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By examining seemingly contradictory reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic and relating these to the basic income debate in Australia, this article explores the potential that the socio-economic crisis provoked by COVID-19 presen ts for a transformation of welfare systems. Drawing on ethnographic observation, the article describes the emergence of grassroots forms of solidarity in response to the pandemic. Within the context of the increasing hardship experienced by Australians, ongoing failures of existing welfare systems, and inadequate government responses to COVID-19, the groundswell of solidarity may coalesce with increasing support for a basic income, creating a conjunctural movement that propels radical social transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes an education for development experience related to health and quality of life implemented in the framework of an on-going university cooperation action in Central America. A space for debate on these issues was created to support and promote the implementation of local policies; provide technical support for the design, preparation and implementation of socio-educational research; train health mediators; and foster the exchange of experiences among professionals and institutions. Methodologically, the work comprises three phases: an analysis of the problem of HIV/AIDS using an applied research approach, a participatory diagnosis of the actual situation of risk groups in order to make decisions to construct a health prevention discourse adapted to the contextual reality and, finally, the coordinated promotion of educational actions for development. The consolidation of this inter-institutional alliance, which acts on real needs in this context, is producing substantial, tangible changes in the habits and quality of life of the local community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disparities continue to pose major challenges in various aspects of science. One such aspect is editorial board composition, which has been shown to exhibit racial and geographical disparities. However, the literature on this subject lacks longitudinal studies quantifying the degree to which the racial composition of editors reflects that of scientists. Other aspects that may exhibit racial disparities include the time spent between the submission and acceptance of a manuscript and the number of citations a paper receives relative to textually similar papers, but these have not been studied to date. To fill this gap, we compile a dataset of 1,000,000 papers published between 2001 and 2020 by six publishers, while identifying the handling editor of each paper. Using this dataset, we show that most countries in Asia, Africa, and South America (where the majority of the population is ethnically non-White) have fewer editors than would be expected based on their share of authorship. Focusing on US-based scientists reveals Black as the most underrepresented race. In terms of acceptance delay, we find, again, that papers from Asia, Africa, and South America spend more time compared to other papers published in the same journal and the same year. Regression analysis of US-based papers reveals that Black authors suffer from the greatest delay. Finally, by analyzing citation rates of US-based papers, we find that Black and Hispanic scientists receive significantly fewer citations compared to White ones doing similar research. Taken together, these findings highlight significant challenges facing non-White scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the complex nexus between regulation and inequality in Zimbabwe's microfinance and tourism sectors. Rural Small to Medium Enterprises in Tourism (SMETs) is typical in the informal sector. However, SMETs in rural areas face financial, regulatory, and exclusionary constraints. This paper follows a qualitative literature review methodology guided by an exploratory design. In addition, one secondary case study was included to highlight the lived realities of SMETs. Findings indicate a complex connection between regulation and inequality in the economy. Overregulation leads to corruption, marginalization, and exclusion of small business activities. SMETs are constrained because they need access to finance for business growth. Thus, the nexus between the two variables profoundly impacts policy. The government must entangle the relationship for policy directions in the microfinance and tourism sectors. The paper concludes that the nexus between regulation and inequality needs urgent attention. The paper's originality is based on using a systematic literature review to assess how regulations affect microfinance's ability to fund rural SMETs so that these areas could have economic opportunities that would improve the livelihoods of people residing in these areas, thereby addressing inequalities. Furthermore, it contributes to the debates on the complex relationship between regulation and inequality of two sectors (microfinance and tourism) in Zimbabwe. It also informs future lines of research on the subject. Due to noted limitations on the research design used, more comprehensive empirical studies are required to understand the complexity of the nexus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how schooling could be made a sustainable development project for rural secondary school learners whose drop-out rate is alarmingly high. The paper resulted from diverse discourses some of which regard current rural secondary school learners to be facing a bleak future considering how they prematurely exit the secondary schooling system in large numbers. This paper is conceptual and empirical in nature within the qualitative research paradigm. The research question guiding this paper is: what shall it take to transform the current public secondary school system to remain captivating and absorbing for rural learners never to be tempted to drop-out? Interviewing technique and documents review were employed to collect data. Out of the population of 16 secondary schools in one of the circuits in the Sekhukhune district in Limpopo Province, South Africa, three rural secondary schools were conveniently sampled. In each of the school, a science education specialist or head of department, a teacher serving in the School Governing Body and a Chairperson of the Representative Council of Learners, became research participants. Findings revealed that firstly, schooling could facilitate upward socioeconomic mobility of learners. Secondly, enduring schooling could be a key to escaping rural poverty. Thirdly, schooling could reduce inequalities. Fourthly, schooling could foster tolerance and peaceful societies. Fifthly, schooling could generate gender equity. Lastly, without schooling non-proficiency rates by learners could remain disturbingly high. The researcher recommends for the addressing of the gap between the rural under-connected, under-developed and the highly digitalised secondary schools to ascertain that no single learner is left behind as regards the sustainable development project through schooling. Furthermore, for the thriving of sustainable development project, governments need to be encouraged to prioritise schooling of all rural learners in policy and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a framework for assessing inequality in passenger rail services by examining connectivity and accessibility across two different travelframes: favorable (daytime travel) and unfavorable (nighttime travel). The unfavorable timeframe is often characterized by a lack of adequate first-/last-mile transport availability to train stations, impacting passenger access. The study employs a newly developed inequality-to-investment ratio to classify rail transport entities like stations, routes, or zones as either winners or losers, using a performance persistence analysis. A case study was conducted using data on the superfast express (SE) train schedule and investments from 2016 to 2020 across sixteen zones of the Indian Railway, assessing service inequalities during the hours of favorable (7 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and unfavorable (9 p.m. to 7 a.m.) timeframes. Results revealed inconsistencies in inequalities among zones. Moreover, the research demonstrates that the choice between connectivity and accessibility metrics significantly influences the identification of better or worse performing zones as winners or losers, respectively, throughout the 2016–2020 period and during both timeframes. The study underscores the importance of selecting appropriate measures and suggests re-evaluating or increasing investments in certain zones of Indian Railways based on these insights. The framework proposed in this paper can be used to assess inequalities within any transportation system receiving investments or government funds, contributing to the broader goal of ensuring equitable access to transportation, which is essential for a sustainable transportation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dystopia is a place where everything is disastrously wrong. Dystopian literature embodies recurring elements that construct a vivid and often unsettling description of oppressive societies. Dystopian literature explores fictitious societies or worlds characterised by oppressive governance and dehumanisation. Several works of dystopian literature centre around the concept of totalitarianism, offering readers an opportunity to critique this system and emphasise the significance of individuality and freedom that is suppressed under the rule of totalitarianism. This research paper delves into the convoluted realms of dystopian literature, focusing on the pervasive composition of the loss of identity and individuality in the face of oppressive regimes. Employing a qualitative research methodology, the study centres its analysis on Margaret Atwood's seminal work, The Handmaid's Tale, to unravel the profound impacts of authoritarian control on the characters' sense of self. The investigation extends by examining the plight of women in dystopian settings, illuminating the multifaceted practices in which they grapple with the erasure of their individual identities. Through a careful examination of the characters' experiences, the paper aims to shed light on the nuanced nature of gender-based oppression, presenting how women become symbolic of a broader societal scrabble against totalitarian rule. By investigating the inimical consequences of technological advancements, the study emphasises the erosion of personal freedoms and the subjugation of autonomy that often accompanies the omnipresence of advanced surveillance and control mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst the complex landscape of human rights, vulnerability has emerged as a critical concept in the protection of minority groups. Though the European Court of Human Rights integrates multifaceted dimensions of vulnerability within its jurisprudence, a deeper examination reveals troubling inconsistencies in cases related to discrimination against minority groups. Discrimination often perpetuates historical biases and societal norms that marginalize certain communities, and the Court's current approach intermittently falls short of addressing these deeply entrenched issues. Whilst the Court does employ the concept of vulnerability to highlight states' affirmative obligations and grave violations, it does so inconsistently, neglecting to thoroughly explore economic disparities, social origins, or cultural biases that could contribute to vulnerability. This inconsistent treatment of certain aspects of vulnerability may unintentionally perpetuate unequal treatment, further entrenching systemic discrimination. The selective use of the vulnerability concept hints at a more profound challenge that confronts the Court in safeguarding human rights. If the Court address specific dimensions of vulnerability, does it leave other marginalized groups without adequate legal recourse or protection, therefore exacerbating the systemic injustices that persist in European societies? This paper examines two principal aspects: the first focuses on the place of establishing a legal definition of vulnerability; the second debates the role of the European Court of Human Rights' practices in establishing criteria's of vulnerability. The paper aims to underline the evolution of the Strasbourg judges in incorporating vulnerability into their jurisprudence and explore how, despite an initially cautious approach, the Court has developed a varied and multifaceted use of the concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: One of the greatest public health problems of the 21st century is undernutrition in children under the age of 5 years (CAUFY). Globally, over 232 million CUAFY are undernourished and approximately 45% of mortality in this population are undernutrition‐induced. This paper reviewed and critically explained the factors perpetuating undernutrition in CUAFY in the global space. It further explained the multi‐level determinants that influence health inequalities and consequently exacerbate undernutrition amongst CUAFY globally. It also went further to explain the intervention models and approaches that can be used to tackle undernutrition in CUAFY. Methods/Literature Search Strategy: Demiris et al.'s approach to narrative review was utilized for this paper. Relevant articles on child nutrition were retrieved from multiple credible databases and websites of foremost health organizations. Using an iterative process, multiple combinations of search terms were done by stringing relevant key terms and their synonyms with Boolean Operators. This process was constantly refined to align search results with the study aim. Database search produced relevant and resourceful publications which were utilized to develop this review. Results: The global burden of undernutrition remains high, especially in Oceania with the highest prevalence of stunting and wasting (41.4% and 12.5%), with Africa and Asia following closely. Malnutrition eradication is a global health issue of high priority as demonstrated by the "Goal 2" of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the United Nations (UN) Decade of Action on Nutrition 2016–2025. The review identified no significant positive outcome from previous interventions due to the endemic health inequalities. Determinants of the multi‐level health inequalities associated with undernutrition in CUAFY, and probable solutions are explained with theoretical models of health inequalities. A diagonal intervention approach was proposed as a viable solution to ending undernutrition in CUAFY. Conclusion: The application of relevant theoretical models and context‐specific intervention approaches can be utilized by stakeholders to close the existing inequality gaps, thereby reducing undernutrition amongst CUAFY globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distributional outcomes of monetary policy have garnered increasing attention in recent years. While there has been significant progress on both the theoretical and methodological design of studies on advanced economies, research on China has been limited, partly because of its opaque and unique monetary policy framework. This paper investigates the distributional effects of monetary policy shocks in China from 2003 to 2021, as the central bank converges towards a standard interest-rate based regime. A novel policy shock series for China is constructed using the high-frequency external instrument identification method that addresses endogeneity concerns between macroeconomic factors and policy decisions. A structural vector autoregression system identified by short-run restrictions is then used to analyze the impulse responses of income measures and asset market returns to these shocks. Findings suggest that contractionary monetary policy shocks have a negative impact on inequality in China, by increasing the relative share of income at the top and decreasing the share at the bottom of the distribution. Adverse effects are stronger for lower income groups who derive most of their income from labor and business, and experience large and persistent negative effects from an unanticipated rate hike. Meanwhile, the impacts on top earners are neutral or modestly positive, since their income portfolios are diversified by property holdings. As such, this analysis supports the income composition channel theory in explaining the heterogeneity in household responses to monetary policy shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citations are important building blocks for status and success in science. We used a linked dataset of more than 4 million authors and 26 million scientific papers to quantify trends in cumulative citation inequality and concentration at the author level. Our analysis, which spans 15 y and 118 scientific disciplines, suggests that a small stratum of elite scientists accrues increasing citation shares and that citation inequality is on the rise across the natural sciences, medical sciences, and agricultural sciences. The rise in citation concentration has coincided with a general inclination toward more collaboration. While increasing collaboration and full-count publication rates go hand in hand for the top 1% most cited, ordinary scientists are engaging in more and larger collaborations over time, but publishing slightly less. Moreover, fractionalized publication rates are generally on the decline, but the top 1% most cited have seen larger increases in coauthored papers and smaller relative decreases in fractional-count publication rates than scientists in the lower percentiles of the citation distribution. Taken together, these trends have enabled the top 1% to extend its share of fractional- and full-count publications and citations. Further analysis shows that top-cited scientists increasingly reside in high-ranking universities in western Europe and Australasia, while the United States has seen a slight decline in elite concentration. Our findings align with recent evidence suggesting intensified international competition and widening author-level disparities in science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]