Search Results (6,682)

Legal actors often discuss emotion-based decisions and reasoned evaluation of the facts as distinct and opposite methods through which jurors can reach conclusions. However, research suggests that emotion can have an indirect effect on juror decisions by changing the way that jurors evaluate the facts of the case. In three studies (N = 713, N = 677, N = 651), we tested whether mock jurors’ negative moral emotions towards the defendant predicted their evaluations of unrelated case evidence and in turn their case judgments and whether judicial rehabilitation could reduce this effect. Participants read a civil case and were randomly assigned to either receive judicial rehabilitation or not. Then, they completed measures relating to their negative moral emotions towards the defendant, their agreement with plaintiff and defense evidence, and case judgments. When participants reported increased negative emotions towards the defendant, they agreed more with unrelated plaintiff evidence and less with unrelated defense evidence. In turn, they voted liable more often and awarded more in damages. Judicial rehabilitation did not reduce this effect. This research provides support for the idea that there is a more complicated relationship between emotion and decisions than legal actors suggest. Specifically, negative emotions towards the defendant are associated with a pro-plaintiff evaluation of evidence and pro-plaintiff judgments. Full article

This study aims to explore how Corporate Digital Responsibility (CDR) influences Jordanian banks’ performance. It focuses on four CDR dimensions—“social, technological, economic, and environmental”—and examines the mediating role of firm size in these relationships. This study is the first to empirically test the mediating effect of firm size in the relationship between CDR and firm performance in the Jordanian banking sector, providing a novel perspective on how digital ethics shape organizational success. Data were collected through a structured survey from 299 bank employees in Jordan. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to assess the direct and indirect effects of CDR dimensions on firm performance, with firm size tested as a mediating variable. All four dimensions of CDR significantly and positively affect firm performance. Additionally, firm size plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between CDR and firm performance, indicating that larger banks may better leverage digital responsibility initiatives to enhance performance. The study relies on self-reported data from a single country (Jordan), which may limit generalizability. Future studies could adopt a longitudinal design or expand to other MENA countries for comparative analysis and broader insights. The findings suggest that Jordanian banks should invest in and prioritize CDR strategies, especially in economic and technological domains, to improve their organizational outcomes and stakeholder relationships. Enhancing firm size may amplify the positive impact of CDR. The findings of this study are robust, as validated by further analysis utilizing data from a customer survey. The results derived from customer viewpoints correspond with staff data, substantiating the beneficial influence of Corporate Digital Responsibility (CDR) on banking performance and affirming the substantial mediating effect of company size. Full article

Background: The mechanisms linking loneliness to frailty in older adults with diabetes remain unclear. Guided by the Loneliness–Health Outcomes Model, this study is the first to simultaneously validate the dual mechanisms (mediation and moderation) of social support in the loneliness–frailty relationship among older Chinese adults with diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 442 community-dwelling adults aged ≥60 years with type 2 diabetes in Beijing. Standardized scales assessed loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale), frailty (Tilburg Frailty Indicator), and social support (SSRS). Analyses included Pearson’s correlations, hierarchical regression, and PROCESS macro to evaluate mediating/moderating effects, after adjusting for demographics and comorbidities. Results: The frailty prevalence was 55.2%. Loneliness was positively correlated with frailty (r = 0.327, p < 0.01), while social support showed inverse associations with both loneliness (r = −0.496) and frailty (r = −0.315) (p < 0.01). Social support partially mediated loneliness’s effect on frailty (indirect effect: 30.86%; 95% CI: 0.028–0.087) and moderated this relationship (interaction β = −0.003, p = 0.011). High-risk clusters (e.g., aged ≥80 years, widowed, and isolated individuals) exhibited combined “high loneliness–low support–high frailty” profiles. Conclusions: Social support reduces the frailty risk through dual mechanisms. These findings advocate for tiered clinical interventions: (1) targeted home-visit systems and resource allocation for high-risk subgroups (e.g., solo-living elders aged ≥80 years); and (2) the integration of social support screening into routine diabetes care to identify individuals below the protective threshold (SSRS < 45.47). These findings advance psychosocially informed strategies for diabetes management in aging populations. Full article

Background. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent and disabling condition frequently accompanied by cognitive deficits, impaired psychosocial functioning, and biological rhythm disturbances. Despite extensive literature on individual associations between depression and circadian disruptions, the mediating role of biological rhythms in the functional outcomes of MDD remains underexplored. Objectives. This study aimed to explore the associations between depression severity, biological rhythms, sleep quality, and psychosocial functioning, and to assess whether biological rhythm disturbances mediate the impact of depression on functioning. Methods. Sixty-one inpatients diagnosed with moderate-to-severe MDD were assessed using standardized instruments: BDI-II for depressive symptoms, BRIAN for biological rhythms, PSQI for sleep quality, and FAST for global functioning. Group comparisons, non-parametric correlations, and a mediation analysis were conducted to test direct and indirect effects. Results. Participants showed severe depressive symptoms, impaired functioning, disrupted biological rhythms, and poor sleep. Women reported more depressive episodes, reduced autonomy, and worse sleep than men. Depression severity was associated with circadian and sleep disturbances, which in turn related to functional impairment. Mediation analysis suggested that biological rhythms partially mediate the impact of depression on functioning. Conclusions. Findings from this preliminary analysis suggest that biological rhythm disturbances may play a mediating role in the relationship between depressive symptoms and daily psychosocial functioning. While not conclusive, these results highlight the potential relevance of chronobiological factors in understanding functional outcomes in MDD. Further research using longitudinal and controlled designs is needed to clarify these associations and their clinical implications. Full article

This study investigates the impact of remittances on income inequality in Lebanon using annual time-series data for the years 2000–2023. Applying Johansen’s cointegration test, with financial development (FD), GDP, and household consumption expenditure (HCE) as the control variables, the study examines the long-run and short-run relationship between remittances and inequality. The study also considers the moderating impacts of FD and HCE to account for their indirect role in the remittance–inequality relationship. Dynamic relations are also examined by using impulse response functions (IRFs) and Forecast Error Variance Decomposition (FEVD) analyses. The long-run model estimates validate that remittances and income inequality are significantly and negatively related, i.e., increased remittance receipts serve to reduce income inequality in Lebanon. Remittance effects, however, are statistically insignificant in the short run. Interestingly, the results reveal that financial development weakens the remittances’ inequality-reducing effect, dampening their impact. Contrarily, a higher household consumption expenditure slightly strengthens the inequality-reducing effect of remittances. A comparison between the pre- and post-2019 periods reveals that the explanatory strength of remittances weakened during times of economic crisis, since the function of remittances was different during times of economic distress. Based on these findings, this study recommends that Lebanon not only promote financial development but also focus on financial inclusion, improve social safety nets, and provide inclusive economic growth to maximize remittance inflow benefits and efficiently reduce inequality. Full article

In this research, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between the main dimensions of personality (Extraversion, Maturity, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Self-actualization) and mobile phone addiction, both directly and mediated by the professional context (professional status), and moderated by adaptive cognitive-emotional coping strategies. The participants, adult Romanian citizens, completed measures of personality—Big Five ABCD-M, a mobile phone addiction questionnaire, and the CERQ for adaptive coping strategies. They also responded to a question about current professional status (employed, student, etc.). Data were analyzed using Jamovi, and the findings were somewhat unexpected, though it aligned with the existing literature. Maturity emerged as a consistent inverse predictor of smartphone addiction (r = −0.45, β = −0.43, p < 0.001) across all three analyses. Extraversion showed an indirect effect mediated by professional status (β = −0.077, p < 0.05). Self-actualization was also found to predict smartphone addiction positively through full mediation by professional status (β = 0.05, p < 0.05). Agreeableness became a significant negative predictor (β = −0.13, p < 0.05) only when adaptive coping strategies were included. These findings highlight that the transition from frequent smartphone use—whether for work or personal reasons—to addiction can be subtle. This study may support both the general population in understanding smartphone use from a psycho-emotional perspective and organizations in promoting a healthy work-life balance. Full article

The study examines how individual skills influence adolescents’ and young adults’ commitment to climate protection and global health. Based on 21st-century skills and transformative education, it focuses on competences in science, geography, mathematics, religion, ethics, and media. A representative online survey of 783 participants in Germany assessed topic relevance, information-seeking behavior, and active engagement. The results show that subject-specific skills significantly affect engagement, especially when closely related to the topics. Scientific, mathematical, and geographical competences enhance all three engagement dimensions. Media competence primarily increases perceived importance, while religious and ethical competences positively influence all areas. Structural equation modeling reveals a process: perceived relevance leads to information search, which then drives engagement. Thus, competences have both direct and indirect effects on active involvement. The findings highlight that long-term engagement is not only driven by campaigns but also by education that equips young people with the skills to recognize important issues, seek information, and take action independently. Full article

Excessive chemical fertilizers degrade soil and increase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Organic substitution of nitrogen fertilizers is recognized as a sustainable agricultural-management practice, yet its dual role in carbon sequestration and emissions renders the net GHG balance (NGHGB) uncertain. To assess the GHG mitigation potential of organic substitution strategies, this study analyzed GHG fluxes, soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics, indirect GHG emissions, and Net Primary Productivity (NPP) based on a long-term field positioning experiment initiated in 2016. Six fertilizer regimes were systematically compared: no fertilizer control (CK); only phosphorus and potassium fertilizer (PK); total chemical fertilizer (NPK); 1/3 chemical N substituted with sheep manure (OF1); dual substitution protocol with 1/6 chemical N substituted by sheep manure and 1/6 substituted by straw-derived N (OF2); complete chemical N substitution with sheep manure (OF3). The results showed that OF1 and OF2 maintained crop yields similar to those under NPK, whereas OF3 reduced yield by over 10%; relative to NPK, OF1, OF2, and OF3 significantly increased SOC sequestration rates by 50.70–149.20%, reduced CH₄ uptake by 7.9–70.63%, increased CO₂ emissions by 1.4–23.9%, decreased N₂O fluxes by 3.6–56.2%, and mitigated indirect GHG emissions from farm inputs by 24.02–63.95%. The NGHGB was highest under OF1, 9.44–23.99% greater than under NPK. These findings demonstrate that partial organic substitution increased carbon sequestration, maintained crop yields, whereas high substitution rates increase the risk of carbon emissions. The study results indicate that substituting 1/3 of chemical nitrogen with sheep manure in maize cropping systems represents an effective fertilizer management approach to simultaneously balance productivity and ecological sustainability. Full article

Malania oleifera Chun & S.K. Lee, an endemic monotypic species that belongs to the family Olacaceae, is under continuous pressure of decline owing to several ecological and physiological factors. The present study aimed to establish an efficient in vitro protocol for callus-mediated indirect somatic embryogenesis in M. oleifera by alleviating tissue browning. Internodes and leaves obtained from seedlings were used as explants. Antioxidant pre-treatment (ascorbic acid, AA) followed by different carbon sources (sucrose, maltose, glucose, and fructose) and plant growth regulators in various concentrations and combinations were employed in Woody Plant Medium (WPM) to alleviate explant browning and induce callus formation from the explants. AA pre-treatment and subsequent culture on maltose at a concentration of 116.8 mM were optimal for controlling phenolic exudation on >90% of both explants. The highest responses of 53.77% and 57.43% for embryogenic calli were induced from internode and leaf explants, respectively. The highest responses, 85.22% and 93.80%, were observed for somatic embryos that matured into the globular, heart-shaped and torpedo stages at different percentages on NAA 2.5 mg/L in combination with BA 1.0 mg/L for both explants. The matured somatic embryos were finally germinated at a maximum concentration of GA₃, 2.0 mg/L. All plantlets were successfully hardened and acclimatized under culture room conditions and then transferred to the greenhouse. The current study suggests an efficient protocol for indirect somatic embryogenesis by alleviating phenolic exudation from the explants of M. oleifera. This first successful report of in vitro culture establishment in M. oleifera may offer an effective alternative measure to conserve this species and provide a system for analyzing bioactive chemicals and for use in the oil industry. Full article

Urbanization drives spatial restructuring that transforms landscapes to prioritize human health. Grounded in therapeutic landscape theory and tourism involvement theory, this study employs PLS-SEM and CMV to examine how landscapes affect individual health amid urbanization. Key findings reveal the following: (1) A model of urbanization for tourists’ perceived health confirms urbanization enhances health perceptions via therapeutic landscapes. (2) Therapeutic landscape perceptions exert an indirect effect on health perception through the mediating variable of tourism involvement, where tourism psychological involvement demonstrates a complete mediating effect, while tourism behavioral involvement exhibits a partial mediating role. (3) High urbanization exerts a more pronounced positive influence on natural and social landscapes compared to symbolic landscapes. Notably, elevated urbanization levels significantly strengthen the positive association between natural/social landscapes and perceived health benefits. Under low urbanization, health perception does not demonstrate significant enhancement with elevated landscape perception. This study fills a critical research gap by quantitatively investigating, from a micro-scale perspective, how therapeutic landscapes enhance tourists’ health within urbanization contexts in Eastern settings. Furthermore, it extends the theoretical framework of tourism involvement in health tourism contexts, advances tourism and leisure research, and provides scientific support for sustainable tourism development and tourists’ well-being enhancement. Full article

Meaning-centered coping is regarded as an effective strategy for managing stress and preventing mental disorders. However, it remains unclear how it influences mental health by affecting both the self and social connection dimensions. This study investigated 856 college students through a questionnaire, examining how meaning-centered coping affects their mental health (depression and anxiety). Additionally, this study explored the roles of interdependent self-construal and school connectedness as mediators in this process. The results indicate that meaning-centered coping influences mental health either via the mediation of school connectedness alone (indirect effect for depression: β = −0.08, 95% CI [−0.11, −0.04]; for anxiety: β = −0.06, 95% CI [−0.10, −0.03]) or via the sequential mediation of interdependent self-construal and school connectedness (indirect effect for depression: β = −0.08, 95% CI [−0.11, −0.05]; for anxiety: β = −0.06, 95% CI [−0.10, −0.04]). This study reveals that college students who are skilled at seeking and reconstructing their sense of meaning can effectively cope with stress and alleviate related depression and anxiety. This coping mechanism operates through perceived school connectedness or through activated interdependent self-construal followed by perceived school connectedness, subsequently reducing anxiety and depression induced by chronic stress. This study theoretically deepens the comprehension of the mechanism on meaning-centered coping, while practically, the findings provide valuable insights for educating training college students to leverage the wisdom of meaning theory to sustain their mental health in future challenges. Full article

Habitat loss and land-use intensification are major threats to biodiversity in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, particularly for bat assemblages that provide key ecosystem services. In this study, we examined how landscape composition (forest and pasture cover) and local forest structure influence the richness and abundance of phyllostomid bats across 20 forest fragments in southern Bahia. Bat sampling was conducted using mist nets, and forest structure was quantified using tree measurements and vertical foliage stratification. We applied structural equation modeling to test the direct and indirect effects of landscape and local variables. Our results show that forest cover has both direct and indirect positive effects on bat diversity, mediated by improved forest structure. In contrast, increased pasture cover negatively affected forest structure and was weakly associated with bat diversity. The most abundant species were generalist frugivores, such as Carollia perspicillata and Rhinophylla pumilio. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining forest cover and structural complexity to support bat diversity in agroforestry-dominated landscapes. Conservation strategies that integrate habitat protection with sustainable land-use practices are crucial to maintaining biodiversity and the ecological functions provided by bats in this globally threatened biome. Full article

This study addresses a gap in hospitality research by investigating how employees’ perceptions of green intellectual capital (GIC) influence their satisfaction with both career and life. Although sustainability has become increasingly relevant in organizational strategies, limited research has examined how such job resources affect employees’ attitudes. Guided by the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) framework, the study proposes a model in which organizational embeddedness (OE) mediates the relationship between green intellectual capital (GIC) and satisfaction outcomes, while thriving at work (TAW) moderates this pathway. The analysis is based on data collected from 371 employees working in four- and five-star hotels in Turkey. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses. The findings show that positive perceptions of green intellectual capital (GIC) are associated with stronger embeddedness, which, in turn, enhances career and life satisfaction. Moreover, this indirect effect is more pronounced among employees who report higher levels of thriving. The results emphasize how sustainability-oriented practices can serve as meaningful resources that improve employee outcomes in the hospitality industry. Full article

Sustainable manufacturing is gaining attention in the scientific literature. However, it remains unclear how to effectively incorporate it within Production Planning and Control (PPC) tasks. All the choices taken in terms of PPC impact sustainability, and sustainability managers and planners or managers involved in tasks, such as scheduling or inventory management, are not conscious of what this means or implies, above all, in terms of the sustainable performance indicators on which their actions can act. While several studies have addressed both PPC and sustainability, there is still limited guidance or structured frameworks specifically aimed at systematically linking PPC tasks with sustainability indicators in a practical and operational industrial context, despite the development of numerous sustainability standards in recent years. For this reason, this research aimed to develop a first detailed framework, specifically based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standard, that associates the most relevant indicators with the PPC phases, highlighting the type of impact (direct or indirect) of each phase on them. This could help with strategic decisions and promote more informed choices. The overall framework revealed the prevalence of environmental aspects involved in PPC phases (as expected) and a challenge related to the measurability of indicators (above all, the social ones). Furthermore, the Material Requirements Planning (MRP), identified as the most significant phase in terms of its impact on sustainability, was deeply analyzed, providing details related to the decision-making processes of this phase that affect sustainable performance. Full article

With the rapid expansion of higher education in China, university teachers are facing increasing workloads and mounting performance pressures, posing significant threats to their occupational health. Consequently, how to enhance job performance while safeguarding faculty well-being has become a critical issue for higher education administrators. This study aims to explore the role of health-promoting leadership (HPL) in addressing the dual challenge of enhancing university teachers’ job performance while maintaining their occupational health. Drawing on the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this study conceptualizes job burnout as both a core indicator of occupational health and a mediating variable, as well as proposing a dual-path model to examine the direct and indirect effects of HPL on teachers’ job performance. A survey of 556 university teachers in Jiangxi Province, China, was conducted; the data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0 and AMOS version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). The findings suggest that HPL is positively associated with job performance, both directly and indirectly through reduced burnout, supporting a dual-pathway mechanism consistent with COR theory. These results contribute to a better understanding of the potential role of HPL in balancing teacher well-being and performance in the context of Chinese higher education. This study also extends the cross-cultural application of COR theory and provides theoretical and practical insights into how HPL may help alleviate teacher burnout and support the development of health-promoting universities. Full article