Search Results (24)

Operationally, energy transition takes place at the local level, that is, in cities and rural municipalities. Its effectiveness is, therefore, dependent on individual actions undertaken in enterprises and households. It also constitutes a particularly challenging task for industrial regions with centuries-old mining traditions. Meanwhile, the opinions of residents living in mining cities receive little attention in the literature. For these reasons, this study used survey research conducted in 19 Silesian cities with county rights and on a representative sample of 1863 residents. In this way, answers were sought to the following research questions: (1) How do urban residents in a developing economy in a post-mining region assess their knowledge regarding environmental protection and energy transition? (2) How do they evaluate local authorities’ actions concerning the replacement of non-ecological heating sources in households? The analysis of results employed descriptive statistics and non-parametric statistical tests, identifying differences in respondents’ assessments according to gender, age, education, and place of residence. The analyses conducted indicate that residents assess their environmental awareness as average. They also rate their knowledge of the energy transition below average, despite being in the midst of it. The assessments of men, older individuals, and those with vocational and secondary education are higher in both cases than the assessments of women, younger generations, and respondents with primary, post-secondary, and higher education. Respondents also rate financial and informational–educational support for heating source replacement as average. Importantly, however, these actions are noticed and appreciated. They meet the expectations of less formally educated individuals (formal education level: primary, vocational, and secondary). However, they do not generate enthusiasm among those with post-secondary and higher education, whose environmental needs and expectations may be higher. The level of financial support, and to a lesser extent informational–educational support, differs significantly among the studied cities, indicating the absence of a coherent regional policy. This may also result in deepening environmental disparities and inequalities in quality of life among the studied urban centers. The two-dimensional assessment reveals that the majority of the examined cities fall into the stagnator category, exhibiting average levels of both environmental awareness and institutional support for energy transition. The most favorable prospects for effective energy transition are observed in Gliwice and Żory, while Zabrze, Świętochłowice, and Jastrzębie-Zdrój—post-mining cities burdened by limited development potential and financial constraints—demonstrate the least promising outlook. The conclusions and recommendations derived from this article directly align with the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 7—Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)—which addresses energy transition, including the adoption of clean heat sources. They also support the development of sustainable cities, thereby contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 11—Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11). Full article

The dynamic development of autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies has intensified the need to understand the factors influencing their acceptance. This study aims to develop user profiles reflecting different levels of enthusiasm toward autonomous buses in Warsaw. A quantitative research design was employed, using a survey of 385 residents collected via CAPI, CATI, and CAWI methods. Cluster analysis (k-means method) identified distinct user profiles based on attitudes toward autonomous buses and general trust in technology: Cluster 1—Enthusiastic Adopters, Cluster 2—Sceptical Opponents, and Cluster 3—Cautious Optimists. The study confirmed that demographic characteristics (age, gender, education level, occupational status) significantly influence the level of enthusiasm for autonomous buses. Younger, highly educated, and professionally active individuals showed highest levels of acceptance. Furthermore, a higher level of general trust in technology was positively associated with greater acceptance of autonomous buses. The research highlights important implications and recommends focusing on districts with a higher concentration of Enthusiastic Adopters and targeted communication strategies for Sceptical Opponents and Cautious Optimists. However, study limitations include the geographic restriction to Warsaw and the absence of data capturing changes in attitudes over time. Future research should be expanded to other cities, exploring ongoing dynamics of trust and acceptance. Despite limiting the research to one specific city, the research tool used and the research itself can be applied to similar cities regardless of their geographical location or size. Full article

As an important part of the circular economy, recycling old garments not only lessens resource waste, but also offers significant social benefits and environmental conservation. Taking Hefei City, Anhui Province, China, as a case, this study adopted the innovative Planned Behavior Theory (TPB) model and introduced innovative variable community promotion as the moderating variable to analyze the influencing factors of residents’ used clothing recycling behavior. It was found that residents’ attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms were key factors influencing their intention to recycle used clothes. Community promotion activities play a positive role in improving residents’ perceived behavior control. However, there is also an interaction between community promotion and perceived behavior control, indicating that the effect of community promotion is affected by residents’ perceived behavior control level. This shows that the publicity and promotion of the community will improve residents’ enthusiasm for recycling old clothes, but if the publicity or promotion is too strong, it may lead to a decline in residents’ enthusiasm. The results show that improving residents’ environmental awareness, simplifying the recycling process, utilizing social influence, rationally planning community promotion activities, policy support and incentive measures, and establishing multi-party cooperation mechanisms are effective ways to promote the recycling of used clothing and resources. Through these measures, we can better promote the recycling of used clothing, realize the rational development, utilization, and protection of resources, and contribute to the realization of green and high-quality development. However, this study is limited to the research and investigation in Hefei, Anhui Province, and most of the respondents have a certain educational background, so the universal applicability of the data may not be significant. Full article

After decades of decline, Detroit has begun advocating for immigrant inclusion as a regional revitalization strategy. Yet, some migrants do not share the city’s enthusiasm. Chaldean Iraqis, for instance, tend to underscore their distinctiveness from the city and its residents. Nevertheless, their insistence on difference seems spatially specific. Drawing on ethnographic observations in and around Chaldean community organizations in metro Detroit, as well as a sociological discourse analysis of urban policy documents, this paper traces newcomers and the city’s mutually constitutive nature of identity formation. Moreover, I show how community members strategically link their collective memories from Iraq to those of Southeast Michigan, resulting in highly complex place-identity projects. The carefully curated public narrative, in turn, has real consequences for Detroit’s social fabric, reproducing, and challenging Detroit’s own regional identity. Theoretically, the findings point to the limitations of a one-dimensional, spatially bounded, and temporally delimited notion of identity formation. Empirically, Chaldeans’ identity formation highlights the heterogeneity in newcomers’ identity construction, one that differs from that of other co-nationals. Full article

Timber construction is increasingly promoted in Chile as a route to low-carbon, energy-efficient housing, yet public acceptance remains decisive for its diffusion. This study reports the first large-scale perception survey of timber buildings in Greater Concepción (N = 200) and contrasts key results with an earlier identical survey in Valdivia. Concepción residents strongly recognise timber’s thermal comfort attributes and associate wood housing with lower winter heating demand, a perception markedly stronger than in Valdivia. Conversely, 73% of Concepción respondents believe timber homes burn easily, but a majority also accept that modern engineering can mitigate this risk, indicating scope for targeted technical communication. Environmental perceptions are more ambivalent: although respondents value wood’s renewable origin, 42% doubt that timber construction reduces climate change, and many equate it with deforestation, echoing controversies around Chile’s plantation model. Cluster analysis reveals a techno-optimist subgroup coupling enthusiasm for energy savings with confidence in fire-safety innovations, suggesting a strategic constituency for demonstration projects. By situating end-user attitudes within national decarbonisation goals, this paper argues that region-specific outreach—emphasising verified energy-efficiency gains, certified sustainable forestry and visible fire-safety performance—can convert passive approval into active demand and accelerate Chile’s transition to a net-zero housing stock. Full article

Introduction: The escalating scarcity of skilled healthcare professionals is particularly pronounced within surgical specialties, where the prospect of attracting prospective medical practitioners poses formidable challenges. Throughout their academic journey, students exhibit diminishing enthusiasm and motivation to pursue careers in surgery, including trauma surgery. It is postulated that the caliber of teaching plays a pivotal role in influencing students’ subsequent specialization choices. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted among a cohort of third-year medical students at the German University Medicine Greifswald. The methodology encompassed the utilization of a self-administered questionnaire to procure data. Results: The study encompassed 177 participants, of whom 34.7% expressed an inclination toward a career in surgery (22.7% in trauma surgery). Participants who reported a favorable impact from the examination course displayed a significantly heightened interest in clinical clerkships within trauma surgery (p < 0.001), and even expressed a contemplation of specializing in orthopedics and trauma surgery (p = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis highlighted that the convergence of practical training and positive role modeling emerged as the most influential factors augmenting the allure of trauma surgery. Conclusions: Evidently, students who gleaned substantial benefits from high-quality practical instruction in trauma surgery exhibited a significantly heightened likelihood of pursuing this domain in their future endeavors. Surgical academic institutions stand to leverage this insight in their strategic planning for attracting and retaining potential residents. Cultivating a positive affinity for trauma surgery should be instilled early in the curriculum, subsequently sustained through ongoing immersive engagement that encompasses professional as well as interpersonal dimensions. Full article

This study investigates the attitudes of local residents regarding the impacts of sustainable tourism development in two national parks in Montenegro: Skadar Lake National Park (NP) and Durmitor National Park (NP). The aim is to identify the key factors that shape these attitudes and to discern the differences in perceptions between the residents of these two areas. The research is based on the assumption that socio-demographic characteristics, such as gender, age, and level of education, significantly influence attitudes toward sustainable tourism development. Data were collected through a questionnaire covering various attitudes toward tourism. Analyses were conducted using multiple regression analysis, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson’s correlation, with careful verification of all key statistical assumptions to ensure the validity of the results. The findings reveal significant differences in perceptions between residents of NP Skadar Lake and NP Durmitor. Respondents from NP Durmitor generally rated tourism’s positive and negative aspects higher than those from NP Skadar Lake. On the other hand, NP Skadar Lake residents exhibited more enthusiasm for tourism promotion and engagement in tourism development processes. It was concluded that socio-demographic characteristics, particularly education and age, influence attitudes toward tourism. These findings provide a basis for formulating recommendations to improve tourism development, considering local communities’ specific needs and perceptions in both national parks. Full article

Engaging with music has been shown to have a positive impact on the quality of life of residents in care homes, who are known to be affected by anxiety, depression and loneliness. Based on the known benefits of in-person singing activities, a new Virtual Reality (VR) choir application was developed to facilitate group singing, aiming to improve residents’ wellbeing and sense of community. Co-designed with Alzheimer Scotland, the intervention was tested in two care homes for functionality and to develop an approach towards assessing feasibility. Residents participated in scheduled sessions over a five-week period, in addition to staff engaging in independent ad hoc use of the experience with residents. Data on reactions to the intervention, the quality of life of participants and preferences about the outcome instruments were collected. The VR intervention proved technically successful, user-friendly, and allowed multiple users to sing together. Participants and staff showed strong enthusiasm for the intervention, with residents actively engaging in singing and movement, although some residents found the headsets uncomfortable. This suggests that VR choirs could be a valuable, scalable activity in care homes, especially when in-person facilitators are unavailable. Preliminary observations indicated that the intervention was not detrimental to participants’ health; however, the sample size was very small and a larger feasibility study is required to examine the intervention’s effectiveness, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. This research highlights the challenges associated with measuring the feasibility of VR interventions in residential care settings, and the value of capturing qualitative data in an ecological setting that represents the intended use of the intervention. Full article

Augmented reality (AR) and 3D printing (3DP) are novel technologies in the orthopedic field. Over the past decade, enthusiasm for these new digital applications has driven new perspectives in improving diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity in the field of traumatology. Currently, however, it is still difficult to quantify their value and impact in the medical–scientific field, especially in the improvement of diagnostics in complex fractures. Acetabular fractures have always been a challenge in orthopedics, due to their volumetric complexity and low diagnostic reliability. Background/Objectives: The goal of this study was to determine whether these methods could improve the learning aspect and diagnostic accuracy of complex acetabular fractures compared to gold-standard CT (computed tomography). Methods: Orthopedic residents of our department were selected and divided into Junior (JUN) and Senior (SEN) groups. Associated fractures of acetabulum were included in the study, and details of these were provided as CT scans, 3DP models, and AR models displayed on a tablet screen. In a double-blind questionnaire, each resident classified every fracture. Diagnostic accuracy (DA), response time (RT), agreement (R), and confidence (C) were measured. Results: Twenty residents (JUN = 10, SEN = 10) classified five fractures. Overall DA was 26% (CT), 18% (3DP), and 29% (AR). AR-DA was superior to 3DP-DA (p = 0.048). DA means (JUN vs. SEN, respectively): CT-DA was 20% vs. 32% (p < 0.05), 3DP-DA was 12% vs. 24% (p = 0.08), and AR-DA was 28% vs. 30% (p = 0.80). Overall RT was 61.2 s (±24.6) for CT, 35.8 s (±20.1) for 3DP, and 46.7 s (±20.8) for AR. R was fairly poor between methods and groups. Overall, 3DPs had superior C (65%). Conclusions: AR had the same overall DA as CT, independent of experience, 3DP had minor differences in DA and R, but it was the fastest method and the one in which there was the most confidence. Intra- and inter-observer R between methods remained very poor in residents. Full article

There is an urgent need to promote the technical means of energy conservation in rural buildings. However, it is difficult to inspire enthusiasm among rural residents to implement the mandatory building energy conservation policy, resulting in invisible and avoidable waste. Based on the characteristics of energy-saving technology for buildings and the theory of planned behavior, structural equation modeling was adopted to explore the transformation process of the “cognition–willingness–behavior” of rural residents. The model results validate the hypothesis that behavioral attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control influence the adoption of energy-efficient building technologies by rural residents. The results show that in terms of the factors influencing rural residents’ willingness to adopt building energy-saving technology, behavioral attitudes have the greatest impact, followed by subjective norms and perceived behavior control, and that rural residents’ subjective norms can indirectly promote their willingness to adopt building energy-saving technology, which is mediated through their behavioral attitudes. The paper concludes with suggestions for countermeasures to enhance buildings’ energy efficiency and energy management in rural areas. Full article

In the introduction to her influential work on Asian American cultural studies and feminist materialist critique, Immigrant Acts: On Asian American Cultural Politics, Lisa Lowe shatters the contradictions manifested in Asian immigration, wherein Asians’ entry into the United States marked them either as marginalized from “within” the national political sphere or as linguistically, culturally, and racially “outside” of the national polity For Asian immigrants, the debate of being simultaneously needed and excluded is no more evidenced historically than using Chinese labor during the California Gold Rush in the mid-nineteenth century. Their migratory relocation was hardly met with ease and public enthusiasm, however. Evoking anxiety in their Anglo counterparts, the Chinese were characterized as foreign noncitizens: barbaric, alien, and dangerous, the quintessential “yellow peril” threatening to displace white European immigrants such as the Irish. The irrational fear of the “Oriental” from the Far East led to a succession of immigration exclusion laws passed by Congress that denied the Chinese from entering the U.S. and their rights to naturalization in 1882. Passed by Congress and signed by President Chester A. Arthur, the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act suspended the entry of Chinese laborers into the U.S. based on their nationality for ten years. This paper argues that the possibility of agency for Chinese workers existed throughout the exclusionary period. Specifically, this site of agency resides with Chinese women and is expressed through a literary mode. For instance, Lin Yutang’s Chinatown Family (1948) captures this moment of immigrant agency in the post-exclusion era. Lin, a pioneering Chinese writer and inventor who wrote texts such as My Country and My People (1935), The Importance of Living (1937), and Moment in Peking (1939), often utilized his narratives to bridge the clash between the East and West. Identifying what I see as the inadequacy of probing one of the earliest Chinese American texts from a rigid literary mode, I move to reconsider the novel as a legal counternarrative to the three exclusionary laws: the Page Law of 1875, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, and the Cable Act of 1922. To direct my critical reorientation of Lin’s novel away from, though not necessarily against, literary castings of this early immigrant tale, I take the narrative as a strategic literary re-imagination that structures itself around these three legislative pieces to critique restrictive practices enacted upon the Chinese. The novel showcases how Chinese immigrants maneuvered and manipulated the legal system in their favor during assimilation. In this context, critical reappraisal is needed in scrutinizing how the Exclusion Act generated a wave of domestic-based diasporic relocation of Chinese workers from California to New York. Due to acute anti-Chinese sentiments on the West Coast, resetting Chinese workers in the northeast in search of a new Gold Mountain led to a unique phenomenon. This dispersal elevated Chinese women as valuable social capitals who transformed metropoles like New York City and redefined their views as nationalist subjects of the “about-to-be” in industrial capitalist modernity. Through a legal framework, then, Lin’s portrayal of the Fong clan suggests the emergence of a gendered Sino-immigrant agency, one that enabled the Chinese woman/mother to situate herself as the locus of the traditional patriarchal Chinese entrepreneurial family and the forefront of the northeast industrial capitalist scene. Full article

Population aging is a fundamental national condition that runs through China in the 21st century. The aging degree of rural areas in China is high, but the government-sponsored retirement plans have difficulty in meeting the retirement living needs. Guiding rural residents to save for retirement is the main way to alleviate the economic pressure of retirement life in rural areas. This paper uses data from the CAFF50 Survey to examine the impact of income level and income uncertainty on the retirement saving behavior of rural residents. Different from existing literature, this paper categorizes the retirement saving behavior into three aspects: “retirement saving decision”, “retirement saving amount”, and “retirement saving way choice”. The results show the following: (1) Income level has a positive impact on the retirement saving decision, saving amount, the choice of real estate, and a negative impact on the choice of bank savings. (2) Income uncertainty has a positive impact on retirement saving decision, the choice of stock and fund, and a negative impact on the choice of bank savings, but the impact of income uncertainty on the amount is not significant. (3) There is an interaction effect between income level and income uncertainty on the impact on retirement saving amount, bank savings choice, and real estate choice. Based on the above conclusions, we think that it is necessary to increase fiscal subsidies and tax incentives, optimize retirement financial products, provide retirement financial education, and increase the participation enthusiasm of rural residents in retirement savings. Full article

The implementation of waste-sorting policy is conducive to improving residents’ working and living environments, and has positive implications for promoting green development and building in China. As one of the main factors in the implementation of waste-sorting policy, residents’ awareness of and behavior regarding waste sorting and disposal affects its promotion, while policies, incentives and infrastructure will affect residents’ enthusiasm for implementing waste sorting. Taking Maanshan City in Anhui Province as a case study, this paper discusses the current state of progress towards ecological civilization in China; the influence of policy promotion on residents’ perception of it; the correlation between residents’ age and their understanding of waste classification; and the correlation between residents’ enthusiasm, policies and green infrastructure; and puts forward some suggestions for how to enhance green infrastructure and improve residents’ perceptions of waste classification in the future. Full article

The surveying profession in the UK construction industry continues to be blighted by a skills shortage, and this continues to constrict growth. Therefore, it is suggested that this should make it easier for women and other underrepresented groups to be employed in the construction industry. While this is the case, barriers to entry have been well researched. This study aimed to identify what methods have been previously successful at increasing female engagement within the surveying profession in the UK. This study followed a mixed-method, complementary approach, combining quantitative and qualitative questions in an online questionnaire, which was distributed via social media (LinkedIn) and the researchers’ contacts, and achieved 44 responses over a period of six weeks. The target population was female UK residents employed in surveying roles. Quantitative data on both awareness and opinion of the methods used during previous initiatives to engage women with surveying underwent reliability analysis, descriptive statistical analysis, and a Spearman’s rank order correlation to assess the relationship between time in industry and opinion on the efficacy of the methods used in each initiative; however, no statistically significant relationship was found. To better understand the opinions of women already in the industry, the qualitative data underwent thematic analysis via inductive coding, the results of which then underwent descriptive statistical analysis. The study found a broad lack of awareness of previous initiatives, with most respondents having little or no awareness of the five initiatives examined. However, evidence suggested there was general support for the methods used in those initiatives, such as intervention at school age, increasing the visibility of women in surveying roles, and changes to workplace culture. There was no statistically significant link between time in industry and opinion on the efficacy of each initiative. Key themes included concerns regarding the implementation of current initiatives, and enthusiasm for intervention at school age as the best method to engage more women with the surveying profession. The findings have implications for both practice and future research. First, professional institutions, such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, should be aware of the limitations of the initiatives they put in place to encourage women into their profession. Second, the results have an impact on other professions. However, a cross-comparative study that examines initiatives by other professional institutions would be useful. Full article

The beef cattle industry is an important part of herbivorous animal husbandry and an important industry to enrich the dietary structure of residents and promote the income of farmers and herdsmen. The cow is an important foundation to support the healthy development of the beef cattle industry, which is related to the stability of cattle sources and the sustainable development of the industry. However, in recent years, the shortage of cows in our country has led to the shortage of cattle resources and the high price of calves, which has restricted the further development of our beef cattle industry. In order to explore the factors that affect the decision-making behavior behind cow breeding and to find the right policy to mobilize the enthusiasm for cow breeding, based on the field survey of five provinces (cities and regions), including Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, this paper conducts an empirical analysis through the Logit ISM model. The results show that market expectation is the surface factor that directly affects the decision-making behavior of cow breeding. The influencing factors of the middle layer are policy propaganda, policy subsidies, breeding years, and feeding methods. The deep root factors are the age of the breeder, the amount of loan, and whether to plant feed crops. Based on this, this paper proposes that we should actively promote the importance of cow breeding, strengthen policy support for cow breeding, formulate scientific and reasonable subsidy policies for cows, innovate financial support methods to solve the problem of fund shortage of farmers, and develop forage resources and reduce the breeding cost of cows. Full article