Lamb waves (LWs) are guided waves (GWs) with unique properties that make them ideal for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). Over the last two decades, LW-based techniques have gained significant traction in academic and industrial research. A primary advantage of LWs is their ability to propagate over long distances in plate or shell structures, navigating curves and reaching hidden or buried areas, capabilities essential for detecting interlaminar damage in composites. As LW wave structures are frequency and phase-velocity-dependent, they are now suitable for various engineering applications, offering a promising, cost-effective solution for automated, real-time structural integrity monitoring. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of LW behavior, modeling, applications, and limitations in detecting fatigue damage within composite structures. Furthermore, the study explores the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms, including Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL), which have emerged as powerful tools for predicting fatigue damage. By leveraging historical data from LW sensing systems, these AI models can accurately forecast structural conditions without the need for complex analytical modeling, significantly reducing processing time.

Infrastructure project appraisal is a critical function of public investment management, especially in developing economies where fiscal discipline and institutional capacity are under pressure. This study analyzes the institutional mechanisms of appraisal, focusing on the Development Project Proposal (DPP) system and the role of the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) as instruments of governance and accountability. The paper identifies recurring challenges such as optimistic costing, weak feasibility studies, and overlapping project scopes by using a qualitative institutional process analysis method. It also highlights the corrective role of appraisal deliberations in safeguarding fiscal credibility and infrastructure quality. The findings emphasize the need to strengthen upstream project preparation, set technical appraisal expertise, and institutionalize feedback loops. Beyond the specific national context, the study contributes to the literature on infrastructure policy by demonstrating how appraisal committees function as essential gatekeepers for sustainable public investment in developing-country contexts.

Land degradation threatens food security and biodiversity conservation affecting ecosystem services and the well-being of the population. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the spatial and temporal dynamics of land degradation and restoration in Niger using the indicator 15.3.1 of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). The assessment was conducted using the Trends.Earth plugin for a baseline period (2001–2015) and a reporting period (2016–2022). The results indicate that improvement is predominantly within Niger’s Great Green Wall (GGW). This reflects extensive land restoration initiatives aimed at combating desertification. Additionally, land productivity doubled between the baseline (14%) and the reporting period (28%). Although soil organic carbon declined slightly in bare lands (−2%), it increased in tree-covered areas, grasslands, croplands, and artificial surfaces by 2%, 4%, 18% and 50% respectively. The proportion of degraded land declined by half between the baseline (6.6%) and reporting period (3.3%). This highlights the effectiveness of the SDG 15.3.1 for evaluating land degradation. It also lays the basis for developing targeted conservation and sustainable land management strategies in Niger’s GGW.

This study aims to examine the impact of family education based on Islamic economics in reducing family financial distress within families from the perspective of university students. The study was conducted on 359 undergraduate students of Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan, to assess how much Islamic teachings of moderation, future planning, and financial prudence are practiced in familial financial decision-making patterns. Using descriptive and inferential analyses such as t-tests, ANOVA, correlation coefficients, and regression analysis, this study examines possible links between family budget and financial management principles and their strategies and financial distress. The findings demonstrate that compliance with Islamic financial principles significantly reduces the family’s financial distress by emphasizing needs over wants and ensuring the sound management of resources. Critical demographic variables, including income, gender, and household size, emerged as significant moderators in these relationships. The study highlights the practical and spiritual importance of incorporating Islamic teachings into family education to improve financial literacy. By offering cultural and religious perspectives on financial management and literacy, this research is valuable for shaping policies, practices, and interventions aimed at Muslim populations and global society.

Abandoned agricultural land has become an important issue in Malaysia because it affects economic productivity, food security, social well-being, and environmental sustainability. This study explores how waqf, an Islamic charitable approach, can be used as a mechanism to manage and redevelop abandoned agricultural land. The research applies a mixed-method approach, combining document analysis and a questionnaire survey. The qualitative stage reviews academic publications, reports, and policy documents to identify key elements of the waqf framework, while the quantitative survey gathers responses from 400 small landowners across Malaysia to assess their willingness to participate in waqf-based land development. The document analysis shows that an effective waqf framework depends on three main components, namely legislation, management, and funding mechanisms. These elements can support the sustainable use of abandoned agricultural land. Survey results indicate that only 5% of landowners are willing to dedicate their land as waqf. In contrast, 74% of landowners are willing to develop their land through a waqf-based system. Based on these findings, the study proposes a waqf-based framework that focuses on land development rather than permanent land transfer. Improving public awareness and strengthening institutional management are recommended to encourage participation and support the sustainable redevelopment of abandoned agricultural land in Malaysia.

Armed conflicts increasingly target energy infrastructure, yet empirical evidence from African settings remains limited. The Tigray War (2020–2022) caused one of the most severe energysystem collapses in recent history, triggering a twoyear blackout and widespread socioeconomic disruption. This study quantifies the impacts using 1,699 fieldverified assetlevel observations from Ethiopian Electric Power and Ethiopian Electric Utility, supported by secondary data on electricity sales, project delays, and landuse change. The analysis integrates engineeringbased damage assessment, economic loss estimation, and independently validated environmental indicators, an approach not previously applied in African conflict research. Results show US$51.4 million in physical destruction, US$587.9 million in economic losses, 140.8 km of damaged 230 kV lines, 38 collapsed towers, 237 destroyed transformers, and approximately 930 km² of vegetation loss linked to a 628.7% rise in fuelwood extraction. These findings highlight the need for resilient grid reconstruction, decentralized renewables, and integrated environmental restoration in postconflict recovery.