Search Results (113)

Education 4.0 promotes active, personalized, and competency-based learning aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet most current platforms rely on centralized architectures that restrict access, agency, and adaptability. To address this problem, Web3 technologies—including blockchain, decentralized identifiers (DIDs), peer-to-peer storage, and smart contracts—enable the creation of platforms that uphold equity, data sovereignty, and pedagogical flexibility. This paper investigates how the convergence of Education 4.0 and Web3 technologies can drive the development of sustainable, inclusive, and learner-centered digital education systems. We examine two decentralized education platforms, EtherLearn and DeLMS, to assess their design affordances and limitations. Building on these insights, we propose a layered architectural framework grounded in sustainability principles. Our analysis shows that decentralized infrastructures can expand access in underserved regions, increase credential portability, empower learners with greater autonomy, and foster participatory governance through decentralized voting, token-based incentives, and community moderation. Despite these advantages, significant challenges remain around usability, energy efficiency, and regulatory compliance. We conclude by identifying key research priorities at the intersection of sustainable educational technology, digital equity, and decentralized system design. Full article

Burnout syndrome is a growing concern in higher education, affecting the psychological well-being and performance of university professors. This systematic review presents a narrative synthesis of findings from quantitative studies on sociodemographic and psychosocial determinants of academic burnout. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, sixty peer-reviewed articles published between Jan 2019 and May 2024 were selected from Scopus and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria required validated psychometric instruments and exclusive focus on university faculty. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and CASP checklist. Data from approximately 43,639 academic staff were analyzed. Key risk factors identified include excessive workload, lack of institutional support, and workplace conflict. In contrast, collegial support, participative leadership, and job satisfaction functioned as protective elements. Variables such as age, gender, academic rank, and employment stability significantly influenced burnout vulnerability. While general patterns were observed across studies, differences in design and sampling require caution in generalization. The evidence supports the implementation of integrated strategies encompassing mental health programs, workload regulation, participatory governance, and culturally responsive approaches. These findings inform the development of institutional policies aimed at preventing burnout and fostering academic well-being. Future research should adopt longitudinal and cross-cultural designs to further explore burnout trajectories and support educational reform. Full article

Virtual reality interaction design and story co-creation design for multiple users is an interdisciplinary research field that merges human–computer interaction, creative design, and virtual reality technologies. Story co-creation design enables multiple users to collectively generate and share narratives, allowing them to contribute to the storyline, modify plot trajectories, and craft characters, thereby facilitating a dynamic storytelling experience. Through advanced virtual reality interaction design, collaboration and social engagement can be further enriched to encourage active participation. This study investigates the facilitation of narrative creation and enhancement of storytelling skills in virtual reality by leveraging existing research on story co-creation design and virtual reality technology. Subsequently, we developed and evaluated the virtual reality card-based collaborative storytelling platform Co-Relay. By analyzing interaction data and user feedback obtained from user testing and experimental trials, we observed substantial enhancements in user engagement, immersion, creativity, and fulfillment of emotional and social needs compared to a conventional web-based storytelling platform. The primary contribution of this study lies in demonstrating how the incorporation of story co-creation can elevate storytelling proficiency, plot development, and social interaction within the virtual reality environment. Our novel methodology offers a fresh outlook on the design of collaborative narrative creation in virtual reality, particularly by integrating participatory multi-user storytelling platforms that blur the traditional boundaries between creators and audiences, as well as between fiction and reality. Full article

Organic agriculture is a complex, knowledge-intensive system, deeply aligned with sustainability goals. While the field has seen promising growth and innovation, it still grapples with significant challenges, particularly in how knowledge is shared, applied, and supported structurally within sustainability-oriented frameworks. To fill this gap, a systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, screening publications from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. A total of 39 scientific studies were analysed using content analysis and a bibliometric methodological approach. Findings reveal a balanced geographical distribution of studies and a dominance of qualitative methodologies. While farmers, advisors, and researchers are frequently involved in data collection, broader stakeholder engagement is limited. Key actors—research institutions, advisory services, and sectoral organisations—emerge as central to driving innovation and enhancing farmers’ access to actionable knowledge. However, the analysis identifies three core challenges: tailoring knowledge and innovation to diverse farming contexts; strengthening the intermediary role of advisors to bridge science and practice; and integrating organic agriculture more explicitly within the frameworks of sustainability and agroecology. Future research should focus on improving participatory dissemination strategies and strengthening intermediary roles to advance sustainability-driven innovation in organic agriculture. Full article

This paper combines Christopher Alexander’s pattern language with generative AI into a hybrid design framework. The result is a narrative synthesis that can be useful for informed project design. Advanced large language models (LLMs) enable the real-time synthesis of design patterns, making complex architectural choices accessible and comprehensible to stakeholders without specialized architectural knowledge. A lightweight, web-based tool lets project teams rapidly assemble context-specific subsets of Alexander’s 253 patterns, reducing a traditionally unwieldy 1166-page corpus to a concise, shareable list. Demonstrated through a case study of a university department building, this method results in environments that are psychologically welcoming, fostering health, productivity, and emotional well-being. LLMs translate these curated patterns into vivid experiential narratives—complete with neuroscientifically informed ornamentation. LLMs produce representative images from the verbal narrative, revealing a surprisingly traditional design that was never input as a prompt. Two separate LLMs (for cross-checking) then predict the pattern-generated design to catalyze improved productivity as compared to a standard campus building. By bridging abstract design principles and concrete human experience, this approach democratizes architectural planning grounded on Alexander’s human-centered, participatory ethos. Full article

Background: China’s rapidly aging population has increased the need for effective community-based eldercare services. However, the lack of standardized, culturally relevant evaluation frameworks hinders consistent service quality assessment and improvement. Objective: This systematic review aims to identify, synthesize, and critically evaluate the existing quality indicators (QIs) currently utilized for home-based community elderly care HCEC in China. It also aims to highlight gaps to inform the development of a more comprehensive and context-appropriate quality framework. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, systematic searches were conducted across Web of Science, PubMed, Wiley, and CNKI databases for studies published in English and Chinese from 2008 onward. Extracted QIs from eligible studies were categorized using Donabedian’s structure–process–outcome (SPO) model. Results: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria, with QI sets ranging from 5 to 64 indicators. Most studies emphasized structural and procedural aspects, while outcome measures were limited. Key gaps include inconsistent terminology, insufficient medical care integration, narrow stakeholder engagement, and limited cultural adaptation of Western theoretical frameworks. Furthermore, subjective weighting methods predominated, impacting indicator reliability. Conclusions: Currently, there is no formal quality framework to guide service providers in HCEC, and therefore, quality indicators can be described as fragmented and lack cultural specificity, medical integration, and methodological robustness. Future research should prioritize developing culturally anchored and medically comprehensive QI frameworks, standardize indicator terminology, actively involve diverse stakeholders through participatory methods, and adopt hybrid methodological approaches combining subjective expert insights and objective, data-driven techniques. Alignment with established international standards, such as the OECD long-term care quality indicators, is essential to enhance eldercare quality and support evidence-based policymaking. Full article

The prognosis for Hormonal Receptor positive-HER2-negative (HR+ HER2-negative) metastatic breast cancer (mBC) has significantly improved by advances in hormone therapies, targeted drugs, and antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs). Nevertheless, maintaining quality of life (QoL), managing symptoms, and reducing treatment-related toxicity remain essential. Background: eHealth solutions offer new opportunities to enhance patient engagement and well-being through digital tools. This paper aims to delineate the fundamental functionalities and objectives of TreC_Metha, a technologically advanced instrument to provide effective support during all care process of patients diagnosed with HR+HER2-negative mBC able to proactively change its configuration depending on the treatment line or on the intra-line treatment phase the patient undergoes, as set by the healthcare team. Methods: The TreC_Metha platform was developed through a structured, evidence-based four-phase process aimed at scalability, usability, and clinical relevance. The development began with a formal analysis of the metastatic breast cancer (mBC) care pathway using BPMN modeling to map phases, activities, and stakeholders, highlighting differences from early-stage breast cancer. This analysis informed the identification of key points where digital support could enhance care. Patient needs were assessed through a web-based questionnaire (N = 20) and two focus groups (N = 11), enabling a participatory design approach. Based on these insights, the platform’s functional and non-functional requirements were defined, leading to the design and implementation of a patient-facing mobile app and a clinical dashboard tailored to mBC-specific needs. Results: Preliminary findings from the web survey focus groups revealed significant gaps in communication and information delivery during the mBC care journey, contributing to patient anxiety and reduced confidence. Participants expressed a preference for digital and printed resources to improve understanding and facilitate interactions with healthcare providers. These insights informed the development of the TreC_Metha platform. The clinical dashboard enables real-time monitoring and decision-making, while the mobile app supports bidirectional communication, therapy adherence, and patient-reported data collection. A system prototype is currently under refinement and will undergo usability testing with a small cohort of users. Following this phase, the pilot study will evaluate the platform’s impact on QoL, aiming for a ≥10% improvement in outcome measures and contributing to a more patient-centered care model in the mBC setting. Conclusions: TreC_Metha represents an innovative tool that may enable involvement and active participation in the mBC care process for both a multidisciplinary care team of professionals and the patient, and that can be easily adapted to other cancer types and chronic diseases. Full article

The sustainable management of heritage tourism sites requires an integrated approach that balances cultural preservation with socio-economic development. Modern methods of documentation include laser scanning, LiDAR sensors, and aerial photogrammetry. This study explores the application of advanced geospatial and digital technologies to the archaeological park of Dion, located in the Olympus region of Pieria, Greece—a site characterized by monuments from various historical periods. Using high-precision methods and high-end software, we produced detailed 3D models and developed a comprehensive digital platform incorporating Web-GIS applications. These outputs extend beyond conventional documentation, offering tools for education, community engagement, and participatory decision making. The originality of this work lies in its interdisciplinary synthesis of digital heritage technologies and land-use planning, contributing to both academic discourse and practical strategies for sustainable tourism development. The platform not only safeguards cultural assets but also promotes inclusive innovation, job creation, and long-term planning models aligned with the sustainable development goals (SDGs). This case study contributes not only to the safeguarding of cultural heritage for future generations but also to reshaping tourism models that prioritize long-term sustainability over rapid economic gain. Full article

Systematically synthesizing existing knowledge on ecological resettlements (ERs) is crucial for shaping future research and conservation strategies. We conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) using the Web of Science and Scopus databases, analyzing 63 research articles in the review domain of ER. Most reviewed articles emphasize people’s welfare in ERs but adopt traditional review approaches, hindering the identification of specific research gaps. This review identifies and focuses on four cross-cutting themes: anthropocentric notions and social equity, parks–people relationships, political ecology and biodiversity conservation, and connecting nature with people for harmonious coexistence. Further, the review highlights key themes in ER and conservation, emphasizing social equity, political ecology, and human–nature relationships. It underscores the need for social justice, the recognition of displaced communities’ rights, and the promotion of participatory decision making. Conservation efforts should prioritize minimizing displacement and respecting local rights, with a focus on co-management models. Case studies, particularly from India and African countries, reveal the impacts of conservation-induced displacement on marginalized communities and ecosystems. Further, we identified 45 key areas across 15 thematic dimensions for future review and research gaps, which will inform decision making in the discipline. We call for long-term assessments of resettlement to address ecological and social consequences, bridging the gap between social scientists and biologists for balancing conservation and human welfare. Finally, we discuss our findings and propose future research directions to inform conservation policies for the harmonious coexistence of humans and non-human beings on a shared planet. Full article

Groundwater is a vital resource for ecosystems, with its recharge process influenced by climate change and urbanization. The transformation of natural and urban landscapes and the over-extraction of groundwater contribute to its depletion and degradation. Groundwater recharge and management are intricately linked to land use and the landscape. Despite this close connection, spatially integrating groundwater recharge strategies in the landscape context remains underexplored. This systematic review synthesizes state-of-the-art research at the intersection of spatial planning, landscapes, and groundwater recharge. We employed a combination of bibliometric visualization and thematic analysis and reviewed 126 studies published between 1990 and April 2024 from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Based on their objectives and outcomes, we found four prominent themes in these clusters: groundwater recharge potential studies, groundwater vulnerability studies, design-based studies, and participatory studies. When organized iteratively, these clusters can become potential building blocks of a framework for a landscape-based groundwater recharge approach. With interdisciplinary collaboration, spatial visualization and mapping, a co-creative design, and a feedback mechanism at its core, this approach can enhance stakeholder communication and translate highly specialized technical knowledge into adaptive, actionable insights. This study also highlights that including spatial design can help develop landscape-based groundwater recharge for long-term sustainable regional development. Full article

(1) Background: American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities faced disproportionate COVID-19 infection rates and a higher prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs). Telehealth emerged as a key strategy to address these health disparities. (2) Objective: In response to a call to action from an urban Indian organization (UIO), our multidisciplinary team conducted a community-based participatory study to (1) examine the integration of Native practices in SUD treatment during COVID-19, and (2) develop provider training modules based on these findings. (3) Methods: Using a mixed methods approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with six community SUD providers, surveyed 91 clients, and analyzed 278 de-identified health records from the UIO Native-serving facility in the Southwest U.S. from May 2020 to May 2021. (4) Results: As of October 2024, analysis of Aim 1 is ongoing. With UIO engagement, findings from Aim 1 are being translated into training modules for Aim 2. (5) Conclusion: This community-driven study lays the foundation for future research on Indigenous mental well-being, centering strength, resilience, and cultural knowledge in substance use treatment. Findings will be disseminated through presentations and publications with Native and non-Native communities, treatment centers, educators, and leaders. Future studies will assess the effectiveness of the training modules among clinicians. Full article

The research focuses on the limitations of traditional systems in optimizing information flow in the healthcare domain. It focuses on integrating knowledge graphs (KGs) and utilizing AI-powered applications, specifically conversational agents (CAs), particularly during peak operational hours in emergency departments (EDs). Leveraging the Cross Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM) framework, the authors tailored a customized methodology, CRISP-knowledge graph (CRISP-KG), designed to harness KGs for constructing an intelligent knowledge base (KB) for CAs. This KG augmentation empowers CAs with advanced reasoning, knowledge management, and context awareness abilities. We utilized a hybrid method integrating a participatory design collaborative methodology (CM) and Methontology to construct a domain-centric robust formal ontological model depicting and mapping information flow during peak hours in EDs. The ultimate objective is to empower CAs with intelligent KBs, enabling seamless interaction with end users and enhancing the quality of care within EDs. The authors leveraged semantic web rule language (SWRL) to enhance inferencing capabilities within the KG framework further, facilitating efficient information management for assisting healthcare practitioners and patients. This innovative assistive solution helps efficiently manage information flow and information provision during peak hours. It also leads to better care outcomes and streamlined workflows within EDs. Full article

Impact innovation has progressed through three phases: 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0. Impact 1.0 introduced carbon credit trading, while Impact 2.0 added participatory grantmaking, impact measurement, and price competitions. Impact 3.0 incorporates Web3 community tools and impact certificate trading. This paper examines the evolution of these phases, focusing on Impact 3.0’s influence on philanthropic practices. Through an analysis of the literature and case studies, Web3 technologies and impact certificate markets are investigated for how these innovations affect transparency and efficiency in social impact initiatives. The information gathered indicates that Impact 3.0 facilitates decentralized impact verification and creates a marketplace aligning stakeholder interests. Consequently, leveraging the features of Web3 technologies can enable philanthropy to scale significantly and provide insights for impact-focused donors aiming to improve outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Puerto Rican households often face elevated rates of food insecurity. Frequently, households experiencing food insecurity turn to federal and emergency nutrition assistance for urgent or prolonged aid. This study analyzes factors influencing food insecurity and food assistance program involvement among Puerto Ricans in Holyoke, Massachusetts, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Using a combination of community-based participatory recruitment, purposive sampling, and web-based tools, we collected 284 survey responses. Our paper employed Pearson’s chi-square, logistic regression, and hierarchical linear models to assess relationships between demographic and household attributes and food access outcomes. Results: Variables such as having children in the household and age significantly influenced food relief participation and food insecurity outcomes. Puerto Rican heritage and low educational attainment were strong predictors of obtaining federal food aid. Low-income participants disproportionately faced food shortages and depended on emergency food initiatives. Our findings indicate that demographic and household factors significantly influence food insecurity and accessibility. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that the pandemic made it challenging for households to obtain consistent, safe, and affordable nourishment. The impacts were unequally spread; hence, Puerto Rican communities and low-income groups were most affected. Full article

In an era of rapid technological advancement, decisions about the ownership and governance of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence will shape the future of both urban and rural environments in the Global North and South. This article explores how AI can move beyond the noise of algorithms by adopting a technological humanistic approach to enable Social Innovation, focusing on global inequalities and digital justice. Using a fieldwork Action Research methodology, based on the Smart Rural Communities project in Colombia and Mozambique, the study develops a framework for integrating AI with SI. Drawing on insights from the AI4SI International Summer School held in Donostia-San Sebastián in 2024, the article examines the role of decentralized Web3 technologies—such as Blockchain, Decentralized Autonomous Organizations, and Data Cooperatives—in enhancing data sovereignty and fostering inclusive and participatory governance. The results demonstrate how decentralization can empower marginalized communities in the Global South by promoting digital justice and addressing the imbalance of power in digital ecosystems. The conclusion emphasizes the potential for AI and decentralized technologies to bridge the digital divide, offering practical recommendations for scaling these innovations to support equitable, community-driven governance and address systemic inequalities across the Global North and South. Full article