Search Results (2,686)

Pro-environmental behavior (PEB) is an essential source for solving environmental problems and implementing sustainable development. This study reveals the antecedent mechanisms of PEB from the joint perspective of environmental policy perception (EPP) and social media use (SMU). We developed a moderated mediation model based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and tested the hypotheses using questionnaire data from 408 residents in Tianjin, China. The results indicated that EPP positively affects PEB and that attitude and perceived behavioral control in the TPB framework mediate the relationship between EPP and PEB. SMU not only has a positive effect on PEB but also remotely mediates the effect of EPP on PEB together with perceived behavioral control. Furthermore, gender and age have a positive moderating impact on EPP. This study provides the first theoretical and empirical explanation of how EPP influences PEB within a systematic TPB framework while also introducing SMU as an innovative expansion of the explanatory model. This study also provides recommendations for policymakers on environmental management practices. Full article

Online health service (OHS) platforms can provide sustainable healthcare services in China where healthcare demand continues to grow along with the scarcity of healthcare resources. This study investigated the levels of satisfaction of Chinese consumers’ experiences with OHS platforms and their reuse and electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM) recommendation intentions. This study provides data for educating consumers on OHS platforms and for guiding strategic business planning for the OHS market. The theoretical model applied was the theory of planned behavior, augmented by integrating factors such as perceived service quality and subjective knowledge into its framework. Data were collected in April 2024 through an online survey of Chinese consumers who had used OHS platforms in the past year. The data were assessed using structural equation modeling and multiple group analysis. The findings indicate that various factors, including attitudes, perceived interaction quality, behavioral control, perceived system quality, perceived information quality, and subjective knowledge concerning OHS platforms, are significant enhancers of user satisfaction and reuse and e-WOM intentions. Health consciousness is a moderating variable in the dynamics between consumer satisfaction and their propensity to engage in e-WOM. Strategies targeting factors that influence satisfaction require development. Full article

Magnetic suspension balance systems (MSBSs) need to allow vehicle models to levitate stably in different attitudes, so it is difficult to ensure the stable performance of the system under different levitation gaps using a controller designed with single balance point linearization. In this paper, a levitation controller based on linear model predictive control and a back-propagation neural network (LMPC-BP) is proposed and simulated for single-point magnetic levitation. The deviation of the BP network is observed and compensated by an expansion state observer (ESO). The iterative BP neural network model is further updated using current data and feedback data from the ESO, and then the performance of the LMPC-BP controller is evaluated before and after the update. The simulation results show that the LMPC-BP controller can achieve stable levitation at different gaps of the single-point magnetic levitation system. With further updating and iteration of the BP network, the controller anti-jamming performance is improved. Full article

This investigation is part of a topical situation where wireless equipment is gradually being used for energy transfer, particularly for autonomous systems and the use of decarbonized energies. A characteristic example of decarbonized autonomous use is linked to the substitution of thermal engine vehicles for electric vehicles (EVs) equipped with energy storage batteries. This response was considered in an ecological context of reducing air pollution and defending planetary biodiversity, which are currently vital. These EVs ultimately operate thanks to the wireless charging of their batteries when stationary or running. By changing long-established means of transport that have become a threat to biodiversity, it is necessary to ensure that innovative replacement solutions protect this biodiversity. In addition, the construction of wireless power transfer (WPT) battery chargers for these EVs must offer an optimal ecology of clean energy saving. In such a context, the two concepts of One Health (OH) and Responsible Attitude (RA) will find their place in the design and control of WPT tools in EVs. This contribution aims to illustrate and analyze the roles of the green and non-wasteful OH and RA approaches in the design and control of WPT embedded in EVs for the smart city (SC) environment. In the paper, WPT tools are first introduced. The design and control of EV battery charging tools are then examined. The biological effects on living tissues due to the electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation of WPT are analyzed. The phenomena and equations governing the design of WPT and the effects of EMF radiation are then exposed. The OH and RA approaches in the SC context are afterward analyzed. The protection against the unsafe effects of WPT tools in the SC environment is consequently explored. The analyses followed in the paper are supported by examples from the literature. The explorations proposed in this contribution have made it possible to highlight certain notions, allowing a more in-depth understanding of the use of EVs with WPT rechargeable batteries for SCs. Thus, the analysis and fusion of these topics are at the heart of this contribution. Full article

In complex terrain, such as uneven roads or irregular terrain, two-wheeled heavy-duty self-balancing vehicles are easily affected by external interference factors, causing rollover or rendering the vehicle unable to move, which poses a greater challenge to its stability control. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a kinematic model of a two-wheeled vehicle and design a control system to study its driving stability. This paper aims to study the stability control system of a two-wheeled self-balancing vehicle under complex terrain. First, a self-balancing vehicle modeling method based on complex terrain is designed. By analyzing the motion characteristics of the self-balancing vehicle, a kinematic model suitable for complex terrain is established, which provides a basis for subsequent control algorithms. Secondly, a precise control system is designed for different terrain conditions, and parameters such as vehicle attitude, speed and acceleration are adjusted through the Proportional–Integral–Derivative (PID) control algorithm to achieve the smooth operation of the self-balancing vehicle in complex terrain. In addition, a vehicle-mounted camera is used to capture terrain images in real time, and different terrains are accurately identified through the terrain recognition algorithm based on deep learning, thereby determining the friction coefficient and effectively improving the stability of the self-balancing vehicle on complex terrain. The experimental results show that the designed control system can enable the self-balancing two-wheeled vehicle to achieve stable balance control in different terrains, and has good applicability and stability. Full article

Previous literature has examined the effect of using a formal or informal second-person pronoun on consumers’ appreciation of an advertisement and the advertised product and their purchase intention. This is the first study that additionally examines the effect of the use of either pronoun on product price estimation. In a between-subjects web experiment, Dutch participants evaluated product ads in which either an informal or formal pronoun of address was used, or no pronoun of address at all (the control condition). Dependent variables were attitude towards the ad and the product, purchase intention, and price estimation. The results show that the use of the formal pronoun leads to a higher estimate of the price of the advertised product, while a higher price estimate may increase the purchase intention. Full article

Background: Now that the spread of COVID-19 has been controlled, it is important to investigate changes in young people’s perceptions of the vaccine and their behavior toward infection. The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) to investigate the association between Omicron strain vaccination rates among college students, their perceptions of the vaccine, and past adverse reactions to the vaccine; (2) to compare 2021 (when COVID-19 was spreading) and 2023 (when COVID-19 was strained) to identify changes in attitudes toward vaccination and motivations for vaccination and changes in infection prevention behavior. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted via e-mail from 5 January to 30 January 2023. All students at Hiroshima University were sent an e-mail, which provided them access to the survey form and requested their cooperation. The questionnaire consisted of 33 items related to attributes, vaccination status, adverse reactions after vaccination, motivation for vaccination, perception of the vaccine, presence of coronavirus infection, sequelae, and infection prevention measures. Results: A total of 1083 students responded to the survey. Over 50% of the students were vaccinated with the Omicron booster. Regarding trust in vaccines, the majority of both male and female respondents said they had some trust in vaccines, although this was less than that observed in the 2021 survey. As for infection control measures, only 2% of males and 0.3% of females answered that they did not take any infection control measures. The most common response was “wear a mask”, as in the 2021 survey, with 476 men (96.6%) and 575 women (99.5%). Conclusions: The survey showed a high Omicron-responsive vaccination rate of more than 50%. In addition, more than 99% of the students were found to be taking measures to prevent infection, such as wearing masks. Full article

Through the conceptual framework of datafication, dataism and dataveillance, this study investigates beliefs and attitudes regarding datafication and the related privacy and security concerns among individuals with Type 1 diabetes. Qualitative research was conducted through interviews among fifty-two individuals with Type 1 diabetes in Poland and Italy. The findings reveal a dynamic interplay between self-discipline and empowerment. The majority of interviewees emphasized the benefits of technologies for gaining a better understanding of their health condition and for more effective disease management. However, a minority of interviewees perceived the negative effects of datafication, including dataveillance, which leads to hyper-control of the disease, and dataism, characterized by excessive reliance on and dependency on technology. Critical beliefs about technologies fuelled rejection attitudes, leading some interviewees to suspend or abandon their use. Lastly, reflexivity on privacy and security issues appears to be low, particularly among older individuals with lower levels of education and socioeconomic status. This results in a poor understanding and underestimation of the potential risks associated with security and privacy. The findings increase the understanding of the factors that can facilitate or hinder the adoption of technology among people with diabetes. Full article

Childhood overweight and obesity are increasingly prevalent in Pakistan, posing significant public health challenges. This study explores the associations of school-level factors and school sports facility parameters with overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Pakistan. A cross-sectional study across seven random districts in Punjab province, Pakistan, was conducted using a representative multistage random cluster sample. Underweight (BMI < 5th percentile), overweight (85th ≤ BMI < 95th percentile), and obese (95th percentile ≤ BMI) were defined using the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) 2000 criteria. Statistical analyses including the Chi-square test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and linear regression were performed to investigate predictive characteristics. Logistic regression analysis assessed the simultaneous impact of several covariates on dichotomous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) computed and a significance level set at p < 0.05. The study included 4108 Pakistani school children aged 9 to 17 years (mean age = 13.92 years, 59.3% boys) from 62 schools. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 19.4% and 10.7%, respectively. Findings revealed a concerning lack of physical education activities (60% reported 0 sessions per week), morning exercise (60%), and classroom exercises (66%) among school-aged children. Leadership attitudes toward physical education (β = 0.04, p = 0.006) and students’ satisfaction with the playground (β = 0.05, p = 0.015) showed significant associations with body weight status. Conversely, provision of physical education facilities, effective fund utilization for physical education, meeting school sports facility requirements, and weekend opening of school sports grounds did not significantly impact weight status. Satisfaction with the playground was significantly associated with a lower risk of overweight (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.69–0.95, p < 0.05), indicating reduced overweight likelihood among students satisfied with school playgrounds. The study underscores significant gaps in promoting physical activity within school environments and highlights the urgent need for interventions to enhance physical education resources and sports facilities, aiming to create healthier school environments and reduce overweight and obesity prevalence among students. Further research and interventions are crucial for promoting lifelong physical activity habits and improving student health and well-being. Full article

In recent years, global climate change has profoundly influenced natural ecosystems and human societies, making climate mitigation and carbon emission reduction a point of consensus among the international community. The issue of carbon emissions in agriculture, particularly in the livestock sector, is garnering increasing attention. This study focuses on large-scale dairy farms in the central and western regions of Inner Mongolia, exploring their low-carbon production behavioral intentions and influencing factors. By constructing a structural equation model (PLS-SEM), we systematically analyze the relationships between variables such as climate perception, value judgment, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived control and their combined effects on low-carbon production behavioral intentions. The findings suggest that the influence of climate perception and low-carbon awareness is mediated. Thus, the stronger the farm owners’ perception of climate change, the more they recognize the value of low-carbon production and the greater the social pressure they experience and their sense of self-efficacy. The farm owners’ attitudes, perceptions of social norms, and evaluations of their own capabilities collectively determine their intentions regarding low-carbon production. Furthermore, multi-group analysis showed significant heterogeneity in behavioral intentions between different scales of dairy farms. Small-scale farms, due to their weaker economic capacity, tend to harbor negative attitudes towards low-carbon production, while large-scale farms, with greater economic power and sensitivity to policy and market demands, are more likely to take low-carbon actions. This study provides theoretical support for formulating effective low-carbon policies, contributing to the sustainable development of the livestock sector and agriculture as a whole. Full article

The Lorentz force magnetic levitation gim2bal stabilized platform (LFMP), as a new generation of high-precision turntable for maglev satellites, can meet the requirements of future spacecraft for ultra-high attitude pointing accuracy and stability. To solve the problem of three-module multi-body attitude control under maneuvering conditions, the platform subsystem is first dynamically modeled based on the second type of Lagrangian equation, and the payload subsystem is dynamically modeled based on the Newton–Euler method. Secondly, a multi-loop control system is designed, consisting of high-precision and fast attitude pointing control for the payload, position tracking control for the platform subsystem, and tracking control for the maglev module. The final simulation results verified the feasibility and effectiveness of the payload-centered control method. An evaluation of the stability with a specific model has been performed, and the attitude accuracy of the payload is within 0.00002° and the attitude stability is within 0.00005°/s. Full article

To improve adolescent nutrition, it is crucial to understand factors underlying food behaviours. This study aims to identify pathways by which the environment and individual factors interact to affect the consumption of iron-rich food (IRF) among Senegalese adolescent girls in the hopes to reduce anemia. This is a cross-sectional study conducted among 600 adolescent girls (10–19 years old) of all 14 regions of Senegal. IRF consumption in the past day and night was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. Individual determinants, such as the attitude, the subjected norm, and the perceived behaviour control (PBC), and environmental determinants, such as food accessibility and price, were assessed using a validated and reliable questionnaire. Path analyses were conducted to examine relations between IRF consumption and individual and environmental variables. Overall, 83.7% of girls had the intention to eat IRF and 84.7% reported doing so. The PBC (β = 0.20, p < 0.01) and the attitude (β = 0.57, p < 0.01) predict the intention of consuming IRF daily. In turn, the environment predicts the attitude (β = −0.22, p < 0.01) and the PBC (β = 0.26, p < 0.01). The intention was a predictor of the IRF consumption (β = 0.16, p < 0.05). This research provides guidance to nutrition education programmes as well as to improve the food environment to facilitate the consumption of IRF among adolescent girls by inspiring community health initiatives based on empirical data. Full article

As an important interface between unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ships, the stability and motion control compensation technology of the shipborne UAV landing platform are paramount for successful UAV landings. This paper has designed a new control compensation method for an autonomous UAV landing platform to address the impact of complex sea conditions on the stability of UAV landing platforms. Firstly, the parallel Stewart platform was introduced as the landing platform, and its structure was analyzed with forward and inverse kinematic calculations conducted in Matlab to verify its accuracy. Secondly, a least-squares recursive AR prediction algorithm was designed to predict the future attitudes of ships under varying sea conditions. Finally, the prediction algorithm was combined with the platform’s control strategy and a dual-sensor system was adopted to ensure the stability of the UAV landing process. The experimental results demonstrate that these innovative improvements enhanced the compensation accuracy by 59.6%, 60.3%, 48.4%, and 47.9% for the rolling angles of 5° and 10° and the pitching angles of 5° and 10°, respectively. Additionally, the compensation accuracy for the roll and pitch in sea states 2 and 5 improved by 51.2%, 59.4%, 58.7%, and 55.9%, respectively, providing technical support for UAV missions such as maritime rescue and exploration. Full article

Background/Objectives: Eating disorders, characterized by severe disturbances in eating behavior, are a public health concern, particularly among young women. This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the relationship between disordered eating attitudes and mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and somatization, among individuals with eating disorders. Methods: A total of 471 young German women hospitalized with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa participated in this study. Assessments were conducted at two points over a two-month interval using the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2) and the Patient Health Questionnaire. Regression analyses were performed to determine predictors of depression, anxiety, and somatization. The study controlled for socio-demographic segmentation using Sinus-Milieus, a social classification system, as a covariate. Results: Regression analyses revealed that interpersonal distrust and impulse regulation were significant predictors of subsequent depression. Impulse regulation strongly predicted subsequent anxiety, while both impulse regulation and social insecurity were strong predictors of subsequent somatization. The Neo-Ecological Milieu emerged as the most prevalent socio-demographic group (34.4% of participants). The Sinus-Milieus segmentation, however, did not significantly impact the health outcomes, suggesting consistent mental health issues across socio-demographic groups. Conclusions: This study’s findings underscored the role of disordered eating attitudes in predicting mental health outcomes among young women with eating disorders. Addressing these attitudes in therapeutic settings may help mitigate symptoms of not only the primary condition but also depression, anxiety, and somatization. Full article

The empowerment of educational reform and innovation through AI technology has become a topic of increasing interest in the field of education. The advent of AI technology has made comprehensive and in-depth teaching evaluation possible, serving as a significant driving force for efficient and precise teaching. There were few empirical studies on the application of high-quality precision teaching models in the field of compulsory education, and the learning difficulty of technology and the teaching burden on teachers have become significant factors hindering the use of technology to support education. This study analyzed teaching models from the perspectives of teachers’ teaching burdens and students’ learning obstacles, and was committed to relying on intelligent technology to construct a new precision teaching model, an educational diagnosis–feedback–intervention path that covered the entire teaching process, from the dimensions of teacher behavior, student behavior, and parent behavior, aiming to assist teachers in efficient teaching and students in personalized learning. This study was conducted with nine science classes, including about 540 people in the second year of high school at a Middle School in China; six classes were the intervention groups while the last three classes were control groups, and a survey of 19 teachers from the intervention classes was carried out. The results showed that this model can significantly improve students’ academic performance in science subjects, especially in mathematics and chemistry. It has increased the proportion of high-achieving students, reduced the proportion of low-achieving students, stimulated students’ self-directed learning ability, cultivated a positive attitude towards science learning, and explained the key points of using a precision teaching model in different disciplines. It has achieved a deep integration of education and technology, helping to increase the efficiency and reduce the burden of teaching. Full article