Search Results (958)

Campaigns significantly impact overall company performance, making the measurement and prediction of campaign efficiency essential. This study proposes an integrated methodology that combines efficiency measurement with efficiency prediction for airline email campaigns. In the first part of the methodology, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was applied to real airline campaign data to evaluate efficiency; this is the first study to analyze email campaign efficiency in this context. In the second part of the methodology, decision tree algorithms were employed to classify historical campaign data based on DEA scores, with the aim of predicting the efficiency of future campaigns—a novel approach in this context. A core dataset of 76 airline email campaigns with six inputs and two outputs was analyzed using output-oriented CCR (Charnes, Cooper, Rhodes) and BCC (Banker, Charnes, Cooper) models; 26 and 46 campaigns were identified as efficient, respectively. The analysis was further segmented by group size, seasonality, and route type. Efficient campaigns were then ranked via super-efficiency, and sensitivity analysis assessed variable and campaign effects. For prediction, decision tree algorithms (J48 (C4.5), C5.0, and CART (Classification and Regression Trees)) were employed to classify campaigns as efficient or inefficient, using DEA efficiency scores as the target variable and DEA inputs as attributes, with classification performed for both BCC and CCR core models. Class imbalance was addressed with SMOTE, and models were evaluated under stratified 10-fold cross-validation. After balancing, the BCC core model (BCC_C) yielded the most reliable predictions (overall accuracy 76.3%), with J48 providing the most balanced results, whereas the CCR core model (CCR_C) remained weak across algorithms. Full article

The growing complexity of modern building systems requires advanced monitoring frameworks to improve fault detection, energy efficiency, and operational resilience. Digital Twin (DT) technology, which integrates real-time data with virtual models of physical systems, has emerged as a promising enabler for predictive diagnostics. Despite growing interest, key challenges remain, including the neglect of short- and long-term forecasting across different scenarios, insufficiently robust data preparation, and the rare validation of models on multi-zone buildings over extended test periods. To address these gaps, this study presents a comprehensive DT-enabled framework for predictive monitoring and anomaly detection, validated in a multi-zone educational building in Rhode Island, USA, using a full year of operational data for validation. The proposed framework integrates a robust data processing pipeline and a comparative analysis of machine learning models, including LSTM, RNN, GRU, ANN, XGBoost, and RF, to forecast short-term (1 h) and long-term (24 h) indoor temperature variations. The LSTM model consistently outperformed other methods, achieving R² > 0.98 and RMSE < 0.55 °C for all tested rooms. For real-time anomaly detection, we applied the hybrid LSTM–Interquartile Range (IQR) method on one-step-ahead residuals, which successfully identified anomalous deviations from expected patterns. The model’s predictions remained within a ±1 °C error margin for over 90% of the test data, providing reliable forecasting up to 16 h ahead. This study contributes a validated, generalizable DT methodology that addresses key research gaps, offering practical tools for predictive maintenance and operational optimization in complex building environments. Full article

Background/Objectives: Public health emergencies disrupt school routines and child development, elevating psychosocial risk. The long-term influence of school-based participatory arts, particularly drama pedagogy, has not been sufficiently explored. This study examined teachers’ retrospective perceptions of the four-year effects of a large-scale, remotely delivered drama-based intervention on children’s psychosocial well-being and school community resilience. Methods: We conducted a retrospective interpretative phenomenological study with 23 primary-school teachers who implemented a seven-week, drama-based program with children aged 10–12 during a public health emergency. Semi-structured interviews were conducted four years post-implementation and analyzed following the principles of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, using the Community Resilience Framework as a sensitizing theoretical lens. Results: According to teachers’ retrospective accounts, participatory arts were perceived to function as a complementary public-health-oriented practice, helping maintain children’s connection to school, and were associated with strengthening trust, creativity, and solidarity, as well as supporting communication, emotional expression, adaptability, and collaborative skills. Teachers reported that stable rituals and drama-based practices appeared to foster a sense of safety amid disruption; over time, some of these practices were reported as becoming part of everyday school routines, which teachers associated with continuity and collective resilience. Conclusions: Integrating drama-based interventions into school health and psychosocial crisis-readiness may strengthen pediatric public health strategies and may help education systems to respond to future emergencies. These findings reflect teachers’ perceptions of sustained influence and suggest the perceived value of arts-based methods in developmental/behavioral support and school community resilience. By addressing emotional regulation, peer connection, and psychosocial adaptation within school settings, the intervention reflects the preventive and promotive dimensions of pediatric public health, emphasizing the school’s role as an environment that supports children’s overall mental and developmental health. Full article

The yield and quality of biomass produced in a growing season determine feed allocation, livestock performance, and system capacity and resilience. Congo grass (Urochloa ruziziensis, UR) and Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana, CG) are important grass species for livestock in Sub-Saharan Africa, where their high yield potential and adaptability provide leverage to mitigate persistent feed gaps. This study investigated the morphological traits, biomass yield, and nutritive value of UR and CG in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria over three years (2019–2021) to assess their biomass yield and quality responses to successive harvests. We hypothesised that UR would outperform CG in yield and quality over the study period. Grasses were established in 2019, with multiple harvests annually from four replicate plots per species. UR consistently produced more tillers and leaves per tussock and achieved significantly higher biomass and crude protein (CP) yields at each harvest (p < 0.001), averaging 32.2% and 38.4% greater biomass and CP, respectively, compared to CG. Nutritional analysis revealed that CG contained 19.4% less CP, 23.4% less metabolisable energy, and 22.7% less ash than UR, while having higher fibre fractions (p < 0.001). Overall, UR demonstrated superior productivity and nutritional value under the tested conditions, highlighting its potential as a more reliable forage option for farmers in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. Full article

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat that undermines treatment in humans and animals. In Zambia, where livestock production underpins food security and livelihoods, AMR challenges are aggravated by limited surveillance, weak diagnostics, and poor regulatory enforcement, facilitating the spread of resistant pathogens across the human–animal–environment interface. This study aims to analyse AMR patterns of bacterial isolates collected from Zambia’s animal health sector between 2020 and 2024, to generate evidence that informs national AMR surveillance, supports antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions, and strengthens One Health strategies to mitigate the spread of resistant pathogens. Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis of previously collected routine laboratory data from five well-established animal health AMR surveillance sentinel sites between January 2020 and December 2024. Data were analysed by year, sample type, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) profiles using WHONET. Results: A total of 1688 samples were processed, with faecal samples accounting for 87.6%. Animal environmental samples (feed, manure, litter, abattoir/meat processing floor, wall, and equipment surface swabs) (collected from abattoirs, water, and farms) increased significantly over time (p = 0.027). Overall, Escherichia coli (E. coli) (50.4%) and Enterococcus spp. (30%) were the most frequently isolated bacteria. E. coli exhibited high resistance to tetracycline (74%) and ampicillin (72%) but remained susceptible to aztreonam (98%), nitrofurantoin (95%), and imipenem (93%). Enterococcus spp. were susceptible to penicillin (84%) and ampicillin (89%) but showed borderline resistance to vancomycin (53%) and linezolid (50%). Klebsiella spp. demonstrated resistance to ciprofloxacin (52%) and gentamicin (40%), whereas Salmonella spp. remained highly susceptible. Notably, resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid rose sharply from 22.2% to 81.8% (p = 0.027). Across 1416 isolates, high levels of multidrug resistance (MDR) were observed, particularly in E. coli (48.4%) and K. pneumoniae (18.6%), with notable proportions progressing toward possible Extensively Drug-Resistant (XDR) and Pan-Drug-Resistant (PDR) states. Conclusions: The findings of this study reveal rising resistance to commonly used antibiotics in the animal health sector. Despite the lack of molecular analysis, our findings underscore the urgent need for AMS programs and integrated AMR surveillance under Zambia’s One Health strategy. Full article

Arable field abandonment is a major driver of landscape change in rural areas worldwide. It is defined as the cessation of agricultural activities and the withdrawal of agricultural management on land. This study examined arable land abandonment and subsequent land use and land cover (LULC) changes in Gotyibeni, Manqorholweni, Mawane, and Melani villages over a 20-year period. The aim was to understand these changes and how rural livelihoods and social relationships within and between households were perceived to have transformed following the LULC shifts. Landsat 5, 7, 8, and 9 multispectral imageries with a 30 m spatial resolution were analysed for two periods (i.e., 2000–2010 and 2010–2020). Five land cover classes were mapped: arable fields, grasslands, homestead gardens, residential areas, and shrublands. Post-classification change detection revealed a steady decline in arable fields, largely replaced by grasslands, shrublands, and residential areas. User accuracy was above 80% across all LULC maps, providing confidence in the LULC results. To link these spatial changes with social outcomes, 97 households that had abandoned field cultivation were purposively selected across the four villages. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to capture household experiences. Findings showed that reduced field cultivation was perceived to undermine household economic status, with households increasingly dependent on government social grants amid high unemployment. In addition, weakened social connections and shifts in cultural practices were reported. Overall, the study demonstrated how combining satellite imagery with community perspectives provides a comprehensive understanding of rural arable land abandonment and its consequences. Full article

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted school life worldwide, heightening risks to students’ psychosocial well-being and mental health, and creating an urgent need for sustainable support strategies during crises. Drama-based interventions, as participatory arts-based approaches, are proposed as flexible interventions that can strengthen resilience, social interaction, and emotional expression in school communities. Objective: This study evaluated the impact of a large-scale, short-term, remote drama-based intervention on the psychosocial adjustment and well-being of primary school students during the pandemic. Methods: An embedded mixed methods design with a pre-post measurement was employed, involving 239 teachers and 719 students aged 9–13 years from schools across various regions of Greece. Psychosocial functioning was assessed using a standardized instrument measuring levels of social, school, and emotional competence, as well as behavioral difficulties. The intervention, totaling 700 min over seven weeks, followed a five-day weekly structure that combined health-focused and psychosocial activities. Results: Quantitative findings indicated improvements across several dimensions of psychosocial adaptation and well-being, while Reliable Change Index analysis revealed important individual-level changes. Qualitative data corroborated these results, highlighting enhanced peer collaboration, increased emotional expression, and stronger classroom cohesion, while also emphasizing the adaptability and scalability of the approach under restrictive conditions. Conclusions: The findings suggest that such artful interventions can make a meaningful contribution to promoting well-being and sustaining the educational and social life of school communities during public health emergencies, thereby adding to the applied psychology evidence based on effective school health interventions. Full article

In the 21st century, community participation in heritage management has become a worldwide phenomenon. Despite this shift in heritage management thinking and the inclusion of community members in such processes, these participatory efforts have not necessarily led to the empowerment of communities in decision making. Many studies have been conducted to probe this critical question and to better understand what hinders the active involvement of the public. This paper examines the question through Crossing the Pell, an academic project from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). With grant sponsors/clients and based in real-time heritage management issues of historic Newport, Rhode Island, this project emphasized creative and untested methods for engaging community through the use of immersive digital environments. As sponsored design with the stipulated objectives of funders and clients, the professors and students were charged with not only solutions for an adaptation of existing infrastructure but also the design of a unique community engagement process. This paper documents the multi-year academic endeavor, analyzes its outcomes in the context of the history of community engagement, and offers a hypothesis for implementing an active and meaningful participatory process in cultural heritage management through the use of extended realities. Full article

The Battle of Rhode Island in 1778 was an important event in the revolutionary war leading to the international recognition of U.S. American independence following the 1776 declaration. It culminated in a month-long campaign against British forces occupying Aquidneck Island, serving as the first combined operation of the newly formed Franco-American alliance. The military fortification at Butts Hill in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, served as a strategic point during the conflict and remains well-conserved today. While LiDAR has assisted in the geospatial surface reconstruction of the site’s earthwork fortifications, it is unknown whether other historically documented buildings within the fort remain preserved underground. We therefore conducted a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey to ascertain the presence or absence of architectural features, hypothesizing that GPR imaging could reveal structural remnants from the military barracks constructed in 1777. To test this hypothesis, we used public satellite and LiDAR imagery alongside historical maps to target the location of the historical barracks, creating a grid to survey the area with a GPR module in 0.5 m transects. Our results, superimposing remote sensing imagery with historical maps, indicate that the remains of a barracks building are likely present between circa 5–50 cm beneath today’s surface, warranting future investigations. Full article

Since the end of Apartheid in 1994, South Africa has striven to address past discrimination against members of marginalized groups such as Africans, women and LGBTQ+ individuals. Sophisticated media legislation and a vibrant civil society forged in the struggle against Apartheid ensure limited discrimination in traditional media and relatively fringe online forums. However, subtle forms of undermining signal the persistent legacy of a colonial and patriarchal past. While incidents of online racism and sexism are relatively well documented, ableism deserves more attention. Despite growing scholarship on digital discrimination, a significant research gap remains in understanding how ableist microaggressions manifest online, particularly when intersecting with race and gender. As a result of established media tropes, microaggressions against people with disabilities are somewhat naturalized and reproduced on social media, yet their intersectional dimensions—especially targeting Black women with disabilities—remain underexplored. This paper addresses this gap through a focused case study of jokes targeting Black women with disabilities in one TikTok video and the approximately 700 comments. Considering (dis)ability’s intersections with race, gender, and socio-economic status, these media texts are subjected to a critical thematic analysis. The study also problematizes the methodological challenges associated with finding, identifying, and purposively selecting such content. The analysis reveals a set of historically and contextually rooted microaggressions expressed through humor, which, as a cultural expression, is inherently covert and thus hard to detect and regulate. This research contributes to understanding how intersectional ableism operates digitally and highlights the need for nuanced approaches to identifying subtle forms of discrimination in online spaces. Full article

In southern white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum), pant calls are well-studied contact vocalisations, whereas the function of frequently emitted snorts remains unclear. We conducted playback experiments with 15 rhinoceroses at three European zoos. The first experiment tested responses to conspecific versus heterospecific snorts, comparing pulsed and non-pulsed acoustic structures. The second experiment contrasted conspecific snorts with conspecific pants from males differing in age and faecal testosterone metabolite (fTM) levels. Behavioural responses—including body orientation, approach toward loudspeaker, locomotion, and vocalisations—were analysed. Snorts, regardless of sender species or pulsation, elicited uniformly low-intensity responses, suggesting limited communicative function. In contrast, pants evoked significantly stronger responses depending on sex and group setting. While males showed increased locomotion, females vocalised more, reflecting the species’ social dynamics. Individuals tested alone displayed overall heightened vigilance and vocal activity compared to those tested in pairs, emphasising the role of social context. No evidence was found for discrimination between pant calls differing in fTM levels. Our findings reinforce the communicative relevance of pants in conveying social cues while indicating that snorts may either lack species-specific acoustic markers or not be socially salient. Playback experiments thus appear as valuable tools for assessing acoustic communication in zoo-housed mammals. Full article

Background/Objective: Childhood obesity and mental health disorders in preschool-aged children represent critical public health challenges with a rising global prevalence, closely linked to lifestyle behaviors and the family environment. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the combined influence of maternal sociodemographic, socioeconomic, anthropometric characteristics, and lifestyle factors on the physical and mental health status of preschool-aged children. Methods: Validated questionnaires were administered to assess dietary habits, psychosocial parameters (depression, anxiety, stress), and sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and anthropometric variables among 200 preschool-aged children and their mothers, who served as the primary informants. Results: Maternal obesity was associated with a higher prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity (36.7% vs. 18.5% in children of non-obese mothers, p = 0.009). Maternal psychological factors, specifically depressive symptoms (B = 0.998, OR = 2.712, 95% CI: 1.222–6.020, p = 0.014) and anxiety (B = 1.676, OR = 5.346, 95% CI: 2.471–11.565, p < 0.001), were independently associated with an increased likelihood of child anxiety. Anthropometric measures, including waist circumference (p = 0.032) and hip circumference (p = 0.031), primarily influenced children’s physical health, whereas maternal psychological factors predominantly affected their emotional well-being. Conclusions: The findings underscore the necessity for targeted interventions focusing on enhancing maternal nutrition and mental health literacy, aiming to promote healthy dietary patterns, physical activity, and lifestyle behaviors. Such interventions are pivotal for preventing childhood obesity and fostering overall well-being at the population level. Full article

Over the past decade, increasing attention has been given to the impacts of anthropogenic microparticle (AM) pollution on marine ecosystems. This study investigates AM ingestion in three commercially important fish species—Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758, Dicentrarchus labrax Linnaeus, 1758, and Boops boops Linnaeus, 1758—collected from both wild and farmed populations in Greek marine and lagoon environments. A total of 60 specimens were sampled from the Messolonghi Lagoon, Rhodes Island, and the Cyclades. AM were detected in 61.7% of the individuals analyzed. The mean number of ingested items per individual was 1.1 ± 1.2 in B. boops, 1.0 ± 1.7 in wild and 2.3 ± 2.1 in farmed S. aurata, and 2.5 ± 3.1 in wild and 3.6 ± 2.2 in farmed D. labrax. Ingestion ranged from 0 to 9 items per fish. No significant correlations were found between fish size and either the number or the size of ingested AM in any species. The ingested AM were primarily classified as fibers and fragments, displaying variability in size and color. Black was the dominant color across all species, followed by red and blue, while yellow was rarely observed. A statistically significant difference in the mean size of AM was recorded between wild and farmed D. labrax, whereas no such difference was observed for S. aurata. Overall, these findings provide new evidence on AM contamination in seafood species and highlight their occurrence in both natural and aquaculture environments of the eastern Mediterranean. Full article

Background: Small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (SMTKIs), widely used in cancer chemotherapy, have been reported to variably affect glycaemic control and metabolism, with some agents demonstrating hypoglycaemic effects while others show hyperglycaemic properties. This study aims to elucidate how small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors affect glucose metabolism in C2C12 cells in vitro. Specifically, this study investigated their impact on glucose uptake, AKT expression, GLUT4 expression and translocation, and IL-6 expression. Methods: In this study, skeletal muscle (C2C12) preparations were separately treated with small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors; imatinib, dasatinib, axitinib, and erlotinib for 24 h. Thereafter, the effect of the test drugs was assessed on cell viability using the MTT assay, while glucose uptake was determined by measuring residual glucose concentrations in the culture medium with a glucometer. The expression of AKT, GLUT4, and IL-6 and translocation of GLUT4 were evaluated using ELISA. Furthermore, the effect of the drugs was assessed on insulin-stimulated AKT phosphorylation and GLUT4 translocation. Imatinib, dasatinib, axitinib, and erlotinib were selected due to their effect of glucose metabolism, highlighted in the literature. Results and Discussion: C2C12 cells treated with SMTKIs were viable after 24 h. A concentration-dependent increase in glucose uptake in C2C12 cells treated with imatinib was observed as the concentration of imatinib increased. Axitinib, dasatinib, and erlotinib demonstrated glucose uptake levels comparable to the control across all concentrations. SMTKIs demonstrated an increase in GLUT4 translocation in the absence of insulin. GLUT4 expression was unchanged in cells treated with small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors compared to the control. Small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors showed an increase in AKT expression. C2C12 cells treated with SMTKI were observed to have elevated IL-6 expression compared to the control. Conclusions: The results show that SMTKIs, in particular dasatinib, impact glucose metabolism in C2C12 cells via their effect on GLUT4 translocation and expression and AKT expression. Dasatinib shows promising potential with regard to antidiabetic capabilities. Further research is needed to better understand SMKI effects on metabolic homeostasis, which can perhaps inform future therapeutic strategies. Full article

This article examines the xenophobic orientation of social media reactions, as captured in mainstream South African media, around the Miss South Africa 2024 case of Chidimma Adetshina. It will perform a decolonial interrogation of the South African digital public’s reaction to Adetshina’s participation in and eligibility for the pageant. It will also unpack how xenophobia—defined as the fear or hatred of foreigners—is evident in the backlash that encapsulated Adetshina’s story. The xenophobic utterances that circulated on social media platforms such as X and across different digital media outlets suggest an intriguing intra-black component that is intertwined with the three dimensions of coloniality: power, knowledge and being. The concept of coloniality is understood as the lingering impact of inequalities and power dynamics resulting from the colonial encounter long after the end of administrative and historical colonialism and serves as this article’s theoretical framework. It draws on the work of several decolonial scholars to identify and explore how coloniality presents itself in the Adetshina case. The research objectives are to examine how xenophobic sentiments reflect the coloniality of power, knowledge and, specifically, the coloniality of being. The methodology includes an open, flexible combination of content and textual analysis of online media articles from major news outlets operating within the South African mediasphere. This inquiry found that there is a link between the tension-filled xenophobic reactions to Adetshina’s Miss SA 2024 case and the legacy of exploitation and oppression inherited from South Africa’s still-difficult-to-navigate colonial and apartheid eras. This investigation also found complicated hierarchies between different types of humanity—indicative of the most pervasive dimension, in this case, the coloniality of being. Full article