Search Results (4,748)

In the context of China’s increasingly competitive agricultural product branding, authenticity has become a pivotal mechanism for shaping consumer trust and willingness to pay. This study takes Perceived Brand Authenticity (PBA) as its focal construct and builds a chained mediation framework incorporating experiential quality (EQ) and consumer trust. Employing a dual-evidence strategy that combines structural discovery and causal validation, the study integrates Jaccard similarity clustering and PLS-SEM to examine both behavioral patterns and psychological mechanisms. Drawing on 636 valid survey responses from across China, the results reveal clear segmentation in channel choice, certification concern, and premium acceptance by gender, age, income, and education. Younger and highly educated consumers rely more on e-commerce and digital traceability, while middle-aged, older, and higher-income groups emphasize geographical indications and organic certification. The empirical analysis confirms that PBA has a significant positive effect on EQ and consumer trust, and that the chained mediation pathway “PBA → EQ → Trust → Purchase Intention” robustly captures the transmission mechanism of authenticity. The findings demonstrate that verifiable and consistent authenticity signals not only shape cross-group consumption structures but also strengthen trust and repurchase intentions through enhanced experiential quality. The core contribution of this study lies in advancing an evidence-based framework for sustainable agricultural branding. Theoretically, it reconceptualizes authenticity as a measurable governance mechanism rather than a rhetorical construct. Methodologically, it introduces a dual-evidence approach integrating Jaccard clustering and PLS-SEM to bridge structural and causal analyses. Practically, it proposes two governance tools—“evidence density” and “experiential variance”—which translate authenticity into actionable levers for precision marketing, trust management, and policy regulation. Together, these insights offer a replicable model for authenticity governance and consumer trust building in sustainable agri-food systems. Full article

Background: The rising prevalence of neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia underscores the impact of population aging. Consequently, long-term care needs have increased and are often met by family members through informal caregiving, thereby supporting formal care systems by reducing associated costs. These caregivers face physical and mental health challenges, raising concerns about their psychological well-being and prompting interest in both clinical and psychosocial research. Ryff’s eudaimonic model offers a robust framework for the assessment of psychological well-being; yet, in Romania, data on this population segment remain limited. Objective: This study aimed to compare the psychological well-being of Romanian dementia family caregivers with a reference population from the Romanian adaptation of the 54-item Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale, and to explore how sociodemographic characteristics relate to relevant differences across well-being dimensions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 70 Romanian family caregivers recruited from a single clinical hospital in Bucharest, Romania. Caregivers completed the 54-item Ryff Scale (Romanian adaptation), and scores were compared to reference values using one-sample t-tests with bootstrap confidence intervals. The most relevant dimension (purpose in life) was dichotomized and further examined in relation to sociodemographic and caregiving variables using Chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: Caregivers reported significantly lower scores compared to the reference population in purpose in life (p < 0.001, d = −1.01), personal growth (p < 0.001, d = −0.91), and positive relations (p = 0.01, d = −0.30). The most pronounced deficit was observed in purpose in life, with 85.7% of caregivers scoring below the reference mean. This dimension was further examined in relation to caregiver characteristics. Retirement status showed a statistically significant association with Purpose in Life, with retired caregivers more likely to report lower scores (χ² (1) = 4.04, p = 0.04), supported by the likelihood ratio test (p = 0.01) and a linear trend (p = 0.05). Additional marginal associations were found for household income (p = 0.14) and whether the patient slept in a separate room (p = 0.15), suggesting possible links between caregiver well-being and economic or environmental conditions. Conclusions: The study findings highlight notable psychological vulnerabilities among Romanian dementia caregivers, particularly in purpose in life and personal growth. Associations with structural and contextual factors such as retirement status, income, and caregiving environment suggest that caregiver well-being is shaped by broader socioeconomic conditions. While the magnitude of these deficits may be underestimated due to elevated stress levels in the reference group, the findings underscore the need for targeted clinical, social, and policy-level interventions aimed at strengthening existential meaning and personal development in culturally specific settings. Full article

Climate change is associated with an increase in the frequency of extreme weather that threatens emotional well-being, with some research pointing to increased vulnerability among older adults. We investigated how age relates to depression and anxiety following adversities due to extreme weather or natural disaster. Socioemotional selectivity theory (SST) posits that older age buffers against emotional distress. The strength and vulnerability integration model (SAVI) posits that this age-related advantage is attenuated during periods of acute stress. Members (n = 9761, M age = 52.22, SD = 16.36 yrs) of a nationally representative, probability-based US internet panel, the Understanding America Study (UAS), reported their experience with extreme weather or natural disaster (e.g., severe storms, tornado, flood), associated adversities (e.g., property loss), and depression and anxiety over the past month. Of the 1075 respondents experiencing extreme weather or natural disaster, 216 reported related adversity. Those experiencing adversity reported more anxiety and depression than those with no events, while extreme weather or disaster alone made no significant difference. Consistent with SST, older age was associated with less depression and anxiety. This age-related benefit was most apparent among those experiencing weather- or disaster-related adversity, even when controlling for socio-demographic correlates. Findings highlight age-related emotional resilience with implications for climate change policy and practice. Full article

Background: Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (EPAS) are highly contentious topics with significant medical, legal, and cultural implications. Previous research suggests that various sociodemographic, health, and psychosocial factors determine attitudes toward EPAS. This study set out to identify psychosocial predictors of support for EPAS. We hypothesized that perceived control, self-efficacy, and social support would each predict support for EPAS after controlling for sociodemographic and health-related variables. Methods: For this study, we recruited 446 Jewish Israeli adults who were 82.32 years of age on average (SD = 5.99; range 65–101 years). Participants completed a battery of questionnaires including a series of vignettes featuring hypothetical family members with a terminal illness (i.e., cancer, dementia, Parkinson’s disease). We performed a three-step hierarchical regression equation, controlling for demographic factors (age, gender, education, relationship status, economic status, and religiosity) as well as perceived and relative physical health. Results: As hypothesized, both self-efficacy and (the absence of) social support predicted support for EPAS; perceived control did not. Religiosity was the strongest predictor of opposition to EPAS. Fully 31% of variance in support for EPAS was predicted by this regression model. Conclusion: Support for EPAS does not appear to reflect a pervasive need for control over all aspects of life (i.e., perceived control) but a more specific need for personal autonomy (i.e., self-efficacy). Longitudinal research is required over multiple points of data collection to ascertain how change in social support affects support for EPAS in late life. Policy makers should embrace these findings when formulating end-of-life care policies, ensuring that both social support and personal autonomy are prioritized in the care of older adults. Full article

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) has become a topic of increasing societal and academic relevance, with its rapid diffusion reshaping public debate, policymaking, and scholarly inquiry across diverse disciplines. Building on this context, the present study explores the factors influencing GAI adoption among Spanish digital natives (Millennials and Zoomers), using data from a large national survey of 1533 participants (average age = 33.51 years). The theoretical foundation of this research is the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Accordingly, the study examines how perceived usefulness (USEFUL), innovativeness (INNOV), privacy concerns (PRI), knowledge (KNOWL), perceived social performance (SPER), and perceived need for regulation (NREG), along with gender (FEM) and generational identity (GENZ), influence the frequency of GAI use. A mixed-methods design combines ordered logistic regression to assess average effects and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to uncover multiple causal paths. The results show that USEFUL, INNOV, KNOWL, and GENZ positively influence GAI use, whereas NREG discourages it. PRI and SPER show no statistically significant differences. The fsQCA reveals 17 configurations leading to GAI use and eight to non-use, confirming an asymmetric pattern in which all variables, including PRI, SPER, and FEM, are relevant in specific combinations. These insights highlight the multifaceted nature of GAI adoption and suggest tailored educational, communication, and policy strategies to promote responsible and inclusive use. Full article

This study adopts a systems perspective to examine the persistent effects of China’s One-Child Policy (OCP) on the subjective well-being of older adults, emphasizing structural persistence, reinforcing feedback, and path-dependent lock-in in complex socio-technical systems. Using nationally representative data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS-2014), we exploit the OCP’s formal rollout at the end of 1979—operationalized with a 1980 cutoff—as a quasi-natural experiment. A Fuzzy Regression Discontinuity (FRD) design identifies the Local Average Treatment Effect of being an only-child parent on late-life well-being, mitigating endogeneity from selection and omitted variables. Theoretically, we integrate three lenses—policy durability and lock-in, intergenerational support, and life course dynamics—to construct a cross-level transmission framework: macro-institutional environments shape substitution capacity and constraint sets; meso-level family restructuring reconfigures support network topology and intergenerational resource flows; micro-level life-course processes accumulate policy-induced adaptations through education, savings, occupation, and residence choices, with effects materializing in old age. Empirically, we find that the OCP significantly reduces subjective well-being among the first generation of affected parents decades later (2SLS estimate ≈ −0.23 on a 1–5 scale). The effects are heterogeneous: rural residents experience large negative impacts, urban effects are muted; men are more adversely affected than women; and individuals without spouses exhibit greater declines than those with spouses. Design validity is supported by a discontinuous shift in fertility at the threshold, smooth density and covariate balance around the cutoff, bandwidth insensitivity, “donut” RD robustness, and a placebo test among ethnic minorities exempt from strict enforcement. These results demonstrate how demographic policies generate lasting impacts on elderly well-being through transforming intergenerational support systems. Policy implications include strengthening rural pension and healthcare systems, expanding community-based eldercare services for spouseless elderly, and developing complementary support programs. Full article

The hilly and mountainous regions of Nepal provide a suitable environment for the cultivation of large cardamom, a high-value cash crop with significant global market potential. However, climate change poses significant threats to its production and the livelihoods of farmers dependent on this crop. To cope with these challenges, adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices is essential, particularly among smallholder farmers of rural communities. However, the extent of their implementation remains largely unknown. We surveyed 158 households in Ilam and Tehrathum districts to assess the adoption intensity of climate-resilient practices among large cardamom farmers using the Ordered Probit Model. Findings revealed considerable variation in the adoption intensity of climate-resilient practices. Traditional practices like tillering, weeding, and irrigation were highly adopted, while more innovative, knowledge-intensive methods were less adopted. Education was found to have a positive influence on the high adoption intensity of climate-resilient practices. Each additional unit of year of schooling increases the probability of high adoption of practices by 3.4%. Membership in farmers’ groups increases the likelihood of high adoption by 12.9%, while labor availability and regular extension contact rises by 21.9% and 17.8%, respectively. Similarly, age shows a smaller but significant effect, increasing adoption by 0.5% at p-value = 0.08. The use of traditional practices is common; however, the uptake of scientifically recommended practices for climate resilience remains limited. Policy initiatives focusing on farmer education, promoting farmer organizations, addressing labor shortages, and strengthening extension services are important for enhancing resilience in the large cardamom sector of Nepal. Full article

Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance is a major global health threat. This study aimed to assess the impact of antimicrobial-resistant bacterial pneumonia on in-hospital mortality and length of hospital stay in Spain using a large, nationally representative cohort. Methods: A retrospective cohort study that used data from Spain’s Registry of Specialized Health Care Activity (RAE-CMBD) between 2017 and 2022. Hospitalized adults with bacterial pneumonia were included. Hospitalization episodes with bacterial antimicrobial resistance, defined according to ICD-10-CM codes for antimicrobial resistance (Z16.1, Z16.2), were analyzed versus hospitalization episodes without these codes. Multivariate logistic regression models, adjusted for potential confounders (e.g., age, comorbidity, intensive care unit admission) and sensitivity analyses (Poisson regression and propensity score matching test), were performed. Results: Of the 116,901 eligible hospitalizations, 6017 (5.15%) involved antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Patients with antimicrobial-resistant bacterial pneumonia were older (median 75 vs. 72 years), had greater comorbidity (Elixhauser–van Walraven index: 8 vs. 5), and were more frequently admitted to the intensive care unit (22% vs. 14%). Crude in-hospital mortality was higher in the antimicrobial resistance group (18.46% vs. 10.05%, p < 0.0001), with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.47 (95% confidence interval, 1.36–1.58), p < 0.0001. Length of hospital stay was prolonged in antimicrobial resistance patients (median 14 vs. 8 days; adjusted incident rate ratio of 1.46; 95% confidence interval of 1.41 to 1.50). The most prevalent antimicrobial resistant pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacilli (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli). Conclusions: Antimicrobial resistance is associated with longer hospital stays and an up to 50% higher risk of mortality. Despite the implementation of control policies in place over the past decade, policymakers must strengthen AMR surveillance and ensure adequate resource allocation. Clinicians, in turn, must reinforce antimicrobial stewardship and incorporate rapid diagnostic tools to minimize the impact of antimicrobial resistance on patient outcomes. Full article

This paper presents the first exploration of young carers in early childhood (YCEC), in the context of whole family support, through the application of the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF). Existing contributions to young carer research have shaped social policy, legislation, and practice concerned with whole family approaches to the identification, assessment, and support for young carers globally. To date, the literature has predominantly focused on young carers in middle childhood to young adulthood, contributing to socially constructed Eurocentric ideologies of who young carers are likely to be. As such, YCEC remain disempowered in broader young carer and family science discourse. This qualitative exploration centers upon the experiences of three families. Primary data collated retrospective accounts of two adult siblings supported by documentary data obtained by participants through a subject access request (SAR). Secondary data derived from two case studies, drawn from the lead author’s master’s dissertation, offering experiences of families each with a young carer aged four years old. Participants lived in England, United Kingdom (UK). Deductive analysis utilized dual methodological approaches, offering nuanced insight. Thematic codes were synthesized into predetermined themes. ‘Power,’ ‘threat,’ ‘meaning,’ ‘threat responses,’ and ‘strengths’ to explore the application of the PTMF beyond individual experience. Findings show systemic and structural powers held within the lives of YCEC. This disempowers the ethos of whole family support, which should serve to endorse integrated working and foster the autonomous functioning of family life. Findings consider threats, worsening vulnerabilities, and exposure to harm. Meaning is deduced from findings offering recommendations for future research, practice, and policy decisions. In conclusion, opportunities for the prevention of inappropriate caring roles, early identification, and intervention have been missed. This study adds to the growing exploration of the PTMF. It harnesses its potential application as a holistic assessment tool and qualitative data analysis framework, helping to bridge structural and developmental viewpoints which typically frame the current understanding of family functioning and related social policy. Full article

Maintaining a high-quality urban environment remains a critical yet challenging issue in modern cities, particularly in densely built and historically significant central areas. In response, the European Green Deal initiative aims to promote sustainable urban development. This study presents a multi-criteria assessment methodology for evaluating urban environments, with a focus on prioritizing thermal renovations of buildings to achieve substantial environmental improvements. The research adopts a centrifugal strategy, targeting buildings with the poorest energy performance for phased renovation efforts. Using the model city of Gubin, Poland, as a case study, the assessment proceeds through five stages: evaluating technical wear (Stages I–II), estimating replacement values and renovation costs (Stages III–IV), and finally, quantifying environmental benefits from energy efficiency upgrades (Stage V). Findings reveal that buildings in the lowest energy class (Class G) require investments of 111–193% of their replacement value but can deliver CO₂ emissions reduced to 1/6.2 of the original level (an approximate 84% reduction). The primary contribution of this paper is the development and application of a novel multi-criteria assessment methodology for evaluating urban environments, specifically designed to prioritize thermal renovations in central urban areas to achieve significant environmental and economic benefits. The study provides valuable economic and environmental indicators that can guide the formulation of pro-environmental urban policies and support strategic decision-making in cities with dense populations and aging infrastructure. Full article

As cities strive for human-centered and fine-tuned development, Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) has emerged as a powerful tool for simulating pedestrian behavior and optimizing walkable neighborhood design. This study presents a comparative bibliometric analysis of ABM applications in block-scale walkability research from 2015 to 2024, drawing on both Chinese- and English-language literature. Using visualization tools such as VOSviewer, the analysis reveals divergences in national trajectories, methodological approaches, and institutional logics. Chinese research demonstrates a policy-driven growth pattern, particularly following the introduction of the “15-Minute Community Life Circle” initiative, with an emphasis on neighborhood renewal, age-friendly design, and transit-oriented planning. In contrast, international studies show a steady output driven by technological innovation, integrating methods such as deep learning, semantic segmentation, and behavioral simulation to address climate resilience, equity, and mobility complexity. The study also classifies ABM applications into five key application domains, highlighting how Chinese and international studies differ in focus, data inputs, and implementation strategies. Despite these differences, both research streams recognize the value of ABM in transport planning, public health, and low-carbon urbanism. Key challenges identified include data scarcity, algorithmic limitations, and ethical concerns. The study concludes with future research directions, including multimodal data fusion, integration with extended reality, and the development of privacy-aware, cross-cultural modeling standards. These findings reinforce ABM’s potential as a smart urban simulation tool for advancing adaptive, human-centered, and sustainable neighborhood planning. Full article

Action bias, the cognitive tendency to favor action over inaction regardless of its necessity, has been extensively studied across domains such as behavioral economics, organizational behavior, and policy development. However, its manifestation in educational contexts remains critically underexplored. In the digital age, with an abundance of both factual and misleading information, the persistence of action bias within education jeopardizes the cultivation of initial critical thinking capable of addressing multifaceted global challenges. The analysis indicates how institutional norms may foster a performative academic identity that conflates speed and compliance with intellectual competence. Through workshops conducted with university students ranging from undergraduate to PhD levels, participants were tasked with solving a practical yet ambiguous problem to highlight potential cognitive differences across educational stages. Despite prior training in critical thinking, participants consistently defaulted to immediate ideation, bypassing fundamental inquiries into the problem’s legitimacy or broader implications. Using a sensemaking approach, this study demonstrates that reflexive actions are not interpreted as merely cognitive shortcuts but behaviors shaped by educational systems prioritizing visible outputs over critical inquiry. The findings reveal how institutional norms foster a performative academic identity, conflating speed and compliance with intellectual competence. This research challenges traditional pedagogical models, advocating for educational reforms that emphasize assessing the process of learning. By situating action bias within the broader framework of active learning, this study offers actionable insights for educators, policy makers and researchers to foster critical innovative thinking, essential in an increasingly digital future. Full article

Background/Objectives: Extreme temperatures linked to climate change threaten child health, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where malnutrition remains widespread. This study examines how exposure to hot and cold temperature anomalies influences child stunting in Burkina Faso and Kenya and evaluates how household infrastructure and socio-demographic factors interact with climate stressors to shape outcomes. Methods: We combined nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys (Burkina Faso 2021; Kenya 2022) with daily maximum and minimum temperature data from the Climate Hazards InfraRed Temperature with Stations (CHIRTS). The analytic sample included children aged 24–59 months. Temperature anomalies were calculated as standardized deviations from local historical averages. Multilevel logistic regression models assessed associations between stunting, climate anomalies, and household-level factors, including electricity, water, sanitation, wealth, and rural/urban residence. Results: Heat anomalies were linked to increased stunting risk in Kenya (β = 2.34, p < 0.001), while in Burkina Faso, higher maximum temperatures unexpectedly reduced stunting odds (β = 0.08, p < 0.05). Cold anomalies showed marginal positive associations with stunting in both countries. Infrastructure and socioeconomic factors varied by context: electricity access and urban residence were protective in Burkina Faso, while improved sanitation, household wealth, and child sex differences were significant in Kenya. Conclusions: Climate anomalies and household conditions jointly influence stunting among children aged 24–59 months, with effects varying by country. Cold anomalies were associated with higher odds of stunting in Burkina Faso (BF OR = 2.14) and Kenya (KE OR = 1.20), while heat anomalies reduced stunting in BF (OR = 0.08) but increased it in KE (OR = 2.34). Electricity access was protective in both countries (BF OR = 0.61; KE OR = 0.71), while improved water, sanitation, and wealth were significant only in KE. Older child age consistently reduced stunting risk, and urban residence was protective only in BF. These findings underscore that climate impacts on stunting are context-specific and highlight the need for policies integrating climate adaptation with investments. Full article

Recent advancements in the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) are unlocking transformative opportunities across society. One of the most critical challenges addressed by these technologies is the ageing population, which presents mounting concerns for healthcare systems and quality of life worldwide. By supporting continuous monitoring, personal care, and data-driven decision-making, IoT and AI are shifting healthcare delivery from a reactive approach to a proactive one. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of IoT-based systems with a particular focus on the Internet of Healthcare Things (IoHT) and their integration with AI, referred to as the Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT). We illustrate the operating procedures of IoHT systems in detail. We highlight their applications in disease management, health promotion, and active ageing. Key enabling technologies, including cloud computing, edge computing architectures, machine learning, and smart sensors, are examined in relation to continuous health monitoring, personalized interventions, and predictive decision support. This paper also indicates potential challenges that IoHT systems face, including data privacy, ethical concerns, and technology transition and aversion, and it reviews corresponding defense mechanisms from perception, policy, and technology levels. Future research directions are discussed, including explainable AI, digital twins, metaverse applications, and multimodal sensor fusion. By integrating IoT and AI, these systems offer the potential to support more adaptive and human-centered healthcare delivery, ultimately improving treatment outcomes and supporting healthy ageing. Full article

Population aging presents pressing public health challenges, calling for accessible and effective interventions to preserve functional capacity and prevent frailty. Walking football, an adapted sport for older adults, has emerged as a promising approach by combining aerobic activity, neuromuscular stimulation, and social engagement. This scoping review aimed to synthesize experimental evidence on its effect on physical and functional outcomes in older adults. Following PRISMC-ScR and Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, a systematic search across seven databases identified 10 studies with 332 participants (mean age 68.7 years, 85.2% male). Interventions lasted 6–16 weeks, with two to three weekly sessions. The outcomes assessed included strength, agility, cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, and clinical parameters. Six studies reported improvements in at least one component of physical fitness, particularly handgrip strength, abdominal fat reduction, and aerobic capacity. Among the included studies, three were randomized controlled trials, four quasi-experimental designs, and three intervention studies without control groups, highlighting the methodological heterogeneity of the field. Some studies also reported benefits in blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, and quality of life. Despite promising results, the literature lacks large-scale randomized trials, female representation, and long-term assessments. Walking football appears to be a safe, multicomponent, and low-cost strategy to support healthy aging and warrants integrations into public health policies. Full article