Search Results (1,647)

This paper presents a novel approach for the early detection of cattle diseases. We present a uniquely integrated image classification-based project for real-time cattle disease diagnosis that combines image classification models to identify diseases accurately; a seamless, user-friendly dashboard for real-time monitoring with data visualization and instant predictions; and a mobile application that acts as a data source. The mobile application enables real-time collection of farmer and cattle-related data, including age, number of cattle, vaccination cycles, cattle images, and location metadata. Our AI-based cattle health monitoring project enables the early, efficient, scalable, and timely detection of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in cattle with high accuracy. A dataset of approximately 1600 LSD/non-LSD images and 840 FMD images was used to train multiple classification networks such as EfficientNetB0, ResNet50, VGG16, EfficientNetV2B0, and EfficientNetV2S, along with a soft-voting ensemble at inference. The proposed framework achieved a maximum testing accuracy of 98.36% for LSD classification and 99.84% for FMD classification under internal validation. These results indicate strong disease recognition capability, with ensemble-based prediction improving robustness, particularly for FMD classification. The proposed system enables practical, early, efficient, and scalable applications of AI research to improve livestock health monitoring and support the early prevention of widespread disease outbreaks. Full article

Managers of protected areas (PAs) face growing challenges to conserve biodiversity while responding to multiple land uses such as recreation, tourism, and resource extraction. These pressures are intensified by the impacts of climate change on ecosystems. This highlights the need for planning approaches that support decision-making in the short, medium, and long term. This article profiles Wells Gray Provincial Park as a case study to demonstrate how an ecosystem-based planning approach can be incorporated into PAs planning. Wells Gray is situated in a unique ecosystem in the interior of British Columbia (Canada). We present an innovative model that integrates land cover types, ecosystem mapping, and Biogeoclimatic (BGC) zones derived from the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) system using GIS tools to identify ecosystems and their associated services as Critical Decision Factors (CDFs). By explicitly linking ecosystems, land cover, and spatial patterns, this approach supports the systemic inclusion of ecosystems in management decisions. To account for future uncertainty, BGC zones were projected under climate change scenarios to inform interpretations of potential ecosystem impacts. The results indicate that this integrated analysis can initiate strategic thinking and facilitate dialogue to collaboratively plan with stakeholders. This approach can improve ecosystem-based planning processes in PAs across Canada. Full article

Artificial intelligence has attracted increasing attention in the construction industry; however, automated time scheduling remains limited in practical applications. Schedule development remains manual, requiring planners to analyze project documents, define activities, estimate durations, and identify relationships based on logical sequence. This process primarily depends on individual experience and skills, making it both time-consuming and prone to human error. From an engineering design perspective, delayed or inconsistent schedule development weakens design-to-construction feedback, limiting the ability to evaluate constructability and time implications of alternative design decisions during early-stage planning. This study proposes an integrated BIM–Natural Language Processing (NLP) framework to automate activity identification, duration estimation, and logical sequencing for construction scheduling. The framework extracts project data from Revit, organizes it into a bill of quantities format, and then generates an activity list, each activity with a unique ID. Using Sentence-BERT (SBERT) embeddings, the framework estimates activity durations based on semantic similarity. The same semantic process is combined with rule-based reasoning to identify logical relationships, including sequences, supported by an Excel-based reference dictionary that includes logical relationships, productivity, and ID structure. Finally, the framework incorporates a crashing module that proportionally adjusts the duration of activities on the longest path to target the project’s completion time without violating relationships. The proposed framework was validated using real construction project data and produced reliable results. By producing a tool-ready schedule directly from design-model information, the proposed workflow enables earlier schedule feedback loops and supports design-informed planning by allowing designers and planners to assess the time consequences of model-driven scope changes. The results demonstrate that integrating BIM and NLP can transform conventional schedules into faster, more consistent processes, thereby supporting the construction industry. Full article

Mobile health units (MHUs) can reach populations facing barriers to traditional primary care, but information about factors associated with their utilization is limited. The objective of this ecological study was to evaluate whether MHU encounter density is increased in census tracts designated as Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and explore whether associations varied by socioeconomic vulnerability. We analyzed Wayne State University/Wayne Health MHU encounters with adult patients from July 2021 to September 2025. Negative binomial regression models with a log link and log(population) offset tested the a priori hypothesis that encounter density was increased in designated versus undesignated HPSA census tracts. Sensitivity analyses assessed variation by social vulnerability index score quartiles established by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One quarter of the five-county metropolitan Detroit, Michigan, catchment area census tracts were designated healthcare shortage areas. Overall, 13,852 encounters with 10,924 unique patients occurred across 924 of 1305 census tracts. Encounter rate per adult population was significantly increased by severalfold comparing designated versus undesignated shortage areas, with stronger associations at lower socioeconomic vulnerability index score quartiles (interaction p = 0.0006). These findings support continued efforts to scale and evaluate MHUs to address projected healthcare shortages, particularly in socioeconomically vulnerable areas. Full article

Tasmania has some of Australia’s worst potentially preventable hospitalisation (PPH) rates linked to chronic illness. This means that people are living with increasing pain and incapacity. PPHs are also an unnecessary social and financial cost and signal a failure to address the drivers of chronic illness, disproportionally experienced by people with poor access to the social determinants of health. Systems thinking (ST) is increasingly being applied to understanding such problems and designing solutions from a whole system perspective. This case study describes a novel, exploratory application of ST tools in four communities with high chronic disease risk to better understand and develop place-based interventions in the prevention approach known as ‘Anticipatory Care’ (AC). With community members, recruited through four community bodies, we used causal loop diagrams (CLDs) to implement three of the WHO’s recommended steps to ST in health systems: collectively brainstorm, conceptualise effects, and adapt and redesign. Community stakeholders developed CLDs to understand the locally relevant AC system, determine boundaries and priorities, and identify barriers to and opportunities for change. Opportunities focused on the relationship between safe access, place, belonging, relationships and culture, health information, and health services. At the project’s end, a second set of CLDs identified indicators of changes to local AC systems. Given a ‘blank slate’ for chronic disease prevention, communities developed unique, place-based responses orientated towards strengthening resources, connections, and collaboration. We argue that ST can be used to support community understanding of the behaviour of the local chronic disease prevention system, surface the interdependence of system parts, and identify formerly unrecognised opportunities for and consequences of intervention. The impact of place-based approaches is constrained by structural forces, including policies, norms, institutions, and resourcing. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance represents one of the most formidable global health crises of the 21st century, driven by the diminishing efficacy of conventional antibiotics due to bacterial adaptation and biofilm formation. In response, antimicrobial nanoformulations have emerged as a transformative therapeutic paradigm, offering multifaceted and innovative mechanisms to combat resistant pathogens. This comprehensive review delineates the broad scope and distinct novelty of nano-enabled antimicrobial strategies, moving beyond the single-target limitations of traditional drugs. We systematically explore the diverse architectural classes of nanoformulations—including metallic, polymeric, and self-assembling nanostructures—and elucidate their unique mechanistic actions. These encompass (1) physical disruption of microbial membranes via electrostatic interactions; (2) catalytic generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species to induce an ‘oxidative storm’; (3) intracellular sabotage of essential metabolic pathways; (4) the ‘Trojan horse’ strategy for enhanced drug delivery and bioavailability; (5) efflux pump bypass to counteract a major resistance mechanism; (6) penetration and eradication of resilient biofilms; and (7) disarming pathogens through quorum sensing and virulence inhibition. Furthermore, this review highlights the immunomodulatory potential of nanoformulations; their activity beyond bacteria against fungi, viruses, and parasites; and the critical role of the nano-bio interface defined by surface physicochemistry. We also address the translational pathway, considering challenges in nanotoxicology, scalability, and regulatory approval, alongside the ecological impact and economic horizon of these technologies. This sector is projected to reach USD 5.4 to 8.96 billion by 2033 to 2034, with compound annual growth rates of 11 to 21% across antimicrobial nanomaterials, nanocoatings, and nanomedicine applications. By integrating insights from computational modeling and in silico design, this review underscores how nanoformulations leverage synergistic, multi-target approaches to overcome resistance, enhance therapeutic efficacy, and represent a significant leap forward in the future of infectious disease management. The novelty lies in the holistic and mechanistic synthesis of how nanotechnology is redefining antimicrobial warfare, offering a promising arsenal to avert a post-antibiotic era. Full article

Resource-based cities face unique land use challenges due to resource dependence and path lock-in, yet the driving mechanisms and future trajectories of their land use transitions remain underexplored. This study examines the Huaihai Economic Zone (HEZ), a representative coal-rich region in eastern China, to analyze land use changes from 2000 to 2023 and simulate 2036 scenarios under different development pathways. Using land use transfer matrices, dynamic degree metrics, and the Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) model, we systematically identified spatiotemporal evolution patterns, quantified the contributions of driving factors, and projected multi-scenario future land use patterns. Results reveal that land use change in the study area was dominated by the conversion of cultivated land to construction land, alongside spatial restructuring from a monocentric to a polycentric network pattern. Notably, construction land expansion was least evident in the central Mining-Affected Zone, where land use changes remained relatively sluggish compared to other sub-regions. Driving factor analysis indicates that socio-economic factors primarily influenced changes in construction and cultivated land, while natural factors strongly affected ecological land and unused land. Multi-scenario simulations for 2036 demonstrate diverging trajectories: an urban development scenario would accelerate cultivated land loss and unused land expansion; a natural development scenario would maintain current pressures; and an ecological protection scenario would effectively curb urban sprawl while actively promoting ecological land recovery. This study concludes that transcending simple land use control to actively orchestrate “mining-urban-rural-ecological” spatial synergy is critical for achieving a sustainable transition in resource-based regions facing similar transformation pressures. Full article

In recent years, China’s rapid economic development has driven the improvement of infrastructure, with mass concrete widely applied in engineering for its unique structural functions. However, mass concrete is prone to temperature stress and thermal cracks due to its low thermal conductivity, huge volume, complex construction conditions, and frequent environmental changes, which pose potential structural safety risks. The hydration heat of mass concrete can also cause structural deformation, so targeted measures must be taken based on actual engineering conditions to minimize cracks. Real-time temperature monitoring during pouring is of crucial significance to ensure the quality and safety of mass concrete in practical projects. Taking the Phase I Project of Qingdao Metro Line 9 as the research object, this paper explores the temperature variation characteristics of mass concrete during pouring and forming on-site. It analyzes the temperature changes in mass concrete based on field temperature-monitoring data and laboratory test results, plots temperature measurement curves, and identifies the temperature variation trend of mass concrete caused by hydration heat. A numerical model is established via ANSYS to study the effects of ventilation temperature and velocity by simulation. Results show that the temperature of mass concrete pouring blocks rises rapidly to a peak and then decreases to room temperature, which is analyzed from the perspectives of hydration heat reaction mechanism and heat transfer. Laboratory test data are highly consistent with field data, verifying the temperature variation characteristics of concrete pouring. The numerical simulation of heat transfer-influencing factors reveals that the optimal ventilation velocity is 4 m/s for sufficient air circulation in the foundation pit; when the ventilation temperature is below 25 °C, the surface temperature of concrete decreases significantly with an obvious cooling effect. Full article

Extreme weather events such as higher temperatures, droughts, and soil salinization are projected to increase as atmospheric CO₂ concentrations rise and climate change progresses. These factors have a negative impact on global food security, the water supply, and ecosystem productivity. The focus of this review is on modern concepts, comparative studies, and our data on the mechanisms of adaptation of halophytes and glycophytes with different types of photosynthetic metabolism (C₃, C₄) to the individual and combined effects of climatic factors. The analysis revealed that C₃ and C₄ species and C₄-NAD-ME and C₄-NADP-ME species differ in terms of stability and photosynthetic plasticity. Under drought conditions, both individually and in combination with other factors, C₄ halophytes demonstrate the advantages of efficient photosynthesis and salt tolerance. Halophytes with C₄-NADP-ME are characterized by uniquely high levels of plasticity and variability in photosynthetic metabolism. This is reflected in their ability to mitigate the negative effects of elevated temperatures and drought through the use of elevated CO₂ (eCO₂). The mitigating effect of eCO₂ on photosynthesis at elevated temperatures was not detected in halophytes, regardless of photosynthesis type. Halophytes possess an augmented capacity for heat tolerance. Integrating fundamental scientific knowledge with urgent practical needs will enable us to predict changes in ecosystems and create new, sustainable agricultural systems. Full article

The escalating production of sewage sludge presents a significant environmental challenge, while the construction industry simultaneously seeks sustainable raw materials to improve its circularity. This review analyses the technical and regulatory landscape for valorizing SS within the Latvian construction sector, set against the divergent strategies of its Baltic neighbours. While global research confirms the technical viability of using SS in fired-clay bricks and as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM), national management approaches differ starkly. Lithuania has adopted widespread incineration, and Estonia has focused on advanced composting. In contrast, Latvia’s national strategy is failing, with 51% of its 2024 sludge production diverted to “temporary storage”. This review identifies this crisis as a unique opportunity, arguing that incorporating dewatered digestate into fired-clay bricks is the most logical and economically viable pathway for Latvia, as it leverages existing industrial infrastructure. The primary obstacle to this circular solution is not technical but legal, specifically the lack of a national “End-of-Waste” (EoW) criterion for sludge-derived construction materials. Therefore, this article proposes a strategic roadmap for Latvia, centred on developing this essential legal framework, creating a national sludge characterization map, and initiating a pilot project to bridge the research-to-industry gap. Although Latvia is the primary focus of this review, the regulatory, infrastructural and material constraints analysed here are common in many small and mid-sized countries, making the insights applicable beyond the Latvian context. Full article

Experiential learning through simulations offers a unique but often underutilized opportunity to bridge the gap between pedagogy and empirical research. This study addresses this gap by transforming the Pemberton’s Dilemma simulation from a classroom exercise into a quantitative, empirical research project to investigate the dynamics of trust, cooperation, and opportunistic behavior. To address questions related to such trust interactions, the simulation was modified to include variable payout stakes, restricted and permitted communication phases, and an additional surprise round to measure long-term trust reputation effects. From 2017 through 2025, data was gathered from a convenience sample of 611 students from a large public university in the Northwestern United States. Results indicate that non-trusting behavior has a significantly greater mirroring effect than trusting behavior and that higher financial stakes frequently prime groups toward opportunistic hedging. While opportunistic strategies yielded greater short-term gains, longitudinal analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between consistent trust and monetary outcomes. Furthermore, the surprise round data confirmed that prior trust violations severely diminished cooperation and earnings in the future unknown round. The study supports the benefits of integrating quantitative research into pedagogical experiential tools to advance scholarly understanding (in this case of trust dynamics and the vital role of transparent communication and sustainability-compatible strategies), enhance student learning, and to provide data-driven recommendations for organizations. Full article

The growing importance of integrating renewable energy sources (RESs) into mainline railway traction networks stems from the sector’s substantial electricity demand, which is traditionally met by carbon-intensive thermal generation. This paper addresses the potential of wind power to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions in rail transport. It details the development of digital models for simulating DC traction power systems (TPSs) coupled with RESs, specifically wind turbines. Given the complexity of TPSs, effective integration requires digital modeling that accounts for their unique properties. The proposed methodology, based on phase coordinate algorithms, offers a universal and comprehensive framework. It enables the identification of various operational modes (normal, emergency, and special) for diverse network components, including traction networks, transmission lines, and transformers. These models were used to simulate real-world train operations, generating data on electrical parameter dynamics and transformer thermal conditions. The results confirm that wind integration can improve energy efficiency, validating the methodology’s practical applicability for RES projects in DC traction networks, including advanced high-voltage systems. Full article

Anishnawbe Health Toronto (AHT) is Canada’s largest multidisciplinary Indigenous health centre. In 2023, the Executive Director of AHT spearheaded a community-centered research study looking at mental and spiritual health for its community of service users. This project sought to support cultural resurgence efforts in AHT health programming through the synthesis of Indigenous-informed models and understandings of mental health, rooted in the knowledge and experience of care providers at AHT. This project also sought to enhance Indigenous community research capacity by involving Indigenous community stakeholders in each stage of the qualitative research process. This paper details these methods, which follow Indigenous community ethics in research, and include both Indigenous approaches to research as well as qualitative methods. This paper then presents a summary of the study’s findings, describing the interdisciplinary mental health services of a team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous practitioners at AHT. Three major themes describe the unique features of these services: The Healing Relationship, Indigenous Spaces and Identities as a “Sacred Home”, and Healing Through Spirit. The connection between spirituality and Indigenous wellness is discussed by centering Indigenous values and ways of knowing as central to Indigenous healing, survivance, and cultural resurgence. Full article

The accurate measurement and optimization of spatial vitality inside commercial complexes has become crucial for sophisticated urban governance as urban growth moves from rapid expansion to quality-oriented stock augmentation. This research creates a multifaceted assessment methodology that incorporates systemic connectedness (transportation synergy), spatial performance (public activity and social efficacy), and spatial supply (human–land linkages and arrangement). We used a stratified purposive sample of 20 business complexes spread across eight districts in Guangzhou, a typical high-density megacity. In order to understand the underlying mechanisms of spatial vitality, we measured important indicators including the Polycentricity Index (α) and the Spatial Performance Index (β) using a mixed-methods approach that included K-means clustering, multinomial logit regression, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Four important insights are shown by our findings. 1. The paradox of density and efficiency: The notion that high-density development inevitably ensures lively public space is called into question by the lack of a significant linear correlation between the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and spatial performance (r = 0.32, p > 0.05), despite a core–periphery gradient in development intensity. 2. Structural Supply Demand Mismatch: Although overall spatial performance is strong (β = 0.81 ± 0.07), there is a notable shortfall in cultural and artistic venues, where young adults’ demand (0.27) is 145% greater than supply (0.11). 3. Polycentric Networking vs. Transport Polarization: While spatial structures show a networked polycentric pattern (mean α = 6.40), transportation synergy is affected by core–periphery polarization, which results in “vitality islands” in the periphery. 4. Dual-Path Driving Mechanisms: According to SEM results, cultural spaces have a considerable indirect impact (39.7% mediation) by boosting brand uniqueness and “cultural capital,” while composite plaza spaces have a strong direct effect on commercial performance (γ = 0.682). Based on these findings, we suggest distinct optimization strategies: aging projects need climate-responsive design interventions; growing areas should create family-oriented consumption ecosystems; and core districts should give priority to cultural “IP” integration. For the planning and revitalization of commercial land use in high-density global environments, this study offers a solid analytical framework and practical insights. Full article

The European Green Deal is Europe’s ambitious and multi-layered response to climate change. Translating its objectives into action for a green transition has created a need for new skills and competencies. Vocational and Education Training (VET) systems are uniquely positioned to equip learners with these emerging green and transversal competences through their dual focus on knowledge dissemination and applied practice. However, current VET curricula remain oriented towards traditional occupations and are not adequately aligned with the sustainability and skills needs of the agri-food sector. This study, as part of a joint European-funded project (2023-1-IE01-KA220-VET-00156916: Train to Sustain), aimed to: (1) identify practical strategies for integrating sustainability concepts and innovative pedagogy into VET programs, and (2) gather multi-stakeholder perspectives on how VET agri-food education can be adapted for greater alignment with the green skills required by the sector. Following ethical approval, data were collected through semi-structured focus groups involving key agri-food stakeholder groups across Ireland, Slovenia, Poland and Italy. The data were qualitatively analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA). Five themes were identified: (1) Innovative and Sustainable Practices in Agri-Food systems, (2) Education, Awareness and Consumer Engagement, (3) Institutional and Structural Approaches, (4) Community and Localised Responses, and (5) Barriers, Opportunities and Future Directions. The findings highlight the significant potential VET offers in preparing a workforce with the cross-cutting sustainability competences and sector-specific skills needed to drive the innovation and growth of the agri-food sector. However, achieving this requires institutional change, strengthened collaboration, and a shift from traditional technical training toward curriculum models that embed sustainability principles across diverse local and regional contexts. Full article