Search Results (149,611)

Social media influencers (SMIs) have become effective intermediaries that influence consumer perceptions, attitudes, and behavioral intentions through their online presence and persuasion skills; this has made it imperative to comprehend how buyer-related variables contribute to brand loyalty within contemporary marketing research. This study, therefore, examines the effect of social media influencer capability on brand loyalty in Saudi Arabia, using brand trust as a mediating variable and authentic leadership as a moderating variable. Utilizing Social Exchange Theory and Authentic Leadership Theory, the study applied a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. Data were purposively collected from 476 active social media users in three major commercial hubs in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam). The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that authenticity and communication skills have a positive and significant influence on brand trust and brand loyalty, but expertise and influence only have a significant and positive influence on brand trust, not on brand loyalty directly, which means that the two constructs are indirectly influencing brand loyalty. The study also finds that authentic leadership significantly moderates the relationship between expertise, influence, and communication skills and brand loyalty, while the interaction with authenticity is not significant. Moreover, the mediation analysis shows that brand trust plays a significant mediating role in the relationships between communication skills, expertise and influence and brand loyalty, implying that the antecedents play a leading role in fostering loyalty by first developing trust. The study contributes to theory by offering a process-based perspective on the concept of brand loyalty that positions brand trust as a fundamental mechanism and authentic leadership as a vital enabling context. The findings have practical implications for organizations that want to strengthen brand loyalty through authentic communication, trust-building strategies, and leadership practices in social media-based contexts. Full article

The expansion of organic farming in Europe increases the co-occurrence of medicinal and aromatic plant crops and pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA)-producing weeds, raising serious contamination concerns. This study evaluated the risk of PA contamination in organically grown chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) under field conditions in the North Vidzeme region of Latvia, with particular emphasis on vertical PA distribution in dominant weeds and on whether PA occurrence could be detected in chamomile plants growing adjacent to PA-producing weeds under field conditions. Three commercial fields were surveyed using systematic quadrat sampling to quantify weed density, biomass, and height. PA-producing weeds were segmented into 5 cm fractions, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids were quantified by LC-HRMS. Myosotis arvensis was the dominant species (up to 48,000 plants ha⁻¹), contributing the highest field-level PA load (up to 669.3 mg ha⁻¹), whereas Anchusa arvensis occurred at lower densities (≤2400 plants ha⁻¹) with a total PA load of 104.8 mg ha⁻¹. In both species, PA concentrations increased toward upper plant segments, while contamination hazard at harvest was determined by the amount of PA-bearing biomass in the harvest-relevant zone. No PAs were detected in chamomile samples collected within 10 cm of PA-producing weeds (<LOQ). Under the investigated conditions, contamination hazard was primarily associated with mechanical admixture during harvest rather than soil-mediated transfer. Full article

Perilla frutescens(L.) Britt. (P. frutescens) is an important medicinal and aromatic plant, whose leaf color and chemotype strongly influence its medicinal quality and economic value. All the previously discovered perillene (PL)-type P. frutescens are double-sided green, and whether the PL-type trait is tightly linked with the green-leaf trait in genetics remains to be clarified. This study aimed to address this question and attempt to create purple-leaf PL-type germplasm through perillaldehyde (PA) × PL hybridization. Three parallel experiments were conducted using purple-leaf PA-type P. frutescens as male parents and green-leaf PL-type P. frutescens as female parents. Chemotypes were identified by gas chromatography (GC). Association analyses between leaf color and chemotype were performed in segregating F₂ populations. Genes involved in leaf color formation and PL biosynthesis were mapped onto the published Hoko-3 reference genome to provide genomic evidence for the genetic relationship between the two traits. All F₁ individuals were uniformly PA-type. The three F₂ populations exhibited distinct leaf color–chemotype association patterns: Z01 (n = 118) showed a strong association (Fisher’s exact p = 9.13 × 10⁻¹⁰; φ = 0.564), Z02 (n = 117) showed no detectable association (p = 0.9; φ = 0.012), and Z03 (n = 88) showed a moderate association (p = 0.00669; φ = 0.289). Importantly, purple-leaf PL-type recombinants were obtained in F₂ populations and stably maintained through subsequent generations (F₃–F₅), demonstrating that the PL-type trait is not tightly linked with the green-leaf trait in P. frutescens. Genomic mapping genes related to leaf color and PL biosynthesis are distributed across multiple chromosomes and usually present as multiple loci, which is consistent with the pattern of incomplete linkage. The PL-type trait is recessive and not genetically tightly linked to the green-leaf traits in P. frutescens. The successful creation of a purple-leaf PL-type germplasm breaks the historical phenotypic constraint and provides a novel material for further dissection of the molecular mechanisms regulating secondary metabolism and organ coloration in P. frutescens. Full article

The demand for high-energy-density and fast-charging solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs) often subjects practical devices to internal thermal loads, making high-temperature operation a common operational condition rather than an isolated scenario. To address the interfacial degradation and dendrite growth accelerated by such thermomechanical stresses, we developed a composite gel electrolyte (CGE) by incorporating an optimal concentration of active Li_6.4La₃Zr_1.4Ta_0.6O₁₂ (LLZTO) into a fluoropolymer network. The abundant Lewis acidic sites on the LLZTO surfaces promote competitive solvation decoupling by interacting with anions, thereby modulating the primary solvation sheath of Li⁺. This localized modulation lowers the lithium-ion migration activation energy to 0.248 eV and facilitates a dual-interfacial passivation mechanism. Specifically, a rigid, inorganic-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) forms to suppress morphological instability at the lithium anode, while an organic-dominated cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) enhances the oxidative stability up to 4.3 V. As a result, symmetric cells demonstrate stable electrodeposition for over 450 h at 80 °C and 0.5 mA cm⁻². Furthermore, NCM811/Li full cells utilizing this CGEs exhibit significantly improved thermal resilience and cycling stability. Full article

Background: Since sedentary habits have become a growing global public health concern, the promotion of physical activity (PA) from early childhood could help children live healthy lifestyles. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the level of compliance with PA in preschoolers in relation to the reference guidelines. Method: A systematic review of relevant articles was carried out using four databases (PubMed, ProQuest, SCOPUS, and FECYT (Web of Sciences, CCC, CIDW, KJD, MEDLINE, RSCI, and SCIELO)) until 14 May 2025. The methodological assessment process was performed by using an adapted version of the MINORS assessment criteria. Results: A total of 623 studies were initially found and 23 were included in the qualitative synthesis. Conclusions: The results revealed that the average in most contexts usually ranges between 30% and 65% of the child population. Due to different operational criteria, compliance was generally higher when PA was assessed separately using single-behavior guidelines as opposed to when integrated 24 h movement frameworks were used. However, these results should be considered with caution because establishing the level of adherence to PA guidelines is difficult due to the different outcomes and guidelines used to compare the level of children’s PA. In future research, it is important to establish common baseline criteria (specifying more specific ages, common questionnaires, and criteria for calculating PA quantity and intensity) to facilitate more objective and reliable comparisons between studies. This systematic review is important because it highlights the need for healthy educational habits from the first years of a person’s life. Full article

Livestock production systems are considered some of the most environmentally degrading due to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their contribution to poor air, soil and water quality, amongst other impacts. Advanced manure treatment technologies are required in response to intensification of dairy production worldwide, and the considerably greater volumes of manure generated that require collection and management. Similarly, in Australian dairy systems cows spend more time off pasture, with increased collection of larger manure volumes from a range of contained housing facilities. Adoption of advanced treatment is required to capture nutrients at risk of loss, and ideally to valorise manure to support uptake of these technologies. This review describes the generation of manure and the manure sources found in commercial Australian systems, including grazing-based and intensive dairy farms, supporting zero grazing. The review draws on manure data from pasture-based industries elsewhere and summarises their properties for comparison with Australian systems. Manure treatments that recover and retain nutrients, water and energy are reviewed. These include additives, mechanical/chemical/membrane separation, thermochemical and biological treatments which produce organic and inorganic soil amendments, clarified or potable water, gases (N₂, H₂), biofuels and energy. The review describes the technical and operational details of the technologies, and where there are opportunities for the Australian dairy industry. Treatment technologies need to be validated for Australian systems based on the collated data of local manure properties, as differences with international manure data have been observed. The relative costs, technological maturity, and the benefits and challenges associated with adoption are discussed. Many advanced technologies are ready for adoption, but others are experimental or at pilot stage and relative costs range from low to very high. However, to accurately assess feasibility of manure treatments, environmental, and production benefits should be balanced against capital and operating expenses and account for costs associated with current management. For large intensive farms, implementing advanced manure technologies may be required to ensure approval to operate/expand and to meet regulatory compliance. Future research for the Australian industry should investigate nutrient retention and further develop separation treatments incorporating chemical and mechanical technologies. Bioconversion of manure through insect composting as well as investigating co-digestion opportunities to enhance biogas production would support famers currently using these systems. Full article

This work investigates the physicochemical characteristics of waste tire pyrolysis char (WTP-char) produced at 500 °C in an industrial-scale auger reactor. The study uniquely combines material profiling with environmental safety assessment, specifically targeting organic contaminants and polymer stabilizers, evaluating WTP-char’s potential for circular economy applications. The samples underwent comprehensive analysis, including GC-MS, TGA, SEM-EDS, TXRF, and BET surface area measurements. The results revealed a high volatile matter content (13 wt.%), attributed to the thermal inertia typical of industrial-scale units. The organic fraction was dominated by n-alkanes (48.3%) and a significant concentration (6.97%) of the stabilizer Tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate (bDtBPP), posing potential environmental risks due to its cytotoxicity. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) analysis showed a prevalence of high-molecular-weight (HMW) compounds (79.7%), indicating high chemical stability. Although the specific surface area was low (28.9 m²/g), suggesting the need for activation, the material exhibits potential as a low-cost semi-reinforcing filler or solid fuel. By moving beyond laboratory-scale experiments to real industrial production, this study establishes a practical framework for evaluating both the performance and environmental safety of waste tire pyrolysis char. Full article

This study investigates how structural, relational, and psychosocial factors influence antiretroviral therapy (ART) engagement among women living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus [HIV] in Kenya. Using nationally representative data from the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, we analyzed 332 HIV-positive women aged 15–49 years, applying a multidimensional outcome that combines ART use with measures of internalized stigma and exposure to harassment. Multivariable logistic regression and person-centered cluster analysis were used to identify determinants of enhanced engagement and to characterize distinct vulnerability profiles. The results show that women living in poverty and those with a history of anxiety had significantly lower odds of achieving enhanced ART engagement, despite ART being widely available and free. Cluster analysis revealed co-occurring vulnerabilities across structural, psychosocial, and reproductive domains, indicating that women can be “on ART” while remaining socially and psychologically vulnerable. These findings highlight that biomedical access alone is insufficient for meaningful engagement in care. Interventions that address socioeconomic constraints, mental health, stigma, and intimate partner violence are essential to support sustained ART engagement among women in Kenya. Full article

Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) poses a significant global environmental health threat and is closely associated with diseases across multiple organ systems. This review systematically summarizes the toxic effects and underlying mechanisms of PM_2.5 in the respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, immune, endocrine, digestive, and genitourinary systems. Key pathogenic processes involve shared pathways such as oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, endoplasmic reticulum stress, autophagy, and apoptosis, along with the activation of system-specific signaling networks. The complex composition and notable spatiotemporal variability of PM_2.5 present challenges for assessing its health risks and clarifying its mechanisms. Moving forward, integrating multi-omics and molecular epidemiology approaches will be essential to unravel its multi-system pathogenic networks and support the development of effective intervention strategies. Full article

This review examines the role of sulfate-reducing bacteria in the anaerobic degradation of hydrocarbons in marine sediments, where they contribute to the mineralization of organic matter under anoxic conditions. The metabolic diversity of these microorganisms is described, including their ability to degrade various classes of hydrocarbons such as short-chain (C₂–C₅), medium-chain (C₆–C₁₂), and long-chain (C₁₃–C₂₀₊) alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic compounds like naphthalene and phenanthrene. The primary mechanisms involved in the initial activation of these hydrocarbons—fumarate addition and carboxylation—are discussed, along with key enzymes, including alkylsuccinate synthase and benzylsuccinate synthase. Syntrophic interactions are also considered, particularly in which archaea initiate the oxidation of short-chain alkanes (e.g., ethane and butane), with sulfate-reducing bacteria serving as terminal electron acceptors via sulfate reduction. The potential application of these anaerobic processes in bioremediation strategies for oil-contaminated marine sediments is discussed. This microbially mediated degradation may offer a complementary approach to aerobic methods, particularly in oxygen-limited environments. Understanding the activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria activity is relevant to several areas: the development of remediation techniques for anoxic zones, the assessment of methane emissions from marine sediments, the management of microbiologically influenced corrosion, and potential biotechnological applications. Current research directions include the study of syntrophic microbial consortia and the exploration of bioelectrochemical systems. Full article

The combined effects of organic pollutants and vertical soil gradients on microbial community assembly in long-term contaminated sites remain insufficiently understood. In this study, high-throughput sequencing was employed to characterize prokaryotic communities across depth-resolved soil profiles at a contaminated site in Tianjin, China. Microbial diversity, taxonomic composition, and predicted functional traits varied significantly with soil depth and pollutant distribution. Surface soils exhibited higher richness and diversity, with Shannon, Sobs, and PD indices decreasing with depth (p = 0.020, p = 0.002, and p < 0.001, respectively). Redundancy analysis showed that the first two axes explained 89.91% of the total variance, indicating strong associations between microbial community structure and environmental variables. Community differentiation was related to pollutant type, with aromatic hydrocarbons more strongly linked to surface assemblages and chlorinated compounds associated with deeper horizons. Although the overall abundance of predicted metabolic genes decreased with depth, the distribution of major functional categories, including pathways related to organic matter degradation, remained comparatively stable. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed a progressive decline in network connectivity and complexity along the vertical gradient, with the number of edges decreasing from 853 (L1) to 447 (L3) and average degree decreasing from 16.404 to 9.122. These findings highlight depth-related environmental filtering as a key mechanism structuring microbial communities under long-term organic contamination and provide a scientific basis for optimizing depth-specific in situ bioremediation strategies, such as targeting aromatic hydrocarbon degradation in surface soils and chlorinated compound remediation in deeper layers. Full article

Transitioning from traditional to organic production is gaining popularity worldwide with significant challenges including weed management. We evaluated how legumes sown as cover crops in a synchronous intercropping (SI) system with organic oat (Avena sativa) as the main crop impacted weed communities. A split-plot design was set up on a farm in Poularies (Quebec, Canada) to compare Melilotus officinalis, Trifolium incarnatum, Trifolium repens and a control without legumes for two years (2019–2020). We determined the botanical composition, calculated diversity indices, and measured plant functional traits. Species richness was similar (S = 5.5 ± 0.4) across treatments in 2019, but higher in the control (S = 12.2 ± 2.6) and lower (S = 6.0 ± 1.2) under T. incarnatum in 2020. Shannon diversity was lower in 2019 (H′ = 1.49 ± 0.07) than in 2020 (H′ = 1.99 ± 0.04), and higher under the control (H′ = 1.87 ± 0.05) than under T. incarnatum (H′ = 1.46 ± 0.04). Weeds under T. incarnatum had a high specific leaf area and a resource-acquisition strategy, while those in the control had a higher leaf dry matter content and a resource-conservation strategy. Our study brings novel results on the use of legumes in SI systems to control weeds. Using T. incarnatum in a SI system with oat had the greatest capacity to cover the ground, control weeds and reduce their diversity, but this species and the acquisitive weeds in this treatment could compete with the main crop. Future research should evaluate the quantity and quality of yields to complete this ecological study and give appropriate agronomic recommendations. Our results could provide agronomists and farmers with indications on the level of competition weeds exert on the cropping system depending on the SI treatment. Full article

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transitioned from a specialized research area to a ubiquitous socio-technical infrastructure influencing sectors from healthcare and law to manufacturing and defense. In tandem with its transformative promise, AI has created an exponentially expanding ethics literature questioning, fairness, transparency, accountability, and justice. This review synthesizes publications and key policy developments between 2019 and 2025, bringing sectoral discourses together with cross-cutting frameworks. Grounded in a systematic scoping review methodology, we frame the field along four meta-dimensions: trust and transparency, bias and fairness, governance & regulation, and justice, while we investigate their expression across diverse sectors. Special attention is dedicated to healthcare (patient trust and algorithmic bias), education (integrity and authorship), media (misinformation), law (accountability), and the industrial sector (data integrity, intellectual property protection, and environmental safety). We ground abstract principles in concrete case studies to illustrate real-world harms and mitigation strategies. Furthermore, we incorporate pluralistic ethics (e.g., Ubuntu, Islamic perspectives), environmental ethics, and emerging challenges posed by Generative AI and neuro-AI interfaces. To bridge theory and practice, we propose an operational governance framework for organizations. We contend that success involves transitioning from principles toward ethics-by-design, pluralistic governance, sustainability, and adaptive oversight. This review is intended for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers who need a comprehensive and actionable framework for navigating the complex landscape of AI ethics. Full article

Ecological restoration is increasingly applied as an effective strategy for mitigating environmental risks associated with tailings impoundments. However, plant establishment and ecological recovery in tailings substrates are often limited by unfavorable physicochemical properties and potential toxicity. This study investigated the changes in soil microbial community structure and diversity under the synergistic remediation of compound organic fertilizer and plants. Field plots subjected to combined organic fertilizer–plant remediation in a tailings impoundment in northern China were selected. The high-throughput sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes and fungal ITS regions was performed alongside analyses of soil physicochemical properties. Compared to the untreated tailings soil, remediated soils showed pH values closer to neutrality, lower electrical conductivity, and significantly higher organic matter content, indicating an overall reduction in environmental stress and potential toxicity. The relative abundance of copiotrophic bacteria, such as Proteobacteria, increased, whereas that of stress-tolerant taxa adapted to extreme environments, such as Firmicutes , decreased. Although slight variations in dominant groups were observed among plots with different plant species, key microbial groups contributing to soil environmental improvement were largely consistent. These findings demonstrate that this combined remediation effectively improves the physicochemical properties and microbial community structure of tailings soil, providing a risk-oriented and ecologically sustainable strategy for the ecological restoration of similar sites. Full article

Remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) play a significant role in the domain of underwater robotics, as observed in the field of deep-sea aquaculture. However, conventional stationary suction-tube underwater collection robots often struggle to efficiently collect target organisms located within complex reef environments. To address this limitation, this paper proposes an underwater object suction robot with a variable flexible tube. For vision-based object recognition tasks, stable vehicle motion is essential, as hydrodynamic disturbances can significantly degrade visual accuracy. Therefore, a systematic numerical investigation is conducted into the hydrodynamic characteristics of the ROV under different suction-tube shapes. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are used to evaluate the resistance acting on the vehicle. The results provide guidance for motion control strategies aimed at reducing disturbance effects and improving the robustness of underwater robotic vision. Full article