Search Results (1,930)

This article reports the findings of an ethnographic and historical study into an ultras group called Melbourne Croatia Fans (MCF), a group of mostly Croatian–Australian young men in their twenties who support Melbourne Knights (formerly known as Melbourne Croatia) in the second-tier Victorian Premier League competition. The aim is to explore identity formation and negotiation, and how identity formation informs relations with outsider groups. The interviews with the football club president, football club secretary, two MCF leaders, and the participant observation date back to the 2010–12 period. The supporters perceive that the club has fallen on hard times for reasons not of their own making. They participated in the former National Soccer League (NSL) (1977–2004) from 1984 to 2004, which was the first-ever national competition in Australia to involve club rather than state teams. However, the club was effectively banned from the new A-League (2005–present), which began based on a private-equity ownership model and a one-team-one-city concept. Despite this, the club can play in the annual knockout competition, the Australia Cup (formerly the FFA Cup), that features both A-League and lower-league teams. We observe here a group of young Croatian–Australian men, part of the Diaspora of Croatians that left the country, mostly in the communist era and afterwards, who aim to construct workable hybrid identities for themselves in an Anglo-majority nation on the other side of the world. They fight on two fronts—against an Anglo, corporate-style administration that effectively bans their club for reasons of ethnicity from the new national league, and against the Serbian youth who often live in the who live in adjacent or nearby suburbs and follow Serbian-origin clubs. Full article

Burnout syndrome, caused by chronic unmanaged stress, is common among health sciences students, and dental students in clinical training are particularly vulnerable due to the intense cognitive, emotional, and practical demands. This multicenter cross-sectional study assessed burnout and related factors in 312 students in their 8th–10th semesters at three Ecuadorian universities using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and a questionnaire on physical and emotional symptoms. High emotional exhaustion affected 79.5% of students, high depersonalization 54.5%, and low personal accomplishment 11.5%, with an overall burnout prevalence of 8.01%. No statistically significant associations were found with university or academic semester, although students studying or working more than 30 h per week showed a non-significant trend toward higher risk (OR = 3.39; p = 0.208), and the model’s predictive capacity was low (AUC = 0.645). Frequently reported physical symptoms included lower back pain (41.35%), neck pain (35.9%), and headaches (30.45%). These findings reveal that burnout, often accompanied by physical discomfort, affects a significant number of dental students, highlighting the need for institutional strategies such as psychological support and curricular adjustments to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Full article

This study examines the impact of job commitment on the adoption of strategic entrepreneurship within organizations, with leadership support considered as a moderating variable. Focusing on information technology companies in Jordan, we integrate perspectives from organizational behavior and strategic management to explore how employees’ commitment (affective, normative, continuance) influences their engagement in entrepreneurial initiatives, and whether supportive leadership environments amplify this effect. This study draws on social exchange theory and organizational support theory to propose that committed employees will reciprocate the organization’s support by innovating and taking initiative, especially when they feel backed by leadership. A quantitative survey was conducted, gathering 384 valid responses from employees across Jordan’s IT sector. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The findings reveal that all three forms of commitment positively affect the propensity to engage in strategic entrepreneurship, with affective commitment showing the strongest link. Notably, leadership support significantly moderates these relationships: in high-support contexts, committed employees exhibit substantially greater entrepreneurial behavior. These results indicate that committed employees are more likely to pursue innovative ideas and strategic opportunities, especially when leaders encourage and back their efforts. Theoretical implications include an enhanced understanding of commitment’s role in corporate entrepreneurship and the contingent value of leadership, while practical implications suggest actionable steps for IT firms and others in emerging economies to stimulate innovation. This research contributes to the literature by highlighting human and leadership factors as key drivers of strategic entrepreneurship in organizational settings, and by providing empirical evidence from the Middle East context. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic low back pain is the leading global cause of disability, with a growing prevalence and socioeconomic burden. Despite strong evidence supporting exercise therapy (ET) as a primary treatment, adherence rates remain low, compromising outcomes and increasing healthcare costs. Research on contributing factors to adherence to ET in non-specific chronic low back pain (nsCLBP) is limited. This systematic review aimed to reconceptualise contributors to adherence, using a conceptual framework to explore their interrelations and complexity by integrating quantitative and qualitative research. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched, followed by a two-phase screening process. Risk of Bias (RoB), certainty assessment and level of evidence were assessed independently. Results: Eight qualitative and eleven quantitative studies were included, the latter divided into nine RCTs and two cohort studies. Overall, eight included studies showed low RoB, seven showed some concerns, and four presented high RoB. Synthesis identified internal, external, and intervention-related contributing factors. These factors were presented in a conceptual framework figure, highlighting that adherence should not be viewed as a binary concept but rather as a dynamic behaviour shaped by interrelated factors. Moderate-certainty evidence supports the impact of psychosocial factors, healthcare professional (HCP) characteristics, environmental and time-related factors, program design, progression, home-exercise program (HEP), modalities, and follow-up. Low-to-moderate-certainty evidence suggests beliefs, patient-related characteristics, and treatment setting also impact adherence. Low-certainty evidence indicates that feedback, symptoms and impairments, and confidence possibly impact adherence. Conclusions: This systematic review highlights the complex, context-dependent interplay of factors impacting adherence to ET in individuals with nsCLBP. Overall, these findings underscore the need for personalised, context-sensitive interventions that address the broad spectrum of factors, while future research should focus on validated adherence assessment tools. Full article

Background: Therapeutic exercise (TE) is recommended as the first line of treatment for low back pain (LBP), but questions remain about the true efficacy of TE in the acute phase. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of isolated TE in reducing pain intensity and disability in patients with acute or subacute LBP. Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that analyzed therapeutic exercise alone in one of the intervention groups and assessed pain intensity and disability were included; both outcomes were considered primary in this review. The quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE tool. Results: Five RCTs were included. Meta-analyses were performed in subgroups according to the comparators: usual care, education, manual therapy, and bed rest. Statistically significant differences in favor of TE were found only when compared to usual care (SMD = −0.23; 95% CI [−0.45, −0.01]; p = 0.04). Conclusions: TE, when prescribed as an isolated intervention, appears to be more effective than usual care in improving short-term disability outcomes in patients with acute LBP. However, the limited quality and number of available studies, together with the typically favorable natural course of acute LBP, suggest that these findings should be interpreted with caution. Current evidence supports the integration of exercise within a comprehensive, multimodal management plan that addresses the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of pain. Full article

The vertical profile of PM_2.5 is important for understanding its secondary formation, transport, and deposition at high altitudes; it also provides important data support for studying the causes and sources of PM_2.5 near the ground. Based on machine learning methods, this study fully utilized simultaneous Multi-Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy measurements of multiple air pollutants in the atmosphere and employed the measured vertical profiles of aerosol extinction—as well as the vertical profiles of precursors such as NO₂ and SO₂—to evaluate the vertical distribution of PM_2.5 concentration. Three machine learning models (eXtreme Gradient Boosting, Random Forest, and back-propagation neural network) were evaluated using Multi-Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy instruments in four typical cities in China: Beijing, Lanzhou, Guangzhou, and Hefei. According to the comparison between estimated PM_2.5 and in situ measurements on the ground surface in the four cities, the eXtreme Gradient Boosting model has the best estimation performance, with the Pearson correlation coefficient reaching 0.91. In addition, the in situ instrument mounted on the meteorological observation tower in Beijing was used to validate the estimated PM_2.5 profile, and the Pearson correlation coefficient at each height was greater than 0.7. The average PM_2.5 vertical profiles in the four typical cities all show an exponential pattern. In Beijing and Guangzhou, PM_2.5 can diffuse to high altitudes between 500 and 1000 m; in Lanzhou, it can diffuse to around 1500 m, while it is primarily distributed between the near surface and 500 m in Hefei. Based on the vertical distribution of PM_2.5 mass concentration in Beijing, a high-altitude PM_2.5 pollutant transport event was identified from January 19th to 21st, 2021, which was not detected by ground-based in situ instruments. During this process, PM_2.5 was transported from the 200 to 1500 m altitude level and then sank to the near surface, causing the concentration on the ground surface to continuously increase. The sinking process contributes to approximately 7% of the ground surface PM_2.5 every hour. Full article

Background: As the growing global population continues to age, the risk of chronic metabolic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and fatty liver disease, increases considerably. Driven largely by lifestyle factors and metabolic dysfunction, this escalating health crisis is placing mounting pressure on healthcare systems and contributing to significant economic costs. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia are major drivers of these disorders, emphasising the need for early detection and intervention. Changes in liver enzymes, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), commonly assessed in routine laboratory testing, can serve as biomarkers of early-stage insulin resistance, offering a potentially underutilised window for intervention and disease prevention. Correspondingly, low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets have shown to be effective in reversing insulin resistance, metabolic disease, and liver disease. Objectives: We chose to explore the relationship between suppressing ketosis and changes in liver enzymes in the Ketosis Suppression and Ageing cohort. Methods: Ten lean (BMI 20.5 kg/m² ± 1.4), healthy young women (age 32.3 ± 8.9 years) who habitually followed a ketogenic diet maintaining nutritional ketosis (NK) for an average of 3.9 years (±2.3) were exposed to a higher carbohydrate diet, in line with standard healthy eating guidelines for a 21-day phase and then transitioned back to a ketogenic diet. Results: Carbohydrate challenge and suppression of ketosis increased insulin resistance score HOMA-IR by 2.13-fold (p = 0.0008), GKI by 22.28-fold (p = 0.0024), and liver markers ALT by 1.85-fold (p = 0.0010), GGT, 1.29-fold (p = 0.0087) and the ALT/AST, 1.30-fold (p = 0.0266), reflecting an adverse pattern suggestive of hepatic insulin resistance. Conclusions: These results support the clinical utility of liver markers as early and directional signs of hyperinsulinaemia. Full article

Under the context of global climate change, the frequent occurrence of extreme low-temperature events poses a severe challenge to plant distribution and ecosystem stability. The arid and semi-arid regions of Northwestern China, as a sensitive response area to global change, have proven to possess significant development potential with their unique desert vegetation systems. This study focuses on the ecological adaptability mechanisms of Nitraria tangutorum Bobr., a key species of the desert ecosystem in Northwestern China, and systematically analyzes the evolution patterns of its geographical distribution under the coupled effects of climate change and human activities through a MaxEnt model. The research conclusions are as follows: (i) This study constructs a Human Footprint-MaxEnt (HF-MaxEnt) coupling model. After incorporating human footprint variables, the AUC value of the model increases to 0.914 (from 0.888), demonstrating higher accuracy and reliability. (ii) After incorporating human footprint variables, the predicted area of the model decreases from 2,248,000 km² to 1,976,000 km², with the High Suitability experiencing a particularly sharp decline of up to 79.4%, highlighting the significant negative impact of human disturbance on Nitraria tangutorum. (iii) Under the current climate baseline period, solar radiation, precipitation during the wettest season, and mean temperature of the coldest month are the core driving factors for suitable areas of Nitraria tangutorum. (iv) Under future climate scenarios, the potential distribution area of Nitraria tangutorum is significantly positively correlated with carbon emission levels. Under the SSP370 and SSP585 emission pathways, the area of potential distribution reaches 172.24% and 161.3% of that in the current climate baseline period. (v) Under future climate scenarios, the distribution center of potential suitable areas for Nitraria tangutorum shows a dual migration characteristic of “west–south” and “high altitude”, and the mean temperature of the hottest month will become the core constraint factor in the future. This study provides theoretical support and data backing for the delineation of habitat protection areas, population restoration, resource management, and future development prospects for Nitraria tangutorum. Full article

This article presents the results of a performance comparison of four forecasting methods for prediction of electric power quality parameters (PQPs) in small-scale off-grid environments. Forecasting PQPs is crucial in supporting smart grid control and planning strategies by enabling better management, enhancing system reliability, and optimizing the integration of distributed energy resources. The following methods were compared: Bagging Decision Tree (BGDT), Boosting Decision Tree (BODT), and the K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) algorithm with $k-5$ and $k-10$ nearest neighbors considered by the algorithm when making a prediction. The main goal of this study is to find a relation between the input variables (weather conditions, first and second back steps of PQPs, and consumed power of home appliances) and the power quality parameters as target outputs. The studied PQPs are the amplitude of power voltage (U), Voltage Total Harmonic Distortion ($TH{D}_u$), Current Total Harmonic Distortion ($TH{D}_i$), Power Factor ($PF$), and Power Load ($PL$). The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) was used to evaluate the forecasting results. BGDT accomplished better forecasting results for $TH{D}_u$, $TH{D}_i$, and $PF$. Only BODT obtained a good forecasting result for $PL$. The KNN (k = 5) algorithm obtained a good result for $PF$ prediction. The KNN (k = 10) algorithm predicted acceptable results for U and $PF$. The computation time was considered, and the KNN algorithm took a shorter time than ensemble decision trees. Full article

Green and digital transitions represent a dual strategic objective for the European Union (EU), requiring behavioral changes from citizens, markets, and state institutions. To support these transformations, the EU has developed an extensive policy framework that is backed by significant financial instruments. However, the existing research suggests that these transitions may exacerbate both spatial and socioeconomic inequalities, depending on country-specific conditions and institutional capacities. This paper investigates how environmental and technological contexts, alongside EU-transition-related policies, influence regional and income inequalities within the selected EU countries. Using panel data covering the period 2007–2020 and employing a Generalized Least Squares (GLS) estimator, the present study reveals the complex relationship between structural conditions, policy designs, and inequality outcomes. The results show that smart and green policies tend to mitigate spatial inequalities, though they are found to be less effective in addressing income inequalities. By contrast, the contextual dynamics of the twin transition, such as skill intensity, digital adoption, and emissions, exhibit mixed effects, sometimes reinforcing inequality. The findings underline the urgency of designing inclusive EU policies that combine green and smart transition measures while accounting for country- and region-specific challenges. Such an integrated approach is essential for ensuring that the twin transition strengthens social cohesion in Europe, rather than undermining it. Full article

Background: Several studies have examined the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among university students internationally. We aimed to assess the prevalence, pattern, and potential risk factors for MSP among Majmaah University students in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to students from different faculties at Majmaah University. We collected data via the validated Arabic versions of the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore associations between MSP and demographic, ergonomic, lifestyle, and psychosocial variables. Results: A total of 257 students (n = 195, 75.9% female; n = 62, 24.1% male) were included in this study. The 12-month prevalence of MSP was 225 (87.5%), with the lower back (n = 119, 46.3%) and neck (n = 113, 44.0%) regions being the most affected. Compared with male students, female students reported a higher MSP prevalence (90.3% vs. 79.0%, p = 0.035). The multivariable model was significant (likelihood-ratio χ² = 26.042, df = 7, p < 0.001), accounted for Nagelkerke R² = 0.182 of variance, and showed good calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow χ² = 8.505, df = 8, p = 0.386). Perceived stress was the only independent predictor of 12-month MSP (β = 0.084, adjusted OR = 1.087, 95% CI 1.034–1.143, Wald χ² = 10.732, p = 0.001), while sex, smoking, academic workload, and sleep duration were non-significant (all p > 0.127). Conclusions: MSP appears to be prevalent among Majmaah University students, with psychological stress emerging as a key independent risk factor. Preventive strategies should include stress management prioritization and ergonomic and physical activity education to support university student well-being. Full article

This study examines the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles within Romania’s residential real estate sector, concentrating on Constanța, a rapidly evolving urban centre in a transitional economy. Drawing on qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with local real estate professionals and secondary analysis of policy and market documents, the research uncovers inconsistencies in ESG implementation. Environmental compliance is advancing, largely driven by EU regulations such as the European Grean Deal, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Voluntary certification schemes like BREEAM and LEED are emerging as benchmarks for environmental performance; however, their uptake remains limited and insufficiently tailored to local conditions. Meanwhile, the social and governance dimensions lag behind, characterised by inconsistent application and weak institutional backing. Key barriers to effective ESG integration in Romania’s residential real estate sector include weak regulatory enforcement, fragmented policies, limited green finance, low awareness, and a lack of standardised social value metrics. The study concludes that without moving beyond mere regulatory compliance to a framework embedding social inclusivity and adaptive governance, ESG efforts risk perpetuating existing inequalities. It calls for a reconceptualisation of ESG frameworks, developed for mature markets, to better suit transitional urban contexts and support long-term resilience in residential real estate. Full article

In today’s increasingly complex and multimodal mobility environments, passengers are confronted with fragmented information, inconsistent user interfaces, and limited context-adaptivity across public transport systems and services. These challenges hinder a positive mobility experience, reduce trust, and limit the broader adoption of sustainable transport options. This paper addresses these gaps by introducing a structured, user-centered development methodology for Visually Interactive Companion Technologies in Ubiquitous Passenger Information Systems (VICUPISs). The approach incorporates system characteristics, contextual factors, and a comprehensive process framework. Drawing on applied research and development projects, the methodology defines a five-phase development cycle—from field to concept and back—combining expert insights and user participation across iterative development stages. A central contribution is the integration of a rich context model spanning eight dimensions, enabling adaptive, multimodal, and personalized interaction across mobile, embedded, and public displays. The methodology also incorporates AI-supported adaptivity and addresses the resulting challenges for usability evaluation. Sustainability is considered at three levels: resource-efficient system development, long-term extensibility and adaptability of digital systems, and support for a modal shift toward environmentally friendly public transport. The proposed methodology offers a replicable and transferable foundation for designing human-centered, future-ready information systems in public mobility, complemented by practical heuristics and insights from two case studies of sustainable transport ecosystems. Full article

Noise barriers are commonly used to reduce the adverse effects of traffic noise in both urban and suburban settings. While conventional systems constructed from concrete and steel provide reliable acoustic and structural performance, they raise sustainability concerns due to high embodied energy and carbon emissions. Glued-laminated (glulam) timber has emerged as a sustainable alternative, offering a reduced carbon footprint, aesthetic appeal, and effective acoustic performance. However, the crashworthiness of timber-based noise wall systems remains under investigated, particularly with respect to the safety criteria established in the 2016 edition of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). This study presents the full-scale crash testing and evaluation of glulam rubrail and noise wall systems under MASH Test Level 3 (TL-3) impact conditions. Building on a previously tested system compliant with National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350, modifications were made to increase rubrail dimensions to meet higher lateral design loads. Three full-scale vehicle crash tests were conducted using 1100C and 2270P vehicles at 100 km/h and 25 degrees, covering both front- and back-mounted wall configurations. All tested systems demonstrated acceptable structural performance, effective vehicle redirection, and compliance with MASH 2016 occupant risk criteria. There was no penetration or potential for debris intrusion into the occupant compartment, and all measured occupant risk values remained well below allowable thresholds. Minimal damage to structural components was observed. The results confirm that the modified glulam noise wall system meets current impact safety standards and is suitable for use along high-speed roadways. This work supports the integration of sustainable materials into roadside safety infrastructure without compromising crash performance. Full article

Background: Physical exercise can improve certain musculoskeletal conditions, but adherence remains low due to intimidating environments, limited government support, and financial constraints faced by many individuals. Home-based exercise is a potential strategy to treat that population. Objective: Discuss the main home-based resistance exercise protocols that have been studied and implemented for six highly prevalent musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted, using the PubMed database to search for six highly prevalent musculoskeletal conditions: shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS), nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP), greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS), knee osteoarthritis (OA), patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), and Achilles tendinopathy (AT). The strategy included the listed pathologies and the keywords “physical exercise” or “physiotherapy”. Clinical trials, reviews, and retrospective studies from the last 30 years published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish were included. Only studies with sufficient details on the training protocols used and outcome measures were included in the analysis. Results: In SIS, exercise protocols have been more effective in the long term than in the short term. In PFPS and GTPS, strengthening the quadriceps and hip muscles helps reduce pain and improve function. For NSLBP, exercises like Pilates and core training demonstrate pain relief. In knee osteoarthritis, physical exercise improves pain, function, and quality of life both immediately and over time. Eccentric training promotes type I collagen formation in the tendons of patients with Achilles tendinopathy. Conclusions: Home-based resistance exercises studied and implemented in this review offer several general health benefits, including pain reduction, improved functionality, increased muscle strength, and enhanced motor control. Full article