Global Transitions最新文献

{"title":"Trajectory optimization for UAV-based medical delivery with temporal logic constraints and convex feasible set collision avoidance","authors":"Kaiyuan Chen ,&nbsp;Yuhan Suo ,&nbsp;Shaowei Cui ,&nbsp;Yuanqing Xia ,&nbsp;Wannian Liang ,&nbsp;Shuo Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.10.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.10.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper addresses the problem of trajectory optimization for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) performing time-sensitive medical deliveries in urban environments. Specifically, we consider a single UAV with 3-degree-of-freedom dynamics tasked with delivering blood packages to multiple hospitals, each with a predefined time window and priority. Mission objectives are encoded using Signal Temporal Logic (STL), enabling the formal specification of spatial-temporal constraints. To ensure safety, city buildings are modeled as 3D convex obstacles, and obstacle avoidance is handled through a Convex Feasible Set (CFS) method. The entire planning problem—combining UAV dynamics, STL satisfaction, and collision avoidance—is formulated as a convex optimization problem that ensures tractability and can be solved efficiently using standard convex programming techniques. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method generates dynamically feasible, collision-free trajectories that satisfy temporal mission goals, providing a scalable and reliable approach for autonomous UAV-based medical logistics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"8 1","pages":"Pages 110-119"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145736580","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An integrative model of public sphere environmental behaviors: The association between motivational and socio-political factors","authors":"Piyapong Janmaimool ,&nbsp;Surapong Chudech ,&nbsp;Jaruwan Chontanawat ,&nbsp;Kriengsak Thamma-aphiphol","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.12.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Citizens’ active engagement in public sphere environmental behaviors (e.g., environmental policy support and environmental activism) can drive sustainable policy development and implementation. This study aims to assess how motivational and socio-political factors predict the public sphere environmental behaviors, and to evaluate how motivational factors (e.g., norms, attitude, and environmental concerns) and socio-political factors (e.g., social and institutional trust) are associated. The target population is well-educated people living in Bangkok city of Thailand as their active participation in the behaviors can powerfully encourage other entities or organizations to act environmentally. Questionnaire surveys were conducted with 540 well-educated residents living in Bangkok city. First, model measurement was assessed via confirmatory factor analysis; subsequently, a path analysis was performed to test causal associations among the variables predicting public-sphere environmental behaviors. The results revealed that social and institutional trust were significantly associated with a motivational factor (the attitude toward public sphere environmental behaviors) and the attitude could subsequently predict the behaviors. There were also significant associations between motivational factors, and these associations had a significant power to explain public sphere environmental behaviors. Both social norms and personal norms were significantly associated with the attitude. Social norms could also significantly predict the behaviors, but personal norms could not. Personal norms had only an indirect influence on the behaviors via the attitude. Moreover, local environmental concerns were a weak predictor as they had only a significant indirect influence on the behaviors via the attitude. Global environmental concerns could directly and indirectly predict the behaviors. Thus, educating the public with global environmental issues and promoting the attitude and social norms could be powerful in promoting public sphere environmental behaviors. To promote a positive attitude towards the behaviors, both institutional and social trust could play an important role.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"8 1","pages":"Pages 129-143"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924156","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transforming health systems in Vietnam's demographic transition: sarcopenia screening thresholds","authors":"Hien Thi Nguyen ,&nbsp;Charuai Suwanbamrung ,&nbsp;Apichai Wattanapisit ,&nbsp;Thang Nguyen ,&nbsp;Warapone Satheannoppakao ,&nbsp;Dung Tam Nguyen Huynh ,&nbsp;Tam Thai Thanh Tran ,&nbsp;Khanh Hoang Pham ,&nbsp;Cua Ngoc Le","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.10.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.10.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Vietnam is undergoing a rapid demographic transition, with an increasingly aging population, posing new challenges for the healthcare system. Sarcopenia, an important contributor to frailty, functional decline, and disability in older adults, remains underdiagnosed due to the inconvenience of standardized assessment tools and the lack of validated anthropometric thresholds for specific populations.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 416 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥60 years in Can Tho, Vietnam. Sarcopenia was diagnosed based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 (AWGS 2019) criteria. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to identify optimal cutoff values for body mass index (BMI), calf circumference (CC), arm circumference (AC), and waist circumference (WC), with the Youden index applied to determine the most accurate thresholds.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The identified Vietnam-specific anthropometric thresholds for sarcopenia were: BMI ≤22.6 kg/m² for men and ≤21.2 kg/m² for women; CC ≤ 34.5 cm and ≤32.0 cm; AC ≤26.0 cm and ≤24.0 cm; WC ≤ 85.0 cm and ≤78.0 cm, respectively. These localized thresholds improved diagnostic accuracy, with BMI showing the strongest performance. CC and AC were less reliable among women, while WC offered high specificity but lower sensitivity.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our results endorse Vietnam-specific anthropometric cutoffs, particularly BMI, as a practical, cost-effective sarcopenia screening tool for under-resourced primary care. Integrating these thresholds into national guidelines can accelerate universal health coverage and sustainable aging by enabling early detection and community-based interventions to avert functional decline in Vietnam's aging population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"8 1","pages":"Pages 120-128"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145736579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrating climate change, food security, and innovative agriculture in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL): A Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus approach","authors":"Abdul-Latif Alhassan ,&nbsp;Mery Angeles Perez ,&nbsp;Lakshman W. Galagedara","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.08.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.08.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examines the intersection of climate change, agricultural innovation, and food security in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), a province characterized by a short growing season, poor and acidic soils, and a small agriculture sector highly vulnerable to climate change. Despite being one of Canada's most food-insecure provinces, there is a significant lack of comprehensive studies on the Water-Energy-Food-Climate Change (WEF-CC) nexus and agricultural innovation in NL. The study aimed to (1) inventory innovative agricultural practices that promote food security and climate resilience, (2) identify key stakeholders in agricultural innovation, (3) explore factors influencing innovation in the province, and (4) assess the use of by-products in agriculture. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using NVivo content analysis. The findings revealed two primary types of relevant agricultural innovation in NL: practice-based and technology-based. Six key stakeholders in agricultural innovation were identified. However, the lack of an independent third-party innovation enabler or connector was perceived as a barrier to progress. To address this gap, the study proposes the establishment of the Newfoundland and Labrador Agricultural Innovation Centre (NLAIC), a collaborative body designed to support agricultural innovation. Additionally, opportunities for utilizing agricultural and industrial by-products, including plant-based and animal-based innovations, were identified as emerging in the province. Tackling innovation barriers and promoting nexus thinking and collaboration among stakeholders and sectors could enhance climate resilience and food security in NL.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"8 1","pages":"Pages 22-36"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145027278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hydrogen energy storage for healthcare resilience","authors":"Alfan Sarifudin ,&nbsp;Hwai Chyuan Ong ,&nbsp;Long Chiau Ming","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.11.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.11.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Frequent and prolonged energy outages remain a critical challenge for healthcare facilities, jeopardizing patient safety and disrupting essential medical services. To ensure reliable and sustainable operations, there is an urgent need for alternative energy solutions with Hydrogen Energy Storage (HES) offering a promising pathway. This review explores the potential of HES in enhancing healthcare resilience which emphasizing its role in emergency preparedness, carbon footprint reduction, and energy stability. Drawing on systematic literature review, this study analyze existing applications, technological advancements, and the challenges of deploying HES in healthcare settings. Case studies from various geographical contexts demonstrate their versatility and efficacy in sustaining essential services. Although the potential of HES is evident, addressing economic barriers, regulatory obstacles, and infrastructure limitations is crucial for its extensive adoption. This study highlights the transformative capacity of HES to synchronize healthcare with global sustainability objectives, guaranteeing operational continuity and environmental responsibility.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"8 1","pages":"Pages 193-222"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146187481","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Breaking the hunger cycle: Can women's empowerment solve Africa's undernourishment crisis?","authors":"Romaine Doline Ngo Nguéda Radler ,&nbsp;Gautier Tchoffo Tameko ,&nbsp;Arsene Mouongue Kelly","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2026.01.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2026.01.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Women's empowerment is increasingly recognized as a vital factor in achieving global development goals, particularly the eradication of hunger (SDG 2) and the advancement of gender equality (SDG 5). Despite this relevance, existing studies remain limited in scope, often relying on cross-sectional, country-specific, or child-focused analyses that do not capture the broader, population-level relationship between women's empowerment and undernourishment across Africa. To address this gap, the present study offers a continent-wide assessment of how multiple dimensions of women's empowerment, including civil liberties, civil society participation, political participation, and political empowerment, shape undernourishment in 50 African countries from 2002 to 2020. Using a panel framework that combines fixed effects estimation, Driscoll–Kraay standard errors, and the two-step system GMM estimator, the analysis identifies a consistent and significant negative relationship between women's empowerment and the prevalence of undernourishment. All four empowerment dimensions contribute meaningfully to improved nutritional outcomes, and extensive robustness checks confirm the reliability of the findings. The study thus provides clear empirical evidence that strengthening women's agency is a multidimensional pathway to reducing undernourishment, offering a foundation for more targeted and gender-responsive policy strategies to advance food security across Africa.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"8 1","pages":"Pages 158-165"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145975960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Green finance, innovation, and environment: Testing the EKC in ASEAN-4 with MMQR approach","authors":"Md.Sazib Miyan ,&nbsp;Calvin W.H. Cheong ,&nbsp;Arshian Sharif ,&nbsp;Sahar Afshan","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.09.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.09.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rising carbon emissions and environmental degradation in ASEAN-4 economies underscore the urgent need for sustainable financial mechanisms and innovative technologies to address climate challenges. Despite growing interest in green initiatives, limited research exists on their distributional impacts and causal links with environmental outcomes in this regional context. This study examines the nexus between green finance (GFIN), green innovation (GTI), and environmental sustainability within the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) framework across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand from 2000 to 2020. Employing advanced panel econometric techniques, Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR), Bootstrap Quantile Regression (BSQR), and Dumitrescu-Hurlin Granger causality tests, the analysis reveals that both GFIN and GTI significantly reduce CO₂ emissions, with stronger effects at lower quantiles, indicating greater efficacy at early stages of environmental degradation. The EKC hypothesis is validated, as economic growth initially raises emissions but reduces them at higher income levels. Renewable energy (REN) consistently mitigates emissions, while non-renewable energy (NRE) worsens them across all quantiles, reinforcing the need for energy transition. Causality tests reveal a bidirectional relationship between CO₂ and NRE, and unidirectional causality from CO₂ to REN and GTI. These findings underscore critical policy imperatives: scaling up green finance, accelerating clean innovation, phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, and strengthening regional cooperation to decouple growth from emissions and advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"8 1","pages":"Pages 74-88"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145266683","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Urban-rural disparities in self-reported dengue infection: A comprehensive analysis of the 2023 Indonesian health survey","authors":"Mara Ipa ,&nbsp;Asep Hermawan ,&nbsp;Rais Yunarko ,&nbsp;Tri Ramadhani ,&nbsp;Muhammad Choirul Hidajat ,&nbsp;Harimat Hendarwan ,&nbsp;Triwibowo Ambar Garjito ,&nbsp;Aneta Afelt ,&nbsp;Supriyati Supriyati ,&nbsp;Tri Wibawa","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.08.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.08.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Dengue Virus (DENV) infection remains a significant public health issue in Indonesia, with incidence rates differing between urban and rural areas. This study aimed to identify individual and household factors driving self-reported dengue infections in these settings.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A secondary analysis of the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) included 877,531 respondents from urban (n = 469,549) and rural (n = 407,982) areas. The study focused on individuals of all ages who had been diagnosed with dengue fever by a physician within the past year. Disparities in self-reported dengue infection were assessed using standardized questionnaires that covered individual factors (age, sex, education, occupation, and preventive measures) and household factors (health facility awareness, travel time, transport affordability, wealth, water source, and preventive behavior). Data collected from August to October 2023 were analyzed using weighted logistic regression models in STATA 17.0 MP to account for the complex sampling design.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Self-reported dengue incidence was higher in urban areas (0.73 %) than rural areas (0.52 %). In urban settings, higher odds of dengue infection were associated with having school-aged children, living in crowded households, belonging to the wealthiest quintile, using bottled water, and neglecting regular cleaning of water storage containers. In rural areas, adults using refill water had increased odds of infection, while those working in the informal sector and practicing mosquito bite prevention showed reduced odds.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our study highlights social determinants of dengue infection in Indonesia, emphasizing the need for targeted public health interventions that address educational disparities, economical access to healthcare, and effective preventive practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"8 1","pages":"Pages 10-21"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145019979","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How is food security threatened in Iran's agricultural sector? A grounded theory approach","authors":"Pouria Ataei ,&nbsp;Mostafa Alinaghizadeh ,&nbsp;Hasan Alibakhshi ,&nbsp;Naser Valizadeh ,&nbsp;Hamid Karimi","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2026.01.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2026.01.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Food security, one of the fundamental challenges facing developing countries, is influenced by a range of factors, including climate change, economic instability, ineffective policies, and international sanctions. Using a grounded theory approach, this study comprehensively examined the challenges of food security in Iran's agricultural sector by analyzing causal, contextual, and intervening factors, as well as identifying strategies and consequences. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 38 agricultural experts and specialists and analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. The results indicate that the primary obstacles to achieving sustainable food security in Iran include climate change, water scarcity, dependence on imports, weak infrastructure, economic fluctuations, contradictory policies, and international pressures. The study also proposes strategies such as improving water and soil resource management, developing new agricultural technologies, reducing food waste, strengthening farmer support policies, and increasing resilience to climate change. These insights provide a comprehensive framework for policymakers and practitioners to design evidence-based programs that strengthen national food security and promote sustainable agricultural development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"8 1","pages":"Pages 144-157"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145975962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beyond food: Ultra-processed people are living in an ultra-processed world","authors":"Bruna Menegassi ,&nbsp;Jesus Rivera-Navarro","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.10.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.10.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Since the term \"ultra-processed food\" was introduced in the fields of nutrition and public health, numerous studies have demonstrated its detrimental effects on health. Despite resistance from food companies and researchers with potential conflicts of interest, the concept has gained broad acceptance in both academic and non-academic circles. This article extends the discussion beyond nutrition by examining the wider concept of \"ultra-processed,\" its implications, and its application to other domains, including the metaphorical notions of \"ultra-processed people\" and an \"ultra-processed world.\" In doing so, we aim to raise awareness of the phenomenon of \"ultra-processing,\" highlighting its pervasive influence across food, society, and digital environments, and encouraging reflection on its consequences for everyday life. This expansive approach aligns with notable philosophical and sociological perspectives, yet our exploration of these trends offers an innovative angle.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"8 1","pages":"Pages 89-100"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145465355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}