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The palladium market represents a critical role in supporting key industrial sectors and facilitating the energy transition, as it is widely used in the automotive industry, electronics, chemical manufacturing, and hydrogen energy. These sectors influence a steady demand amid tightening environmental regulations and the development of green technologies. The aim of this study is to assess the structural transformation of the global palladium market through 2030 and to project Russian palladium production for 2026–2028 amid the energy transition by applying economic-mathematical methods, including linear regression, the Grey forecasting model, exponential smoothing, and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) time-series modeling. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of factors influencing the dynamics of the global palladium market, including the electrification of transportation, the substitution of palladium with alternative materials, and changes in global supply chains. The simulation results showed that the exponential smoothing model possesses the highest predictive accuracy, enabling it to estimate future palladium production volumes. The market is undergoing a structural transformation: declining demand from the traditional automotive sector is partially offset by the development of new applications in hydrogen energy, electronics, and advanced materials, suggesting that technological improvements can compensate for the loss of conventional demand segments. The key findings are (1) exponential smoothing (R² = 0.9812) outperforms linear regression, Grey model, and ARIMA; (2) Russian palladium production is projected at 74–130 tonnes (2026), 63–141 tonnes (2027), and 54–150 tonnes (2028); and (3) the decline in automotive demand is partially offset by new applications. Our findings confirm the need for Russian producers to adapt their strategies to the structural transformation of global demand, deepen domestic processing, and develop new high-tech applications for palladium to maintain their competitive positions amid the energy transition. Full article

Urban vitality is a key indicator for characterizing the quality of urban space and the operational status of urban functions. However, existing studies still have limitations in multidimensional vitality measurement at the block scale, the representation of hierarchical differences in cultural facilities, and the coupling coordination diagnosis of multidimensional vitality. This study takes 2504 blocks in the central urban area of Nanjing as the basic analytical units and integrates multi-source geospatial data, including VIIRS nighttime light data, Baidu Huiyan population heat data, POIs, road networks, and water systems, to construct a three-dimensional urban vitality evaluation system encompassing economic, social, and cultural vitality. A Composite Nighttime Light Index (CNLI) is constructed by geometrically fusing VIIRS nighttime light data with the kernel density of industry- and consumption-related POIs to reduce the impact of the spatial generalization of nighttime lights on block-scale economic vitality measurement. Meanwhile, population heat data and cultural POIs are used to characterize social vitality and cultural resource supply, respectively, and PCA, a coupling coordination model, and spatial autocorrelation analysis are combined to identify the spatial structure of multidimensional vitality and the dominant factors of disorder. External reference variables are also introduced to conduct convergent validity verification. The results indicate that the comprehensive vitality of Nanjing’s central urban area exhibits a distinct “core agglomeration–multi-node diffusion” structure. High-vitality zones are primarily concentrated in Xinjiekou, Confucius Temple, Hunan Road–Zhongyang Road, Longjiang, and the Nanjing Olympic Sports Center, with localized vitality patches forming at peripheral commercial and transportation nodes. Both comprehensive vitality and coupling coordination degree exhibit significant positive spatial autocorrelation, with Moran’s I values of 0.8089 and 0.8372, respectively. The disorder types show distinct quantitative differences and spatial differentiation. Among these, blocks with lagging cultural vitality are the most numerous; peripheral new towns and newly developed residential areas are more prone to cultural vitality lag; areas surrounding scenic spots, universities, and large ecological spaces tend to exhibit economic vitality lag; and less developed peripheral blocks primarily exhibit comprehensive disorder. Based on accessible multi-source geospatial data, this study constructs a block-scale framework for measuring multidimensional urban vitality and diagnosing coordination status. This framework can provide a reference for vitality identification, functional shortcoming diagnosis, and refined spatial governance in Nanjing’s central urban area, and offer a case reference for historic and cultural cities with similar spatial structures. Full article

Background: Congenital infections included in the TORCH complex remain an important cause of fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, being associated with miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, congenital malformations, neurological impairment, and long-term developmental sequelae. Prenatal serological screening may contribute to the early identification of maternal infections and facilitate preventive and therapeutic interventions. However, data regarding the utilization of TORCH screening and associated socio-demographic determinants in Romania remain limited. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the self-reported uptake of prenatal serological testing for one or more infections included in the TORCH complex, particularly Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and syphilis, and to identify socio-demographic, obstetrical, and prenatal care-related factors associated with TORCH testing among pregnant women in Romania. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire completed by 1301 pregnant women from Romania. Data collection was performed between August 2022 and March 2023 through digital platforms, including social media and pregnancy-related forums. The primary outcome was self-reported performance of serological testing for at least one TORCH-related infection during pregnancy. Associations between explanatory variables and TORCH testing were evaluated using chi-square tests and multivariable binary logistic regression models. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. Results: Overall, 75.6% of participants reported undergoing serological testing for at least one infection included in the TORCH complex during pregnancy, while 49.3% reported a complete TORCH panel. The most frequently reported investigations were for Toxoplasma gondii (92.8%) and rubella virus (89.9%), whereas HSV testing was less commonly reported (42.5%). Lower educational level was the strongest independent factor associated with reduced likelihood of TORCH testing (adjusted OR = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.03–0.19; p < 0.001) (adjusted OR—aOR). Unemployment status (aOR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.50–0.99; p = 0.045) and multiparity (aOR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.49–0.77; p < 0.001) were also associated with lower testing uptake. In contrast, participation in prenatal education programs was associated with increased likelihood of TORCH testing (aOR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.04–1.80; p = 0.024). The number of prenatal consultations was not independently associated with testing uptake. Conclusions: The uptake of prenatal serological screening for congenital infections (assessed using an expanded Romanian panel that includes hepatitis B and HIV in addition to the classical TORCH agents) in Romania appears to be influenced predominantly by socio-educational and behavioral factors rather than by the quantitative utilization of prenatal care services alone. Given the online recruitment strategy and the predominantly urban and highly educated sample, the reported uptake rates may overestimate population-level coverage. Significant inequalities in access to preventive prenatal investigations were observed, particularly among women with lower educational and socio-economic status. Strengthening prenatal education programs and improving equitable access to standardized prenatal screening may contribute to optimizing congenital infection prevention and maternal–fetal health outcomes. Full article

In recent years, owing to the extensive application of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in large-scale energy storage, transportation systems, and portable electronics, the LIB market has expanded rapidly. Proper recycling of spent LIBs can significantly alleviate environmental and economic burdens. Bioleaching, as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach for metal recovery from primary and secondary resources, is particularly suitable for the processing of spent LIBs. However, its efficiency significantly decreases under high-pulp-density conditions. Therefore, improving metal recovery performance under such conditions remains a critical challenge. This review systematically summarizes the microorganisms and leaching strategies employed for LIB bioleaching in the related peer-reviewed publications from 2015 to 2025, which were retrieved from the Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases. Based on this, this review analyzes the mechanistic limitations under high-pulp-density conditions and elucidates the key factors responsible for reduced efficiency. Furthermore, several process-intensification strategies are discussed, along with future perspectives for industrial-scale application. The increasing market demand and rapid technological development in LIB recycling highlight the strong potential of bioleaching technologies. This review provides mechanistic insights into microbial recovery processes and offers guidance for future research on high-pulp-density bioleaching systems. Full article

The accelerating urgency of global public health challenges, biodiversity loss, and climate change has driven rapid innovation in novel foods and alternative proteins, including cultured cells, fermentation-derived components, plant-based meats, insects, and algae, which promise nutritious, sustainable, and ethical dietary choices with lower environmental footprints. Although technologies have advanced, consumer perception and preferences remain key hindrances due to perceptual, cultural, and sensory challenges. This semi-systematic narrative literature review aims to incorporate interdisciplinary studies (2020–2025) that span sensory science, AI-driven marketing, behavioral economics, and policy analysis to explore consumer incentives, barriers, and intervention approaches associated with novel food categories. Of 1260 initial records, 310 duplicates were removed, 530 were excluded at title/abstract screening, 233 were excluded at full-text review, leaving 197 studies for the final synthesis. The focus is on understanding cultural contexts, cognitive biases, digital and social influences, and the global framing impacts that shape consumer adoption. Consumer perceptions and preferences are primarily influenced by health benefits, ethical concerns, and environmental sustainability; however, neophobia, sensory unfamiliarity, trust deficits, and price temper these factors. Preliminary evidence suggests that AI-generated personalization, transparent labeling, behavioral nudges, and social norms may be useful tools for overcoming resistance to change, though the effectiveness of AI-driven personalization in actual purchasing behavior is not yet firmly established. Cultural diversity affects acceptance routes, with culturally established insect consumption differing from Western neophobia. Future studies should integrate interdisciplinary methodologies, longitudinal cross-cultural analyses, and innovative technologies to enhance communication and product design. Full article

Phytoextraction is a sustainable strategy for removing potentially valuable elements from contaminated substrates while contributing to site remediation. However, the effectiveness of repeated phytoextractive cycles remains poorly investigated. This study evaluated the phytoextraction performance of Helianthus annuus (HA) cultivated on mining soil from Complejo Minero Fabril Sierra Pintada (Argentina) containing elevated concentrations of Ni, Zn, Sr, P, and Cu over three successive three-month cultivation cycles in TRL-4 bioreactors (BRs). The scalability of the process was subsequently assessed through projection to TRL 6 using a Vegetable Depuration Module (VDM). Elemental concentrations in soil and biomass were determined by X-ray fluorescence, while bioaccumulation coefficients, translocation factors, arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and glomalin-related soil proteins (GRSP) were assessed to identify biological factors associated with phytoextraction performance. Projected bioextractive potential at TRL 6 (VDM) during the first cycle reached 16.15 ± 2.40 g Cu, 20.81 ± 2.19 g Zn, 7.43 ± 1.15 g Ni, 11.39 ± 1.19 g Sr, and 126.87 ± 15.42 g P. Phytoextractive efficiency declined substantially after the first cultivation cycle, indicating that a single crop harvested at the flowering stage maximized element removal under the tested conditions. The accumulation of economically relevant elements in sunflower biomass could be integrated with downstream metal recovery processes, highlighting the potential of HA for phytomining applications. Full article

Energy poverty remains a persistent challenge in South Africa, despite relatively high levels of electricity access in urban townships. This study investigates household energy consumption patterns, energy-related challenges, and community perceptions of renewable energy in South Africa. In this study, a quantitative research design was employed, using a structured questionnaire administered to households selected from both electrified and non-electrified areas. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential analysis with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Version 30). The findings demonstrated that although electricity is widely used for basic services such as cooking and lighting, many households continue to rely on multiple fuels to meet their daily energy needs. This practice of energy stacking reflects ongoing concerns about affordability, reliability, and safety, and highlights that access to electricity alone does not guarantee energy security. Households also report significant financial pressure from energy costs, as well as health and fire risks associated with the use of unsafe alternative fuels. While awareness of renewable energy is present within the community, knowledge levels are uneven and not strongly associated with demographic factors, suggesting the need for more inclusive and targeted engagement strategies. Overall, the study demonstrates that energy poverty in urban South African townships extends beyond physical grid connection and is shaped by complex socio-economic and safety considerations. By foregrounding community perspectives, this research contributes to the international literature on multidimensional energy poverty and supports the design of integrated, people-centered interventions that advance affordable, reliable, and clean energy transitions in the Global South. Full article

Human settlement quality is a key dimension of sustainable urban development, yet its spatiotemporal evolution and associated mechanisms remain insufficiently understood, particularly under rapid urbanization and regional inequality. This study aims to evaluate the Human Settlement Quality Index (HSQI) across 31 Chinese provinces from 2012 to 2021 and to examine its nonlinear predictive patterns, average conditional associations, and region-specific pathways. A composite HSQI was constructed using an entropy-weighted multi-criteria decision-making framework based on 25 indicators covering natural, human, social, residential, and supporting systems. XGBoost-SHAP was used to identify global feature importance and nonlinear predictive patterns, while a two-way fixed effects panel model and regional group regressions were employed to estimate average conditional associations and regional heterogeneity. The results show that China’s HSQI increased by 12.22% from 2012 to 2021, with an initial decline followed by sustained improvement and narrowing regional disparities. Per capita GDP was the most important predictive factor, while human and supporting systems jointly accounted for more than 60% of the total feature importance. Several core indicators exhibited nonlinear threshold-like response patterns, and regional association patterns differed substantially. Eastern China showed signs of a weaker association between economic growth and HSQI improvement, central China showed stronger associations with digital logistics and infrastructure, and western China remained closely linked to ecological foundation protection. These findings demonstrate the complementarity of interpretable machine learning and panel econometrics and provide evidence for differentiated, sustainability-oriented strategies to improve human settlement quality. Full article

The growing demand for more sustainable energy alternatives has increased interest in microalgae-based fuels, promising options due to their high biomass productivity, carbon dioxide assimilation capacity, and potential for cultivation using wastewater. However, despite this strong theoretical basis, the industrial consolidation of these routes remains limited, revealing a persistent gap between scientific progress and the technological maturity achieved across specific biofuel pathways. This review examines the current state of the main microalgae-to-fuel conversion routes, emphasizing their technological readiness, proximity to industrial application, and the factors underlying their uneven progress. It also discusses the main opportunities and challenges associated with these biofuels, including cultivation performance, photobioreactor limitations, process intensification, scale-up, integration with waste streams, and downstream processing and product recovery requirements. Overall, this review identifies three main insights. First, the industrial viability of microalgae-based fuels depends less on maximizing individual conversion yields than on overcoming systemic bottlenecks across the production chain. Second, wet biomass conversion routes, particularly hydrothermal liquefaction and anaerobic digestion, appear more compatible with current industrial constraints. Third, lipid- and carbohydrate-based fuels remain more limited by biomass production costs and downstream processing requirements. Accordingly, further progress will depend on process intensification, integrated biorefineries, and technological innovations capable of simultaneously improving productivity, economic viability, and environmental performance. Full article

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects not only diagnosed individuals but also their families, who often experience long-term psychological and organizational burden. This study aimed to assess depression, anxiety, and stress among family members of individuals with ASD and to identify socio-demographic and family-related associated factors of psychological distress, with particular attention to high-risk groups, social inequalities, and the healthcare system context. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2025 among 310 family members of individuals with ASD. Data were collected using the Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) method via the Ariadna Nationwide Research Panel. Psychological distress was assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Results: Respondents reported substantial levels of psychological distress. Severe or extremely severe symptoms were most common for anxiety (41.29%), followed by depression (35.48%) and stress (27.74%). Younger respondent age was consistently associated with higher depression, anxiety, and stress. Lower income was associated with higher depression and anxiety, indicating the importance of socio-economic inequalities. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need to identify high-risk groups and develop family-centered, coordinated support within the healthcare system, with particular attention to social inequalities, continuity of care, and access to psychological and therapeutic services. Full article

The severe slagging caused by high-alkali coals restricts the utilization of Xinjiang coal resources in China. This study investigates the mineral composition, geochemical characteristics, modes of occurrence, and controlling factors of alkali and alkaline earth metals in high-alkali coals from the Dananhu Coalfield, Turpan–Hami Basin. The investigated coals are classified as lignite, characterized by low ash yield, extra low sulfur, and medium–high alkali contents. Quartz and kaolinite are dominant, with accessory calcite, K-feldspar, pyrite, gypsum, siderite, celestite, and Ba-bearing celestite. Compared to average Chinese coals, Na, Mg, Ca, and Cl are enriched, with the shallowest No. 3 coal seam showing the highest enrichment. Based on the correlation analysis, K is likely associated with K-bearing aluminosilicates (e.g., K-feldspar and illite), while Ca, Mg, and Na probably exhibit both organic and inorganic affinities. Sequential extraction results indicate that Na is predominantly water-soluble and ion-exchangeable, whereas Ca and Mg are largely ion-exchangeable and HCl-soluble. The abundant cell cavities and oxygen-containing functional groups in lignite provide both binding sites and accommodation space for Ca, Mg, and Na. Despite a continental freshwater depositional setting, tectonic isolation and persistent arid conditions potentially promoted epigenetic enrichment of Na, Mg, and Ca. Closed hydrogeological units formed by tectonic movements restricted leaching and enhanced evaporation, concentrating these elements in the coal seams. Future research should focus on implementing economically feasible dealkalization pretreatment processes for the clean utilization of high-alkali coals. Full article

The Brazilian non-coniferous sawnwood sector, despite producing 255.7 million m³ between 1995 and 2024 and ranking among the world’s largest producers, remains predominantly oriented toward the domestic market. This study analyzes the sectoral panorama and the determinants of export demand using a time-series econometric approach. A log-log model was estimated by Ordinary Least Squares and corrected for serial autocorrelation using the Cochrane–Orcutt procedure. The results indicate that export demand is strongly influenced by external economic factors. World income showed a positive and highly significant elasticity (1.80), indicating that non-coniferous sawnwood is a superior good with demand highly sensitive to global economic growth. The price of coniferous sawnwood, a substitute product, presented a positive elasticity (0.27), while the world price of non-coniferous sawnwood showed a negative elasticity (−0.98), suggesting increased competition among exporters. Engineered wood prices exhibited a negative elasticity (−0.18), indicating limited influence on demand. The trend variable was negative and significant (−0.013), revealing a gradual decline in demand over time. Overall, export performance is highly dependent on world income and relative prices, while domestic production and regulatory constraints limit the sector’s international competitiveness. Full article

The transition to low-carbon energy systems requires large-scale expansion and spatial reconfiguration of electricity infrastructure. While power system planning models provide detailed techno-economic pathways for achieving decarbonization targets, their real-world implementation is frequently constrained by social acceptance. This study identifies a structural “Modelling Gap”—defined as the systematic divergence between how social factors are represented in optimization frameworks and how they manifest as institutional constraints in realized infrastructure deployment. Based on a systematic review of 76 research articles—comprising 43 modelling studies, 32 empirical studies, and 1 mixed contribution—this paper develops a five-pillar taxonomy to analyze how qualitative social variables are translated into formal decision-making constraints. The analysis reveals a fundamental divergence between modelling and empirical approaches. In optimization models, social acceptance is typically represented as a parametric variable—such as cost penalties, spatial exclusions, or weighted preferences—implying that social resistance can be mitigated through marginal adjustments. In contrast, empirical evidence shows that social friction often operates through institutional mechanisms, including permitting decisions, legal rulings, and administrative processes, which function as categorical constraints on infrastructure deployment. The results further demonstrate that current models systematically underrepresent key dimensions of implementation risk. In particular, temporal delays, regulatory dynamics, and project abandonment are only partially captured in existing frameworks, despite being major drivers of real-world outcomes. This mismatch leads to planning outputs that may be technically optimal but operationally infeasible. By identifying the structural limitations of current modelling approaches, this study contributes a conceptual foundation for integrating social acceptance into sustainable power system planning. The findings suggest that improving the alignment between optimization models and institutional realities is critical for developing sustainable energy system pathways that are not only cost-efficient, but also socially and legally implementable. Full article

Against the backdrop of global warming, China has set forth its ‘dual carbon’ goals, striving to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. As a vital engine of economic development, the Yangtze River Delta region has formulated implementation plans, prioritizing carbon emission reduction. The transport industry, a major source of carbon emissions, plays a crucial role through its transition to clean energy, making it pivotal for advancing regional carbon neutrality. This study categorizes carbon emission drivers based on an assessment of current emissions and dynamic evolution analysis, integrating policy evolution and technological innovation trajectories. These drivers are classified into: transport structure, transport intensity, energy intensity, year-end resident population, per capita GDP, and industrial structure. Using the extended STIRPAT-Ridge model, quantitative analysis of carbon emission drivers is conducted. Employing the Tapio decoupling model, the decoupling state between carbon emissions and economic growth is deconstructed. Empirical findings reveal that carbon emissions from the transport industry in the Yangtze River Delta are influenced by multiple factors, with year-end resident population and industrial structure emerging as primary drivers. The decoupling between carbon emissions and economic growth exhibits fluctuating characteristics, but has been progressively strengthened in recent years by government policy initiatives and market mechanisms. Full article

This study investigates the key drivers and barriers influencing the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in urban freight logistics, using Lithuania as a case study. An integrated methodological framework combining Delphi, Fuzzy logic, DEMATEL, and System Dynamics is applied to identify critical factors and analyse their interdependencies. Four main drivers are identified: infrastructure, acquisition costs, technological development, and policy measures. Expert evaluations are transformed into fuzzy values to quantify factor importance, which are then incorporated into a dynamic simulation model to assess EV adoption and CO₂ emission trends. In addition to baseline scenarios, extreme scenario analysis is conducted to evaluate system sensitivity to economic, technological, and policy changes. The results reveal strong nonlinear relationships between factors and highlight the importance of their balanced development. The findings suggest that rapid EV adoption in urban logistics requires a coordinated approach integrating infrastructure expansion, financial incentives, technological progress, and policy support. The study provides practical insights for policymakers and logistics companies aiming to accelerate sustainable urban transport transitions. Full article