Search Results (5,757)

Social media-based content entrepreneurship is evolving rapidly and emerging as a significant and growing form of employment. Generative AI (GenAI) offers content entrepreneurs a powerful tool for content creation; however, the technology can be abused to produce deepfakes, rumors, plagiarism, and other injurious content. This triggers value co-destruction across the creator economy and society, making it particularly crucial to enhance content entrepreneurs’ compliance with GenAI policies. Aiming to develop an effective governance framework, this study adopts a mixed-methods approach, beginning with exploratory interviews to uncover factors affecting GenAI policy compliance intention. Subsequently, it employs confirmatory quantitative research with a survey to validate the proposed research model. The results indicate that both the deterrence triad (i.e., perceived sanction certainty, severity, and celerity) and perceived social norm strengthen GenAI policy compliance intention. Meanwhile, perceived social norm weakens the impact of perceived sanction certainty on policy compliance intention. Furthermore, peer communication enhances policy compliance intention by increasing perceptions of sanction certainty and celerity as well as social norm. These findings contribute to the sustainable development of content entrepreneurship and effective GenAI governance, fostering a symbiotic creator economy. Full article

Taipei’s metropolitan region faces frequent typhoon impacts that test its urban resilience. This study examines the relationship between Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) urban spatial forms and Taipei’s resilience against typhoons, considering both physical urban morphology and planning factors. We apply a Dynamic Analytic Network Process (DANP), an integrated DEMATEL-ANP multi-criteria approach to evaluate and prioritize key resilience-related spatial and planning factors in TOD areas. Rather than using GIS flood modeling, we emphasize empirical indicators derived from local data, including urban density, transit accessibility, historical typhoon flood impacts, infrastructure vulnerability, and demographic exposure. An extensive literature review covers TOD principles, urban resilience theory, and DANP methodology, with a particular emphasis on the Taiwanese context and case studies. Empirical results reveal that specific TOD characteristics indeed enhance typhoon resilience. High-density, mixed-use development around transit can reduce overall exposure to hazards by curbing sprawl into floodplains and enabling efficient evacuations. Using DANP, we find that infrastructure robustness and emergency planning capacity emerge as the most influential factors for resilience in Taipei’s TOD neighborhoods, followed by land use and management and transit accessibility. Weighted rankings of Taipei’s districts suggest that centrally located TOD-intensive districts score higher in resilience metrics, while peripheral districts with flood-prone areas tend to lag. The Discussion explores these findings, considering planning policies—noting that TOD can bolster resilience if coupled with adaptive infrastructure and inclusive planning—and compares them with examples like Singapore’s integrated land use and transit strategy, which dramatically reduced flood risk. The study concludes with policy implications for integrating TOD and climate resilience in urban planning, and contributions of the DANP approach for complex urban resilience evaluations. Full article

The rising demand for sustainable agriculture and circular resource management has intensified interest in converting wastewater sludge into value-added products. This review explores the transformation of sewage sludge into slow- and controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs), with a focus on biochar production and encapsulation technologies. Sewage sludge is rich in essential macronutrients (N, P, K), micronutrients, and organic matter, making it a promising feedstock for agricultural applications. However, its use is constrained by challenges including compositional variability, presence of heavy metals, pathogens, and emerging contaminants such as microplastics and PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances). The manuscript discusses a range of stabilization and conversion techniques, such as composting, anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization, and nutrient recovery from incinerated sludge ash. Special emphasis is placed on coating and encapsulation technologies that regulate nutrient release, improve fertilizer efficiency, and reduce environmental losses. The role of natural, synthetic, and biodegradable polymers in enhancing release mechanisms is analyzed in the context of agricultural performance and soil health. While these technologies offer environmental and agronomic benefits, large-scale adoption is hindered by technical, economic, and regulatory barriers. The review highlights key challenges and outlines future perspectives, including the need for advanced coating materials, improved contaminant mitigation strategies, harmonized regulations, and field-scale validation of CRFs. Overall, the valorisation of sewage sludge into CRFs presents a viable strategy for nutrient recovery, waste minimization, and sustainable food production. With continued innovation and policy support, sludge-based fertilizers can become a critical component of the green transition in agriculture. Full article

Net Primary Productivity (NPP) serves as a key indicator of ecosystem health and productivity. However, most existing research focuses on primary land cover types, overlooking the dynamic response processes of NPP in refined vegetation types to multiple climate drivers. Furthermore, it lacks systematic analysis of the feedback mechanisms through which China’s Five-Year Plan (FYP) ecological projects regulate climate stress. This study, based on refined vegetation classification, systematically analyzes the dynamic changes in NPP in Heilongjiang Province from the 10th to the 13th FYP periods (2001–2020), with a focus on refined vegetation types. Results show that between 2001 and 2020, mixed-leaved forest emerged as the core driver of regional NPP change during the 12th FYP (NPP increase of +58.4 gC·m⁻²·a⁻¹). Although deciduous needle-leaved forest (DNF) showed the highest cumulative increase (+64 gC·m⁻²·a⁻¹), it experienced significant degradation (p < 0.01) in 57%–62% of its area during the 12th and 13th FYP periods. The dominant climate driver shifted from precipitation (positively correlated in 74% of the area during the 10th–11th FYPs) to drought stress dominated by vapor pressure deficit (VPD) (positive correlation increasing to 54%). Ecological projects mitigated the negative impact of temperature, reducing the area with negative correlations by 13%. Overall, the ecological policies of the FYP exerted a weak negative influence. However, forest vegetation was strongly regulated by VPD (SV = −0.61~0.59), while grasslands and croplands exhibited high sensitivity to temperature. These findings underscore the contrasting climate policy responses among plant functional groups, highlighting the urgent need for differentiated ecological management strategies. Full article

Impact investing and sustainable finance are crucial in addressing social and environmental issues while developing a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable world. The purpose of this article is to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the existing literature on the impact investing and sustainable finance research domain. Using PRISMA protocol, data was extracted from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, resulting in the compilation of 498 documents. Researchers use Biblioshiny and VOSviewer to analyze the bibliographic meta data. The findings show that the number of publications in this field has increased significantly over the last five years. In terms of journal productivity, Sustainability is the most prominent source, followed by Resources Policy and Journal of Cleaner Production. The results indicate that China published 189 articles, securing the first position, followed by India with 82 articles and the UK with 72 articles. Thematic map analysis underscores the significance of impact investing in renewable energy for sustainable economic growth. In addition, four research themes have emerged from the co-occurrence of keywords analysis. These themes are “sustainable finance for sustainable economic development”; “the rise of ESG investing in the changing world”; “corporate governance and CSR in enhancing firm performance”; and “mobilizing sustainable finance to tackle climate changes”. Furthermore, the research gives a complete summary of current research trends, future research directions and policy recommendations to assist academic researchers, investors, policymakers, business organizations and financial institutions in better understanding the impact investment and sustainable finance. Full article

The expansion of conventional agricultural models in the Colombian Amazon has caused deforestation, biodiversity loss, and socio-environmental degradation. In response, agroecology and bioeconomy are emerging as key strategies to regenerate landscapes and foster sustainable production systems. We evaluated the agroecological performance of 25 farms in the Andean–Amazon transition zone of Colombia using FAO’s Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE). The analysis included land cover dynamics (2002–2024), characterization of the agroecological transition based on the 10 Elements of Agroecology, and 23 economic, environmental, and social indicators. Four farm typologies were identified; among them, Mixed Family Farms (MFF) achieved the highest transition score (CAET = 60.5%) and excelled in crop diversity (64%), soil health (SHI = 4.24), productive autonomy (VA/GVP = 0.69), and household empowerment (FMEF= 85%). Correlation analyses showed strong links between agroecological practices, economic efficiency, and social cohesion. Land cover dynamics revealed a continuous decline in forest cover (12.9% in 2002 to 7.1% in 2024) and an increase in secondary vegetation, underscoring the urgent need for restorative approaches. Overall, farms further along the agroecological transition were more productive, autonomous, and socially cohesive, strengthening territorial resilience. The application of TAPE proved robust multidimensional evidence to support agroecological monitoring and decision-making, with direct implications for land use planning, rural development strategies, and sustainability policies in the Amazon. At the same time, its sensitivity to high baseline biodiversity and to the complex socio-ecological dynamics of the Colombian Amazon underscores the need to refine the methodology in future applications. By addressing these challenges, the study contributes to the broader international debate on agroecological transitions, offering insights relevant for other tropical frontiers and biodiversity-rich regions facing similar pressures. Full article

Background: Upper-extremity morbidity after breast cancer surgery—including pain, lymphedema, and restricted shoulder range of motion—often develops gradually, emerging months after treatment and limiting daily activities. We aimed to characterize morbidity trajectories, physical therapy utilization, and predictors of physical therapy use. Methods: A retrospective multicenter cohort included 1602 women treated with breast surgery 0–36 months earlier. Patient-reported outcomes included Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH), pain, range of motion limitation, axillary web syndrome, and lymphedema. Clinical variables included surgery type and nodal procedure. Outcomes were summarized across four postoperative windows (0–6, 7–12, 13–24, 25–36 months). Logistic and multinomial regression identified predictors of physical therapy uptake and timing (early, ≤3 months vs. late, >3 months; No physical therapy). Results: Anxiety declined across postoperative windows (p < 0.001), and axillary web syndrome decreased from early to later periods (p < 0.001). In contrast, range of motion restriction and decreased function remained common without significant differences between windows (p = 0.145 and p = 0.273). Pain was generally low-to-moderate by median [interquartile range], with a modest rise at 7–12 months (p < 0.001). In adjusted multinomial models (reference: Early physical therapy ≤ 3 months), higher pain was associated with No physical therapy and Late physical therapy (both p < 0.05); lymphedema with No PT and Late physical therapy (both p < 0.05); and axillary web syndrome with Late physical therapy (p = 0.001). Other symptoms (range of motion, function level, anxiety and physical activity) were not independently associated with physical therapy timing. Conclusions: Long-term postoperative morbidity is common. Early assessment and structured follow-up can mitigate its impact and should be embedded as core elements of survivorship health-promotion policy. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental pollutants of emerging concern due to their widespread use and potential adverse health effects. This study assessed the concentrations of key PFAS compounds in yogurt samples collected from eleven Lebanese governorates. Results revealed notable geographic variability, with the Bekaa region exhibiting the highest PFAS levels, particularly PFHpA, PFOA, PFHxS, PFOS, and PFPeA, while Jbeil showed the lowest concentrations. Health risk assessment using estimated daily intake (EDI), risk quotients (RQ), and cumulative hazard index (HI) indicated all individual compound exposures below established safety thresholds. However, elevated RQs for PFOS and PFOA and an average HI of 0.71 suggest potential chronic exposure concerns in high-burden regions. These findings emphasize the importance of continued monitoring and risk management to protect public health and inform environmental policies addressing PFAS contamination in Lebanon. Full article

Within the context of global climate change and China’s commitment to the “Dual Carbon” goals (carbon peak and carbon neutrality), this study proposes a novel taxonomy of market-based environmental regulations, dividing them into investment-driven and tax-based supervisory mechanisms. Using panel data from 30 Chinese provinces between 2010 and 2023, we empirically investigate their differential effects on carbon emissions. Results indicate that both regulatory approaches significantly curb carbon emissions, each exhibiting distinct nonlinear patterns: an inverted-U curve for investment-oriented measures and a U-shaped trajectory for tax-oriented policies, implying that excessively stringent tax supervision may lead to a rebound in emissions due to effects such as the “resource curse” and “innovation crowding-out.” Industrial structure transformation functions as a common mediating channel, while green innovation efficiency exerts a distinct moderating influence. Both policy types demonstrate adverse spatial spillover effects, with no support found for the “pollution haven” or “race to the bottom” hypotheses. This study offers new empirical insights into how environmental regulations facilitate green and low-carbon transition through market mechanisms, providing valuable implications for designing ecological policy systems that harmonize emission reduction efficiency with sustainability in China and other emerging economies. Full article

African trypanosomiasis is a protozoan disease that affects both humans and animals. Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a Neglected Tropical Disease targeted for elimination in 2030. Although WHO has not reported HAT from Nigeria in the last decade, there are published studies reporting seroprevalence, parasite detection/isolation, and animal reservoirs potentially involved in HAT transmission in Nigeria. Interestingly, the burden of Animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT) continues to increase. In this study, we synthesized published reports on the prevalence of HAT and AAT in Nigeria from 1993–2021, the trypanosome species involved, the spread of animal reservoirs, and the variability in diagnostic methodologies employed. A scoping review was performed following the methodological framework outlined in PRISMA-ScR checklist. Sixteen eligible studies published between 1993 and 2021 were reviewed: 13 for AAT and 3 for HAT. Varying prevalence rates were recorded depending on the diagnostic methods employed. The average prevalence reported from these studies was 3.3% (HAT), and 27.3% (AAT). Diagnostic methods employed include microscopy, PCR and Card Agglutination Test for Trypanosomiasis (CATT). Cattle, pigs, and dogs were identified as carriers of human-infective trypanosomes. This study highlights the scarcity of HAT epidemiological studies/data from Nigeria, the high prevalence, complex epidemiology, limited attention and surveillance of African Trypanosomiasis in Nigeria. Remarkably, WHO records do not reflect the published data showing evidence of HAT prevalence/cases in Nigeria. Unfortunately, diagnostics challenges and unrealistic disease reporting protocols seem to limit HAT reporting from Nigeria. Therefore, adequately coordinated epidemiological surveys and targeted intervention policies are imperative to ascertain the true epidemiological status of HAT in Nigeria and prevent disease re-emergence towards achieving WHO’s elimination targets. The presence of animal carriers of human-infective trypanosomes underscores the importance of a one-health approach to combat African trypanosomiasis effectively. Full article

Agile satellites leverage rapid and flexible maneuvering to image more targets per orbital cycle, which is essential for time-sensitive emergency operations, particularly disaster assessment. Correspondingly, the increasing observation data volumes necessitate the use of on-orbit computing to bypass storage and transmission limitations. However, coordinating precedence-dependent observation, computation, and downlink operations within limited time windows presents key challenges for agile satellite service optimization. Therefore, this paper proposes a deep reinforcement learning (DRL) approach to solve the joint observation and on-orbit computation scheduling (JOOCS) problem for agile satellite constellations. First, the infrastructure under study consists of observation satellites, a GEO satellite (dedicated to computing), ground stations, and communication links interconnecting them. Next, the JOOCS problem is described using mathematical formulations, and then a partially observable Markov decision process model is established with the objective of maximizing task completion profits. Finally, we design a joint scheduling decision algorithm based on multiagent proximal policy optimization (JS-MAPPO). Concerning the policy network of agents, a problem-specific encoder–decoder architecture is developed to improve the learning efficiency of JS-MAPPO. Simulation results show that JS-MAPPO surpasses the genetic algorithm and state-of-the-art DRL methods across various problem scales while incurring lower computational costs. Compared to random scheduling, JOOCS achieves up to 82.67% higher average task profit, demonstrating enhanced operational performance in agile satellite constellations. Full article

Areas characterised by high ecological and cultural value are increasingly exposed to overtourism and intensifying land-use pressures, often exacerbated by mobility policies aimed at enhancing regional accessibility and promoting tourism. These dynamics create spatial tensions, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas such as those within the Natura 2000 network and Sites of Community Importance (SCIs), where intensified visitor flows, and infrastructure expansion can disrupt the balance between conservation and development. This study offers a geospatial analysis of the current state (2024) of such dynamics in the Lazio Region (Italy), evaluating the effects of mobility strategies on ecological vulnerability and tourism pressure. By applying isochrone-based accessibility modelling, GIS buffer analysis, and spatial overlays, the research maps the intersection of accessibility, heritage value, and environmental sensitivity. The methodology enables the identification of critical zones where accessibility improvements coincide with heightened ecological risk and tourism-related stress. The original contribution of this work lies in its integrated spatial framework, which combines accessibility metrics with indicators of ecological and heritage significance to visualise and assess emerging risk areas. The Lazio Region, distinguished by its heterogeneous landscapes and ambitious mobility planning initiatives, constitutes a significant case study for examining how policy-driven improvements in transport infrastructure may inadvertently exacerbate spatial disparities and intensify ecological vulnerabilities in peripheral and sensitive territorial contexts. The findings support the formulation of adaptive, place-based policy recommendations aimed at mitigating the unintended consequences of accessibility-led tourism strategies. These include prioritising soft mobility, enhancing regulatory protection in high-risk zones, and fostering coordinated governance across sectors. Ultimately, the study advances a replicable methodology to inform sustainable territorial governance and balance tourism development with environmental preservation. Full article

Productivity has long been the fundamental driver of human social progress and national prosperity. Against the backdrop of technological advancement and social development, New Quality Productive Forces (NQPFs) have emerged as a new form of productivity, serving as a key focus for corporate transformation and upgrading as well as sustainable national development. Based on the panel data of 28,107 listed companies in China from 2011 to 2022, this study employs a three-way fixed-effects model to investigate the impact of green finance (GF) on corporate NQPFs. The main findings are as follows: First, GF exhibits a significant positive correlation with the enhancement of corporate NQPFs. Second, financing constraints and corporate social responsibility strengthen the empowering effect of GF on corporate NQPFs, while environmental law enforcement weakens this effect, reflecting a “synergistic dilemma” between government intervention and market mechanisms in promoting corporate NQPFs. Third, the effect of GF on corporate NQPFs shows significant heterogeneity depending on environmental and social risks, the nature of property rights, public attention, and firm size. These findings provide important insights for optimizing green finance policies and enhancing corporate productivity. Full article

To address the greenhouse effect and environmental pollution stemming from fossil fuels, the development of new energy sources is widely regarded as a critical pathway toward achieving carbon neutrality. Microalgae, as a feedstock for third-generation biofuels, have emerged as a research hotspot for producing biojet fuel due to their high photosynthetic efficiency, non-competition with food crops, and potential for carbon reduction. This paper provides a systematic review of technological advancements in the catalytic hydrogenation of microalgal oil for biojet fuel production. It specifically focuses on the reaction mechanisms and catalyst design involved in the hydrogenation–deoxygenation and cracking/isomerization processes within the Oil-to-Jet (OTJ) pathway. Furthermore, the paper compares the performance differences among various catalyst support materials and between precious and non-precious metal catalysts. Finally, it outlines the current landscape of policy support and progress in industrialization projects globally. Full article

Plastic pollution has emerged as a pervasive and systemic driver of ecological and biogeochemical disruption in freshwater and marine environments. Unlike natural materials that circulate within closed biogeochemical loops, synthetic polymers predominantly follow unidirectional and irreversible trajectories, a phenomenon we describe as “irreversible plastic transport.” These flows culminate in sedimentary entrapment, where plastics persist as long-term ecological stressors and potential vectors of contaminant transfer. Recent global syntheses indicate that sedimentary microplastic loads can exceed 27,000 particles/kg dry weight in certain river systems, highlighting the urgency of sediment-inclusive risk assessments. This review synthesizes interdisciplinary findings to conceptualize plastics as both pollutants and governance challenges. We highlighted the dominant transport pathways of micro- and nanoplastics and emphasize that sedimentary sinks are critical long-term retention zones. Current monitoring frameworks often underestimate sedimentary burdens by focusing on surface water and overlooking subsurface ecological legacies. We propose an integrated governance approach combining cross-media monitoring, Earth system modeling, and adaptive policies to address these persistent synthetic agents. Embedding plastic dynamics within comprehensive risk assessment frameworks is essential for sustainable water management during the Anthropocene. Our synthesis supports risk-based decision-making and encourages proactive, transdisciplinary global governance strategies that integrate sediment-focused monitoring and long-term ecological risk management. Full article