Search Results (2,400)

The value of grade retention as a pedagogic resource remains a subject of debate because of its costs and benefits. In fact, it has been repeatedly argued that grade retention has substantial psychosocial effects. Student engagement with school is one of the dimensions that is expected to be more affected by grade retention. This article aimed to contribute to this debate by examining the relationship between grade retention and various dimensions of student engagement with school. With that purpose in mind, we analyzed data from a sample at one point in time (cross-sectional) and over three points in time (longitudinal), and expanded their meaning for Inclusive Education and for Person-centered schools. The cross-sectional sample comprised 739 students aged 14 to 19 years (M = 16.47, SD = 0.59), while the longitudinal sample included 238 students aged 11 to 15 years (M = 13.29, SD = 0.54 at the first assessment). Student engagement with school was measured using the Multifactorial Measure of Student Engagement. The results indicated that grade retention was negatively associated with overall student engagement. This negative association was particularly evident in the cases of study behaviors and perceived family support for learning. Moreover, students with a history of retention exhibited a significantly steeper decline in engagement over time compared to their non-retained peers. These findings underscore the importance of developing inclusive educational practices. Strategies that foster student engagement are especially relevant for retained students. Schools need to assume their responsibility in promoting positive academic trajectories for all their students, which may require schools shifting from a materialistic-oriented paradigm to a person-centered school paradigm. Full article

Background: Perfectionism is a multidimensional personality trait encompassing both adaptive and maladaptive aspects that strongly influence students’ psychological health. Spiritual well-being, defined by existential and religious components, has been suggested as a protective factor, yet its relationship with perfectionism remains underexplored in university populations. This study aimed to investigate these associations in a large nationwide sample of Italian undergraduates. Methods: A total of 2103 students from public and private universities across Northern, Central, and Southern Italy participated in an online cross-sectional survey. Validated instruments were used to assess multidimensional perfectionism and spiritual well-being. Results: Self-oriented perfectionism emerged as the most prevalent dimension, followed by other-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism. Scores for existential well-being were higher than those for religious well-being. Existential well-being was negatively associated with socially prescribed perfectionism, suggesting a buffering role against maladaptive forms of striving. Religious well-being showed only a small positive association with perfectionism. Gender and age differences were also observed, with women and younger students reporting higher levels of perfectionism. Conclusions: Findings highlight existential well-being as a potential protective factor in academic contexts, supporting meaning-centered strategies to mitigate maladaptive perfectionism. Longitudinal and cross-cultural studies are warranted to clarify causal mechanisms and inform culturally sensitive educational and clinical practices. Full article

Purpose: This study examines how tone management in board reports influences corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance in emerging markets, focusing on the Tehran Stock Exchange. It addresses the underexplored qualitative aspects of CSR disclosures, particularly how abnormal tone signals transparency or concealment in sustainability reporting. Design/methodology/approach: This paper is based on a postgraduate study completed in 2022. Using a dataset of 987 firm-year observations (2016–2022), we measure abnormal tone through textual analysis of board reports and assess its impact on six CSR dimensions. The methodology combines vocabulary-based tone detection with regression analysis, controlling for firm-specific factors. Findings: The results reveal a significant negative relationship between abnormal tone and CSR performance, particularly in environmental and energy dimensions. The adverse effects persist into subsequent years, highlighting the long-term consequences of tone manipulation. Originality/value: This study contributes to the social and environmental accounting literature by analysing tone management in an emerging market context. It introduces vocabulary combinations as a novel approach to detecting nuanced tone variations, offering practical insights for regulators and firms aiming to enhance CSR transparency. Full article

Introduction. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains one of the best-described yet also one of the most heterogeneous psychiatric disorders. Existing neuroimaging studies point to key changes in the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex, but the role of PTSD duration in modulating these changes has not been fully explained. Objectives. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of PTSD duration (≤5 years vs. >5 years) on volumetric and microstructural brain parameters, using multiple Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sequences (3D Ax BRAVO, Cube T2 FLAIR, Diffusion Tensor Imaging—DTI) and a set of macroscopic morphometric measurements. Methods. The study included 92 participants: 33 with PTSD of ≤5 years duration, 31 with PTSD > 5 years, and 28 healthy controls. Volume and diffusion parameters of six Regions of Interest (ROIs) (hippocampus, amygdala, prefrontal cortex—right and left) were evaluated, along with their associations with nine brain measurements (including width of the third ventricle, corpus callosum, and lateral fissures). Statistical analyses included the Kruskal–Wallis test with Compact Letter Display (CLD) correction and Spearman correlations. Results. (1) The volume of the right hippocampus was significantly greater in the PTSD > 5 years group compared to controls (p = 0.006), with intermediate values in the PTSD ≤ 5 years group. (2) In the left amygdala, an increase in Fractional Anisotropy (FA) and related anisotropy measures was observed in PTSD > 5 years (p ≈ 0.02), without volumetric changes. (3) In the left prefrontal cortex, diffusivity was reduced in PTSD ≤ 5 years (p = 0.035), partially normalizing after >5 years. (4) Correlation analysis revealed that chronic PTSD strengthens the negative associations between hippocampal microstructure and both the width of the amygdala and the interhemispheric fissure, indicating a progressive reorganization of fronto-limbic networks. Conclusions. PTSD induces region- and time-dependent brain changes: (a) adaptive/hypertrophic protection of the right hippocampus after many years of illness, (b) cumulative microstructural reorganization of the left amygdala, and (c) transient impairment of diffusion in the left prefrontal cortex in early PTSD. These findings highlight the necessity of considering the temporal dimension in planning therapeutic interventions and in the search for biomarkers of PTSD progression. Full article

The Lake Velence watershed faces increasing challenges driven by local and global factors, including the impacts of climate change, energy resource limitations, and greenhouse gas emissions. These issues, particularly acute in water management, are exacerbated by prolonged droughts, growing population pressures, and shifting land use patterns. Such dynamics strain the region’s scarce water resources, negatively affecting the environment, tourism, recreation, agriculture, and economic prospects. Nadap, a hilly settlement within the watershed, experiences frequent flooding and poor water retention, yet it also boasts the highest solar panel capacity per property in Hungary. This research addresses these interconnected challenges by designing a solar-hydrodynamic network comprising four multi-purpose water reservoirs. By leveraging the settlement’s solar capacity and geographical features, the reservoirs provide numerous benefits to local stakeholders and extend their impact far beyond their borders. These include stormwater management with flash flood mitigation, seasonal green energy storage, water security for agriculture and irrigation, wildlife conservation, recreational opportunities, carbon-smart winery developments, and the creation of sustainable blue-green settlements. Reservoir locations and dimensions were determined by analyzing geographical characteristics, stormwater volume, energy demand, solar panel performance, and rainfall data. The hydrodynamic system, modeled in Matlab, was optimized to ensure efficient water usage for irrigation, animal hydration, and other needs while minimizing evaporation losses and carbon emissions. This research presents a design framework for low-carbon and cost-effective solutions that address water management and energy storage, promoting environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The multi-purpose use of retained rainwater solves various existing problems/challenges, strengthens a community’s self-sustainability, and fosters regional growth. This integrated approach can serve as a model for other municipalities and for developing cost-effective inter-settlement and cross-catchment solutions, with a short payback period, facing similar challenges. Full article

Varuna litterata is an estuarine crab species widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, commonly dwelling in brackish waters, mangrove forests, and tidal estuaries. In Bangladesh, while four Scylla species dominate the commercial crab market, the locally consumed V. litterata remains a biologically overlooked gem of the coastal waters. These crabs are frequently captured as a byproduct during shrimp fry collection from coastal estuaries. In this context, the current study investigates the reproductive biology, morphometric dynamics, and market potential of V. litterata collected from the Pasur River, a coastal mangrove forest-adjacent estuary of southern Bangladesh. A total of 75 individuals were collected from March to April 2023, comprising 35 males and 40 females, resulting in a sex ratio of 1:1.14 (♂:♀), with a predominance of females. A visual observation of ovary development revealed four distinct maturation stages, with Stage IV (fully mature) being the most prevalent (43%), indicating peak reproductive activity during the sampling period. Morphometric analysis revealed that the average carapace width (CW) was 31.2 ± 5.7 mm and 31.9 ± 5.8 mm and the mean carapace length (CL) was 29.3 ± 4.7 mm and 30.1 ± 4.9 mm in males and females, respectively. However, the mean body weight (BW) was 13.1 ± 4.3 g in males and 12.7 ± 3.8 g in female crabs. The dominant CW class ranges from 33 to 33.99 mm (males) and 28.99–29.99 mm (females), appear to be the most vulnerable to fishing pressure. BW-CW and CL-CW relationships demonstrated negative allometric growth, with high correlations in both sexes. Significant sexual dimorphism was observed, with males having larger cheliped dimensions, while females had broader abdomens, likely supporting reproductive functions that are essential to their conservation. The marketing of this crab remains largely informal, yet rising local demand and prices highlight its emerging commercial potential. Therefore, incorporation into aquaculture and coastal fishery development of this crab species could enhance food security, support livelihoods, and contribute to sustainable blue economy initiatives in Bangladesh. Full article

Background/Objectives: Healthcare organizations worldwide face challenges in retaining talented employees, with the phenomenon of quiet quitting increasingly recognized as a contemporary issue. Rather than leaving their jobs, employees remain at work but exert minimal effort and exhibit reduced engagement, which can ultimately undermine the performance of healthcare organizations. The aim of this research was to examine the impact of servant leadership on work engagement within healthcare organizations, to determine whether this leadership style can help mitigate the effects of quiet quitting. Methods: The study employed a quantitative approach, utilizing validated instruments to measure servant leadership and work engagement. A cross-sectional study design was utilized, employing a convenience sampling method. A total of 362 valid surveys were collected from healthcare professionals in Serbia participating in the study from January to March 2025. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method was used to examine the relationship between servant leadership and work engagement among healthcare professionals. Results: The results indicate that servant leadership has a positive and statistically significant impact on all dimensions of engagement: vigor, dedication, and absorption. Conclusions: Based on these findings, it is concluded that servant leadership can serve as an effective strategy for enhancing work engagement and reducing negative employee behaviors, such as quiet quitting, which may, in turn, improve organizational efficiency in the healthcare industry. Full article

This study investigates the environmental dimension of sustainable development across fifteen post-Soviet republics in 2022. While sustainability is generally understood as a triadic construct—economic, social, and environmental—this paper isolates the ecological pillar to highlight cross-country differences shaped by industrial legacies, institutional capacity, and governance models. A composite Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is developed using the Mazziotta–Pareto Index (MPI), which captures both average performance and internal consistency across three SDG-related domains: SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The study adds to existing literature as it includes a non-compensatory composite index and cluster analysis, and in policy terms, it provides a benchmarking system for facilitating ecological transition in the post-Soviet context. The results reveal strong divergence across the region: Baltic countries and Moldova achieve higher scores, reflecting policy convergence with the European Union and stronger environmental institutions, while Central Asian republics lag due to resource dependence, water scarcity, and weaker governance. Geographic cluster analysis corroborates these differences, showing clear spatial patterns of environmental convergence and divergence. Correlation analysis further demonstrates that environmental sustainability is positively associated with GDP per capita, HDI, and life expectancy, while negatively linked with inequality and fertility rates. These findings stress the need for context-sensitive and evidence-based policies, intra-regional cooperation, and integrated governance mechanisms to advance ecological transition in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Full article

The successful implementation of digital transformation initiatives depends critically on public trust in experts guiding these processes. In today’s digital media environment, expert trust faces significant challenges, potentially hindering sustainable innovation adoption. This study investigates how expert credibility dimensions and information characteristics shape trust in digital transformation experts among Chinese social media users. We employed a mixed-methods approach combining a survey of 850 Chinese social media users, a quasi-experiment testing a digital expert verification feature, and secondary data analysis. The study measured multiple dimensions of expert trust while examining relationships with expert cognition factors and media usage variables through regression, mediation, and structural equation modeling. Expert trust in digital transformation exists at moderate levels (M = 6.82/10), with higher trust in digital innovation research (M = 7.12) than specific sustainability recommendations (M = 6.59). Expert authenticity emerged as the strongest predictor of trust (β = 0.27), followed by professional competence (β = 0.21). A “digital exposure paradox” emerged whereby higher volumes of expert information negatively predicted trust (β = −0.18), while information quality positively predicted trust (β = 0.25). The digital verification feature causally enhanced trust (DID = 0.57), with institutional sources strengthening trust while user-generated content diminished it. The findings reveal that digital transformation expert trust involves multi-dimensional evaluations beyond traditional credibility assessments. The “digital exposure paradox” suggests that prioritizing information quality over quantity, demonstrating expert authenticity, and implementing verification mechanisms can enhance trust and accelerate sustainable digital transformation adoption. Full article

Background: Chest radiography (CXR) remains the most common first-line imaging for thoracic abnormalities. While aortic knob width can reflect aortic dilation, no standardized, widely recognized thresholds of clinical utility exist. Methods: This pilot retrospective study analyzed 240 emergency department patients (median age 67 years, 61% male) who underwent both PA CXR and chest computed tomography angiography (CTA) within 7 days. Three aortic knob dimensions (horizontal, oblique, vertical) were measured on CXR and compared with CTA measurements at two anatomical levels: proximal to the brachiocephalic trunk (P-BCT) and distal to the left subclavian artery (D-LSA). Results: The horizontal aortic knob width was most closely related to CTA measurements of P-BCT and D-LSA. A regression model incorporating horizontal knob diameter, age, and sex was characterized with an AUC of 0.884 (95% CI 0.825–0.944) for detecting aortic dilation (>40 mm). Using a conservative threshold with the upper 95% prediction bound exceeding 40 mm led to 100% sensitivity and 54% specificity, with a negative predictive value of 1.00. Conclusions: Simple quantitative CXR measurements of aortic knob width (horizontal), combined with age and sex, can provide additional confidence for excluding aortic arch dilation. Given further validation in diverse populations, if the high negative predictive value of this approach will be confirmed, it may represent a valuable screening tool to guide decisions for advanced imaging, especially due to low cost and wide availability. Full article

Digital financial services have transformed consumer financial behavior, yet their effects on sustainable development outcomes remain poorly understood. This study examines how mobile financial services (MFS) usage influences financial behaviors across temporal dimensions and investigates the moderating role of financial literacy from a systemic sustainability perspective. Drawing on Construal Level Theory, Dual Process Theory, and Social Cognitive Theory, we analyze data from 21,757 U.S. adults from the 2021 National Financial Capability Study to explore relationships between MFS usage, financial literacy dimensions—objective knowledge (OK), subjective knowledge (SK), and perceived ability (PA)—and both short-term and long-term financial behaviors. The results reveal a dual temporal pattern: MFS usage negatively affects short-term behaviors, including spending control and emergency preparedness, while positively influencing long-term behaviors such as retirement planning and investment participation. Financial literacy dimensions demonstrate differential moderating effects, with OK providing protective benefits against short-term risks, while PA can paradoxically exacerbate these adverse short-term effects. These findings highlight complex implications for sustainable development, demonstrating how individual behaviors aggregate to influence systemic financial resilience and progress toward Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty reduction, economic growth, and inequality reduction. Policymakers should adopt behaviorally informed regulatory approaches that address temporal trade-offs. Educators should design digital-specific literacy programs emphasizing realistic risk assessment alongside confidence-building, thereby promoting sustainable financial behaviors in increasingly digital environments. Full article

Spatial density, as a key indicator of the quality of the urban residential environment, comprises both physical and perceived dimensions. Physical density refers to objective spatial characteristics (e.g., building density and population density), whereas perceived density denotes residents’ perceptual evaluations (e.g., perceived crowding, visual openness, and overall environmental quality). Clarifying the relationship between physical and perceived density is therefore critical for advancing livability-oriented urban planning and design. This study examines the relationship through an empirical analysis of 50 representative high-density communities in Guangzhou. Using morphological classification, descriptive statistics, and multiple linear regression, the analysis compares objective density indicators with residents’ perceptual evaluations and identifies key environmental factors that shape perceived density. Findings indicate that physical and perceived density are not fully aligned: compact but coherent spatial forms can enhance residents’ perceptual evaluations, whereas overcrowded and deteriorating environments intensify negative perceptions. The identified community typologies—for example, urban villages, traditional walk-up estates, and modern high-rise complexes—exhibit distinct perceptual patterns and influencing factors. These results highlight the need for density regulation to move beyond conventional physical indicators and to incorporate perceptual dimensions into planning frameworks. Overall, the study provides theoretical insights and practical guidance for tailored strategies in the renewal and management of high-density communities. Full article

Background: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) often emerges during adolescence and young adulthood, a period marked by heightened vulnerability to impulsivity and affective dysregulation. While impulsivity is a core feature of BPD, its multidimensional expression in this age group remains insufficiently documented. This study examined impulsivity traits in young adults with BPD, their associations with depressive and anxiety symptoms, and their links to risk behaviors. Methods: A total of 160 participants aged 16–25 were recruited in Belgium between 2021 and 2023: 44 with BPD from inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services and 116 healthy controls from schools and universities. Assessments included the short UPPS-P, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T), and the Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines–Revised (DIB-R). Logistic regressions with robust errors and Kendall’s tau-b correlations were used. Results: Compared with controls, individuals with BPD scored higher on all UPPS-p subscales except Sensation Seeking (e.g., Negative Urgency: 14 vs. 10, p < 0.001). Logistic regression identified Negative Urgency (OR = 5.31, 95% CI: 2.07–13.62, p = 0.001) and Positive Urgency (OR = 3.26, 95% CI: 1.37–7.75, p = 0.007) as independent predictors of BPD. Within the BPD group, depressive and anxiety symptoms correlated with several UPPS-P dimensions, notably Negative Urgency and Lack of Perseverance. Suicide attempts were associated with the DIB-R total score, BDI-II, and STAI-T, while substance use was linked to the DIB-R impulsivity subscale and STAI-T. Conclusions: Emotional impulsivity—particularly Negative Urgency—emerges as a central feature of BPD in emerging adulthood. Its interplay with depressive and anxiety symptoms, and its associations with suicidal and addictive behaviors, support a dual-level conceptualization of impulsivity as both a dispositional trait and a state-dependent clinical risk factor. Full article

Background/Objectives: Multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) pose global health and social challenges, with caregiving often relying on family members, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, limited evidence exists regarding the factors influencing caregiver contribution (CC) to patient self-care among older adults with MCCs in these settings. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the associations between caregivers’ and patients’ socio-demographic characteristics and patients’ clinical variables and the CC to patient self-care behaviors in adults with MCCs in an LMIC context. Methods: This multicenter, cross-sectional study included patient–caregiver dyads recruited from outpatient and community settings across Albania, between August 2020 and April 2021. CC was assessed using the Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory scale (CC-SCCII). Three multivariable linear regression models were used to explore associations with the three dimensions of CC to self-care maintenance, monitoring, and management. Results: Caregivers were mostly female, children, or spouses with a high level of education and employed. Patients were primarily female and had low education. Hypertension and diabetes were the most prevalent. Older and employed caregivers contributed less to CC to self-care maintenance, while higher education and caregiving experience increased it. Living with the patient and being a spouse reduced CC to self-care monitoring, whereas more caregiving hours and experience improved it. CC to self-care management was negatively influenced by cohabitation, presence of a second caregiver, and being a spouse, but improved with more caregiving hours. Conclusions: Socio-demographic and caregiving factors differently influence CC to self-care dimensions in older adults with MCCs in an LMIC. Tailored caregiver support programs are essential to enhance caregiver involvement and improve MCC patient outcomes in LMICs. Full article

The large-eye dentex (Dentex macrophthalmus) is a relatively small sparid fish with increasing potential as a supplementary fishery resource in the Mediterranean Sea, particularly as traditional stocks face overexploitation. Despite its widespread distribution, biological data on this species, especially from Greek waters, remain scarce. This study presents the first comprehensive biological assessment of D. macrophthalmus in the Pagasitikos Gulf, focusing on population structure, growth, mortality, and the application of machine learning (ML) for age prediction. A total of 305 individuals were collected, revealing a female-biased sex ratio and negative allometric growth in both somatic and otolith dimensions. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters indicated a slow growth rate (k = 0.16 year⁻¹), with an estimated asymptotic length (L∞) of 25.97 cm. The population was found to be underexploited (E = 0.41), suggesting resilience to current fishing pressure. Stepwise regression and ML models were employed to predict age from otolith morphometrics. A linear model identified otolith weight and aspect ratio as the most significant predictors of age (R² = 0.8). Among the ML algorithms tested, the Neural Network model achieved the highest performance (R² = 0.764, MAPE = 14.10%), demonstrating its potential for accurate and efficient age estimation. These findings provide crucial baseline data for the sustainable management of D. macrophthalmus and highlight the value of integrating advanced ML techniques into fisheries biology. Full article