Search Results (3,194)

Although numerous studies have examined the spatial patterns of traditional villages and their driving factors, limited attention has been devoted to the transformation of tourism. This study focused on traditional villages in Shaanxi Province, employing geodetector and grounded theory methods to analyze their spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors. First, most traditional villages have not developed tourism. Only 11.98% reached the relatively mature tourism stage. Second, the spatial distribution of mature traditional tourism villages is scattered and primarily clustered in Liuba County, Mizhi County, and Jia County. Third, the factors influencing spatial distribution characteristics include resource endowment, transportation accessibility, and regional economic conditions. Among these factors, the level of traditional villages, village heritage values, and the local tourism environment show the strongest explanatory power. These findings can help enhance cultural resilience, promote economic transformation and upgrading, and support the sustainable development of traditional villages. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the seventh leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with its incidence rising each year. Despite its relatively low incidence, the aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer results in high mortality, with only 12% of patients surviving five years post-diagnosis. Surgical resection remains the only potentially curative treatment, but the tumor is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. The goal of this work is to identify vulnerabilities that can affect the efficacy of treatments and improve the efficacy of therapy. Methods: MAP17 overexpression in pancreatic cancer cell lines, RT-qPCR analysis, xenografts, in vitro and in vivo treatments, analysis of data from pancreatic tumors in transcriptomic patient databases. Results: We studied the prognostic and predictive value of MAP17 (PDZK1IP1) expression in pancreatic cancer, and we found that high MAP17 mRNA expression was associated with poor prognosis. In addition, single-cell analysis revealed that high MAP17 expression was present only in tumor cells. We investigated whether the response to various antitumor agents depended on MAP17 expression. In 2D culture, MAP17-expressing pancreatic cancer cells responded better to gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil. However, in vivo xenograft tumors with MAP17 expression showed resistance to all treatments. Additionally, MAP17-expressing cells had a high NAD pool, which seems to be effectively depleted in vivo by NAMPT inhibitors, the primary enzyme for NAD biosynthesis. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that MAP17 expression could enhance the prognostic stratification of pancreatic cancer patients. Moreover, the coadministration of NAMPT inhibitors with current treatments may sensitize tumors with high MAP17 expression to chemotherapy and improve the efficacy of chemotherapy. Full article

As organizations continue to embrace digital transformation, the need for robust cybersecurity strategies has never been more critical. This paper explores the Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) as a contemporary cybersecurity framework that addresses the challenges posed by increasingly interconnected systems. Zero Trust (ZT) operates under the principle of “never trust, always verify,” ensuring that every access request is thoroughly authenticated, regardless of the requester’s location within or outside the network. However, implementing ZT is a challenging task, requiring an adequate roadmap to prioritize the different initiatives in agreement with company culture, exposure and cyber posture. We apply multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to evaluate the relative importance of various components within a ZT framework, using the Incomplete Analytic Hierarchy Process (IAHP). Expert opinions from professionals in cybersecurity and IT governance were gathered through structured questionnaires, leading to a prioritized ranking of the eight key ZT pillars, as defined by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Washington, DC, USA, along with a prioritization of the sub-elements within each pillar. The study provides actionable insights into the implementation of ZTA, helping organizations prioritize security efforts to mitigate risks effectively and build a resilient digital infrastructure. The evaluation results were used to create a prioritized framework, integrated into the ZEUS platform, developed with Teleconsys S.p.A., to enable detailed assessments of a firm’s cyber partner regarding ZT and identify improvement areas. The paper concludes by offering recommendations for future research and practical guidance for organizations transitioning to a ZT model. Full article

The sharing economy (SE) has rapidly expanded to become a key component of the global economy. However, as SE platforms evolve, a growing disconnect may exist between the value propositions companies emphasize and the values consumers actually perceive. Do the value frames communicated by SE companies align with those perceived as important by consumers, and how does this alignment differ across cultural contexts such as South Korea and the U.S.? Drawing on two complementary studies, we examine value alignment between SE companies and consumers in South Korea and the U.S. Study 1 employs content analysis of marketing messages from 246 SE platforms across five sectors, identifying the core value propositions emphasized. Study 2 applied structural topic modeling (STM) to consumer reviews from major SE platforms in both countries, focusing on three sectors: accommodation, service exchanges, and second-hand transactions. The findings reveal that SE companies in both countries primarily emphasize functional and economic values, with U.S. companies placing greater additional emphasis on emotional and social values than their South Korean counterparts. Similarly, consumers in both countries value functional, emotional, and economic aspects, showing general alignment with company marketing communications. However, South Korean consumers tended to emphasize functional and economic values more, while U.S. consumers were relatively more oriented toward emotional and social values. Notably, sustainability, widely regarded as a core principle of the SE, was not strongly emphasized by either companies or consumers. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of value dynamics in the SE and offer practical implications for developing culturally informed and value-driven marketing strategies. Full article

The purpose of this work was to obtain specialized enrichment cultures from an original extreme acidophilic consortium of extremely acidophilic microorganisms and to study their microbial community composition and biotechnological potential. At temperatures of 25, 35, 40 and 50 °C, distinct enrichments of extremely acidophilic microorganisms used in the processes of bioleaching sulfide ores were obtained using nutrient media containing ferrous sulfate, elemental sulfur and a copper sulfide concentrate as nutrient inorganic substrates, with and without the addition of 0.02% yeast extract. The microbial community composition was studied using the sequencing of the V3–V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA genes. The different growth conditions led to changes in the microbial composition and relative abundance of mesophilic and moderately thermophilic, strict autotrophic and mixotrophic microorganisms in members of the genera Acidithiobacillus, Sulfobacillus, Leptospirillum, Acidibacillus, Ferroplasma and Cuniculiplasma. The dynamics of the oxidation of ferrous iron, sulfur, and sulfide minerals (pyrite and chalcopyrite) by the enrichments was also studied in the temperature range of 25 to 50 °C. The study of enrichment cultures using the molecular biological method using the metabarcoding method of variable V3–24 V4 fragments of 16S rRNA genes showed that enrichment cultures obtained under different conditions differed in composition, which can be explained by differences in the physiological properties of the identified microorganisms. Regarding the dynamics of the oxidation of ferrous ions, sulfur, and sulfide minerals (pyrite and chalcopyrite), each enrichment culture was studied at a temperature range of 25 to 50 °C and indicated that all obtained enrichments were capable of oxidizing ferrous iron, sulfur and minerals at different rates. The obtained enrichment cultures may be used in further work to increase bioleaching by using the suitable inoculum for the temperature and process conditions. Full article

Sport volunteering plays an important role in achieving the goals of sustainable development by supporting the social dimension of sustainability, fostering social integration, and promoting a healthy lifestyle. However, there is a lack of systematic research in Poland on the motivations of sport volunteers, particularly in the context of mass endurance events. This study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional design involving 148 sport volunteers engaged in mass endurance events in Poznan, Poland. To measure motivation, the Polish adaptation of the VMS-ISE scale was used. Data analysis was conducted using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that volunteer motivations were relatively homogeneous regardless of gender and education level, with the exception of passion for sport, which was significantly stronger among men (p = 0.037). Significant differences were found based on place of residence: residents of medium-sized cities demonstrated the highest motivation for personal development (p < 0.001), whereas individuals from rural areas exhibited stronger patriotism, a greater need for interpersonal interaction, and a higher valuation of external rewards (p < 0.05). The motivations of sport volunteers in Poland are complex and sensitive to environmental factors. Understanding these differences allows for better alignment of recruitment and volunteer management strategies, which can enhance both the effectiveness and sustainability of volunteer engagement. It is recommended to develop volunteer programs that take into account the demographic and socio-cultural characteristics of participants. Full article

This research focuses on designing polymer membranes as biocompatible materials using home-built electrospinning equipment, offering alternative solutions for tissue regeneration applications. This technological development supports cell growth on biomaterial substrates, including hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep-G2) cells. This work researches the compatibility of polymer membranes (fiber mats) made of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) for possible use in cellular engineering. A standard culture medium was employed to support the proliferation of Hep-G2 cells under controlled conditions (37 °C, 4.8% CO₂, and 100% relative humidity). Subsequently, after the incubation period, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) assays were conducted in a physiological environment to characterize the electrical cellular response, providing insights into the biocompatibility of the material. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to evaluate cell adhesion, morphology, and growth on the PVDF polymer membranes. The results suggest that PVDF polymer membranes can be successfully produced through electrospinning technology, resulting in the formation of a dipole structure, including the possible presence of a polar β-phase, contributing to piezoelectric activity. EIS measurements, based on R_ct and C_dl values, are indicators of ion charge transfer and strong electrical interactions at the membrane interface. These findings suggest a favorable environment for cell proliferation, thereby enhancing cellular interactions at the fiber interface within the electrolyte. SEM observations displayed a consistent distribution of fibers with a distinctive spherical agglomeration on the entire PVDF surface. Finally, integrating piezoelectric properties into cell culture systems provides new opportunities for investigating the influence of electrical interactions on cellular behavior through electrochemical techniques. Based on the experimental results, this electrospun polymer demonstrates great potential as a promising candidate for next-generation biomaterials, with a probable application in tissue regeneration. Full article

Wild edible fruit plants are integral to the cultural, nutritional, medicinal, and economic practices of Indigenous Isan communities in Roi Et Province, northeastern Thailand, a region characterized by plateau and lowland topography and a tropical monsoon climate. This study aimed to document the diversity, traditional uses, phenology, and conservation status of these species to inform sustainable management and conservation efforts. Field surveys and ethnobotanical interviews with 200 informants (100 men, 100 women; random ages) were conducted across 20 local communities to identify species diversity and usage patterns, while phenological observations and conservation assessments were performed to understand reproductive cycles and species vulnerability between January and December 2023. A total of 68 species from 32 families were recorded, with peak flowering in March–April and fruiting in May–June. Analyses of Species Use Value (0.19–0.48) and Relative Frequency of Citation (0.15–0.44) identified key species with significant roles in food security and traditional medicine. Uvaria rufa had the highest SUV (0.48) and RFC (0.44). Informant consensus on medicinal applications was strong for ailments such as gastrointestinal and lymphatic disorders. Economically important species were also identified, with some contributing notable income through local trade. Conservation proposed one species as Critically Endangered and several others as Vulnerable. The results highlight the need for integrated conservation strategies, including community-based initiatives and recognition of Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), to ensure the preservation of biodiversity, traditional knowledge, and local livelihoods. Full article

A multidisciplinary study was conducted to reconstruct the paleoenvironmental evolution of Maladroxia Bay, one of the principal bays of the islet of Sant’Antioco in southwestern Sardinia, over the past eight millennia. As part of an archaeological landscape project, this study explores the paleogeography and environment of the bay from a diachronic perspective to gain insights into the Holocene relative sea level history, shoreline displacements, and the environmental conditions during different phases. This study is based on an analysis of four sediment cores in conjunction with a chronological model that is based on radiocarbon dates. Four relative sea level indicators were produced. These are the first such indicators from the early and middle Holocene for the island of Sant’Antioco. The results indicate that in the early Holocene, the area was a terrestrial, fluvial environment without marine influence. In the 6th millennium BCE, the rising sea level and marine transgression resulted in the formation of a shallow inner lagoon. It reached its maximum extent in the middle of the 5th millennium BCE. Afterwards, a gradual transition from lagoon to floodplain, and a seaward shift of the shoreline occurred. The lagoon potentially served as a valuable source of food and resources during the middle Holocene. During the Nuragic period (2nd to 1st millennium BCE), the Bay of Maladroxia was very similar to how it is today. Its location was ideal for use as an anchorage, due to the calm and sheltered conditions that prevailed. Full article

This study focuses on Richard Wilhelm (1873–1930), a German Protestant missionary, employing archival research methods to examine his experiences in China and his contributions to the dissemination of Christianity. After arriving in Qingdao (青島) in 1899, Wilhelm adopted a missionary approach that was relatively new to the German missionary community. Under the influence of the theory of “direct Christianity”, he focused on “cultural evangelism” in an effort to establish a non-dogmatic Chinese Christianity. By establishing modern schools and hospitals, he played a pivotal role in fostering reconciliation between Christian and non-Christian communities in China, thereby enhancing the legitimacy of Christian educational institutions within the indigenous educational framework. Furthermore, through extensive dialogues with both intellectual elites and ordinary citizens, Wilhelm demonstrated that traditional Confucian values are not inherently in conflict with Christian teachings. His missionary endeavors thus promoted the indigenization of Christianity in China and significantly facilitated Sino-German cultural exchange. Full article

Compassion is a critical competence for university students in the healthcare field when dealing with the suffering of patients and relatives. However, there are no tools that measure compassionate capacity during students’ training. Recently, the Compassion Capacity Scale (CCS) was developed for health professionals, exhibiting good psychometric properties. The aim of this study was to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the CCS for Portuguese university students in the healthcare field. The study was divided into two phases: (1) translation and adaptation of the CCS for Portuguese university students in the healthcare field; (2) validation and analysis of psychometric properties. The CCS-PHS showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.886), temporal stability (rho = 0.703), and content validity (CVI-i = 1). Criterion validity analysis showed strong correlations between all of the CCS-PHS’s dimensions and the chosen reference criteria scale. Construct validity analysis revealed that the CCS-PHS is composed of 17 items, classified into four factors. The differences found in the exploratory factor analysis in relation to the original scale may be due to the differences in the life experiences of healthcare professionals when compared to those of students. Our psychometric analysis suggests that the CCS-PHS is a reliable and valid tool to assess compassionate capacity in healthcare students. Knowing the compassionate competence of students is vital for guiding educational strategies, implementing compassion training programs and evaluating their effectiveness, as well as reinforcing key attitudes and behaviors for humanized and ethical healthcare. Full article

Amid ongoing societal development, tourists’ travel behavior patterns have been undergoing substantial transformations, and understanding their evolution has emerged as a key area of scholarly interest. Taking Beijing as a case study, this research aims to uncover the spatiotemporal evolution patterns of tourist flows and their underlying driving mechanisms. Based on digital footprint relational data, a dual-perspective analytical framework—“tourist perception–tourist flow network”—is constructed. By integrating the center-of-gravity model, social network analysis, and regression models, the study systematically examines the dynamic spatial structure of tourist flows in Beijing from 2012 to 2024. The findings reveal that in the post-pandemic period, Beijing tourists place greater emphasis on the cultural connotation and experiential aspects of destinations. The gravitational center of tourist flows remains relatively stable, with core historical and cultural blocks retaining strong appeal, though a slight shift has occurred due to policy influences and emerging attractions. The evolution of the spatial network structure reveals that tourism flows have become more dispersed, while the influence of core scenic spots continues to intensify. Government policy orientation, tourism information retrieval, and the agglomeration of tourism resources significantly promote the structure of tourist flows, whereas the general level of tourism resources exerts no notable influence. These findings offer theoretical insights and practical guidance for the sustainable development and regional coordination of tourism in Beijing, and provide a valuable reference for the spatial restructuring of urban tourism in the post-COVID-19 era. Full article

The article addresses the question of the relative importance of human population size and growth in relation to the environmental problems of planetary heating and biodiversity loss in the current, Anthropocene era. To what extent could policies to encourage lower fertility be justified, while observing that this subject is an inherently contested one. It is proposed that a helpful distinction can be made between specific threats to habitats and biodiversity, as opposed to those related to global energy use and warming. Pressures of over-population can be important in relation to the former. But with regard to the latter—rising per capita energy usage—reduced fertility has historically been positively, not negatively correlated. A case can be made that the high-fertility nations of sub-Saharan Africa could benefit from culturally respectful fertility reduction policies. However, where planetary heating is concerned, it is the hydrocarbon-based, per capita energy-consumption patterns of already low-fertility populations on the other five inhabited continents that is rather more critical. While it will be helpful to stabilise global human population, this cannot be viewed as a solution to the climate crisis problem of this century. That requires relentless focus on reducing hydrocarbon use and confronting the rising inequality since c.1980 that has been exacerbating competitive materialist consumerism. This involves the ideological negotiation of values to promote a culture change that understands and politically embraces a new economics of both human and planetary balance, equity, and distribution. Students of populations can contribute by re-assessing what can be the appropriate demographic units and measures for policies engaging with the challenges of the Anthropocene. Full article

This article explores Schipper’s scholarly contributions to the study of dongtian fudi (grotto heavens and blessed lands) and specifically situates this project in its broader intellectual context and Schipper’s own research. While Schipper was not the first to open discussions on this topic, his research in this direction still offers profound insights, such as the coinage of the concept of “Daoist Ecology” and his views on mountain politics. This article argues that Schipper’s work on dongtian fudi is a response to the school of Deep Ecology and its critics, and also a result of critical reflection on the modern dichotomy between nature and culture. In Schipper’s enquiry of dongtian fudi, the “mountain” stands as the central concept: it is not only the essential component of Daoist sacred geography, but a holistic site in which nature and society are interwoven, endowed with both material and sacred significance. Through his analysis of the Daoist practice of abstinence from grain (duangu), Schipper reveals how mountains serve as spaces for retreat from agrarian society and state control, and how they embody “shatter zones” where the reach of centralized power is relatively attenuated. The article also further links Schipper’s project of Beijing as a Holy City to his study of dongtian fudi. For Schipper, the former affirms the universality of the locality (i.e., the unofficial China, the country of people), while the latter envisages the vision of rewriting China from plural localities. Taken together, these efforts point toward a theoretical framework that moves beyond conventional sociological paradigms, one that embraces a total worldly perspective, in which the livelihoods of local societies and their daily lives are truly appreciated as a totality that encompasses both nature and culture. Schipper’s works related to dongtian fudi, though they are rather concise, still significantly broaden the scope of Daoist studies and, moreover, provide novel insights into the complexity of Chinese religion and society. Full article

Integrated rice–crayfish (Oryza sativa–Procambarus clarkii) co-culture (RC) systems have gained prominence due to their economic benefits and ecological sustainability; however, the interactions between soil properties and microbial communities in such systems remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the effects of the RC systems on soil physicochemical characteristics and microbial dynamics in paddy fields of southern Henan Province, China, over the 2023 growing season and subsequent fallow period. Using a randomized complete design, rice monoculture (RM, as the control) and RC treatments were compared across replicated plots. Soil and water samples were collected post-harvest and pre-transplanting to assess soil properties, extracellular enzyme activity, and microbial community structure. Results showed that RC significantly enhanced soil moisture by up to 30.2%, increased soil porosity by 9.6%, and nearly tripled soil organic carbon compared to RM. The RC system consistently elevated nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) throughout both the rice growth and fallow stages, indicating improved nutrient availability and retention. Elevated extracellular enzyme activities linked to carbon, N, and P cycling were observed under RC, with enzymatic stoichiometry revealing increased microbial nutrient limitation intensity and a shift toward P limitation. Microbial community composition was significantly altered under RC, showing increased biomass, a higher fungi-to-bacteria ratio, and greater relative abundance of Gram-positive bacteria, reflecting enhanced soil biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Further analyses using the Mantel test and Random Forest identified extracellular enzyme activities, PLFAs, soil moisture, and bulk density as major factors shaping microbial communities. Redundancy analysis (RDA) confirmed that total potassium (TK), vector length (VL), soil pH, and total nitrogen (TN) were the strongest environmental predictors of microbial variation, jointly explaining 74.57% of the total variation. Our findings indicated that RC improves soil physicochemical conditions and microbial function, thereby supporting sustainable nutrient cycling and offering a promising, environmentally sound strategy for enhancing productivity and soil health in rice-based agro-ecosystems. Full article