Search Results (248)

Forests are vital resources providing various benefits to both the environment and humanity. However, their continuous loss in many parts of the developing world highlights the urgent need for a sustainable and context-specific management model. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)-based successful forest management models have been reported in many regions of the world. Most of these practices are de facto and have been exercised for generations without any formal documentation. Their effectiveness needs to be documented to conserve this precious heritage and to highlight significance. This study is an attempt to investigate the effectiveness of TEK in communal forest management and conservation systems in Kurram Valley, Pakistan. A qualitative research design was adopted, combining field observations, semi-structured interviews with community key stakeholders, focus group discussions (FGDs), and the analysis of official and revenue records. The study results reveal the active role of TEK-based forest governance in maintaining balance between utilization and forest conservation. Communal ownership plays a vital role in empowering the community to make more independent decisions. The active indigenous institutions govern forest management and conservation practices with high efficacy. The prevailing conservation and utilization mechanisms have been constructively designed to maintain regrowth and prevent unsustainable exploitation. However, weakening of traditional institutions over time in certain localities has led to deterioration in forest sustainability, which reflects broader challenges in community-based conservation systems. Overall, TEK-based forest management plays a positive role in local forest conservation practices, and may provide useful insights for improving forest policies. Full article

With the continuous development of the social economy and the increasing service life of bridges, in-service bridges generally face multiple challenges such as safety decline, durability deterioration, and insufficient traffic capacity. Demolition and reconstruction have become an important way for some old bridges to achieve functional renewal and ensure traffic safety. This paper takes the first concrete self-anchored suspension bridge in China that has undergone demolition—the Zicai Bridge in Qinzhou—as the specific engineering basis. In response to the safety requirements and smooth progress of its demolition construction, after a comprehensive comparison and optimization of multiple demolition schemes, the core technical solution of reverse sequence removal of the hangers was finally determined. To fully verify the technical applicability, structural safety, and feasibility of this demolition scheme, this study adopts a core research method combining theoretical calculation and numerical simulation, and systematically and deeply analyzes the entire process of bridge system transformation, the evolution law of structural force, and the mechanical responses of key parts during the hanger removal process. The study found that the maximum stress of the hangers in the system during the hanger removal process was much lower than the material breaking stress. The tilt of the bridge tower and the deformation of the main cables were all within the controllable range. Only the local tensile stress at the lower edge of the main beam had a cracking risk exceeding the material’s tensile limit. Based on this, specific construction optimization suggestions and control measures were proposed. This research not only solved the core technical problems of this type of special bridge demolition, but its research ideas and quantitative analysis results can also provide important theoretical references and technical support for the subsequent demolition construction of similar cable-bearing system bridges, and has positive significance for promoting the scientific and standardized development of complex bridge demolition construction. Full article

(1) Background: Treatment of esophageal cancer (EC) traditionally consists of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (RCT) followed by resection; however, esophagectomy is associated with substantial morbidity, particularly in patients with relevant comorbidities. Therefore, a watchful waiting (WW) strategy has been increasingly adopted for patients achieving a complete response to RCT. This study aimed to identify independent predictors and recurrence patterns in EC patients managed with WW. (2) Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all patients with potentially curable EC and complete response to RCT treated at a tertiary university hospital between 2014 and 2022. Comprehensive staging and restaging were performed using computed tomography, endoscopy with ultrasound and biopsies, and positron-emission tomography, followed by structured surveillance. Recurrence patterns and associated clinical and tumor-related factors were assessed using multivariate regression analysis. (3) Results: Among 50 included patients, 30 (60%) developed recurrence after a median of 202 days. Patients with initially nodal-negative disease did not develop distant recurrence, whereas nodal-positive patients showed metastatic recurrence in 26% and local regrowth in 16%. (4) Discussion: Adenocarcinoma, circumferential tumor extent greater than 50%, dysphagia, fatigue, and deterioration of general condition at restaging were independently associated with recurrence. These findings support risk-adapted surveillance and may facilitate personalized management in EC patients undergoing WW. Full article

Population aging is widely regarded as a major fiscal risk for European welfare states and a central challenge to long-term fiscal sustainability. The article critically reexamines the deterministic assumption by assessing whether the fiscal implications of demographic aging in the European Union (EU) are mechanically driven or conditioned by policy context and institutional capacity. Using panel data for the EU-27 over the period 2014–2024, the study employs a two-way fixed-effects framework and interaction models to examine the relationship between demographic aging and key fiscal outcomes, including public pension expenditures, total social protection spending, and the general government balance. Furthermore, the analysis examines whether indicators associated with the silver economy, such as employment at older ages and digital inclusion, condition the fiscal effects of aging within countries over time. The results suggest that demographic aging does not exhibit a statistically significant association with pension or social protection expenditures once institutional heterogeneity and common shocks are controlled. In contrast to deterministic expectations, aging is positively associated with general government balance, suggesting the presence of policy-mediated fiscal adjustment dynamics rather than automatic fiscal deterioration. Interaction estimates further indicate that digital inclusion among older cohorts conditions the relationship between demographic aging and fiscal balance, while silver economy indicators do not display robust standalone fiscal effects. These findings should be interpreted as evidence of policy-mediated adjustment dynamics rather than as causal estimates of demographic effects. Building on these findings, the article advances a conceptual interpretation of the aging–fiscal nexus in which demographic pressures interact with institutional adaptation and policy capacity. Fiscal sustainability under demographic aging emerges as a policy-mediated outcome that may reflect broader institutional and governance contexts, rather than demographic structure alone. While governance quality is not directly estimated as an observable variable, the analysis interprets fiscal outcomes within a governance-conditioned institutional framework that emphasizes policy mediation rather than deterministic demographic effects. The findings contribute to ongoing debates on fiscal sustainability in aging societies by demonstrating that fiscal outcomes in the European Union are best understood as institutionally conditioned and policy-mediated rather than mechanically driven by demographic structure alone. Full article

Contemporary agriculture faces the challenge of sustaining crop productivity amid increasing climatic pressures and simplified agronomic practices, such as monoculture. A field experiment conducted from 2022 to 2024 aimed to determine the effects of meteorological conditions and biological amendments on grain yield and yield structure in three maturity groups of continuous maize (Zea mays L.; FAO 200, 230 and 260). The split-plot experiment included applications of the biological amendments Neosol, Bactim Gleba and UGmax. Deteriorating agrometeorological conditions over the years studied led to a progressive decline in mean grain yield, reaching the lowest value in 2024 (5.06 Mg ha⁻¹). The cultivar belonging to the FAO 260 maturity group exhibited the highest yield potential. Application of all biological amendments resulted in a significant increase in grain yield and thousand-grain weight compared with the untreated control. The most effective treatment was UGmax which increased mean grain yield by approximately 14% and thousand-grain weight by 19% compared with the control. Path analysis revealed hierarchical relationships among components of ear structure and grain yield. The primary direct effect on yield increase was the number of kernels per ear, with thousand-grain weight also contributing significantly depending on maturity group. In later-maturing cultivars, kernel number per ear played the dominant role, whereas thousand-grain weight was more influential in earlier-maturing ones. The economic analysis demonstrated that all of the applied biological amendments generated a positive net profit, with the highest additional revenue obtained following the application of UGmax (160 USD·ha⁻¹). These results confirm that biostimulant application affected grain yield formation, and reduced yield losses under stress conditions. Full article

Although intensive outpatient programmes (IOPs) are becoming more prevalent, the evidence base, particularly within the UK, remains limited. Given clinicians’ central role in developing, delivering, and adapting these emerging models of care, their perspectives are essential to understanding how IOPs function in practice. This study therefore aims to address a significant gap in the literature by exploring clinicians’ experiences of working with an IOP and the strengths and opportunities arising from this. Fifteen experienced clinicians participated in individual semi-structured interviews after working with the IOP. Open-ended questions guided the discussions, which were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using the six stages of reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis generated three key themes: (1) Tri-directional Collaboration, (2) Creating Space for Change, and (3) Transitions as Turning Points. Clinicians felt that the IOP provided a structure that strengthened and reinforced the therapeutic alliance between parents and clinicians, helped arrest rapid deterioration, and created space for thoughtful planning. Embedding IOPs within stepped-care frameworks may offer an effective and scalable means of expanding system capacity while delivering enhanced, flexible support during periods of heightened risk. However, longitudinal, mixed-methods evaluations are needed to clarify the sustainability of progress post-IOP and to identify predictors of positive transitions. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aviation sector is characterized by high-density flight operations and chronic stressors that compromise worker health. This study focuses on burnout syndrome as a multidimensional phenomenon resulting from the interaction between high emotional demands and personal resources. The primary objective was to analyze the relationship between job satisfaction and health problems among cabin crew members, testing a structural model where burnout—specifically its dimensions of enthusiasm toward the job, psychological strain, indolence, and guilt—acts as a mediating factor. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional design was implemented with a sample of 732 cabin crew members from an international airline. Participants completed the Spanish Burnout Inventory (SBI) and the UNIPSICO subscales for job satisfaction and psychosomatic problems. Data was processed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to evaluate the hypothesized interdependent relationships and global model fit. Results: The structural model demonstrated an acceptable fit (CFI = 0.890; RMSEA = 0.056), confirming that job satisfaction is positively related to enthusiasm toward the job and inversely associated with psychological strain. All burnout dimensions were significantly linked to health outcomes; notably, guilt was identified as a critical mediator between indolence and psychosomatic problems. Conclusions: The findings underscore burnout as an insidiously progressive process that mediates the deterioration of cabin crew health. The study highlights guilt as a determining factor in the syndrome’s severity. Consequently, preventive organizational strategies must move beyond general fatigue management to include emotional labor training and early diagnosis of psychosocial risks to preserve operational safety and crew well-being. Full article

The deterioration of civil infrastructure poses a significant threat to public safety, yet conventional manual inspections remain subjective, labor-intensive, and constrained by accessibility. To address these challenges, this paper presents a real-time robotic inspection system that integrates deep learning perception and autonomous navigation. The proposed framework employs a two-stage neural network: a U-Net for initial segmentation followed by a Pix2Pix conditional generative adversarial network (GAN) that utilizes adversarial residual learning to refine boundary accuracy and suppress false positives. When deployed on an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) equipped with an RGB-D camera and LiDAR, this framework enables simultaneous automated crack detection and collision-free autonomous navigation. Evaluated on the CrackSeg9k dataset, the two-stage model achieved a mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) of 73.9 ± 0.6% and an F1-score of 76.4 ± 0.3%. Beyond benchmark testing, the robotic system was further validated through simulation, laboratory experiments, and real-world campus hallway tests, successfully detecting micro-cracks as narrow as 0.3 mm. Collectively, these results demonstrate the system’s potential for robust, autonomous, and field-deployable infrastructure inspection. Full article

Given the deteriorating situation of ambient ozone (O₃) pollution in some areas of China, understanding the mechanisms driving O₃ formation is essential for formulating effective control measures. This study examines O₃ formation mechanisms and RO_x (OH, HO_2, and RO₂) radical cycling driven by photochemical processes in Bozhou, located at the junction of Jiangsu–Anhui–Shandong–Henan (JASH), a region heavily affected by O₃ pollution, by applying a zero-dimensional box model (Framework for 0-Dimensional Atmospheric Modeling, F0AM) coupled with the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM v3.3.1) and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF 5.0) to characterize O₃ pollution, identify volatile organic compound (VOC) sources, and quantify radical budgets during pollution episodes. The results show that O₃ episodes in Bozhou mainly occurred in June under conditions of high temperature and low wind speed. Oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs), alkanes, and halocarbons were the dominant VOCs groups. The CH₃O₂ + NO reaction accounted for 24.3% of O₃ production, while photolysis contributed 68.7% of its removal. Elevated VOCs concentrations in Bozhou were largely maintained by anthropogenic sources such as vehicle exhaust, solvent utilization, and gasoline evaporation, which collectively enhanced O₃ production. The findings indicate that O₃ formation in the region is primarily regulated by NO_x availability. Therefore, emission reductions targeting NO_x, along with selective control of OVOCs and alkenes, would be the most effective strategies for lowering O₃ levels. Model simulations further highlight Bozhou’s strong atmospheric oxidation capacity, with OVOC photolysis identified as the dominant contributor to RO_x generation, accounting for 33% of the total. Diurnal patterns were evident: NO_x-related reactions dominated radical sinks in the morning, while HO₂ + RO₂ reactions accounted for 28.5% in the afternoon. By clarifying the mechanisms of O₃ formation in Bozhou, this study provides a scientific basis for designing ozone control strategies across the JASH junction region. In addition, ethanol was not directly measured in this study; given its potential to generate acetaldehyde and affect local O₃ formation, its possible contribution introduces additional uncertainty that warrants further investigation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cement augmentation of cephalomedullary head elements can improve the purchase of osteoporotic bone; however, it does not eliminate the need for accurate implant positioning or the preservation of sliding. We report the case of an 87-year-old woman who underwent intramedullary nailing with a cement-augmented helical blade for intertrochanteric fracture. Methods: This is a single-patient case report. Calibrated radiographic measurements—tip–apex distance (TAD), calcar-referenced TAD (CalTAD), neck–shaft angle (NSA), and telescoping—were obtained immediately postoperatively and at 4, 7, 12, and 15 months. CT was performed at postoperative week 1 and at failure, and MRI was performed for clinical deterioration. In addition, a targeted narrative review summarizes the evidence on the head-element position, sliding behavior, reduction alignment, and augmentation. Results: Immediate postoperative indices were within the accepted targets: TAD 22.6 mm, CalTAD 22.8 mm, NSA 134°, with the head element inferior on the anteroposterior view and central on the lateral view. Rehabilitation proceeded with full weight bearing as tolerated. Early telescoping was minimal (3.8–3.9 mm). Between 7 and 15 months, progressive varus with shortening of TAD/CalTAD and little additional telescoping was observed, radiographically consistent with relative proximal migration of the head–cement complex and a cleavage plane along the inferior cement mantle, culminating in a subcapital femoral neck fracture with the implant in situ. Emphasis should be placed on accurate implant positioning and preservation of sliding capacity, because cement augmentation alone may not prevent mechanical failure when the implant position or load transfer is suboptimal. Conclusions: Cement augmentation stiffens the interface and reduces micromotion but does not neutralize malposition-induced stresses. Accurate positioning, preservation of sliding, and timely conversion when sliding fails to progress are advisable; these findings are hypothesis-generating from a single case. We propose a position- and sliding-based decision guide to support clinical decision-making; its usefulness remains to be validated in larger studies. Full article

The emerging development of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) software receivers has opened new opportunities in diverse operations. However, non-line-of-sight (NLOS) concatenated signal reception is one prevalent deterioration factor causing positioning errors in urban scenarios. To enhance integrity and reliability through receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM) techniques in urban environments, distinguishing between line-of-sight (LOS) and NLOS signals facilitates the exclusion of NLOS channels: this is challenging due to uncertain signal reflections/refractions from diverse obstruction conditions in the built environment. Moreover, NLOS features show similarity to multipath effects like scattering and diffraction which causes difficulty in identifying the NLOS type. Recent work exploited NLOS detections with multi-correlator outputs using neural networks that outperform using signal strength techniques for NLOS detection. This paper proposes a neural network approach designed to recognise and learn spatial features among early, late, and prompt correlator outputs, differentiating between correlations, and also by memorising temporal features to acquire propagation information. Specifically, the spatial features of correlator IQ streams are derived from convolutional layers incorporated with concatenations, to formulate associate models like early-minus-late discrimination. A Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), i.e., long short-term memory (LSTM), is integrated to obtain comprehensive temporal features; hereby, a softmax classifier is appended in the last layer to distinguish between NLOS and LOS signals. By simulating synthetic datasets generated by a Spirent simulator and captured by a software-defined radio (SDR), the correlator outputs are acquired during the scalar tracking stage. The product of the proposed network demonstrates high performance in terms of accuracy, time consumption and sensitivity, affirming the efficiency of utilising early-stage correlations for NLOS detection. Moreover, an impact analysis of varying the sliding window length on NLOS discrimination underscores the need to fine-tune the parameter, as well as balancing accuracy, operation complexity and sensitivity. Full article

The Trump administration signalled a shift toward protectionism in U.S. trade policy, imposing tariffs on imports from both strategic partners and competitors, which generated renewed uncertainty in international trade relations and the future of existing frameworks such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP). Earlier analysis has shown that a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the United States can be trade-creating and lead to improved macroeconomic outcomes in SACU countries. However, these positive effects decline over time, with varying impacts across different industries, influenced by initial tariff levels and export orientation relative to the US. This paper examines whether there are economic and strategic incentives for SACU to negotiate a more beneficial agreement than a simple across-the-board elimination of ad valorem import tariffs. Using a dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, the paper examines the outcomes if cereals, poultry, dairy products, red meat, and sugar products—often classified as sensitive due to their labour intensity, food security implications, and exposure to import competition—were to retain some level of protection under a SACU–US Free Trade Agreement. The results suggest that while the FTA boosts key macroeconomic indicators in the short run, gains taper off over time. Crucially, real wages and employment remain stagnant, and terms of trade deteriorate, raising questions about the inclusivity and sustainability of such a deal. Shielding vulnerable sectors initially enhances SACU’s exports and supports some industry growth, particularly in agriculture. However, without broader reforms and export diversification, long-term competitiveness remains weak. A nuanced FTA design, combined with structural support policies, is essential to unlock lasting and inclusive trade benefits. Full article

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) and its treatment with cyclosporine and extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) on salivary caries risk factors. Methods: In this exploratory single-centre cross-sectional pilot study, saliva samples from 22 cGVHD patients were analysed for flow rate, pH, buffering capacity, and counts of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus. A detailed dental examination assessed plaque, carious lesions, and their progression. Caries risk was determined based on general health and diet questionnaires and clinical findings. Results: Patients receiving a combination of cyclosporine and ECP had significantly fewer carious teeth, affected tooth surfaces, and non-cavitated carious lesions compared with those treated with ECP alone (Bonferroni test, p = 0.004, p = 0.002, and p < 0.001, respectively). Patients treated with ECP had more carious teeth and affected surfaces than those who did not receive either ECP or cyclosporine (p = 0.008 and p = 0.002), whereas patients treated with cyclosporine only had more non-cavitated lesions than those receiving both cyclosporine and ECP (p < 0.001). A negative correlation was observed between cyclosporine dose and stimulated salivary flow (R = −0.672, p = 0.0486), and a positive correlation between cyclosporine dose and caries risk (R = 0.640, p = 0.0461). Conclusions: The disease and its treatment were associated with reduced salivary flow and increased caries risk. Patients’ oral health should be monitored regularly and managed with care to prevent further deterioration. Full article

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a pivotal contributor to neurodegeneration. Neurons heavily rely on mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and therefore need highly efficient quality control mechanisms, including proteostasis, mitochondrial biogenesis, fusion–fission dynamics, and mitophagy, to sustain bioenergetics and synaptic function. With aging, deterioration of mitochondrial quality control pathways leads to impaired oxidative phosphorylation, excessive reactive oxygen species generation, calcium imbalance, and defective clearance of damaged organelles, ultimately compromising neuronal viability. Pathological protein aggregates, such as α-synuclein in Parkinson’s disease, β-amyloid and tau in Alzheimer’s disease, and misfolded superoxide dismutase 1 and transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, further aggravate mitochondrial stress, establishing self-perpetuating cycles of neurotoxicity. Such mitochondrial defects underscore mitochondria as a convergent pathogenic hub and a promising therapeutic target for neuroprotection. Intermediate filaments (IFs), traditionally viewed as passive structural elements, have recently gained attention for their roles in cytoplasmic organization, mitochondrial positioning, and energy regulation. Emerging evidence indicates that IF–mitochondria interactions critically influence organelle morphology and function in neurons. This review highlights the multifaceted involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction and IF dynamics in neurodegeneration, emphasizing their potential as targets for novel therapeutic strategies. Full article

Background: Wireless Vital Parameter Continuous Monitoring (WVPCM) allows the continuous tracking of patient physiological parameters, facilitating the earlier detection of clinical deterioration, especially in low-intensity care settings. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of using WVPCM compared to the usual monitoring of critically ill patients hospitalized in Internal Medicine wards. An investigation of the attitude of health professionals towards the use of new technologies in daily practice to improve patient management was also carried out. Methods: The LIght Monitor Study (LIMS) is a prospective, open-label, randomized, multi-center pilot trial comparing WVPCM and conventional nurse monitoring during the first 72 h of hospitalization. A central randomization unit used computer-generated tables to allocate patients to two different types of monitoring. The main outcome was the occurrence of major complications. The study planned to enroll 296 critically ill patients with a Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) ≥ 3 and/or National Early Warning Score (NEWS) ≥ 5 across two Internal Medicine (IM) Units in Italy. The investigation of the attitude of nurses towards the use of WVPCM was carried out by using a questionnaire and a qualitative survey. Results: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the study was interrupted early and only 135 patients (WVPCM = 68; standard care = 67) were randomized. One patient in the control group was excluded from analysis because of drop-out, leaving 134 patients for intention to treat analysis. No statistically significant differences between standard care and WVPCM were observed in terms of major complications (37.5%, vs. 31.2% p = 0.475), in-hospital mortality (17.5% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.309), and median hospital length of stay (9 vs. 10 days, p = 0.463). WVPCM decreased nursing workload compared to the control, as the average time spent by nurses on the detection of vital signs per patient was 0 min per patient per day compared to 24.4 min (p < 0.001) observed in the control group. Twenty-two percent of patients in the WVPCM group (15/68) experienced discomfort with the device, resulting in its removal. The investigation of nurses involved 16 out of 18 people participating in the study. Opinions on the wireless device for patient monitoring were particularly favorable; most of them considered remote monitoring clearly superior to traditional in-person visits and easy to use after a brief practice period. All participants recognized the safety benefits of the system. Conclusions: The reduced sample size of this pilot study does not allow us to draw any conclusions on the superiority of WVPCM compared to standard care in terms of clinical outcomes. However, we observed a positive trend in the reduction of major complications. Full article