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Search Results (91)

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Keywords = science-stakeholder interaction

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81 pages, 11973 KiB  
Article
Designing and Evaluating XR Cultural Heritage Applications Through Human–Computer Interaction Methods: Insights from Ten International Case Studies
by Jolanda Tromp, Damian Schofield, Pezhman Raeisian Parvari, Matthieu Poyade, Claire Eaglesham, Juan Carlos Torres, Theodore Johnson, Teele Jürivete, Nathan Lauer, Arcadio Reyes-Lecuona, Daniel González-Toledo, María Cuevas-Rodríguez and Luis Molina-Tanco
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(14), 7973; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15147973 - 17 Jul 2025
Viewed by 619
Abstract
Advanced three-dimensional extended reality (XR) technologies are highly suitable for cultural heritage research and education. XR tools enable the creation of realistic virtual or augmented reality applications for curating and disseminating information about cultural artifacts and sites. Developing XR applications for cultural heritage [...] Read more.
Advanced three-dimensional extended reality (XR) technologies are highly suitable for cultural heritage research and education. XR tools enable the creation of realistic virtual or augmented reality applications for curating and disseminating information about cultural artifacts and sites. Developing XR applications for cultural heritage requires interdisciplinary collaboration involving strong teamwork and soft skills to manage user requirements, system specifications, and design cycles. Given the diverse end-users, achieving high precision, accuracy, and efficiency in information management and user experience is crucial. Human–computer interaction (HCI) design and evaluation methods are essential for ensuring usability and return on investment. This article presents ten case studies of cultural heritage software projects, illustrating the interdisciplinary work between computer science and HCI design. Students from institutions such as the State University of New York (USA), Glasgow School of Art (UK), University of Granada (Spain), University of Málaga (Spain), Duy Tan University (Vietnam), Imperial College London (UK), Research University Institute of Communication & Computer Systems (Greece), Technical University of Košice (Slovakia), and Indiana University (USA) contributed to creating, assessing, and improving the usability of these diverse cultural heritage applications. The results include a structured typology of CH XR application scenarios, detailed insights into design and evaluation practices across ten international use cases, and a development framework that supports interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder integration in phygital cultural heritage projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies Applied to Cultural Heritage)
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13 pages, 839 KiB  
Perspective
Inclusion in Motion: Promoting Equitable Physical Activity and Health in Childhood and Adolescence
by Vidar Sandsaunet Ulset, Luca Oppici, Karin Hamre, James Robert Rudd, Annett Victoria Stornæs, Heidi Marian Haraldsen and Reidar Säfvenbom
Children 2025, 12(7), 942; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12070942 - 17 Jul 2025
Viewed by 189
Abstract
Inclusion in play, physical education, outdoor life, organized sports, and other movement-based activities can promote resilience and support physical, emotional, and social well-being. These arenas are particularly important for reducing health disparities and preventing social marginalization across the lifespan. Yet, children and adolescents [...] Read more.
Inclusion in play, physical education, outdoor life, organized sports, and other movement-based activities can promote resilience and support physical, emotional, and social well-being. These arenas are particularly important for reducing health disparities and preventing social marginalization across the lifespan. Yet, children and adolescents from vulnerable or disadvantaged backgrounds encounter persistent barriers to participation, rooted in broader inequalities related to their socioeconomic position, disability, gender, ethnicity, and access to supportive environments. This perspective outlines how inclusive movement contexts, when informed by developmental systems theory and resilience frameworks, can interrupt trajectories of marginalization and promote long-term equity in health, education, and work inclusion. We emphasize the need for interdisciplinary approaches, combining longitudinal and qualitative methods, to uncover how vulnerability and participation interact dynamically over time. By integrating insights from developmental science, education, public health, and spatial ecology, we identify strategic pathways for research and action. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated efforts across sectors and stakeholders to co-create inclusive, context-sensitive interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting Healthy Lifestyles in Children and Adolescents)
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23 pages, 2709 KiB  
Review
Digital Technologies in Urban Regeneration: A Systematic Literature Review from the Perspectives of Stakeholders, Scales, and Stages
by Xiaer Xiahou, Xingyuan Ding, Peng Chen, Yuchong Qian and Hongyu Jin
Buildings 2025, 15(14), 2455; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15142455 - 12 Jul 2025
Viewed by 365
Abstract
Urban regeneration, as a key strategy for promoting sustainable development of urban areas, requires innovative digital technologies to address increasingly complex urban challenges in its implementation. With the fast advancement of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and [...] Read more.
Urban regeneration, as a key strategy for promoting sustainable development of urban areas, requires innovative digital technologies to address increasingly complex urban challenges in its implementation. With the fast advancement of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and big data, these technologies have extensively penetrated various dimensions of urban regeneration, from planning and design to implementation and post-operation management, providing new possibilities for improving urban regeneration efficiency and quality. However, the existing literature lacks a systematic evaluation of technology application patterns across different project scales and phases, comprehensive analysis of stakeholder–technology interactions, and quantitative assessment of technology distribution throughout the urban regeneration lifecycle. This research gap limits the in-depth understanding of how digital technologies can better support urban regeneration practices. This study aims to identify and quantify digital technology application patterns across urban regeneration stages, scales, and stakeholder configurations through systematic analysis of 56 high-quality articles from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Using a mixed-methods approach combining a systematic literature review, bibliometric analysis, and meta-analysis, we categorized seven major digital technology types and analyzed their distribution patterns. Key findings reveal distinct temporal patterns: GIS and BIM/CIM technologies dominate in the pre-urban regeneration (Pre-UR) stage (10% and 12% application proportions, respectively). GIS applications increase significantly to 14% in post-urban regeneration (Post-UR) stage, while AI technology remains underutilized across all phases (2% in Pre-UR, decreasing to 1% in Post-UR). Meta-analysis reveals scale-dependent technology adoption patterns, with different technologies showing varying effectiveness at building-level, district-level, and city-level implementations. Research challenges include stakeholder digital divides, scale-dependent adoption barriers, and phase-specific implementation gaps. This study constructs a multi-dimensional analytical framework for digital technology support in urban regeneration, providing quantitative evidence for optimizing technology selection strategies. The framework offers practical guidance for policymakers and practitioners in developing context-appropriate digital technology deployment strategies for urban regeneration projects. Full article
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27 pages, 5103 KiB  
Article
Attitudes to Exotic Parakeets: A Comparative Case Study and Citizen Science Review
by Ian D. Rotherham and Miles J. Watchman
Diversity 2025, 17(6), 423; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17060423 - 16 Jun 2025
Viewed by 724
Abstract
Invasive, non-native species are recognised as a global problem, and their dispersal and introduction are controversial topics. However, a source of particular interest is that of human–nature interactions and consequent perceptions of natives and non-natives, an issue complicated by misunderstandings of history and [...] Read more.
Invasive, non-native species are recognised as a global problem, and their dispersal and introduction are controversial topics. However, a source of particular interest is that of human–nature interactions and consequent perceptions of natives and non-natives, an issue complicated by misunderstandings of history and sometimes of science. Furthermore, there are only few studies on the perceptions of exotic species by people living in a region subject to invasion. The research compared local stakeholder responses to a non-native invasive bird (ring-necked parakeet Psittacula krameri Scopoli) in two areas with contrasting scenarios regarding the history of establishment, their spread, and their current status. In both locations, parakeets were considered by respondents to be attractive, but where long-established, they were also viewed as a nuisance. Desire for or tolerance of active control measures also increased in areas with a well-established population in comparison to where parakeets were still viewed as a novelty. Increased encounters between native birds and invasive parakeets influenced attitudes towards possible controls. An online survey gathered stakeholder responses, and long-term citizen science and action research were combined with data from Local Environmental Records Centres and ornithological recording groups for each region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Birds in Temperate and Tropical Forests—2nd Edition)
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12 pages, 264 KiB  
Essay
The Lack of Researchers: A Critical Threat to Studies on Freshwater Zooplankton in Latin America
by Carlos López, Claudia Bonecker, Gilmar Perbiche-Neves and Manuel Elías-Gutiérrez
Diversity 2025, 17(6), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17060381 - 28 May 2025
Viewed by 984
Abstract
We highlight the lack of researchers studying freshwater zooplankton in Latin America and contextualize it within the global extinction of taxonomists, global loss of biodiversity, and regional reality to visualize the intensity of this threat and possible strategies for addressing it. The scarcity [...] Read more.
We highlight the lack of researchers studying freshwater zooplankton in Latin America and contextualize it within the global extinction of taxonomists, global loss of biodiversity, and regional reality to visualize the intensity of this threat and possible strategies for addressing it. The scarcity of researchers working on freshwater zooplankton currently threatens the future of these studies in the world. This global trend of the decreasing interest of scientists and local governments in learning about this important component of freshwater biodiversity is more accentuated in Latin America by regional drivers, such as brain drain, a lack of support by stakeholders, and the absence of planning for the rational use and conservation of this essential natural resource. All these drivers interact and have more dramatic consequences for regional research due to the recent reduction in government funds for science in some of these countries. In the context of Global Change; a loss of biodiversity due to this fact; and the misuse of drainage basins, overexploitation, and regional pressures, the lack of researchers studying freshwater zooplankton and, in general, all aquatic life has emerged as a critical threat to the delicate equilibrium of these ecosystems. Within this situation, scientific integration through intra-regional and extra-regional collaboration networks has emerged as an unavoidable strategy for the survival and future strengthening of studies on biodiversity and the conservation of freshwater zooplankton in Latin America. The development of new technologies such as DNA barcoding, metabarcoding, and metagenomics has emerged as a solution to this problem. Nevertheless, they should be considered as new tools towards integrative taxonomy and not as replacements for taxonomical studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tropical Aquatic Biodiversity)
16 pages, 1123 KiB  
Article
Integrating Mental Health in Curriculum Design: Reflections from a Case Study in Sport, Exercise, and Health Science
by Jackie Hargreaves, Belinda Cooke and Jim McKenna
Educ. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 529; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15050529 - 25 Apr 2025
Viewed by 765
Abstract
The rise of mental health concerns in today’s Higher Education (HE) students is a growing concern. Integrating mental health principles into curricular design can enhance the student experience and improve outcomes such as continuation, completion, and success. This paper aims to integrate mental [...] Read more.
The rise of mental health concerns in today’s Higher Education (HE) students is a growing concern. Integrating mental health principles into curricular design can enhance the student experience and improve outcomes such as continuation, completion, and success. This paper aims to integrate mental health guidance into the design of a revalidated curriculum in sport, exercise, and health sciences. A further aim is to provide recommendations for future mentally healthy curricular design. A case study design exploring how mental health does, and might, feature across curricula was undertaken, employing a qualitative methodology. A range of stakeholders, including students, participated in workshops, interviews, and revalidation events over a 4-month period. The analysis and interpretation of the resulting transcripts proposed two main lines of action; ‘building students’ (centring on helping them navigate the nuances of the academic process and developing confidence in their university self, for example, through systematic scaffolding) and ‘building connections’ (focusing on enhancing social connections and psychological safety, for example learning student names). Recommendations proposed by this research highlight that induction should be primarily social, progressing to more fundamental skills, behaviours, and knowledge. Systematic scaffolding and mapping of relevant skills, behaviours, and knowledge throughout the course are fundamental to building students’ confidence. This could reduce both academic staff and students’ frustrations about a lack of ‘know-how’. Staff–student interactions and a focus on micro-behaviours could further enhance a student’s sense of belonging and desire to engage. Full article
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21 pages, 993 KiB  
Review
The Opportunities and Barriers in Developing Interactive Digital Extension Services for Smallholder Farmers as a Pathway to Sustainable Agriculture: A Systematic Review
by Le Thi Hoa Sen, Le Thi Hong Phuong, Phanith Chou, Flordeliz B. Dacuyan, Ylva Nyberg and Johanna Wetterlind
Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 3007; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073007 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 2332
Abstract
Digital extension services (DESs) play a crucial role in transforming the agri-food sector while creating the potential to enhance production towards sustainable development via ensuring resource efficiency, environmental resilience, and economic viability for smallholder farmers. However, there is less research on the availability [...] Read more.
Digital extension services (DESs) play a crucial role in transforming the agri-food sector while creating the potential to enhance production towards sustainable development via ensuring resource efficiency, environmental resilience, and economic viability for smallholder farmers. However, there is less research on the availability and quality of digital advisory information to provide the foundation for the ways forward to ensure accessible and timely benefits of science-based extension and innovation for smallholder farmers. This study used a systematic review method to explore the opportunities and barriers to develop interactive DESs in developing countries (2005–2021). Features of 141 articles were summarized resulting in the identification of 13 opportunities and 21 barriers. Opportunities indicate that interactive DESs were the best source for learning and the exchange of information/ideas/experiences, useful for enhancing agricultural productivity and profitability, creating network collaboration among farmers and stakeholders, and making extension service delivery cost-effective. Barriers of interactive DESs include a lack of a two-way interaction information, lack of a centralized information network between farmers and service providers, lack of technical know-how on ICTs, poor internet connection, and lack of effective training on ICTs. However, farmers’ awareness, motivation, and readiness to use interactive DESs has increased in several countries. It is therefore a great opportunity to invest in digital platforms as a long-term intervention to boost sustainable agricultural sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)
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29 pages, 4181 KiB  
Review
Using Serious Games and Digital Games to Improve Students’ Computational Thinking and Programming Skills in K-12 Education: A Systematic Literature Review
by Sindre Wennevold Gundersen and Georgios Lampropoulos
Technologies 2025, 13(3), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies13030113 - 11 Mar 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3134
Abstract
Computational thinking and problem-solving skills have become vital for students to develop. Digital games and serious games are increasingly being used in educational settings and present great potential to aid students’ learning. This study aims to explore the role and impact of serious [...] Read more.
Computational thinking and problem-solving skills have become vital for students to develop. Digital games and serious games are increasingly being used in educational settings and present great potential to aid students’ learning. This study aims to explore the role and impact of serious games and digital games on students’ computational thinking and programming skills in primary, secondary, and K-12 education through a systematic review of the existing literature. Four research questions were set to be examined. Following the PRISMA framework, 78 studies deriving from IEEE, Scopus, and Web of Science over the period of 2011–2024 are examined. The studies are categorized into Theoretical and Review studies, Proposal and Showcase studies, and Experimental and Case studies. Based on the results, serious games and digital games arose as meaningful educational tools that are positively viewed by education stakeholders and that can effectively support and improve K-12 education students’ computational thinking and programming skills. Among the benefits identified, it was revealed that serious games offer enjoyable and interactive learning experiences that can improve students’ learning performance, engagement, and motivation, enhance students’ confidence and focus, and promote self-regulated learning and personalized learning. Additionally, serious games emerged as an educational means that can effectively support social learning and provide real-time feedback. The challenges identified were related to the selection of games and the game-related design elements, decisions, and approaches. Hence, the study highlights the significance of the design of serious games and the need to cultivate students’ computational thinking, problem-solving, and social skills from a young age. Finally, the study reveals key design principles and aspects to consider when developing serious games and digital games and highlights the need to involve education stakeholders throughout the design and development process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Review Papers Collection for Advanced Technologies)
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36 pages, 2232 KiB  
Article
Designing Performance-Based Professional Development: Stakeholder Views on Essential Competencies and Approaches
by Heather Howell, Aakanksha Bhatia, Eowyn P. O’Dwyer, Marisol Kevelson, Jamie N. Mikeska and Dante Cisterna
Educ. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15020204 - 8 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1115
Abstract
Research has consistently shown that the instructional skills, or competencies, that teachers bring to the table influence the opportunities students have to learn. Teachers build those competencies over time, often through professional development (PD); however, they often cite PD as insufficient, in part [...] Read more.
Research has consistently shown that the instructional skills, or competencies, that teachers bring to the table influence the opportunities students have to learn. Teachers build those competencies over time, often through professional development (PD); however, they often cite PD as insufficient, in part because it can focus on the wrong competencies. In a series of focus groups, we systematically examined which teaching competencies teachers, teacher leaders, school administrators, and professional learning leaders identified as most critical for future PD efforts supporting K-8 mathematics and science teachers. In addition, we explored their stated rationales and their vision for how digital performance-based PD might support development of those competencies. Participants identified four competencies as most critical: (1) collaborative problem-based learning; (2) differentiation; (3) promoting engagement; and (4) eliciting student ideas. Rationales included ways in which they are essential for students, difficult to implement, and have insufficient support at present. Participants preferred the idea of digital and interactive role-playing PD over more traditional approaches, also citing the need for some agency in controlling the PD parameters and for the availability of rich feedback. Implications include the need for future research to incorporate stakeholder voice to close the gap between what is needed and what is provided and for follow-up studies to target a larger and more representative sample. Full article
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17 pages, 3296 KiB  
Article
Mapping the Scientific Research on Nutrition and Mental Health: A Bibliometric Analysis
by Ramona Hiltensperger, Jennifer Neher, Lea Böhm and Annabel Sandra Mueller-Stierlin
Nutrients 2025, 17(3), 399; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17030399 - 22 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3819
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The connection between nutrition and mental health has become a point of growing interest. In response, nutritional psychiatry research has emerged as a field dedicated to understanding these interactions. A bibliometric analysis was conducted to map the growth and trends in this [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The connection between nutrition and mental health has become a point of growing interest. In response, nutritional psychiatry research has emerged as a field dedicated to understanding these interactions. A bibliometric analysis was conducted to map the growth and trends in this area, providing insights into its evolving scope and key research contributions. Methods: A literature search was conducted within the Web of Science Core Collection. Data analysis was performed using the result analysis and citation report options of Web of Science as well as the visualization software VOSviewer (Version 1.6.20). Results: A total of 31,556 articles on nutrition and mental health were published from 2000 to 2024 across various WoS categories, mainly in “Psychiatry”, “Public, Environmental & Occupational Health”, and “Nutrition & Dietetics”. The most prolific research groups are based in North America. Recent publications mainly cover seven clusters: (1) public health and social factors, (2) interventions and biological mechanisms, (3) the health of the elderly, (4) nutrition-related illnesses, (5) lifestyle behavior, (6) observational studies, and (7) pregnancy and the postpartum period. Conclusions: In view of the increasing research activities and growing allocation of resources in nutritional psychiatry research, it is important to define research priorities in close collaboration with service users and stakeholders. Research should be approached in a holistic manner through multidisciplinary research consortia to ensure comprehensive and impactful outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Intervention in Mental Health)
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22 pages, 3649 KiB  
Article
A Real Estate Price Index Forecasting Scheme Based on Online News Sentiment Analysis
by Tao Xu, Yingying Zhao and Jie Yu
Systems 2025, 13(1), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13010042 - 8 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1244
Abstract
The real estate price index serves as a crucial indicator reflecting the operational status of the real estate market in China. However, it often lags until mid-next month, hindering stakeholders from grasping market trends in real time. Moreover, the real estate market has [...] Read more.
The real estate price index serves as a crucial indicator reflecting the operational status of the real estate market in China. However, it often lags until mid-next month, hindering stakeholders from grasping market trends in real time. Moreover, the real estate market has an extremely complex operating mechanism, which makes it difficult to accurately assess the impact of various policy and economic factors on the real estate price index. Therefore, we hope, from the perspective of data science, to explore the emotional fluctuations of the public towards the real estate market and to reveal the dynamic relationship between the real estate price index and online news sentiment. Leveraging massive online news data, we propose a forecasting scheme for the real estate price index that abandons complex policy and economic data dependence and is solely based on common and easily obtainable online news data. This scheme involves crawling historical online real estate news data in China, employing a BERT-based sentiment analysis model to identify news sentiment, and subsequently aggregating the monthly Real Estate Sentiment (RES) index for Chinese cities. Furthermore, we construct a Vector Autoregression (VAR) model using the historical RES index and housing price index to forecast future housing price indices. Extensive empirical research has been conducted in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, China, to explore the dynamic interaction between the RES index and both the new housing price index and the second-hand housing price index. Experimental results showcase the unique features of the proposed RES index in various cities and demonstrate the effectiveness and utility of our proposed forecasting scheme for the real estate price index. Full article
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23 pages, 6297 KiB  
Article
Building Towards One Health: A Transdisciplinary Autoethnographic Approach to Understanding Perceptions of Sustainable Aquatic Foods in Vietnam
by Saihong Li, Soon Yong Ang, Angus M. Hunter, Seda Erdem, John Bostock, Chau Thi Da, Ngoc Tuan Nguyen, Amina Moss, William Hope, Charles Howie, Richard Newton, Mercedes Arguello Casteleiro and Dave Little
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 10865; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162410865 - 11 Dec 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1546
Abstract
As Vietnam navigates challenges to its animal, human, and environmental health (One Health) during rapid economic transitions, understanding local perceptions of sustainable food systems, particularly aquatic foods, is vital. This study employs a transdisciplinary, autoethnographic approach to exploring the cultural significance of aquatic [...] Read more.
As Vietnam navigates challenges to its animal, human, and environmental health (One Health) during rapid economic transitions, understanding local perceptions of sustainable food systems, particularly aquatic foods, is vital. This study employs a transdisciplinary, autoethnographic approach to exploring the cultural significance of aquatic food perceptions within Vietnamese communities. Data were primarily sourced through an autoethnographic triangulation method, involving detailed field diaries, vignettes, and interactive workshop data collected from local stakeholders. Our distinctive approach, involving researchers from environmental science, computer science, linguistics, political ecology, aquaculture, nutrition, human physiology, marketing, and accounting and accountability, as both participants and observers, illuminates the lived experiences that shape food perceptions within Vietnam’s specific food agro-ecosystems. By embedding aquatic food perceptions within the One Health framework, we identify key intersections between human, animal, and environmental health. Through cross-disciplinary narrative analysis, our study uncovers the social, political, economic, cultural, and linguistic dimensions surrounding aquatic food perceptions at local, regional, and national levels in Vietnam. Our study highlights the unique contribution of qualitative methods to addressing questions that hard data cannot answer in understanding perceptions of aquatic foods. The study emphasizes the need for an integrated, culturally informed, and transdisciplinary approach to addressing the complex factors influencing One Health outcomes in Vietnam. This research contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable food practices and One Health initiatives, proposing culturally informed interventions aimed at enhancing ecological resilience and public health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Food)
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21 pages, 1677 KiB  
Systematic Review
Decision-Making in Grain Supply Chains for Sustainable Food System
by Garima, Doina Olaru, Brett Smith and Kadambot H. M. Siddique
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 10816; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162410816 - 10 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1782
Abstract
Grain supply chains (GSCs) are crucial for global food security, economic development, and environmental sustainability. This study investigates the complexities and challenges of enhancing the resilience of GSCs. The research unravels decision-making intricacies, assesses post-harvest risks and stakeholder interactions, and identifies future research [...] Read more.
Grain supply chains (GSCs) are crucial for global food security, economic development, and environmental sustainability. This study investigates the complexities and challenges of enhancing the resilience of GSCs. The research unravels decision-making intricacies, assesses post-harvest risks and stakeholder interactions, and identifies future research avenues. This systematic literature review (SLR), following PRISMA guidelines, and conducted with two search rounds, addressed questions of resilience and efficiency of post-harvest GSCs, key decision factors of stakeholders influencing the sustainability and operational success of GSCs, and methods that can be used to develop robust decision-making for managing risks and uncertainties in GSCs. A comprehensive database of post-2000 journal articles from the Web of Science and Scopus was analysed using bibliometric and content analysis. This research identified five key themes: (1) operational complexity requiring strategic resilience, (2) comprehensive risk management strategies, (3) critical role of transport and storage infrastructure, (4) significant impact of stakeholder decisions on GSC dynamics, and (5) diverse methodological approaches for robust analysis. These themes illustrate the multifaceted challenges and opportunities within GSCs, suggesting that integrating operations research with behavioural economics is vital for improving strategic decision-making. The results advocate for adopting advanced technologies and innovative multidisciplinary methods to improve GSC efficiency and resilience, which are essential for navigating geopolitical tensions, market fluctuations, and complex stakeholder behaviours. It identified under-researched areas such as farmer transport decisions and logistics provider selection, and integrated emerging themes (such as resilience and behavioural aspects), contributing to the body of knowledge and supporting enhanced decision-making in GSCs for a stable global food supply system. Full article
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16 pages, 292 KiB  
Entry
Application of Machine Learning Models in Social Sciences: Managing Nonlinear Relationships
by Theodoros Kyriazos and Mary Poga
Encyclopedia 2024, 4(4), 1790-1805; https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4040118 - 27 Nov 2024
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4941
Definition
The increasing complexity of social science data and phenomena necessitates using advanced analytical techniques to capture nonlinear relationships that traditional linear models often overlook. This chapter explores the application of machine learning (ML) models in social science research, focusing on their ability to [...] Read more.
The increasing complexity of social science data and phenomena necessitates using advanced analytical techniques to capture nonlinear relationships that traditional linear models often overlook. This chapter explores the application of machine learning (ML) models in social science research, focusing on their ability to manage nonlinear interactions in multidimensional datasets. Nonlinear relationships are central to understanding social behaviors, socioeconomic factors, and psychological processes. Machine learning models, including decision trees, neural networks, random forests, and support vector machines, provide a flexible framework for capturing these intricate patterns. The chapter begins by examining the limitations of linear models and introduces essential machine learning techniques suited for nonlinear modeling. A discussion follows on how these models automatically detect interactions and threshold effects, offering superior predictive power and robustness against noise compared to traditional methods. The chapter also covers the practical challenges of model evaluation, validation, and handling imbalanced data, emphasizing cross-validation and performance metrics tailored to the nuances of social science datasets. Practical recommendations are offered to researchers, highlighting the balance between predictive accuracy and model interpretability, ethical considerations, and best practices for communicating results to diverse stakeholders. This chapter demonstrates that while machine learning models provide robust solutions for modeling nonlinear relationships, their successful application in social sciences requires careful attention to data quality, model selection, validation, and ethical considerations. Machine learning holds transformative potential for understanding complex social phenomena and informing data-driven psychology, sociology, and political science policy-making. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Encyclopedia of Social Sciences)
12 pages, 315 KiB  
Article
Applying the isiNdebele Scientific Language Register in Natural Sciences to Foster Meaningful Learning
by Thuli Gladys Ntuli
Educ. Sci. 2024, 14(12), 1289; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14121289 - 25 Nov 2024
Viewed by 664
Abstract
Conducted as a qualitative interpretative case study, this research explored the influence of the developed isiNdebele scientific language register for Natural Sciences on meaningful learning among learners. Data collection involved interviews and observations of stakeholders. The findings revealed a positive correlation between the [...] Read more.
Conducted as a qualitative interpretative case study, this research explored the influence of the developed isiNdebele scientific language register for Natural Sciences on meaningful learning among learners. Data collection involved interviews and observations of stakeholders. The findings revealed a positive correlation between the use of indigenous languages and meaningful learning. Notably, when Natural Sciences was taught using the isiNdebele register, classrooms exhibited heightened interaction, contrasting with lessons conducted in English, where learners were predominantly passive. These outcomes underscore the importance of creating scientific registers in indigenous languages, advocating for their integration into teaching practices. The study recommends the incorporation of scientific language registers in indigenous languages to enhance meaningful learning and academic performance. By examining the impact on meaningful learning experiences, the article contributes valuable insights to the broader discourse on inclusive and culturally responsive pedagogical practices in science education. The findings underscore the potential of applying indigenous languages in science instruction to bridge linguistic gaps and promote a more accessible and enriching educational environment. Full article
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