Environmental Demands Research Articles

Gaps in and Opportunities for Disaster Risk Reduction in Urban Areas Through International Standardization of Smart Community Infrastructure

Global communities are becoming increasingly vulnerable to natural hazards and climate change, and the rapid pace of urbanization exacerbates these risks. According to the World Bank, approximately 50% of the world’s population lives in areas exposed to natural hazards, making the need to overcome the challenges to sustainable urban development pressing. The increasing frequency of heavy rain, flooding, landslides, and wildfires underscores the urgent need for disaster risk mitigation strategies, aligned with sustainable development goals. Infrastructure plays a crucial role in cultivating resilient cities that can withstand, recover from, and adapt to disasters, while promoting long-term sustainability, by minimizing environmental degradation and encouraging responsible development. International standards for smart community infrastructure provide significant advantages, including cost reductions, technology transfer, and enhanced innovation through improved global competitiveness. This paper investigates how these standards can empower community stakeholders to strengthen both the resilience and sustainability of urban areas, facilitating balanced growth that addresses environmental and social demands.

Is hyperactivity in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) a functional response to demands on specific executive functions or cognitive demands in general?

Hyperactivity is a core and impairing deficit in the clinical model of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the extent to which hyperactivity in ADHD is evoked by cognitively challenging tasks in general or by demands on specific executive functions remains unclear. A clinically evaluated and carefully phenotyped community-referred sample of 184 children ages 8-13 (M = 10.40, SD = 1.50; 61 girls) with ADHD (n = 119) and without ADHD (neurotypical children and children with psychiatric disorders other than ADHD) were administered multiple, counterbalanced executive (working memory, inhibitory control, set shifting) and nonexecutive tests. Objective measures of gross motor movement (hyperactivity) were obtained using actigraphy. Using bifactor s-1 modeling, results indicate that children with ADHD demonstrate moderately elevated levels of motor movement relative to non-ADHD children. Additionally, findings indicated that hyperactivity in ADHD reflects the outcome of at least two similarly important factors: (a) a baseline level of elevated motor movement that is independent of environmental demands on their executive and nonexecutive cognitive abilities (d = 0.72); and (b) additional elevations attributable to demands placed on specific executive functions, with working memory and inhibition demands evoking similarly large, differential increases in movement for children with ADHD above and beyond their elevated baselines (Δd = 0.80). These findings suggests that executive function demands exacerbate, but do not fully explain, hyperactivity in ADHD, and/or there are at least two pathways to hyperactivity in ADHD-hyperactivity caused by environmental demands that challenge their underdeveloped executive functions, and hyperactivity caused by one or more other factors that need future research to identify. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Remote work and human resource management: Challenges and solutions

The rise of remote work, accelerated by global disruptions and technological advancements, has fundamentally reshaped traditional human resource management (HRM) practices. This study investigates the key challenges that organizations face in managing a remote workforce, including maintaining employee engagement, ensuring effective communication, managing productivity, and addressing mental health concerns. Additionally, the research explores the role of technology in overcoming these challenges, highlighting solutions such as virtual collaboration tools, flexible work policies, and performance monitoring systems. Through an analysis of current HR practices in organizations that have successfully adapted to remote work, this paper identifies best practices and strategic adjustments necessary for HR managers to support a distributed workforce. The findings suggest that while remote work offers flexibility and operational efficiency, it also requires a shift in HR strategies toward building a cohesive virtual work culture, offering ongoing training, and ensuring employee well-being. This research contributes to the understanding of how HRM can evolve to meet the demands of the remote work environment, providing actionable insights for organizations navigating this new paradigm.

Multidisciplinarity in Geoscientific Research

The multidisciplinary approach of geoscientific research in the academic setting underscores the increasing necessity of integrating diverse fields of knowledge to tackle complex interconnected issues. This multidisciplinary field seeks to uncover the complex operations of the Earth, encompassing the analysis of its past movements of tectonic plates, historical climates, and valuable natural resources like minerals and hydrocarbons. In this context, geospatial intelligence plays a crucial role by enabling the effective analysis and interpretation of extensive geographic datasets, thus enhancing our understanding of environmental dynamics. Nevertheless, advancements in technology, globalization, and the difficulties posed by environmental and climatic transformations demand an even more profound collaboration among various disciplines, facilitating an expansive viewpoint and yielding more holistic solutions to contemporary predicaments.

Comprehensive framework for data fusion in distributed ledger technologies to enhance supply chain sustainability

This review proposes a comprehensive framework that integrates data fusion with Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) to enhance sustainability in supply chain management. In today’s global supply chains, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and environmental responsibility is critical, yet the lack of real-time visibility and data fragmentation presents significant challenges. The framework addresses these issues by merging data from multiple sources, including IoT devices, operational databases, and external environmental factors, using advanced data fusion algorithms. DLT, with its decentralized, immutable, and transparent nature, ensures the integrity and security of the data, allowing all stakeholders to access accurate and tamper-proof information. The fusion of data within a DLT infrastructure not only improves traceability and accountability but also enables the automation of sustainability checks via smart contracts. These contracts can trigger actions based on predefined sustainability metrics such as carbon emissions, energy consumption, and resource efficiency. Furthermore, predictive analytics and machine learning algorithms integrated into the system provide real-time monitoring and optimization of sustainability performance throughout the supply chain. The proposed review offers numerous benefits, including enhanced transparency, reduced operational costs, improved sustainability outcomes, and risk mitigation. It also addresses challenges such as scalability, data privacy, and regulatory compliance, offering solutions to overcome these hurdles. By exploring case studies of successful implementations, this review demonstrates the practical applications and future potential of combining DLT and data fusion for sustainable supply chain management, positioning it as a critical tool for organizations aiming to meet environmental and regulatory demands in an increasingly digital and eco-conscious world.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WORKLOAD AND USE OF ANXIOLYTICS AND ANTIDEPRESSANTS IN NURSING: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Introduction: Nursing professionals face high levels of stress and work overload, which can affect their mental health and lead to the use of anxiolytics and antidepressants. However, the relationship between workload and the use of these medications is not yet completely clear. Objective: This study aims to explore the relationship between nurses' workload and the use of anxiolytics and antidepressants, in addition to identifying the main factors that influence this use. Methodology: An integrative literature review was carried out, searching the PubMed and CINAHL databases, using specific descriptors. The studies were selected based on the relationship between workload and medication use, and analyzed for quality and relevance. Conclusion: The data suggest a significant association between high workload and the use of psychotropic medications, highlighting factors such as long working hours and high demand in the health environment. The review suggests that work overload is linked to the use of anxiolytics and antidepressants by nurses, reinforcing the need for interventions to improve working conditions and support the mental health of these professionals.

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION AS A PHASE OF TRANSITION AND DEVELOPMENT, PSYCHOLOGICAL CHALLENGES FACED BY STUDENTS

This study investigates the psychological impacts faced by students during their academic studies. Based on an analysis of 21 students, the study examined their levels of stress, anxiety, and signs of depression. The results reveal a variety of emotional and mental issues faced by these students, including high levels of stress, severe anxiety, and moderate depression. This article discusses the possible causes of these impacts, such as the academic environment, social expectations, and curriculum demands. In addition, the collected data are examined to understand the negative effects and their implications for the well-being and mental health of students, finding significant results, with 62% of the sample presenting anxiety, 86% very high stress, and 14% severe depression, along with 38% of the sample presenting moderate depression.

The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Supporting SDGs: A Propriety and Fairness Perspective

Introduction: Increasingly complex environmental challenges demand transparent and accountable measurement of corporate social responsibility (CSR). To create corporate value and monitor social, environmental, and economic impacts, companies and governments collaborate to promote ethical CSR practices and meet existing regulatory requirements, while supporting transparency and accountability in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, varying CSR measurement standards often make it difficult to compare performance between companies. Objective: To uncover how stakeholders define the propriety and fairness of companies to achieve the SDGs. Method: Research data were obtained from interviews with company leaders/internal auditors/external auditors/teams involved in the company's CSR evaluation process totaling 81 people. The data collection process was carried out in a hybrid manner. Results and Discussion: In terms of regulations, most companies have complied with regulations related to transparency, financial reporting, and CSR. In terms of propriety and fairness, CSR costs cannot be classified as income, but rather as a reduction in taxable income (expenses). However, it turns out that there are still companies that include CSR costs in other income. Research Implications: This study develops a model for assessing the propriety and fairness of CSR in sustainability reporting, including the social and environmental impacts of its business to support the achievement of SDGs. Originality/Value: This study produces a measurable assessment of the propriety and fairness of corporate CSR, which supports SDGs in improving corporate accountability and transparency.

The challenge of toxic leadership in realising Sustainable Development Goals: A scoping review

Orientation: Best human resource management (HRM) practices can play a crucial role in addressing unethical leadership in the form of toxic leadership by fostering organisational cultures where trust, integrity, and accountability are prioritised.Research purpose: The paper addresses how the HRM function can contribute to eliminating toxic leadership and its associated norms and thereby meet the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals 8 and 16.Motivation for the study: The prevalence of toxic leadership and the extent of the detrimental consequences for employees and organisational functioning is a key challenge in realising SDGs 8 and 16.Research approach/design and method: To conduct the scoping review, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed, and selected databases were searched for peer reviewed empirical articles between 2014 and 2024. Results were summarised and thematically categorised with regard to the objectives of the paper.Main findings: Ethical leadership behaviours are presented as a key mechanism for offsetting the impact of toxic behaviours of organisational leaders. In order to achieve SDGs 8 and 16, the support and commitment from HRM practitioners are essential.Practical/managerial implications: Promoting ethical leadership and a conducive work environment demands attention in the following five areas of HRM practice: recruitment and selection; training and development; performance management; employee engagement and wellbeing; and organisational culture.Contribution/value-add: The review of existing literature on toxic leadership offers a succinct summary of different mechanisms and strategies that can be employed to counter these forms of leadership behaviours in organisations.

Challenges of Lack of Human Resources in Training Management at SPNF Sanggar Medan City Learning Activities

The background of the research is based on the formulation of the problem, namely the challenges faced by the Learning Activity Studio (SKB) in Medan City from the perspective of training management due to limited resources. This study uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive analysis method. The subjects in this study are leaders and employees at SPNF SDKB in Medan City who are selected through purposive sampling techniques. Data collection was carried out through observation and interviews directly to respondents. Data analysis is carried out qualitatively consisting of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results of the analysis show that the development of human resources in a SKB is very necessary to improve the quality and success of the training program, namely further efforts are needed in the development of more varied training programs and more activities, as well as improving human resource competencies so that the company can survive and develop in accordance with environmental demands. To increase training management resources, SKB can consider strategies such as internal and external training, as well as the use of technology to improve training access and efficiency.

Exploring age-related differences in the relationship between spatial and temporal contributions to step length asymmetry during split-belt adaptation.

Gait adaptability is crucial for meeting environmental demands, and impaired gait adaptation increases fall risk, particularly in older adults. While prior research exists on older adults' gait adaptation, particularly in perturbation studies, the specific contributions of temporal and spatial adaptation strategies to step length asymmetry (SLA) during split-belt treadmill walking require further examination. This study fills this gap by evaluating how distinct adaptation strategies contribute to SLA in healthy young and older adults. 19 healthy young adults (20.4 ± 1.1years) and 19 healthy older adults (68.3 ± 8.1years) walked on a split-belt treadmill requiring their non-dominant leg to move twice as fast as their dominant leg. Repeated measures ANOVA investigated (1) spatial and temporal contributions to SLA, (2) SLA across gait adaptation epochs, and (3) rates of adaptation and deadaptation. Older adults displayed reduced temporal contributions to SLA compared to younger adults (F1,36 = 6.42, p = .02, ŋ2 = .15), but no group differences were observed in spatial contributions to SLA (F1,36 = 3.23, p = .08, ŋ2 = .082). SLA during adaptation and deadaptation did not differ by age group, nor did the rate of adaptation (F1,34.7 = 0.594, p = .45) or deadaptation F1,33.6 = 2.886, p = .09). These findings suggest that while older adults rely less on temporal strategies for gait adaptation, but maintain overall adaptability comparable to younger adults. Findings enhance our understanding of age-related changes in gait adaptation mechanisms and may inform targeted interventions to improve gait adaptability in older populations.

Transitioning practices of vegetable small-scale actors in Vietnam: an interplay of food safety, labor demand, and soil environment

AbstractFood safety is a critical and persistent issue that challenges the sustainability of agri-food systems in Vietnam. The government has launched multiple food safety initiatives, but there is limited understanding of their contribution to changing the practices of small-scale producers and distributors. This study explores these changing practices by applying Social Practice Theory (SPT) to analyze the transitions in everyday routines of small-scale vegetable producers while being embedded in socio-institutional contexts of agri-food system transitions. We conducted semi-structured interviews and survey with small-scale food producers and distributors in Hanoi, Vietnam to examine the transitions in production and post-production practices over the last 20 years and the intersection between smallholding practices and cross-level dynamics. The study revealed, contrary to some common perceptions, that smallholder producers are transitioning towards food safety, with the use of more bio-pesticides and eco-friendly pest control methods. The smallholders also reproduce a variety of (sustainable) intensification practices, including crop rotation, organic fertilization, and soil cultivation, to sustain soil fertility and save labor. However, there are no clear patterns of change for post-production practices, although they have been diversifying under the impacts of urbanization. The findings highlight the interplay of food safety, labor, and soil environment in shaping the transitions of smallholder practices. We suggest that success in improving safety in production practices is feasible, but that this requires more thorough interventions in distribution and consumption practices to transform the food systems at large.

Development of electromagnetic pollution maps utilizing Gaussian process spatial models

The rapid proliferation of wireless technologies in everyday environments demands the quick and precise estimation of electromagnetic field distribution. This distribution is commonly depicted through the electric field strength across various geographical areas. The objective of this research is to determine the most effective geospatial model for generating a national-level electric field strength map within the 30 MHz–6 GHz frequency range. To achieve this, we employed five different methodologies for constructing the electric field strength map. Four of these methodologies are based on Gaussian process regression, while the fifth utilizes the classical weighted-average method of the nearest neighbor. Our study focused on a country with a total area of 9251 km2, using a dataset comprising 3621 measurements. The findings reveal that Gaussian process spatial models, also known as Kriging models, generally outperform other methods when applied to spatial data. However, it was observed that, after excluding some outlier data points, the performance of the classical nearest neighbor models becomes comparable to that of the Gaussian process models. This indicates the potential for both approaches to be effective, depending on the data quality and the presence of outliers.

No Eye for the I-Word: The State of Research on Intelligence in India

Intelligence forms a core research area of Strategic Studies. The dynamic security environment and technological transformations demand cross-disciplinary insights from cognate fields to develop a nuanced understanding in intelligence studies. The scholarly reflection is largely confined to the West whereas research from the Global South remains abysmal. This article explores factors hindering the emergence of Intelligence Studies in India, both as an academic discipline and a potential research area, by analysing course syllabi of select universities and legal provisions. It reiterates the need for a systematic study of the subject to develop academic analytical precision and cater to new demands of policymaking.

Situación laboral y nivel de satisfacción en los graduados de la carrera Educación Comercial, UNAN-Managua

This paper analyzes the employment situation and the level of satisfaction of graduates of the Business Education career, in order to gather information that will serve as a reference to develop proposals to strengthen the link between the university and society. The research was carried out using a mixed methodology, combining positivist and interpretive paradigms, applying the survey technique both online and face-to-face to a sample of 81 graduates of the 2014-2023 generations. The results reveal that 94% of the graduates are employed, either full-time, part-time or self-employed, indicating a favorable employment situation. In addition, the majority of respondents are women. Regarding job satisfaction, the graduates express that their occupations are directly related to their academic training, although they identify the need to strengthen certain skills to improve their professional performance. In conclusion, the research underlines the importance of continuing to develop specific skills in graduates to optimize their insertion in the labor market, which in turn can contribute to a better connection between higher education and the demands of the labor environment.

SPECIFICS OF LEGAL REGULATION OF VIRTUAL SPACE

The relevance of this research is driven by the rapid development of information technologies and global digitalization processes, which have led to the emergence of virtual space as a new environment for social interactions. Virtual space has become an integral part of modern life, influencing various areas of society. However, despite its growing importance, the existing legal frameworks have not fully adapted to the specific characteristics of virtual space, such as its anonymity, global nature, and dynamic structure. The purpose of this article is to examine the peculiarities of legal regulation in virtual space and to propose effective mechanisms to ensure legal governance in the context of digitalization. This study addresses the gaps in the current legal system and explores ways to adapt legal norms to meet the demands of the digital environment. The study is particularly timely, given the increasing impact of digital technologies on social relations and the need for appropriate legal frameworks to regulate interactions within virtual space. The research methodology is based on an analysis of recent studies and publications, highlighting the growing interest of scholars in the legal regulation of digital technologies and virtual interactions. While there is a substantial body of work on virtual assets and digital rights, the issue of comprehensive legal regulation of virtual space remains underexplored. This article fills that gap by focusing on the development of cross-sectoral legal mechanisms and emphasizing the need for harmonization with international standards. The interdisciplinary nature of virtual space requires legal frameworks that can address the complexity of digital interactions, taking into account both national and international legal norms. The findings of the study show that for effective regulation of virtual space, it is essential to adapt existing legal mechanisms to the specific conditions of the digital environment. This includes the integration of international legal norms, the development of self-regulation tools, and the creation of a comprehensive legal system that can manage social relations in virtual space. The practical value of the article lies in its analysis of the challenges facing legal regulation in virtual space and the solutions proposed for improving the effectiveness of legal mechanisms. These recommendations can be used by policymakers and legal practitioners to develop a more robust regulatory framework for virtual interactions. Only through a comprehensive and flexible approach to regulation can legal systems ensure the orderly conduct of social relations in virtual space and protect the rights of individuals in the digital age.

Cognitive flexibility predicts attitudes towards vaccination: evidence from a New Zealand sample

BackgroundVaccine hesitancy (the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate) poses a significant threat to public health worldwide, with declining vaccination coverage resulting in the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases (e.g., measles) in recent years. Despite efforts to combat vaccine hesitancy through information-based campaigns and other interventions, vaccine-hesitant attitudes persist. Given that such interventions likely expose individuals to information that conflicts with their own viewpoints about vaccination, cognitive flexibility – the ability to adapt one’s thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, or behavior in response to changing information or environmental demands – may play a role in vaccine hesitancy.MethodsThe current study investigated the relationship between cognitive flexibility and attitudes towards vaccination in a sample of New Zealand residents (N = 601). Cognitive flexibility was measured using perseverative responses in the Wisconsin Card-Sorting Task, and vaccination attitudes were measured using an adapted version of the Multidimensional Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (MVHS). Linear regression was used with MVHS scores as the dependent variable and cognitive flexibility and sociodemographic variables (age, gender, ethnicity, education level, religion) as predictors.ResultsCognitive flexibility predicted personal barriers to vaccination (e.g.,” vaccines go against my personal beliefs”), with participants with lower levels of cognitive flexibility reporting greater personal barriers. In contrast, there was no significant relationship between cognitive flexibility and external barriers to vaccination (e.g., “vaccines cost too much”). Additionally, religious participants reported overall higher levels of vaccine hesitancy than non-religious participants.ConclusionsThese findings join others demonstrating that individual differences in cognitive style are associated with attitudes towards vaccination, and tentatively suggest that interventions aiming to reduce vaccine hesitancy may be more effective if combined with techniques to increase cognitive flexibility. To be sure, future work is needed to test the causal relationship between cognitive flexibility and attitudes towards vaccination.

Market Demand, Policy Environment, and Future Trends: Analysis of New Energy Vehicle Industry in China

Under the complex and ever-changing global economic situation, the sales of new energy vehicles in China are facing many development opportunities and practical challenges. Market demand and policy environment impact the development of China's new energy vehicle industry. This research takes the new energy vehicle industry in China as the research object, adopts a combination of literature review and case analysis methods by combing and analyzing relevant literature, combined with practical cases, deeply discusses the development status and problems of China's new energy vehicle industry, and proposes improvement suggestions from two dimensions: market demand and policy environment. Research shows that insufficient market demand, insufficient technological innovation, and an unstable policy environment are the main factors that restrict industrial development. To solve these problems, measures need to be taken, such as increasing government support, enhancing technological innovation capabilities, and promoting reforms and innovations in marketing and other aspects, aiming to inspire China's new energy vehicle industry to go global.

Life Cycle Assessment of Resource-Oriented Sanitation Based on Vacuum Toilet and Vacuum Kitchen Waste Shredder: A Case Study in Rural Southeastern China

The resource value of feces and kitchen waste has not been fully emphasized and utilized in rural sanitation management in China. In this paper, we propose a new ecological sanitation model with the core technology of “vacuum toilet and vacuum kitchen waste shredder—vacuum collection—resource treatment”, i.e., the modern home–farm cycle sanitation (MHFCS) system. We compared the environmental performance of the MHFCS system with that of a typical end-pipe treatment sanitation (EPTS) system (Johkasou—small onsite wastewater treatment system) in rural China using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. The results showed that the main source of environmental impacts of the MHFCS system was the collection and treatment process of domestic organic liquid wastes; the greenhouse gas emissions were 64.543 kg CO2eq·PE−1·year−1, and the MHFCS system indirectly gained a fertilizer substitution benefit of 65.960 kg CO2eq·PE−1·year−1 through nutrient element recycling. The MHFCS system has significant advantages in terms of net GHG emissions. Sensitivity analyses showed that resource consumption of vacuum facilities was a key factor for the MHFCS system. This system offers the potential to break down the barriers of the EPTS system in order to meet environmental sustainability and market demands for systemic diversity.

Fragility estimation for performance-based structural design of floating offshore wind turbine components

This study proposes a computational and mathematical framework aimed at assessing the reliability of structural components within Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWT) that reflects the various sources of uncertainties coupled between structural analyses, hydrodynamics, and aerodynamics. The limit state functions are represented through structural capacity and environmental demand models for selected structural failure modes that incorporate fully coupled aero-hydro-servo-elastic analysis. The fragility surfaces are developed for a selected benchmark wind turbine for both operating and parking conditions. The fragilities are also estimated under 50-year and 100-year environmental conditions in the selected U.S. coastal regions. It is found that the wind speed variations largely affect the fragility during non-operation, while wave height variations are significant during operation. Increased uncertainties in environmental parameters raised failure probabilities, especially in lower fragility ranges targeted by design codes. Analyses in U.S. coastal environments show both parking and operating conditions can be critical, challenging the previous focus on parking. Sensitivity studies reveal that under mild conditions, structural reliability is influenced by moment of inertia and material strength, but as environmental loads increase, these parameters become equally significant. Increased uncertainties in parameters lead to higher failure risks, especially below 25 m/s wind speeds.