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A numerical study was carried out to assess the practicality of running inverter air conditioner directly on photovoltaic cells in the climatic conditions of Iraq. The research aims to assess the energy consumption and efficiency Regarding the solar air conditioning system in various weather conditions and operational situations. The study employs a computational model to replicate the system's behavior and enhance its performance. Where solar panels with a capacity of 570 watts the number of solar panels4 were used, the number of batteries 2, and inverter capacity 3.5 kw , the number of panels, and the amount of energy consumed during different time periods and for different air conditioner loads were used, such as one ton, one quarter ton, one half ton, and two tons. Solar panels' lifespan is determined by the extremes in temperature they are exposed to, whereas their output capacity is determined by the amount of light radiation they receive. The amount of batteries, the number of panels, and the kind of inverter required are all determined numerically in this study. The aim of the study was to estimate the efficiency of the air conditioning system, which It runs on solar energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are recognized as effective in reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease. However, CR programs are offered inequitably across regions and are available in less than 15% of remote areas worldwide. The main goal of this study was to design a CR program adapted to the contexts of remote areas to improve the service offered to patients. Methods We used an iterative user-centered design approach to understand the user context and services offered in cardiac rehabilitation in remote areas. We conducted two co-design processes with knowledge users in two remote regions. Two advisory committees were created in each of these regions, comprising managers (n = 6), healthcare professionals (n = 12) and patients (n = 2). We utilized the BACPR guidelines and the Hautes Autorités de santé operational model to support data collection in coding sessions to develop the CR program. We conducted four cycles of co-design with each of the committees to develop the cardiac rehabilitation program. Qualitative data were analyzed iteratively after each cycle. Results The co-design process resulted in developing a prototype cardiac rehabilitation program similar in both regions. It is based on a contextualized six-phase pathway of care designed for remote regions. For each phase 0 to 6 of the care pathway, knowledge users were asked to describe how to offer these phases in remote areas. Participants made structural changes to phases 0, 2, 3 and 4 in order to overcome staffing shortages in remote areas. These changes make it possible to decentralize cardiac rehabilitation expertise away from specialized centers, to ensure equity of service across the territory. Therapeutic patient education was integrated into phase 4 to meet patients' needs. Participants suggested that three follow-up offerings could come from nursing services to increase access to the cardiac rehabilitation program (primary care, home care, special chronic disease programs) in patients' home communities. Conclusion The co-design process enables us to meet the needs of remote regions in program development. This final program can be the subject of future implementation research.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are recognized as effective in reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease. However, CR programs are offered inequitably across regions and are available in less than 15% of remote areas worldwide. The main goal of this study was to design a CR program adapted to the contexts of remote areas to improve the service offered to patients. Methods: We used an iterative user-centered design approach to understand the user context and services offered in cardiac rehabilitation in remote areas. We conducted two co-design processes with knowledge users in two remote regions. Two advisory committees were created in each of these regions, comprising managers (n = 6), healthcare professionals (n = 12) and patients (n = 2). We utilized the BACPR guidelines and the Hautes Autorités de santé operational model to support data collection in coding sessions to develop the CR program. We conducted four cycles of co-design with each of the committees to develop the cardiac rehabilitation program. Qualitative data were analyzed iteratively after each cycle. Results: The co-design process resulted in developing a prototype cardiac rehabilitation program similar in both regions. It is based on a contextualized six-phase pathway of care designed for remote regions. For each phase 0 to 6 of the care pathway, knowledge users were asked to describe how to offer these phases in remote areas. Participants made structural changes to phases 0, 2, 3 and 4 in order to overcome staffing shortages in remote areas. These changes make it possible to decentralize cardiac rehabilitation expertise away from specialized centers, to ensure equity of service across the territory. Therapeutic patient education was integrated into phase 4 to meet patients' needs. Participants suggested that three follow-up offerings could come from nursing services to increase access to the cardiac rehabilitation program (primary care, home care, special chronic disease programs) in patients' home communities. Conclusion: The co-design process enables us to meet the needs of remote regions in program development. This final program can be the subject of future implementation research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching practice in remote areas is beneficial for pre-service teachers' professional development. The geographical structure and society in remote areas provide unique experiences. This study focuses on how teaching practice in remote areas opens up opportunities for transformative learning. Forty-one pre-service primary teachers from three universities participated in semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted in retrospect after participants had finished their teaching practice. Results show that PSTs encountered nine types of challenges during teaching practice; parents' low awareness of the importance of their children's education, local teachers' low motivation, limited teaching resources at school, pupils' absenteeism, pupils' poor numeracy and literacy skills, the principal's low responsibility, natural hazard factors, pupils' low ability to understand Indonesian, and local conflicts between different communities. Encountering these nine types of challenges fosters PSTs' disorientation, which might lead to transformative learning. In conclusion, remote areas have potential for transformative learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaders who have a strong spirit and are creative, innovative and skilled are needed by one-roof schools, especially in realizing ideal curriculums and learning methods. The aim of this study is to describe the efforts of school principals in creating an ideal curriculum and the optimal method of learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. It uses a qualitative approach with a multisite study research design. The location of this research is three one-roof schools in the Bondowoso Regency. Data collection was carried out by unstructured, in-depth, group interviews, observation, and documentation studies. The validity of the data was checked using data triangulation, member checks, discussions among members, and adequacy of reference materials. The data was analyzed using reduction analysis, presentation, verification, and drawing conclusions. Cross-site data analysis was carried out on a constant comparative basis. The results revealed that school principals employ varying strategies to achieve ideal learning, influenced by factors such as students, teachers, infrastructure, and local community conditions. The results also show that in order to realize an ideal curriculum and learning in one-roof schools, it is necessary to compile and implement learning in accordance with the conditions and readiness of students by including local knowledge and highlighting the principle of partnership with the community. This research offers practical guidance for policy makers and the school community in realizing ideal curriculums and learning methods, especially for schools in remote areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) become ubiquitous in soil and are an environmental and public health concern worldwide. However, the status of MPs in natural and farmland soils in remote areas remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of MPs in natural and farmland soils along two transects in the Qilian Mountains of the northern Tibetan Plateau. The average abundance of MPs in natural and farmland soils was 29,778 and 56,123 items kg−1, respectively, with a detection size range of 10–1000 μm. MPs in the size range of 10–100 μm accounted for 84.1% of particles detected. Among the 21 polymers detected, polyethylene dominated in both farmland and natural soils. The shape of MPs was dominated by fragments (95.8%), followed by fibers (3.8%) and beads (0.4%). The abundance of MPs was positively correlated with increasing altitude in natural soils. There was no significant correlation between the abundance of MPs and soil physicochemical properties due to the narrow range of values of soil physicochemical properties. With the growing concern regarding MPs pollution, research on the status of MPs in high altitude and remote areas is critical to understanding their global cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research in creative industries is mostly focused on urban and metropolitan areas. However, various authors have approached the creative industries from a regional, rural, or remote point of view. The objective of this study is to map and analyze research on creative industries in low-density areas and to identify the main theories and current and future trends within this theme. For data collection, only articles published in the Web of Science and SCOPUS databases were used, from which a set of 152 documents was obtained. For this study, we used R Bibliometrix software to assist in result analysis and VOSViewer software, to create a reference co-citation's map, which allowed us to identify three clusters, whose themes we analyzed in detail. The results allowed to show (i) an increase in investigations into creative industries in low-density areas in recent years, (ii) the main journals and authors that have contributed the most to this theme, (iii) the identification of the theories most used in these studies, and (iv) finally, the identification of three clusters: remoteness and place relations with the creative industries (cluster 1), critical perspectives and the spatial distribution of talent (cluster 2), and cultural policies and the genesis of the creative class (cluster 3). This study contributes to mapping and critically summarizing the existing literature linking the creative industries and low-density areas. In addition, the study made it possible to identify current and future trends in order to enhance new lines of investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A slew of economic, environmental, and social concerns has pushed policymakers and governments to embrace renewable energy (RE) technologies in order to ensure a sustainable energy future. RE technologies have a beneficial effect on the environment and social well-being. Therefore, this study presents a method for systematically determining and ranking the benefits of adopting RE technologies in remote areas and possible solutions. The present analysis is structured into four distinct levels. The benefits of RE technologies were identified through a comprehensive review of relevant literature. The Delphi technique was employed to reach a consensus and classify the advantages. Fourteen benefits were determined and classified according to seven primary criteria. Furthermore, the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process was employed to determine the weights and rankings. The Fuzzy VIekriterijumsko KOmpromisno Rangiranje method was ultimately used to evaluate the potential alternatives. The integrated method result significantly reveals that the environmental criteria are the most critical factor, with a weight of (0.1727), and are followed by the quality of energy aspect, with a weight of (0.1617). Moreover, the global weights show that Sustainability is ranked highest, followed by Skill development, then the other sub-benefits within different categories. These two benefits have relative weights of (9.9164%) and (9.4924%), respectively. Furthermore, the most effective solution facilitating local and foreign investors was the most promising among the four recommended alternatives. The quote has proven that it benefits the government and policymakers in deploying RE technologies and resolving energy challenges in remote areas of developing nations like Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Humanities & Educational Sciences Journal is the property of Humanities & Educational Sciences Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study examined the association between human activities and precipitation in dry areas, focusing on nomadic people in Djibouti. Nomadic communities often lack access to essential social services, and water resource management is crucial for their survival and social welfare. Understanding how they respond to variations in water availability could contribute to effective policy implementation. Using satellite-derived information, this study found that nighttime light brightness increased in response to precipitation around wadis, with potential water spring locations, and decreased with distance from a wadi. Specifically, we observed no effect when the distance was more than 5 km. Furthermore, no effect of precipitation was found in urban areas, while a positive effect was found in remote areas. These findings suggest that the activity of nomadic people increases around wadis in response to increased water resource availability, indicating that water supply is important for settlement projects because it can reduce water-seeking costs and improve social welfare. This study provides the first empirical evidence using satellite data and statistical analysis to show that water availability is critical for nomadic communities which can inform better resource management and policy decisions in African countries.

The changes in the necrotic core and the penumbra following induction of focal ischemia have been the focus of attention for some time. However, evidence shows, that ischemic injury is not confined to the primarily affected structures and may influence the remote areas as well. Yet many studies fail to probe into the structures beyond the penumbra, and possibly do not even find any significant results due to their short-term design, as secondary damage occurs later. This slower reaction can be perceived as a therapeutic opportunity, in contrast to the ischemic core defined as irreversibly damaged tissue, where the window for salvation is comparatively short. The pathologies in remote structures occur relatively frequently and are clearly linked to the poststroke neurological outcome. In order to develop efficient therapies, a deeper understanding of what exactly happens in the exo-focal regions is necessary. The mechanisms of glia contribution to the ischemic damage in core/penumbra are relatively well described and include impaired ion homeostasis, excessive cell swelling, glutamate excitotoxic mechanism, release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and phagocytosis or damage propagation via astrocytic syncytia. However, little is known about glia involvement in post-ischemic processes in remote areas. In this literature review, we discuss the definitions of the terms "ischemic core", "penumbra" and "remote areas." Furthermore, we present evidence showing the array of structural and functional changes in the more remote regions from the primary site of focal ischemia, with a special focus on glia and the extracellular matrix. The collected information is compared with the processes commonly occurring in the ischemic core or in the penumbra. Moreover, the possible causes of this phenomenon and the approaches for investigation are described, and finally, we evaluate the efficacy of therapies, which have been studied for their anti-ischemic effect in remote areas in recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism has become an important engine for development, especially in more remote areas. The potential of cultural tourism for sustainable tourism developing was explored in the H2020 funded TExTOUR project. A total of eight territories developed action plans based on their local heritage for sustainable tourism development. This article situates the actions created through the participatory TExTOUR approach are framed within larger global initiatives, to the Sustainable Development Agenda and the UNWTO pillars of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, to show how TExTOUR has contributed to sustainable development through the means of cultural tourism. The results of this article show that local communities can contribute to global goals through cultural tourism strategies. In particular, these areas show that cultural tourism can support, safeguard and enhance heritage and promote positive economic growth through job creation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dependence on fossil fuel has significantly resulted in global climate change and harms the ecosystem. The process of integration of electricity production with renewable energy sources can significantly improve the economics and energy balance, especially in rural areas. The optimization of decentralized energy generation in India is done by HOMER Pro software. It performs energy balance calculations and determines the least net present cost for each system configuration. In the present study, design of hybrid renewable energy system (HRES), i.e. solar PV, wind and biomass for a rural village in North Sikkim, has been done as a case study. The village is mainly dependent on agriculture and livestock economy. Daily load consumption by 160 houses in village calculated for two distinct seasons was 262.4 kWh with a peak energy demand of 63.45 kW. The optimized simulation results gave the best possible configuration combinations made up of 1.9 kW PV array, 20 kW biogas generator, 63 strings batteries, 1.96 kW inverter and a 2.3 kW rectifier. Results for the combination showed electricity generation was mainly from biogas generator which was cost-effective and sustainable alternative to grid extension. Moreover, the most economical HRES was strongly dependent on the available energy sources at the location. In addition to this, the system has internal rate of return of 7.42% and payback period of 4.53 years. The software helps in determining feasibility of the configuration and estimates the cost of installing and operating the system over the project lifetime. This techno-economic approach is viable and will meet the power demand of 160 households of the village and is therefore recommended for future electrification projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to pinpoint the challenges faced by Saudi Arabian parents living in isolated regions when it comes to caring for and educating their children with modest intellectual disabilities. Nine parents were chosen from organisations and special education schools to take part in email interviews. Thematic analysis was used to examine the gathered data. The survey pinpointed three main concerns: difficulties in obtaining English language education, the importance of specialised instruction, and the training and assistance provided to teachers. Children in rural places encounter challenges in developing English language proficiency, highlighting the necessity of tailored instruction. This study explores the particular obstacles encountered by parents of children with mild intellectual disabilities in isolated areas of Saudi Arabia as they seek English language education. To effectively tackle these difficulties, it is essential to offer teachers suitable training and specialised education, eliminate current obstacles, and broaden educational opportunities. Facilitating cooperation between lawmakers and teachers can lead to the creation of customised language education initiatives, which in turn can enhance the cognitive and social growth of children with minor intellectual impairments.

Saudi Arabia implemented precautionary measures earlier before the first COVID-19 case had been confirmed. In March 02, 2020, the first COVID-19 was confirmed in Saudi Arabia which resulted in tightening precautionary measures. Turaif’s location and population structure present a challenge for pandemic management. Multidisciplinary approach is essential to ensure efficiency of coordinated effortsbetween local authority and health officials.

This article describes the telehealth experiences of adolescents, young adults, and youth workers during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in the province of Québec, Canada, where remote appointments was the recommended alternative to in-person meetings due to various public health restrictions. Four main themes emerged from individual interviews with nine adolescents and young adults (aged 15–25 years) and focus groups with 35 service providers: the trust relationship, loss of nonverbal communication, confidentiality concerns, and youth disengagement. Participants agreed that face-to-face psychosocial intervention is the preferred option for quality care and service. However, with appropriate support and infrastructure, telehealth could be a reliable alternate modality for reaching adolescents and young adults in remote and rural areas as well as for follow-up care for adolescents and young adults who have an established and trusted relationship with their service provider. For interventions to remain youth-friendly and person-centred, adolescents and young adults must always be offered a choice of modality. Perspectives of adolescents, young adults, and youth workers intersect to provide a unique understanding of telehealth in a specific context. There is scant literature on the use of telehealth as a social work practice modality, specifically with adolescents, young adults and their families. This article attempts to fill this gap by providing an early look at the experiences of telehealth during the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Québec, Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of offshore wind-photovoltaic hybrid systems, presenting autonomous components tailored for maritime applications. Focusing on the critical role of these systems in supplying electricity to regions with limited infrastructure, particularly maritime zones, the study explores economic advantages over traditional power line installations, emphasizing remote areas. Key components, including battery storage, autonomy, battery selection (with a spotlight on lead-acid batteries), charge controllers, inverters, and the integration of Automatic Identification System (A.I.S.) for maritime safety, are discussed. The article concludes by underscoring the significance of power supply buoys for ship safety and efficient refueling near hybrid systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurement of meteorological variables is essential to assess and analyze extreme events, such as droughts and floods, and even more so when the purpose is to generate early warnings of such natural phenomena. Nowadays, several mechanisms can estimate climatic variables like precipitation and temperature. However, no device measures precipitation values in real-time and at a low-cost, much less are these installed in remote areas of difficult access. Therefore, an Automated Hydrological Information System was developed based on low-cost meteorological stations with two communication protocols, Wi-Fi and GSM. The devices are equipped with a self-sustainable power supply, including a solar panel and energy storage that can last for up to three cloudy days. The precipitation, temperature, and relative humidity values are sent to a database, where they are then processed and displayed on a web page, accessible for download. Users can easily access the data from an official application that redirects them to the website without the need for a computer or a mobile browser. Warning systems are feasible due to the use of IoT services such as ThingSpeak and Ubidots. Ultimately, they allow the analysis of information and immediately send alerts if it exceeds the tolerance ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teacher service refers to the service by the teacher. This service is related to the teacher’s vocation which includes two aspects, namely the call to duty from the state and the call to duty from God. In thi writing the autor focuses on discussing teacher service in remote areas as a call to the Christian faith (intrinsic case study at Uspisera State Elementary School, West District). The service a teacher in a remote area is full of the various realities of local community life which are far from progress and full of various life challenges that await according to the conditions of the area. West Wetar District is located at the western tip of Southwest Maluku and has limited access to sea an land transportation. Apart from that, there is no source of fresh water on this island becauses the island is barren, so people use rainwater and water from dug wells, even thought it is salty, to meet their daily needs. Referring to the reality experienced, this research aims to raise the enthusiasm and motivation of young teachers, to serve in this place by understanding that the task of service is a task sent from God, as well as contributing to the Regional Government to conduct trining for young teachers and help provide supporting facilities for teachers. The results obtained from this research are that the view of sending that is integrated in the service of previous teachers opens up opportunities dor young teachers, namely by increasing the number of teachers nd the availability of facilities to meed living needs which continues to increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The changes in the necrotic core and the penumbra following induction of focal ischemia have been the focus of attention for some time. However, evidence shows, that ischemic injury is not confined to the primarily affected structures and may influence the remote areas as well. Yet many studies fail to probe into the structures beyond the penumbra, and possibly do not even find any significant results due to their short-term design, as secondary damage occurs later. This slower reaction can be perceived as a therapeutic opportunity, in contrast to the ischemic core defined as irreversibly damaged tissue, where the window for salvation is comparatively short. The pathologies in remote structures occur relatively frequently and are clearly linked to the post-stroke neurological outcome. In order to develop efficient therapies, a deeper understanding of what exactly happens in the exo-focal regions is necessary. The mechanisms of glia contribution to the ischemic damage in core/penumbra are relatively well described and include impaired ion homeostasis, excessive cell swelling, glutamate excitotoxic mechanism, release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and phagocytosis or damage propagation via astrocytic syncytia. However, little is known about glia involvement in post-ischemic processes in remote areas. In this literature review, we discuss the definitions of the terms “ischemic core”, “penumbra” and “remote areas.” Furthermore, we present evidence showing the array of structural and functional changes in the more remote regions from the primary site of focal ischemia, with a special focus on glia and the extracellular matrix. The collected information is compared with the processes commonly occurring in the ischemic core or in the penumbra. Moreover, the possible causes of this phenomenon and the approaches for investigation are described, and finally, we evaluate the efficacy of therapies, which have been studied for their anti-ischemic effect in remote areas in recent years.

Saudi Arabia implemented precautionary measures earlier before the first COVID-19 case had been confirmed. In March 02, 2020, the first COVID-19 was confirmed in Saudi Arabia which resulted in tightening precautionary measures. Turaif's location and population structure present a challenge for pandemic management. Multidisciplinary approach is essential to ensure efficiency of coordinated effortsbetween local authority and health officials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Even though communities in low-resource areas across the globe are aging, older adult mental and cognitive health services remain mainly embedded in tertiary- or secondary hospital settings, and thus not easily accessible by older adults living in such communities. Here, the iterative development of INTegRated InterveNtion of pSychogerIatric Care (INTRINSIC) services addressing the mental and cognitive healthcare needs of older adults residing in low-resource areas of Greece is depicted. Methods INTRINSIC was developed and piloted in three iterative phases: (i) INTRINSIC initial version conceptualization; (ii) A 5-year field testing in Andros island; and (iii) Extending the services. The INTRINSIC initial version relied on a digital platform enabling videoconferencing, a flexible battery of diagnostic tools, pharmacological treatment and psychosocial support and the active involvement of local communities in service shaping. Results Ιn 61% of the 119 participants of the pilot study, new diagnoses of mental and/or neurocognitive disorders were established. INTRINSIC resulted in a significant reduction in the distance travelled and time spent to visit mental and cognitive healthcare services. Participation was prematurely terminated due to dissatisfaction, lack of interest or insight in 13 cases (11%). Based on feedback and gained experiences, a new digital platform, facilitating e-training of healthcare professionals and public awareness raising, and a risk factor surveillance system were created, while INTRINSIC services were extended to incorporate a standardized sensory assessment and the modified problem adaptation therapy. Conclusion The INTRINSIC model may be a pragmatic strategy to improve access of older adults with mental and cognitive disorders living in low-resource areas to healthcare services.

This research aims to compare the education equity policies in remote areas of Indonesia and Malaysia to identify the differences, similarities, and effectiveness in addressing socioeconomic disparities between urban and remote regions. The study examines policy documents, government reports, and previous research using a qualitative comparative approach. Indonesia employs a regional autonomy approach, while Malaysia adheres to a centralized system in education policy. Both countries have adopted financial assistance programs to increase the participation of students from low-income families in remote areas. Critical challenges in policy implementation include limited facilities and infrastructure, demanding access to transportation, limited human resources, and sociocultural barriers. The study finds that policy successes are evident in increased student participation, improved infrastructure accessibility, provision of teaching staff, and community support. However, budget constraints and human resource limitations remain significant obstacles. The research concludes that effective education equity policies require proactive government involvement, active community participation, and periodic monitoring and evaluation to enhance policy effectiveness.

This study seeks to determine the effectiveness of implementing OMR-Tele/RBI in the remote areas of the Municipality of Malungon. The research employed a qualitative case study method that utilized key informant interviews with the Junior High School learners and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with home learning partners in Malungon, Sarangani Province. According to the findings, OMR-Tele/RBI benefits some learners, particularly junior high school learners, because they can study anywhere, anytime, and at their discretion. However, due to their short concentration span and inability to study independently, primary learners are unsuitable for OMR-Tele/RBI. Problems with OMR-Tele/RBI have also hindered remote learning. Most learners living in mountain areas have slow or even no access to radio or the internet. Moreover, the majority of learners lived in small houses with no subdivisions. Therefore, students were unable to find a peaceful place to study. As a consequence, students cannot concentrate while listening to or viewing the lessons. In addition, it was recommended that the teacher models and facilitators be equipped to construct age- and level-appropriate audio or video lessons. Additionally, the audio and video lessons should be quality-assured to ensure the program's effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the quality of life of selected secondary school volunteer teachers in the remote areas of the Schools Division of Sultan Kudarat. This qualitative study utilizes phenomenology as its method and used convenience sampling as the sampling technique. Six (6) volunteer teachers were the study's participants. Moreover, the study employed a semi-structured interview guide with openended questions, and the data were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Through thematic analysis, some emerging themes were extracted after an exhaustive and systematic process of thematic coding, analysis, and categorizations of the transcripts from the interview. Such themes include teachers' passion for teaching, enhancement of teachers' skills, teachers' psychological condition, qualifications, financial stability, long-distance travel, unsafe roadways, classroom management skills, faith, community linkages, classroom management skills, seminars and training, multi-talented teachers, and allowances. This study concludes that volunteer teachers in remote areas need more financial stability. Some of the teachers have limited seminars and training attended. Although they show incredible resilience and courage, they cannot cope with the increasing daily expenses, and a positive outlook cannot buy even the necessities a teacher needs to sustain himself, their family, and even the teaching-learning process itself. The study recommends that more be done to support and train volunteer teachers. Initiatives like professional development programs, access to teaching resources, provision of allowances and hazard pay, provision of plantilla positions in remote areas, and social support networks can go a long way in supporting volunteer teachers and improving education in remote areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on blended and online learning have mostly focused on information and communication technology accessibility. This study investigated aspects other than ICT when students joined the Speaking Class blended and online from remote areas during the COVID-19 Pandemic. This study employed a mixedmethod case study. The purposive sampling technique was used to choose two groups of students who enrolled in Speaking Classes at the English Department in the 2020/2021 academic year as the study's sample. The first group (Group A), which included eighteen (18) students, attended fourteen online speaking lectures, whereas the second group (Group B), which included twenty-two (22) students, attended blended learning lectures. The student's achievements in speaking abilities were described. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and interviews were used to obtain information about students' problems, and the data were analysed using content analysis. The data analysis revealed that Group B students performed better than Group A students in terms of learning outcomes. The findings of the data analysis from the interviews and focus groups reveal that some problems were encountered, including; 1) interference from family members; 2) absence of a study room; 3) financial difficulty; 4) absence of peers; 5) difficulty to get local transportation; and 6) problem to concentrate. These findings suggest that the applied online learning system has not been able to meet the principles of education for all during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Solutions to the application of online learning in remote areas, highlighting the roles of the local government, are forwarded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the various social and human researches in Egypt that were focusing on different issues related to the impact of media on members of society; however the impact of the media on the inhabitants of remote areas did not receive the desired sufficient attention as important frontier areas inhabited by Bedouins; a group of people that has been neglected and misjudged for too long by a large number of Egyptians. And by virtue of my frequent visits to the region since 1979 for the purpose of scientific research and implementation of some development programs, I have become a familiar face and a trusted figure among the people, which gave me the opportunity to monitor the cultural, social and environmental changes of the region throughout all these years. Hence, the present research aims to shed light and analyze the role and contribution of Egyptian and non-Egyptian audio- visual media in bringing about material and immaterial social and cultural change to the Bedouin population of a remote Egyptian region (South Sinai). The research is based on a main hypothesis: does the media with all its means, play a major role in bringing about social and cultural change in remote Bedouin communities? The collection of data during several field visits was based on the qualitative anthropological method, with all its tools; i.e the use of observation, in -depth interviews and focus group discussions. The world view and the cognitive approaches were used to analyze peoples' selfassessment regarding sex, age and social status. The present research confirmed some soft, smooth social and cultural changes, both positive and negative, due to the influence of direct and indirect media: ie, change in Bedouin economic activities, education, environmental awareness Bedouin women's dress and hair styles. Change in social relations and some cultural features, which still oscillate between what is traditional and what is modern. The research also confirms what "Tayachev" has reached, regarding the possibility of cultural change as a result of various factors, but it mostly occurs due to contact with other cultures, innovations or inventions that enter a particular culture. It is hardly occurred due to only one factor, in this case; the audio- visual media with all its means. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Social Work Review / Revue Canadienne de Service Social is the property of Canadian Association for Social Work Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of IUL Research is the property of IUL - Universita Telematica degli Studi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

God calls his ecclesial church to go out to proclaim his Gospel to all creation and baptise, teach, and make all nations his disciples. Local churches, particularly in Indonesia, commonly carry on the calling by using the so-called One Duty (the Missio Dei)-Three Tasks (koinonia, martyria, diakonia) tasks. Reality shows of not uncommon partial and unbalanced implementations of the three tasks, mostly heavy focused on koinonia but less in both martyria and diakonia. The study objective is to assess implementation of the church missions view of drawing general lessons for a more effective implementation. The study was conducted at a small-sized church congregation in an indigenous community in a remote rural local area, using a mixed literature review, field observation and interviews, and conceptual synthesis methodology. The key findings are that mission fields are diverse and wide and requires contextual missions, the diakonia task plays a pivotal role, and a small size of congregation is good for quality-oriented missions, the Strength Gift Based Community Development conducted in a holistic integrated transformational mission is an appropriate approach. The study contributes to interdisciplinary understanding and formulation of basic principles in doing integrated missions by local churches, particularly in rural areas with indigenous community, remote location, and poverty-stricken mission fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiencing unfamiliar environments tends to foster transformative learning. However, limited studies investigate how experiencing contrasting localities fosters transformative learning, such as teaching practice in remote areas by pre-service teachers who are from elsewhere. This study focuses on revealing pre-service teachers' transformative learning experiences during their teaching practice by investigating the changes associated with their teaching practice and how these changes occur. Using semi-structured interviews, we questioned forty-one pre-service primary teachers about their 1-year teaching experiences in remote areas of Indonesia. The findings show that pre-service teachers undergo changes in perspective, which indicate a transformative learning outcome. Three elements of the transformative learning process—disorientation, exploring new roles, and reflection—are also identified in the data. These three elements of the transformative learning process influence pre-service teachers' perspectives. This implies that teaching practice in remote areas stimulates pre-service teachers to experience transformative learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Even though communities in low-resource areas across the globe are aging, older adult mental and cognitive health services remain mainly embedded in tertiary- or secondary hospital settings, and thus not easily accessible by older adults living in such communities. Here, the iterative development of INTegRated InterveNtion of pSychogerIatric Care (INTRINSIC) services addressing the mental and cognitive healthcare needs of older adults residing in low-resource areas of Greece is depicted. Methods: INTRINSIC was developed and piloted in three iterative phases: (i) INTRINSIC initial version conceptualization; (ii) A 5-year field testing in Andros island; and (iii) Extending the services. The INTRINSIC initial version relied on a digital platform enabling videoconferencing, a flexible battery of diagnostic tools, pharmacological treatment and psychosocial support and the active involvement of local communities in service shaping. Results: Ιn 61% of the 119 participants of the pilot study, new diagnoses of mental and/or neurocognitive disorders were established. INTRINSIC resulted in a significant reduction in the distance travelled and time spent to visit mental and cognitive healthcare services. Participation was prematurely terminated due to dissatisfaction, lack of interest or insight in 13 cases (11%). Based on feedback and gained experiences, a new digital platform, facilitating e-training of healthcare professionals and public awareness raising, and a risk factor surveillance system were created, while INTRINSIC services were extended to incorporate a standardized sensory assessment and the modified problem adaptation therapy. Conclusion: The INTRINSIC model may be a pragmatic strategy to improve access of older adults with mental and cognitive disorders living in low-resource areas to healthcare services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountaineering and trekking are outdoor activities that attract thousands of enthusiasts each year. These activities often take place in remote and isolated areas, where medical assistance is scarce, and rescue operations are challenging. When trekkers are injured in such areas, they face significant challenges in accessing help due to the harsh terrain, limited resources, and most notably due to lack of communication infrastructure. In the last century, an average of four people were killed each year on Mount Everest alone, but in the last decade, the number of deaths increased to an average of 6.5 annually. There is a need for an efficient, flexible, and economical solution for safety in mountaineering and other long-distance remote use cases where cellular networks prove ineffective. One of the promising technologies suitable for this application is the LoRa (long range) Network, which is used for communication in isolated areas such as wooded areas (forests) with more minor power consumption. Fast and low-effort localization can potentially increase the chances of saving injured individuals' lives. The proposed system developed a device made of a microcontroller, a Global Positioning System (GPS) module and an accelerometer module to gather trekker data, a LoRa module, and Bluetooth module to transmit data as well as a power supply, and an integrated mobile software application. The system successfully tested the functionality and reliability of an Internet of Things (IoT) network for tracking and alerting purposes, providing a simple, cost-effective system for safety assistance in case of emergencies. The system showed high accuracy in location tracking, long-range communication capability of up to 1 to 2 kilometers, and reliable performance in various environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare is a critical field of research and equally important for all nations. Providing secure healthcare facilities to citizens is the primary concern of each nation. However, people living in remote areas do not get timely and sufficient healthcare facilities, even in developed countries. During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, many fatalities occurred due to the inaccessibility of healthcare facilities on time. Therefore, there is a need to propose a solution that may help citizens living in remote areas with proper and secure healthcare facilities without moving to other places. The revolution in ICT technologies, especially IoT, 5G, and cloud computing, has made access to healthcare facilities easy and approachable. There is a need to benefit from these technologies so that everyone can get secure healthcare facilities from anywhere. This research proposes a framework that will ensure 24/7 accessibility of healthcare facilities by anyone from anywhere, especially in rural areas with fewer healthcare facilities. In the proposed approach, the patients will receive doorstep treatment from the remote doctor in rural areas or the nearby local clinic. Healthcare resources (doctor, treatment, patient counseling, diagnosis, etc.) will be shared remotely with people far from these facilities. The proposed approach is tested using mathematical modeling and a case study, and the findings confirm that the proposed approach helps improve healthcare facilities for remote patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes on-demand bus services for remote areas with low transit demand, incorporating travelers' willingness to pay and values of time. To jointly optimize the on-demand service of overlapping bus routes, we construct a bi-level model. The upper-level model (UM) optimizes bus departure frequency in different time windows and ticket prices of on-demand services to minimize the total generalized cost, subject to travelers' willingness to pay for on-demand services. The lower-level model (LM) calculates the probability of travelers choosing on-demand stops. A numerical analysis based on Meishan Island data in Ningbo indicates that with on-demand bus services, the total generalized cost incurred by buses and travelers can be reduced by 30.36% and 15.35% during rush and off-rush hours, respectively. Additionally, the waiting time at an on-demand bus stop is only 4.3 min during rush hours and 6.8 min during off-rush hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote rural areas are often rich in natural and landscape assets, which are in turn used as the main focus of tourism development strategies aiming at reverting their decline. However, mono-functional strategies hardly manage to achieve this goal, as in order to restore those structural conditions that are essential to liveability and local development it is necessary to engage in a more comprehensive approach. Acknowledging this challenge, the paper reflects on the possibility to include tourism within multi-level development strategies aimed at tackling marginalisation, drawing on the case of the Italian National Strategy for Inner Areas. More in detail, the authors analyse how the latter enables the integration of tourism-related actions into more comprehensive, place-based development strategies that act upon the peculiarities of the territories they focus on through a mix of top-down and bottom-up logics.

Selection of the best component arrangement and sizing measurement for hybrid energy systems (HES) is vital to provide a reliable, consistent, and cost-effective energy supply. This study investigates a techno-economic feasibility analysis of stand-alone HES on Western side of Pelee Island, Canada, whose load is 2426 kWh/day. Several hybridization cases, including diesel (DG), wind (WT), and solar (PV) energy generation, coupled with converters (CNV) and four different battery-electric storage technologies, are explored for technical and economic suitability. The battery architectures involve Scenario I: 1 kWh Lead Acid (LA), Scenario II: 1 kWh Li-Ion, Scenario III: 100 kWh Li-Ion, and Scenario IV: 2.5 kWh PowerSafe (SBS). The results favored the Scenario II solution: 152 kW PV module, 200 kW DG, 190 kW CNV when integrated with 853 kWh Li-Ion battery which has the lowest NPC and LCOE by $3.67M and 0.321$/kWh, respectively. Fuel price and solar irradiance of LA-based systems are more sensitive to renewable fraction and less sensitive to LCOE.1 kWh Li-Ion battery-based hybrid options maintain their lowest LCOE and NPC over variation of fuel price, irradiance, and required load. Unmet load comparison reveals that PV/WT/DG/100 kWh Li-Ion and PV/WT/2.5 kWh SBS, respectively, are the most and least reliable hybrid cases. When comparing storage throughput, it is expected that 100 kWh Li-Ion batteries would be more efficient and have a longer service life than 2.5 kWh SBS batteries.

Climate change and scarcity of energy sources have put developing countries in a situation that demands emergency future planning for matured renewable technologies in order to continue sustainable progress and provide clean and cheap energy to masses. This paper provides a comprehensive structure of site suitability for utility scale solar PV and wind energy projects considering criteria critical to each technology while only using criteria with absolute necessity for varying scenarios incorporating Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) along with Geographic Information System (GIS). A novel approach is also considered for far-off areas potentially deprived of electricity access for small scale solar PV implementation. A total of eight sub-criteria were considered in site selection process regarding wind and solar energy, analyzed using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in order to rank criteria depending on their importance to selection process. Resulting methodology was applied to case study of Pakistan, a developing country with growing climate change emergency and ongoing power crisis. End results showed 25.28% area suitable for utility scale solar PV farms, 5.93% area suitable for utility scale wind farms and 40.02% suitable area for small scale solar PV farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life is dependent on water. However, in terms of the potential effects, water scarcity is quickly emerging as one of the most critical problems in the world. To access more fresh water for drinking, sanitation, and irrigation, water can be harvested from different forms of water on earth. Atmospheric harvesting is the best alternative for producing fresh water for everyday life and reducing global water shortages. To date, many modern technologies have been introduced for this application, with several prototypes being demonstrated. Thus, this study explores the potential benefits of the current atmospheric water harvesting systems in terms of their modes, atmospheric conditions, and production rate and examines the key factors that affect the efficiency of atmospheric water harvesting, such as temperature and humidity. According to the studies, there has been a significant advancement in energy harvesting and conversion technology, along with atmospheric water harvesting, over the past few years, including new mechanisms and technical paths. However, there are still many obstacles; in particular, most of the technologies depend on outdoor conditions. In order to overcome this issue, new directions need to be investigated. Here, we discuss the principles, advantages, limitations, and potential applications of these technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitive and remote areas have come under pressure from growing populations and tourism, often resulting in improper wastewater management. Efficiency, durability, the use of renewable construction materials, and the minimization of environmental impacts must be conformed to a sustainable paradigm. A life cycle assessment (LCA) was applied to compare three different decentralized wastewater treatment systems built at tourist facilities: a source separation sanitation system with a hybrid constructed wetland (S1), a sequential batch reactor (SBR) with a hybrid constructed wetland (S2), and a solar-powered composting toilet (S3). Benchmarking showed that S1 was preferred over S2. The differences were up to a factor of two, except for eutrophication, which was significantly higher for S2 (10×). S3 had the lowest environmental impact, but S3 treated only the blackwater fraction, i.e., urine, faeces, and toilet paper, and excluded greywater treatment, i.e., handwashing and/or kitchen wastewater. The scenario analysis showed that the environmental performance could be improved by installing solar panels, but this would increase the impact on the abiotic depletion of elements by 83% for S2. The LCA indicated the advantages, disadvantages, flexibility, and potential for design improvements to meet the environmental sustainability and market demands for system diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

God calls his ecclesial church to go out to proclaim his Gospel to all creation and baptise, teach, and make all nations his disciples. Local churches, particularly in Indonesia, commonly carry on the calling by using the so-called One Duty (the Missio Dei)-Three Tasks (koinonia, martyria, diakonia) tasks. Reality shows of not uncommon partial and unbalanced implementations of the three tasks, mostly heavy focused on koinonia but less in both martyria and diakonia. The study objective is to assess implementation of the church missions view of drawing general lessons for a more effective implementation. The study was conducted at a small-sized church congregation in an indigenous community in a remote rural local area, using a mixed literature review, field observation and interviews, and conceptual synthesis methodology. The key findings are that mission fields are diverse and wide and requires contextual missions, the diakonia task plays a pivotal role, and a small size of congregation is good for quality-oriented missions, the Strength Gift Based Community Development conducted in a holistic integrated transformational mission is an appropriate approach. The study contributes to interdisciplinary understanding and formulation of basic principles in doing integrated missions by local churches, particularly in rural areas with indigenous community, remote location, and poverty-stricken mission fields.

Measurement of meteorological variables is essential to assess and analyze extreme events, such as droughts and floods, and even more so when the purpose is to generate early warnings of such natural phenomena. Nowadays, several mechanisms can estimate climatic variables like precipitation and temperature. However, no device measures precipitation values in real-time and at a low-cost, much less are these installed in remote areas of difficult access. Therefore, an Automated Hydrological Information System was developed based on low-cost meteorological stations with two communication protocols, Wi-Fi and GSM. The devices are equipped with a self-sustainable power supply, including a solar panel and energy storage that can last for up to three cloudy days. The precipitation, temperature, and relative humidity values are sent to a database, where they are then processed and displayed on a web page, accessible for download. Users can easily access the data from an official application that redirects them to the website without the need for a computer or a mobile browser. Warning systems are feasible due to the use of IoT services such as ThingSpeak and Ubidots. Ultimately, they allow the analysis of information and immediately send alerts if it exceeds the tolerance ranges.

This article discusses the potential of solar desalination for small-scale decentralized applications in remote areas. The global water shortage is a growing concern, and seawater desalination is seen as a promising solution. However, existing desalination technologies are not suitable for small-scale applications in remote areas due to high energy intensity and cost. The article highlights various research aspects of solar desalination technologies, including improvements to solar stills and the integration of solar energy with existing desalination technologies. The goal is to develop more energy-efficient and cost-effective solar desalination systems to address global water scarcity. [Extracted from the article]

Persistent discrimination against women who prefer to adopt an active lifestyle may be found all over Pakistan, but it is particularly prevalent in rural and remote places. The goal of this research was to have a better understanding of these challenges and develop strategies for overcoming them. In this study, a sampling technique known as the random selection was utilized to select one hundred twenty people from the surrounding locations. For the purpose of collecting information from each of them, a standardized questionnaire was used. According to the research on the data, both religious and cultural factors played a part, although the analysis revealed that religious influences played a more substantial effect. It has been demonstrated that factors of a religious and cultural nature play an important part in the gender discrimination that is directed toward women who live in rural regions and take part in activities that require a high level of physical exertion. In addition, students' low self-esteem was a substantial impediment to their engagement in extracurricular activities, particularly those involving physical activity and sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the sudden rise in the cases of COVID-19 in the North-Eastern region of India, this study was conducted to survey the felt needs of the medical professionals with regards to education on the evidence-based management of COVID-19. A total of 25 North-East leaders were recruited and a baseline survey was conducted through the digital medium. Out of 25 North-East leaders, 52% were undergoing training in evidence-based medicine in the capacity-building program for evidence-based child health. Participants (48%) strongly agreed and 40% agreed on the possibility of enhanced care by capacity building in the areas of COVID-19 management through discussing cases. Out of 25 North East leaders, 48% agreed to join both as a speaker as well as a participant. Various priority topics on COVID-19 management e.g. childhood, adult, ocular manifestation, ICU management, telemedicine, vaccines, lab protocols, psychological distress, and treatment strategy have emerged. We have presented the findings of the survey which will help guide the mentoring program focusing on evidence-based management of COVID-19 in remote areas through Tele-education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Research on nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) has mostly been aimed at demonstrating its impact on nutrition and explicating underlying pathways, and more rarely at understanding processes and lessons learnt from them. This study aimed to gain insights into the processes that influence behaviour change, contributing to improved caring, feeding and food production practices, using a program theory perspective. It also investigated perceived challenges to the sustainability of interventions and potential solutions, in the context of an NSA program in rural Vietnam. Using a participatory approach, data were gathered on impact pathways and perceived outcomes, on elements of program theory that led to behavioural change, as well as barriers and facilitators. Respondents in semi-structured interviews (n = 30) and seven focus group discussions (total n = 76) were selected purposively among program participants. Data was collected and triangulated across several stakeholder groups. Results The impact pathways (production-consumption, caring and feeding, and home-grown school feeding) envisaged in the NSA program functioned as intended; synergies were revealed. The increased supply of locally produced nutrient-rich foods not only contributed to the emergence of a promising income sub-pathway but also reinforced synergy with the home-grown school feeding pathway. Improved diets, feeding and caring practices, and school attendance were key outcomes of the program. Successful elements were pathway-specific, such as flexibility in implementing context-appropriate agricultural models. Others, such as benefit-driven motivation and improved knowledge, triggered changes in multiple pathways. Role models, increased self-confidence, and change agents were the main process facilitators. The biggest barrier to both implementation and sustainability was the poor socio-economic conditions of the most disadvantaged households. Conclusions This study showed the relevance of NSA programs in addressing undernutrition in remote areas by enhancing self-reliance in local communities. The integration of behaviour change activities proved to be a key strategy in the process to enhance the impact of agriculture on nutrition outcomes. Though outcomes and influencing factors are very context-dependent, lessons on what worked and what did not work could inform the design and implementation of effective behaviour change strategies in future NSA programs in Vietnam and elsewhere.