Search Results (1,705)

This research explores the roles of perceived teacher support, L2 grit, and Foreign Language Enjoyment (FLE) in willingness to communicate (WTC) in English among Pakistani university students, thereby filling a contextual gap in Pakistani multilingual society. It utilized a quantitative cross-sectional design based on the WTC pyramid model by MacIntyre et al. and positive psychology. Adapted scales were used to gather data on 1050 multidisciplinary Pakistani English learners, who were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The main findings can be summarized as follows: (1) perceived teacher support had a small but significant direct effect on L2 WTC; (2) L2 grit had a strong and significant direct effect on L2 WTC; and (3) more importantly, FLE had a significant mediating effect. Indirectly, teacher support was the key factor in improving the L2 WTC, as evidenced by a significant increase in FLE. Though the impact of L2 grit was mostly direct, it was also indirect through FLE. This model explained 45.9 percent of the variation in L2 WTC. These findings highlight FLE, a favorable emotion, as the key channel through which environmental support (teacher support) and personal resilience (L2 grit) are translated into communicative willingness. The results confirm the inclusion of positive psychology into the multi-layered L2 WTC model, which emphasizes the importance of FLE in connecting cognition and emotion. This has important pedagogical implications for EFL/ESL contexts in Pakistan, where teachers should create engaging learning experiences, provide multidimensional support, and foster learners’ perseverance to enhance communicative interaction. Full article

Urban stormwater management presents significant challenges for municipalities seeking to balance environmental resilience with financial considerations and social equity. This study investigates the factors shaping residents’ willingness to pay (WTP) for a proposed stormwater management fee in Norwalk, Connecticut, within the context of local sustainability plans. A survey of 457 residents assessed demographics, personal beliefs, perceptions of benefits, risks, and WTP. Since participation was voluntary and open, an exact response rate could not be calculated, and the resulting respondent profile differed from city benchmarks. The results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics alongside a Random Forest machine learning model assessing two payment scenarios, achieving classification accuracies above the majority-class baseline (approximately 60–68%). Across both scenarios, expectations of tangible and locally visible outcomes, including infrastructure upgrades and climate resilience improvements, were the strongest determinants of WTP. When respondents evaluated a specific fee amount rather than a general modest fee, concerns about affordability and program effectiveness became more influential and revealed the conditional nature of financial support. The findings illustrate the value of machine learning for analyzing public attitudes toward environmental finance and highlight how policy framing, transparency, and communication shape acceptance of sustainability measures. These insights provide a data-driven foundation for future research on public engagement and equity in local environmental policy and stormwater plan development. Full article

Seabed mining has gained widespread attention under the blue economy concept, offering economic opportunities while posing significant environmental risks. In Sri Lanka, where mining of seabed resources is growing, understanding public perceptions and preferences for seabed conservation remain crucial to ensure sustainable resource management. This study, therefore, represents the first empirical assessment of public preference and Willingness to Pay (WTP) for seabed conservation in Sri Lanka. A Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE)-based approach was employed to assess public preferences for seabed conservation. Data were collected from 630 respondents across Sri Lanka using a pre-tested self-administered structured survey. The analysis employed Conditional Logit (CL) and Random Parameter Logit (RPL) models to estimate preference heterogeneity and attribute trade-offs. The findings of the study reported strong public support, with a WTP of Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) 3532 per household per year for seabed conservation. Younger, well-educated individuals demonstrated a significantly higher preference for seabed conservation. Biodiversity loss (66.9%), physical damage to seabed (40.7%) and exploitation of natural resources (17.8%) were recognized as major consequences of sea bed mining, highlighting the need for stringent regulatory frameworks (34%) and public engagement (44%) in sustainable seabed conservation. The RPL model revealed significant preference heterogeneity for key attributes. A significant positive preference for a 30% reduction in mineral extraction (coefficient = 0.894, p < 0.05) reinforces public preference for stricter extraction limits. A 25% reduction for biodiversity and habitat destruction (coefficient = 0.010, p < 0.05) reflects public concern for seabed conservation in the context of ongoing marine resource related economic development activities. These results underscore the importance of integrating economic valuation into seabed conservation policies, ensuring that seabed mining activities align with sustainability goals. The study suggests targeted awareness campaigns, financial incentives, and inclusive policymaking to bridge socio-economic disparities and foster long-term public support for seabed conservation. These insights provide a critical foundation for policymakers to develop balanced approaches that promote economic benefits, while safeguarding marine ecosystems within Sri Lanka’s blue economy framework. Full article

Short food supply chains are an increasingly important topic within the academic community, as is research into the factors influencing consumers’ intention to buy at farmers’ markets. This study examines the influence of consumers’ product perception and product knowledge on purchase intention at farmers’ markets. Data were collected at farmers’ markets in Croatia. A total of 255 valid responses were analysed using exploratory factor analysis and hierarchical regression. Demographically, respondents were predominantly women aged 46–55 with higher education and middle-income levels (family annual income of EUR 20,000 to 40,000). Results indicate that both product perception and product knowledge significantly affect purchase intention at farmers’ markets. Consumers generally view farmers’ market products as superior in quality and value, and they place high trust in farmers’ expertise. The findings suggest that attributes such as freshness, safety, and authenticity, combined with product knowledge-sharing by farmers, strengthen consumer trust and increase their willingness to pay and to recommend these products to family and relatives. Full article

The willingness to adopt Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) represents a crucial advancement from the sustainable mobility perspective. This is progressively continuing in the developed countries. A comparable shift is expected in developing nations; however, empirical studies remain limited, especially in areas where AVs have not yet been deployed. This study investigates the willingness to adopt AVs in a developing city where AVs have not been deployed yet. A comprehensive travel behavior questionnaire was conducted among local commuters in Alexandria, Egypt, to identify the influential variables affecting AV choice. The well-known machine learning classifier, Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), was employed to develop a forecasting model, which indicated a notable accuracy. The results indicated that trip cost was the most influential feature. On the other hand, there is a considerable level of mode captivity, since most travelers prefer to remain with their current mode, regardless of the effects of other variables. A significant share of travelers expressed concerns about shifting to AVs due to safety worries associated with the travel behavior of other transportation modes’ commuters. The analysis provides nuanced perspectives on the variables promoting modal shift toward the AVs, supporting future policies for smart urban mobility. Full article

The agroecological (AE) transition of agri-food systems can help address climate change impacts in Tunisia, including reduced local food production and high import dependency, but it requires understanding consumer behavior toward eco-friendly food products. Thus, a survey of 521 Tunisian consumers was conducted to assess environmental awareness and willingness to pay (WTP) for food produced under AE practices. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that sustainable consumption is mainly influenced by knowledge of AE practices, which is stronger among consumers with higher education and income. However, WTP for sustainable products remains low, making it essential to develop marketing strategies that target distinct demographic groups, improve product labeling, and enhance environmental education. Full article

Background/Objectives: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is an important global health concern associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Despite established guidelines for VTE treatment, there is a gap between clinical recommendations and their implementation in practice because of limited accessibility, particularly in low- and middle-income countries and among patients with cancer. This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) on VTE in patients with cancer at a Thai university-affiliated hospital. Methods: A cost–utility analysis using a Markov model was developed to estimate costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of DOACs and low-molecular weight heparin (LWMH) in Thai patients with cancer aged over 60 years. The model with eight health states, including CAT on treatment, pulmonary embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (CRNMB), non-intracranial hemorrhage major bleeding (non-ICH MB), intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), off treatment, and any death, was developed with a one-month cycle length and used to estimate costs and health outcomes from a societal perspective with a lifetime horizon. The efficacy and safety of DOACs compared to LMWH were obtained from a network meta-analysis, while the costs were based on a Thai university hospital database. All costs and outcomes were discounted at 3%, and the Thai societal willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold (THB 160,000 per QALY gained) was applied. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated to compare costs and QALYs of the interventions. Results: The total lifetime cost of LMWH was THB 70,928 (USD 2,163), while for apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban, the costs were THB 26,323 (USD 803), THB 33,667 (USD 1,027), THB 29,570 (USD 902), and THB 22,310 (USD 680), respectively. The QALYs for LMWH, apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban were 0.771, 0.775, 0.746, 0.759, and 0.770 QALYs, respectively. Compared to LMWH, apixaban provided 0.004 additional QALYs, with a decreased cost of THB 44,605 (USD 1,360), resulting in reduced expenses. On the other hand, dabigatran, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban were also associated with lower lifetime costs but reduced life-years and QALYs when compared with LMWH. Conclusions: This study revealed that apixaban is likely to be the preferred option for treating patients with CAT. However, policy decision-making process should take into account the uncertainties related to the implementation of this practice. Full article

Increasing consumption of plant-based alternatives is promoted to reduce the environmental impact of food systems, yet adoption remains limited. The aim of this study was to identify distinct consumer segments and examine differences in their perceptions, consumption habits, and trial intentions concerning plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDAs). Conceptually, it advances PBDAs segmentation by jointly incorporating pro-dairy justifications, avoidance of animal-origin considerations, and self-reported PBDAs familiarity, capturing psychological defence mechanisms alongside knowledge-related influences on adoption. Data were collected in a nationwide cross-sectional CAWI survey of 1220 Polish adults responsible for household food purchasing, stratified and quota-matched by gender, age, region, and settlement size. Factor analysis of the segmenting variables was conducted using principal component analysis with varimax rotation, followed by two-step cluster analysis. Alternative cluster solutions were compared using the Bayesian Information Criterion based on the log-likelihood (BIC-LL). The selected five-cluster solution showed acceptable to good clustering quality, as indicated by silhouette-based measures of cohesion and separation. Given the cross-sectional CAWI design and reliance on self-reported measures, the findings do not allow causal inference and should be interpreted as context-specific to the Polish, dairy-centric food culture. Cluster analysis identified five segments that differed in PBDA-related beliefs, product image evaluations, consumption patterns, and trial intentions. PBDA-oriented segments, comprising a dairy-critical segment and a dual-consumption segment, exhibited higher perceived familiarity and stronger ethical and environmental concerns and showed greater PBDA use and willingness to try new products. The dual-consumption segment reported the highest use and trial readiness. In contrast, resistant segments showed stronger dairy attachment, lower perceived familiarity, and more sceptical evaluations of PBDAs’ healthfulness, naturalness, and sensory appeal, and rarely consumed plant-based alternatives. The findings highlight substantial heterogeneity in how Polish dairy consumers perceive PBDAs, emphasising the importance of segment-specific approaches for communication and product development. Tailored strategies can help address the diverse motivations and barriers of consumers, supporting a dietary shift toward more plant-based options. Full article

This study employs Gaussian kernel principal component analysis to construct a composite indicator of environmental behavior willingness from nine dimensions. Using multiple categorical ordered linear regression models and their interaction models, it examines the differential influence mechanisms of social strata (economic status, education, social prestige) and environmental perception from gender, inter-provincial, and regional perspectives. Key empirical findings are the following: (1) Environmental willingness formed within the same social stratum based on shared perception levels shows consistent characteristics, with no significant gender differences observed. (2) Higher education deepens understanding of environmental policies, promoting the shift from awareness to willingness. However, it also enhances recognition of environmental complexity, which may foster a situational sense of powerlessness, often channeled into systemic advocacy rather than the belief that individual actions are insignificant. (3) Regional disparities are evident. For example, the perception of air pollution positively correlates with willingness in Hebei and Jiangsu but negatively in Beijing and Liaoning. (4) The middle social stratum in eastern and central regions shows more stimulable environmental willingness, contributing to sustainable regional environmental engagement. Conversely, in the western region, improving the economic status of lower- and middle-stratum residents is key to significantly enhancing the sustainability of overall regional willingness. This study reveals the varied drivers of environmental willingness by integrating multidimensional indicators and a social-class perspective, highlighting the regional role of environmental perception and advancing theory on socio-cognitive interactions in environmental sociology. Practically, it provides evidence for differentiated policy design, suggesting tailored incentives across social strata and regions, including measures to address “action paralysis” among the highly educated and to combine economic support in western China for fostering sustainable public environmental participation. Full article

This study critically examines the technological feasibility, regulatory challenges, and societal acceptance of Pilotless Passenger Aircraft (PPAs) in commercial aviation. A mixed-methods design integrated quantitative passenger surveys (n = 312) and qualitative pilot interviews (n = 15), analyzed using SPSS and NVivo to capture both statistical and thematic perspectives. Results show moderate public awareness (58%) but limited willingness to fly (23%), driven by safety (72%), cybersecurity (64%), and human judgement (60%) concerns. Among pilots, 93% agreed automation improves safety, yet 80% opposed removing human pilots entirely, underscoring reliance on human adaptability in emergencies. Both groups identified regulatory assurance, demonstrable reliability, and human oversight as prerequisites for acceptance. Technologically, this paper synthesizes advances in AI-driven flight management, multi-sensor navigation, and high-integrity control systems, including Airbus’s ATTOL and NASA’s ICAROUS, demonstrating that pilotless flight is technically viable but has yet to achieve the airline-grade reliability target of 10⁻⁹ failures per flight hour. Regulatory analysis of FAA, EASA, and ICAO frameworks reveals maturing but fragmented approaches to certifying learning-enabled systems. Ethical and economic evaluations indicate unresolved accountability, job displacement, and liability issues, with potential 10–15% operational cost savings offset by certification, cybersecurity, and infrastructure expenditures. Integrated findings confirm that PPAs represent a socio-technical challenge rather than a purely engineering problem. This study recommends a phased implementation roadmap: (1) initial deployment in cargo and low-risk missions to accumulate safety data; (2) hybrid human–AI flight models combining automation with continuous human supervision; and (3) harmonized international certification standards enabling eventual passenger operations. Policy implications emphasize explainable-AI integration, workforce reskilling, and transparent public engagement to bridge the trust gap. This study concludes that pilotless aviation will not eliminate the human element but redefine it, achieving autonomy through partnership between human judgement and machine precision to sustain aviation’s uncompromising safety culture. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly influenced higher education, accelerating the arrival of College 4.0. Given its core mission of cultivating talent through teaching, understanding how AI can empower teaching in higher education is crucial. Utilizing second-hand survey data from the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education, this study empirically diagnoses the status of AI-empowered teaching in higher education across 81 universities, 4085 faculty members, and 24,095 students, by descriptive statistical analysis. The results reveal critical structural misalignments. At the institutional level, while 94% of universities have formulated AI plans, a severe disciplinary imbalance exists, with science and engineering accounting for 60.1% of specialized courses compared to only 4.5% in agriculture and medicine. At the faculty level, a “high cognition, low practice” gap is evident; although willingness is high, 96% of instructors lack significant industry practice experience. At the student level, a substantial misalignment appears between the demand for AI skills and educational supply. Based on these findings, we propose targeted strategies for optimizing resource allocation and establishing cross-boundary teacher training systems to promote AI-empowered teaching to achieve sustainable higher education. Full article

Immersive methods and biometric tools provide a rigorous, context-rich way to study how people perceive and choose food. Immersive methods use extended reality, including virtual, augmented, mixed, and augmented virtual environments, to recreate settings such as homes, shops, and restaurants. They increase participants’ sense of presence and the ecological validity (realism of conditions) of experiments, while still tightly controlling sensory and social cues like lighting, sound, and surroundings. Biometric tools record objective signals linked to attention, emotion, and cognitive load via sensors such as eye-tracking, galvanic skin response (GSR), heart rate (and variability), facial electromyography, electroencephalography, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Researchers align stimuli presentation, gaze, and physiology on a common temporal reference and link these data to outcomes like liking, choice, or willingness-to-buy. This approach reveals implicit responses that self-reports may miss, clarifies how changes in context shift perception, and improves predictive power. It enables faster, lower-risk product and packaging development, better-informed labeling and retail design, and more targeted nutrition and health communication. Good practices emphasize careful system calibration, adequate statistical power, participant comfort and safety, robust data protection, and transparent analysis. In food science and consumer behavior, combining immersive environments with biometrics yields valid, reproducible evidence about what captures attention, creates value, and drives food choice. Full article

Background/Objectives: Turnover intention among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses remains consistently higher than that observed in other clinical departments. A weakened professional identity and exposure to ethically challenging situations may further intensify nurses’ intention to leave. This study aimed to examine the influence of moral distress, person-centred care, and nursing professional pride on turnover intention among ICU nurses in South Korea. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed using a convenience sample of 203 ICU nurses from three general hospitals in South Korea. Data were obtained between 26 September and 31 October 2024 and analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 29.0.2.0, with t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: Two subdomains of nursing professional pride—role satisfaction and willingness to stay—along with gender (male) and the futile care subdomain of moral distress were the main factors influencing turnover intention. These variables collectively explained 24.9% of the variance in turnover intention (F = 17.78, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Strengthening nursing professional pride—particularly role satisfaction and willingness to stay—and reducing futile care-related moral distress may help lower ICU nurses’ turnover intention. Organisational strategies, including ethical management programmes and supportive policies, are recommended to enhance nursing professional pride, alleviate moral distress, and promote long-term nurse retention. Full article

This study investigates the factors influencing stakeholders’ willingness to contribute to the Bucak Model Forest (BMF) in Türkiye, a participatory governance initiative aimed at promoting sustainable forest management. Based on a survey of 1134 local residents and stakeholders, the research employs both descriptive statistics and multivariate analyses, including stepwise multiple linear regression and Chi-square tests. The regression analysis revealed that variables such as awareness of the BMF, positive attitudes toward ecotourism, trust in forestry institutions, and willingness to engage in forest-related activities without financial gain positively affect the intention to contribute, while gender showed a weak negative relationship. The overall explanatory power of the regression model was 23%, indicating the need to consider additional variables for a deeper understanding. Chi-square analyses demonstrated weak but significant associations between demographic characteristics and perceptions of forest use, conservation, and organizational trust. The findings underscore the necessity of refining participatory strategies in Model Forests by enhancing outreach, adjusting strategic planning based on local dynamics, and strengthening institutional capacities. The study contributes to the literature on collaborative forest governance and provides practical insights for improving stakeholder engagement in similar landscape-scale sustainability initiatives. Full article

Against the backdrop of growing global environmental crises, achieving sustainability in rural areas—where economic development, ecological conservation, and social equity often intersect—has become increasingly urgent. Sustainable development theory stresses the need to turn environmental awareness into concrete action, yet in practice, a puzzling gap often remains, especially in developing contexts such as China. Why do rural residents sometimes engage in pro-environment behaviors even when their expressed awareness or willingness seems limited? To explore this question, we conducted a study in Li County, China, combining field research with regression and path analysis across three spatial dimensions: production, ecological, and living spaces. Our findings reveal a notable divergence: farmers’ environmental actions frequently surpass their cognitive understanding and stated willingness to participate in governance. This suggests that the influence of environmental cognition and participation willingness on behavior varies across different spatial contexts. We also find that household demographic and geographic attributes not only directly shape involvement in environmental governance but also mediate the relationship between cognition, willingness, and action. By untangling these complex linkages, our study offers a more nuanced understanding of rural environmental governance. We argue for governance approaches that are spatially sensitive and participatory, capable of accounting for the often non-linear pathways from perception to intent to behavior. The insights from Li County provide a valuable empirical basis for designing spatially differentiated and participatory governance policies. These findings are crucial for promoting effective environmental stewardship and achieving sustainable development goals in rural communities globally. Full article