Search Results (180)

Adam Smith’s The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) and The Wealth of Nations (1776) offer a distinctive perspective on moral development that avoids succumbing to the limitations of capitalism and utilitarianism by supporting both moral agency and the importance of enabling structures and systems in commerce. Corruption of moral sentiments cannot be averted by enforcing only mechanical structures and systems of compliance with governance rules, regulations, and disciplinary processes to control employees. Compliance then follows a means-to-an-end logic for maximising profit, which becomes a barrier for autonomous moral development or is even incapable of moral decision-making, as suggested by Hannah Arendt. Smith’s originality lies in grounding this analysis with an affirmative view of human nature and liberty, which enables him to move beyond purely legalistic or moralistic approaches to understand and counter moral failure. Smith offers a distinctive perspective on moral development in commerce, integrating human cognition, moral philosophy, and enabling structural and systemic design that avoids the displacement of responsibility noted by Albert Bandura. For Smith, the corruption of moral sentiments is distorted by the natural need for praise from others at all costs, as opposed to praiseworthy conduct. His remedy is a two-fold process of moral education in which the impartial spectator extends the natural desire for praise to prioritise honour and integrity in behaviour that is praiseworthy. However, moral education also requires a structural social space that is not prescriptive or legalistic to enhance the freedom to develop morally by exercising the choice to strive towards ethical behaviour. In this manner, self-interest enables moral development through natural means that prioritise honourable conduct and perpetuates sympathetic sentiment in which the well-being of others is considered. Full article

This paper proposes the novel application of group counterfactual explanations to the problem of predicting students at risk of dropout. Our objective is to explain how to recover the largest possible number of students while minimizing effort and cost. Using group counterfactuals, instructors and institutions could recover large groups of students with minimal remedial actions. For testing, we used the well-known public educational Open University Learning Analytics Dataset (OULAD), which contains students’ clicks made throughout interactions with online courses. We modified and adapted the only existing algorithm for the generation of group counterfactuals, named GROUP-CF. We also used the Diverse Counterfactual Explanations (DiCE) individual counterfactual algorithm with the K-means clustering method and new options in discovering the most representative counterfactuals for a group of students. The results obtained are very promising; our approach can be successfully applied to recover 99.3% of students at risk of failing in a shorter time in comparison to traditional individual counterfactuals. Moreover, although a group counterfactual proposes to change a greater number of students’ features, the values are lighter and therefore seem easier to apply than the ones obtained with individual counterfactuals. This work opens up a new line of research in education. Full article

Rural and agricultural runoff continues to pose a threat to water quality and human health despite a plethora of research identifying likely causes. Large livestock operations and leaking septic systems have proven to be significant sources of both nutrients and bacteria in the form of algal blooms and antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli. These impacts are often witnessed on a watershed scale. Implementing remedies is complicated, as livestock operations are defined as point-source facilities under the USA Clean Water Act (CWA) but regulated as non-point-source entities under a NPDES CAFO general permit. Non-point-source pollutant assessment of watersheds involves a wide array of sampling parameters that focus primarily on impacts after-the-fact and lack regulatory teeth. This watershed management approach is not sustainable, as evidenced by the continual degradation of our rural watersheds. This study lays out streamlined methods and techniques incorporating focused parameters that can infer point-source pollutant pathways even in already impaired waterways. We applied this methodology to the Pine River Watershed in central Lower Michigan after the appearance of an algal bloom downstream from several potential nutrient inputs. Findings show that the application of these unique methods and techniques results in the successful identification of point-source inputs. These methods are inexpensive and demand few resources, and hence they are easily reproduced and replicated. Therefore, by regulating large livestock operations as point-source discharge entities, it is possible for local communities, educational institutions, and regulatory agencies to identify likely pollutant sources in a way that promotes higher water quality and long-term sustainability. Full article

Universities have become central arenas in which the terms of racial justice are negotiated, contested, and at times sanctioned. This article examines how decolonial discourse in Belgian higher education navigates the tension between dialogic and authoritative discourse. Decolonial discourse in Belgium tackles racial illiteracy or the lack of institutional capacity to engage with the histories and contemporary realities of race. The study draws on a qualitative analysis of thirteen publicly available documents, including open letters, manifestos, and institutional responses produced between 2017 and 2021, with a dialogic analysis of five key texts within the Ghent University Association. Using Bakhtin’s framework of dialogic and authoritative discourse, operationalised through Matusov and von Duyke’s concept of internally persuasive discourse (IPD), the analysis identifies three modes of responding to racial illiteracy: appeals to personal conviction (IPD1), the formulation of new institutional norms (IPD2), and dialogic inquiry that treats illiteracy as a shared pedagogical problem (IPD3). The findings show that while decolonial movements expose the structural and epistemic conditions that sustain racial illiteracy, institutional responses from students, staff, and governing bodies often address these critiques by enforcing ‘decolonial’ personal convictions and institutional norms, risking the reproduction of the very illiteracy they seek to remedy. The article concludes that decolonial transformation requires cultivating dialogic practices that position racial illiteracy as a collective site of learning within the university’s civic mission. Full article

In Algeria, honey plays an important role in nutrition, traditional medicine and sustainable food practices. However, little is known about how consumers perceive and use this product in their daily lives. This study aims to explore how honey consumption patterns among a specific segment of Algerian households, mainly young, educated, and digitally active individuals, relate to traditional practices and contribute to sustainable food systems and cultural heritage. An online survey remained open for four months, and the final number of participants was 770 individuals from 51 wilayas, using convenience sampling through academic and social media networks. As this was an exploratory study, no fixed statistical population was defined. Chi-square tests revealed significant associations between age and honey consumption frequency (χ² = 45.33, p = 0.0010), annual purchase quantity (χ² = 111.49, p < 0.0001), and buying frequency (χ² = 47.26, p < 0.0001), as well as between climatic zone and buying source (χ² = 34.90, p = 0.0097). The findings highlight honey’s multifunctional role, not only as a food product, but also as a traditional remedy and cosmetic ingredient, embedded in cultural routines and health practices. Consumer preferences are shaped by sensory attributes such as taste, type, and appearance, while purchasing decisions are strongly influenced by trust-based relationships, with most respondents favoring direct acquisition from beekeepers or known individuals. These informal sourcing habits reflect sustainable traditions that support local producers and reinforce consumer confidence. However, widespread misconceptions, such as the belief that crystallized honey is adulterated, reveal a need for targeted consumer education. To promote sustainable honey consumption, the study recommends clearer labeling, school-based programs, and public awareness campaigns. Full article

Introduction: Although childhood fever is a common and typically self-limiting clinical presentation, it imposes a substantial emotional and psychological burden on caregivers, especially mothers, primarily due to enduring practices and beliefs that diverge from contemporary evidence-based medical guidelines. Objective: The aim was to investigate how families perceive pediatric fever, identify the factors influencing their caregiving decisions, and examine their experiences across various healthcare settings. Methodology: A qualitative study employing an ethnomethodological approach was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Spain. The study included ten caregivers (nine mothers and one father) of children presenting with fever. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and field diary observations. Analysis was performed using a combination of inductive and deductive methods, supported by the Atlas.ti 25.0.1 version software. Results: Mothers perceive childhood fever as a disruptive event necessitating rapid decision-making, shaped by emotional responses, prior experiences, culturally transmitted knowledge, and social context. Common caregiving practices included routine administration of antipyretics, application of physical remedies, and early utilization of emergency healthcare services. The caregiver–healthcare professional relationship was characterized by ambivalence, highlighting the need for enhanced health education and greater emotional support for caregivers. Conclusions: Childhood fever represents both a clinical condition and a sociocultural phenomenon. Gaining insight into family practices and beliefs enables the development of more effective, empathetic educational interventions, which can enhance caregiving practices and mitigate parental anxiety. Reporting method: Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) guidelines. Full article

The inspiration and main goal for creating smart cities is to improve the quality of urban life. However, this ambitious task is not always successful as urban stakeholders are not homogeneous. Their experiences and expectations can vary significantly, which ultimately affects their level of satisfaction with life in the city. This article assesses the quality of life in 19 cities with county rights located in the Silesian province of Poland. The assessment takes into account stakeholders’ age, gender, education, and household size. The study also assesses the geographical variation in the quality of life in individual cities in the region with a view to individualizing the management approach. The research methodology is based on a survey conducted in a representative sample of 1863 residents of Silesian cities. The results are analyzed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests. The conclusions indicate a lower quality of life for women, residents aged 31 to 40, and people with primary education and a bachelor’s degree. The quality of life is significantly worse in post-mining towns where economic transformation has not been successfully implemented. The quality of urban life is rated highest by men, older people, and residents with basic and secondary education. Communities living in cities with modern industry and a stable economic situation are very satisfied with their standard of living. The results of the study imply the need for an individualized approach to shaping living conditions in cities and the implementation of remedial measures for groups and cities at risk of a lower quality of life. This will help to balance the quality of urban life and prevent various forms of exclusion. Full article

Background: Childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) are at heightened risk of long-term neurocognitive and emotional difficulties that can affect educational attainment, social participation, and overall quality of life. These outcomes vary across developmental stages and are influenced by treatment modality, age at diagnosis, and central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science for articles published between January 2000 and June 2024. Search terms included combinations of “childhood cancer survivors,” “neurocognitive outcomes,” “executive function,” “emotional regulation,” and related MeSH terms. Inclusion criteria required peer-reviewed studies assessing CCS using standardized neuropsychological or emotional measures. Results: Evidence indicates persistent deficits in processing speed, working memory, and higher-order executive functions, with additional challenges in attention and memory. Emotional difficulties, including anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal, were prevalent and often co-occurred with cognitive impairments. Developmental timing of cancer and treatment was a key determinant of outcome. Family functioning, school reintegration support, and broader social environments emerged as important moderators of resilience. Conclusions: CCSs face complex, interrelated cognitive and emotional challenges that warrant early identification and ongoing, developmentally tailored intervention. Integrated approaches combining cognitive remediation and psychosocial support appear most effective. Future research should prioritize longitudinal designs, multi-informant assessments, and culturally sensitive frameworks to inform targeted prevention and rehabilitation strategies. Our synthesis highlights that deficits in processing speed and working memory are most pronounced following CNS-directed therapies during early developmental stages, whereas emotional vulnerabilities such as anxiety and social withdrawal often emerge later in adolescence. Interventions combining cognitive remediation, targeted psychosocial support, and structured school reintegration show the strongest evidence for improving adaptive outcomes. Coordinated survivorship care across healthcare, educational, and family systems is essential to sustain developmental recovery. Full article

Background: Inhaled medications are central in managing pediatric respiratory diseases, yet device complexity and nebulizer use often challenge caregivers and affect adherence. This study assessed current usage patterns and parental perceptions of inhaled therapies in Romania, aiming to identify modifiable factors for targeted education. Methods: A cross-sectional observational survey was distributed via SVC^® (Spitalul Virtual pentru Copii—Virtual Children’s Hospital), a widely accessed social media platform for Romanian parents. Data included demographics, inhaled medication use, prescribing sources, adherence, and treatment perceptions. Results: A total of 1825 parents participated, mostly urban residents (87.6%). Chronic respiratory disease, mainly asthma, was reported in 7.3% of children. Inhaled therapy was used in 71.9% of cases, predominantly saline solutions, bronchodilators, and corticosteroids, marking a decline compared with the past decade. Nebulizers (74.1%) were the main devices used. Prescriptions were largely pediatrician-based, though self-medication occurred, particularly with saline solutions, often influenced by non-medical sources (p = 0.003). Parents of children with chronic disease were less likely to self-medicate (p = 0.042), especially with β₂-agonists and corticosteroids (p < 0.001). Additionally, 31.3% reported use of complementary remedies, including homeopathy. Overall, 73.5% perceived inhaled therapy as effective, with adverse events reported by only 8.3%. Conclusions: Inhaled therapy remains prevalent in Romanian children, though self-medication and alternative treatments persist, shaped by cultural factors and limited medical education. Parents of children with chronic disease show better adherence and reliance on prescribed therapy. Enhancing parental education via accessible digital platforms may reduce inappropriate practices and improve outcomes in low-resource settings. Full article

The purpose of this study is to propose and critically assess a sustainable urban regeneration model for the redevelopment of the former K-2 military airbase in Daegu, Korea. Large-scale idle military sites pose significant challenges in terms of ecological remediation, social integration, and economic transformation, but also offer opportunities for redefining urban identity and global competitiveness. To address this, we develop the concept of the “Global Contents City,” a planning framework that integrates cultural exchange, creative industries, education, and tourism within a sustainable urban ecosystem. The research employs a qualitative methodology that combines theoretical review, comparative analysis of international precedents (e.g., Munich-Riem, Tempelhof, Stapleton, and Toronto), and design-oriented masterplanning. The findings highlight design strategies that spatially interconnect cultural, educational, industrial, and ecological functions while reinforcing low-carbon infrastructure and green open space. By situating the Daegu K-2 case in an international context, the study demonstrates how lessons from post-military redevelopments can be adapted to Korea, contributing to both scholarly debates and practical frameworks for sustainable city-making. Full article

With 2.3 million people in the UK having experienced domestic abuse (DA) in the year ending March 2024, DA represents a severe public health issue. Public interest in DA remains high, with its importance and impact re-emphasised through recent legislative changes. Thus, educating the public about the predictors and consequences of DA and barriers to gaining support can both empower potential victims and enable them to recognise and support others. The CEASE Educational Programme is one such intervention, provided by UK-based DA charity RemediUK. This study employed semi-structured interviews and interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the experiences of staff (n = 6) who had facilitated the CEASE Educational Programme. Two overarching themes relating to barriers to delivery were highlighted: (1) understanding participants’ lack of engagement, and (2) a desire to fill the gaps. Our findings indicate a need to explore how DA education can best target those who would benefit from it the most, and in doing so, identify attitudes and beliefs endorsing DA, and how to best educate those with personal experiences of abuse. Full article

Background: High attrition rates among nursing students, particularly during the sophomore year, threaten the sustainability of the nursing workforce. Objectives: This study assessed structured assessment methods implemented at a School of Nursing located in northern Virginia to improve student success and reduce attrition. Methods: Interventions included a three-tier grading system (Mastery, Intermediate, and Novice), standardized rubrics, detailed instructor guidelines, remediation sessions, and medication competency practice materials. Results: Data from student and instructor feedback surveys and attrition rate comparisons between Spring 2024 and Spring 2025 revealed a reduction in overall attrition of sophomores from 23.5% to 17.3% and from 20% to 12% in the Fundamentals courses. Students reported increased engagement and confidence in foundational core skills, though complex nursing skills care posed challenges. Instructors valued the structure but questioned the suitability of certain skills for sophomores. Conclusions: These findings underscore the value of structured assessments in enhancing retention, with implications for revision of curriculum design in students’ early years of nursing education. Full article

Global antibiotic use saturates ecosystems with selective pressure, driving mobile genetic element (MGE)-mediated antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) dissemination that destabilizes ecological integrity and breaches public health defenses. This review synthesizes the sources, environmental distribution, and ecological risks of antibiotics and ARGs, emphasizing the mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) driven by MGEs such as plasmids, transposons, and integrons. We further conduct a comparative critical analysis of the effectiveness and limitations of antibiotics and ARGs remediation strategies for adsorption (biochar, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes), chemical degradation (advanced oxidation processes, Fenton-based systems), and biological treatment (microbial degradation, constructed wetlands). To effectively curb the spread of antimicrobial resistance and safeguard the sustainability of ecosystems, we propose an integrated “One Health” framework encompassing enhanced global surveillance (antibiotic residues and ARGs dissemination) as well as public education. Full article

Background—Against childhood lead poisoning, removing lead exposure is the main measure, but how to do it effectively has not been fully established. Our objective was to determine the impact of several interventions (education, housing remediation, and relocation) on children’s blood lead levels. Methods—A historical cohort of childhood lead poisoning was drawn in Marseille, France, from 2011 to 2018. A generalized mixed model was developed to study the kinetics of blood lead levels. Results—We included 151 children, with 56% living in legal substandard housing and others living in slums. Medical follow-up (median: 612 days) included 492 blood samples. In legal substandard housing, blood lead level decrease was significantly associated with every intervention. In slums, blood lead level decrease was significantly associated with housing relocation and education, although to a lesser extent. Conclusions—Every intervention contributed to reducing blood lead levels in substandard housing. Educational intervention is rapidly implemented. Housing remediation follows a long-lasting but effective legal procedure. Some families get housing relocation, depending on their financial resources or whether they are eligible for social housing. In slums, access to legal housing is the most effective against environmental exposure and education has a wider impact on health literacy. Full article