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The healthcare industry significantly impacts the environment due to its high usage of energy and natural resources and the associated waste generation. This study applied a cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) approach to assess the environmental and social life cycles of public hospitals. One hundred twenty-four public hospitals were selected for the current study; their sustainability performance was compared with those certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The comparison revealed several factors contributing to the poor sustainability performance of public hospitals. These include inadequate management, substandard planning, political interference, insufficient staffing and funding, high energy consumption, high expenses, inconsistent healthcare policies, and conventional building designs. System thinking was leveraged, and a causal loop diagram (CLD) was developed to visualize the interdependency of the identified indicators of LCSA. Based on the findings of the study, a policy framework is proposed to guide the development of sustainable healthcare buildings. The framework includes using eco-friendly materials and techniques in construction, harnessing solar energy, improving hospital management practices, promoting public awareness about sustainability, conserving energy and water, and adopting sustainable waste management and transportation. Additionally, it emphasizes addressing social issues such as improving indoor air quality, thermal comfort, lighting, acoustics, patient safety, and security and ensuring that healthcare services are accessible and affordable. This study contributes to the literature on sustainable healthcare buildings by providing a practical policy framework for achieving sustainability in the healthcare sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, manufacturing development has received renewed attention from developing and developed countries alike. As mega-city regions (MCRs) are where manufacturing industries converge, the research on urban networks of MCRs under the dominance of manufacturing transaction linkages is currently insufficient. Based on the buyer–supplier linkages of listed manufacturing firms, this paper investigated the characteristics of the urban network in the Yangtze River Delta region (YRDR) in China using the social network analysis method; explored the determinants of nodal centrality and city dyads of the urban network by the stepwise regression and quadratic assignment procedures, respectively; and proposes a "characteristics-determinants-strategies" technical framework for the analysis and optimization of interurban collaboration in manufacturing transactions within MCRs. The findings were as follows: (1) The characteristics of the urban manufacturing transaction networks differed from those of transaction linkages of advanced producer services (APS) firms, intra-firm organization hierarchies, and innovation cooperation networks; (2) the network and geographical "core-periphery" structure of urban power and the circulation corridor of the urban manufacturing transaction network was formed within the YRDR; (3) cooperation parks, innovation collaboration, high-speed rail (HSR) linkage, and geographical proximity between cities were found to facilitate the formation of urban manufacturing transaction networks, and the similarity of industry structures and driving distance between cities inhibits the network; (4) the number of urban industrial firms, GDP per capita, and city government spending on science and technology contributed to the centrality of a city in urban manufacturing transaction networks, while the urban population in a city had a negative impact. The research provides a complementary perspective to the urban network research of MCRs under the perspective of production factors and product circulation and provides policy and urban planning insights for the synergistic development of interurban manufacturing in MCRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This systematic study aims to analyze qualitative research related to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems in urban management. The study seeks to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the current state of AI policy experiences in cities. By systematically reviewing and synthesizing prior findings in this domain, this research aims to contribute to the development of more effective policies for the responsible and efficient use of AI in urban management. Methods In this study, a meta synthesis approach was employed, relying on the seven-step framework proposed by Sandelowski and Barroso (2007). Thematic analysis was used as the tool for qualitative data analysis. To assess research quality, inter-coder agreement, provision of coded text samples, reporting of research process steps, and iterative reviewer discussions were utilized. Results Relevant articles were identified and analyzed. The findings from the coding process were categorized twice, first within a contextual framework following PESTLE’s analysis, and secondly into 27 proposed thematic categories. Furthermore, three dimensions of sustainability (data-driven, algorithmic, and ethical) in AI systems relevant to urban management were identified. Conclusion As a final outcome of this research, we propose a metaphorical framework called the "AI Policy Staircase for Cities." This framework comprises five steps: World view, Sociey, Legal system, Urban Governance, and Technology Management. Researchers of this metaphorical framework take a cross-disciplinary approach to prioritize among these five high-level concepts and introduce key dimensions within each, providing guidance to stakeholders involved in AI policy-making for urban management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study is to investigate traveler's willingness to use demand responsive transit (DRT) to address transportation challenges in Karachi, a city of Sindh province in Pakistan. DRT is a shared mobility option where vehicles can alter routes according to destinations of passenger. This research is conducted on a questionnaire that is based on a stated preference (SP) survey with well-designed choice experiments. DRT was taken as a hypothetical alternative along with other existing alternatives such as carpooling, minibus, and private car. This research mainly focused on choice experiments of working class and students. It established multinomial logit (MNL) model and nested logit (NL) model for analytical results. Carpooling was taken as reference level in this study. Hypothetical approach was also used for advanced assumptions. The modelling results reveals that working class is more likely to use DRT than students. The socio demographic variables such as gender, age, monthly income and employment were also found to be significant. Service attributes including travel time, travel cost, waiting time, and cancellation fees were also significant. The study concluded with a policy framework that suggest public private participation to initiate this project. Moreover, it also proposed that DRT should be initiated by existing business giants of ridesharing services as they are well aware of the business model of shared mobility. This study can be beneficial to policy makers and government to extend DRT network in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of EDU REVIEW: International Education & Learning Review / Revista Internacional de Educación & Aprendizaje is the property of Eagora Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The education sector of Somalia faces many challenges to increasing the quality of higher education and this negatively impacts the development of skilled human resources and the internationalization of higher education. The scoping review's aim is to analyze the current gap in standard education policy and strategy framework and suggest the way forward to overcome the current challenges. In the study, publications related to the current higher education system, challenges, and the way forward were searched from eight resourceful databases. The search involved articles published between January 2013 to February 2023 published in the English language. Heterogeneity among the studies were checked via Cochran's Q χ² and the I2 test statistics. Data were collected using an Excel data collection sheet and summarized data in the sheet following the study protocol. The data were obtained only from reliable online sources following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Published peer-reviewed articles and grew literature were included in the study. The Excel data sheet was the primary tool for synthesis and enhancing the understanding of analyzing the data via thematic analysis. The RevMan V.5.4 was utilized in order to synthesize the data and search for the outcomes that are relevant to our study goals. The results revealed that majority of the articles describe the higher education challenges and mentioned the gap in higher education policies and regulations. Synthesis original articles focused on the lack of uniform policy, research facilities, lack of effective curricula guidelines, and lack of effort of internationalization of higher education while narrative documents reviews paper lack of qualified staff and quality of education, Poor infrastructure, standard education policy, universal education curriculum, and lack of accountability of education sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Purpose/Significance] Digital technology has become an important driving force in the utilization of data production elements. To make full use of data resources, the underlying accompanying problem is rights management. In practice, the ownership and the right to use of data resource are separated in the circulation process. It has become an urgent problem to conduct data resource management activities based on reasonable and legal protection of users' rights. [Method/Process] Based on the general framework of "practical basis - abstract analysis - general concrete understanding", this paper firstly identified four practice statuses of distributed big data assets as followings: 1) the application of new technology leading to facilitating platforms; 2) attention needed to paid to intellectual properties of multiple users' groups; 3) users' needs to be satisfied on various contexts. For example, conducting resource procurement, collection, data processing and layout of resource allocation systems based on cloud service platforms; 4) maintainance and management of high quality data sets, including self-built and imported resources, the negotiation of ownership and use rights, and emphasis on the rights strategies. Next, this study conducted abstract analysis on the generalized idea of basic dimensions of data rights management from four aspects, namely, technical resource regulation, reasonable use boundary, complexity of rights, and analysis of use rights. [Results/Conclusions] Based on the abstract analysis, this paper put forward and explained four successive solutions at data resource management institute level, as described below. 1) the principle and terms of data policy, which include but not limited to general statement, policies of content use, policy statement on metadata, social media policies, and terms of service; 2) the typical contexts and content planning of rights potofolio. This paper took the resource procurement business of academic libraries as an example to illustrate and summarize the four content planning items on rights portfolio: strategic plan, operational policies, data policies, end-user policies; and 3) the allocation management of data assets, which lays the key part of data asset management. In this paper, we consider that data asset management refer to description and management of the constituent terms of data assets and the relationship between terms. The cost structure of data asset management contains tangible cost (such as consulting, software and hardware purchase fee, and digital resources purchase fee) and intangible cost (such as indirect human resource costs, risks, social credit, and loss compensation); and 4) finally, the establishment standard, working process, associated contrasts and regulations, and the evaluation measurements of data asset management businesses at the institute level. Such solutions are proposed to provide some inspirations to data resource management institutes（such as libraries） under the distributed big data circumstance.

Abstract COVID19 forced most education institutions to move their education provisions to digital platforms almost overnight to ensure continued learning for students. Variable factors relating to educational technologies, ease of use, accessibility and funding meant the process was more challenging for some than others. However even the most agile and well-prepared educational institutions faced a hurdle during remote learning when it came to integrity in assessing students online. This article tracks the efforts by one western university in a Middle Eastern country, tracing back the systemic changes, evolution of policies and procedures that culminated into a campus-wide response that helped redesign assessments, increased awareness among faculty towards recognising and reporting cases, and the implementation of integrity pledges. It is believed this article presents a well-rounded case study as a good practice guide for other tertiary institutions on the importance of building a culture of integrity prior to any crisis, that can help whether such situations need to arrive in the future.

Multiple policies have been formulated to promote the development of prefabricated building (PB). However, ineffective policies increase the financial burden of the governments and hinder PB development. This study aims to identify effective policies and develop a practical policy framework to encourage developers to implement PB. Text analysis is to identify the policies related to PBs from the numerous samples. A survey is to verify the effective policies and explore their effects on the developers' willingness to implement PBs. The findings suggest that the current policy system of PBs is complete but uneven, focusing on environmental policies. The most cost-effective tools are land limitations, tax incentives, and financial support. Besides, policies are interrelated in affecting developers' willingness to implement PBs. It provides a reference for policy evaluation in application scenarios, which expands the literature research on the policy. Meanwhile, it provides a guide for policymakers to evaluate the effectiveness of policies and formulate practical policy frameworks to promote PB development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of Personalised Medicine (PM) into healthcare systems could benefit from a clearer understanding of the distinct national and regional frameworks around the world. Recent engagement by international regulators on maximising the use of real-world evidence (RWE) has highlighted the scope for improving the exploitation of the treasure-trove of health data that is currently largely neglected in many countries. The European Alliance for Personalised Medicine (EAPM) led an international study aimed at identifying the current status of conditions. A literature review examined how far such frameworks exist, with a view to identifying conducive factors – and crucial gaps. This extensive review of key factors across 22 countries and 5 regions revealed a wide variety of attitudes, approaches, provisions and conditions, and permitted the construction of a comprehensive overview of the current status of PM. Based on seven key pillars identified from the literature review and expert panels, the data was quantified, and on the basis of further analysis, an index was developed to allow comparison country by country and region by region. The results show that United States of America is leading according to overall outcome whereas Kenya scored the least in the overall outcome. Still, common approaches exist that could help accelerate take-up of opportunities even in the less prosperous parts of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing demand for digital innovation scenarios, it is important to complement and improve the policy system for the governance of digital innovation activities. Combining the previous research results on the analysis of antecedent variables, basic effects and potential mechanisms of digital innovation, and based on the citation analysis of digital innovation topics based on the Citespace method, we find that in the past two decades, the topic of digital innovation policy research has gradually shifted from focusing on "constraining policies to control negative impacts" to focusing on "constructive policies to expand positive impacts". The digital transformation has brought about multidimensional and profound impacts on the governance of innovation activities, and it is necessary to accelerate the theoretical research on policy frameworks for the new areas of technology socialization effects. Summarizing some of the important progresses, we propose a policy framework covering three aspects: policy needs for sustainable transformation of digital innovation, policy orientation and policy dimensions for sustainable transformation of digital innovation, creating R&D opportunities, optimizing R&D organization, building ecological advantages, improving R&D governance, knowledge creation, enabling applications, collaborative promotion, standardizing management, national digital innovation system, digital innovation foundation, data governance capacity, digital security and other aspects of the conceptual framework of the basic policies for sustainable transformation of digital innovation. The research viewpoints and conclusions are of theoretical reference value for further research on key policy conditions for digital innovation, major policy impact effects and digital innovation governance mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education [MTB-MLE] policy in the Philippines is beset with numerous issues, and this adversely affects the quality of basic education provided across regions. To address this, this policy paper suggests reviewing the current MTBMLE policy through a more systematic policy reform mechanism that is participatory. This way, all concerned stakeholders in the Filipino education community contribute to the growth of the basic education instruction in the country by ensuring proper implementation of a mother tongue-based instruction policy. Anchored on the Rational Choice Theory (Becker, 1976), which believes on the following assumptions: individualism, optimality, structures, self-regarding interests, and rationality, this policy paper suggests a framework that the Department of Education can utilize in reviewing the existing policy and creating feasible decisions to improve the instruction in basic education. The proposal also drew inspiration from how the Bilingual Education Act of the United States of America became a promising legislation that has emphasized the importance of multicultural and multilingual classrooms in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PM2.5 pollution management in China has entered a new stage: the rapid decline of the annual average PM2.5 concentration has slowed down or even stopped. Although the overall situation of PM2.5 exceedance nationwide has greatly improved, seasonal and re⁃ gional exceedances and heavy pollution are never absent. The marginal cost of long-term governance measures, which are centered on engineering measures for emission reduction and affordable adjustment of industrial and energy structures, is constantly increasing, while its efficiency decreases at the same time. Worse still, it performs poorly in heavily polluted weather. China is still at a critical stage of economic development and urbanization, and it is not technically feasible or cost-effective in the short term to reduce overall pollutant emissions to an allowable level determined by the ambient concentration of PM2.5 under heavily polluted meteorological condi⁃ tions. In this case, continued improvement and steady attainment of the PM2.5 standard required by public health and welfare can only be achieved through daily emission management. However, the current air pollution control policy system is relatively weak in terms of daily ambient air quality and pollutant emission control. Consequently, local governments lack incentives and practical guidance for im⁃ plementing refined air quality management. With the progress of big data technology and the improvement of information technology, the implementation of scientific and precise pollution control is becoming practical. The policy framework for air pollution management needs to be updated to meet the requirements for such management in the new era. At present, the key to the reform is to promote the transformation of air pollution control from extensive long-term management to refined daily management. Taking stationary source man⁃ agement as an example, based on some existing policies, this study proposes a new policy framework that takes both the demand for dai⁃ ly standards and long-term reduction targets of PM2.5 into account. The framework systematically includes a regional air quality assess⁃ ment system, an urban air quality planning system, a stationary source emission standard management system, and a stationary source emission permit system. Considering the daily air quality management objectives, policy efficiency, and potential for continuous im⁃ provement, this study proposes an optimized plan for each policy and establishes the cohesion relationship between policies for exerting policy synergy. There is no doubt that we should stress the accumulation and application of environmental data, summarize effective ex⁃ periences of emission control in daily management, and set up air quality management objectives and an emission control scheme ac⁃ cording to local conditions. Also, it is suggested that we increase the weight of indexes concerned with daily air quality in government performance appraisals with the purpose of encouraging local governments to consciously take measures for refined air quality manage⁃ ment. The results of the evaluation of urban air quality should be linked to the mandatory emission standards implemented in that city, and then promote continuous improvement of urban air quality through the revision of emission standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The background to this debate is now well-known: an EU policy decision to tighten controls on the devices and diagnostics sector led to the adoption of a regulation in 2017 with a schedule for implementation over coming years – a timetable extended still further by last-minute legislation in early 2022, to provide the sector and regulators with more time to adapt to the changes. Discussions among experts organised in April by the European Alliance for Personalized Medicine (EAPM) exposed continuing challenges that cannot be fully resolved by the recent deferral of implementation deadlines. One salient problem is that there is little awareness of the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) across Europe, and only limited awareness of the different structures of national systems involved in implementing IVDR, with consequent risks for patient and consumer access to in vitro diagnostics (IVDs). The tentative conclusion from these consultations is that despite a will across the sector to seek workable solutions, the obstacles remain formidable, and the potential solutions so far proposed remain more a matter of aspirations than of clear pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon capture, utilization and sequestration (CCUS) is a potentially relevant option to limit greenhouse gas emissions. The development of CCUS has so far been slow in spite of substantial plans for implementation for example by the European Union. Lack of societal support is among the reasons cited for this gap between ambitions and implementation. Against this background, this paper simultaneously looks into the policy framework as well as stakeholder perceptions of CCUS as indicators for societal support. The focus is on three regions in three different European countries (Ebro Basin, Spain; Paris Basin, France; Upper Silesia, Poland) and a potential implementation of CCUS in these regions. The empirical data this paper draws on consists of 40 stakeholder interviews on the regional and national level. Our analysis points to differences between the countries with France being most advanced. The main driver for the development of CCUS in all three countries is (local) economic benefit by preserving existing or creating new industries. Barriers include costs, potential environmental impacts, and to some extent lack of support from policymakers and the public. © 2022 The Authors. Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese government's "dual carbon" commitment to carbon peaking and carbon neutrality in September 2020 indicates that China will promote green economy transition and achieve high-quality growth in line with the New Development Concept. Definitely, both China's economic and financial development will undergo a paradigm shift. This paper reviews the evolution of global finance's role in supporting environmental governance, climate change and sustainable development, and proposes that the time has come to develop zero-carbon finance which should be closely aligned with the "net-zero emissions" requirement for achieving the global temperature target of the Paris Agreement. While the current policy frameworks for zero-carbon finance in major Western countries are useful references, they also have limitations. In order to build a Chinese-style zero-carbon financial system, China should integrate the experience of other countries and leverage both institutional advantages and green finance practices of own to the fullest extent possible. This paper goes into further detail about the concept of building a zero-carbon financial macro-management framework and a composite ecology of the zero-carbon financial market, and puts forward policy recommendations. The Chinese-style zero-carbon finance solution will also contribute to global carbon neutrality by enabling China to achieve carbon neutrality as soon as possible and providing countries with China's solution as reference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of World Water Policy is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The broad spectrum of bioresource use makes it challenging to interconnect strategic objectives and policy planning documents without compromising a coherent development vision. Bioeconomy development directions have been defined at the EU and Latvian levels. Nevertheless, to facilitate their implementation, the goals must be consistent with those specified in relevant national policy planning documents and vice versa. To determine whether internationally defined bioeconomy objectives are implemented in Latvian policy planning documents and what priority is given to them, a mixed methods approach was used—a systematic literature review combined with a keyphrase assignment approach. The results are summarized in an illustrative screening matrix and aggregated using the TOPSIS method to identify in which policy planning documents bioeconomy objectives are prioritized and to what extent. The results have shown a high prioritization of bioeconomy objectives in Latvian policy planning documents, especially in hierarchically higher documents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use land cover (LULC) modeling is considered as the best tool to comprehend and unravel the dynamics of future urban expansion. The present paper provides a comprehensive review of existing LULC modeling techniques and novel approaches used by the research community. Moreover, the review also compares each technique's applications, utility, drawbacks, and broader differences. The rationale behind such a comparison is to highlight the strengths/weakness of individual techniques. The review further highlights the utility of the hybridization of different techniques (e.g., machine learning model combined with statistical models) to LULC modeling to complement their strengths. Although significant progress has been made in LULC modeling, the review highlights the need to incorporate the policy framework into LULC modeling for better urban planning and management. The present review will help researchers and policymakers to achieve better land management practices and ultimately assist in achieving Sustainable Development Goal-15 (SDG-15) (i.e., life on land). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Purpose/Significance] Digital technology has become an important driving force in the utilization of data production elements. To make full use of data resources, the underlying accompanying problem is rights management. In practice, the ownership and the right to use of data resource are separated in the circulation process. It has become an urgent problem to conduct data resource management activities based on reasonable and legal protection of users' rights. [Method/Process] Based on the general framework of "practical basis - abstract analysis - general concrete understanding", this paper firstly identified four practice statuses of distributed big data assets as followings: 1) the application of new technology leading to facilitating platforms; 2) attention needed to paid to intellectual properties of multiple users' groups; 3) users' needs to be satisfied on various contexts. For example, conducting resource procurement, collection, data processing and layout of resource allocation systems based on cloud service platforms; 4) maintainance and management of high quality data sets, including self-built and imported resources, the negotiation of ownership and use rights, and emphasis on the rights strategies. Next, this study conducted abstract analysis on the generalized idea of basic dimensions of data rights management from four aspects, namely, technical resource regulation, reasonable use boundary, complexity of rights, and analysis of use rights. [Results/Conclusions] Based on the abstract analysis, this paper put forward and explained four successive solutions at data resource management institute level, as described below. 1) the principle and terms of data policy, which include but not limited to general statement, policies of content use, policy statement on metadata, social media policies, and terms of service; 2) the typical contexts and content planning of rights potofolio. This paper took the resource procurement business of academic libraries as an example to illustrate and summarize the four content planning items on rights portfolio: strategic plan, operational policies, data policies, end-user policies; and 3) the allocation management of data assets, which lays the key part of data asset management. In this paper, we consider that data asset management refer to description and management of the constituent terms of data assets and the relationship between terms. The cost structure of data asset management contains tangible cost (such as consulting, software and hardware purchase fee, and digital resources purchase fee) and intangible cost (such as indirect human resource costs, risks, social credit, and loss compensation); and 4) finally, the establishment standard, working process, associated contrasts and regulations, and the evaluation measurements of data asset management businesses at the institute level. Such solutions are proposed to provide some inspirations to data resource management institutes (such as libraries) under the distributed big data circumstance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term “policy framework” is frequently used. Surprisingly, however, there are no definitions for it; nor have there been any systematic attempts to conceptualize or clarify what a policy framework is. The fact that in spite of its ubiquitous use the term is not defined might signify that its meaning is considered self-evident. In reality, however, as we will show in this article, this is not the case – far from it. Even if it were, the place of the term “policy framework” in the public policy vocabulary and as a concept in the cognitive universe of public policy is too important to dispense with the task of defining it explicitly. The present article outlines a rationale for the conceptualization of the term and an approach towards achieving it. The main justification for attempting a definition of the concept is the need for cognitive hygiene. Methodologically, this research is inspired by the thinking of Sartori (1970) and scholarship surrounding his ideas on concept formation. Indeed, the paper does not aim to “reinvent the wheel” in public policy, but strives to extract the meaning of “policy framework” from already existing definitions, implicit if not explicit, and, in this way, to systematize pre-existing scholarship by providing empirical references to current policy frameworks across thematic fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prefabricated buildings (PBs) are vigorously promoted for their many advantages. However, obvious regional differences exist in the development of PBs in China, and underdeveloped areas significantly lag behind other areas. Regional "tactics" have a more direct effect on the development of PBs than national "strategies". A targeted analysis of PB policies in underdeveloped areas in China is lacking in current research. Therefore, the aim of this study was to construct a comprehensive policy framework to help underdeveloped areas improve PB policies to develop PBs. In this study, we constructed a three-dimensional policy framework based on the content analysis method and policy instrument theory. Through a comparative analysis of 137 PB policies in three representative regions, 547 policy content codes were obtained, and reliability and validity tests were completed. The results indicate that (1) underdeveloped areas should focus on improving the number of policies rather than the accuracy in the early stages of development of PBs; (2) underdeveloped areas should focus on mandatory policy instruments (MPIs) supplemented by incentive policy instruments (IPIs) and social policy instruments (SPIs) rather than a balanced use of various policy instruments; and (3) underdeveloped areas should adjust the policy layout of the whole life cycle, and stakeholders should pay attention to the construction willingness of developers and the demands of consumers and seek policy support in the operation and maintenance stages, as well as during the demolition and recovery stages. In this study, we systematically analyzed the focus of PB policies for different stages and stakeholders and proposed an application strategy of policy instruments, contributing to the improvement of the PB policy system and the narrowing of regional development gaps with respect to PBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community Participation is fundamental for sustainable mangrove management which enhances environmental sustainability. This study analyses the setting of governance standards using policy frameworks. The study adopted a correlational research design and used a mixed methods approach. It shows awareness of policies supporting community participation in mangrove conservation was at 94.6%. The respondents who knew existing policies of the forest conservation and management act were at 27.80% closely followed by those with knowledge of local agreement with Kenya Forest Service at 25.40%, and those who practiced community/traditional by-laws at 21.80%. Notably, 18.40% of the respondents indicated knowledge of the national mangrove management plan while only 6.70% expressed awareness of the public participation law. Community participation is overly affected by gender perceptions in the education level, age, and knowledge of governance standards. The findings indicate 71% of women have not participated in setting governance standards as well as 69.20% of men. 81% of respondents disagree with the existence of county government policies in mangrove conservation. There is a lack of enough participation in setting governance standards towards the existing policy framework, affecting mangrove management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ports play a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and a broad range of other tranportation-related environmental impacts. This article examines the critical elements of an effective environmental policy frame-work for ports that could be considered a "gold standard." An exploratory analysis is conducted by delving into the academic literature and analyzing existing international and regional policy frameworks for ports. Fifteen in-terviews with subject-matter experts were conducted to identify sustaina-bility initiatives of two case study ports: Rotterdam and Long Beach. The article extends a previously developed framework for ports developed by Christodoulou et al., which identifies the following spheres of influence: the ports themselves, the role of ports in supporting shipping and inland transportation, and the geographical area surrounding the port. The current study extends the framework from its initial focus on GHG emission reduc-tion-related initiatives to other environmental sustainability initiatives un-dertaken by ports. It is clear that a "gold standard" requires a proactive and participatory approach to sustainability initiatives for the power itself and effective processes for collaboration with the shipping sector, inland trans-portation, and the geographic area surrounding ports to enable the port to be a constructive partner in all its spheres of influence and for the frame-work to evolve over time to continue to improve on an ongoing basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examined and illuminated with examples the ways and means of creating the environment for science and technology research to flourish. It underpins the creation of virile industrial production base as the trigger for research to plume; and consequently, prescribes the key to a sustainable research funding and mutually benefiting collaboration and symbiotic partnership between the industry and academia. It is shown, using comparative analysis, that a sine qua non for the creation of sustainable industrial base is urgent completion of Ajaokuta, NIOMCO, ALUMCO and making other metals, iron, steel and machine tools companies functional; as this generates spinoff industries, promotes beneficiation of local raw materials, expands manufacturing companies in magnitude and number; thereby create wealth to fund government budget and hence, research. It is further established that having correct policies, institutional and governmental, which include pertinent tax regime with rebate rights; and getting every company of specified grade to have a Research Unit locally in the country, provides needed framework for research and collaboration. It is also noted the effect in reducing cost and saving forex for infrastructures (e.g. rail lines, power, dams, etc.); as such, freeing money to fund intensive research, education, health and municipal services. Hence, unleash the benefits accruable to Industry, Academia, citizens; and the consequence on human development index (HDI) and the country at large. It is concluded, that the issue with Nigeria is not dearth of proficient researchers to do quality cutting-edge research, but lack of environment, wherewithal: industrial production base, policy, legal framework, weak political will and discipline to drive any policy. Ways to obviate these barriers to engender research and collaboration with industry beyond the usual concept of local content are elucidated in the paper.

Climate change is a multidimensional observable fact and is regarded as one of the greatest challenge human societies is facing in the 21st century. Debates on climate change advocate that urban areas not only contribute to climate change by emitting huge amounts of carbon-dioxide gas into the atmosphere, but also play a vital role in addressing climate change. This research investigates whether local urban planning policies in master plans target climate change mitigation and adaptation. Accordingly, this research undertook a qualitative content analysis of the policy framework of master plans that are involved in the sample and developed climate change mitigation indexes for all the sampled master plans by assessing urban policies against climate change mitigation evaluation protocols. This research significantly contributes to the field of urban planning and public policy by developing empirical evidence that analyzes the relationship between urban planning policies and climate change mitigation and adaptation. This research supports the use of master plans as an effective tool in mitigating and adapting to climate change and has an implication for mainstreaming climate change mitigation and adaptation in urban planning.

• The study is the first to apply NLP to support circular transformation. • Stakeholder engagement is crucial to promote the material-building-city synergy. • The study identifies 37 CSFs for achieving circular transformation. • The framework guides as a valuable tool for circular city governance. • Stakeholders can monitor and evaluate the circular supply chain with the framework. Scholars, industrial stakeholders, and governmental institutions are developing the circular economy paradigm. However, the emergence of multiple perspectives has challenged its implementation. As the industry that is the biggest contributor to the negative impacts on the environment, the construction industry stakeholders are paving the way for more sustainable as well as circular and regenerative construction by considering all actors in the system. Yet, the construction industry has a complex supply chain that requires clear strategies and stakeholder engagement across materials, buildings, and cities for efficient flows in the supply chain. Nonetheless, there is a need for improvement in the engagement of construction stakeholders for circular transformation. Therefore, this study aims to develop a multi-stakeholder engagement framework through circular transformation to guide the decision-makers for circular city governance. It has identified critical success factors by considering the construction stakeholders. The framework includes strategies at the micro (material), meso (building), and macro (city) scales to strengthen the material-building-city synergy. It's a significant step toward advancing circular city governance by bridging the gap between theoretical understanding and practical implementation and establishing a robust engagement for material-building-city synergy. The study employs a systematic literature review to extract strategies and natural language processing to analyze the strategies by topic modeling and defines critical success factors for multi-stakeholder engagement at multiscale. The outcome introduces the REVERT framework, bridging resource, envisagement, validation, entity, regulation, and technology , to facilitate a seamless transition by material-building-city synergy advancing circular city governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The legislation at the EU level is decisive in developing the local flexibility market. At the current stage, there are far-from-sufficient regulations on the local flexibility market, which can be perceived as a major barrier. The scope of this article is to explore the operational principles of the European local flexibility market and to assess the regulation of emerging flexible markets in order to help a new policy framework that facilitates the integration of flexible assets in the distribution grid. Although the evaluation primarily focuses on current regulations, numerous modifications are still being made to them, such as those brought about by the implementation of the Clean Energy Package. The possibility of the research material quickly becoming outdated makes this difficult. To reduce this risk, we also examine current debates over potential restrictions; nonetheless, the core of the report mainly applies to laws and policies that were in force prior to the second half of 2022. An examination and analysis of potential flexibility providers' motives to offer flexibility on a local flexibility market were conducted concurrently with the regulatory assessment. The inquiry was initiated by identifying resources that may be used to improve the flexibility of the electrical system but are underutilized. Underutilized resources refer to assets that are already part of society, such as efficient energy use, support for behavioral changes, heating systems (such as district heating, heat pumps, and thermal inertia), as well as underutilized energy storage capacities that are underutilized in terms of supplying flexibility to the electric grid. Resources were found via conducting interviews and studying scientific literature. The rules and guidelines for the emerging local flexibility markets are examined in this study. The regulations need to be continually improved because they are far from complete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID19 forced most education institutions to move their education provisions to digital platforms almost overnight to ensure continued learning for students. Variable factors relating to educational technologies, ease of use, accessibility and funding meant the process was more challenging for some than others. However even the most agile and well-prepared educational institutions faced a hurdle during remote learning when it came to integrity in assessing students online. This article tracks the efforts by one western university in a Middle Eastern country, tracing back the systemic changes, evolution of policies and procedures that culminated into a campus-wide response that helped redesign assessments, increased awareness among faculty towards recognising and reporting cases, and the implementation of integrity pledges. It is believed this article presents a well-rounded case study as a good practice guide for other tertiary institutions on the importance of building a culture of integrity prior to any crisis, that can help whether such situations need to arrive in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor economic conditions in Zimbabwe have greatly contributed to irregular emigration and brain drain with the public health sector seriously affected. This article identifies and critiques the strategies underpinning the out-migration management policy framework that regulates the movement of health professionals in Zimbabwe. It highlights strategies that can ensure that the state derives maximum benefits from its trained personnel, reduce their emigration and benefit from their movement without infringing on their freedoms of choice and movement. Qualitative techniques were used to gather data with in-depth interviews and questionnaires as data collection tools. Results show that previous strategies put in place to manage health professionals' emigration in Zimbabwe have not effectively harnessed the benefits from that movement. The article concludes that the government should take advantage of existing initiatives and craft a robust out-migration management policy framework that infuses all merits of the individual strategies to effectively manage emigration. This should include strategies such as reduction in hiring expatriates and using the funds to improve remuneration of locals to reduce skills flight; making arrangements for excess labour export to countries in need of such labour for a fee and initiating diaspora engagement initiatives to facilitate skills transfer from the emigrated professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tackling cancer is a major challenge right on the global level. Europe is only the tip of an iceberg of cancer around the world. Prosperous developed countries share the same problems besetting Europe–and the countries and regions with fewer resources and less propitious conditions are in many cases struggling often heroically against a growing tide of disease. This paper offers a view on these geographically wider, but essentially similar, challenges, and on the prospects for and barriers to better results in this ceaseless battle. A series of panels have been organized by the European Alliance for Personalised Medicine (EAPM) to identify different aspects of cancer care around the globe. There is significant diversity in key issues such as NGS, RWE, molecular diagnostics, and reimbursement in different regions. In all, it leads to disparities in access and diagnostics, patients' engagement, and efforts for a better understanding of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The international maritime sector plays an important part in contributing to the global sustainable economy and plays a significant role in achieving sustainable development goals. A variety of regulations and standards power the sustainability management of the global maritime sector, including the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and the European Union's new draft European Sustainability Reporting Standard. Limited research on the potential contribution of maritime policy-making to support sustainable development has led the sector to face multiple challenges. In this study, we analyzed how local policy-making can impact international goals and global sustainable development based on comprehensive datasets of 143 maritime companies. The study recommends the incorporation of sustainability dimensions of the maritime sector into all levels of policy-making and supporting the policy implementation with the local maritime governance structure. A maritime country should have strategic planning objectives that embrace maritime affairs and use the interactions identified between local development and the maritime sector. We propose a framework for maritime policy-making that supports sustainable development. A maturity model for sustainable development in the maritime sector was developed. The results can be used as guidelines for policymakers in planning sustainable development in a maritime country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The healthcare industry significantly impacts the environment due to its high usage of energy and natural resources and the associated waste generation. This study applied a cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) approach to assess the environmental and social life cycles of public hospitals. One hundred twenty-four public hospitals were selected for the current study; their sustainability performance was compared with those certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The comparison revealed several factors contributing to the poor sustainability performance of public hospitals. These include inadequate management, substandard planning, political interference, insufficient staffing and funding, high energy consumption, high expenses, inconsistent healthcare policies, and conventional building designs. System thinking was leveraged, and a causal loop diagram (CLD) was developed to visualize the interdependency of the identified indicators of LCSA. Based on the findings of the study, a policy framework is proposed to guide the development of sustainable healthcare buildings. The framework includes using eco-friendly materials and techniques in construction, harnessing solar energy, improving hospital management practices, promoting public awareness about sustainability, conserving energy and water, and adopting sustainable waste management and transportation. Additionally, it emphasizes addressing social issues such as improving indoor air quality, thermal comfort, lighting, acoustics, patient safety, and security and ensuring that healthcare services are accessible and affordable. This study contributes to the literature on sustainable healthcare buildings by providing a practical policy framework for achieving sustainability in the healthcare sector.

In recent years, manufacturing development has received renewed attention from developing and developed countries alike. As mega-city regions (MCRs) are where manufacturing industries converge, the research on urban networks of MCRs under the dominance of manufacturing transaction linkages is currently insufficient. Based on the buyer–supplier linkages of listed manufacturing firms, this paper investigated the characteristics of the urban network in the Yangtze River Delta region (YRDR) in China using the social network analysis method; explored the determinants of nodal centrality and city dyads of the urban network by the stepwise regression and quadratic assignment procedures, respectively; and proposes a “characteristics-determinants-strategies” technical framework for the analysis and optimization of interurban collaboration in manufacturing transactions within MCRs. The findings were as follows: (1) The characteristics of the urban manufacturing transaction networks differed from those of transaction linkages of advanced producer services (APS) firms, intra-firm organization hierarchies, and innovation cooperation networks; (2) the network and geographical “core-periphery” structure of urban power and the circulation corridor of the urban manufacturing transaction network was formed within the YRDR; (3) cooperation parks, innovation collaboration, high-speed rail (HSR) linkage, and geographical proximity between cities were found to facilitate the formation of urban manufacturing transaction networks, and the similarity of industry structures and driving distance between cities inhibits the network; (4) the number of urban industrial firms, GDP per capita, and city government spending on science and technology contributed to the centrality of a city in urban manufacturing transaction networks, while the urban population in a city had a negative impact. The research provides a complementary perspective to the urban network research of MCRs under the perspective of production factors and product circulation and provides policy and urban planning insights for the synergistic development of interurban manufacturing in MCRs.

Liquid biopsy (LB) is a minimally invasive method which aims to detect circulating tumor-derived components in body fluids. It provides an alternative to current cancer screening methods that use tissue biopsies for the confirmation of diagnosis. This paper attempts to determine how far the regulatory, policy, and governance framework provide support to LB implementation into healthcare systems and how the situation can be improved. For that reason, the European Alliance for Personalised Medicine (EAPM) organized series of expert panels including different key stakeholders to identify different steps, challenges, and opportunities that need to be taken to effectively implement LB technology at the country level across Europe. To accomplish a change of patient care with an LB approach, it is required to establish collaboration between multiple stakeholders, including payers, policymakers, the medical and scientific community, and patient organizations, both at the national and international level. Regulators, pharma companies, and payers could have a major impact in their own domain. Linking national efforts to EU efforts and vice versa could help in implementation of LB across Europe, while patients, scientists, physicians, and kit manufacturers can generate a pull by undertaking more research into biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]