Population aging has emerged as one of the most significant demographic shifts of the twenty-first century. The proportion of older adults is increasing across both high income and low- and middle-income countries due to declining fertility rates and advancements in medical technology, sanitation, and socioeconomic conditions. While this trend reflects improved survival and better global health outcomes, it also presents profound challenges. Longer life expectancy does not necessarily equate to better healthspan. Natural physiological changes that occur with aging influence nearly every bodily system, creating complex health needs that place growing pressure on health systems worldwide. To establish effective and sustainable health policies, a comprehensive understanding of how physiological aging shapes disease patterns and healthcare demands is critical. Physiological aging is not merely a matter of chronological progression; it involves multidimensional changes at molecular, cellular, organ, and systemic levels.
Abstract The accelerated degradation of rigid highway pavements under Over-Dimension Overload (ODOL) freight traffic necessitates advanced mechanistic evaluation beyond traditional static Winkler design codes. This study develops a rigorously validated 2D explicit Finite Difference Method (FDM) to simulate the dynamic non-local response of a concrete slab subjected to moving 8-axle heavy vehicle loads. The pavement-subgrade interaction is formulated using a two-parameter Pasternak foundation to account for soil shear continuity, evaluated under conservative Free Edge boundary conditions. Spatial contour and time-history numerical outputs reveal that closely spaced multi-axle configurations (e.g., quad-trailers) induce severe dynamic superposition. This continuous loading prevents the slab's elastic rebound, creating a sustained tensile strain basin that significantly accelerates fatigue potential compared to isolated axles. Furthermore, a comprehensive parametric sweep coupling vehicle velocity and foundation stiffness demonstrates that subgrade shear ( $${{\varvec{G}}}_{{\varvec{p}}}$$ ) acts as a critical mechanistic mitigation driver. A competent Pasternak foundation reduces peak static deflections by approximately 35% compared to the Winkler baseline and induces a critical "resonance shift." While Dynamic Amplification Factors (DAF) can reach 1.55 near 60 km/h on weak subgrades, increasing shear stiffness shifts this destructive resonance velocity well beyond standard highway operational limits (> 140 km/h). Ultimately, this computational framework proves that mitigating structural vulnerability requires prioritizing adequate axle-spacing and foundation shear stiffness alongside traditional gross vehicle weight limits.
This study examines the conflict resolution practices of Baduy, Kajang, and Suku Anak Dalam (SAD) Jambi communities, all of whom continue to apply customary law to address violations within their territories. Using a combination of normative and empirical methods with snowball data collection, the research identifies the traditional mechanisms through which these communities maintain social order. Baduy resolve disputes through Silih Hampura, carried out via the Ngabokoran process and guided by Pikukuh, an unwritten code defining customary violations and their resolutions. Kajang apply Pasang Ri Kajang, an oral system that uses oaths, crowbar-burning, or incense-burning rituals in conflict settlement. The SAD Jambi follow a customary framework consisting of four primary and four secondary principles and dua belas categories of violations. Conflict resolution in Kajang and SAD communities typically involves customary fines, while the Baduy impose banishment rather than imprisonment. Across the three groups, the central aim of customary dispute resolution is the restoration of cosmic religious balance, benefiting not only the parties involved but the community and the wider natural order.
Assistive technology (AT) plays a pivotal role in enhancing educational access and outcomes for students with visual impairments (SVI). This systematic literature review (SLR) examines research trends and implementation challenges of AT in SVI education between 2014 and 2024. The study addresses three research questions: (1) the frequency and growth of AT-related publications, (2) the subjects and samples examined in prior studies, and (3) the most frequently implemented AT applications and approaches among SVI. A comprehensive review was conducted across seven scientific databases, encompassing indexed, non-indexed, and conference proceedings. A systematic mapping study (SMS) framework was applied to categorize AT devices based on sensory type and educational application. Findings indicate a steady increase in AT research, with primary emphasis on educational functionality, social interaction, motivation, and self-confidence enhancement among SVI learners. AT is widely reported to reduce participation barriers and bridge activity limitations. However, persistent challenges include limited device ownership, insufficient technical expertise, inadequate training, and recurring technical constraints, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The review underscores the need for context-sensitive AT development, improved professional training, and equitable policy implementation. These findings provide strategic insights for optimizing AT design, adaptation, and deployment to promote inclusive education and equal workforce participation for individuals with visual impairments.
This study examines the comparative associations of Augmented Reality (AR)–based environmental education and local wisdom–based environmental education with pro-environmental behavior among Indonesian youth. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior, the study focuses on environmental attitudes as a key mediating mechanism. Data were collected from 282 high school students in Jakarta and Banten, Indonesia, using a structured survey and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Multi-Group Analysis (MGA). The results indicate that local wisdom–based environmental education is positively associated with both environmental attitudes and pro-environmental behavior, whereas AR-based environmental education is positively associated with environmental attitudes but is not directly associated with pro-environmental behavior. Instead, the association between AR-based environmental education and pro-environmental behavior is fully mediated by environmental attitudes. The structural model explains a substantial proportion of variance in environmental attitudes (R2 = 0.913) and pro-environmental behavior (R2 = 0.950). MGA results reveal that subgroup differences emerge primarily in the associations between educational interventions and environmental attitudes. Specifically, AR-based environmental education shows stronger associations with environmental attitudes among students in Banten and female students, whereas local wisdom–based environmental education exhibits stronger associations among students in Jakarta, male students, and older students. In contrast, the association between environmental attitudes and pro-environmental behavior remains stable across regions, genders, and age groups. These findings suggest that immersive technologies alone may be insufficient to translate learning into behavioral outcomes without alignment with culturally grounded values. As a cross-sectional, non-experimental study, this research contributes to the environmental education literature by integrating cultural and technological dimensions within a TPB-informed framework. Practically, the findings highlight the importance of positioning local wisdom as a foundational element of environmental value formation, with AR serving as a complementary tool to enhance engagement and understanding rather than a stand-alone behavioral intervention.
