Search Results (3,163)

Akerlof’s classical theory of the “Market for Lemons,” which conceptualizes adverse selection driven by information asymmetry, established the foundation of information economics. While the traditional model assumes static equilibria among a limited number of agents, analyzing its behavioral dynamics within large-scale, complex network environments remains a highly relevant task in computational social science. This study extends the classical lemon market model into a nonlinear dynamical system on adaptive networks. We mathematically elucidate macro-level social phase transitions—specifically structural exclusion such as scapegoating and collective ostracism—induced by computational cognitive limits, and evaluate optimal intervention strategies to mitigate these systemic failures. Multi-agent simulations utilizing large-scale tensor operations demonstrate that autonomous edge rewiring under incomplete information does not merely result in the uniform displacement of high-quality goods as predicted by static theory. Instead, the network self-organizes into an irreversible structural division: a core group of influential agents monopolizes high-quality information, while marginalized agents are isolated into a peripheral “lemon echo chamber” where only low-quality information circulates. To address this structural pathology under a resource constraint limiting intervention to 10% of the total agents, we evaluated two distinct approaches. The results indicate that providing informational support to influential hubs functions as a trap that exacerbates systemic inequality, superficially elevating the overall market evaluation but permanently fixing the exclusion gap. Conversely, the forced maintenance and protection of “weak ties” bridging disconnected clusters constitutes the mathematically optimal solution to dissolve fragmentation, effectively eliminating the price gap and facilitating social inclusion. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that the mechanism of social exclusion exhibits strong hysteresis effects. A distinct tipping point governs the progression toward a fragmented lemon echo chamber. Interventions implemented after crossing this critical threshold fail to restore the system to its baseline state despite identical resource expenditure, confirming the presence of an irreversible phase transition. These findings establish that the collapse dynamics outlined in the classical lemon market serve as a generalized model for explaining contemporary collective ostracism driven by information cascades. Consequently, the analysis highlights the necessity of early intervention prior to critical thresholds and the systemic preservation of structural bypasses rather than post-hoc remediation. Full article

The recovery and reuse of construction materials following disasters has emerged as an important strategy for reducing construction waste, improving resource efficiency, and enhancing the resilience of post-disaster housing reconstruction. However, existing studies remain fragmented across different disaster contexts and material categories, limiting a comprehensive understanding of the engineering, environmental, and institutional factors influencing material recovery decisions. This systematic literature review synthesises current evidence on the recovery and reuse of construction materials in post-disaster housing reconstruction. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic search of the Scopus and EBSCO databases identified 303 records published between 2015 and 2026, of which 69 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Of these, 20 studies directly examined post-disaster contexts, while the remaining 49 addressed broader construction material recovery and reuse and were included as transferable engineering evidence relevant to post-disaster reconstruction. The review synthesised evidence from both disaster-specific studies and broader research on construction material reuse to provide a comprehensive understanding of material recovery practices applicable to post-disaster housing reconstruction. The review demonstrates that both structural and non-structural construction materials have varying potential for recovery and reuse following disasters. The findings further indicate that reuse suitability is governed not only by material type but also by the interactions among disaster characteristics, residual material condition, structural integrity, contamination, durability, regulatory compliance, and intended reuse applications. Recovery pathways were found to depend on condition-based engineering assessment, while successful implementation is further influenced by economic feasibility, institutional capacity, stakeholder coordination, and recovery infrastructure. This review advances existing knowledge by synthesising disaster characteristics, engineering assessment requirements, recovery pathways, and implementation considerations into an evidence-derived condition-based perspective for construction material recovery. The proposed conceptual framework provides an evidence-informed reference for engineers, emergency management agencies, policymakers, local authorities, and construction practitioners seeking to integrate reusable construction materials into resilient and resource-efficient post-disaster housing reconstruction. Full article

Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a serious life-threatening condition associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Within the Republic of Ireland, there is limited national data regarding the clinical and economic impact of IE. This study aimed to describe IE in Ireland. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using national Hospital Inpatient Enquiry (HIPE) data accessed through the National Quality Assurance and Improvement System (NQAIS). All admissions with a principal diagnosis of acute or subacute infective endocarditis (ICD10: I33.0, I33.8) from 1 January 2018–30 July 2025 were included. Duplicate episodes, incomplete records, nonemergency admissions, and cases without documented transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) were excluded. Demographic, clinical, procedural, and outcome variables were explored. Costs were assigned using Healthcare Pricing Office guidance for length of stay (LOS). Results: A total of 441 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean age was 64.1 years (SD 17.0), and 75.5% were male. Surgical intervention occurred in 18.4% of cases. Surgically managed patients were younger than medically managed patients (mean age 58.8 years vs. 65.7 years, p < 0.001) and experienced a longer LOS (mean of 51 days vs. 36 days, p < 0.001). The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 9.5% (n = 42). On multivariable analysis, higher comorbidity burden (measured by Charlson comorbidity index (CCI)) was independently associated with in-hospital mortality (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.06–1.13, p < 0.001). The total expenditure was €20.6 million. Discussion: IE in Ireland affects predominantly older, comorbid patients and is associated with significant healthcare resource utilization. In-hospital mortality rates appear favourable compared with published international series. Full article

Ecological corridors can promote regional integration, socio-economic development, and biodiversity conservation by enhancing cross-border connectivity. The Nepal–China Himalayan Corridor (NCHC), a strategic component of the Belt and Road Initiative, traverses an ecologically fragile and disaster-prone mountain region where infrastructure development, local livelihoods, and ecological sustainability need to be balanced. This study combines Q-methodology with the lens of imaginaries to examine stakeholder perspectives on SDG-oriented development pathways for the NCHC. Five major factors were identified: sustainable green infrastructure development, Himalayan climate adaptive capacity, inclusive growth through bilateral collaboration, trans-Himalayan multi-dimensional connectivity through viable projects, and local capacity building through transnational policy transformation. These factors reveal different stakeholder priorities and the synergies and trade-offs among SDGs in corridor development. The findings highlight the importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation and differentiated development pathways for advancing sustainable corridor development in fragile transboundary mountain regions. Full article

The core predicament of energy transition lies not in the availability of clean technologies, but in whether an economy possesses the institutional capacity and social foundation to systematically regulate its carbon-energy metabolic processes. Drawing upon co-evolutionary theory from evolutionary economics, this paper constructs a composite indicator of Low-Carbon Green Energy Eco-Co-evolution (LCEE) encompassing three functional dimensions: efficiency advancement, kinetic energy replacement, and boundary adherence. Concurrently, by integrating innovation ecosystem theory with inclusive development theory, we propose the concept of “Inclusive Potential of Regional Innovation Ecosystems” (IEP), characterizing the systemic potential for transforming innovation outcomes into social welfare across four dimensions: Knowledge Matrix Abundance (KMF), Cultural Capillary Permeation (CCP), Technological Community Succession (TCS), and Social Root Nourishment (SRN). Taking China’s 2016 intellectual property (IP) powerhouse construction pilot as the institutional prototype of Industrial Intellectual Property Upgrading Reform (IPR), we incorporate IPR, IEP, and LCEE into a unified causal analytical framework, proposing a testable transmission logic of ‘institutional supply → ecological development → co-evolutionary synergy. Using panel data from 30 Chinese provincial-level administrative regions over 2010–2022, we employ a Spatial Durbin Difference-in-Differences (SDM-DID) model to identify the direct and spatial spillover effects of IPR on LCEE, and embed a Double Machine Learning (DML) framework to test the mediating mechanism of IEP while controlling for high-dimensional nonlinear interference. The findings reveal that IPR exerts a significant and robust direct promoting effect on LCEE, generating positive spatial spillovers to neighboring regions through the public disclosure of patent information. IEP significantly promotes local LCEE, yet its spatial spillover lacks statistical support due to structural conflicts in inter-dimensional transmission attributes. IEP plays a significant partial mediating role between IPR and LCEE, with the indirect effect accounting for over one-third of the total effect, a finding robust to alternative machine learning algorithms, sample split adjustments, and exclusion of contemporaneous competing policies. Sub-path tests reveal that KMF bears the strongest mediating efficacy, serving as the primary transmission channel, while CCP exhibits full mediation—the institutional effect on LCEE in the cultural dimension depends almost entirely on the mediating transformation through the public cultural service system. Heterogeneity analysis further demonstrates full mediation in the Low-Carbon Green Energy Eco-Kinetic Replacement (KER) dimension, indicating that the institutional catalytic effect on clean energy substitution must be realized through IEP transformation. This paper provides empirical evidence for the proposed causal pathway through which institutional public goods indirectly enhance the synergistic quality of carbon-energy transition via the inclusive potential of innovation ecosystems, providing theoretical foundations and policy implications that, while grounded in China’s institutional context, may offer valuable reference points for emerging market economies facing similar dual pressures of technological constraints and green transition. Full article

Destinations increasingly shift from promotional branding toward holistic and inclusive identity strategies, where cultural heritage operates as both an anchor of local distinctiveness and a catalyst for creative place-making. This study presents a mixed-methods Triple Bottom Line (TBL) assessment of four Greek cultural heritage institutions, a regional theatre, a municipal gallery, a university-affiliated foundation, and a regional film festival, to examine how governance structures, resource availability, and organisational capacity shape environmental, social, and economic sustainability performance. Through document analysis and semi-structured interviews, the research identifies eleven recurring thematic variables across the TBL dimensions and systematically compares their implementation across distinct governance models. Findings show that social sustainability, particularly accessibility, education, and community engagement, constitutes a structurally universal baseline across all institutions, regardless of governance type or resource level. In contrast, environmental and economic performance diverge sharply according to governance model, building ownership, and access to capital. As cultural institutions function as experiential landmarks within cultural and creative tourism, their inclusive practices enhance community wellbeing while co-producing destination identity as socially responsible and culturally authentic. The study concludes with targeted policy recommendations on reporting standards, capacity building, and structural constraints, offering transferable insights for creative place-making and sustainable destination branding in Greece and other Mediterranean contexts. Full article

Ecuadorian aquaculture plays an increasingly important role in food security, providing a sustainable complement to capture fisheries. Manabí constitutes a key economic sector that contributes to employment generation, income diversification, and supply of high-quality protein. However, the sector’s heterogeneity and limited legal registration of enterprises hinder the development of policies and targeted interventions. This study characterizes aquaculture enterprises in Manabí, integrating productive, technological, and socio-economic variables obtained from field surveys. Three distinct entrepreneurship patterns were identified: small-scale, informal farms cultivating native species with low technology but characteristics that may contribute to socio-ecological resilience; semi-formal producers operating with intermediate technology and mixed species; and freshwater shrimp farms operating at the largest relative scale within the sample, though still small-scale and family-based, with moderate technological development and market integration limited mainly to local and regional markets. The typology focused on a gradient in formalization, technological sophistication, and market orientation among enterprises. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of aquaculture diversity in Manabí and offer a practical framework for differentiated policy design using a Strategic Producer Positioning Map. Strengthening formalization, technological innovation, environmental management, and social inclusion is essential to enhance the sector’s sustainability and competitiveness, contributing to sustainable blue economy development in coastal Ecuador. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of dietary LC inclusion (0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) in Pekin ducklings from 7 to 65 days of age on growth performance, carcass traits, metabolic profile, immune status, and economic efficiency. A total of 250 unsexed 7-day-old Pekin ducklings were randomly allocated to five dietary treatment groups, each comprising five replicates of 10 ducklings. The linear response plateau analysis estimated LC breakpoints of approximately 50 mg/kg diet for body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Additionally, LC significantly improved carcass yield and crude protein content of the meat, as well as enhanced its antioxidant capacity. Physiologically, LC enhanced hematological indices, lipid metabolism, and thyroid hormone activity, without adversely affecting liver function. Moreover, LC favorably modulated the intestinal microbiota by increasing the abundance of beneficial Lactobacillus spp. and reducing pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, it improved immune status, as indicated by higher immunoglobulin levels, lysozyme and phagocytic activities, and lymphocyte proliferation. LC significantly enhanced the mentioned parameters without inducing any adverse effects; however, the magnitude of the response plateaued and subsequently declined at higher inclusion levels (200–400 mg/kg). The improvements in performance and health status were attributed to the enhanced fatty acid oxidation, energy metabolism, antioxidant defense, and immunomodulatory effects of LC. In conclusion, including 50 mg L-carnitine/kg in the diet represents an effective and appropriate nutritional strategy under the conditions of the present study to optimize growth performance, carcass quality, nutrient digestibility, health status, and economic profitability in Pekin duck production systems. Full article

Uganda hosts one of the largest refugee populations in Africa, with South Sudanese refugees forming the majority. Uganda’s progressive approach to refugee protection is recognized globally as a model for economic inclusion, integration, and self-reliance. Notwithstanding global praise, empirical evidence indicates an increasingly challenging situation for refugees’ socio-economic well-being and the difficulties this poses for pursuing sustainable lives. With limited access to agricultural land, limited formal employment opportunities, and rising budget cuts, refugees in rural settlements are often compelled to diversify their livelihoods and enter the informal economy, where home-brewed alcohol production is a visible strategy. Drawing on eight months of ethnographic fieldwork in Bidibidi from January 2025 to August 2025, this paper explores the attractions and dilemmas of home-brewed alcohol production and sale as a rural livelihood from the perspectives of South Sudanese refugees and host communities in Bidibidi. This paper advances a debate on the under-researched prospects of refugee integration and inclusion through rural livelihoods. These findings suggest areas where Uganda’s current refugee settlement agenda and alcohol policies may benefit from reconsideration. In addition, this paper highlights gaps in refugee and host community involvement in policy making and proposes ways to better address their livelihood needs for socio-economic inclusion and local integration. Full article

Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) is one of the oldest medicinal plants known to humankind, valued across ancient civilisations for treating parasitic, microbial, and metabolic diseases. Its exceptionally rich phytochemical composition, dominated by punicalagins, ellagic acid, anthocyanins, flavonoids, piperidine alkaloids, and the unique conjugated fatty acid punicic acid, confers a remarkably broad spectrum of biological activities of direct relevance to contemporary veterinary medicine. While human-health applications have been extensively reviewed, a comprehensive synthesis of veterinary evidence across multiple species remains lacking. This review consolidates current preclinical and field knowledge on the pharmacological effects of pomegranate preparations in poultry, ruminants, swine, fish, companion animals, and laboratory models. In poultry—the most extensively studied taxon—dietary inclusion of pomegranate peel powder or extract consistently enhances growth performance, antioxidant status, and humoral immunity while exerting meaningful anticoccidial activity. The antiparasitic properties are compellingly supported by evidence against gastrointestinal nematodes of ruminants, tapeworms, schistosomes, and protozoa including Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and Leishmania spp., as well as monogenean fish parasites. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity extends to major veterinary pathogens such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA), and Clostridium perfringens. Rodent models have validated antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and reproductive benefits, including improved post-thaw sperm quality and enhanced litter size. The safety profile is generally favourable at conventional doses, although high dietary inclusion elicits anti-nutritional effects from condensed tannins, and potential drug interactions via cytochrome P450 inhibition warrant clinical caution. Despite this substantial evidence, significant translational barriers persist, including extract heterogeneity, absence of pharmacokinetic data in target species, and scarcity of controlled clinical trials. By providing a species- and pathology-driven synthesis, this review identifies critical research priorities and highlights the immense potential of this ancient, accessible, and economically viable phytobiotic as a natural alternative to antibiotic growth promoters and synthetic antiparasitics in veterinary practice. Full article

This study protocol presents a pre-specified framework for assessing whether Farm Machinery-as-a-Service (FMaaS) can support inclusive access to Agriculture 4.0 in fragmented agrarian systems. The aim of the protocol is to define the conceptual framework, research questions, hypotheses, target population, sampling strategy, data collection procedures and planned analytical approach for a future empirical study using Poland as a case of a fragmented, family-farm-based agricultural system in which many small and medium-sized farms face difficulties in keeping pace with Agriculture 4.0. The manuscript does not report empirical results or human-subject data. The planned study will use a sequential mixed-methods design in which each component has a specific role. Secondary data analysis will diagnose farm structural conditions, machinery-use patterns, productivity gaps and innovation gaps. Expert and stakeholder interviews will refine the typology of FMaaS arrangements and identify relevant service attributes. A farm survey and a discrete choice experiment will assess farmers’ willingness to use FMaaS, perceived transaction costs, trust, digital readiness and preferences for specific service characteristics. Farm-level economic modeling and Monte Carlo simulation will evaluate the viability of ownership-based and service-based modernization scenarios under uncertainty. Structural equation modeling will examine social-sustainability mechanisms, including adaptive capacity, perceived resilience, perceived inclusion in digital agriculture and the perceived ability to continue farming under technological change. The expected output of the protocol is an integrated analytical framework for evaluating the economic, institutional, resource-use and social conditions under which FMaaS may become a viable and socially acceptable pathway to Agriculture 4.0. By combining transaction-cost theory, market-design reasoning, stated-preference methods, farm-level modeling and social-sustainability assessment, the protocol provides a transparent basis for future empirical research on access-based digital mechanization. Full article

Land transport infrastructure (LTI) is a core component of sustainable transport systems, shaping mobility, efficiency, and the spatial distribution of development gains. Existing studies of urban–rural income inequality mainly focus on individual transport modes or aggregate infrastructure scale, with limited attention to transport-system composition and its contextual dependence. This study addresses this gap by conceptualizing LTI as a layered system and examining how its internal composition is associated with urban–rural income inequality across different levels of urbanization and economic development. Using a balanced panel of 286 prefecture-level cities from 2013 to 2023, the study constructs ratio-based indicators of compositional shifts within road systems, within rail systems, and between rail and road infrastructure. Two-way fixed-effects models incorporate interactions with urbanization and economic development. Conditional marginal-effect maps are then used to identify how these associations change across development contexts. The results reveal a clear stage-dependent pattern. Urbanization generally attenuates the inequality-widening association of mobility-oriented upgrading, whereas economic development influences whether such upgrading reinforces spatial polarization or supports wider diffusion. When urbanization and development are both sufficiently advanced, the marginal association may shift toward inequality reduction. At earlier stages, accessibility-oriented roads and conventional rail tend to show stronger equalizing associations. Mobility-oriented roads and high-speed rail are more likely to be associated with narrower inequality in more advanced settings. Mechanism-oriented analyses yield evidence consistent with two potential channels: the agricultural–non-agricultural labor-productivity gap and the non-agricultural employment share. The extended analyses and robustness checks broadly support the main findings. These findings indicate that transport infrastructure upgrading should be evaluated not only in terms of efficiency, but also according to whether the resulting infrastructure mix broadens access to opportunities, improves resource allocation, and supports inclusive regional development. Full article

International student mobility (ISM) is one of the most important and widespread features of international higher education today. One factor affecting ISM is the range and increase in scholarship providers, of which the China Scholarship Council (CSC) scholarship, is among the most influential and impactful globally. While many existing studies have focused on the national economic motivations of scholarship programmes, the research presented in our paper adopts a broader perspective, emphasising some of the organisational and political complexities in scholarship policy implementation. We use and build upon a framework that explains how scholarship policy is implemented. In it, scholarship organisations are mapped alongside the students as scholarship recipients as well as the universities as policy actors. The principal aim of this paper is to map out the roles and relationships of different actors in the implementation of scholarship policies, showing the importance of multi-level governance and stakeholder collaboration. The findings show that CSC scholarship policy involves multiple interconnected actors whose roles and relationships can be systematically identified through policy documents. By extending the framework, this study identifies not only scholarship organisations, universities, and sponsored students, but also local education departments and employers as important actors in the policy process. The analysis further shows that CSC scholarship policies have evolved over time, with changes in priorities, requirements, and selection criteria reflecting broader national development strategies. Given that fact that the complex structures and workings of the CSC are still little understood and under-researched in anglophone literature, our analysis provides practical insights as well as additional guidance for promoting effective, inclusive, and sustainable transnational higher education. The discussions offer valuable insights for policymakers and institutions committed to enhancing international scholarship programmes and global higher education capacity building. Full article

Employment is an important determinant of psychological, social, and economic wellbeing, yet individuals with mental health disorders often face barriers to workforce participation. This study examined the impact of mental health disclosure on perceptions of trustworthiness, job suitability, and value to the company, focusing on Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD), and schizophrenia. Using experimental vignette methodology, 330 participants evaluated a job candidate before and after a simulated HR background check, which revealed either no diagnosed mental disorder (control condition) or a diagnosis of MDD, EUPD, or schizophrenia. Quantitative analyses indicated that disclosure of mental disorders was associated with declines in perceived trustworthiness, suitability, and value. Qualitative thematic analysis revealed that hiring decisions were guided by concerns about emotional stability, absenteeism, and reputational risk, tempered by considerations of fairness, support, and reasonable workplace adjustments. Across the mental health disorder conditions, rejection rates were relatively low (6–16%). The findings highlight the nuanced role of HR background checks (which can include social media checks) in shaping employability evaluations. The study contributes to understanding how disclosure of mental disorders influences employability perceptions and provides practical implications for fostering inclusive employment practices. Full article

The impacts of international tourism on economic performance, sustainable development, natural resources and environmental outcomes have been extensively researched during the last couple of decades in the available body of knowledge. However, the specific role of international tourism on women’s empowerment is rarely researched despite the fact that it creates numerous employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in host economies for women. Accordingly, this research study attempts to examine the impacts of international tourism on women’s empowerment using the framework of Vision 2030 introduced by Saudi Arabia in 2016. Using the ARDL cointegration approach and utilizing annual time series data from 1995 to 2024, this study demonstrates that international tourism has improved women’s empowerment both in the long run as well as in the short run in Saudi Arabia. Besides tourism, this study found that urbanization and female’s labor force participation have accelerated the pace of women’s empowerment both in the long run and short run. In addition, the results underscored that trade openness only matters for women’s empowerment in the long run. Finally, this study demonstrates that internet use is helpful in promoting women’s empowerment in the short run only. The study’s research findings highlight the significance of international tourism as a determinant of women’s empowerment and advocates that the policymakers of Saudi Arabia should introduce gender-inclusive tourism policies. The findings of this research study contribute to the existing body of literature on tourism-led development and gender equality, which is consistent with SDG-5 and Vision 2030 of Saudi Arabia. Full article