Search Results (1,321)

With the advance of digital transformation, the assessment of the environmental impact of digital tools and technologies grows more relevant. Considering the inflated expectations of environmental responsibility in higher education, this study analyses how websites of Polish universities conform to sustainable web design criteria. The sustainability audit employed a methodology encompassing carbon emissions measurement, technical website analysis, and SEO evaluation. The author analysed 63 websites of public universities in Poland using seven independent audit tools, including an original AI Custom GPT agent preconfigured in the ChatGPT ecosystem. The results revealed a substantial differentiation in CO₂ emissions and website optimisation, with an average EcoImpact Score of 66.41/100. Nearly every fourth website exhibited a significant carbon footprint and excessive component sizes, which indicates poor asset optimisation and energy-intensive design techniques. The measurements exposed considerable variability in emission intensities and resource intensity among the university websites, suggesting the need for standardised digital sustainability practices. Regulations on the carbon footprint of public institutions’ websites and mobile applications could become vital strategic components for digital climate neutrality. Promoting green hosting, “Green SEO” practices, and sustainability audits could help mitigate the environmental impact of digital technologies and advance sustainable design standards for the public sector. The proposed auditing methodology can effectively support the institutional transition towards sustainable management of digital infrastructure by integrating technical, sustainability, and organisational aspects. Full article

Background: Thailand is rapidly transitioning into an aging society, creating an intergenerational caregiving gap that strains existing support systems. Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of “Young Care,” a community-based intervention designed to enhance youth knowledge, attitudes, and caregiving practices (KAP) toward older adults. Methods: A two-day structured training was conducted in Maha Sarakham Province in 2023 using a pre-post mixed-methods design. Middle and high school students participated in lectures, multimedia sessions, and experiential learning activities related to caregiving. Quantitative data were collected using validated KAP questionnaires, while qualitative insights were obtained from focus group discussions involving students, older persons, caregivers, and local leaders. Results: Post-intervention analysis revealed significant improvements in knowledge and attitudes (p < 0.001), accompanied by increased empathy, caregiving initiative, and a sense of moral responsibility among participants. Conclusions: The initiative fostered formal partnerships among schools, local governments, healthcare providers, and universities through memoranda of understanding. These collaborations enabled budgetary support and outreach to out-of-school youth, positioning “Young Care” as a scalable, youth-centered strategy to address Thailand’s long-term care challenges. Full article

This paper aims to discuss the transition of new graduate nurses into the workforce, the preparation provided to equip them through the novice–beginner stage, and the theory–practice conundrum. Background: In Australia, new graduate transition programs have been in existence since the 1990s. While there is widespread acknowledgment that this period is pivotal for new graduate nurses entering the profession, there is a lack of consensus on the definition of best practice to achieve optimal preparation for new graduate nurses transitioning into the workforce. Methods: This discussion paper integrates the nursing literature on this topic with the extensive professional experiences of the authors, who are currently working as clinicians in metropolitan hospitals and hold academic positions at universities. Their insights are informed by the literature sourced from peer-reviewed English language journals, including reviews, empirical studies, and national and international reports. Discussion: Recruiting and retaining nurses presents a multifaceted challenge that requires the development of effective tools and strategies to build a sustainable workforce. Both the literature and the authors’ experiences highlight several key factors influencing the preparedness of new graduates. These factors include workplace culture, the demands placed on new graduates, and the support, education, and training they receive. The perspectives shared in this article offer valuable discussion points that can deepen our understanding of the current issues and contribute to the development of more effective solutions. Full article

Background: As COVID-19 transitions to an endemic phase, long COVID symptoms remain a significant public health issue affecting both physical and mental health. A notable proportion of college students report symptoms such as fatigue, cough, and brain fog persisting for weeks or months post-infection. Objectives: This study explored the prevalence and contributing factors of long COVID symptoms among both infected and uninfected students in medicine-related departments. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using online self-reported questionnaires completed by 1523 undergraduate and graduate students in medicine-related departments at a medical university. Participants who had tested positive for COVID-19 within the past three months were excluded. The survey assessed long COVID symptoms, with comparisons conducted between infected and uninfected groups. Multivariate logistic regression identified risk factors associated with long COVID symptoms. Results: Of the 1118 participants, 47.5% of those with a prior COVID-19 diagnosis reported long COVID symptoms within the past month. Significant differences between the infected and uninfected groups were observed in physical, cognitive, and psychological health. Logistic regression identified that prior COVID-19 diagnosis had an association with the presence of long COVID symptoms (odds ratio = 1.48, p = 0.024) after adjusted model analysis. Meanwhile, higher anxiety levels (odds ratio = 1.09, p < 0.001) and a BMI ≥ 24 (odds ratio = 4.50, p < 0.01) were identified as significant risk factors for post-infection syndrome among previously infected students. Sex and exercise habits also influenced symptom prevalence. Conclusions: Since late 2023, with those experiencing cumulative infections surpassing half of Taiwan’s population, long COVID symptoms have persisted as a widespread concern affecting both physical and mental health, continuing into 2025. This study underscores critical risk factors and symptom patterns among students in medicine-related departments, reinforcing the urgency of sustained surveillance and targeted interventions to facilitate comprehensive recovery. Full article

This article presents a comprehensive review of methods used for forecasting electricity consumption. The studies analyzed by the authors encompass both classical statistical models and modern approaches based on artificial intelligence, including machine-learning and deep-learning techniques. Electricity load forecasting is categorized into four time horizons: very short term, short term, medium term, and long term. The authors conducted a comparative analysis of various models, such as autoregressive models, neural networks, fuzzy logic systems, hybrid models, and evolutionary algorithms. Particular attention was paid to the effectiveness of these methods in the context of variable input data, such as weather conditions, seasonal fluctuations, and changes in energy consumption patterns. The article emphasizes the growing importance of accurate forecasts in the context of the energy transition, integration of renewable energy sources, and the management of the evolving electricity system, shaped by decentralization, renewable integration, and data-intensive forecasting demands. In conclusion, the authors highlight the lack of a universal forecasting approach and the need for further research on hybrid models that combine interpretability with high predictive accuracy. This review can serve as a valuable resource for decision-makers, grid operators, and researchers involved in energy system planning. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and intensified structural tensions surrounding work−life balance, precarity, and gender inequalities in academia. This paper examines the spatial, temporal, and emotional disruptions experienced by early-career and precarious researchers in Italy during the first national lockdown (March–April 2020) and their engagement in remote academic work. Adopting an exploratory and qualitative approach, the study draws on ten narrative video interviews and thirty participant-generated images to investigate how structural dimensions—such as gender, class, caregiving responsibilities, and the organizational culture of the neoliberal university—shaped these lived experiences. The findings highlight the implosion of boundaries between paid work, care, family life, and personal space and how this disarticulation exacerbated existing inequalities, particularly for women and caregivers. By interpreting both visual and narrative data through a sociological lens on gender, work, and organizations, the paper contributes to current debates on the transformation of academic labor and the reshaping of temporal work regimes through the everyday use of digital technologies in contemporary neoliberal capitalism. It challenges the individualization of discourses on productivity and flexibility and calls for gender-sensitive, structurally informed policies that support equitable and sustainable transitions in work and family life, in line with European policy frameworks. Full article

We investigated the thermodynamic topology of quantum-corrected AdS-Reissner-Nordström black holes in Kiselev spacetime using non-extensive entropy formulation derived from Loop Quantum Gravity (LQG). Through systematic analysis, we examined how the Tsallis parameter $\lambda$ influences topological charge classification with respect to various equation of state parameters. Our findings revealed a consistent pattern of topological transitions: for $\lambda =0.1$, the system exhibited a single topological charge $(\omega =-1)$ with total charge $W=-1$, as $\lambda$ increased to 0.8, the system transitioned to a configuration with two topological charges $(\omega =+1,-1)$ and total charge $W=0$. When $\lambda =1$, corresponding to the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy limit, the system displayed a single topological charge $(\omega =+1)$ with $W=+1$, signifying thermodynamic stability. The persistence of this pattern across different fluid compositions—from exotic negative pressure environments to radiation—demonstrates the universal nature of quantum gravitational effects on black hole topology. Full article

Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iCMs) provide a powerful platform for investigating cardiac biology. However, structural, metabolic, and electrophysiological immaturity of iCMs limits their capacity to model adult cardiomyocytes. Currently, no universally accepted criteria or protocols for effective iCMs maturation exist. This study aimed to identify practical culture conditions that promote iCMs maturation, thereby generating more physiologically relevant in vitro cardiac models. We evaluated the effects of short- and long-term culture in media supplemented with various stimulatory compounds under 2D conditions, focusing on intracellular content and localization of slow skeletal troponin I (ssTnI) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) isoforms. Our findings demonstrate that the multicomponent metabolic maturation medium (MM-1) effectively enhances the transition toward a more mature iCM phenotype, as evidenced by increased cTnI expression and formation of cross-striated myofibrils. iCMs cultured in MM-1 more closely resemble adult cardiomyocytes and are compatible with high-resolution single-cell techniques such as electron microscopy and patch-clamp electrophysiology. This work provides a practical and scalable approach for advancing the maturation of iPSC-derived cardiac models, with applications in disease modeling and drug screening. Full article

The shift from traditional linear economic models to circular economy principles has gained momentum, particularly in the wastewater treatment sector. This transition relies on resource use efficiency, waste minimisation, and value creation. Nevertheless, a review of 83 articles, yielding 386 key performance indicators, reveals a significant lack of standardised methodologies for assessing circular economy performance in Wastewater Treatment Plants. This absence allows ambiguous outcomes and hinders comparative analyses across facilities and countries. There is a clear need for a universally applicable Key Performance Indicators-based framework that evaluates all environmental dimensions without forgetting the technical component while encompassing the various circularity strategies. Such a framework should not discard defined parameters’ costs and data availability, avoiding abstract parameters that may lead to data manipulation and require extensive additional costs. Standardising Key Performance Indicators with explicit units of measurement is essential to ensure data comparability. In addition, they should comply with the regulatory institutions’ evaluation requirements, at least while these methodologies have not yet evolved to incorporate broader circular and environmental considerations. Developing a standardised Key Performance Indicators-based framework is crucial for effectively evaluating circular economy performance in Wastewater Treatment Plants, ensuring comprehensive environmental assessment, data comparability, and alignment with regulatory standards. This approach would facilitate a more consistent and transparent evaluation of circular economy initiatives across diverse contexts. Full article

Interdisciplinary teaching plays an important role in modern physics education by improving students’ understanding, problem-solving skills, and engagement through the integration of multiple disciplines. This study examines pre-service physics teachers’ perceptions of interdisciplinary teaching, focusing on their confidence in implementing interdisciplinary approaches, perceived benefits, and the challenges they expect. A Likert-scale survey was administered to 292 pre-service teachers from two universities in Kazakhstan. Findings indicate that students’ confidence in interdisciplinary teaching increases over time, while their recognition of its benefits remains consistently high across all academic years. However, barriers such as lack of training and feeling unprepared persist, even at the master’s level, indicating the need for structured interdisciplinary training. Institutional differences significantly impact students’ perceptions, with students from one university showing higher confidence levels than those from another, showing variations in curriculum and support systems. Gender differences in confidence were minimal. Additionally, perceptions of interdisciplinary teaching do not follow a linear trajectory, as students in their second and third years experienced a temporary decline in confidence before recovering in later years. Our findings indicate the need for structured interdisciplinary training in teacher education programs, institutional support to reduce disparities in confidence levels, targeted interventions during academic transitions, and ongoing professional development to address persistent barriers. Full article

Entrepreneurship serves as a vital engine of economic development, yet the mechanisms translating entrepreneurial intention into behavior have gradually emerged. This study employs bibliometric analysis of 61 SSCI-indexed articles (2014–2024) using CiteSpace to examine co-authorship networks, co-citation patterns, and research hotspots. Our findings demonstrate that individual-level factors (personality traits, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurship education) drive both entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial behavior. More importantly, environmental factors (university milieu, regional social legitimacy, and national cultural dimensions) moderate the relationship between entrepreneurial intention and behavior. The study also identifies a temporal pattern in the entrepreneurial intention–behavior correlation. These results advance theoretical understanding of the intention–behavior transition and offer practical insights for entrepreneurship education and policy design. Full article

With the advancement of modern fan architectures, dedicated experimental benchmarks are becoming fundamental to improving the knowledge of flow physics, validating novel CFD methods, and fine-tuning existing methods. In this context the open test case ECL5/CATANA, representative of a modern Ultra High Bypass Ratio (UHBR) architecture, has been designed and experimentally investigated at École Centrale de Lyon (ECL) in a novel test facility with multi-physical instrumentation, providing a large database of high-quality aerodynamic and aeromechanic measurements. In this paper, a thorough numerical study of the fan stage aerodynamics was performed using the CFD TRAF code developed at the University of Florence. Fan stage performance was studied at design speed over the entire operating range. The results were discussed and compared with datasets provided by ECL. Detailed sensitivity on numerical schemes and state-of-the-art turbulence/transition models allowed for the selection of the best numerical setup to perform UHBR fan simulations. Moreover, to have a deeper understanding of the fan stall margin, unsteady simulations were also carried out. The results showed the appearance of blade tip instability, precursor of a rotating stall condition, which may generate non-synchronous blade vibrations. Full article

This study provides a detailed dataset from two modern homes constructed inside an environmentally controlled chamber. These data are used to carefully calibrate a dynamic thermal simulation model of these homes. The calibrated models show good agreement with measurements taken under controlled conditions. The two case study homes, “The Future Home” and “eHome2”, were constructed within the University of Salford’s Energy House 2.0, and high-quality data were collected over eight days. The calibration process involved updating U-values, air permeability rates, and modelling refinements, such as roof ventilation, ground temperatures, and sub-floor void exchange rates, set as boundary conditions. Results demonstrated a high level of accuracy, with performance gaps in whole-house heat transfer coefficient reduced to 0.5% for “The Future Home” and 0.6% for “eHome2”, falling within aggregate heat loss test uncertainty ranges by a significant amount. The study highlights the improved accuracy of calibrated dynamic thermal simulation models, compared to results from the steady-state Standard Assessment Procedure model. By providing openly accessible calibrated models and a clearly defined methodology, this research presents valuable resources for future building performance modelling studies. The findings support the UK’s transition to dynamic modelling approaches proposed in the recently introduced Home Energy Model approach, contributing to improved prediction of energy efficiency and aligning with goals for zero carbon ready and sustainable housing development. Full article

Unmanned helicopters, due to their agility and strong dependence on environmental conditions, require using advanced control techniques in order to ensure precise trajectory tracking in various states of flight. The following paper presents a methodology for the design of an unmanned helicopter flight controller. The proposed solution involves the use of the Model Predictive Control framework enhanced with the Takagi–Sugeno inference algorithm. The designed system uses a Parallel Distributed Compensation architecture and utilizes multiple linear dynamics models to precisely model the helicopter’s response in transitioning from hovering to forward flight. The proposed control system was developed for the ARCHER unmanned rotorcraft, which was designed at Warsaw University of Technology. In order to evaluate control efficiency, simulation tests were conducted using the helicopter mathematical model built in the FLIGHTLAB environment, fully integrated with the Matlab/Simulink platform. The control system test results, including system step responses and performance during flight over a predefined path, highlight the differences between the conventional Model Predictive Control regulator and its fuzzy-enhanced variant. Full article

In the context of Industry 4.0, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) is undergoing a major shift driven by digital technologies such as the IoT, AI, cloud computing, and Cyber–Physical systems. This study explores how these technologies reshape traditional TPM pillars and practices through a two-phase methodology: bibliometric analysis, which reveals global research trends, key contributors, and emerging themes, and a systematic review, which discusses how core TPM practices are being transformed by advanced technologies. It also identifies key challenges of this transition, including data aggregation, a lack of skills, and resistance. However, despite the growing body of research on digital TPM, a major gap persists: the lack of a standardized model applicable across industries. Existing approaches are often fragmented or too context-specific, limiting scalability. Addressing this gap requires a structured approach that aligns technological advancements with TPM’s foundational principles. Taking a cue from these findings, this article formulates a systematic and scalable framework for TPM 4.0 deployment. The framework is based on four pillars: modular technological architecture, phased deployment, workforce integration, and standardized performance indicators. The ultimate goal is to provide a basis for a universal digital TPM standard that enhances the efficiency, resilience, and efficacy of smart maintenance systems. Full article