Search Results (30,857)

Leaching of the extractant from polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) into the feed and receiving aqueous solutions shortens their life. Therefore, when a particular PIM extractant has been selected, it is important to choose a base polymer that will minimize to the greatest extent extractant leaching compared to other base polymers, thus providing the best stability of the PIM. However, comparisons of the stability of PIMs composed of the same extractant and different base polymers is usually conducted by multiple cycles of extraction and back-extraction steps, which are time-consuming and labor-intensive. An alternative approach based on thermal analysis (thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA)) was developed and applied to PIMs containing 40 wt.% Aliquat 336, one of the most frequently used PIM extractants, and the three most frequently used PIM base polymers, i.e., poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), cellulose triacetate (CTA), and poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP). The temperatures and enthalpies associated with Aliquat 336 release were compared, with PVDF-HFP exhibiting the highest values, indicating the strongest interaction between the extractant and the polymer matrix and, thus, the highest stability. The PVC-based PIM was predicted to be the most prone to extractant leaching among the PIMs studied. This stability ranking was confirmed theoretically by quantum chemistry (DFT) calculations, which provided molecular-level insights into the likely interaction sites between Aliquat 336 and the polymer chains. An experimental validation of the above leaching order was also provided by PIM leaching experiments in aqueous 0.1 M and 0.05 M NaCl solutions, where membrane mass losses over a 24 h period were determined. The results of the current study demonstrated thermal analysis to be a fast and viable approach in comparing the stability of PIMs with the same extractant but different base polymers. Full article

The apparel industry is changing dynamically and quickly to manufacturing sustainable fashion products and the development of sustainable design strategies that minimize material consumption at the source. This study addresses a critical research gap by quantitatively evaluating the impact of fusing traditional South Asian garment construction (the kameez) with varied, Western-inspired sleeve geometries on key manufacturing metrics. Thirty-three distinct women’s garment styles, comprising three kameez types (simple, princess-cut, open-front) each paired with eleven different sleeve designs, were developed in the apparel industry to study the effect of fabric efficiency, wastage, and cost-effectiveness. The virtual patterns and markers were drafted and accomplished through Garment Gerber Technology (GGT) software to analyze fabric consumption, fabric efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. The results revealed that paneled kameez styles, such as the princess-cut and open-front, are significantly more material-efficient, achieving average fabric efficiencies of up to 83.95%, compared to the monolithic simple kameez, which averaged only 75.68%. Among sleeve types, multi-constructions like the slit sleeve and cuff sleeve proved most efficient (achieving up to 86.91% efficiency), while voluminous, single-piece designs like the umbrella sleeve consumed the most fabric and were the least efficient. Open-front kameez slit sleeves (OFSL3), simple kameez slit sleeves (SSL3), and princess-cut kameez slit sleeves (PCSL3), were better and more sustainable selections since they were most efficient in fabric efficiency (i.e., 86.91%, 86.17%, and 86.09%). Furthermore, the simple kameez style has the highest fabric wastage (above 22%), while the princess kameez style has the least (below 19%). The simple kameez slit sleeves design (SSL3) has the minimum wastage, while the simple kameez umbrella sleeves design (SSL4) has the maximum wastage. From a cost perspective, the open-front kameez slit sleeve (OFSL1) was identified as the most economical design, whereas the simple kameez with an umbrella sleeve (SSL4) was the most expensive. Statistical analysis confirmed that the differences between kameez styles were significant (p < 0.05). Thus, adoption of specific, sustainable, deliberate design choices and incorporating paneling into the garment body and utilizing multi-piece sleeve constructions offer a quantifiable and strategic approach for manufacturers to reduce material waste, optimize fabric utilization, and improve production cost-effectiveness. Full article

As a major energy producer and consumer, China has witnessed rapid growth in carbon emissions, which are closely linked to changes in regional climate and the environment. Water, energy, and food (W-E-F) are the three most critical components of human production and daily life, and achieving the coordinated development of these three resources and connecting them with climate change through the carbon emissions generated during their utilization processes has become a key issue for realizing regional ecological sustainable development. This study constructs a dynamic two-stage network slack-based measure-data envelopment analysis (SBM-DEA) model, which integrates the water–energy–food (W-E-F) system with the climate change process to evaluate China’s comprehensive ecological efficiency from 2011 to 2022, and adopts the Dagum Gini coefficient decomposition, kernel density estimation, hierarchical clustering, and geographical detector model to analyze provincial panel data, thereby assessing efficiency patterns, regional differences, and driving mechanisms. The novelty and contributions of this study can be summarized in three aspects. First, it establishes a unified framework that incorporates the W-E-F nexus and climate change into a dynamic network SBM-DEA model, enabling a more systematic assessment of ecological efficiency. Second, it uncovers that interregional overlap effects and policy-driven factors are the dominant sources of spatial and temporal disparities in ecological efficiency. Third, it further quantifies the interactive effects among key driving factors using Geodetector, thus offering practical insights for regional coordination and policy design. The results show that China’s national ecological efficiency is at a medium level. Southern China has consistently maintained a leading position, while provinces in northwest and southwest China have remained relatively backward; the efficiency of the water–energy–food integration stage is relatively high, whereas the efficiency of the climate change stage is medium and exhibits significant temporal fluctuations. Interregional differences are the main source of efficiency gaps; ecological quality, environmental protection efforts, and population size are identified as the primary driving factors, and their interaction effects have intensified spatial heterogeneity. In addition, sub-indicator analysis reveals that the efficiency related to total wastewater, air pollutant emissions, and agricultural pollution shows good synergy, while the efficiency associated with sudden environmental change events is highly volatile and has weak correlations with other undesirable outputs. These findings deepen the understanding of the water–energy–food-climate system and provide policy implications for strengthening ecological governance and regional coordination. Full article

Retailers of digital goods often use discount pricing to attract consumers. To make an effective promotion, they naturally want to understand consumers’ valuation. Nonetheless, rigorous research is lacking on how to use consumer ratings on the retailer side. Our study aims to fill this research gap by investigating how retailers can determine optimal discount size in response to consumer ratings. We use both an analytical model and an empirical analysis. Our analytical results showed that discount size decreases with consumer ratings for non-supreme ratings. Nevertheless, there is no significant impact for supreme ratings. In addition, we find that consumers’ confidence and the regular price of digital goods are critical moderators. Using a unique dataset of 419 online audiobooks, we empirically test the proposed hypotheses. The predictions of our model are consistent with empirical evidence. Our study demonstrates that retailers can provide smaller discounts when consumers give higher ratings of digital goods. In addition, consumers’ confidence enlarges the consumer rating effect, while the regular price reduces such effect. Our findings can be applied to other digital goods such as digital movies, software/APP and online newspapers. Full article

Background: Urban freight transport is essential for the functioning of cities. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the growth of e-commerce, creating new challenges for courier services. While consumer satisfaction has been extensively studied, little attention has been paid to courier drivers’ own perceptions and preferences. This study aims to fill that gap. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 139 drivers employed in eight courier companies in Serbia. Data were analyzed using parametric statistical methods (Independent Samples T-Test, Paired-Samples T-Test, and One-way ANOVA), with additional post hoc tests to explore group differences. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed across demographic, operational, and safety-related factors (gender, age, residence, occupation, license ownership, delivery area, and type of goods). A strong preference emerged for passenger vehicles as the safest mode of delivery, highlighting a misalignment between current operational practices and drivers’ safety perceptions. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the importance of tailoring delivery strategies to demographic and operational contexts. Practical recommendations include improving transport safety, optimizing delivery zones, and addressing driver satisfaction as a determinant of service quality. The study contributes new insights into last-mile delivery by focusing on the perspectives of courier drivers rather than consumers. Full article

Protein supplements are popular nutritional supplements consumed primarily by physically active individuals with increased protein demands. Despite the increasing consumer demand for protein supplements in Greece, detailed and comparative data on the nutritional profile of such products is scarce. The purpose of this study was to determine the nutritional quality of protein powder supplements available in the Greek market and to compare animal- with plant-based products. Data was extracted from the websites of the major retailers (n = 28). In total, 216 products were identified and grouped as animal- and plant-based, depending on the protein origin. Animal-based products were predominantly (84.0%) produced from whey. Protein content was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in animal-based products, providing 43.5% of the reference intake (RI) for men and 53.2% for women per serving. The content of essential amino acids (EAAs), branched amino acids (BCAAs) and alanine (Ala) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in animal-based products (median: 11.0, 5.3 and 1.2 g/serving) compared with plant-based alternatives (median: 8.4, 4.0 and 1.0 g/serving size). Plant-based protein supplements contained significantly higher (p < 0.05) content of fiber, fat and salt and were more energy-dense per 100 g. Mean serving size was larger for animal-based products (29.9 ± 0.4 g) compared with the plant-based ones (28.1 ± 0.5 g). Animal-based supplements were more expensive to purchase by 4.3 € per kg. Overall, animal-based protein powder supplements show a more desirable nutritional profile regarding protein content and quality. Results of this study can serve as a tool for consumers to make informed and healthy choices and for health professionals to provide effective and personalized guidance based on the nutritional content of products. Full article

Ashitaba (Angelica keiskei) is a perennial herb native to Japan, traditionally consumed as a health-promoting food and herbal medicine. This study evaluated the antimicrobial, anti-halitosis, and anti-inflammatory effects of Ashitaba extract on canine periodontal disease (PD) caused by Porphyromonas gulae (P. gulae). In vitro, Ashitaba extract (0.006–0.1%) significantly inhibited P. gulae viability by up to 80% and reduced biofilm formation by approximately 10% at 0.1%. The extract also suppressed the production of volatile sulfur compounds—hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan—by over 80% and 40%, respectively, within 10 min. Furthermore, Ashitaba extract markedly decreased P. gulae-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) by up to 90% in murine, canine, and human macrophage and gingival cell lines. In vivo, daily oral application of 0.05% Ashitaba-extract gel for four weeks, with or without tooth brushing, significantly improved gingivitis scores (by 40–60%), reduced halitosis levels, and decreased P. gulae DNA detection and enzymatic activity in dogs with PD. These findings demonstrate that Ashitaba extract possesses potent bactericidal, anti-halitosis, and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting its potential as a natural adjunctive therapy for the prevention and management of canine periodontal disease. Full article

The increasing consumption of artificially sweetened beverages among young people, coupled with prevalent digital technology use, presents growing public health concerns regarding potential effects on health and behavior. This study aimed to determine the concentrations of three commonly used artificial sweeteners—acesulfame K, saccharin, and aspartame—in soft drinks available on the market in Osijek, Croatia, to assess their compliance with European Union regulations, and to investigate the consumption patterns and possible associations with internet addiction among university students. Laboratory analysis of 43 beverages was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection, while a cross-sectional survey of 792 students collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, beverage consumption, and internet use. Acesulfame K was the most frequently detected sweetener, followed by aspartame and saccharin, with mean concentrations of 50.1 mg/L, 22.7 mg/L, and 19.76 mg/L, respectively. Overall, 85.7% of the students stated that they consumed artificially sweetened drinks, with an average consumption of 0.2 L/day. Internet addiction was found in 39.8% of the participants, but no significant correlation was found between beverage consumption and internet addiction (p = 0.177). All measured concentrations of sweeteners were below the legal limits. These results suggest that while exposure to artificial sweeteners in beverages is within safe limits, further research is needed to assess cumulative intake and its potential impact on behavioral health in young adults. Full article

The introduction of emergency remote teaching in university education during the COVID-19 pandemic was not a matter of choice, but an attempt to make education sustainable in times of crisis. However, some research, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, showed that digital inequality caused by the unequal material status of students could have an impact on remote teaching. Also, before the COVID-19 pandemic, some researchers pointed out a new phenomenon, Zoom fatigue, as an accompanying phenomenon of video conferences with potential harm to the physical and mental health of consumers. The aim of this study is to examine the possibility that material status and Zoom fatigue may play the role of a moderator in the attitude of students towards ERT. The sample included 148 students attending education faculties in Serbia. The data obtained were frequencies, percentages, descriptive statistics, χ² test results, t test for independent samples, ANOVA, and linear regression.The results showed that 13% of students find the lack of financial funds for the purchase of an Internet connection with high-speed data flow to be an aggravating circumstance. Moreover, it transpires that Zoom fatigue may play the role of a moderator in students’ attitude towards ERT, particularly concerning the possibility of introducing remote teaching as a permanent form of teaching;in addition, certain aspects of students’ material status, primarily monthly household income, were a significant predictor of Zoom fatigue level on the ZEF scale. Full article

UAV accident investigation is essential for safeguarding the fast-growing low-altitude airspace. While near-daily incidents are reported, they were rarely analyzed in depth as current inquiries remain expert-dependent and time-consuming. Because most jurisdictions mandate formal reporting only for serious injury or substantial property damage, a large proportion of minor occurrences receive no systematic investigation, resulting in persistent data gaps and hindering proactive risk management. This study explores the potential of using large language models (LLMs) to expedite UAV accident investigations by extracting human-factor insights from unstructured narrative incident reports. Despite their promise, the off-the-shelf LLMs still struggle with domain-specific reasoning in the UAV context. To address this, we developed a human factors analysis and classification system (HFACS)-guided analytical framework, which blends structured prompting with lightweight post-processing. This framework systematically guides the model through a two-stage procedure to infer operators’ unsafe acts, their latent preconditions, and the associated organizational influences and regulatory risk factors. A HFACS-labelled UAV accident corpus comprising 200 abnormal event reports with 3600 coded instances has been compiled to support evaluation. Across seven LLMs and 18 HFACS categories, macro-F1 ranged 0.58–0.76; our best configuration achieved macro-F1 0.76 (precision 0.71, recall 0.82), with representative category accuracies > 93%. Comparative assessments indicate that the prompted LLM can match, and in certain tasks surpass, human experts. The findings highlight the promise of automated human factor analysis for conducting rapid and systematic UAV accident investigations. Full article

The current study aims to address the research gap regarding inconsistent findings on the effect of environmental knowledge (EK) in enhancing green purchase intention (GPI) by incorporating pro-environmental behavior (PEB) and environmental concern (EC) as factors to leverage green purchase intention. Five hypotheses were developed and tested using a sample of 300 respondents in Indonesia. Survey data from 300 respondents were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings demonstrate the pivotal role of pro-environmental behavior in two ways. First, pro-environmental behavior mediates the relationship between environmental knowledge and green purchase intention. Second, while pro-environmental behavior enhances environmental concern, it is insufficient to fully strengthen green purchase intention; additional factors, such as the activation of ethical values of concern, are needed to reinforce this intention further. However, the limitations include reliance on quantitative cross-sectional data and focus on Bali, suggesting a need for longitudinal and cross-cultural studies. Practical recommendations include incorporating local communities in eco-tourism programs to ensure social acceptance and sustainability. In general, the results contribute theoretically by integrating knowledge, concern, and behavior into a cohesive model explaining green consumer intentions in tourism. This comprehensive approach supports efforts to transform individual values and behavior, which are critical alongside systemic or policy changes in advancing sustainable tourism. Full article

Frequent channel migrations of the Yellow River, coupled with increasing human disturbances, have driven significant land cover changes in the Yellow River Delta (YRD) over time. Accurate estimation of aboveground biomass (AGB) and clarification of the impact of land cover changes on AGB are crucial for monitoring vegetation dynamics and supporting ecological management. However, field-based biomass samples are often time-consuming and labor-intensive, and the quantity and quality of such samples greatly affect the accuracy of AGB estimation. This study developed a robust AGB estimation framework for the YRD by synthesizing 4717 field-measured samples from the published scientific literature and integrating two critical ecological indicators: leaf area index (LAI) and length of growing season (LGS). A random forest (RF) model was employed to estimate AGB for the YRD from 2001 to 2022, achieving high accuracy (R² = 0.74). The results revealed a continuous spatial expansion of AGB over the past two decades, with higher biomass consistently observed in western cropland and along the Yellow River, whereas lower biomass levels were concentrated in areas south of the Yellow River. AGB followed a fluctuating upward trend, reaching a minimum of 204.07 g/m² in 2007, peaking at 230.79 g/m² in 2016, and stabilizing thereafter. Spatially, western areas showed positive trends, with an average annual increase of approximately 10 g/m², whereas central and coastal zones exhibited localized declines of around 5 g/m². Among the changes in land cover, cropland and wetland changes were the main contributors to AGB increases, accounting for 54.2% and 52.67%, respectively. In contrast, grassland change exhibited limited or even suppressive effects, contributing −6.87% to the AGB change. Wetland showed the greatest volatility in the interaction between area change and biomass density change, which is the most uncertain factor in the dynamic change in AGB. Full article

The aim of this study was to analyze international differences in online consumer behavior. The analysis was carried out on a sample of 763 participants from the countries of Spain, France, Poland and Russia. Online consumer behavior was examined from the perspective of seven dimensions: shipping-related concerns and preferences, price sensitivity and perceived cost advantage, quality perception, security concerns, time-related benefits, availability and quality of information, and shopping service satisfaction. Data were verified using Average inter-item correlation, the Shapiro–Wilk test and Levene Statistic. Subsequently, Welch’s ANOVA and one-way ANOVA and the Games–Howell and Tukey HSD post hoc tests were applied. Statistically significant differences were fully identified in all examined dimensions. The largest differences were recorded in price sensitivity, shipping-related concerns and security concerns. The effect measurements, in addition to ANOVA and post hoc tests, confirm the significance of these differences. National context, shaped by culture, institutional trust and digital infrastructure, continues to influence online consumer behavior. The strategies that the businesses should adopt should focus on approaches that are tailor-made for a specific market. This means that adapting pricing models, strengthening trust (e.g., through secure payments and strengthening safe return policies), and adapting delivery options to local preferences can lead to improved customer satisfaction in cross-border e-commerce. Full article

Personal identification (ID) is a prerequisite to many financial and social services; however, many vulnerable residents do not have ID and lack the resources to acquire it. To assess the impact of ID inaccessibility in a local context, a study was conducted throughout New Brunswick, Canada. The study objective was to understand the implications of ID requirements and the barriers to acquiring it through the lens of consumers. This mixed-methods, observational study included surveys and interviews. The survey collected demographics, socioeconomic status (SES), financial behaviors and experiences, and barriers to accessing ID. The semi-structured interviews explored individual experiences. In order to address disparities in health and social outcomes, ID requirements and barriers to access need to be acknowledged and mitigated. A total of 142 surveys were completed. Many respondents reported difficulty obtaining or replacing a driver’s license (30.8%), a provincial photo ID (47.7%), or their birth certificate (39.4%), identifying cost (34.4%) and required documentation (28.1%) as the main barriers. Thematic analysis identified three main themes: the difficulty of living without ID, barriers to obtaining or replacing an ID, and an exploration of solutions. Current ID policies restrict access to community services such as banking, housing, and employment, which are intended to support individuals to improve their situation and gain autonomy. Policies and services are required to address this urgent issue. Full article

Varuna litterata is an estuarine crab species widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, commonly dwelling in brackish waters, mangrove forests, and tidal estuaries. In Bangladesh, while four Scylla species dominate the commercial crab market, the locally consumed V. litterata remains a biologically overlooked gem of the coastal waters. These crabs are frequently captured as a byproduct during shrimp fry collection from coastal estuaries. In this context, the current study investigates the reproductive biology, morphometric dynamics, and market potential of V. litterata collected from the Pasur River, a coastal mangrove forest-adjacent estuary of southern Bangladesh. A total of 75 individuals were collected from March to April 2023, comprising 35 males and 40 females, resulting in a sex ratio of 1:1.14 (♂:♀), with a predominance of females. A visual observation of ovary development revealed four distinct maturation stages, with Stage IV (fully mature) being the most prevalent (43%), indicating peak reproductive activity during the sampling period. Morphometric analysis revealed that the average carapace width (CW) was 31.2 ± 5.7 mm and 31.9 ± 5.8 mm and the mean carapace length (CL) was 29.3 ± 4.7 mm and 30.1 ± 4.9 mm in males and females, respectively. However, the mean body weight (BW) was 13.1 ± 4.3 g in males and 12.7 ± 3.8 g in female crabs. The dominant CW class ranges from 33 to 33.99 mm (males) and 28.99–29.99 mm (females), appear to be the most vulnerable to fishing pressure. BW-CW and CL-CW relationships demonstrated negative allometric growth, with high correlations in both sexes. Significant sexual dimorphism was observed, with males having larger cheliped dimensions, while females had broader abdomens, likely supporting reproductive functions that are essential to their conservation. The marketing of this crab remains largely informal, yet rising local demand and prices highlight its emerging commercial potential. Therefore, incorporation into aquaculture and coastal fishery development of this crab species could enhance food security, support livelihoods, and contribute to sustainable blue economy initiatives in Bangladesh. Full article