Search Results (1,599)

In this article, we explored how open-source software serves as a strategic enabler for safety and security in the digital transformation of logistics systems. Open source is examined across multiple dimensions, including transparency, community collaboration, digital sovereignty, and long-term infrastructure resilience. The analysis focuses on the logistics domain, where interoperability, critical infrastructure protection, and supply chain continuity are essential. Key elements of open-source development—such as modular architectures, legal and licensing frameworks, and peer-reviewed codebases—support rapid vulnerability management, increased transparency, and the creation of sustainable digital ecosystems. Emphasis is placed on the role of open-source models in strengthening institutional trust, reducing dependency on proprietary vendors, and enhancing responsiveness to cyber threats. Our findings indicate that open source is not merely a technical alternative, but a strategic decision with legal, economic, and political implications, shaping secure, sovereign, and adaptive digital environments—particularly in mission-critical sectors. Full article

The Malabo Declaration commits African Union member states to eliminating hunger by 2025. Progress toward this target has been uneven and poorly understood. While some countries have recorded gains in non-hunger thematic areas such as finance, trade, resilience to climate variability, and governance and accountability mechanisms, the extent to which these improvements contribute to hunger reduction remains unclear. This study investigates whether performance in non-hunger areas, as measured through the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Biennial Review C-scores, is statistically associated with outcomes under Commitment 3, which focuses on hunger reduction. We used random effects panel regression model covering 55 African countries from 2017 to 2023, the analysis identifies five significant predictors: agricultural GDP and poverty reduction (PC 4.1), foreign private investment (PC 2.3), multi stakeholder coordination (PC 1.2), inclusive public–private partnerships (PC 4.2), and trade policies (PC 5.2). Investment in resilience (PC 6.2) and capacity for planning and monitoring (PC 7.1) showed marginal associations. Our findings suggest that institutional presence alone does not drive hunger outcomes. We reflect that what matters is the structure, inclusiveness, and functionality of these mechanisms, including whether investments reach food-insecure populations, coordination platforms influence decisions, whether coordination platforms influence decisions, and whether policies adapt to local conditions. This study concludes that some high-performing categories fail to deliver tangible hunger reduction benefits when implementation is fragmented or disconnected from context. These findings challenge how progress is currently measured and interpreted at the regional level. Finally, we reiterate that as the region prepares for the post-2025 agenda, future strategies must directly link agricultural transformation to hunger reduction through targeted interventions and accountable institutions. Full article

Digital transformation is reshaping educational methods and necessitates new institutional, teaching, and learning approaches. In Romania’s secondary school system, this process is particularly complex due to infrastructural disparities, uneven digital competencies, and limited policy guidance. This study investigates the factors influencing Romanian secondary school teachers’ adoption of digital technologies, addressing a gap in the literature regarding localized teacher behavior within under-digitalized educational environments. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this research explores perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, behavioral intention, and perceived quality as determinants of digital adoption. The analysis was conducted on a sample of 430 teachers utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The key findings reveal that behavioral intention strongly predicts actual usage (β = 0.791, p < 0.001), and perceived ease of use exerts a greater influence than perceived usefulness. Furthermore, perceived quality plays a modest but significant mediating role in enhancing digital engagement. These results suggest that user-friendly, intuitive technologies and targeted professional training are essential for sustained adoption. This study contributes to the field by offering a context-specific understanding of technology’s acceptance in Eastern European education and by extending the TAM framework through the integration of perceived quality. It provides actionable insights for policymakers and school leaders seeking to promote sustainable and inclusive digital transformation in schools. Full article

This paper explores the role of export-oriented firms in shaping regional economic development, with a focus on their operational footprint, strategic orientation, and interaction with institutional and infrastructural environments. Set within the broader context of regional competitiveness and sustainable growth, the study examines how firms in geographically peripheral and structurally challenged areas position themselves within global markets. Emphasis is placed on understanding the internal and external factors that influence export performance, innovation capacity, and the integration of sustainability principles into business practices. The research adopts a survey-based methodology, collecting data from firms located in a cross-border region to assess their perceptions of trade barriers, infrastructure needs, strategic values, and environmental awareness. The analysis draws on established frameworks in regional development, international business, and sustainability transitions, offering a multidimensional perspective on firm behavior. By linking firm-level insights with regional development policy, the study contributes to ongoing discussions around how enterprises in remote regions can overcome structural constraints and engage more fully with global value chains. It also supports the growing call for place-based, context-sensitive strategies that align economic competitiveness with innovation, digital transformation, and environmental responsibility. This integrated approach offers valuable implications for both policymakers and practitioners concerned with fostering inclusive and resilient regional economies. Full article

This paper introduces the Integrated Model for Sustainable Development (IMSD), a theory-driven governance framework that embeds Corporate Diversity Responsibility (CDR) into climate and energy policy to advance systemic equity, institutional resilience, and inclusive innovation. Grounded in Institutional Theory, the Resource-Based View (RBV), and Intersectionality Theory, IMSD unifies fragmented sustainability efforts across five pillars: Climate Sustainability, Social Sustainability (CDR), Governance Integration, Collaborative Partnerships, and Implementation and Monitoring. Aligned with SDGs 7, 10, and 13, IMSD operationalizes inclusive leadership, anticipatory adaptation, and equity-centered decision-making. It addresses the compounded climate vulnerabilities faced by women and marginalized groups in the Global South, integrating insights from Indigenous resilience and intersectional adaptation strategies. Unlike conventional CSR or ESG models, IMSD institutionalizes diversity as a strategic asset and governance principle. It transforms DEIB from symbolic compliance into a catalyst for ethical leadership, legitimacy, and performance in turbulent environments. The model’s modular structure supports cross-sector scalability, making it a practical tool for organizations seeking to align ESG mandates with climate justice and inclusive innovation. Future empirical validation of the IMSD framework across diverse governance settings will further strengthen its applicability and global relevance. IMSD represents a paradigm shift in sustainability governance—bridging climate action and social equity through theory-based leadership and systemic institutional transformation. Full article

Digital transformation has become a strategic imperative for micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in emerging economies, yet the mechanisms linking digitalization to performance outcomes remain underexplored. This study examines how the strategic emphasis on digital transformation and the breadth of technology adoption influence firm performance among MSEs in Bhutan. Drawing on an integrative theoretical framework combining diffusion of innovations theory, the resource-based view, and institutional theory, survey data from 217 MSEs were analyzed using regression and interaction modeling techniques. The findings indicate that firms with stronger digital strategic emphasis adopt a broader range of technologies and achieve superior performance. However, unstructured or excessive knowledge sharing negatively moderates these relationships, potentially creating cognitive overload and impeding digital strategy execution. Furthermore, tourism enterprises exhibit significantly higher levels of digital engagement compared to non-tourism counterparts, highlighting the role of sector-specific institutional pressures. By uncovering the systemic dynamics between strategic orientation, technology adoption, and knowledge flows, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how digital transformation processes can be optimized in resource-constrained environments. These findings not only offer practical insights for enhancing digital readiness and organizational resilience among small enterprises but also contribute to the broader theoretical discourse on how strategic orientation and contextual moderators shape the effectiveness of digital transformation in emerging markets. Full article

This study investigates the impact of financial technology (Fintech) on bank stability in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Utilizing panel data from 94 banks in 10 countries over a 13-year period from 2011 to 2023, this research employs panel GMM regression to examine the relationship between the level of Fintech adoption, as measured by the Fintech index, and a bank’s stability. This paper controls for bank characteristics (efficiency, profitability, size, liquidity risk, and dividend payout ratio) and macroeconomic variables (GDP growth and inflation). The Fintech index is calculated using data text mining from the banks’ annual reports. This research contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence of the positive effects of Fintech adoption in the MENA banking sector. The positive findings underscore the transformative impact of Fintech on banking stability, highlighting the importance of technological integration in MENA’s financial institutions for growth, stability, and effective strategies. The robustness of the results regression confirmed that our findings hold. Full article

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the biological sciences marks a transformative era, reshaping research methodologies, data analysis, and hypothesis generation. This technological advancement accelerates discoveries and enhances our understanding of complex biological systems. As AI increasingly influences decision-making processes, the necessity for students and scientists to critically assess AI-generated outputs becomes paramount. The current narrative review explores the evolving role of critical thinking in biological sciences amidst the rise of AI, emphasizing the importance of skepticism, contextual understanding, and ethical considerations. It argues that while AI provides powerful tools for data interpretation and pattern recognition, human oversight and critical analysis remain indispensable to validate findings and prevent biases inherent in automated systems. Higher education institutions play a crucial role in fostering a culture of critical thinking, equipping biological scientists to effectively harness AI technologies while ensuring the integrity of their research and upholding scientific and ethical standards. Furthermore, AI tools, including chatbots, could be strategically employed in active learning methodologies, such as problem-based learning, flipped classrooms, and online learning. These methodologies enhance the ability of students to effectively utilize AI technologies while ensuring the rigor of scientific research. In conclusion, the current review underscores the benefits, challenges, and educational implications of AI integration, offering actionable insights for educators and learners seeking to adapt effectively to this rapidly evolving technological landscape. Full article

Climate adaptation in urban environments is often constrained by rigid institutional rules and fragmented governance, which limit inclusive and context-specific planning of public spaces such as schoolyards. This study addresses this challenge by examining how collaborative planning can transform schoolyards, from asphalt-dominated, monofunctional spaces into green, climate-resilient community assets. The research employed the Institutional Analysis and Development framework within a qualitative case study design. Two public schools in the San Cristóbal de los Ángeles neighbourhood of Madrid served as case studies, with data collected through document analysis, participant observation, and interviews with municipal officials, urban planners, educators, and community members. Results indicate that the collaborative planning process reshaped rules in use, expanded the network of actors, and transformed decision-making processes. Existing rules were flexibly reinterpreted to allow new uses of space. Children, teachers, and residents became co-producers of the public space, expanding the governance network, where new deliberative practices emerged that improved coordination across people and organisations. These institutional changes occurred without formal regulatory reform, but with the reinterpretation of the game’s rules by each organisation. Thus, schoolyards can serve as laboratories for institutional innovation and participatory climate adaptation, demonstrating how urban experiments have the potential to catalyse not only physical transformations but also transformations in urban management. Full article

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-guided microwave ablation for managing iatrogenic hepatic hemorrhage following percutaneous liver puncture. Materials and methods: This retrospective study analyzed six patients (5 males, 1 female; mean age 56.8 ± 12.3 years) with CEUS-confirmed active hepatic hemorrhage refractory to 10 min compression and Agkistrodon halflorum hemagglutinase administration after percutaneous liver puncture (2023–2024). Etiologies included portal vein cavernous transformation (n = 4) and therapeutic intervention complications (n = 2). All patients underwent CEUS-guided microwave ablation comprising three phases: bleeding site localization, real-time ultrasound-guided ablation, and immediate postprocedural verification (CEUS: n = 6; DSA: n = 2). The protocol was approved by the institutional ethics committee with written informed consent. Results: All six patients achieved immediate hemostasis (mean 2.8 min) through CEUS-guided microwave ablation with 100% technical/clinical success. Preprocedural localization combined color Doppler and CEUS, while intraoperative real-time guidance ensured precise microwave needle placement. Post-ablation verification relied on CEUS (n = 6) with DSA confirmation in two cases. No major complications occurred; one patient reported transient abdominal pain resolving spontaneously. All patients remained stable during 7-day follow-up with no delayed complications. Conclusions: This study suggests that CEUS-guided microwave ablation is a rapid, minimally invasive, and effective option for iatrogenic hepatic hemorrhage, warranting further validation in larger cohorts. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lung cancer is a major global health challenge and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality, due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Computed tomography (CT) imaging plays a vital role in detection, and deep learning (DL) has emerged as a transformative tool to enhance diagnostic precision and enable early identification. This systematic review examined the advancements, challenges, and clinical implications of DL in lung cancer diagnosis via CT imaging, focusing on model performance, data variability, generalizability, and clinical integration. Methods: Following the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we analyzed 1448 articles published between 2015 and 2024. These articles are sourced from major scientific databases, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Scopus, Springer, PubMed, and Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). After applying stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria, we selected 80 articles for review and analysis. Our analysis evaluated DL methodologies for lung nodule detection, segmentation, and classification, identified methodological limitations, and examined challenges to clinical adoption. Results: Deep learning (DL) models demonstrated high accuracy, achieving nodule detection rates exceeding 95% (with a maximum false-positive rate of 4 per scan) and a classification accuracy of 99% (sensitivity: 98%). However, challenges persist, including dataset scarcity, annotation variability, and population generalizability. Hybrid architectures, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and transformers, show promise in improving nodule localization. Nevertheless, fewer than 15% of the studies validated models using multicenter datasets or diverse demographic data. Conclusions: While DL exhibits significant potential for lung cancer diagnosis, limitations in reproducibility and real-world applicability hinder its clinical translation. Future research should prioritize explainable artificial intelligence (AI) frameworks, multimodal integration, and rigorous external validation across diverse clinical settings and patient populations to bridge the gap between theoretical innovation and practical deployment. Full article

With the multidisciplinary complexity of resilience challenges, holistic evaluation and enhancement have been the main concerns in resilience research. This paper addresses this gap by demonstrating the integrated analysis of operator response capacity, energy policy support and infrastructure robustness using Malawi’s cases. The three individual case studies were pooled, focusing on integrating their resilience indicators, identifying the resilience weaknesses and mapping their interdependencies to inform holistic integrated, holistic enhancement measures. A nuanced understanding of resilience was achieved by integrating indicators based on their respective capacities (preventive and anticipative, absorptive, adaptive, restorative and transformative) across the three resilience dimensions (operator, policy and infrastructure). Mapping relationships between indicators revealed crucial interdependencies and was essential for understanding the complex relationships that underpin resilience. This resulted in development of an integrated resilience framework (IRF) which provides guidelines for comprehensive and inclusive resilience evaluations, especially for weak and underdeveloped grids. The structure of the electricity supply and institutional challenges are at the centre of Malawi’s resilience challenges, aggravated by the non-implementation of the energy policy, which results from, among other reasons, political interference and financial constraints. The paper provides integrated solutions to the identified resilience challenges. Full article

In the context of China’s strategic push toward high-quality development, the concept of new quality productive forces (NQPF)—which emphasizes technological innovation, green transformation, and digital upgrading—has received a lot of attention. However, the increasing volatility and ambiguity in climate-related policymaking present a serious institutional challenge. This study addresses the underexplored question of how climate policy uncertainty (CPU) affects the regional development of NQPF in China. Unlike traditional productivity, NQPF relies on long-term innovation and sustainable investment, which are highly sensitive to external policy signals. Drawing on panel data from 30 Chinese provinces between 2013 and 2021, this paper uses fixed-effects regressions to empirically assess the influence of CPU on NQPF. The findings reveal that CPU significantly suppresses the development of NQPF, but this effect is mitigated by financial inclusion, carbon market participation, and strong local government sustainability performance. This paper provides new insight into the risks posed by climate uncertainty to economic development and highlights institutional tools that can buffer its negative effects. Full article

Blockchain technology (BT) is increasingly recognized as a transformative digital infrastructure for advancing environmental, economic, and social sustainability. However, academic research on its sustainability potential remains fragmented, with limited integration of theoretical models, sector-specific applications, and system-level impacts. This study addresses these gaps by conducting a systematic literature review of 131 peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and early 2025, guided by the PRISMA 2020 framework. The analysis is structured around the three pillars of sustainability, exploring the mechanisms through which blockchain enables transparent governance, ethical consumption, resilient infrastructure, and inclusive development. Anchored in Institutional and Stakeholder theories, the review develops an integrative dual-framework that overlays four technical components of BT (data, network, consensus, and application) onto institutional pressures and stakeholder-engagement dynamics. The framework shows how BT enhances resource efficiency, supply-chain traceability, and social inclusion across sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, healthcare, education, and logistics. The study makes two principal contributions. First, it unifies previously dispersed findings into a holistic model that links BT’s technical capabilities with organizational and societal conditions. Second, it provides actionable guidance: policymakers should harmonize cross-border standards and incentivize energy-efficient consensus protocols, while managers should co-design stakeholder-inclusive pilots to scale sustainable BT solutions. Collectively, these insights map a research and practice agenda for leveraging blockchain to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the main cause of violence against women, especially in Mexico. However, the causes, consequences, and solutions related to IPV have not been well understood in this population. A total of five focus groups that included Mexican women who were victims of IPV were conducted to understand the causes, consequences, and solutions related to IPV, and a thematic analysis was performed. A total of 32 participants were included, with a median (range) age of 35 (24–70). The main causes mentioned by the participants were (a) cultural ones, among which Machismo, transgenerational violence, and cultural norms and gender roles were the main categories; (b) emotional causes, among which the lack of emotional abilities and emotional dependence were the main categories; and (c) educative causes, among which the lack of information about mental health, emotional abilities, IPV, and healthy relationships was reported. The main consequences mentioned were (a) psychological; (b) physical; (c) economic; (d) family-related, including impacts on children; and (e) legal, in relation to IPV complaints and children’s custody. Finally, the main solutions mentioned by the participants were (a) prevention through education, including educational programs to address mental health, IPV information, healthy relationships, and training in emotional skills; (b) cultural transformation; and (c) institutional strengthening, with this last solution including improving public policies, improving legal advice, and training for legal authorities. In conclusion, the causes, consequences, and solutions related to IPV were varied and included many instances; therefore, its prevention and solution should be performed at the inter-institutional and community levels, in which the promotion of emotional skills should play a fundamental role. Full article