Search Results (26)

The accelerating frequency of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) in livestock poses a significant threat to global food security, as well as to animal and public health. While wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) has advanced significantly for human health surveillance, its application to livestock production systems remains fragmented and lacks standardization. This review synthesizes current evidence on livestock wastewater-based surveillance (L-WBS) as an early-warning sentinel for emerging viral pathogens, evaluating their dynamics, economic impacts, biosecurity measures, and One Health implications. Existing studies demonstrate that L-WBS effectively detects emerging viral pathogens in agricultural effluent, swine manure, and municipal wastewater systems serving livestock regions, frequently preceding clinical outbreak recognition. We further conceptualized a multifactorial framework linking environmental drivers such as climate and ecological disruption and agricultural intensification to pathogen emergence dynamics. Economic assessments show substantial direct losses (approximately US$ 950 per H5N1-infected dairy cow and US$ 25.9 billion in African swine fever virus (ASFV)-related damages across China) alongside indirect costs from biosecurity implementation, workforce disruption, and supply-chain instability. We recommend prioritizing methodological standardization through unified sampling and extraction protocols, integration of next-generation sequencing for genomic surveillance, and cross-sectoral policy frameworks to operationalize L-WBS as a global early-warning infrastructure for mitigating zoonotic spillover and livestock-dependent community resilience. Full article

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. Mammography is the cornerstone of population-based breast cancer screening, significantly improving prognosis and survival outcomes. However, limitations related to diagnostic accuracy, efficacy, and inequitable access persist. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have transformed AI-assisted mammography into a next-generation diagnostic strategy capable of enhancing screening performance within integrated diagnostic pathways. This narrative review examined whether AI-assisted mammography could serve as an effective next-generation diagnostic approach for breast cancer screening in global healthcare settings. Following PRISMA guidelines, studies were systematically screened using predefined eligibility criteria and quality appraisal with the CASP checklist, resulting in the inclusion of fourteen selected studies for analysis. Thematic synthesis identified three key domains: benefits, challenges, and stakeholder perspectives. AI-assisted mammography demonstrated improved cancer detection rates, enhanced diagnostic accuracy, reduced workload, and reduced recalls. However, challenges related to legal, ethical and social issues as well as transferability remain significant. Stakeholder perspectives emphasised the importance of human oversight, interdisciplinary collaboration, and workforce readiness. In conclusion, AI-assisted mammography offers significant promise as a next-generation diagnostic strategy, but successful translation into clinical practice requires substantial systemic, organisational, and practice-level changes across healthcare settings. Full article

Introduction: The potential aggravation of the shortage of skilled professionals in surgical specialties presents challenges. The lack of work–life balance and the pressure of training may deter aspiring surgeons. Surgical disciplines still remain predominantly male so that feminization combined with factors such as part-time work and pregnancy-related absence may aggravate workforce shortages. Studies show that the next generation of physicians places more value on work–life balance and seeks a pleasant work environment. This raises the question of whether these developments pose a threat to the future of surgical disciplines or whether generational change may also offer new opportunities. Methodology: This prospective observational study was conducted among a cohort of third-year medical students at a medical university in Germany. A non-validated, self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Responses on the Likert scale were dichotomized and the results were statistically analysed using chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: Job expectations differed only marginally across specialties. Students generally rated work–life balance and a pleasant work environment significantly higher than career, income or prestige. Students interested in surgery place significantly less emphasis on work–life balance than non-surgical peers, particularly in orthopedics and trauma surgery (77% vs. 90%, p = 0.025). There was a significant association between interest in surgical specialties and leadership ambitions. Male students were significantly more likely than females to aspire to leadership roles (58.1% vs. 32.7%, p = 0.001) and to choose surgical specialties (46.0% vs. 28.3%, p = 0.018). Female students were not significantly less interested in trauma surgery. Conclusions: Although our data interpretation should be drawn with caution, the increasing feminization of medicine does not appear to exacerbate the shortage of physicians in trauma surgery. In our cohort, we made the indicative suggestion that aspiring surgeons might be willing to trade leisure for career advancement. Specialized curricula could promote identification with the field and develop leadership skills, so that an initial attachment to a specific specialty endures throughout medical studies and results in a corresponding choice of specialty. Full article

Seafood processing environments represent some of the most demanding hygienic settings in the global food sector. High humidity, variable temperatures, and heavy organic residues promote the persistence of Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio spp., and Salmonella spp., making sanitation both critical and inherently complex. This review synthesizes recent advances in hygienic design, sanitation technologies, and workforce safety as interconnected elements of a single “hygiene continuum.” Building upon Codex, FDA, and European hygiene frameworks (2020–2024), the review examines how engineering design, Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) systems, and occupational hygiene jointly determine microbial control, sustainability, and workforce well-being. Particular focus is given to biofilm dynamics, emerging disinfection technologies, and automation through cleaning-in-place (CIP) and cleaning-out-of-place (COP) systems. Recent trends—including digital monitoring, eco-efficient cleaning, and human-centered facility design—are discussed as drivers of next-generation hygiene management. Collectively, these insights demonstrate that hygienic performance in seafood processing is not a fixed endpoint but a living system linking design, management, and human behavior toward safe, sustainable, and resilient seafood production. Full article

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading causes of death from a single infectious agent worldwide, a burden further exacerbated by HIV co-infection and the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant strains. Although a wide range of laboratory diagnostic methods are currently available, their applicability, implementation, and clinical impact vary substantially across healthcare settings with different levels of complexity and resources. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the main laboratory diagnostic methods for active and latent TB, emphasizing their clinical applicability, implementation challenges, and role within integrated diagnostic strategies. Conventional approaches, such as smear microscopy and culture, are discussed alongside modern diagnostic technologies, including automated nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), line probe assays (LPAs), next-generation sequencing (NGS), and lateral flow assays, highlighting their strengths and limitations in distinct epidemiological and operational contexts. Unlike existing WHO guidelines and prior reviews that predominantly focus on test performance and recommendation status, this review adopts an implementation-oriented perspective, critically examining diagnostic methods in light of real-world constraints, regional disparities, and evidence gaps. Particular attention is given to limitations related to laboratory infrastructure, biosafety, workforce capacity, and sustainability, as well as to under-addressed areas such as latent TB, metagenomic approaches, and the investigation of co-pathogens. By integrating WHO guidance with contextual and operational considerations, this review aims to support rational test selection and the development of flexible, integrated diagnostic workflows tailored to local health system capacity, patient populations, and clinical scenarios, thereby strengthening the effectiveness and equity of TB diagnostic strategies. Full article

Safe transport of critically ill infants and children is an essential component of high-quality, pediatric regionalized care. The modern transport environment blends principles of critical care medicine, aviation physiology, provider training, and coordinated systems of care. This review provides an updated examination of current practices in neonatal and pediatric transport, including team structure, clinical bundles, operational considerations, and emerging technologies. Special attention is given to rapidly evolving areas, including data-informed dispatch, real-time clinical decision support, and next-generation devices. The review closes with a discussion of future priorities for research, workforce development, and system design. Full article

Preventive immunology is emerging as a cornerstone of animal infectious disease control within One Health, shifting emphasis from treatment to prevention. This review integrates mechanistic insights in host immunity with a comparative evaluation of next-generation interventions—mRNA/DNA and viral-vector vaccines, nanovaccines, monoclonal antibodies, cytokine modulators, probiotics/postbiotics, bacteriophages, and CRISPR-based approaches—highlighting their immunogenicity, thermostability, delivery, and field readiness. Distinct from prior reviews, we appraise diagnostics as preventive tools (point-of-care assays, biosensors, MALDI-TOF MS, AI-enabled analytics) that enable early detection, risk prediction, and targeted interventions, and we map quantifiable links between successful prevention and reduced antimicrobial use. We embed translation factors—regulatory alignment, scalable manufacturing, workforce capacity, equitable access in LMICs, and public trust—alongside environmental and zoonotic interfaces that shape antimicrobial resistance dynamics. We also provide a critical analysis of limitations and failure cases: gene editing may require stacked edits and concurrent vaccination; phage programs must manage host range, resistance, stability, and regulation; and probiotic benefits remain context-specific. Finally, we present a risk–benefit–readiness framework and a time-bound research agenda to guide deployment and evaluation across animal–human–environmental systems. Coordinating scientific innovation with governance and ethics can measurably reduce disease burden, curb antimicrobial consumption, and improve health outcomes across species. Full article

This review presents a synthesis of global research on precision forestry, a field that integrates advanced technologies to enhance—rather than replace—established tools and methods used in the operational forest management and the wood products industry. By evaluating 210 peer-reviewed publications indexed in Web of Science (up to 2025), the study identifies six main categories and eight components of precision forestry. The findings indicate that “forest management and planning” is the most common category, with nearly half of the studies focusing on this topic. “Remote sensing platforms and sensors” emerged as the most frequently used component, with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems being the most widely adopted tools. The analysis also reveals a notable increase in precision forestry research since the early 2010s, coinciding with rapid developments in small UAVs and mobile sensor technologies. Despite growing interest, robotics and real-time process control systems remain underutilized, mainly due to challenging forest conditions and high implementation costs. The research highlights geographical disparities, with Europe, Asia, and North America hosting the majority of studies. Italy, China, Finland, and the United States stand out as the most active countries in terms of research output. Notably, the review emphasizes the need to integrate precision forestry into academic curricula and support industry adoption through dedicated information and technology specialists. As the forestry workforce ages and technology advances rapidly, a growing skills gap exists between industry needs and traditional forestry education. Equipping the next generation with hands-on experience in big data analysis, geospatial technologies, automation, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is critical for ensuring the effective adoption and application of precision forestry. Full article

By 2040, more than 80 million Americans will be aged ≥65, yet contemporary senior living communities still operate on a hospitality-first model developed for healthier cohorts three decades ago. This commentary argues that the next generation of senior living must pivot from hotel-style amenities to person-centric health platforms that proactively coordinate medical, functional, and social support. We outline four mutually reinforcing pillars. (1) Data infrastructure that stitches together clinical, functional, and social determinants of health enables continuous risk stratification and early intervention. (2) Ambient and conversational artificial-intelligence tools can extend sparse caregiving workforces while preserving resident autonomy. (3) Value-based contractual arrangements—for example, Medicare Advantage special-needs plans embedded within senior living sites—can realign financial incentives toward prevention rather than occupancy. (4) Targeted policy levers, including low-income housing tax credits for the “forgotten middle” and outcomes-based regulatory frameworks, can catalyze adoption at scale. Ultimately, re-architecting senior living around integrated technology, value-based financing and supportive regulation can transform these communities into preventive-care hubs that delay nursing home entry, improve quality of life, and reduce total cost of care. Full article

This paper aims to provide a framework for educators to effectively navigate the complexities of artificial intelligence (AI) integration while maintaining the core principles of effective teaching and learning, specifically through the lenses of Dewey’s experiential learning, situated cognition, and distributed cognition. By examining these principles, we explore the essential role of the teacher in this context and the implications of ignoring AI. The integration of AI can enhance personalized learning experiences, facilitate adaptive learning systems, and support educators in fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students. Additionally, we highlight the challenges and ethical concerns associated with AI use in education. We argue that AI should be viewed as a tool that enhances, rather than replaces, the role of educators, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the educator’s role in guiding and supporting student learning. This framework serves as a valuable resource for educators seeking to embrace AI’s potential while ensuring that teaching remains centered on student engagement and successfully achieving learning outcomes as we prepare the next generation to be an AI-ready workforce. Full article

This paper presents a novel AI-driven conceptual smart model designed to help organizations enhance workforce professional development by upskilling and reskilling employees while fostering job satisfaction and staying competitive in their markets; this novel model is called Professional Development Analytics (PDA). The model’s main focus is to provide a new design model that concentrates on how artificial intelligence (AI) can optimize personalized training and how it can improve employees’ technical and soft skills, enabling companies to create their talent map at the same time. By compiling personnel data and their roles within the company, AI is able to create detailed and personalized profiles. In the next stage, this information is classified, analyzed, and used to enhance current skills while also predicting future training needs. These processes result in the creation of personalized learning paths, where AI recommends customized courses tailored to each employee’s unique needs. The system will be automatically fed and adjusted by means of the gathered data and continuous feedback from the employees and their supervisors. The proposed AI tools are powered by machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, generative AI and data analytics. Our model aims to support learning and development departments by delivering precise, personalized training solutions that address employees’ unique needs, enabling skill development and professional growth through an automated and customized process. Full article

This article critically analyses and compares the sustainability orientation of Generation Z in India and the United States and examines its role in their employer selection, using the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Our qualitative study employs the Narrative Inquiry method and includes 30 participants—15 from India and 15 from the United States—aged between 19 and 26 years, who are either currently employed or preparing to enter the workforce within the next few years. Data were collected through in-depth interviews. The findings of our research show that subjective norms and contextual realities can play a significant role in shaping Generation Z’s personal attitudes towards sustainability and their perceived behavioural control in making important life decisions, such as choosing an employer. These findings contribute significantly to the literature on Generation Z’s sustainability orientation and bear important implications for the higher education sector and employers. Full article

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have set the agenda for 2030, calling for collective global efforts to deal with climate change while seeking a balance between economic development and environmental protection. Although many countries are exploring emission reduction paths, mainly from government and corporate perspectives, addressing climate change is also an individual responsibility and requires public participation in collective action. The millennial generation constitutes the current workforce and will be the leaders in climate action for the next 30 years. Therefore, our study focuses on the Chinese millennial generation, conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews with 50 participants in qualitative research to explore their low-carbon lifestyles, the barriers, and enablers in switching to a wider range of low-carbon lifestyles. There are three main results: (1) Based on our study samples, there is an indication that Chinese millennials have a positive attitude towards transitioning to a low-carbon lifestyle. Women demonstrate a stronger willingness to adopt low-carbon behaviors in their daily household activities compared to men. However, their involvement in governance in the context of transitioning to a low-carbon society is limited, with most women assuming execution roles in climate action rather than decision-making positions. (2) Millennial’s low-carbon life transition is accompanied by technological innovation and progress. However, this progress brings some new forms of resource waste, and reasonable policy-making is essential. (3) Personal economic interests and the satisfaction of their consumption needs will drive millennials to reduce carbon emissions in their daily lives, but it requires the guidance of reasonable policy-making and synergies among various stakeholders. This research will help policymakers better understand the current status and potential issues related to people’s low-carbon actions, enabling the formulation of more rational guiding policies. It can also help other stakeholders learn about millennials’ demands and take more effective collective action toward carbon reduction. Full article

This study highlights the need to recognize and train agricultural workers in essential non-technical skills to enhance workforce effectiveness and sustainability within the agriculture sector. Focused on the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia, the research involved initial semi-structured interviews with three agricultural training managers to identify relevant non-technical skills for food and fibre workplaces. Representatives from twenty Gippsland food and fibre businesses were then surveyed to rate these identified skills across different workforce segments: (a) seasonal workers, (b) entry-level workers, (c) supervisors, and (d) managers. Descriptive statistics, including frequency counts, means, and standard deviations, were used to analyze the responses. Employer ratings for skill needs were weighted against the number of workers employed in each workforce segment. Key non-technical skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and cross-cultural competence were found to be in high demand, particularly among seasonal and entry-level workers. However, there is a significant gap between the importance of these skills and their prioritization in accredited training programs. Addressing this gap is crucial for investing in a skilled and adaptable agricultural sector that is competitive and sustainable. The theoretical understandings derived from this study’s results warrant further research and replication in diverse commodity sectors and locations within Australia and internationally. Full article

With the intensification of the effects of climate change, the urgent need to address their drivers, especially greenhouse gas emissions, has become essential. In this context, forests offer a robust solution, with their potential to store and mitigate carbon emissions. However, striking a balance is critical given the significant economic contribution of the forestry and wood-based industries, which account for about 5% of Romania’s GDP and employ 6% (around 300 thousand) of its active workforce. This study, conducted in the Piatra Craiului National Park located in Romania’s Southern Carpathians, we utilize the EFISCEN application to generate three distinct 50-year forest evolution scenarios based on harvest intensity, namely Business As Usual (BAU), Maximum Intensity (MAX), and No Harvest (MIN), on two historical different managed forests, i.e., conservation and production. The study aims to guide forest owners in decision making with scenario modeling tools, with the objectives of assessing the forest carbon sequestration potential and evaluating the economic feasibility. In the most probable scenario, the BAU scenario, the growing stock increases from 2.6 million m³ to 3.8 million m³ over 50 years, with a more than 40% increase. Comparing the carbon stock change for all tree harvest scenario types indicates that the MIN scenario has the highest carbon sink capacity in the next 50 years; the BAU scenario is a well-balanced option between carbon sink and wood provision and has an optimal EUR 3.7 million in annual revenue. The MAX scenario can boost the growth and increase the annual revenue from wood by 35% but is effective only for a short time and thus has the smallest calculated revenue in time. Achieving a win–win relationship between carbon sequestration and wood supply is imperative, as well as good planning and scenarios to contribute to climate mitigation and also as provisions for local communities and to sustain the local economy. Full article