Protection Pathways for Male Victims of Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Review of State and Non-State Mechanisms Worldwide

Intimate partner violence is a worldwide phenomenon. Systematic reviews address male intimate partner violence experiences from different perspectives. These reviews highlight the limitations of existing mechanisms, particularly institutional mechanisms. Systematic reviews comparing the advantages of institutional and non-institutional mechanisms appear to be rare. Such comparisons could facilitate the development of integrated solutions. This literature review aims to analyze the comparative advantages of institutional and non-institutional mechanisms for protecting male victims of intimate partner violence worldwide. The literature search was conducted using the Scopus and Dimensions databases. Five hundred and ninety-one documents were obtained from both databases. After screening using the CADIMA plateform and selection procedures, 74 relevant documents were extracted and analyzed. Institutional and non-institutional mechanisms are involved in protecting male victims. Each mechanism presents positive and negative characteristics that hinder or enhance their efficacy. Although no mechanism is sufficient, non-institutional present more advantages, highlighting the need for complementarity between both systems to ensure cessation of violence. This review contributes a comparative framework to assess protection pathways for male IPV victims by (i) identifying a typology of institutional and non-institutional mechanisms and (ii) synthesizing their strengths and limitations in a structured advantage/constraint matrix. This framework highlights where mechanisms complement or substitute each other and identifies priority gaps for research and policy worldwide and particularly for Africa

Doing the NOW (Noting One’s Wellness) in the Post Pandemic Period

Employee wellness has never been more highlighted now that the society has moved towards the post pandemic phase. Companies have started to recognize the importance of looking into employee wellness when reports on declining employee mental health have been reported in various places and sectors. In response, the research endeavor was carried out to explore how the employee wellness of the university fared throughout this time. The research also proposed wellness activities based on the research findings. Through a descriptive quantitative research design, the responses from 296 UBian employees (teaching and non-teaching personnel) were collected and analyzed. The mean analysis showed that the employees see themselves with a moderate level in their wellness dimensions. More so, the t-test carried out revealed that the perceived level of wellness was moderate for all the employees, regardless of their sex and job classification. To further reinforce the self-report results, the analyzed data from the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale short version showed that the UBian employees see themselves with high level of wellness. From these research findings, it can be said that in as much as there are continuous setbacks in the post pandemic phase, the employees are able to manage their overall wellness and wellness dimensions, such that they continue to deliver what is expected from them. In as much as this is the case, it is recommended that the employee wellness program to be provided would be both sustainable and uses a holistic and comprehensive approach

Urban Sprawl and Environmental Impacts on the Outskirts of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

The contemporary period has been mainly characterized by urbanization. Given its growing size, it exacerbates environmental degradation in surrounding cities and towns. This degradation manifests itself in various ways, which are the topic of the study's findings. This study is part of a framework for analyzing the environmental impacts resulting from the sprawl of the city of Ouagadougou. The methodology is based on an approach combining both quantitative and qualitative methods. Work carried out through documentary research, field observation, surveys and diachronic analysis made it possible to identify environmental impacts. ENVI and ARCGIS software were used for diachronic analysis and mapping, SPSS and Excel for data analysis and processing. Thus, it emerges from the study that the sprawl of the city of Ouagadougou has led to an increase in production as well as poor waste management (liquid and solid). These factors cause environmental pollution resulting in air pollution and water retention. Diachronic analysis revealed the degradation of the vegetation cover. The results of the study show that 85.21 % of respondents have noted the degradation of the vegetation cover over the last twenty years. According to 94.10 % of the interviewees, environmental degradation is linked to the urban sprawl of Ouagadougou. Added to this are changes in landforms and flooding. These results of the study provide planning assistance for urban planners, environmentalists, and policymakers

Enhancing Licensure Examination Outcomes: Best Practices among Top-Performing Criminology Schools in Region III, Philippines

Preparing graduates for the Criminology Licensure Examination (CLE) is a pivotal challenge for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Region 3, Philippines, as this professional assessment determines both individual success and institutional quality. This study employed a qualitative descriptive design involving 10 key informants from top-performing HEIs, supplemented by documentary analysis of Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) performance reports from 2018 to 2023. The research aimed to identify best practices, examine factors contributing to their successful implementation, and explore challenges faced by these institutions in sustaining high licensure exam performance. Results indicate that effective licensure preparation is anchored in strong leadership, cohesive faculty development, curriculum alignment with PRC standards, institutional support, and active student motivation. Best practices include embedding licensure review within the formal curriculum, establishing mentoring and early orientation programs, and enforcing academic monitoring that aligns with licensure competencies. Institutional factors such as sufficient funding, collaborative governance, and clear faculty workload recognition further enhance program effectiveness. Challenges such as resource limitations and varying student preparedness were addressed through adaptive strategies including flexible mentoring and community engagement. Based on these findings, the study recommends that policymakers, HEIs, faculty, and students work collaboratively to institutionalize equitable licensure preparation frameworks, formalize faculty roles in exam readiness, and encourage student self-regulation and peer collaboration. Doing so will contribute to a sustainable, inclusive, and leadership-driven criminology education system that consistently produces competent professionals. The findings enrich the discourse on licensure examination readiness and provide practical insights for improving criminology education in the Philippine context

Customer Satisfaction Drivers with Digital Therapeutic Platform Experiences: The Mediating Effect of Perceived Hedonic Value

Underpinned by expectancy disconfirmation theory and perceived value theory, this paper explores customer satisfaction drivers towards digital therapeutic platforms (i.e., reliability, product diversity, and sales promotion). Besides, this paper examines the role of perceived hedonic value in three drivers–customer satisfaction relationships. Employing online survey, 416 Saudi customers’ responses were collected. ADANCO-PLS findings indicated that reliability, product diversity, and sales promotion directly affect perceived hedonic value. Further, perceived hedonic value was partially mediated in the relationships between customer satisfaction towards therapeutic service-related digital platforms and its three drivers. This paper contributes to the existing literature on digital platforms by providing evidence on how digital platforms that incorporate pleasure, and utilitarian dimensions positively influence customers’ experiences in digital therapeutic services. Our findings have valuable implications for platform providers who want to maximize customer involvement and satisfaction

Towards an Understanding of Perceptual Illusions in Language and Speech: A Cross-Linguistic Perspective

Perceptual illusions in language and speech reveal how listeners interpret auditory input in ways that deviate from the acoustic signals they receive. These phenomena shed light on the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying speech perception, shaped by linguistic and cultural factors. This paper reviews four key perceptual illusions: phonemic restoration, the McGurk effect, verbal transformation, and auditory streaming, examining their manifestation across different languages, including Persian, Turkish, Japanese, and English. By integrating findings from diverse linguistic studies, this paper highlights the interplay between universal perceptual processes and language-specific influences, with implications for speech recognition technology, language learning, and clinical applications.

Preservation Strategies and Issues for Tehran City Identity in a Rapidly Changing Urban Landscape

The presented article discusses the issues of Tehran city identity preservation in a rapidly changing urban landscape, taking into account that city preservation encompasses strategies to maintain and enhance the historical, cultural, and architectural integrity of urban environments. Being a vibrant capital city of Iran, Tehran is considered a city steeped in history, culture, and rapid urban development. As it transforms into a modern metropolis, the challenges of preserving its unique identity while implementing sustainable architectural planning become more important. Therefore, it is of high importance to examine how traditional Persian architecture and modern urban challenges intersect. These circumstances may be critical not only for preserving the cultural heritage of Tehran but also for ensuring a livable environment for its residents. The number of conducted studies reveals the importance of integrating local heritage with contemporary urban needs, demonstrating that effective city preservation between the past and the present may be realized through cultural identity at the same time as promoting social cohesion, economic vitality, and civil education. As the city identity preservation refers to the efforts made to preserve and protect the unique character, historical image, and cultural heritage of a city, therefore it can involve a combination of architectural conservation and sustainable development practices. These efforts will contribute to promoting a sense of belonging and pride among residents while attracting visitors who appreciate the distinctive identity of this Eastern-type city. Currently the historical texture of Tehran is an attractive mix of historic and modern architecture, reflecting its rich cultural legacy and rapid urbanization

Measuring the Level of Implementation and Barriers in the Enforcement of the Anti-Road Obstruction Ordinance in Baguio City

This study examined the implementation of the Anti-Road Obstruction Ordinance in Baguio City, focusing on the level of its enforcement and the challenges encountered by barangay and Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) enforcers. Guided by descriptive research design, the study utilized both quantitative and qualitative methods to provide a comprehensive analysis. A total of 375 respondents composed of residents and business owners from the Central Business District were surveyed to assess the perceived level of ordinance implementation, while 10 purposively selected barangay and POSD enforcers were interviewed to identify common enforcement challenges. Findings revealed that the ordinance was perceived to be highly implemented, indicating that residents generally observed active enforcement within their areas. However, several issues hindered consistent implementation. Human-related challenges included negative public attitudes, non-cooperation, and limited enforcement authority among barangay and POSD personnel. Systemic and structural challenges, such as weak inter-agency collaboration, inconsistent traffic regulations, fragmented ticketing systems, and insufficient logistical support, further constrained the effectiveness of the ordinance. The study concludes that while the Anti-Road Obstruction Ordinance has been substantially enforced in Baguio City, the sustainability of its implementation depends on strengthening institutional coordination, enhancing enforcer authority, and improving community compliance through education and awareness. It recommends empowering enforcers with clearer mandates, harmonizing city and barangay traffic regulations, establishing a unified ticketing system, and investing in adequate support infrastructure and manpower to ensure efficient and equitable enforcement of road regulations

The Role and Benefits of ChatGPT in the Agriculture Sector in EU Countries

The implementation of ChatGPT in the agricultural sector throughout the countries of the EU is revolutionising conventional farming methods. ChatGPT utilises sophisticated artificial intelligence capabilities to offer immediate assistance and valuable information to farmers, thereby improving their ability to make informed decisions and increasing their efficiency. The uses of this technology span from enhancing crop yields through predictive analytics to providing personalised guidance on sustainable farming methods. Moreover, ChatGPT enhances the effectiveness of supply chain management and enhances communication between stakeholders. This technological innovation aligns with the European Union's objectives of fostering a more sustainable and innovative agricultural future. This study examines the role and benefits of ChatGPT, an advanced artificial intelligence technology, in the agriculture sector of EU countries. The analysis is based on a mixed-effects model using secondary data from the European Commission's agricultural database and various agricultural research institutions across EU countries. The model includes covariates such as crop yields, water consumption, and decision-making scores, and accounts for country and year fixed effects. The results indicate that ChatGPT adoption has a statistically significant and positive impact on crop yields, resource consumption, and decision-making capabilities. Specifically, ChatGPT adoption leads to a 0.87 metric ton increase in crop yields per hectare, a 230 cubic meter reduction in water consumption per hectare, and a 1.24-point increase in decision-making scores. The findings demonstrate the potential of ChatGPT to improve agricultural performance in EU countries, and highlight the importance of integrating AI technologies in the agricultural sector to address pressing challenges such as resource scarcity and climate change. The study has some  limitations, including potential unobserved confounding factors and the generalizability of the findings across different agricultural practices and contexts. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of ChatGPT and other AI technologies on agriculture

Financial Inclusion and Resilience Among Farmers in Rural Communities

Farmers are among the underserved community and often face difficulties to accessing financial services which hinders their ability to improve productivity, manage risks, and achieve economic resilience in the long term. This study explores the financial inclusion among farmers in rural communities focusing on the challenges they encounter and their coping mechanisms to survive economic shocks and financial exclusion. This study used convergent parallel mixed-methods design, and data were collected across seven municipalities in Southern Palawan, Philippines with 369 farmers participants. The study determines the socio-economic profile of farmers in terms of educational attainment, training and seminars attended, average income per cropping, farm size, and financial services obtained. While majority of the farmers are in elementary and high school levels, they have varied income brackets along with their farm size and access to different financial services, such as loans and insurance. A significant portion of farmers reported utilizing financial services from microfinance companies and informal credit sources. Thus, challenges identified include limited access to financial resources, inadequate financial management skills, loan dependency worsened by misalignment with agricultural cycles, leaving farmers more susceptible. Farmers cope by relying on loans and credits sought after microfinance companies and informal financial providers, alternative income sources, and crop insurance. The study suggests a financial inclusion program to give farmers in rural areas better access to an affordable and quality financial services along with policies supporting sustainable agricultural practices and continuous financial education emphasizing practical approach