Children with epilepsy often face barriers to school participation and appropriate seizure management. This study explored caregiver-reported challenges related to seizure action plans (SAPs), rescue medication access, and school inclusion. A 34-item survey, including items from the validated Brief School Needs Inventory (BSNI), was administered to caregivers of school-aged children with epilepsy receiving care at a tertiary children's hospital. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses examined seizure-related experiences and school-level barriers, stratified by BSNI-assessed educational risk. Among 162 caregiver respondents, 50.6% reported their child had experienced a seizure at school. While 79% of students had a SAP in place, 11.7% did not. One-quarter of students required rescue medication at least annually, and 25.9% of caregivers were unsure if it could be administered in a timely manner at school. Additionally, 27.2% of students were excluded from school activities and 34% faced bus transportation barriers. Logistic regression showed students with high BSNI risk were over six times more likely to face transportation-related barriers (OR = 6.12, p<0.001) and nearly five times more likely to be excluded from activities (OR = 4.91, p<0.01) than peers with low risk. Despite federal protections and emerging state-level legislation, many students with epilepsy experience preventable educational and safety-related barriers. Improved standardization of SAPs, staff training, and care coordination between providers and schools are needed to reduce disparities and support full participation for students with epilepsy.

To identify explicit reference to the interdependence between antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and climate change (CC) within global policy for AMR and CC. This review uses the principles of systematic searching, qualitative evidence synthesis and framework analysis. Two searches were conducted: (1) explicit AMR policy searching was conducted via searching country AMR National Action Plans (NAPs) on the World Health Organisation Website; and (2) CC policy searching was conducted by reviewing United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) National Communication (NC) documents. Search and coding processes were conducted independently by two sets of researchers and discussions were held to resolve any discrepancies between findings. 155NCs and 81 NAPs were included in the review. 10 (12%) NAPs and 19 (12%) NCs demonstrated reference to a relationship between CC and AMR. In most cases, these were limited to a single mention. The most common connection made was to "shared solutions" to the issues and to "CC driving AMR". The depth of the interconnection described is largely commentarial, lacking sufficient detail of modalities of interaction. Most CC and AMR global policy documents do not reference interdependence between CC and AMR. Where references occur, these are simplistic and do not detail pathways of interactions. Most references are within descriptive text and lack targeted action. This review highlights inadequate focus within policy on this important intersection. This review should inform future global policy development that focuses on integrated approaches to CC and AMR across the One Health system.

Human connection is the foundation of effective learning, particularly in higher education. Drawing from Relationship-Rich Education by Felten and Lambert (2020), this reflective scholarly article examines the critical role faculty–student relationships play in fostering academic success, personal growth, and a sense of belonging. Situated within broader higher education scholarship on student engagement, mentorship, and persistence, this article argues that relationship-building must be intentional rather than left to chance. As an online criminal justice professor, I reflect on the unique challenges faced by students balancing work, family, and education, making relationship-driven teaching especially essential in virtual learning environments. Key themes from the literature emphasize mentorship, high-quality student–faculty interactions, and the creation of inclusive and supportive academic environments. These themes are aligned with my teaching practice and translated into a concrete action plan designed to enhance relationship-rich learning in online courses. By fostering meaningful interactions and mentorship, faculty can significantly influence student motivation, persistence, and overall success.

This study aimed to determine the level of teachers’ awareness of the utilization of special education funds in the first-class municipality in the central Philippines. Specifically, it examined teachers’ awareness in four areas of SEF utilization: operation and maintenance of school facilities and equipment, construction and repair of school buildings, educational research, and the purchase of books and periodicals. The data needed for this descriptive study were collected from 166 respondents using a 32-item self-made data gathering instrument that had undergone stringent tests of validity and reliability. Throughout the entire research process, this study adhered to research ethics protocol. The ensuing analysis showed that teachers demonstrated a high level of awareness across all SEF utilization areas. Findings further indicated that awareness levels did not significantly differ when grouped according to the aforementioned demographic variables, thus failing to reject the null hypothesis. While teachers exhibited strong awareness of documentation and reporting processes, gaps were observed in their understanding of acquisition, disbursement, and research funding mechanisms. The study concludes that although teachers possess substantial general awareness of SEF utilization, technical awareness related to procurement and research remains limited. These findings provide a basis for proposing information, education, communication, and action plan to promote a deeper understanding and more effective utilization of SEF in public schools. Keywords: Teachers’ awareness; utilization of special education fund; Negros Occidental, Philippines.

This article traces the evolution of European Union engagement with the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia) from the chaotic post-Soviet years to the present day. Beginning with ad-hoc technical and humanitarian assistance through TACIS (1991–2006) and ECHO, the EU initially operated in a region it barely understood, providing emergency aid and modest state-building support amid wars and separatist conflicts. These early efforts were demand-driven and often poorly coordinated, yet they laid the first institutional bridges. The 2004 enlargement and the launch of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) marked a shift toward a more ambitious structural foreign policy aimed at creating a “ring of friends” sharing EU values and prosperity without offering membership. In the South Caucasus, the ENP introduced bilateral Action Plans, increased financial assistance via ENPI, and tentative regional initiatives. However, its one-size-fits-all approach, lack of membership perspective (“everything but institutions”), and inability to address frozen conflicts limited its transformative impact. Growing differentiation among the three countries together with the 2008 RussoGeorgian War exposed the ENP’s shortcomings. These developments paved the way for the 2009 Eastern Partnership, which introduced stronger conditionality and deeper integration instruments. The article argues that lasting EU influence in this contested region depends on combining normative ambitions with pragmatic, conflict-sensitive, and genuinely differentiated policies.

BackgroundIn response to high rates of undernutrition, Uganda began rolling out the multisectoral Uganda Nutrition Action Plan (UNAP) in 2011, followed by Phase II (UNAP II) in 2020. Uganda has since progressed toward several nutrition targets; however, limitations in nutrition coordination and financing call for continued strengthening of the UNAP II.ObjectivesGiven that monitoring of the UNAP II does not consistently capture district-level outcomes and relies upon quantitative nutrition indicators, this study aims to qualitatively assess nutrition stakeholder and community perspectives at the district level.MethodsFrom June to August in 2022, under an umbrella study utilizing community-based participatory research methods to train youth from Lira District in research, in partnership with the University of Southern California (USC) and community organization Children's Chance International-Uganda, these youth helped carry out an explanatory qualitative assessment consisting of 10 key informant interviews. Responses were compiled, transcribed, and analyzed using the Atlas TI software to code responses for thematic insights.ResultsParticipants highlighted several challenges with the UNAP II implementation at the local level. Mechanisms intended to promote multisectoral collaboration, such as district nutrition coordination committees, have been on hiatus due to limited funding; local governments experience funding disbursement delays and a lack of nutrition prioritization; and nutrition surveillance is limited by tools, training, and human resources.ConclusionsObtaining community perspectives revealed several gaps in local UNAP II implementation and demonstrates the importance of creating mechanisms for communities to continuously provide feedback for national policies like the UNAP II.

Adolescent siblings of children with cancer are at elevated risk for psychosocial problems. Unfortunately, various barriers such as limited family time and resources, conflicting schedules, and psychosocial staffing constraints at cancer centers hinder sibling access to support. Digital, self-guided, single-session interventions (SSIs)-brief, low-cost, scalable mental health tools-have shown promise for surmounting such barriers and providing support to adolescents. This qualitative study aimed to gather perspectives from adolescent siblings, parents, and professionals to inform the development of a digital, self-guided Sibling SSI tailored to siblings' needs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescent siblings (n = 22), parents (n = 21), and psychosocial providers and community leaders (n = 14). Drawing on existing evidence-based SSIs that use a solution-focused brief therapy framework, interviews explored content, language, timing, and delivery preferences for a Sibling SSI. Content analysis was used to summarize key recommendations. Participants viewed a digital Sibling SSI as a promising approach to promote coping. Content suggestions included acknowledging common cancer-related and adolescent struggles, highlighting siblings' existing coping strategies, and offering personalized action plans. Participants emphasized the importance of sibling-centric language and creating a space exclusively for siblings. Early dissemination within 3months of diagnosis via psycho-oncology teams and community channels was recommended. Findings provide community-informed guidance to inform the development of a digital Sibling SSI aimed at surmounting barriers to care and enhancing psychosocial support for adolescent siblings of children with cancer.

Sexual assault affects an estimated 0.5-12% of athletes and can seriously affect athlete health. Concerted efforts are needed to support survivors in receiving timely and appropriate care. Despite recognition from leading sports organisations about the need to prevent and respond effectively to sexual assault, many sports medicine physicians feel inadequately prepared to handle sexual assault disclosures. Emergency action plans (EAPs) offer a promising strategy to support adequate responses and ensure competent and consistent care. This modified Delphi study aimed to identify consensus-based components of a sexual assault EAP designed for sports medicine clinicians responding to sexual assault disclosures. A diverse panel of 24 individuals with lived and practical experience related to sexual violence in sport participated in one anonymous open-ended round and three anonymous voting rounds. The open-ended round generated important components in eight key domains: General Guidance; Mandatory Reporting, Confidentiality and Consent; Initial Evaluation; Follow-up Planning; Athlete Safety and Trauma-Informed Care; Legal Considerations; Established Contacts and Resources and Implementation. Overall, 90/130 proposed items (69%) achieved consensus (≥80% agreement for non-ranking items). The sexual assault EAP framework may improve clinician competency and support adequate responses, addressing common barriers such as low disclosure rates, personnel turnover and confidentiality concerns. Adoption of such plans has the potential to increase athlete trust in reporting mechanisms and foster more comprehensive care for athlete-survivors of sexual violence in sport. Example EAP templates are provided to assist sports organisations in implementing protocols that enhance self-efficacy among clinicians and support survivors throughout the reporting and recovery process.

ABSTRACT The European Green Deal marks a shift in policy-making, aiming to transform the European economy and society to achieve sustainability and climate neutrality. Its zero-pollution ambition, outlined in the Zero Pollution Action Plan, provides an opportunity to address marine pollution in the European Union in a more integrated manner, setting the ground for new governance requirements to address existing challenges, and drive the integration of previously separate policy domains. In this context, the Source to Sea concept is explored to assess plastic pollution policy integration with regard to tyre wear particles, a form of unintentionally released microplastics. In this vein, the article considers the life cycle stages and pathways of tyre wear particle pollution across land, freshwater, and the marine environment to identify key actors, including responsible authorities, and policies that govern them. In applying a Source to Sea approach to the tyre wear particles case, the assessment highlights cooperation and conflicts among actors, conflicting policy objectives and how tyre wear particles are covered under the European Green Deal. This assessment offers a perspective to explore opportunities for policy integration regarding marine pollution and for future research avenues into policy integration, including through the application of empirical studies.

Holistic, integrated, and ongoing post-diagnostic care is essential to address the progressive cognitive and functional decline experienced by people living with dementia, as well as the psychosocial and emotional needs of their care partners. Despite growing recognition of its importance, post-diagnostic care remains fragmented and challenging to access in Australia. This study aimed to examine care partners' experiences and perceptions of the accessibility and adequacy of post-diagnostic support services in the Australian Capital Territory. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was implemented. A cross-sectional survey of care partners (n = 86; 75.6% female) assessed service accessibility, availability, and responsiveness. Subsequently, purposive semi-structured interviews (n = 13; 53.8% female) elicited detailed perspectives on system navigation and lived experiences. Qualitative data underwent inductive content analysis and were triangulated with quantitative findings. Nearly 70% (n = 50) of care partners reported difficulties navigating dementia care and support with the person living with dementia. Reported barriers included extended wait times, funding limitations, service inflexibility, and convoluted referral pathways, with service adequacy diminishing as dementia progressed. While early-stage interventions were valued, participants highlighted inconsistent availability and inadequate flexibility of services to adapt to evolving needs. The findings align with the objectives of Australia's National Dementia Action Plan 2024-34, highlighting the need for affordable, integrated and person-centred care models, strengthened referral and care navigation pathways, supported by ongoing workforce development.

In July 2025, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) National Capital Region sent out Memorandum No. 59, Series of 2025 to colleges and universities in NCR. It was about the 2025 ASEAN Month Celebration it specifies that the higher education institution must take part in and celebrate ASEAN month by doing the activities that are suggested. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the implementation of the 2025 ASEAN Month activities at a higher education institution in Las Piñas City, Philippines. A descriptive-quantitative methodology was employed, involving 277 students selected utilizing simple random sampling and 20 full-time instructors. The data was examined using an independent sample t-test and a weighted mean. The results indicates that both parties "Strongly Agree" with the events of ASEAN Month. Respondents were pleased with the event's outcome, including the topics covered, the way it was organized, and how well everything worked together to achieve its objectives. The difference between instructors' and students' scores is statistically significant (t = 2.540, p = 0.01586). Using the data, an action plan was created to support the future implementation of ASEAN Month activities. It emphasizes the need for these programs to be continuously evaluated in order to foster a sense of community and support the globalization objectives of the Commission on Higher Education. Promotes regional awareness, intercultural learning, and ASEAN collaboration, supporting United Nations SDG 4 and SDG 17.

Financial development, which is an important driver of economic growth, also has critical impacts on environmental sustainability. This study takes a holistic approach to examining the environmental consequences of financial development through the ecological footprint indicator, which represents the ecological capacity required for the continuity of an economy. The Global Footprint Network states the ecological footprint must be below 1.5 gha to protect biodiversity. However, in 2022, Turkey’s per capita footprint was 2.58 gha. This shows its way of life isn’t sustainable, so policymakers need action plans based on solid data. Within this framework, the main objective of this study is to empirically examine the causal relationship between domestic loans, which are an indicator of financial depth, and foreign direct investment, which represents financial openness, in order to provide a more comprehensive perspective on the environmental impacts of financial development. The Toda-Yamamoto causality analysis was applied in the study covering the period 1985-2022. According to the analysis results, a two-way causal relationship was found between the ecological footprint and direct foreign investment, while a one-way causal relationship was identified between domestic loans and the ecological footprint. These findings show that both the national financial system and international capital flows have a direct impact on Turkey's environmental performance. The study's results emphasize that if the capital accumulation provided through these channels is directed toward environmentally conscious investment areas, it can give the financial development process a dynamic momentum focused on sustainability.

India faces a persistent triple burden of malnutrition characterized by undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and rising childhood overweight and obesity, necessitating strengthened pediatric nutrition leadership. In response, the Nutrition Chapter of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, also known as the Pediatric and Adolescent Nutrition (PAN) Society, was established as a dedicated academic, advisory, and advocacy platform to advance evidence-based nutrition care. Since its inception, the society has organized annual national conferences (Pednutricon), consultations, workshops, and webinars to promote capacity building, research dissemination, and cross learnings. It has convened multidisciplinary expert groups that developed consensus recommendations and nationally endorsed guidelines on key issues such as unhealthy JUNC foods, vitamin D deficiency, nutritional anemia, obesity, and early growth failure. During the COVID-19 pandemic, activities successfully transitioned to virtual platforms, ensuring continued engagement. Current initiatives include structured competency-based training "NEST" and contributions in Nutrition 360-degree Pediatrics under Central IAP President Action plan 2026.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a legal mechanism for assessing and minimizing the environmental impacts of urban development projects in India. New Delhi, as India's capital city, offers a critical empirical context for evaluating EIA practice, given its rapid urbanization, ecological vulnerability, and political importance. The scope of this systematic review is to explore the application of EIA to urban development projects in New Delhi between 2000 and mid-2025. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the initial search yielded 317 records, and 28 documents (peer-reviewed articles, theses, official EIA reports, and government action plans) were included after screening and assessing their eligibility for qualitative synthesis. Key sectors were transportation infrastructure (Delhi Metro extensions), riverfront and floodplain projects on the Yamuna, water and sewage infrastructure, and solid waste/landfill projects. The review found that EIA in Delhi did include project design improvements where mitigation was introduced, such as noise barriers, compensatory plantation, dust control; however, EIA also suffers from systematic shortcomings: no cumulative or strategic assessments, insufficient baseline ecological and hydrological data, inadequate public participation, and poor monitoring and enforcement after clearance. The evidence does indicate that while Delhi's high-profile projects (Delhi Metro) incorporated environmental safeguards, the long-term outcomes (Yamuna water quality) have been unsatisfactory. The paper concludes with recommendations to strengthen institutional monitoring, adopt cumulative and strategic environmental assessments, enhance transparency, and integrate advanced technologies (GIS, remote sensing) for baseline and follow-up studies.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to systematically analyse the top shortcomings, underlying causes and recommendations in local government procurement in Tanzania, as documented in the Auditor General’s Reports from 2007 to 2024. Design/methodology/approach This study used document analysis using the READ approach, complemented by a systematic review. The methodology involved four key steps: locating and reviewing relevant materials, data extraction, data analysis and distilling findings. A thorough review was conducted of 17 annual general reports on local government audits conducted by the Controller and Auditor General. Findings This study identified 22 top shortcomings in procurement and contract management practices within local governments. These were categorised into five main categories: inadequate institutional setup and performance; inappropriate preparation and implementation of the annual procurement plan; inadequate implementation of the tender process; inappropriateness of contract preparation, formation and implementation; and inadequate management of procurement and supply records. Practical implications Local government management should ensure that corrective action plans are prepared and submitted to the Auditor General in a timely manner. The Auditor General should establish effective follow-up mechanisms to monitor the implementation of corrective actions by the audited entities. Social implications The identified top shortcomings limit the ability of local government authorities to achieve the best performance in procurement and supply management, potentially affecting service delivery and public accountability. Originality/value This study provides a comprehensive synthesis of the top shortcomings, their causes and associated recommendations in local government procurement and contract management in Tanzania, offering insights that have not been previously synthesised in a single review.

The rising global older population increases the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF), a major cause of stroke and heart failure, necessitating access to effective treatment. Catheter ablation (CA) has evolved into a primary treatment option, driven by significant advancements in device innovation, but is not available in all facilities. According to public data from Japan (the Vital Statistics survey of Japanese events in 2022, the Japanese government Survey of Household Economy, the Survey on the Impact of the Diagnosis Procedure Combination System, and publicly available data from the Japan Heart Rhythm Society), a severe regional disparity exists in access to CA due to the uneven distribution of arrhythmia specialists. Ablation procedures per 10,000 population across the 47 prefectures averaged 6.67 (95% CI: 6.19-7.12), with a range of 3.02-9.24. This access gap is the "paradox of technological innovation", associated with inequitable treatment outcomes, higher AF-related hospitalization, and poorer quality of life in underserved prefectures. Structural threats, including a shrinking cardiologist workforce and new work constraints (Restrictions under the Work Style Reform-related Laws by the Japanese Government), risk worsening this disparity. Addressing this requires a paradigm shift toward equitable dissemination of CA. The future of arrhythmia care rests not only on pursuing cutting-edge technology but also on formulating evidence-based, policy-oriented action plans to fulfill the professional and societal responsibility of eliminating treatment inequity.

From 2010 to 2023, the Smoking Cessation Leadership Center partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to launch the State Leadership Academies (hereinafter, Leadership Academies) to address tobacco use in populations with behavioral health conditions in the United States. The Leadership Academies were a facilitated convening of leaders in tobacco control, behavioral health, and public health who were tasked with creating action plans to reduce the high rates of tobacco use in populations with behavioral health conditions in their states. State partners convened for a 2-day summit between 2010 and 2023, created an action plan, and, in the subsequent 3 to 5 years, implemented and evaluated the action plan in the areas of data, systems, education, or policy. Using a multimethods evaluation approach, we describe short-term outcomes (collaborations), intermediate outcomes (examples of integration of tobacco treatment and policy), and long-term outcomes (decline in tobacco use prevalence) of the Leadership Academies, focusing on 4 state case studies. The case studies highlighted unique partnerships, impactful strategies, the harnessing of state-level infrastructure, and the importance of political will to achieve state-level reductions in tobacco use in populations with behavioral health conditions. The 4 states showed a mean decline of 5.2% in smoking prevalence among people with frequent poor mental health and 6.2% among people with heavy drinking during their Leadership Academy tenure. The case demonstrated the importance of cross-sector collaboration, leadership buy-in, and the creation of sustainable funding structures to support the scaling up of promising projects. Leadership Academies were an effective engagement model to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use in populations with behavioral health conditions.

This study explored client awareness of Republic Act No. 10930 and their assessment of licensing service delivery at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Regional Office VII in Mandaue City and its Consolacion extension, with the aim of proposing a client-centered action plan to improve policy implementation. Using a descriptive-correlational design, the study surveyed 50 clients who had recently completed licensing transactions. Data were collected using a researcher-designed structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Findings revealed that respondents demonstrated a generally high level of awareness regarding the extended validity of driver’s licenses, eligibility conditions, and procedural requirements. Service delivery was rated high across dimensions such as processing time, clarity of procedures, staff competence, accessibility, and overall satisfaction. No significant differences were observed in service assessments across demographic groups. A moderate, positive, and significant correlation was found between client awareness and perceived service delivery efficiency, indicating that informed clients tended to experience more efficient transactions. Based on these findings, the study proposed the LTO-AWARE program, a client-centered action plan emphasizing policy education, process optimization, staff training, accessibility improvements, and monitoring mechanisms. This program aims to enhance compliance with RA 10930, improve service efficiency, and strengthen public trust in LTO operations.

Examining the proposed role of civil society and non-governmental organisations in the implementation of AMR national action plans: A global policy review.

Education is a fundamental right; however, Metro City faces an anomaly where 526 children remain out of school (ATS) despite achieving a "Very High" Human Development Index (HDI). This study aims to identify the root causes of Out-of-School Children (OSC) and formulate integrated management strategies. The methodology employs a qualitative approach, utilizing the Urgency, Seriousness, and Growth (USG) method for priority analysis and a Fishbone Diagram for root cause identification.The findings indicate that family economic status is the primary determinant (highest USG score of 14), where poverty remains the driving force behind children leaving school in Metro City. Other contributing factors include early marriage, limited accessibility for people with disabilities, and an unconducive school climate resulting from bullying. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of implementing policies based on human capital theory and social ecology to foster an inclusive educational environment. The study concludes that addressing OSC in Metro City requires simultaneous rather than fragmented policies. The proposed recommendation is the enactment of a Metro Mayoral Regulation on the Regional Action Plan for Handling Out-of-School Children (RADPATS). The regulatory substance should focus on: Strengthening social protection through the validation of the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN) to ensure targeted distribution of aid, such as the Kartu Metro Bahagia; Enhancing educator competence to establish Child-Friendly Schools (SRA); and Integrating OSC management programs into regional planning documents (RPJMD/RKPD) by involving a pentahelix of stakeholders.