Search Results (915)

Donkeys (Equus asinus) play a critical role in agricultural, transport, and livelihood systems across Asia, yet they remain among the most neglected domestic species in terms of welfare, management, and research attention. This review synthesizes recent literature on donkey welfare, health, breeding, and conservation across Asia, highlighting regional disparities and emerging challenges. A systematic review of published studies identified welfare determinants including nutrition, workload, shelter, and veterinary access. Welfare conditions are found to be poorest in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, where chronic undernutrition, inadequate housing, excessive workloads, and limited veterinary support prevail. Preventive healthcare, such as vaccination and deworming, remains largely absent, reflecting low owner awareness and weak veterinary infrastructure. In contrast, China demonstrates substantial progress through semi-intensive farming systems, structured welfare management, and research-based breeding programs that integrate welfare with productivity enhancement. Recent advancements in molecular genetics have further expanded the scope of donkey conservation and improvement. Studies on key genes, including PRKG2, NR6A1, LTBP2, HOXC8, and DCAF7, have elucidated their roles in vertebral number, skeletal development, and body conformation in Dezhou donkeys, offering new opportunities for genomic-level conservation and marker-assisted selection. Nonetheless, significant health challenges, such as parasitic, bacterial, and viral infections (Theileria equi, Giardia duodenalis, and Equid herpesviruses), continue to threaten productivity and welfare. Reproductive management across most Asian countries remains traditional and uncoordinated, whereas China leads in artificial insemination, genetic resource preservation, and policy-supported breeding initiatives. Ethical concerns surrounding overexploitation and the commercial use of donkeys, particularly in the ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin) industry, are also gaining attention. Overall, this review underscores the urgent need for a “One Welfare” approach, linking Animal Welfare, human livelihoods, and sustainable industry development. Strengthening veterinary infrastructure, promoting owner education, and integrating genomic tools into breeding programs are essential steps toward improving the welfare, productivity, and long-term conservation of donkeys across Asia. Full article

Traditional approaches to predicting business cycles are limited by their omission of financial variables, which, in turn, leads to failures to signal financial-sector crises and to misestimate the duration and intensity of economic events. This study addresses this challenge by constructing a real-financial activity gap for South Africa and utilising it to predict the occurrence of economic recoveries. The study examines the period from 1970Q1 to 2023Q4, using real GDP, domestic credit, house prices, and share prices. The dynamic factor model and the Hodrick–Prescott filter are employed to construct the real-financial activity gap. The recursive ADF unit root test is used to assess the presence, frequency, and duration of economic recoveries. To validate the results, a Markov switching dynamic regression model is applied. The results reveal that the new gap tends to produce economic recovery predictions that are less frequent but longer in duration. In contrast, predictions based on real GDP lead to more frequent but shorter recoveries. The new gap suggests that financial variables contribute to stabilising growth over extended periods, whereas real GDP reflects quicker but more volatile economic adjustments. The latest gap offers a more stable basis for forecasting recoveries, aiding policymakers in better anticipating and mitigating economic downturns. Accordingly, the output gap and the real-financial activity gap should be used as complements. Full article

Over the centuries, human interaction with natural resources has allowed us to build knowledge that has given rise to cultures and regions around the world. In Mexico, particularly in the Yucatán Peninsula region, the traditional Mayan house (TMH) represents a symbol of identity and ancestral knowledge of the Mayan culture and a way of life for the inhabitants of rural communities. However, there is little information on the flora used as raw materials for the construction of the TMH; considering that its structure is being modified with modern materials. The objective of this study has been to identify the different plant species used as raw materials for the construction of TMHs in different Mayan communities in northern Campeche, Mexico. A total of 27 surveys were conducted in seven communities using the snowball method, using non-probability convenience sampling. In total, 100% of the respondents were male, between 18 and 86 years old, of whom 73% learned about the construction of the TMH through knowledge transferred by their parents, while the remaining 27% learned from their grandparents. For the construction of the TMH, a total of 18 plant species were recorded; 100% of the respondents mentioned that they use Sabal yapa “Xa’an guano” (in Mayan) for the construction of the roof. Another 18% mentioned the use of grass (Spartina spartinae). It can be therefore concluded that there is a hybridization of the TMH, since the roofs are replaced with zinc sheets due to the low cost of modern materials and the low availability of Sabal yapa in some areas of northern Campeche. Full article

This study introduces a Fuzzy–AHP–based analytical model for the quantitative assessment of authenticity loss in adaptive reuse practices, addressing a persistent gap in heritage research—the lack of reproducible mathematical frameworks capable of linking authenticity evaluation with sustainability indicators. Unlike previous studies that approach authenticity conceptually or qualitatively, this research develops a hybrid decision-support system that translates both intangible and tangible heritage attributes into measurable linguistic variables, enabling systematic and comparable authenticity assessments. The model was applied to ten traditional houses in Alanya, Türkiye, representing different adaptive reuse types (residential, cultural, commercial, and touristic). A total of 17 experts contributed to the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) weighting stage, producing a Consistency Ratio of 0.0156 (<0.10), and 8 experts provided scoring inputs for the fuzzy system. The fuzzy inference system was implemented in MATLAB R2023a, incorporating seven main criteria and three subcriteria, nine input variables, five linguistic categories, and a rule base of 3400 fuzzy rules. Membership functions were defined within the 0–100 numerical range, and the centroid defuzzification method was used to compute final authenticity values. Model reliability was confirmed through Kendall’s W = 0.87, demonstrating strong inter-rater agreement. Results show that buildings retaining their original residential function achieved the highest authenticity scores (Final Score ≈ 86), while structures converted into boutique hotels or restaurants exhibited substantial authenticity losses (Final Score range: 25–45), especially within Group 2 criteria (environment, function, spirit, and intangible cultural heritage). This divergence illustrates a sustainability paradox: although adaptive reuse prolongs building life cycles and reduces embodied carbon, it may simultaneously undermine cultural sustainability when authenticity is significantly compromised. The proposed Fuzzy–AHP authenticity model provides a replicable, transparent, and empirically validated tool for evaluating the effects of functional transformation within a sustainability framework. By quantifying the relationship between adaptive reuse types and authenticity retention, the study contributes to sustainable heritage management research and supports the implementation of SDG 11—Sustainable Cities and Communities. Full article

Hmong stilt architecture is not only a concentrated embodiment of ethnic culture and ecological wisdom, but also an important issue in contemporary cultural heritage protection and sustainable development. Although the research on Miao stilt houses has gradually increased in recent years, there is a lack of thematic review and analysis of its academic literature to clarify research trends and directions. To fill this research gap, this study systematically reviewed and analyzed 37 academic papers on Hmong stilt architecture from 2015 to 2025 through a thematic review method. With the help of ATLAS.ti 25, this study identified four core research themes: (1) Spatial Morphology; (2) Ecological Adaptation; (3) Cultural Heritage; and (4) Sustainable Digital Conservation. Each theme is further divided into three specific categories, covering key areas such as architectural structure and settlement space evolution, ecological design and green material application, cultural identity and heritage communication, and digital technology application. The study found that the current academic focus has gradually shifted from traditional architectural forms and historical and cultural analysis to ecological adaptation strategies, cultural protection innovation and digital technology applications to promote the sustainable protection and innovative development of stilt architecture in the context of the new era. The analysis results of this study not only systematically sorted out the latest trends and patterns in the study of Hmong stilt architecture, but also provided valuable academic resources and practical guidance for subsequent researchers, designers and policy makers in related fields. Full article

Understanding why households choose particular urban neighborhoods requires bridging traditional rational-choice explanations with emerging evidence on cognitive, social, and informational influences. This study investigates how territorial intelligence (TI)—defined as the availability and use of spatial data, planning information, and participatory knowledge platforms—interacts with behavioral factors to shape residential relocation decisions. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, we surveyed 356 recent movers in Casablanca, Morocco, and conducted 20 follow-up semi-structured interviews. Quantitative analysis shows that each additional consulted data source increased the odds of selecting a central, transit-rich location by 45 %, while prior awareness of development plans raised those odds by 60 %, controlling for income, tenure, affordability, dwelling attributes, and socio-demographics. Data use also predicted higher post-move satisfaction, particularly when individual housing preferences aligned with chosen locations. Qualitative findings reveal that residents view territorial data as a tool for “future-proofing” but also experience information overload, leading some to revert to heuristics or social advice. The interplay of rational cost–benefit logic, bounded cognitive processing, and TI-mediated knowledge underscores the need for planning strategies that combine economic fundamentals with behaviorally informed data provision. By integrating micro-level decision evidence with the territorial intelligence framework, the study offers practical guidance for urban planners aiming to nudge residential choices toward more sustainable, policy-consistent outcomes. Full article

As societies confront rapid demographic aging, developing inclusive and age-friendly environments has become a central challenge in urban and housing research. This study proposes an integrated conceptual framework for Aging in Community, extending the traditional Aging in Place model through a multi-scalar perspective. Grounded in Lawton’s Docility Hypothesis and the Life Space Theory, the framework reinterprets aging not as a linear contraction but as a process of adaptive spatial integration across individual, communal, and urban scales. Drawing on spatial spectrum modeling and illustrative cases from South Korea, the analysis demonstrates how universal design principles and intergenerational living strategies can promote mobility, emotional well-being, and social participation among older adults. The study highlights the dynamic interaction between built environments and functional autonomy, revealing how spatial structure and perceived accessibility jointly sustain participation and independence. By conceptualizing Extended Community Space, the research bridges fragmented models such as AIP, NORC, and AFC into a cohesive continuum and positions Korea as an anticipatory laboratory for high-density aging societies. Ultimately, the AIC framework offers both theoretical and policy-level insights for advancing age-friendly design, guiding planners, architects, and policymakers toward adaptive, inclusive, and sustainable approaches that transform longevity into a foundation for collective well-being and social resilience. Full article

Museums widely regard cultural and creative products as both a major revenue stream and a means of revitalizing in-house cultural resources. However, traditional decision-making systems for Museum Cultural Creative Products (MCCP) design largely depend on subjective judgments, leading to inefficiency, resource waste, and weak market performance. To address these challenges and support sustainable design decision-making, this study proposes an integrated “KANO–AHP–DEMATEL–VIKOR” framework that combines qualitative and quantitative methods. First, consumer requirements are elicited through questionnaire-based interviews and literature review; the KANO model identifies key user needs, AHP determines their relative weights, and DEMATEL analyzes causal relationships among criteria. By integrating these results, the VIKOR method evaluates and ranks alternative designs, forming a comprehensive multi-criteria optimization process. To validate the framework, an empirical case of the Palace Museum’s refrigerator magnets is conducted, comparing computed rankings with actual sales data to verify predictive validity. The small discrepancy between the two indicates that the model effectively forecasts consumer acceptance across design alternatives. The major innovation of this research lies in its cross-method integration that bridges user perception analysis with quantitative sustainability evaluation, offering a replicable tool for early-stage decision-making of museum creative products. Accordingly, the framework enhances design efficiency, reduces evaluation subjectivity, and contributes to the economic and environmental sustainability of Museum Cultural Creative Products. Full article

Structure detection (SD) has emerged as a critical technology for ensuring the safety and longevity of infrastructure, particularly in housing and civil engineering. Traditional SD methods often rely on manual inspections, which are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to human error, especially in complex environments such as dense urban settings or aging buildings with deteriorated materials. Recent advances in autonomous systems—such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and climbing robots—have shown promise in addressing these limitations by enabling efficient, real-time data collection. However, challenges persist in accurately detecting and analyzing structural defects (e.g., masonry cracks, concrete spalling) amidst cluttered backgrounds, hardware constraints, and the need for multi-scale feature integration. The integration of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) has revolutionized SD by enabling automated feature extraction and robust defect recognition. For instance, RepConv architectures have been widely adopted for multi-scale object detection, while attention mechanisms like TAM (Technology Acceptance Model) have improved spatial feature fusion in complex scenes. Nevertheless, existing works often focus on singular sensing modalities (e.g., UAVs alone) or neglect the fusion of complementary data streams (e.g., ground-based robot imagery) to enhance detection accuracy. Furthermore, computational redundancy in multi-scale processing and inconsistent bounding box regression in detection frameworks remain underexplored. This study addresses these gaps by proposing a generalized safety inspection system that synergizes UAV and stair-climbing robot data. We introduce a novel multi-scale targeted feature extraction path (Rep-FasterNet TAM block) to unify automated RepConv-based feature refinement with dynamic-scale fusion, reducing computational overhead while preserving critical structural details. For detection, we combine traditional methods with remote sensor fusion to mitigate feature loss during image upsampling/downsampling, supported by a structural model GIOU [Mathematical Definition: GIOU = IOU − (C − U)/C] that enhances bounding box regression through shape/scale-aware constraints and real-time analysis. By siting our work within the context of recent reviews on ML/DL for SD, we demonstrate how our hybrid approach bridges the gap between autonomous inspection hardware and AI-driven defect analysis, offering a scalable solution for large-scale housing safety assessments. In response to challenges in detecting objects accurately during housing safety assessments—including large/dense objects, complex backgrounds, and hardware limitations—we propose a generalized inspection system leveraging data from UAVs and stair-climbing robots. To address multi-scale feature extraction inefficiencies, we design a Rep-FasterNet TAM block that integrates RepConv for automated feature refinement and a multi-scale attention module to enhance spatial feature consistency. For detection, we combine dynamic-scale remote feature fusion with traditional methods, supported by a structural GIOU model that improves bounding box regression through shape/scale constraints and real-time analysis. Experiments demonstrate that our system increases masonry/concrete assessment accuracy by 11.6% and 20.9%, respectively, while reducing manual drawing restoration workload by 16.54%. This validates the effectiveness of our hybrid approach in unifying autonomous inspection hardware with AI-driven analysis, offering a scalable solution for SD in housing infrastructure. Full article

This study investigates the adoption and utilisation of hidden roof construction as an innovative alternative to traditional roofing systems in Ghana’s urban housing. Although hidden roofs offer advantages in climate adaptability, aesthetics, and cost efficiency, their adoption remains limited. Using a survey-based partial least squares structural equation modelling approach, this study identifies the factors influencing their acceptance and use. Quantitative data were collected through field surveys from residents and construction professionals within the Kumasi Metropolitan Area. A structured questionnaire was administered using purposive and convenience sampling, yielding 175 valid responses from a total of 220 distributed questionnaires (79.5% response rate). Findings indicate that hidden roof systems are valued for their climatic suitability, particularly their resistance to water leakage and reduced heat absorption, alongside their efficient drainage design. Aesthetic appeal, cultural relevance, and ease of maintenance also emerged as key determinants of positive perception and adoption. Structural analysis confirmed significant positive relationships between design concept, aesthetic and social values, sustainability, functionality, and overall acceptance. The study provides practical guidance for architects, engineers, developers, and policymakers seeking to promote sustainable, user-centred roof design in tropical urban contexts. Findings are, however, limited to Kumasi and may not fully generalise to other Ghanaian cities. Full article

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique extensively utilized in neuroscience and clinical medicine; however, its underlying mechanisms require further elucidation. Due to ethical safety considerations, low cost, and physiological similarities to humans, rodent models have become the primary subjects for TMS animal studies. Nevertheless, existing TMS coils designed for rodents face several limitations, including size constraints that complicate coil fabrication, insufficient stimulation intensity, suboptimal focality, and difficulty in adapting coils to practical experimental scenarios. Currently, many studies have attempted to address these issues through various methods, such as adding magnetic nanoparticles, constraining current distribution, and incorporating electric field shielding devices. Integrating the above methods, this study designs a small arc-shaped TMS coil for the frontoparietal region of rats using the inverse boundary element method, which reduces the coil’s interference with experimental observations. Compared with traditional geometrically scaled-down human coil circular and figure-of-eight coils, this coil achieves a 79.78% and 57.14% reduction in half-value volume, respectively, thus significantly improving the focusing of stimulation. Meanwhile, by adding current density constraints while minimizing the impact on the stimulation effect, the minimum wire spacing was increased from 0.39 mm to 1.02 mm, ensuring the feasibility of the coil winding. Finally, coil winding was completed using 0.05 mm × 120 Litz wire with a 3D-printed housing, which proves the practicality of the proposed design method. Full article

The study highlights the morphological features of mud-brick architecture in Syria, based on a descriptive and analytical approach. The research begins with a theoretical introduction about the studied area and mud-brick architecture, then their urban characteristics, including (design, function and classification). After that, the elements of the mud building in Rif Dimashq, such as foundations, walls, ceilings and cladding are studied. The discussion includes the advantages and disadvantages of mud-brick architecture, its future in Syria through presenting experiences and conducting a questionnaire for two different samples of residents and engineers about the research topic. Finally, the results document Syrian mud-brick architecture and identify its basic morphological elements, providing sustainable design ideas based on traditional construction techniques, with guidelines for developing sustainable future housing that is both heritage oriented and modern. Full article

Background: Herpes zoster (HZ) poses significant risks to immunocompromised individuals, particularly cancer patients receiving systemic therapies. The recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV, Shingrix^®) provides strong and durable protection against HZ and its complications. Nevertheless, vaccination coverage remains low, mainly due to limited awareness among patients and healthcare providers and logistical barriers to vaccine access and delivery. Materials and Methods: We conducted a single-center quality improvement (QI) project to enhance RZV uptake among oncology outpatients receiving systemic therapy. Following the Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) model, baseline HZ vaccination coverage was assessed, and an in-house vaccination campaign was implemented. Vaccination rates were monitored every two months over a 14-month period. Results: At baseline, only 5.4% (24/446) of patients had received RZV. After 14 months, 365 patients were evaluated for vaccination: 200 (55%) were vaccinated, 134 (37%) were ineligible, and 31 (8%) refused RZV. The overall vaccination rate increased from 5.4% to 44%. Reported adverse events were mild and primarily local reactions, confirming the vaccine’s favorable safety profile in this population. Conclusions: This real-world QI initiative demonstrates that an in-house vaccination strategy embedded within oncology services can substantially improve RZV coverage and patient engagement. The approach highlights the key role of oncology teams in leading preventive interventions for immunocompromised patients. By integrating vaccination into routine cancer care, institutions can overcome traditional organizational barriers and align with current ASCO and ESMO recommendations for comprehensive patient protection. Full article

Social Work, which is a profession and an academic discipline, has two major contradictions that pertain to its co-dependency with the capitalist hegemony and its inconsistent ontology, epistemology, and methodology. Addressing these contradictions is essential for Social Work to achieve its current mission and core mandate of promoting social change, social development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. In this theoretical paper, we argue that Social Work can address its contradictions by adopting Critical Realism as a philosophical foundation and learning lessons from its Hull-House tradition and current endeavors of the Social Solidarity Economy. Doing so helps Social Work realize its full potential and contribute more to sustainability transformation, as it has a crucial role to play in addressing the multiple crises of our time. Full article

Ethnic villages are a multidimensional interactive space between cultural inheritance and modernization; analyzing their spatial reconstruction is fundamental for promoting agricultural and rural modernization and sustainable ethnic development. This study examined ethnic villages in Yongcong Township, Liping Country, from 2016 to 2022, focusing on changes in function and suitability under relocation through a function and suitability evaluation index. Case comparisons were made between administrative villages with high functional and suitability levels and those with resettlement sites. In 2016, ethnic villages followed a growth pattern of Yongcong–Dundong–Guantuan, with low patch density, dispersed distribution, and simple shapes. By 2022, functionality and suitability significantly improved, with an increase in village patches and larger patch areas shifting toward spatial aggregation. Horizontally, land use within reconstruction boundaries diversified by function, whereas vertically, housing structures were reorganized: non-settlement villages retained traditional and modern types while settlement villages combined both, leading to a shift from functional singularity to multifunctionality. Relocation-induced reconstruction may lag local knowledge systems and reduce well-being. Initially, government-led suitability enhancement dominates; gradually, villages increasingly internalize regional identity and competitiveness. By analyzing post-relocation village reconstruction, this study supports the integration of ethnic and regional dynamics, achieving high-quality sustainable development in minority regions. Full article