Search Results (375)

This essay focuses on the Greek adoptees’ search for identity and on the agrafa, or the “unwritten” territories, into which this search penetrates. The Greek adoptees represent an underresearched case study of the postwar intercountry adoption movement (1950–1975). Creating a narrative of the self is key to the adoptees’ identity formation, but their personal narrative is often undermined by stereotypes and denunciations that stunt its development. The research presented here has been guided by questions that interrogate the verdict-making or “sentencing” associated with the adoptees’ identity-shaping process: their sentencing to subjugation by stock opinions, the denouncing of their alternative viewpoints about “rescue” adoptions, and the verdict of their entrapment in feel-good master narratives. This essay also explores broader research questions pertaining to modes of interrogating “historic” adoptions from Greece. It is concerned with the why rather than with the how or the who of the oldest, post-WWII intercountry adoption flows. In what forums and genres (narrative, visual, journalistic, scholarly) are Greek adoption facts and legacies articulated, mediated, and/or materialized? How do memories, both positive and negative, underpin current projects of self-identification and transformation? What are the adoptees’ preferred outlets to speak about embodied experiences, and are those satisfactory? Based on a mixed methods approach, the essay ties these steps in identity growth to the Adoptee Consciousness Model, illustrating the five phases of consciousness that the adoptees may experience throughout their lives. Full article

This study used the Q methodology to examine how Korean science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students perceive the experience of reading classical texts and how such experiences relate to their overall well-being. We developed 31 statements for the Q-sorting process and collected data from 39 undergraduate students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The analysis identified three distinct perception types: type 1—exploratory type, which broadens thinking through diverse perspectives, type 2—experience type, which shares achievement and enjoyment through reading together, and type 3—insight type, which seeks universal values and truth. These findings suggest that, for science and engineering students, reading classics offers a multidimensional experience—encompassing intellectual expansion, relational engagement, and philosophical reflection—beyond conventional academic activities. In particular, the therapeutic dimension of reading, as discussed in bibliotherapy, has emerged as a mechanism that supports self-reflection and emotional resilience. Although each type approached classical reading differently, the participants demonstrated varied perceptions that reflect dimensions of well-being, such as emotional awareness, relational connection, and self-reflection, as expressed through the Q-sorting of pre-defined statements. Based on these results, this study concludes that classical reading can function as a significant mechanism for promoting well-being, offering new directions and practical implications for classical reading education. Full article

This study explores the migration intentions of university students—representing the potential creative class—in Erzurum, a medium-sized city in eastern Turkey experiencing shrinkage. Within the theoretical framework of shrinking cities, it investigates how economic, social, physical, and personal factors influence students’ post-graduation stay or leave decisions. Survey data from 742 Architecture and Fine Arts students at Atatürk University were analyzed using factor analysis, logistic regression, and correlation to identify key migration drivers. Findings reveal that, in addition to economic concerns such as limited job opportunities and low income, personal development opportunities and social engagement also play a decisive role. In particular, the perception of limited chances for skill enhancement and the belief that Erzurum is not a good place to meet people emerged as the strongest predictors of migration intentions. These results suggest that members of the creative class are influenced not only by economic incentives but also by broader urban experiences related to self-growth and social connectivity. This study highlights spatial inequalities in access to cultural, educational, and social infrastructure, raising important questions about spatial justice in shrinking urban contexts. This paper contributes to the literature on shrinking cities by highlighting creative youth in mid-sized Global South cities. It suggests smart shrinkage strategies focused on creative sector development, improved quality of life, and inclusive planning to retain young talent and support sustainable urban revitalization. Full article

In the modern world, there is a need to provide a better understanding of the importance or relevance of the available descriptive features for predicting target attributes to solve the feature ranking problem. Among the published works, the vast majority are devoted to the problems of feature selection and extraction, and not the problems of their ranking. In this paper, we propose a novel method based on the Bayesian approach that allows us to not only to build a methodically justified way of ranking features on small datasets, but also to methodically solve the problem of benchmarking the results obtained by various ranking algorithms. The proposed method is also model-free, since no restrictions are imposed on the model. We carry out an experimental comparison of our proposed method with the classical frequency method. For this, we use two synthetic datasets and two public medical datasets. As a result, we show that the proposed ranking method has a high level of self-consistency (stability) already at the level of 50 samples, which is greatly improved compared to classical logistic regression and SHAP ranking. All the experiments performed confirm our theoretical conclusions: with the growth of the sample, an increasing trend of mutual consistency is observed, and our method demonstrates at least comparable results, and often results superior to other methods in the values of self-consistency and monotonicity. The proposed method can be applied to a wide class of rankings of influence factors on small samples, including industrial tasks, forensics, psychology, etc. Full article

To address the obstacle-avoidance path-planning requirements of dual-arm robots operating in complex environments, such as chemical laboratories and biomedical workstations, this paper proposes ODSN-RRT (optimization-direction-step-node RRT), an efficient planner based on rapidly-exploring random trees (RRT). ODSN-RRT integrates three key optimization strategies. First, a two-stage sampling-direction strategy employs goal-directed growth until collision, followed by hybrid random-goal expansion. Second, a dynamic safety step-size strategy adapts each extension based on obstacle size and approach angle, enhancing collision detection reliability and search efficiency. Third, an expansion-node optimization strategy generates multiple candidates, selects the best by Euclidean distance to the goal, and employs backtracking to escape local minima, improving path quality while retaining probabilistic completeness. For collision checking in the dual-arm workspace (self and environment), a cylindrical-spherical bounding-volume model simplifies queries to line-line and line-sphere distance calculations, significantly lowering computational overhead. Redundant waypoints are pruned using adaptive segmental interpolation for smoother trajectories. Finally, a master-slave planning scheme decomposes the 14-DOF problem into two 7-DOF sub-problems. Simulations and experiments demonstrate that ODSN-RRT rapidly generates collision-free, high-quality trajectories, confirming its effectiveness and practical applicability. Full article

Phase change materials (PCMs) have significant potential for utilization due to their high energy storage density and excellent safety in energy storage. In this research, a flexible heat storage device using the stable supercooling of sodium acetate trihydrate composite is developed, enabling on-demand heat release through controlled solidification initiation. The solidification and heat release characteristics are investigated in experiments. The results indicate that the heat release characteristics of this heat storage device are closely linked to the crystallization process of the PCM. During the experiment, based on whether external intervention was needed for the solidification process, the PCM manifested two separate solidification modes—specifically, spontaneous self-solidification and triggered-solidification. Meanwhile, the heat release rates, temperature changes, and crystal morphologies were observed in the two solidification modes. Compared with spontaneous self-solidification, triggered-solidification achieved a higher peak surface temperature (53.6 °C vs. 46.2 °C) and reached 45 °C significantly faster (5 min vs. 15 min). Spontaneous self-solidification exhibited slower, uncontrollable heat release with dendritic crystals, while triggered-solidification provided rapid, controllable heat release with dense filamentous crystals. This controllable switching between modes offers key practical advantages, allowing the device to provide either rapid, high-power heat discharge or slower, sustained release as required by the application. According to the crystal solidification theory, the different supercooling degrees are the main reasons for the two solidification modes exhibiting different solidification characteristics. During solidification, the growth rate of SAT crystals exhibits substantial disparities across diverse experiments. In this research, the maximum axial growth rate is 2564 μm/s, and the maximum radial growth rate is 167 μm/s. Full article

In the context of the new developmental philosophy, this study aimed to address the bottleneck of regional sustainable development; it constructs a three-system evaluation indicator system for Industrial Structure Optimization (ISO), Ecological Environment Management (EEM), and Socio-economic Development (SED), based on panel data from 20 cities in the Western Taiwan Straits Economic Zone between 2011 and 2023. To reveal how the synergistic development of the three subsystems in different domains can achieve sustainable development through their interactions and to analyze the dynamic patterns of the three subsystems, this study employed the panel vector autoregression (PVAR) model to examine the interactions between subsystems. Additionally, drawing on the framework of evolutionary economics, the study quantified the temporal evolution and spatial characteristics of the coupling coordination level among the three subsystems based on the results of the degree of coupling coordination model. The results indicate the following: (1) ISO shows a significant upward trend, EEM slightly declines, and SED experiences minor fluctuations before accelerating. (2) ISO, EEM, and SED exhibited self-reinforcing effects. (3) The degree of coupling, coordination, and coupling coordination all exhibit a trend of “fluctuating and increasing initially, followed by steady growth”. The spatial patterns of the degree of coupling, coordination, and coupling coordination have shifted from “decentralized” to “centralized”, with clear signs of synergistic development. (4) The difference in the degree of coupling coordination along the north–south direction remained the primary factor contributing to inter-regional disparities. Regions with the higher degrees of coupling coordination were concentrated in the southeastern coastal areas, while those with the lower degrees of coupling coordination appeared in the northeastern mountainous areas and southwestern coastal areas. (5) The spatial connection in the strength of the degree of coupling coordination has gradually increased, with notable intra-provincial connections and weakened inter-city connections across the province. The study’s results provided decision-making references for the construction of a sustainable development community. Full article

In higher education, the emotional intelligence (EI) of university professors, defined as the ability to perceive, understand, manage and utilize emotions effectively, is increasingly recognized as a pivotal factor in enhancing students’ academic achievement and psychological well-being. However, the scarcity of studies directly linking professors’ EI to students’ well-being highlights a critical research gap. This systematic review investigates how professors’ emotional competencies influence student outcomes—such as academic performance, engagement, motivation, and mental health—and identifies the factors that mediate or moderate these effects. Findings indicate that professors’ EI, particularly empathy, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills, significantly enhances student engagement, motivation, and academic satisfaction, with indirect effects on psychological well-being. Cultural context, teaching modality (e.g., online vs. in-person), and professors’ age and experience moderate these effects and influence effect sizes. Qualitative synthesis further highlighted contextual gaps in the literature. The limited focus on well-being and outcomes and reliance on self-report measures underscore the need for longitudinal, culturally diverse studies and performance-based EI assessments. The value of this research lies in its potential to inform evidence-based educational practices and institutional policies. By elucidating the role of professors’ EI, the review lays the groundwork for developing faculty training programs aimed at strengthening emotional competencies and fostering inclusive, supportive learning environments that promote student growth and resilience. This is especially relevant given the growing prevalence of stress, anxiety, and disengagement among university students, exacerbated by post-pandemic challenges and academic pressures. Understanding the impact of EI can inform culturally responsive interventions, improve student retention, and enhance institutional effectiveness, thereby addressing a pressing need in contemporary higher education. In today’s rapidly evolving technological, social, and cultural landscape, universities have both the opportunity and the responsibility to act as catalysts for the creation of an educational culture that promotes social well-being. This requires adopting educational and organizational models that prioritize human care and the quality of interpersonal relationships. To be effective, these priorities must be integrated into all university operations, from governance to student support and talent development. Full article

As a globally important cash crop, the optimization of tomato yield and quality is strategically significant for food security and sustainable agricultural development. In order to address the problem of missing point cloud data on fruits in a facility agriculture environment due to complex canopy structure, leaf shading and limited collection viewpoints, the traditional geometric fitting method makes it difficult to restore the real morphology of fruits due to the dependence on data integrity. This study proposes an adaptive symmetry self-matching (ASSM) algorithm. It dynamically adjusts symmetry planes by detecting defect region characteristics in real time, implements point cloud completion under multi-symmetry constraints and constructs a triple-orthogonal symmetry plane system to adapt to multi-directional heterogeneous structures under complex occlusion. Experiments conducted on 150 tomato fruits with 5–70% occlusion rates demonstrate that ASSM achieved coefficient of determination (R²) values of 0.9914 (length), 0.9880 (width) and 0.9349 (height) under high occlusion, reducing the root mean square error (RMSE) by 23.51–56.10% compared with traditional ellipsoid fitting. Further validation on eggplant fruits confirmed the cross-crop adaptability of the method. The proposed ASSM method overcomes conventional techniques’ data integrity dependency, providing high-precision three-dimensional (3D) data for monitoring plant growth and enabling accurate phenotyping in smart agricultural systems. Full article

This study used an equity ethic framework and a STEM identity model to contextualize and understand Latine students’ perceptions of STEM identity development. The purpose of this study was to investigate how Latine undergraduate students who engaged in STEM coursework perceived their learning experiences and stories of resilience through an equity ethic framework. Data were collected through interviews with 19 Latine college students attending a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Findings revealed the following themes related to Latine students’ STEM identity development and lived experiences in STEM coursework: implicit biases, imposter syndrome, self-efficacy, and support system and resources. Findings highlight the need for institutions of higher education to promote Latine students’ self-efficacy to positively influence STEM identity development while addressing systemic issues, such as implicit biases and imposter syndrome to create safe, growth-enhancing educational climates for students with minoritized identities. We provided implications to cultivate Latine students’ STEM identity development through inclusive teaching and learning practices that foster equitable learning environments as well as institutional resources that support students’ mental health and resilience. Implications of this study can be modeled at HSIs to positively influence STEM identity development and increase Latine students’ persistence in STEM fields. Full article

This study investigates how the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage influences personal value systems and self-actualization in the context of late modernity, where individualism and instrumental rationality often constrain moral and communal development. Drawing on Schwartz’s value theory and Kaufman’s scale of self-actualization, we conducted an online survey of 500 pilgrims to examine self-reported value changes following the pilgrimage. Factor analyses tested whether these changes aligned with theoretical value structures and how they related to self-actualization. The findings suggest that pilgrimage fosters a shift from self-enhancement toward self-transcendence, with self-direction aligning more closely with universalism and benevolence—indicating a socially oriented form of autonomy. Increases in self-actualization correlate positively with self-transcendence values (universalism and benevolence), self-direction, and conservation values (tradition, conformity, and security) while showing negative associations with power and achievement. The pilgrimage experience appears to realign values toward altruism, moral engagement, and sustainability. By integrating personal growth with ethical and communal orientations, the Camino de Santiago emerges as a meaningful context for multidimensional repair. In this way, the pilgrimage can be understood as a journey of repair—mending value hierarchies fractured by late modern life and restoring a sense of belonging, care, and transcendent purpose. Full article

Climate scientists, systems theorists, and policymakers increasingly suggest that global sustainability challenges stem from dysfunctional worldviews and values that drive individual and collective behaviors, undermining both human flourishing and planetary health. Recognizing that paradigmatic shifts in values and worldviews can arise from transformative experiences, this study employed Integral Inquiry in a mixed-methods design to examine the nature of the relationship between such experiences and engagement with sustainability. A sample of 145 adults was recruited based on self-identification of having undergone a life-changing experience and demonstrated evidence of transformative growth and integration. In the qualitative phase, 73 participants completed an open-text survey detailing their perspectives on sustainability and their related practices and behaviors. Ten individuals from this subset were interviewed to explore the depth and dimensions of their engagement with sustainability. Using Constructivist Grounded Theory analysis, three tentative themes emerged: intraconnection, personal equilibrium, and defining social change. Whilst the study was exploratory in nature, the analysis indicated that transformative experiences seemed to foster a profound felt sense of intraconnection—a deep awareness of interconnectedness with all life. This awareness appeared to naturally clarify participants’ values and beliefs, aligning their actions toward sustainability. Moreover, participants emphasized the importance of cultivating personal equilibrium—a state of inner balance and congruence in daily choices—as a foundation for meaningful social and environmental change. This study tentatively highlights the role transformative experiences can play in bringing about more pro-ecological behavior, and it underscores the need for further research into how such experiences can be more readily integrated to support global sustainability efforts. Full article

Environmental air anomaly detection is crucial for ensuring the healthy growth of livestock in smart pig farming systems. This study focuses on four key environmental variables within pig housing: temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, and ammonia concentration. Based on these variables, it proposes a novel encoder–decoder architecture for anomaly detection based on continuous-time models. The proposed framework consists of two embedding layers: an encoder module built around a continuous-time neural network, and a decoder composed of multilayer perceptrons. The model is trained in a self-supervised manner and optimized using a reconstruction-based loss function. Extensive experiments are conducted on a multivariate multi-sequence dataset collected from real-world pig farming environments. Experimental results show that the proposed architecture significantly outperforms existing transformer-based methods, achieving 92.39% accuracy, 92.08% precision, 85.84% recall, and an F₁ score of 88.19%. These findings highlight the practical value of accurate anomaly detection in smart farming systems; timely identification of environmental irregularities enables proactive intervention, reduces animal stress, minimizes disease risk, and ultimately improves the sustainability and productivity of livestock operations. Full article

Simulation experiments are a crucial method for investigating overburden failure, strata movement, and strata control during coal mining. However, traditional similar materials struggle to effectively monitor internal damage, fracturing, and dynamic development processes within the strata during mining. To address this issue, carbon fibers were introduced into the field of similar material simulation experiments for mining. Leveraging the excellent conductivity and the sensitive feedback of resistivity changes in response to damage of this composite material enabled real-time monitoring of internal damage and fracture patterns within the mining strata during similar simulation experiments, leading to the development of a carbon fiber similar simulation composite material with damage self-sensing properties. This study found that as the carbon fiber content increased, the evolution patterns of the electrical resistance change rate and the damage coefficient of the similar material tended to coincide. When the carbon fiber content in the similar material exceeded 2%, the electrical resistance change rate and the damage coefficient consistently exhibited synchronized growth with identical increments. A similar simulation experiment revealed that after the completion of workface mining, the thick sandstone aquifer did not develop significant cracks and remained stable. In the early stages of mining, damage rapidly accumulated at the bottom of the thick aquifer, approaching the failure threshold. In the middle layers, a step-like increase in the damage coefficient occurred after mining reached a certain width, while the top region was less affected by mining activities, resulting in less significant damage development. The research findings offer new experimental insights into rock layer movement and control studies, providing theoretical guidance for the prediction, early warning, and prevention of dynamic disasters in mines with thick key layers. Full article

In an era of increasing digital transformation in education, fostering students’ intrinsic motivation and self-directed learning (SDL) is essential, particularly in dynamic fields such as Computer Science Education (CSE). This study explores whether the co-creation of Open Educational Resources (OERs) as renewable assessments can enhance intrinsic motivation and support SDL among postgraduate students. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory, social constructivism, and established SDL models, this research adopted a qualitative, phenomenological design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with BEd Honours students who completed an OER co-creation project as part of their final assessment. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis revealed five core themes: ownership and confidence, personal growth and SDL development, collaboration and connection, motivation and engagement, and challenges and problem solving. The findings suggest that, when students are given autonomy, purpose, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully, they experience deeper engagement, stronger SDL skills, and a greater sense of academic agency. Informal peer interaction and scaffolded support further enhanced their learning. This study contributes to the growing evidence that open pedagogical practices, particularly renewable assessments, can transform academic culture by positioning students as active participants in knowledge creation and by promoting sustainable, student-centred learning. Full article