Search Results (698)

While the explosive growth in e-commerce stresses urban logistics systems, city planners lack of fine-grained data in order to anticipate and manage the resulting freight flows. Using a three-stage analytical approach combining descriptive zonal statistics, hotspot analysis and different regression modeling from univariate to geographically weighted regression, this study integrates one year of parcel deliveries from a leading courier with open spatial layers of land-use zoning, census population, mobile-signal activity and household income to model last-mile demand across different land use types. A baseline linear regression shows that residential population alone accounts for roughly 30% of the variance in annual parcel volumes (2.5–3.0 deliveries per resident) while adding daytime workforce and income increases the prediction accuracy to 39%. In a similar approach where coefficients vary geographically with Geographically Weighted Regression to capture the local heterogeneity achieves a significant raise of the overall R² to 0.54 and surpassing 0.70 in residential and institutional districts. Hot-spot analysis reveals a highly fragmented pattern where fewer than 5% of blocks generate more than 8.5% of all deliveries with no apparent correlation to the broaden land-use classes. Commercial and administrative areas exhibit the greatest intensity (1149 deliveries per ha) yet remain the hardest to explain (global R² = 0.21) underscoring the importance of additional variables such as retail mix, street-network design and tourism flows. Through this approach, the calibrated models can be used to predict city-wide last-mile demand using only public inputs and offers a transferable, privacy-preserving template for evidence-based freight planning. By pinpointing the location and the land uses where demand concentrates, it supports targeted interventions such as micro-depots, locker allocation and dynamic curb-space management towards more sustainable and resilient urban-logistics networks. Full article

The remote sensing classification of urban functional zones provides scientific support for urban planning, land resource optimization, and ecological environment protection. However, urban functional zone classification encounters significant challenges in accuracy and efficiency due to complicated image structures, ambiguous critical features, and high computational complexity. To tackle these challenges, this work proposes a novel XT-SECA algorithm employing a strengthened efficient channel attention mechanism (SECA) to integrate the feature-extraction XGBoost branch and the feature-enhancement Transformer feedforward branch. The SECA optimizes the feature-fusion process through dynamic pooling and adaptive convolution kernel strategies, reducing feature confusion between various functional zones. XT-SECA is characterized by sufficient learning of complex image structures, effective representation of significant features, and efficient computational performance. The Futian, Luohu, and Nanshan districts in Shenzhen City are selected to conduct urban functional zone classification by XT-SECA, and they feature administrative management, technological innovation, and commercial finance functions, respectively. XT-SECA can effectively distinguish diverse functional zones such as residential zones and public management and service zones, which are easily confused by current mainstream algorithms. Compared with the commonly adopted algorithms for urban functional zone classification, including Random Forest (RF), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network, and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), XT-SECA demonstrates significant advantages in terms of overall accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and Kappa coefficient, with an accuracy enhancement of 3.78%, 42.86%, and 44.17%, respectively. The Kappa coefficient is increased by 4.53%, 51.28%, and 52.73%, respectively. Full article

Background/Objectives: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic relapsing and remitting inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as an FDA-approved treatment for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections (CDIs), with promising potential in patients with IBD. This manuscript aimed to provide a comprehensive and updated review of the available literature on fecal microbiota transplantation, its clinical use in IBD in general, as well as in patients with IBD and CDI. Methods: An extensive literature search was performed from October 2024 to March 2025. All publications available within PubMed, Medline, Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases were reviewed. All original articles, case reports, review articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses were included. Qualitative and quantitative data were both extracted. Discussion: Intestinal microbiota is an integral part of the human body, and dysbiosis (an imbalance in the gut’s microbial community) has been linked with several pathologies. Dysbiosis in IBD is marked by reduced beneficial bacteria and increased pro-inflammatory pathogens, contributing to mucosal damage and immune dysregulation. FMT has emerged as a solution to dysbiosis, with the first case recorded in 1917. FMT has been successful in treating patients with CDI. The diagnostic value of the gut microbiome is currently being explored as a possible therapeutic approach to IBD. Several studies have assessed FMT in patients with IBD and CDI with promising results in both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) but varying efficacy based on administration routes, donor selection, and processing methods. In the context of recurrent CDI in patients with IBD, FMT demonstrates a high cure rate and potential benefit in concurrently improving IBD activity. However, risks such as IBD flare-ups post-FMT remain a concern. Conclusions: FMT holds promising potential in the management of CDI in patients with IBD. By restoring microbial diversity and correcting dysbiosis, FMT offers a novel, microbiota-targeted alternative to conventional therapies. While data support its efficacy in improving disease remission, variability in outcomes underscores the need for standardized protocols and additional large-scale, controlled studies. Continued research efforts into donor selection, treatment regimens, and long-term safety will be critical to optimizing FMT’s role in IBD and CDI care as well as improving patient outcomes. Full article

Flood risk governance has gained increasing attention as climate change and urbanization amplify flood risks. While much of the literature has focused on national and supranational governance frameworks, sectoral integration, and public participation, there remains a critical gap in understanding horizontal coordination within municipal administrations—particularly in medium-sized cities. This study examines how local governments coordinate flood risk management across different departments and administrative units, identifying key challenges and enabling factors. Using a case study of Mörfelden-Walldorf, a medium-sized city in southern Hesse, Germany, we analyze the internal governance dynamics shaping flood resilience. The research highlights institutional fragmentation, sectoral silos, and resource constraints as key barriers to effective coordination while also identifying mechanisms that facilitate cross-departmental collaboration. By integrating insights from the public administration literature with flood governance scholarship, this study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of local-level flood risk governance. The findings provide practical implications for enhancing municipal flood resilience through improved governance structures and coordination mechanisms. Full article

Background and Objectives: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS), resulting from a deficiency of pulmonary surfactant (PS), can cause alveoli to collapse. Glucocorticoids reduce inflammation and are effective in reducing pulmonary swelling. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the combination of PS and budesonide in the management of NRDS. Materials and Methods: Publications between 21 May and 24 November were screened through PubMed, Cochrane and Embase. Data analysis was performed on RevMan 5.3 software. Subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate the routes of administrations. Results: The use of budesonide along with pulmonary surfactant for treating NRDS revealed the following results: (1) a reduced duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (standardized mean difference (SMD) = −1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −1.55 to −0.56, p < 0.0001); (2) reduced rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) occurrence (relative risk (RR) = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.60 to 0.86, p = 0.0003); (3) reduced duration for hospital admittance (SMD = −0.38, 95% CI = −0.64 to −0.11, p = 0.005). The occurrence of complications, i.e., sepsis, pneumothorax, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), rate of mortality, hyperglycemia and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), was not significantly different among the intervention and comparison group except for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and pulmonary hemorrhage, with their incidence being higher in the control group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: The combination of pulmonary surfactant and budesonide decreases the occurrence of BPD, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay and risk of pulmonary hemorrhage and PDA. It does not increase the risk of complications and death and is clinically safe. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mobile healthcare units (MHUs) comprise flexible, ambulatory healthcare teams that deliver community care services, particularly in underserved or remote areas. In Greece, MHUs were pivotal in epidemiological surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now evolving into a sustainable and integrated service for much-needed community-based healthcare. To support this expanded role, targeted, competency-based training is essential; however, this can pose challenges, especially in coordinating synchronous learning across geographically dispersed teams and in ensuring engagement using an online format. Methods: A nationwide, online training program was developed to improve the knowledge of the personnel members of the Hellenic National Public Health Organization’s MHUs. This program was structured focusing on four core themes: (i) prevention–health promotion; (ii) provision of care; (iii) social welfare and solidarity initiatives; and (iv) digital health skill enhancement. The program was implemented by the University of Crete’s Center for Training and Lifelong Learning from 16 January to 24 February 2025. A multidisciplinary team of 64 experts delivered 250 h of live and on-demand educational content, including health screenings, vaccination protocols, biomarker monitoring, chronic disease management, treatment adherence, organ donation awareness, counseling on social violence, and eHealth applications. Knowledge acquisition was assessed through a pre- and post-training multiple-choice test related to the core themes. Trainees’ and trainers’ qualitative feedback was evaluated using a 0–10 numerical rating scale (Likert-type). Results: A total of 873 MHU members participated in the study, including both healthcare professionals and administrative staff. The attendance rate was consistently above 90% on a daily basis. The average assessment score increased from 52.8% (pre-training) to 69.8% (post-training), indicating 17% knowledge acquisition. The paired t-test analysis demonstrated that this improvement was statistically significant (t = −8.52, p < 0.001), confirming the program’s effectiveness in enhancing knowledge. As part of the evaluation of qualitative feedback, the program was positively evaluated, with 75–80% of trainees rating key components such as content, structure, and trainer effectiveness as “Very Good” or “Excellent.” In addition, using a 0–10 scale, trainers rated the program relative to organization (9.4/10), content (8.8), and trainee engagement (8.9), confirming the program’s strength and scalability in primary care education. Conclusions: This initiative highlights the effectiveness of a structured, online training program in enhancing MHU knowledge, ensuring standardized, high-quality education that supports current primary healthcare needs. Future studies evaluating whether the increase in knowledge acquisition may also result in an improvement in the personnel’s competencies, and clinical practice will further contribute to assessing whether additional training programs may be helpful. Full article

Neonatal calves possess an immature and naïve immune system and are reliant on the intake of maternal colostrum for the passive transfer of immunoglobulins. Maternal antibodies delivered to the calf via colostrum, are crucial to prevent calfhood diseases and death. Failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) is a condition in which calves do not acquire enough maternal antibodies, mostly in the form of IgG, due to inadequate colostrum quality or delayed colostrum feeding. The diagnosis and risk factors for FTPI have been widely studied in dairy cattle; however, in beef calves, the research interest in the topic is relatively recent, and the most adequate diagnostic and preventative methods are still in development, making it difficult to define recommendations for the assessment and prevention of FTPI in cow–calf operations. The objective of this scoping review is to identify the published literature on best practices for colostrum management and transfer of passive immunity (TPI) in neonatal beef calves. The literature was searched using three electronic databases (CAB Direct, Scopus, and PubMed) for publications from 2003 to 2025. The search process was performed during the period from May to July 2023, and was repeated in January 2025. All screening processes were performed using Covidence systematic review software (Veritas Health Innovation, Melbourne, Australia). A total of 800 studies were initially identified through database searches. After removing duplicates, 346 studies were screened based on their titles and abstracts, leading to the exclusion of 260 studies. The remaining 86 studies underwent full-text screening, and 58 studies were considered eligible for data extraction. Hand-searching the references from published review papers on the subject yielded an additional five studies, bringing the total to 63 included articles. The prevalence of FTPI has been estimated to be between 5.8% and 34.5% in beef calves. Factors studied related to colostrum management include quality and quantity of colostrum intake, the timing and method of colostrum feeding, and the microbial content of the colostrum. Studies on risk factors related to the calf include the topics calf sex, twin status, calf vigor, weight, month of birth, cortisol and epinephrine concentrations, and the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to calves after difficult calving. The dam-related risk factors studied include dam body condition score and udder conformation, breed, parity, genetics, prepartum vaccinations and nutrition, calving area and difficulty, and the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at C-section. Most importantly for beef systems, calves with low vigor and a weak suckling reflex are at high risk for FTPI; therefore, these calves should be given extra attention to ensure an adequate consumption of colostrum. While serum IgG levels of < 8 g/L or < 10 g/L have been suggested as cutoffs for the diagnosis of FTPI, 16 g/L and 24 g/L have emerged as cutoffs for adequate and optimal serum IgG levels in beef calves. Several field-ready diagnostics have been compared in various studies to the reference standards for measuring indicators of TPI in beef calves, where results often differ between models or manufacturers. Therefore, care must be taken when interpreting these results. Full article

The digital transformation of the Architecture, Engineering and Construction sector is accelerating the adoption of digital platforms as critical enablers of data integration, stakeholder collaboration and process optimization. This paper presents a systematic review of 125 peer-reviewed journal articles (2015–2025), selected through a PRISMA-guided search using the Scopus database, with inclusion criteria focused on English-language academic literature on platform-enabled digitalization in the built environment. Studies were grouped into six thematic domains, i.e., artificial intelligence in construction, digital twin integration, lifecycle cost management, BIM-GIS for underground utilities, energy systems and public administration, based on a combination of literature precedent and domain relevance. Unlike existing reviews focused on single technologies or sectors, this work offers a cross-sectoral synthesis, highlighting shared challenges and opportunities across disciplines and lifecycle stages. It identifies the functional roles, enabling technologies and systemic barriers affecting digital platform adoption, such as fragmented data sources, limited interoperability between systems and siloed organizational processes. These barriers hinder the development of integrated and adaptive digital ecosystems capable of supporting real-time decision-making, participatory planning and sustainable infrastructure management. The study advocates for modular, human-centered platforms underpinned by standardized ontologies, explainable AI and participatory governance models. It also highlights the importance of emerging technologies, including large language models and federated learning, as well as context-specific platform strategies, especially for applications in the Global South. Full article

Community-based systems present a key option for water services, especially in rural areas. Our goal is to achieve a state-of-the-art understanding of joint rural water supply development in Finland over 150 years. A mixed-methods approach was used: a literature survey and a questionnaire to selected experts. Based on the literature, a table including 23 decisions considered the most influential strategic events from 1872 to 2022 was produced. The table was sent to 10 selected experts known to be deeply familiar with the theme, all of whom replied. Joint rural water services in Finland have evolved based on demand through co-operative principles. The first documented scheme was constructed in 1872, while governmental financial support to rural water services started in 1951. It expanded in various forms until it dramatically declined in recent years. Multi-locality may increase the need for these services in the future. The expert survey revealed the following most influential long-term decisions: the first official water co-operative established in 1907, the land reform for immigrants and war veterans introduced in 1945, the Committee for Rationalisation of Households established in 1950, the start of domestic manufacturing of plastic pipes in 1954, and the Water Act enacted in 1962 to start water pollution control. This paper reminds us that urban and rural services are not contradictory but can supplement each other. Full article

Increasing the use of healthcare facilities has resulted in the growing production of biomedical waste, which poses health risks to users, health professionals, and the environment. The aim of this research is to study the correlation between governance in Togo’s public health facilities and the quality of biomedical waste management within these facilities. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study conducted from September to December 2024. It involved 264 public health facilities of all types in all health regions of Togo. Health facilities were selected using the simple random selection technique. Healthcare providers were selected using the reasoned choice technique. The statistical tests used were the chi-square test and logistic regression, which enabled proportions to be compared and confounding factors to be eliminated, respectively. Results: Multivariate analysis revealed a statistically significant association between the organization and training component of governance and the quality of biomedical waste management (BMWM) in health facilities (OR = 3.79; 95% CI [1.79–8.03]; p < 0.001). This relationship suggests that health facilities with functional infection prevention and control (ICP) or BMWM committees, trained staff at all levels (nursing, technical, and administrative), and dedicated waste management personnel are more likely to implement compliant waste management practices. Analyses of the data also revealed that, among the criteria for assessing the quality of biomedical waste management (BMWM), the most significant were sorting (OR = 1.482; 95% CI [1.286; 1.708]), quantification (OR = 2.026; 95% CI [1.491; 2.753]), transportation (OR = 1.403; 95% CI [1.187; 1.66]), and disposal infrastructure (OR = 1.604; 95% CI [1.298; 1.982]). The application of this grid shows that 17.8% of the health facilities surveyed had a score equal to or above 80% on all the criteria used to assess the quality of biomedical waste management, and they were therefore managing waste in an “acceptable” manner. The study highlights key findings in biomedical waste management practices, providing actionable insights for improving public health safety. Full article

Ensuring the trustworthiness of artificial intelligence (AI) systems is critical as they become increasingly integrated into domains like healthcare, finance, and public administration. This paper explores frameworks and metrics for evaluating AI trustworthiness, focusing on key principles such as fairness, transparency, privacy, and security. This study is guided by two central questions: how can trust in AI systems be systematically measured across the AI lifecycle, and what are the trade-offs involved when optimizing for different trustworthiness dimensions? By examining frameworks such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF), the AI Trust Framework and Maturity Model (AI-TMM), and ISO/IEC standards, this study bridges theoretical insights with practical applications. We identify major risks across the AI lifecycle stages and outline various metrics to address challenges in system reliability, bias mitigation, and model explainability. This study includes a comparative analysis of existing standards and their application across industries to illustrate their effectiveness. Real-world case studies, including applications in healthcare, financial services, and autonomous systems, demonstrate approaches to applying trust metrics. The findings reveal that achieving trustworthiness involves navigating trade-offs between competing metrics, such as fairness versus efficiency or privacy versus transparency, and emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for robust AI governance. Emerging trends suggest the need for adaptive frameworks for AI trustworthiness that evolve alongside advancements in AI technologies. This paper contributes to the field by proposing a comprehensive review of existing frameworks with guidelines for building resilient, ethical, and transparent AI systems, ensuring their alignment with regulatory requirements and societal expectations. Full article

In recent years, the concept of the commons has gained relevance across academic, legal and civic spheres as an alternative framework for managing shared resources. Rooted in Elinor Ostrom’s seminal work on collective governance, contemporary debates on the commons increasingly challenge the traditional binary of private versus public ownership by foregrounding the social function of these resources and the role of their communities in their administration. Urban commons, in particular, have emerged as dynamic spaces of experimentation, where local actors reclaim underutilised or abandoned assets and activate them through bottom-up processes of care, cultural production, and civic innovation. While international literature provides a robust conceptual foundation for understanding commoning practices, their practical implementation mostly depends on local specificities, such as legal and social contexts. Despite the important milestone of the Rodotà Commission’s proposal (2007) and Law 168/2017 on collective domains, the Italian regulatory framework remains highly fragmented, with regional and municipal regulations pioneering policies and practices frequently driven by community-led efforts to redefine the use and governance of public assets. This paper contributes to the growing debate on urban commons by investigating how, since 2011, experiences of collaborative care of the commons in Southern Italy have rekindled interest in the issue raised in 2007, highlighting a strong connection between the regulatory and social dimensions of these processes. The study develops a methodological framework—the COMmons Places ASSessment (COMPASS)—to evaluate the enabling conditions and governance dynamics of these processes. The research specifically focuses on five case studies in the Campania region, where diverse actors have mobilised to reclaim and transform public heritage through cultural, social, and creative activities. From the results, insights on collective management practices emerge potentials and criticalities of the analysed governance, as well as of the designed decision-making process and their effectiveness for the open, participatory, and sustainable management of urban commons. Full article

Introduction: In 2008, Mexico initiated its national HPV vaccination program targeting adolescent girls. This study aims to evaluate the current status of the program, analyzing trends in vaccine acquisition, administration, and coverage over a 16-year period. Materials and Methods: A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted using secondary data from 2008 to 2023. Official records from three major public health institutions—IMSS, ISSSTE, and SSA—were reviewed to assess HPV vaccine procurement and administration. Results: Significant fluctuations were identified in the number of doses acquired, administered, and the corresponding coverage rates. A marked decline was observed between 2019 and 2021, followed by a sharp increase in 2022 and 2023. Over the entire period, an estimated 6.8 million doses were not administered to the intended target population. Furthermore, 2.6 million doses were administered in excess of the number officially acquired, indicating possible discrepancies in data reporting or vaccine inventory management. Discussion: The findings revealed substantial inconsistencies in vaccine procurement, administration, and coverage across institutions. While IMSS and ISSSTE consistently reported coverage below the theoretical target, SSA occasionally exceeded expectations, potentially compensating for deficits elsewhere. Nevertheless, national coverage remained inadequate in several years, with notable disparities between institutions. These gaps highlight systemic weaknesses in program coordination, planning, and data transparency, contributing to millions of unvaccinated individuals. Conclusions: This study offers a comprehensive analysis of Mexico’s HPV vaccination program, uncovering critical irregularities in its implementation. Challenges include inaccurate target population estimation, inconsistencies between vaccine acquisition and administration, and limited data reliability. Despite some progress in recent years, particularly in the post-pandemic years, the program requires urgent restructuring. This includes implementing a national catch-up strategy, expanding vaccine eligibility, and strengthening surveillance systems to ensure equitable and effective coverage toward the elimination of cervical cancer. Full article

This study investigates how inclusive leadership, mentorship, and digital tools shape conflict prevention and social cohesion within the Greek public sector. Employing a cross-sectional quantitative design, data were collected from 203 employees across municipalities, ministries, regional, and decentralized administrations. The survey instrument captured four dimensions: leadership and mediation for social cohesion, mentorship for the empowerment of vulnerable groups, use of digital tools, and the perceived social impact of inadequate conflict management. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to test direct and indirect effects, evaluate the explanatory and predictive power of the model, and explore the mediation mechanisms linking leadership, mentorship, and digital tools to social cohesion. The results demonstrate that both leadership and mentorship are positively perceived and significantly interrelated, jointly enhancing workplace cohesion and trust. Mentorship emerged as a critical predictor of digital tool adoption, highlighting its role as a bridge for digital inclusion and organizational innovation. In contrast, digital tools, despite their high importance in the model, remain underutilized and require further investment in training and integration. Poor conflict management is perceived as a major organizational risk, strongly linked to increased stress, diminished trust, and a deteriorated workplace climate. These findings highlight the value of integrating mentorship and inclusive leadership with mediation and digital technologies, supporting the development of hybrid strategies for conflict management. The study enriches theoretical debates on organizational resilience and social cohesion, while offering practical recommendations for modernizing public administration through participatory leadership, targeted mentoring programs, and the thoughtful adoption of digital solutions. Full article

Approximately two decades after the approval of POCP, and following an assessment of the need for an accounting system that meets the demands of proper planning, accountability, and financial control, the SNC-AP was introduced. This system, regulated by 27 Public Accounting Standards, has faced challenges in its implementation. Therefore, it is relevant to analyze how managers of Portuguese higher education institutions (HEIs) perceive this issue. The objective of this research is to determine whether HEI managers use management control tools, which management control models are adopted, and the difficulties encountered in their implementation. To achieve this, a qualitative empirical study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 12 administrators and financial directors from Portuguese higher education institutions (HEIs). The results show that management accounting is complex and challenging to implement. Portuguese HEIs are still in the early stages of adopting these tools, with progress limited to defining activities and cost centers. Conditions have not yet been established to calculate, for example, the cost per course, student, project, or service, as outlined in NCP27 of the SNC-AP. Full article