Search Results (1,659)

This study examines the adverse environmental impacts of solar photovoltaic parks located in established protected areas, aiming to determine the level of landscape fragmentation through the calculation of relevant landscape metrics. For this purpose, a case study was carried out in a Mediterranean Natura 2000 Special Protection Area (SPA), and landscape metrics were calculated using Geographic Information System spatial analysis tools. The analysis of metrics showed that the installation of renewable energy parks within the designated protected area negatively affect landscape fragmentation and the absence of carefully defined and evidence-based mitigation measures. The land cover categories that are significantly affected are those considered critical habitats of bird species that have been designated as SPAs. The results of this study highlight the need to integrate, in the National Renewable Energy Spatial Plans, specific biodiversity objectives, such as conservation objectives and the suspension of the installation of photovoltaic parks in certain areas that are important for conservation of biodiversity, in order to ensure the overall sustainability of renewable energy production. Full article

Landslides are among the most hazardous natural phenomena affecting Greater Abidjan, causing significant economic and social damage. Strategic planning supported by geographic information systems (GIS) can help mitigate potential losses and enhance disaster resilience. This study evaluates landslide susceptibility using logistic regression and frequency ratio models. The analysis is based on a dataset comprising 54 mapped landslide scarps collected from June 2015 to July 2023, along with 16 thematic predictor variables, including altitude, slope, aspect, profile curvature, plan curvature, drainage area, distance to the drainage network, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and an urban-related layer. A high-resolution (5-m) digital elevation model (DEM), derived from multiple data sources, supports the spatial analysis. The landslide inventory was randomly divided into two subsets: 80% for model calibration and 20% for validation. After optimization and statistical testing, the selected thematic layers were integrated to produce a susceptibility map. The results indicate that 6.3% (0.7 km²) of the study area is classified as very highly susceptible. The proportion of the sample (61.2%) in this class had a frequency ratio estimated to be 20.2. Among the predictive indicators, altitude, slope, SE, S, NW, and NDVI were found to have a positive impact on landslide occurrence. Model performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), demonstrating strong predictive capability. These findings can support informed land-use planning and risk reduction strategies in urban areas. Furthermore, the prediction model should be communicated to and understood by local authorities to facilitate disaster management. The cost function was adopted as a novel approach to delineate hazardous zones. Considering the landslide inventory period, the increasing hazard due to climate change, and the intensification of human activities, a reasoned choice of sample size was made. This informed decision enabled the production of an updated prediction map. Optimal thresholds were then derived to classify areas into high- and low-susceptibility categories. The prediction map will be useful to planners in helping them make decisions and implement protective measures. Full article

The search for sustainable, economically viable, and effective plant protection strategies against pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and viruses is a major challenge in modern agricultural practices. Chitosan (CS) is an abundant cationic natural biopolymer known for its biocompatibility, low toxicity, and antimicrobial properties. Its potential use in agriculture for pathogen control is a promising alternative to traditional chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which raise concerns regarding public health, environmental protection, and pesticide resistance. This study focused on the preparation of chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) through cross-linking with organic molecules, such as tannic acid (TA). Various formulations were explored for the development of stable nanoscale particles having encapsulation capabilities towards low compounds of varying polarity and with potential agricultural applications relevant to plant health and growth. The solution properties of the NPs were assessed using dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering (DLS and ELS); their morphology was observed through atomic force microscopy (AFM), while analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) measurements provided insights into their molar mass. Their properties proved to be primarily influenced by the concentration of CS, which significantly affected its intrinsic conformation. Additional structural insights were obtained via infrared and UV–Vis spectroscopic measurements, while detailed fluorescence analysis with the use of three different probes, as model cargo molecules, provided information regarding the hydrophobic and hydrophilic microdomains within the particles. Full article

The growing integration of technology in education has heightened awareness of global risks, such as the spread of disinformation. This awareness is vital for fostering the well-being of individuals, especially teenagers, by promoting critical thinking and responsible digital practices. By cultivating these skills, sustainable education empowers individuals to identify potential threats, protect themselves, and advocate for informed, positive change. As part of a European project, this study aims to analyze the current level of awareness among secondary school students (12 to 17) and their teachers. Differences between both are analyzed in how they deal with disinformation in terms of (1) perceptions, (2) feelings and practices, and (3) knowledge and management. A quantitative approach was adopted for this study, which surveyed 1186 minors and 166 teachers. The analysis was based on non-parametric statistics; the Mann–Whitney U statistic was applied as the appropriate measure for comparing independent samples (teachers and students) with a non-normal distribution (p < 0.05). The results were surprising in that they highlighted that minors were more expert than expected in their use of technology and their awareness of the risks of disinformation. These conclusions make it clear that technological tools have the potential to raise awareness of the dangers of disinformation and improve the sustainability of education. Full article

Cadmium is widely recognized as an important environmental toxicant that may give rise to kidney dysfunction, bone disease, and cancer in humans and animals. Kidney dysfunction occurs at very low exposures and is often considered as the most sensitive or critical effect. Cadmium exposures of concern occur in many countries. In low- and middle-income countries with small-scale mining, excessive exposure to cadmium and other metals occurs in occupational and environmental settings. This is of particular importance in view of the growing demand for metals in global climate change mitigation. Since the 1970s, the present authors have contributed evidence concerning the role of metallothionein and other factors in influencing the toxicokinetics and toxicity of cadmium, particularly as it relates to the development of adverse effects on kidneys in humans and animals. The findings gave a background to the development of biomarkers employed in epidemiological studies, demonstrating the important role of metallothionein in protection against cadmium-induced kidney dysfunction in humans. Studies in cadmium-exposed population groups demonstrated how biomarkers of kidney dysfunction changed during 8 years after drastic lowering of environmental cadmium exposure. Other epidemiological studies showed the impact of a good zinc status in lowering the prevalence of cadmium-related kidney dysfunction. Increased susceptibility to Cd-induced kidney dysfunction was shown in a population with high exposure to inorganic arsenic when compared with a group with low such exposure. Several national and international organizations have used part of the reviewed information, but the metallothionein-related biomarkers and the interaction effects have not been fully considered. We hope that these data sets will also be included and improve risk assessments and preventive measures. Full article

Background and Objectives: Thailand’s demographic shift toward an aging population increases vulnerability among older adults to the long-term mental health effects of childhood trauma. While childhood adversity is linked to heightened risks of late-life depression and PTSD, the moderating role of resilience remains underexplored in Thai older adults. This study investigated whether resilience moderates the association between childhood trauma and depressive or PTSD symptoms in this population. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 201 older patients (mean age 68.6 years) from the Family Medicine and Geriatric Psychiatry Clinics at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. Participants completed validated measures on trauma history, resilience, depression, and PTSD symptoms. A moderation analysis was performed, adjusting for covariates including education, family support, and psychiatric history. Results: The findings revealed that resilience significantly buffered the impact of childhood trauma on depression but did not mitigate PTSD symptoms. Conclusions: These results underscore the protective role of resilience against depression following childhood trauma in older adults, yet also point to its limitations in alleviating trauma-specific responses such as PTSD. This study highlights the need for trauma-informed geriatric mental health strategies and calls for further research on resilience, focusing on cultural context and adaptive mechanisms, including emotion regulation and social connectedness, in older populations. Full article

Pesticide exposure gradients between occupational, para-occupational, and general populations remain poorly characterized in North African agricultural contexts. This study evaluates urinary pesticide levels among farmers, indirectly exposed individuals, and a control group in Morocco’s Fez-Meknes region. A cross-sectional survey measured pesticide concentrations using LC-MS/MS in urine samples collected from 154 adults residing in both rural and urban areas. A questionnaire was used to gather information from participants regarding factors that may elevate the risk of pesticide exposure. The results revealed that farmers exhibited the highest concentrations of pesticides in their urine, including compounds classified as Ia/Ib by the World Health Organization. Indirectly exposed individuals showed moderate levels of contamination, with notable detections such as dichlofluanid (22.13 µg/L), while the control group had residual traces of neonicotinoids, notably imidacloprid (2.05 µg/L). Multivariate analyses revealed several sociodemographic factors significantly associated with increased pesticide exposure. The main risk factors identified included low education, residence in an agricultural area, and the consumption of untreated water (wells/rivers). Conversely, wearing personal protective equipment was associated with reduced urinary concentrations. This study highlights intense occupational exposure among farmers, secondary environmental contamination among residents living near treated areas, and the widespread dispersion of pesticide residues into urban areas. Full article

Throughout the generations, traditional academic writing skills development has taught students in socio-human programs to express their knowledge and thoughts with an evidence-based foundation, helping them make a special connection with their professional fields. However, a lack of digital learning and writing resources in this process has been identified. This study of the social work field connects digital academic writing, social protection functionality, and research innovations, identifying and exploring open-access (OA) educational and social resources for social work higher education (SWHE). Applying content analyses to online documents and websites, we identified key terms characteristic of social work, following a standard approach on formulating research questions, identifying categories, creating a code book, sampling, and measuring information. The research questions were as follows: How is digital academic writing being developed in social work education programs in Romanian universities? Where do researchers, students, teachers, and professionals gather OA digital information and data for academic innovation? What kind of OA information and data are contained in websites for academic writing? We also used OA socio-educational resource analysis to derive digital, evidence-based, and academic writing codes. The frequencies of these elements in documents and websites were examined. Professional samples of four OA documents and five academic and non-academic Romanian websites with extensions were processed. Furthermore, information from a non-academic official website concerning social protection functionality was observed, identified, and measured. We concluded that academic writing is not included as an independent course in the curricula of Romanian social work programs at universities; this topic is rarely researched. Digital and evidence-based education is also a marginalized topic in socio-human scientific resources. OA information, laws, reports, and statistics were identified. Information on scientific research, academic–non-academic partnerships, descriptions of good practices, and human resources information was lacking. In conclusion, this study contributes to increasing productivity and developing digital academic skills in social work education and research. Full article

This study investigates whether internationally diversified firms substitute between accrual-based and real earnings management and examines how institutional supervision moderates this relationship. Drawing on a sample of Taiwanese firms listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange from 2003 to 2016, we conduct regression analyses to test our hypothesis. We find that internationally diversified firms actively shift between accrual and real earnings management strategies depending on the constraints they face. Specifically, firms tend to rely more on accrual-based manipulation when information asymmetry is high and switch to real earnings management when accruals are more easily detected. We also show that stronger institutional supervision—measured by information transparency and investor protection—significantly curbs accrual-based earnings management. These findings reflect the higher volatility and agency problems associated with international operations, such as exposure to foreign risks and the distance between parent and subsidiary firms. By highlighting the conditions under which firms manage earnings and the supervisory mechanisms that constrain such behavior, this study offers practical insights for managers seeking to smooth earnings, investors aiming to evaluate firm transparency, and policymakers designing regulations to deter opportunistic financial reporting. Full article

Background: Despite the widespread implementation of childhood vaccination programmes, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains an ongoing occupational risk for healthcare students. In multi-ethnic and international university settings, differences in vaccination programmes and immune responses must be considered. This retrospective study aimed to assess the prevalence of protective levels of anti-HBs among medical students at an international university in Rome, exploring associations with demographic and vaccination-related factors. Methods: Data were collected from routine occupational health surveillance conducted in 2023. Anti-HB titres were measured in 507 students, and information on age, sex, country of birth, age at vaccination, and time since the last dose was analysed. Results: Overall, 55.0% of students had antibody levels of at least 10 mIU/mL, indicating serological protection. Higher seroprotection rates were observed among students vaccinated in the first year of life compared to those vaccinated later. A significant decline in antibody titres was also associated with longer intervals since vaccination. Students born outside Europe tended to show lower levels of protection. Conclusions: These results emphasise the importance of screening future healthcare professionals and continuously monitoring antibody titres to help reduce HBV infections. Full article

Cancer is a serious group of diseases that is a huge problem on a global scale and is the second most common cause of death. Commonly used therapies do not always lead to the complete elimination of diseased cells or tissues and are also burdened with side effects that reduce the quality of life of patients. Due to these difficulties, new therapeutic approaches are still being sought. In recent years, there has been a return to interest in natural methods of treating various diseases, among which phytochemicals are particularly interesting. This article reviews plant extracts with anticancer properties with different mechanisms of action (proapoptotic, antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, immunomodulatory). In addition, plant extracts that reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and the limitations and prospects for the use of plant extracts in anticancer therapy are described. Our goal was to create an up-to-date information base that would encourage scientists to intensify research into supplementing targeted anticancer therapies with additional protective and preventive measures, in which natural mixtures of phytochemicals (plant extracts) are effective allies. At the same time, we encourage discussion on the limitations of their use in light of the orthodox principles of classical medicine and pharmacy (issues of safety, quality, drug purity, and dose precision), which are a priori correct but have not yet led to the elimination of cancer from the group of incurable diseases. Full article

This study aimed to provide an overview of the most frequent animal welfare cases documented by the authorities involved in sheep farming in Germany. A questionnaire with 26 questions was developed and sent to all German veterinary offices (supervisory authorities). Furthermore, publicly available court decisions on animal welfare cases over the last 30 years were consulted and analyzed. Approximately 18.1% (n = 71) of all veterinary authorities participated in the survey. The most frequently reported animal welfare cases included inadequate water supply (n = 63) and a lack of weather protection (n = 60). Other common issues were lameness (n = 56) and poor shearing management (n = 52). A total of 52 animal welfare cases presented in courts were found in the online search. The most common problems were nutrition (50%), water supply (34.6%), weather protection (32.7%), and shearing management (21.2%). These results provide information on the areas of sheep farming in which animal welfare violations occur most frequently. Based on these results, conclusions can be drawn regarding the development of preventive measures. Full article

Introduction: Air pollution is a risk factor for a variety of cardiopulmonary diseases and is a contributing factor to cancer, diabetes, and cognitive impairment. The impact on mortality is not clearly elucidated. Objectives: The goal of this study is to determine the impact (if any) of air pollution on the 5-year mortality of patients in the American Family Cohort (AFC) dataset. Methods: The AFC dataset is derived from the American Board of Family Medicine PRIME Registry electronic health record data. It includes longitudinal information from 6.6 million unique patients from an estimated 800 primary care practices across 47 states, with 40% coming from rural areas. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index (AQI) measures were downloaded for the study period (2016–2022). Using the Python library pandas, the AFC and EPA datasets were merged with respect to date, time, and location. Cox Regression Models were performed on the merged dataset to determine the impact (if any) of air quality on patients’ five-year survival. In the model, AQI was handled as a time-independent (time-fixed) covariate. Results: The group with AQI > 50 had an adjusted hazard of death that was 4.02 times higher than the hazard of death in the group with AQI ≤ 50 (95% CI: 3.36, 4.82, p < 0.05). The hazard of death was 6.73 times higher in persons older than 80 years of age (95% CI: 5.47, 8.28; p < 0.05) compared to those younger than 80 years of age. Black/African American patients had a 4.27 times higher hazard of death (95%CI: 3.47, 5.26; p < 0.05) compared to other races. We also found that regional effects played a role in survival. Conclusions: Poor air quality was associated with a higher hazard of mortality, and this phenomenon was particularly pronounced in Black/African American patients and patients older than 80 years of age. Air pollution is an important social determinant of health. Public health initiatives that improve air quality are necessary to improve health outcomes. Full article

Automotive intelligent agents are increasingly collecting facial data for applications such as driver behavior monitoring and identity verification. These excessive collections of facial data bring serious risks of sensitive information leakage to autonomous driving. Facial information has been explicitly required to be anonymized, but the availability of most desensitized facial data is poor, which will greatly affect its application in autonomous driving. This paper proposes an automotive sensitive information anonymization method with high-quality generated facial images by considering the data availability under privacy protection. By comparing K-Same and Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), this paper proposes a hierarchical self-attention mechanism in StyleGAN3 to enhance the feature perception of face images. The synchronous regularization of sample data is applied to optimize the loss function of the discriminator of StyleGAN3, thereby improving the convergence stability of the model. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed facial desensitization model reduces the Frechet inception distance (FID) and structural similarity index measure (SSIM) by 95.8% and 24.3%, respectively. The image quality and privacy desensitization of the facial data generated by the StyleGAN3 model have been fully verified in this work. This research provides an efficient and robust facial privacy protection solution for autonomous driving, which is conducive to promoting the security guarantee of automotive data. Full article

The marine habitats of the world’s oceans are being driven beyond their resilience. The ongoing biodiversity crisis is happening fast, within the lifespan of researchers trying to produce the information necessary for the conservation of habitats and marine ecosystems. Here, we report on the destruction of sciaphilic sessile communities and coralligenous concretions produced by the anchoring of a high-tonnage vessel inside a Marine Protected Area in Cyprus. The damage from the anchors and the chains consisted of the dislodgement of large boulders that were dragged or rolled over the seafloor, increasing the breakage and further dislodgement of more boulders; many were left upside-down. The biological communities that thrived in the dark environments below the boulders were directly exposed to high irradiance levels and went through a slow mortality and decaying process, most probably due to a combination of several deterioration agents, such as exposure to direct sunlight, predation, mucilage aggregates, and cyanobacterial blooms. The enforcement of regulatory measures for anchoring and transit in the MPA is necessary to prevent similar destruction. Given the extent of the irreversible damage to these sciaphilic communities, our study is, unfortunately, another environmental post-mortem contribution. Full article