Search Results (520)

Construction and demolition waste (C&D waste) contains various types of substances, which require different processing methods to maximize benefits and minimize harm to realize the goal of the circular economy. Therefore, it is urgent to promote the on-site sorting of C&D waste and explore the determinants of managers’ waste sorting intention. Based on a comprehensive literature review of C&D waste management, seven determinants are identified to explore how antecedent factors influence waste sorting intention by symmetric and asymmetric techniques. Firstly, the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was adopted to analyze the data collected from 489 managers to assess the net impact of each determinant on their intentions. Then, the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) provided another perspective by determining the configurations of the causal conditions that lead to higher or lower levels of intention. The PLS-SEM results reveal that all determinants show a significant positive relationship with the intention except for the perceived risks, which are negatively correlated with managers’ attitudes and intentions regarding C&D waste sorting. Moreover, top management support and subjective norms from other project participants and the public exhibit a huge impact, while the influence of perceived behavioral control (PBC) and policies is moderate. Meanwhile, fsQCA provides a complementary analysis of the complex causality that PLS-SEM fails to capture. That is, fsQCA identified six and five configurations resulting in high and low levels of intention to sort the C&D waste, respectively, and highlighted the crucial role of core conditions. The results provide theoretical and practical insights regarding proper C&D waste management and enhancing sustainable development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hispanic adolescents experience elevated rates of disordered eating behaviors and body dissatisfaction, yet limited research has examined how gender and weight status interact to shape these risks within this population. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 680 Hispanic adolescents (ages 9–15) from a predominantly Mexican-American middle school. Participants completed the Modified Kids Eating Disorder Survey (M-KEDS), and height and weight were objectively measured to determine BMI-for-age percentile. Chi-square tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and logistic regression were used to assess differences by gender and weight status, including interaction effects. Bonferroni correction was applied for multiple comparisons. Effect sizes (Cramér’s V, odds ratios with 95% CI) were reported. Results: Approximately 73% of participants reported body dissatisfaction, with significant differences observed by gender and weight status. Adolescents with overweight/obesity reported significantly higher negative weight attitudes and extreme weight control behaviors than healthy-weight peers (p < 0.001), with large effect sizes. Females endorsed more disordered attitudes and behaviors, except for exercise to lose weight, which was more common among overweight/obese males. Conclusions: These findings underscore the high prevalence and significance of disordered eating behaviors in Hispanic adolescents, including those at a healthy weight. Results highlight the importance of culturally tailored, gender-sensitive screening and prevention strategies. Schools serve as critical settings for early identification, and tools like the M-KEDS can help address disparities in care access and improve outcomes among Hispanic youth. Full article

This research study focuses on the social preference parameters and financial decisions among welfare populations receiving social benefits in Miami, Florida. Understanding the attitudes and primary motivations that shape financial decision-making is of great interest to economists, marketers, and other social scientists. The implications of developing a solid understanding of these attitudes and motivations are vast in terms of erecting tangible and sensitive workforce development policies to assist the specific population studied. This study is designed to determine whether significant differences exist in the strength of preference parameters between welfare participants and other populations. The preference parameters assessed in this paper were self-interest, altruism, trust, and reciprocity, both positive and negative. The control group in this study is college students. The results from the experiments show that welfare recipients exhibit similar behavioral patterns and make financial decisions in a manner similar to the general population. In other words, the control group and the experimental group did not differ significantly in their financial decision processes. This finding has several implications for how economists and policymakers assess and approach policymaking; nevertheless, the question remains whether or not there are other preference parameters that differ between the two groups. Full article

Background/Objectives: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe disorder with limited treatment efficacy. This interim analysis aimed to assess the preliminary efficacy and safety of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in reducing core AN symptoms, stress, depression, low self-esteem, and BMI in adolescent females, to determine the rationale for continuing the study. Methods: A single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 20 adolescent females with AN assigned to an active tDCS group (n = 10) or a sham group (n = 10). The intervention involved 30 sessions over three weeks, targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) for eating disorder symptoms, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) for stress, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for depression, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES) for self-esteem, and body mass index (BMI) measurements. Safety and tolerability were assessed using the tDCS Side Effects Questionnaire. Results: Eating disorder symptoms significantly decreased in the active tDCS group at study end (p = 0.003) and follow-up (p = 0.02), while no significant changes were observed in the sham group. Although BMI increased more in the active group (13.78%) than in the sham group (7.31%), this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.10). Conclusions: Adverse effects were mild and transient, with no serious safety concerns reported. Based on the results of this interim analysis, the study will proceed due to promising efficacy outcomes and good treatment tolerability. Full article

The increasing congestion of low Earth orbit (LEO) has raised the need for efficient collision avoidance strategies, especially for CubeSats without propulsion systems. This study proposes a methodology for evaluating passive collision avoidance maneuvers using aerodynamic control via a satellite’s Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS). By adjusting orientation, the satellite modifies its exposed surface area, altering atmospheric drag and lift forces to shift its orbit. This new approach integrates atmospheric modeling (NRLMSISE-00), aerodynamic coefficient estimation using the ADBSat panel method, and orbital simulations in Systems Tool Kit (STK). The LUME-1 CubeSat mission is used as a reference case, with simulations at three altitudes (500, 460, and 420 km). Results show that attitude-induced drag modulation can generate significant orbital displacements—measured by Horizontal and Vertical Distance Differences (HDD and VDD)—sufficient to reduce collision risk. Compared to constant-drag models, the panel method offers more accurate, orientation-dependent predictions. While lift forces are minor, their inclusion enhances modeling fidelity. This methodology supports the development of low-resource, autonomous collision avoidance systems for future CubeSat missions, particularly in remote sensing applications where orbital precision is essential. Full article

Against the backdrop of evolving global climate patterns, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have increased significantly, posing unprecedented threats to agricultural production. This change has particularly profound impacts on agricultural systems in developing countries, making the enhancement of farmers’ capacity to withstand extreme weather events a crucial component for achieving sustainable agricultural development. As an essential safeguard for agricultural production, agricultural insurance plays an indispensable role in risk management. However, a pronounced gap persists between policy aspirations and actual adoption rates among farmers in developing economies. This study employs the integrated theory of planned behavior (TPB) and protection motivation theory (PMT) to construct an analytical framework incorporating psychological, socio-cultural, and risk-perception factors. Using Jiangsu Province—a representative high-risk agricultural region in China—as a case study, we administered 608 structured questionnaires to farmers. Structural equation modeling was applied to identify determinants influencing insurance adoption decisions. The findings reveal that farmers’ agricultural insurance purchase decisions are influenced by multiple factors. At the individual level, risk perception promotes purchase intention by activating protection motivation, while cost–benefit assessment enables farmers to make rational evaluations. At the social level, subjective norms can significantly enhance farmers’ purchase intention. Further analysis indicates that perceived severity indirectly enhances purchase intention by positively influencing attitude, while response costs negatively affect purchase intention by weakening perceived behavior control. Although challenges such as cognitive gaps and product mismatch exist in the intention-behavior transition, institutional trust can effectively mitigate these issues. It not only strengthens the positive impact of psychological factors on purchase intention, but also significantly facilitates the transformation of purchase intention into actual behavior. To promote targeted policy interventions for agricultural insurance, we propose corresponding policy recommendations from the perspective of public intervention based on the research findings. Full article

Police officers work in high-stress environments that demand emotional resilience, interpersonal skills, and effective communication. Occupational stress can negatively impact their motivation, conflict resolution abilities, and professional effectiveness. Loving-Kindness Meditation (LKM), a mindfulness-based intervention focused on cultivating compassion and empathy, has shown promise in enhancing prosocial attitudes and emotional regulation. With the rise of short video platforms, digital interventions like video-guided LKM may offer accessible mental health support for law enforcement. This study examines the effects of short video app-guided LKM on police officers’ mindfulness, public service motivation (PSM), conflict resolution skills (CRSs), and communication skills (CSSs). It aims to determine whether LKM can enhance these psychological and professional competencies. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 110 active-duty police officers from a metropolitan police department in China, with 92 completing the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either the LKM group (n = 46) or the waitlist control group (n = 46). The intervention consisted of a 6-week short video app-guided LKM program with daily 10 min meditation sessions. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted using several validated scales: the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), the Public Service Motivation Scale (PSM), the Conflict Resolution Styles Inventory (CRSI), and the Communication Competence Scale (CCS). A 2 (Group: LKM vs. Control) × 2 (Time: Pre vs. Post) mixed-design MANOVA was conducted to analyze the effects. Statistical analyses revealed significant group-by-time interaction effects for PSM (F(4,177) = 21.793, p < 0.001, η² = 0.108), CRS (F(4,177) = 20.920, p < 0.001, η² = 0.104), and CSS (F(4,177) = 49.095, p < 0.001, η² = 0.214), indicating improvements in these areas for LKM participants. However, no significant improvement was observed for mindfulness (F(4,177) = 2.850, p = 0.930, η² = 0.016). Short video app-guided LKM improves public service motivation, conflict resolution skills, and communication skills among police officers but does not significantly enhance mindfulness. These findings suggest that brief, digitally delivered compassion-focused programs can be seamlessly incorporated into routine in-service training to strengthen officers’ prosocial motivation, de-escalation competence, and public-facing communication, thereby fostering more constructive police–community interactions. Full article

When a space target malfunctions and is no longer controlled by its attitude control system, it usually tumbles in orbit and exhibits a slow spinning state. Accurately estimating the on-orbit attitude of spinning space targets is of vital importance for ensuring the operation of space assets. Moreover, it plays a significant role in tasks such as reentry observation and collision avoidance. Currently, most existing methods estimate the attitude of space targets by using a single inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) for long-term observation. However, this approach not only requires a long observation time but also fails to estimate the attitude of spinning targets. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a novel approach for estimating the attitude of spinning space targets, which utilizes the joint observations of a multiple-station ISAR. Specifically, the proposed method fully exploits the projection principle of ISAR imaging and uses an ISAR high-resolution network (ISAR-HRNet) to automatically extract the projection features of typical components of the target. Then, the analytical expressions for the target’s instantaneous attitude and spin vector under the multi-station observation imaging projection model are derived. Based on the extracted features of the typical components, the lengths, orientations, and spin vectors of the space target are determined. Importantly, the proposed method can achieve the attitude estimation of the spinning space targets within a single observation period, without the need for manual intervention or prior information about the target’s three-dimensional (3D) model. Additionally, the analytical method for solving the spin vector offers high efficiency and accuracy. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed attitude estimation algorithm is verified by experiments on simulated data, and the performance of the ISAR-HRNet is also tested in the key point extraction experiments using measured data. Full article

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a chronic mental disorder characterized by anhedonia, loss of desire, guilt, suicidal thoughts, and appetite changes. It is reported that individuals with MDD resort to binge eating to escape from negative feelings. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationship between binge eating behavior and the concept of psychological pain associated with emotions such as shame, guilt, and anger in individuals with MDD. We conducted the study in the Psychiatry Outpatient Clinics of Balcalı Hospital, Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine. The sample consisted of 147 individuals with MDD without psychotic symptoms and 128 healthy controls with sociodemographic characteristics similar to the MDD group. We administered a sociodemographic data form, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Psychache Scale (PS), Tolerance for Mental Pain Scale-10 (TMPS-10), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q-13). Eighty-two (55.7%) of the patients with MDD were diagnosed with binge eating disorder (BED). In the group of MDD patients with BED comorbidity, the EDE-Q-13 total, binging subscale, and HDRS scores were significantly higher than those of the other groups (p < 0.05 for each group), with large to very large effect sizes (e.g., EDE-Q-13 binging d = 1.04; HDRS d = 1.91; PS d = 1.22). There was no significant difference between the MDD groups (with and without BED) regarding the BIS and BIS subscales’ subscores, PS, and TMPS scores. For participants with MDD, there was a significant same-directional correlation between EDE-Q-13 binging, HDRS, BIS, and PS scores (p < 0.05 for each), with moderate to strong effect sizes (EDE-Q-13 binging and HDRS: r = 0.398, p < 0.001; binging and PS: r = 0.273, p < 0.001; binging and BIS: r = 0.233, p = 0.005; binging and TMPS-10: r = –0.257, p = 0.002). Additionally, a negative correlation was observed between TMPS and the scores for EDE-Q-13 binging, HDRS, BIS, and PS. A linear regression analysis indicated that depression severity and BMI were the strongest predictors of binge eating behavior (R² = 0.243; f² = 0.32). Based on our results, we concluded that the presence of binge eating behavior in patients with MDD is associated with more severe depressive symptoms, psychological pain, impulsivity, and lower tolerance to psychological pain. The finding that binge eating behavior was most strongly associated with depression severity and body mass index (BMI) supports the notion that binge eating behavior is a maladaptive attitude. Longitudinal studies comparing individuals with different BMIs in different clinical samples are needed to confirm our results. Full article

Background: Influenza poses a significant threat to the health of Malaysians, particularly among the elderly population. It results in high levels of illness and mortality, becoming a financial burden on the government. Vaccination is widely recognised as the most effective measure for controlling the spread and impact of influenza. Objectives: This study sought to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding influenza and influenza vaccination among older adults attending primary healthcare centres in different states of Malaysia. Additionally, the study assessed the level of acceptance for a proposed free annual influenza vaccination program. Methods: A nationwide survey was conducted involving 672 older people aged 60 and above who visited nine primary healthcare centres in Malaysia. These centres were selected using proportionate to population size (PPS) sampling to ensure representation from each zone. Participants completed a validated self-reported questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the levels of KAP, and a binomial logistic regression model was used to determine the predictors of acceptance for the proposed free annual vaccination program. Results: Most participants displayed a strong understanding of influenza illness (74.0%) and the vaccine (65.9%). Moreover, 76.4% of respondents exhibited a positive attitude towards influenza vaccination. However, the prevalence of good vaccination practices was relatively low, with only 29.2% of participants having a history of previous vaccination, and just 55.2% of these consistently practicing annual vaccination. The group acceptance rate for the proposed free annual influenza vaccination was 62.3%. Significant predictors of acceptance included a history of previous vaccination (good practice) (OR = 6.438, 95% CI = 1.16–35.71, p < 0.001), a positive attitude towards vaccines (OR = 21.98, 95% CI = 5.44–88.87, p = 0.033), and a good level of knowledge about the influenza vaccine (OR = 0.149, 95% CI = 0.03–0.79, p = 0.026). Conclusions: Increasing the uptake of influenza vaccination among the older population in Malaysia remains a significant challenge. It is recommended that a targeted, free annual influenza vaccination program be implemented for high-risk populations, particularly those with comorbidities and those who have shown greater receptiveness. In addition, health education strategies aimed at raising awareness and understanding of influenza should be prioritised. Strengthening epidemiological data collection and establishing systematic monitoring mechanisms are also essential to support these efforts. Full article

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) poses significant challenges to livestock management and agricultural economies worldwide. This study examines the effect of farmers’ sociodemographic factors on livestock infected with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and analyzes its socioeconomic impact on smallholder farmers in Indonesia. This study collected data from 992 households (202 infected and 790 non-infected) in the special region of Yogyakarta province. The research used propensity score matching (PSM) treatment effect analysis to assess the socioeconomic impact of FMD outbreaks on smallholder farmers. Our results demonstrated that FMD significantly increased (p < 0.01) smallholder farmers’ social behavior, including knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP). Furthermore, farmers whose animals are already infected with FMD must spend an additional IDR 258,000 to IDR 270,000 on treatment compared to non-infected ones. This study provides empirical evidence that farmer characteristics, including women’s decision-making, income, farming group, and cattle ownership, determine the likelihood of FMD infection, which implies that farmers with specific characteristics may heighten the risk of FMD infection. We concluded that FMD has changed social behavior and accelerated economic loss for smallholder farmers. Hence, farmers with animals at risk of FMD infection are prioritized in FMD control programs. Full article

This study investigates the determinants of eco-buying behavior by drawing from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and considering green consumption values and prosocial attitudes. Using a cross-sectional survey of 436 adults in the UK and employing a two-step analysis with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA), this research examines both sufficient and necessary conditions for sustainable purchasing behavior. The findings reveal that green consumption values and social influence are positively associated with green buying behavior, with green consumption values exerting the strongest influence. Conversely, prosocial attitudes and perceived behavioral control show no significant direct effects, yet age moderates the relationship between prosocial attitudes and green buying behavior. Moreover, NCA identifies green consumption values and perceived behavioral control as necessary conditions at specific thresholds, underscoring their importance in fostering high levels of green buying behavior. Additionally, a logarithmic relationship is observed between green consumption values and green buying behavior, suggesting diminishing returns at higher levels of green consumption values. Notably, the influence of green consumption values on green buying behavior is stronger among older individuals (35+), highlighting age-based differences in sustainable consumption. By integrating both sufficient and necessary conditions, this research addresses the attitude-behavior gap in sustainable consumption, offering novel insights into the roles of intrinsic values and social influences. These findings challenge established constructs like perceived behavioral control and highlight the relevance of advanced analytical methods in sustainable consumer research. The study contributes theoretical insights and practical implications for sustainable marketing strategies targeting value-driven consumers. Full article

Background/Objectives: Integrating Artificial Intelligence Clinical Decision Support Systems (AI-CDSSs) into healthcare can improve diagnostic accuracy, optimize clinical workflows, and support evidence-based medical decision-making. However, the adoption of AI-CDSSs remains uneven, influenced by technological, organizational, and perceptual factors. This study, conducted between November 2024 and February 2025, analyzes the determinants of AI-CDSS adoption among healthcare professionals through investigating the impacts of perceived benefits, technological costs, and social and institutional influence, as well as the transparency and control of algorithms, using an adapted Path Dependence-Augmented–Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model. Methods: This research was conducted through a cross-sectional study, employing a structured questionnaire administered to a sample of 440 healthcare professionals selected using a stratified sampling methodology. Data were collected via specialized platforms and analyzed using structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine the relationships between variables and the impacts of key factors on the intention to adopt AI-CDSSs. Results: The findings highlight that the perceived benefits of AI-CDSSs are the strongest predictor of intention to adopt AI-CDSSs, while technology effort cost negatively impacts attitudes toward AI-CDSSs. Additionally, social and institutional influence fosters acceptance, whereas perceived control and transparency over AI enhance trust, reinforcing the necessity for explainable and clinician-supervised AI systems. Conclusions: This study confirms that the intention to adopt AI-CDSSs in healthcare depends on the perception of utility, technological accessibility, and system transparency. The creation of interpretable and adaptive AI architectures, along with training programs dedicated to healthcare professionals, represents measures enhancing the degree of acceptance. Full article

Aiming at the high-precision torque output and saturation singularity avoidance problems in Lorentz force magnetic bearing (LFMB) swarms for magnetic levitation spacecraft, this study designs a manipulation law based on an adaptive weighted pseudo-inverse law. The system monitors each magnetic bearing’s working state in real time using high-precision position and current sensors. As the key input for the adaptive weighted pseudo-inverse control law, the sensor data’s measurement accuracy directly determines torque distribution effectiveness and attitude control precision. First, considering electromagnetic back-EMF effects, individual LFMB dynamics are modeled via the equivalent magnetic circuit method, with working principles elucidated. Subsequently, saturation coefficients for LFMB swarms are designed. Incorporating spacecraft maneuvering requirements, a genetic optimization algorithm establishes the optimal mounting configuration under task constraints. Considering the LFMB swarm configuration characteristics, this study proposes an adaptive weighted pseudo-inverse maneuvering law tailored to operational constraints. By designing an adaptive weighting matrix, the maneuvering law adjusts each LFMB’s torque output in real time, reducing residual saturation effects on attitude control speed and accuracy. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed mounting configuration and adaptive weighted pseudo-inverse maneuvering law effectively mitigate saturation singularity’s impact on attitude control accuracy while reducing total energy consumption by 22%, validating the method’s effectiveness and superiority. Full article

Given that there is a huge gap between environmental concerns, recycling awareness, and township consumers’ actual recycling behavior, it is important to determine their actual recycling behavior in order to develop sustainable recycling campaigns in townships. Studies have pointed out the significance of consumer, that is, user engagement in driving actual recycling behavior as part of addressing the negative effects of environmental challenges linked to not recycling on climate change. Studies on recycling behavior in South African townships are limited. The collection of waste in South African townships is less effective than in urban areas. This has resulted in consumers disposing of their waste informally in the spaces between their houses and shacks. An online survey was conducted among 411 township consumers in South Africa, which showed that a positive attitude towards recycling and perceived behavioral control positively and significantly affect consumers’ intention to engage in recycling, whereas subjective norms had no effect. Recycling attitude, personal norms, subjective norms, facilitating conditions, and environmental concerns were found to influence consumers’ actual recycling behavior. Furthermore, users’ intention to engage in recycling was found to mediate the relationship between recycling attitude, perceived behavioral control, facilitating conditions, personal norms, and actual recycling behavior. This paper contributes to the literature on recycling behavior and is useful for municipalities, policy makers, organizations, governments, and other relevant stakeholders on the drivers of actual recycling behavior among township consumers. Full article