Inclusive Process Research Articles

The evolution of smart cities: Integrating technology, governance, and sustainable development

This review paper explores the evolution of smart cities, focusing on the integration of technology, governance, and sustainable development. It examines the historical origins of smart cities, the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), and the importance of effective governance structures in urban planning. Case studies illustrate successful initiatives while highlighting challenges like rapid urbanization and technological innovation. The review emphasizes the need for holistic approaches that integrate environmental, social, and economic sustainability principles. Implications for future research and practice include innovative financing mechanisms and strengthened stakeholder collaboration. Recommendations for policymakers, urban planners, and other stakeholders stress prioritizing sustainability, inclusive decision-making processes, and investment in resilient infrastructure. By embracing these principles, cities can advance towards a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future. Keywords: Smart Cities, Technology, Governance, Sustainable Development, Urbanization, Innovation.

Jane Drew and Minnette De Silva Pioneering Participatory Architecture in Mid-Century India and Sri Lanka

Jane Drew and Minnette De Silva made significant contributions to the architectural field, namely to the broader frameworks of the mid‑twentieth-century Modern Movement and tropical architecture. They also pioneered inclusive design processes, in line with the discussion of human factors that was just starting to fuel the architectural agenda. Peons’ Village in Chandigarh and Watapuluwa in Kandy are housing schemes resulting from participatory methodologies where both architects promoted dialogue with the populations and integrated regional specificities. The collective engagement, which occurred at different project stages, effectively involved future inhabitants in decision-making and is reflected in the outcome of the projects. Drew and De Silva’s socially engaged architecture envisioned project design as a co‑creation process, contributing to redefining the architect’s role, and aiming to foster a more equitable urban environment toward a better society.

Atlas 2022 of African health Statistics: Key results towards achieving the health-related SDGs targets

IntroductionThe Atlas 2022 of African Health Statistics is a comprehensive tool that gives an overview of the health ecosystem in the African region. As such, it tracks progress towards globally agreed objectives, such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), assesses the capacity of African countries to achieve them, and helps policymakers identify gaps and areas requiring substantial reinforcement. MethodsWe analyzed health-related SDGs’ key indicators in the Atlas 2022 of African Health Statistics. This platform is a nexus for consistent and comparable data sources across countries. A review of studies addressing the evolution of health-related SDG indicators in Africa was also considered for discussion and recommendations. ResultsHunger and different forms of malnutrition remain prevalent in the Region. Maternal and neonatal mortality is still high compared to other regions, with increasing incidences of non-communicable diseases and poor mechanisms to address mental health issues. Many inequalities are noted in violence against women, access to health services, or access to water and basic sanitation, which is exacerbated in rural areas. Regarding achieving the SDGs, the trend of most indicators shows they will be challenging to perform at the Regional level. However, a few countries are on track to achieve some goals. These results clearly show that countries have different experiences and, therefore, different progress in achieving sustainable development goals. The delays experienced by many countries in terms of development in other sectors, such as climate and the environment, poverty reduction and economic growth, equity and justice, etc., will make it even more difficult to achieve the health-related SDGs. Achieving these goals should, therefore, be seen as a transdisciplinary and inclusive process. ConclusionBeyond the COVID-19 pandemic that has recently challenged health systems worldwide, the African Region is also dealing with several threats, jeopardizing its progress toward achieving the SDGs by 2030. Given the Region’s particular context, a readjustment of the regional targets and/or deadlines would be advisable to ensure they are achievable.

Migrants’ Inclusion in Rural Communities

This thematic issue examines migrants’ inclusion in rural communities, contributing to a deeper understanding of the complex realities informing migrant experiences and processes of inclusion and exclusion in rural localities. The studies presented apply different theoretical approaches, all using various qualitative methods, to shed light on daily life experiences and views in rural locations. This editorial discusses the questions raised in the studies and outlines the main arguments of the different contributions assembled in this thematic issue.

Transforming educational leadership in higher education with innovative administrative strategies

In developing nations particularly in Africa, innovative administrative strategies are essential for educational leaders to navigate inherent challenges in education. This study aims to explore how educational leaders in higher education can be equipped with innovative administrative strategies to cause a positive change in education delivery. A systematic literature review was conducted to achieve this aim, drawing on the transformational leadership model as its theoretical underpinning. The search encompassed scholarly publications from major repositories like Scopus, Web of Science, and International Bibliography of the Social Sciences and Textbooks from 1967 to 2023. The search process went a series of exclusive and inclusive processes and yielded 43 research articles. The synthesized findings were analyzed using a thematic approach. The findings indicate that transformational leadership has the potential to incorporate innovation into higher educational administrative practices. It was also found that innovative administrative practices in higher education can be achieved through staff motivation, technology integration, adoption of agile methodologies, collaborative research, interdisciplinary collaboration, seminars, workshops, and positive organizational culture. Based on the findings, professional development programs for managers and administrators in higher education were highly recommended. These programs would help enhance the knowledge and skills of employees in educational administration.

Accountability for maternal and newborn health: Why measuring and monitoring broader social, political, and health system determinants matters.

This article offers four key lessons learned from a set of seven studies undertaken as part of the collection entitled, "Improving Maternal Health Measurement to Support Efforts toward Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality". These papers were aimed at validating ten of the Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality initiative indicators that capture information on distal causes of maternal mortality. These ten indicators were selected through an inclusive consultative process, and the research designs adhere to global recommendations on conducting indicator validation studies. The findings of these papers are timely and relevant given growing recognition of the role of macro-level social, political, and economic factors in maternal and newborn survival. The four key lessons include: 1) Strengthen efforts to capture maternal and newborn health policies to enable global progress assessments while reducing multiple requests to countries for similar data; 2) Monitor indicator "bundles" to understand degree of policy implementation, inconsistencies between laws and practices, and responsiveness of policies to individual and community needs; 3) Promote regular monitoring of a holistic set of human resource metrics to understand how to effectively strengthen the maternal and newborn health workforce; and 4) Develop and disseminate clear guidance for countries on how to assess health system as well as broader social and political determinants of maternal and newborn health. These lessons are consistent with the Kirkland principles of focus, relevance, innovation, equity, global leadership, and country ownership. They stress the value of indicator sets to understand complex phenomenon related to maternal and newborn health, including small groupings of complementary indicators for measuring policy implementation and health workforce issues. They also stress the fundamental ethos that maternal and newborn health indicators should only be tracked if they can drive actions at global, regional, national, or sub-national levels that improve lives.

Bad dog, smart dog: spontaneous discrimination of quantities in shelter dogs

Dogs’ co-domestication led to a series of modifications in their behaviour and cognition. Yet, how recent evolutionary history also interacts with developmental and experiential factors is often neglected. Here we tested shelter dogs in a two-alternatives free-choice task between different food quantities. Shelter dogs represent a heterogeneous population with high inter-individual variability, and we hypothesised that we could observe differences in cognitive performance between individuals depending on their attitude towards humans. Overall, we found that dogs preferred to approach the larger set of food (emmeans = 6.62. SE = 0.24, t = 28.17, p < 0.0001). However, consistently with our initial hypothesis, we observed that dogs that were evaluated as ‘less sociable’ by the keepers of the shelter succeeded already on their first trial (P(larger set) = 0.81, SE = 0.1, z = 2.31, p = 0.02), similar to what was observed in wolves and roaming dogs. Vice-versa, individuals that were evaluated as ‘highly sociable’ behaved at chance on the first trial and begun selecting the larger set only after a first interaction with the experimental setting (P(larger set) = 0.51, SE = 0.11, z = -0.7, p = 0.94), thus behaving alike to pet dogs. We discuss our results from both an experimental perspective, as in designing studies that account for multifaceted factors to reach a better understanding of cognition and behaviour in the Canis familiaris, and an applicative perspective, as in adding on current practices to facilitate the difficult process of inclusion of dogs in shelters, and possibly adoption.

“I Never Met with a Worse Article in My life”: Disgusting Food and Repellent Food Habits in the Nineteenth-Century Caribbean Colonies

ABSTRACT According to their accounts, British and American travelers in the nineteenth-century Caribbean encountered a wide range of disgusting elements connected with food. Not only did they face unknown and strange foodstuffs, but they also dealt with other repugnant habits such as the filthiness of the people and the places where they ate – or would have eaten had they managed to overcome their revulsion – and the lack of manners of the people with whom they had to share some of their meals. For some visitors, disgust was connected with the realization that the locals ate unusual food, while others were offended by the huge number of dishes eaten by Creoles or by their bad manners and the dirt. In just one case, the sources show a strategy of learning to cope with the emotion of disgust. This essay will discuss how disgust arose from the encounter of different food habits in the colonial spaces of Jamaica, Cuba, and Antigua in order to shed new light on the processes of inclusion and exclusion.

A STUDY ON IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON HR RECRUITMENT PROCESS IN LEADTEQZ

The emergence of generative AI as a revolutionary force is destined to reshape the landscape of human resource management. This transformative technology is poised to automate mundane tasks, drive operational efficiency, and elevate the overall employee experience within HR recruitment processes. Delving into specific use cases of generative AI within HR contexts, this research aims to spotlight how its integration transcends traditional HR practices, facilitating data-driven decision-making and amplifying the recruitment experience. By automating resume screening, personalizing candidate interactions, and curating tailored training materials, generative AI exemplifies an organizational commitment to leverage transformative technologies, cultivating a sophisticated, data-driven, and candidate-centric recruitment ecosystem. While the integration of generative AI in HR recruitment processes promises a paradigm shift towards efficiency and individualized candidate engagement, it also necessitates addressing potential challenges and ethical considerations. Rigorous validation, monitoring, and transparent communication are essential to ensure a fair, inclusive, and compliant recruitment process. As a comprehensive exploration, this research paper provides a comprehensive blueprint for organizations seeking to harness the transformative potential of generative By embracing AI tools for automation, data analysis, and candidate matching, Leadteqz has experienced efficiency gains, reduced time-to-hire, and improved recruitment decision-making processes. This evolution is crucial for organizations to adapt to future trends, enhance recruitment outcomes, and maintain a competitive edge in the dynamic landscape of talent acquisition.

Research on Online Monitoring Technology and Filtration Process of Inclusions in Aluminum Melt.

Online monitoring and real-time feedback on inclusions in molten metal are essential for metal quality control. However, existing methods for detecting aluminum melt inclusions face challenges, including interference, prolonged processing times, and latency. This paper presents the design and development of an online monitoring system for molten metal inclusions. Initially, the system facilitates real-time adjustment of signal acquisition parameters through a multiplexer. Subsequently, it employs a detection algorithm capable of swiftly extracting pulse peaks, with this task integrated into our proprietary host computer software to ensure timely detection and data visualization. Ultimately, we developed a monitoring device integrated with this online monitoring system, enabling the online monitoring of the aluminum alloy filtration process. Our findings indicate that the system can accurately measure the size and concentration of inclusions during the filtration process in real time, offering enhanced detection speed and stability compared to the industrial LiMCA CM (liquid metal cleanliness analyzer continuous monitoring) standard. Furthermore, our evaluation of the filtration process demonstrates that the effectiveness of filtration significantly improves with the increase in inclusion sizes, and the synergistic effect of combining CFF (ceramic foam filter) and MCF (metallics cartridge filter) filtration methods exceeds the performance of the CFF method alone. This system thus provides valuable technical support for optimizing filtration processes and controlling inclusion quality.

Social Implications, Environmental Sustainability and a Manifesto of Action: A Study of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si

Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si addresses the socio-economic implications of environmental degradation and advocates for transformative action to address the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and social injustice. This abstract presents a synthesis of the encyclical’s key themes and proposes a manifesto of action inspired by its call to care for our common home. This work underscores the intrinsic link between social and ecological concerns, highlighting how environmental degradation disproportionately impacts the poor and marginalized. The encyclical critiques the dominant paradigm of consumerism and unlimited growth, which prioritizes profit over people and perpetuates patterns of exploitation and inequality. Pope Francis calls for a radical shift in values and priorities, advocating for an integral ecology that recognizes the interdependence of all living beings and promotes the common good. Often regarded as a manifesto of action, Laudato Si proposes concrete steps to address the root causes of environmental degradation and social injustice. It calls for the implementation of policies that promote ecological integrity, equitable distribution of resources, and inclusive decision-making processes. It urges businesses to adopt sustainable practices and prioritize the well-being of workers and communities over short-term profits. It calls on individuals to reduce their ecological footprint, support sustainable alternatives, and advocate for systemic change

Toward a Better Understanding of the Construction Impacts of a Light Rail System in Montréal, Canada

Large-scale transport infrastructure projects generate long-lasting changes in the built environment and alter the lives of nearby residents. It is crucial to understand public perceptions of public-transit projects and associated construction impacts, as they influence the social acceptance and eventual success of such projects. To characterize the construction-phase experiences of a new light rail in Montréal, Canada—the Réseau express métropolitain (REM)—we analyzed data from 1,236 respondents from the Greater Montréal region who self-reported ongoing construction activities near their homes. This study employs an exploratory factor and k-means cluster analysis to group residents by their different experiences and perceptions of the REM and its associated construction impacts. The analysis returned five clusters with distinct construction experiences: construction-concerned travelers, REM-critical respondents, neutral travelers, REM enthusiasts, and rerouted travelers. Subsequently, the acceptability of the impacts during the construction phase on each cluster is assessed by comparing perceptions of the impact of neighborhood change on their quality of life and their intention to use the REM. Finally, we derive targeted policy recommendations to help promote increased social acceptability of light-rail transit (LRT) projects, including mitigating disruptions in construction zones, public information campaigns, and inclusive decision-making processes. Findings from this study can benefit policymakers and transport planners as they aim to reduce the disruptions associated with the construction of LRT systems and promote increased social acceptability.

Conceptualising the Link between Citizen Science and Climate Governance: A Systematic Review

Multilevel and decentralised governance approaches involving different social actors are increasingly relevant to collectively tackling climate-induced vulnerabilities. Among emergent governance experimentations, citizen science (CS) is a transversal scientific practice characterised by the involvement of citizens in various phases of the scientific process. We performed a PRISMA systematic review of the scientific literature in order to conceptualise the interface between CS and climate governance. The included 44 studies were coded following the thematic analysis method. Information about temporal and geographical distribution, main research designs and methods, climate governance domains and levels of analysis was extracted. Among the most significant results, we stress the existence of a two-way link between CS and climate governance: CS beyond data gathering can facilitate climate change adaptation—namely, counteracting disaster risk, food insecurity and mental health distress due to changing climate, promoting health and wellbeing, and environmental conservation—until systemic changes are made. Conversely, inclusive governance structures and processes may provide support to initiate CS projects. We also discuss the role of psychosocial and justice issues—as well as digital CS—throughout the selected literature, and the implications for future lines of research and policy.

The Role of Leisure Practices and Local Identity in Migrants’ Inclusion in Two Rural Norwegian Municipalities

This article discusses the role of local identity and local leisure practices in migrants’ inclusion processes in two rural Norwegian localities. The discussed study was conducted in municipalities that had experienced increased international migration following the EU expansion in 2004 and had a long history of internal in‐migration. In the study, individuals’ social inclusion and belonging processes are treated as inseparable from a locality’s dominant local narratives, practices, and norms—drawing on theories on inclusion/exclusion processes in places. Based on findings from semi‐structured interviews with local natives, internal migrants, and international migrants, the study found that different leisure practices were central to local identity in the two localities, which had implications for what was expected of migrants in order for them to be accepted locally. These findings align with what is commonly conceived as outdated community study research findings. The findings indicate the continued relevance of the local for people’s identification and migrants’ inclusion processes and support a need for closer theoretical and methodological integration of internal and international migration research. Another central finding was that in one of the localities, national narratives about civic engagement were evoked by some majority Norwegians as additional arguments for the importance of migrants’ involvement in local leisure activities. These interviewees’ main concern appeared to be ensuring local—rather than national—cultural continuity and cohesion. Finally, the different inclusion grammars in the two localities illustrate that inclusion processes in one locality should not by default be seen as representative of what is transpiring in a nation‐state.

Chinese standards from the ground up

China’s transformation from a standards-taker to a standards-maker has sent a shock wave through the global economy. While Chinese standardization is conventionally perceived and analysed as a top–down process, led by the central government and the Standardization Administration of China, this article demonstrates the merits of studying standards from the ground up. Sustained engagement with those who make, adopt, reject, and recalibrate standards reveals, first, the human face of standardization. Standards depend on people to be their advocates. The effectiveness of their implementation and the scope of their acceptance rely on practitioners who imbue standards with value and promote them within and across national borders. Furthermore, a bottom–up approach sheds light on the hierarchical nature of standards, the processes of inclusion and exclusion, and the dynamics of elevation and marginalization that hierarchies generate. Finally, it prompts us to look beyond de jure standards. As a producer of cheap commodities for developing countries, China has long been a maker of informal, or de facto, standards that grow out of repeat transactions and mutual agreements among actors along these value chains. Only by considering the human, hierarchical, and informal dimensions of standardization can we fully understand China’s rise as a global standards power.

Advancing Electoral Processes: A Novel E-Voting Model Integrating Iris Scans, Raspberry Pi, and Blockchain Technology

The amalgamation of an e-voting system with blockchain technology represents a significant advancement in the electoral process, streamlining voting procedures. However, concerns persist regarding the security and auditability of the system. While blockchain provides robust security and transparency to safeguard the integrity of votes, it faces potential resistance from tech-agnostic users. In response to these challenges, a novel e-voting model is proposed, leveraging iris scans through Raspberry Pi technology, offering a promising avenue for enhanced security and user acceptance. Moreover, this biometric approach introduces a seamless and user-friendly authentication process, potentially mitigating the resistance faced by tech-agnostic voters in adopting advanced e-voting technologies. The integration of iris scans through Raspberry Pi into the e-voting system, coupled with blockchain technology, presents a comprehensive and forward-thinking solution to the challenges posed by security, auditability, and user acceptance. This multifaceted approach not only addresses existing concerns but also sets the stage for a more inclusive and secure electoral process in the digital age.

Empowering communities for peace: Multitrack strategies for sustainable peacebuilding in Africa

The paper discusses approaches and analyzes strategies that has the potential to effectively address the root causes of conflicts and promote long-lasting peace in Africa. The study utilizes the concept of multitrack diplomacy theory to explore various interventions and strategies that might contribute to the transformation and prevention of conflicts. It emphasizes the importance of comprehensive approaches that involve citizen diplomats, political elites, religious leaders, NGOs, the media, conflict resolution educators, and traditional rulers. The paper underscores the need to involve and empower local communities to give them a sense of ownership and authority over peacebuilding initiatives. Storytelling, interfaith activities, legal accountability, and education are recognized as useful methods for promoting reconciliation, preventing trauma, and developing the ability to resolve conflicts. The literature indicates that adopting a relationship-focused strategy, bolstered by multitrack diplomacy and local empowerment, can play a role in achieving lasting peace in Africa and other regions. The paper offers pragmatic insights for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders engaged in peacebuilding endeavors. It emphasizes the significance of promoting conversation, harmony, and shared comprehension while taking into account the specific requirements, objectives, and resolutions of the local community. By employing these tactics, individuals or groups with a vested interest in a particular issue can actively strive to bring an end to harmful disputes and facilitate inclusive processes of change that foster positive and enduring peace.

Perceived barriers and needs of teachers in inclusive schools and their relationship with transformation processes

ABSTRACT In the transformation towards inclusive education, teachers are professionals who research, reflect on, and identify the conditions that hinder their development and that of their students. This study focused on a population of pupils with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It aimed to apply a quantitative methodology to analyze the relationships existing among the barriers perceived in the teaching-learning process, teacher needs, and transformative attitudes toward the process of inclusion of these children. A total of 454 teachers from mainstream schools participated in this study. A Structural Equation Model was carried out to test the proposed relationships. The results showed that a greater perception of the barriers faced by these students meant that the needs perceived by teachers were also more pronounced. These needs are related to training and experience regarding the inclusion of pupils with ASD, as well as the resources and support teachers available to them. Perceived needs have significant positive effects on teachers’ attitudes in favour of transforming the process of inclusion of pupils with ASD. The importance of introducing changes in inclusive education for the most vulnerable students was highlighted.

Health data social licence: An inclusive process to learn more about the perspectives of experienced public and patient advisors

The term "social licence" has been used to describe which uses and users of health data the public supports - and under what conditions. From November 2022 to January 2023, Health Data Research Network Canada was funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada to explore whether there was consensus among experienced public and patient advisors on: (i) uses of health data that all members supported or opposed and (ii) what constitutes an essential requirement for a health data use or user to be within social licence. The project was conducted in English and French in collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Research Group in Health Informatics (GRIIS) at the University of Sherbrooke. It involved 20 public/patient advisor "participants" and an additional 13 public/patient advisors who served as peer-reviewers, all of whom had prior experience working in a health-related field and/or with health data. The process followed inclusive design principles in that it captured views held by the majority and minority of participants, including views expressed by only one or two participants. After two 2-hour facilitated sessions, participants agreed that it is within social licence for health data to be used (i) by healthcare practitioners to improve patient care, (ii) by governments and administrators to improve the health system, and (iii) by university-based researchers to understand disease and well-being. There was consensus opposition to (i) an individual or organisation selling someone else's identified health data and (ii) health data being used for a purpose that has no public or societal benefit. There was no consensus about what constitutes an essential requirement for a use or users of health data to be with social licence. The results of the process have been published in a non-peer-reviewed report co-authored with participants. This paper has been co-authored with a subset of the participants and peer-reviewers to present a high-level summary of the findings, methodological details, and templates to enable other groups to adapt the process to their own settings. It also presents the results of an anonymous evaluation of the process using the Public and Patient Engagement Evaluation Tool (PPEET), which were mostly positive and identified some areas for improvement.

Enhanced solubility and biological activities of Flufenamic acid through β-Cyclodextrin derivatives inclusion complexes: A comprehensive study

This study explores the formation of inclusion complexes between the solubility enhancement of Flufenamic acid (FNA) and various β-Cyclodextrins (β-CD, Hβ-CD, Mβ-CD, and Sβ-CD) using ultrasonic probe sonication method. The investigation encompasses a multi-faceted analysis, employing UV–Visible, FTIR, XRD, FE-SEM, TGA-DSC techniques and molecular docking studies. The UV–Visible spectra reveal absorption peak shifts and binding constants (Ka) indicate interaction strength, and thermodynamic parameters suggest spontaneous and favorable inclusion processes of β-CDs:FNA. Solid inclusion complexes of β-CDs:FNA were further characterized using FTIR, revealing alterations in functional groups indicative of complex formation. XRD analysis elucidates changes in crystallinity, while FE-SEM provides insights into morphological variations. Thermal stability is assessed through TGA-DSC, demonstrate the impact of inclusion on the complexes stability. Phase solubility diagrams illustrate the improved solubility of FNA in the presence of β-CDs. Mβ-CD:FNA exhibits the highest stability constant (1204 M−1), emphasizing its potential as an effective carrier. The binding energy of Mβ-CD:FNA (−46.72 kcal/mol) was lower than that of β-CD:FNA (−39.03 kcal/mol), Hβ-CD:FNA (−46.40 kcal/mol), and Sβ-CD:FNA (−46.29 kcal/mol), indicating that the hydroxypropyl group substitution enhanced the inclusion ability of β-CDs. Antibacterial activity studies against S. aureus and E. coli highlight enhanced efficacy of inclusion complexes with Mβ-CD:FNA (92.3 ± 0.18 % and 94.2 ± 0.17 %) demonstrating superior antibacterial activity. Cytotoxicity evaluations on HCT-116 cells reveal the safety profile of the β-CDs:FNA inclusion complexes, with Mβ-CD:FNA showing lower toxicity and high cell internalization compared to other formulations. The findings hold promise for applications in drug delivery, antimicrobial packaging, and the broader pharmaceutical and biotechnological fields.