Future Plans Research Articles

TRANSFORMACIONES EN LA CONFIGURACIÓN Y FUNCIONALIDADES DE LA PERIFERIA URBANA NOROESTE DE LA GRAN ÁREA METROPOLITANA DE COSTA RICA (GAM)

The peripheries are generally conceived as scenarios for expanding various economic activities in central cities, and their land uses usually explain both their functionality and territorial organization. However, the literature shows that the logic that configures these places also goes through a framework of territorialized human relations and that their forms of organization are also linked to social valuations. Given the above, the research emphasizes the importance of taking a comprehensive look, based on spatial structures, to understand the changes and contemporary functionalities of the periphery under study. For this, a qualitative methodology of an ethnographic type was considered, based on observing land uses and the practices of the different users. As a result, the spatial structures approach made evident other activities and relationships between society and the environment, such as forms of recreation on agricultural land, the agriculturization process, agro-productive diversification, and changes in residential models, which must be taken into account for current and future planning of the periphery. Keywords: Land Use, Transformations in Urban Peripheries, Functionalities, Geographic Space, Social Valuation, Gran Área Metropolitana.

Hydrological streamflow modeling at the inlet of Gilgel Gibe III dam of Ethiopia using soil and water assessment tool

AbstractComprehensive approach is a pre‐requisite to improve the estimation of variability in streamflow data for designing water supply systems, generating hydropower, determining environmental flows, allocating water, and conducting pollution studies that need a comprehensive approach. There is a need to model streamflow data to develop effective water policy plans when sufficient data are unavailable. This study aims at assessing the accuracy and applicability of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model in predicting streamflow at the inlet of the Gilgel Gibe III dam watershed in Ethiopia. Historical meteorological data from nine available stations between 1987 and 2017 were used to predict the streamflow. The SWAT model was calibrated and validated for two different time periods (1997–1999 and 2003–2004) using SWATCUP program and SUFI‐2 technique. Calibration and validation were based on monthly observed discharges at the Abelti and Gojeb stations. The results showed acceptable values of R2, Nash–Sutcliffe modeling efficiency (NSE), and percent bias (PBIAS). At the Abelti station and Gojeb station, the calibration and validation results were 0.82, 0.79, and −10.1%; 0.88, 0.84, and −14.4%; and 0.86, 0.79, and 14.1% for calibration and 0.88, 0.8, and 11.1% for validation, respectively. The prediction uncertainty of 95% was consistent with the observed discharge. The mean annual runoff was 440.08 m3/s, demonstrating the model's effectiveness in simulating streamflow at the dam's inlet. The calibrated and validated model can be used to study the effects of climate and land use changes; analyze water quality and sediment yield; and inform future water policy plans, dam construction planning, and flood disaster risk management.

A checklist of avian fauna of Suang Reserve Forest, Nagaon, Assam, India with notes on some species of interest

This study presents the first avian checklist from the Suang Reserve Forest of Nagaon, Assam, India. The study conducted between 2018 and 2023 documented 228 bird species belonging to 18 orders and 64 families of which four are globally threatened according to the IUCN Red List. Passeriformes was the most dominant order, with 128 species. Among non-passerines, Piciformes exhibited the highest richness (15 species), followed by Cuculiformes and Accipitriformes (13 species each). The family Muscicapidae had the greatest species diversity (21 species), followed by Accipitridae (13 species), Phylloscopidae (11 species), and Picidae (11 species). We also documented 38 winter visitors and seven summer migrants in the reserve forest. Noteworthy findings included rare sightings of the White-cheeked Partridge and Grey Peacock-Pheasant, and unusual sightings of Wreathed Hornbill and Pacific Golden Plover. The results showed the healthy condition of the forest and its high biodiversity value, despite the study limitations due to inaccessible terrain. We recommend extensive documentation of avifauna and other biodiversity for this region for future conservation planning.

A Deep Learning Approach to Identify Potential Sites for Pocket Park Installation in Nanjing, China

ABSTRACT Pocket parks are considered valuable tools for supporting green space provision in high-density environments. As the factors affecting pocket parks vary in fine-grained granularity, analyzing them efficiently on a large scale using traditional methods is challenging. Therefore, considering Nanjing as the study site, a potential identification framework was established, which includes categories of space, vitality, facility, and pleasurability for pocket park installation (PPI) based on visual information from street view images (SVIs). Then, the TrueSkill algorithm was employed to construct four parallel-task training sets according to the four categories and a convolutional neural network (CNN) and active learning (AL) approaches were applied to establish four parallel-task models of deep learning (DL). A two-phase grading score method was designed to integrate the identification results of the four DL models into a comprehensive potential score to determine priority sites for PPI. Lastly, the attributes of the potential sites and corresponding planning strategies in different scenarios were analyzed. The results showed that this modelling approach can integrally assess multiple factors on PPI within an enormous scope, overcoming traditional methods’ spatial and dimensional constraint in high-density environments. Our method and results can inform future pocket park planning and design in Nanjing and similar cities worldwide.

Development Strategies for Service-based Human Resources Business in Digital Age: The Case of Leadership Factory

Abstract: This research mainly takes the leadership factory as an example and, through analysis, points out the future development path for service human resources business. During the COVID-19 period, the development of the human resources industry was hindered, as reflected in the development of products, markets, and human resources itself. Service human resources companies have seized the most important product demand during COVID-19 and completed product changes. However, with the end of the epidemic era, market saturation also means that products need to be updated and iterated accordingly. Market diversity, uncertainty, and the development of the times have brought difficulties and risks to enterprises. Therefore, companies need to gain a foothold in the new era market. This study found that companies can specify their future development plans through five aspects: digital technology, diversification, professional capabilities, market penetration, and sustainable development capabilities. This research conference provides ideas for the future development of most service-type human resources business.

Consumer-Oriented Marketing Strategy of Chinese Domestic Otome Games: A Case Study of Love and Deepspace

Abstract: Otome games, story-based romance video games targeting women, originated in Japan in the late 1990s and have since gained popularity all around the world. This paper investigates the rise of Chinese domestic otome games, focusing on Love and Deepspace, a burgeoning and competitive title. The study analyzes its marketing strategy using the 4P model and examines the game's reflection on consumer behavior. The findings show that Love and Deepspace has innovated marketing approaches within the otome game industry, leveraging 3D modeling as the core of its product and price strategies and employing consumer-centric promotion strategies globally. As a conclusion, the paper states that understanding target consumers preferences is vital for future market planning. The research uses Love and Deepspaces success as an example to highlight the significant business value of domestic otome games and provide insights for companies to refine their strategies in this growing market.

Teacher education in Israel: a fifty-year journey (1974–2024)

ABSTRACT This study explores the evolution of teacher education in Israel from 1974 to 2024, analysing key policy actions, reforms, and initiatives that have shaped the field over the past five decades. During these years, extensive efforts were undertaken at the state level by the Ministry of Education and the Council for Higher Education to elevate the status of the teaching profession by advocating for the professionalisation and professionalism of teaching and teachers. These efforts include the academisation process of all teacher education colleges, the establishment of task forces and standing committees to address challenges, continuous upgrades and adjustments to the initial teacher education curriculum, support mechanisms for newly qualified teachers, ongoing professional development for practicing teachers, including master’s degree programmes, salary adjustments, and the decision to move the colleges of education to the sole auspices of the Council for Higher Education and the Planning and Budgeting Committee. Despite these numerous attempts, the status of teachers has continued to decline, and the profession has struggled with low public perception and prestige, leading to both quantitative and qualitative teacher shortages. The repeated policy shifts and inconsistent implementation strategies have often exacerbated rather than resolved these issues. By providing a comprehensive historical analysis, the study offers insights into the successes and significant shortcomings of past initiatives, aiming to inform future policy-making and strategic planning to enhance the effectiveness and appeal of the teaching profession in Israel.

The Impact of Virtual Immersive Public Art on the Restorative Experience of Urban Residents

This study explores the role of virtual immersive public art in improving the psychological well-being of urban residents. The research is set in the context of urban environments, where virtual immersive public art has the potential to foster innovation, integrate technology, and organically blend into public spaces. The study evaluates the impact of such art on psychological restoration by focusing on three key dimensions: interactive themes, interactive mechanisms, and artistic characteristics. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect participants’ real-life experiences and reactions to these art installations. The results show that virtual immersive public art significantly contributes to the restorative experience of urban residents, offering valuable insights into how these installations can promote mental health. Based on the findings, the study provides practical design recommendations for incorporating virtual immersive public art into future urban planning and design projects to enhance urban living conditions and support psychological recovery.

The proposal of a 15-minute city composite index through integrating GPS trajectory data-inferred urban function attraction based on the Bayesian framework

The chrono-urbanism framework suggests that urban life quality decreases with increased time spent in transportation, particularly motorized modes. The 15-min city concept, aligned with chrono-urbanism, emphasizes the importance of reaching essential urban functions within a short active travel time and has gained global attention. This study aims to develop a 15-min city composite index score (CIS) using the chrono-urbanism framework. The CIS integrates spatial accessibility to six key urban functions, providing a holistic assessment of the 15-min city status in Wuhan, China. Urban function accessibility is computed based on visitor volume inferred from GPS trajectory data using the Bayesian framework. Results reveal CIS hotspots in Hongshan, Wuchang, Jiangan, and Qingshan districts, with Hongshan having the highest concentration. However, Wuhan faces challenges in achieving comprehensive 15-min city status, as hotspots are mainly concentrated in specific areas like university towns and traditional city centers. The proposed assessment approach is applicable to accurately evaluate the 15-min status in other urban contexts using GPS trajectory data. The study's findings can assist policymakers in understanding CIS hotspot distribution and developing future planning policies to enhance the overall 15-min city status.

Childhood Emotional Trauma and Flourishing in Female College Students.

There are few studies that measure the effects of childhood emotional trauma on female college students' positive perceptions and attitudes toward their present lives. Therefore, this study analyzes how female college students' emotional trauma induced by child emotional abuse influences their flourishing as adults. To this end, a descriptive survey via an online platform was conducted from November 26 to December 3, 2022. The participants were 318 female college students aged 18 to 35 in South Korea, who experienced parental emotional abuse when they were younger than 18 years old. The survey was conducted to validate the moderating effects of resilience and cognitive emotion regulation strategies on the relationship between female college students' childhood emotional trauma and flourishing. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and Hayes' PROCESS macro. Self-blame, other-blame, and positive refocusing factors of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire were found to moderate the relationship between childhood emotional trauma and flourishing. Specifically, the self-blame strategy intensified the negative moderation effect. As flourishing depends on the degree of self-blame, fostering optimism by mitigating self-blame is necessary. The other-blame strategy attenuated the negative impact of childhood emotional trauma on flourishing. Nevertheless, this strategy can weaken emotions if individuals fail to regulate them independently. A positive refocusing strategy also effectively moderated the relationship between childhood emotional trauma and flourishing by alleviating the former's adverse effects. By contrast, resilience lacked a moderation effect. To overcome past emotional adversities and lead a flourishing life, interventions that actively utilize relational resources within the campus and regulate irrational beliefs, such as self-blame and blame toward others are necessary. These findings provide critical foundational data for the development of programs aimed at fostering a forward-thinking cognitive framework, thus enabling them to focus on future plans despite memories of emotional abuse.

The Collaborative Development of an Online Planning Tool for Teachers in Norway: Study Protocol for DigUp

Instructional planning is acknowledged as an important factor influencing the quality of classroom teaching. DigUp is a Research and Innovation in the Public Sector project which has received funding from the Research Council of Norway. Using a design-based research methodology, the objectives of DigUp are to design, trial, optimise and disseminate an online, didactic planning tool for teachers and to investigate how teachers use and experience the digital planning tool. The innovation part of the project has been developed in a close collaboration between researchers and practitioners in primary and lower secondary school. It applies perspectives from backward design, inquiry-based learning and disciplinary literacy. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data has been collected, providing the empirical basis for a research-based online tool that supports teachers in their planning. This protocol paper presents the background, design process and future research plan for the project.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Current and Future Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy Student Workforce in the UK and Ireland During 2022-2025: Considering Facilitators and Barriers to the Growth of This Workforce.

With evidence suggesting that dental hygienists (DH) and dental therapists (DThs) can undertake a significant proportion of routine clinical work, this paper explores the number of recent graduates and students currently in training in the UK and Ireland and considers whether there are sufficient DH and DTh registrants to positively impact on population needs. An online questionnaire survey was distributed by the Directors of Dental Hygiene and Therapy Group to all programme leads of dental hygiene and dental therapy programmes during December 2023. There was a 100% response rate. The majority of programmes award a Bachelor's degree, with a minority offering a Diploma or Foundation degree; one programme awards an MSc level qualification. The number of graduates in the 2022-2023 academic year was 429, registered with both the General Dental Council (GDC) and Dental Council of Ireland (DCI). The numbers of DH students expected to graduate in 2023-2024 academic year is likely to increase by 44% and in 2024-2025 this will increase by a further 12% compared to the previous year. The anticipated numbers of DTh graduates registering across the UK in 2023-2024 academic year is 312, representing in a slight decrease of 3% from the previous year; in 2024-2025 this figure is expected to remain static at 313. The results of this study demonstrate the numbers of students recently graduated and in training in the UK and Ireland, during 2022-2025. The numbers of registrants is slightly increasing, but there is a need for detailed information regarding working practices to inform future workforce planning; this will inform the need for increasing training numbers.

Development and enhancement of spatial perception among university students for better retention

During the compilation of this article, the primary aim was the exploration of the available opportunities regarding the development and improvement of spatial perception, and the creation of a future plan for assessing the spatial intelligence of engineering students attending the University of Miskolc. After carefully studying several publications, the Barke-style test was chosen, which is showcased in detail in this article. In my version, the essence of the test would remain the same, only the the tasks would be altered, and the incoming engineering students would participate in the survey, in a way similar to the mathematical competency survey that already exists at the university. Depending on the results of the survey, my plans include the creation of recommendations as part of my research, aimed at strengthening spatial competency among the engineering students attending the University of Miskolc.

The Endocrine Feedback Loop Podcast: Past, Present, and Future.

In June 2024, the Endocrine Feedback Loop podcast recorded its fiftieth episode at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society. Launched in May 2020, the podcast serves as a way for listeners to hear a critical analysis of recent and impactful research studies published in clinical journals of the Endocrine Society. The podcast follows methods proven effective in traditional journal clubs and adapts them to reach a wide audience with different levels of expertise in endocrinology. This Perspective outlines the history of the podcast, the process of producing a monthly episode, and the topics covered, as well as an assessment of the experience of producing the podcast and future plans for the Endocrine Feedback Loop.

ESG Performance and Enterprise Competitive Advantage Construction: A Case Study of Walmart

This essay opens with an in-depth discussion of the growing importance of ESG concepts in modern corporate management and highlights their significant role in promoting long-term corporate value creation. With the increasing global focus on sustainability, ESG concepts have become an integral part of corporate strategic planning and operational decision-making. Next, this article selects the global retail giant Walmart as a case study and uses SWOT analysis and other management tools to analyse in detail how Walmart has effectively constructed and consolidated its competitive advantages in the highly competitive market through the implementation of an active ESG strategy. The article specifically describes Walmart's practices on several ESG dimensions, including but not limited to the implementation of environmental protection measures, active support to the community, the enhancement of employee welfare, and the optimisation of corporate governance structure. In terms of environmental protection, Walmart has significantly reduced the environmental impact of its operations through measures such as reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency and promoting sustainable products. In terms of community support, the company has strengthened its ties with local communities and enhanced its brand image through various community programmes and charitable activities. Employee well-being has been achieved through improved working conditions and career development opportunities, which have not only increased employee satisfaction but also enhanced the company's attractiveness. The article concludes by summarising the important contribution of Walmart's ESG practices to the company's sustainability and long-term competitive advantage and suggests possible future strategic directions and recommendations for Walmart in ESG based on current market trends and company performance. These recommendations are intended to provide valuable references and insights for Walmart and other companies in their future strategic planning and decision-making processes, especially in terms of how to balance economic efficiency and social responsibility to achieve long-term sustainable development. However, due to the limitation of data and the depth of research on Walmart ESG, the article still has limitations.

Space Analogs and Behavioral Health Performance Research review and recommendations checklist from ESA Topical Team.

Space analog research has increased over the last few years with new analogs appearing every year. Research in this field is very important for future real mission planning, selection and training of astronauts. Analog environments offer specific characteristics that resemble to some extent the environment of a real space mission. These analog environments are especially interesting from the psychological point of view since they allow the investigation of mental and social variables in very similar conditions to those occurring during real space missions. Analog missions also represent an opportunity to test operational work and obtain information on which combination of processes and team dynamics are most optimal for completing specific aspects of the mission. A group of experts from a European Space Agency (ESA) funded topical team reviews the current situation of topic, potentialities, gaps, and recommendations for appropriate research. This review covers the different domains in space analog research including classification, main areas of behavioral health performance research in these environments and operational aspects. We also include at the end, a section with a list or tool of recommendations in the form of a checklist for the scientific community interested in doing research in this field. This checklist can be useful to maintain optimal standards of methodological and scientific quality, in addition to identifying topics and areas of special interest.

Comparative life cycle assessment of carbon-free ammonia as fuel for power generation based on the perspective of supply chains

In recent years, there has been a surge in ammonia demand due to growing interest in carbon-free fuel for decarbonization. Thus, it is crucial to identify the methods to fulfill the required demand, particularly for countries with resource scarcity or lacking well-established production infrastructure. The present study compares environmental impact analysis between domestic ammonia production and import ammonia for these countries by using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. In these ammonia supply paths, five different production ways were applied: gray (conventional Haber-Bosch process), blue (with carbon capture and storage), green (wind, solar, and nuclear powered water electrolysis with Haber-Bosch process). The assessment showed highest global warming potential (GWP) value at 2.64 ton CO2-eq/ton NH3 for imported gray while domestic nuclear-driven ammonia had the lowest value at 0.81 ton CO2-eq/ton NH3. In addition, contrary to expectations, the human and environment impact of green ammonias were all higher than gray and blue ammonia due to the production of raw materials. This means that environmental improvements of related production process are crucial in preparation for the coming new energy regime, which then lead to the production of environmentally friendly ammonia. Lastly, these results offer valuable guideline for future energy strategy planning.

Spatiotemporal Pattern Analysis and Prediction of Carbon Storage Based on Land Use and Cover Change: A Case Study of Jiangsu Coastal Cities in China

Accurate estimation of terrestrial ecosystem carbon storage and the scientific formulation of ecological conservation and land use policies are essential for promoting regional low-carbon sustainable development and achieving the goal of “carbon neutrality.” In this study, the FLUS–InVEST model was used to evaluate the carbon stocks of the Jiangsu coastal zone in China from 1995 to 2020 and scientifically forecast the changes in carbon stocks in 2030 under three scenarios: natural exploitation, ecological protection, and economic development. The results are as follows: (1) From 1995 to 2020, carbon storage in the coastal zone initially remained stable before declining, a trend closely linked to the accelerated urbanization and economic growth of Jiangsu Province. (2) By 2030, carbon storage under the three scenarios exhibits a pattern of “S1 decrease–S2 increase–S3 decrease,” with a more significant increase in construction land under the natural development and economic development scenarios compared to the ecological protection scenario. (3) The sensitivity of carbon storage to land use changes varies across scenarios. In the natural development scenario, carbon storage is most affected by forest reduction and construction land expansion. In the ecological protection scenario, it is more responsive to increases in non-construction land. In the economic development scenario, the expansion of construction land leads to the most significant decrease in carbon storage. Therefore, when formulating future territorial spatial planning policies and urban development strategies, it is essential to consider ecological protection and economic development scenarios comprehensively, taking into account carbon sequestration capabilities. This approach will ensure effective conservation and restoration of damaged ecosystems while safeguarding the robust development of urban economies and societies.

The LTAR Cropland Common Experiment at Platte River/High Plains Aquifer.

The Platte River/High Plains Aquifer (PR/HPA) region is characterized by cropland, pastures, and grasslands that are faced with changing climatic conditions and agricultural intensification. The PR/HPA Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) site is located in Eastern Nebraska with the goal of improving resilience, sustainability, and profitability of agroecosystems through enhancing ecosystem services and environmental quality, developing strategies for efficient agricultural production, and mitigating and adapting to climate change. To meet this goal, a common experiment and five ancillary experiments have been developed to evaluate prevailing regional practices in grain crop production systems compared to alternative practices in rainfed and irrigated systems. These experiments reflect different geographic regions and cropping systems within PR/HPA. The common experiment is at a plot scale under sub-drip irrigation. The prevailing practice is a corn-soybean rotation with a fixed N fertilizer rate. The alternative practice is a corn-winter wheat-relay cropped soybean rotation with temporally variable N rates using fertigation. There is also an auxiliary alternative practice, a corn-soybean rotation with temporally variable N rates using fertigation with fall manure application after soybean harvest. This document describes the regional characteristics, cropland LTAR experiments, stakeholder engagement, and future plans for the PR/HPA cropland experiments.

Engaging under-represented oldest old in research: Anapproach for inclusive recruitment.

Those aged 80 years and over are the fastest-growing sector of the Australian population but are often excluded from research. Oldest old people living alone, in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, and with ill health or dementia, face additional barriers that may hinder their participation in research. This paper contributes timely critical commentary on methodological and ethical approaches to engaging under-represented people in research. We draw on our experiences and reflections from a study of social exclusion of people aged 80 years and older living alone in government housing in Melbourne, Australia. We suggest key factors to facilitate representation of this population group in future research. These factors include using doorknocking to gain access, cultivating trust with participants and gatekeepers, and conducting face-to-face home interviews. We also interrogate ethical and safety issues for researchers and oldest old participants including the potential for informed consent protocols to exclude this population group. To avoid unintentionally excluding the oldest old, researchers need to consider older persons' self-determination and advocate for methods that ensure oldest old perspectives inform future healthy ageing planning and reduce possible health and well-being inequities.