Search Results (1,504)

In 2022, Austria experienced a significant surge in Syrian arrivals. Unlike refugees arriving to Europe in 2015/2016, who predominantly embarked on direct journeys from Syria, most of the recently admitted cohort experienced protracted displacement in Turkey. During these prolonged periods in transit, individuals’ fundamental rights and essential economic, social, and psychological needs frequently remained unmet, due to the weak Temporary Protection Status they were granted in Turkey and rising tensions with the local population. To assess protracted displacement histories of recently arrived Syrians in Austria, we employ a qualitative approach with four qualitative focus group discussions, 17 semi-structured interviews (in total N = 29) and an additional online questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics to support the qualitative data collection. Furthermore, expert interviews (N = 21) help to contextualize the situation of recently arrived Syrians in Austria and assess differences to the first cohort of arrivals (2015–2016). Our results reflect the marginalizing dynamics encountered by Syrians who underwent impermanent settlement experiences and their multidimensional experience of socio-economic marginalization in Turkey. This includes limited employment opportunities and economic deprivation, limited access to education as well as experiences of racial discrimination, harassment, violence, and state-sanctioned deportations. These have added to their eventual secondary migration to the EU. Our study allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the (im)permanent settlement challenges faced by refugee populations with Temporary Protection such as applied to Syrians in Turkey. Full article

Insects acting as agricultural pests or disease vectors represent some of the greatest challenges to global health, food security and economics. Diverse technologies to combat insects of economic and medical importance have been and are continually being developed. These include natural and synthetic chemical insecticides and repellents, mass-trapping approaches and, more recently, an increasingly wide range of biological as well as genetic manipulations of insect vectors/pests. The increase in biological resistance and cross-resistance to many insecticides and repellents, the rapid expansion of human populations, as well as escalating climate change have extended or shifted the active periods and habitats of many insect species, creating new hurdles for attempts to defend humans from insects. At the same time, environmental, ecological and socio-political concerns continue to impact the utility of both current interventions as well as newly emerging innovative strategies. The near exponential increase in insect-based threats highlights the importance of basic and translational studies to design and develop novel technologies to combat detrimental insect populations. This review outlines the history of these challenges and describes the evolution of chemical insect control technologies, while highlighting existing and contemporary approaches to develop and deploy chemical repellents to address this threat to human health and agriculture. Full article

The scholastic tradition is often criticized for starting from abstract principles or philosophical definitions. In this way, scholastic theology is frequently contrasted with post-conciliar theology, which is developed on the basis of the Paschal event, understood as the hermeneutical criterion for the whole of theology. Karl Rahner accuses Thomas Aquinas of “isolating” the Trinity from other areas of theology, such as soteriology, anthropology, moral theology, and spirituality. He also criticizes Aquinas for separating Christology from the Trinity, arguing that in the Thomistic account of the Incarnation it is not essential that the Son becomes incarnate, since any divine Person could, in principle, have done so. Rahner contends that this doctrine weakens the connection between God’s inner Trinitarian life and the missions. Consequently, our adoption as children of God would no longer be grounded in the Son’s own sonship, and what God reveals of himself in history would not truly express who he is as the Triune God. The purpose of this article is to show that such criticisms do not accurately represent Thomistic teaching and to present the doctrine of our divine filiation within a Trinitarian Christological framework. It will first examine the relationship between the immanent Trinity and the economic Trinity, then present the Thomistic doctrine of the divine missions and processions. Finally, it will address the role of the Holy Spirit and our adoptive divine filiation, all considered from a Thomistic perspective. Alongside the Summa theologiae, particular attention will be paid to Aquinas’s biblical commentaries, where he focuses on the Trinitarian economy and its implications for salvation, drawn directly from his reading of Scripture. Full article

Heavy metals are widespread environmental contaminants from natural and anthropogenic sources, posing risks to human health and ecosystems. In urban areas, levels are elevated due to industrial activity, traffic emissions, and building materials. Camden, New Jersey, a city with a history of industry and illegal dumping, faces increased risk due to aging sewer and stormwater systems. These systems frequently flood neighborhoods and parks, heightening residents’ exposure to heavy metals. Despite this, few studies have examined metal distribution in Camden, particularly during storm events. This study analyzes stormwater metal concentrations across residential and commercial areas to assess contamination levels, potential sources, and land use associations. Stormwater samples were collected from 33 flooded street locations after four storm events in summer 2023, along with samples from a flooded residential basement during three storms. All were analyzed for total lead, cadmium, and arsenic using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS, (Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, USA)). Concentration data were visualized using geographic information system (GIS)-based mapping in relation to land use, socioeconomic, and public health factors. In Camden’s stormwater, lead levels (1–1164 µg L⁻¹) were notably higher than those of cadmium (0.1–3.3 µg L⁻¹) and arsenic (0.2–8.6 µg L⁻¹), which were relatively low. Concentrations varied citywide, with localized hot spots shaped by environmental and socio-economic factors. Principal component analysis indicates lead and cadmium likely originate from shared sources, mainly industries and illegal dumping. Notably, indoor stormwater samples showed higher heavy metal concentrations than outdoor street samples, indicating greater exposure risks in flooded homes. These findings highlight the spatial variability and complex sources of heavy metal contamination in stormwater, underscoring the need for targeted interventions in vulnerable communities. Full article

Background: Personal protective measures help prevent infection and disease transmission during health crises such as Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Populations facing barriers to adhering to these measures are more vulnerable to the health crisis. This study investigated the association of social drivers of health (SDoH), self-efficacy, and adverse substance use behavior changes with ability to practice COVID-19 personal protective behaviors among persons who inject drugs (PWID) with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection history. Methods: This study used the Hepatitis C Real Options (HERO) study’s COVID-19 survey data (n = 157). The association of inability to practice COVID-19 personal protective behaviors (hand washing, social distancing, etc.) with (a) SDoH difficulties (employment, housing, etc.); (b) adverse substance use behavior change (overdose, injecting behavior, etc.); and (c) self-efficacy was tested using logistic regression. Results: Inability to practice any personal protective behaviors was more likely among those experiencing any vs. no SDoH difficulties [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (95% confidence interval (CI))] = 4.57 (1.57, 16.40); p = 0.003] but less likely for those with higher overall self-efficacy [aOR (95% CI) = 0.55 (0.32, 0.93); p = 0.025] and self-efficacy for setting goals [aOR (95% CI) = 0.63 (0.40, 0.96); p = 0.031]. The association between adverse substance use behavior changes and the outcome was not significant. Conclusions: Greater SDoH difficulties and lower self-efficacy were associated with greater inability to practice COVID-19 personal protective behaviors. Interventions to meet SDoH-related challenges and increase self-efficacy could help encourage practice of personal protective behaviors and economically reduce disease burden during health crises. Full article

Lavender is a perennial Mediterranean plant that has been cultivated throughout history for medicinal, aromatic, and cosmetic purposes. Due to its high economic and commercial value, it has become an important agricultural product worldwide. The low production cost, adaptability to environmental conditions, and demand for its versatile use in the global market make it a significant potential source of income for developing Mediterranean countries. This study aims to identify commercially suitable cultivation sites for Lavandula angustifolia Mill. using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) technologies to support rural development. Within this scope, suitable cultivation habitat parameters for the species in open fields and natural conditions were determined; these parameters were weighted according to their importance using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), and thematic maps were created for each parameter. The created maps were combined using weighted overlay analysis, and a final map was generated according to the suitability class. The results indicate that within the study area, 75,679.45 ha is mostly suitable, 388,832.71 ha is moderately suitable, 24,068.43 ha is marginally suitable, and 229,327.20 ha is not suitable. As a result, it has been observed that Lavandula angustifolia Mill., which is currently cultivated on approximately 4045 ha of land and contributes 429 tons of product to the regional economy, covers only a relatively small portion of the suitable cultivation sites identified in the study and is not utilized to its full potential. It is understood that the expansion of lavender cultivation in determined suitable sites has significant potential to substantially develop the region and its rural population in terms of both yield and production volume, and to involve women and youth entrepreneurs in agricultural employment. Full article

Ormosia henryi, a rare and endemic timber tree in China, possesses exceptional economic and ecological value, but it has experienced a critical decline in wild populations. We integrated PacBio HiFi and Hi-C technologies to generate a superior, chromosome-level genome assembly, establishing a more robust genetic foundation than existing draft sequences. The resulting assembly (2.64 Gb; Contig N50 = 39.17 Mb; and Scaffold N50 = 338.40 Mb) exhibits high continuity and completeness, effectively overcoming the assembly challenges associated with high heterozygosity (1.37%) and repetitive sequence content (83.89%). Comparative genomic analysis revealed that O. henryi diverged from Lupinus albus approximately 53.82 million years ago and underwent two independent whole-genome duplication events. The historical accumulation of evolutionary resilience is reflected in the significant expansion of 276 gene families enriched in photosynthesis and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, alongside 122 genes under positive selection involved in DNA repair and proteostasis. These genomic signatures elucidate a stable genetic foundation. While wild populations have sharply declined in recent decades, this suggests that this status underscores the overwhelming impact of intense external anthropogenic pressures, such as overexploitation and habitat fragmentation, which may have overridden the species’ inherent adaptive capacity and slow life-history strategy. This high-quality genomic resource identifies key candidate loci, such as the PIF1 helicase for growth regulation, and provides a critical framework for screening elite germplasm for population restoration. Consequently, this study establishes a theoretical and molecular basis for transitioning from fundamental research to the precision conservation and sustainable industrial application of this high-value woody species. Full article

Over the past two decades, museums have increasingly experimented with digital technologies to connect with broader contemporary culture. This review article investigates the role crowdsourcing can play in transforming museums into more engaged environments, raising visibility and inclusivity, and involving diverse voices and populations in knowledge-creation processes. Its contribution is to provide an overview of the history, definitions and concepts of crowdsourcing, and examples of crowdsourcing policies and practices that have been adopted by museums. Participation in crowdsourcing has been influenced by gender, education, and socio-economic and cultural background. In the past, historical structures and traditions and infrastructural complexities have stood in the way of wider diversity and inclusivity. As museums move increasingly online, the circulation of information outside the museum’s walls is just as important as the specialist knowledge held within. Museums can play a leading role in public communication by reaching those who constitute the ‘crowd’. This paper explores how museums, through strong collaboration and various forms of crowdsourcing, such as citizen science and participatory engagement, can offer more wide-ranging open access for the sharing and democratisation of knowledge. Full article

To tackle the limitations of conventional seismic design in high-intensity zones, as well as the challenges of inadequate isolation efficiency, excessive bearing displacement, and tensile stress in seismically isolated high-rise structures, this study presents a systematic solution for high-rise shear wall structures in seismic intensity 8 zones. The solution features a sparse isolator layout strategy, reducing isolator count by 40% to lower stiffness, while adding viscous dampers in the isolation layer for enhanced displacement control. Comparative nonlinear time history analyses were conducted to evaluate the inter-story shear distribution, energy dissipation allocation, and isolator responses. The results show that (1) the sparse layout achieves the best performance in controlling the bottom shear ratio and Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE)-level responses (including displacement and tensile stress); (2) viscous dampers significantly reduce the shear forces in the lower stories and the energy dissipation of both isolators and the superstructure; (3) the combined strategy successfully resolves the issues of excessive isolator displacement and tensile stress under MCE. This research offers a standardized, economical, and highly resilient technical approach for seismically isolated high-rise projects in high-intensity seismic regions. Full article

This study examines the impact of Kosovo’s matrimonial property and inheritance laws on intergenerational inheritance and family connections. It explores how the division of property during marriage or upon divorce influences inheritance outcomes and the continuity of family lineage. The research employs a comparative approach, including genealogical case studies, to analyze these effects. Findings demonstrate that legal provisions significantly influence the preservation of family property and help prevent intra-family disputes. Well-structured laws ensuring the participation of children and the surviving spouse promote gender and social equality, respect heirs’ rights, and support economic sustainability. Comparative experiences from Germany and France offer practical examples for harmonizing property management in Kosovo. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of accurate property data and the use of genealogical records to maintain continuity in material inheritance and the construction of family history. Overall, matrimonial property and inheritance laws are more than legal instruments; they uphold social order and safeguard families’ material legacies. The study concludes with concrete recommendations for policy and legal practices that address communities’ real needs while acknowledging family history. Full article

Western North Carolina (WNC), part of the Appalachian landscape, hosts a robust forest product industry but faces increasing challenges like land marginalization, warming temperatures and raw material shortages. This study evaluates the site suitability and cost-effectiveness of cultivating Populus species for high-value veneer–plywood (VP) production in WNC using the Veneer-Poplar Productivity and Economic Assessment Model (VP-PEAM). The model integrates site-specific variables (elevation, soil characteristics, landform and land-use history) to optimize site-species management strategies across diverse landscapes. Twelve scenarios are analyzed to assess how biophysical and land-use factors influence VP growth and profitability. The results show that VP productivity and profitability decline with increasing elevation, past land-use intensity, soil compaction and decreasing soil depth. All land-use types studied support profitable VP production. Yet, flood plain sites with medium-textured soils and moderate water table depths (0.61–1.83 m) offer optimal conditions. Even under suboptimal conditions, extended rotations maintain profitability, except on sites with persistent waterlogging or shallow water tables (<0.31 m). VPs generate higher annual equivalent opportunity benefits (USD 1568–USD 2763 ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in 15- to 18-year rotations) compared to non-forest land uses, suggesting their potential to enhance regional wood supply and land-use efficiency. These findings contribute to site-informed forest management and offer a modeling approach for assessing forest resilience and cost-effectiveness in Appalachian landscapes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Since October 2019, Lebanon has faced continuous sociopolitical and economic instability. Clinical psychologists have played a central role in responding to rising mental health needs, yet little is known about their own psychological well-being. Methods: This study examined mental health outcomes among 157 certified psychologists (clinical and educational psychologists) working in Lebanon. A cross-sectional study was conducted with psychologists aged 30–53 years across all Lebanese governorates, who were recruited through snowball and word-of-mouth sampling. Participants completed validated measures of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (LAS-10), perceived stress (PSS-10), subjective well-being (WHO-5), eating attitudes (EAT-26), and self-esteem (A-SISE). Results: Results showed that 44% of participants reported at least mild depressive symptoms, 14% met criteria for anxiety, and 57% experienced moderate to high perceived stress, while most showed no risk for eating disorders. Bivariate and multivariate analyses identified self-esteem as a predictive factor, negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress, and positively associated with subjective well-being. Additional risk factors included younger age, being unmarried, not having children, prior psychological history, health problems, lower income, and working as an educational rather than clinical psychologist. Conclusions: These findings highlight aspects of vulnerability among psychologists and underline the need for targeted interventions for at-risk groups. Strengthening self-esteem may contribute to enhancing clinicians’ mental health. However, these conclusions should be interpreted in light of several limitations, including the small sample size, the non-probability and gender-skewed nature of the sample, partly due to the relatively limited number of practicing psychologists in Lebanon. Full article

Donkeys (Equus asinus) are economically and ecologically important livestock species whose genetic potential remains underexplored. This review synthesizes recent advances in donkey genomics, tracing their evolutionary history while evaluating current applications in selective breeding, conservation genetics, and agricultural management. By integrating evidence from population genomics, functional genomics, and comparative evolutionary studies, we summarize major genomic discoveries and identify persistent knowledge gaps, with a focus on translating genomic information into practical breeding outcomes. High-quality reference genomes, population resequencing, and ancient DNA analyses have clarified the African origin, global dispersal history, and environmental adaptation of donkeys. Genome-wide approaches, including GWAS, QTL mapping, and multi-omics analyses, have further identified genes and regulatory pathways associated with thermotolerance, metabolism, reproduction, and milk production. Nevertheless, progress is still limited by small sample sizes, variable sequencing depth, and inconsistencies in phenotyping and bioinformatic pipelines, which constrain cross-population comparisons and practical applications. Addressing these challenges through standardized phenotyping, improved data integration, and collaborative research frameworks will lay the groundwork for effective conservation strategies and sustainable genomic breeding of global donkey populations. Full article

The South American tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Syn.: Phthorimaea absoluta), is a pest of great economic importance worldwide. Although T. absoluta shows a strong preference for tomato, it can also attack potato, eggplant, and various wild solanaceous plants, thereby posing new challenges for pest control. To assess the adaptability of this pest to different potato varieties, an age-stage, two-sex life table method was used to determine the development, survival, reproduction, and key population parameters of the pest on six common potato varieties (Hezuo No. 88, Lishu No. 6, Weiyu No. 3, Zhongshu No. 5, Qingshu No. 9, and Qingshu No. 10) in China. The results showed that T. absoluta could complete its entire life cycle on all cultivars. However, key life history parameters varied significantly. On cultivars Qingshu No. 9 and Qingshu No. 10, the pest exhibited significantly prolonged preadult duration and total pre-oviposition period (TPOP), as well as reduced adult fecundity. In contrast, Hezuo No. 88 supported the highest intrinsic rate of increase (r) and net reproductive rate (R₀). The 60-day population projections further highlighted this contrast, showing that the T. absoluta population on Hezuo No. 88 increased by a factor of 4.26 and 3.52 times compared to that on Qingshu No. 9 and Qingshu No. 10, respectively. We conclude that cultivars Qingshu No. 9 and Qingshu No. 10 exhibit antibiosis resistance against T. absoluta. This study not only provides a theoretical foundation and candidate materials for breeding pest-resistant potato varieties, but also establishes a basis for IPM strategies against T. absoluta that are founded on host resistance. Full article

This Perspective sets out to raise awareness about the chemical and photophysical properties of an assortment of blue colorants; it is generally regarded that blue is the most popular color worldwide and is recognized for its serenity and calming effect. In fact, blue colorants have a long and rich history, perhaps starting with Egyptian Blue, and have found colossal usage in the dyeing of uniforms and popular clothing. Other blue colorants have made major contributions to our understanding of the fields of molecular spectroscopy and photophysics and continue to underpin contemporary opto-electronic devices. This is in addition to their socio-cultural, economic, and ecological benefits to society. Originally, blue colorants were extracted from minerals by tedious and ineffectual grinding to give a product carrying an exorbitant price. Later, these materials were supplemented by synthetic analogues, such as copper phthalocyanine, more affordable to the general public. It is stressed that the journal Colorants would welcome submissions that describe the chemistry and/or spectroscopy of other archetypal colorants. Full article