bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Dual Burden: Adolescent Learners in Child-Headed Households and Their Battle for Academic Achievement in Secondary Schools in Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe
Authors: Chidhumo Vincent , Thondhlana Pridemore , Mtetwa Tsungirai Beatrice
Published: July 2024

The holistic development of learners from child-headed households has attracted the attention of many researchers globally. The current study specifically focused on the challenges and barriers to secondary school education experienced by adolescent orphans from child-headed households in Manicaland province in Zimbabwe. The study was anchored on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory. The aim of the study was to determine the barriers to secondary school education faced by adolescent orphans and impoverished adolescents in Zimbabwe’s Manicaland province. The study used a qualitative interpretive research paradigm with a phenomenological research methodology. Focus group discussions and open-ended questionnaires were used as data collection instruments. A purposively chosen sample of 32 research participants was used. Data analysis was done topically and presented with rich, detailed descriptions bolstered by quotes from the respondents. The study found out that unsupportive living conditions experienced by learners from child-headed households negatively affected their scholastic achievement. This was principally attributed to lack of much needed psychosocial support. Findings of this study show that adolescent learners from child-headed households were negatively impacted by a dysfunctional ecological system. It is recommended that parents, the community, and the government should collaborate to provide a non-threatening atmosphere that takes into account the requirements of these learners. Such collaboration can be achieved by implementing child-friendly interventions for vulnerable learners and orphans.
Inner Areas and Green Economy in Campania Region: The Carditello Royal Borbonic Site Case Study
Authors: Bertini Antonio , Vitolo Tiziana
Published: July 2024

In Italy, within the 'National Strategy on Inland Areas', 'belt areas', 'peripheral areas' and 'ultra-peripheral areas' have emerged and been recognised for the first time since 2013, as well as 'intermediate areas'. The area presented in the paper is atypical, although it presents some recurring characteristics in other intermediate areas close to Italian metropolitan areas. It is an area near of Naples, in the region of Campania, which gravitates around the Royal Bourbon Site of Carditello with a past of considerable historical interest and an unfortunate recent past, which has led it to be in a particularly disadvantaged condition. The paper deals with a topic with little reference literature, at least as far as the Italian reality is concerned; mixed areas, partly 'intermediate' and partly 'Belt'. After a careful Swot analysis, adapted to the territorial context of the area under consideration, focusing on its considerable potential, pointing out some problematic nodes and indicating ways to overcome them, seizing and creating some opportunities for possible sustainable development, the paper proposes a perspective scenario that aims at the sustainable enhancement of the area.
 
Received: 4 December 2023 | Revised: 22 May 2024 | Accepted: 1 July 2024
 
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work.
 
Data Availability Statement
The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in IDEHA. http://www.ponricerca.gov.it/comunicazione/example-projects/industrial-research-and-experimental-development-projects-in-the-12-specialization-areas/ideha/.
 
Author Contribution Statement
Antonio Bertini: Conceptualization, Methodology, Software, Validation, Formal analysis, Resources, Data curation, Project administration, Funding acquisition. Tiziana Vitolo: Conceptualization, Methodology, Validation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Resources, Data curation, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing, Visualization, Supervision, Project administration, Funding acquisition.
A Framework For Assessing Cancer Survivor Reporting Kinesiophobia: Systematic Review
Authors: Alam Nishat
Published: July 2024

Background: Kinesiophobia, or the fear of movement, significantly impacts cancer survivors, affecting their physical activity levels, self-care behaviors, quality of life, and overall rehabilitation outcomes. This systematic review aimed to develop a comprehensive framework for reporting kinesiophobia among cancer survivors by synthesizing recent research findings.
PRÁTICAS DE LETRAMENTO URBANÍSTICO COM ESTUDANTES DO ENSINO MÉDIO PARA UM MUNDO MAIS SUSTENTÁVEL
Authors: Aparecida Messias Guilherme Regina , Jacob Martins Clovis
Published: July 2024

Este trabalho teve como objetivo discutir a importância de identificar e reconhecer a cidade como um texto a ser lido, interpretado e aprendido por estudantes do ensino médio e participantes do curso de extensão Produções Textuais e Interculturais da Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa (UEPG). Para alcançar tal objetivo estabeleceu-se uma sequência didática e optou-se pela Pesquisa-ação como um meio para captar e gerar dados a serem interpretados. As práticas de letramento contribuíram significativamente para que os estudantes compreendessem a relevância e a importância da cidade na sua formação. 
Palavras-chave: Letramento Urbanístico; cidade; educação.
Influence of weather conditions in Central Polissia, Ukraine, on the expression of quality indicators in potato cultivars of different maturity groups
Authors: Pysarenko Nataliia , Zakharchuk Nataliia , Furdyha Mykola , Oliinyk Tetiana
Published: July 2024

For Ukrainians, potatoes are a key foodstuff and the most important strategic crop in the vegetable segment, and therefore it is vital to investigate the quality characteristics of potato tubers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of various meteorological factors on the taste and starch content of tubers of different potato cultivars. The study employed laboratory, analytical, mathematical, and statistical methods. Both positive and negative correlation between starch content in tubers, taste, average monthly temperature, and precipitation were found in cultivars of different ripeness groups. For some potato cultivars, the positive effect on the starch content in tubers was due to the synergistic interaction of temperatures in August and precipitation in July, while for other cultivars this effect was determined by temperature and precipitation in August. It was found that an increase in temperature in August contributed to the improvement of the taste characteristics of early-ripening cultivars, while for middle early and mid-ripening genotypes, increased temperatures in June and August were key factors, and middle-late cultivars responded to increased precipitation in August. For each of the 19 cultivars studied, periods with a positive effect of average monthly temperature and precipitation on the improvement of taste were identified. The cluster analysis helped to identify potato cultivars with high starch content – Lietana, Opillia, Vzirets, and Oleksandryt, with high taste qualities – Lietana, Mezhyrichka 11, Vzirets, Avanhard, Partner, Oleksandryt, Fanatka, Rostavytsia, and Opillia. The findings of this study can serve as a scientific basis for the formulation of policies aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change and adapting existing cultivars to support sustainable potato production in a particular region and creating new plastic potato genotypes with sustainable quality characteristics
Ethnomedical Perspectives on Visha Dravyas – A Review
Authors: B Soubhaghyalaxmi
Published: July 2024

Introduction: Ethnomedicine, the study of traditional medical practices used by various ethnic groups, often  incorporates the use of “Visha Dravyas“ in therapeutic contexts. This review delves into the ethnomedical  perspectives on Visha Dravyas, highlighting their historical and contemporary applications, and therapeutic benefits  within traditional medical systems such as Ayurveda and indigenous healing practices. Visha Dravyas, despite their  inherent toxicity, have been meticulously utilized for their potent medicinal properties, offering treatments for a range  of ailments. This dual nature — being both toxic and therapeutic — underscores the sophistication of traditional  knowledge systems in balancing harm and healing. Materials and Methods: The review examines key poisonous plants and their pharmacological uses in different  regions of India and the world, supported by both traditional texts and modern scientific studies. In addition,  the review addresses the cultural and ritualistic aspects of Visha Dravyas, emphasizing the holistic approach of  ethnomedical practices that integrate physical, spiritual, and environmental health. Results: This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of Visha Dravyas in ethnomedicine.  It underscores the importance of preserving traditional knowledge and promoting interdisciplinary research to unlock  the full potential of these potent natural resources. Discussion: The findings highlight the need for a nuanced approach to integrating traditional and modern medical  practices, ensuring safety and efficacy in the use of Visha Dravyas for future health-care innovations. Conclusion: Review concluded that the use of ethnomedicinal plants increased with elevation due to limited  alternative options and market accessibility. Almost all plants contain active components that can be effective against  diseases, but certain plants despite being poisonous possess valuable medicinal use.
Industrial Monitoring System
Authors: Amrutha T
Published: July 2024

An industrial monitoring system is pivotal for ensuring the efficient and safe operation of industrial processes. It involves the integration of various sensors and actuators to continuously gather data on environmental and operational parameters such as temperature, pressure, and vibration. This data is then processed and analyzed by data a acquisition’s systems, allowing for real-time monitoring and control. The system aids in predictive maintenance, minimizes downtime, and enhances overall productivity by providing actionable insights and timely alerts for any anomalies or potential failures. This comprehensive monitoring approach is It is important to improve quality and ensure compliance’s with secure standard’s, and maintaining operational continuity in industrial settings
PET-CT 18F-PSMA 1007 in the staging of patients with prostate cancer prior to curative intent radiotherapy: a prospective observational study
Authors: Modina Patricio Nicolas , Costa Lucas , Arceluz Maria , Romero Acuña Romero Acuña , David Carlos , Faccio Fernando , Bergero Miguel
Published: July 2024

Objective: The objective of our study was to assess whether there are staging changes in CaP with PET PSMA compared to standard diagnostic methods, and if these changes occurred, to understand how they altered the treatment of patients with an initial diagnosis of CaP and their relationship with the D'amico score.
Methods: We present a prospective observational study conducted on patients initially diagnosed with prostate cancer, who underwent standard staging studies alongside PET PSMA imaging.
Results: Forty patients diagnosed with prostate cancer were staged using standard diagnostic methods and PET PSMA. In 40% of the patients, initial staging changed based on the results obtained from PET PSMA. After PET PSMA, the uro-oncology committee decided to modify the initial treatment plan in 27.5% of the cases, including radiation boost targeting the extra-prostatic lesions detected by PET PSMA. When correlating the change in staging with PET PSMA versus the D'amico risk score, no changes were observed in the low-risk group, 19% in the intermediate-risk group, and 62% in the high-risk group. These differences were statistically significant (X2=9.2; df=2; p=0.01).
Limitation and value: The study faced limitations in sample size and lack of long-term patient follow-up. However, it highlights key contributions: the promising evaluation of PET PSMA in staging, its influence on therapeutic decisions, and its association with the D'amico score.
Conclusion: PET PSMA showed substantial changes in CaP staging, particularly in higher-risk patients, suggesting its potential utility in guiding therapeutic decisions before radiotherapy.
Implementasi Trigonometri Pada Tinggi Suatu Objek
Authors: Aulia Virna , Aprilia Maelani , Anastasya Wanda , Mawariah Mawariah , Panggabean Ellis Mardiana
Published: July 2024

Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that studies the relationships between the sides and angles of triangles. In its applications, trigonometry plays a crucial role in various fields such as physics, engineering, architecture, and navigation. One prominent application of trigonometry is in determining the height of an object. This article discusses the application of trigonometry in measuring object heights using techniques like theodolites, laser rangefinders, and drones. Trigonometry enables precise measurements by utilizing elevation angles and distances, and it plays a critical role in maintaining accuracy in construction, navigation, and surveying.
IMPLEMENTASI METODE AHP DAN SAW DALAM PEMILIHAN GURU TERBAIK DI SMK PLUS MUNIRUL ARIFIN NW PRAYA
Authors: Khotimah Husnul , Zaen Mohammad Taufan Asri , Imtihan Khairul
Published: July 2024

SMK Plus Munirul Arifin NW Praya merupakan sebuah lembaga pendidikan di bawah naungan Yayasan Munirul Arifin NW praya yang berlokasi di kabupaten Lombok tengah. SMK Plus Munirul Arifin NW Praya merupakan satuan pendidikan formal yang memiliki peran untuk meningkatkan mutu pendidikan bagi para peserta didiknya, sehingga peran  guru sangatlah penting untuk mencapai tujuan tersebut. Oleh karena itu kualitas guru juga sangat mempengaruhi tercapainya pendidikan yang berkualitas bagi peserta didik. Untuk meningkatkan kinerja guru, kepala sekolah ingin memberikan apresiasi berupa penghargaan kepada guru yang memiliki kinerja terbaik di SMK Plus Munirul Arifin NW Praya. Penelitian ini menggunakan gabungan dua metode  yaitu metode AHP dan SAW, dimana metode AHP digunakan untuk penentuan bobot dari masing- masing  kriteria dan metode SAW digunakan untuk penentuan solusi dari permasalahan yaitu menentukan guru tebaik dengan perangkingan. Pada penentuan bobot kriteria menggunakan metode AHP di menghasilkan bobot masing-masing kriteria yaitu Loyalitas sebesar 43%, Kedisiplinan 21%, Pedagodik 12%, Kepribadian 20%, dan sosial sebanyak 4%.kemudian hasil dari perangkingan yang dilakukan dengan metode SAW menghasilkan peringkat pertama di dapatkan oleh Alternatif 1 atas nama Amruzziyad dengan jumlah nilai 0,96.
MENINGKATKAN KETERAMPILAN SPEAKING PADA MATERI TELLING TIME DENGAN MODEL PBL (PROBLEM BASED LEARNING) BERBANTUKAN ONLINE GAME (WORDWALL) DAN WORKSHEET (OFFICE ONLINE)
Authors: Rupiah Sri Nikmatu , Aimah Siti , Dwiyamtini Margaretha Rulik
Published: July 2024

This research aims to enhance students’ speaking skill using problem-based learning integrated with online game (word wall) and worksheet (office online). An observation was used to capture how students’ attitude during the teaching and learning process using problem-based learning integrated with word wall and office online. Students’ result of learning, particularly their speaking performance was also used to support the data. The data were then analyzed descriptively to know how students’ learning of speaking in the classroom. The result showed that through problem-based learning integrated with word wall and office online, students learnt comprehensively with others about how to ask for and give a response of telling time. During the teaching and learning process, students performed actively either in their own group or in front of the class.
BENCH HIGHT AND SLOPE ANGLE ON LITHIUM ORES OPEN PIT
MINES
Authors: Knežiček Tihomir
Published: July 2024

The fundament of the open pit geometry, both, on metallic and non-metallic mineral raw materials, consists of benches
that allow mining operations to be carried out in the contour of the open pit mine. On lithium pit mines, formed
benches of a certain height and slope angle, must ensure physical stability of the open mine pit and smooth running
of mining work to excavate, load and transport the overburden and mineral resources out of the contour of the lithium
open pit mine. The bench height and slope (bank) angle depend on the geotechnical situations, water impact and
conditions of utilizing mining mechanization in digging, loading and transporting the overburden and mineral raw
material.
Key words: lithium, open pit mine, bench height, bench slope angle
FUEL CONSUMPTION OF BELAZ DUMPERS AND CARBON DIOXIDE
EMISSIONS USING THE EXAMPLE OF OPEN PIT 'TURIJA' OF THE
BROWN COAL MINE BANOVIĆI
Authors: Jamaković Jasmin , Mašić Sunčica
Published: July 2024

This work sets out the methodology and presents the calculation results of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into
the atmosphere of the BelAz dump truck at the Open Pit "Turija" BCM Banovići d.d., based on the fuel consumption
monitoring data.
Properly determined fuel consumption enables the calculation of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted and preventive
measures, as well as the choice of its reduction strategy. Data collection took six months, then the data were analyzed,
and thus the results were given for all dump trucks by months.
Key words: fuel, open pit mining, BelAz dump truck, maintenance, Coal Mine Banovići, carbon dioxide
Openwashing and greenwashing in academic publishing
Authors: Broersma Mirjam
Published: July 2024

In this response to Andringa et al. (2024), Mirjam Broersma discusses two pitfalls of the current system of academic publishing: ‘openwashing’ and ‘greenwashing’.
A diamond in the rough
Authors: Plonsky Luke
Published: July 2024

In this response to Diamond is a scientist's best friend, Plonsky extends the call for DOA-Journals to the context of book publishing in academia.
Implementasi Cooperative Learning Tipe Numbered Head Together (NHT) untuk Meningkatan Hasil Belajar Subtema Usaha Pelestarian Lingkungan di Kelas V SDN Gisikdrono 01 Kota Semarang
Authors: Suwarti Sri
Published: July 2024

Penelitian tindakan kelas ini dilatarbelakangi pembelajaran tematik di kelas V SDN Gisikdrono 01 Kota Semarang berdasarkan pengalaman mengajar yang dilakukan peneliti diketahui bahwa beberapa faktor yang diasumsi sebagai penyebab rendahnya hasil belajar tematik adalah a) Materi pelajaran yang masih dianggap sulit untuk anak. b) Proses pembelajaran kurang menarik, c) peserta didik hanya mengandalkan hafalan tanpa mengetahui tata cara membaca dengan benar. Dilihat ketuntasan belajar peserta didik dengan KKM 70 pada beberapa ulangan harian pada sub tema usaha di sekitarku pada tahun lalu dari peserta didik berjumlah 27 hanya ada 11 yang tuntas dan 16 tidak tuntas, ketidaktuntasan peserta didik terletak pada ketidakmampuan peserta didik mahami materi yang ada dalam subtema cara tubuh mengolah udara bersih materi alat pernapasan pada manusia. Permasalahan rendahnya hasil harus segera ditanggulangi dan guru perlu melakukan refleksi atas kinerjanya. Usaha untuk meningkatkan hasil belajar Usaha untuk meningkatkan hasil belajar Tematik pada subtema usaha pelestarian lingkungan diantaranya melalui cooperative learning tipe Numbered Head Together (NHT)diantaranya melalui cooperative learning tipe NHT. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terjadi hasil belajar tematik subtema usaha pelestarian lingkungan menggunakan model cooperative learning tipe NHT pada peserta didik peserta didik Kelas V SDN Gisikdrono 01 Kota Semarang Semester genap tahun pelajaran 2022/2023, hal ini bisa di lihat dari peningkatan per siklusnya dimana pra siklus ada 12 peserta didik atau 44,4% mengalami kenaikan pada siklus I yaitu ada 17 peserta didik atau 63,0% dan pada siklus II ada 22 peserta didik atau 81,5%. peningkatan juga terjadi pada keaktifan belajar peserta didik dimana, siklus I ada 16 peserta didik atau 59% mengalami kenaikan pada siklus II yaitu ada 23 peserta didik atau 85%, sudah sesuai indikator yang ditentukan yaitu 80%.
ANALISIS PENGELOLAAN MUTU PENDIDIKAN DI SMK DARUSSALAM SUBAH
Authors: SARI NUR INDA , HARYATI TITIK
Published: July 2024

This research aims to analyze the management of education quality at Darussalam Subah Vocational School. This research uses a descriptive method with a qualitative approach. The aim of this research is to gain a general understanding of social reality from the participant's perspective. The subject of this research is a Vocational High School (SMK) which involves a Principal, Teacher and Administrative Personnel. The research was conducted at Darussalam Subah Vocational School. Implementation of education quality management at Darussalam Subah Vocational School. Education quality management at Darussalam Subah Vocational School is carried out by analyzing the quality of the school to find out existing opportunities and obstacles. This management is based on data-based planning. The organization of education quality management at Darussalam Subah Vocational School is carried out by the principal appointing a leader who is responsible for overall quality management, then the principal selects teachers who are senior and certified educators and do not currently have additional duties from the principal. The implementation of education quality management at Darussalam Subah Vocational School refers to the National Education Standards (SNP) set by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek).
ABSTRAKPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengelolaan mutu pendidikan di SMK Darussalam Subah. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif dengan pendekatan kualitatif. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendapatkan pemahaman umum tentang kenyataan sosial dari sudut pandang partisipan. Subjek penelitian ini adalah Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan (SMK) yang melibatkan seorang Kepala Sekolah, Guru, dan Tenaga Tata Usaha. Penelitian dilakukan di SMK Darussalam Subah. Implementasi pengelolaan mutu Pendidikan di SMK Darussalam Subah pengelolaan mutu Pendidikan di SMK Darussalam Subah dilaksanakan dengan cara melakukan analisis terhadap mutu sekolah untuk mengetahui peluang dan hambatan yang ada, dengan mengetahui peluang dan hambatan yang ada. Pengelolaan ini didasarkan pada perencanaan berbasis data. Pengorganisasian pengelolaan mutu Pendidikan di SMK Darussalam Subah dilakukan dengan cara kepala sekolah menunjuk seorang pemimpin yang bertanggung jawab atas pengelolaan mutu secara keseluruhan lalu kepala sekolah memilih guru yang sudah senior dan bersertifikat pendidik serta tidak sedang mendapat tugas tambahan dari kepala sekolah. Pelaksanaan pengelolaan mutu pendidikan di SMK Darussalam Subah mengacu pada Standar Nasional Pendidikan (SNP) yang ditetapkan oleh Kementerian Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset, dan Teknologi (Kemendikbudristek).
IDEIAS PARA O BRASIL AJUDAR A ADIAR O FIM DO MUNDO
Authors: Andrade Filho Milton Pereira de
Published: July 2024

O presente artigo tem como intuito analisar a obra “Ideias para adiar o fim do mundo.” (KRENAK, Ailton) e ponderar se a atuação da Política Ambiental do Governo Federal segue na mesma direção preservacionista apontada pelo livro ou se anda em antagônico caminho. A análise nos faz refletir sobre a importância da preservação dos biomas uma vez que avanços em pesquisas ambientais demonstram que as queimadas e o desmatamento florestal afetam diretamente o aquecimento global.  Apesar da preservação do meio ambiente ser garantia expressamente inserida na Constituição Federal Brasileira, a contemporânea administração ambiental nacional demonstra um sério descaso com o tema, com um verdadeiro desaparelhamento dos órgãos ambientais, o que se verifica nos números de queimadas recordistas comumente verificados nos últimos, afrontando acordos firmados internacionalmente em descompasso com a Bioética e o Biodireito. Tal posicionamento anda em direção contrária à posição da obra “Ideias para adiar o fim do mundo.” (KRENAK, Ailton) que busca “humanizar” elementos a natureza que, em sendo assim, com um olhar mais detalhado, estariam sujeitos a direitos, e deveres, a serem preservados e defendidos. Conhecido pensador da atualidade, o indígena Ailton Krenak luta pelos direitos dos povos indígenas, e, no livro em comento, atribui às modernas civilizações o papel de predadores do meio ambiente e analisam se há humanidade em atos de autodestruição, com a exploração excessiva da natureza, chegando a exaustão dos biomas. O Livro foi pensado após uma viagem à Lisboa, baseado em entrevistas e em palestras por ele ministradas.  Analisando a obra, verificamos a importância do cumprimento de metas ambientais, porém, como demonstrado, objetivos como a redução de resíduos não são prioridades da atual gestão ambiental brasileira, que age em inobservância ao que preceitua a Constituição Federal Brasileira. Entre outras causas, a ausência do Estado e o desaparelhamento realizado pelo Governo Federal nos órgãos ambientais, estão diretamente ligadas ao aumento de queimadas contribuindo com a destruição dos biomas.
Diverse sources and aging change the mixing state and ice nucleation properties of aerosol particles over the western Pacific and Southern Ocean
Authors: Xue Jiao , Zhang Tian , Park Keyhong , Yan Jinpei , Yoon Young Jun , Park Jiyeon , Wang Bingbing
Published: July 2024

Abstract. Atmospheric particles can impact cloud formation and play a critical role in regulating cloud properties. However, particle characteristics at the single-particle level and their ability to act as ice-nucleating particles (INPs) over the marine atmosphere are poorly understood. In this study, we present micro-spectroscopic characterizations and ice nucleation properties of particles collected during a cruise from South Korea to Antarctica in 2019. Most of the samples were dominated by fresh sea salt, aged sea salt, and sea salt mixed with sulfate particles, with total number percentages ranging from 48 % to 99 % over the western Pacific and the Southern Ocean. The mixing-state index of the particle population ranged from 50 % to 95 % over the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. Multiphase processes on sea salt particles resulted in chlorine deficiency. This selective aging process made the marine particle population more externally mixed. Ice nucleation onset conditions primarily for the deposition mode were measured and the investigated particles showed diverse ice nucleation abilities. The fresh sea salt particles with organic coatings exhibited the highest ice nucleation ability at a relative humidity with respect to ice as low as 121 %. The sea salt mixed sulfate particle was enriched in INPs by a factor of 1.9. Aging processes affected both the mixing state of the particles and their ice nucleation abilities. Our analysis shows that assuming an internally mixed particle population in the marine atmosphere can lead to errors of several orders of magnitude in predicting ice nucleation rates.
Influence of humidity and temperature on mortality in the Mediterranean, a case study for Cyprus
Authors: Tzyrkalli Anna , Giannaros Christos , Economou Theo
Published: July 2024

Over the past two decades, the Mediterranean region has experienced a rapid increase in the frequency, intensity and duration of temperature-related extremes. These conditions have led to a rise in heat stress, posing serious threats to human health, especially when combined with high levels of humidity in the atmosphere. These impacts are particularly concerning for vulnerable population groups, such as seniors, who are more susceptible to the adverse effects of extreme moist heat. Investigating the effects of moist heat on mortality is essential for comprehending the broader impacts of climate change. Such research is critical for identifying how rising temperatures in conjunction with humidity extremes affect human health, enabling thus better preparation and response strategies to mitigate these adverse effects.In this direction, several studies employ humidity metrics, such as relative humidity and wet bulb temperature, to explore their relationship with epidemiological data. However, the results often remain inconclusive. The inverse relationship between temperature and relative humidity can obscure the impact of temperature on health outcomes, leading to ambiguous results in assessing heat-health exposure. To overcome these limitations, in this study, we concentrate on Cyprus, a Mediterranean island, and explore the relationship between temperatures and vapour pressure in conjunction with mortality data.The meteorological data were initially derived from a high spatial resolution (5.5km x 5.5km) reanalysis, namely the Copernicus European Regional Reanalysis (CERRA), at hourly temporal resolution. Subsequently, they were aggregated across the five districts of Cyprus. Daily mortality counts, including deaths attributed to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases (ICD10 codes: I00-I99 and J00-J99), were analyzed over a nearly two-decade period (2004-2019). Distributed Lag non-Linear models (DLNMs) within the general framework of Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) were applied to the five districts of Cyprus. This modelling framework produces estimates of the temporally distributed combined effect of temperature and vapour pressure on mortality rate.We demonstrate how the health risks vary across the elderly population in Cyprus, specifically focusing on individuals aged over 65 years, aggregated without gender distinction. Our findings suggest that there is a significant link between environmental conditions and the mortality rate of individuals aged 65 and above, a group that has been repeatedly identified as highly vulnerable. The combined effect of high temperatures and vapour pressure levels significantly increases the health risk attributed to elderly groups, in agreement with thermo-physiological evidence.
Assessing and Predicting Forest Fires Burn Severity: A High-Resolution Approach Using the Global Forest Burn Severity Dataset
Authors: He Kang , Shen Xinyi , Anagnostou Emmanouil
Published: July 2024

Forest fires play a crucial role in the functioning and renewal of ecosystems.  Over the past two decades, large-scale, severe forest fires have become more frequent globally, and the risk is expected to increase as fire weather and drought conditions intensify, necessitating advanced tools for accurate severity assessment and predictive analysis. This study details the development of the Global Forest Burn Severity (GFBS) dataset, derived from Landsat imagery, providing global 30-meter resolution data spanning multiple years (2003 – 2016), which bridges the existing gap in high-resolution global assessments of forest burn severity, enabling researchers and policymakers to implement more effective forest conservation and fire management strategies. The trends of forest fires across different ecoregions are further analyzed based on the developed dataset, exploring the complex interactions between fire behavior and weather variables. This kind of analysis helps identify key drivers influencing burn severity, which vary significantly across different ecological zones. The integration of these findings with our GFBS dataset allows for the exploration of spatial and temporal patterns in burn severity on a global scale. Additionally, this study tries to develop an ecoregion-specific burn severity model that utilizes the GFBS dataset to predict future forest fires under various climate change scenarios. This model enhances our understanding of how changing climatic conditions could impact fire severity and frequency, providing essential insights for policymakers and conservation efforts aimed at mitigating the effects of wildfires.
The Importance of the observation network density in describing spatiotemporal characteristics of events producing urban flooding: a case study in the city of Genoa, Italy.
Authors: Boni Giorgio , Cauteruccio Arianna , Faccini Francesco , Loglisci Nicola , Milelli Massimo , Paliaga Guido , Parodi Antonio
Published: July 2024

The rainfall climatology of the Mediterranean region is characterized by high probability of very intense rainfall events with a duration of a few hours or less and a very limited spatial scale. There is also evidence that this probability is increasing due to climate change.In urban areas, these extreme rainfall events produce floods and pluvial floods, often in very small areas, depending on the physical-geographical layout of the area. It is therefore of paramount importance, in order to adequately model the ground effects and evaluate flash and pluvial flood risk in small urban catchments,  to have an adequate monitoring network for rain events that are highly concentrated in space and time.This research analyses the event of the 27th and 28th August 2023 that occurred in the city of Genoa, Italy, producing local floods in the historical center and surroundings due to the overflow of the sewer system and very small urban catchments. During the event, a maximum of 400 mm of rainfall in 6 hours was recorded in the eastern sector of the historic centre of Genoa.We combined rainfall observations and estimates from official or “authoritative” networks (rain gauges and meteorological radar) and rain gauge networks inspired by citizen science principles. The analysis of combined observations reveals a spatial variability of the precipitation field at hourly and sub-hourly timescale that cannot be captured by the current spatial density of the authoritative measurement stations even in an area, like that of the Genoa Region, that shows one of the highest raingauge network density of Italy.Furthermore, the analysis of short-duration annual maximum time series recorded by the authoritative rain gauge network of the Genoa region shows significant differences even at distances of less than 2 km in the average rainfall depth accumulated over a sub-hourly duration.In conclusion, the results show that, to have a reliable description of urban flooding-producing rainfall events adequate hydrometeorological monitoring is one of the most important aspects. This may help both in correctly evaluate ground effects of occurred events as well as to improve the methods to draw design hyetographs for flood hazard assessment, especially for urban areas. In this perspective, the integration between authoritative and citizen science networks can provide a very interesting solution.
Adapting to change: evaluating the effects of fire prevention approaches in response to climate change
Authors: Bento Virgílio A. , DaCamara Carlos C. , Russo Ana , Nunes Sílvia A. , Soares Pedro M.M. , Trigo Ricardo M.
Published: July 2024

Climate change imposes a substantial strain on global societies, compelling pragmatic, and timely adaptation measures to secure future prosperity while mitigating the impact of increasingly frequent and intense extreme events, such as wildfires. Compound drought and heatwaves further amplify the wildfire challenge, potentially impacting human health through a decrease in air quality. This underscores the need for concentrated attention and action. These events, with repercussions spanning continents and biomes, pose challenges for authorities striving to prepare effective responses. Our focus is on mainland Portugal, situated in the Mediterranean climate change hotspot, where we analyze the influence of diverse adaptation strategies on wildfire risk.Using a weighted ensemble of regional climate models from the EURO-CORDEX initiative, we project the Fire Weather Index (FWI) and Fire Radiative Power (FRP) across various Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). Our findings indicate a potential three-fold increase in the occurrence of highly energetic fires, with energy releases surpassing 1000 MW, contingent upon the chosen RCP. Even under robust mitigation scenarios, the probability of megafires — those with energy releases exceeding 1000 MW — experiences a notable upsurge of approximately 1.5-fold. This emphasizes the imperative for proactive adaptation measures irrespective of ongoing mitigation endeavors.We introduce three distinct mitigation strategies designed to simulate fire prevention policies targeting the most intense fires in diverse climate change scenarios. The most promising outcome entails a reduction in wildfires exceeding 1000 MW by 20 to 60%, an achievement realizable through preventing 95% of hotspots in regions characterized by extreme fire danger. This suggests that an immediate imposition of overly restrictive and costly policies throughout the summer months may not be imperative. Instead, implementing targeted strategies in critical fire danger areas could substantially mitigate the occurrence of destructive megafires.This work was funded by the Portuguese Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) I.P./MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC) – UIDB/50019/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/50019/2020), UIDP/50019/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDP/50019/2020) and LA/P/0068/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/LA/P/0068/2020). This work was performed under the scope of project https://doi.org/10.54499/2022.09185.PTDC (DHEFEUS) and supported by national funds through FCT. AR acknowledge FCT I.P./MCTES for the FCT https://doi.org/10.54499/2022.01167.CEECIND/CP1722/CT0006. The authors would like to acknowledge the project “CEASEFIRE: Envio e disseminação de alertas automatizados de gestão de perigo meteorológico de incêndio”, financed by The Navigator Company.
Chronicle of a disaster foretold: The Storm Daniel dam-breaching flood at Derna, Libya
Authors: Dente Elad , Armon Moshe , Shmilovitz Yuval
Published: July 2024

Storm Daniel, the deadliest recorded Mediterranean tropical-like (medicane) storm, led to severe floods in large parts of the eastern-central Mediterranean, including Greece and northern Libya. Extreme rainfall, reaching more than 400 mm day-1, triggered a flash flood in Wadi Derna (Libya)– an ephemeral river with a drainage area of 575 km2 that crosses the city of Derna at its outlet to the Mediterranean Sea. In the 1970s, dams were built in Wadi Derna basin to mitigate flood risks. However, during Storm Daniel, at least two dams were breached by a flash flood that inundated much of the city of Derna and resulted in over 5,000 casualties, thousands of missing persons, and tens of thousands of displaced people. The devastating event was the focus of media coverage for a long time, but many questions with implications for other dammed Mediterranean regions are still open. Here, we focus on three main research questions: (a) How unique and extreme were the storm and meteorological conditions of Storm Daniel? (b) How extreme was the flood? And (c) What could have been the flood outcome if dams hadn't been built upstream in the first place?
To analyze the characteristics of Storm Daniel over Wadi Derna, the catchment’s hydrological response, and the impact of the flood on the city of Derna, we integrate various datasets and models. Satellite-based precipitation estimations (IMERG) were used to quantify spatiotemporal storm properties and the catchment-scale rainfall, which were fed into the KINEROS2-RHEM hydrological model to quantify surface runoff. The modeled flood hydrograph is then fed into a 2D hydraulic model (HEC-RAS) to test three end-member scenarios: (a) dam filling, overflow, and collapse, (b) dam overflow but no collapse, and (c) no dams exist in the wadi. This combination of methods reveals that the peak discharge during the flood was ~1,400 m3 s-1, falling below the expected maximum extreme flood for this region. Based on the total discharge volume, we estimated the return period of the flood as 33-50 years. In the dam-collapse scenario, the populated flooded area is 40% larger and ten-fold more destructive than the no-dam scenario. Given the high variability of precipitation in the Mediterranean and the projected increase in extreme precipitation intensity under climate change, the Wadi Derna flood should serve as a warning sign for other populated areas downstream of dams in similar environments.
On a multitemporal analysis of Copernicus Sentinel data for a robust and near-real time mapping of floods
Authors: Lacava Teodosio , Albano Raffaele , Lahsaini Meriam , Mazzariello Arianna
Published: July 2024

Among the data made available by the European Copernicus Sentinel missions, those acquired by sensors aboard Sentinels 1 and 2 satellites have already proven to be suitable for detecting and monitoring floods, with different capabilities depending on the characteristics of the instrument used. C-band SAR aboard Sentinel 1A and 1B can provide all-day and all-weather information with a spatial resolution of 10 m a sub-weekly temporal resolution (when both satellites are working together), whereas the MultiSpectral Instrument on Sentinels 2A and 2B can provide data only in daytime conditions and in the absence of clouds with a slightly lower spatial resolution (i.e., 20 m) and almost a similar temporal resolution. Nevertheless, their integration may allow for a more accurate and comprehensive investigation of the studied event if adequate data analysis methodologies are used. This study presents a multitemporal approach to map flooded areas using long-term historical series of Sentinel 1 and Sentinel 2 data. Such an approach, based on a preliminary characterization of the expected value of the investigated signal at the pixel level, can allow for robust identification of any signal transients related to the occurrence of statistically significant change within the pixel, such as a different and/or increased water presence due to floods. The Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing system, where all historical data are present and accessible, was used to implement the proposed methodology. In addition to Sentinel 1 and 2 data, all other datasets/tools useful for developing the proposed methodology are already available in GEE, facilitating its implementation and application to the analysis of different flood episodes. The results achieved for a few events that occurred worldwide using each single approach and their integration were compared with flood maps made available by the Copernicus Emergency Monitoring Service system to assess their accuracy. The performance achieved is discussed in this study.
The contribution of wildfires to PM2.5 trends in the Mediterranean and their relation to national-level extreme events
Authors: Russo Ana , A. Bento Virgílio , Brito André , C.A. Lima Daniela , A.M. Careto João , Durão Rita
Published: July 2024

Air quality across Europe has generally improved in recent decades due to stricter regulations. However, the European Environment Agency (EEA) also highlight that the number of premature deaths in Europe due to air pollution is still far too high. Moreover, the impacts of wildfire smoke, often coupled with the combined effects of droughts and heatwaves in the region, are often disregarded. With the projected rise in wildfires due to climate change, wildfire smoke's contribution to air quality degradation in the Mediterranean is likely to grow in the coming years.This study focuses on the Mediterranean region, relying on air quality data (specifically particulate matter PM2.5) obtained from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) European reanalysis from 2013 to 2023 at 0.1º resolution to assess the impact of wildfire smoke on PM2.5 concentrations. Additionally, meteorological data from ERA5 were utilized to identify heatwaves and droughts (as depicted by the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index, SPEI). Our findings suggest that wildfire smoke has substantially influenced PM2.5 trends across the Mediterranean. This influence could be eroding past air quality improvements, potentially equivalent to several years of progress lost.The intersection of wildfire pollution and extreme events presents a critical public health challenge, highlighting the need to address these complex relationships when developing comprehensive strategies and regulations to protect human health and well-being in the context of a changing climate. This work was funded by the Portuguese Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) I.P./MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC) – UIDB/50019/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/50019/2020), UIDP/50019/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDP/50019/2020) and LA/P/0068/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/LA/P/0068/2020). This work was performed under the scope of project https://doi.org/10.54499/2022.09185.PTDC (DHEFEUS) and supported by national funds through FCT. DL and AR acknowledge FCT I.P./MCTES (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) for the FCT https://doi.org/10.54499/2022.03183.CEECIND/CP1715/CT0004 and https://doi.org/10.54499/2022.01167.CEECIND/CP1722/CT0006, respectively.
The link between temperature and wind extremes with fire activity in Portugal in the 21st century
Authors: Páscoa Patrícia , Pereira Soraia , de Zea Bermudez Patrícia , M. Gouveia Célia
Published: July 2024

Portugal is a fire-prone country, due to climate conditions that drive high fuel availability. In the 21st century, several catastrophic fire seasons have occurred, with an extremely high total burned area and the loss of human lives. Extreme fire seasons typically occur under hot and dry conditions, such as 2003, 2005, and 2017, although wind is known to facilitate fire spread, as occurred in October of 2017 due to the Ophelia storm.In this work, the bivariate relationship between Fire Radiative Power (FRP), daily temperature, and wind speed was assessed, using copula functions, which estimate the joint distribution of two variables. This method is specially suited to analyse extreme events, since it is possible to model asymmetrical relationships, namely tail dependences. FRP was retrieved from MODIS, with a spatial resolution of 1 km, and hourly temperature and hourly wind components were obtained from the ERA Land dataset, with a spatial resolution of 0.1°. Only the maximum FRP value occurring on each ERA Land grid point was used. Copula functions were fitted to FRP and the weather variables on the day of the fire and on the previous days, for the period 2001-2020. Conditional probabilities of FRP were then computed, given extreme values of temperature and wind intensity. Forests and shrublands are very prone to burn in Portugal, but since the fuel accumulation and availability is very different in these land covers, they were assessed separately.The results show that extreme values of temperature and wind intensity increase the probability of high values of FRP, when compared to lower temperatures and weaker winds, and that the probability is higher for the case of temperature extremes.Ackowledgements: This study was supported by FCT I.P./MCTES (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal)  through national funds (PIDDAC):  UIDB/50019/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/50019/2020), UIDP/50019/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDP/50019/2020) and LA/P/0068/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/LA/P/0068/2020), “Fundos próprios para desenvolvimento de projetos de I&D” Project MEDCEX - reference: 100SPID8106.