Search Results (10,636)

Australian regional communities are actively seeking development pathways that generate local economic value while maintaining environmental and cultural integrity. In this context, GeoRegions have emerged in Australia as a community-led approach for recognising and interpreting geoheritage and associated abiotic–biotic–cultural (ABC) values through geotourism and geoeducation. The GeoRegion concept remains intentionally operationally flexible, but for regional communities encountering a myriad of barriers to sustainable geotourism implementation, any uncertainty for proponents about what constitutes an implementable GeoRegion and what resources and governance arrangements are required for credible and sustained delivery requires resolution. This study developed a stakeholder-informed conceptual model to clarify the practical ‘building blocks’ of GeoRegion establishment and the conditions under which GeoRegions can contribute to sustainability-oriented regional development. Using a design thinking framing and semi-structured interviews with thirteen expert participants, we used semantic discourse analysis to identify the factors perceived as essential to GeoRegion viability and legitimacy. We found that participants expected GeoRegions to be geologically centred, but their perceived value and long-term durability depend on (i) genuine community support and locally legitimate narratives (including Indigenous knowledge where appropriate), (ii) capable champions or coordinating groups, (iii) sustained resourcing for interpretation and visitor readiness, and (iv) a facilitative and not prescriptive role for government. Participants emphasised that GeoRegions should never be constrained by land tenure but cautioned that competing land uses, access logistics and uneven capacity across regions were highly influential in the delineation of feasible boundaries and management intensity. Our GeoRegion model differentiates core inputs (community mandate, knowledge co-production, geoheritage significance, human capacity and funding) from expected outputs (interpretive materials, geoeducation, geotourism, economic development, conservation outcomes and strengthened place identity), and we identify feedback that can either reinforce or erode sustainability outcomes over time. We argue that GeoRegions can provide a low-risk, scalable mechanism for geoconservation-informed regional development, particularly where formal protected-area tools or geopark ambitions are politically or economically constrained, provided that supporting governance and resourcing are treated as essential design requirements. Full article

The European Green Deal is Europe’s ambitious and multi-layered response to climate change. Translating its objectives into action for a green transition has created a need for new skills and competencies. Vocational and Education Training (VET) systems are uniquely positioned to equip learners with these emerging green and transversal competences through their dual focus on knowledge dissemination and applied practice. However, current VET curricula remain oriented towards traditional occupations and are not adequately aligned with the sustainability and skills needs of the agri-food sector. This study, as part of a joint European-funded project (2023-1-IE01-KA220-VET-00156916: Train to Sustain), aimed to: (1) identify practical strategies for integrating sustainability concepts and innovative pedagogy into VET programs, and (2) gather multi-stakeholder perspectives on how VET agri-food education can be adapted for greater alignment with the green skills required by the sector. Following ethical approval, data were collected through semi-structured focus groups involving key agri-food stakeholder groups across Ireland, Slovenia, Poland and Italy. The data were qualitatively analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA). Five themes were identified: (1) Innovative and Sustainable Practices in Agri-Food systems, (2) Education, Awareness and Consumer Engagement, (3) Institutional and Structural Approaches, (4) Community and Localised Responses, and (5) Barriers, Opportunities and Future Directions. The findings highlight the significant potential VET offers in preparing a workforce with the cross-cutting sustainability competences and sector-specific skills needed to drive the innovation and growth of the agri-food sector. However, achieving this requires institutional change, strengthened collaboration, and a shift from traditional technical training toward curriculum models that embed sustainability principles across diverse local and regional contexts. Full article

Potential evapotranspiration (PET) and water balance (WB) are key indicators of hydroclimatic conditions and water availability, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. This study investigates the interannual variability, long-term trends, and abrupt regime shifts in annual PET and WB across Saudi Arabia using multi-station observational data spanning 1985–2022. PET was estimated using a temperature-based approach suitable for data-scarce arid environments, and WB was calculated as the difference between precipitation and PET. Non-parametric statistical methods were applied to assess trend magnitude and significance, while Pettitt’s change-point test was used to identify abrupt shifts at both regional and station scales. The main findings show a widespread and spatially coherent increase in atmospheric evaporative demand, with predominantly positive PET trends at both regional and station scales, accompanied by persistently negative and increasingly declining WB values, indicating a long-term intensification of water deficit across much of the country. Spatial patterns of PET and WB closely follow gradients in energy availability and temperature, confirming the dominant influence of warming-driven processes on hydroclimatic conditions in this arid environment. Change-point analysis identifies a statistically significant regional hydroclimatic regime shift during the late 1990s, characterized by an abrupt increase in PET and a concurrent deterioration of WB, marking the onset of a more water-limited climatic regime. At the station scale, the timing and significance of detected change points display pronounced spatial heterogeneity, reflecting the modulation of regional climatic forcing by local climatic and geographic factors. Overall, the results demonstrate that increasing evaporative demand, rather than precipitation variability alone, has become a primary control on water availability across Saudi Arabia, highlighting the importance of explicitly accounting for hydroclimatic non-stationarity in water resource assessment and long-term planning under continued warming conditions. Full article

This study evaluated the potential protective effect of a synthesized self-antibacterial nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HA) toothpaste against erosive changes in the enamel surface induced by a cola-based soft drink, based on a qualitative scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study, in comparison with conventional fluoride toothpaste. Thirty extracted human premolars were sectioned to obtain enamel specimens and randomly assigned into a control group and experimental groups in which fluoride or synthesized nano-HA toothpaste was applied either before or after cola exposure (n = 5 per group). Enamel surface morphology was qualitatively assessed using SEM, and surface roughness (Ra) was estimated using a semi-quantitative approach based on SEM image analysis using ImageJ software. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the agar diffusion method to explore the potential additional benefits of the synthesized self-antibacterial nano-HA formulation. SEM observations showed that, after cola exposure, specimens treated with nano-HA exhibited less surface erosion than fluoride-treated groups. Post-treatment with nano-HA results in a denser and more uniform surface layer with fewer structural defects. Similarly, enamel treated with nano-HA after cola exposure showed a statistically significant reduction in surface roughness compared with the fluoride group (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that nano-HA provides greater protective effects against acid-induced enamel surface erosion. Furthermore, nano-HA indicated potential antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. Overall, nano-HA toothpaste provided enhanced protection against acid-induced enamel erosion with additional antibacterial effects. Full article

Background/Objectives: To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of hexokinase-2 (HK2), glutaminase-1 (GLS1), and fatty acid synthase (FASN) and its prognostic significance in diffuse gastric adenocarcinoma. Materials and Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 92 patients with diffuse gastric adenocarcinoma were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to assess the expression of HK2, GLS1 and FASN. Expression levels were evaluated semi-quantitatively based on staining intensity and the percentage of positive cells. Associations between enzyme expression and clinicopathological features were assessed using the Chi-square test. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was employed to evaluate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards models were used for statistical analysis. Results: HK2 and FASN were overexpressed in 20.7% and 22.8% of patients, respectively, and were significantly associated with advanced tumor stage. In contrast, GLS1 expression, found in 30.4% of patients, did not independently correlate with clinicopathological characteristics. Furthermore, HK2 expression and co-expression of HK2/FASN (10.9%) and HK2/GLS1/FASN (8.7%) were associated with progressive disease. In the univariate analysis, stage, HK2 overexpression, and co-expression of HK2/FASN and HK2/GLS1/FASN were associated with shorter survival. However, only stage retained prognostic value in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Co-expression of these key metabolic enzymes remains a promising candidate as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets. Concurrent targeting of these metabolic pathways may offer novel therapeutic opportunities for patients with advanced-stage gastric cancer. Full article

In China’s stock-based renewal agenda, many old residential communities display pronounced intergenerational overlap, in which grandparental childcare becomes a dominant pattern of outdoor-space use. Against the backdrop of age-structure shifts, population ageing, and persistently low fertility, community-level outdoor-space supply, distributive equity, and environmental adaptability have become key concerns in renewal practice. Yet, practitioners still lack a rankable, low-cost, and implementable evaluation-to-decision workflow. Using Xingshe Community in Dalian, China as an empirical case, this study establishes and tests an integrated “NLP–AHP–GBDT” assessment framework. Guided by policy discourse and planning theory, over 50 semi-structured interviews were processed via NLP-based semantic analysis and keyword mining to derive a two-tier indicator set (criterion and indicator layers). Seven specialists then applied the analytic hierarchy process to elicit indicator weights, and a resident survey was administered to generate weighted performance scores for diagnosing deficiencies. In the feedback-validation stage, we adopted both a qualitative Framework Method and a quantitative GBDT approach, first using the Framework Method to conduct feedback validation based on community residents’ open-ended evaluations. Subsequently, gradient boosting decision trees were used for supervised verification with renewal-scenario data, providing empirical backing for the weighting scheme and the resulting priority order for interventions. The findings suggest that outdoor spaces are broadly serviceable but fall short in intergenerational friendliness, reflecting a structural misalignment between intergenerational activity patterns and spatial provision. Based on the validated priorities, the study proposes modular, incremental micro-renewal measures focusing on safety and emergency accessibility, environmental comfort and caregiving–recreation coupling, and place identity with community organizational mobilization. Full article

Background and Objectives: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability in older adults, who often face persistent motor, cognitive, and functional challenges. Conventional stroke rehabilitation programs often involve highly repetitive motor tasks, which may reduce patient motivation and contribute to suboptimal adherence over time. Virtual reality (VR) offers an engaging alternative; however, much of the existing research has focused on specialized rehabilitation-oriented VR systems rather than off-the-shelf commercial platforms. This study evaluated older stroke survivors’ acceptance, tolerability, and lived experiences of a short VR-based rehabilitation session using a commercial game on a commercial wearable VR system. Methods: A single-session convergent mixed-methods design was employed. Thirteen community-dwelling older stroke survivors (mean age 79.2 ± 7.1 years; 9 males, 4 female) completed a 15 min VR session using a commercial wearable VR system. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaire and Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) assessed acceptance and tolerability, while semi-structured interviews explored lived experiences. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Results: Participants reported high acceptance across all TAM domains (overall M = 4.35 ± 0.79, scale 1–5). Enjoyment/intention to use was rated highest (M = 4.77 ± 0.42), while perceived usefulness was lowest (M = 4.15 ± 0.77). VR was well tolerated: the SSQ total score was 17.38 ± 1.73, with most symptoms rated at the mild level only. Exploratory Spearman correlations revealed a significant positive association between age and SSQ total score (r_h = +0.568, p = 0.043). Thematic analysis identified five themes: (1) usability and accessibility; (2) therapeutic value; (3) engagement and motivation; (4) social and clinical support; and (5) physical and cognitive demands. Conclusions: A commercial wearable VR system was found to be acceptable, safe, and engaging for older stroke survivors. With supervision and therapeutic framing, it may serve as a motivating adjunct to conventional rehabilitation. Full article

Research on digital protest often treats visibility and engagement as temporally uniform by aggregating social media activity across extended periods. This approach obscures how political moments shape which messages become widely amplified. Addressing this event-contingent visibility problem, this study examines how event context structures patterns of visibility in protest communication on Twitter within a semi-authoritarian media environment. Using a high-visibility corpus of the most-retweeted tweets from 21 major political protest events in Thailand during 2021, the study combines thematic content analysis with a four-way ANOVA to analyze how event context, content themes, media formats, and posting time interact to shape retweet visibility. Visibility is conceptualized not as a stable behavioral tendency but as a contingent outcome shaped by political salience, affective alignment, and platform affordances. The findings show that event context accounts for the largest share of variance in retweet visibility, while the effects of content themes and media formats are conditional and event-dependent. These results indicate that visible connective action is episodic and that affective amplification operates in context-sensitive ways. The study refines theories of digital protest by conceptualizing visibility as an event-contingent process and highlights the analytical value and limits of high-visibility sampling. Full article

Strawberry aroma and flavor are key determinants of consumer acceptance and market value, yet their relationship with physico-chemical and functional traits remains complex and cultivar-dependent. This study aimed to characterize the volatile profile, quality parameters, antioxidant capacity, microbial load, and sensory attributes of three strawberry cultivars (‘Rossetta’, ‘Melissa’, and ‘Gioelita’) grown in soilless culture systems and harvested at the commercial ripening stage. ‘Melissa’ showed significantly higher total soluble solids (8.65 °Brix) than ‘Rossetta’ (7.78 °Brix) and ‘Gioelita’ (7.47 °Brix), while titratable acidity was highest in ‘Gioelita’ (4.97 mg CA/L). Regarding phytochemical traits, ‘Melissa’ exhibited the greatest total polyphenol, flavonoid, and antioxidant capacity values, followed by ‘Rossetta’ and ‘Gioelita’. Sixty-four volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified, semi-quantified, and combined with physico-chemical and sensory data related to odor and taste perception. Principal component analysis was applied to evaluate cultivar discrimination and identify the key discriminatory volatiles. The results revealed clear separation among cultivars based on their compositional and sensory profiles. ‘Rossetta’ was characterized by a higher abundance of esters, lactones, and mesifuran and received the highest sensory scores for sweetness and overall flavor, consistent with its elevated anthocyanin content. ‘Gioelita’ was associated with key esters contributing to strawberry flavor and with higher titratable acidity and perceived acidity. ‘Melissa’ showed a balanced volatile composition, higher antioxidant capacity, and greater phenolic content but also had higher microbial counts. Overall, the integration of chemical and sensory analyses provided useful insights into cultivar-specific quality traits relevant for breeding and production strategies. Full article

This article evaluates how artificial intelligence (AI) and educational technology (EdTech) support inclusive learning in Russia and Kazakhstan, two Eurasian countries that share post-Soviet educational legacies but differ in their levels of digital infrastructure and teacher preparedness. Using an asymmetric mixed-methods design, the study draws on a primary survey of N = 2570 educators and staff in four Russian cities (Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk; October–December 2024; response rate 59.8%) and secondary policy/indicator analysis for Kazakhstan. Russia exhibits higher broadband access, AI/EdTech platform adoption, and teacher digital skill levels compared with Kazakhstan. Structural equation modeling (SEM; SmartPLS 4.1) tested four latent constructs—learning environment (LE), general digital competencies (HCg), specialized AI skills (HCs), and inclusion (I)—with satisfactory validity (AVE > 0.5; HTMT ≤ 0.85). A three-stage Measurement Invariance of Composite Models (MICOM) procedure confirmed configural, compositional, and full mean/variance invariance across Russian city subgroups, enabling pooled path analysis. Kazakhstan indicators from secondary sources are discussed as a descriptive benchmark. Semi-structured interviews with 24 stakeholders (12 Russia, 12 Kazakhstan; March 2025; analyzed with NVivo 14) revealed four themes: policy coherence, teacher readiness, infrastructure access, and ethical AI governance. Key SEM paths were LE → HCg (β = 0.278), HCg → HCs (β = 0.652), and HCs → I (β = 0.188), all p < 0.001. A formal mediation analysis confirmed a significant indirect effect across the full LE → HCg → HCs → I chain. The findings indicate that infrastructure is necessary but insufficient: the key to inclusion lies in sustained development of both basic and specialized digital skills, supported by coherent policies and continuous professional development. China and India are discussed as secondary international benchmarks drawn from published reports, not as sites of primary data collection. Full article

Foodborne illness remains a persistent public health issue, yet domestic food safety practices are shaped by individual knowledge, social expectations, and gendered norms. This study examines how gender norms and expectations shape Australian consumers’ safe food-handling knowledge, perceptions, and practices. Guided by a social constructionist epistemology and feminist framework, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 participants aged 18–24 years recruited from a university research participation pool. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes were identified: “I know what I am doing”, optimism bias and false confidence, “Men’s casualness versus women’s strictness”, gendered safe food handling practices and expectations, and “Careful about others, relaxed for myself”, food safety as a social performance. Participants often expressed false confidence in their practices, reflecting optimism bias and reduced perceived susceptibility to foodborne illness. Women tended to portray vigilance and responsibility, while men described more relaxed approaches, reflecting gendered socialisation. Food safety also emerged as performative, with heightened care displayed when cooking for others. These findings highlight that domestic food safety is socially embedded and both reflects and reproduces gender norms. Addressing these dynamics through socially informed, context-sensitive interventions may improve public health outcomes. Full article

The tourism and hospitality sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing rapid sustainability transformation under the strategic direction of Vision 2030. This study examines the maturity of Sustainability Actions (SAs), their key drivers, and implementation barriers, comparing the perceptions of industry practitioners and academic experts. Using a qualitative abductive research design based on 20 in-depth semi-structured interviews with industry and academic experts in Saudi Arabia, followed by thematic analysis using a machine learning Qualcoder 3.7 software, the findings reveal both convergence and divergence between the two groups. While both recognize Vision 2030 as the primary catalyst and acknowledge financial costs and knowledge gaps as major barriers, industry experts emphasize operational efficiency and short-term performance outcomes, whereas academics advocate systemic transformation grounded in circular economy principles and long-term socio-ecological regeneration. The results demonstrate that sustainability adoption in Saudi Arabia is shaped not only by market demand but also by a strong government-led institutional framework that accelerates sectoral change. The findings are structured across environmental, social, and economic sustainability dimensions, offering differentiated implications for industry practitioners and academic stakeholders within emerging tourism economies. The study contributes to sustainability and tourism and hospitality literature by offering a comparative multi-perspective analysis and by conceptualizing sustainability transition as a hybrid model combining policy direction, market incentives, and knowledge collaboration. Managerially, the findings highlight the need for regulatory clarity, targeted financial mechanisms, capacity building, and stronger industry–academia integration to institutionalize sustainability practices in emerging tourism economies. Full article

The steel frame-shear wall composite system has excellent lateral resistance performance in prefabricated steel structure buildings. However, the traditional steel plate concrete shear wall is prone to early buckling of the steel plate and concentrated interface damage under cyclic loading, which limits its energy dissipation capacity. This study presents a steel plate-enhanced reinforced concrete shear wall (SPRCSW) with an internal corrugated steel plate and double-layer steel mesh working together and conducts a selection study based on finite element analysis. Under the same design conditions, the peak bearing capacity in the positive and reverse directions of the SPRCSW is increased by approximately 55.4% and 46.9%, respectively, compared to the ordinary reinforced concrete shear wall, with a ductility coefficient reaching 6.08. The stiffness decline is mild, and the hysteretic curve is complete. Then, this paper forms an SR-SPRCSW composite structural system by combining the new shear wall with a steel frame using semi-rigid joints. Through the comparison of the finite element analysis and low-cycle reverse loading test results of the SR-SPRCSW structure, it is verified that the overall structural system shows good agreement in hysteretic response, skeleton curve characteristics, and failure mode under both research methods, with the peak shear bearing capacity error of less than 1% and the overall bearing capacity deviation controlled within 8%. On this basis, the key parameters of the semi-rigid joints in the SR-SPRCSW structure are analyzed. The results show that the strengthening of the “top and bottom + double web” angle steel joint can raise the peak bearing capacity of the SR-SPRCSW structure by approximately 26.1% and the yield displacement by approximately 29.5%; increasing the strength grade and diameter of high-strength bolts can heighten the initial stiffness and bearing capacity of the overall structure, but ductility slightly decreases; the thickness of the angle steel has a significant impact on the stiffness and deformation capacity of the structure, and a recommended range of values with better comprehensive performance is provided. The findings offer valuable insights for designing seismic-resistant semi-rigid steel frames with steel plate reinforced concrete shear walls and optimizing their parameters. Full article

Living Wall Systems (LWS) are vertical vegetated building façade systems that offer environmental and social benefits; however, their adoption in South Africa, particularly within the Western Cape (WC), remains limited due to high capital and maintenance costs and the absence of regionally adapted design and cost models. This study investigates the viability and design development of LWS in the WC from a Quantity Surveying (QS) perspective, with the aim of developing a context-specific system utilising indigenous plant species and assessing its economic feasibility over the building life cycle. This study employed a mixed method research approach comprising a literature review, semi-structured interviews with industry professionals, thematic analysis, cost modelling, and the preparation of a detailed Bill of Quantities (BOQ). Life cycle costing (LCC) techniques were applied to evaluate long-term cost implications. The study resulted in the development of a criteria-led, context-adapted LWS model, termed Viridis 5045, which satisfies environmental, technical, and contextual requirements for the WC. The BOQ and LCC analyses provide projected capital and operational cost benchmarks for the proposed system. This study demonstrates that the Viridis 5045 model is technically feasible and contextually appropriate for application within the WC, supporting its consideration in sustainable construction practice when evaluated beyond conventional life cycle financial indicators. Future research should focus on the monetisation of long-term benefits, greywater integration, and Whole Life Costing. Full article

This study examines the governance of digitalization in municipal administration, with a focus on city planning services, specifically spatial planning, building permits, and geodata management, in a large Swedish municipality. Digitalization is understood here not as the adoption of isolated technologies, but as organizational and process-oriented transformation enabled by digital systems such as GIS platforms, case management systems, and digital planning information. While national policy frameworks set ambitious digitalization goals, previous research shows that local authorities often face significant obstacles, including fragmented processes, technical limitations, and complex governance structures. These challenges create a persistent gap between strategic ambitions and daily work practices. This study employs a qualitative case study approach drawing on semi-structured interviews with employees in technical, operational, and strategic roles, as well as an analysis of policy documents and internal process descriptions. Using a socio-technical perspective, the analysis applies the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework to examine how digital systems, organizational structures, and external institutional demands interact in practice. The findings highlight substantial challenges related to system integration, data quality, uneven digital competencies, and the ongoing disconnect between strategic goals and operational realities. The study emphasizes the need for clearer governance structures, stronger cross-functional collaboration, and work practices that bridge technical and organizational dimensions. Building on the empirical analysis, the study proposes a conceptual framework that extends the TOE framework by identifying three interrelated structural mechanisms: technological lock-in, organizational inertia, and institutional uncertainty. This framework contributes theoretically by deepening the understanding of socio-technical digitalization dynamics in local government. Practically, it provides municipalities with an analytical tool to assess and reflect on their digitalization conditions. Full article