Search Results (16,753)

Precision soil management is fundamental to the sustainable production of high-quality tea, yet the spatial integration of fertility and heavy metal safety remains a significant challenge. This study aimed to delineate multi-dimensional management zones (MZs) in the tea plantations of Tianmuhu, Jiangsu Province, by evaluating three clustering algorithms: K-means (KM), Fuzzy C-means (FCM), and Iterative Self-Organizing Data Analysis Technique (ISODATA). A total of 70 representative soil samples were analyzed for 10 properties. Descriptive statistics revealed pronounced spatial heterogeneity, particularly for Hg (CV = 71.04%) and P (CV = 61.83%). Pearson correlation and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) demonstrated strong synergistic relationships among organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), and potassium (K) (r = 0.49–0.69, p < 0.01), which formed a distinct Fertility Factor on PC1. Conversely, PCA identified divergent sources for heavy metals, with Cr primarily governed by pedogenic processes (PC2), while Cd were associated with anthropogenic inputs. Guided by these distinct spatial drivers, this study separately delineated fertility and heavy metal safety MZs. The optimal number of clusters was determined by balancing statistical validity with spatial operationality via the Silhouette Coefficient (SC) and Smoothness Index (SI), with results indicating that a 2–3 zone scheme yielded the most favorable scores. Comparative analysis showed that for soil fertility, ISODATA outperformed KM and FCM by effectively capturing the high variability of P and producing statistically distinct zones (p < 0.05). For heavy metal pollution, FCM provided better partitioning by reflecting the continuous gradients of composite contaminants. Validation results showed that while 61% of the area was classified as high-fertility (ISODATA), approximately 63–75% fell into relatively higher heavy metal accumulation categories. This dual-objective zoning framework provides a scientific basis for site-specific fertilization and targeted environmental monitoring in the regional tea industry. Full article

This study explores the impact of renewable energy consumption on environmental quality in ten OECD economies over the period 1990–2024, aiming to assess its contribution as a structural driver of decarbonization in advanced economies. Given the presence of strong cross-sectional dependence and heterogeneous country dynamics, the analysis employs second-generation panel econometric techniques. Stationarity is assessed using the CIPS unit root test. Long-run relationships are examined using the Westerlund error-correction-based cointegration approach. Long-run elasticities are estimated using the Common Correlated Effects Mean Group (CCE-MG) and Augmented Mean Group (AMG) estimators. Short-run dynamics are analyzed within a panel error-correction framework. The results confirm the existence of a stable long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables. Renewable energy consumption is associated with a negative effect on CO₂ emissions, with the CCE-MG estimate indicating that a 1% increase in renewable energy reduces emissions by approximately 0.067%, although the long-run statistical significance remains marginal. In the short run, renewable energy is also associated with lower emissions, indicating both structural and immediate mitigation dynamics. By contrast, energy consumption and financial development increase emissions, while economic growth does not exhibit a robust long-run effect, providing no support for the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis. The error-correction term confirms rapid convergence toward long-run equilibrium. Robustness analysis using carbon intensity as an alternative environmental indicator yields consistent findings. In sum, the results suggest that renewable energy expansion should be complemented by energy efficiency policies and the reorientation of financial systems toward green investments to achieve effective decarbonization. From a policy perspective, coordinated strategies integrating renewable deployment, efficiency improvements, and sustainable finance are essential for achieving long-term environmental sustainability in OECD economies. Full article

This study examines the relationship between executive aggrandizement and Quality of Government (QoG) deterioration in Hugo Chávez’s Venezuela. Drawing on the framework of autocratic legalism—whereby legal forms are used to hollow out legal protections—we theorize how constitutional reforms that concentrate executive power through autocratic legalism may systematically undermine the institutional foundations of impartial governance. We employ a synthetic control method to construct a counterfactual governance trajectory for Venezuela, comparing observed outcomes following the 1999 constitutional reforms to what comparable Latin American countries would predict. Our quasi-experimental analysis provides evidence that the institutionalization of executive aggrandizement was associated with modest yet sustained QoG deterioration from 2000 to 2012. This decline manifested primarily through a collapse in the rule of law and rising systemic corruption, patterns consistent with the theoretical mechanisms of autocratic legalism linking constitutional reforms to governance erosion through institutional capture. The findings suggest that constitutional changes concentrating power in the executive, while appearing procedurally legitimate, may potentially compromise the impartial exercise of state authority. Full article

Background/Objectives. Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) significantly affects patients’ quality of life (QoL). However, data on disease severity and its correlation with QoL among Vietnamese patients remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics, symptom severity, and the relationship between symptom burden and quality of life in patients with IBS-D in Vietnam. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients diagnosed with IBS-D based on the Rome IV criteria at an outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital. Disease severity and QoL were assessed using the IBS Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS) and the standardized Vietnamese version of the IBS Quality of Life (IBS-QoL) questionnaire, respectively. Clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and overlap syndromes were also recorded. Results. Among the 123 patients enrolled (mean age 42.6 ± 14.5 years; 55.3% female), the median IBS-SSS score was 175 (interquartile range: 140–225), and the median IBS-QoL score was 72 (interquartile range: 54–85). The prevalence of overlap syndromes was relatively high, with functional dyspepsia accounting for 46.3% and gastroesophageal reflux disease for 8.9%. A moderate inverse correlation was observed between IBS-SSS and IBS-QoL scores (r = −0.494; p < 0.001). Notably, patients with severe IBS (IBS-SSS ≥ 300) had significantly higher rates of smoking (44.4% vs. 13.2%; p = 0.012) and diabetes (22.2% vs. 5.3%; p = 0.047) compared to the non-severe group. Conclusions. IBS-D imposes a substantial symptom burden and significantly reduces the quality of life in Vietnamese patients, particularly among those with severe disease. The high prevalence of overlap syndromes, along with contributing factors like smoking and diabetes, further increase the complexity and severity of the condition. Full article

Objective: Clinical remission is a major therapeutic goal in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) because of its association with improved long-term outcomes. However, its relationship with patient-reported burden, quality of life, and disease perception remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to evaluate patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with SLE in clinical remission, identify factors associated with impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and assess physician–patient discordance in disease activity perception. Methods: A total of 106 adult patients with SLE in clinical remission according to the definition proposed by Zen et al. were enrolled at a single rheumatology center. Patients were classified into complete remission, clinical remission off corticosteroids, or clinical remission on corticosteroids. Demographic, clinical, and treatment-related data were collected, including organ damage (SLICC-SDI) and disease activity (SLEDAI-2K). Patients completed PRO measures including SF-36, Global Health (GH), pain VAS, STAI-Y1 and STAI-Y2, Zung Depression Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and HAQ. Disease activity was assessed by both the patient (PGA) and the physician (PhGA); a PGA–PhGA difference >25 mm was considered clinically relevant discordance. Results: Among patients in clinical remission, mild anxiety was observed in 17.1% according to STAI-Y1 and in 27.9% according to STAI-Y2, mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms in 47.1%, and mild insomnia in 25.5%. Of the 106 patients, 24 (22.6%) were in complete remission, 27 (25.5%) in clinical remission off corticosteroids, and 55 (51.9%) in clinical remission on corticosteroids. Patients in clinical remission on corticosteroids showed worse patient-reported outcomes than those in complete remission or clinical remission off corticosteroids. In multivariable analyses, poorer physical HRQoL was independently associated with functional disability, pain intensity, and depressive symptoms, whereas poorer mental HRQoL was independently associated with trait and state anxiety. Clinically relevant physician–patient discordance was observed in 22.6% of the cohort and was almost exclusively driven by higher patient than physician scores. Pain intensity emerged as the most robust independent correlate of discordance. Conclusions: A substantial patient-reported burden may persist in patients with SLE despite clinical remission. Pain, psychological distress, insomnia, and functional disability contribute to impaired HRQoL, while physician–patient discordance appears to reflect a broader mismatch between inflammatory disease control and the patient’s lived experience of illness. These findings support a more comprehensive and patient-centered approach to remission assessment in SLE. Full article

This study presents an assessment of ambient air quality in Chichiri and Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) locations, Blantyre City, Southern Malawi. The study aimed at assessing temporal trends, identifying exceedance of thresholds, investigating relationships between pollutants and meteorological factors, and exploring the predictability of air quality index (AQI). Five pollutants: ${\mathrm{P}\mathrm{M}}_{2.5}$, ${\mathrm{P}\mathrm{M}}_{10}$, ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{x}}$, ${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}}_2$ and TVOC were assessed over a two-month period using fixed low-cost sensors. Daily and hourly temporal analysis showed that pollutants peak during morning and evening hours. A significant number of exceedances for ${\mathrm{P}\mathrm{M}}_{2.5}$ and ${\mathrm{P}\mathrm{M}}_{10}$ were observed when compared to indicative thresholds. Chichiri exhibited more frequent AQI classifications in the “unhealthy” range. A strong positive relationship between ${\mathrm{P}\mathrm{M}}_{2.5}$ and ${\mathrm{P}\mathrm{M}}_{10}$ (r $=$ 0.84) and positive correlations between ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ and ${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}}_2$ were observed. A multiple linear regression model achieved a high coefficient of determination (${\mathrm{R}}^2$ $=$ 0.938), identifying ${\mathrm{P}\mathrm{M}}_{10}$ and ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ as dominant predictors of AQI variability. Temperature and humidity showed modest inverse relationship with AQI, suggesting dispersion effects. A comparison with African cities showed that the study areas’ pollution levels were within regional norms, but that there is a need for targeted mitigation. These findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring, data-driven policy making and regional collaboration to address urban air quality challenges. Full article

The accelerated aging of the population in vulnerable urban contexts poses significant challenges for architecture, particularly with regard to the quality of life of older adults. Within this framework, the present study aimed to analyze the association between sensory architecture and the quality of life of older adults and to translate this empirical evidence into context-informed design criteria for the development of a comprehensive center for older adults. The study adopted a quantitative approach with a non-experimental, cross-sectional, and correlational design. A structured questionnaire on sensory architecture and quality of life was administered to family members and caregivers acting as proxy respondents, demonstrating high internal consistency (Cronbach’s $\mathit{\alpha }>0.90$). Given the ordinal nature of the data, inferential analysis was conducted using Spearman’s rho coefficient. Within the analyzed dataset, the results revealed a statistically significant and strong association between sensory architecture and the quality of life of older adults ($\rho$ > 0.80). At the dimensional level, visual and tactile stimuli exhibited the highest associations, followed by the social relationships dimension, while therapeutic environments showed a moderate association, allowing the identification of an empirical hierarchy among the analyzed dimensions within this dataset. These findings support the interpretation of sensory architecture as a construct statistically associated with indicators of quality of life, from a non-causal perspective. Based on this hierarchy, the results were articulated into an evidence-based architectural structure, serving as analytical input to inform context-specific criteria for spatial organization, materiality, comfort, orientation, and social interaction derived from the observed statistical associations. The study contributes a methodological approach that systematically connects correlational quantitative findings with architectural design considerations, particularly in urban contexts characterized by limited specialized infrastructure. However, a key limitation is the use of proxy respondents (family members and caregivers), which should be considered when interpreting the results. Full article

As a core area for soil and water conservation on the Loess Plateau and a national primary shale oil production zone, Qingyang City faces an increasingly acute contradiction between its inherently fragile ecological base and energy development activities. From the dual perspectives of ecological regulating services and production-supporting services, this study selected six key ecosystem services—habitat quality (HQ), soil retention (SR), carbon storage (CS), water yield (WY), food supply (FS), and grassland forage supply (GS)—to comprehensively assess their spatiotemporal evolution, trade-off/synergy relationships, and driving mechanisms from 2000 to 2020. The results indicate: (1) Significant changes occurred in the total amounts and spatial patterns of all ecosystem services during 2000–2020. HQ showed a fluctuating upward trend, while SR, FS, and GS increased overall; by contrast, CS and WY generally declined. (2) Ecosystem services exhibited a differentiated pattern characterized by “intra-category synergy and inter-category trade-off.” Regulating and supporting services were generally dominated by synergistic relationships, although clear differences remained among specific service pairs; provisioning services generally showed trade-offs with regulating services, among which the trade-offs between FS–HQ and between FS–GS were the most pronounced, whereas FS–CS showed a certain degree of synergy. (3) Driving force analysis revealed a continuous decline in the influence of natural factors and a sharp intensification of human activity factors. Groundwater level and land-use intensity became core drivers of pattern shifts, with their explanatory power increasing significantly. The study reveals that ecosystem services in Qingyang have rapidly transitioned from being dominated by natural hydrothermal conditions to being profoundly reshaped by energy development activities, exposing the region to the ecological risk of a “resource curse.” These findings provide a scientific basis and management insights for achieving coordinated development between resource exploitation and ecological conservation in ecologically fragile areas of the Loess Plateau. Full article

People spend most of their time indoors, highlighting the importance of indoor environmental quality for health and wellbeing. While previous studies have shown that exposure to nature can benefit wellbeing, much of this research has focused on outdoor environments, and less is known about how indoor plants and their spatial characteristics influence human perceptions and experiences. This paper reports on a survey study exploring how perceived health and wellbeing are influenced by indoor plants and human preferences for their characteristics, spatial arrangement, and other features within indoor environments. Indoor plants serve as visual and multisensory environmental stimuli. By examining the relationship between indoor plants, preferences, perceptions, visual comfort, multisensory experiences, and wellbeing, the study aims to understand these influences. The questionnaires include multiple-choice questions, yes-no questions, and open-ended questions, allowing the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data. The survey findings highlight the unique benefits of indoor plants, emphasising their potential to enhance wellbeing in ways that outdoor nature may not fully replicate in indoor settings. One significant finding of this study is that scattering indoor plants throughout a space can enhance the connection to nature through three-dimensional spatial interaction, potentially improving wellbeing. This arrangement may serve as a bridge to the outdoors, providing a psychological link to the natural environment. Crucial preference factors also include the complexity and coherence of indoor plants’ appearance, such as colour, shape, and size. The results further indicate that students prefer indoor plants over other elements such as cut flowers, fake plants, or artificial plant representations. The findings indicate that caring for indoor plants may foster emotional engagement, a sense of fulfilment, and place attachment through everyday interaction. In public spaces, plants may also enhance feelings of refuge and perceived security. These findings provide practical recommendations for designing indoor environments that enhance student wellbeing and human–environment interaction. Full article

Using 29,278 firm-year observations of Chinese A-share listed firms from 2012 to 2023, this study examines whether data assetisation improves corporate investment efficiency and whether bank fintech conditions shape this relationship. Data assetisation refers to the process through which firms transform data resources into economically valuable, governable, and deployable assets. We construct a text-based proxy from annual reports using a Word2Vec-expanded lexicon and further distinguish between own-use and transactional data assets. The study finds: (1) Data assetisation significantly enhances corporate investment efficiency, with self-use data assets demonstrating a stronger driving effect. (2) Mechanism analysis reveals that data assetisation alleviates underinvestment by easing financing constraints and leveraging the “talent effect”. Concurrently, it mitigates overinvestment by reducing agency problems and accelerating digital transformation, thereby enhancing investment efficiency. (3) Heterogeneity tests indicate that the positive impact of data assetisation on investment efficiency is more pronounced among growth-stage enterprises, technology-intensive firms, and companies operating in regions with high bank liquidity. (4) Banking fintech positively moderates the enhancement of corporate investment efficiency through data assetisation, with a more pronounced effect on alleviating underinvestment. However, it may also exacerbate overinvestment. This study contributes to sustainable economic development by improving resource allocation efficiency, reducing capital misallocation, and supporting high-quality, low-waste, and sustainable growth of the real economy. Consequently, enterprises should vigorously develop data assetisation, applying different types of data assets to specific use cases to unlock data dividends. This approach supports the scientific development of corporate investment decisions and enhances investment efficiency, laying a micro-level foundation for sustainable socio-economic development. Full article

Against the backdrop of the accelerated development of the low-altitude economy and the structural transformation of modern logistics systems, systematically elucidating the key driving factors and their interaction structure is paramount for optimizing operational efficiency, promoting sustainable industry growth, and enhancing policy effectiveness. Integrating an extensive literature review with expert consultations, this study constructs a comprehensive indicator system of influencing factors for the coordinated development of the low-altitude economy and sustainable modern logistics. The Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method is employed to characterize the causal relationships and influence directions among the factors. Empowered by these findings, an Analytic Network Process (ANP) model is established to calculate refined weights, forming a hybrid DEMATEL–ANP analytical framework. The results indicate that technological factors and institutional factors constitute the primary driving layer of the system. Specifically, System Integration and Operational Technology, Flight Control and Scheduling Capability, as well as the Standardisation of Airspace Management and the Completeness of the Regulatory and Standards Framework, exert pivotal influences on the systemic evolution. Social factors and infrastructure factors primarily function as the outcome and feedback layers, with their effectiveness contingent upon the maturity of the core driving elements. Further hybrid weight analysis demonstrates that the ranking of key influencing factors exhibits high stability and robustness. The coordinated development process presents a progressive transmission characteristic from “technology–institution” to “market–application” providing targeted practical guidance for promoting the sustainable and high-quality synergy between the low-altitude economy and modern logistics. Full article

Patients undergoing hemodialysis often experience reduced quality of life, with psychological symptoms and nutritional risk representing important determinants of patient functioning. This study aimed to examine the relationships between depression, anxiety, stress, nutritional risk, mental health, and physical functioning in patients undergoing hemodialysis, with particular emphasis on the mediating role of mental health. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 199 patients receiving hemodialysis in five Croatian hospitals. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed using the DASS-42, quality of life using the SF-36, and nutritional risk using the NRS-2002. Associations between variables were examined using Spearman’s correlation coefficient, while structural equation modeling was used to analyze direct and indirect relationships among psychological symptoms, nutritional risk, mental health, and physical functioning. Depression and stress showed significant negative effects on mental health, while mental health showed a significant positive effect on physical functioning. Nutritional risk had a significant direct negative effect on physical functioning. Mental health significantly mediated the relationship between depression and stress and physical functioning. These findings indicate that psychological symptoms and nutritional risk are important determinants of functioning and quality of life in hemodialysis patients and support the need for an integrated care approach that includes regular psychological and nutritional screening. Full article

Tourism has become a structural driver of land-system transformation, influencing urban restructuring, rural land consumption, coastal development, and housing dynamics. Although tourism sustainability has received growing scholarly attention, less systematic evidence exists on how land governance and spatial planning frameworks mediate tourism-related land-use change. This study presents a systematic review of peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2000 and 2025 examining the relationship between spatial planning, land-use regulation, and tourism development. Following PRISMA guidelines, a structured search strategy and multi-stage screening process were applied using predefined inclusion and quality criteria, resulting in a final dataset of 58 studies. The findings indicate that tourism-driven land transformation is shaped by interconnected governance layers, including statutory planning instruments, institutional coordination mechanisms, and land administration infrastructures. However, these dimensions are rarely analyzed within an integrated framework. By synthesizing tourism planning and land administration scholarship through a land governance perspective, this review clarifies how regulatory tools and administrative systems interact in shaping spatial outcomes across scales. The study offers a structured basis for future comparative research and for more coherent policy responses to tourism-related land governance challenge. Full article

Background/Objectives: The death of a parent due to illness during adolescence constitutes a highly disruptive experience that compounds the developmental losses inherent to this stage of life. Distinguishing between the emotional and behavioural changes characteristic of adolescent development and those specific to grief can be complex, which may hinder the support provided by health, social care, and educational professionals. The aim of this study was to understand the grieving process and associated suffering in young university students who had lost a parent during adolescence. Methods: An exploratory qualitative design with a phenomenological approach was employed. Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted to examine in depth the experiences of suffering and grief associated with the loss of a family member among university students. The study adhered to the COREQ guidelines (Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research). Results: Among the main findings, the quality of the bond with the deceased parent emerged as particularly significant, as it influences the adolescent’s identity formation process. The loss of this parent may hinder processes of differentiation and independence, affecting the decisions young people must make as they transition into adulthood. This proves especially important in key life choices that shape their life project, such as vocational decisions and intimate partner relationships. Conclusions: Parental death during adolescence has long-lasting repercussions on identity construction and the shaping of one’s life project. It is necessary to strengthen psychosocial support within both clinical and educational contexts in order to address the specific needs of adolescents and young people undergoing this experience. Full article

The increasing prevalence of childhood obesity has been accompanied by an increase in consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF), characterized by high energy density and low nutritional quality. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary patterns rich in UPF may contribute to low-grade systemic inflammation and early metabolic dysfunction in children and adolescents. Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the association between UPF consumption and markers of inflammation and metabolic health in pediatric populations. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Observational and interventional studies evaluating UPF intake or diet-related inflammatory potential in children and adolescents (≤18 years) were included. Outcomes of interest included inflammatory biomarkers (e.g., C-reactive protein, interleukins, tumor necrosis factor-α) and metabolic parameters (e.g., insulin resistance, lipid profile, glucose metabolism). Results: A limited number of studies have directly assessed UPF consumption using the NOVA classification. Overall, these studies suggest a potential association between increased UPF intake and adverse metabolic outcomes, although findings on inflammatory markers remain inconsistent. A larger body of indirect evidence, including studies assessing dietary inflammatory indices and related dietary patterns, consistently supports a link between pro-inflammatory diets and increased inflammation and metabolic dysregulation in pediatric populations. Conclusions: Although direct evidence on UPF consumption remains limited, the available findings, supported by complementary indirect evidence, suggest a plausible relationship between UPF-rich diets, inflammation, and metabolic health in children and adolescents. Further well-designed studies are needed to clarify causality and improve the standardization of dietary assessment methods. Full article