Search Results (6,398)

Machine learning (ML) is increasingly applied to geochemical baseline estimation and anomaly detection in soils and sediments, yet the methodological conditions under which machine learning outperforms traditional approaches—and which preprocessing and validation decisions most consequentially determine that advantage—remain incompletely characterized across environmental and mineral exploration domains. A structured systematic scoping review of 146 records from the Web of Science Core Collection applied sequential filtering to yield 78 thematically eligible studies, from which 20 were prioritized through a composite index integrating age-adjusted citation impact, platform usage, and semantic relevance. Four cross-cutting findings emerge. First, performance gains in environmental applications were driven primarily by spatial model structure rather than algorithm selection: incorporating a spatial covariate derived from geographically weighted regression raised test-set explained variance from $R^2=0.80$ to $R^2=0.96$ for cadmium mobility prediction in a geochemically heterogeneous karst setting, a gain the source study supported with a held-out test set and a Monte Carlo analysis of sensitivity to data size. Second, isometric or centered log-ratio preprocessing was applied in the majority of mineral exploration studies (three of five classical and hybrid studies and four of five deep-learning studies) but in none of the seven environmental studies, representing a systematic methodological gap with direct consequences for covariate importance estimates under compositional closure. Third, Shapley additive explanations and accumulated local effects functioned as instruments of operational value, enabling element-specific anomaly threshold derivation, training sample diagnosis, and grid-cell anomaly type classification; this evidence demonstrates that the accuracy–interpretability trade-off commonly assumed in the machine learning literature is not fundamental in geochemical applications but contingent on algorithm selection. Fourth, 90% of the 20 synthesized studies (18 of 20 by study-area location—13 in China and five in Iran) were evaluated under within-domain validation designs, and the consistently high performance metrics reported should be interpreted as interpolation estimates rather than evidence of transferable predictive capability. Geographic diversification of training datasets and spatially explicit cross-regional validation are identified as structural prerequisites for regulatory-grade applicability. Full article

Wind power development is accelerating globally, leading to an imminent large-scale retirement of wind turbines and increasing the need for recycling infrastructure. This study proposes an integrated framework for recycling center site selection by combining Geographic Information System (GIS), AHP–CRITIC weighting, and Super-Efficiency Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). A hierarchical GIS indicator system is constructed by incorporating environmental, locational, and social compatibility factors, including elevation, slope, land use, transportation accessibility, proximity to wind farms, and population-related constraints. GIS performs Euclidean distance, kernel density, and weighted overlay analyses to identify suitable areas, while indicator weights are determined through a hybrid subjective–objective approach. A Super-Efficiency DEA model is then applied, using labor and land costs as inputs and annual decommissioning quantities as output, to evaluate and rank candidate sites, with higher-ranked sites regarded as reliable locations. A case study in Xilingol, Inner Mongolia, verifies the method’s effectiveness. The proposed framework supports scientific planning for wind turbine recycling and promotes sustainable wind energy development. Full article

This empirical study examines differences in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings across global firms. We investigate whether ESG ratings vary across three critical dimensions: geographic location, industry type, and firm size. Using Refinitiv ESG ratings for 1982 firms across four continents over the 2015–2025 period, with cross-validation against S&P Global ESG scores for the subset of 1397 firms covered by both providers over the same period, we test three primary hypotheses and a set of pillar-specific subsidiary hypotheses through ANOVA, MANOVA, and multivariate regression. Our findings reveal significant variation in ESG ratings across continents (joint MANOVA: F = 51.73, p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.074), with European firms exhibiting the highest ratings, followed by a near tie between North American and Asian firms, and Australian firms in the lowest position. Industry classification shows a significant manufacturing > services pattern in environmental and social pillar ratings but no difference in the governance rating, consistent with the pillar-specific reformulation of the industry hypothesis. Firm size has the largest effect (F = 191.74, η² = 0.247), with larger firms receiving systematically higher ratings across all three pillars. Multi-provider validation indicates substantial agreement between Refinitiv and S&P Global (Pearson r = 0.738), with the central findings replicating across providers. These results contribute to understanding the institutional, geographic, and organizational factors associated with corporate ESG ratings and have implications for how researchers and practitioners interpret cross-provider rating differences and pillar-level versus aggregate reporting. Full article

Sustainable urban transportation is fundamentally linked to public health outcomes, specifically the mitigation of fatal traffic risks under environmental stress. While stressors like adverse weather affect entire cities, traditional road safety models often assume uniform risk, thereby masking the spatial inequalities inherent in the urban fabric. This study addresses this gap by investigating the geographically heterogeneous impact of environmental stressors—including rainfall, surface moisture, and lighting conditions—on the conditional probability of fatal crash outcomes in Melbourne, Australia. Analyzing 43,075 severe crashes through a multi-stage geospatial framework (Getis-Ord Gi* and Geographically Weighted Logistic Regression), this research diagnoses how varying urban development patterns mediate the lethality of these stressors. The findings unmask a critical “threshold-crossing” pattern for wet surfaces, where risk transitions from protective to hazardous based on local infrastructure form and street geometry. Significant spatial inequalities are identified: high-density inner-urban cores and adjacent coastal corridors exhibit a heightened sensitivity to visibility failures and moisture, whereas newer industrial peripheries show stronger protective “risk compensation” effects. These results reveal a systemic mismatch between historical urban form and contemporary climate-driven public health risks. By identifying localized “lethality thresholds”, this study provides a robust evidence base for integrated planning and equitable resource allocation. It enables urban planners to move beyond generalized safety warnings toward targeted structural interventions, ensuring that sustainable transportation networks prioritize safety equity for all citizens regardless of their location within the urban environment. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Escherichia coli (E. coli) from companion dogs is an emerging One Health concern because dogs may serve as asymptomatic reservoirs of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and potentially pathogenic bacteria that can be transmitted to humans. This study aimed to determine antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, characterize antimicrobial resistance and virulence associated genes, and identify nucleotide substitutions in resistance determinants of E. coli isolated from healthy dogs in Thailand. Fecal samples (n = 200; 100 samples per province) were collected from healthy dogs attending a total of 50 small animal clinics located in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Chiang Mai provinces between January and March 2026. E. coli isolates were identified by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmation. Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated against 12 antimicrobial agents using the disk diffusion method according to CLSI guidelines. Thirty randomly selected isolates were further screened for resistance and virulence-associated genes by PCR, and the tetA gene was sequenced to identify nucleotide substitutions. Differences in gene distributions between provinces were assessed using Fisher’s exact test. A total of 66 E. coli isolates were recovered. High resistance rates were observed for ampicillin (100%), piperacillin (84.85%), ceftriaxone (60.61%), tetracycline (56.06%), and aztreonam (46.97%). Multidrug resistance was identified in 47% of the isolates. The 30 isolates exhibiting the highest levels of antimicrobial resistance were selected for molecular characterization. Among these, the β-lactam resistance gene bla_TEM was significantly more prevalent in Nakhon Si Thammarat than in Chiang Mai (60% vs. 0%; p = 0.022). The virulence gene stx2 was also detected significantly more frequently in isolates from Nakhon Si Thammarat (93.33% vs. 26.67%; p < 0.001). Sequence analysis of tetA revealed multiple nucleotide substitutions in two isolates, suggesting ongoing genetic variation within tetracycline resistance determinants that may contribute to the evolution and persistence of antimicrobial resistance. These findings demonstrate that healthy dogs in Thailand can act as reservoirs of MDR and potentially virulent E. coli. The observed geographic variation in resistance and virulence gene distributions highlights the importance of antimicrobial stewardship and continuous molecular surveillance in companion animals within a One Health framework. Full article

Leptospirosis is an important reproductive disease in bovine hosts, yet its epidemiology is still largely inferred from serology, which provides limited resolution in bovines. Although genetic studies based on genotyping and whole-genome sequencing approaches are increasing, a comprehensive overview is still lacking. We analyzed bovine-origin sequences and genome metadata from databases to characterize patterns of Leptospira species and serogroups and to describe genotyping methods and molecular markers. Metadata were retrieved from GenBank and the Institut Pasteur cgMLST databases until January 2026. Extracted variables included species, genotyping approach/markers, serological classification of isolates, sample type and origin (renal vs. genital), clinical signs, and geographic location; climates were assigned using Köppen–Geiger classification. After selection, 569 records were retrieved: 411 single-locus sequences (eight molecular markers), 95 MLST profiles, and 63 genomes, from 35 countries, with most reports from South America (57.6%). Records spanned tropical, temperate, steppe, Mediterranean, and continental-cold climates. Nine species and 14 serogroups were identified; tropical and temperate areas showed greater diversity. The main agents, L. interrogans, L. borgpetersenii, and serogroup Sejroe, were predominant and widespread. Notably, L. noguchii, L. santarosai, L. venezuelensis, and L. wolffii were mostly concentrated in the Americas. Most records were from renal samples (68.7%), indicating limited focus on genital leptospirosis, and 83.5% lacked clinical information, limiting links between strains and manifestations. Overall, bovine leptospirosis is worldwide distributed, but gaps persist in marker standardization for single-locus sequencing and genome availability. Standardized genotyping, increasing genital sampling, and improving clinical metadata are essential for refining surveillance and clarifying the role of emerging species. Full article

Groundwater levels are usually mapped as water table contours produced from point data, that is, hydraulic heads measured in modest numbers of observation wells distributed across a given region. The typically sparse distributions of wells, especially in remote areas, severely limit the number of observations that can be made and may lead to ambiguous groundwater-level estimates at unsampled locations. Satellite altimetry provides reliable estimates of hydraulic heads wherever surface water and groundwater intersect, regardless of how remote the location is. Therefore, we tested the use of Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite 2 (ICESat-2) and Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) measurements of water levels in interdune water table lakes to characterize groundwater levels in the Nebraska Sandhills (central USA), the largest dune field in the Western Hemisphere. Our satellite altimetry estimates of groundwater levels in the Nebraska Sandhills closely approximate the measurements made in nearby observation wells. ICESat-2 showed a root-mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.68 m with ± 0.45 m standard deviation (SD). SWOT estimated an RMSE of 0.75 m with ± 0.76 m SD. Monthly groundwater levels were estimated using kriging with an external drift and generalized additive models, with RMSEs ranging from 1.9 m to 3.3 m and with unbiased errors (mean error of −0.003 m to 0.153 m). We conclude that satellite altimetry has potential for the remote measurements of groundwater levels under certain geographic conditions, especially where groundwater-dominated lakes are prevalent. Full article

(1) Background: Adolescents’ appraisals of family relationships play an important role in bridging family dynamics and maladaptive behavior in various contexts. However, the mechanism of adolescents’ appraisals remains unclear. This review aims to map the state of the art about adolescents’ appraisals of family relationships in intact family contexts from the existing global literature. (2) Methods: The article collection was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guideline and screening articles from 5 sources. Two reviewers independently screened to obtain 10 reported articles that met the inclusion criteria. (3) Results: Analyses identified that 90% of the previous study involved adolescents aged 8–19 years from the United States (USA) and predominantly White. The majority of the samples were also identified from middle to upper class socioeconomic status (n = 6), and relatively low conflict family structure (n = 5). The most commonly used variable term of adolescents’ appraisal was interparental conflict (IPC) appraisals (n = 7), and the Cognitive Contextual Framework (CCF) by Grych et al. was used as a theoretical framework. (4) Conclusions: Based on a global literature review, the findings of this review are limited, based on age, race, socioeconomic status, family structure, and certain geographical locations. The limited range of samples may affect the sensitivity of the theoretical framework and measurement tools in capturing variations in adolescents’ appraisals of family relationships in intact family contexts. Furthermore, the generalizability of these findings may be limited. Accordingly, future studies are encouraged to replicate the present research using larger samples from diverse ages, cultural and socioeconomic status, and family structure backgrounds. Future researchers could further advance this research area by incorporating a wider variety of theoretical perspectives, methodological approaches, and measurement instruments to promote the future health and well-being of adolescents. Full article

This study examines how digital technology development affects entrepreneurial activity from a spatial perspective. Existing studies have mainly emphasized the local entrepreneurial effects of digital technology, while paying relatively limited attention to whether such effects extend across cities through spatial linkages. Using manually compiled large-scale business registration data, this study constructs a balanced panel dataset covering 281 prefecture-level and above cities in China from 2006 to 2020. Spatial autocorrelation tests and spatial econometric models are applied to identify the local and spatial spillover effects of digital technology. The findings suggest that urban entrepreneurial activity exhibits significant spatial dependence. After controlling for spatial correlation, digital technology development significantly promotes local entrepreneurial activity and generates positive spillover effects on surrounding cities. Effect decomposition results show that the indirect effect of digital technology is stronger than its direct effect, suggesting that spatial spillover is an important channel through which digital technology affects entrepreneurial activity. Further analysis finds that this effect differs across technology types, city size, urban hierarchy, and geographical location. Distance-band tests indicate that the positive spillover effect weakens as geographical distance increases. Overall, digital technology can promote entrepreneurial activity through regional linkages, but its spatial influence depends on actual intercity connections. Full article

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) has experienced rapid therapeutic innovation over the past two decades, leading to a substantial increase in clinical trial activity. However, the geographic distribution of these trials and the representation of different economic regions remain poorly characterized. We evaluated the global distribution, growth patterns, and phase-specific trends of MM clinical trials and trial sites across different economic settings. Methods: We conducted a retrospective registry-based analysis interventional MM clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov between January 2006 and January 2026. Trials were categorized based on the economic classification of participating countries using World Bank income groups and Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) status. Trial characteristics including phase, geographic distribution, number of participating sites, and site-years were analyzed. Population-adjusted trial density and compound annual growth rates (CAGR) were calculated to assess temporal trends and geographic representation. Results: A total of 845 interventional MM clinical trials were identified during the study period. Trial activity was highest in the United States (337 trials, 39.9%), followed by international trials (271, 32.1%), high-income-OECD countries (129, 15.3%), and upper-middle-income countries (103, 12.2%), while high-income non-OECD countries contributed only a small fraction of trials. Trial activity increased substantially over time across all regions with the highest growth observed in upper-middle-income countries (CAGR 18.5%). The US demonstrated the highest population-adjusted trial density (0.99 per million population) and accounted for the largest number of trial sites and site-years. Phase-specific analyses revealed distinct geographic patterns. Phase 1 trials were predominantly conducted in the US and in international collaborative trials. Phase 3 trials were largely international, although the majority of participating sites remained located in the US and High-income countries that are members of the OECD (HIC-OECD). Conclusions: Over the past two decades, MM clinical trial activity has expanded globally but remains highly concentrated in the United States and high income-OECD countries, particularly with respect to trial sites and population-adjusted trial density. Although upper-middle-income countries have shown the fastest growth in trial activity expanding clinical trial infrastructure and strengthening international collaboration will be essential to promote a more equitable global distribution of MM research. Full article

Within the subway systems of megacities, individual passenger transfer experiences have long been marginalized due to an overemphasis on macro-level, systemic, and functional performance, positioning low transfer efficiency as a pervasive bottleneck in enhancing the overall network efficacy. Adopting an individual passenger perspective, this study takes the Changping Line of the Beijing Subway as an empirical case. By using walking speed to evaluate transfer efficiency and through field survey, behavioral experiment, and quantitative model analysis, this paper reveals the key built environment factors influencing transfer efficiency and their underlying impact mechanisms and also provides empirical evidence for the synergistic optimization of transfer efficiency and the built environment in megacity subway systems. The findings indicate that the built environment impacts transfer efficiency in macro-non-linear and micro-linear ways, specifically manifesting across six specific mechanisms: the geographic location mechanism, the pressure mechanism of high-density development, the spatial exclusivity mechanism of regional transport hubs, the topological penalty mechanism of transfer paths, the bottleneck constraint mechanism of node facilities, and the compensatory mechanism of information guidance. Furthermore, as a medium affecting transfer efficiency, the shaping of the built environment is essentially determined by the city’s subway planning and construction institutions, the external technical conditions of the particular stations, and localized tactical governance to manage the dynamic daily traffic mobility. Based on these findings, this study suggests that improving the transfer efficiency of megacity metro systems like the Changping Line should implement systemic strategies from four aspects: tailored TOD at the macro-spatial planning phase, the micro-spatial integration of indoor and outdoor built environments during the station design phase, differentiated collaborative governance to alleviate station-external intermodal transfer competitions during the operation phase, and digitally empowered transfer guidance to proactively manage transfer demand across three scenarios. Full article

Enhancing ecological resilience and human well-being is key to achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within the framework of the Healthy China strategy, this paper treated China’s Healthy City pilot (HCP) policy as a quasi-natural experiment and systematically investigated its impact on ecological resilience, the underlying transmission mechanisms, and heterogeneity. Based on panel data from 286 prefecture-level cities spanning 2011–2023 and employing a spatial difference-in-differences (SDID) model, the empirical results showed that: Spatial correlation analysis indicated a significantly positive spatial correlation in urban ecological resilience across Chinese cities. The baseline regression results showed that the HCP policy significantly improved urban ecological resilience, with the resilience index increasing by 18.1% on average compared with non-pilot cities. The SDID results indicated that the policy generated positive spatial spillover effects on urban ecological resilience, and that policy effects were influenced by geographically neighboring cities. Mechanism tests showed that the Healthy City Pilot policy significantly promoted urban technological innovation and facilitated the transformation of the energy consumption structure, both of which played important roles in enhancing urban ecological resilience. Heterogeneity analysis revealed that the policy had stronger effects in eastern and northeastern cities than in central and western cities, and that large cities benefited more than small and medium-sized cities, mainly due to differences in regional location, development foundations, environmental governance capacity and policy implementation conditions. Full article

This study addresses the impact of the location of transverse barriers on debris flow in the Libertad sub-basin, in Chosica, Peru. Intense seasonal rainfall in this region causes destructive flows that threaten infrastructure and human lives. Using geographic information system tools, hydrological models and hydraulic simulations, scenarios with barriers installed at different distances from the debris source were evaluated. The results indicate that the barrier located closest to the source (0.3L) is the most effective, achieving a reduction in velocity of 12.9% at the most critical urban monitoring point, the greatest volume retention capacity (790.02 m³), and the greatest decrease in flow escaping from the study area (65.7%). In contrast, barriers at 0.5L, 0.7L, and 0.9L show progressively lower effectiveness. This finding highlights the importance of a strategic design that optimises the position of the barriers according to the geomorphological and hydrological characteristics of the area. It is concluded that an adequate distribution of barriers, complemented with integrated watershed management strategies, can considerably mitigate the risks associated with debris flows in vulnerable urban areas. Full article

By integrating ecological spatial data, offshore wind energy development zones, and the marine spatial planning (MSP) framework, it is possible to assess the relationship among Taiwan’s offshore renewable energy development, risks to marine biodiversity, and the effectiveness of marine spatial planning. The study adopts a mixed-method spatial–quantitative research design that integrates geospatial modelling, ecological risk assessment, spatial conflict analysis, and governance evaluation for quantification of biodiversity exposure to offshore wind infrastructure. Spatial overlay analysis is employed in the identification of geographic areas where offshore wind development intersects with high biodiversity vulnerability zones. Quantitative spatial indicators are used to assess the extent to which MSP reduces biodiversity exposure to offshore renewable energy infrastructure. The analytical framework integrates two parallel modelling domains including the ecological risk modelling domain and the spatial governance effectiveness domain. The spatial analysis of biodiversity vulnerability across Taiwan’s analyzed offshore areas revealed a BVI range of 0.12 to 0.88. The mean BVI value was 0.51 (S.D. = 0.18). The results further show that over 47% of the analyzed EEZ falls into high and very high vulnerability classes. The total offshore wind area located within high-risk and very high-risk zones accounted for 38% of the wind farm footprint. Smaller proportions occupy very low and low-risk zones, accounting for 7.1% and 21.4%, respectively, while 32.1% of wind infrastructure is in moderate-risk areas. Overlaying MSP boundaries with biodiversity risk zones showed that 62% of high-risk biodiversity areas are encompassed within MSP-designated protection, leaving 38% of high-risk zones unprotected. The findings show that biodiversity preservation and offshore wind development are not mutually exclusive but are rather dependent on efficient spatial planning, integrated governance, and flexible management to maintain sustainability. Full article

Background/Objectives: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency represent a widespread problem in the majority of Central Asian countries, attributable to the geographical location of the region, urbanization, and dietary patterns of the population. Given that vitamin D not only participates in the regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism but also exerts pleiotropic effects on various organs and systems, its insufficiency and deficiency are associated with a broad spectrum of pathological conditions, ranging from asymptomatic manifestations to severe clinical symptoms, including the development of autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular, gynecological and reproductive, and rheumatological conditions. The development of national and interdisciplinary guidelines addressing the diagnosis, prevention of insufficiency, and correction of vitamin D deficiency in the countries of Central Asia represents an important step toward the establishment of effective preventive programs and treatment strategies, which may contribute to a reduction in the prevalence of diseases associated with vitamin D deficiency. The aim of the present work is to formulate a resolution capturing the conclusions and recommendations derived from an interdisciplinary expert discussion. Methods: An Expert Council meeting with the participation of specialists in endocrinology, obstetrics and gynecology, rheumatology, clinical pharmacology, and other medical disciplines from Central Asian and European countries was conducted in Almaty (Kazakhstan) on 18 June 2025. During this meeting, the pleiotropic action of vitamin D was extensively discussed basing on RCTs and observational studies. Results: Following the Expert Council meeting, current international clinical guidelines, scientific research data, and relevant epidemiological evidence were reviewed, leading to the formulation of a resolution that reflects the agreed-upon recommendations for the prevention of vitamin D insufficiency and the correction of vitamin D deficiency across different age groups according to baseline vitamin D metabolite levels. Conclusions: The expert discussion emphasized the need for unified interdisciplinary approaches to the diagnosis, correction, and prevention of vitamin D deficiency in the countries of Central Asia. The proposed recommendations may serve as a foundation for the development of national clinical protocols and the implementation of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies in the countries of Central Asia. Full article