Sustained Focus Research Articles

Integrated Framework for Enhancing Liveability and Ecological Sustainability in UAE Communities

Urban growth is vast in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to economic development, and there is a need to consider liveability and sustainable ecosystems for future urban expansion. Promising strategies for sustainability focus on minimizing a building’s effects on the environment and improving residents’ quality of life, which is important in the desert and when confronting the issues of water and climate change. Sustainable practices that impact the livelihood of people in the UAE include factors such as walkable areas, open space, policing, healthcare, education, housing, and ensuring friendly transport that enhance the overall quality of life of residents in the region. Recognizing and appreciating the UAE’s cultural values is crucial when incorporating these aspects, allowing references to the nation’s character when creating communal areas. The primary research included quantitative surveys of three identified communities, composed of fifty participants each, where the findings indicate partial to full compliance, with 85.7% of the liveability indices being about public transport and green space. Through this analysis, liveability and sustainability principles need to be trialed and incorporated into future urban development to embrace the ecology as well as the inhabitants. To realize these targets, the proposed study adopted a four-part approach. Initially, an analysis of related studies concerning the UAE or the Gulf area was carried out to obtain important liveability and quality-of-life factors. A total of 6 dimensions and 51 indicators were extracted from the literature to inform the next stage. Subsequently, the authors identified and evaluated the design of three chosen communities in various cities in the UAE concerning liveability and sustainability indices. Consequently, a conceptual redesign of a typical community was made, illustrating the improved quality of life and sustainability. Lastly, a survey with respective facets from an urban planning architect and environmental scientist cum environmental economist was conducted to evaluate the practicality of the proposed design. This research gives a comprehensive picture of how liveability and sustainable ecosystem concepts need to be implemented in the UAE urban context and offers a direction to develop lively, context-specific, culturally attached, and sustainable urban environments for the present day and for the future.

The translation of transformative policy ambitions in funding research for climate change

Abstract This paper addresses how research and innovation (R&I) policy responds to global challenges, which demand fundamental transformations of societies and economies. The paper presents the case of a transnational, European funding call (SOLSTICE) for climate change research led by social sciences and humanities. Both the development of SOLSTICE and the research community’s responses are analysed in relation to the transformative R&I policy literature, identifying potential future avenues for improving the transformative outcomes of this type of funding. The study concludes that unlocking the value of transformative R&I policy concepts and approaches depends on wide stakeholder engagement in the funding instrument design phase and an active and sustained focus on achieving societal outcomes during project implementation. In addition, barriers to the effectiveness of (European) transnational funding programmes are identified, particularly when policies target community-level socio-technical transitions to address global challenges.

FP2020 and FP2030 Country Commitments: A Mixed Method Study of Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health Components.

Family Planning 2020 (FP2020) was established in 2012 with the goal of expanding contraceptive access. By 2020, 46 countries had made commitments to FP2020. A sustained focus on adolescents and youth (AY) began in 2016. During the commitment formulation process, substantial support was offered to countries to develop AY commitments based on sound data, research evidence, and programmatic experience. This study assesses how country commitments under FP2020 and FP2030 have evolved over time with respect to improving attention to and focus on the needs of adolescents and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH). We analyzed the content of FP2020 and FP2030 country commitments focusing on AY (aged 10-24 years) using a scoring guideline we developed to measure the AY commitments in terms of completeness, clarity, and quality. This analysis shows that FP2030 commitments better articulate strategies and activities to reach AY with contraceptive information and services when compared to FP2020 commitments. FP2030 commitments are stronger in some areas on AYSRH, such as commitment to establish national or local policies, strategies, and guidance for AY programming, specifying the target audience of the AY commitment, and partnering with AY or youth-led organizations in commitments. However, more work remains to be done by countries to dedicate a budget for achieving AY objectives, including measurable targets for monitoring progress, identifying and addressing the root causes that impact AY access to and use of contraception, including child marriage and gender-based violence, and reducing financial barriers to access contraception.

Enhancing Sustainability in Transportation Education: A Multimodal Curriculum Approach

This research critically examines the integration of sustainability principles into transportation education, focusing on multimodal curriculum development. Qualitative research methods are employed to investigate the perspectives of 39 cadets studying multimodal transportation, logistics, transportation safety, and law and road management at a transportation institution. The findings reveal varying levels of awareness and integration of sustainability in education, with participants highlighting the need for a more comprehensive and practical curriculum. Participants also emphasize the importance of industry collaboration, research, and policy advocacy in enhancing sustainability focus. The research underscores the urgency of preparing future professionals for the globalized, environmentally conscious transportation industry. By incorporating participants' suggestions, educational institutions can enhance sustainability education and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient transportation sector.

Enhancing flow states in neurodivergent individuals through cognitive network integration

This article explores the concept of “flow” in the context of neurodivergence, focusing on the interaction between the default mode network (DMN) and task-positive networks (TPNs), particularly in conditions such as autism spectrum condition (ASC) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Flow, a state of deep immersion and focused engagement, is associated with enhanced performance and satisfaction across activities. The DMN, typically active during rest and self-referential thinking, interacts uniquely with TPNs during flow states, creating a dynamic balance crucial for sustained focus and reduced self-referential thinking. Neurodivergent individuals often exhibit distinct DMN activity patterns, which affect their capacity for achieving flow. For instance, individuals with ADHD may experience flow in stimulating tasks, whereas those with ASC may achieve it in areas of deep interest due to their intense focus. This paper examines the expertise-and-release model in creative flow and transient hypofrontality as a potential mechanism facilitating flow in neurodivergent individuals. It also proposes strategies to enhance flow through personalized cognitive training, specialized task environments, and technology-assisted interventions, aiming to harness neurodivergent strengths and accommodate unique cognitive profiles. This comprehensive analysis deepens understanding of neurodiversity and offers practical applications for improving quality of life and performance in neurodivergent populations.

Impact of PRECEDE-PROCEED Model Audits in Cancer Screening Programs in Lombardy Region: Supporting Equity and Quality Improvement.

Health disparities related to socio-economic factors impact access to preventive health interventions. The PRECEDE-PROCEED model, a multidimensional approach to health promotion, has been adapted to optimise cancer screening programs in Lombardy, Italy, addressing these disparities. This study evaluated the application of systemic audits based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model across Lombardy cancer screening programs. A systematic region-wide audit was performed in 2019, and follow-up audits were performed in 2022-2023. Data were collected using structured analysis methodologies, including epidemiological, behavioural, and organisational assessments. The 2019 audit showed strengths in participation and quality standards but identified challenges in cervical cancer screening coverage and waiting times for assessments. Improvements plans included the digitisation of processes and stakeholder engagement. The 2022-2023 audits reported increased coverage for breast and colorectal screenings, but a slight decline in participation rates and examination coverage. Organisational improvements were noted, yet gaps in training and equity-targeted actions remained. The PRECEDE-PROCEED model audits led to notable improvements in the quality and equity of cancer screening programs in Lombardy. Sustained focus on digital integration, continuous re-training, and targeted equity interventions is essential for further progress.

Becoming a homeroom teacher: spatial and temporal dimensions of identity formation

ABSTRACT Despite sustained focus in recent years on teachers’ identity construction, alongside researchers’ increasing acknowledgement of the roles of time and space in identity formation, a paucity of work explores the role of spatial – temporal dimensions in the formation of teachers’ identities. In this study we examine how teachers’ professional identities are constructed and practiced in relation to space and time. Our analysis is grounded in theories that conceptualise space and time as entangled with social relations, and it draws on semi-structured interviews with 142 homeroom teachers, who work in primary, middle and high schools in Israel. We argue that teachers’ identity construction is a spatially and temporally embedded process. We show how participants’ identity is constructed through temporal structures of formal, longer-term ‘cycles’ (e.g. the school year) and through mostly informal, shorter-term ‘moments’ (e.g. critical incidents), as well as through significant spatial structures such as the classroom and the staffroom. We also show how school trips – a space-time outside the boundaries of school grounds and timetables – facilitate formative experiences. Our findings show how teachers’ professional identity is part of the production and reproduction of these space-time constructs, which are constructed around interactions and relationships with others.

New challenges arise from consolidation of gender, health and transport research

BackgroundBased on a chapter in the recently published 3rd edition of Health of the Move, this article summarizes past and current knowledge regarding how gender, health and transport (GHT) interact, and implications for policy and practice in both transport and health spheres. MethodsThe chapter, ‘Gender, transport and health: Emerging trends and gaps in global research’, comprises an extensive review of research on these topics and their intersections in recent decades. It summarizes key concepts from the earliest publications regarding GHT issues and provides insights from 155 scientific articles published between 2000 and 2023. Results/findings“Gender”, a socially constructed concept reflecting culture-specific perspectives on the roles of men and women, is often used generically to reflect “sex”, that is solely the biological differences. Similarly, the assumption that transport is “gender neutral” remains a powerful arbiter, particularly within engineering and policy. Key findings are: 1) women's mobilities are significantly affected by violence. There is a need to address its association with hegemonic masculinity through sustained focus on the harmful attitudes and behaviours of this gender identity. 2) Women walk more and cycle less than men with positive and negative impacts to health depending on context. Transport infrastructure safety and accessibility must be improved to ensure women's health is equitably associated with travelling actively. 3) Women are more involved in caring for others than men. A gender-sensitive approach to mobilities must consider care-giving needs throughout the lifecycle. ConclusionsGender differences in travel are substantial and highly relevant to health equity. Gender-sensitive planning requires fuller integration of walking, cycling and intermodal solutions into regular transport planning, and requires strong policies to make all transport-related spaces accesible. Major gaps appear in research, particularly how hegemonic masculinity is related to road, gender and criminal violence that clearly limits the mobility of specific groups by gender.

Eco-friendly dentistry: Understanding the environmental impact in dental practice

Dental practices, akin to other branches of the healthcare industry, are vital for public health. However, they also play a part in environmental detriment via waste production, energy consumption, and the management of hazardous substances. This review endeavors to conduct a thorough analysis of the environmental impact stemming from dental facilities, precisely identifying main contributors to pollution and waste and will explore pragmatic approaches and remedies for fostering a greener, more sustainable dental sector focusing on waste reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainable procurement. This article also underscores the significance of societal principles, community welfare, involving stakeholders, financial advantages, crafting policies, and demonstrating leadership to translate the idea of eco-friendly dentistry into tangible action. Green dentistry advocates for the utilization of biodegradable, non-toxic, and mercury-free materials and products to reduce both the quantity and harmfulness of dental waste. Concurrently, bio-dentistry embraces a holistic patient care approach while prioritizing environmentally conscious practices

Are all-encompassing better than one-trait sustainable labels? The influence of Eco-Score and organic labels on food perception and willingness to pay

Front-of-Package (FOP) labels have been used to inform consumers about the nutritional quality, specific attributes, and, more recently, the sustainability impact of food products. For nutritional labels, there is evidence that all-encompassing labels providing a summary score of a product's nutritional quality are effective in influencing consumer behavior, however less is known about the impact of sustainable labels. This research compares an all-encompassing sustainable label summarizing several sustainable product's features into one score, to a one-trait sustainable label focusing on one sustainable attribute. Two controlled online experiments compare an all-encompassing label (i.e., Eco-Score) to a one-trait label (i.e., organic label) and test how their presence influences consumers' willingness to pay. Study 1 (N = 290) shows that a positive all-encompassing sustainable label (Eco-Score B) does not result in a greater willingness to pay for a box of cereal when compared to no label, and to a one-trait sustainable label (organic), even though the Eco-Score incorporates the product's organic attribute in its assessment. Study 2 (N = 577) shows that consumers were willing to pay less for a product featuring an all-encompassing positive Eco-Score label, compared to the same product with an organic label. It also tests a mechanism behind this effect related to the perceived benefits evoked by the label: while the Eco-Score is perceived as only providing environmental benefits, the organic label also provides more concrete health benefits (i.e., it is good for one's health). Implications for public policy are discussed.

A model proposal for sustainable Nevşehir local cuisine

Local cuisine is a valuable cultural-gastronomical asset for any tourism destination as well as local people. In order not to lose this asset, it is vital to manage the changes triggered by climate change and transmitted through agriculture. Climate change is likely to impact different regions at different levels; thus, some regions have to be ready to challenge a harsher situation. Nevşehir is a Central Anatolian province which is likely to suffer from quite harsh impacts of climate change and its local cuisine is prone to many risks unless an effective plan which considers the relevant issues is executed. With this end in view, representatives of 5 key institutions were interviewed. Beside climate issues, the interviewees note other relevant matters such as economy, ethics, and consumer and producer awareness issues. After a conceptual model draft, this study proposes a conceptual and a practical model for a more sustainable Nevşehir local cuisine. Focusing on sustainability, the final practical model developed is based on climate change issues, agriculture, local cuisine, and their close relationships as well as the factors reminded by interviewed representatives. Main risks associated with climate change include drought, decrease in agricultural efficiency, related quality issues in products and agricultural assets such as soil, and – at the extreme end – a global food crisis. Despite this negative outlook, the province has also some advantages such as resistant native plant and animal species, potential for renewable energy, and slow city possibilities. Proposed recommendations for a more sustainable local cuisine focus on managing change, preserving authenticity, taking the advantage of strengths, increasing efficiency, and climate change mitigation efforts. Final part of the study includes a discussion and some possible future research themes.

Time Spent: Toward a More Productive Hour

Abstract: This third and final installment of the author’s “Time Spent” series of articles for this column explores the amount of work that studio teachers can engage in with sustained focus before they need a break. It will then consider how many minutes of rest are necessary in order to resume work with similar levels of focus, presenting different recommended work-to-break ratios. Lastly, the article addresses how teachers can spend rest periods to maximize their benefits and remain cognitively fresh.

Improving Pain Management in the Intensive Care Unit by Assessment

PurposePatients in the intensive care unit suffer from pain caused by life-threatening illness or injury but also treatments such as surgery and nursing procedures such as venipuncture. Unconsciousness following head trauma or sedation stage complicates self-report, and both under- and over-management of pain can occur. Inadequate assessment and treatment might follow from unsuitable pain assessment practices. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the implementation of a pain assessment tool on nurses` documentation of pain and the administration of analgesia and sedation. DesignQuantitative pre-post design. MethodsThe study was conducted at one intensive care unit at a university hospital and involved 60 patient records and 30 pre-implementations and 30 post-implementations of the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT). ResultsAfter implementation, a 38% adherence rate was found. The frequency of nurses’ pain evaluations increased significantly from 1.3 to 2.3 per nursing shift. The implementation of CPOT also improved how often nurses identified pain by use of facial expressions, muscle tension, and cooperation with the mechanical ventilator, whereas focus on vital signs dropped (p = .014). A larger proportion of patients (17%) received paracetamol after the CPOT implementation compared with before (8%). Findings were statistically significant at p < .01. ConclusionsImplementation of CPOT increased the frequency of pain evaluations, and the observable patient behavior was more often interpreted as pain-related. Nurses’ adherence rate to sustained patient behavior focus being modest highlights the essential need for ongoing improvements in practice. Implementation of a new tool must be followed by non-pharmacological and pharmacological pain management steps. Clinical ImplicationsImplementing the CPOT as a pain assessment tool has the potential to enhance assessment practices. However, it is important to note that simply increasing assessment frequency does not guarantee nursing interventions to alleviate pain. This indicates the need for additional steps to be taken in order for nurses to complete the pain assessment cycle and effectively address interventions and reassessments.

The Role of Sustainable Competitive Advantage on Sustainable Finance and Bank Profitability

This study examines the moderating effect of sustainable competitive advantage on the relationship between sustainable finance and bank profitability of Indonesian conventional commercial banks from 2019 to 2022. The study has found that sustainable finance has a positive impact on bank profitability (ROA and ROE). However, the impact of sustainable competitive advantage on bank profitability was only positive with ROA, suggesting that ROA is a more effective indicator of bank profitability for this study. Furthermore, the study indicates that the impact of sustainable finance on bank profitability (both ROA and ROE) is diminished by the delay in the implementation of sustainability reporting during the COVID-19 reporting period. The results of this study are likely to encourage banks to increase their sustainable finance and focus on improving the quality of sustainability reporting in order to gain a competitive advantage in the current banking industry landscape in Indonesia.

PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACHES AND STRATEGIES FOR CLIMATE-RESILIENT AGRICULTURE

The development of scientific and technical mastery over nature has made the practice of agriculture, which remains the adequate condition for human subsistence, problematic. Human chemistry attacks have eventually irritated the grand chemistry of nature, leading agriculture to face unprecedented climate change. Such a situation calls for philosophical reflection and leads to considering agriculture not only as an economic activity but also as a system interconnected with nature, communities, and future generations. We have reached the following result, which emphasizes the need for a philosophy of sustainability focusing on the preservation of natural resources, the promotion of environmentally friendly agricultural practices, and agricultural policies based on ethical principles of fairness, justice, and responsibility. This philosophy, aided by education and awareness-raising among farmers, promotes ecological awareness and an understanding of the challenges of climate change, thus fostering collective resilience to climate challenges.This philosophical approach to agriculture guides towards a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable agricultural future, based on values of respect for nature, community solidarity, and collective responsibility. To achieve this result, we used the direct analysis method.

What role for sustainability in post-fossil regional transition processes? Exploring governance conditions, actors, and transition projects in a German coal phase-out region

ABSTRACT While the coal phase-out is progressing in many countries, formerly fossil-dependent regions receive transition funding for substitute economic activities. This can steer these regions into a sustainable future, yet it is not clear from the outset whether governance conditions and actors’ preferences are conducive to a genuinely sustainable transition. The present study examines to what extent sustainability goals shape the transition process following the coal phase-out in a German coal region (Lusatia), and the guiding logics observed therein. Three key aspects for regional transition processes are considered: enabling conditions for sustainability governance (policy coherence, participation, reflexivity, intergenerational equity); key actors and their sustainability conceptions; and the role of sustainability in selecting and funding transition projects. Based on expert interviews, policy documents, project lists, and sustainability declarations, our findings indicate that sustainability is a rather low priority for key actors. In combination with ambivalent governance conditions, this manifests as a weak sustainability focus among most resulting projects. Nevertheless, our analysis also reveals several projects focusing on selective aspects of sustainability. The phase-out therefore appears to follow the logic of signaling, and it remains unclear whether this might revert to mere energy system substitution or else aspire to comprehensive regional transformation.

Sustainability of specialized healthcare in upper-middle-income economies: Innovations despite constraints

Countries such as Jamaica have had to be largely self-reliant in funding their health-care systems. The success of an early and sustained focus on primary healthcare, coupled with a change in the disease profile from infectious concerns to chronic non-communicable diseases associated with aging, has resulted in a marked rise in healthcare costs. Rapid technological advances in the diagnosis and treatment of many specialized conditions have further increased the cost of care. Funding these health-care costs sustainably is a challenge for Jamaica and other similarly developed economies due to competing demands for scarce funds. In addition to government health-care allocations, sources of sustainable funding from local public-private partnerships, through mechanisms such as philanthropy, may help address, at least in part, this chronic problem. This review examines strategies to create a framework for such funding, as well as proposes specific practical steps for their achievement. The author&amp;rsquo;s motivation to participate in the process of change stems from the stubbornly persistent inequalities of healthcare that people and health-care workers in Jamaica &amp;ndash; and similar lower- and middle-income countries &amp;ndash; routinely cope with. These inequalities must be addressed to truly achieve greater health egalitarianism, social stability, and ultimately, the developed country status they aspire to. The need to think innovatively to achieve this goal is self-evident, given the current inability of governments to achieve this goal.

Contemporary Indian museums as “feminist” spaces of care

ABSTRACT Discussions about renegotiating the museum space have tended – thus far – to come from the Global North. By applying a feminist framework to examine the exhibits of three different Indian museums, I extend the purview of such discussions to the Global South. Until recently, women and their stories – along with those of other marginalized groups – have largely remained underrepresented in the Indian museum space. In the latter part of the twentieth century, however, Indian curatorial activism helped to subvert hegemonic museological narratives – embodied in a non-personalized curatorial approach. An underlying characteristic that connects the contemporary museums, on the other hand, is a sustained curatorial focus on “silenced” stories, articulated via narratives or materialized through object displays. By evoking the feminist framework, I emphasize curatorial care – whether for past stories, people, sociopolitical issues, the future, or museological displays - as the overarching feature of a remedied Indian museum space.

Antibody–drug conjugates for breast cancer: a bibliometric study and clinical trial analysis

BackgroundBreast cancer (BC) remains the most commonly malignancy among women worldwide. Although early-stage BC typically presents with curative possibilities, advanced-stage disease, especially with metastasis, is significantly limited in terms of effective therapeutic interventions, thereby establishing it as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Antibody–Drug Conjugates (ADCs) establish a groundbreaking class of anti-neoplastic agents characterized by high specificity and targeting precision. These agents have been significant in reshaping the therapeutic approach to breast cancer, especially those subtypes with overexpression of the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2). Comprising monoclonal antibodies, cytotoxic payloads, and conjugative linkers, ADCs function by specifically targeting antigens on cancer cells, thereby facilitating the intracellular delivery of the toxic payload. The present investigation endeavors to synthesize existing primary research outcomes through rigorous bibliometric and data analytical approaches, thereby elucidating the current research landscape, delineating research foci, and identifying potential avenues for future innovation.MethodsFor bibliometric analysis, a comprehensive data set comprising 2181 entries related to ADCs in breast cancer was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) spanning the years 1999 to 2023. This data was further filtered from the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-Expanded). Analysis software tools such as CiteSpace and VOSviewer were employed for multifaceted analyses such as trends of publications, contributions of countries, and burst analytics. In the dimension of clinical trials, we interrogated databases including ClinicalTrials.gov (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov) and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (https://trialsearch.who.int). A total of 239 clinical trials were initially sourced, among which, 175 were from ClinicalTrials.gov and 64 from ICTRP. After repetitive and correlation-based screening, 119 trials specifically addressing ADC therapeutic strategies in breast cancer were included. Analytical algorithms were executed using Microsoft-based software to evaluate treatment paradigms, emergent research themes, and progress.ResultsOur investigations signify a growing trend of research on ADCs, with consistent advancements in scientific achievements. The analysis revealed that variables such as economic stratification of nations, healthcare investment paradigms, and disease incidence rates serve as significant determinants in shaping research output. Geographically, the United States emerged as the predominant contributor to the research corpus (36.56%), closely followed by China (21.33%). The underpinning of research accomplishments was found to be significantly bolstered by advancements in molecular biology, immunology, and genetic research. Moreover, the advent of nuclear magnetic resonance diagnostic modalities has contributed saliently to the diagnostic and therapeutic management of breast cancer.ConclusionOur study provides a comprehensive overview of the ADC research landscape through rigorous bibliometric and clinical trial evaluations. At present, the ADC arena has witnessed the successful development and FDA approval of 14 distinct agents, substantially improving the clinical outcomes for a broad spectrum of oncological patients. Future research imperatives may include the exploration of ADCs targeting mutated oncoproteins, dual-specificity ADCs, combination payload strategies, peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs), and non-internalizing ADC modalities. With sustained academic and clinical focus, the ADC domain is poised for transformative advancements in targeted therapeutics across a variety of malignancies.

The Human Element of Organizational Leadership: Why AI Alone Cannot Replace Exceptional People-Centered Leaders

Abstract: This article explores how effective leaders are leveraging both technology and human skills to positively transform industries in an age of increasing artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. While AI can perform certain routine tasks and analyze large datasets, it argues key qualities of human leadership like emotional intelligence, developing people, building relationships and trust, adapting to change wisely, and leveraging technology with a human touch cannot be replicated by machines. It examines examples of leaders in healthcare, education, and financial services who blend digital tools with a sustained focus on cultivating each individual's humanity. It concludes the most impactful leaders champion dignity, diversity, and purpose through authentic dedication to nurturing relationships and empowering all within their organizations to thrive. While technology enhances capabilities, truly transformational leadership requires compassionately guiding whole organizations with vision, care, and an emphasis on developing every person's unique talents - an indispensable role that AI cannot assume.