Search Results (675)

Food waste poses critical environmental, economic, and social challenges, with consumer behavior recognized as a key leverage point for intervention. Packaging plays a vital role in preserving food quality and reducing waste, yet its behavioral influence on household food waste (HFW) remains underexplored. This review systematically examines 52 studies investigating the impact of food packaging—excluding storage/date labeling—on consumer food waste (CFW) behaviors. Using a structured methodology, we classified studies by methodological design, geographic coverage, food types, and focal packaging features. The analysis reveals a dominant reliance on consumer surveys and short-duration diaries, with limited application of rigorous experimental methods. Geographically, the English-language literature is skewed toward high-income countries, particularly Australia and Europe, with notable gaps in regions such as Asia and Africa. Moreover, despite U.S. households discarding approximately 40% of their food, research coverage remains limited. The findings also expose a misalignment between research focus and consumer-perceived importance of packaging features; attributes such as transparency, grip/shape, and dispensing mechanisms are frequently rated as important by consumers but are under-represented in the literature. This review contributes by identifying these gaps, synthesizing behavioral evidence, and offering a roadmap for future research and design innovation. By better aligning packaging functionalities with real-world behaviors, this work supports the development of consumer-informed solutions to mitigate HFW and promote sustainable food systems. Full article

Urbanization has significantly transformed ecological landscapes and created challenges in sustaining both environmental functionality and cultural values. In response, China’s Sponge City Infrastructure (SPI) aims to enhance urban water resilience by integrating green and blue infrastructure. While the ecological benefits of SPI have been widely studied, the cultural ecosystem services (CES) it provides remain underexplored. This study systematically reviews 61 empirical articles to evaluate how CES has been addressed in SPI-related research. Bibliometric analysis was conducted to identify CES research trends and to systematically categorize CES types, assessment methods, and evaluation indicators in SPI-related studies. The findings reveal a dominant use of non-monetary assessment methods, led by questionnaire surveys (47.5%), while monetary approaches were rarely applied. However, several limitations were identified, including the geographic concentration of studies in a few major cities, the scarcity of research on abstract CES categories (e.g., inspiration and sense of place), and the lack of measurable indicators in nearly half of the reviewed studies. To address these issues, this study proposes a context-specific CES assessment framework aligned with China’s socio-cultural conditions and planning priorities in sponge city development. The framework, based on the reviewed literature, provides a preliminary tool for evaluating CES in sponge city contexts. This work contributes to the integration of cultural ecosystem services into urban ecological planning and offers insights for sustainable development in rapidly urbanizing regions. Full article

This study explores the intersection of landscape design and ecosystem services, emphasising context-sensitive design and the integration of indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) in forest health bases. Current challenges include disconnects between design practices and local cultural identity, as well as insufficient ecological integration, necessitating systematic approaches that harmonise ecological functions with sociocultural values. While existing research prioritises health benefit assessments, the role of ILK in long-term sustainability remains underexplored. To address this gap, we developed a multidimensional evaluation system integrating ecological, cultural, community, and human health indicators. Using a hybrid Delphi–Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), we identified 33 core indicators through literature word-frequency analysis. These indicators were refined via two rounds of expert surveys involving 48 interdisciplinary scholars and empirically validated at the Yuping Mountain Forest Health Base in Sichuan, China. The case study achieved an overall score of 4.371 (Grade I), with “Site location” (weight 0.064) and “Maintenance of the human landscape” (weight 0.056) as pivotal factors. ILK integration enhanced ecological resilience and community cultural engagement. Quantitative data revealed strong performance in five senses of experience (weight 0.056), though cultural resource utilisation requires refinement. The innovation of this study is that it is the first to construct an ILK-driven assessment framework to achieve the deep integration of scientific quantification and local wisdom. The study provides a decision-making tool that is both humanistic and scientific, in order to promote the synergistic development of human health, ecological protection, and cultural heritage and to help sustainable landscape design practice. Full article

Current policy recommendations for initial teacher education encourage teaching code-related literacy (phonics, phonological awareness, and phonemic awareness) over pedagogical knowledge, and engaging practice in learning to read. To enhance early childhood pre-service teacher (PST) practices, this mixed-methods pilot study investigated a tool to support PSTs studying birth-to-eight years teaching, pedagogical practice, and knowledge to teach code-related literacy and supplementary vocabulary in conjunction with quality children’s literature. The Non-Scripted Intentional Teaching (N-SIT) tool was developed and then trialled with early childhood PSTs (n = 24) in Queensland, Australia. The participants planned phonics learning experiences using the N-SIT and picture books (e.g., Pig the Pug; Snail and the Whale). Survey data gathered participants’ code-related literacy knowledge before and after the N-SIT training. The data revealed most PSTs felt well-to-somewhat prepared to teach beginning reading and vocabulary and less-to-somewhat prepared to teach phonics. The data further revealed that all participants could define phonics but reported mixed conceptual understandings of phonological and phonemic awareness. The PSTs’ knowledge of phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, and planning for phonics-focused teaching through children’s literature improved post-N-SIT activity. Planned direct systematic phonics instruction strategies through the intentional shared reading of children’s literature and the potential benefits of the N-SIT tool in early childhood initial teacher education are discussed. Full article

Citizen science (CS) is increasingly recognized as a complementary approach for addressing soil health challenges—including erosion, pollution, nutrient imbalances, and biodiversity loss—by harnessing public participation to broaden spatial and temporal data collection. This review synthesizes findings from the following: (i) a systematic analysis of peer-reviewed literature and grey sources, (ii) a database of 96 CS initiatives compiled by the European PREPSOIL project, and (iii) questionnaire surveys and workshops conducted in five Living Labs across Europe. Our analysis indicates that volunteer-driven monitoring can enhance the volume and granularity of soil data, providing critical insights into parameters such as organic carbon content, nutrient levels, and pollutant concentrations. However, persistent challenges remain, including inconsistencies in data validation, volunteer attrition, and concerns regarding digital literacy and data privacy. Despite these challenges, ongoing efforts to standardize protocols, integrate remote sensing and sensor-based validation methods, and employ feedback mechanisms improve data reliability and participant engagement. We conclude that sustained capacity-building, transparent data governance, and stakeholder collaboration, from local communities to governmental bodies, are essential for fully realizing the potential of citizen science in soil conservation. This work is framed within the context of the European Soil Mission, and CS is demonstrated to meaningfully support sustainable land management and evidence-based policymaking by aligning public-generated observations with established scientific frameworks. Full article

Bridges are assets in every society, and their deterioration can have severe economic, social, and environmental consequences. Therefore, implementing effective asset management strategies is crucial to ensure bridge infrastructure’s long-term performance and safety. Roadmaps can serve as valuable tools for bridge asset managers, helping bridge engineers make informed decisions that enhance bridge safety while maintaining controlled life cycle costs. Although some bridge asset management roadmaps exist, such as the one published by the United States Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), there is a lack of structured research roadmaps that are both region-specific and adaptable as guiding frameworks for similar studies. For instance, the FHWA roadmap cannot be universally applied across diverse regional contexts. This study addresses this critical gap by developing a research roadmap tailored to Idaho, USA. The roadmap was developed using a three-phase methodological approach: (1) a comprehensive analysis of past and ongoing Department of Transportation (DOT)-funded research projects over the last five years, (2) a nationwide survey of DOT funding and research practices, and (3) a detailed assessment of Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) deficiently rated bridge inventory, including individual element condition states. In the first phase, three filtering stages were implemented to identify the top 25 state projects. A literature review was conducted for each project to provide ITD’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) members with insights into research undertaken by various state DOTs. Moreover, in the second phase, approximately six questionnaires were designed and distributed to other state DOTs. These questionnaires primarily covered topics related to bridge research priorities and funding allocation. In the final phase, a condition state analysis was conducted using data-driven methods. Key findings from this three-phase methodological approach highlight that ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), bridge deck preservation, and maintenance strategies are high-priority research areas across many DOTs. Furthermore, according to the DOT responses, funding is most commonly allocated to projects related to superstructure and deck elements. Finally, ITD found that the most deficient elements in Idaho bridges are reinforced concrete abutments, reinforced concrete pile caps and footings, reinforced concrete pier walls, and movable bearing systems. These findings were integrated with insights from ITD’s TAC to generate a prioritized list of 23 high-impact research topics aligned with Idaho’s specific needs and priorities. From this list, the top six topics were selected for further investigation. By adopting this strategic approach, ITD aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its bridge-related research efforts, ultimately contributing to safer and more resilient transportation infrastructure. This paper could be a helpful resource for other DOTs seeking a systematic approach to addressing their bridge research needs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Communication skills are a core professional competency for dental hygienists. Accordingly, it is vital to develop a systematic scale that can objectively predict the relationship among communication skills and job satisfaction and various psychosocial factors. This study aimed to develop and validate the Patient-Centered Communication Competency Scale (PCCS) in dental hygienists for dental health service. Methods: Initial items were generated through a literature review, expert content validity assessment, and a preliminary survey. An online survey was conducted with 400 dental hygienists working in dental clinics and hospitals. Construct validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), while reliability was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha. Results: The preliminary 38-item scale was refined through five rounds of EFA, resulting in an 11-item scale with three subscales: Assertiveness, Empathy, and Respect. CFA results indicated good model fit (χ²/df = 1.749, RMR = 0.027, RMSEA = 0.061, GFI = 0.941, NFI = 0.911, IFI = 0.960, CFI = 0.959, TLI = 0.949), demonstrating strong convergent and discriminant validity. The PCCS also demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.862) and criterion validity, confirmed by its positive correlation with self-efficacy and job satisfaction. Conclusions: The proposed PCCS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing and improving dental hygienists’ communication skills, with potential applications in training programs and communication competency research in dental settings. Full article

Visual computing in medicine involves handling the generation, acquisition, processing, analysis, exploration, visualization, and interpretation of medical visual information. Machine learning has become a prominent tool for data analytics and problem-solving, which is the process of enabling computers to automatically learn from data and obtain certain knowledge, patterns, or input–output relationships. The tasks involving visual computing in medicine often could be transformed into tasks of machine learning. In recent years, there has been a surge in research focusing on machine-learning-based visual computing. However, there are few reviews comprehensively introducing and surveying the systematic implementation of machine-learning-based vision computing in medicine, and in relevant reviews, little attention has been paid to the use of machine learning methods to transform medical visual computing tasks into data-driven learning problems with high-level feature representation, while exploring their effectiveness in key medical applications, such as image-guided surgery. This review paper addresses the above question and surveys fully and systematically the recent advancements, challenges, and future directions regarding machine-learning-based medical visual computing with high-level features. This paper is organized as follows. The fundamentals and paradigm of visual computing in medicine are first concisely introduced. Then, aspects of visual computing in medicine are delved into: (1) acquisition of visual information; (2) processing and analysis of visual information; (3) exploration and interpretation of visual information; and (4) image-guided surgery. In particular, this paper explores machine-learning-based methods and factors for visual computing tasks. Finally, the future prospects are discussed. In conclusion, this literature review on machine learning for visual computing in medicine showcases the diverse applications and advancements in this field. Full article

Herein is presented a systematic review on property documentation in Greece from 1830 to the present, examining the systems used and their impact on spatial data management and land administration policies. This review reveals that the adoption of the person-based land registry system in 1836, versus the parcel-based Cadastre, led to fragmented property documentation and hindered coherent land administration policies. The establishment of the Hellenic Cadastre in 1995 marked the transition to integrated property documentation within the sole official parcel-based system, facilitating spatial data management and sustainable development. The cadastral survey revealed significant spatial and descriptive fragmentation due to incomplete spatial and legal documentation, unregistered administrative acts, and unregistered public property, which also affects the operational Cadastre. This paper contributes to the literature on the full transition from land registries to a Cadastre, and its impact on spatial data management and overall land administration. Full article

Zingiberaceae is a diverse and culturally significant plant family across tropical Asia, yet in Roi Et Province, Thailand, it has remained poorly documented. This study aimed to provide the first comprehensive assessment of Zingiberaceae in Roi Et Province, Thailand. Previous studies in the region have been limited and did not systematically document species occurrence. The assessment began with an overview of species diversity, followed by an investigation of their ethnobotanical uses, an evaluation of their horticultural potential, and an assessment of their conservation status. Field surveys were conducted throughout Roi Et Province across various habitat types using exploratory sampling to record all observable Zingiberaceae species. Species were identified based on morphological characteristics and comparisons with existing taxonomic literature. A total of 97 species were recorded, including 86 native and 11 introduced taxa, with 23 species endemic to Thailand and 25 species featuring new distributions reported for the province. Species richness was highest in cultivated habitats, likely reflecting the active role of traditional agroecosystems in conserving both native and introduced taxa. Natural habitats such as wetlands and dry evergreen forests hosted species with restricted distributions, underscoring the need to preserve ecological heterogeneity. Ethnobotanical interviews revealed widespread local use of rhizomes and inflorescences for food, medicine, ornamentation, and ceremonial purposes. Phenological observations indicated synchronized flowering and fruiting aligned with the monsoon season, which are traits that supports successful reproduction but may also increase vulnerability under shifting climate regimes—highlighting the importance of monitoring for conservation and guiding optimal harvest timing. These findings demonstrate that both natural and cultivated systems are integral to maintaining Zingiberaceae diversity in the region. Conservation strategies should prioritize habitat protection, support traditional cultivation practices, and promote further research into economically and culturally valuable species. Full article

Reducing enteric methane production from ruminant livestock has been positioned as a key intervention to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Bovaer©, a feed additive purported to reduce enteric methane emissions in dairy cows by nearly a third, has received regulatory authorization in many countries. However, there is a dearth of evidence on the consumer’s response to the use of such products. In the three weeks after 27 November 2024, there was a significant increase in media communications associated with the use of Bovaer© in Europe, and especially the United Kingdom (UK). This structured review of academic and gray literature and an iterative non-systematic survey of media discourse online explored and characterized the narratives that emerged in this three-week period of intense activity in both social media and mainstream media communications in order to critique the narratives and grammars within the public response and the implications for policymakers, industry and academia. The main narrative that emerged reflected the science-consumer tensions associated with the use of Bovaer© and the four sub-narratives shaping it (mainstream media influence and narrative framing, distrust in science and lack of relatability, conspiracy theories and fear-based narratives, consumer buycotts and market responses). Organizations adopting technological solutions to address ‘wicked’ societal problems need to understand the factors that trigger, amplify and attenuate social concern as expressed in mainstream and social media and need to adopt appropriate communication and dissemination activities to reduce the circulation of mis-dis-mal-information and promote information that is appropriate for multiple audiences and levels of understanding. Full article

Psychology is a core discipline in understanding why and how individuals choose to engage in sustainable action. This paper uses social representations theory to explore the rising use of eco/green prefixes for psychology concepts through a critical analysis of the concept of eco/green fatigue. It argues that this term, which originated in the world of popular online news media, has typically been treated in academic psychology discussions using existing psychology concepts in the same way as eco-anxiety and eco-grief, which hides important features of the phenomenon that need to be better understood. The paper presents an analysis of eco-fatigue based on a critical review of the existing psychology literature, qualitative online archival analyses, and an exploratory quantitative survey study. The survey study was conducted with a sample of 182 students and non-students and analysed using principal components and cluster analysis. The paper provides evidence that simply adding an eco/green prefix to an existing psychology concept without a systematic empirical investigation into the phenomenon can result in overly simplistic conceptual frameworks that do not lead to sound practical conclusions. A preliminary empirical examination of the social representation of eco-fatigue in the public arena suggested that inappropriate sustainability messaging and bad business behaviour may be more of a barrier to sustainability action than the beliefs or attitudes held by individuals. Full article

With industrial upgrading and increasingly diversified urban functions in small and medium-sized cities in China, the demand for convention and exhibition buildings has been steadily rising. However, current research mainly focuses on the planning and operation of such buildings in large cities, with a lack of systematic and targeted studies on small and medium-sized cities that have relatively limited resources and varied development orientations. According to data collection and field surveys of convention and exhibition buildings in 148 small and medium-sized cities nationwide, this paper constructs a case database and conducts in-depth research on building types and factor guarantee mechanisms. This study first employs cluster analysis to classify 73 typical cases, incorporating comparative analysis from multiple dimensions such as the city’s economic development level, characteristics of the convention and exhibition industry, primary functions, operational focus, service targets, and planning layout, based on literature review and expert opinions. It then proposes four convention and exhibition building positioning models—market type, production-based type, enclave type and comprehensive type—and analyzes the characteristics of their typical cases. Afterward, through surveys, literature reviews, and expert interviews, this study identifies relevant indicators—such as resource factors and development conditions—and applies the importance index method to select 19 core indicators. These are used to establish a factor guarantee indicator system comprising two levels: “city-related factors” and “regional-related factors”. Subsequently, by analyzing the development strategies and core support factors of different building types using the priority diagram method, this study clarifies the resource demands and development paths for each model. The results indicate that the positioning strategy for convention and exhibition buildings in small and medium-sized cities should align with local industrial foundations and stages of urban development, fostering the formation of differentiated and sustainable development models. This research offers theoretical support and practical guidance for the scientific planning and efficient construction of convention and exhibition buildings in small and medium-sized cities, contributing to improved functionality, regional economic growth, and optimized urban spatial structure. Full article

As a high-risk industry characterized by persistently high accident and casualty rates, the construction sector has been extensively studied in terms of individual behavioral safety, organizational safety culture, and safety climate. However, existing research remains fragmented, lacking an integrative perspective to systematically explore the interconnections between these interrelated dimensions. This study investigates the mechanisms through which the ownership climate influences safety behaviors among construction workers in China. Applying self-determination theory (SDT) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), we propose a dual-mediation model with team building and risk perception as parallel mediators. Empirical data were collected from 312 frontline workers through structured surveys and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) and bootstrapping techniques. The results demonstrate that a sense of ownership climate not only directly enhances the safety behaviors of construction workers but also functions via dual mechanisms: strengthening team building to improve both compliance with and the execution of safety protocols and heightening risk perception awareness to reduce the propensity for risk-taking behaviors. These findings highlight the need for strategies integrating ownership climate cultivation, team collaboration, and risk awareness training to optimize safety outcomes. This study extends the existing literature by bridging motivational (SDT) and cognitive (TPB) frameworks, offering culturally grounded solutions for transient workforce management in high-risk industries. Full article

Scientific disinformation has emerged as a critical challenge at the interface of science and society. This paper examines how false or misleading scientific content proliferates across both social media and traditional media and evaluates strategies to counteract its spread. We conducted a comprehensive literature review of research on scientific misinformation across disciplines and regions, with particular focus on climate change and public health as exemplars. Our findings indicate that social media algorithms and user dynamics can amplify false scientific claims, as seen in case studies of viral misinformation campaigns on vaccines and climate change. Traditional media, meanwhile, are not immune to spreading inaccuracies—journalistic practices such as sensationalism or “false balance” in reporting have at times distorted scientific facts, impacting public understanding. We review efforts to fight disinformation, including technological tools for detection, the application of inoculation theory and prebunking techniques, and collaborative approaches that bridge scientists and journalists. To empower individuals, we propose practical guidelines for critically evaluating scientific information sources and emphasize the importance of digital and scientific literacy. Finally, we discuss methods to quantify the prevalence and impact of scientific disinformation—ranging from social network analysis to surveys of public belief—and compare trends across regions and scientific domains. Our results underscore that combating scientific disinformation requires an interdisciplinary, multi-pronged approach, combining improvements in science communication, education, and policy. We conducted a scoping review of 85 open-access studies focused on climate-related misinformation and disinformation, selected through a systematic screening process based on PRISMA criteria. This approach was chosen to address the lack of comprehensive mappings that synthesize key themes and identify research gaps in this fast-growing field. The analysis classified the literature into 17 thematic clusters, highlighting key trends, gaps, and emerging challenges in the field. Our results reveal a strong dominance of studies centered on social media amplification, political denialism, and cognitive inoculation strategies, while underlining a lack of research on fact-checking mechanisms and non-Western contexts. We conclude with recommendations for strengthening the resilience of both the public and information ecosystems against the spread of false scientific claims. Full article