Search Results (6,126)

Viral zoonoses represent a critical intersection of global health, ecology, and ethical issues. Pathogens that pass from animals to humans. This review examines the complex landscape of viral zoonoses, including their mechanisms, impact, and mitigation strategies. We begin with insights into the historical context and significance of these diseases and then explore spillover mechanisms influenced by genetic, ecological, and anthropogenic factors. This review covers the host range, transmission dynamics, and immunological barriers, including viral detection, adaptation, and immune evasion. Genomic insights have revealed the genetic determinants of host switching and adaptation, illuminating the dynamics of viral spillover events. We emphasize the anticipation and prevention of zoonotic events, highlighting surveillance, early warning systems, and the “One Health” approach. Using case studies of outbreaks such as Ebola, avian influenza, and COVID-19, this review examines the real-world consequences of zoonotic diseases. We then discuss interventions, including mitigation strategies and vaccination, and their ethical and social implications. Drawing on past outbreaks, we provide recommendations for the future, aiming to balance human health, conservation, and animal welfare. This review aims to inform professionals, academics, and policymakers by offering a multidisciplinary perspective on the complex world of viral zoonoses and strategies to protect global health. Full article

Amid increasing pressure on sustainability across sectors, the wine industry is also being called to adopt sustainable and responsible practices. However, a potential concern for firms is whether and to what extent sustainability efforts, while beneficial for the environment and society, require some sacrifice on the economic side. Specifically, this study investigates whether adopting a holistic sustainability approach by wine firms leads to economic issues in the short term. We focus on Italian wineries certified under Equalitas certification, a three-pillar certification integrating environmental, social, and economic dimensions, and evaluate their financial performance using a difference-in-differences (DiD) approach. The analysis relies on firm-level economic data from the AIDA database, covering a sample of 631 companies observed over a six-year period from 2018 to 2023. Overall, the results show no statistically significant short-term changes in profitability or liquidity indicators across the entire sample. These findings suggest that, while short-term economic gains are not guaranteed, embarking on a sustainability path does not undermine financial performance and may offer benefits under certain organizational conditions. The study contributes to the literature by providing robust empirical evidence on the economic implications of the adoption holistic sustainability approaches in the wine sector. Full article

Generation Z is a widely used term in both public and academic discourse, yet its definition remains ambiguous, particularly regarding the factors distinguishing it from its predecessor, Generation Y. Adopting a socio-technological perspective, this article proposes a clear generational boundary, those born after 1995, and introduces the concept of “mobile natives” to define Generation Z as a technologically distinct generation in relation to both its predecessor and successor. Unlike previous cohorts, the formative years of this generation were marked by early and continuous exposure, beginning in childhood, to mobile technologies, making the mobile phone the most influential technological experience shaping their identity. Drawing on statistical surveys and previous research, we demonstrate how this shift in the age of mobile adoption differentiates Generation Z from earlier cohorts in terms of socialization patterns, communication practices, and cultural orientations. By framing Generation Z as mobile natives, the article contributes a conceptual and empirically grounded framework for understanding the socio-technological identity of this generation. These findings have important implications for analyzing digital transformation, as well as for understanding the technological, familial, and social habits and traits that characterize this generation in an increasingly connected world. Full article

Parent–child discrepancies on educational expectations have a significant impact on the holistic development of children, which is crucial for building sustainable educational ecosystems. Based on 7080 samples from the 2019 OECD Survey on Social and Emotional Skills (SSES) conducted in a Chinese city, this study uses the ordinary least squares model and propensity score matching to estimate the causal effect of parent–child discrepancies on educational expectations on children’s social and emotional skills—core competencies for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)—and further employs the bootstrap method to test its mechanism. The results show that parent–child discrepancies on educational expectations have a significant negative impact on children’s social and emotional skills, with stronger effects observed among boys and 15-year-olds. The parent–child relationship and test anxiety play a chain mediating role in this relationship. The results suggest that to advance the goals of sustainable education, parents should set reasonable educational expectations and pay attention to nurturing their children’s social and emotional skills to foster holistic development within supportive family microsystems. Full article

This study used Q methodology to explore and categorise caregivers’ subjective perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered ‘virtual human’ (AVH) devices in caring for older adults. We derived 123 initial statements from literature and focus groups and narrowed them to 34 statements as the final Q sample. Seventeen caregivers, nurses, and social workers completed the Q-sorting procedure. Using principal component analysis and Varimax rotation in Ken-Q, we identified three perception types: Active Acceptors, who emphasise the devices’ practical utility in patient communication; Improvement Seekers, who conditionally accept the technology while seeking greater accuracy and effectiveness; and Emotional Support Seekers, who view the device as a tool for emotional relief and psychological support. These findings suggest that technology acceptance in caregiving extends beyond functional utility. It also involves trust, affective experience, and interpersonal interaction. This study integrates multiple frameworks, including the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), Science and Technology Studies (STS), and Human–Machine Communication (HMC) theory, to provide a multifaceted understanding of caregivers’ acceptance of AI technology. The results offer valuable implications for designing user-centred AI care devices and enhanced emotional and communicative functions. Full article

Symbiosis and synergy among urban uses are key determinants of spatial quality, liveability, and resilience. While symbiosis denotes the coexistence of users and functions within specific places, synergy refers to the collective benefits emerging from their interaction. These dynamics are especially relevant in city centres and main streets, which serve as structural and social backbones of urban life. This article applies the SyM_SyN Method to Zwycięstwa Street in Gliwice, Poland, to assess the intensity and distribution of symbiotic and synergistic relations. The analysis identified significant spatial deficiencies that weaken the coherence and attractiveness of the street. The results demonstrate how a systematic, data-driven evaluation can expose hidden weaknesses in urban structures. Importantly, from the perspective of the smart city paradigm, liveability and responsiveness of urban spaces cannot be reduced to technology-driven systems of sensors and devices. They must also be understood in terms of human-scale interactions and the ability of urban form to support them. Beyond its methodological contribution, the study emphasises the practical implications for urban renewal: reinforcing positive interactions between adjacent uses enhances street vitality, improves social inclusiveness, and supports more sustainable development strategies. The SyM_SyN Method thus provides both an analytical framework and a decision-support tool for designing user-oriented, high-quality urban spaces within the broader smart and sustainable city paradigm. Full article

As the development of autonomous vehicles (AVs) progresses, new seating arrangements are emerging. Face-to-face seating is common in SAE L4 AV concepts and is intended to facilitate social interaction during autonomous driving, enabling previously unfeasible non-driving related tasks (NDRTs). However, this is countered by the unpopularity of rearward seating orientations, which is particularly pronounced in cars. In order to develop countermeasures to address this unpopularity, a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms is required. This study validates a model that predicts the acceptance of AVs and takes seating orientation into account. To this end, a study with N = 46 participants was conducted to investigate the influence of seating orientation on AV acceptance and related factors such as transparency, trust, and motion sickness. Additionally, internal human–machine interfaces (iHMIs) were evaluated in regard to their ability to compensate for the disadvantages of a rearward seating orientation. To achieve a realistic implementation of a fully functional SAE L4 AV, an experimental vehicle was equipped with a steering and pedal robot, performing self-driven journeys on a test track. The iHMIs provided information about upcoming maneuvers and detected road users. While engaged in a social NDRT, participants experienced a total of six journeys. Seating orientation and iHMI visualization were manipulated between journeys. Rearward-facing passengers showed lower levels of trust and higher levels of motion sickness than forward-facing passengers. However, the iHMIs had no effect on acceptance or related factors. Based on these findings, an updated version of the model is proposed, showing that rearward-facing passengers in autonomous vehicles pose a particular challenge for trust calibration and motion sickness mitigation. During NDRTs, iHMIs which depend on the attention of AV occupants for information transfer appear to be ineffective. Implications for future research and design of iHMIs to address this challenge are discussed. Full article

This study analyzes the relationship between remote work and job satisfaction from a bibliometric perspective. Remote work has grown in popularity, especially due to global trends accelerated by the pandemic, which impacts employee safety, wellbeing, and satisfaction. Based on 199 articles indexed in Scopus from 2014 to 2024, we identified a steady growth of this topic, with significant increases between 2021 and 2023. Global collaboration analysis indicates that the United States, India, and the United Kingdom are at the forefront of research and should work towards bridging knowledge across the Global North and South. We identify factors related to the satisfaction of remote workers (balance between on-site and off-site work, autonomy, flexibility, social isolation, gender differences). A keyword co-occurrence analysis was conducted to identify topical coverage and was complemented by clustering highly cited studies. We examine differences between the public and private sectors and suggest research paths to better understand the implications of remote work for job satisfaction in different organizational contexts. Full article

Background: Celiac disease (CeD) is a chronic, immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by gluten ingestion in genetically predisposed individuals. While a lifelong gluten-free diet (GFD) remains the cornerstone of treatment, inadequate follow-up can lead to persistent symptoms, nutritional deficiencies, and long-term complications. Aim: This narrative review summarizes best practices in celiac disease follow-up, with emphasis on multidisciplinary, nutritional, clinical, and preventive care strategies to optimize long-term outcomes. Main Findings: High-quality follow-up requires coordinated care involving gastroenterologists, dietitians, primary care providers, and other specialists. Nutritional challenges of the GFD include high cost, limited fortification, suboptimal nutrient content, and increased risk of obesity and metabolic dysfunction. Patients also face psychosocial and behavioral burdens such as anxiety, social isolation, and disordered eating. Evidence-based strategies for follow-up include structured clinical and serologic monitoring, laboratory assessments, bone health evaluation, cancer risk reduction, and preventive care. Novel tools such as gluten immunogenic peptide testing, digital health platforms, and artificial intelligence are emerging as adjuncts to clinical management. Implications: Structured, patient-centered follow-up that integrates medical, nutritional, and psychosocial dimensions is essential to achieving mucosal healing, maintaining long-term health, and improving quality of life in individuals with CeD. Full article

Multimodal assignments can improve student engagement, offer different paths for meaning-making or accessing information, and shift top-down power structures often inherent in traditional classrooms. However, despite the growing interest in including multimodal assignments in courses, many instructors still struggle with how to assess them and may continue to value print-based modes. This qualitative study, framed through social semiotics, aimed to explore why instructors in higher education include multimodal assignments and their corresponding assessments in their teaching and how they design and implement the assessments. Based on the analysis of focus group data, findings indicate that although there is a shared purpose of creating multimodal assignments and assessments to reinvent instructional practices to be more inclusive and equitable, instructors operate in the continuous process of rethinking and refining of what counts as “good” multimodal assessment. Furthermore, the implications for professional development programs emphasizing equity-centered pedagogies are discussed. Full article

While numerous researchers and practitioners view overtime as uniformly detrimental, growing evidence reveals complexity and overlooked benefits, particularly for social inclusion. This study focuses specifically on the impact of overtime work on social inclusion within the framework of Chinese culture and institutions, as well as the moderating effect of environmental factors. Drawing on extended-self theory, we propose that as overtime hours increase, the association between work hours and social inclusion becomes U-shaped. By contrast, this association may be moderated by environmental factors, such as work value. As expected, by conducting hierarchical regression analysis following Janssen’s three-step procedure, a sample (n = 529) of Chinese employees from the China Labor-Force Dynamics Survey (CLD) supported that the U-shaped relationship between overtime work and employees’ social inclusion. In addition, the curvilinear association between overtime work and social inclusion is significantly moderated by employees’ work values. The findings align with sustainability agendas that emphasize decent work, inclusion, and long-term employee well-being. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) is generating a profound and quick transformation in several areas of knowledge, as well as in industry and society on a global scale, and is considered one of the most significant technological advances of the present era. Understanding citizens’ attitudes toward AI is essential forguiding its development and implementation. To achieve this, valid and reliable instruments are needed to assess attitudesin different sociocultural contexts. With this objective, the General Attitudes towards Artificial Intelligence Scale (GAAIS) was adapted to Spanish. The sample comprised 644 participants: 327 men and 316 women, aged between 18 and 78 years (M = 33.06, SD = 14.91). The original two-factor structure (Positive GAAIS and Negative GAAIS) was validated using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Both the fit indices and the internal consistency of the scale were adequate. Furthermore, the validity of the measure (i.e., convergent and discriminant) and the invariance of the model were confirmed. The analyses performed support the adequacy of the model and, therefore, the usefulness of the instrument, considering the ambivalence that people often experience regarding AI. The limitations of the study and the implications for the design of public policies and intervention strategies that promote the ethical, equitable, and socially responsible use of AI are discussed in this study. Full article

This study examines the link between how people perceive others’ social status and prosocial behavior, viewing the latter as a key aspect of social and cooperative interactions. Due to conflicting findings in previous research, this study investigates how status acquisition strategies—such as prestige or dominance—impact prosocial choices, particularly when perceptions of others’ status vary. To achieve this, a pre-experimental study was conducted with 261 university students, who participated in a modified trust game where they decided whether to give and expect money back from individuals they perceived as higher, equal, or lower in status. The study also measured perceptions of dominance, prestige, and exposure to life shocks. The main result shows that, unexpectedly, prestige does not directly predict prosocial behavior, while dominance does when interacting with lower-status individuals. Additionally, external shocks have mixed effects on prosocial behavior. These findings suggest that prosocial behavior is not solely determined by status but also depends on strategic perceptions, relational context, and past experiences, which have important implications for understanding leadership, cooperation, and social cohesion. Full article

This study investigates the potential of creative tourism in Thailand’s national parks and the role of social media in promoting creative tourism experiences. The objectives were to examine creative tourism activities, identify visitor segments based on activity preferences and media use, and propose targeted communication strategies to enhance engagement and support sustainable tourism. A mixed-methods design combined document reviews of 133 national parks, field surveys in 10 parks, and a structured visitor survey with 1133 respondents across terrestrial and marine parks. The study identified 25 tourism activities, of which 20 were classified as creative tourism. Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed four key dimensions: nature-based learning, scenic immersion, community participation, and culinary experiences. Cluster analysis segmented visitors into five groups: Local Advocates, Nature Explorers, Food Enthusiasts, Nature Learners, and Diverse Enthusiasts. Media preferences varied across groups. Nature Explorers and Food Enthusiasts engaged strongly with short-form videos and scenic visuals, while Local Advocates and Nature Learners preferred educational and text-based formats. Diverse Enthusiasts, the largest segment, interacted with multiple content types. Scenic imagery emerged as the most influential theme overall. These results provide practical implications for designing creative tourism strategies and creating social media campaigns to diverse groups of tourists in Thailand’s national parks. Full article

This entry examines how wage-setting institutions (WSIs) shape wages across advanced economies. It focuses on four core mechanisms—minimum wages, collective bargaining, wage coordination, and wage centralization—drawing on theoretical insights, empirical evidence, and cross-country comparisons. The analysis shows that minimum wages safeguard low-paid workers but have heterogeneous employment effects depending on their level and enforcement. Collective bargaining raises average wages and compresses wage inequality, though it can reduce flexibility and create insider–outsider dynamics. Wage coordination stabilizes wage growth, prevents inflationary spirals, and fosters equity, while wage centralization promotes solidarity wages and macroeconomic discipline but may limit adaptability. Using The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Institutional Characteristics of Trade Unions, Wage Setting, State Intervention and Social Pacts (ICTWSS) data, the study highlights institutional diversity, ranging from coordinated Nordic models to fragmented liberal systems, and identifies trends toward “organized decentralization”. Policy implications suggest that WSIs should be viewed not as rigidities but as adaptable frameworks that can balance efficiency, equity, and stability when carefully designed. The conclusion emphasizes that the future of wage-setting lies in leveraging institutional complementarities to respond to globalization, technological change, and shifting labor market conditions. Full article