Search Results (33)

Background/Objectives: Military Service Members (SMs) require optimal nutrition to support health, readiness, and job performance. However, they often fall short of meeting nutrition guidelines. This study aimed to determine the impact and feasibility of implementing the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) “Fueled to Fight^®” (F2F) nutrition program in non-appropriated fund (NAF) food venues. Objectives included evaluating changes in Military Nutrition Environment Assessment Tool (mNEAT) scores, feasibility of implementing and maintaining F2F strategies, and influence on customer purchasing patterns. Methods: Researchers conducted a pre-post interventional study from January to December 2024 at three NAF food venues across two USMC bases. F2F strategies, including identifying items using a stoplight color coding system (Green = healthy, Yellow = less healthy, Red = least healthy), menu revisions, food placement, promotion, and marketing, were implemented. Data included mNEAT assessments, sales reports, and stakeholder focus groups. Generalized Estimating Equations models were used to analyze sales data. Results: mNEAT scores increased across all venues post-intervention. Availability and sales of Green items increased, while sales of Red items decreased in some venues. Profit increased at all three food venues. Focus groups revealed feasibility and provided insights for future interventions. Conclusions: F2F interventions in NAF food venues are feasible and can positively impact the food environment and customer purchasing patterns without negatively affecting profit. This study highlights the importance of integrating nutrition programs into all military food venues, not just government-funded dining facilities, to support the nutritional fitness and readiness of SMs. Full article

Background: The integration of mining and urban spaces in coal-resource-based cities holds significant implications for urban transformation and sustainable development. However, existing research lacks an in-depth analysis of its characteristics and driving factors. Methods: This study takes the central urban area of Huaibei City as a case, utilizing historical documents, POI data, and spatial analysis methods to explore the evolution patterns and influencing factors of mining–urban spatial integration. Standard deviation ellipse analysis was employed to examine historical spatial changes, while a binary logistic regression model and principal component analysis were constructed based on 300 m × 300 m grid units to assess the roles of 11 factors, including location, transportation, commerce, and natural environment. Results: The results indicate that mining–urban spatial integration exhibits characteristics of lag, clustering, transportation dominance, and continuity. Commercial activity density, particularly leisure, dining, and shopping facilities, serves as a core driving factor. Road network density, along with the areas of educational and residential zones, positively promotes integration, whereas water surface areas (such as subsidence zones) significantly inhibit it. Among high-integration areas, Xiangshan District stands as the most economically prosperous city center; Lieshan–Yangzhuang mining area blends traditional and modern elements; and Zhuzhuang–Zhangzhuang mining area reflects the industrial landscape post-transformation. Conclusions: The study reveals diverse integration patterns under the synergistic effects of multiple factors, providing a scientific basis for optimizing spatial layouts and coordinating mining–urban development in coal-resource-based cities. Future research should continue to pay attention to the dynamic changes of spatial integration of mining cities, explore more effective integrated development models, and promote the rational and efficient use of urban space and the sustainable development of cities. Full article

Background/Objectives: Recent decades have seen a remarkable westernization of diets and a decline in adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD). This study examined the eating habits of a representative sample of Italian university students to identify the determinants of adherence to the MD and the most relevant actions to improve their well-being. Methods: The Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for Children and Adolescents (KIDMED) and Sustainable Healthy Diet (SHED) index questionnaires were used to explore MD adherence as the primary outcome, and dietary behavior sustainability, respectively. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle information was also collected. Results: The final sample included 1434 subjects (18–24; 60% female). The median (IQR) KIDMED score was 6.0 (4.0–8.0) and 33% showed a high adherence to the MD. Having breakfast, eating fruit and vegetables at least once a day, consuming pasta or other grains almost daily, and using olive oil at home were among the most common positive aspects of students’ diets. However, regular consumption of fish, nuts, legumes, dairy products, and a second serving of fruit and vegetables was less prevalent. Having an active lifestyle, eating more plant products, and having more sustainable dietary behaviors in terms of the SHED index, were the main determinants of a high KIDMED score. Likewise, graduate students, daily consumers of plant-based meat alternatives, and students attending university canteens daily were more likely to adopt healthier diets. Conclusions: Future actions are crucial to create a food environment that facilitates healthy and sustainable dietary choices among young adults, such as improving the nutritional quality of processed products and regulating their promotion, as well as implementing initiatives to improve university food services and encourage the use of campus dining facilities. Full article

Rapid urbanization has accelerated the transformation of community dynamics, highlighting the critical need to understand the interplay between subjective perceptions and objective built environments in shaping life satisfaction for sustainable urban development. Existing studies predominantly focus on linear relationships between isolated factors, neglecting spatial heterogeneity and nonlinear dynamics, which limits the ability to address localized urban challenges. This study addresses these gaps by utilizing multi-scale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) to assess the spatial nonstationarity of subject perceptions and built environment factors while employing gradient-boosting decision trees (GBDT) to capture their nonlinear relationships and incorporating eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) to improve predictive accuracy. Using geospatial data (POIs, social media data) and survey responses in Suzhou, China, the findings reveal that (1) proximity to business facilities (β = 0.41) and educational resources (β = 0.32) strongly correlate with satisfaction, while landscape quality shows contradictory effects between central (β = 0.12) and peripheral zones (β = −0.09). (2) XGBoost further quantifies predictive disparities: subjective factors like property service satisfaction (R² = 0.64, MAPE = 3.72) outperform objective metrics (e.g., dining facilities, R² = 0.36), yet objective housing prices demonstrate greater stability (MAPE = 3.11 vs. subjective MAPE = 6.89). (3) Nonlinear thresholds are identified for household income and green space coverage (>15%, saturation effects). These findings expose critical mismatches—residents prioritize localized services over citywide economic metrics, while objective amenities like healthcare accessibility (threshold = 1 km) require spatial recalibration. By bridging spatial nonstationarity (MGWR) and nonlinearity (XGBoost), this study advances a dual-path framework for adaptive urban governance, the community-level prioritization of high-impact subjective factors (e.g., service quality), and data-driven spatial planning informed by nonlinear thresholds (e.g., facility density). The results offer actionable pathways to align smart urban development with socio-spatial equity, emphasizing the need for hyperlocal, perception-sensitive regeneration strategies. Full article

A crucial factor in shaping the character of a spa and wellness hotel’s character is the design and functionality of the recreational area. This element is linked to other areas in the hotel, such as dining, accommodation, and conference facilities. The spatial layout of the spa and wellness zone, along with its location, programming, size, and style, greatly affects the overall operation of the establishment. Few European publications analyze the architectural design of contemporary spa and wellness hotels in the specialist literature. These publications are often concerned with general programming-related assumptions rather than specific functional and spatial research. The aim of this research is to create a well-organized taxonomy of spa and wellness zones in the region. The set of typologies presented was developed based on spatial and functional analyses, as well as descriptions of European objects found in the literature, and the author’s research. This research results in the discovery of six typologies and a total of seventeen independent types of spa and wellness zones found in hotels. Full article

Background/Objectives: Population ageing has been a pressing global issue for decades. Older adults, especially those residing in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), often experience frailty and polypharmacy, which can lead to negative clinical outcomes. In Portugal, LTCFs provide essential care for individuals aged 65 or older, offering temporary or permanent accommodation. These facilities are not considered healthcare providers, and as a result, pharmaceutical services are not mandatory. This study aimed to evaluate medication management practices in Portuguese LTCFs, identify which professionals are responsible for managing medications, and identify potential gaps in safety and efficacy. Methods: A cross-sectional electronic questionnaire was sent by email to 2552 Portuguese LTCFs from the Portuguese “Carta Social” database. Data collection took place between 20 July and 2 August 2023, yielding a response rate of 15.4% (392 institutions). Results: Most LTCFs (94.39%) oversee their resident’s medication, with 75.95% using the same pharmacy. Individualised medication packaging is used by 57.84% of facilities, and 97.84% provide medication reconciliation and review, mainly conducted by physicians and nurses. Medication is often stored in nursing offices (81.12%) but also in kitchens or dining rooms. Nurses are responsible for medication storage (87.50%) and preparation (81.89%), although non-nursing staff are also involved. In 63.27% of LTCFs, the same individual is responsible for both the preparation and verification of medication. Assistants are involved in both the checking (30.56%) and administering (45.66%) of medication. Conclusions: The results presented illustrate the current status of LTCFs in Portugal. Medication management presents a significant challenge, and it is notable that the role of the pharmacist in this process is not as prominent as it is in other countries. Full article

While numerous studies have explored the correlation between the built environment and ride-hailing demand, few have assessed their nonlinear interplay. Utilizing ride-hailing order data and multi-source built environment data from Nanjing, China, this paper uses the machine learning method, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), combined with Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) and Partial Dependence Plots (PDPs) to investigate the impact of built environment factors on ride-hailing travel demand, including their nonlinear and threshold effects. The findings reveal that dining facilities have the most significant impact, with a contribution rate of 30.75%, on predicting ride-hailing travel demand. Additionally, financial, corporate, and medical facilities also exert considerable influence. The built environment factors need to reach a certain threshold or within a certain range to maximize the impact of ride-hailing travel demand. Population density, land use mix, and distance to the subway station collectively influence ride-hailing demand. The results are helpful for TNCs to allocate network ride-hailing resources reasonably and effectively. Full article

The preservation and reuse of historical alley spaces infuse these areas with renewed vitality, which holds significant importance for the direction of preservation and restoration efforts in historical districts. This paper focuses on Jinyu Alley in Quanzhou and identifies a study targeting tourists for the protection and reuse of historical alley spaces. Through preliminary research and interviews, a system of evaluation indicators for urban historical alley spaces post-usage was established using a factor analysis, extracting five main components: historical context, neighborhood space, commercial environment, supporting facilities, and operational management. Additionally, a modified importance–performance analysis (IPA) method was employed to conduct a quadrant analysis on tourist satisfaction evaluation indicators. Transformation quadrant distribution maps of various evaluation indicators reveal dissatisfaction among tourists with certain aspects of supporting facilities, the commercial environment, and neighborhood space. Relevant departments should prioritize improvements in dining quality, business variety, neighborhood traffic connections and transformations, neighborhood space form and scale, landscape greening, environmental elements, parking availability, and trash bin density for future enhancements. Finally, based on the results of tourist satisfaction surveys and information gathered from interviews with a minority of residents, a more inclusive and sustainable strategy for the protection and reuse of historical alley spaces is formulated. Full article

Harbin, as a popular tourist city in China, and the host of the 2025 Asian Winter Games, boasts rich tourism resources and significant potential for further development. The structure of the urban road network is a crucial factor influencing the spatial distribution of tourism service facilities. However, the current research on the correlation between the two, analyzed at multiple scales based on tourists’ travel preferences, is not sufficient. First, utilizing the questionnaire survey method to analyze tourists’ travel preferences and combining it with the theory of 15-min life circle, we determine the study scales at 500 m, 1000 m, 3000 m, and 5000 m. Secondly, the integration value and choice value of roads in the main urban area of Harbin are analyzed based on the theory of spatial syntax. The spatial distribution characteristics of tourism service facilities are then revealed through kernel density analysis. Finally, the correlation between the road network structure and the distribution of various types of tourism service facilities in Harbin at different scales is determined through buffer analysis and Pearson bivariate correlation analysis. The results show that: (1) Integration value plays a significant positive role in promoting the clustering of tourism service facilities, especially tending to cluster in areas with high integration value formed at a scale of 500 m; (2) At the scale of 3000 m, the distribution of tourism service facilities exhibits a significant correlation with the choice value; (3) The correlation between dining, shopping, and entertainment facilities and the integration value decreases with the increase in scale, whereas the spatial distribution of accommodation and attraction facilities does not exhibit a regular pattern with changes in integration value. In addition, this paper also puts forward targeted suggestions for optimizing the urban road network structure, reasonably locating tourism service facilities, and implementing balanced regional development. The contribution of this study is that it will help improve tourists’ travel experience in the city and provide scientific support for promoting the overall sustainable development of tourism in Harbin. Full article

Shared kitchens, where users share kitchen space, are becoming popular worldwide due to the economic cost savings of startup businesses. This study conducted monitoring of microbial and chemical hazards from prepared foods and the environment of shared kitchen facilities, surveyed shared kitchen operators, and compared shared kitchen regulations between Korea and other countries. The monitoring results indicate that the hygiene status of the facilities and the microbial and chemical hazards in the prepared foods were all within the standard specifications, showing significantly lower levels compared to regular restaurants (p < 0.05). In particular, concurrent-use and time-division types of open shared kitchens showed significantly lower levels of both hazards than separated-individual kitchens. Survey results of hygiene inspection also confirmed better hygiene management in concurrent-use and time-division types of open shared kitchens in Korea. However, more frequent cleaning and disinfection, hygiene inspections, and training are high economic burdens in the operation of shared kitchens compared to regular restaurants. Moreover, mandatory insurance subscriptions, the operator’s responsibility in hygiene-related incidents, and high operational costs collectively challenge shared kitchens’ competitiveness in the food service market. Critical reassessments of regulations utilizing the benefits of shared kitchens are needed to promote a safe dining culture and the growth of shared kitchen startup businesses. Full article

Senior-friendly restaurants are dining establishments that cater specifically to the needs and preferences of older adults in a community. As the physical capabilities of seniors progressively decline and their activity spaces contract over time, determining optimal locations for such restaurants to ensure their accessibility becomes crucial. Nevertheless, the criteria for the location selection of senior-friendly restaurants are multifaceted, necessitating the consideration of both equality and convenience. First, these restaurants often receive government funding, which means that equitable access should be guaranteed for all community residents. Second, the daily activity patterns of seniors should be accounted for. Therefore, these restaurants should be situated in close proximity to other essential facilities utilized by seniors, such as recreational facilities that accommodate routine postmeal activities. Despite the long-standing application of spatial optimization approaches to facility location issues, no existing models directly address the location selection of senior-friendly restaurants. This study introduces a bi-objective optimization model, the Community Senior-Friendly Restaurants Location Problem (CSRLP), designed to determine optimal locations for senior-friendly restaurants, taking into consideration both service coverage and proximity to recreational facilities simultaneously. We formulated the CSRLP as an integer linear programming model. Simulation tests indicate that the CSRLP can be solved both effectively and efficiently. Applying the CSRLP model to two communities in Dongcheng District, Beijing, China, we explored Pareto optimal solutions, facilitating the selection of senior-friendly restaurant locations under diverse scenarios. The results highlight the significant value of spatial optimization in aiding senior-friendly restaurant location planning and underscore key policy implications. Full article

The public-health restrictions (e.g., remote learning, restricted access to facilities and dining halls) put in place by colleges to reduce the spread of COVID-19 resulted in forced isolation and modifications to health-related behaviors. The restrictions and uncertainty associated with COVID-19 may have exacerbated the challenges of meeting exercise recommendations and mental-health concerns. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of restrictions on students’ exercise habits and their levels of anxiety, stress, and depression. Five-hundred and forty students completed a 29-question survey on individual demographics, living arrangements, exercise, sleep, diet, and mental health. Significant changes in weekly days of exercise and intensity were reported. Increases in anxiety, stress, and depression were reported. The two most frequently reported changes in exercise behavior were an increase in minutes of aerobic training (5%) and a combination of reduced minutes of aerobic and resistance training (3.9%), which could be reflective of an individual’s ability and/or desire to maintain exercise behavior during the restrictions. Alternatively, for those students who reduced their exercise habits, aerobic training (11%) was the mode that suffered the most. Demographic factors such as ethnicity, regional residence, and gender were found to have significant effects on stress, anxiety, and depression. Amidst pandemics and future health emergencies, colleges should prioritize establishing opportunities for students to exercise, helping them meet physical activity recommendations and combat mental-health issues. Full article

Although several previous studies have examined factors influencing crime at a specific point in time, limited research has assessed how factors influencing crime change in response to social disasters such as COVID-19. This study examines factors, along with their relative importance and trends over time, and their influence on 112 commercial crime reports (illegal street vendors, dining and dashing, minor quarrels, theft, drunkenness, assault, vagrancy and disturbing the peace) in Seoul’s alley commercial districts between 2019 and 2021. Variables that may affect the number of commercial crime reports are classified into four characteristics (socioeconomic, neighborhood, park/greenery and commercial district attributes), explored using machine learning regression-based modeling and analyzed through the use of Shapley Additive exPlanations to determine the importance of each factor on crime reports. The Partial Dependence Plot is used to understand linear/non-linear relationships between key independent variables and crime reports. Among several machine learning models, the Extra Trees Regressor, which has the highest performance, is selected for the analysis. The results show a mixture of linear and non-linear relationships with the increasing crime rates, finding that store density, dawn sales ratio, the number of gathering facilities, perceived urban decline score, green view index and land appraisal value may play a crucial role in the number of commercial crimes reported, regardless of social trends. The findings of this study may be used as a basis for building a safe commercial district that can respond resiliently to social disasters. Full article

We examine the longitudinal relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance and financial performance by investigating attributes among firms operating in different industry sectors longitudinally. Using panel regression analysis on Australian publicly listed firms from 2007 to 2021, we find that CSR performance positively influences financial performance. Furthermore, our industry-specific analysis uncovers notable distinctions. Specifically, within the consumer product markets, including recreational facilities, travel and tourism, lodging, dining, and leisure products, firms benefit from stakeholder rewards for their CSR efforts, leading to sustained financial gains. However, this positive association is absent for firms operating in industrial product markets, where stakeholders do not offer similar rewards for CSR performance. The significance of stakeholder engagement becomes evident in consumer market sectors, as firms with higher levels of CSR performance secure stakeholder support, resulting in superior long-term financial performance. Our findings contribute to the existing CSR literature and offer practical insights and implications for managers operating in diverse product market industries, including the dynamic field of tourism and hospitality seeking to harness CSR performance, meet stakeholder expectations, and achieve financial advantages. Full article

Against the backdrop of accelerating population aging and scarce elderly care resources and facilities in China, the issue of the sense of safety among the elderly has received widespread attention. This article is based on data from the China Labor Force Dynamics Survey (CLDS) in 2016 and takes three major urban agglomerations as examples to examine the impact mechanisms of urban built environments on elderly people’s sense of safety. The results indicate that the characteristics of the urban built environment, the social environment, and individual health affect the safety perceptions of the elderly. Among them, urbanization rate, hospital facilities, population density, greening rate, air quality, and frequency of dining out have significant impacts on elderly people’s sense of safety. Simultaneously, good daily exercise and mental health status can significantly improve elderly people’s sense of safety. This article summarizes the existing problems of aging-friendly spaces and facilities in three major urban agglomerations, proposes planning strategies to enhance elderly people’s sense of safety, and provides a useful reference for urban aging-friendly transformations and an elderly-friendly society. Full article