Search Results (965)

This paper examines a prospect scenario of adopting Child Development Accounts (CDAs) as a social welfare innovation in Jordan. CDAs are considered as an asset-building policy aimed at enhancing financial inclusion and socio-economic well-being. This paper discovers the feasibility of CDAs that have proven successful in several countries, as their potential in Middle Eastern countries, particularly in Jordan, remains unexplored. The application of CDAs in the social welfare system aims to support sustainable asset accumulation and improve the living standards of diverse segments in Jordan by integrating CDAs within the efforts made by Jordan to achieve financial inclusion, alleviate poverty, and supplement household income through asset development. There are opportunities to implement the program in Jordan, including expanding the scope of microfinance, public–private partnerships, and targeted programs for women, youth, and refugees. However, several challenges may hinder its application, including limited financial literacy, high unemployment rates, income inequality, regulatory obstacles, and difficulties in implementing social reforms. The paper contributes to the debate on social welfare policies adopted in developing countries by providing solutions based on global practices in CDA execution and has implications and recommendations for decision makers to achieve economic development. Future research in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries should target pilot projects and comparative studies to refine CDA strategies. Full article

Sexual violence among adolescents remains a persistent social and public health issue. Prevention approaches tend to be designed and executed by adults, with young people serving limited roles. Getting young people involved in the field of prevention can be a lofty goal for community-based organizations, who often work with limited time, capacity, funds, and resources to build impactful youth programs. Young people have grown up observing injustices in their communities and have clear, actionable ideas for addressing sexual violence and advancing social change. Unfortunately, little has explained how and why centering youth voices and leadership matters in sexual violence prevention efforts and how it can be done. In this paper, a collection of youth leaders use interview data from a participatory evaluation of a groundbreaking youth-centered prevention program to introduce the Youth-Led Program to Prevention Model. Using members’ testimonies and co-constructed analysis, and inspired by ripple effect and ecological models, the Youth-Led Program to Prevention Model showcases how youth-centered activism and education can advance the goals of sexual violence prevention and impact young people, communities, and systems. Written by youth leaders themselves and based on their lived experiences in the evaluated program, this paper accompanies the Youth-Led Program to Prevention Model with actionable strategies for practitioners who wish to celebrate young people’s contributions and visions for change. Full article

This study aims to explore the effectiveness of a problem-solving method, grounded in Pólya’s methodological proposal and complemented by a STEM electronic educational kit, in strengthening the research competences of newly admitted nursing students at a public university in Peru. The research followed a quantitative approach using a quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-test measurements applied to a group of students who addressed real community health issues in their local context. The intervention was structured into four phases: understanding the problem, planning activities, execution, and reviewing the solution. The results showed significant improvements across all phases, particularly in problem analysis, autonomous planning, technological application, and critical thinking. The Wilcoxon test yielded p-values < 0.05 in all evaluated dimensions, allowing the rejection of the null hypothesis and confirming the effectiveness of the intervention. It is concluded that the problem-solving method, when integrated with relevant technological tools, is an effective strategy to promote formative research in vulnerable educational contexts. Moreover, it aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals—specifically SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)—by fostering inclusive, equitable, and contextually relevant education through socially and technologically meaningful innovation. Full article

Artificial intelligence has taken a seat at the executive table and is threatening the fact that human beings are the only ones who should be in a position of power. This article gives conjectures on the future of leadership in which managers will collaborate with learning algorithms in the Neural Adaptive Artificial Intelligence Leadership Model, which is informed by the transformational literature on leadership and socio-technical systems, as well as the literature on algorithmic governance. We assessed the model with thirty in-depth interviews, system-level traces of behavior, and a verified survey, and we explored six hypotheses that relate to algorithmic delegation and ethical oversight, as well as human judgment versus machine insight in terms of agility and performance. We discovered that decisions are made quicker, change is more effective, and interaction is more vivid where agile practices and good digital understanding exist, and statistical tests propose that human flexibility and definite governance augment those benefits as well. It is single-industry research that contains self-reported measures, which causes research to be limited to other industries that contain more objective measures. Practitioners are provided with a practical playbook on how to make algorithmic jobs meaningful, introduce moral fail-safes, and build learning feedback to ensure people and machines are kept in line. Socially, the practice is capable of minimizing bias and establishing inclusion by visualizing accountability in the code and practice. Filling the gap between the theory of leadership and the reality of algorithms, the study provides a model of intelligent systems leading in organizations that can be reproduced. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a major global health concern with high mortality despite advances in resuscitation techniques. Achieving return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) represents merely the initial step in the extensive rehabilitation journey. This review highlights the critical role of structured, multidisciplinary rehabilitation following ROSC, emphasizing the necessity of integrated physiotherapy, neurocognitive therapy, and psychosocial support to enhance quality of life and societal reintegration in survivors. Methods: This narrative review analyzed peer-reviewed literature from 2020–2025, sourced from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Emphasis was on clinical trials, expert guidelines (e.g., European Resuscitation Council 2021, American Heart Association 2020), and high-impact journals, with systematic thematic analysis across rehabilitation phases. Results: The review confirms rehabilitation as essential in addressing Intensive Care Unit–acquired weakness, cognitive impairment, and post-intensive care syndrome. Early rehabilitation (0–7 days post-ROSC), focusing on parameter-guided mobilization and cognitive stimulation, significantly improves functional outcomes. Structured interdisciplinary interventions encompassing cardiopulmonary, neuromuscular, and cognitive domains effectively mitigate long-term disability, facilitating return to daily activities and employment. However, access disparities and insufficient randomized controlled trials limit evidence-based standardization. Discussion: Optimal recovery after SCA necessitates early and continuous interdisciplinary engagement, tailored to individual physiological and cognitive profiles. Persistent cognitive fatigue, executive dysfunction, and emotional instability remain significant barriers, underscoring the need for holistic and sustained rehabilitative approaches. Conclusions: Comprehensive, individualized rehabilitation following cardiac arrest is not supplementary but fundamental to meaningful recovery. Emphasizing early mobilization, neurocognitive therapy, family involvement, and structured social reintegration pathways is crucial. Addressing healthcare disparities and investing in rigorous randomized trials are imperative to achieving standardized, equitable, and outcome-oriented rehabilitation services globally. Full article

In the context of pursuing the goal of strategic imperatives of sustainable development, the ESG performance of enterprises has become a key yardstick for measuring their comprehensive environmental contribution and economic efficiency. Enhancing ESG performance has far-reaching significance in promoting green and sustainable development of enterprises and society. Drawing on the upper echelons theory, this paper investigates the impact of the chief executive officer’s (CEO’s) green experience on corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, utilizing a sample of publicly listed Chinese companies from 2011 to 2023. The study demonstrates that CEOs with green experience significantly enhance corporate ESG performance, a conclusion that remains consistent following a series of rigorous robustness checks. Mechanistic analysis reveals that CEOs’ green experience primarily facilitates corporate ESG performance enhancement through green innovation initiatives. Furthermore, CEO discretion amplifies the positive influence of green experience on ESG performance. Heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that the influence of the CEOs’ green experience on ESG performance is more pronounced in high-tech enterprises, in markets characterized by lower levels of competition, and in firms situated in regions exhibiting higher degrees of social trust. These findings impart both theoretical and practical implications for enhancing corporate ESG performance and offer novel strategic perspective to advance environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and corporate governance frameworks. Full article

Social network platforms have a big impact on the development of companies by influencing clients’ behaviors and sentiments, which directly affect corporate reputations. Analyzing this feedback has become an essential component of business intelligence, supporting the improvement of long-term marketing strategies on a larger scale. The implementation of powerful sentiment analysis models requires a comprehensive and in-depth examination of each stage of the process. In this study, we present a new comparative approach for several feature extraction techniques, including TF-IDF, Word2Vec, FastText, and BERT embeddings. These methods are applied to three multilingual datasets collected from hotel review platforms in the tourism sector in English, French, and Arabic languages. Those datasets were preprocessed through cleaning, normalization, labeling, and balancing before being trained on various machine learning and deep learning algorithms. The effectiveness of each feature extraction method was evaluated using metrics such as accuracy, F1-score, precision, recall, ROC AUC curve, and a new metric that measures the execution time for generating word representations. Our extensive experiments demonstrate significant and excellent results, achieving accuracy rates of approximately 99% for the English dataset, 94% for the Arabic dataset, and 89% for the French dataset. These findings confirm the important impact of vectorization techniques on the performance of sentiment analysis models. They also highlight the important relationship between balanced datasets, effective feature extraction methods, and the choice of classification algorithms. So, this study aims to simplify the selection of feature extraction methods and appropriate classifiers for each language, thereby contributing to advancements in sentiment analysis. Full article

Objective: Retained primitive reflexes are associated with delayed motor and behavioral development in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study examined the effects of a 12-week structured exercise intervention on reflex integration, motor coordination, and socio-behavioral outcomes in these populations. Method: Fifteen children with ASD (13 boys, 2 girls) and twelve with ADHD (8 boys, 4 girls), aged 6–12 years, participated in rhythmic, balance, and coordination-based exercises. Primitive reflexes, including the asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR), were assessed using standardized protocols, and fine motor coordination was evaluated using the Finger and Thumb Opposition Test (FOT). Behavioral outcomes were measured using the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2) for the ASD group and the Conners 3 for the ADHD group. Results: The ASD group showed significant reductions in left-standing ATNR retention scores (p = 0.012) and improvements in right-hand FOT scores (p = 0.023). In the ADHD group, significant improvements were also observed in right-hand FOT scores (p = 0.007). Furthermore, Conners 3 Total and Global Index scores significantly decreased in the ADHD group (p = 0.016 and 0.020, respectively). Reflex retention patterns appeared broader and more bilateral in ASD than in ADHD, suggesting distinct motor developmental profiles. Conclusions: Short-term rhythmic, balance, and whole-body coordination exercise interventions may support behavioral and motor development in children with ASD and ADHD. Tailored programs emphasizing reflex integration hold promise for clinical and educational applications. Full article

Prospective memory, the ability to remember to execute a preplanned activity, is important in social interactions, insofar as such interactions frequently involve preplanned activities. The importance of prospective memory varies across different social contexts and individuals generally make greater efforts to ensure the completion of prospective memory tasks under high social motivation conditions compared to low social motivation conditions. We aimed to investigate the effects of various levels of social motivation on prospective memory. A single-factor between-subjects experimental design was implemented to explore the influence of social motivation intensity on time-based prospective memory and its processing mechanism. We found that only the high social motivation group demonstrated superior prospective memory performance compared to the control group. The high social motivation group also had slower response speeds in response to the ongoing tasks than both the control group and the low social motivation group, but the number of strategies used was not different among the three groups. Moreover, in comparison with the control group, the high social motivation group monitored time more frequently. The results suggest that only high-intensity social motivation can promote time-based prospective memory performance, and increased attention consumption is necessary for the occurrence of this effect. Full article

Sexuality and intimacy are essential aspects of the human experience for all people, contributing significantly to physical and emotional connections, well-being, and quality of life. Despite their importance, these topics are frequently overlooked in stroke rehabilitation, especially for those with cognitive and perceptual impairments. Existing research on post-stroke sexual rehabilitation tends to focus on sexual dysfunction and the secondary physical and psychological stroke symptoms, with little attention to cognitive and perceptual impairments. Cognitive deficits, such as decreased memory, generalized attention, and executive function not only can hinder sexual participation but also raise the complex issue of capacity to consent. This paper argues that it is imperative for researchers and healthcare practitioners to address cognitive and perceptual challenges, understand consent laws in their respective regions, and consider the influence of culture and social norms in order to support the sexual rights and well-being of all stroke survivors. Furthermore, this article provides some practical recommendations, from an occupational therapy perspective, that healthcare practitioners can provide to clients and their partners. Full article

In an era where sustainable development is increasingly a core strategic issue for businesses, how top management, as the architects of corporate strategy, can achieve a synergy of economic, social, and environmental benefits through internal management mechanisms to promote corporate sustainability is a central focus for both academia and practice. This study aims to explore how Executive Cognitive Flexibility (CF) influences Firm Performance and to uncover the mediating effects of Non-market Strategy. We use panel data from Chinese A-share listed companies between 2016 and 2022 to examine and empirically analyze this mechanism. Our findings indicate that CF has a positive impact on Firm Performance. This relationship is realized through the pathway of Non-market Strategy, specifically manifesting as a reduction in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and an increase in Corporate Political Activity (CPA). Further analysis reveals that the impact of executive cognitive flexibility on firm performance is differentially influenced by internal and external environmental contexts. The findings of this study provide important practical insights and policy recommendations for companies on cultivating executive cognitive flexibility, optimizing non-market strategies, and enhancing firm performance in various internal and external environments. Full article

With the growing impact of environmental challenges, the need for well-planned and effectively executed actions to support progress and sustainable social development has become increasingly evident. Geoparks play a vital role in this endeavor by fostering the development of products that celebrate local heritage and promote its conservation, utilizing the natural and cultural resources unique to each region in sustainable ways. Geoproducts, in particular, aim to enrich cultural identity and elevate the value of the landscape and geodiversity by integrating communities into innovative approaches and technologies, engaging them in commercialization, and ensuring sustainability alongside social inclusion. Within the framework of the Safi Geopark Project, this article delves into the concept of geoproducts, their definitions, and their potential to bolster local identity and social and economic development. Leveraging the abundant geological and cultural resources of Safi province, the study presents both tangible and intangible geoproducts that merge traditional craftsmanship with modern sustainability practices. Notable examples include ammonite-inspired ceramics, educational materials, and eco-friendly cosmetics, each carefully designed to reflect and celebrate the region’s geoheritage. This article underscores the crucial role of community involvement in the creation of geoproducts, highlighting their impact on conservation, education, and the promotion of sustainable tourism. By proposing actionable strategies, this study not only broadens the understanding of geoproducts within geoparks but also reinforces their importance as instruments for regional development, heritage conservation, and sustainable economic growth. Full article

Cannabis is the most widely consumed illicit substance worldwide, with rising use particularly among adolescents and young adults. Accumulating evidence indicates that chronic cannabis use may negatively impact several domains of cognition, yet findings across studies remain varied and fragmented. This comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge on the long-term cognitive consequences of cannabis use, focusing on attention, executive functioning, learning, memory, language, motor coordination, and social cognition. Consistent impairments have been observed in domains such as attention, executive function, memory, and learning; however, most evidence derives from studies of acute or residual effects. Evidence of long-lasting deficits after extended abstinence remains more limited and methodologically heterogeneous. Acute motor coordination deficits are well established, but persistent impairments in this domain lack conclusive evidence. Effects on language remain inconclusive, and findings regarding social cognition, though limited, suggest potential deficits in emotion recognition and mental state inference. Early onset and high-frequency use are critical risk factors for more severe and enduring cognitive effects. Some deficits may partially reverse with abstinence, although many persist long after cessation. Overall, cannabis use is associated with widespread and lasting cognitive impairments. These findings underscore the need for targeted prevention strategies, especially among youth, and point to future longitudinal and mechanistic research to better understand the nature, persistence, and potential reversibility of these cognitive effects. Full article

Background/Objectives: Men choosing active surveillance (AS) for low- and intermediate risk prostate cancer (PCa) must weigh its harms and benefits against those of active treatment (AT). To understand factors influencing treatment decision-making (TDM) for and adherence to AS, we performed a systematic review. Methods: This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO (ID CRD42024490427). A comprehensive search strategy from 1990 to 2024 was executed across multiple databases, including Medline and Embase. Studies were included if they examined factors influencing TDM for AS or active monitoring (AM) and adherence to AS/AM. Results: Of the 8316 articles identified, 223 articles were eligible for inclusion. The decision for AS was influenced by different factors, including comprehensive information about treatment options, social support, and wanting to avoid side-effects. Key reasons to choose AT over AS included a lack of information from healthcare professionals about AS and fear of disease progression. Reasons for adhering to the AS protocol included better quality of life and social support. While non-adherence to the AS protocol is prompted by, e.g., biopsy burden and uncertainty, AS discontinuation is generally a results of medical reasons (namely disease upgrading) or from anxiety and family pressure. Conclusions: Numerous factors influence men’s treatment pathway choices. Involving family members in shared decision-making and ensuring that patients have detailed information about AS as a treatment option could help to improve AS uptake. Addressing psychosocial challenges through education and family involvement could improve AS adherence. These insights can help healthcare providers by addressing men’s needs during TDM and AS. Full article

Audit quality is crucial, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), due to their significant economic role. This study examined how spatial distance (physical separation) and social distance (perceived dissimilarity) between auditors and SME clients influence audit quality, focusing on technical quality (the tangible outputs of auditing) and process quality (the manner of service delivery). Using data from 449 SME executives across Thailand, the study investigated the mediating role of auditor independence within these relationships. The results from structural equation modeling revealed that spatial distance has no direct impact on audit quality but a negative effect on perceived auditor independence, which, in turn, diminishes audit quality indirectly. Conversely, social distance negatively impacts both technical and process quality directly and indirectly through auditor independence. The findings suggest that despite technological advancements facilitating remote auditing, maintaining some physical interaction remains vital for preserving client trust. Additionally, aligning auditor–client social similarities significantly enhances audit quality perceptions. This study provides practical implications for audit firms in managing client interactions effectively, particularly within SMEs. Full article