Search Results (2,641)

This paper presents the authentication analysis of a bronze bust of Napoleon I, attributed to the Italian artist Renzo Colombo (1856–1885) based on his signature and other casting and molding inscriptions. The bust was made using the lost wax technique and artificially patinated in the Pinédo variant workshop. This study combined historiographical research (using the specialized literature) with data from auction catalogs. These were compared with photographs of the entire bust and close-up images of key areas, including anthropomorphic features, clothing, inscriptions, and structural and ornamental details. The condition of the bust and its historical and chemical characteristics were assessed through direct analysis with magnifying tools and indirect analysis using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). Full article

The ability and rapid access to execution data and information in manufacturing workshops have been greatly improved with the wide spread of the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence technologies, enabling real-time unmanned integrated control of facilities and production. However, the widespread issue of data quality in the field raises concerns among users about the robustness of automatic decision-making models before their application. This paper addresses three main challenges relative to field data quality issues during automated real-time decision-making: parameter identification under measurement uncertainty, sensor accuracy selection, and sensor fault-tolerant control. To address these problems, this paper proposes a risk assessment framework in the case of continuous production workshops. The framework aims to determine a method for systematically assessing data quality issues in specific scenarios. It specifies the preparation requirements, as well as assumptions such as the preparation of datasets on typical working conditions, and the risk assessment model. Within the framework, the data quality issues in real-time decision-making are transformed into data deviation problems. By employing the Monte Carlo simulation method to measure the impact of these issues on the decision risk, a direct link between sensor quality and risks is established. This framework defines specific steps to address the three challenges. A case study in the steel industry confirms the effectiveness of the framework. This proposed method offers a new approach to assessing safety and reducing the risk of real-time unmanned automatic decision-making in industrial settings. Full article

To solve the problems of chaotic information management and difficult traceability in the manufacturing process of transformer coils, a traceability and management method oriented towards the manufacturing process of transformer coils has been proposed. This method integrates industrial internet identification resolution and extension of Petri net modeling theory. A comprehensive identification and resolution framework for coil manufacturing processes has been constructed. In this manuscript, the authors proposed an industrial data-sharing space based on the producer-consumer model with unified coding identification. This enables information sharing for all resources, including personnel, machinery, materials, methods, environment, and measurements. A method for modeling extensible identification primitives of coil manufacturing process information was proposed, which formalizes the correlation and data structure of process information. A Petri net model for the comprehensive acquisition and integration of elemental information in coil manufacturing processes, as well as a mathematical model for quality traceability, were constructed, thereby forming a complete path for quality traceability information. Finally, based on the method proposed above, a software and hardware environment for identification and traceability for coil manufacturing was established. Taking a certain type of coil as an example, validation was carried out; the results indicate a significant enhancement in the production management and information traceability capabilities of the coil production workshop. This study provides reference and guidance for the process traceability management of power equipment manufacturing. Full article

Assembly Workshops with Island Layout (AWIL) possess flexible production capabilities that realize product diversification. To cope with the complex scheduling challenges in flexible workshops, improve resource utilization, reduce waste, and enhance production efficiency, this paper proposes a production scheduling method for flexible assembly workshops with an island layout based on digital twin technology. A digital twin model of the workshop is established according to production demands to simulate scheduling operations and deal with complex scheduling issues. A workshop monitoring system is developed to quickly identify abnormal events. By employing an event-driven rolling-window rescheduling technique, a dynamic scheduling service system is constructed. The rolling window decomposes scheduling problems into consecutive static scheduling intervals based on abnormal events, and a genetic algorithm is used to optimize each interval in real time. This approach provides accurate, real-time scheduling decisions to manage disturbances in workshop production, which can enhance flexibility in the production process, and allows rapid adjustments to production plans. Therefore, the digital twin system improves the sustainability of the production system, which will provide a theoretical research foundation for the real-time and unmanned production scheduling process, thereby achieving sustainable development of production. Full article

This research aimed to understand the challenges blind and partially sighted people experience in tourism and the travel information they need to plan their travel experiences effectively. To this end, we designed a mixed-methods study consisting of semi-structured interviews and co-design workshops, which were conducted to identify the needs of BPS people and the barriers experienced due to a lack of access to such information. The findings provide insights into the information-seeking process and highlight the role of experience sharing in cultivating a sense of agency, contribution, and interdependence. This study also contributes an accessible tourism ecosystem map based on our findings to highlight the different sources of travel information and their potential role in supporting inclusive travel for BPS people. The findings have implications for research and tourism service design and serve as a tool to motivate research on technologies to support inclusive leisure travel for BPS people and to inform the design of inclusive tourism services. Full article

Rarely do so many areas of society change as quickly as now. This study analyses the disruptive transformation of HR/qualification in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the leading sectors of mechanical and plant engineering and the automotive industry in Lower Franconia, Bavaria. More precisely, this study is about the Mainfranken region. Administratively, it comprises the two independent cities of Würzburg and Schweinfurt as well as seven administrative districts. This paper researches the long-term transformation of the world of work in terms of skill shortages, procurement strategies and employee performance. This study is based on quantitative and qualitative findings from the funding project transform.RMF in the form of an overarching literature review, a commissioned online survey, stakeholder workshops to identify regional trends and self-conducted expert interviews. Unsurprisingly, the shortage of skilled labour is a serious problem for regional SMEs. Managing directors are aware of the need to act in the acquisition and retention of recruited specialists. This includes in-house benefits, New Work models and competitive acquisition strategies. We must overcome the biggest obstacle to transformation—a lack of qualified personnel—together, structurally. Based on our insights, we create recommendations for action and connecting the potential in the network. In the future, the aim will be to intensify cooperation between society, business, science and politics at the regional level—transform.RMF’s mission in the interests of its members. Full article

Experiential learning and discovery through farmer field schools (FFS) have the potential to empower smallholder livestock farmers who face heightened vulnerability to climate change. However, there are various levels of learning and discovery in FFS that can inform smallholder livestock farmer knowledge and perception. Understanding this is vital, as farmers’ perceptions influence their readiness to adopt climate-smart practices, informing effective resilience-building strategies. Therefore, this study sought to investigate and assess the impact of the FFS approach on smallholder livestock farmers’ perceptions of climate change, taking Raymond Local Municipality in South Africa as a case. The design followed by the study was a longitudinal survey, with three pools each signifying various FFS intervention points. The study utilized simple random sampling to collect data from 80 smallholder livestock farmers using structured questionnaires in each of the three cross-sectional pools, while descriptive statistics, Min–Max Normalization, and t-tests were used for analysis. The results show that there was an increase in the awareness of climate change due to the interventions of the FFS. Furthermore, there are cumulative differences between the knowledge and perception towards climate change between the three pooled cross-sections. In conclusion, participating in FFS had a significant impact on farmers’ level of understanding and adaptation to climate change. The study recommends that the government and policymakers extensively promote FFS and support them financially so that they can provide more support to rural farmers as well as enhance knowledge on climate change. This study recommends the provision of workshops and awareness campaigns on climate change for farmers through FFS as this will assist farmers to be more sustainable on their farming systems and production. Full article

(1) Background: Public transport has a vital role to play in creating sustainable, accessible societies. Accessible and inclusive, door-to-door public transport systems with low barriers to use benefit everyone, increasing the mobility of citizens and improving independence. As the industry strives towards multi-modal and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) concepts, there is a need to delve deep into the needs and perceptions of transport user’s door-to-door journeys to find ways to improve. Accordingly, in order to increase the sustainability of MaaS, improving accessibility and understanding service user perceptions are of utmost importance. However, there is a scarcity of research within national transport services to determine unmet user needs to increase the accessibility and autonomy of door-to-door journeys. This research aims to investigate if it is possible to improve the door-to-door journey experience for public transport travellers, increasing the accessibility and the perception of autonomy via technology, and by doing so, providing a more sustainable alternative to road transport. It focuses on understanding service users of Ireland’s National Rail service, Irish Rail, to create key improvements in interactive systems. (2) Methods: The study applies a user-centred mixed-methods methodology using surveys (N = 316) and co-design workshops (four workshops N = 15). The research collected deep insights into the mindsets and needs of service users, showing the potential to improve this door-to-the-door customer journey. Key improvements for interactive systems were outlined. Experience maps were designed, leading to a Conceptual Design for a travel assistant to aid the service user throughout the door-to-door journey. (3) Results: Travellers’ autonomy and the sense of freedom they experience can be improved, mainly if their needs across the complete door-to-door customer journey are supported. Highlighted areas for action include information, accessibility, personal security, ticketing, comfort, facilities, and anxiety. (4) Conclusions: This research reiterates the need for national transport and MaaS providers to prioritise service users’ perspectives when developing sustainable services. Co-designing is recommended as a means of achieving this. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the widespread closure of educational systems, prompting a shift to online learning methods for instructors and students in higher education institutions. This study explores how pedagogical instructors supported accessibility to online pedagogical training during this crisis. This qualitative investigation employed a case study methodology, focusing on the high school training program at a multicultural college of education in Israel. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six pedagogical instructors to explore their roles as educators, their oversight of pedagogical training, the implementation of didactic workshops and practical work, and their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic across technological, pedagogical, and emotional dimensions. Findings underscore the critical role of pedagogical instructors during the shift to remote learning. They facilitated communication using digital tools among pre-service teachers, coaching professors, and students, akin to conducting an orchestra with multiple participants. Amid widening educational, technical, and social disparities among students, pedagogical instructors and their pre-service teachers played a pivotal role in curriculum adaptation and crisis management within the school setting. Full article

Currently, research remains limited on ironworking workshops in China and even throughout East Asia. The discovery of Luojiaba Site H235 in 2021 provides significant new material on this issue. This paper comprehensively organized the metallurgical artifacts and employed technological methods such as XRF and SEM-EDS to analyze the slag and hammerscale excavated from Luojiaba Site H235. First, the chemical composition and microstructural phases of the slag were analyzed, with an examination of the hammerscale. Second, the processes leading to the formation of slag and hammerscale are discussed. Third, based on the scale of the site, the chemical composition, and the characteristic shapes of the slag, combined with Serneels’ theoretical framework for quantitative analysis of forging slag, the slag unearthed from Luojiaba Site H235 was tentatively categorized as forging slag. This suggests that the workshop primarily produced or repaired iron objects through forging. Finally, considering the furnace shapes observed at contemporary sites and discussions on the potential sources of iron materials at the Luojiaba site, speculations are made regarding the furnace structure at the Luojiaba site and the possible origin of its iron materials. Unlike ironworking workshops at other contemporary sites, the location of the forging workshop at Luojiaba Site H235 presents a distinctly different choice, situated within a village or town during the Eastern Han Dynasty. This choice of location may reflect a phenomenon closer to consumer proximity. Therefore, analyzing metallurgical artifacts unearthed from Luojiaba contributes to understanding the operation of ironworking workshops and the distribution of resources in village-level settlements in the eastern Sichuan region during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Full article

Produce prescription programs can benefit both individuals and health systems; however, best practices for integrating such programs into the Australian health system are yet unknown. This study explored stakeholders’ perspectives on the acceptability, potential design and integration of produce prescription programs for adults with type 2 diabetes in Australia. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 22 participants for an online workshop, representing six stakeholder groups (government, healthcare service, clinician, food retailer, consumer, non-government organisation). Participant responses were gathered through workshop discussions and a virtual collaboration tool (Mural). The workshop was video-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was conducted using a deductive–inductive approach. Stakeholders recognised produce prescription as an acceptable intervention; however, they identified challenges to implementation related to contextuality, accessibility, and sustainability. Stakeholders were vocal about the approach (e.g., community-led) and infrastructure (e.g., screening tools) needed to support program design and implementation but expressed diverse views about potential funding models, indicating a need for further investigation. Aligning evaluation outcomes with existing measures in local, State and Federal initiatives was recommended, and entry points for integration were identified within and outside of the Australian health sector. Our findings provide clear considerations for future produce prescription interventions for people with type 2 diabetes. Full article

The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that close to 9% of the world’s soils are affected by salinity. The purpose of this article is to discuss qualitative social science findings on alternative ways of conceptualizing salinization in Kazakhstan and how these findings could be leveraged for transformative knowledge towards sustainability. We highlight dimensions of land degradation that are doubly obscured: the under-represented issue of salinization, and vernacular knowledge on salinization. The article draws on qualitative data collection methods, including eighteen months of participant observation, workshop transcripts and archival records. Three research findings are presented. First, there is an analysis of the framing of environmental issues common among policymakers in the region. Second, these frameworks are contrasted with novel data on how local farming communities understand and deal with salinization. These two research results enable extrapolating a third finding: how such locally based knowledge could be harnessed towards solving salinization issues. Beyond the specific issue of salinization, the results of this research suggest potentially valuable design principles relating to specific ways that the environmental knowledge of expert farmers and scientific experts could be paired. In the case of Central Asia, models based on the local culture can be adapted, such as hosting and apprenticeship relationships. This example suggests transferable lessons on how to forge social learning towards sustainability that start from imperfect local tools (bottom-up) rather than from internationally promoted but socially distant blueprints (top-down). Full article

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global health, with Eastern Europe experiencing notable excess morbidity and mortality and vaccine hesitancy. This study utilized the Behavior Integration (BI) framework to identify barriers and motivators for COVID-19 vaccination and develop strategies to increase vaccine demand and confidence in Moldova, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Methods. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys. The BI framework was used to integrate human behaviors with technical and operational considerations throughout the project. Results. A total of 2742 online surveys were collected in Moldova and Serbia, revealing significant barriers such as vaccine safety concerns (OR = 1.839, 95% CI: 1.328–2.547 in urban Moldova; OR = 1.990, 95% CI: 1.351–2.931 in urban Serbia), logistical challenges, and lack of institutional trust. Conversely, motivators included personal health concerns, recommendations from health care providers, and the desire to travel. The proposed social and behavior change strategy included a continuing medical education course that trained 2403 medical providers, with post-test results showing a 99% improvement in knowledge and confidence in applying the information, and collective engagement workshops for 3260 chronic disease patients and 842 pregnant women, of which 7% were vaccinated against COVID-19. Conclusions. The BI approach effectively identified and addressed vaccination barriers and motivators, leading to tailored strategies that increased vaccine uptake. Continuous stakeholder engagement, adaptive learning processes, and local organizations are crucial for refining program implementation, ensuring sustainability, and promoting public health. Full article

New information and communication technologies have a significant potential to increase the transparency of aquifer management and improve groundwater governance. This research experiments the introduction of a mobile application that allows users to transfer and share information about their groundwater extractions and receive agroclimatic information and groundwater data. It takes place in three different aquifers in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, each with varied institutional frameworks. This research tests and evaluates the potential of enhanced information systems and citizen science applied to groundwater management and aims to identify some factors that facilitate or hinder their adoption and implementation. To do this, the researchers developed a 4-year plan based on surveys, semi-structured interviews, meetings, participatory workshops, and public round tables with local actors. The main lesson learned from the comparative analysis of these three experiences is that the use of enhanced information systems is more positively perceived, accepted, and adopted when an appropriate social and institutional framework exists and that the more consolidated this framework is, the easier they will be to implement and develop enhanced information systems. Full article

One of the most important challenges faced by any listed cultural heritage is the development of a management system that conveys a resilient and integrated approach that can sustain its values for future generations. Management is one of the main factors affecting World Heritage Sites; thus, the increased complexity of a serial nomination enhances this risk. By integrating different stakeholders, a Joint Management Plan (JMP) is a key tool to settle common procedures and help different managers maintain a satisfactory balance in safeguarding the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) in each component part. This paper aims to provide a framework for the development of JMPs for serial nominations, with support on the nomination proposal “Álvaro Siza’s Architecture: A Modern Contextualism Legacy”. Methods result from the cross-analysis of (i) policy analysis; (ii) archival research and digital documentation; (iii) collaborative strategies (surveys, interviews, workshops, meetings, consultations); (iv) fieldwork. Results confirmed that the development of JMPs must be sustained by an open and dynamic process, where engagement, mediation of conflicts, and flexibility are key principles. This work approaches a significant subject concerning the management of World Heritage serial nominations, focusing on JMPs for serial nominations, which are a rising trend in heritage management. A demonstration is applied to the WH nomination of works by Álvaro Siza, a prominent figure in worldwide contemporary architecture. Full article