Search Results (93,473)

The accelerating aging of China’s rural labor force—characterized by an ‘earlier and more severe’ trajectory in rural areas compared to urban ones—poses a fundamental challenge to agricultural modernization, yet its implications for the development of agricultural productive services remain poorly understood. This study addresses a central question for agricultural sustainability: does rural labor aging act as a ‘catalyst’ or a ‘stumbling block’ for the development of agricultural productive services? To address this question, we employ fixed-effects, panel threshold regression, and mediation models using provincial panel data from 2011 to 2022, systematically investigating the nonlinear effects and transmission mechanisms. A significant single threshold is identified at an aging rate of 8.17%. Below this threshold, labor aging promotes productive service development via a demand-pull effect; above it, the promoting effect weakens substantially due to an adoption-inhibition effect driven by human capital decline. Mechanism analysis reveals a negative mediating role of cultivated land scale management: land concentration induced by labor aging, without corresponding human capital upgrades, is associated with “inefficient scale management” as reflected in the suppression of service development. While our empirical measure captures operational scale rather than efficiency per se, this negative mediation pattern is consistent with the presence of an inefficiency trap. Heterogeneity analysis shows the strongest inhibitory effect in northeast China, while eastern regions with strong factor substitution capacity are less affected. As most provinces had crossed the threshold by 2022, policies should shift from leveraging the dividend period to addressing deep-aging challenges, including breaking the trap of inefficient scale management and adopting region-specific strategies. These findings highlight that achieving agricultural sustainability in an aging society requires shifting from relying on the demographic dividend to proactively overcoming the structural lock-in of deep aging. Our proposed policies could contribute to fostering a more resilient and sustainable agricultural system in China, and may also offer valuable references for other rapidly aging economies with appropriate contextual adaptation. Full article

In this publication we investigate in depth the design, architecture and implementation of a bio and cultural guiding system with augmented capabilities. Our platform will be able to provide a flexible and user-friendly application for smart mobile devices with Android OS, which will be able to provide to the user the ability to discover nearby places of interest such as museums, archeological sites, religious sites, natural beauty sites, etc. In addition, our application is able to offer users an enhanced, comprehensive and augmented tour experience, based on visual and audio smartphone services, using asynchronous and real-time user–server communication mechanisms, thus eliminating the need for a human tour guide operator in cases of a remote area, guiding service cost or unavailable time slot. The proposed platform integrates visual overlays, audio narration, Geolocation services, and cloud-based data management to enable users to explore cultural, historical, and natural points of interest without the need for a human tour guide. A modular, layered system architecture is developed, combining Firebase Realtime Database, RESTful web services, OpenStreetMap-based navigation, and Android-native components to ensure scalability, flexibility, and real-time responsiveness. UML modeling, including class and sequence diagrams, is employed to formally describe system structure and behavior, while a mathematical data model validates the consistency of the underlying database schema. The implementation demonstrates how AR guiding systems can enhance spatial understanding, accessibility, and user engagement while supporting sustainable tourism practices and efficient destination management. The results indicate that the proposed solution is technically feasible, user-centered, and adaptable to diverse bio-cultural contexts, contributing to the advancement of intelligent, inclusive, and sustainable digital tourism platforms. Full article

The tourism industries of the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, and the Taiwan region are globally competitive yet diverse, but persistent developmental disparities have hindered robust inbound tourism cooperation. This study assesses the synergistic potential and driving factors of the joint inbound tourism market among the Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Using panel data from 16 source countries (2000–2021), we construct a coupling framework for the inbound tourism relationship circle. We develop an inbound tourism relationship index and employ text analysis alongside ArcGIS Pro3.4.1-based spatiotemporal mapping to reveal the dynamic evolution of coupling coordination. A panel model is then applied to examine six influencing factors: economic, geographic, population, cultural, visa, and institutional. The results indicate that the coupling coordination degree remains generally high, though with stage-specific variations. Population, visa, and institutional factors exert significant positive effects, while economic and geographic factors show significant negative effects—economic because smaller-economy source countries are more likely to treat the four regions as a combined destination, facilitating inter-regional synergy, and geographic because greater distance raises travel costs and reduces visitor flows, thereby weakening coordination. Cultural factors are insignificant. Future efforts should prioritize visa facilitation and institutional building, providing a reference for market promotion, national integration, and sustainable regional cooperation. Full article

This study investigates the enhancement of long-distance microwave wireless power transfer (WPT) performance by utilizing naturally formed evaporation ducts near the sea surface. The parabolic equation method is applied to analyze how emission height, frequency, evaporation duct height and receiving aperture influence multiple convergence points and power distribution. Results show that increasing emission height transforms the power pattern from a single- to a multi-layer structure, improving spatial coverage and providing additional transmission options while slightly reducing near-surface power concentration. Higher frequencies strengthen beam confinement, with the power ratio P_e at 12 GHz, about 2.7 times higher than that at 8 GHz. Furthermore, a higher EDH enhances power trapping, leading to a more complex vertical field structure and increased field strength. A larger receiving aperture also improves performance, with a 3 m aperture at 12 GHz achieving 2.5 times the power ratio of a 1 m aperture. Optimizing these parameters facilitates consistent and efficient power delivery over long distances. The findings provide theoretical support for developing sustainable wireless power transmission systems, particularly for offshore platforms, maritime vessels, and remote-area power networks. Full article

Against the global imperative to advance higher education for sustainable development and institutional transformation in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), coherent governance architectures have been recognized as a foundational prerequisite for enabling universities to embed sustainability into values into core operations, teaching, research, and community engagement. Drawing on socio-technical systems theory and complex adaptive systems thinking, this study analyzes 167 central-level policy documents (2015–2023) related to China’s Higher Education “Delegation, Regulation, and Service” reform to examine how governance intentions are translated into organizational control mechanisms. A dual-dimensional analytical framework is developed that conceptualizes policy objectives as system goals and policy instruments as control levers, combining content analysis with fuzzy systems methodology to quantify system coupling. The findings reveal distinct emergent patterns: governance objectives exhibit structural differentiation with functional complementarity, whereas the synergy of control levers is shaped by their functional roles and organizational adaptability. More importantly, a selective pattern of structural–functional decoupling is identified. Coupling between Improving Quality and its supporting levers declines substantially over the study period, while coupling involving Stimulating Vitality exhibits marked volatility and an overall decline. By contrast, coupling associated with Breaking Down Institutional Barriers and Improving the Modern University System remains consistently high. These differentiated patterns suggest that governance misalignment is concentrated in quality- and vitality-related objectives rather than occurring uniformly across the governance system. The study provides a diagnostic framework for assessing governance coherence as a prerequisite for organizational capacity-building, contributing to both sustainability governance research and the design of more coherent institutional governance systems. Full article

Studying sustainability in marine and coastal tourism within national parks is essential to balance visitor use with the conservation of fragile ecosystems and biodiversity. In this context, the Galápagos Archipelago is a major coastal and marine destination in Ecuador, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The aim of this empirical study was (i) to identify the principal motivational dimensions in sustainable coastal and marine destinations; (ii) to determine which motivations significantly predict tourist satisfaction in these contexts; and (iii) to establish which motivations influence loyalty in sustainable coastal and marine destinations. The research was conducted in situ, obtaining 407 valid questionnaires. Multiple regression analysis and exploratory factor analysis were applied. The results reveal six motivational factors: learning; heritage and nature; sun and beach; sports; authentic coastal experience; novelty; and social interaction. The motivation that most strongly predicts satisfaction is heritage and nature, followed by novelty. Likewise, the motivation that most strongly predicts loyalty is heritage and nature, with additional influence from sun and beach and sports motivations. These findings provide practical guidance for the development of sustainable destination management plans and contribute to the academic literature on sustainability, satisfaction, and loyalty in coastal and marine tourism contexts. Full article

Polymer-modified asphalt has been widely used to improve pavement durability under increasing traffic loads and complex environmental conditions. Styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) is one of the most effective elastomer modifiers. It can form a polymer-rich network within asphalt. Styrene–methyl methacrylate copolymer-based modifier (SMC) can be produced from recycled rubber and plastic resources. It has attracted increasing attention because of its potential compatibility, processability, and environmental benefits. This paper reviews the modification mechanisms, rheological properties, fatigue performance, aging resistance, and engineering applications of SBS-, SMC-, and SMC–SBS-modified asphalt and mixtures. Particular attention is given to the synergistic effects between SBS and SMC, including polymer swelling, phase morphology, network formation, interfacial compatibility, and durability evolution. Existing studies indicate that SBS mainly improves elastic recovery and high-temperature deformation resistance. In contrast, SMC can enhance workability, low-temperature flexibility, and construction compatibility. Their composite modification shows strong potential for balancing high-temperature, low-temperature, fatigue, and aging performance. However, current studies are still limited by insufficient quantitative comparisons, unclear microstructural mechanisms, and the lack of unified evaluation methods. Future studies should establish multi-scale structure–property–durability models. The modifier dosage range should also be optimized. This review provides a systematic reference for the development of high-performance and sustainable polymer-modified asphalt materials. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic packaging has promoted the development of biodegradable materials derived from agro-industrial residues. In this study, starch extracted from green banana peel waste was used to produce biodegradable starch–glycerol films for food-packaging applications. Nine film formulations (PPM1–WP6) were prepared using starch obtained through different extraction approaches, including parenchyma-only and whole-peel processing, with and without sodium metabisulfite treatment. The extracted starches were characterized through proximate composition analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The resulting films were evaluated for structural, thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties using FTIR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), water vapor permeability (WVP), and water solubility (WS). The films exhibited characteristic starch functional groups, semicrystalline structures, thermal degradation temperatures ranging from 283 to 302 °C, and viscoelastic behavior associated with plasticized polymeric matrices. Increasing glycerol concentration improved film flexibility, whereas sodium metabisulfite treatment enhanced mechanical strength. Films prepared from whole-peel starch showed higher WVP and WS values than those obtained from parenchyma starch. A randomized factorial design was used to optimize film performance for maximum tensile strength and minimum water solubility. Among the evaluated formulations, PPM2 (4% starch with sodium metabisulfite treatment) was identified as the optimal formulation and was statistically validated. These findings demonstrate the potential of green banana peel waste as a sustainable source of starch for developing biodegradable films with promising applications in food packaging. Full article

Municipal organic waste is one of the types of waste generated mainly in households but also by other producers. The key to managing this waste is to use appropriate treatment processes to reduce its negative impacts on the environment. The composting process involves the decomposition of persistent organic pollutants and their binding with the organic fraction. This study involved quantitative and qualitative research and analyses of organic waste contained in mixed municipal waste and selectively collected waste in Poland between 2020 and 2024. The aim of the study was to compare the final parameters of two types of organic waste after biological treatment, assess their potential management pathways within the circular economy, and discuss their potential relevance to greenhouse gas mitigation. The research results showed that, after applying the same biological processes to the two analyzed organic waste streams, the final products exhibited significant differences in physicochemical parameters, which necessitates the use of different management methods. The first end product can be classified as compost—a potential fertilizer—and must meet quality requirements for an organic soil improver. The second end product can be used for land reclamation if it meets all three criteria: an AT₄ (four-day aerobic respiration activity of the material) value of <10 mgO₂/g dry weight, loss on ignition of less than 35%, and organic carbon content of less than 20% dry weight. The products of the biological treatment of organic waste include fertilizers and stabilized waste intended for further processing. Full article

Plastic packaging is indispensable in modern food and beverage supply chains. However, its production and end-of-life management require substantial primary energy inputs. Improving the energy efficiency of packaging systems is therefore a key objective of circular economy strategies. This study applies Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the cumulative energy demand (CED) of a beverage packaging system comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) bottles, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) caps, and polypropylene (PP) labels under two end-of-life scenarios: recycling and landfilling. The assessment was performed using Polish production and waste-management conditions (2022–2024). A functional unit of 100,000 complete 1 L beverage packages was adopted, and the life cycle inventory combined primary industrial data with background datasets from the ecoinvent database. Recycling scenarios were modelled using a substitution-based allocation (system expansion) approach. The results indicate that non-renewable energy accounted for approximately 88–97% of the total cumulative energy demand of the analysed packaging components. Among the investigated materials, PP labels exhibited the highest component-specific cumulative energy demand, whereas rPET bottles showed the lowest values, corresponding to an approximately 13% lower energy demand than conventional PET bottles under the adopted modelling assumptions. Recycling consistently outperformed landfilling by reducing cumulative primary energy demand across all analysed impact categories, with the greatest energy-saving potential observed for PP labels. Negative CED values obtained for selected recycling scenarios represent avoided primary energy resulting from virgin material substitution rather than physically negative energy consumption. The findings demonstrate that component-level LCA provides a robust basis for identifying energy hotspots within plastic packaging systems and supports evidence-based decisions regarding eco-design, material selection, and recycling strategies. Although the absolute CED values are specific to Polish production and recycling conditions, the overall results confirm that material recycling is a more energy-efficient end-of-life strategy than landfilling and contributes to the development of more sustainable circular packaging systems. Full article

This paper examines the concept of the culture of space in early childhood education and care (ECEC), building on contemporary perspectives that understand space as an active factor in children’s development, learning, and socialization. The study aims to identify and define the dimensions of the culture of space in relevant interdisciplinary literature and to examine their representation in national and international strategic documents related to ECEC. The analysis is based on socio-constructivist perspectives, the phenomenology of space, the concepts of place identity and sense of place, and the Reggio Emilia approach. The findings indicate that the culture of space comprises interconnected physical, social, symbolic, cultural, digital, and pedagogical dimensions that shape children’s experiences and support belonging, identity formation, cultural awareness, spatial competences, and sustainable relationships with the environment. International policy documents published by OECD, UNESCO, and UNICEF emphasize that well-designed learning environments and sensitivity to cultural context are essential indicators of ECEC quality. Space should be understood as a culturally and pedagogically constructed medium that actively supports children’s development, identity formation, and community building. Full article

Jackfruit seeds (JFSs) are an underutilized agro-industrial by-product with considerable nutritional and functional potential for sustainable food fermentation. This study evaluated the feasibility of using jackfruit seed flour as a partial malt substitute in beer brewing at replacement levels of 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% (w/w). Fresh jackfruit seeds were processed into flour, gelatinized, and mashed with pale ale malt in the presence of α-amylase before fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lutra kveik ale yeast. The physicochemical properties of the raw materials, starch hydrolysis during mashing, beer quality attributes, and volatile aroma compounds were investigated. Compared with pale ale malt, JFS contained higher crude protein (13.22%), total phenolic content (476.66 mg GAE/100 g), and antioxidant activity. HPLC-IR analysis demonstrated the formation of fermentable sugars during mashing, although starch conversion from JFS remained incomplete at higher substitution levels. Increasing JFS substitution significantly enhanced beer foamability (up to 142.22%) and foam stability (112.84 s), which was attributed to the higher protein content of the seeds. However, beers containing higher proportions of JFS exhibited darker color and increased turbidity, reaching 680 NTU at 75% substitution. HS-SPME-GC-MS analysis revealed changes in alcohols, esters, and ketones with increasing JFS substitution. These findings demonstrate that jackfruit seed flour can serve as a sustainable malt adjunct for beer production, improving selected quality attributes while valorizing agricultural by-products. The study highlights the potential of jackfruit seeds as a functional brewing ingredient that supports the development of sustainable and next-generation fermented beverages. Full article

Introduction: Transparency and public reporting have become central components of quality governance in cardiothoracic surgery, promoting professional accountability, supporting informed patient decision-making, and strengthening public trust. Their importance is particularly evident in a specialty characterized by technically demanding procedures and high clinical risk. Aims and Objectives: This narrative review examines the impact of public reporting of cardiothoracic surgical outcomes on clinical practice, ethical decision-making, surgeon well-being, and patient choice. It explores both the intended benefits of transparency and its potential unintended consequences. Unlike previous reviews focusing primarily on quality metrics or reporting systems, this review integrates clinical evidence with ethical analysis to propose a balanced framework for responsible transparency in cardiothoracic surgery. Materials and Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases. Relevant articles published between 2000 and 2026 were identified using the search terms “cardiothoracic surgery,” “public reporting,” “transparency,” and “risk adjustment.” Results: Public reporting has been associated with improved benchmarking, enhanced quality improvement initiatives, greater institutional accountability, and more informed patient choice. Evidence also suggests modest improvements in selected clinical outcomes. However, these benefits may be accompanied by unintended effects, including risk-averse decision-making, avoidance of high-risk cases, distortion of clinical judgment, reduced willingness to adopt innovative techniques, and potential inequities for institutions caring for more complex patient populations. Conclusions: Public reporting should evolve beyond the simple disclosure of performance metrics toward an ethically grounded model of transparency that is context-sensitive, appropriately risk-adjusted, and patient-centered. Such an approach should promote shared accountability, emphasize continuous quality improvement rather than punitive performance assessment, and incorporate expert clinical interpretation to ensure fairness, preserve innovation, and support equitable patient care. Full article

Lighting in hospital patient rooms supports appropriate visual conditions, patient well-being, and sustainability-oriented healthcare retrofit decisions. Although previous studies have examined daylighting or artificial-lighting systems in healthcare buildings, limited research has systematically compared practical retrofit strategies within a consistent framework while considering both illuminance quantity and spatial uniformity. This study evaluates two existing single-bed patient rooms at Fırat University Hospital in Elazığ, Türkiye. The rooms had comparable dimensions but differed in façade orientation and window width. Three-dimensional models were developed in DIALux Evo 13, and simulations were conducted for the summer and winter solstices under clear- and overcast-sky conditions at 09:00, 12:00, and 18:00, together with an artificial-lighting-only scenario at 00:00. The scenarios included the existing lighting condition, increased wall reflectance, two LED luminaire replacement systems, and combined daylight and artificial-lighting conditions. Lighting performance was assessed using average illuminance, lighting uniformity, and daylight factor. Independent field measurements at 12 points showed close agreement with the simulations, with a mean absolute percentage error of 2.86%, an RMSE of 5.68 lx, and R² = 0.9996. The south-facing room generally received more daylight, but higher illuminance was often accompanied by lower uniformity. Under artificial-lighting-only conditions, increasing wall reflectance raised visual-task-area illuminance by 4.2–4.9%, whereas the LED systems produced increases of 48.6–53.7% in the north-facing room and 93.8–101.2% in the south-facing room. Overall, wall-reflectance modification provided a moderate improvement, whereas LED replacement produced greater improvements in illuminance and spatial uniformity. The findings provide preliminary, context-specific guidance for sustainability-oriented hospital patient-room retrofit projects. Full article