Future Plans Research Articles

Well-being among university students in the post-COVID-19 era: a cross-country survey

University students have to handle crucial challenges for their future lives, such as succeeding in academic studies and finding attachment figures. These processes could potentially involve their well-being and mental health, with possible sociocultural differences based on the country of study. In order to explore such potential differences, a cross-sectional, multi-center survey was performed involving students from the University of Torino (Italy), Sevilla (Spain), and Lusòfona (Portugal). The survey, conducted from May to November 2023, investigated students’ demographic and educational details, socioeconomic status, social support, mental health, academic environment, perceived COVID-19 pandemic impact, and future plans. Demographic profiles showed a predominance of female participants and straight sexual orientation, followed by bisexuality. Italian students showed the lowest levels of mental well-being and the highest rates of mental problems (anxiety and depression) and suicidal risk across the three countries despite the relatively similar profiles of social support. The prevalence of the students’ confidence in their professional future is higher in Spain than in Italy and Portugal. This study provides a comprehensive examination of university students’ mental health and well-being in three Southern European countries, addressing the major mental health challenges among university students and offering valuable insights for public health purposes.

Integration of Distributed Generations and electric vehicles in the distribution system

Power quality challenges are a major problem these days because of the significant increase in load demand and the existence of various reasons for disruptions in the distribution system. A voltage sag or a decrease in the magnitude of the line voltage can be brought on by rapid fluctuations in load or distribution system issues. Enhancing the grid current profile, reducing grid voltage sag, and improving other performances can all be achieved through the combination of electric vehicles with distribution generation systems. In this paper, the integration of Distributed Generation with Electric Vehicles in the distribution system has been done to enhance system performances such as true power loss index, imaginary power loss index, voltage deviation index, short circuit current index, cost function, and environmental impact reduction index for 16 bus distribution system in constant impedance, constant current, and constant power load models, or ZIP load models through proper location, sizing, coordinated controlling, and types of Distributed Generation and Electric Vehicle pairs for both charging and discharging modes by adopting Hybrid Genetic Algorithm - Monte Carlo Simulation optimization methodologies. This study's primary goal is to determine the optimal distribution generation and electric vehicle pairing to improve the aforementioned parameters, which will assist researchers in their future planning. Researchers, industry professionals, scientists, and individuals working with Distributed Generation and Electric vehicles in the smart grid will find this statement to be of great use.

Evaluation of genetic diversity among olive trees (Olea europaea L.) from Jordan

This study aimed to identify and evaluate the genetic diversity of olive trees in Jordan, a country located in the eastern Mediterranean, where olive domestication originated. For this purpose, a total of 386 olive trees were analyzed, including 338 collected from two surveys (JOCC-1 and JOCC-2) across seven regions, and 48 selected accessions from the Olive Germplasm Bank of Jordan (JGBOC). These trees underwent comprehensive phenotypic and molecular characterization using different tools. Significant differences in morphological traits were detected among tested regions using the Chi-square test. Principal components analysis revealed that fruit color change and growth habit as the most discriminating traits, segregating the trees into two groups, with the first group including the Kanabisi cultivar and the second group including the Kfari Baladi cultivar. Utilizing Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR assay, two sets of informative SNPs were used for the genetic diversity analysis. Cladograms were constructed using the maximum likelihood method, revealing a consistent pattern where two clades containing identical genotypes were observed to cluster with the Kfari Baladi or Kanabisi. In addition, the SNP data was used to perform a comparative analysis with the Worldwide Olive Germplasm Bank of Córdoba, which revealed 73 unreported olive genotypes from Jordan. Genetic structure analyses using Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components (DAPC) identified four clusters with distinctive patterns of relatedness among 149 unique accessions, including 52 olive accessions from various Mediterranean countries (IOCC-3). ADMIXTURE analysis revealed four genetic clusters, consistent with the clustering observed in DAPC and cladogram analysis, indicating a high level of genetic admixture among Jordanian olive germplasm. In conclusion, the results show that olive trees in Jordan are highly diverse, providing valuable information for future conservation and management plans.

A satellite-derived baseline of photosynthetic life across Antarctica

AbstractTerrestrial vegetation communities across Antarctica are characteristically sparse, presenting a challenge for mapping their occurrence using remote sensing at the continent scale. At present there is no continent-wide baseline record of Antarctic vegetation, and large-scale area estimates remain unquantified. With local vegetation distribution shifts now apparent and further predicted in response to environmental change across Antarctica, it is critical to establish a baseline to document these changes. Here we present a 10 m-resolution map of photosynthetic life in terrestrial and cryospheric habitats across the entire Antarctic continent, maritime archipelagos and islands south of 60° S. Using Sentinel-2 imagery (2017–2023) and spectral indices, we detected terrestrial green vegetation (vascular plants, bryophytes, green algae) and lichens across ice-free areas, and cryospheric green snow algae across coastal snowpacks. The detected vegetation occupies a total area of 44.2 km2, with over half contained in the South Shetland Islands, altogether contributing just 0.12% of the total ice-free area included in the analysis. Due to methodological constraints, dark-coloured lichens and cyanobacterial mats were excluded from the study. This vegetation map improves the geospatial data available for vegetation across Antarctica, and provides a tool for future conservation planning and large-scale biogeographic assessments.

Integrated Transportation Case: Planning of Future Transport Infrastructure/Connectivity In Dar es Salaam

Urbanization poses significant challenges to transportation systems in rapidly growing cities like Dar es Salaam. This paper examines the potential of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) to address transportation issues in the Ilala municipality. Despite ongoing infrastructure projects, the city lacks a comprehensive master plan to support its projected growth. The research underscores the importance of integrating infrastructure improvements and ITS to optimize the BRT system in Ilala. The study begins with an analysis of the current transportation landscape, highlighting deficiencies in road networks and public transportation that lead to severe congestion and unreliable commutes. Key stakeholders are identified, and the necessity of their involvement in transportation planning is emphasized. The research questions focus on enhancing stakeholder engagement, integrating ITS, and improving road infrastructure design. A mixed-methods approach is employed, including literature reviews, case studies of successful BRT implementations worldwide, and primary data collection through interviews, surveys, and focus groups with various stakeholders. This comprehensive approach provides actionable insights for enhancing urban mobility in Ilala. Future recommendations include upgrading the BRT system to a Level 3 configuration, incorporating elevated BRT sections to separate bus lanes from other traffic, and optimizing the design of lanes, stations, and vehicles to improve efficiency. Additionally, the paper discusses the potential benefits of a well-implemented ITS, providing real-time information to commuters and enhancing overall transportation experience. By addressing these challenges, the research aims to improve the quality of life for Dar es Salaam residents, stimulate economic growth, and contribute to a more sustainable urban environment. The findings and recommendations offer a strategic framework for future transportation planning in Ilala and beyond

Support for Advanced Nuclear Power Growing in the United States

Global clean energy and decarbonization goals are forcing governments around the world to take a hard look at their energy resource portfolios and future plans for meeting increasing electricity demand. While the last several years have seen a significant uptick in the deployment of solar, both terrestrial and offshore wind, and battery storage here in the United States, nuclear energy is once again being considered a critical energy generation source. Nuclear power, and in particular small modular nuclear reactors, are being considered as carbon‐free power generation sources to strategically meet new loads.

Understanding how justice is considered in climate adaptation approaches: a qualitative review of climate adaptation plans

ABSTRACT Despite a growing focus on climate justice, prior research has revealed scant details about how marginalised groups have been engaged in local climate adaptation processes. This study aims to understand how justice is considered in these processes through a qualitative review of climate adaptation plans and related documents from US municipalities. We reviewed 101 plans published between 2010 and 2021 using the three-dimensional framework of recognitional, distributional, and procedural justice. Overall, our findings revealed a stronger focus on recognitional and distributional justice than procedural. Recognitional justice mainly focused on who is most vulnerable to climate change and how, with most plans adopting a similar understanding of vulnerability. Plans less frequently acknowledged how historical injustices contribute to vulnerability. Distributional justice was addressed through adaptation strategies across six areas (e.g. health and safety, buildings, green infrastructure, professional development, food, and transit), focusing greater attention on expanding existing programmes than new initiatives. Little attention was given to the potential negative impacts of proposed strategies. Procedural justice was mainly considered through one-off opportunities, rather than more extensive engagement in decision-making. Most plans lacked implementation considerations, for justice or otherwise, but when included, details mainly focused on who would be involved and not how strategies would be implemented. These findings provide an array of approaches to incorporate justice in adaptation planning and support several considerations for developing future plans.

Ascertaining the Peculiarities of Athletes’ Adaptation Course to Post-Sports Life

Objectives. The purpose of the study was to identify the peculiarities of athletes’ adaptation to post-sport life under modern conditions of reality. Materials and methods. The study involved 36 athletes, Masters of Sports, aged 25 to 40 years, who had finished their professional sports careers in disciplines such as ballroom dancing, artistic gymnastics, football, swimming, and judo. The study used methods of analysis and generalization obtained from scientific-methodical literature and internet data, surveys, and psychodiagnostics: the “Differential Emotions Scale” by C. Izard, adapted by A. Leonova, the “Meaningful Life Orientations” method by D. A. Leontiev, an adapted version of the “Purpose-in-Life Test” (PIL) by James Crumbaugh and Leonard Maholick, as well as the “Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory” (ZTPI) by Zimbardo, P. G., & Boyd, J. N. During the study results’ analysis, the following methods were used: frequency analysis — identification of the frequency of each emotion category (absolute frequencies), and a calculation of percentage values (relative frequencies) for each category relative to the total number of participants. This was also applied to determine the number of athletes belonging to each category of future plans and to define the components of the time perspective; descriptive statistics — calculation of the mean value for each survey scale; these values were used to compare mean values between different scales and to analyze the variability of responses by calculating the standard deviation; percentage calculation. Results. This study examined the post-sport adaptation of 36 athletes using psychodiagnostic methods, thereby uncovering a complex emotional landscape and a variety of future perspectives. The survey results showed that 43% of the respondents had not yet decided what they wanted to become in their post-sports life, indicating significant stress, negative emotions, and physical and psychological problems that require attention and support. A significant portion (40%) of respondents affirmed that they could envisage their future without sports, with 25% choosing to become coaches and 15% interested in sports-related professions. Only 17% of respondents considered their future in other fields. The study also found that 42% of athletes reported having a strongly negative attitude towards leaving professional sports, experiencing feelings such as despair, grief, anger, disgust, and confusion. Another 36% of athletes characterized their emotional state as anxious-depressive, which also requires attention. Meanwhile, 22% of respondents stated a positive emotional attitude towards ending their careers, demonstrating interest in new circumstances and their future, which helps them to transition effectively into new lives. The study results on life orientations revealed that athletes tended to be more focused on past achievements and current goals than on the future, which may complicate their adaptation to post-sports life. Nevertheless, 37% of athletes are oriented towards a positive future and are willing to make efforts to achieve the necessary goals. Therefore, the findings clearly indicate the need for post-sports support and increased attention to the large proportion of former athletes (79%), whose mental health depends on the timeliness and speed of measures taken by specialists. Conclusions. The transition process for athletes after ending their professional careers to a life without sports is defined as individually nuanced, complex, and prolonged; it depends on past career success, is accompanied by stressful situations and negative emotions, and often requires a sudden conclusion to preserve the sense of being a champion.

Food Sector Development Analysis Sustainable on The Island of Sumatra, Indonesia

This research examines the efforts that must be made by the government in realizing strong food security through indicators of the sustainable food sector on the island of Sumatra for 2018-2022. Food sector indicators include poor population , food inflation, per capita rice consumption, insufficient food consumption, and food insecurity. While indicators to strengthen food security by looking at the food security index. The research findings that the variable food inflation (IBM) has a positive and significant effect on the food security index (IKP), while the variables of the poor (PM), rice consumption per capita (KBP), population according to insufficient food consumption status (PoU) has a positive and no significant effect on the food security index (IKP). While the population with moderate or severe food insecurity, the food insecurity experience scale (FIES) has a negative and not significant effect on the food security index (IKP). These findings indicate that local governments need to realize strong food security, namely through aspects of climate suitability, regional topography compatibility, development of human resources (HR) for farmers, use of technology, existing food maps, future plans for on-farm and off -farm expansion, as well as regional policy support for self-sufficiency.

Determinants of Undernutrition among Under-Five Children: A Community-Based Study from Eastern India

Backgrounds: Children are prone to undernutrition which adversely affects their health status. Nutritional status of under-five children is a sensitive indicator of nutrition and child health. Hence, the present study is undertaken to assess the prevalence and determinants of undernutrition among under-five children in a rural area of West Bengal, India. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1680 under-five children who were selected by 30 cluster sampling technique to assess the prevalence and determinants of undernutrition. Nutritional status was assessed by means of weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-for-height and mid-upper arm circumference-for-age criteria based on World Health Organization’s child growth standards. Results: The prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting among under-five children was found to be 33.7%, 34.8%, and 21.6%, respectively. Moreover, 39.4% of the studied children had low mid-upper arm circumference-for-age. After adjustment for possible confounders, maternal illiteracy, lower socio-economic status, presence of anemia and any childhood morbidity were found significant determinants of undernutrition. Conclusions: Widespread prevalence of undernutrition among under-five children with anemia and childhood morbidity as important determinants highlights a need for multi-disciplinary integrated approach towards improving the child health and nutrition. Long term measures like improvement of maternal education and poverty alleviation should also be considered in future plans.

Integration of smart cities technologies for future urban development planning

Integration of smart cities technologies for future urban development planning

Challenges and aspirations of neurosurgery residents in Germany: Insights from a questionnaire-based survey

ObjectiveNeurosurgery residents in Germany face numerous challenges including receiving comprehensive surgical training with adequate learning opportunities, achieving balanced work life equilibrium, maintaining a positive work environment and navigating career prospects. The objectives of this study are to assess overall satisfaction with the training program, identify factors contributing to dissatisfaction, explore various dimensions of the training program, evaluate the psychological well-being of residents, and ascertain their preferences for future subspecialties. MethodsA questionnaire-based survey was conducted anonymously among neurosurgery residents from various training hospitals, nationwide. The survey utilized a quantitative questionnaire as data collection tool. The data collection took place from June 2021 to January 2023. ResultsThe survey encompassed 120 neurosurgery residents, with a gender distribution of 55 % male and 45 % female. The respondents were primarily from university hospitals (53 %), followed by community hospitals (38 %) and private hospitals (9 %). In terms of training program satisfaction, 37 % reported moderate satisfaction, 39 % indicated below-moderate satisfaction, and 28 % experienced above-moderate satisfaction. The predominant causes of dissatisfaction identified were insufficient surgical exposure (reported by 39 % of respondents), suboptimal educational content (38 %), and inadequate research opportunities (32 %). Additionally, 24 % of respondents highlighted psychological stress, and 36 % reported frequent experiences of burnout. A majority (63 %) indicated a workload of 60–80 h weekly. About half of the residents indicated a future specialization interest in neurosurgical oncology. ConclusionThe results of the survey findings provide valuable insights into the challenges and aspirations of neurosurgery trainees in Germany. These results serve as a basis for improving the training system, enhancing the working environment, and guiding future planning in this field. To optimize the training of residents, it is important to address issues such as limited surgical and research opportunities and psychological well-being. The expressed interest in subspecializing offers guidance for shaping the training program’s future direction.

Antibody-mediated autoimmunity in symptom-based disorders: position statement and proceedings from an international workshop.

A 2-day closed workshop was held in Liverpool, United Kingdom, to discuss the results of research concerning symptom-based disorders (SBDs) caused by autoantibodies, share technical knowledge, and consider future plans. Twenty-two speakers and 14 additional participants attended. This workshop set out to consolidate knowledge about the contribution of autoantibodies to SBDs. Persuasive evidence for a causative role of autoantibodies in disease often derives from experimental "passive transfer" approaches, as first established in neurological research. Here, serum immunoglobulin (IgM or IgG) is purified from donated blood and transferred to rodents, either systemically or intrathecally. Rodents are then assessed for the expression of phenotypes resembling the human condition; successful phenotype transfer is considered supportive of or proof for autoimmune pathology. Workshop participants discussed passive transfer models and wider evidence for autoantibody contribution to a range of SBDs. Clinical trials testing autoantibody reduction were presented. Cornerstones of both experimental approaches and clinical trial parameters in this field were distilled and presented in this article. Mounting evidence suggests that immunoglobulin transfer from patient donors often induces the respective SBD phenotype in rodents. Understanding antibody binding epitopes and downstream mechanisms will require substantial research efforts, but treatments to reduce antibody titres can already now be evaluated.

Coping With COVID-19: Perspectives of Caregivers of Children and Young People With Chronic Kidney Disease.

Caregivers of children and young people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face challenging circumstances on a daily basis; however, the difficulties they experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as potentially positive experiences, are not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to explore the pandemic-related experiences of these caregivers. Twelve caregivers were recruited from a hospital-based pediatric renal program; eight families were posttransplant. Caregivers participated in virtual semistructured interviews conducted between March 2021 and November 2022. They provided responses to open-ended questions concerning how the pandemic affected their child with CKD, their family, and themselves. Interviews were transcribed and coded using thematic analysis. Four main themes were identified: (1) Family Life, which included disruptions in routine, reduced social supports, and changes in the quality of family relationships; (2) Mental Health and Coping, which included increased anxiety and positive coping strategies; (3) Work and School Life, which included changes to work and school; and (4) Health and Health Care Systems, which included virtual health care and public health restrictions. Despite facing profound challenges, caregivers identified both positive and negative aspects of their pandemic experiences. Their coping strategies highlighted individual and family resilience characteristics. Implications for health care providers, including future pandemic planning, support for the transition from in-person to virtual care, and strategies to better address barriers to resources for families of children with chronic kidney disease were discussed.

Using synthetic disk-integrated reflectance spectra to constrain direct imaging sensitivity requirements for a Mars-like exoplanet

The 2020 Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics 11https://doi.org/10.17226/26141. recommended the prioritization of a space-based telescope capable of directly characterizing Earth-like exoplanets in reflected light. The planned suite of instruments onboard such a mission are expected to provide disk-integrated spectra with moderate spectral resolution and signal-to-noise (SNR). Although the detection and characterization of Earth-like exoplanets remains the primary focus of such a mission, land planets with limited available water, such as Mars, may be much more common. Mars-like exoplanets, therefore, are an equally significant set of targets when investigating the diverse climatologies and potential habitability of other worlds, especially if our own Solar System is any indication of planetary diversity. In this study, we constrain the direct imaging sensitivity requirements for observing and characterizing Mars-like exoplanets with the goal of informing future telescope design and mission planning. Employing an instrument noise model simulating a coronagraph-equipped, space-based telescope, spatially- and spectrally-resolved synthetic observations of Mars are produced. We evaluate the direct imaging sensitivity requirements across a range of wavelengths, from the ultraviolet (UV) to near-infrared (near-IR), to enable the spectral characterization of key atmospheric and surface features from disk-integrated reflectance spectra. Detectability at a given SNR is assessed through optical wavelength integration times for a range of phase angles, host star spectral types, and levels of atmospheric dustiness. Our results indicate that a Decadal-recommended space telescope featuring an aperture of 6-m is likely only proficient in detecting Mars-like exoplanets around K-type stars located within a 10 parsec (pc) radius from Earth. Furthermore, we demonstrate that when integrating over visible and near-IR wavelengths, required exposure times to detect such a planet are reasonable, especially near full phase angles. In the context of upcoming and proposed observatories, such as the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) and the Large UV/Optical/IR Surveyor (LUVOIR), our findings provide valuable insights into the direct imaging capabilities and optimal observational strategies needed for detecting and studying Mars-like exoplanets.

Ambient dosimetry in pulsed neutron fields with LINrem detectors

The status of the LINrem project is presented, focusing on the development of innovative neutron dosimeters with enhanced energy sensitivity, time resolution, and portability. Designed to meet the technical demands of radiation protection in modern particle and nuclear facilities, these dosimeters are discussed in detail. Results from experimental campaigns showcasing their efficacy in pulsed fields generated by fusion plasmas and high-intensity pulsed lasers are presented. Additionally, prospects and future plans for the LINrem project are outlined.

MOTIVATION LEVELS OF STUDENTS FOR THE TEACHING PROFESSION

One of the key indicators reflecting the success of the choice of a specialization is students' motivation. Numerous factors influence the motivation levels of students in higher education institutions, either positively or negatively. This article investigates the factors influencing the professional motivation of undergraduate students, focusing on 106 participants majoring in teaching. The study collected data on students' choice of specialization, career aspirations, perceived educational quality, and perceptions of teachers' professionalism through a survey. The aim was to explore the motivation and future plans of students pursuing bachelor's degrees in pedagogical specialties in Azerbaijan. Analysis of the responses revealed that the quality of teaching, opportunities for professional growth, and the perceived quality of pedagogical experiences, along with local stereotypes and job requirements, significantly impact students' professional motivation.

Assessing Public Water Management Efficiency in North-western Mexico with a Two-stage Bootstrap Data Envelopment Analysis Model

Purpose: Mexico faces severe water availability problems, resulting in higher stress on its distribution in many states. To resolve the increasing water demand, it is essential to evaluate public water management to ensure the success of any decision-making policies to decrease the water pressure in the country. Methodology/Approach: For water management systems, benchmarking their performance relative to others can be an appropriate way to identify possible improvements. Using data from the National Census for drinking water and sanitation in 109 municipalities in the northwest region of Mexico, this analysis aims to evaluate the water management efficiency based on a two-stage Bootstrap Data Envelopment Analysis model with intermediate variables. Findings: The study found average efficiency in water system management but very low efficiency in system improvements. Additionally, no relationship was identified between the two stages or population size and density. Research Limitation/Implication: The study highlights the need for transparent water policies to address the country's shortage. Adjusting municipal public water system management operations and designing future strategic planning is essential. Originality/Value of paper: The presented analysis investigates a relationship between water management and water system improvements.

Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant impact on regional economies from 1960 to 2010

Understanding the economic and social impact of nuclear power on a region is crucial; this is particularly important for Fukushima because the region relies on nuclear power and its sustainable recovery following the nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi. However, existing studies do not reveal any consensus on the economic impact of nuclear power plants. Further, long-term time-series data for conducting such an analysis are lacking; so, for this study, a long-term database from 1960 to 2010 was constructed (before the earthquake and nuclear power plant accidents happened in 2011). The data were analyzed to evaluate the effects of the nuclear power plants on employment in various sectors in Fukushima, using the difference-in-differences (DID) and staggered DID methods. Unlike previous studies, this study revealed that nuclear power surprisingly increased agricultural employment (892.62 more jobs) while reducing manufacturing employment (−466.40 fewer jobs) due to crowding-out effects. Furthermore, although employment in the construction sector also increased, the impact was temporary. These findings highlight the complex economic dynamics triggered by the presence of a nuclear power plant, which may have significant implications for long-term recovery strategies in the region. Despite the positive impacts on certain sectors, the negative effects on manufacturing underscore the need for careful consideration in future economic planning and recovery efforts. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by regions hosting nuclear power plants, which must be considered for long-term recovery.

Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) strategically manipulate their environment to deny conspecifics access to food

Humans modify their environment to grant or prevent others’ access to valuable resources, for example by using locks. We tested whether sanctuary-living chimpanzees (N = 10) would flexibly modify their environment to either allow or deny a dominant conspecific access to a shared food source by giving them the option to change a food reward’s pathway prior to releasing it. The food could end up in one of two locations: one was accessible to both the subject and a dominant conspecific, the other one was only accessible to the subject. We further manipulated the extent of inhibitory control needed for modifying the pathway by varying the subjects’ starting position. Our subjects reoriented the pathway competitively to monopolize food but changed the pathway less often in trials with high inhibitory demands. We further show how inhibitory task demands in a social context influence chimpanzees’ future planning. Our results show that chimpanzees will strategically manipulate their environment to maximize their own and deny a dominant conspecific access to food.