Encyclopedia

This entry gives an overview of the main data structures and approaches used for a two-dimensional representation of the terrain surface using a digital elevation model (DEM). A DEM represents the elevation of the earth surface from a set of points. It is used for terrain analysis, visualisation and interpretation. DEMs are most commonly defined as a grid where an elevation is assigned to each grid cell. Due to its simplicity, the square grid structure is the most common DEM structure. However, it is less adaptive and shows limitations for more complex processing and reasoning. Hence, the triangulated irregular network is a more adaptive structure and explicitly stores the relationships between the points. Other topological structures (contour graphs, contour trees) have been developed to study terrain morphology. Topological relationships are captured in another structure, the surface network (SN), composed of critical points (peaks, pits, saddles) and critical lines (thalweg, ridge lines). The SN can be computed using either a TIN or a grid. The Morse Theory provides a mathematical approach to studying the topology of surfaces, which is applied to the SN. It has been used for terrain simplification, multi-resolution modelling, terrain segmentation and landform identification. The extended surface network (ESN) extends the classical SN by integrating both the surface and the drainage networks. The ESN can itself be extended for the cognitive representation of the terrain based on saliences (typical points, lines and regions) and skeleton lines (linking critical points), while capturing the context of the appearance of landforms using topo-contexts. Full article

Tectonic activity in the Mediterranean region has been driven by the convergence of the confining plates (Nubia, Arabia and Eurasia). This convergence has been accommodated by the consumption of the oceanic domains that were present in the late Oligocene. It is suggested that this process has been enabled by the lateral escape of orogenic belts in response to constrictional contexts. Where this condition was not present, subduction did not occur. This interpretation can plausibly and coherently account for the very complex pattern of tectonic processes in the whole area since the early Miocene. It is also suggested, by providing some examples, that the geodynamic context proposed here might help us to recognize the connection between the ongoing tectonic processes and the spatio-temporal distribution of past major earthquakes. A discussion is then reported about the incompatibilities of the main alternative geodynamic interpretation (slab pull) with the observed deformation pattern. Full article

The authors propose considering the structure and evolutionary changes in the biosphere from the standpoint of a biogeomics approach. It is necessary to study biogeomes as systems of ecosystems that are similar in their structural and functional organization. Biogeomes are structural units of the biosphere and elements of biospheromerons. Based on an analysis of the concept of the “biome”, it is concluded that its primary use is limited, since it is only based on the phytocenotic approach; however, it should be noted that it is this aspect that is currently developing most successfully. The authors note that A. Tansley (1935), critically examining the concept of the biome, essentially introduced the concept of the biogeome, which is broader than the concept of the “ecosystem”. The authors consider the characteristics of five main terrestrial and atmobiontic biogeomes (hylea, grass biogeome, tundra, and desert biogeome), as well as seven hydrosphere biogeomes (shelf, pelagic ocean biogeome, bathyal–abyssal bottom, hydrothermal, bioherm, limnobiogeome, and rheobiogeome). They are grouped, based on the physiognomic approach and an analysis of the “biogeomic formulas”, into the following three types: biotic (the appearance of ecosystems is determined by the biome), oligobiotic (the appearance of ecosystems is determined by both the biome and abiotic elements, as well as the geome), and nanobiotic, where the general appearance of ecosystems is determined by the elements of the geome. The biogeomic approach allows us to consider the organization of terrestrial and hydrosphere ecosystems in a general way and to introduce important elements into the structure of the Earth’s biosphere, which has gone through complex and lengthy stages during its evolution. Full article

This entry explores the psychological, developmental, and organizational dynamics of people-pleasing behavior, analyzing its roots in childhood conditioning, cultural reinforcement, and evolutionary mechanisms. It highlights how chronic approval-seeking compromises authenticity, mental health, and workplace productivity, while proposing interventions for individuals and organizations to cultivate assertiveness and healthier relational patterns. Full article

Presenteeism, characterized by going to work sick, has become increasingly prevalent in nursing, a profession with high social and interpersonal demands. It is associated with a deterioration of the health of nurses, a reduction in the excellence of care, and a decrease in safety for users. Burnout is related to stress and mental overload and is characterized by exhaustion and fatigue. Objective: To map the evidence on the relationship between presenteeism and burnout in nurses. Methods: A literature review was carried out using the EBSCOHost Research search engine in various databases. Eight studies were selected and analyzed. Results: The studies identify a consistent relationship between burnout and presenteeism in nurses. Emotional exhaustion, resulting from burnout, can lead nurses to go to work despite being ill, due to a sense of responsibility, ethical duty, or organizational pressures. Most studies are cross-sectional, which limits the ability to establish causal relationships and identify specific interventions to reduce burnout-related presenteeism in nursing. Conclusions: It is essential to invest in health management policies for nurses to reduce burnout and minimize the consequences of presenteeism. Full article

The Underground Built Heritage (UBH) class, introduced at a methodological and theoretical level in 2021, collects cultural assets excavated throughout history from underground that, today, are significant elements of local cultural heritage, having strongly impacted on the “sense of place” of local communities. Those cultural assets have been at the core of several national and international regeneration processes, and, recently, new tools have been developed to support their classification and sustainable reuses. This entry introduces tools for the classification of historical uses of UBH elements and their historical reuses, as well providing guidelines for their sustainable regeneration for the social and economic benefit of local populations based on the analysis of some worldwide case studies. Full article

Nose-to-brain drug delivery is an innovative approach that leverages the unique anatomical pathways connecting the nasal cavity to the brain, including the olfactory and trigeminal nerve routes. This method bypasses the blood–brain barrier, enabling direct and efficient transport of therapeutic agents to the central nervous system. It offers significant advantages, such as rapid drug action, reduced systemic side effects, and improved patient compliance through non-invasive administration. This entry summarizes factors affecting the nose-to-brain delivery of drugs and the recent development of nanoparticle-based nose-to-brain delivery. Full article

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are common among children and adolescents. Asthma and cystic fibrosis are two main conditions that affect this population. Young patients face physical limitations due to structural and functional abnormalities of the airways and other lung structures. Moreover, the route of everyday life is influenced by responsibilities derived from treatments, and exacerbations imposed by the disease impacting silently their social life. To date, discussions in the literature have mostly focused on the physical limitations that face children and adolescents. On the contrary, social aspects are less investigated, even their important role in rehabilitation patterns. On this basis, we provide an overview of the social determinants that affect children and adolescents with CRDs in different social environments, such as family and school; discuss coping strategies that can be developed to attenuate the impact of CRDs on youngsters’ lives; and present the role of healthcare professionals and digital technology in social support. Full article

Local governments provide numerous services to their citizens. In doing so, they utilize two primary methods to deliver them: (1) producing them in-house with their own employees and equipment or (2) outsourcing them to external actors, which may take the form of other public agencies, for-profit firms, or non-profit organizations. In this entry, the authors review the logic of why local governments might choose one mechanism over another. The goal is to give readers a feel for the state of the academic literature in this regard. After reviewing basic concepts, such as the difference between the “provision” and “production” of services, the authors frame the discussion in terms of a variety of lenses used by scholars attempting to better understand the determinants of such decision-making. These include agency theory, transaction cost economics, and New Public Management. The authors also consider the role that management capacity plays in allowing cities to successfully deliver services to their constituents. Additionally, the authors offer a discussion regarding how local governments partner with non-profits in less formal ways than contracting to ensure their citizens have access to needed services. Finally, there is a review of the tradeoffs between efficiency and other values that should be accounted for when arranging service production. Full article

Running enjoys worldwide popularity across age groups and sexes. Because of this, it serves as an excellent benchmark to compare male and female performance across the lifespan with respect to developmental progression, peak athletic performance, and age-related regression. The purpose of this review is to examine and discuss how sex and aging affect running performance in sprints, middle-distance running, and long-distance running. Based on the scientific literature and running world records from age 5–99, male running performance exceeds that of females across the lifespan, with the greatest divide beginning at puberty, which remains through old age. However, there appear to be few differences in the rate of progression in youth and the age of peak performance, but it is unclear whether the rate of decline, beginning in middle age, differs by sex and sport for record performances. Future analyses should examine changes in all running performances across the lifespan. Full article

This entry reviews the evolution from Digital Twins (DT) to Predictive Digital Twins (PDT) and Digital Triplets (DTr), culminating in Predictive Digital Ecosystems, which focus on economic and financial decision-making. It discusses historical developments, technical foundations, practical applications, ethical and regulatory challenges, and future directions. The overview integrates mature knowledge from engineering, data science, and economic domains to provide a structured reference framework for understanding and deploying Predictive Digital Ecosystems. Full article

Social media refers to digital platforms that enable users to create, share, and engage with content within virtual communities. Platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok have democratized content creation, allowing individuals to share ideas, opinions, and experiences with global audiences. Social media has revolutionized the way information is shared and consumed, offering unprecedented opportunities for learning, engagement, and democratic participation. However, this accessibility comes with significant ethical challenges, particularly centered around the paradox of freedom versus harm—the tension between upholding freedom of expression and mitigating the harms of misinformation, privacy violations, and AI-driven bias. This entry explores the dilemmas and opportunities associated with social media, examining how these platforms shape public discourse, influence consumer behavior, and challenge traditional notions of truth and accountability. It aims to provide policymakers, educators, and platform designers with actionable insights to foster ethical social media environments. Full article

This entry provides a detailed examination of the relationship between education and employment outcomes. It presents the conceptual framework which connects them and discusses the theories on their nexus, and is the first study to attempt this endeavor. Moreover, it analyzes the factors which influence the education–employment relationship, which the existing literature has not comprehensively addressed. In addition, this entry employs data from Eurostat which points to a beneficial role of education on employment, especially of tertiary education. The entry also highlights the role of factors such as the quality and relevance of education, the development of employability skills, the selection and matching processes in the labor market, and the broader economic and social contexts. Within this framework, policymakers should prioritize investments in education and training programs that align with labor market needs, promote both general and vocational skills development, and foster closer collaboration between educational institutions and employers. Full article

The fashion industry is widely recognized for its environmental challenges, but the health impacts related to textile toxicity remain significantly underexplored. Beyond the well-known issues of pollution and resource depletion, modern clothing often harbors a hidden threat: hazardous chemicals embedded within fabrics. These include dyes containing heavy metals, antimicrobial agents that foster bacterial resistance, and synthetic fibers that release microplastics. Unlike environmental discussions, the dialogue around the direct and long-term health effects of these substances is still limited. This entry addresses critical yet often-overlooked concerns, such as how chemicals in textiles contribute to chronic skin conditions, hormonal disruptions, and even carcinogenic risks. It also examines the proliferation of bacteria in synthetic garments, leading to dermatological infections and rapid fabric degradation. Furthermore, the globalized nature of production masks the contamination risks transferred from producer to consumer countries. Through an interdisciplinary approach, this entry highlights the urgent need for integrating scientific innovation, stringent regulation, and consumer awareness to mitigate health hazards in fashion. It calls for the adoption of safer textile technologies, sustainable materials, and transparent production practices, paving the way for a fashion future that prioritizes human health as much as environmental sustainability. Full article

Resource depletion and environmental degradation have resulted from the substantial increase in the use of natural aggregates and construction materials brought on by the growing demand for infrastructure development. Road building using mining waste has become a viable substitute that reduces the buildup of industrial waste while providing ecological and economic advantages. In order to assess the appropriateness of several mining waste materials for use in road building, this study investigates their engineering characteristics. These materials include slag, fly ash, tailings, waste rock, and overburden. To ensure long-term performance in pavement applications, this study evaluates their tensile and compressive strength, resistance to abrasion, durability under freeze–thaw cycles, and chemical stability. This review highlights the potential of mining waste materials as sustainable alternatives in road construction. Waste rock and slag exhibit excellent mechanical strength and durability, making them suitable for high-traffic pavements. Although fly ash and tailings require stabilization, their pozzolanic properties enhance subgrade reinforcement and soil stabilization. Properly processed overburden materials are viable for subbase and embankment applications. By promoting the reuse of mining waste, this study supports landfill reduction, carbon emission mitigation, and circular economy principles. Overall, mining byproducts present a cost-effective and environmentally responsible alternative to conventional construction materials. To support broader implementation, further efforts are needed to improve stabilization techniques, monitor long-term field performance, and establish effective policy frameworks. Full article

The purpose of this entry is to introduce the concept of Heritage-based Urban Development and explain its evolution and implications for historic urban landscapes. The term Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) refers to an integrated understanding of historic cities that goes beyond individual monuments or architectural ensembles to encompass the broader spatial, cultural, and functional relationships within the urban fabric. It reflects a shift toward viewing historic areas as dynamic systems with a role in sustainable development. Heritage-based urban development refers to development approaches that take urban heritage—typically within historic urban landscapes—as the starting point, valuing these landscapes in all their specificities, processes, and cultural meanings as resources to be embraced rather than obstacles to be overcome. Full article

For the purposes of this entry, special educational needs (SEN) refers to a condition where a student requires additional support to access education due to a disability, learning difficulty, or other developmental challenges. In this entry, an overview is provided of the prevalence of and categories of SEN in Irish-immersion primary and post-primary schools across the island of Ireland. This entry examines the prevalence and categories of SEN in Irish-immersion (IM) primary and post-primary schools across the island of Ireland. With immersion education playing a significant role in fostering bilingual proficiency, understanding SEN prevalence within these settings is critical for ensuring inclusive educational practices. The entry analyses trends over the past two decades in SEN prevalence, highlighting an increase in SEN identification, particularly in IM post-primary schools. It also explores regional disparities, comparing Gaeltacht and IM schools outside of the Gaeltacht, as well as differences between IM and English-medium education sectors. Factors such as socio-economic disadvantage, diagnostic advancements, and policy developments are considered when interpreting SEN trends. The findings contribute to the limited international research on SEN prevalence in immersion education and offer insights into recommendations in the areas of policy and practice to further support students with diverse learning needs in bilingual settings. Full article

The government, business, and higher education sectors benefit from internationalisation. This viewpoint is articulated considering the improved academic quality and international recognition derived from faculty/student exchange programs and research partnerships, which elevate academic standards and the institution’s profile internationally. This systematic review is intended to (i) highlight the prevalence of current publications and other research-related activities that are steered towards the innovation of internationalisation in Higher Education Sector (HES), (ii) analyse and organise data on the impact of internationalisation effectiveness in the HES, and (iii) conclude with future characteristics of internationalisation effectiveness with suggestions to government, decision-makers, and institutions to achieve sustainable education sector. A search strategy was initiated through various research databases within the years 2005–2024. Of the 3865 identified papers from the database search, 3558 were excluded, and 307 were selected, of which 32 publications were utilised in the review process. The study identified several themes: transformation, factors, global nationality, international mobility, impact, curriculum and strategic framework. The study highlights the need to decolonise the HES for internationalisation effectiveness. This study also highlights future empirical research on the innovative effects of internationalisation for economic development. Full article