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Many universities have committed to providing opportunities for all undergraduates to engage with sustainability education. However, the disciplines that comprise the broad field of environmental studies and sciences, including sustainability science, remain some of the least diverse scientific disciplines in terms of race, ethnic, and gender composition. To achieve commitments to students, institutions must increase diversity and foster inclusion in sustainability courses and programs. Information about how students perceive, decide to engage with, and experience sustainability education may provide insight into the lack of diversity and help shape efforts to make courses more inclusive. We contribute an analysis of undergraduate student experiences with sustainability courses at Boston University. Through a social survey, we find that respondents who have taken a sustainability course report inclusive course experiences, with some differences across gender identities. Through focus groups designed to reach diverse students, we find that race and gender dynamics influence students' perception of inclusivity in sustainability courses. Our data also indicate that general education requirements and lack of interest are the primary barriers to choosing sustainability courses. We discuss student-identified strategies to increase the diversity and inclusiveness of sustainability education. Some suggestions for diversifying include increasing student awareness of sustainability topics, designing courses with content that students perceive as relevant, and ensuring that courses meet general education requirements. We also identify actions to increase inclusivity such as addressing race and gender dynamics through representation of diverse identities in course materials and experiences. This study contributes social survey and focus group instruments that researchers can implement at any university in efforts to make sustainability education more diverse and inclusive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy poverty (EP) is a crucial socio-economic problem in current society, as it deprives people of a basic standard of living and quality of life. In general, EP is linked to various factors, but it is primarily associated with high energy costs, low household income, and inefficient building structures. Due to the recent energy crisis in Europe, the importance of these factors has escalated. Bearing in mind the above remarks, the REVERTER EU-funded LIFE project will develop and test nine roadmaps in four European countries (Brezovo—Bulgaria; Athens Urban area—Greece; Riga—Latvia; and Coimbra—Portugal) to alleviate EP by addressing the poor energy efficiency of dwellings. To directly observe real-life scenarios in designated pilot regions, questionnaire surveys were conducted, involving approximately 300 households in each pilot area. This paper presents and evaluates the outcomes of the survey conducted in the central region of Portugal. The findings allow for a deeper comprehension of the factors that impact energy poverty in Portugal, spanning socio-economic aspects, housing characteristics, mechanical systems, energy expenses, and behaviors, as well as the awareness of available support initiatives. Drawing from the survey's insights, novel strategies are suggested to alleviate energy poverty, with a primary emphasis on crafting tailored, efficient policies that address the genuine requirements of households and individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1899, one of Charles Booth's investigators, George Arkell, visited Deptford to revise the classifications provided on Booth's Descriptive Map of London Poverty 1889. Arkell was more shocked and offended by Baildon Street than any other street he visited in Deptford. He was scathing in his comments and assessment of the street, and decided that it should remain coloured black, meaning 'Lowest class. Vicious, semi-criminal'—an assessment that Booth agreed with. This article takes issue with Booth's assessment of Baildon Street and, in particular, with George Arkell's comments and the picture he painted of the lives and living conditions of those who resided there. The article shows that Baildon Street was not a chaotic place of social transience, nor was it a place systemically rife with prostitution, crime, violence, and child neglect. It also reveals the surprising ideas and factors that influenced Arkell in his investigative work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

World Natural Heritage sites are globally significant natural and cultural landscapes, serve as crucial benchmarks of human efforts in conservation and contribute to broader sustainable development agendas. This study aims to investigate the multifaceted relationship between World Natural Heritage conservation and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) regarding public perception. We focus on the Guilin Karst region and explore the viewpoints of 520 local residents living around the Guilin World Natural Heritage site. The findings demonstrate that most residents deeply understand and care about preserving heritage, express their satisfaction with it, and are willing to increase taxes to support heritage conservation. Additionally, they perceive the multifaceted influence of natural heritage site conservation on the SDGs. Living closer to the Guilin Karst region has a stronger impact on long-term residents’ conservation and sustainability perception. Incorporating the viewpoints of the local community into World Natural Heritage conservation and sustainable development, the study fosters a more inclusive and participatory approach towards managing and safeguarding our shared natural heritage.

Energy poverty (EP) is a crucial socio-economic problem in current society, as it deprives people of a basic standard of living and quality of life. In general, EP is linked to various factors, but it is primarily associated with high energy costs, low household income, and inefficient building structures. Due to the recent energy crisis in Europe, the importance of these factors has escalated. Bearing in mind the above remarks, the REVERTER EU-funded LIFE project will develop and test nine roadmaps in four European countries (Brezovo—Bulgaria; Athens Urban area—Greece; Riga—Latvia; and Coimbra—Portugal) to alleviate EP by addressing the poor energy efficiency of dwellings. To directly observe real-life scenarios in designated pilot regions, questionnaire surveys were conducted, involving approximately 300 households in each pilot area. This paper presents and evaluates the outcomes of the survey conducted in the central region of Portugal. The findings allow for a deeper comprehension of the factors that impact energy poverty in Portugal, spanning socio-economic aspects, housing characteristics, mechanical systems, energy expenses, and behaviors, as well as the awareness of available support initiatives. Drawing from the survey’s insights, novel strategies are suggested to alleviate energy poverty, with a primary emphasis on crafting tailored, efficient policies that address the genuine requirements of households and individuals.

In order to clarify the degree of awareness of adolescents about a healthy lifestyle, we conducted a social survey of 441 adolescent girls in social networks using the GOOGLE Forms questionnaire. The purpose of this study was to identify the main factors influencing the choice of a healthy lifestyle, as well as the degree of enlightenment of this contingent in determining the most effective methods for improving health and preventing diseases. We also examined the influence of family, school, environment and mass media on the formation of a healthy lifestyle among adolescent girls. The age of the respondents ranged from 13 to 19 years, the average age was 15.9± 1.2 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognizant of the critical role the youth could play to sustain, develop, and build a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agriculture industry, this study was conceptualized to establish a thorough understanding of the determinants of the Filipino youth’s intention to enroll in agricultural degree programs. This research assessed the younger generation’s agricultural learning experiences and explored their perception of the agriculture industry and evaluated how these different factors affected the shaping of their uptake of agricultural courses. The study utilized a case study approach in the local context of General Santos City, Philippines. The key findings reveal that while the youth report high exposure to agricultural information, these have not been translated into inherent knowhow; they attained only average scores in the assessment of their agricultural knowledge. They also have limited knowledge or familiarity with agricultural professions. In addition, the majority held positive economic, social, and personal perceptions toward the industry. However, they expressed reservations in considering if employment opportunities in the sector are profitable, if the society will hold them in high regard once they engage in the sector, and if they have the suitable skills and know-how to engage in the sector. Statistically, age, social participation, and personal perceptions were found positively significant (p<0.05), while economic perceptions were negatively significant (p<0.05) in determining the youth’s intention to enroll in agricultural programs and ultimately engage in agriculture. Thus, it is inferred that intervention programs, starting early in the curriculums of the youth, along with social programs that highlight capacity building, are necessary to pique their interest toward the industry and entice them to engage in its professions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adopting an integrated analysis is a prominent tool for a coherent understanding of the characteristics of agricultural land transition in developing countries. Hence, using an integrated analysis combining remote sensing and survey data, this investigation aimed to understand the spatial-temporal distribution and intensity of agricultural land transition in Senegal through a case study in the Thiès region. Through ArcGIS and ENVI software, we interpreted the land use types from 2000 to 2020 and the transfer matrix method used to characterize the agricultural land transition. Then, the Pearson correlation coefficient is used to determine the intercorrelation between natural and socio-economic driving factors of agricultural land use. The main results show that agricultural land transition was about −588.66 km2. Grassland was the most crucial land morphology to participate in this transition. Regarding spatial distribution, the highest net transition of agricultural land was recorded in Mont-Rolland (33.22%) and the lowest in Sandiara commune (−41.73%). The temporal distribution is represented in Koul, with −0.35%, and Mont-Rolland commune, with 24.84%. The intensity of agricultural land transition was high in Malicounda commune, at 11.34%. The social survey also shows a strong relationship between wind erosion and land salinity (0.971) as potential driving factors that may induce agricultural land transition. Based on an integrated method, the contribution of this study enhances the theoretical approach and methodology for assessing the mean potential driving factors in developing countries such as Senegal. Consequently, agricultural land transition in Thiès region was complex and must be implemented with complex and comprehensible policy solutions.

Abstract Island ecosystems are disproportionally impacted by biodiversity loss and as such their effective management is critical to global conservation efforts. Practitioners world‐wide work to manage island sites and species to conserve them, but various day‐to‐day barriers compromise these efforts, reducing management effectiveness and preventing local and potentially even national biodiversity targets from being met. Identifying the most important barriers that currently impede effective island conservation could streamline investment to focus on cost‐efficient interventions that better reflect realities on the ground and the need to address barriers under substantial time and budget constraints. A survey of 360 practitioners working in island ecosystem management across 77 countries was conducted. The three most common barriers perceived by practitioners to prevent them from achieving more effective management are: low staff capacity; difficulties turning data into useful information for management (including lack of capacity and time to analyse data); and lack of a research and management strategy. Practitioners' perceptions of national‐level management effectiveness were mostly associated with their perception of governance issues, the presence/absence of research and management strategies and their experience of collaboration outcomes. Practitioners' experience of staffing and monitoring programme issues was important in shaping their perception of management effectiveness within the organisation(s) they worked with. Despite the indisputable need for transformative change to address the underlying causes of many of these barriers, more immediate and direct investment in strengthening the people and systems that are at the frontline of preventing biodiversity loss on islands is needed to bridge these barriers and achieve more effective management of island ecosystems. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

This article relates the experience of a doctoral thesis in economics conducted with three cooperatives using an original approach: a full participatory action research supported by reasoning inspired by pragmatist philosophy. Associating researchers and actors, action research (AR) proves to be relevant to respond to contemporary issues of social innovation and ecological transition, through the coproduction of dual knowledge (scientific and practical). In the present case, its implementation by a researcher-employee-member of a cooperative invites us to study its epistemological and methodological dimensions. Which research approach should be developed to produce new scientifi- cally proven knowledge while supporting cooperative actions? This article is a reflective account of experimentations, and aims to provide tools for the implementation of participatory AR in the social and solidarity economy by actor researchers and researcher practitioners, by analyzing its contributions and limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural land use transition (ALUT) assessment can be a prominent tool for comprehensively implementing suitable agricultural land use and agricultural development in Senegal. Based on remote sensing and survey data, this investigation aimed to simultaneously assess the geographical dispersion of ALUT and its probable mechanisms and determine the agricultural land functions in the Thiès region. Through ArcGIS and ENVI software, the remote sensing data of 2000, 2010, and 2020, the transfer matrix method and a spatial index calculation were used to characterize the ALUT. Then, the mixed linear regression model was constructed to determine the relationship between ALUT and its potential driving factors. The main results show that ALUT was about −588.66 km2. Regarding spatial distribution, a positive net ALUT was experienced in the north-west department of Tivaouane; conversely, a negative transition was noted in the southern Mbour department. The agricultural land per capita (0.37 ha/per) and the per capita agricultural income (USD $167.18) were unsatisfactory, and only 59.49% of the respondents frequently used fertilizers for production. The linear regression model showed that rainfall variability, research and development, soil salinization, and land tenure were significant at 1% (p < 0.01) with agricultural land change, living security, and ecological functions. Parallelly, transportation facilities (p < 0.01) and agricultural investment (p < 0.01) were also significant with agricultural land morphology change, while population growth (p < 0.1) was only correlated with agricultural land morphology change. These factors reflect the farmer's income and often induce land abandonment and degradation of agricultural land. Consequentially, the ALUT in the Thiès region revealed several insights, such as the need to strengthen land use reforms and research and development. Therefore, agricultural land use is impacted by many fields that require an inter-discipline research method for practical and balanced use. Such endeavors could start with reconciling agricultural development and land conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Island ecosystems are disproportionally impacted by biodiversity loss and as such their effective management is critical to global conservation efforts.Practitioners world‐wide work to manage island sites and species to conserve them, but various day‐to‐day barriers compromise these efforts, reducing management effectiveness and preventing local and potentially even national biodiversity targets from being met.Identifying the most important barriers that currently impede effective island conservation could streamline investment to focus on cost‐efficient interventions that better reflect realities on the ground and the need to address barriers under substantial time and budget constraints.A survey of 360 practitioners working in island ecosystem management across 77 countries was conducted.The three most common barriers perceived by practitioners to prevent them from achieving more effective management are: low staff capacity; difficulties turning data into useful information for management (including lack of capacity and time to analyse data); and lack of a research and management strategy.Practitioners' perceptions of national‐level management effectiveness were mostly associated with their perception of governance issues, the presence/absence of research and management strategies and their experience of collaboration outcomes.Practitioners' experience of staffing and monitoring programme issues was important in shaping their perception of management effectiveness within the organisation(s) they worked with.Despite the indisputable need for transformative change to address the underlying causes of many of these barriers, more immediate and direct investment in strengthening the people and systems that are at the frontline of preventing biodiversity loss on islands is needed to bridge these barriers and achieve more effective management of island ecosystems. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research work presents a comprehensive methodology based on a social, technical, and economic evaluation study of a proposal educational services center in the Dominican Republic. For this purpose, a social survey, a technical assessment and an economic were considereded and integrated with a multi-objective optimization analysis for the best decision making. The obtained results revealed that 98% of the respondents agreed with the implementation of the center, and the technical study determined that an initial investment of $ 31,200 USD is required. Moreover, the economic feasibility assessment indicated that an average bank loan percentage of 5.72 ± 0.28% was the value where the initial investment is required, and the net present value are optimized. Also, the internal rate of the return value was 41.15%, the value of the payback period was 2.92 years, and the rate of investment and profitability index values were 63.18% and 1.62, respectively, which indicated that the project is highly viable since long-term economic benefits are obtained. Therefore, the comprehensive methodology presented in this work represents a valuable procedure for the best decision-making since it considers a holistic approach. Finally, this methodology can be used for its implementation in various frameworks as a plan for different investment projects in the educational, social, and health sectors in the Dominican Republic, and the obtained results demonstrated the acceptance and feasibility of the project within a local context for its integration and proliferation in the economic development of the country.

SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19) has spread all over the world, significantly affecting our everyday lives. People changed their habits during the pandemic and made use of urban green spaces (UGS). Our Web of Science and Scopus queries confirm a knowledge gap in green space planning and public space management studies in the field of UGS availability during COVID‐19. Therefore, the purpose of our research was to determine the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on urban green spaces management, identify the needs of the residents in terms of urban green spaces furniture, and assess the accessibility of urban green spaces to propose recommendations for the institution charged with managing urban green spaces in the City (Krakow). To this end, we used an expert interview, spatial analyses, and survey research among residents of Kraków, one of the largest cities in Poland. The survey involved 1350 respondents. The spatial analyses employed geoprocessing algorithms and GIS tools. The results showed that 96% of Kraków citizens have access to urban green spaces within 300 m from their homes. Therefore, UGS are an important part of the City's identity, making their reasonable management vital, especially during crises. The respondents indicated that the existing UGS needed more lighting, rubbish bins, and benches as places of respite. Results of the expert interview showed that the COVID‐19 pandemic has affected urban green spaces management. The results may influence urban green spaces management, and the research is an innovative combination of spatial analysis, a qualitative approach (expert interview), and a quantitative method (a survey) proposing new procedures for analysing UGS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent invasion of Carassius gibelio (commonly known as Prussian carp or Gibel carp) in freshwater environments in central Canada threatens native North American aquatic species and ecosystems. Accurate distribution information is essential for targeting control efforts but is challenging given the resources necessary to continually sample the species' potential distribution. We investigated the extent to which reports by recreational anglers—key resource users—could be used in a citizen science program to generate species distribution information, and factors affecting the accuracy of reporting for C. gibelio. Comparing the location of angler reports to the known distribution of C. gibelio generated by professional biological sampling across the region revealed that anglers can be a powerful resource for tracking an invasive species' distribution; 88% of the C. gibelio angler reports aligned with invaded watersheds (HUC‐8 [hydrological unit code 8], the second finest watershed unit) identified by professional biological sampling. For every report of C. gibelio received in a HUC‐8 area, the probability that area was invaded increased by more than 10 times (odds ratio = 10.26, ±95% CI: 4.4–29.7). Anglers' fish identification abilities were positively related to likelihood of reporting Carassius spp. (odds ratio = 2.52, ±95% CI:1.51–4.45). Anglers that fished more frequently were also more likely to have reported C. gibelio accurately (odds ratio = 1.00, ±95% CI: 0.99–1.01), although the mechanism behind this relationship is unclear. Our results suggest programs that engage recreational anglers in reporting could provide a cost‐effective alternative or complimentary tool for traditional Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) population tracking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the relationship between family background and exercise habits in adulthood. Although previous studies have examined the relationship between socio-economic status (SES) and exercise habits, few have focused on the relationship between exercise habits in adulthood and SES of the family of origin. It has been suggested that the family’s SES is correlated with exercise habits in childhood, and that such habits may be linked to those in adulthood. Furthermore, an individual’s SES, including education and occupation, may be influenced by his/her family’s SES. Thus, it is expected that a family’s SES may affect an individual’s exercise habits in adulthood directly or indirectly. In order to test this hypothesis, the present study examined the relationship between a family’s SES and individual exercise habits in adulthood. The study was conducted at 2 different time points, as it has been found that the association between SES and exercise habits changed from the early 2000s to 2010s. Quantitative analysis of a Japanese General Social Survey performed in 2002 and 2018 was conducted. The sample was divided into 4 subgroups (according to sex and year). Multiple group structural equation modeling was employed. The dependent variable was the number of exercise days per month. The independent variables were family SES, particularly the economic condition at 15 years of age, educational attainment of the parents and the father’s occupational prestige score, and the SES of the respondents, particularly their equivalent household income, educational attainment, and occupational prestige score. The results indicated that each variable in the family SES had an indirect positive effect on exercise habits in adulthood via the respondents’ educational attainment. This means that those who grew up in families with a high SES tended to be more highly educated and thus more likely to exercise. Therefore, in order to reduce inequalities in exercise habits attributable to family SES, it is necessary to promote exercise habits among those with lower levels of education. Furthermore, although the father’s occupational prestige score had a negative direct effect on women’s exercise habits in 2002, this association was no longer statistically significant in 2018. This may be explained by changes in attitudes to gender roles and increases in sports participation between 2002 and 2018. Finally, the limitations of this research were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of a CrossFit-based training program to enhance the general and sport-specific physical fitness of 10–12-year-old judokas. The study was conducted between September 2021 and February 2022. The pedagogical research experiment was designed to be one complete, annual macrocycle (September–June). The current study presents mid-point data. Twenty male participants (3 years average sports experience; age = 11 ± 0.64 years) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: CrossFit-based training (experimental, n = 10) and traditional training (control, n = 10). Baseline testing was conducted by the researcher and included tests for motor skills and general physical fitness domains including Sweden wall pull-ups and leg raises, push-ups, long jump, squats, burpees, shuttle run, and forward rolls. Judo-specific tests included O Soto Gari and O Goshi throws. CrossFit-based training was implemented twice per week for 15–20 min in the experimental group after usual training. The control group completed traditional methods of physical fitness training for judokas with the same training load regarding time. Experimental group participants significantly improved on leg raises (p < 0.01), push-ups (p < 0.05), and shuttle run (p < 0.001); the control group improved their shuttle run (p < 0.001). Only the experimental group improved on the O Soto Gari (p < 0.01) and O Goshi throws (p < 0.05). Results showed that the use of CrossFit-based trainings had a positive effect on 10–12-year-old judokas' speed-strength abilities, speed-strength endurance, and muscular strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The COVID-19 outbreak led to changes in forest visitation patterns in Switzerland. • We analyze changes in forest visitation patterns from before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. • Motivations, activities and locations visited changed during the lockdown phase. • Some changes have persisted despite decreased infection rates and vaccinations. • Forest managers should be aware of altered visitor patterns during and after such a crisis. Lockdown measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a rise in people's visits to forests and urban green spaces. However, as vaccination efforts progressed and infection rates declined, it remained uncertain whether forest visitation levels would return to pre-pandemic norms or even decreased. To explore the post-crisis status of forest visits, we conducted a comprehensive analysis using data from a representative online panel survey conducted in Switzerland. Specifically, we compared data collected one week prior to the lockdown (in March 2020), on visit frequency, duration, activities and locations visited, with data collected two weeks after the lockdown was enforced (2020), and also with data from the summer of 2021. We aimed to determine if forest visitation had returned to normal by the time of the third survey. Our findings indicate that during times of crisis, visitation patterns and recreational preferences in urban green spaces, such as forests, undergo changes, with some of these changes exhibiting greater persistence than others. Meanwhile the activities during a forest visit as well as motivations of forest visits seem to return to their initial levels after the crisis, for example, the changes in the frequency or lengths of the visits appear to be more persistent. Recognizing and understanding these changes are crucial for urban planners and forest management authorities to adapt policies and effectively address the evolving needs of visitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The recent invasion of Carassius gibelio (commonly known as Prussian carp or Gibel carp) in freshwater environments in central Canada threatens native North American aquatic species and ecosystems. Accurate distribution information is essential for targeting control efforts but is challenging given the resources necessary to continually sample the species' potential distribution. We investigated the extent to which reports by recreational anglers—key resource users—could be used in a citizen science program to generate species distribution information, and factors affecting the accuracy of reporting for C. gibelio. Comparing the location of angler reports to the known distribution of C. gibelio generated by professional biological sampling across the region revealed that anglers can be a powerful resource for tracking an invasive species' distribution; 88% of the C. gibelio angler reports aligned with invaded watersheds (HUC‐8 [hydrological unit code 8], the second finest watershed unit) identified by professional biological sampling. For every report of C. gibelio received in a HUC‐8 area, the probability that area was invaded increased by more than 10 times (odds ratio = 10.26, ±95% CI: 4.4–29.7). Anglers' fish identification abilities were positively related to likelihood of reporting Carassius spp. (odds ratio = 2.52, ±95% CI:1.51–4.45). Anglers that fished more frequently were also more likely to have reported C. gibelio accurately (odds ratio = 1.00, ±95% CI: 0.99–1.01), although the mechanism behind this relationship is unclear. Our results suggest programs that engage recreational anglers in reporting could provide a cost‐effective alternative or complimentary tool for traditional Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) population tracking.

The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station resulted in 170,000 evacuees, and 10 years on their number still exceeds 40,000. The Japanese government set the standards of compensation that it ordered TEPCO to pay evacuees. However, many evacuees are dissatisfied with the compensation amount and by the absence of a government apology, with some 15,000 people filing 28 lawsuits against TEPCO and the government. Based on the statements submitted to the court and on our questionnaires, this paper seeks to establish a “life document” of 171 evacuees from 54 households who filed a complaint with the Kyoto District Court.

Brick kilns add enormous quantities of organic pollutants to the air that can cause serious health issues, especially in developing countries; poor air quality is associated with community health problems, yet receives no attention in Northern Pakistan. The present study, therefore, assessed the chemical composition and investigated the impacts of air pollution from brick kilns on public health. A field-based investigation of air pollutants, i.e., PM1, PM2.5 and PM10, CO2, CO, NO, NO2, H2S, and NH3 using mobile scientific instruments was conducted in selected study area locations. Social surveys were conducted to investigate the impacts of air pollution on community health. The results reveal the highest concentrations of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10, i.e., 3377, 2305, and 3567.67 µg/m3, respectively, in specific locations. Particulate matter concentrations in sampling points exceeded the permissible limits of the Pakistan National Environmental Quality Standard and, therefore, may risk the local population's health. The highest mean value of CO2 was 529 mg/L, and other parameters, such as CO, NO, NO2, H2S, and NH3 were within the normal range. The social survey's findings reveal that particulate matter was directly associated with respiratory diseases such as asthma, which was reported in all age groups selected for sampling. The study concluded by implementing air pollution reduction measures in brick kiln industries to protect the environment and community health. In addition, the region's environmental protection agency needs to play an active role in proper checking and integrated management to improve air quality and protect the community from air hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1,500 respondents took part in an Internet survey conducted in autumn 2020 in the Russian Federation. The survey was a part of the Radon Cross-Cultural Multilingual Public Opinion Survey (STEAM project) in the framework of the IAEA technical cooperation project RER9153. The survey was representative for the population of the country as per sex, age, and a region of residence. Random sampling error didn’t exceed 2.5 % for 95 % confidence interval. All respondents were given some information on radon that was as similar as possible in questionnaires published in languages spoken in all 22 countries that took part in the STEAM project; it was done in order to provide an opportunity to make further cross-country comparison of the survey results. The objective of the survey was to investigate what attitudes people had towards their health and towards radon as a possible health risk factor. The survey revealed that in the Russian Federation people were rather poorly aware about radon. Only 31.7 % respondents stated that they were to a greater or lesser extent informed about radon. The level of knowledge about radon as a health risk factor was at a comparable level. For the majority of respondents, information about radon received from Rospotrebnadzor and its subordinate research institute formed the perception of radon as a risk factor that requires actions to mitigate its impact on health. Medical specialists turned out to be the most trustworthy source of information about health risks, first of all, family doctors and physicians in polyclinics; people also trusted medical prevention centers, Rospotrebnadzor, regional and local public health care authorities. Results of the presented survey that was the first social survey focusing on the radon problem and conducted throughout the country can be used as a basis for planning communication strategies within the framework of both national and regional radon programs.

The agricultural land use transition (ALUT) assessment can be a prominent tool for comprehensively implementing suitable agricultural land use and agricultural development in Senegal. Based on remote sensing and survey data, this investigation aimed to simultaneously assess the geographical dispersion of ALUT and its probable mechanisms and determine the agricultural land functions in the Thiès region. Through ArcGIS and ENVI software, the remote sensing data of 2000, 2010, and 2020, the transfer matrix method and a spatial index calculation were used to characterize the ALUT. Then, the mixed linear regression model was constructed to determine the relationship between ALUT and its potential driving factors. The main results show that ALUT was about −588.66 km2. Regarding spatial distribution, a positive net ALUT was experienced in the north-west department of Tivaouane; conversely, a negative transition was noted in the southern Mbour department. The agricultural land per capita (0.37 ha/per) and the per capita agricultural income (USD $167.18) were unsatisfactory, and only 59.49% of the respondents frequently used fertilizers for production. The linear regression model showed that rainfall variability, research and development, soil salinization, and land tenure were significant at 1% (p < 0.01) with agricultural land change, living security, and ecological functions. Parallelly, transportation facilities (p < 0.01) and agricultural investment (p < 0.01) were also significant with agricultural land morphology change, while population growth (p < 0.1) was only correlated with agricultural land morphology change. These factors reflect the farmer’s income and often induce land abandonment and degradation of agricultural land. Consequentially, the ALUT in the Thiès region revealed several insights, such as the need to strengthen land use reforms and research and development. Therefore, agricultural land use is impacted by many fields that require an inter-discipline research method for practical and balanced use. Such endeavors could start with reconciling agricultural development and land conservation.

In the North China Plain, drought usually occurs during the interval between wheat harvest and maize sowing in normal and dry years. The first irrigation for maize plays a critical role in guaranteeing seed germination and grain yields. Using experimental data from Xinxiang in 2019 and survey data of 641 farmers from the North China Plain in 2020, this study adopts a cost-benefit analysis method to investigate the impacts of irrigation time and well depths on farmers' costs and benefits in maize production. The results showed that farms with well depth > 120 m accounted for 49% of total farms, especially in Hebei Province, and 38% wells had low water yield < 2.7 m3 kW−1 h−1. Delaying the time of the first irrigation made maize yields decline by up to 307 kg ha−1 day−1. Well depths increased irrigation costs and total maize production cost in an exponential manner, causing farmers' benefits to decrease exponentially with well depths. With well depth > 180 m, the proportion of irrigation cost to total cost rose to 14%, whereas well depth > 230 m directly caused the farmers' profits negative. A critical well depth of 230 m was put forward as the upper limit for farmers adopting maize planting in the NCP. The concept of 'rotational irrigation strategy' and suggestions of adopting drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, or hose-reel sprinkler irrigation were recommended to advance 6–8 days for the first irrigation period, compared with traditional flood irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the drivers of migrants' internal relocation upon return from abroad. Acknowledging that return cannot be disconnected from prior international migration, as suggested by the new theoretical developments in stepwise migration (King & Skeldon, 2010), we provide quantitative and qualitative evidence to substantiate these patterns of stepwise migration among Romanian returnees. Building on the distinction between U‐turn and J‐turn, namely, return to the same place versus relocation to a different place within the origin country, our findings suggest that alongside the structural context and life course careers, individual sociodemographics and aspects of migration experience abroad play a significant role in explaining the choice of a J‐turn. Women, for instance, are more likely to relocate upon return than their male counterparts, whereas older returnees have lower odds of a J‐turn trajectory compared with younger migrants. Similarly, an increased length of stay abroad and repeated migrations are positively associated with a J‐turn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the 2017 China General Social Survey data, with 5,439 observations as research objects, this paper empirically tests the impact of flexible employment on workers' wellbeing and introduces labor income as mediator and social security as moderator to explore the mechanism of action. The empirical results show that: flexible employment has an inverted U-shaped relationship with workers' wellbeing, which indicates that increasing employments' flexibility will first rise and then reduce their perceived subjective wellbeing after reaching the peak; labor income plays a mediating role in the relationship of flexible employment and wellbeing of workers; social security moderates the mediating effect of labor income whereas the moderating role in the relationship between flexible employment and workers' wellbeing is not observed. Implications and future development of flexible employment are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to compare the effect size of seven critical elements on the life recovery in three prefectures, Iwate Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture, and Fukushima Prefecture, which were severely damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster. This study used the 2016 Tohoku Life Recovery Survey (N = 2111, response rate: 35.2%) for the analysis. The dataset was divided into each prefecture sample to compare the effects of seven critical elements on life recovery in the three prefectures. We obtained samples from Fukushima (N = 603), Iwate (N = 781), and Miyagi (N = 727). First, the distribution of life recovery by the three prefectures was confirmed. The results showed that those affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster in Miyagi have a higher quality of life recovery. Finally, we compared the effects of seven critical elements on life recovery among the three prefectures' models using GLM analysis. From the comparison of effect size (partial η2) and discussion, three points are shown. 1) In the Fukushima model, the effect size of physical/mental stress management and social ties was larger than in the other models. 2) The effects of 1) were caused by the experience of diaspora (nuclear disaster-caused displacement). 3) If forced diaspora can create good relationships with local people, the positive effects of social ties on life recovery for such people are larger than for those who have not experienced diaspora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Analytical treatment interruptions (ATI) are commonly used clinical endpoints to assess interventions aimed at curing HIV or achieving antiretroviral therapy (ART)-free HIV remission. Understanding the acceptability of ATI amongst people living with HIV (PLHIV) and their HIV healthcare providers (HHP) is limited. Methods Two online surveys for PLHIV and HHP assessed awareness and acceptability of ATI, and understanding of the prospect for HIV cure in the future. Responses were collected from July 2017–January 2018. A descriptive analysis was performed and similar questions across the two surveys were compared using χ squared test. Results 442 PLHIV and 144 HHP completed the survey. 105/400 (26%) PLHIV had ever interrupted ART, 8% of which were in a clinical trial. Altruistic motivations were drivers of participation of PLHIV in cure related research. 81/135 (60%) HHP would support their patients wishing to enrol in an HIV cure-focused trial, but fewer would promote and allow such participation (25% and 31% respectively). Compared to HHP, PLHIV were more likely to believe that an HIV cure would be achievable within 10 years (55% vs. 19%, p

Based on the 2017 China General Social Survey data, with 5,439 observations as research objects, this paper empirically tests the impact of flexible employment on workers’ wellbeing and introduces labor income as mediator and social security as moderator to explore the mechanism of action. The empirical results show that: flexible employment has an inverted U-shaped relationship with workers’ wellbeing, which indicates that increasing employments’ flexibility will first rise and then reduce their perceived subjective wellbeing after reaching the peak; labor income plays a mediating role in the relationship of flexible employment and wellbeing of workers; social security moderates the mediating effect of labor income whereas the moderating role in the relationship between flexible employment and workers’ wellbeing is not observed. Implications and future development of flexible employment are discussed.

The failure to meet global biodiversity targets clearly indicates the need for biodiversity management and conservation efforts to be more effective, and this in turn requires better understanding of the current barriers to success. Islands are known as biodiversity hotspots but nowhere has biodiversity loss been so acute as in island ecosystems. To identify the barriers to effective island ecosystem conservation, we conducted 32 semistructured interviews with conservation and management practitioners from island nations in the Western Indian Ocean region. Practitioners described 33 barriers to meeting their objectives under 12 overarching topics and suggested 14 solutions to these. Most barriers described by interviewees existed at organization level (55%), followed by national (24%) and site/project level (21%). Of the 33 barriers described by practitioners, the most commonly associated cause was limited capacity (23.5%), followed by lack of government coordination and limited resources (both 21.6%), lack of incentives (11.8%), poor leadership (11.7%), and finally interpersonal issues interfering with progress (9.8%). Most solutions centered around bridging capacity gaps. By defining these barriers, we can bring them forward for discussion and allocate resources and efforts to bridging them. Only by doing so can we increase the effectiveness of our management efforts and maximize our chances of achieving global biodiversity targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban trees are important to maintain biodiversity and, therefore, need public acceptance. Few studies, however, have addressed the topic of social acceptability of old trees. The aim of this research was to examine city residents’ perception of old trees, including hollow-bearing ones, mainly in the aspect of safety and aesthetics. A total of 448 Warsaw municipal forest’ users expressed their opinions by completing an online questionnaire. Several methods were used to analyse the results of the study: the Chi-square test of independence, the Kruskal–Wallis H test, the Mann–Whitney U test and the Quartimax method of factor rotation analysis. The results revealed a correlation between the frequency of forest visits and the level of sensitivity toward old trees, which translates to less radical notion of danger and less radical decisions about cutting such trees down. Age of the respondents (56+) was a factor contributing to higher willingness to protect and care for old trees. The results also indicated that outdoor activity in the urban forest may increase ancient trees acceptance by developing emotional connection with them, and eventually contribute to their protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The failure to meet global biodiversity targets clearly indicates the need for biodiversity management and conservation efforts to be more effective, and this in turn requires better understanding of the current barriers to success. Islands are known as biodiversity hotspots but nowhere has biodiversity loss been so acute as in island ecosystems. To identify the barriers to effective island ecosystem conservation, we conducted 32 semistructured interviews with conservation and management practitioners from island nations in the Western Indian Ocean region. Practitioners described 33 barriers to meeting their objectives under 12 overarching topics and suggested 14 solutions to these. Most barriers described by interviewees existed at organization level (55%), followed by national (24%) and site/project level (21%). Of the 33 barriers described by practitioners, the most commonly associated cause was limited capacity (23.5%), followed by lack of government coordination and limited resources (both 21.6%), lack of incentives (11.8%), poor leadership (11.7%), and finally interpersonal issues interfering with progress (9.8%). Most solutions centered around bridging capacity gaps. By defining these barriers, we can bring them forward for discussion and allocate resources and efforts to bridging them. Only by doing so can we increase the effectiveness of our management efforts and maximize our chances of achieving global biodiversity targets.

Urban trees are important to maintain biodiversity and, therefore, need public acceptance. Few studies, however, have addressed the topic of social acceptability of old trees. The aim of this research was to examine city residents’ perception of old trees, including hollow-bearing ones, mainly in the aspect of safety and aesthetics. A total of 448 Warsaw municipal forest’ users expressed their opinions by completing an online questionnaire. Several methods were used to analyse the results of the study: the Chi-square test of independence, the Kruskal–Wallis H test, the Mann–Whitney U test and the Quartimax method of factor rotation analysis. The results revealed a correlation between the frequency of forest visits and the level of sensitivity toward old trees, which translates to less radical notion of danger and less radical decisions about cutting such trees down. Age of the respondents (56+) was a factor contributing to higher willingness to protect and care for old trees. The results also indicated that outdoor activity in the urban forest may increase ancient trees acceptance by developing emotional connection with them, and eventually contribute to their protection.

The article is aimed at studying the main barriers to introduction of the electronic medical card for patient in Ukraine and the readiness of the population to use it. To achieve this goal, the results of a telephone survey of patients at a private medical center in Kharkiv are analyzed. It is defined that a personal medical electronic card is an electronic, life-long resource of health information supported by private persons. Personal medical electronic records that are used or being developed in the world today support a multitude of different functions. To conduct the research on the basis of collection of primary data from the center’s patients’ questionnaire was created a random list of patients, which included both citizens of Ukraine and foreigners who were permanently or short-term present in our country. The study focuses on the reasons for the lack of registration and the identification of benefits of the patient portal for visitors at the studied center. Information about the characteristics of the survey participants - patients of the medical center is provided. Based on the analysis of the responses received, the main reasons that prevented the clients of the medical center to register through the electronic portal are allocated. On the results of the study the main barriers in the perception of the patient’s e-card are identified and analyzed; the results of a telephone survey of patients about registration through the electronic portal are described.

Mobility as a Service (MaaS) promises a competitive transportation alternative to the private car such that mobility services are combined as packages and offered to users on demand. As this new mobility concept gains attention globally, many cities are eager to try it. This is a feasibility study to understand users' preferences, potential demand and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for MaaS in suburban areas. Data were collected from 560 residents and analyzed with their travel behavior and personal characteristics. A logistic regression model was used to account for the acceptability of MaaS, choice behavior and WTP predictors. The results show that over 60% of residents would not use MaaS; however, 30% agreed to use MaaS and are willing to pay for it. This indicates that there may be a market for MaaS in Shiga, the study area. This study provides insights into the implementation of MaaS and spurs further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores a birth control survey conducted by the Japanese government between 1945–1960, and analyses how this research, both as scientific practice and knowledge, resonated with government efforts to manage the population during post-war reconstruction. Focusing on Shinozaki Nobuo, a Ministry of Health and Welfare 'technical bureaucrat' (gijutsu kanryō or gikan) specializing in population issues, this article depicts how human agency participated in the at times precarious relationship between policy and practice. It also explores how the epistemological framework inscribed in the resulting scientific knowledge harmonized with the economic and political rationale supporting post-war reconstruction. This article contributes to the study of modern Japan by highlighting the critical, yet thus far underexamined role that population science and technical bureaucrats played in Japanese statecraft. At the same time, it demonstrates that the interaction between state governance of population and the creation of scientific knowledge about the populace was fundamentally complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article sets out to test competing characterisations of early Australian social research through an explication of the origins of Australia's first major social survey, the Melbourne Social Survey (1941–1943), and its historical retelling. It asks to what extent international social survey models, figures, intellectual approaches and finances shaped the survey, and what this reveals about the degree to which early Australian social research was defined by its position of global marginality. This article finds that histories of the survey have overestimated the influence of British survey models and intellectual traditions by paying disproportionate attention to its director from 1941, Wilfred Prest. It argues that a much more powerful inspiration for the social survey, and a new social research direction at Melbourne, can be seen in a trip to the United States of America taken by University of Melbourne Dean of Commerce, Douglas Copland, in 1926 and 1927. Planners of the Melbourne Social Survey were sure it would be 'of major social significance'. Today, the story of the survey and its historical representation illuminates shifting forces that shaped early Australian social research, and contributes to ongoing debate about the way twentieth-century social science knowledge has been circulated globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an attempt to enhance knowledge on the energy poverty phenomenon in mountainous areas, a primary social survey was conducted in a typical mountainous town of Greece, Metsovo in the Region of Epirus. The survey recorded quantitative data of energy expenses and incomes of households and it also captured qualitative indicators related to energy poverty. The findings showed that nine out of ten households in Metsovo are exposed to energy poverty, based on the objective 10% index. The subjective indicators revealed other interesting aspects of the problem. Over one-third of the local population live in houses that are inadequately heated and/or present damp problems. Almost two-thirds of the local population have been forced to restrict other basic needs, in order to respond to high energy costs. Studying the relationships between variables of the survey also revealed some notable issues. Households inadequately heated present statistical significant correlation with the heating system used. The inadequately heated houses are also correlated with houses that presented damp-mould problems, as well as households that report arrears in energy bills. Moreover, reduction in hours of heating system operation is correlated with health problems. Current energy policy in Greece does not include specific strategies for mountainous areas, apart from some differentiations in heating oil subsidies. The great extent of energy poverty in mountainous Greece, highlighted by the present representative (with respect to mountainous Greece) study, may have irreversible social impacts. Hence, a need for specific and effective action is necessary, whose main axes should be an extensive upgrade of buildings' energy efficiency in mountainous settlements and special fuel tariffs for mountainous areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of a CrossFit-based training program to enhance the general and sport-specific physical fitness of 10–12-year-old judokas. The study was conducted between September 2021 and February 2022. The pedagogical research experiment was designed to be one complete, annual macrocycle (September–June). The current study presents mid-point data. Twenty male participants (3 years average sports experience; age = 11 ± 0.64 years) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: CrossFit-based training (experimental, n = 10) and traditional training (control, n = 10). Baseline testing was conducted by the researcher and included tests for motor skills and general physical fitness domains including Sweden wall pull-ups and leg raises, push-ups, long jump, squats, burpees, shuttle run, and forward rolls. Judo-specific tests included O Soto Gari and O Goshi throws. CrossFit-based training was implemented twice per week for 15–20 min in the experimental group after usual training. The control group completed traditional methods of physical fitness training for judokas with the same training load regarding time. Experimental group participants significantly improved on leg raises (p < 0.01), push-ups (p < 0.05), and shuttle run (p < 0.001); the control group improved their shuttle run (p < 0.001). Only the experimental group improved on the O Soto Gari (p < 0.01) and O Goshi throws (p < 0.05). Results showed that the use of CrossFit-based trainings had a positive effect on 10–12-year-old judokas’ speed-strength abilities, speed-strength endurance, and muscular strength.

Brick kilns add enormous quantities of organic pollutants to the air that can cause serious health issues, especially in developing countries; poor air quality is associated with community health problems, yet receives no attention in Northern Pakistan. The present study, therefore, assessed the chemical composition and investigated the impacts of air pollution from brick kilns on public health. A field-based investigation of air pollutants, i.e., PM1, PM2.5 and PM10, CO2, CO, NO, NO2, H2S, and NH3 using mobile scientific instruments was conducted in selected study area locations. Social surveys were conducted to investigate the impacts of air pollution on community health. The results reveal the highest concentrations of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10, i.e., 3377, 2305, and 3567.67 µg/m3, respectively, in specific locations. Particulate matter concentrations in sampling points exceeded the permissible limits of the Pakistan National Environmental Quality Standard and, therefore, may risk the local population’s health. The highest mean value of CO2 was 529 mg/L, and other parameters, such as CO, NO, NO2, H2S, and NH3 were within the normal range. The social survey’s findings reveal that particulate matter was directly associated with respiratory diseases such as asthma, which was reported in all age groups selected for sampling. The study concluded by implementing air pollution reduction measures in brick kiln industries to protect the environment and community health. In addition, the region’s environmental protection agency needs to play an active role in proper checking and integrated management to improve air quality and protect the community from air hazards.