly on basic inclusion rather than promoting independent exploration. This research addresses this limitation by creating features that enable visitors’ independence through customizable interaction patterns and self-paced exploration. It improved upon existing interactive tangible user interfaces (ITUIs) by enhancing their audio content and adding more flexible user control options. A mixed-methods approach evaluated the ITUI’s usability, ability to be used independently, and user satisfaction. Quantitative data were gathered using ITUI-specific satisfaction, usability, comparison, and general preference scales, while insights were obtained through notes taken during a think-aloud protocol as participants interacted with the ITUIs, direct observation, and analysis of video recordings of the experiment. The results showed a strong preference for a Pushbutton-based ITUI, which scored highest in usability (M = 87.5), perceived independence (72%), and user control (76%). Participants stressed the importance of tactile interaction, clear feedback, and customizable audio features like volume and playback speed. These findings underscore the vital role of user control and precise feedback in designing accessible museum experiences. Full article

Background: Cochlear implantation (CI) in pediatric patients with cochlear nerve deficiencies (CND) remains controversial due to a highly variable clinical population, lack of evidence-based guidelines, and mixed research findings. This study assessed current clinical perspectives and practices regarding CI candidacy in children with CND among hearing healthcare professionals in the USA. Methods: An anonymous 19-question online survey was distributed to CI clinicians nationwide. The survey assessed professional background, experience with aplasia and hypoplasia, and perspectives on CI versus auditory brainstem implant (ABI) candidacy, including imaging practices and outcome expectations. Both multiple-choice and open-ended responses were analyzed to identify trends and reasoning. Results: Seventy-two responses were analyzed. Most clinicians supported CI for hypoplasia (60.2%) and, to a lesser extent, for aplasia (41.7%), with audiologists more likely than neurotologists to favor CI. Respondents cited lower risk, accessibility, and the potential for benefit as reasons to attempt CI before ABI. However, many emphasized a case-by-case approach, incorporating imaging, electrophysiological testing, and family counseling. Only 22.2% considered structural factors the best predictors of CI success. Conclusions: Overall, hearing health professionals in the USA tend to favor CI as a first-line option, while acknowledging the limitations of current diagnostic tools and the importance of individualized, multidisciplinary decision-making in CI candidacy for children with CND. Findings reveal a high variability in clinical perspectives on CI implantation for pediatric aplasia and hypoplasia and a lack of clinical consensus, highlighting the need for more standardized assessment and imaging protocols to provide greater consistency across centers and enable the development of evidence-based guidelines. Full article

According to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, between 2013 and 2023, 62% of aviation accidents occurred during the approach, landing, and post-impact phases of flight. Hence, this study targets factors contributing to increased accident rates during the final stages of flight. It will review how pilot experience influences decision-making and identifies mitigation strategies, focusing on go-arounds to prevent accidents during these critical phases. Surveys and roundtable discussions were conducted to identify factors influencing pilot performance during approach, landing, and go-around manoeuvres. By using a mixed-methods approach that combined thematic and statistical analyses, key safety factors were identified, including situational awareness, decision-making, and operational complexity. The study also examined the relationship between experience and decision-making, highlighting areas for targeted interventions to improve safety. The research emphasises the importance of integrating decision-making considerations into training programmes and connecting these to human factors. Through identifying areas for improvement, this study offers a safety-driven framework to address decision-making challenges during approach, landing, and go-around phases, with the objective of reducing accident and incident rates in general aviation. Full article

The impact of cultural identity on music performance anxiety (MPA) is under-researched. This retrospective case study explores the treatment of a professional musician in her 30s who presented with MPA associated with performing music related to her estranged father’s cultural background. The case formulation identified attachment ruptures and negative cognitions associated with her mixed cultural heritage that contributed to an experience of imposterism—referred to in lay literature as ‘racial imposter syndrome’ (RIS). It was hypothesized that RIS served to perpetuate her MPA. An attachment-based approach and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy framework was adopted, drawing on evidence-based treatment for MPA and mixed heritage individuals. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Outcome Rating Scale (ORS) and Session Rating Scale (SRS) were used as outcome measures. These measures fluctuated throughout the therapy. While improvements were observed in depression scores midway through treatment, elevated stress and depression scores at the conclusion of treatment were understood to reflect situational factors related to financial and housing precarity. Nonetheless, at the conclusion of treatment, the client showed improvement in managing MPA, evidenced by her progress in recording an album and reengagement with public performances. This case study adds to the limited research on treating MPA in racially minoritized and mixed-race individuals, Further research is required across larger and more diverse samples to better understand the relationship between MPA and RIS and to develop effective interventions. Full article

Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic and disabling psychiatric condition characterized by recurring episodes of mania, hypomania, and depression. Despite the availability of mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants, long-term management remains challenging due to incomplete symptom control, adverse effects, and high relapse rates. Methods: This paper is a narrative review aimed at synthesizing emerging trends and future directions in the pharmacological treatment of BD. Results: Future pharmacotherapy for BD is likely to shift toward precision medicine, leveraging advances in genetics, biomarkers, and neuroimaging to guide personalized treatment strategies. Novel drug development will also target previously underexplored mechanisms, such as inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, circadian rhythm disturbances, and glutamatergic dysregulation. Physiological endophenotypes, such as immune-metabolic profiles, circadian rhythms, and stress reactivity, are emerging as promising translational tools for tailoring treatment and reducing associated somatic comorbidity and mortality. Recognition of the heterogeneous longitudinal trajectories of BD, including chronic mixed states, long depressive episodes, or intermittent manic phases, has underscored the value of clinical staging models to inform both pharmacological strategies and biomarker research. Disrupted circadian rhythms and associated chronotypes further support the development of individualized chronotherapeutic interventions. Emerging chronotherapeutic approaches based on individual biological rhythms, along with innovative monitoring strategies such as saliva-based lithium sensors, are reshaping the future landscape. Anti-inflammatory agents, neurosteroids, and compounds modulating oxidative stress are emerging as promising candidates. Additionally, medications targeting specific biological pathways implicated in bipolar pathophysiology, such as N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor modulators, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and neuropeptides, are under investigation. Conclusions: Advances in pharmacogenomics will enable clinicians to predict individual responses and tolerability, minimizing trial-and-error prescribing. The future landscape may also incorporate digital therapeutics, combining pharmacotherapy with remote monitoring and data-driven adjustments. Ultimately, integrating innovative drug therapies with personalized approaches has the potential to enhance efficacy, reduce adverse effects, and improve long-term outcomes for individuals with bipolar disorder, ushering in a new era of precision psychiatry. Full article

This study investigates the critical capabilities and integration mechanisms that enable organizations to achieve substantive sustainability transformations. Using a mixed-methods approach combining survey data (n = 234), in-depth interviews (n = 42), and comparative case studies (n = 6), the research identifies how organizations effectively navigate sustainability paradoxes while developing integration practices that embed sustainability throughout organizational systems. Our research is primarily grounded in paradox theory, complemented by insights from organizational learning theory, institutional logics, and power dynamics perspectives to develop a comprehensive theoretical framework. Statistical analysis reveals strong relationships between paradox navigation capabilities and transformation outcomes (β = 0.31, p < 0.01), with integration practices emerging as the strongest predictor of sustainability success (β = 0.42, p < 0.01). Qualitative findings illuminate four essential integration mechanisms—governance integration, strategic integration, operational integration, and performance integration—and their temporal development. The significant interaction between power mobilization and integration practices (β = 0.19, p < 0.01) demonstrates that structural interventions are insufficient without attention to power relationships. The research contributes to sustainability science by advancing theory on paradoxical tensions in transformation processes, demonstrating how organizations can transcend the gap between sustainability rhetoric and substantive action through both structural integration and power-conscious approaches. By identifying contextual contingencies across sectors and organizational types, the study challenges universal prescriptions for sustainability transformation, offering instead a nuanced framework for creating organizational conditions conducive to context-specific transformation toward more sustainable futures. Our findings offer practical guidance for organizations navigating the complex landscape of sustainability transformation and contribute to the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Full article

This review explores sexual aggression in broiler breeder males, aiming to synthesize existing scientific evidence regarding its causes, behavioral manifestations, and consequences, while addressing the genetic, neuroendocrine, and environmental mechanisms involved. Through an extensive analysis of scientific literature, the paper highlights that intensive genetic selection aimed at enhancing growth and productivity has resulted in unintended behavioral dysfunctions. These include the reduction or absence of courtship behavior, the occurrence of forced copulations, and a notable increase in injury rates among hens. Reproductive challenges observed in meat-type breeder flocks, in contrast to those in layer lines, appear to stem from selection practices that have overlooked traits related to mating behavior. Environmental and managerial conditions, including photoperiod manipulation, stocking density, nutritional imbalances, and the use of mixed-sex rearing systems, are also identified as contributing factors to the expression of sexual aggression. Furthermore, recent genetic findings indicate a potential link between inherited neurobehavioral factors and aggressive behavior, with the SORCS2 gene emerging as a relevant candidate. Based on these insights, the review emphasizes the importance of considering behavioral parameters in breeding programs in order to reconcile productivity objectives with animal welfare standards. Future research may benefit from a more integrative approach that combines behavioral, physiological, and genomic data to better understand and address the multifactorial nature of sexual aggression in poultry systems. Full article

Demand Side Management (DSM) plays a crucial role in modern energy systems, enabling more efficient use of energy resources and contributing to the sustainability of the power grid. This study examines DSM strategies within a multi-environment context encompassing residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, with a focus on diverse appliance types that exhibit distinct operational characteristics and user preferences. Initially, a single-objective optimization approach using Genetic Algorithms (GAs) is employed to minimize the total energy cost under a real Time-of-Use (ToU) pricing scheme. This heuristic method allows for the effective scheduling of appliance operations while factoring in their unique characteristics such as power consumption, usage duration, and user-defined operational flexibility. This study extends the optimization problem to a multi-objective framework that incorporates the minimization of CO₂ emissions under a real annual energy mix while also accounting for user discomfort. The Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) is utilized for this purpose, providing a Pareto-optimal set of solutions that balances these competing objectives. The inclusion of multiple objectives ensures a comprehensive assessment of DSM strategies, aiming to reduce environmental impact and enhance user satisfaction. Additionally, this study monitors the Peak-to-Average Ratio (PAR) to evaluate the impact of DSM strategies on load balancing and grid stability. It also analyzes the impact of considering different periods of the year with the associated ToU hourly schedule and CO₂ emissions hourly profile. A key innovation of this research is the integration of detailed, category-specific metrics that enable the disaggregation of costs, emissions, and user discomfort across residential, commercial, and industrial appliances. This granularity enables stakeholders to implement tailored strategies that align with specific operational goals and regulatory compliance. Also, the emphasis on a user discomfort indicator allows us to explore the flexibility available in such DSM mechanisms. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed multi-objective optimization approach in achieving significant cost savings that may reach 20% for industrial applications, while the order of magnitude of the trade-offs involved in terms of emissions reduction, improvement in discomfort, and PAR reduction is quantified for different frameworks. The outcomes not only underscore the efficacy of applying advanced optimization frameworks to real-world problems but also point to pathways for future research in smart energy management. This comprehensive analysis highlights the potential of advanced DSM techniques to enhance the sustainability and resilience of energy systems while also offering valuable policy implications. Full article

Hydrogen production is increasingly vital for global decarbonization but remains a water- and energy-intensive process, especially in arid regions. Despite growing attention to its climate benefits, limited research has addressed the environmental impacts of water sourcing. This study employs a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach to evaluate three water supply strategies for hydrogen production: (1) seawater desalination without brine treatment (BT), (2) desalination with partial BT, and (3) freshwater purification. Scenarios are modeled for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Australia, and Spain, representing diverse electricity mixes and water stress conditions. Both electrolysis and steam methane reforming (SMR) are evaluated as hydrogen production methods. Results show that desalination scenarios contribute substantially to human health and ecosystem impacts due to high energy use and brine discharge. Although partial BT aims to reduce direct marine discharge impacts, its substantial energy demand can offset these benefits by increasing other environmental burdens, such as marine eutrophication, especially in regions reliant on carbon-intensive electricity grids. Freshwater scenarios offer lower environmental impact overall but raise water availability concerns. Across all regions, feedwater for SMR shows nearly 50% lower impacts than for electrolysis. This study focuses solely on the environmental impacts associated with water sourcing and treatment for hydrogen production, excluding the downstream impacts of the hydrogen generation process itself. This study highlights the trade-offs between water sourcing, brine treatment, and freshwater purification for hydrogen production, offering insights for optimizing sustainable hydrogen systems in water-stressed regions. Full article

Effective water infrastructure planning and management is key to sustainable water supply globally. This research assesses water infrastructure planning and management in Gauteng, South Africa, amid growing challenges from rapid urbanisation, high water demand, climate change, and resource scarcity. These challenges threaten the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 11; hence, an integrated approach is required for water sustainability. The study responds to a gap in the literature, which often treats planning and management separately, by adopting an integrated, multi-institutional approach across the water value chain. A mixed-methods triangulation strategy was employed for data collection whereby surveys provided quantitative data, while two sets of structured interviews were conducted: the first round to determine causal relationships among the critical success factors and the second round to validate the proposed framework. The findings reveal a misalignment between infrastructure planning and implementation, contributing to infrastructure backlogs and a short- to medium-term focus. Infrastructure management is further constrained by inadequate system redundancy, leading to ineffective maintenance. External factors such as delayed adoption of 4IR technologies, lack of climate resilient strategies, and fragmented institutional coordination exacerbate these issues. Using Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) analysis, the study identified Strategic Alignment and a Value-Driven Approach as the most influential critical success factors in water asset management. The research concludes by proposing an integrated water infrastructure and planning framework that supports sustainable water supply. Full article

In this research report, we consider how to empower K-8 teachers as mathematics instructional leaders to initiate and sustain improvements within their schools, as a practical and sustainable model of enacting change in mathematics education more broadly by developing leadership from within. We share the theoretical framework and findings from a 5-year National Science Foundation project. We utilized a longitudinal mixed methods approach, collecting data on teachers’ knowledge, instructional practices, leadership practices, and self-perception of growth throughout the project, triangulated with focus group data from teachers’ school administrators and project leaders and logs of leadership activities. Findings indicate positive changes in teachers’ knowledge and practices and in their role as instructional leaders in their schools, districts, and the mathematics education community. We conclude by sharing factors that appeared to support teachers’ growth as instructional leaders and implications for practice and research. Full article

In an era where digitalization shapes economic and social landscapes, the intersection of digital skills, ethics, and integrity plays a crucial role in understanding the vulnerability of youth classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). This study explores how risky internet use and digital skill gaps contribute to socio-economic exclusion, integrating a multivariate and spatial approach to assess regional disparities in Europe. This study adopts a systems thinking perspective to explore digital exclusion as an emergent outcome of multiple interrelated subsystems. The research employs logistic regression, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with Promax rotation, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to examine the impact of digital behaviors on NEET status. Using Eurostat data aggregated at the country level for the period (2000–2023) across 28 European countries, this study evaluates 24 digital indicators covering social media usage, instant messaging, daily internet access, data protection awareness, and digital literacy levels. The findings reveal that low digital skills significantly increase the likelihood of being NEET, while excessive social media and internet use show mixed effects depending on socio-economic context. A strong negative correlation between digital security practices and NEET status suggests that youths with a higher awareness of online risks are less prone to socio-economic exclusion. The GIS analysis highlights regional disparities, where countries with limited digital access and lower literacy levels exhibit higher NEET rates. Digital exclusion is not merely a technological issue but a multidimensional socio-economic challenge. To reduce the NEET rate, policies must focus on enhancing digital skills, fostering online security awareness, and addressing regional disparities. Integrating GIS methods allows for the identification of territorial clusters with heightened digital vulnerabilities, guiding targeted interventions for improving youth employability in the digital economy. Full article

This study employs a mixed method. In-depth interviews and observational studies are among the data collection approaches used in qualitative research. The quantitative method measures the weight of respondents’ answers to the distributed questionnaire. The questionnaire, containing 82 items, was distributed to 202 tourists to collect their perceptions based on the 4A tourist components. The results indicate that tourists’ perceptions of attractions, accessibility, and ancillary services are generally positive. In contrast, perceptions of amenity services are less favorable. Using the scores from IFAS, EFAS, and the I-E matrix, the total weighted scores for IFAS and EFAS are 2.68 and 2.83, respectively. The appropriate strategy for BTV is one of aggressive growth in a position of strengths and opportunities. The study highlights key techniques, including the application of information technology in service and promotion, the strengthening of community and government roles, the development of infrastructure and facilities, the utilization of external resources, sustainable innovation, and the encouragement of local governments to issue regulations for halal tourism villages. By identifying drivers and barriers from an economic, environmental, social, and cultural perspective, the SWOT analysis results help design strategies that can make positive contributions to the development of sustainable, community-based halal tourism and digital information in the future. Full article