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Abstract The coming decades will see a substantial increase in the population of older adults, accompanied by significant demographic and family structure changes worldwide. As a result, the empty nest period—the postparental phase in parents’ lives when their children have left home and they are no longer engaged in childrearing—is becoming an increasingly common experience in Western and Asian cultures. The current theoretical review examines the psychological consequences of the empty nest period on loneliness and well-being across cultures, emphasizing the impact of cultural factors on these experiences. By synthesizing research from Western and Asian contexts, we explore two primary theoretical mechanisms—role loss and role strain relief—that shape the postparental phase’s psychological outcomes. Our review reveals that while some parents experience reduced well-being due to role loss, others benefit from role strain relief and increased social engagement. We highlight how cultural differences in familial roles, gender roles, social expectations regarding nest-leaving, and social participation patterns moderate these mechanisms. We propose a comprehensive cultural framework, along with a discussion of culturally sensitive interventions to enhance the well-being of empty nesters globally.

This study assessed the adaptive capacity of smallholder cocoa farmers to address the adverse effects of climate variability in the Adansi South District of the Ashanti Region, Ghana. Specifically, the study sought to (i) assess the perception of the smallholder cocoa farmers to climate variability; (ii) determine the perceived effects of climate variability on cocoa production in the district; and; (iii) evaluate the adaptive capacity of the smallholder cocoa farmers to manage climate risks. The study used questionnaire surveys with 150 smallholder cocoa farmers, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions in three selected communities (Afiaso, Tonkoase, and Amudurase). A variety of capital assets (social, financial, human, physical, and natural) were utilized to conceptualize smallholder cocoa farmers’ adaptive capacity. Results showed that the smallholder cocoa farmers reported changes in the onset and duration of rains, rising temperatures, and increasing windstorms in the selected communities. The farmers perceived increased incidence of drought and cocoa failure, the prevalence of diseases and pest invasion, and decreased farmer income as the key adverse effects on their cocoa production. Further, findings also revealed that cumulatively, all the selected communities in Adansi South District had a moderate adaptive capacity (0.531). It is recommended that appropriate policies aimed at enhancing the adaptive capacity of smallholder cocoa farmers must be formulated by policymakers to minimize their vulnerabilities to climate risks.

A new class of geosynthetic has recently emerged known as GCCMs (Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mats) defined by the ASTM D-35 committee in 2017 as ‘a factoryassembled geosynthetic composite consisting of a cementitious layer contained within a layer or layers of geosynthetic materials that becomes hardened’. GCCMs consist of a three-dimensional fibre structure filled with a dry cement/concrete mix, overlain by a hydrophilic filter layer and underlain by a watertight membrane, which is typically a polymeric film. The material is delivered in its dry format and unrolled into place using similar installation techniques to traditional geosynthetics. Once in place, it is hydrated by spraying with water and the cement/concrete mix hardens. The result is a watertight polymeric film which is overlain by a protective fibre-reinforced concrete layer. GCCMs have been in use since 2009 and are predominantly used for the lining of water channels for small scale drainage. More recently a variant of GCCMs has emerged which integrates a geomembrane liner onto the rear surface which allows the joints to be thermally welded. These are known as Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Barriers (GCCBs). It is estimated that Egypt has more than 110,000 kilometers of canals comprised of approximately 30,000 km of public canals (first and second level) and 80,000 km of private third-level canals (mesqas) and irrigation ditches. A common problem associated with canals, is seepage. Seepage can result directly in water loss through the network or result in waterlogging of adjacent land. In the case of land used for cultivation, waterlogging can reduce crop yields or cause salinization of the soils. This does not only occur in earthen canals, but also in concrete lined canals, particularly those that have experienced cracking, scour, panel separation or damage. It is also a common misconception that concrete lining of canals is an effective method of mitigating seepage losses. The 25-year study performed by the USBR indicates that concrete over geomembrane has a 95% effectiveness at reducing seepage through canals1. This abstract introduces a revolutionary new class of materials called Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mats (GCCM’s), specifically Type II GCCM’s to ASTM D8364 for lining of bulk water transportation canals. The Type II GCCM in question consists of concrete encapsulated by between two geotextile layers with a minimum 1mm thick LLDPE geomembrane backing which can be thermally welded to produce a testable and low permeability joint, per ASTM D5820, with air channel testing to ensure a leak free installation. Because it is a composite of concrete and geomembrane in a single application, installation can occur as a one-stepprocess imparting both cost and time savings to the project. The abrasion resistance of the concrete layer is 3.5 times that of typical 20Mpa concrete typically used for canal applications. With a design life of more than 50 years, this new product classification will provide a feasible, long-term solution to help preserve and protect fresh, clean water, one of Egypt’s most precious – and ever more scarce – natural resources.