Search Results (1,555)

Amid the accelerating waves of global digitalization and the deepening interplay of cultural diversity, urban creative spaces have become pivotal arenas for the digital creative industry—yet a systematic, cross-culturally robust tool for assessing their sustainability remains conspicuously absent. Here, we address this gap by constructing a multi-dimensional evaluation framework derived from a systematic literature review, comprising five primary dimensions—AIGC technology integration, cultural heritage preservation, the economic benefits of the digital cultural industry, ecological synergy and social inclusiveness, and governance and policy support—along with 20 secondary indicators. To enhance methodological rigor, we integrate the Intuitionistic Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (IFAHP) to determine indicator weights while mitigating the subjective biases inherent in traditional approaches and employ the TOPSIS method to quantitatively assess and rank the creative spaces of five representative cities: London, Shanghai, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Berlin. Our findings reveal that London leads in comprehensive sustainability, followed closely by Shanghai, with sensitivity analysis confirming the high robustness of the rankings. The originality of this work lies in reconceptualizing AIGC not as a conventional digital instrument but as a core transformative driver embedded within the evaluation architecture, while the application of IFAHP substantially enhances the scientific validity and methodological reliability of the assessment. This research provides an operational diagnostic tool and actionable optimization pathways for advancing the sustainability of urban creative spaces worldwide, offering practical implications for fostering cultural innovation, bridging the digital divide, promoting social inclusiveness, and informing evidence-based urban governance policies. Full article

High-cost innovative anticancer drugs pose challenges for health systems in balancing timely patient access with long-term financial sustainability. In Thailand, reliance on Health Technology Assessment for reimbursement decisions may delay access, highlighting the potential role of Managed Entry Agreements (MEAs) as complementary policy instruments to manage uncertainty related to price, effectiveness, and use; however, MEA application remains limited and lacks an analytical framework for technique selection. This study used real-world data from Thammasat University Hospital to examine and compare the cost-saving performance of five MEA techniques—discount, free initiation treatment, utilization cap, conditional treatment continuation, and pay-by-result—across six high-cost anticancer drugs representing dominant uncertainty characteristics. Drug procurement costs were modeled over a 24-month horizon from the payer’s perspective, and one-way sensitivity analyses were conducted using ±10% variation in median progression-free survival. Free initiation treatment generated the highest cost savings across uncertainty types, followed by conditional treatment continuation, while utilization cap and discount produced more moderate savings. Pay-by-result demonstrated the lowest cost-saving potential. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of comparative rankings. Overall, the findings indicate that MEA performance varies according to dominant sources of drug-related uncertainty and support a more structured, context-appropriate approach to MEA selection to strengthen market access and value-based pricing in Thailand. Full article

Financial literacy represents a fundamental competence in contemporary knowledge-based economies, particularly in the context of increasingly complex corporate financing instruments. Insufficient financial literacy may lead to suboptimal debt decisions, inefficient capital structures, and heightened financial vulnerability of firms. The aim of this paper is to assess the level of financial literacy of university students in the field of corporate debt financing and to identify key determinants influencing the correctness of their responses. The empirical analysis is based on a quantitative questionnaire survey conducted among university students in the Slovak Republic (n = 403) using a convenience sampling approach. The questionnaire included 16 knowledge-based items focused on debt financing instruments, interest mechanisms, leasing, bonds, and alternative sources of financing. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential methods, primarily Pearson’s χ² test of independence and Cramer’s V. The results reveal considerable variability in students’ performance across thematic areas. Higher success rates were observed for basic concepts of debt financing and traditional bank products, while lower performance was recorded for analytically demanding tasks, particularly those related to interest rate comparisons, capital market instruments, and alternative financing forms. Field of study emerged as the most significant determinant of financial literacy, followed by the level of study, whereas gender and region showed only marginal effects. The findings highlight the need to strengthen application-oriented financial education in higher education, with a stronger focus on practical aspects of corporate debt financing. Full article

Background/Objectives: Although the benefits of breastfeeding on the development and health of the infant are well known, the relationship between breastfeeding, oral health and attachment style or emotional bonding is not fully known. This research sought to explore, from a comprehensive perspective, the associations between breastfeeding history and children’s attachment styles, as well as the relationships between breastfeeding history and oral health indicators within conceptual psychophysiological frameworks discussed in the literature. Methods: This was a cross-sectional (descriptive and analytical) and correlational study. In this work, the associations of breastfeeding with attachment and oral health were analyzed in 100 children between 9 and 11 years old at a primary school in the municipality of José Azueta, Veracruz, Mexico, from December 2023 to September 2024 by a clinical history, dental examinations (Oral Hygiene Index-Simulated (OHI-S), Dental Caries History (DEOPT) and Detection of Malocclusions (DAI)) and the Attachment and Interaction Styles Instrument. Results: Significant differences were found in the security and closeness attachment style, the oral-hygiene index, the caries index, and occlusion by type of breastfeeding, showing better values in boys and girls who were exclusively breastfed. Likewise, both in the correlation analysis and in the multiple regression model, associations were observed between having been exclusively breastfed and the attachment style and oral indices. Conclusions: Our data show the importance of breastfeeding in pubertal children, since it was associated with better attachment and oral health; however, these findings reflect patterns of co-occurrence and should not be interpreted as causal relationships. Full article

This study develops and validates a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) framework to assess the social support level of elderly–child composite spaces. Grounded in social support theory, POE theory, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the framework comprises 2 core dimensions (instrumental support and emotional support), 6 first-level indicators, and 29 s-level indicators. The indicators were constructed through literature analysis, field research, and other methods, with weights determined via the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) involving 10 interdisciplinary experts. Weighting results indicate that instrumental support (0.6208) carries greater importance than emotional support (0.3792); among first-level indicators, “accessibility and safety” (under instrumental support) and “degree of demand satisfaction” (under emotional support) rank highest. The framework was applied to 12 typical spaces across 4 categories in Hangzhou’s Minsheng Complexes (a community-integrated public service model). Empirical results show that infant–toddler growth stations achieved the highest scores (82.86–86.42), while community living rooms performed the weakest (78.96–81.21), with “function–need mismatch” identified as the core issue. This evaluation system provides a scientific basis for spatial diagnosis, optimization, and high-quality planning of elderly-child composite spaces in the future. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common yet underrecognized consequence of multiple sclerosis (MS) with multidimensional determinants spanning neurological, physical, and psychosocial domains. However, the relative and incremental contribution of fatigue compared with disability and psychological factors remains insufficiently clarified. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and severity of sexual dysfunction in MS and to identify independent and incremental predictors using a hierarchical analytical framework. Methods: In this cross-sectional case–control study, 140 patients with MS and 140 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were assessed. Sexual functioning was evaluated using the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) and the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19). Fatigue severity, anxiety, depression, body image, self-esteem, disability (EDSS), and quality of life were measured using validated instruments. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were conducted within the MS cohort to determine independent predictors of MSISQ-19 domain and total scores and to evaluate the incremental contribution of fatigue. Results: Sexual dysfunction was significantly more prevalent in the MS group compared with controls (70.7% vs. 13.6%, p < 0.001). Patients with MS demonstrated higher fatigue, anxiety, depression, and poorer body image, self-esteem, and quality of life (all p < 0.001). Within the MS cohort, individuals with sexual dysfunction exhibited greater symptom burden and disability. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that fatigue produced the largest increase in explained variance across all MSISQ-19 domains (ΔR² range: 0.11–0.19) and remained the strongest independent predictor (β range: 0.29–0.42; p ≤ 0.001). Anxiety retained independent associations with selected domains, whereas disability indices did not remain independently significant after adjustment. Conclusions: Sexual dysfunction in MS reflects a multidimensional burden extending beyond neurological impairment. Fatigue demonstrated the most consistent associations across sexual dysfunction domains, with anxiety contributing to selected aspects of functioning. Given the cross-sectional design, these findings should be interpreted as associations rather than causal relationships. Multidimensional assessment incorporating fatigue and psychological factors may improve the identification of clinically relevant and potentially modifiable determinants within comprehensive MS care. Full article

Frank Herbert’s Dune (1965) establishes a universe defined by the “Butlerian Jihad”, a historical crusade that banned artificial intelligence and created a vacuum filled by religious engineering. This paper argues that in this post-cybernetic setting, religion functions as a sociological operating system designed for political control rather than a metaphysical connection to the divine. The study analyzes the Missionaria Protectiva to demonstrate how the Bene Gesserit order creates belief systems by co-opting and re-engineering Islamic theology. It suggests that the order’s manual of superstitions serves as a library of cultural scripts that primes the indigenous population to accept a manufactured Messiah, specifically the Mahdi. Consequently, the protagonist Paul Atreides is reinterpreted not as a traditional “White Savior” or authentic religious prophet but as a “hacker” who utilizes these pre-planted Islamic codes to access and manipulate the social infrastructure of Arrakis. His prescience functions as a form of biological predictive analytics that traps him in a deterministic loop of his own calculation. Ultimately, this reading suggests that Dune offers a critique of “techno-theology” by showing how the instrumentalization of the Mahdi figure transforms the concept of Jihad from a spiritual struggle into an unstoppable, automated algorithm of violence. Full article

Sustainability literacy is increasingly invoked in construction and planning research, yet it is most often framed as an educational construct concerned with awareness, knowledge, and attitudes. This framing provides limited explanatory power for understanding how sustainability values are translated into in real-world planning decisions, particularly under conditions of uncertainty and value conflict. In parallel, artificial intelligence (AI) has been introduced into planning practice largely as an optimization-driven analytical tool, reinforcing instrumental conceptions of rationality. This study reconceptualizes sustainability literacy as a decision capability and develops an AI-enabled theoretical framework that positions AI as a cognitive partner in sustainability-oriented construction planning. Methodologically, the study adopts a conceptual research design grounded in a systematic interdisciplinary literature synthesis spanning planning theory, circular economy, social sustainability, and AI-enabled decision support, combined with theory-building and framework development procedures. The proposed framework clarifies how human judgment can be cognitively augmented through AI-supported interpretation, trade-off exploration, and value-informed deliberation, thereby reframing sustainability as an internal driver of planning judgment rather than an external performance criterion. By conceptualizing human–AI collaboration as an iterative, reflective process, the study establishes a coherent theoretical basis for context-sensitive sustainability planning in the built environment, with implications for decision-support system design, planning practice, and professional education. Full article

Background: Surface electromyography (sEMG) of periocular muscles is a non-invasive technique used to assess eyelid dynamics and facial neuromuscular function, with applications in ophthalmology, neurology, and rehabilitation. Despite its clinical and research potential, substantial methodological variability—particularly in electrode placement, acquisition parameters, and signal processing—has limited reproducibility and hindered broader clinical translation. A comprehensive synthesis of existing methodologies was therefore needed to support future standardization. Objectives: The review aimed to systematically map current periocular sEMG methodologies, identify sources of methodological heterogeneity, organize findings into structured methodological domains, and develop a conceptual framework along with a minimum reporting set to promote transparency, reproducibility, and comparability across studies. Eligibility Criteria: Studies were eligible if they investigated surface electromyography of periocular muscles and reported methodological details related to electrode placement, signal acquisition, processing, or analysis. Randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and pilot investigations were included. No restrictions were placed on publication year. Sources of Evidence: Comprehensive searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from database inception through November 2025. Grey literature sources were also examined to enhance coverage and reduce publication bias. Charting Methods: Two reviewers independently screened records and extracted data. Extracted information was organized into predefined methodological domains. A thematic synthesis approach was used to identify recurring methodological patterns, and findings were integrated into a structured conceptual framework. Results: Sixteen studies published between 2002 and 2025 met the inclusion criteria, encompassing randomized trials, observational studies, and pilot investigations. Considerable heterogeneity was identified across studies in electrode characteristics, placement strategies, reference configurations, sampling frequencies, and normalization procedures. Three recurring methodological domains emerged: instrumentation and acquisition, analytical and normalization approaches, and clinical or experimental applications. Based on these domains, the authors developed a conceptual methodological framework and proposed a minimum reporting set intended to improve methodologyical transparency and support reproducibility and multicenter comparability. Conclusions: Periocular sEMG represents a promising yet methodologically fragmented field. This scoping review provides the first comprehensive synthesis of periocular sEMG practices and establishes an evidence-based platform for standardized acquisition, processing, and reporting. Adoption of the proposed framework may strengthen reproducibility, facilitate multicenter collaboration, and accelerate integration into clinical and research settings. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly embedded in smart city strategies, yet its role in advancing participatory urban planning remains underexamined, particularly in rapidly urbanizing metropolitan contexts of the Global South. This exploratory, governance-centered study investigates how AI can support participatory urban planning for sustainable smart cities, emphasizing institutional mediation and trust dynamics. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, the research combines a purposive stakeholder survey (n = 260) with qualitative thematic analysis to assess AI awareness and use, participation quality, institutional and technical readiness, and public trust in the Dammam Metropolitan Area, Saudi Arabia. The findings reveal a participation paradox: relatively high AI awareness and digital readiness coexist with low perceived influence and limited confidence in participatory outcomes. Institutional coordination gaps, skill constraints, and regulatory ambiguity mediate the translation of AI adoption into meaningful engagement. Stakeholders favor AI applications, such as interactive mapping, predictive analytics, and digital twin visualization, that enhance transparency and deliberation over automated decision systems. Qualitative evidence further indicates that AI is perceived not as a standalone solution, but as a catalyst for institutional reform, capacity development, and sustainability-oriented governance. The study contributes to urban science by empirically validating a socio-technical framework that positions AI as a facilitative governance instrument embedded within institutional and trust-building processes. The findings offer policy-relevant insights for cities seeking to align AI-driven innovation with inclusive, accountable, and sustainable urban development. Full article

Real-time PCR (qPCR) is today’s definitive quantitative technology in molecular biology and diagnostics. Until 30 years ago, PCR product analyses were generally performed after amplification using gel-based methods. Quantification typically relied on visual inspection or densitometry of end-point products and was therefore relatively unreliable and poorly suited to high-throughput automation. To celebrate real-time PCR’s 30-year anniversary of commercial availability, Professor Stephen Bustin, Guest Editor for the special edition, “Advancing Molecular Science Through Reproducible qPCR: MIQE Guidelines and Beyond,” asked Russell Higuchi to give a historical account on how his idea of real-time PCR was conceived and brought to fruition. Dr. Higuchi then asked his collaborator, Lincoln McBride, who drove the development of the ABI 7700—the high-throughput real-time PCR instrument that gave researchers access to this technology—to co-author this dual memoir. This story is told from the perspectives of the two scientists most directly responsible for making real-time PCR practical and widely accessible. Taking turns, Russell Higuchi describes the conceptual and experimental steps at Cetus and then Roche that led from homogeneous PCR detection to continuous fluorescence monitoring, whilst Lincoln McBride details ABI’s parallel efforts to commercialize Russ’s invention. Together, they trace how experimental insight, engineering constraints, product development, and commercial decision-making shaped the Applied Biosystems 7700 Sequence Detection System and established real-time PCR as a practical and reliable quantitative technology. Their team’s efforts persevered through technological uncertainty and within a complex corporate collaboration. They share key historical documents in their original form. Their accounts show how the 7700 system emerged as the convergence of chemistry, optics, software, and product development. The eventual global reliance on real-time PCR during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated, at unprecedented scale, the profound and enduring impact of these early technical and organizational choices. Full article

Mercury (Hg) is of significant concern due to its toxicity, which strongly depends on its chemical forms, and organic mercury compounds, particularly methylmercury (MeHg), are considered the most toxic species. Therefore, mercury speciation analysis is essential for accurate exposure and risk assessment. The primary dietary source of mercury exposure for humans is food consumption, particularly seafood. Consequently, numerous studies have focused on developing analytical techniques for the identification, characterization, and quantification of Hg species in seafood. This review evaluates and compares recent developments (2014–2025) in analytical techniques for the identification and quantification of Hg species in seafood, focusing on both traditional chromatographic methods and emerging methodologies based on biosensors. Hyphenated techniques such as HPLC–ICP-MS and GC–ICP-MS have enabled significant advancements in mercury speciation analysis. Although chromatographic methods are highly effective and widely accepted due to their accuracy and sensitivity, they often require costly instrumentation, skilled operators, and lengthy analysis times. Biosensors are increasingly proposed as alternatives; however, their applicability to seafood analysis remains limited despite advantages such as portability, simplicity, and rapid response. They are still under development and face challenges in selectivity, stability, and standardization. This review provides an overview of existing methodologies, comparing their advantages and limitations, aiming to guide improvements toward optimal methods incorporating all advantageous features. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable development has exposed significant limitations in how Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) evaluate sustainability-oriented research, particularly due to fragmented indicators, descriptive approaches, and the absence of robust data-driven assessment frameworks. This study proposes a comprehensive framework for evaluating the sustainability orientation of university research models, integrating validated measurement instruments with advanced analytical and predictive techniques to support evidence-based decision-making in higher education governance. The framework is based on a multidimensional instrument comprising 26 indicators across environmental, social, economic, and institutional dimensions, developed through expert judgment using the Delphi method and statistically validated through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The instrument was applied to 260 researchers from four public HEIs located in the Colombia–Ecuador border region, and perceived performance was contrasted with actual institutional indicators, revealing significant nonlinear discrepancies. To address this complexity, an artificial neural network model was developed to estimate real sustainability performance based on survey data, achieving a predictive accuracy of 90.92%. Beyond institutional diagnosis, the proposed framework functions as a decision-support tool that enables HEIs to identify critical gaps, prioritize interventions, and guide continuous improvement strategies in research management. Due to its methodological rigor, scalability, and transferability, the framework can be adapted to diverse higher education contexts, contributing to the advancement of sustainability assessment methods and governance practices in universities. Full article

Antimony (Sb) is a key element used in flame retardants, lead–acid batteries, and polymer catalysis, and it is classified as a critical raw material. Its quantity for the worldwide economy is limited due to restricted natural resources and partial recycling of by-products. This is why recovering Sb from secondary sources is becoming increasingly important in terms of technological and economic aspects for ensuring its sustainable and safety supply. In this paper, we review the possibilities for extraction of antimony from various waste sources, such as ore processing and metal recovery residues, electronic and plastic waste, lead-antimony-containing waste, spent catalysts, fluorescent lamps, incinerated municipal waste, and the applied methods of waste processing (pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, solvometallurgy) used to achieve recovery in high yield and purity. The methods for antimony quantification and speciation are also discussed and described in terms of principle of the technique, linear concentration range, limit of detection, and coupling with other techniques. As the concentration of Sb in environmental and biological samples is usually very low and requires good selectivity and sensitivity of the analytical method, suitable techniques for sample preparation and subsequent instrumental measurement are also included. Full article

This study examined the policies governing the teaching workforce in China’s higher vocational education system. We developed a two-dimensional analytical framework (“policy content elements–policy tools”) to conduct an in-depth analysis of 124 central and provincial policy texts. The key findings are as follows: (1) Imbalance in policy tools: Authoritative and capacity-building tools dominate, while symbolic and exhortative tools are underutilized. Disparities exist between the central and provincial policies regarding the deployment of specific tools. (2) Prioritization of content elements: The strongest emphasis is placed on teacher cultivation, followed by teacher evaluation and safeguarding. Policies concerning teacher recruitment (access) have received little attention. (3) Policy misalignment: Poor coordination between policy tools and content elements undermines overall policy effectiveness. To address these issues, we propose the following: (1) Optimizing the policy tool portfolios: Reduce overreliance on authoritative tools for teacher recruitment and strengthen the use of incentive-based and capacity-building tools for evaluation and safeguards. (2) Strengthening recruitment policies: Formalize qualification standards, rigorously enforce teaching certifications, and standardize hiring procedures. (3) Enhancing policy coordination: Incorporating regional variations to improve the evidence-based integration of policy tools. These recommendations aim to refine the teaching workforce policies and advance the high-quality development in higher vocational education. Full article