Search Results (3,057)

Prolonged exposure to acoustic environments in office settings may impair employees’ cognitive performance, yet the underlying mechanisms remain contested. This study investigated the dual effects of acoustic intensity and sound type on employees’ performance by integrating behavioral measures, subjective assessments, and neurophysiological evidence. Results demonstrated significant interaction effects: while increasing levels of office noise and music generally impaired accuracy and efficiency, dialog at moderate-to-high intensities (65 dBA and 85 dBA) significantly shortened reaction times compared to the low-intensity condition (45 dBA). Mediation analyses reconciled these patterns by revealing distinct psychological pathways: Tension-Anxiety fully mediated the performance decrement under noise. In contrast, Tension-Anxiety and Anger-Hostility served as partial mediators (29.71%) and suppressors (40.01%) in the relationship between dialog intensity and performance index. Mental workload fully mediated the performance benefits of moderate intensity music. Electroencephalography (EEG) analyses further corroborated the behavioral findings, identifying neurophysiological pathways through which acoustic exposure influenced performance. This study integrated behavioral and neural approaches to provide empirical evidence for optimizing indoor acoustic environments that promote health, comfort, and productivity. Full article

With the deep development and iterative upgrading of algorithmic technology, the management practice of platform enterprises using intelligent algorithmic technology has become a hot issue. However, there is little research on the impact of perceived algorithmic control on work engagement from the perspective of platform workers. Drawing upon the regulatory focus theory, this study constructs a “double-edged sword” model to test the impact of perceived algorithmic control on platform workers’ work engagement by focusing on the positive mediating role of promotion-focused job crafting, the negative mediating role of prevention-focused job crafting, and the moderating role of algorithmic literacy. The data collected from 302 platform workers in China were used for an empirical study, and corresponding analyses were carried out to verify the theoretical model constructed by using SPSS and Mplus. The findings indicate the following: (a) perceived algorithmic control positively affects work engagement through promotion-focused job crafting; (b) perceived algorithmic control negatively affects work engagement indirectly through prevention-focused job crafting; (c) the indirect effect of perceived algorithmic control on work engagement via promotion-focused job crafting is stronger when there is a high level of algorithmic literacy and weaker in the case of low algorithmic literacy; and (d) the indirect effect of perceived algorithmic control on work engagement via prevention-focused job crafting is weaker in situations of high algorithmic literacy and stronger in those of low algorithmic literacy. The findings not only enrich theoretical studies on algorithmic control and work engagement but also offer guidance to platform-based enterprises on how to leverage the positive aspects of algorithmic control to better support individuals with different traits. Full article

The next frontier in postmenopausal osteoporosis management lies not in novel pharmacological agents, but in the systematic integration of mechanism-guided drug selection, fall prevention, and long-term adherence strategies into a unified patient-centered care model. This review is intended for clinicians and clinical researchers involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of postmenopausal osteoporosis. We provide a mechanism-to-practice framework that explicitly maps each therapeutic class to the specific molecular pathway it targets: bisphosphonates inhibit osteoclast function downstream of RANKL activation; denosumab blocks RANKL directly at the cytokine level; romosozumab inhibits sclerostin to restore Wnt-mediated bone formation. This mechanistic foundation supports a risk-stratified treatment paradigm in which antiresorptives address accelerated remodeling in moderate-risk patients, while patients at very high fracture risk—characterized by severe bone deficit or recent fragility fractures—benefit from an anabolic-first approach followed by consolidation. Beyond drug selection, we examine the persistent treatment gap in which fewer than 20% of post-fracture patients receive therapy, arguing that fall prevention—responsible for >90% of hip fractures—and medication adherence deserve equal priority in clinical practice. We further analyze key controversies, including T-score- versus FRAX-based intervention thresholds, limitations of the trabecular bone score, cost-effectiveness constraints on anabolic-first sequencing, and evidence gaps in post-denosumab transition strategies. By synthesizing mechanistic insights, guideline recommendations, and critical appraisal of current limitations, this review offers not only an overview of existing knowledge but a coherent decision-support model aimed at improving fracture prevention through comprehensive, individualized care. Full article

Mental health among university students is an issue of growing global concern, impacting both psychological well-being and academic outcomes. This study investigated the relationships between sleep quality, perceived stress, anxiety, and depression, examining the mediating role of perceived stress and the protective effects of optimism and critical thinking. A sample of 363 Italian university students (mean age = 22.67 ± 4.64 years) completed standardized self-report questionnaires assessing the main psychological variables of interest. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with bootstrapping to evaluate mediating and moderating effects. SEM analyses showed that perceived stress partially mediated the effect of sleep disturbances on anxiety (β = 0.27, 95% CI [0.18, 0.37]) and depression (β = 0.24, 95% CI [0.16, 0.33]). Moreover, the impact of sleep problems on perceived stress was attenuated among students with higher levels of optimism (β = −0.18, p = 0.003) and critical thinking (β = −0.14, p = 0.01), confirming the protective role of these personal resources. These findings highlight the importance of considering both risk factors and protective resources in understanding and preventing psychological distress in university populations, suggesting interventions aimed at improving sleep quality and enhancing individual resources. Full article

In the context of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which positions the nonprofit sector as a key driver of national development, these organizations face significant challenges including weak leadership, poor planning, and low employee commitment. This study investigates a moderated mediation model to explore how leadership affects organizational sustainable development (OSD). Specifically, it examines the mediating role of organizational commitment in the leadership–OSD relationship and the moderating role of strategic planning capability on the link between leadership and commitment. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was applied, involving 154 managerial respondents from 125 organizations in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Leadership, organizational commitment, strategic planning capability, and OSD were measured using validated instruments, and the analysis—conducted through IBM SPSS Statistics 26 and PROCESS Macro 7—incorporated reliability testing, factor analysis, correlations, and bootstrapped mediation–moderation models. The results reveal that leadership strongly predicts sustainable development (β = 0.592, p < 0.001) and organizational commitment (β = 0.634, p < 0.001). Commitment also significantly enhances sustainable development (β = 0.308, p < 0.001) and partially mediates the leadership–sustainability relationship. Strategic planning capability amplifies the effect of leadership on commitment (β = 0.176), producing a meaningful conditional indirect effect. Overall, the model accounts for 63.8% of the variance in sustainable development. The findings underscore the central role of leadership in strengthening nonprofit sustainability and highlight its relevance to broader national development objectives, including those outlined in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Full article

Credit cards play a central role in household financial behavior by combining payment and short-term financing functions shaped by socioeconomic, cognitive, and attitudinal factors. This study examines the determinants of credit card use and repayment behavior in Ecuador, focusing on purchasing power, financial literacy, and institutional trust. A quantitative, cross-sectional, and explanatory design was applied to a probabilistic sample of 550 credit card users from Quito and Santo Domingo. Multivariate analyses and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM)—including formative and hierarchical constructs—were used to validate the proposed behavioral framework. The results show that higher income is associated with more responsible repayment, while financial literacy and trust mediate this relationship through cognitive and attitudinal mechanisms. Moderate R² values and small-to-moderate f² effect sizes align with patterns observed in other Latin American credit markets. Behavioral differences also emerge across age, gender, and household composition, underscoring the heterogeneity of financial capability in the region. The findings demonstrate that responsible credit card indebtedness depends not only on economic capacity but also on financial knowledge and institutional trust, offering practical implications for financial inclusion policies and targeted education programs in emerging economies. Full article

Background: Nearshoring has risen after shocks and policy shifts. We synthesize evidence in a compact loop linking triggers (trade frictions, supply-chain risk, new agreements) to location choices mediated by multidimensional proximity (geographic, institutional, organizational, social, cognitive, functional) to components (manufacturing footprint, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), employment) and outcomes (spillovers, productivity, innovation) conditioned by absorptive capacity and institutions. Methods: We conducted a literature review using major bibliographic databases. A staged screening pipeline (deduplication, pre-eligibility, and title–abstract screening) preceded full-text coding aligned with the review framework (triggers, proximity, components, outcomes, mediators). Studies were appraised with a five-criterion checklist, and themes were consolidated with basic bibliometric checks. Results: Evidence is North Atlantic and manufacturing-centric. Supply-chain disruptions dominate triggers; non-geographic proximity strongly moderates relocation. FDI anchors ecosystems, while employment effects are lagged and compositional. Strong capability and policy mixes yield broader spillovers; otherwise, benefits remain enclave-like. Sustainability and transformative outcomes are rarely assessed. Conclusions: The loop clarifies feedback from outcomes to future siting. Firms should build proximity beyond geography and pair early FDI with supplier and skills upgrading; policymakers should align instruments to governance, capability formation, and logistics. Research should expand Global South coverage and integrate environmental and inclusion metrics. Full article

Parental overprotection before adulthood can have enduring consequences for offspring, yet the mechanisms underlying its association with adult physical health are not fully understood. This study proposes trait emotional intelligence (trait-EI) as a pivotal mediating factor in this relationship. A sample of 459 university students (mean age = 22.42 years, SD = 1.43; 50.3% female, 49.7% male) completed measures assessing their recalled parental overprotection, trait-EI and physical health. Results from regression and mediation analyses revealed that parental overprotection was significantly negatively associated with both overall trait-EI and physical health. Critically, trait-EI was found to be a significant mediator, indicating that overprotective parenting impedes the development of trait-EI, which in turn translates into poorer health outcomes. Further analysis of the facets of trait-EI demonstrated that the intrapersonal and stress management dimensions were unique contributors to physical health, whereas interpersonal and adaptability skills were not. What’s more, a moderated mediation analysis showed that gender significantly moderated the pathway from parental overprotection to trait-EI, with the negative effect of overprotection on trait-EI being substantially stronger for male than for female offspring. These findings underscore the role of trait-EI as a central psychological mechanism translating early parenting experiences into long-term physical health and point to the need for gender-sensitive approaches in preventive health interventions. Full article

The development of New Quality Productive Forces (abbreviated as NQPFs) is crucial for agricultural modernization and agricultural sustainable growth in China. Leveraging panel data from 31 Chinese provinces (2012–2022), we employ a two-way fixed effects model to examine the influence of NQPFs on agricultural sustainable development and the underlying mechanisms. Robustness tests validate that NQPFs exert a significant positive effect on agricultural sustainable development. Agricultural technological innovation emerges as the primary channel through which NQPFs foster agricultural sustainable development. Further analysis indicates that rural economic growth positively moderates this relationship, amplifying NQPFs’ contribution to agricultural sustainability. In addition, the impact of NQPFs exhibits significant variation across regions and agricultural functional zones. Our findings suggest that to foster agricultural sustainable development, governments should prioritize cultivating NQPFs, tailor policies to regional contexts, and concurrently enhance agricultural technology and stimulate rural economic growth. Full article

Unsafe behavior continues to be one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities in the construction sector, despite the implementation of extensive safety programs and training. This enduring challenge suggests that deeper psychological and family-related factors influencing workers’ behavior remain underexplored. Grounded in Spillover Theory and the Conservation of Resources (COR) Theory, this study investigates how family–work balance influences unsafe behavior among new-generation construction workers in Turkey, while examining the mediating role of hardiness and the moderating effect of mastery climate. Using a cross-sectional survey design with data collected from 692 construction workers across major Turkish cities, the study employs the Hayes PROCESS macro to test direct, indirect, and conditional effects. The findings reveal that family–work balance and hardiness both negatively predict unsafe behavior, while family–work balance positively relates to hardiness. Moreover, hardiness partially mediates the link between family–work balance and unsafe behavior, accounting for approximately two-thirds of the total effect. Additionally, a mastery climate strengthens these negative associations, demonstrating that supportive and learning-oriented environments amplify the safety-enhancing effects of both family–work balance and hardiness. These results extend the theoretical understanding of how personal and contextual resources interact to influence safety outcomes, offering actionable insights for construction firms to promote family-supportive policies, resilience-building initiatives, and mastery-oriented climates that jointly foster safer work practices. Full article

Several antioxidants play an important role in improving athletic performance. Increased inflammation and oxidative stress during physical performance result in the production of free radicals, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), which leads to fatigue, muscle damage, and impaired performance. However, moderate and transient increases in ROS are physiologically essential, acting as signaling mediators that trigger adaptive cellular responses. Despite their harmful effects on athletic performance, ROS may also enhance physical protection by acting as signaling molecules against increased physical stress. Healthy dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet (MD) may contribute to decrease oxidative stress thanks to its content in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, legumes, and herbs/spices. Indeed, the beneficial effects of the MD can be attributed not only to its antioxidant properties but also to its well-documented anti-inflammatory effects, lipid-modulating actions, immune-supportive functions, and modulation of gut microbiota composition, which collectively influence metabolic and physiological resilience. The MD also plays a key role in competitive sport and training. In addition, several researchers have reported that the MD is essential for reducing risk of injury and illness, recovering and adapting between bouts of activity, and enhancing performance. In this context, following the key principles of an MD could also represent a useful framework for good dietary in competitive athletes. In this narrative review, we discuss the potential effects of antioxidants in sport and the impact of individual foods or compounds of the MD on oxidative stress and exercise performance in competitive athletes and physically active individuals. The potential modifications which could be made to the MD will be highlighted to maximize health and performance effects, in accordance with contemporary sports nutrition practices. Full article

Global warming has increased outbreaks of the tea pest Ectropis grisescens. However, how water and nitrogen management modulates tea plant resistance against this pest through induced volatile organic compounds (VOCs) remains unclear. This study aimed to (1) characterize how water–nitrogen interactions alter the composition of VOCs in fresh leaves of Camellia sinensis cv. Rougui, and (2) identify key VOCs that mediate repellence against E. grisescens. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and olfactometry under three water and three nitrogen levels, we found that nitrogen effects on VOCs were contingent on water status. Four terpenoids—(+)-dihydrocarvone, myrcene, linalool, and β-ocimene—and one green-leaf volatile ((E)-3-hexenoic acid) significantly repelled E. grisescens, whereas hexanoic acid, 3-oxo-, ethyl ester acted as an attractant. Mechanistically, low-water–moderate-nitrogen and high-water–high-nitrogen treatments reduced repellent terpenoids and increased attractant VOCs, thereby elevating pest preference. These results demonstrate that water–nitrogen coupling shifts the balance between repellent and attractant volatiles, providing a physiological basis for manipulating tea plant resistance through agronomic management. Full article

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes an integral part of organizational operations, collaboration between humans and AI is transforming employees’ work experiences and behavioral patterns. This study examines the psychological challenges and coping responses associated with such collaboration. Drawing on Cognitive Appraisal Theory, we construct and test a theoretical framework that connects employee–AI collaboration to knowledge hiding via job insecurity, while considering AI trust as a moderating variable. Data were collected through a three-wave time-lagged survey of 348 employees working in knowledge-intensive enterprises in China. The empirical results demonstrate that (1) employee–AI collaboration elevates perceptions of job insecurity; (2) job insecurity fosters knowledge-hiding behavior; (3) job insecurity mediates the link between collaboration and knowledge hiding; and (4) AI trust buffers the positive effect of collaboration on job insecurity, thereby reducing its indirect impact on knowledge hiding. These findings reveal the paradoxical role of AI collaboration: although it enhances efficiency, it may also provoke defensive reactions that inhibit knowledge exchange. By highlighting the role of AI trust in shaping employees’ cognitive appraisals, this study advances understanding of how cognitive appraisals influence human adaptation to intelligent technologies. Practical insights are offered for managers aiming to cultivate trust-based and psychologically secure environments that promote effective human–AI collaboration and organizational innovation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Diet and physical activity are key lifestyle behaviours associated with sleep quality, yet their combined and sex-specific associations remain insufficiently understood. This study examined the associations between dietary behaviours and sleep quality among university students and assessed whether physical activity formed part of an indirect statistical association between these variables, with sex considered as a moderator. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 418 students (199 males, 219 females) from the Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences. Body height and body mass were measured using standard anthropometric procedures. Sleep quality (SQ) was registered with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), dietary habits were assessed with the Questionnaire of Eating Behaviours (QEB) and physical activity (PA) was assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Data-driven feature-selection methods were applied to identify dietary behaviours associated with sleep quality, which were combined into a Synthetic Dietary Behaviour Index (SDBI). A moderated mediation model, adjusted for body mass index (BMI), was then used to examine the statistical associations between dietary behaviours, physical activity, sleep quality, and sex. Sleep quality was modelled as a continuous PSQI score in mediation analyses, while the dichotomised PSQI category was used only for feature selection. Results: Machine-learning feature selection identified nine dietary behaviours statistically associated with sleep quality. Unfavourable behaviours—fast food, fried meals, sweetened beverages, energy drinks and alcohol—were linked to poorer sleep, whereas vegetables, curd cheese and wholegrain bread were associated with better sleep. Poor sleep was more prevalent among females (45.2% vs. 14.6%, χ² (1) = 65.4, p < 0.001). The mediation model indicated that physical activity formed part of a statistically significant but modest indirect association between dietary behaviour and sleep quality, with sex moderating the IPAQ → PSQI path (β = −0.45, p = 0.006). Indirect associations were significant for both sexes but stronger among females (males: β = 0.032, p = 0.021; females: β = 0.102, p = 0.004). Conclusions: Unfavourable dietary patterns and lower physical activity were statistically associated with poorer sleep quality, with a stronger indirect statistical effect observed among females. These findings support the relevance of integrated, sex-sensitive lifestyle approaches addressing both dietary behaviours and physical activity, while acknowledging the cross-sectional nature of the data. Full article

As an in-depth integration of green capital chains and technological innovation chains, green fintech provides strong support for enterprises in promoting green and low-carbon development and achieving carbon neutrality. Based on relevant data from Chinese listed companies between 2014 and 2023, this study constructs indices for green fintech development and corporate carbon neutrality to empirically examine the impact of green fintech on corporate carbon neutrality. Benchmark regression results show that green fintech exerts a significantly positive effect on corporate carbon neutrality. A mediation analysis of financing incentives indicates that alleviating corporate financing constraints and reducing financial distress are effective pathways through which green fintech facilitates carbon neutrality. Furthermore, a moderating effect analysis reveals that green fintech plays a more pronounced role in enhancing carbon neutrality for enterprises with higher audit quality and larger operational scales. Accordingly, policy recommendations are proposed, focusing on establishing a green fintech service-sharing platform, providing targeted policy support, and improving carbon information disclosure mechanisms. Full article