Search Results (54)

Background/Objectives: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) remains a critical public health issue in Saudi Arabia, shaped by complex interactions among genetic, lifestyle, and sociodemographic factors. This study explores interplay of modifiable and non-modifiable determinants of DM among Saudi adults. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 3411 adults aged 18 years and above in the Jazan region, southwest of Saudi Arabia, in May–June 2024. Data was collected via a structured, pretested questionnaire assessing sociodemographic, dietary patterns, physical activity, smoking habits, and family history of DM. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were used to identify associations with self-reported diabetes. Results: Out of 3411 participants (1735 males and 1676 females), 424 (12.4%) reported DM. Diabetics were older (48 vs. 32 years), more often male, married, had lower education, had larger families, had higher BMIs, and exhibited more tobacco use (p < 0.05), and a family history of diabetes was strongly associated with diagnosis of DM (p < 0.001). Diabetics were more likely to choose low-fat meats, avoid sugary foods, and select low-fat products (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, predictors were age (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.06–1.09), male sex (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.26–2.16), family history (OR = 7.68, 95% CI: 5.67–10.57), traditional housing (OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.11–3.05), and whole grain intake (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.52–0.85). Conclusions: DM in Saudi Arabia is driven by both inherited and behavioral risks. These findings support the urgent need for integrated, culturally tailored prevention strategies that combine early screening for individuals with higher risk. Targeted actions such as relevant lifestyle interventions can help reduce disease burden and align with Saudi Vision 2030 health priorities. Full article

The problem associated with the manifestation of burnout syndrome is the subject of ongoing interest. In recent years, occupational burnout has been actively studied among professionals in the helping professions (teachers, physicians, social workers, psychologists, prison officers, etc.). However, the phenomenon has been poorly studied among freelancers. Therefore, the aim of this study is to fill this gap by determining the level of burnout syndrome among Bulgarian freelancers and investigate the influence of some work environment factors on professional burnout in the sample. A survey of 1138 freelancers was carried out using the Burnout Self-Assessment Questionnaire developed by Maslach and a questionnaire developed in-house to explore the factors of the occupational environment and ask questions related to socio-demographic factors. Hypotheses are tested using correlation analysis and structural equation modelling. The study reveals high levels of emotional exhaustion (40.91%, n = 484). High values on the scale of depersonalization were reported for 26,3% of the respondents (n = 311). Only 3.1% of the respondents (n = 37) had high values on the reduced personal accomplishment scale. The high levels of burnout among freelancers could be influenced by the specific characteristics of their work environment and the nature of their tasks. Full article

The location of housing has a significant influence on its pricing. Generally, spatial self-correlation and spatial heterogeneity phenomena affect housing price data. Additionally, time is a crucial factor in housing price modeling, as it helps understand market trends and fluctuations. Currency market fluctuations also directly affect housing prices. Therefore, in addition to the physical features of the property, such as the area of the residential unit and building age, the rate of exchange (dollar price) is added to the independent variable set. This study used the real estate transaction records from Iran’s registration system, covering February, May, August, and November in 2017–2019. Initially, 7464 transactions were collected, but after preprocessing, the dataset was refined to 7161 records. Unlike feedforward neural networks, the generalized regression neural network does not converge to local minimums, so in this research, the Geographically, Temporally, and Characteristically Weighted Generalized Regression Neural Network (GTCW-GRNN) for housing price modeling was developed. In addition to being able to model the spatial–time heterogeneity available in observations, this algorithm is accurate and faster than MLR, GWR, GRNN, and GCW-GRNN. The average index of the adjusted coefficient of determination in other methods, including the MLR, GWR, GTWR, GRNN, GCW-GRNN, and the proposed GTCW-GRNN in different modes of using Euclidean or travel distance and fixed or adaptive kernel was equal to 0.760, 0.797, 0.854, 0.777, 0.774, and 0.813, respectively, which showed the success of the proposed GTCW-GRNN algorithm. The results showed the importance of the variable of the dollar and the area of housing significantly. Full article

As damage from natural hazards has increased globally, governments and aid agencies must have practical tools for post-disaster livelihood recovery to foster self-sufficiency among affected populations. This study presents a framework of essential components for livelihood recovery, utilising a comparative case study with interviews from communities impacted by major earthquakes in Lushan, China, and Christchurch and Kaikōura, New Zealand. Communities in both countries highly value housing, employment, well-being, and external assistance for livelihood recovery after disasters. However, people in China credit housing functionality and income resources more, while New Zealand people rely more on commercial insurance for their recovery. The insights from this comparative study can help governments and non-governmental organisations strengthen livelihood recovery efforts and enhance resilience to future disasters. Full article

Background: Care-experienced young people face an elevated risk of experiencing disadvantages across manifold domains, including health, housing, education, and employment. There is a dearth of accessible interventions targeted at this population to help them navigate the ‘cliff-edge’ transition to adulthood and improve their life chances. The 8-week I-CAN programme was designed to address the provision gaps and support care-experienced young people’s learning, personal development, and progression. Methods: A mixed methods design was used as part of a pilot evaluation study. The participants were n = 11 care-experienced young adults (three males; eight females); aged 19–30 years, M = 22 (3.17). The data collection methods comprised programme statistics, well-validated, self-reported questionnaires, and a focus group with I-CAN programme recipients. Results: The integrated quantitative and qualitative findings showed tentative support for the effectiveness of the I-CAN programme, with the majority of care-experienced young adults transitioning to a confirmed progression route (training, education, or employment) after completing the programme. The findings cautiously suggest that alongside proposed learning outcomes, the recipients benefited in terms of their personal development (mental wellbeing and positive self-image and empowerment). Some candidate core ‘ingredients’ or factors that had facilitated positive programme outcomes were also identified. Conclusions: Future research should focus on integrating theoretical, outcome, and process issues, and refining the I-CAN theory of change. Full article

Climate change is a global phenomenon impacting ecosystems, economies, and livelihoods. This research carried out in Bol in the Lake Province of Chad, a region heavily affected by climate change, aims to analyze the gender-differentiated impacts of this phenomenon. It was carried out using the rapid analysis and participatory planning (RAPP) method and structural analysis for social systems (SAS2). Meteorological and socioeconomic data were collected through interviews, household surveys, and focus groups. The results indicate variability in rainfall, with a slight downward trend and an increase in temperature. The women identified an increase in the cost of living, human and material losses, warmer housing, and health problems as socioeconomic socioeconomic consequences of climate change. Their coping strategies include community self-help, humanitarian aid, and welfare activities. Obstacles to full participation in the search for solutions include access to education, low decision-making power, and political representation. This research enriches our understanding of the interactions between gender, climate change, adaptation, and inclusive policy importance. Full article

In 1944, the architect Antonio Gómez Davó designed and built a new house for Mr. Ferrer at Rocafort in the suburbs of Valencia (Spain). In this same year, Europe, America, Russia and even Japan were still at war and Spain was recovering from its own intestine conflict. Therefore, architectural innovations and influences were scarce, as was the circulation of specialized journals on the matter. Still, many creations were occurring, like ceramic vaults and the brise-soleil; further, the architect Le Corbusier had stated his profound nostalgia for the Mediterranean, a sea that he had come to appreciate in his travels to the “East”. In the case of Gómez Davó, having been born and raised in a prominent family of Valencia, he could not remain indifferent to the design features that appeared in the vernacular architecture of the area, especially the type of inclined louvers of Arabic descent, that covered bow-windows and balconies and which have come to be known in Spain as the Majorcan louvers; these are currently even employed by prominent architects like Rafael Moneo at the extension of the Painter Miro Foundation. However, with so many difficult circumstances surrounding him, Gómez Davó could not get to the point of producing a ground-breaking design based on solar assumptions for the whole façade of the house he was building; instead, when providing an entrance porch apt for living life in the pure Mediterranean tradition, he ventured to construct a surprising perforated wall oriented to the south in order to control radiation in the winter and provide shade in the summer while affording excellent light and superb conditions of ventilation. By means of self-devised simulation tools, we have analyzed the conditions of the house and especially of his innovative brise-soleil, which are at times reminiscent of Alvar Aalto’s solutions for day-lit roofs, and which he intuitively adapted to the latitude of Valencia with the help of incipient notions of solar geometry. By outlining such unknown and bold precedent and assessing the house’s proper climatic performance, we contribute to revitalizing the early and daring pioneers of solar architecture in peripheral Spain and Europe during the birth of critic regionalism, a fact often disregarded in the conventional history of Modern Architecture. Full article

The Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) and the Infrared Working Group of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC-IRWG) are two ground-based networks that provide the retrieved concentrations of up to 30 atmospheric trace gases, using solar absorption spectrometry. Both networks provide reference measurements for the validation of satellites and models. TCCON concentrates on long-lived greenhouse gases (GHGs) for carbon cycle studies and validation. The number of sites is limited, and the geographical coverage is uneven, covering mainly Europe and the USA. A better distribution of stations is desired to improve the representativeness of the data for various atmospheric conditions and surface conditions and to cover a large latitudinal distribution. The two successive Fiducial Reference Measurements for Greenhouse Gases European Space Agency projects (FRM4GHG and FRM4GHG2) aim at the assessment of several low-cost portable instruments for precise measurements of GHGs to complement the existing ground-based sites. Several types of low spectral resolution Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers manufactured by Bruker, namely an EM27/SUN, a Vertex70, a fiber-coupled IRCube, and a Laser Heterodyne spectro-Radiometer (LHR) developed by UK Rutherford Appleton Laboratory are the participating instruments to achieve the Fiducial Reference Measurements (FRMs) status. Intensive side-by-side measurements were performed using all four instruments next to the Bruker IFS 125HR high spectral resolution FTIR, performing measurements in the NIR (TCCON configuration) and MIR (NDACC configuration) spectral range. The remote sensing measurements were complemented by AirCore launches, which provided in situ vertical profiles of target gases traceable to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reference scale. The results of the intercomparisons are shown and discussed. Except for the EM27/SUN, all other instruments, including the reference TCCON spectrometer, needed modifications during the campaign period. The EM27/SUN and the Vertex70 provided stable and precise measurements of the target gases during the campaign with quantified small biases. As part of the FRM4GHG project, one EM27/SUN is now used as a travel standard for the verification of column-integrated GHG measurements. The extension of the Vertex70 to the MIR provides the opportunity to retrieve additional concentrations of N₂O, CH₄, HCHO, and OCS. These MIR data products are comparable to the retrieval results from the high-resolution IFS 125HR spectrometer as operated by the NDACC. Our studies show the potential for such types of spectrometers to be used as a travel standard for the MIR species. An enclosure system with a compact solar tracker and meteorological station has been developed to house the low spectral resolution portable FTIR systems for performing solar absorption measurements. This helps the spectrometers to be mobile and enables autonomous operation, which will help to complement the TCCON and NDACC networks by extending the observational capabilities at new sites for the observation of GHGs and additional air quality gases. The development of the retrieval software allows comparable processing of the Vertex70 type of spectra as the EM27/SUN ones, therefore bringing them under the umbrella of the COllaborative Carbon Column Observing Network (COCCON). A self-assessment following the CEOS-FRM Maturity Matrix shows that the COCCON is able to provide GHG data products of FRM quality and can be used for either short-term campaigns or long-term measurements to complement the high-resolution FTIR networks. Full article

Decent, affordable housing and secure housing tenure remain elusive for Africa’s urban majority. The urban majority is expected to live in self-help housing, reflected in the fact that 62% of African urban dwellers live in urban informal settlements. The inability to access safe, decent, and secure housing, and the reality that Africa’s urban majority is perpetually precarious, have a severe impact on Africa’s urban households and the well-being of individuals, families, and neighborhoods. This article articulates housing as a critical and urgent Christian social practice in African cities—an extension of the church’s pastoral and missional concern. It considers housing both as a product and a process: people need housing to live secure lives; yet, the process of housing is as critical as the outcome. It then proposes housing, as a Christian social practice, being engaged in (i) supporting precarious households; (ii) preventing homelessness; (iii) creating housing; (iv) supporting rights-based land and housing movements; and (v) centering housing pastorally–liturgically. The article grounds itself in Jean-Marc Ela’s insistence on God’s presence ‘in the hut of a mother whose granary is empty’ and in Letty Russell’s ‘household of freedom’. Full article

Wastewater management in Bogor, Indonesia faces significant challenges in achieving sustainability. The success of the development of wastewater management requires an analysis of the characteristics of the actors related to the relationship between actors, the attitude of actors toward development goals, and the possibility of alliances and conflicts that arise. The research aims to identify the actors’ typologies based on the strengths and relationships between the actors’ and the actors’ attitudes toward managing fast-growing areas in self-help settlements based on domestic wastewater management for the area of Bogor Town, Indonesia. This research uses a case study approach, and data were collected through observation, interviews, and focus group discussions. Data analysis used the MACTOR method (Matrix of Alliances and Conflicts Tactics, Objectives, and Recommendations) to identify the stakeholder actors’ strengths, relationships, and patterns of alliances. The results showed that the most influential actors in wastewater management are the Housing and Settlements Agency (DISRUMKIM), Regional Drinking Water Companies (PDAM), entrepreneurs (PUSAHA), MEDIA, the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD), Regional Development Planning Agency (BAPPEDA), Public Works and Spatial Planning Service (DPUPR), and the Health Service (DINKES). In addition, the highest divergence value was 35, which occurred in Sub-District Tanah Sareal (KEC. TANSAR) to PUSAHA. There are four actors with a high level of ambivalence, namely Sub-District Bogor Selatan (KEC BOSEL), Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), MEDIA, and Environment Service (DLH). These findings form the basis for developing a pattern of collaboration between all stakeholders necessary for the development of sustainable wastewater management in Bogor, Indonesia. In addition, this finding allows it to be used as relevant information, and it can be implemented in other cities with the same characteristics as Bogor Town is facing similar challenges in wastewater management. Full article

University-affiliated public housing (UAPH) is planned for the purpose of coexistence with the local community as well as housing stability for university students. However, shared spaces such as auxiliary welfare facilities planned to achieve that purpose are not being used by residents because no services or programs are provided. Lifestyle is a useful approach for identifying housing preferences in housing projects for special groups that share similar demographic characteristics. Thus, this study analyzed and clustered the lifestyle of university students, and investigated the differences in preferred auxiliary welfare facilities and residential services by cluster. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire survey of 424 university students using an online survey. As a result of the survey, in the factor analysis of university students’ lifestyle types, three categories were identified as individual propensity factors regardless of demographic characteristics except gender. In addition, the characteristics of university students were crucial in examining the preference of auxiliary welfare facilities and residential services of UAPH in terms of community facilities, auxiliary facilities, residential services, and program/operation management. Community facilities showed a high need for academic facilities, a low overall need for residential services, and a high need for program/operational management in terms of cost (housing cost reduction). In this study, there were differences in UAPH opinions according to lifestyle. In particular, many respondents showed a lifestyle that pursued practicality, and accordingly, a preference to utilize practicality, sociality, information, and technology was high. Therefore, for the sustainable operation and management in order to facilitate UAPH construction, the issue of housing cost, including not only rent but also management costs, should be considered most fundamentally, and it is necessary to provide facilities and programs that can provide practical help to the difficulties students face when living alone. Full article

Valuable jewels, documents, and files left in hotel rooms by guests can be stolen at any time by an unauthorized person. This could have a serious psychological and economic impact on the guests. The house/hotel owners should make efforts to prevent theft from occurring. In this study, a self-powered sliding-mode triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is used as a sensor on a drawer. It is fixed to the side of the drawer and works in the lateral sliding mode. The electricity generated by the device during the push–pull action of the draw is ~125 V and F~12.5 µA. An analysis of the electrical performance was carried out using PET, paper, and nitrile as sliding materials. The electrical output from the device is used to notify the guest or hotel owner of any theft by an unidentified individual via Arduino and node MCU devices. Finally, this device can be helpful at night and can be extended using different materials. Full article

In an unprecedented scenario, much of the research and interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic, which focused on young people, found themselves suspended. (1) Background: The goals of this project were to investigate (Study 1) social participation and positive development among young people in Cascais, Portugal, and to investigate (Study 2-a case study) the implementation of a program promoting active citizenship, social participation, and social entrepreneurship. At the same time, it was intended to constitute a resource and strategy to diminish the social alienation exacerbated by the pandemic. (2) Methods: SPSS v.26 software was used to analyze quantitative data from questionnaires used in the study of social participation, as well as the pre- and post-test impacts, and MAXQDA 2020 software was used to analyze qualitative data from YouTube discussions about youth needs and strategies for their problems, as well as from focus groups. (3) Results: In S1, it was evident that young people’s expectations of participation in the community were not defined and that their expected participation in the community was of a weekly nature. They considered themselves to have a good sense of belonging to the community or group and had reasonable social self-efficacy. Girls showed higher scores in Expectations of Community Participation and Active Participation. In their positive development, they did not have a defined evaluation of their competence, but their connection with others was evaluated as good. Boys showed higher levels of Competence. They said that every week they make 1 h of their day available to help others, and they did not frequently report feelings of social alienation. In S2, the evaluation of the impact of the project generally showed an improvement in the action research skills of the participants. At the end, six projects were proposed. In the analysis of the participants’ voices, the themes related to Substance Use, Social Capital, and Love and Sexuality stood out with higher participation and lower participation in the themes of Diversity, Culture and Housing. (4) Conclusions: The results suggest a need to encourage social participation, active citizenship, and entrepreneurship, along with their knowledge and skills for action. The promotion of debate and knowledge on issues related to young people’s lives seems to be a priority, especially issues related to Diversity, Culture and Housing. The Dream Teens model may prove to be an important strategy in this work, suggesting that this project may constitute a relevant model for future work. Full article

Migrants are likely to experience mental health conditions, being one of the most vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aims to: (1) estimate the prevalence of depressive and anxious symptoms and (2) examine the impact of risk and protective factors on this symptomatology. A sample of 129 migrants living in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic completed an anonymous online survey, including information on sociodemographic and individual characteristics, migration, basic needs, social environment and perceived health domains. Multiple Poisson regression models analysed the effects of risk and protective factors on depression and anxiety symptoms. The prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms was 22.3% and 21.4%, respectively. Risk factors such as living in a rented house and previous mental health conditions were associated with higher depression symptoms, whereas unemployment was related to anxiety symptoms. Conversely, older age, better self-esteem, and higher levels of social support were associated with fewer depression symptoms. Older age and better quality of life were related to fewer anxiety symptoms. These findings addressing risk and protective factors (e.g., social support, self-esteem) help to design culturally effective programs, particularly in migrants with pre-existing mental health conditions, adjusting the organisation of mental healthcare services in difficult times in Spain. Full article

The reduction in face-to-face contact and the increase in time spent at home during the ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic have resulted in increasing interest and demand for smart homes. Further, the rapid increase in the number of one-person and two-person households in Korea recently has led to these becoming representative household types. This study identifies the wellness characteristics of such households and proposes a direction for smart home development to help them lead healthy, happy lives. It focuses on mapping residents’ perceptions and experiences to scenarios and on identifying the functions required in smart homes and the technologies needed to provide these functions. It uses data from a survey to investigate and analyze the wellness characteristics of one- and two-person households in five dimensions and develops five scenarios of representative household types. By analyzing the developed scenarios, this study proposes smart homes that support the wellness of such households in six categories: exercise/sports, hobby/entertainment, social communications, occupation/work, self-development/education, and energy conservation. These households are exposed to digital environments from an early age and are familiar with the internet and technologies. Therefore, they are likely to adopt innovative technologies in housing. Thus, the smart home development proposed in this study is a promising strategic approach to housing planning. Full article