Search Results (751)

Introduction: Ambiguous loss is a profound yet underexplored phenomenon in the lives of aging migrants. Older adults who have experienced migration often face disruptions to their sense of belonging, identity, and continuity across borders. These losses are compounded by aging, health challenges, and social isolation. Despite its significance, ambiguous loss among aging migrants has not been conceptually analyzed in depth, limiting the development of culturally responsive care practices. Aim: This concept analysis aimed to identify the defining attributes of ambiguous loss among aging migrants and to develop a conceptual definition that enhances our understanding of the phenomenon and informs future research and practice. Method: Walker and Avant’s eight-step concept analysis framework was applied to examine the concept of ambiguous loss in the context of aging migrants. A systematic keyword search was conducted across four databases (CINAHL, Medline, SCOPUS, PsycINFO), Google Scholar, and relevant gray literature, covering the years of 2010–2024. Covidence software supported the screening process. From 367 records identified, 146 underwent full-text review, and 74 met inclusion criteria. The analysis drew on literature synthesis, case exemplars, antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents. This review followed PRISMA (2020) reporting guidelines. Results: Four defining attributes of ambiguous loss among aging migrants were identified: (a) physical, social, and emotional loss; (b) displacement and loss of homeland; (c) erosion of social identity and agency; and (d) cultural and transnational bereavement. A conceptual definition emerged, describing ambiguous loss as a multifaceted experience of disconnection, intensified by aging, illness, economic hardship, and social isolation. The analysis also highlighted antecedents such as forced migration and health decline, as well as consequences including diminished well-being, resilience challenges, and barriers to integration. Conclusions: Ambiguous loss among aging migrants is a complex construct encompassing intertwined physical, social, and cultural dimensions of loss. This conceptual clarity provides a foundation for developing culturally responsive care models that promote adaptation, resilience, and social inclusion among older migrants. Full article

With the gradual decline in COVID-19 cases, there is a need to re-visit the mental health of adolescents and emerging adults in the post-pandemic period. Several observations can be highlighted from the scientific literature. First, while some studies suggest that mental health of young people has worsened in the post-pandemic period, there are inconsistent and conflicting findings. Second, there are more studies on psychological morbidity than on positive psychological attributes. Third, compared with the West, there are relatively fewer Chinese studies. Fourth, compared with adolescents, there are relatively fewer studies on emerging adults. Based on these observations of the existing literature, I have detailed several reflections on the mental health of young people, including enhancing positive psychological attributes in young people through positive youth development (PYD) programs, building up the individual resilience of young people, strengthening family resilience, adopting multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches in understanding the mental health of young people, building more well-articulated theoretical models, charting future research directions, and developing intervention strategies in the post-pandemic period. Full article

Accurate scrap forecasting is essential for advancing green manufacturing, as reducing defective output not only lowers production costs but also prevents unnecessary resource consumption and environmental impact. Effective scrap prediction enables manufacturers to take proactive measures to minimize waste generation, thereby supporting sustainability goals and improving production efficiency. This study proposes a hybrid ensemble framework that integrates CatBoost and XGBoost, combined with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), to enhance prediction accuracy in industrial applications. The model exploits the complementary strengths of both algorithms by applying weighted averaging and stacked generalization, allowing it to process heterogeneous datasets containing both categorical and numerical variables. A case study in the aerospace manufacturing sector demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Compared to standalone models, the PSO-enhanced hybrid ensemble achieved more than a 30% reduction in Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), confirming its ability to capture complex interactions among diverse process parameters. Feature importance analysis further showed that categorical attributes, such as machine type and operator, are as influential as numerical parameters, underscoring the need for hybrid modeling. Although the model requires higher computational effort, the integration of PSO significantly improves robustness and scalability. By reducing scrap and optimizing resource utilization, the proposed framework provides a data-driven pathway toward greener, more resource-efficient, and resilient manufacturing systems. Full article

Sport performance results from the interaction of tactical, technical, physiological and psychological factors, but psychological aspects are often minimized or analyzed in a decontextualized manner. This exploratory pilot study aimed to contribute to the development of a diagnostic framework that links individual behaviors during football attack–defense transition moments (ADT) with psychological attributes. Twenty male U14 players were assessed across five official matches regarding their ADT performance indicators. The Athletic Coping Skills Inventory (ACSI-28) and the Resilience Scale (RS) were applied during the competition. Statistical analyses included correlation tests and Bayesian analysis. Players showed a significant tendency to sustain ball recovery behaviors after possession loss (p = 0.004). Psychological resilience and athletic coping skills varied substantially between individuals without positional differences, as well as RS scores were significantly below the high-resilience threshold (147; p = 0.013). A moderate positive correlation emerged between RS Factor 1 and the ACSI-28 subscale “Coping with Adversity” (r = 0.574, p = 0.008). Posterior distributions provide exploratory signals suggesting possible positive associations for two psychological constructs considering ADT individual behaviors: “Concentration” in relation to the maintenance of recovery actions (Mode = 0.439; 95% CI [0.030, 0.721]) and “Goal Setting” in relation to the rapid initiation of recovery actions (Mode = 0.465; 95% CI [0.059, 0.734]). Nevertheless, Bayes Factors favored the null model overall, indicating that these signals are weak and require replication. By contrast, most psychological constructs, including resilience, showed no reliable evidence of correlation with recovery-related actions. The findings highlight the need to further research the integration of psychological assessment into football performance diagnostics, while also indicating that psychological factors alone are insufficient to fully explain youth players’ individual ADT behaviors. Full article

This study explores the influence of vibration timing on the performance of high early-strength cement-based composites used in bridge wet joints. A series of experimental techniques, including SEM, MIP, and RCM tests, were employed to evaluate microstructural evolution, mechanical properties, and durability. The results indicate that vibration applied between the initial and final setting phases has a critical impact, significantly reducing early-age compressive, flexural, and bond strengths. This deterioration is mainly attributed to micro-crack formation and enhanced pore connectivity, as confirmed by SEM and MIP analyses. Moreover, vibration markedly increases the chloride diffusion coefficient, particularly in mixtures with higher water-to-binder ratios, thereby raising long-term durability concerns. These findings underscore the necessity of optimizing mix proportions and strictly controlling vibration timing to ensure both the mechanical performance and service life of high early-strength cement composites in bridge construction. The study provides practical insights for the design and application of durable, resilient bridge wet joints. Full article

Grazing systems’ production efficiency is a dynamic interaction between soil, pasture, livestock, and climate. The magnitude of the changes is related to the mechanical stress applied by the livestock and their feeding behaviour. In Southern Chile, dairy cattle present a high heterogeneity in breeds, size, live weight, and milk production. This study investigated whether cows of contrasting size/live weight can improve degraded pasture and positively modify soil (Andosol-Duric Hapludand) physical features. Three pasture types were used as follows: (i) cultivated fertilised Lolium perenne L. (perennial ryegrass) and Trifolium repens L. (white clover) mixture (BM); (ii) cultivated fertilised L. perenne, T. repens, Bromus valdivianus Phil. (pasture brome), Holcus lanatus L. (Yorkshire fog), and Dactylis glomerata L. (cocksfoot) mixture (MSM); and (iii) naturalised fertilised pasture Agrostis capillaris L. (browntop), B. valdivianus, and T. repens (NFP). Pastures were grazed with two groups of dairy cows of contrasting size and live weight: light cows (LC) [live weight: 464 ± 5.4 kg; height at the withers: 132 ± 0.6 cm (average ± s.e.m.)] and heavy cows (HC) [live weight: 600 ± 8.7 kg; height at the withers: 141 ± 0.9 cm (average ± s.e.m.)]. Hoof area was measured, and the pressure applied by cows on the soil was calculated. Soil differences in penetration resistance (PR) and macro-porosity (wCP > 50 μm) between pastures were explained by tillage and seeding, rather than as a result of livestock presence and movement (animal trampling). The PR variation during the year was associated with the soil water content (SWC). Grazing dairy cows of contrasting live weight caused changes in soil and pasture attributes, and they behaved differently during grazing. Light cows were linked to more intense grazing, a stable soil structure, and pastures with competitive species and greater tiller density. In MSM, pasture consumption increased, and the soil was more resilient to hoof compression. In general, grazing with heavy cows in these three different pasture systems did not negatively impact soil physical properties. These findings indicate that volcanic soils are resilient and that during renovation, the choice of pasture type has a greater initial impact on soil structure than the selection of cow size, but incorporating lighter cows can be a strategy to promote denser pasture swards in these grazing systems. Full article

Urban water distribution networks (WDNs) are increasingly vulnerable to diverse disruptions, including pipe leaks/bursts and cyber–physical failures. A critical step in a resilience-based approach against these disruptions is the rapid and reliable identification of failures and their types for the timely implementation of emergency or recovery actions. This study proposes a framework for sensor placement and multiple failure type classification in WDNs. It applies a wrapper-based feature selection (recursive feature elimination) with Random Forest (RF–RFE) to find the best sensor locations and employs an Autoencoder–Random Forest (AE–RF) framework for failure type identification. The framework was tested on the C-town WDN using the failure type scenarios of pipe leakage, cyberattacks, and physical attacks, which were generated using EPANET-CPA and WNTR models. The results showed a higher performance of the framework for single failure events, with accuracy of 0.99 for leakage, 0.98 for cyberattacks, and 0.95 for physical attacks, while the performance for multiple failure classification was lower, but still acceptable, with a performance accuracy of 0.90. The reduced performance was attributed to the model’s difficulty in distinguishing failure types when they produced hydraulically similar consequences. The proposed framework combining sensor placement and multiple failure identification will contribute to advance the existing data-driven approaches and to strengthen urban WDN resilience to conventional and cyber–physical disruptions. Full article

Bridges are critical nodes in freight networks, yet limited funding prevents agencies from maintaining all structures in good condition. This creates the need for a transparent and scalable method to identify which bridges pose the greatest risk to supply chain continuity. This study develops a bridge risk index using the threat–vulnerability–consequence (TVC) framework and validates its components with machine learning. Threat is defined as per-lane average daily traffic, vulnerability as effective bridge age (epoch), and consequence as detour distance, with traffic also contributing to disruption magnitude. The methodology applies log transformation and normalization to construct an interpretable multiplicative index, then classifies risk using Jenks natural breaks. The results show that epoch dominates vulnerability, detour distance amplifies consequence, and their interaction explains most of the risk variation. Specifically, effective age explains over three times more variation in bridge condition than any other attribute. The vulnerability–consequence interaction dominates with an R² = 0.98. The highest-risk bridges are concentrated in rural areas and near major freight gateways where detour options are limited. The proposed TVC index provides a transparent, data-driven decision-support tool that agencies can apply nationwide to prioritize investments, safeguard freight corridors, and strengthen supply chain resilience. Full article

Mikania micrantha, commonly known as mile-a-minute weed, is listed among the world’s top 10 worst weeds. Although native to humid regions of South America, it has recently been found to colonize arid habitats as well. Despite pronounced seasonal hydroclimatic variations in South China and increasing drought due to global climate change, the mechanisms underlying M. micrantha’s drought tolerance remain poorly understood. In this study, we compared the photosynthetic responses of M. micrantha leaves and stems between the dry (June) and wet (December) seasons through field experiments. We measured changes in phenotype, photosynthetic characteristics, and the content of antioxidant and osmotic adjustment substances, using the co-occurring native vine Paederia scandens as a control. The results revealed that during the dry season, M. micrantha leaves exhibited wilting, along with significant reductions in relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll (Chl), soluble sugar (SS), and soluble protein (SP). In contrast, the stems of M. micrantha maintained relatively stable phenotypes and chlorophyll levels compared to those of P. scandens. Notably, M. micrantha stems exhibited significant increases in vessel wall thickness, vessel density, total phenol content, and the activities of peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Furthermore, compared to P. scandens, M. micrantha stems displayed a greater increase in cortex proportion, flavonoid content, and soluble protein content. Expression analysis of bZIP transcription factors further revealed drought-responsive upregulation of specific genes (bZIP60, ZIP42-1), suggesting their potential involvement in drought response. These results indicate that although the leaves of M. micrantha are susceptible to prolonged drought, the stems exhibit considerable resilience, which may be attributed to a combination of traits including structural modifications in stem anatomy, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and osmotic adjustment. These insights suggest that stem-specific adaptations are key to its drought tolerance, providing a theoretical foundation for understanding the habitat distribution of M. micrantha and informing effective management strategies. Full article

Dynamic pressure measurement is an important component in the turbo engine testing process. This paper presents a comparative analysis between two types of multichannel electronic pressure measurement systems, commonly known as pressure scanners, used for this purpose: ZOC17/8Px, with analog amplification per channel, and MPS4264, a modern digital system with integrated A/D conversion. The study was conducted in two stages: a metrological verification and validation in static mode, using a high-precision pressure standard, and an experimental stage in dynamic mode, where data was acquired from a turbojet engine test stand, in constant engine speed mode. The signal stability of the pressure scanners was statistically analyzed by determining the coefficient of variation in the signal and the frequency spectrum (FFT) for each channel of the pressure scanners. Furthermore, comprehensive uncertainty budgets were calculated for both systems. The results highlight the superior stability and reduced uncertainty of the MPS4264 pressure scanner, attributing its enhanced performance to digital integration and a higher resilience to external noise. The findings support the adoption of modern digital systems for dynamic applications and provide a robust metrological basis for the optimal selection of measurement systems. Full article

This retrospective review traces personal encounters along the complex path of plant yellowing diseases—graft-transmissible disorders historically attributed to elusive viruses, but later linked to phloem-invading, wall-less bacteria known as Mollicutes. These include two plant-infecting genera: the cultivable Spiroplasma and the non-cultivable ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’. A third group—the walled, psyllid-transmitted Candidatus Liberibacter—was later implicated in closely similar syndromes. This shift in understanding marked a major turning point in plant pathology, offering new insights into yellowing diseases characterized by stunting, decline, and poor or deformed growth. The review focuses on key syndromes: citrus little leaf disease (LLD), or citrus stubborn disease (CSD), caused by Spiroplasma citri; and several Mollicute -related disorders, including safflower phyllody, Bermuda grass yellowing, and papaya dieback (PDD) (Nivun Haamir), the latter linked to ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense’. Despite differing causes and vectors, citrus LLD-CSD and PPD share an erratic, unpredictable pattern of natural outbreaks—sometimes a decade apart—hindering grower engagement and sustained control efforts. While scientific understanding has deepened, practical management remains limited. The recent global spread of Huanglongbing (HLB), caused by Candidatus Liberibacter species, underscores the urgent need for improved strategies to manage this resilient group of phloem-limited bacterial pathogens. Full article

When a city decides to undertake a certain urban project, is it modifying just the physical environment or the social fabric that dwells within? This work investigates the relationship between the geometric configuration of urban space (geometry–city) and the topology of the networks of encounters of its inhabitants (network–city) that form through daily interactions. The research departs from the hypothesis that changes in geometry–city would not significantly alter the topology of the network–city, testing this proposition conceptually through abstract computational simulations developed specifically for this study. In this simulator, abstract maps with buildings distributed over different primary geometries are generated and have activities (use: home or work) and a population assigned. Encounters of the “inhabitants” are registered while daily commute routines, enough to achieve differentiation and stability, are run. The initial results revealed that the geometry description was not enough, and definitions regarding activity attribution were also necessary. Thus, we could not confirm nor reject the original hypothesis exactly, but it had to be complemented, including the idea of an activity–city dimension. We found that despite the geometry–city per se not determining the structure of the network–city, the spatial (geometric) distribution of activities directly impacts the resulting topology. Urban geometry influences networks–city only insofar as it conforms to activity–city, defining areas for activities or restricting routing between them. But it is the geometry of localization of the activities that has a direct impact on the topology of the network–city. This conceptual discovery can have significant implications for urban planning if corroborated in real-world situations. It could suggest that land use policies may be more effective for intervening in network-based characteristics, like social cohesion and resilience, than purely morphological interventions. Full article

The influence of temperature on soil behavior has traditionally attracted attention for geotechnical engineers, especially in the design of engineering works and nuclear facilities located in regions with severe cold climates. This research emphasizes exploring how temperature variations affect essential soil properties that are significant for the resilience and long-term stability of geotechnical structures. For this reason, the influence of temperature on the soil’s mechanical and physical attributes was comprehensively evaluated. To achieve this, soil mixtures consisting of two blends prepared as 70% bentonite with 30% sand and 70% sand with 30% bentonite (70B30S and 70S30B) were exposed to temperatures ranging from –45 °C to +105 °C for durations of 24 and 48 h. The study examined how temperature variations affect the mechanical, physical, and mineralogical features of soil through consistency limit tests, direct shear tests, swelling pressure tests, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. It was observed that the internal friction angle (Φ) declined as temperature increased in both mixtures, particularly in specimens with higher sand content. Similarly, cohesion (c) values decreased with increasing temperature, more significantly in mixtures with higher bentonite content. Additionally, the consistency limits and swelling pressure decreased as temperature rose. This trend was evident in both mixtures. Swelling pressure results showed that from 20 °C to 105 °C, the pressure rose with temperature in bentonite-rich soils, while it decreased in sand-rich soils. Conversely, at subzero conditions (–10 to –45 °C), swelling pressure increased as temperature decreased in mixtures dominated by bentonite, while it dropped in those rich in sand. Full article

Old-growth forests are crucial for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation due to their high carbon storage, structural complexity, and resilience to environmental stressors. Yet, such ecosystems are rare in Europe, and their ecological functioning remains poorly understood. This study assesses the capacity of Quercus pyrenaica forests in the Montesinho-Nogueira Natura 2000 site (Bragança, Portugal) to develop maturity attributes under different forest management histories. We compare an area with low human intervention for over 80 years (10.2 ha) to two areas harvested for traditional small-scale firewood and timber extraction around 30 years ago (11.4 ha and 2.73 ha). Dendrometric measurements, carbon storage, floristic inventories of understory vegetation, and regeneration surveys were conducted across 42 sub-plots during June–July 2024. Results show that older forests store significantly more carbon and support greater biodiversity, evenness and regeneration, while younger forests present higher values of species richness, including several rare taxa. Our findings suggest that under favorable conditions, secondary forests can recover substantial biomass and carbon stocks within a few decades, while mature stands continue to accumulate carbon and maintain complex structures. Differences in floristic composition between sites may also reflect distinct silvopastoral practices between patches, such as itinerant grazing through forest patches, which historically characterized the Montesinho landscape. These results highlight the value of preserving a mosaic of successional stages, as both mature and intermediate-phase forests, together with compatible human activities, provide complementary biodiversity benefits and contribute to the multifunctionality of Mediterranean agroforestry systems. Full article

Farmland shelterbelts are vital ecological infrastructure for sustaining agriculture in arid regions, where high winds, soil erosion, and water scarcity severely constrain productivity. While their protective functions—reducing wind speed, controlling erosion, moderating microclimates, and enhancing yields—are well documented, previous studies have largely examined individual structural elements in isolation, leaving their interactive effects and trade-offs poorly understood. This review synthesizes current research on the structural optimization of shelterbelts, emphasizing the critical relationship between their physical and biological attributes and their protective functions. Key structural parameters—such as optical porosity, height, width, orientation, and species composition—are examined for their individual and interactive impacts on shelterbelt performance. Empirical and modeling studies indicate that moderate porosity maximizes wind reduction efficiency and extends the leeward protection zone, while multi-row, multi-species configurations effectively suppress soil erosion and improve microclimate conditions. Sheltered areas experience reduced evapotranspiration, increased humidity, and moderated temperatures, collectively enhancing crop water use efficiency and yielding significant improvements in crop production. Advanced methodologies, including field monitoring, wind tunnel testing, computational fluid dynamics, and remote sensing, are employed to quantify benefits and refine designs. A multi-objective optimization framework is essential to balance competing goals: maximizing wind reduction, minimizing water consumption, enhancing biodiversity, and ensuring economic viability. Future challenges involve adapting designs to climate change, integrating water-efficient and native species, leveraging artificial intelligence for predictive modeling, and addressing socio-economic barriers to implementation. Building on this evidence, we propose a multi-objective optimization framework to balance competing goals: maximizing wind protection, minimizing water use, enhancing biodiversity, and ensuring economic viability. We identify key research gaps including unresolved porosity thresholds, the climate resilience of alternative species compositions, and the limited application of optimization algorithms and outline future priorities such as region-specific design guidelines, AI-driven predictive models, and policy incentives. This review offers a novel, trade-off–aware synthesis to guide next-generation shelterbelt design in arid agriculture. Full article