Search Results (93)

There is increasing evidence of the benefits of natural environments for human health. Interest is growing in nature-based therapy (NBT), organised initiatives that promote human–nature interactions with the aim of achieving positive health outcomes. Although the benefits of spending time in nature are now widely recognised, the public’s perspective of NBTs is still not well understood nor quantified. At the same time, chronic non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease are on the rise, increasing costs and pressure for public health services. Using a sample of 96 respondents in Italy, this exploratory study investigates the economic value and perceptions of an NBT for cardiovascular disease. We employed the contingent valuation method to estimate marginal willingness to pay (WTP) for a nature-based rehabilitation programme compared to a standard indoor clinic-based programme. Logistic regression was used to estimate median WTP and influencing factors. We investigated the preferences of patients for the features and potential benefits of nature-based rehabilitation. We show that patients with cardiovascular disease in Italy have a positive WTP between EUR 14.01 to EUR 42.69 per day (median value EUR 27.26). Our findings indicate that NBTs could offer a promising alternative to standard indoor programmes. We provide recommendations for designing NBTs based on the preferences of our sample, aiming to contribute to sustainable health and land management policies. Full article

The need for autonomous vehicles has started rising rapidly. Many autonomous technologies, such as Cruise Control, the self-parking system, and the emergency braking system, are implemented in contemporary cars. These systems do not make the car fully autonomous; however, they allow people to get used to the idea of self-driving cars. Due to a surge of interest in autonomous systems, the development of these technologies has begun. This paper presents a model of Adaptive Cruise Control with a control system, which consists of two PID regulators. Using two PID regulators provides the possibility of more advanced regulation characteristics than using the classical one-PID regulation system. One of them regulates the powertrain model, the other the braking system model. The simulations are carried out using a vehicle dynamic system, whose thrust is determined by a real engine maximum torque curve that is approximated by combinations of polynomial functions. Due to the non-linearity, caused by the motor’s curve and the use of two regulators, the PID tuning algorithm has been created. The algorithm provides satisfying results, followed by a marginal difference between the requested safe distance and actual distance value. The Active Cruise Control system has been tested using normalized driving cycles, which simulate the real behaviour of a car. The simulation results prove double-PID-regulated ACC’s accuracy and speed of response in different states of motion. Full article

Background: Research has associated chronic inflammation with the evolution of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), and less common ones such as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), are commonly linked to depression. However, the pathomechanisms and the role of neuroinflammation in these disorders remain unclear; therefore, interest is increasing in easily accessible inflammatory morphological assessments of blood samples, such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the neutrophil-to-monocyte ratio (NMR), and the neutrophil-to-hemoglobin ratio (N/HGBR). Methods: The authors analyzed 15 age-matched controls and 21 patients with PSP; the PSP group was additionally divided into 11 patients without depression (PSP) and 10 with depression (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] ≥ 14) (PSP-D). Results: In the PSP-D group, the level of N/HGBR was significantly lower than in the controls (p = 0.01), but there were no significant differences in any other neutrophil-derived parameters or comparisons of morphological blood assessment. Patients with PSP-D exhibited a marginally significant decrease in neutrophil levels compared to the controls. Conclusions: This is the first study highlighting the possible significance of peripheral inflammatory factors in patients with PSP affected by depression. It highlights possible tendencies in the area of non-specific inflammatory markers and suggests their relation to affective disorders in PSP. Full article

This study aims to investigate the impact of environmental accounting disclosures on the financial performance of banks listed on Borsa Istanbul (BIST). In this study, sustainability and integrated reports for 2019–2023 are analyzed, and environmental accounting disclosures are classified into two categories as operational and financial activities. Using the Environmental Accounting Reporting Score, the relationship with financial performance indicators such as return on assets, return on equity, earnings per share, and profit margin is analyzed using the seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) method. The results show that environmental accounting disclosures do not have a direct and statistically significant effect on financial performance. However, control variables such as bank size, debt-to-asset ratio, and loan-to-asset ratio are found to have a positive effect on financial performance. In particular, larger banks tend to have higher profitability and earnings per share, while higher non-interest expenses have a negative impact on profitability. The study shows that the direct contribution of environmental accounting practices to financial performance is limited, but that banks’ operational and financial structures are greater determinants of performance. These findings highlight the need for improvements in areas such as standardization of sustainability reporting, stakeholder awareness, and environmental risk management for policy makers and banks. Full article

The engagement of emerging market participants in electricity markets exerts dual influences on price formation mechanisms and operational dynamics. To quantify the impacts on locational marginal prices and stakeholders’ economic interests when EV aggregators (EVAs), cloud energy storage operators (CESSOs), and load aggregators (LAs) collectively participate in market competition, this study develops a bi-level game-theoretic framework for market equilibrium analysis. The proposed architecture comprises two interdependent layers: The upper-layer Stackelberg game coordinates strategic interactions among EVA, LA, and CESSO to mitigate bidding uncertainties through cooperative mechanisms. The lower-layer non-cooperative Nash game models competition patterns to determine market equilibria under multi-agent participation. A hybrid solution methodology integrating nonlinear complementarity formulations with genetic algorithm-based optimization was developed. Extensive numerical case studies validate the methodological efficacy, demonstrating improvements in solution optimality and computational efficiency compared to conventional approaches. Full article

Introduction: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES) is a cornerstone of the management of ischemic heart disease. However, in-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a significant clinical challenge, occurring in approximately 5–10% of patients undergoing PCI. This study is designed to compare the efficacy and safety of the primary therapeutic approaches for DES-ISR, specifically drug-coated balloons (DCBs)—paclitaxel-coated balloons (PCBs) and sirolimus-coated balloons (SCBs)—with a new-generation everolimus-eluting stent (EES), contributing to the evolving field of personalized medicine. Methods and Analysis: This prospective, multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial aims to enroll 150 patients with DES-ISR, who will be randomised into one of the following: SCB, PCB, or EES. The primary endpoint comparing DCB and EES is late lumen loss (LLL) at 6 months, as measured by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA). Secondary endpoints comparing the three arms include a device-oriented composite endpoint, intraluminal gain, optical coherence tomography (OCT) measured LLL, and correlations between LLL and quantitative flow ratio (QFR). The primary endpoint will be analysed using a non-inferiority design, with a margin set at 0.25 mm, for which the sample size was calculated. Statistical analysis of the primary endpoint will be conducted on an intention-to-treat basis with a one-tailed Mann–Whitney U test with a significance level of 95. Secondary endpoints will be analysed via superiority testing using ANOVA, the Kruskal–Wallis test, logistic regression, or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate. Ethics and Dissemination: The study protocol has been approved by the Medical Devices Department of the Hungarian National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition, ensuring compliance with ethical standards as outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. All investigators declare no conflicts of interest related to this study. The trial is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov under the ID: NCT04862052. Full article

There is increased interest in developing non-animal test systems for inhalation exposure safety assessments. However, defined methodologies are absent for predicting local respiratory effects from inhalation exposure to irritants. The current study introduces a concept for applying in vitro and in silico methods for inhalation exposure safety assessment. Three in vitro systems, representing the upper (MucilAir™—nasal epithelial tissue) and lower (A549 cells and human precision-cut lung slices) human respiratory regions, were exposed to six respiratory irritants. These irritant exposures were conducted as liquid droplets, aerosol, or vapors, and samples were collected over 24 h. Cytotoxicity, cytokine release, epithelial resistance, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured. To determine the human relevance of in vitro exposures, airway surface depositions were predicted by simulating airborne concentrations equivalent to the Cramer class III inhalation threshold of toxicological concern limit of 0.47 mg/person/day using an in silico model. A > 100-fold margin of exposure was calculated comparing lowest concentrations showing in vitro effects to in silico simulated values. While further studies are needed, this manuscript presents a basic requirement for employing non-animal methods to inform inhalation exposure safety assessments by combining in vitro and in silico assays. Full article

In several countries, digital financial advisory services, particularly those supported by robo-advisors, are becoming increasingly popular in retail banking. These tools assist users with financial decisions such as risk assessment, portfolio selection, and rebalancing—all at a reduced cost. Recent studies suggest that, over time, robo-advisors could complement human financial advisors. Building on this research, which evaluates robo-advisors’ effectiveness in asset allocation, this study aims to assess the impact of this strategic shift on retail banks’ profitability. It compares the Canadian and French banking sectors, where robo-advisors were introduced in the 2010s. Results indicate that implementing robo-advisors enhances profitability in non-interest activities, with this effect being more pronounced in France than in Canada. Full article

This study seeks to answer the question of whether we could use a bank’s past financial data to predict the bank failure in 2009 and proposes three new empirical proxies for loan quality (LQ), interest margins (IntMag), and earnings efficiency (OIOE) to forecast bank failure. Using the bank failure list from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) database, I match the banks that failed in 2009 with a control sample based on geography, size, the ratio of total loans to total assets, and the age of banks. The model suggested by this paper could predict correctly up to 94.44% (97.15%) for the failure (and non-failure) of banks, with an overall 96.43% prediction accuracy, (p = 0.5). Specifically, the stepwise logistic regression suggests some proxies for capital adequacy, assets/loan risk, profit efficiency, earnings, and liquidity risk to be the predictors of bank failure. These results partially agree with previous studies regarding the importance of certain variables, while offering new findings that the three proposed proxies for LQ, IntMag, and OIOE statistically and economically significantly impact the probability of bank failure. Full article

Shock-induced vibrations transmitted from the racket to the tennis player’s upper limb have interested researchers, whether for investigating their effect on injury risk, or for designing new equipment. Measuring these vibrations is, however, very challenging in an ecological playing situation: sensors must be of very high quality in order to precisely measure high-energy and broad-frequency signals, as well as non-invasive in order to allow the players to perform their usual movements. The working hypothesis of this paper is that contactless sound recordings of the ball/racket impact carry the same information as direct vibratory measurements. The present study focuses on the tennis serve, as being tennis’ most energy-demanding stroke, therefore possibly being the most traumatic stroke for the upper limb. This article aims (a) to evaluate the propagation of vibration from the racket to the upper limb; and (b) to identify correlations with acoustic signals collected simultaneously. Eight expert tennis players performed serves with three rackets and two ball spin effects. Accelerometers measured the vibration on the racket and at five locations on the upper limb, and a microphone measured the impact sound. Resulting signals were analyzed in terms of energy and spectral descriptors. Results showed that flat serves produced louder sounds, higher vibration levels, lower acoustic spectral centroids, and higher vibratory spectral centroids than kick serves. The racket only had a marginal influence. Similarities between acoustic and vibratory measurements were found (levels were correlated), but so were differences (spectral centroids tended to be negatively correlated), encouraging further studies on the link between sound and vibration for the in situ measurement of shock-induced vibration. Full article

The disconnect between the exchange rate and its macroeconomic fundamentals has been extensively discussed in the literature. It nonetheless continues to pose theoretical and empirical challenges in the literature. This study examines the relationship between the exchange rate and its fundamentals. This study used the monetary model of exchange rate determination developed in the 1970s. The study used the TAR to estimate the exchange change rate behaviour in response to variations in monetary variables. We found that the exchange rates respond to the interest rate differential, consistent with the predictions of the monetary model of exchange rate determination. Furthermore, in all the regimes, the sizes of coefficients are different, which shows that the exchange rate behaviour is non-linear (asymmetric). While the impact of the interest rate differential in regime 1 and 2 leads to exchange rates appreciating although in regime 2 the results are insignificant, this occurs when the exchange rates fluctuate below 0.87 percentage points. In regime 3, on average, a marginal increase in interest rate deferential leads to an exchange rate depreciation. In some instances, the exchange rates respond to the monetary variables’ changes in line with the predictions of the monetary theory of exchange rate determination. An increase in interest rates in some instances leads to an improvement in the value of the exchange rate. However, the conditions are not constant—they vary depending on the state of exchange rate fluctuation. Full article

Traditional financial performance measures should be extended to provide additional information to stakeholders. One such extension is the economic value added (EVA). It shows residual profit above the cost of financing, both creditors and equity financing. This paper elaborates on the impact of selected financial ratios on EVA to total assets and EVA to capital employed using the 20-year aggregated data of non-financial business entities operating in Croatia. It answers the research question of which of the selected financial ratios impacts the above-mentioned EVA-based ratios. Applying dynamic panel data modeling using the generalized method of moments technique resulted in the derivation of two models. The human capital efficiency ratio was statistically significant in both models, positively affecting EVA/total assets and EVA/capital employed. In contrast, the debt ratio and net profit margin were significant only in the second model, where EVA/capital employed was a dependent variable. The research results indicate that the debt ratio affects EVA/capital employed negatively while the net profit margin has a positive effect, confirming the existing research. Total liabilities/earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and total asset turnover were not found to be significant in either of the two models. Full article

Over the past few decades, microfinance institutions have attracted the interest of governments and academics alike, given their unique nature of being financial institutions with a dual mission of promoting social development and reducing poverty. However, concerns have been raised about their effectiveness in achieving these goals while remaining financially sustainable. In this study, we attempt to examine the factors that have the greatest impact on the social, financial, and overall efficiency of microfinance institutions in African regions. We adopt a two-step approach: First, we assess the efficiency scores of 95 microfinance institutions in Africa between 2005 and 2018 using a data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach. We then regress their efficiency scores on a set of determinant variables, capturing the microfinance institutions’ characteristics. Our findings suggest that a majority of institutions prioritize profitability over social outreach. Furthermore, the panel data regression indicates that factors such as profitability, equity capitalization, types of loans, and low gross domestic product (GDP) have a positive influence on microfinance institutions’ efficiency. Conversely, variables including their risk portfolio, grants, microfinance institution status (Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), cooperative, etc.), operational area, political environment, and size exert a negative impact on efficiency. Through this study, we seek to enhance our understanding of microfinance institutions and to identify the factors that impact their operational efficiency, thereby reinforcing their crucial role in advancing financial inclusion, empowering marginalized communities, and fostering inclusive economic growth. Full article

Surgical margins following rectal cancer resection impact oncologic outcomes. We examined the relationship between margin status and race, ethnicity, region of care, and facility type. Patients undergoing resection of a stage II–III locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) between 2004 and 2018 were identified through the National Cancer Database. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was performed, with margin positivity rate as the outcome of interest, and race/ethnicity and region of care as the predictors of interest. In total, 58,389 patients were included. After IPTW adjustment, non-Hispanic Black (NHB) patients were 12% (p = 0.029) more likely to have margin positivity than non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients. Patients in the northeast were 9% less likely to have margin positivity compared to those in the south. In the west, NHB patients were more likely to have positive margins than NHW patients. Care in academic/research centers was associated with lower likelihood of positive margins compared to community centers. Within academic/research centers, NHB patients were more likely to have positive margins than non-Hispanic Other patients. Our results suggest that disparity in surgical management of LARC in NHB patients exists across regions of the country and facility types. Further research aimed at identifying drivers of this disparity is warranted. Full article

Urban land use provides essential information about how land is utilized within cities, which is critical for land planning, urban renewal, and early warnings for natural disasters. Although existing studies have utilized multi-source perception data to acquire land use information quickly and at low cost, and some have integrated urban morphological indicators to aid in land use identification, there is still a lack of systematic discussion in the literature regarding the potential of three-dimensional urban morphology to enhance identification effectiveness. Therefore, this paper aims to explore how urban three-dimensional morphology can be used to improve the identification of urban land use types. This study presents an innovative approach called the UMH–LUC model to enhance the accuracy of urban land use identification. The model first conducts a preliminary classification using points of interest (POI) data. It then improves the results with a dynamic reclassification based on floor area ratio (FAR) measurements and a variance reclassification using area and perimeter metrics. These methodologies leverage key urban morphological features to distinguish land use types more precisely. The model was validated in the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration using random sampling, comparative analysis and case studies. Results demonstrate that the UMH–LUC model achieved an identification accuracy of 81.7% and a Kappa coefficient of 77.6%, representing an 11.9% improvement over a non-morphology-based approach. Moreover, the overall disagreement for UMH–LUC is 0.183, a reduction of 0.099 compared to LUC without urban morphology and 0.19 compared to EULUC-China. The model performed particularly well in identifying residential land, mixed-use areas and marginal lands. This confirms urban morphology’s value in supporting low-cost, efficient land use mapping with applications for sustainable planning and management. Full article