Search Results (16,649)

This study investigates the impact of revenue diversification on the performance and stability of listed Tunisian banks over the period 2008–2023, with the objective of assessing whether diversification strategies enhance bank performance and promote financial stability in an emerging-market context. The analysis relies on a panel dataset of Tunisian listed banks and employs a two-stage least squares (2SLS) estimation approach to address potential endogeneity issues, using ownership structure as an instrumental variable. Bank performance is measured by Return on Assets (ROA) and Net Interest Margin (NIM), while financial stability is captured by the Z-score. The empirical results show that revenue diversification has a positive and significant effect on bank performance, as measured by ROA, and on financial stability. However, it exerts a negative and significant impact on NIM, indicating that although diversification improves overall performance and strengthens stability, it may weaken traditional intermediation income. This study contributes to the limited literature on banking in emerging markets by jointly examining performance and stability effects while addressing endogeneity concerns through robust econometric techniques, and by providing new evidence from the Tunisian banking sector, which has experienced significant political and economic disruptions during the study period. Full article

Despite increasing emphasis on circular economic practices, the construction sector remains slow to adopt circular approaches, largely due to limited stakeholder engagement. In this context, understanding how value is perceived by stakeholders is critical for motivating their participation in circular economy practices. This study presents a systematic literature review conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines to examine value creation models and frameworks across multiple disciplines. A total of 49 studies were identified and analysed through a structured screening and qualitative content analysis process. The review clarifies the conceptual underpinnings of “value” in a circular system, examines how value can be created and delivered, and identifies the essential elements required for a value creation framework in construction to motivate stakeholders toward circular practices. The findings highlight that a circular value creation framework needs to collectively generate, deliver, and capture economic, environmental, and social value for multiple stakeholders. Based on these insights, the study develops a stakeholder-centred conceptual framework for value creation in construction waste management. The originality of the framework lies in its integration of stakeholder value perceptions with circular economic implementation, explicitly addressing the challenges of the complex and project-based construction environment. Full article

The Variable Cycle Engine (VCE) is a key enabling technology for addressing the economic and environmental challenges of next-generation supersonic civil aircraft. This paper presents a multidisciplinary design analysis and optimization (MDAO) approach to quantitatively assess the potential benefits of Variable Cycle Engines (VCE) in the conceptual design of supersonic civil aircraft. In this approach, component-level models of a conventional Mixed-Flow Turbofan (MFTF) and a double-bypass VCE with a Core Driven Fan Stage (CDFS) are integrated into the MDAO process. Employing a multi-point optimization strategy, the engine design parameters and off-design control schedules are first determined. Subsequently, for each given engine design (MFTF and CDFS VCE), the airframe geometry parameters are optimized to minimize the aircraft Maximum Take-off Weight (MTOW). The application of this approach is illustrated through a case study of a medium-sized supersonic civil transport. The results indicate that, under the assumption of identical weights for the VCE and the MFTF, the design with the VCE reduces the MTOW by 2.8%, block fuel consumption by 5.7%, and total mission Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions by 24.2% compared to the design with the MFTF. Additionally, lateral noise and flyover noise during the take-off phase are decreased by 2.2 EPNdB and 1.9 EPNdB, respectively. To account for the potential weight increase caused by the structural complexity of the VCE, a parametric weight sensitivity analysis is conducted. Results show that the VCE retains its advantages in MTOW, fuel efficiency, noise, and emissions for weight penalty factors up to 1.15. Full article

Background: Although pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has demonstrated strong clinical efficacy in preventing HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM), real-world utilization remains suboptimal. In South Korea, MSM constitute a major population within the domestic HIV epidemic; however, PrEP uptake has not increased pro-portionally to awareness. This discrepancy has been conceptualized as the “awareness–uptake gap,” reflecting multi-level barriers beyond individual knowledge. Purpose: This integrative review aimed to compare PrEP awareness, acceptance, and utilization among MSM populations in South Korea and international settings, and to identify structural, institutional, and psychosocial determinants contributing to the awaness, uptake gap. The study further sought to derive practical implications for nursing practice and health policy. Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted following Whittemore and Knafl’s five-step methodology and reported in line with PRISMA guidance. Electronic searches were performed in PubMed, Google Scholar, RISS, ScienceON, and DBpia for peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025 in English or Korean. The final search was completed on 31 January 2026. A total of 5952 records were identified, and 187 studies met the inclusion criteria after screening and duplicate removal. Quality appraisal was conducted using AXIS, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, RoB 2.0, CASP, and MMAT according to study design, and the findings were synthesized within an environmental–structural–individual framework. Results: The included studies consistently showed that awareness of PrEP exceeded actual uptake. Across settings, the awareness–uptake gap was shaped by policy environment, service accessibility, stigma, privacy concerns, economic burden, institutional complexity, and provider preparedness. Comparative evidence from China, Thailand, Belgium and France, Brazil, and West Africa further suggested that awareness alone did not ensure uptake when service pathways were fragmented, culturally unsafe, or poorly understood. Conclusions: Closing the awareness–uptake gap requires integrated policy and practice strategies that extend beyond cost reduction. Strengthening confidentiality systems, simplifying service pathways, and enhancing provider competency—particularly through nurse-centered PrEP navigation and counseling models—may support more sustainable PrEP expansion among MSM populations in global settings. Full article

This study investigates the relationship between banking sector stability and economic growth in Ethiopia, employing a dynamic panel data approach with the Two-Step System Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). The analysis uses a balanced dataset from 13 Ethiopian commercial banks covering 2014 to 2023, gathered from the World Bank database, the National Bank of Ethiopia, and audited financial statements. Banking sector stability is assessed using indicators such as Z-score, non-performing loan (NPL) ratio, capital adequacy ratio (CAR), liquidity ratio (LR), return on assets (ROA), and loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR), along with key macroeconomic and institutional factors. The results show that banking stability, as indicated by Z-score, liquidity ratios, and profitability, has a positive and significant effect on economic growth, confirming the sector’s role in promoting development. Surprisingly, a positive correlation between NPLs and economic growth suggests unique structural features in the Ethiopian banking system that warrant further investigation. Other variables, such as inflation rates, government expenditure, and gross domestic savings, positively influence economic growth, whereas foreign direct investment is negatively associated with it. The study highlights the importance of enhancing the stability of the banking sector by implementing robust regulatory frameworks, prudent risk management practices, and improved profitability to support sustainable economic development in Ethiopia, while calling for additional research into the unexpected effects of NPLs and FDI amid ongoing financial reforms. Full article

Xanthomonas species are Gram-negative bacterial pathogens responsible for diseases in over 400 plant hosts, including numerous economically important crops such as Brassica species. The limited efficacy and environmental concerns associated with chemical control strategies underscore the need for sustainable and targeted alternatives. In this study, we evaluated the suitability and biocontrol efficacy of phages Phi1 and Phi3 to combat Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) in broccoli plants. Kill-curve assays demonstrated that both phages effectively suppressed Xcc growth across a range of multiplicities of infection. Transmission electron microscopy further confirmed their lytic activity, revealing pronounced structural damage to Xcc cells following phage treatment, accompanied by the subsequent release of phage progeny. To assess host specificity and biosafety, the phages were tested against 41 bacterial isolates that were isolated and taxonomically characterized from broccoli and cauliflower in this study. Neither Phi1 nor Phi3 exhibited lytic activity against any non-target isolate, indicating high host specificity and minimal risk to the native Brassica-associated microbiota. In planta assays demonstrated that the combined application of Phi1 and Phi3 reduced Xcc-induced symptom severity in broccoli plants by 80%. Collectively, these results demonstrate that phages Phi1 and Phi3 represent effective and biologically precise agents for the control of black rot disease in Brassica crops. Full article

Adobe is a sustainable yet highly porous construction material, inherently vulnerable to moisture and environmental pollution, which poses challenges for both contemporary construction and heritage conservation. This study presents multifunctional coatings that combine hydrophobic/oleophobic and photocatalytic properties to enhance adobe durability. The coatings incorporate nano-heterostructured LaFeO₃ photocatalysts into water-repellent and hydro-oleo-repellent formulations, selected to preserve the characteristic dark brown color of adobe. Microstructural analyses revealed the formation of non-uniform protective layers, particularly in hydro-oleo-repellent systems, which influenced performance. The treated surfaces exhibited significant water and oil repellency, while maintaining adequate vapor permeability. Durability tests confirmed improved resistance to water ingress, reduced capillary absorption, and enhanced erosion resistance compared to untreated adobe. Sustainability assessments highlighted the environmental and economic benefits of the proposed approach, especially when using locally sourced materials. Overall, this work proposes a scalable and multifunctional strategy that integrates protective and photocatalytic functionalities to extend the service life of both historical and modern adobe structures. Full article

Rural hospitals are essential access points for healthcare delivery in the United States, yet they continue to experience disproportionate rates of closure and service disruption that threaten community health, economic stability, and equity. This rapid systematic review synthesizes recent peer-reviewed evidence examining rural hospital closures and service disruptions, with emphasis on financial, policy, workforce, and performance-related factors and their downstream impacts. Guided by PRISMA methodology, four databases were searched for U.S.-based studies published between January 2024 and June 2025. Following screening and consensus-based review, 59 articles met inclusion criteria. Across studies, financial vulnerability, characterized by revenue instability, low patient volumes, unfavorable payer mix, and reliance on non-operating revenue, emerged as a dominant precursor to closure and service reductions. Policy context, particularly Medicaid expansion status, telehealth and broadband infrastructure, and reimbursement adequacy, strongly shaped hospital sustainability. Closures and service disruptions were consistently associated with increased travel distances, reduced access to maternal, surgical, mental health, and chronic care services, higher prices at surviving hospitals, and increased strain on remaining providers. Workforce shortages further compounded these challenges. Collectively, findings demonstrate that rural hospital closures reflect interconnected structural weaknesses rather than isolated organizational failure. Coordinated policy action, targeted financial stabilization, workforce development, and technology-enabled care models are necessary to mitigate continued erosion of rural healthcare access. Full article

Agrivoltaics (AV) has emerged as an integrated land-use innovation capable of simultaneously addressing food, energy, and water challenges, yet its systemic implications for farming system sustainability remain insufficiently synthesized. This review adopts a farming system dynamics perspective to examine how AV systems reorganize biophysical, ecological, and socio-economic interactions across agroecosystems. Drawing upon agroecological principles, pathways of sustainable intensification and ecological intensification, and resource-loop strategies in circular economy, we identify the key elements and cause-and-effect relationships that shape AV system performance. Evidence indicates that the co-location of photovoltaics (PV) structures and crop cultivation generates new system properties, altered light distribution, moderated microclimates, redistributed soil moisture, and diversified production functions that influence productivity, resource-use efficiency, ecological services, and farm resilience. Using causal loop analysis, we conceptualize four central feedback dynamics: (i) PV–crop trade-offs and spatial-sharing relationships; (ii) microclimate modifications and crop physiological responses; (iii) ecological performance and landscape-level interactions; and (iv) circularity loops connecting resource conservation, renewable-energy substitution, soil processes, and material flows. This feedback collectively determines eco-efficiency outcomes, including enhanced land-equivalent productivity, improved water-use efficiency, strengthened regulating services, and reductions in external energy dependence. At the farming-system scale, AV diversifies income streams and stabilizes yields under climatic variability, whereas at the landscape scale, it fosters multifunctionality by supporting regenerative resource flows and ecological resilience. Building on these insights, we propose an integrated framework that links agroecological elements with dynamic feedback structures to guide context-specific AV design, management, and governance. This system-oriented synthesis provides a foundation for future research and policy efforts aimed at optimizing AV as a circular, resilient, and sustainable farming system innovation. Full article

This study reconceptualises marginality in China’s inter-provincial border regions as a dynamic, scale-sensitive spatial relationship rather than a static condition of underdevelopment. Using the Hubei–Henan–Anhui border area as a case study, we quantitatively assess marginality across three dimensions—production, livelihood, and ecology—based on panel data from 61 counties for 2000, 2010, and 2021. The entropy-weighted TOPSIS method is used to calculate comprehensive development indices, and geographic detector models identify key driving factors. The results show that production marginality is persistently shaped by economic level and industrial structure. Livelihood marginality exhibits a clear temporal shift: dominant drivers move from healthcare security to cultural amenities and finally to transport accessibility. Ecological marginality remains primarily determined by natural endowments such as habitat quality and ecosystem services. Theoretically, the study advances marginality analysis by integrating spatial, temporal and dimensional perspectives. Practically, it offers a diagnostic framework to support differentiated, cross-administrative governance strategies that can transform peripheral border regions into cooperative hubs. Full article

Financial distress prediction remains a central topic in corporate finance and risk management, with extensive research devoted to improving classification accuracy through increasingly sophisticated statistical and machine learning techniques. Nevertheless, the influence of data preparation on predictive performance has received comparatively less systematic attention. This study examines how an economically grounded data-preparation process affects the predictive performance of selected statistical and machine-learning models dedicated to predicting corporate financial distress. Using the chosen financial ratios, generally accepted indicators of corporate financial stability and economic performance, financial distress models are estimated on both raw, unprocessed input data and pre-processed data involving the exclusion of economically implausible accounting values, treatment of missing observations, and class balancing. In light of the above, the study adopts a structured methodological approach to assess the predictive performance of selected classification models, namely decision tree algorithms (CART, CHAID, and C5.0), artificial neural networks (ANNs), logistic regression (LR), and linear discriminant analysis (DA), using confusion-matrix–based evaluation and a comprehensive set of evaluation measures. The results suggest that the process of input data preparation is a critical factor, significantly improving the predictive performance of financial distress prediction models across most modelling techniques employed. The most pronounced gains are observed in decision tree models. ANNs also demonstrate marked improvement after input data preparation, whereas LR benefits more moderately, and linear DA remains limited despite preprocessing. The average gain in accuracy across all six modelling techniques, calculated as the difference between pre-processed and raw performance for each method and averaged across methods, was approximately 15.6 percentage points, with specificity improving by approximately 26.9 percentage points on average, amounting to roughly half the performance variation attributable to algorithm choice, which underscores that data preparation is a primary determinant of model reliability alongside algorithm selection. A step-level detailed analysis further shows that missing value imputation is the dominant driver of improvement for tree-based models, while class balancing contributes most for ANNs and logistic regression. The findings highlight that reliable financial distress prediction depends not only on technique selection but also on the consistency and economic plausibility of the input data, underscoring the central role of structured data preparation in developing robust early-warning models. Full article

In response to global climate change and China’s “Dual Carbon” goals, the transition to low-carbon manufacturing has become a crucial step for achieving high-quality regional development. This study focuses on the Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Circle and constructs a comprehensive evaluation system spanning economic, technological, energy, carbon emission, and environmental dimensions. By applying a dynamic Set Pair Analysis (SPA) model coupled with a state transition matrix, we assess the low-carbon manufacturing performance of eight core cities from 2016 to 2023. The results indicate the following: (1) Strong path dependence characterizes regional low-carbon development, revealing a “Matthew effect” in which leading cities continue to advance while lagging ones face persistent barriers. (2) Cities are evolving into distinct equilibrium patterns: Chongqing is progressing toward full optimization, and Chengdu and Mianyang remain in a high-level equilibrium, whereas Suining and Zigong show signs of long-term low-level lock-in. (3) A three-tier regional structure emerges: Chongqing and Chengdu represent a high-level steady state; Deyang, Mianyang, Yibin, and Luzhou form an intermediate fluctuating tier; and Suining and Zigong constitute a low-level locked tier. (4) The low-carbon transition of manufacturing within the region remains markedly unstable, with cities such as Deyang and Yibin yet to establish steady low-carbon trajectories and remaining susceptible to regression. These findings provide a robust, evidence-based foundation for policymaking aimed at fostering coordinated and sustainable low-carbon development in the Chengdu–Chongqing region’s manufacturing sector. Full article

Achieving Great Britain’s 2050 net-zero target requires strategic integration of hydrogen into the national energy system. This study evaluates the system-wide impacts of hydrogen blending (0–100%) using a bi-level optimisation framework that combines long-term cooperative investment planning with short-term operational Optimal Power and Gas Flow (OPGF) simulation. The strategic layer models infrastructure investment decisions under a cooperative game-theoretic structure, where system value is allocated among electricity, hydrogen production, and storage technologies using the Shapley-value payoff mechanism. Contrary to traditional centralised cost-minimisation models, our findings demonstrate that a cooperative planning structure identifies superior transition pathways. Comparative results reveal that at 100% hydrogen penetration, the cooperative framework reduces total system CO${}_2$ emissions by 31%, lowers operational costs by 26%, and decreases total electricity supply requirements by 8% relative to centralised planning. Furthermore, the cooperative approach significantly enhances economic resilience, yielding a more robust Net Present Value (NPV) across all blending levels compared to centralised planning, while ensuring project profitability at lower blending thresholds (20%) where traditional models remain loss-making. Simulation results indicate that hydrogen blending up to 20% maintains operational stability with manageable increases in operational cost. Full hydrogen conversion (100%) increases peak electricity supply requirements by approximately 30% relative to low-blending scenarios due to electrolysis-driven load expansion and conversion losses. The findings demonstrate that hydrogen blending represents a viable transitional pathway when supported by integrated infrastructure development and cooperative stakeholder coordination, enabling a more efficient and economically sustainable phased progression towards Great Britain’s 2050 net-zero target. Full article

The fig tree (Ficus carica L.) is one of the oldest cultivated fruit trees in the Mediterranean region and represents an important genetic resource for both traditional and emerging production systems. Despite its agronomic and economic relevance, modern fig breeding remains limited, and large-scale phenotypic evaluations across Mediterranean germplasms are still scarce. The objective of this study was to assess phenotypic diversity and identify key agronomic traits relevant for fig breeding. A total of 257 female fig genotypes conserved in germplasm banks located in Spain, Turkey, and Tunisia were used. Over two consecutive seasons (2021 and 2022), a total of 27 morphological, phenological, and pomological traits were assessed according to the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) descriptors for fig (TG265/1), with 23 phenotypic traits retained for statistical analyses. Linear mixed models were used to estimate marginal means and to partition genetic and environmental variance, while multivariate analyses and trait correlations were employed to explore the structure of phenotypic diversity. The germplasm exhibits remarkable variation in productive type, reproductive behaviour, harvesting date, and fruit quality traits. Harvesting date spans nearly three months. Fruit weight ranges from 11.7 to 134.5 g, total soluble solids from 9 to 39 °Brix, and maturation index values reached high levels, indicating pronounced sweetness during fruit ripening. Most genotypes showed high skin scratch resistance, absence of cracking at maturity, and medium or small ostiole size, highlighting the presence of ideotypes specifically suited for fresh market production. Heritability estimates indicate strong genetic control of key traits, such as fruit weight, fruit size, and total soluble solids, highlighting their suitability for selection in breeding programs. Stakeholder prioritisation further confirmed the relevance of fruit size, sweetness, firmness, and ostiole characteristics, helping to identify best genotypes for breeding and agronomic purposes. Overall, this study demonstrates the value of Mediterranean fig germplasm as a reservoir of valuable agronomic and commercial traits and provides a robust phenotypic framework to support future breeding, conservation, and cultivar selection strategies. Full article

Economic entropy, as an emerging concept in econophysics, has gained increasing relevance in the analysis of complex systems characterized by uncertainty, nonlinearity, and out-of-equilibrium dynamics. However, its integration into conventional economic modeling—particularly in production functions such as the Cobb–Douglas function—remains fragmented and lacks systematic empirical validation. This study conducts a scientometric analysis of 345 Scopus-indexed documents (1973–2024) addressing the intersection between entropy, econophysics, and production functions, with the aim of mapping the intellectual structure of the field, characterizing its growth trends, identifying its core contributions, and highlighting its main research gaps. The results reveal that the field has experienced sustained growth since 2004, with a notable acceleration between 2020 and 2023, although it exhibits a fragmented authorship structure that does not conform to Lotka’s Law, suggesting that the field is still in a stage of scientific consolidation. The Cobb–Douglas function emerges as a niche topic within the econophysics literature, with limited integration between entropy-based approaches—informational, thermodynamic, and maximum entropy—and the empirical modeling of production. Furthermore, weak citation linkages between econophysics and conventional economics are observed, confirming the interdisciplinary fragmentation of the field. These findings provide a structured reference for researchers interested in advancing toward analytical frameworks that explicitly incorporate uncertainty, information, and physical constraints into economic analysis, thereby contributing to the development of econophysics as an integrative discipline. Full article