Search Results (2,807)

In the context of global sustainable development, the construction of green mining facilities has emerged as a pivotal strategy for advancing sustainable mining practices. As a substantial mineral resource base in China, the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau (QXP) is of significant concern due to its importance for mineral exploitation. However, the natural conditions of the region, such as freezing temperatures, low oxygen levels, frequent freeze–thaw cycles, and fragile ecology, pose substantial challenges to mining activities, making green mine construction an inevitable choice for mining development on the QXP. This study uses SWOT analysis to macroscopically evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of green mine construction on the QXP. This study adopts SWOT analysis to sort out, from a macro and systematic perspective, the internal resource endowments, technical reserves, external policy and market opportunities, as well as multiple challenges such as ecological vulnerability, harsh climate, regulation, and public opinion in the construction of green mining on the QXP. Furthermore, four typical cases, namely the Julong Copper Mine, Zhaxikang Lead–Zinc Mine, Zaozigou Gold Mine, and Duolong Copper Mine, are selected for analysis, and their differentiated paths in ecological restoration, digital mines, tailings disposal, and community-benefit sharing are summarized. International comparisons reveal the similarities and differences in policies, technologies, and other aspects between the QXP and other high-altitude regions. The study holds that it is necessary to promote the coordinated development of resource exploitation and ecological protection in green mining on the QXP through technological innovation, policy optimization, community collaboration, and the construction of a full-life-cycle environmental-monitoring system. At the same time, it points out the limitations of the current research in quantitative analysis and future research directions. Full article

Driven by China’s “dual carbon” strategy, concerns about channel fairness and green investment have become key frontier issues in supply chain management. This study focuses on a two-tier supply chain under a low-carbon background and innovatively incorporates both fairness concerns and green investment perspectives. It systematically explores the impact mechanisms of fairness concern coefficients and green investment levels on channel pricing and profit distribution across four scenarios: information symmetry vs. asymmetry and the presence vs. absence of channel encroachment. The simulation results reveal the following: (1) Under information symmetry and without channel encroachment, an increase in the retailer’s fairness concern significantly enhances its bargaining power and profit margin, while the supplier actively adjusts the wholesale price to maintain cooperation stability. (2) Channel encroachment and changes in information structure intensify the nonlinearity and complexity of profit distribution. The marginal benefit of green investment for supply chain members shows a diminishing return, indicating the existence of an optimal investment range. (3) The green premium is predominantly captured by the supplier, while the retailer’s profit margin tends to be compressed, and order quantity exhibits rigidity in response to green investment. (4) The synergy between fairness concerns and green investment drives dynamic adjustments in channel strategies and the overall profit structure of the supply chain. This study not only reveals new equilibrium patterns under the interaction of multidimensional behavioral factors but also provides theoretical support for achieving both economic efficiency and sustainable development goals in supply chains. Based on these findings, it is recommended that managers optimize fairness incentives and green benefit-sharing mechanisms, improve information-sharing platforms, and promote collaborative upgrading of green supply chains to better integrate social responsibility with business performance. Full article

Cloud and snow often share comparable visual and structural patterns in satellite observations, making their accurate discrimination and segmentation particularly challenging. To overcome this, we design an innovative Transformer-guided architecture with complementary feature-extraction capabilities. The encoder adopts a dual-path structure, integrating a Transformer Encoder Module (TEM) for capturing long-range semantic dependencies and a ResNet18-based convolutional branch for detailed spatial representation. A Feature-Enhancement Module (FEM) is introduced to promote bidirectional interaction and adaptive feature integration between the two pathways. To improve delineation of object boundaries, especially in visually complex areas, we embed a Deep Feature-Extraction Module (DFEM) at the deepest layer of the convolutional stream. This component refines channel-level information to highlight critical features and enhance edge clarity. Additionally, to address noise from intricate backgrounds and ambiguous cloud-snow transitions, we incorporate both a Transformer Fusion Module (TFM) and a Strip Pooling Auxiliary Module (SPAM) in the decoding phase. These modules collaboratively enhance structural recovery and improve robustness in segmentation. Extensive experiments on the CSWV and SPARCS datasets show that our method consistently outperforms state-of-the-art baselines, demonstrating its strong effectiveness and applicability in real-world cloud and snow-detection scenarios. Full article

Cataract surgery is the most common eye operation worldwide and is regarded as one of the safest procedures in medicine. Yet, despite its low complication rates, it generates a disproportionate share of litigation. The gap between excellent safety profiles and rising medico-legal claims is driven less by surgical outcomes than by patient expectations, often shaped by healthcare marketing and the promise of risk-free recovery. This narrative review explores the clinical and legal dimensions of cataract surgery, focusing on complications, perioperative risk factors, and medico-legal concepts of predictability and preventability. Particular emphasis is given to European frameworks, with the Italian Gelli-Bianco Law (Law No. 24/2017) providing a model of accountability that balances innovation and patient safety. Analysis shows that liability exposure spans all phases of surgery: preoperative (inadequate consent, poor documentation), intraoperative (posterior capsule rupture, zonular instability), and postoperative (endophthalmitis, poor follow-up). Practical strategies for risk reduction include advanced imaging such as macular OCT, rigorous adherence to updated guidelines, systematic video recording, and transparent perioperative communication. Patient-reported outcomes further highlight that satisfaction depends more on visual quality and dialogue than on spectacle independence. By translating legal principles into clinical strategies, this review offers surgeons actionable “surgical–legal pearls” to improve outcomes, strengthen patient trust, and reduce medico-legal vulnerability in high-volume cataract surgery. Full article

The transformation of the transportation sector is critical for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7). As the world’s largest auto market, China has implemented various policies to promote sustainable transportation, particularly through the adoption of new energy vehicles (NEVs), thereby increasing the share of renewables in energy consumption and improving energy efficiency. Among these policies, the NEV driving restrictions exemption (NEV-DRE) policy has emerged as a key non-financial incentive to stimulate NEV demand. This study focuses on how the NEV-DRE policy affects the demand side of NEVs in the transportation sector. Employing a difference-in-differences design on a comprehensive dataset of vehicle transactions across 82 prefecture-level pilot cities from 2011 to 2019, this study provides robust causal evidence that the NEV-DRE policy significantly increases NEV sales. Furthermore, this study finds that this growth in demand is primarily driven by an increased consumer preference for domestic pure electric sedans. The policy proves more effective in cities with general driving restrictions, purchasing restrictions, and greater environmental awareness. Our findings demonstrate how innovative traffic management measures can be transformed into effective industrial policy tools, accelerating the adoption of renewable energy in the transportation sector. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers in China and elsewhere on how to design non-financial incentives to promote sustainable transportation, thereby promoting sustainable energy transitions and contributing to the achievement of SDG 7. Full article

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is the second most common primary liver cancer with a poor prognosis. Negative-margin resection is presently the only potentially curative treatment option. Emerging trends with direct applicability to surgical strategy include margin thickness, lymphadenectomy, optimization of future liver remnant (FLR), minimally invasive techniques, incorporation of systemic therapy, and reconsideration of liver transplantation. This review emphasizes areas of consensus and ongoing debate. Margins ≥5–10 mm are associated with improved results, but biology generally takes precedence over prognosis. Regional lymphadenectomy enhances staging accuracy, although its therapeutic benefit remains unsettled. PVE is standard for FLR enlargement, LVD provides faster hypertrophy, and ALPPS remains reserved for highly selective cases. Minimally invasive and robotic hepatectomy share oncologic results in skilled institutions. Systemic therapies, including immunotherapy and biomarker-directed targeted therapy, are increasingly being incorporated perioperatively. Liver transplant may be of potential value in early-stage disease or on strict indications after neoadjuvant treatment. The modern surgical management of iCCA encompasses a blend of oncologic considerations, FLR optimization, minimally invasive surgery, and systemic therapy according to tumor biology. Multidisciplinary planning and participation in clinical trials are necessary to align surgical innovation with advancements in molecular and systemic treatments, ultimately leading to improved long-term outcomes. Full article

This study investigates how the functional diversity of top management teams (TMTs) affects the financial performance of A-share Chinese companies. To this end, we examine the interaction effects of TMT diversity with organizational innovativeness and government institutional support. Grounded in upper echelons theory, absorptive capacity theory, and institutional theory, this study uses hierarchical multiple regression to analyze data from 396 firms listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges between 2022 and 2023. The results indicate that TMT functional diversity has a statistically significant positive effect on corporate financial performance, with organizational innovativeness positively moderating this relationship. This moderating effect is further strengthened by high government subsidies for research and development, confirming a three-way interaction effect among these three variables. The findings suggest that TMT diversity improves financial outcomes when firms have both robust internal innovation and external institutional support. By confirming the strategic significance of TMT composition in China and elucidating the effect of government subsidies, this study contributes both practically and theoretically to the strategic management literature on emerging markets. The findings clarify the implications of the contingent conditions under which TMT diversity translates into superior organizational performance. Full article

This study investigates how improvements in energy efficiency (EE) contribute to the sustainable growth rate (SGR) of manufacturing firms. Using panel data from Chinese A-share listed companies between 2012 and 2023, we provide empirical evidence that higher EE significantly enhances firms’ ability to maintain long-term and stable growth. Furthermore, the findings reveal that executives’ green perception (EGP) and environmental protection investment (EPI) strengthen this positive relationship, while an excessive green innovation bubble (GIB) weakens it. By integrating insights from corporate governance and sustainability research, this study highlights the critical roles of managerial orientation, resource allocation, and innovation quality in shaping the pathway from EE to sustainable growth. The results extend the understanding of how micro-level corporate actions support global sustainability goals and provide a nuanced perspective on balancing efficiency and innovation. Practically, the findings suggest that managers should embed EE into strategic decisions, while policymakers should strengthen financial and institutional support to facilitate corporate green transition. This research contributes to the literature by offering new evidence from an emerging market context and by demonstrating the multidimensional mechanisms through which EE fosters corporate sustainable development. Full article

Water treatment systems in swimming ponds support the natural self-cleaning capabilities of water based on the functions of repository macrophytes in their regeneration zone and the regulation of the internal metabolism of the reservoirs. As part of the project, a functional modular filtration chamber with system multiplication capabilities was designed and created. This element is dedicated to water treatment systems in natural swimming ponds. The prototype system consisted of modular filtration chambers and pump sections, as well as equipment adapted to the conditions prevailing in the eco-pool. An innovative solution for selective shutdown of the filtration chamber without closing the circulation circuit was also used, which forms the basis of a patent application. A verified high-performance adsorbent, Rockfos^® modified limestone, was used in the filtration chamber. In order to determine the effective filtration rate for three small test ponds with different flow rates (5 m/h, 10 m/h and 15 m/h), the selected physicochemical parameters of water (temperature, pH, electrolytical conductivity, oxygen saturation, total hardness, nitrites, nitrates, and total phosphorus, including adsorption efficiency and bed absorption capacity) were researched before and after filtration. Tests were also carried out on the composition of fecal bacteria and phyto- and zooplankton. Based on high effective phosphorus filtration efficiency of 32.65% during the operation of the bed, the following were determined: no exceedances of the standards for the tested parameters in relation to the German standards for eco-pools (FLL—Forschungsgesellschaft Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftsbau e. V., 2011); lower number of fecal pathogens (on average 393—coliform bacteria; 74—Escherichia coli; 34—fecal enterococci, most probably number/100 mL); the lowest share of problematic cyanobacteria in phytoplankton (<250,000 individuals/dm³ in number and <0.05 µg/dm³—biomass); low chlorophyll a content (2.2 µg/dm³—oligotrophy) and the presence of more favorable smaller forms of zooplankton, an effective filtration speed of 5 m/h. This velocity was recommended in the FLL standards for swimming ponds, which were adopted in this study as a reference for rapid filters. In testing the functional efficiency of a dedicated filtration system for a Type II test pond (50 m²—area and 33 m³—capacity), at a filtration rate of 5 m/h, an average effective phosphorus adsorption efficiency of 18.28–53.98% was observed under the bed work-in-progress conditions. Analyses of other physicochemical water parameters, with appropriate calculations and statistical tests, indicated progressive functional efficiency of the system under bathing conditions. Full article

Community detection is a fundamental task for understanding network structures, crucial for identifying groups of nodes with close connections. However, existing methods generally treat all connections in networks as equally important, overlooking the inherent inequality of connection strengths in social networks, and often require large quantities of labeled data. To address these challenges, we propose a few-shot community detection framework, Strong Triadic Closure Community Detection with Prompt (STC-CDP), which combines the Strong Triadic Closure (STC) principle, Graph Neural Networks, and prompt learning. The STC principle, derived from social network theory, states that if two nodes share strong connections with a third node, they are likely to be connected with each other. By incorporating STC constraints during the pre-training phase, STC-CDP can differentiate between strong and weak connections in networks, thereby more accurately capturing community structures. We design an innovative prompt learning mechanism that enables the model to extract key features from a small number of labeled communities and transfer them to the identification of unlabeled communities. Experiments on multiple real-world datasets demonstrate that STC-CDP significantly outperforms existing state-of-the-art methods under few-shot conditions, achieving higher F1 scores and Jaccard similarity particularly on Facebook, Amazon, and DBLP datasets. Our approach not only improves the precision of community detection but also provides new insights into understanding connection inequality in social networks. Full article

Italy and Slovenia have recently adopted their first Maritime Spatial Plans (MSP). These plans belong to a new generation of spatial planning acts that introduce numerous innovations. This article presents the differences and similarities between the Italian and Slovenian MSP. The aim is to determine how a new planning approach can support joint spatial development and management in a transboundary perspective with particular reference to the cross-border area of the Gulf of Venice. Descriptive and comparative scientific methods were applied in the study. We analysed the structure of both plans and the content of the individual planning instruments and tools for three key sectors: Fisheries, Maritime Transport and Nature Conservation. We found that both plans offer new opportunities for transboundary spatial coordination and planning, while the process of preparing the plans themselves is particularly important. Both plans provide instruments to address transboundary environmental impacts, spatial development and sectoral management regimes. The implementation tools include provisions on the spatial, temporal and technical conditions for carrying out a particular activity at sea. The Italian plan adopts a strategic approach that offers possibilities for intersectoral and cross-border planning coordination. The Slovenian plan is more detailed and binding. Regardless of individual differences, the adoption of both plans represents a major step towards achieving the common goals of sustainable spatial development in the shared marine area of the Gulf of Venice. Full article

Environmental protection tax is levied based on various types of emitted pollutants and has a significant impact on the green behaviors and ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance) performance of enterprises. This article explores the green effect and the impact of environmental protection tax on the green behavior of listed companies with in-depth empirical analysis based on the data of industrial enterprises listed on the A-shares from 2018 to 2022 in China. Research has found that the implementation of environmental protection tax has played a significant driving role in improving the overall performance level of corporate ESG, and this tax system has formed a driving force mechanism for enterprises to increase investment in green innovation and effectively improve their comprehensive ESG performance. Green innovation plays a significant intermediary role between environmental protection tax and corporate ESG performance. It is suggested that regions should adjust the applicable amount of environmental protection tax, increase green innovation, and standardize pollution control and emission reduction regulations. Full article

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis share converging mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction, including protein aggregation, oxidative stress, and chronic neuroinflammation. Glial cells, once considered passive supporters, are now recognized as central drivers of these processes, offering both pathogenic triggers and therapeutic opportunities. Yet, despite compelling preclinical evidence, the translation of glial-targeted therapies into clinical success has been limited. This review provides a critical synthesis of current knowledge by examining therapeutic strategies through the lens of their translational challenges and failures. This narrative review highlights how interspecies variability of glial phenotypes, shifting neuroprotective versus neurotoxic states, limited biomarker stratification, and delivery barriers have constrained trials, such as anti-triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (anti-TREM2) antibodies in AD and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in PD. By analyzing these obstacles across major neurodegenerative disorders, this review argue that the next stage of glial medicine requires precision approaches that integrate stage-specific phenotyping, biomarker-guided patient selection, and innovative delivery platforms. Understanding not only what has been tried but why translation has stalled is essential to chart a roadmap for effective, disease-modifying glial therapies in the aging brain. Full article

This qualitative descriptive case study explored the perceptions of six general education and six special education teachers regarding their joint participation in professional learning communities (PLCs) in a rural district in Texas. Through semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, two major categories emerged: (1) the differentiated roles of special education teachers within PLCs and (2) the collaborative construction of pedagogical strategies based on interdisciplinary teamwork. Both of the teacher groups described the contributions of their counterparts as integral to their teaching effectiveness and spoke of the need for protected time for PLC team meetings and the inclusion of special education teachers in PLCs. Although existing literature acknowledges the importance of PLCs, few studies critically examined how special education teachers contribute to shared planning and pedagogical decision-making alongside their general education colleagues. The findings suggest that inclusive PLCs can become collaborative ecosystems that redefine teacher education and innovation in diverse educational contexts. Full article

This study develops a multi-agent evolutionary game model that incorporates both retailers and heterogeneous logistics providers, extending beyond prior dyadic models that typically isolate either channel choice or logistics competition. By comparing scenarios with and without the BOPS channel, the framework captures the dynamic interactions between retailers and logistics providers. The results show that introducing In-Store Pickup significantly increases market demand and retailer revenue by reducing consumer waiting time, but it also produces a revenue crowding effect for slow logistics providers. For fast providers, the impact depends on their ability to adjust service quality: lowering service levels helps retain market share, while efficiency improvement enhances profitability. Furthermore, consumer product valuation plays a critical role in driving retailers toward dual-provider or hybrid strategies. The methodological innovation lies in integrating heterogeneous logistics service differentiation with channel strategy selection into a unified evolutionary game framework. The study contributes by proposing a dynamic “efficiency threshold–channel selection” mechanism, offering both theoretical advancement in omnichannel retailing research and managerial insights for retailers and logistics providers seeking to optimize logistics capabilities and channel collaboration. Full article