Search Results (5,713)

This study examines the intersection of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure (operationalized through sustainability reporting), corporate financial performance, and the behavioral dynamics of herding in capital structure decisions among non-financial firms in five ASEAN countries. As ESG and sustainability finance gain prominence in addressing climate change and climate risk, understanding the behavioral factors that relate to ESG adoption is crucial. Employing a quantitative approach, this research utilizes a purposive sample of 125 non-financial firms from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, gathered from the Bloomberg Terminal spanning 2018–2023. Managerial Herding Ratio (MHR) is used to assess herding behavior, while Sustainability Report Disclosure Index (SRDI) measures ESG disclosure. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Multigroup Analysis (MGA) were applied for data analysis. This research finds that while sustainability reporting enhances return on assets (ROA) and Tobin’s Q, it does not significantly relate to net profit margin (NPM). The findings also confirm that herding behavior—where companies mimic the financial structures of peers—moderates the relationship between sustainability reporting and performance outcomes, with leader firms gaining more from transparency efforts. This highlights the double-edged nature of herding: while it can accelerate ESG adoption, it may dilute the strategic depth of climate action if firms merely follow rather than lead. The study provides actionable insights for regulators and corporate strategists seeking to strengthen ESG finance as a driver for climate resilience and long-term stakeholder value. Full article

Rapid urbanization exerts immense pressure on cultivated land. Among these, slope-classified cultivated land (referring to cropland categorized by slope gradients) is especially vulnerable to fragmentation due to its ecological fragility, challenging utilization, and critical role in soil conservation and sustainable agriculture. This study explores the spatiotemporal dynamics and driving mechanisms of slope-classified cultivated land fragmentation (SCLF) in Guangdong Province, China, from 2000 to 2020. Using multi-temporal geospatial data, machine learning interpretation, and socioeconomic datasets, this research quantifies the spatiotemporal changes in SCLF, identifies key drivers and their interactions, and proposes differentiated protection strategies. The results reveal the following: (1) The SCLF decreased in the Pearl River Delta, exhibited “U-shaped” fluctuations in the west and east, and increased steadily in northern Guangdong. (2) The machine learning interpretation highlights significantly amplified synergistic effects among drivers, with socioeconomic factors, particularly agricultural mechanization and non-farm employment rates, exerting dominant influences on fragmentation patterns. (3) A “core–transitional–marginal” protection framework is proposed, intensifying the land use efficiency and ecological resilience in core areas, coupling land consolidation with green infrastructure in transitional zones, and promoting agroecological diversification in marginal regions. This research proposed a novel framework for SCLF, contributing to cultivated land protection and informing differentiated spatial governance in rapidly urbanizing regions. Full article

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic, immune-mediated liver disease characterized by progressive destruction of the small intrahepatic bile ducts, leading to cholestasis, inflammation, and ultimately fibrosis and cirrhosis. This review emphasizes the central role of bile acids in PBC pathogenesis, exploring how disruptions in their synthesis, transport, and detoxification contribute to cholangiocyte damage and disease progression. In addition to discussing the autoimmune features of PBC, including the presence of specific autoantibodies and cellular immune responses, we examine how bile acid dysregulation exacerbates cholestasis and promotes lipid metabolic disturbances. Particular attention is given to the “bicarbonate umbrella” hypothesis, which describes a protective mechanism by which cholangiocytes resist bile acid–induced injury—an essential factor disrupted in PBC. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge gaps in the pathophysiology of PBC, with a focus on the role of bile acids not only as key drivers of disease mechanisms, but also as potential biomarkers of disease progression and treatment response. Full article

Climate change has intensified the occurrence of wildfires, increasing their frequency and intensity worldwide, and threatening sustainable development through ecological and socioeconomic impacts. Understanding the driving factors behind wildland–urban interface (WUI) fire events and predicting future wildfire hazards in WUI areas are essential for effective wildfire management and sustainable land-use planning. In this study, we developed a WUI fire hazard prediction model for China using machine learning techniques. Diagnostic attribution analysis was employed to identify key drivers of WUI fire hazards. The results revealed that the random forest-based WUI fire hazard model outperformed other models, demonstrating strong generalization capability. SHapley Additive exPlanations analysis revealed that meteorological factors are the primary drivers of WUI fire hazards. These factors include temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity. We further examined the evolution of WUI fire hazards under historical and future climate change scenarios. During the historical baseline period (1985–2014), regions classified as moderate and high hazards were concentrated in southern China. These regions include East China, South Central China, and Southwest China. Climate change exacerbates future WUI fire hazards in China. Projections under the high emission scenario (SSP5–8.5) indicate a rapid increase in WUI fire hazard indices in northern China by the end of the 21st century. Concurrently, the gravity center of high hazard areas is predicted to shift northward, accompanied by a substantial expansion in their area coverage. These findings highlight an urgent need to reorient fire management resources toward northern China under high-emission scenarios. Our findings establish a predictive framework for WUI fire hazards and emphasize the urgency of implementing climate-adaptive management strategies aligned with future hazard patterns. These strategies are critical for enhancing sustainability by reducing fire-related ecological and socioeconomic losses in WUI areas. Full article

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway constituting a key driver of tumorigenesis. SALL2, a zinc finger transcription factor deregulated in various cancers, has been implicated in Wnt signaling regulation through its Xenopus ortholog; however, its role in human CRC remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of SALL2 in CRC. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that SALL2 is present in the epithelium and stroma of normal colon tissue but is significantly downregulated in adenomas, carcinomas, and CRC cell lines. Reduced SALL2 expression was associated with elevated levels of active β-catenin and poorer overall patient survival. Functional assays demonstrated that SALL2 transcriptionally activates AXIN2, a key negative regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and promoter-reporter assays confirmed SALL2 binding to the AXIN2 proximal promoter and enhanced promoter activity. Furthermore, SALL2 expression potentiated the pro-apoptotic effects of the Wnt pathway inhibitor XAV939 in CRC cells, suggesting a role in sensitizing cells to Wnt-targeted therapies. Collectively, these findings identify SALL2 as a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and support its potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in colorectal cancer. Full article

Net ecosystem productivity (NEP) serves as a key indicator for assessing regional carbon sink potential, with its dynamics regulated by nonlinear interactions among multiple factors. However, its driving factors and their coupling processes remain insufficiently characterized. This study investigated terrestrial ecosystems in Yunnan Province, China, to elucidate the drivers of NEP using 14 environmental factors (including topography, meteorology, soil texture, and human activities) and 21 remote sensing features. We developed a research framework based on “Feature Selection–Machine Learning–Mechanism Interpretation.” The results demonstrated that the Variable Selection Using Random Forests (VSURF) feature selection method effectively reduced model complexity. The selected features achieved high estimation accuracy across three machine learning models, with the eXtreme Gradient Boosting Regression (XGBR) model performing optimally (R² = 0.94, RMSE = 76.82 gC/(m²·a), MAE = 55.11 gC/(m²·a)). Interpretation analysis using the SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) method revealed the following: (1) The Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), soil pH, solar radiation, air temperature, clay content, precipitation, sand content, and vegetation type were the primary drivers of NEP in Yunnan. Notably, EVI’s importance exceeded that of other factors by approximately 3 to 10 times. (2) Significant interactions existed between soil texture and temperature: Under low-temperature conditions (−5 °C to 12.15 °C), moderate clay content (13–25%) combined with high sand content (40–55%) suppressed NEP. Conversely, within the medium to high temperature range (5 °C to 23.79 °C), high clay content (25–40%) coupled with low sand content (25–43%) enhanced NEP. These findings elucidate the complex driving mechanisms of NEP in subtropical ecosystems, confirming the dominant role of EVI in carbon sequestration and revealing nonlinear regulatory patterns in soil–temperature interactions. This study provides not only a robust “Feature Selection–Machine Learning–Mechanism Interpretation” modeling framework for assessing carbon budgets in mountainous regions but also a scientific basis for formulating regional carbon management policies. Full article

Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) represents a transformative shift in transportation, enabling users to plan, book, and pay for diverse mobility services via a unified digital platform. While previous research has explored factors influencing MaaS adoption, few studies have addressed users’ perspectives, particularly concerning data privacy and cyber security. To address this gap, we conducted an online survey with 320 UK-based participants recruited via Prolific. This study examined psychological, demographic, and perceptual factors influencing individuals’ willingness to adopt MaaS, focusing on cyber security and privacy attitudes, as well as perceived benefits and costs. The results of a hierarchical linear regression model revealed that trust in how commercial websites manage personal data positively influenced willingness to use MaaS, highlighting the indirect role of privacy and security concerns. However, when additional predictors were included, this effect diminished, and perceptions of benefits and costs emerged as the primary drivers of MaaS adoption, with the model explaining 54.5% of variance. These findings suggest that privacy concerns are outweighed by users’ cost–benefit evaluations. The minimal role of trust and security concerns underscores the need for MaaS providers to proactively promote cyber security awareness, build user trust, and collaborate with researchers and policymakers to ensure ethical and secure MaaS deployment. Full article

The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau (QXP), as Asia’s “Water Tower” and a global climate regulation hub, provides essential ecosystem services that sustain global ecological security and the well-being of 2 billion people. However, the fine-scale relationship between land use changes and ecosystem services on the QXP, as well as the underlying driving mechanisms, remain under researched. Therefore, the InVEST model was used in this study to assess the distribution of key factors of ecosystem services—habitat quality (HQ). A four-quadrant diagram method was proposed to quantitatively identify the dynamic relationship between land use changes and habitat quality. The XGBoost-SHAP algorithm was used to determine the main driving factors affecting the conversion between coordinated and conflicting areas. This study finds the following: (1) the proportion of land area undergoing land use change on the QXP is approximately 7.5%, with significant grassland degradation; (2) habitat quality distribution shows a high edge-low northern pattern, and forest land has the greatest impact on habitat quality changes; (3) in the past 20 years, the relationship between land use changes and habitat quality has shown a trend of coordinated development, with a 50:1 ratio of coordination to conflict evolution. The relationship between cities and water source areas has experienced the most dramatic changes; moreover, in the conversion between coordination and conflict regions, natural factors are the main drivers, followed by socio-cultural factors. This study reveals the dynamic relationship between land use changes and habitat quality interactions on the QXP, providing a scientific basis for regional sustainable development and related planning. Full article

Introduction: Healthcare service utilisation for type 2 diabetes (T2D) is suboptimal among people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Synthesised evidence on drivers influencing their healthcare access and utilisation across the continuum of care (CoC) is scarce. This review synthesised drivers of accessing and utilising healthcare services across the CoC for T2D from the perspectives of people from CALD backgrounds and their healthcare service providers (HSPs). Methods: Five databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) were searched from inception to November 2023. This review was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023491560). The McGill Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess the quality of articles included in this systematic review. Studies were included if they were primary research involving people from CALD backgrounds and/or their HSPs, and reported data related to access to and utilisation of services across the CoC. The CoC framework was used to conduct a guided thematic analysis for qualitative findings and narrative synthesis was used to summarise quantitative findings. Results: Thirty-five studies were included: 31 qualitative, 3 quantitative, and 1 mixed-method. Psychosocial (e.g., fear of treatment) and sociocultural barriers (e.g., stigma) were reportedly encountered at diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Language and cultural barriers were expressed by most people with T2D and their HSPs, especially at the monitoring and adherence stages of the CoC. Trusted relationships with HSPs and the cultural competency of the HSPs were facilitators of continued monitoring and adherence and long-term care and management. No barriers or facilitators were identified for decision-making to enter the healthcare systems, screening, and first point of contact aspects of the CoC from the perspectives of either patients or HSPs. Conclusions: Although included articles were heavily skewed towards qualitative studies, the synthesised evidence on factors influencing access to and utilisation of healthcare services for T2D can inform policymaking by highlighting pathways to improved use of healthcare services among these groups. Full article

The spatial distribution mechanism of industrial agglomeration has long been a central topic in urban economic geography. With the increasing availability of street view imagery and built environment data, effectively integrating multi-source spatial information to identify key drivers of firm clustering has become a pressing research challenge. Taking Shanghai as a case study, this paper constructs a street-level BE database and proposes an interpretable spatial analysis framework that integrates SHapley Additive exPlanations with Multi-Scale Geographically Weighted Regression. The findings reveal that: (1) building morphology, streetscape characteristics, and perceived greenness significantly influence firm agglomeration, exhibiting nonlinear threshold effects; (2) spatial heterogeneity is evident in the underlying mechanisms, with localized trade-offs between morphological and perceptual factors; and (3) BE features are as important as macroeconomic factors in shaping agglomeration patterns, with notable interaction effects across space, while streetscape perception variables play a relatively secondary role. This study advances the understanding of how micro-scale built environments shape industrial spatial structures and offers both theoretical and empirical support for optimizing urban industrial layouts and promoting high-quality regional economic development. Full article

Global warming and rapid urban industrialization are profoundly transforming land-use patterns and carbon storage capacity in terrestrial ecosystems. A rigorous analysis of spatiotemporal variations in regional land-use changes and carbon storage dynamics provides critical insights for sustainable land-use planning and ecological security, particularly within the context of achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality targets. In this study, the PLUS-InVEST model was coupled with climate change and policy constraints to construct six future scenarios. We analyzed the characteristics of land-use evolution and the spatial and temporal changes in carbon storage in the Sanjiangyuan region from 2000 to 2020. We also predicted the potential impacts of land-use shift on carbon storage. The results show the following: (1) Land-use transitions exerted significant impacts on carbon stock. The Sanjiangyuan region experienced a net carbon stock reduction of 9.9 × 10⁶ t during 2000–2020, with the most pronounced decline (6.1 × 10⁶ t) occurring between 2000 and 2010. (2) Under the same climate scenario, the natural development (ND) scenario exhibited decreasing carbon reserves relative to 2020 baseline levels. Notably, land-use planning scenarios demonstrated spatially heterogeneous impacts, with the ecological protection (EP) scenario consistently maintaining higher carbon stocks compared to the ND scenario. (3) Multivariate driver interactions exerted stronger control over spatial carbon storage patterns than any individual factor. These findings inform targeted land-use management strategies to enhance regional carbon sequestration capacity, promote sustainable development, and support China’s carbon peaking and neutrality objectives. Full article

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a prevalent malignancy, ranking eleventh in incidence and seventh in mortality globally. Remodeling and Spacing factor 1 (RSF1), a chromatin remodeling factor, is frequently overexpressed in various tumors and correlates with poor prognosis. This study, combining public database analysis and clinical sample validation, reveals significantly elevated RSF1 expression in ESCC tumor tissues, confirmed further in an ESCC orthotopic model. Functional assays show that RSF1 knockout (KO) significantly inhibits ESCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and in vivo tumor growth, while reintroducing RSF1 restores its oncogenic effects. Proteomic analysis highlights that RSF1 KO disrupts pathways associated with cell cycle control, apoptosis, and focal adhesion. Experimentally, RSF1 KO induces apoptosis and G2/M arrest, establishing its essential role in ESCC progression. Collectively, these findings establish RSF1 as an oncogenic driver and a promising therapeutic target in ESCC. Full article

This study examines the comparative impact of energy policy uncertainty, geopolitical risk, and R&D expenditures on renewable and fossil fuel consumption in China from 2002m1 to 2022m12, using Fourier ADL, fully modified and dynamic ordinary least squares methods. The analysis aims to clarify how these key factors shape the country’s energy transition. The results show that energy policy uncertainty significantly promotes renewable energy but has no significant impact on fossil fuel consumption. Geopolitical risk increases the adoption of renewables, while fossil fuel consumption decreases, reflecting concerns about energy security. R&D expenditure contributes to the growth of both renewable and fossil fuel consumption, indicating a dual investment path in China’s energy strategy. These findings underscore the importance of consistent energy policies, reduced reliance on imported fossil fuels, and targeted R&D investment to support China’s transition to a low-carbon energy future. To effectively promote renewable energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, China should stabilize its energy policy environment, redirect R&D funding to clean technologies, and treat geopolitical risks as a strategic driver to accelerate domestic renewable energy capacity and energy self-sufficiency. Full article

The combined effects of anthropogenic activities and climate change, particularly the increasing frequency of extreme rainfall events, continue to pose significant threats to the security of reservoir ecosystems and water quality. Effective prediction and management of aquatic ecosystems require a comprehensive understanding of how environmental factors influence the dynamics of phytoplankton communities. However, the response patterns of phytoplankton community diversity, niche breadth, and cell density to rainfall disturbances in complex mountainous riverine reservoirs remain poorly understood. In this study, we systematically investigated the phytoplankton community structure and its environmental drivers in Zhaoshandu Reservoir (China) via field surveys, morphological identification of samples, and multivariate statistical analyses. Water temperature (WT), rainfall, and phytoplankton cell density in the study area ranged from 11.4 °C to 35.6 °C, from 0 to 72.5 mm, and from 3.33 × 10³ to 7.95 × 10⁷ cells/L, respectively. Total phosphorus and total nitrogen concentrations ranged from 0.002 to 0.633 mg/L and from 0.201 to 5.06 mg/L, respectively. Canonical correspondence analysis found that rainfall and WT were the pivotal drivers of phytoplankton density and biomass and were significantly correlated with phytoplankton diversity. Importantly, structural equation modeling revealed that the direct effects of both rainfall and WT on phytoplankton diversity and niche width, as well as the indirect effects of rainfall on ammonium nitrogen concentration, significantly modulated algal density and biomass in Zhaoshandu Reservoir. Our study highlights the role of rainfall as a potential major regulator of phytoplankton communities in this riverine reservoir. Full article

As a typical cold region, Northeast China is characterized by its unique climate, hydrological conditions, and land systems, which collectively shape the diversity and complexity of regional ecosystem services (ESs). This review systematically examines research on ESs in Northeast China from 1997 to 2025, with particular emphasis on recent advances in service classification and spatiotemporal patterns, trade-offs and synergies among ESs, the identification of driving mechanisms, regulatory pathways, and policy effectiveness. The findings reveal obvious spatial heterogeneity and distinct stage-wise changing patterns in ESs across the region, with particularly pronounced trade-offs between food production and regulating services. The primary driving factors are concentrated in natural and human activities dimensions, whereas region-specific variables and policy-related drivers remain underexplored. Current research predominantly employs methods such as correlation analysis and geographically weighted regression; however, the capacity to uncover causal mechanisms and nonlinear interactions remains limited. Future research should strengthen the simulation of ecological processes in cold regions, improve the balance between ES supply and demand, improve policy scenario assessments, and develop dynamic feedback mechanisms. Compared with previous studies focusing on single services or regions, this review provides a multidimensional perspective by synthesizing multiple ES categories, integrating spatiotemporal comparative analysis, and incorporating modeling strategies specific to cold-region dynamics. These efforts will help shift ES research beyond static description toward more systematic regulation and management, providing both theoretical support and practical guidance for sustainable development and ecological governance in Northeast China. Full article