Islamabad’s 2019 ban on single-use plastic shopping bags aimed to reduce plastic waste, but compliance is limited. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the ban as well as other factors in curtailing plastic bag use in Islamabad. Regression modeling within a rational choice framework analyzed survey data from 406 retailers across 18 selected urban and rural markets. We found that the subjective belief that a fine was unlikely (β = −16.10; t = −3.90; p < 0.001), likely (β = −24.99; t = −4.95; p < 0.001), or very likely (β = −43.84; t = −4.07; p < 0.001) for selling bags versus very unlikely was significantly associated with lower usage. Additionally, older retailer age (β = −0.25; p < 0.001) and more education (β = −0.77; p < 0.01) were associated with lower plastic bag usage. Business registration (β = −3.94; p < 0.10) and trade membership (β = −4.04; p < 0.05) also decreased use. Rural location (zone II: β = 13.28; p < 0.001) and plastic bags stock availability (β = 16.75; p < 0.001) increased use. Awareness, viewing bags as “Good”, unlikely fines and lack of substitutes lowered use. Results provide insights to inform more effective policies for reducing plastic waste.

The usage of cybersecurity is growing steadily because it is beneficial to us. When people use cybersecurity, they can easily protect their valuable data. Today, everyone is connected through the internet. It’s much easier for a thief to connect important data through cyber-attacks. Everyone needs cybersecurity to protect their precious personal data and sustainable infrastructure development in data science. However, systems protecting our data using the existing cybersecurity systems is difficult. There are different types of cybersecurity threats. It can be phishing, malware, ransomware, and so on. To prevent these attacks, people need advanced cybersecurity systems. Many software helps to prevent cyber-attacks. However, these are not able to early detect suspicious internet threat exchanges. This research used machine learning models in cybersecurity to enhance threat detection. Reducing cyberattacks internet and enhancing data protection; this system makes it possible to browse anywhere through the internet securely. The Kaggle dataset was collected to build technology to detect untrustworthy online threat exchanges early. To obtain better results and accuracy, a few pre-processing approaches were applied. Feature engineering is applied to the dataset to improve the quality of data. Ultimately, the random forest, gradient boosting, XGBoost, and Light GBM were used to achieve our goal. Random forest obtained 96% accuracy, which is the best and helpful to get a good outcome for the social development in the cybersecurity system.

Personality traits refer to enduring patterns of emotions, behaviors, and thoughts that shape an individual’s distinct character, influencing how they perceive and engage with their environment. This quantitative study aims to underscore the influence of personal factors and the role of educational institutions in mapping sustainable green entrepreneurial intentions among university students in Saudia Arabia. To examine the impact of personality traits and entrepreneurship education on students’ green initiatives, the research employs a quantitative research method, collecting data through a structured questionnaire survey from 494 participants who enrolled in the entrepreneurship education at King Faisal University. Structural equation modeling via SmartPLS 3 is employed for data analysis. The study reveals significant associations between the need for achievement, proactiveness, risk-aversion, self-efficacy, and entrepreneurship education with green entrepreneurial intentions. Our research findings demonstrate that the inclusion of entrepreneurship education in the curriculum has a noteworthy and favorable influence on the intention to engage in green entrepreneurship (β = −0.105, t = 3.270, p < 0.001). Additionally, it is worth noting that the desire for achievement remains significantly associated with the intention to engage in green entrepreneurship (β = 0.120, t = 3.588, p < 0.000). Furthermore, the proactive behavior of individuals has a positive and constructive impact on the intention to engage in green entrepreneurship (β = 0.207, t = 4.272, p < 0.000). Similarly, the inclination to avoid risk is found to have a beneficial and significant influence on the intention to engage in green entrepreneurship (β = 0.336, t = 4.594, p < 0.000). Lastly, it is worth highlighting that individuals’ belief in their own abilities, referred to as self-efficacy, is positively and significantly linked to the intention to engage in green entrepreneurship (β = 0.182, t = 2.610, p < 0.009). The research carries social, economic, and academic implications by emphasizing the positive contribution of green entrepreneurs to the future. Practical recommendations for policymakers and decision-makers are provided.

Background: In healthcare, research is essential for improving disease diagnosis and treatment, patient outcomes, and resource management, while fostering evidence-based practice. However, conducting research in this sector can be challenging, and healthcare workers may face various obstacles while engaging in research activities. Therefore, understanding healthcare workers’ attitudes toward research participation is essential for overcoming barriers and increasing research engagement. In this study, these aspects are examined through the analysis of survey data from a tertiary healthcare institution in Saudi Arabia. Method: Data obtained via a survey conducted between April and November 2022 among the healthcare workers and employees at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate statistics. Results: The study sample comprised 713 respondents, 61.71% of whom were female, 58.06% were 26–41 years old, and 72.93% had not undertaken any research as employees or affiliates. A significant association was noted between age group and time constraints (p = 0.004) and lack of opportunity for research (p = 0.00), which were among the identified barriers to research participation. A significant association was also found between gender and barriers to pursuing research (p = 0.012). When the 193 (27.07%) participants who conducted research were asked about the challenges they encountered during this process, gender was significantly associated with difficulties in allocating time for conducting research (p = 0.042) and challenges in accessing journals and references (p = 0.016). Conclusion: The study findings highlight the importance of addressing the barriers and challenges in promoting positive attitudes toward research participation among healthcare workers considering their gender and age. In this manner, healthcare institutions can adopt an environment conducive for professional research engagement.

This study investigates university students’ understanding of the mole concept and its implications for chemistry education, highlighting the critical role of mathematical education. A questionnaire was administered to 303 students from universities in Panama, Mexico, Cuba, Chile, and Spain. The results reveal that only 29.7% of participants recognize the mole as a fundamental unit, while 20.8% confuse the amount of substance with a non-existent “Chemical System.” Only 18.5% correctly identified the substance quantity symbol as “n” and 32.7% were aware that Wilhelm Ostwald introduced the term mole, indicating deficiencies in historical knowledge. The significance of these findings highlights major misconceptions and gaps in both conceptual understanding and historical knowledge, underscoring the urgent need for revised teaching strategies. Addressing these issues is crucial for bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, thereby enhancing instructional methods and optimizing chemistry education to improve students’ comprehension of fundamental concepts.

As the population’s demand for food continues to increase, aquaculture is positioned as a productive activity that provides high-quality protein. Aquaculture activity is characterized by its socio-economic impact, the generation of jobs, its contribution to food, and constant growth worldwide. However, in the face of threats of competition, producers must quickly adapt to market needs and innovate. Given this, this research aims to analyze the impact of the knowledge absorption capacity with the adoption of innovations by aquaculture producers in the Mezquital Valley in Hidalgo, Mexico. The methodological strategy was carried out through structural equation modeling using partial least squares and correlation tests. The findings show that knowledge absorption capacities explain 77.8% of the innovations carried out in aquaculture farms. Both variables maintain a medium-high correlation; the more significant the absorption capacity, the greater the innovation.