Tire and road wear particles (TRWPs) are formed at the frictional interface of the tire and road surface and consist of polymer-containing tread with pavement mineral and binder encrustations. Their detection in various environmental compartments globally sparks increasing societal and regulatory interest. Solid quantitative information as a basis for managing and mitigating TRWPs in the environment is lacking however. This paper presents and demonstrates a model approach that produces catchment-scale terrestrial and aquatic TRWP mass balances anywhere in the world. A spatially and temporally explicit modelling method was used that builds on publicly available global datasets and process-based open-source modelling frameworks to describe hydrological processes, TRWP releases, fate and transport under a wide range of climatic conditions. High-resolution (<1 km) models were implemented and evaluated by demonstrating consistency with available field data for three watersheds on different continents. The approach provides comprehensive mass balances to underpin management of TRWPs that account for socio-economic, climate, geography and stormwater management gradients. Case study results revealed strong climate-induced differences: the fraction of vehicle-generated TRWPs exported to the estuarine environment varied between 2% (Seine watershed, France) to 18% (Yodo River watershed, Japan), corresponding to an increase in the fraction released to freshwater ecosystems from 20% to 36%, respectively. The modelling framework provides a consistent comparison between watersheds across the world. Limitations of the approach are its lack of local details and the uncertainties stemming from the still-developing scientific knowledge base.

ABSTRACT What role do businesses play in wartime – opportunistic rent-seekers, or defenders of the nation? This article explores how extreme geopolitical shocks reconfigure corporate agency by triggering civic transformation, arguing that such transformation is not a deviation from business interest but is embedded within it. It introduces a novel framework of constructive responses to conceptualise how firms link societal interest with self-interest across three competing logics of business interest formation: economistic, socially embedded, and geopolitically or normatively aligned. These logics range from narrow commercial calculations to broader civic commitments and correspond to distinct tiers of constructive responses – from symbolic acts and reputational signalling to resource mobilisation and strategic collaboration. To illustrate these responses empirically, the article examines responses of two contrasting Ukrainian business groups – oligarchic conglomerates and internationally integrated IT firms – during Russia’s full-scale invasion. Despite structural differences, both groups demonstrated civic agency and transformed their interests, repurposing informal networks and mobilising resources to meet urgent societal needs. The findings show how wartime conditions activate civic transformation that redefine business interests and position firms as co-producers of societal resilience. The study contributes to debates on corporate citizenship, democratic resilience, and the evolving role of business in patronal and post-conflict political economies.

Evaluating policy impact under sparse and staggered adoption. A synthetic difference-in-differences application to EU rural development measures.

Growing societal interest in communication accessibility and speech support for individuals with disabilities has led to greater recognition of the educational value of music-based language interventions. Accordingly, this study explored the practical potential of a chanting-based music intervention as an articulatory accuracy training method to improve speech intelligibility in adults with Down syndrome. Chanting, which incorporates elements of both speech and singing, is a musical technique that promotes coordination of the articulatory organs and expressive ability through regular rhythm and repetitive vocalization. Three adults with Down syndrome participated in the study. Quantitative analysis was conducted based on pre- and post-articulation test scores (U-TAP2), and qualitative responses were examined through session-by-session observations. The results showed overall improvement in participants’ speech intelligibility and articulation accuracy, along with increases in the frequency and intensity of speech and in the use of positive content words. These changes suggest that rhythmic structure and repetitive practice strengthened the stability of speech production and the consistency of expression. Although some participants displayed performance variability due to tension or emotional factors, chanting consistently contributed to enhanced language confidence and increased motivation to speak. This study demonstrates the potential of chanting-based music intervention as a practical model for musically supporting communication abilities in adults with Down syndrome and provides foundational data for the development of future programs aimed at strengthening their communication competence.

Throughout history, societies have adopted diverse approaches to addressing phenomena such as drug addiction and prostitution, often conceptualized as interconnected “satellites” of criminality. Although the use of psychoactive substances and the practice of prostitution date back to antiquity, contemporary socio-economic transformations have significantly reshaped their forms and impact. In the Republic of Moldova, as well as in other states of the former Soviet Union, the transition to a market economy, coupled with rapid developments in information and communication technologies, has generated new dynamics, patterns of vulnerability, and modalities of engagement in both drug use and sex work. The drug addiction phenomenon has evolved into a critical public health challenge, marked by increasing morbidity, heightened mortality rates, and substantial burdens on healthcare systems. Simultaneously, its ramifications extend far beyond the medical sphere, constituting a complex social-legal issue that fuels criminal behaviour, undermines social cohesion, and perpetuates cycles of marginalization and alienation. Prostitution, likewise, continues to generate profound ethical, social, and legal debates regarding individual autonomy, exploitation, and public order. Together, these phenomena threaten not only the well-being and security of individuals directly involved but also the broader societal interest, as their persistence hinders social development, reduces collective resilience, and compromises efforts to consolidate democratic governance and the rule of law. Understanding the interconnected nature of drug addiction and prostitution is therefore essential for developing holistic, evidence-based policies aimed at prevention, harm reduction, and social reintegration. This necessitates interdisciplinary research and coordinated institutional action capable of addressing the structural, psychological, and economic factors driving these practices

This study examines the historical formation and development of aerobic gymnastics in Mongolia within the context of national physical culture policies and international FIG standards. Using a qualitative historical–analytical approach, it draws on archival documents, sectoral statistics, and academic literature to trace major developmental stages from early mass physical culture initiatives to the sport’s emergence as a formal competitive discipline in the 1990s. The findings show significant recent progress, including expanded regional participation, stronger organizational structures, and increased visibility in FIG-sanctioned events. However, the sector continues to face challenges such as limited policy support, fragmented training standards, inadequate funding, and low public awareness. At the same time, rising societal interest in health, growing numbers of trained specialists, and expanding sports infrastructure present promising opportunities for further growth. The study concludes with recommendations to strengthen certification systems, enhance institutional capacity, and align national strategies with international frameworks. The research addresses how aerobic gymnastics in Mongolia has evolved and what institutional, social, and policy factors have shaped its trajectory.

The Polish dietary supplement market is undergoing rapid development, driven by an increasing societal interest in preventative healthcare and the utilisation of products that have demonstrated efficacy. Poland is a leading European dietary supplement market, driven by a number of factors, including increased nutritional awareness, an ageing population, and intensive marketing efforts by manufacturers. In this study, the elemental composition of 24 dietary supplements containing iron, folic acid, and other vitamins and essential macro- and micronutrients was examined using CV AAS, F AAS, and ICP-OES techniques. The samples analysed included supplements intended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, supplements for individuals struggling with anaemia, and multivitamin supplements containing a complete set of both vitamins and minerals. In order to ensure the accuracy of the product, the mineral doses listed in the package inserts were also verified. The study's findings revealed significant discrepancies between the doses declared by manufacturers and the doses obtained through analysis, particularly with regard to iron and zinc. Furthermore, an inconsistency was observed between the mineral doses and the values recommended by Polish law.

Spatial early warning signals to assess economic resilience

Abstract Given the growing societal interest in how our environment influences time perception, in a world that is more volatile and going at a faster pace than ever, there is an increased need for the understanding of how attentional states and awareness impact time perception. In the current study we aimed at assessing the role of both internally and externally directed attention on temporal production. We devised an experimental paradigm aimed at replicating attentional states and awareness comparable to those occurring during meditation. Based on the Sphere Model of Consciousness and the hierarchy of meditation types, we hypothesize a gradual slowing down of time production, from simply observing a stimulus, to a focused awareness similar to Focused-Attention meditation and, finally, to an embodied state similar to Open-Monitoring meditation. To test this hypothesis, participants underwent three experimental conditions during time production and were divided into two groups. In line with our hypothesis, we found progressively longer produced durations in these experimental conditions, and this was further emphasized in the group of participants asked to listen to their own breath compared to those listening to external sounds. These highlight the importance of different types of attentional states and levels of awareness when addressing time perception. In particular, bodily awareness seems to be of key importance in ‘slowing down’ our subjective perception of time, which may be useful in an increasingly fast-paced world.

Abstract Effective justice seeks for the truth and consequently must be founded on an analysis of all relevant evidence. Only where a manifestly greater societal interest intrudes, can there be a privilege against the production of testimony. For the Court of Justice of the EU, however, an activist interpretation of Article 8 of the EU Charter, promoting security of data, has become an elevated privacy right which justifies nullifying crucial information, thus shielding criminals, undermining civil trials and obstructing searches for missing persons. No convincingly apodictic conclusion emerges from the several judgments of the court, while the exceptions identified undermine, rather than support, any articulated core principle.

This article explores the principal didactic challenges of fostering preschoolers’ autonomous development through foreign-language instruction. Its relevance stems from recent increases in intercultural integration and international cooperation, which have generated growing individual, societal, and governmental interest in foreign-language education. These trends underscore the critical importance of early childhood exposure to additional languages. Contemporary realities call for viewing the child as an equal partner in their own development and in intercultural communication. The study’s objective is to substantiate the potential for nurturing preschoolers’ autonomy via foreign-language means. The research reviews scientific approaches, methodologies, and theoretical frameworks proposed by leading Russian scholars-including N. D. Galskova, Z. N. Nikitenko, E. Yu. Protasova, N. M. Rodina, N.A. Gorlova, N. A. Tarasiuk, E. I. Negnevitskaia, A. M. Shakhnarovich, A. N. Utekhina, A. A. Leontiev, I. A. Zimniaia - and examines the Federal State Educational Standard for Preschool Education, which mandates harmonious child development across five domains: cognitive, socio-communicative, physical, artistic-aesthetic, and linguistic. This article analyzes the specific features of preschoolers’ cognitive development; the psycho-pedagogical support programs that facilitate positive individualization and socialization; the application of the anthropocentric principle in creating a developmental environment; and the health-preserving principle. It outlines stages of foreign-language acquisition by preschool children, emphasizing the need to account for individual differences; to cultivate cooperation, empathy, and subject-subject relationships; to integrate play-based activities; and to combine language instruction with physical exercises and emotionally engaging creative tasks. The findings have practical applications for preschool institutions and provide a foundation for further academic research. Future directions include the theoretical refinement and empirical testing of specialized methodological principles for preschool foreign-language education.

This study empirically analyzes perceptions and satisfaction with temple food experiences by utilizing social big data, amidst growing societal interest in temple food. A total of 6,103 online reviews posted on TripAdvisor regarding temple food offerings at 17 temples across South Korea were collected. Text data and star ratings were analyzed using a word embedding algorithm. The analysis revealed that keywords, such as “vegetarian,” “dish,” and “buffet”, were frequently mentioned alongside temple food, indicating that these terms are perceived as semantically similar. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis identified 14 perception-related keywords significantly affectingthat significantly affected satisfaction. Among them, five keywords, including “stability,” “extraordinary,” and “staff” had a positive influence, while nine keywords including “dirty,” “budget,” and “breakfast” had a negative influence on satisfaction. A sense of stability within the temple stay environment and the kindness of the staff were confirmed as key positive factors enhancing satisfaction with temple food. In contrast, dissatisfaction with accommodations and repetitive meal compositions was found to diminish satisfaction. By identifying factors that influence perceptions and satisfaction with temple food experiences, this study offers practical and academic insights for developing temple food as a sustainable cultural tourism resource.

BackgroundFood-retail environments are often dominated by unhealthy products, which facilitates unhealthy diets. Limited insight into the factors in the commercial food system that cause this issue makes effective health interventions in retail settings difficult. This study explores the factors and dynamics of the Dutch commercial food system that determine the availability of healthy and unhealthy food in Dutch supermarkets.MethodsThe study developed and analysed a causal loop diagram (CLD) of the factors and dynamics that determine in-store food availability. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with food system professionals (n = 14) and a focus group with academic experts (n = 6), based on the leading question ‘what determines the in-store availability of a product?’ Transcripts were qualitatively coded to identify factors and their interactions. These were visualised in a CLD and subsequently examined to identify causal loops and other dynamics.ResultsThe CLD revealed a core feedback loop between in-store product availability, sales, and pricing, and how this interacted with consumer behaviour and production and supply. Products that sell well and have large profit margins are made more available. Consumers generally buy products that are tasty and affordable, while products with low production and supply costs have better profit margins. These factors favour abundant availability of products consisting of cheap and highly palatable unhealthy ingredients, leading to a reinforcing feedback loop that disadvantages availability of more costly and perishable healthy products. Competition and innovation further emphasise this dynamic, as producers strive to reduce costs and increase palatability in a race to the bottom. Societal interest in health presents a minor feedback loop that favours healthy products due to their positive public image.ConclusionsOur findings show that the prevalence of unhealthy products compared to healthy ones is deeply ingrained in the current system dynamics. Policy recommendations include facilitating sustainable corporate governance models, adjusting financial incentives via taxes and subsidies, and enforcing a ‘level playing field’ for healthier business practices.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12916-025-04360-z.

Type of the article: Research Article Understanding the alignment between public interest and academic research is increasingly relevant in the context of global sustainability challenges. This study aims to investigate the relationship between societal attention, as measured by Google Trends, and scholarly output on renewable energy and the shadow economy. Using bibliometric data from Scopus and Web of Science alongside global Google Trends data from 2004 to 2025, the analysis employed Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients, Granger causality, and distance correlation to assess the strength, direction, and form of association between public search trends and academic activity. The results reveal a significant Granger-causal relationship from public searches on “renewable energy” to academic publications, with F-statistics above 5.2 (p < 0.01), and strong positive correlations (Pearson r = 0.72; Spearman ρ = 0.69; distance correlation = 0.63). In contrast, the terms “informal economy” and “feed-in tariff” demonstrated weak or inconsistent associations, with correlations below 0.25 and statistically insignificant causality tests (p > 0.1). Cross-country comparisons further highlighted uneven alignment, with India showing high search intensity (Google Trends index > 75) but relatively low publication volume (< 2% of global output). At the same time, South Africa displayed closer coherence, with both indicators moving in tandem (r ≈ 0.61). These findings underscore scholarly research’s partial and asymmetric responsiveness to public demand, varying significantly by topic and geographic context. Moreover, while Google Trends offers robust signals of societal interest, disparities in digital access and literacy reduce its universality, pointing to critical underexplored research gaps with direct policy relevance. Acknowledgment This study was prepared as part of the project supported by the National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic, the project 101127491-EnergyS4UA-ERASMUS-JMO2023-HEI-TCH-RSCH. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. This research was funded by the grants VEGA 1/0689/23 “Sustainable growth and the geopolitics of resilience in the context of crisis prevention” and VEGA 1/0254/25 “Artificial Intelligence and FDI-invested Business Service Centers: Selected Macroeconomic and Corporate Aspects”.

ABSTRACT Amid growing societal and scholarly interest in the interplay between sustainability transformation (ST) and digital transformation (DT), this study conducts a systematic literature review to advance the understanding of twin transformation (TT). Analyzing 65 peer‐reviewed articles, this review makes three key contributions: (1) It synthesizes the current state of TT research, uncovering critical gaps, including limited sectoral diversity, inconsistent terminology, and the dominance of digitally driven TT perspectives; (2) it proposes a synergy‐based framework illustrating the dynamic interdependencies between DT and ST; (3) proposes an updated definition of TT; and (4) outlines future research directions to deepen the exploration of TT. This study provides a foundational agenda for researchers and practitioners aiming to integrate and optimize the TT of digitalization and sustainability.

The acoustics of St Paul’s Cathedral, London, have been discussed in previous studies as a space of historical, cultural, societal, and architectural interest in the capital city of the United Kingdom. This paper presents the results from recent acoustic measurements carried out within the space, making use of state-of-the-art measurement techniques and equipment. The results from these measurements provide a new perspective on the acoustic properties of different and distinct spaces within the cathedral, including coupling effects between the main areas, and the whispering gallery effect that can be heard around the walkway at the base of the dome. The discussion includes the analysis of room acoustic parameters included in the international standards and speech intelligibility parameters, and an indirect comparison between the techniques used here and those used in previous studies of this space.

Abstract Modeling annual North Atlantic hurricane frequency and predicting its response to climate change is of great societal interest. Prior research found that low-order Poisson regression models using North Atlantic (local) and tropical average (remote) SSTs can explain North Atlantic hurricane frequencies. Remote SSTs are thought to influence hurricane genesis by affecting free tropospheric temperatures. However, the main mechanism by which the surface can affect free tropospheric temperatures is through deep convection which is collocated with just the warmest tropical SSTs. Here, we propose and show evidence of a physical mechanism through which these warmest SSTs influence hurricane frequencies, with warmer warmest SSTs reducing hurricane frequency. Using thousands of years of tropical cyclone-permitting atmospheric model simulations with various uniformly and non-uniformly perturbed SST fields, we train statistical models to predict annual North Atlantic hurricane counts. We show that an index characterizing the warmest tropical waters is a superior predictor of North Atlantic hurricane activity compared to tropical average SSTs. Models based on tropical averages fail to predict even the sign of frequency changes under strong patterned warming scenarios. Additionally, higher CO2 concentrations independent of SSTs decrease hurricane frequencies. We apply this statistical model to project hurricane frequency changes through the late 21st century using CMIP6 SST projections, identifying a decreasing trend through 2100. Using tropical average SSTs instead of an index for the warmest waters yields different predictions. Our findings emphasize that patterned warming significantly influences North Atlantic hurricane frequencies. This patterned warming is especially important insofar as the warmest tropical SSTs warm disproportionately relative to local SSTs.

The nasopharyngeal (NP) swab sample test, commonly used to detect COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, involves moving a swab through the nasal cavity to collect samples from the nasopharynx. While typically this is done by human healthcare workers, there is a significant societal interest to enable robots to do this test to reduce exposure to patients and to free up human resources. The task is challenging from the robotics perspective because of the dexterity and safety requirements. While other works have implemented specific hardware solutions, our research differentiates itself by using a ubiquitous rigid robotic arm. This work presents a case study where we investigate the strengths and challenges using compliant control system to accomplish NP swab tests with such a robotic configuration. To accomplish this, we designed a force sensing end-effector that integrates with the proposed torque controlled compliant control loop. We then conducted experiments where the robot inserted NP swabs into a 3D printed nasal cavity phantom. Ultimately, we found that the compliant control system outperformed a basic position controller and shows promise for human use. However, further efforts are needed to ensure the initial alignment with the nostril and to address head motion.

A reference list of neurotoxicants based on CLP harmonised classifications.

Prolonged cow-calf contact (CCC) is of growing importance to the dairy sector due to increasing societal interest, implementation of CCC on farms, and research efforts. Incorporating CCC into dairy systems may be a polarizing change for academics and farmers. However, by considering the challenges with curiosity, including those mutual to CCC and non-CCC systems, there may be an opportunity to collectively improve the management of dairy animals. The aim of this review was to describe current issues and constraints in CCC, propose opportunities to advance knowledge of CCC, and inspire forward-thinking questions for dairy systems. There are known challenges for CCC implementation, such as research reproducibility (e.g., suitable controls, validity types) and on-farm application (e.g., farmer perspectives, policies, and corporate standards). To facilitate practical solutions for farmers wanting to adopt CCC we need research describing the effects of CCC systems on animal health and behavior. Already researchers have begun to explore cow and calf performance and health, methods for decreasing stress at weaning and separation (e.g., duration of contact, gradual weaning), foster cows, and opportunities for positive animal welfare in CCC systems (e.g., affiliative and play behavior). However, because dairying takes place in a complex system, changes may affect different facets of the system's sustainability. We suggest that the development of CCC systems should happen in dialog with stakeholders. Cow-calf contact is an uncommon practice in dairy systems and exists in different contexts; thus, there are many questions to address before advice can be given to interested dairy stakeholders. Perhaps, these CCC-related questions are an invitation to contemplate how we want dairy systems to look like in 30 years.