Search Results (262)

This research investigates how CE initiatives, interpreted as manifestations of corporate social responsibility, shape green value co-creation, green collaborative culture, and green supply chain integration across both supplier and customer contexts. The proposed conceptual framework also explores the possibility that digital maturity can moderate these interrelations, based on signaling theory. Empirical results, obtained through PLS SEM and NCA on a data sample of 493 suppliers and customers, confirm that CE practices have a significant positive impact on green value co-creation, which, in turn, influences the green collaborative behavior of the actors and the integration of the supply chain. The moderating role of digital maturity is reinforced in the linkages between green value co-creation, collaboration, and integration. Thereby, their effectiveness is strengthened. This study adds to the literature by proposing an integrative relationship between CE practices and outcomes within the supply chain dyad, offering a rare empirical study of relationships between suppliers and organizations in an emerging economy, and shedding light on the boundary condition of digital maturity within these relationships. The results have significant implications for managers seeking to maximize their sustainability performance through circular practices and digital capabilities. Full article

Purpose: Despite growing research on green fintech and sustainable finance individually, no systematic theoretical framework explains how AI-driven green fintech solutions can be adopted in banking for sustainable investment purposes. This paper addresses this demonstrated gap by developing the first bibliometrically grounded, TOE-based conceptual framework for AI-driven green fintech adoption in banking. Design/Methodology/Approach: A two-phase approach is employed. First, a bibliometric analysis of 79 Scopus-indexed documents (2020–2026) using bibliometrix in R provides quantitative evidence of the research gap through keyword co-occurrence networks, thematic mapping, and trend topic analysis. Second, building on this evidence, a conceptual framework integrating the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework with three mediating constructs, technological readiness, sustainability culture, and regulatory support is developed and five theoretical propositions are derived. Findings: The bibliometric analysis reveals an annual growth rate of 78.4% in the field and confirms that the TOE framework has never occupied the motor themes quadrant of the green fintech literature. The proposed framework theorizes three mediated pathways through which technological, organizational, and environmental conditions translate into improved sustainable investment outcomes including enhanced ESG transparency, increased green investment allocation, and SDG alignment. Practical Implications: The framework provides bank executives with three actionable intervention points: technological infrastructure investment, sustainability culture embedding, and regulatory engagement and offers policymakers evidence-based guidance for designing supportive green fintech adoption frameworks. Originality/Value: This study presents a conceptual framework that is, to the authors’ knowledge, the first to combine TOE theory, AI-driven green fintech, a banking context, an explicit three-mediator architecture (technological readiness, sustainability culture, regulatory support), and sustainable investment outcomes as the dependent variable, grounded in reproducible bibliometric evidence. Existing studies address subsets of these dimensions; none integrates all six simultaneously. Full article

Urbanization is increasingly limiting daily human exposure to natural forest environments, highlighting the growing importance of urban green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in supporting human health and well-being. Among the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of forests, biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), particularly terpenes, are recognized as key contributors due to their bioactive properties and role in cultural ecosystem services related to human well-being. This study explores the potential of urban and natural trees of Pinus nigra J. F. Arnold to serve as sources of health-relevant BVOCs by examining seasonal and spatial variability in needle terpene profiles. Needle samples were collected from trees growing in an urban park and a protected natural area across three seasons (spring, summer, and autumn), and analyzed using headspace GC/MS. The study was designed as an exploratory assessment aimed at identifying general patterns of terpene variability across contrasting environments. Across all seasons and locations, α- and β-pinene consistently dominated the terpene profile, together accounting for the majority of detected compounds, and showed no significant variation in relation to site or season. In contrast, secondary monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes exhibited greater variability, contributing to context-dependent differences between environments. Despite these variations, the overall terpene composition remained relatively stable, particularly with respect to compounds previously associated with health-related effects. These preliminary findings provide insights into the potential role of Pinus nigra within urban and natural green infrastructure associated with nature-based health-oriented practices. The observed stability of health-related terpenes suggests that urban Austrian pine trees can represent a consistent source of compounds previously associated with health-related effects, although their relevance requires further investigation involving total and individual BVOC emissions measurements and human exposure assessments. Full article

A series of 7-aminopyrazolo[1,5-d][1,2,4]triazin-4(5H)-ones was synthesized via a cascade condensation of methyl aroylpyruvates with 1,3-diaminoguanidine hydrochloride. The scope and limitations of this approach were investigated. Methyl mesitoylpyruvate bearing a sterically hindered mesityl substituent diverted the reaction pathway, affording a 1,2,4-triazine derivative. Diethyl 2,4,6-trioxoheptanedioate resulted in an unexpected pyrazolo[1,5-d][1,2,4]triazepine scaffold. All synthesized compounds were evaluated for growth-regulating activity using the green microalga Chlorella vulgaris as a model organism. 7-Amino-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)pyrazolo[1,5-d][1,2,4]triazin-4(5H)-one has shown the best results in the initial microplate screening, showing increased cell density at 10 μmol/L. However, subsequent validation in 50 mL flask cultures revealed no significant effect on biomass accumulation, photosynthetic pigment content, carbohydrate levels, or neutral lipid production compared to the negative control. Only a modest increase in protein content was observed at the concentration of 100 μmol/L. Full article

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a major public health concern, contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, and antimicrobial resistance. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are recognized as key vehicles in the transmission of nosocomial pathogens, primarily via contaminated hands and medical devices. This study assessed the effectiveness of hand hygiene protocols among HCWs, their correlation with bloodstream infections, and the potential of natural antimicrobial agents as complementary preventive measures. Between January and June 2025, 128 hand samples were collected from HCWs in surgical, intensive care, and internal medicine units of hospitals managed by ASL Caserta (Marcianise, n = 65; Piedimonte Matese, n = 30; Sessa Aurunca, n = 18; Maddaloni, n = 15). Sampling was performed upon entry to clinical areas and after antiseptic handwashing, using Rodac TSA plates to quantify microbial load (CFU/cm²). Isolates were identified via MALDI-TOF, and multidrug resistance was confirmed using the Phoenix BD system. Microbial growth was detected in 54.7% of samples. Coagulase-negative staphylococci, mainly Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. hominis, accounted for 67.1% of positive cultures, followed by Enterobacteriaceae (28.6%). Comparison with concurrently collected blood cultures revealed potential overlapping pathogens, with Staphylococcus spp. prevalence ranging from 35 to 56% and Gram-negatives from 18 to 39. Selected isolates were further tested for susceptibility to natural antimicrobial agents, derived from hop, red vine leaf, green tea, and pomegranate fruit, as well as thyme essential oil. Thyme essential oil (Thymus vulgaris) demonstrated notable antimicrobial activity, in several cases surpassing that of standard hygiene agents. These findings highlight not only that maintaining high standards of hand hygiene, proper care of invasive devices, and continuous microbiological surveillance is critical for preventing HAIs, but also that incorporating natural antimicrobial compounds into hygiene protocols may provide an effective and sustainable adjunct to reduce microbial contamination and combat infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms. Full article

Urban microtopography plays an important role in regulating soil processes and vegetation performance in newly constructed green spaces, yet its effects on surface runoff, soil nutrients, and plant growth remain insufficiently quantified in urban relocation sites. This study investigated how slope gradient, slope position, and slope curvature influence surface runoff, soil nutrient distribution, and tree growth in Shanghai Expo Cultural Park. Field monitoring was conducted in 36 plots planted with Cinnamomum camphora and Ginkgo biloba in 2017, 2020, and 2024. Microtopographic characteristics were quantified using terrestrial and handheld three-dimensional laser scanning, point-cloud processing, and digital elevation models (DEMs), and plant growth, calculated runoff, and soil physiochemical properties were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression analysis. Annual DBH increments were greatest on meso slopes (mean = 0.558 cm), followed by gentle slopes (0.513 cm) and abrupt slopes (0.511 cm). Growth was also greater at slope-tail positions than at slope-head positions and greater on concave slopes than on convex slopes. The mean calculated runoff increased from gentle to meso and abrupt slopes, and soil organic matter, total nitrogen, hydrolysable nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, and cation exchange capacity were generally higher at slope-tail positions. These results indicate that micrographic design affects tree growth mainly through runoff-mediated redistribution of water and soil nutrients. These findings provide practical guidance for optimizing microtopographic design, tree species selection, and soil management in urban green spaces established on relocation sites. Full article

Filamentous cyanobacteria in the genus Nostoc show color diversity in their natural habitats, ranging from bright green to yellow–green to brown. In contrast, laboratory cultures are typically uniform in color, which is attributed to differences in light spectrum and intensity. Nostoc contains several bioactive pigments, including phycocyanin, phycoerythrin, allophycocyanin, carotenoids, and scytonemin, which are involved in light harvesting, photoprotection, and UV screening. Variations in light spectrum and intensity regulate the abundance and organization of these pigments, altering colony coloration and affecting photosynthetic performance, stress tolerance, and growth. These changes impact biomass and pigment productivity. In this review, we synthesize recent findings on how light regulates pigment biosynthesis in Nostoc and examine how wavelength, irradiance, and photoperiod influence pigment composition, biomass accumulation, and pigment productivity, considering both underlying photoregulatory mechanisms and cultivation design. This perspective connects photophysiological insights with practical strategies, including staged lighting and LED-based systems, to improve pigment yield while maintaining biomass production. These insights support the future application of Nostoc pigments in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical sectors. Full article

With the continuous deepening of green building concepts and the sustained advancement of research on health-oriented design, increasing attention has been paid to the impact of architectural space on users’ psychological perception and behavioral outcomes. In China, the rapid development of urban cultural facilities and the growing emphasis on high-quality public cultural spaces have made concert halls an important context for examining how architectural environments shape user experience. In recent years, relevant studies have gradually expanded from energy conservation, function, and technical performance evaluation to discussion of the subjective experience of the architectural environment and its psychological effects. As a typical type of cultural building, the concert hall is an important place for music communication and artistic experience, and its spatial environment may also influence users’ state of immersion and emotional resonance. However, existing studies mostly focus on the acoustic quality, visual characteristics, and functional organization of concert halls, and still lack a systematic empirical explanation of how restorative design influences user satisfaction through psychological mechanisms. Using survey data from 972 users of six representative concert halls in six Chinese cities, this study constructs a theoretical model with perceived restorative design as the independent variable, flow experience and musical resonance as mediating variables, and user satisfaction as the dependent variable, aiming to broaden the understanding of the internal mechanism through which restorative design affects user satisfaction. The results show that: (1) perceived restorative design is positively associated with user satisfaction; (2) flow experience and musical resonance respectively play mediating roles between perceived restorative design and user satisfaction; and (3) flow experience and musical resonance respectively play a chain mediating role between perceived restorative design and user satisfaction. This study enriches the applied research on restorative design in the field of cultural architecture, reveals the psychological path through which restorative design in concert halls affects user satisfaction, and expands the theoretical boundaries of research on architectural environment experience. The conclusions provide a theoretical basis for optimizing the design of concert hall buildings and improving user experience, and also offer practical insights for the human-centered and high-quality development of cultural buildings in the context of green building. Full article

Post-war Aleppo is often framed through destruction, legal constraints, and the technical demands of reconstruction. This article challenges that assumption by re-reading Aleppo’s pre-2011 municipal vision as an analytical resource for post-war recovery. The study adopts a qualitative interpretive methodology based on municipal archival material, including the City Council work programme, strategic planning presentations, project documents, and materials related to the City Development Strategy, Madinatuna initiative, the old city, Bab Antakiya, and major public-space and service initiatives. The analysis followed three steps: identifying repeated municipal priorities and planning concepts; organizing them into thematic axes; and interpreting flagship projects as spatial expressions of a broader municipal vision. To assess post-war relevance, the archive is also read against evidence of damage, displacement, urban functionality, and heritage loss. The results show that Aleppo’s pre-2011 municipal vision can be reconstructed through six interrelated axes: strategic urban development and managed growth; the old city as a living urban fabric; urban repair in the city centre; mobility and accessibility; culture and social development; and development partnerships and international cooperation. The findings reveal that these axes formed a partially integrated municipal urbanism rather than isolated projects, while flagship interventions such as Bab Antakiya, the Green Path, the river corridor, and the Citadel surroundings materialized this logic. The study also finds that this vision remained institutionally vulnerable because of political centralization and limited municipal autonomy. It concludes that post-war recovery should build on critical continuity rather than reconstruction from scratch. Full article

Porous hydrogels are critical for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, as they mimic the native extracellular matrix to support cell infiltration and mass transport. A common strategy for engineering pore structures involves the incorporation and subsequent removal of sacrificial porogen templates (e.g., crystals or microspheres). Although this approach offers excellent control over pore architecture, it often suffers from complex procedures and biosafety concerns arising from incomplete template removal. In this work, we present a simple, biocompatible, and versatile templating approach. By systematically investigating the coacervation parameters, we produced gelatin microspheres (GSs) with tunable diameters from 7 µm to 300 µm via a green, instrument-free, and scalable process. Using GSs of 20–160 µm as porogens, we obtained alginate hydrogels with adjustable viscoelasticity, stiffness, and pore sizes. We then validated two cell-loading strategies for bulk porous alginate hydrogels using immortalized human T (Jurkat) cells: (i) post-seeding into pre-formed pores supported high-density, long-term, and organized cell aggregates with >90% viability; (ii) in situ encapsulation (prior to pore formation) yielded >80% viability and preserved the cluster-forming growth characteristics of Jurkat cells. Moreover, composites of smaller GSs (7–20 µm) with alginate could be syringe-extruded into stable, sub-millimeter porous filaments, demonstrating the potential for 3D printing. Collectively, this work provides a promising platform for three-dimensional culture of immune cells. Full article

Healthcare cleaning services are essential for infection prevention but contribute significantly to the environmental footprint of hospital operations through the intensive use of chemicals, water, and energy. This study presents an integrated assessment of a conventional cleaning protocol (TT) and a CAM-compliant environmentally oriented protocol (GREEN, TG) in a real hospital setting (Bufalini Hospital, Cesena, Italy), combining microbiological monitoring with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Surface contamination was evaluated across different risk areas using standardized culture-based methods, while environmental impacts were quantified using a cradle-to-grave LCA approach, focusing on Global Warming Potential (GWP100). Both protocols achieved significant reductions in microbial load, with post-cleaning values consistently below established hygienic thresholds. No pathogenic indicator organisms were detected after cleaning, and the GREEN protocol demonstrated microbiological performance equivalent to or slightly better than the traditional system across all risk categories. LCA results revealed a substantial environmental advantage for the GREEN protocol, with a 43.7% reduction in carbon footprint (−273 g CO₂e m⁻² year⁻¹), corresponding to an annual saving of approximately 13.3 t CO₂e at the facility scale. These reductions were primarily driven by decreased chemical consumption, optimized dosing, and lower laundering temperatures. The findings demonstrate that environmentally sustainable cleaning strategies can maintain high standards of microbiological safety while significantly reducing environmental impacts. This integrated approach supports the adoption of CAM-compliant protocols in healthcare facilities and highlights the importance of combining infection control metrics with life-cycle environmental evaluation to inform sustainable procurement and hospital management practices. Full article

Metallic cultural heritage artifacts are highly susceptible to multi-factor electrochemical degradation, driven by chloride ions, humidity, acidic deposition, and heterogeneous material interfaces. Traditional conservation materials, including organic and inorganic coatings and corrosion inhibitors, often exhibit limited interfacial compatibility, poor long-term stability, and insufficient multifunctionality. Recent advances in protective materials—including nano-enhanced coatings, self-healing systems, smart-responsive polymers, green biodegradable formulations, and metal–organic framework (MOF)-based composites—offer multifunctional, long-lasting, and minimally invasive solutions. These materials enhance corrosion inhibition, barrier performance, structural reinforcement, and environmental responsiveness, while enabling in situ sensing, reversible application, and ethical deployment. Laboratory evaluation, accelerated aging tests, and field verification demonstrate their efficacy in preserving artifact integrity and aesthetics. This review systematically discusses degradation mechanisms, limitations of traditional materials, and the mechanisms, applications, and future perspectives of novel functional coatings, providing a roadmap for scientifically optimized and ethically responsible conservation of metallic heritage. Full article

Due to their aesthetic qualities and versatile applications, medicinal and aromatic plants are an important component of landscape systems. The diversity of color, shape, and texture observed in the vegetative and reproductive organs of these plants contributes to visual composition, while their medicinal and aromatic properties enhance their ecological and socio-cultural significance. However, many taxa are underrepresented in landscape planning applications. This study examined the diversity of medicinal and aromatic plant taxa identified at the Iğdır University Şehit Bülent Yurtseven Campus in Iğdır Province, Turkey, using a descriptive approach. Plant taxa were evaluated based on their families, life forms, leaf characteristics, flowering periods, and medicinal and aromatic properties. Multivariate analyses were conducted to examine phenological similarities among the taxa. A total of 98 plant taxa were identified; 66 taxa possess only medicinal properties, one taxon possesses only aromatic properties, and 31 taxa possess both. These findings reveal that the campus is home to a wide variety of medicinal and aromatic plant taxa, with characteristics relevant to planting layout and species selection. Consequently, this study provides a descriptive foundation for further research on how such taxa can be incorporated into campus planting designs and green space planning. Full article

This study aims to examine the effect of authentic leadership on task performance in public organizations from sustainability perspective and to test whether supportive organizational culture plays a mediating role in this relationship. A quantitative, correlational, cross-sectional survey design was used for this study. A questionnaire form was used to collect data. Authentic leadership, task performance, and supportive organizational culture were measured using standard scales. After scale adaptation and factor analyses, one authentic leadership item was removed, resulting in a 15-item structure. Data were collected via Google Forms from 452 civil servants and contracted employees working in a metropolitan municipality in Turkey using convenience sampling. The data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 22 for CFA. Construct validity was established through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA). Internal consistency coefficients were found to be high. Common method bias was assessed using Harman’s single-factor test. Hypotheses were tested using PROCESS Macro Model 4 with 5000 bootstrap resamples. The findings indicate that authentic leadership does not have a significant direct effect on task performance. However, authentic leadership significantly and positively predicts supportive organizational culture, and supportive organizational culture significantly enhances task performance. Moreover, the effect of authentic leadership on task performance occurs indirectly through supportive organizational culture, indicating a full mediating role. The results suggest that, in public organizations, leadership effects are more likely to be transferred into performance outcomes when it is embedded in cultural norms and supportive practices. From a sustainability perspective, in the absence of direct measures of sustainability outcomes, self-reported task performance is interpreted as a proximal organizational outcome rather than a direct indicator of sustainability. Therefore, the study offers theoretically grounded sustainability implications for institutional continuity via supportive organizational culture, efficiency in the use of resources and service quality with the practices of green HR in the public sector. Future research should employ multi-source and multi-indicator measures of sustainability. Full article

This study examines how green organizational practices influence employees’ pro-environmental behaviors. It further investigates the roles of environmental awareness and green advocacy in Moroccan organizations. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with the employees working in various organizations in Morocco. Data were analyzed using SmartPLS 4 and IBM SPSS Statistics version 23 to assess relationships among green leadership, CSR, and employee behaviors. The findings indicate that green transformational leadership, CSR-e, and green empowerment significantly influence employee pro-environmental behavior. Environmental awareness also significantly mediated the effects of CSR and green leadership on employee sustainability actions. Organizations can adopt targeted incentives and educational initiatives to foster environmental awareness and green advocacy. Consequently, a more sustainable workplace culture can be established. In addition, this study provides empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of green workplace practices in Morocco. The study provides insights into leadership and CSR strategies to enhance employees’ sustainability efforts. Full article