Search Results (1,499)

Sustainable development in educational environments requires a holistic approach to architectural design, balancing multiple environmental functions to optimize student well-being and energy efficiency. According to architectural standards, rectangular classrooms typically have a shallow proportion, meaning the external facade is longer than the internal sides. While this design ensures adequate natural lighting, essential for classroom visual functions, it may not fully align with the sustainability goals in regions with diverse environmental characteristics. This diversity can lead to shortcomings in other aspects of human comfort or environmental performance, as optimizing one function may negatively impact others, while the environmental efficiency of architectural spaces should not be judged solely on a single comfort criterion. A holistic study should evaluate common architectural shapes and proportions to ensure they align with the Green Architectural principles for specific locations. This manuscript compares eight rectangular classrooms with different external-to-internal wall proportions and window-to-wall ratios (WWR) to determine their suitability for Taif City, KSA schools. The case studies include variations in window sizes (10.5 m² and 14 m²) and orientations (North and South), providing a comprehensive evaluation of their impact on human comfort. Simulation results reveal that the common classroom proportion did not yield the highest green credits, suggesting it may not be optimal for all regions, including Taif City. The findings emphasize the need to reconsider standard classroom dimensions to better align with local environmental conditions and Green Architecture principles, contributing to the broader goals of sustainability and sustainable development in educational infrastructure. Full article

Annealing and rolling play critical roles in improving the mechanical properties of arc spraying coatings. In this work, we successfully fabricated copper–steel bimetallic sheets (CSBSs) using an arc spray-rolling short process and achieved excellent internal bonding of the copper coating and improved deep-drawing of the CSBSs via annealing and rolling synergistic treatment. The results indicate that the microstructure of the copper coating became dense, and the porosity effectively reduced after annealing–rolling–annealing (ARA) treatment. Tight bonding was also observed between the copper coating and steel substrate. The copper coating had a porosity of less than 0.2%, an average grain size of 3.8 μm, and a micro-hardness of 55 HV_0.05. After tensile testing, the As-sprayed coating generated brittle fractures and delamination. The A-R-A coating also displayed elongated dimples, with the majority oriented along the TD direction, and bonded well with the steel substrate. In addition, the As-sprayed coating fell off directly after deep drawing. In contrast, the A-R-A coating did not exhibit cracks and fall off. The fracture mechanism gradually changed from falling off and cracking, to toughness deformation due to the reduced porosity and tighter grain boundaries, and finally to cooperative deformation due to the metallurgical bonding of the sprayed particles and good interface bonding properties. These findings provide guidance and reference for the practical application of thermal spray additive manufacturing. Full article

Training drills are fundamental to the development of athletes across various sports disciplines, including basketball. This review examines the multifaceted factors influencing both the external and internal workload of drills during training sessions. The results of this review show that factors such as the type of drills utilized, space constraints, the number of players involved, adjustments to game rules, work-to-rest ratios, modifications to roles or tactical scenarios, the level of coach involvement, and the type of opposition all significantly impact drill workload. Research highlights that no isolated variable can fully capture the complexity or demands of an activity within a drill; instead, it is the interplay of different variables that determines the nature and focus of the drill. All the factors mentioned above should all be carefully considered to effectively tailor the physical demands and orientation of the drill. A comprehensive understanding of these factors can help coaches and athletes optimize training regimens to achieve desired performance outcomes while minimizing the risk of overtraining or injury. By synthesizing current research, this review provides valuable insights into the complex interplay of factors shaping drill workload in basketball training sessions. Full article

Firmware authenticity and integrity during upgrades are critical security factors in Internet of Things (IoT) applications in the age of edge artificial intelligence (AI). Data from IoT applications are vital for business decisions. Any unintended or malicious change in data can adversely impact the goals of an IoT application. Several studies have focused on using blockchain to ensure the authentication of IoT devices and the integrity of data once the data are in the blockchain. Firmware upgrades on IoT edge devices have also been investigated with blockchain applications, with a focus on eliminating external threats during firmware upgrades on IoT devices. In this paper, we propose a new IoT device design that works against internal threats by preventing malicious codes from device manufacturers. In IoT applications that monitor critical data, it is important to ensure that the correct firmware reporting honest data is running on the devices. As devices are owned and operated by a small group of application stakeholders, this multiprocessor design extracts the firmware periodically and checks whether it matches the signatures of the expected firmware designed for the business goals of the IoT applications. The test results show that there is no significant increase in code, disruption, or power consumption when implementing such a device. This scheme provides a hardware-oriented solution utilizing processor-to-processor communication protocols and is an alternative to running lightweight blockchain on IoT edge devices. Full article

Background/Objectives: Health locus of control (LOC) refers to one’s perceptions of who or what controls one’s health. Recent evidence has found that chance LOC (CLOC) is associated with improved quality of life (QoL) in multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose of the current study was to identify mediators and moderators of the LOC-QoL relationship in MS. Methods: For this study, 5266 participants with MS completed a questionnaire pack that included the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, the Unidimensional Self-Efficacy Scale for MS (USE-MS), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale—BREF (WHOQoL-BREF). The relationship between LOC and QoL was examined within a structural equation model (SEM). Results: In the total sample, self-efficacy was found to fully mediate the relationship between LOC and QoL for both internal (ILOC) and CLOC orientations. Powerful others LOC (PLOC) had no association with QoL. The same results were found for the relationship of LOC to functioning. In the secondary progressive MS subgroup, the relationship between CLOC and QoL was only partially mediated by self-efficacy. Conclusions: LOC influences QoL through its impact on self-efficacy, one of several potentially mediating factors between LOC and QoL in MS. Disability did not moderate the associations of LOC, but moderation of the CLOC-QoL relationship by disease subtype was found. Psychological training to improve self-efficacy in MS may be particularly useful in those subgroups where LOC-QoL is largely mediated by self-efficacy. Full article

The development of restorative tourism in post-war countries is crucial to economic recovery, cultural preservation, and social stabilization. While various nations have adopted different reconstruction strategies following conflicts, Ukraine’s situation requires an innovative and large-scale approach due to the extensive damage inflicted on infrastructure, cultural heritage, and tourism assets. This study explores the role of virtual and augmented reality technologies in restoring tourism potential, particularly in preserving destroyed cultural heritage through digitalization. Virtual tourism is increasingly relevant to maintaining cultural identity, attracting investment, and fostering international engagement. This study examines the evolution of digital tourism solutions, consumer behaviour shifts towards online leisure, and the integration of geoinformation systems for post-crisis planning. The findings emphasize that Ukraine’s tourism sector must adapt to digital trends while developing physical infrastructure, ensuring a comprehensive, resilient, and future-oriented restoration strategy. This study provides recommendations for leveraging innovation in post-crisis tourism development. It explains how the change in the paradigm of consumption of recreation and leisure services in the modern world impels the restoration of the destroyed tourism infrastructure. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of strategic migration policies to rebuild the labour market, which is essential for sustainable recovery. Full article

The construction of complex systems is of great significance in enhancing national competitiveness and promoting social development. However, the academic community currently lacks a systematic understanding of its sustainable innovation mechanism. This study selected the China Manned Space Engineering Application System (CMSEAS) as a representative case of a complex system. Research data were collected by a multi-method approach including document literature, internal data, field research, and interviews. Through the lens of grounded theory, the study delves into how the complex system achieves local innovation and how to maintain the sustainability of innovation. Findings indicate that, firstly, late-mover advantage and spiritual strength jointly contribute to the knowledge accumulation of national major task-oriented complex systems, and this knowledge accumulation significantly improves the innovation ability of complex systems. Secondly, while emphasizing the enhancement of innovation capabilities, it is imperative for complex systems to implement holistic risk management, which is an important guarantee for successfully achieving the goal. Thirdly, in the context of market failure, the whole nation system provides strong support for the national major task-oriented complex system. The overall institution and overall capacity constitute the backbone for ensuring sustainable innovation. Full article

Background: Over the past decade, Italy has made progress in adopting recovery-oriented approaches in mental health care, though full alignment with international guidelines remains incomplete. This study investigates the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of integrating recovery-oriented practices in an Italian Community Mental Health Service (CMHS), focusing on both user and professional perspectives to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Methods: A longitudinal pilot study was conducted at the South Verona CMHS. Data on users’ socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, symptoms, functioning, needs, and autonomy were collected at baseline and six-month follow-up. Participants included individuals in supported accommodation and outpatient care. The Mental Health Recovery Star (MHRS) assessed recovery progress. Qualitative data from focus groups and interviews captured users’ and professionals’ experiences. Results: Nineteen professionals completed the MHRS with 25 users, who demonstrated significant improvements in MHRS scores (p = 0.003), romantic relationships (p < 0.001), employment (p < 0.001), functioning (p = 0.015), psychopathology (p = 0.001), functional autonomy (p = 0.003), and unmet needs (p = 0.026). Qualitative findings emphasized the value of a personalized, holistic approach but noted gaps in follow-up and shared decision-making. Focus groups (30 participants) highlighted recovery as a process of hope, meaning, and empowerment. Participants called for ongoing education, structural changes, and peer-support initiatives. Professionals reported increased motivation. Conclusions: Integrating recovery-oriented practices within the South Verona CMHS was both feasible and acceptable. The MHRS positively impacted service users’ personal recovery and professionals’ motivation. The study underscores the need for continued training, structural reforms, and peer-support initiatives to foster lasting changes and enhance CMHS practices. Full article

Most people in the world now live in urban areas and their shared quest for better cities is embodied in several Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. These indicate that successful cities need jobs, adequate housing stock, effective governance, and other support systems. At the most basic level, they need a basket of core public works services like clean water and efficient transit, among others. These must be provided to improve public trust in government by addressing equity and affordability while also improving operational and cost efficiency. These targets are moving as transitions are occurring from stove-piped to integrated services, even while social contracts between government and the private sector are also shifting. Essential tools to improve cities include urban planning and infrastructure development, but applying them effectively faces challenges like climate change, inequality, social disorder, and even armed conflicts. This paper focuses on seven core public works services for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, trash collection, mass transit, streets and traffic control, and disaster management. It reviews how these have evolved in the US, how they are organized under the federalism system, and how the goal of integrated management is being pursued. Challenges to integrated approaches include increasing responsibilities but lack of funding, political stress, and rule-driven and internally oriented management. Methods for performance assessment are explained under legacy systems based on methods like indicators and benchmarking applied to public works systems. Current methods focus on regulatory targets and the details; information has been shallow and not always timely. This paper projects how the performance assessment of core public works systems can be broadened to address goals like those of the SDGs and assesses why it is difficult to rate major systems. Examples of the activities of NGOs are given and an example of how progress toward SDG6 is included to show why performance management of integrated management applied to linked systems is needed. Performance dashboards with open government are currently the most common pathways, but emerging methods based on data analytics and visualization offer new possibilities. Reviewing the status of public works management shows that it is an important branch of the field of public administration, and it can be presented as a professional field with its own identity. The findings will support educators and researchers as well as provide policy insights into public works and stakeholder engagement. Full article

Given that effective angular momentum (EAM) data demonstrate a strong correlation with length of day (LOD) data and are extensively utilized in the prediction of the universal time (UT1), this research integrated the EAM into the design of a Kalman filter. At the solution combination level, the UT1, LOD, and EAM were merged to derive a UT1/LOD sequence featuring higher accuracy and enhanced continuity. To begin with, a comprehensive evaluation of the three datasets was conducted to identify the systematic biases and periodic components of the LOD. Subsequently, geodetic angular momentum (GAM) data were employed to rectify the EAM data spanning from 2019 to 2022. Finally, the corrected EAM was combined with the UT1 and LOD through Kalman modeling. To evaluate the capability of this EAM-aided Kalman filter, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Wuhan University (WHU) LOD data, International Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS) intensive and National Time Service Center (NTSC) UT1 data, and German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) EAM data were used for combination experiments. The final estimations of the UT1 and LOD were compared with the International Earth Rotation Service (IERS) Earth-orientation parameter (EOP) 20 C04 series. From July to September 2021, the root mean square (RMS) of the combined UT1 series was reduced from 38 µs to 26 µs for the IVS intensive UT1, with an improvement of 30%. The RMS of the combined UT1 series was reduced from 102 µs to 47 µs for the NTSC UT1 measurement, with an improvement of 54%. The bias of the LOD was effectively corrected and the RMS of the LOD improved by 60–70% and the standard deviation of the LOD improved by 11–30%. Further, the final estimated uncertainties of the UT1 and LOD are, in general, consistent with the estimated RMS, indicating a reasonable estimation of uncertainties. Comparative experiments with and without the EAM show that using EAM data can effectively reduce the extreme values, especially for the NTSC UT1 series with large uncertainties. In summary, this EAM-aided Kalman filter can produce UT1 and LOD series with improved accuracy, and with reasonable uncertainties. Full article

The thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP) manufacturing process introduces defects that impact performance, such as voids, misalignment, and delamination. Consequently, there is an increasing demand for effective non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques to assess the influence of these manufacturing defects on TCP. The objective is to identify and quantify internal defects at a microscale, thereby improving quality control. A combination of methods, including NDT, has been employed to achieve this goal. The density method is used to determine the void volume fraction. Microscopy and void analysis are performed on pristine samples using optical micrography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while advanced techniques like X-ray computer tomography (XCT) and ultrasonic inspections are also applied. The interlayer between the reinforced and inner layers showed good consolidation, though a discontinuity was noted. Microscopy results confirmed solid wall construction, with SEM aligning with the XY axis slice, showing predominant fibre orientation around ±45° and ±90°, and deducing the placement orientation to be ±60°. Comparing immersion, 2D microscopy, and XCT methods provided a comparative approach, even though they could not yield precise void content values. The analysis revealed a void content range of 0–2.2%, with good agreement between microscopy and Archimedes’ methods. Based on XCT and microscopy results, an increase in void diameter at constant volume increases elongation and reduces sphericity. Both methods also indicated that most voids constitute a minority of the total void fraction. To mitigate manufacturing defects, understanding the material’s processing window is essential, which can be achieved through comprehensive material characterization of TCP materials. Full article

Climate change is one of the most urgent issues of our time. Its increasingly visible effects make it a global worry and a chronic stressor, especially for specific developmental targets such as young adults. This study outlines the process of the Italian adaptation and validation of the Climate Change Coping Scale (CCCS), an instrument that examines three distinct coping strategies for addressing climate change. Study I, conducted with a sample of 230 Italian young adults (42.6% males; 57.4% females), explores the latent structure of the instrument using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Parallel Analysis (PA) and outlines the preliminary psychometric properties of the CCCS. A distinct sample of 500 Italian young adults (38.6% males; 61.4% females) was selected for Study II, which presents the results of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), supporting a first-order factor structure with three correlated dimensions. These dimensions, as in the original scale, are labeled ’Meaning-Focused Coping’ (five items), ’Problem-Centered Coping’ (five items), and ’De-Emphasizing/Avoidance Coping’ (six items). The internal reliability of the CCCS, the measurement of invariance between males and females, and its discriminant and convergent validity are also described. Finally, significant differences in the levels of the three identified coping strategies are presented and discussed in relation to sociodemographic variables, including gender, political orientation, occupational and relationship status, and participation in environmental organizations. Overall, the results of Studies I and II highlight the reliability, validity, and robustness of the Italian version of the Climate Change Coping Scale. Full article

Background: Many schools are committed to the “Five Steps to a Health Promoting School guide” created by the Schools for Health in Europe (SHE) network to avoid chronic disease and promote healthy environments. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate schools’ health promotion policies and practices via the SHE rapid assessment tool. Methods: From February 2019 to June 2019, a cross-sectional survey based on this tool was conducted in nine international schools that are part of a private network operating in multiple countries. The entire school community was offered the opportunity to participate. The survey consisted of 37 questions aligned with the whole-school approach to health promotion and addressed orientation, healthy school policy, the physical and social environment, health skills, community links, and staff well-being using a three-point scale. A univariate analysis was subsequently performed. Results: A total of 929 people responded, 59.7% of whom were women, representing 74 different nationalities (82.5% Europeans). The average age was 25.9 years, ranging from 7 to 77 years. The participants included 57.2% students, 21.3% teachers, 15.3% families, 3.2% management teams, 1% counsellors/psychologists, 1% administrative/service staff, 0.5% catering staff, 0.3% nursing/medical staff, and 0.2% maintenance staff. The findings revealed that 80% of the respondents felt that most of these health promotion needs were being partially or fully addressed, predominantly with medium or high priority. However, 30% of the respondents indicated that the school had not yet assessed the students’ and employees’ health and well-being needs or fully promoted a healthy work-life. Conclusions: The SHE rapid assessment tool serves as an effective initial step in identifying key indicators within the school community, offering insights for future action towards becoming a health-promoting school. These results underscore the importance of addressing social and behavioural determinants of health within different international educational settings to promote positive sociorelational well-being and youth development. By fostering the well-being of children, adolescents, and the educational community, schools play a pivotal role in reducing the risk factors for chronic diseases and supporting psychosocial adaptation. Full article

Background: Attracting and retaining sufficient numbers of nurses is an international challenge. The group most difficult to retain are newly qualified nurses within their first five years of practice or earlier. A recent US study reported that approximately 25 percent of nurses leave within the first year of graduation. Health organisations play a crucial role in providing workplace cultures where nurses feel empowered and can thrive. Research needs to focus on improving organisational culture, yet most approaches to supporting and retaining nurses have used top–down, management-designed interventions. This article describes a collaborative international programme of research. Methods: This innovative international theory-driven multi-site action research programme adopts a longitudinal co-design approach based on principles of appreciative inquiry to develop and implement organisational support for newly qualified nurses. It integrates the Institute for Health Improvement (IHI) Framework for Improving Joy at Work and the Thriving at Work model, both focused on improving the well-being of the healthcare workforce and health service outcomes. Each year, a new group of nurses during their first-year orientation is invited to participate. Over five years, each cohort will then participate in an annual survey, focus groups, and co-design meetings with nurse leaders/managers, generating new solutions developed through open dialogue for subsequent testing driven by these key stakeholders. Expected outcomes: This research will generate a new co-design management model to improve systems of support that may assist nurse retention and thriving that can be shared with other nursing organisations. It will provide an understanding of the effectiveness of current support for nurses by their employers from the perspective of those nurses whilst providing evidence about what extra support nurses would like from their employers. Conclusions: This international research programme gives agency to nurses and organisational nurse leaders/managers to co-design interventions for building positive work environments where early-career nurses can thrive. This programme will capture what works, where, how, and with whom, ultimately benefiting both individual nurses and the overall effectiveness and sustainability of healthcare systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Universities, particularly in nursing education, have evolved to incorporate University Social Responsibility (USR) into their curricula, emphasizing ethical, social, and sustainable competencies, which align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to enhance healthcare and education. The study examines socially responsible behaviors, ethical competencies, and sustainability values among nursing students in private universities in Santiago, Chile, and their relation to sociodemographic variables. Methods: The study measures social responsibility in nursing students at private universities, accredited and co-financed by the State in Santiago, Chile, using the ICOSORE-U questionnaire, with statistical analyses such as EFA and CFA to validate the scale and evaluate correlations with sociodemographic variables. Results: The study validated the ICOSORE-U-10 scale for social responsibility in Chilean nursing students through both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The results revealed a two-factor structure and an acceptable internal reliability (α = 0.841), with no significant differences related to sociodemographic variables. The findings confirmed that socially responsible behaviors are positively correlated with the development of ethical competencies and sustainability among these students. Conclusions: the socially responsible behaviors of nursing students are mainly determined by their orientation towards University Social Responsibility (USR) and not by sociodemographic variables. This orientation favors the development of ethical and professional competencies, improving their ability to address social and ethical challenges in the health field. Integrating the principles of USR in university education is key to training professionals committed to social justice, equity and sustainability in health care. Full article