Search Results (35,160)

Background/Objectives: Gamification and game-based learning (GBL) have recently emerged as fresh and appealing ways of health education, and they have been shown to perform better in knowledge acquisition than traditional teaching approaches. Digital serious games are developing as innovative tools for cancer education and behaviour change, yet no review has systematically synthesized their use across key populations. This scoping review aimed to map evidence on serious games for cancer prevention, care, and survivorship among the public, patients, and healthcare professionals, framed through the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model. Methods: Following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, we searched Web of Science, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. Eligible studies evaluated a serious game with a cancer focus and reported outcomes on knowledge, awareness, engagement, education, or behaviour. Data extraction and synthesis followed the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Results: Thirty-five studies met the inclusion criteria, covering diverse cancers, populations, and platforms. Most reported improvements in knowledge, engagement, self-efficacy, and communication. However, heterogeneity in study design and limited assessment of long-term behaviour change constrained comparability. Conclusions: Digital serious games show promise for enhancing cancer literacy and supporting behavioural outcomes across patients, professionals, and the public. By integrating multiple perspectives, this review highlights opportunities for theory-driven design, robust evaluation, and implementation strategies to maximize their impact in cancer education and awareness. Full article

In this paper, we investigate the behavior of solutions to a nonlinear system of rational difference equations of order two, defined by $x_{n+1}={\displaystyle \frac{x_n{y}_{n-1}}{y_n(a+b{x}_n{y}_{n-1})}},y_{n+1}={\displaystyle \frac{y_n{z}_{n-1}}{z_n(c+d{y}_n{z}_{n-1})}},z_{n+1}={\displaystyle \frac{z_n{x}_{n-1}}{x_n(e+f{z}_n{x}_{n-1})}},$ where n denotes a nonzero integer; the parameters $a,b,c,d,e,f$ are real constants; and the initial conditions $x_{-1},x_0,y_{-1},y_0,z_{-1},z_0$ are nonzero real numbers. By applying a suitable variable transformation, we reduce the original coupled system to three independent rational difference equations. This allows for separate analysis using established methods for second-order nonlinear recurrence relations. We derive explicit solutions and examine the qualitative behavior, including boundedness and periodicity, under different conditions. Our findings contribute to the theory of rational difference equations and offer insights for higher-order systems in applied sciences. Full article

One of the most important changes after the COVID-19 pandemic was the adoption of remote or hybrid work, which has become increasingly common in many sectors and industries. In this context, based on data from a questionnaire survey, this study aims to explore the perceptions and expectations of students from two Eastern European countries—Romania and Bulgaria—regarding working from home as an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve this aim, this study is based on The Job Demands–Resources Theory and the Task–Technology Fit model, which provide an important theoretical framework in interpreting the results. The research employed a non-probability sampling method, with the final sample including 260 respondents from various bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs from two universities, 115 from Romania and 145 from Bulgaria. Data analysis was performed using descriptives statistics, nonparametric correlation analysis, nonparametric tests, as well as multinomial logistic regression and a two-step cluster analysis. The empirical results showed that there are significant differences between the two countries in terms of several aspects related to working from home. We found that the national context influences how people perceive the advantages and disadvantages of working from home and what skills are most important in the post-pandemic labor market. However, respondents have similar expectations regarding future working arrangements, with the majority wanting a hybrid work style. Consequently, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a powerful effect on how people currently work, an effect that will also continue in the future. Full article

The banking sector faces increasing pressure to balance financial performance with sustainability goals amid ongoing digital transformation, regulatory reform, and societal expectations for ethical responsibility. Entrepreneurial leadership has emerged as a pivotal approach for addressing these challenges; however, the behavioral and contextual mechanisms through which it shapes sustainability remain insufficiently understood. Drawing on Social Learning Theory (SLT), this study investigates how and when entrepreneurial leadership enhances sustainable bank performance through the mediating role of employee creativity and the moderating influence of an innovation-oriented climate. A two-wave multi-source survey was conducted among 459 employees and managers from Turkish banks, and the hypothesized model was tested using structural equation modeling to ensure robust empirical validation. The results indicate that entrepreneurial leadership significantly fosters employee creativity, which serves as a critical behavioral mechanism linking leadership behaviors to sustainability-oriented outcomes. Moreover, an innovation-oriented climate strengthens both the direct effect of entrepreneurial leadership on creativity and its indirect effect on sustainable bank performance, emphasizing the contextual importance of supportive organizational environments. Theoretically, this study extends the leadership and sustainability literature by illustrating how learning and behavioral modeling processes translate leadership vision into sustainable performance. Practically, it offers actionable guidance for bank executives to develop innovation-oriented climates, empower employees’ creative engagement, and design incentive systems that align leadership behavior with sustainability imperatives, thereby enhancing resilience and long-term competitiveness. Full article

Background: Writing self-efficacy is a central construct in educational research, grounded in Bandura’s social cognitive theory. However, most available instruments have been developed in Western and urban contexts, which limits their applicability to indigenous bilingual populations, such as Quechua-speaking students in Peru. The absence of validated scales in these contexts hinders the accurate assessment of writing self-efficacy and the implementation of educational strategies tailored to their linguistic and cultural needs. Objective: This study aimed to adapt and validate the Writing Self-Efficacy Scale (QEWSE) for Quechua-speaking students in basic education in Peru, ensuring its structural validity and reliability. Methods: An instrumental study was conducted with a sample of 265 secondary school students (50.6% female, 49.4% male), using convenience sampling. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied to evaluate the structure of the instrument. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega coefficients. Results: The four first-order factor model (Ideation, Skills, Usage, and Self-Regulation) showed adequate fit indices (CFI = 0.92; TLI = 0.91; RMSEA = 0.05 [90% CI: 0.05–0.06]; SRMR = 0.05). However, the high inter-factor correlations (≥0.85) suggest the relevance of a second-order model, which demonstrated a reasonable fit (CFI = 0.92; TLI = 0.91; RMSEA = 0.06; SRMR = 0.05), supporting the interpretation of writing self-efficacy as a global construct. The scale showed high reliability across all factors (α and ω ranged from 0.74 to 0.90). Conclusions: The QEWS-S demonstrates strong psychometric properties for assessing writing self-efficacy among Quechua-speaking students. The hierarchical second-order model offers a more accurate theoretical and empirical representation, allowing for the reporting of an overall self-efficacy score while also providing specific scores for each dimension. These results support its use in bilingual and culturally diverse contexts and lay the groundwork for future research aimed at further examining discriminant validity and developing pedagogical interventions focused on strengthening students’ confidence and writing skills. Full article

Estuaries represent quintessential coupled human–natural systems (CHNS) where the dynamic interplay between ecological processes and anthropogenic pressures (e.g., shipping, water use exploitation) challenges conventional static spatial planning approaches. Focusing on the Yangtze River Estuary—a globally significant yet intensely utilized ecosystem—this study develops an adaptive management (AM)-oriented spatial planning framework for estuarine protected areas. Our methodology integrates systematic identification of optimal zones using multi-criteria assessments of biodiversity indicators (e.g., flagship species habitats), ecological metrics (e.g., ecosystem services), and management considerations; delineation of a three-tier adaptive zoning system (Control–Functional–Seasonal) to address spatiotemporal pressures; and dynamic management strategies to mitigate human-environment conflicts. The proposed phased conservation boundary (Phase I: 664.38 km²; Phase II: 1721.94 km²) effectively balances ecological integrity with socio-economic constraints. Spatial–temporal analysis of shipping activities over five years demonstrates minimal operational interference, confirming the framework’s efficacy in reconciling conservation and development priorities. By incorporating ecological feedback mechanisms into spatial planning, this work advances a transferable model for governing contested seascapes, contributing to CHNS theory through practical tools for adaptive, conflict-sensitive conservation. The framework’s implementation in the Yangtze context provides empirical evidence that science-driven, flexible spatial planning can reduce sectoral conflicts while maintaining ecosystem functionality, offering a replicable pathway for sustainable water management of similarly complex human–natural systems worldwide. Full article

Using platform self-operation, customer reviews, and compensation commitments as traditional benchmarks, this study foregrounds blockchain traceability as a technology-enabled authenticity signal in cross-border cosmetic e-commerce (CBEC). Using an 8-scenario orthogonal experiment, we test a model in which perceived risk mediates the effects of authenticity signals on purchase intention. We probe blockchain boundary conditions by examining their interactions with traditional signals. Our results show that blockchain is the only signal with a significant direct effect on purchase intention and that it also exerts an indirect effect by reducing perceived risk. While customer reviews show no consistent effect, self-operation and compensation influence purchase intention indirectly via risk reduction. Moderation tests indicate that blockchain is most effective in low-trust settings—i.e., when self-operation, reviews, or compensation safeguards are absent or weak—while this marginal impact declines when such safeguards are strong. These findings refine signaling theory by distinguishing a technology-backed signal from institutional and social signals and by positioning perceived risk as the central mechanism in CBEC cosmetics. Managerially speaking, blockchain should serve as the anchor signal in high-risk contexts and as a reinforcing signal where traditional assurances already exist. Future work should extend to field/transactional data and additional signals (e.g., brand reputation, third-party certifications). Full article

In the resettlement process of water conservancy and hydropower projects, the effective development of resettlers’ livelihoods constitutes a vital component for safeguarding the rights of land-expropriated farmers and maintaining social stability. The sustainability of resettlers’ livelihoods depends on both resource endowments and their behavioral intentions. However, the traditional Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA) has largely neglected behavioral driving mechanisms, thereby limiting the precision of related research. Drawing on the SLA and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study incorporates willingness to develop as a perceived behavioral control variable into the analysis of resettlers’ livelihood capital and constructs a research model that outlines sustainable development pathways under the influence of livelihood status and perceived control. Based on this model, the sustainable livelihood capacity of 195 resettler households in Guangdong Province was comprehensively evaluated, after which the obstacle degree model was used to identify key obstacle factors across various livelihood strategies. The results demonstrate that sustainable livelihood capacity is influenced by livelihood capital, the livelihood environment, and willingness to develop, with the latter and financial capital emerging as the most significant obstacles. This framework can support the sustainable livelihood development of resettlers under evolving conditions and offer policy-makers sustainability-oriented recommendations. Full article

Amid China’s pursuit of its “dual carbon” goals, systematic theoretical and empirical research remains limited to the potential role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing firms’ carbon emission performance (CEP). From a systems perspective, this study developed a dynamic learning game model that integrates a constant elasticity of substitution (CES) production function, an AI-enabled abatement function, and institutional constraints to analyze firms’ cleaner production and technology adoption under simultaneous budgetary and emission constraints. Empirically, we drew on panel data of 3404 Chinese A-share listed firms from 2013 to 2023 and employ a two-way fixed-effect model to examine the effect of AI empowerment on CEP. The results showed that AI significantly improves CEP overall, though its effect is potentially constrained by energy rebound effects. Robustness checks using alternative measures and specifications confirmed the reliability of the findings and further indicated that AI’s abatement effect became stronger after 2018, consistent with technological maturity and institutional improvement. Mechanism analysis suggests two plausible pathways: (1) improving ESG performance and strengthening environmental governance; and (2) stimulating green innovation to support low-carbon technology development and application. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that AI’s effects are more evident in regions with higher marketization, in private firms, and in non-pollution-intensive industries. By contrast, firms led by executives with overseas experience tend to exhibit weaker effects, a pattern consistent with institutional fit and localization considerations. This study contributes to cleaner production theory by highlighting firm-level mechanisms of AI-enabled carbon governance while offering practical insights for low-carbon transitions and digital decarbonization strategies in developing economies. Full article

Host-vector contact rates influence the spread of several vector-borne infections, including avian haemoparasites. To investigate the ecological mechanisms underlying avian disease dynamics, we examined haemoparasite prevalences in relation to bird life-history attributes. Using previously collected data of 1003 birds sampled from an Afrotropical region, we tested the hypothesis that a bird’s behavioural traits and habitat do not influence the chances of infection. Overall, infection prevalence did not differ significantly between gregarious and solitary birds, nor across association categories (wild, mixed, anthropogenic). However, significant differences in infection were detected across haemoparasite genera. Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon showed distinct infection patterns in relation to host behavioural traits and habitats. Moreover, there were significant differences in infection prevalence based on movement patterns (resident, nomadic, migratory) and foraging strata (ground, mixed, aerial). These results enhance our avian parasitology theories, indicating that behavioural traits and habitat also have parasite-genus-dependent impacts on infection prevalence. Our research demonstrates that behavioural characteristics have an unequal impact on haemoparasite prevalence, indicating that no single factor can accurately predict the probability of infection at an Afrotropical setting. Full article

Environmental fines compel corporations to strengthen compliance, adopt sustainable practices, and integrate eco-innovation. This enhances legitimacy, reduces risks, and supports long-term sustainable performance across industries. Despite this importance, its effect on corporate sustainability performance (CSP) and the moderating roles of corporate governance quality, firm size, and institutional ownership remain underexplored, creating significant knowledge gaps. This study applied stakeholder and institutional theory to address these gaps, using data from 187 non-financial firms listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange between 2006 and 2024, obtained from Thomson Reuters Eikon DataStream. Three advanced estimation models—augmented mean group (AMG), common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG), and generalized method of moments (GMM)—were employed. Findings indicate that environmental fines have a positive and significant effect on CSP. Moreover, the moderating effects of governance quality, firm size, and institutional ownership also positively and significantly influence CSP. Strong governance enables firms to transform fines into strategic opportunities, driving sustainability investments, improving risk management, and fostering accountability that aligns operations with regulatory and stakeholder expectations. Full article

This study investigates how corporate culture, work atmosphere, leadership, and pathological workplace relationships are linked to employees’ psychological well-being. Drawing on the JD-R framework and COR theory, we conceptualise supportive team dynamics and toxic interpersonal processes as parallel conditions shaping well-being at work. Survey data from 441 Slovak employees were analysed using a dual-moderated mediation model. The results show that corporate culture is positively associated with well-being mainly through its relationship with the work atmosphere, confirming the mediating role of workplace climate. Leadership moderates this pathway by attenuating the indirect association between culture and well-being. Contrary to expectations, pathological relationships did not exhibit a significant moderating effect, indicating that their role may be more complex and context-dependent. These findings extend existing models of employee well-being by incorporating negative social phenomena to an integrative framework. The study underscores the importance of examining both supportive and toxic aspects of organisational life simultaneously. Practically, the results suggest that fostering a positive culture, a healthy work atmosphere, and effective leadership practices can jointly strengthen employees’ psychological well-being. Full article

Fresnel wave surfaces, or isofrequency light shells, provide a powerful framework for describing electromagnetic wave propagation in anisotropic media, yet their applicability is restricted to reciprocal, lossless materials and far-field radiation. This paper extends the concept by incorporating near-field effects and non-Hermitian responses arising in media with loss, gain, or non-reciprocity. Using the Om-potential approach to macroscopic electromagnetism, we reinterpret near fields as off-shell electromagnetic modes, in analogy with off-shell states in quantum field theory. Formally, both QFT off-shell states and electromagnetic near-field modes lie away from the dispersion shell; physically, however, wavefunctions of fundamental particles admit no external sources (virtual contributions live only inside propagators), whereas macroscopic electromagnetic near-fields are intrinsically source-generated by charges, currents, and boundaries and are therefore directly measurable—for example via near-field probes and momentum-resolved imaging—making “off-shell” language more natural and operational in our setting. We show that photonic density of states (PDOS) distributions near Fresnel surfaces acquire Lorentzian broadening in non-reciprocal media, directly linking this effect to the Beer–Bouguer–Lambert law of exponential attenuation or amplification. Furthermore, we demonstrate how Abraham and Minkowski momenta, locked to light shells in the far field, naturally shift to characterize source structures in the near-field regime. This unified treatment bridges the gap between sources and radiation, on-shell and off-shell modes, and reciprocal and non-reciprocal responses. The framework provides both fundamental insight into structured light and practical tools for the design of emitters and metamaterial platforms relevant to emerging technologies such as 6G communications, photonic density-of-states engineering, and non-Hermitian photonics. Full article

This study examines how large-scale school infrastructure reforms shape teaching practice, using Australia’s Building the Education Revolution (BER) initiative as a case example. Guided by Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), the research explores how redesigned learning environments act as mediating tools that influence pedagogy, collaboration, and teacher wellbeing. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed, combining survey data from 34 teachers with focus group interviews involving 13 participants in a redeveloped Victorian Primary School, Australia. Quantitative results showed that 70.5% of teachers reported changes in their teaching practices directly linked to the new infrastructure, with 100% affirming that they had enhanced collaboration opportunities. Qualitative findings revealed that features such as breakout rooms, shared learning zones, and transparent sightlines enabled differentiated instruction, co-teaching, and improved supervision, while also fostering professional pride and collegial support. Contradictions emerged around automated lighting systems, limited display space, and partial teacher consultation during the design process. CHAT analysis demonstrated how physical spaces interact with rules, community, and division of labour within the school activity system, producing both enabling conditions and systemic tensions. The study underscores the need for infrastructure planning to be pedagogically informed, inclusive of teacher voice, and designed to support adaptive, collaborative, and inclusive teaching practices. Full article

Implementing environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure is critical for manufacturers’ sustainable development and high-quality growth. Amid manufacturing agglomeration, firms’ spatial concentration reshapes value creation and risk exposure, affecting ESG performance. Using 2010–2023 data from Chinese A-share listed manufacturers, this study empirically examines agglomeration’s impact on corporate ESG performance, based on heterogeneous firm and stakeholder theories. Results show agglomeration significantly improves ESG performance, via enhanced productivity (internal) and greater compliance pressure (external). Further analysis finds ESG performance mitigates adverse selection in agglomeration ecosystems, while cluster peer effects strengthen long-term ESG engagement, aligning with stakeholders’ demands for transparency and accountability. This enriches manufacturing agglomeration-ESG literature, guiding policymakers and firms in integrating sustainability into clustered development. Full article