Policy Guidelines Research Articles

Exploring student perspectives on generative artificial intelligence in higher education learning

This study examined the perspectives of Ghanaian higher education students on the use of ChatGPT. The Students’ ChatGPT Experiences Scale (SCES) was developed and validated to evaluate students’ perspectives of ChatGPT as a learning tool. A total of 277 students from universities and colleges participated in the study. Through exploratory factor analysis, a three-factor structure of students' perspectives (ChatGPT academic benefits, ChatGPT academic concerns, and accessibility and attitude towards ChatGPT) was identified. A confirmatory factor analysis was carried out to confirm the identified factors. The majority of students are aware of and recognize the potential of Gen AI tools like ChatGPT in supporting their learning. However, a significant number of students reported using ChatGPT mainly for non-academic purposes, citing concerns such as academic policy violations, excessive reliance on technology, lack of originality in assignments, and potential security risks. Students mainly use ChatGPT for assignments rather than for class or group projects. Students noted that they have not received any training on how to use ChatGPT safely and effectively. The implications for policy and practice are discussed in terms of how well-informed policy guidelines and strategies on the use of Gen AI tools like ChatGPT can support teaching and improve student learning.

RETRACTION: Exploiting Cu+–Na+ Ion‐exchanged and Ar/H2 Annealed Glass Matrix to Synthesize Copper Nanoparticles

AbstractRETRACTION: S. Toumi, A. Adawy, A. Quaranta and K. Farah, “Exploiting Cu+–Na+ Ion‐exchanged and Ar/H2 Annealed Glass Matrix to Synthesize Copper Nanoparticles,” Journal of the American Ceramic Society (Early View): https://doi.org/10.1111/jace.19507.The above article, published online on October 24, 2023 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor‐in‐Chief, John C. Mauro; the American Ceramic Society; and John Wiley & Sons, Inc. The retraction has been agreed upon following an investigation into concerns raised by a third party, which revealed significant redundancy in primary data and simultaneous submission with another published article by an overlapping group of authors elsewhere. Such publishing practice is against the journal's policy and Wiley's Best Practice Guidelines on Research Integrity and Publishing Ethics. The authors were informed of the decision to retract but did not agree to the retraction or the wording.

Canadian national sport organisations’ eating disorder-related policies and practice guidelines: a summative content analysis

ABSTRACT Athletes are at significant risk of developing eating disorders (EDs). To address EDs in sport, policies can support the prevention, management, and return to sport following EDs. Although Canadian National Sport Organisations (NSOs) must comply with a universal code of conduct to address maltreatment in sport, there may be a need for additional policies and guidelines to address EDs. The purpose of this study was to examine the scope and content of ED-related policies and practice guidelines within Canadian NSOs. We searched all publicly available policy and guideline documents from Canada’s 64 NSOs and screened them for keywords related to disordered eating, body image, nutrition, diet, and exercise, yielding 98 policies and 39 guidelines. We conducted a summative content analysis to examine the contextual use of our keywords and the sociocultural implications of such use. No NSO had specific policy or practice guidelines addressing EDs. Policies described body shaming-related maltreatment using standard language from the universal code of conduct. Within guidelines, ED-related topics were discussed in relation to mental health, athlete development, nutrition, coaching female athletes, positive body image, and weight management. Comparing content within policies and guidelines revealed a lack of coherence, wherein policies outlined ‘what not to do’ but guidelines did not provide adequate guidance on ‘what to do’, drawing instead on weight-normative and gendered discourse to address ED topics. This study provides insight into the current state of systemic (in)action surrounding EDs in Canadian sport and serves as a preliminary step towards the development of ED policy.

The onerous granting of the right to build: an alternative form of financing in the popular housing programs of the municipality of Goiânia

The City Statute (Law nº 10.257/2001) established general norms for the elaboration of the Master Plan by the Municipalities, including defining that not only the OODC, but all urban policy instruments defined therein, must follow the general guidelines of urban policy, such as the fair distribution of burdens and benefits, the recovery of government investments that result in the appreciation of urban properties and, in the specific case of Onerous Grants, that part of the amounts collected with their concession are applied in social housing programs. In this sense, the scope of the implementation of the urban instrument of the Onerous Grant of the Right to Build is discussed, based on its criticisms and distortions, in case there is a legal binding expressed in the local legislation of the percentage of collection of its revenues linked to housing programs of social interest.

Consumer Protection Frameworks by Enhancing Market Fairness, Accountability and Transparency (FAT) for Ethical Consumer Decision-Making: Integrating Circular Economy Principles and Digital Transformation in Global Consumer Markets

This research explores the evolving role of consumer protection laws for enhancing market fairness, accountability, and transparency (FAT) to facilitate informed consumer decision-making within the digital economy. Exploring international standards by The United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), as well as regional initiatives like the European Commission's, the study investigates circular economy principles for consumer resilience and marginalized groups such as low-income populations and rural communities. Utilizing a normative and exploratory research approach, data is gathered from global policy documents and scholarly sources. Comparative qualitative analysis is conducted to identify standard practices. The significance of adopting consumer protection frameworks to study the intricacies of digital transactions and environmental sustainability and its impact on consumer protection law, which will help citizens make informed decisions. This study highlights innovative strategies, such as the OECD’s guidelines for e-commerce and national policies promoting circular economy principles. By exploring case studies from countries like Germany, the Netherlands, China, Japan, India and Oman for circular economy practices and Sweden, the United States, Armenia, Australia and Oman for financial sector improvements, the research provides the framework for improving consumer protection policies globally.

Historical Perspective of Homeopathy in the Brazilian Public Health System.

Homeopathy was introduced in Brazil with the French doctor Benoît Jules Mure's arrival in 1840 and was officially recognised in 1980 as a medical specialty by Brazilian regulatory authorities. Public health policies played an important role in incorporating homeopathy into the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), emphasising homeopathy's coherence with SUS's fundamental principles and with other national health policies. Homeopathy is supported by the guidelines of the National Primary Health Care Policy and the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices, and its offer in the SUS has been recognised since 2006. Challenges persist, however, such as the low prevalence of the use of homeopathy, lack of investment in professional training and under-reporting of homeopathy outpatient appointments. Investments in disseminating information on homeopathic philosophy and raising awareness among managers and health professionals are essential to strengthen its presence in the Brazilian public health system.

Financial literacy and the household participation in commercial insurance: Evidence from China

Utilizing China Household Finance Survey (CHFS) data in 2017, this study examines the influence of financial literacy on household commercial insurance engagement. Empirical findings reveal that higher financial literacy correlates with increased likelihood and expenditure on commercial insurance. Education level and trust in commercial insurance also significantly enhance market participation. The study also discovers that financial literacy interacts with entrepreneurship, positively affecting family insurance purchasing behaviors. Particularly, financial literacy more significantly promotes insurance purchases in less educated families and communities with lower purchasing rates. In conclusion, our research not only contributes to enriching the study on the real effects of financial literacy, but also provides policy guidelines for governments on enhancing household participation in commercial insurance markets.

Balancing Expectations: Navigating Medically Necessary Torso Procedures with Cosmetic Components in the Military Healthcare System.

Surgeons performing federal insurance-financed procedures involving medically necessary and cosmetic components must navigate patient expectations to avoid postoperative disappointment. This challenge is amplified in military healthcare, where different surgical specialties concurrently address the same diagnosis, while the Department of Defense policy on cosmetic fees and TRICARE's definition of excluded services adds further complexity. With the increasing prevalence of elevated body mass index, focus is directed toward diagnoses involving the torso, specifically gynecomastia in male individuals, and diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles (DRAM) in female individuals. The study involves a team of experienced board-certified surgeons conducting a narrative review of surgical procedures addressing gynecomastia and DRAM. Relevant literature from 2000 to 2023 is reviewed, focusing on patient satisfaction regarding outcome of medically necessary and cosmetic aspects. For gynecomastia, distinguishing between true and pseudogynecomastia is critical. A protocol is presented based on the Simon classification, offering evidence-based guidelines for surgical interventions. Similarly, for DRAM, a minimally invasive approach balances deployment readiness and surgical recovery. The presence of a symptomatic panniculus, however, requires more invasive intervention. The downstream ramification of limited Current Procedural Terminology codes for these interventions is discussed. In medically necessary procedures funded through federal health plans such as TRICARE, the primary goal is functional improvement, not the final torso contour. Clear communication and preoperative counseling are crucial to managing patient expectations. Providers in military healthcare must navigate the complex landscape of patient expectations, policy guidelines, and duty readiness while maintaining the standard of care.

IMPLEMENTATION ANALYSIS OF THE NATIONAL POLICY ON EDUCATION ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN AKPABUYO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, CROSS RIVER STATE

This study is an evaluation of the implementation of the National Policy on Education's provisions for Early Childhood Education (ECE) within Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria. The research aimed to assess the extent to which the policy's guidelines are being implemented in the local ECE centers. It utilized a survey methodology, gathering data through the Early Childhood Education Performance Evaluation Questionnaire (ECEPEQ) from a sample of 97 educators and 11 principals across 20 institutions. The study was conducted against the backdrop of a growing global focus on ECE and its impact on children's development, readiness for school, and long-term outcomes. The research is particularly relevant in the context of Nigeria, where the formal recognition of ECE began in 1977 with the National Policy on Education, which has since been revised multiple times to improve the quality of education provided to young children. The outcomes of the study indicated that while there exists a policy framework for Early Childhood Education overseen by the Local Government Area, there are significant gaps in the monitoring and application of these policies such as the inconsistent Application of the Play-way Approach and lack of integration of the local language. Although the teaching staff are adequately qualified with the National Policy on Education curriculum duly followed, the play-way approach to teaching was not uniformly applied as suggested. Additionally, integration of the local language into the classroom setting was found to be lacking. Consequently, it is advised that the government should implement robust monitoring systems and foster ongoing dialogue to guarantee the successful execution of the National Policy on ECE throughout the State.

O 25 de Abril e a reorientação da política externa portuguesa: a redefinição das prioridades da ação externa com os Governos Provisórios e o I Governo Constitucional (1974-1978)

The military coup of 25th of April 1974, and the consequent revolution initiated a process of democratic transition that triggered profound changes in the political, economic, and social structures of the country. This article seeks to analyze the implications of these transformations on Portuguese foreign policy, exploring the dynamics behind the transition from an Atlanticist and imperial strategic orientation during the Estado Novo to the new post-25th April guidelines. In an international context marked by détente, a new phase of the eternal debate between land and sea was inaugurated. After a period of oscillations, hesitations, and indecision, the First Constitutional Government clearly assumed the new national strategic orientations, defining a new international position for Portugal. Through an interdisciplinary approach encompassing History, Political Science, and International Relations, this article seeks to analyze the debate surrounding the redefinition of Portuguese foreign policy guidelines between the Provisional Government and the First Constitutional Government and its impact on Portugal’s position in the world, constituting a contribution to understanding the dynamics that shaped Portugal’s international insertion in the post-25th April period.

Examining the Prospects of Residential Water Demand Management Policy Regulations in Ethiopia: Implications for Sustainable Water Resource Management

This study examines the prospects of residential water demand management policy regulations in Ethiopia and their implications for sustainable water resource management. This study aims to evaluate the existing policy regulations and analyze their effectiveness in promoting efficient water use and conservation practices in residential areas. By considering the potential challenges and opportunities associated with these regulations, the research provides insights into the future of residential water demand management in Ethiopia and suggests strategies for enhancing sustainable water resource management. An integrated literature and policy document review, alongside observation and interviews, was used to assess the viability of residential water demand management policies. The assessment of current policy regulations for residential water demand management in Ethiopian urban towns has revealed significant shortcomings in promoting water conservation activities. Simple linear regression analysis of water consumption data from 2010 to 2020 showed no significant reduction in water usage, with an increase in average consumption from 43, 39, and 28 L per capita per day (LPCD) pre-policy to 72, 51, and 42 LPCD post-policy for Arba Minch, Ziway, and Debre Birhan, respectively. Hence, there is a need for significant improvements in the current water resource policy guidelines, which lack specificity, particularly in residential water demand management conservation strategies. The lack of awareness among residents regarding the importance of conserving their limited water resources is evident. To address these challenges and ensure the sustainability of the water supply, the government and policy developers must engage with various stakeholders, including the community, in the process of revising current policy documents. A more precise and tailored approach is necessary for its effective implementation.

Plant distribution, ecological traits and diversity patterns of vegetation in subtropical managed forests as guidelines for forest management policy

Plant distribution, ecological traits and diversity patterns of vegetation in subtropical managed forests as guidelines for forest management policy

Молодежь России: ответ на вызовы времени

The article examines the value orientations of youth in the USSR and after its collapse, before the start of the Special Military Operation and within its framework, as well as the main directions of state youth policy, state standards and life guidelines of the younger generation, the formation of a worldview among youth based on Russian spiritual and moral values.

Ecological design of a production plant

The concepts and solutions of sustainability, resource efficiency, and waste-free production are increasingly influencing our thinking, policy guidelines, and corporate strategies. However, some strategies extend beyond conventional sustainable approaches by embracing the fundamental operating principles of ecosystems. In this context, resilience—a natural risk management strategy—is incorporated into the design of a manufacturing company, considering all types of material flows, including solid, liquid, gaseous, and thermal. This ecological approach to resilience is applied to both the operational and financial aspects of the company, via concurrent analysis.Results indicate that merely achieving zero waste emissions does not ensure sufficient resilience, a core requirement of ecosystems and a fundamental principle of the blue economy. Furthermore, it is found that a production system with a flexible product portfolio can adapt into a more ecologically resilient system, despite technological constraints. The resilience level of the production system in ecological and financial terms is similar. Several types of sensitivity analyses are conducted to deepen the insights into the processes.

THE MEDIATING ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE SHARING ON THE IMPACT OF GREEN LEADERSHIP ON INNOVATION IN VIETNAMESE SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

With environmental sustainability gaining significance, firms require green leadership to drive the adoption of eco-innovations through appropriate culture-building. This quantitative study uses upper echelons theory to analyze green innovation levels in Vietnamese small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and to assess intermediary mechanisms that transmit strategic leaders’ influence. Results of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) provide strong empirical support for the hypotheses that environmental knowledge sharing practices mediate the impact of green leadership behaviors on higher performance in green product and process innovation. Specifically, knowledge exchange through cross-functional collaborations and external partnerships explains the effect of leadership. Findings respond to calls for research on green innovation drivers in emerging markets such as Vietnam, where institutional pressures for ecological responsibility remain underdeveloped. Furthermore, identifying actionable transmission mechanisms informs policy guidelines regarding interventions necessary to nurture sustainable innovation. This study offers multi-level theoretical and practical contributions.

A question for sustainable development goal 10: How relevant is innovation patenting receipts to income distributions?

Several variables influence income distributions both for developed and developing countries. Based on the submissions of extant evaluations, policymakers have implemented several policy guidelines to curtail widening income gaps. Unfortunately, the wave of income disparity, particularly in developing countries, remained untamed. Surprisingly, scholars have rarely considered the perspective of innovation patenting receipts (IPRs) in income distribution inquiries. Thus, this investigation enriches the literature by evaluating how IPRs influenced income distributions in BRICS economies characterized by widening income gaps. Based on the estimates of the panel quantile autoregressive distributed lag model (PQARDL), several interesting outcomes sufficed: First, the enlisted variables converged to long-run equilibrium. Second, the study discovered that IPRs intensified income disparities across all quantiles of income distributions. Specifically, income disparities increased by 0.08 %, 0.88 %, and 0.09 % at the lower, middle, and upper-quantile, respectively owing to increasing IPRs. This outcome validated the skill-biased technological diffusion hypothesis. Among the control variables, geopolitical risks, open trade, and population contributed significantly to income asymmetry at various quantiles. Conversely, human capital development and, to some extent, financial development minified income disparities. We have outlined several policy options to ensure the attainment of SDG10.

Innovative Model for Assessing the Level of Failure Risk in Construction and Buildings

This research explores risk management in construction projects to prevent potential failures due to natural factors or human errors. The objective is to develop a risk assessment model for failures in construction and building projects, focusing on identification, categorization, risk level determination, and model development. The research benefits encompass theoretical contributions to construction risk management, governmental policy guidelines, operational assistance in project risk management, and enhancements in the safety and quality of construction projects. This research innovates by expanding research variables, incorporating failure risk level assessments, and utilizing technological approaches. The research methodology combines quantitative and descriptive approaches, focusing on failure risk factors from service/contractor providers, consultants, and project owners. Data is obtained through literature studies, secondary data, and primary data via questionnaires. The analysis involves factor analysis, importance index, impact probability matrix, and the Partial Least Square (PLS) method for structural analysis. The research conclusion identifies failure risk factors including financial aspects, management, equipment availability, and natural impacts such as floods and earthquakes. The risk assessment model categorizes risks into high, medium, and low, enabling appropriate anticipatory measures. This model provides guidance for stakeholders to mitigate risks, improve quality, and maintain the integrity of construction projects and buildings, supporting safety and success throughout project stages. This research makes a significant contribution to construction project risk management and construction quality improvement.

Dental antibiotic policies, stewardship, and implementation in India: A policy document analysis.

Dental antibiotic stewardship is crucial in low- and middle-income countries where the burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is high and antibiotic misuse is common. Given that India is the most populous country, the largest antibiotic consumer and has a large dental prescriber population, this study investigated the extent to which current Indian policy and practice for dental antibiotic prescribing and stewardship aligns with the global policy and best practice. The READ approach was used to identify and extract data and synthesize the findings. Policy documents on dental antimicrobial stewardship were identified using a systematic search strategy involving nine medical and grey literature databases (Medline, Global Health, Web of Science, Cochrane, CINAHL, Eldis, Global Index Medicus, Proquest and Opengrey), targeted websites (government organizations and dental regulatory bodies) and contact with experts. Framework analysis was used to code extracted data into themes related to dental antimicrobial stewardship. Of the 3039 records screened, 25 documents were included in the final analysis. The analysis showed a lack of guidelines or toolkits for appropriate antibiotic prescribing in dentistry in India. The treatment guidelines for antimicrobial use in common syndromes published by the Indian Council of Medical Research had no section or content for dental practitioners. Furthermore, the undergraduate dental curriculum developed by the Dental Council of India (DCI), included little content on appropriate antibiotic prescribing and no mention of AMR or stewardship. There were no educational resources either for dental practitioners or patients in the documents. This document analysis showed that there was little or no mention of dental antibiotic prescribing guidelines in key policy documents such as the National Action Plan on AMR. In addition, contradictory and subjective information provided in some policy documents could encourage dentists and other health professionals such as general practitioners to prescribe antibiotics for common dental conditions for which they are contra-indicated. There is an urgent need to develop relevant guidelines and include these in Indian policy documents on AMR particularly the National Action Plan on AMR.

RETRACTION: Minimal Channel Cost‐Based Energy‐Efficient Resource Allocation Algorithm for Task Offloading Under Fog Computing Environment

RETRACTION: B. Premalatha and P. Prakasam, “Minimal Channel Cost‐Based Energy‐Efficient Resource Allocation Algorithm for Task Offloading Under Fog Computing Environment,” Concurrency and Computation: Practice and Experience 36, no. 7 (2024): e7968, https://doi.org/10.1002/cpe.7968.The above article, published online on 27 November 2023 in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editors‐in‐Chief, David W. Walker, Nitin Auluck, Jinjun Chen, Martin Berzins; and John Wiley and Sons Ltd. The retraction has been agreed upon following an investigation into concerns raised by a third party, which revealed major textual overlap, significant primary data redundancy and simultaneous submission with a previously published article by the same group of authors elsewhere. Such publishing practice is against the journal's policy and Wiley's Best Practice Guidelines on Research Integrity and Publishing Ethics. The authors were informed of the decision to retract but did not agree to the retraction or the wording.

How does external debt and governance quality impact renewable energy consumption: novel policy insights from BRICS countries.

Amidst global environmental reforms, the role of energy systems is under scrutiny to promote ecological welfare through low-carbon alternatives. Amongst the solutions, the role of renewable energy as a clean source has become popular to mitigate climate change. However, the impact of debt on renewable energy consumption remains limited in the economic literature. The debt initiatives provide funding for environmental initiatives primarily, while it is also credited as a barrier to limiting the growth of clean energy programs. Within such discussion, the current study extended the dialogue by examining how external debt impacts energy transition in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) economies in the presence of institutional quality, education expenditures, and banking development. Using the novel CS-ARDL, AMG, and CCEMG tests, the study results showed that external debt decreases renewable energy consumption, while institutional quality, educational expenditures, banking developments, and economic growth are essential elements of green energy developments. Based on these conclusions, this study provides novel policy guidelines to align BRICS energy and economic agendas.