Search Results (1,480)

Environmental innovation represents a pivotal pathway toward achieving energy efficiency improvements, carbon footprint reduction, and ecological sustainability enhancement. The research investigates Chinese manufacturing enterprises listed on domestic stock exchanges throughout 2011–2023. The analytical framework utilizes count-based regression methodologies to explore how R&D investment intensity influences eco-innovation capabilities. Results demonstrate curvilinear associations linking R&D expenditure levels with both substantive and strategic environmental innovation achievements across industrial firms. This outcome successfully passed the turning-point test. Environmental oversight and financial incentives produce divergent moderating influences on innovation trajectories. Regulatory frameworks generate restrictive impacts through narrowing optimal investment ranges and dampening peak innovation outputs, whereas fiscal support mechanisms foster expansive effects via broadening resource availability and amplifying achievement levels. Cross-sectional examination uncovers substantial variations among ownership categories and geographical locations. State-owned enterprises demonstrate significantly lower optimal R&D intensity thresholds. Private firms require substantially elevated thresholds for optimal performance. Inland territories manifest unbalanced innovation dynamics. Coastal areas exhibit symmetric innovation patterns. The research enriches empirical knowledge in eco-innovation studies while offering context-specific strategic insights. The findings establish theoretical foundations and practical guidance for policy architects designing integrated environmental management systems that enhance innovation capabilities. Full article

In the context of global climate change and growing food security challenges, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the yields of three staple crops (wheat, corn and rice) in the Yellow River Basin of China, employing multiple quantitative analysis methods including the Mann–Kendall trend test, center of gravity transfer model and hotspot analysis. Our research integrates yield data covering these three crops from 72 prefecture-level cities across the Yellow River Basin, during 2000 to 2023, to systematically examine the temporal variation, spatial variation and spatial agglomeration characteristics of the yields. The study uses GeoDetector to explore the impacts of natural and socioeconomic factors on changes in crop yields from both single-factor and interactive-factor perspectives. While traditional statistical methods often struggle to simultaneously handle complex causal relationships among multiple factors, particularly in effectively distinguishing between direct and indirect influence paths or accounting for the transmission effects of factors through mediating variables, this study adopts Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to identify which factors directly affect crop yields and which exert indirect effects through other factors. This approach enables us to elucidate the path relationships and underlying mechanisms governing crop yields, thereby revealing the direct and indirect influences among multiple factors. This study conducted an analysis using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), classifying the intensity of influence based on the absolute value of the impact factor (with >0.3 defined as “strong”, 0.1–0.3 as “moderate” and <0.1 as “weak”), and distinguishing the nature of influence by the positive or negative value (positive values indicate promotion, negative values indicate inhibition). The results show that among natural factors, temperature has a moderate promoting effect on wheat (0.21) and a moderate inhibiting effect on corn (−0.25); precipitation has a moderate inhibiting effect on wheat (−0.28) and a moderate promoting effect on rice (0.17); DEM has a strong inhibiting effect on wheat (−0.33) and corn (−0.58), and a strong promoting effect on rice (0.38); slope has a moderate inhibiting effect on wheat (−0.15) and a moderate promoting effect on corn (0.15). Among socioeconomic factors, GDP has a weak promoting effect on wheat (0.01) and a moderate inhibiting effect on rice (−0.20), while the impact of population is relatively small. In terms of indirect effects, slope indirectly inhibits wheat (−0.051, weak) and promotes corn (0.149, moderate) through its influence on temperature; DEM indirectly promotes rice (0.236, moderate) through its influence on GDP and precipitation. In terms of interaction effects, the synergy between precipitation and temperature has the highest explanatory power for wheat and rice, while the synergy between DEM and precipitation has the strongest explanatory power for corn. The study further analyzes the mechanisms of direct and indirect interactions among various factors and finds that there are significant temporal and spatial differences in crop yields in the Yellow River Basin, with natural factors playing a leading role and socioeconomic factors showing dynamic regulatory effects. These findings provide valuable insights for sustainable agricultural development and food security policy-making in the region. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive approach to risk management and planned preventative maintenance (PPM) for cultural heritage, focusing on the hypogeum archaeological site beneath the Chamber of Commerce in Rimini, Italy. Hypogeal environments pose unique conservation challenges due to their microclimates, biological threats, and structural vulnerabilities. Applying the ABC Method—developed by ICCROM and CCI—this research systematically identifies, analyzes, and prioritizes risks associated with agents of risks. The methodology was complemented by the Nara Grid to assess the site’s authenticity and cultural value, aiding in the delineation of risk areas and informing strategic conservation priorities. The study identifies efflorescence formation, flooding risks, and lack of management guidelines as extreme threats, proposing tailored treatments and practical interventions across multiple layers of control. Through environmental monitoring, empirical analysis, and a multidisciplinary framework, the research offers a replicable model for sustainable conservation and preventive heritage management in similar subterranean contexts. Full article

The increasing adoption of industrialized offsite construction (IOC) offers substantial benefits in efficiency, quality, and sustainability, yet presents persistent challenges related to data fragmentation, real-time monitoring, and coordination. This systematic review investigates the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced digital twins (DTs) in addressing these challenges within IOC. Employing a hybrid re-view methodology—combining scientometric mapping and qualitative content analysis—52 relevant studies were analyzed to identify technological trends, implementation barriers, and emerging research themes. The findings reveal that AI-driven DTs enable dynamic scheduling, predictive maintenance, real-time quality control, and sustainable lifecycle management across all IOC phases. Seven thematic application clusters are identified, including logistics optimization, safety management, and data interoperability, supported by a layered architectural framework and key enabling technologies. This study contributes to the literature by providing an early synthesis that integrates technical, organizational, and strategic dimensions of AI-driven DT implementation in IOC context. It distinguishes DT applications in IOC from those in onsite construction and expands AI’s role beyond conventional data analytics toward agentive, autonomous decision-making. The proposed future research agenda offers strategic directions such as the development of DT maturity models, lifecycle-spanning integration strategies, scalable AI agent systems, and cost-effective DT solutions for small and medium enterprises. Full article

Prior economic research emphasized land, labor and physical capital as the primary drivers of growth, but contemporary work highlights the pivotal role of human capital. Investments in education, health and governance are now regarded as central to sustainable development; yet important questions remain regarding their effectiveness and context-specific impact. This study investigates how human capital investment influences labor force participation and income growth within the ASEAN nine economies for the period from 2000 to 2022 which provides a rich example of contrast in economic and governance outcomes within a single geographic region. Impacted units of measurement of labor force participation and income growth are evaluated using the Bayesian Additive Regression Trees model to select the most important variables, the Bayesian Dynamic Nonlinear Multivariate panel model to estimate regional effects, and the Time-varying Seemingly Unrelated Regression Equations model to evaluate country-specific dynamics, which considers not just the influence of investments in health and education but also the context of rule, law, and governance. The findings indicate that human capital investments exhibit heterogenous effects across economic tiers and the need for strategies and future study of preconditions to improve returns particularly in low-tier economies. Accordingly, mid-tier, emerging economies exhibit the greatest benefit from human capital investments while top-tier exhibit the probable impact of the law of diminishing returns as their human capital development is already well underway. Despite the limited scope, this study still has the potential to draw constructive theoretical and practical implications. Full article

This study evaluates the viability of a specific hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) installation designed for a remote community as a case study in Cuba. The system integrates solar, wind, and biomass resources to address localised challenges of energy insecurity and environmental degradation. Rather than offering a generalised evaluation of HRES technologies, this work focuses on the performance, impacts, and viability of this particular configuration within its unique geographical, social, and technical context. Using life cycle assessment (LCA) and input–output modelling, the research assesses environmental and socioeconomic impacts. The proposed HRES reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 60% (from 1.14 to 0.47 kg CO₂eq/kWh) and fossil energy consumption by 50% compared to diesel-based systems. Socioeconomic analysis reveals that the system generates 40.3 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs, with significant employment opportunities in operation and maintenance. However, initial investments primarily benefit foreign suppliers due to Cuba’s reliance on imported components. The study highlights the potential for local economic gains through workforce training and domestic manufacturing of renewable energy technologies. These findings underscore the importance of integrating multiple renewable sources to enhance energy resilience and sustainability in Cuba. Policymakers should prioritise strategies to incentivise local production and capacity building to maximise long-term benefits. Future research should explore scalability across diverse regions and investigate policy frameworks to support widespread adoption of HRES. This study provides valuable insights for advancing sustainable energy solutions in Cuba and similar contexts globally. Full article

Municipal sewage sludge is a potential soil amendment rich in organic matter and nutrients, yet its reuse is often constrained by heavy metal contamination. This study evaluated six heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in sludge collected from seven centralized wastewater treatment plants in Bangkok, Thailand, by analyzing physicochemical properties, total metal concentrations, and chemical speciation. Three ecological risk indices, the geo-accumulation index (I_geo), risk assessment code (RAC), and potential ecological risk index (PERI), were applied to assess contamination status, mobility, and ecological threat. The sludge exhibited high levels of organic matter and essential nutrients, indicating potential for agricultural reuse; however, elevated electrical conductivity at some sites may pose salinity risks if unmanaged. Speciation analysis revealed that Cd and Zn were largely present in mobile and redox-sensitive fractions, Cr and Pb were primarily in stable residual forms, and Cu and Ni occurred in moderately mobile forms influenced by environmental conditions. Across all indices, Cd consistently posed the highest ecological risk, followed by Zn, in a site-dependent manner, while Cr and Pb represented low risk. These findings provide a clearer understanding of metal behavior in sewage sludge and underscore the importance of integrating chemical speciation with multi-index risk assessment in sludge management. Incorporating such approaches into national guidelines, particularly in countries lacking established heavy metal limits, can strengthen monitoring frameworks, guide safe and sustainable reuse, and support regulatory development in contexts with limited monitoring data. Full article

Can supply chain strategies, ESG practices, and digital innovations be the game-changers the planet needs for a sustainable future? Motivated by this question, this study investigates the drivers of CO₂ emissions, focusing on supply chain management (GSC), ESG sustainability practices, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in China from 2002Q4 to 2024Q4. Utilizing a series of wavelet tools—including wavelet coherence (WTC), partial wavelet coherence (PWC), and multiple wavelet coherence (MWC)—the study uncovers associations across time and frequency domains. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine these dynamics within the Chinese context using advanced wavelet techniques. The WTC results reveal that GSC, ICT, and patents are positively associated with CO₂ emissions, particularly during 2008–2016 and 2018–2024, while ESG practices reduced emissions before 2016 but became positively linked to emissions afterward. MWC and PWC analyses confirm that these drivers influence CO₂ within 1–4-year bands, while wavelet Granger causality tests indicate weak short-term but strong medium- to long-term causal relationships among ESG, GSC, PAT, ICT, and CO₂ emissions. Based on these results, policy recommendations are formulated. Full article

Preventive conservation (PC) of built heritage has proved to be one of the most efficient and sustainable approaches to ensure its long-term preservation. Nevertheless, the management of all the areas involved in a PC project is complex, often resulting in poor interaction between them. This research proposes a GIS-based methodology for integrating data from different PC areas into a centralised digital model, establishing a Common Data Environment (CDE) to optimise PC strategies for heritage systems in complex contexts. Applying this method to the pavilions of the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition in Seville (Spain), the study addresses five key PC areas: active follow-up, damage detection and assessment, risk analysis, maintenance, and dissemination and valorisation. The approach involved designing a robust relational database structure—using PostgreSQL—tailored for heritage management, defining several data standardisation criteria, and testing semi-automated procedures for generating multi-scale 2D and 3D GIS (LOD2 and LOD4) entities using remote sensing data sources. The proposed spatial database has been designed to function seamlessly with major GIS platforms (QGIS and ArcGIS Pro), demonstrating successful integration and interoperability for data management, analysis, and decision-making. Geographic web services derived from the database content were created and uploaded to a WebGIS platform. While limitations exist, this research demonstrates that simplified GIS models are sufficient for managing PC data across various working scales, offering a resource-efficient alternative compared to more demanding existing methods. Full article

Background/Objectives: Parents of individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) often carry significant emotional and relational burdens, yet their voices remain underrepresented in addiction research. This study explores how Greek parents navigate the long-term challenges of caring for adult children with SUDs, with a focus on emotional strain, caregiving identity, and culturally embedded coping strategies within a collectivist context. Methods: Eight Greek parents (six mothers and two fathers, aged 47–60) participated in in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Conversations were conducted either in person or via video call, depending on participant preference and geographical constraints. Data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore lived experience and the meaning-making processes shaping parental coping over time. Results: Four overarching themes were identified as follows: (1) Living in Vigilance, reflecting constant hyper-alertness, emotional exhaustion, and social withdrawal rooted in trauma; (2) Shifting Parental Identity, capturing the evolution of parents into caregivers, advocates, and informal caseworkers amid systemic neglect; (3) Struggling Within Systems, highlighting exclusion, blame, and fragmentation in institutional care—with moments of empathy holding outsized emotional weight; and (4) Coping as Cultural Duty, showing how caregiving was sustained through values of sacrifice, loyalty, and protective silence, even at great personal cost. Conclusions: Greek parents supporting adult children with SUDs face a complex interplay of trauma, cultural obligation, and institutional strain. Their coping is shaped by deeply held familial values rather than access to effective support. The findings call for culturally attuned, family-inclusive interventions and further research into long-term caregiving across diverse contexts. Full article

Industry 5.0 introduces a transformative vision for manufacturing by emphasizing human-centricity, sustainability, and resilience in tandem with advanced technologies. While Industry 4.0 focused on automation and connectivity, Industry 5.0 shifts the paradigm toward enhancing human involvement, environmental responsibility, and adaptive capacity. Despite growing interest, there remains a lack of standardized metrics for evaluating Industry 5.0 implementation within companies. This paper proposes a comprehensive multicriteria evaluation framework to assess a company’s alignment with Industry 5.0 principles across ten key criteria from the human-centricity, sustainability and resilience sectors. A structured scoring system—ranging from A (full alignment) to E (no alignment)—was developed to quantify implementation maturity. The framework was applied to a medium-sized Lithuanian manufacturing company specializing in furniture components, providing a real-world case study to validate the method. The company received a low Industry 5.0 score, indicating poor alignment; however, targeted recommendations were proposed that could improve the score by nearly 70%, moving the company toward a well-aligned status. This study offers a practical tool for evaluating and guiding Industry 5.0 transitions in manufacturing contexts. Full article

This paper proposes a novel and comprehensive framework for the integration of manufacturing management processes, spanning strategic and operational levels, within and across organizational boundaries. The framework combines a robust set of technologies—such as cyber-physical systems, digital twins, AI, and blockchain—designed to support real-time decision-making, interoperability, and collaboration in Industry 4.0 and 5.0 contexts. Implemented and validated in a Portuguese manufacturing group comprising three interoperating factories, the framework demonstrated its ability to improve agility, coordination, and stakeholder integration through a multi-layered architecture and modular software platform. Quantitative and qualitative feedback from 32 participants confirmed enhanced decision support, operational responsiveness, and external collaboration. While tailored to a specific industrial setting, the results highlight the framework’s scalability and adaptability, positioning it as a meaningful contribution toward sustainable, human-centric digital transformation in manufacturing environments. Full article

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) remains one of the most widely used synthetic polymers worldwide, primarily due to its versatility, cost-effectiveness, and broad applicability across construction, healthcare, automotive, and consumer goods industries. However, its production involves hazardous chemicals, particularly vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), which requires rigorous safety assessments. In this context, the present study applies the Inherent Safety Index (ISI) methodology to evaluate the safety performance of a suspension polymerization process for PVC production that incorporates direct water recycling as a sustainability measure. The integration of water reuse reduces the fractional water consumption index from 2.8 to 2.2 and achieves a recovered water purity of 99.6%, demonstrating clear environmental benefits in terms of resource conservation. Beyond water savings, the core objective is to assess how this integration influences the inherent risks associated with the process. The key operational stages—polymerization, VCM recovery, product purification, and water recirculation—were modeled and analyzed using computer-aided process engineering (CAPE) tools. The ISI analysis yielded a score of 33, surpassing the threshold typically associated with inherently safer designs, with VCM hazards alone contributing a score of 19 due to its high flammability and carcinogenicity. These findings reveal a critical trade-off between environmental performance and inherent safety, underscoring that resource integration measures, while beneficial for sustainability, may require complementary safety improvements. This study highlights the necessity of incorporating inherently safer design principles alongside process integration strategies to achieve balanced progress in operational efficiency, environmental responsibility, and risk minimization in PVC manufacturing. Full article

This study presents the Wood Protection Sustainability Index (WPSI), a novel decision-support tool aimed at evaluating wood preservatives utilized in Chile and facilitating a shift toward more sustainable wood protection practices. WPSI encompasses four essential attributes: protection treatment, wood durability, in-service risk, and sustainability. These are assessed under two distinct scenarios. Scenario 1 represents current market practices, where chromated copper arsenate (CCA) remains prevalent due to its accessibility and affordable cost. In contrast, Scenario 2 prioritizes sustainability, demonstrating that copper azole (CA) and alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) surpass CCA in performance, with CCA ranking lowest due to its environmental implications. Furthermore, a SWOT analysis accompanies the index, identifying key challenges and opportunities within Chile’s wood preservation industry. The findings highlight the importance of aligning national strategies with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through performance-based regulations and safer alternatives. The WPSI can be integrated with local standards, regional risk classifications, and national preservative approval systems, allowing for meaningful comparison across diverse global contexts. This approach promotes more sustainable construction practices while ensuring both technical and economic viability. Full article

Polypharmacy in older adults increases risks of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), hospitalisations, and mortality. Pharmacist-led interventions using validated tools (e.g., STOPP/START, MAI, STOPPFrail) aim to optimise prescribing, yet their impact on clinical and economic outcomes in UK/Ireland health systems remains underexplored. This systematic review aimed to critically assess the impact of pharmacist-led deprescribing interventions on PIP, clinical outcomes, and costs in older adults (≥65 years) across the UK and Ireland. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library) were searched for studies (2010–2024). Eligible studies included randomised trials, observational designs, and intervention studies in hospitals, care homes, community pharmacies, and intermediate care settings. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The risk of bias was assessed using CASP checklists. Narrative syntheses and heat maps summarised the findings. Twelve of fourteen studies reported positive outcomes: reductions in potentially inappropriate medications, ADRs, medication burdens, and falls/fall risks. Medication appropriateness improved significantly in 35% of studies using the MAI. STOPPFrail reduced PIMs in care homes, while the MAI enhanced complex hospital reviews. Community interventions improved adherence and reduced the use of fall risk drugs. No studies demonstrated a reduction in hospitalisations, mortality, or the length of stays. Economic analyses showed mixed cost-effectiveness. Key barriers included low uptake of pharmacist recommendations and short follow-up periods. Pharmacist-led interventions have significantly improved the prescribing quality and reduced medication-related risks, but they fail to impact hospitalisations or mortality due to implementation gaps. Context-specific tools and policy reforms—including expanded pharmacist roles and electronic decision support—are critical for sustainability. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and multidisciplinary integration. Full article