Search Results (859)

Teen dating violence is a serious issue that affects the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of adolescents. The purpose of this study was to examine the predominant perceived motives adolescents attribute to dating violence through the integration of quantitative and qualitative data. Methods: A concurrent mixed-methods design with equal weighting was applied to a sample of 703 participants in the quantitative phase, who completed the Dating Violence Motives Scale, and 103 participants in the qualitative phase. The mixed-phase analysis included data triangulation, creation of new analytical categories, and interpretation to generate meta-inferences. Results: Jealousy emerged as the most frequently perceived motive, particularly among males, followed by motives related to anger expression and lack of communication skills. Qualitative findings additionally revealed contextual elements not captured by the scale, such as family interference, relational control, and circumstantial stressors (academic, work, financial) as perceived triggers of violent behavior. Conclusions: Sociocultural constructions of gender were reflected in different motivational patterns: males more frequently justified violence as reactive or control-based, whereas females framed it as emotionally expressive. Full article

Background and Objectives: Mental health recovery is conceived as a personal process going beyond symptom remission and thus involving identity reconstruction, search for meaning and active participation in everyday life. This study aimed to analyze the influence of life history, identity, competence and context on the recovery process of people with mental illness. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted and registered in the Open Science Framework. Participants were 159 individuals diagnosed with mental disorders who attended a community mental health association. Data were collected using the standardized Occupational Performance History Interview-II (OPHI-II) and analyzed through an inductive phenomenological approach with researcher triangulation. Results: Findings showed that life history is central to recovery, as it helps rebuild identity, recognize personal capacities and restore a sense of continuity. Daily occupations and social support emerged as key factors for inclusion and participation. Conclusions: Results highlight the importance of integrating biographical narratives and occupational perspective into mental health interventions through a standardized tool that surpasses traditional diagnosis-based or methodologically weak approaches. This perspective fosters practices aligned with individuals’ values, goals and contexts, promoting autonomy, empowerment, and social inclusion. These findings may inform person-centered recovery programs in community services. Full article

The reliability of electric vehicle (EV) batteries requires detecting surface defects but also precisely locating them on the physical module for automated inspection, repair, and process optimisation. Conventional 2D computer vision methods, though accurate in image-space, do not provide traceable, real-world defect coordinates on complex or curved battery surfaces, limiting utility for digital twins, root cause analysis, and automated quality control. This work proposes a hybrid inspection pipeline that produces millimetre-level three-dimensional (3D) defect maps for EV battery modules. The approach integrates (i) calibrated dual-view multi-view geometry to project defect points onto the CAD geometry and triangulate them where dual-view coverage is available, (ii) single-image neural 3D shape inference calibrated to the module geometry to complement regions with limited multi-view coverage, and (iii) generative, physically informed augmentation of rare or complex defect types. Defects are first detected in 2D images using a convolutional neural network (CNN), then projected onto a dense 3D CAD model of each module, complemented by a single-image depth prediction in regions with limited dual-view coverage, yielding true as-built localisation on the battery’s surface. GenAI methods are employed to expand the dataset with synthetic defect variations. Synthetic, physically informed defect examples are incorporated during training to mitigate the scarcity of rare defect types. Evaluation on a pilot industrial dataset, with a physically measured reference subset, demonstrates that the hybrid 3D approach achieves millimetre-scale localisation accuracy and outperforms a per-view CNN baseline in both segmentation and 3D continuity. Full article

Background: Dysphagia negatively impacts quality of life and requires diets with specifically modified textures. The IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative) scale provides standardized criteria to ensure food safety. This research aims to explore and validate the IDDSI scale adapted to the consumption of foods developed with 3D printing in patients with dysphagia. Methodology: Different dishes were designed and validated using 3D printing and were evaluated by both healthcare professionals and people with dysphagia. In the second phase, participants analyzed their texture using the IDDSI scale. A mixed methodological approach was applied, combining quantitative data (from validated scales) and qualitative data (obtained through interviews and focus groups), ensuring methodological triangulation. Methods: In the first phase of the study, different dishes were cooked and designed using 3D printing technology and were previously evaluated by both healthcare professionals and people with dysphagia. In the second phase, all the dishes validated in the first phase were analyzed and classified according to their texture using the IDDSI. Results: A total of 24 dishes, backed by 204 validations, were determined to be suitable for people with dysphagia and compatible with 3D printing. According to the IDDSI analysis, 36% of these dishes were classified as level 3 (soft texture) and 64% as level 4 (thick purée), levels internationally recognized as safe and suitable for people with dysphagia and suitable for 3D printing. The application of the IDDSI scale eliminated ambiguities in the description of textures, facilitating clear communication between healthcare professionals, caregivers, people with dysphagia, and companies that produce 3D-printed foods, as well as the standardization of 3D food printing processes related to textures. The application of the IDDSI scale eliminated ambiguities in the description of textures, facilitating clear communication between healthcare professionals, caregivers, people with dysphagia, and companies producing 3D-printed food products. This enabled the standardization of 3D food printing processes and the definition of their textures. At the same time, 3D printing proved to be a viable and effective tool for customizing meals that are safe, appropriate, and sensorially appealing. Conclusions: The feasibility of combining the IDDSI scale with 3D printing to develop diets tailored to the needs of people with dysphagia is confirmed. This integrative approach represents an innovation in the field of nutrition for people with swallowing problems, especially in contexts with limited scientific evidence, combining the validation of modified textures with 3D printing technology. There are effective tools for producing safe, suitable and sensorially appealing meals. Full article

This study proposes a low-cost indoor positioning system based on a single Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor and several fixed reflective reference points. Distances are obtained by trigonometric measurement, and positions are computed by trilateration. In static tests the average error was 7.4 mm. When the target moves at walking speed, small survey errors of the reference points cause the average error to increase to 21.8 mm. Finally, the proposed Reference Point Update Method (RPUM) that continuously corrects reference point coordinates using a moving average of recent residuals reduces the dynamic error from 208.71 mm to 20.34 mm, which is about 90% improvement. The method used in this paper requires no additional hardware and runs in real time. Full article

Accurate 3D reconstructions of architecture, engineering, and construction AEC structures using UAV photogrammetry are often hindered by occlusions, excessive image overlaps, or insufficient coverage, leading to inefficient flight paths and extended mission durations. This work presents a BIM-aware, autonomous UAV trajectory generation framework wherein a compact, geometrically valid viewpoint network is first derived as a foundation for path planning. The network is optimized via Integer Linear Programming (ILP) to ensure coverage of IFC-modeled components while penalizing poor stereo geometry, GSD, and triangulation uncertainty. The resulting minimal network is then sequenced into a global path using a TSP solver and partitioned into battery-feasible epochs for operation on active construction sites. Evaluated on two synthetic and one real-world case study, the method produces autonomous UAV trajectories that are 31–63% more compact in camera usage, 17–35% shorter in path length, and 28–50% faster in execution time, without compromising coverage or reconstruction quality. The proposed integration of BIM modeling, ILP optimization, TSP sequencing, and endurance-aware partitioning enables the framework for digital-twin updates and QA/QC monitoring, accordingly, offering a unified, geometry-adaptive solution for autonomous UAV inspection and remote sensing. Full article

Manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI) often experience upper-limb strain and pain due to repetitive propulsion. A detachable dual-propulsion add-on device has been developed to mitigate this issue by offering an alternative propulsion mechanism, but its user acceptability and practical benefits must be rigorously evaluated. This study will implement a structured mixed-methods usability assessment of the new device with 30 adult wheelchair users with SCI. The evaluation will combine quantitative surveys, objective task-based performance metrics, and qualitative interviews to capture a comprehensive picture of usability. We will conduct a single-arm mixed-methods protocol using a device-specific 45-item usability questionnaire and semi-structured interviews, followed by convergent triangulation to integrate quantitative scores and qualitative themes. Participants will use the dual-propulsion device in realistic scenarios and then complete a 45-item questionnaire covering effectiveness, efficiency, safety, comfort, and psychosocial satisfaction. In addition, semi-structured interviews will explore users’ experiences, perceived benefits, challenges, and suggestions. During a standardized mobility task course (doorway navigation, ramp ascent, threshold crossing, and 50 m level propulsion), objective performance indicators—including task completion time, task success/error rate, number of lever strokes, and self-selected speed—will be recorded as secondary usability outcomes. The use of both a standardized questionnaire and in-depth interviews will ensure both broad and nuanced assessment of the device’s usability. Data from the survey will be analyzed for usability scores across multiple domains, while interview transcripts will undergo thematic analysis to enrich and validate the quantitative findings. This protocol is expected to provide robust evidence of the device’s usability, inform iterative improvements in its design, and highlight the importance of structured usability evaluations for assistive technologies. Full article

Online roll profile measurement technology enables real-time acquisition of the roll profile, guiding optimised roll change intervals to enhance production efficiency and product quality. To improve the accuracy of online roll profile measurement, this paper conducted research on laser measurement technology for online roll profile measurement in strip rolling mills. The factors influencing sensor measurement errors were analysed, and a protective housing for the sensor was designed. The experimental results showed that after installing this protective housing, the temperature fluctuation around the sensor was less than 0.2 °C, and the measurement error in a water environment was less than ±5 μm. The straightness error compensation model of the measurement system was established, and online roll profile measurement experiments were conducted on a four-high rolling mill in the laboratory. The experimental results indicated that the measured roll profile closely matched the actual roll profile, with a measurement error of less than 6.3 μm. This paper offers a novel approach to the study of online roll profile measurement technology. Full article

Building Information Modelling (BIM) represents a technological and organisational innovation transforming the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry by embedding data-rich collaboration into project delivery. However, the diffusion of this innovation is constrained by unresolved legal–contractual complexities, where conventional frameworks often fail to manage BIM-specific risks, such as unclear responsibilities, intellectual property, and dispute resolution. This study advances knowledge by conceptualising a novel legal–contractual analytical dimension that systematically links risk factors to tailored management strategies, enabling BIM innovation to be more effectively embedded into organisational and contractual processes. A mixed-methods design was adopted. An integrative review of Scopus- and Google Scholar-indexed studies, supported by thematic analysis in NVivo, generated a comprehensive legal–contractual Risk Breakdown Structure (RBS) that organises fragmented knowledge of legal–contractual risks. Qualitative content analysis, combined with survey and expert interview data, enabled triangulated validation and the development of the BIM-RBS Matrix and BIM-RBS–MS Nexus. These tools operationalise risk knowledge by quantifying risk severity (SPSS Version 29.0.1.0 (171)) and systematically aligning management strategies with specific risk categories. The results highlight actionable innovations, such as enhanced cybersecurity protocols (e.g., QR-based traceability) to strengthen cyber/data security and collaborative risk–reward mechanisms to address contractual design ambiguities. The study makes three primary contributions: (1) conceptualising a structured legal–contractual knowledge spectrum for BIM innovation, (2) advancing mixed-methods integration for legal–contractual risk knowledge creation and validation, and (3) providing actionable frameworks that support industry, policymakers, and researchers in embedding BIM innovation more reliably. This study frames legal–contractual risk knowledge as a critical enabler of innovation that extends theoretical understanding and offers globally relevant pathways for the knowledge-based transformation of the AEC sector. Full article

Background: The 2022 Pakistan floods devastated healthcare access for pregnant women in already impoverished areas in Sindh province. This study examines how Cash for Health assistance (CH) of USD 112 alleviated financial burdens and improved maternal health outcomes and resilience, bridging a critical literature gap on cash effectiveness in humanitarian crises. Methodology: This study used a mixed-methods approach to assess the CH assistance intervention for families of pregnant/lactating women in flood-affected rural Sindh, Pakistan. A pre-post quantitative analysis of baseline (May–June 2024) and endline (August–November 2024) survey data in ~100 villages (Jamshoro/Sehwan) examined changes in healthcare access, expenditure, and preferences using t-tests, proportion tests, and multivariable regression. Concurrently, five qualitative case studies from key informant interviews provided thematic content analysis, triangulating findings on economic, health, and social impacts. Results: Respondents predominantly had low literacy rates and were from households of daily wage laborers in vulnerable, flood-affected areas. While income and education remained low, instances of forgone care due to financial barriers increased (68% to 97%, p < 0.001). CH significantly improved healthcare access (58% to 98%, p < 0.001). Access to regular physicians (20% to 69%) and private facilities (10% to 41%) notably expanded. Healthcare expenditure significantly increased from USD 9.3 to USD 25, with a shift in spending preference towards medication, consultations, and diagnostics. CH also significantly improved food security (21% to 97%), meal frequency, and overall household stability, including reducing domestic violence. Qualitative data emphasized pre-existing vulnerabilities and CH’s role in addressing health, nutrition, and psychosocial needs. Conclusions: CH significantly improved healthcare access and reduced financial burdens for vulnerable pregnant women post-disaster. However, a sustainable impact requires integrated “cash plus” models, combining financial aid with stronger health systems, psychosocial support, and literacy for long-term resilience. Full article

Plainchant has formed a core sacred vocal repertory for Western Christianity for over a millennium, and following a surge of interest in chant as an early music repertory over the twentieth century and beyond, it has accrued particular significance for amateur choral singers involved in church music. This paper is based upon an exploratory qualitative study carried out in 2024, which examined attitudes to learning and performing chant among Irish community and church choirs, and sought to establish levels of interest in performing chant, awareness of resource availability, and perceived barriers to learning. Methods used for the study include an online questionnaire for choral practitioners, with an option for participation in focus group discussions to explore themes raised in questionnaire responses. Thematic analysis was used to explore opinions and experiences of participants as offered in open-ended questionnaire responses and focus group discussions, triangulated by quantitative data provided by closed-ended questionnaire responses. One of the major challenges iterated by choral practitioners in our study was the issue with reading square notation, a version of French thirteenth-century notation developed by the monks of Solesmes Abbey and standardised as liturgical chant notation by the beginning of the twentieth century. This issue is explored in detail in the present paper. Full article

This study examines the impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosures on the firm valuation of non-financial firms listed in South Africa, using Tobin’s Q as a firm value proxy. Using a panel data approach of 642 firm-year observations from 2017 to 2022, the study applies Fixed Effects, Random Effects, and Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimators to address possible endogeneity concerns. The results consistently show that, for the whole sample, ESG disclosures are positively and significantly related to firm value, thus supporting the view that markets reward transparency and sustainability initiatives. Firm size and liquidity also have positive impacts, while financial leverage has an inverse relationship with firm value. Subgroup regression analysis shows significant sectoral differences: ESG disclosure in non-manufacturing companies has a positive and significant relationship with firm value, in line with stakeholder and signaling theories, emphasizing the premium for intangible assets like reputation and trust. However, in manufacturing companies, ESG disclosure is negatively and significantly associated with firm value, implying concerns among investors regarding compliance costs, strategic misalignment, or possible “greenwashing.” The study contributes to the emerging-market literature by (i) introducing a PCA-based ESG index specific to JSE-listed non-financials, (ii) triangulating results across static and dynamic specifications to ensure robustness, and (iii) uncovering sectoral heterogeneity that has been largely overlooked. The research also has practical implications for corporate managers, policymakers, and investors on the alignment of ESG practices to industry attributes for long-term value optimization. Full article

This article applies Causal Layered Analysis (CLA) to four Italian Alpine contexts to examine how narratives and metaphors can shape territorial development. We combined long-term ethnography (approximately 128 days of participant observation) with analysis of documents and media (2010–2025) relating to the four territories and interpreted the results through the four levels of CLA: litanies, systems, worldviews, and myths/metaphors. Two dominant metaphors, “mountain-as-playground” (exogenous) and “mountain-as-heritage” (endogenous), seem to underpin the discourses about tourism and local development. We identify signals of a third metaphor, the “open-hybrid-village”, where multiple forms of belonging and contribution (resident collective ownerships, returnees, extended stay visitors) sustain the local economy and stewardship. The approach is interpretative, and the transferability of results is limited by the selection of cases and the availability of data; however, triangulation and distinct levels support the internal consistency and replicability of the method in other contexts. We conclude that making imaginaries explicit can broaden the variety of thinkable futures and the space of options before investments become dependent on the path taken. We suggest integrating CLA into participatory foresight to enrich and share forward-looking visions on which to negotiate long-term landscape planning and thresholds for tourism carrying capacity. Full article

The SIKUL research project examines the case of a self-organised music festival, which is understood as a social innovation in the field of arts and culture, in order to answer the following question: What effects do social innovations in arts and culture have on the members of the public involved in rural areas? How do they impact the region? To this end, a triangulation of methods has been used in conjunction with seven expert interviews that were analysed using focused interview analysis as well as a multimodal image analysis of the festival’s social media presence supplemented by a descriptive study of the festival’s cooperation, pictured on social media. The festival is a free space for the organisers. It promotes self-expression and learning. For decades and across several generations, a community of care has existed that extends beyond the festival experience into everyday life. Thus, the festival is a self-organised social space. Involvement in the festival allows participants to express and mutually reinforce their connection to the region. The festival primarily cooperates with regional stakeholders within a 10-km radius and is thus a creative driver in the region. Social innovations in arts and culture play a significant role in local cohesion and identity-building in rural regions. Full article

Polygon triangulations and their generalizations to $\left(m+2\right)-$angulations are fundamental in combinatorics and computational geometry. This paper presents a unified linear-time framework that establishes explicit bijections between $m-$Dyck words, planted $\left(m+1\right)-$ary trees, and $\left(m+2\right)-$angulations of convex polygons. We introduce stack-based and tree-based algorithms that enable reversible conversion between symbolic and geometric representations, prove their correctness and optimal complexity, and demonstrate their scalability through extensive experiments. The approach reveals a hierarchical decomposition encoded by Fuss–Catalan numbers, providing a compact and uniform representation for triangulations, quadrangulations, pentangulations, and higher-arity angulations. Experimental comparisons show clear advantages over rotation-based methods in both runtime and memory usage. The framework offers a general combinatorial foundation that supports efficient enumeration, compressed representation, and extensions to higher-dimensional or non-convex settings. Full article