Search Results (123,365)

Local and Indigenous knowledge (LIK) systems are recognised as a pertinent component of effective and equitable water governance, especially for building resilient, sustainable, and climate-resilient water management systems; however, their incorporation into water governance systems and processes remains limited, symbolic, and hindered by technocratic, legal, and power barriers. This study, through a systematic overview of existing work from Africa, aims to explore critically the role and contribution of LIK systems in water governance and climate adaptation, with the goal of establishing that LIK systems should be understood and operationalised as a water governance system, not as a supplementary knowledge system. Through systematic thematic analysis, four recurring themes are identified: (i) rhetorical recognition of LIK without substantive institutionalisation; (ii) evidence of contributions to local-scale climate adaptation, ecosystem management, and water resource allocation; (iii) inherent challenges of legal marginalisation, epistemic dominance, and power asymmetry; and (iv) transformative limitations of participatory or co-management frameworks that maintain state-led authority. SWOT analysis reveals LIK’s strengths in adaptive innovation, knowledge coproduction, and governance legitimacy, with potential threats of marginalisation, institutional fragmentation, and dominance by technocratic discourses. The results show that the failure of integration is governance-driven rather than knowledge-driven, emphasising the importance of institutional recognition, legal pluralism, vertical integration, and the sharing of power. Partnership with LIK as an equal in governance helps create policy environments that are inclusive, flexible, and socially legitimate. This approach to integration directly contributes to the achievement of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This review establishes a conceptual, empirical, and practical basis for incorporating LIK into water governance, promoting adaptive, equitable, and resilient water resource management in a climate of uncertainty and complexity. Additionally, the review argues that climate-resilient water governance requires institutional recognition of legal pluralism, vertically integrated decision-making structures, and explicit power-sharing arrangements that treat LIK as coequal governance rather than consultative input. By reframing LIK integration as a question of authority and institutional design, this review contributes to debates on epistemic justice and adaptive water governance under climate change. While grounded in African case studies, the findings contribute to broader global debates on epistemic pluralism and inclusive water governance. Full article

In this study, Ti-Co-Ce getter films were deposited via magnetron sputtering to investigate their activation mechanism—the thermal removal of surface passivation layers to restore gas sorption capability. The morphology before and after film activation was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The oxygen content on the film surface before and after activation was measured using an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), and gas desorption during activation was monitored with a quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS). The combined results confirmed the absence of O₂ desorption during activation, suggesting oxygen migration into the film bulk. Crucially, in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) combined with controlled Ar⁺ ion sputtering depth profiling (0–30 nm) was employed to directly probe the chemical-state evolution within the thin film before and after thermal activation at 400 °C, thereby providing direct evidence of the activation dynamics. The data reveal that within the 0–10 nm near-surface region, a strong oxygen chemical potential gradient drives rapid oxide reduction and inward migration of lattice oxygen. At depths of 20–30 nm, moderate reduction coupled with oxygen enrichment induces phase separation, while around 30 nm, a dynamic equilibrium between oxygen inflow and outflow is established. These findings provide a theoretical basis for optimizing activation processes and guiding the development of low-temperature getter materials. This work is particularly relevant for MEMS, vacuum electronics, and other applications with stringent thermal budgets, expanding the design possibilities for heat-sensitive device integration. Full article

Background: Qualitative health research increasingly emphasizes relational and interactional processes in illness and caregiving; however, joint interview formats remain methodologically under-theorized. This article advances a relational and power-sensitive reconceptualization of the couple interview by conceptualizing the interview encounter itself as an interactional site in which caregiving relations become observable in real time rather than merely reported retrospectively. Methods: The article draws on seven in-home couple interviews with long-married older heterosexual couples in Germany, in which one partner provided long-term home-based care for the other. The analysis applies the Documentary Method to reconstruct jointly produced meanings, collective orientations, and the micro-interactional dynamics of the interview situation itself. Results: The analysis shows that couple interviews provide a distinctive methodological lens for studying dyadic caregiving by rendering co-narration, negotiated speaker roles, “we”-positioning, speaking-for-the-other, and embodied coordination analytically visible. Interactional asymmetries, interruptions, and situational role shifts thus emerge not only as challenges but as epistemic resources for reconstructing caregiving relationships and power dynamics. Based on this analysis, the article develops a three-part practice-oriented methodological toolkit comprising relational interviewing strategies, moderation practices, and systematic observation and documentation markers. Conclusions: By reframing the couple interview as an interactional event and specifying analytic markers and conduct strategies, this article makes an explicit methodological contribution to dyadic qualitative health research, particularly in sensitive later-life caregiving contexts. Full article

The release of CO₂ gas into the atmosphere is one of the most prolific causes of global climate change. To solve this problem, cost-effective technologies are being sought. Polymer membranes are innovative materials that can be widely used in the process of capturing and separating CO₂ gas. In this work, an amine impregnated and amidated solid sorbent (AISS) containing a copolymer (PMMA-co-AA), which consists of acrylic acid (AA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA), and PEPA (polyethylene polyamine), was synthesized. For the first time, sorbents based on homopolymers and copolymers of acrylic acid and methyl methacrylate were compared for their ability to capture CO₂ gas. Other than the synthesis of low swelling AISS, a calculation of its energy consumption, and a comparison of its cyclic capacity with 30% water solutions of monoethanolamine and methyldiethanolamine (MEA and MDEA) were performed. The solid sorbent PMMA-co-AAS showed a higher cyclic capacity than others, corresponding to the order PMMA-co-AAS (23 mg/g) > PAAS (16 mg/g) > MDEA (10 mg/g) > MEA (6 mg/g). The average absorption rate for these sorbents was in the sequence of MEA > PMMA-co-AAS > PAAS > MDEA at 40 °C, and the desorption rates were PMMA-co-AAS > PAAS > MDEA > MEA for these sorbents at 70 °C, correspondingly. When the amount of acrylic acid in the copolymer was varied from 0 to 100%, the copolymer’s water absorption capacity ranged from 0.2 to 1359.63%. Among them, the swelling ability of the chosen sorbent prepared from the 10% AA-containing copolymer and PEPA was 0.64%. Full article

Bioelectromethanogenesis, the microbial conversion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into methane (CH₄) using a cathode, offers a promising route for biogas upgrading and renewable energy storage. The flow field is an essential factor influencing the performance of bioelectromethanogenesis, and the stability and efficiency of the biocathode play important roles in this process. This study systematically investigated the effect of different internal-circulation flow rates on the biocathode initiated without the electric field and the reactor effluent. It was found that the methane production of the biocathode initiated without the electric field was increased by around 30% at an internal-circulation flow rate of 18 mL/min, which was stronger than that of the biocathode initiated by the reactor effluent. The relative content of the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) heme was increased by 4%, while the EPS electron accepting capacity was much higher than that initiated by reactor effluent. Furthermore, the microbial community analysis showed that the functional methanogen on the biocathode initiated without an electric field was Methanosaeta (17%) and Methanobacterium (8%). This study could provide support for the dynamic operation of biogas upgrading in microbial electrolysis cells. Full article

Accurate and spatially resolved yield estimation is a critical requirement for precision agriculture and orchard management. This paper presents a geometrically consistent, orchard-scale apple yield estimation framework that integrates GNSS–visual-inertial odometry (VIO) fusion, deep learning-based object detection, multi-frame tracking, three-dimensional triangulation, and incremental factor-graph optimization. Camera poses are obtained using ZED GNSS–VIO fusion and subsequently refined using an iSAM2-based nonlinear smoothing approach that incorporates strong relative-motion constraints and soft global ENU (East-North-Up) translation priors. Apples are detected using a YOLO-based model and associated across frames via CoTracker3, enabling robust multi-view landmark reconstruction. Reprojection factors and landmark priors are incorporated into a unified nonlinear factor graph to jointly optimize camera trajectories and 3D apple positions. The reconstructed apples are spatially aggregated into a grid-based mass map, where individual fruit volumes are estimated assuming spherical geometry and converted to mass using density models. The resulting ENU-referenced yield plot provides a structured representation of orchard production variability. Experimental results demonstrate significant reductions in reprojection error after optimization and improved global consistency of the trajectory, leading to stable and spatially coherent 3D reconstructions. The proposed pipeline bridges perception, geometry, and optimization, providing a scalable solution for orchard-scale yield mapping and decision support in precision agriculture. Full article

Corporate governance is increasingly recognised as a key mechanism supporting sustainability transparency, accountability, and long-term value creation. While prior research has examined governance–performance relationships and sustainability outcomes using proprietary ESG ratings, evidence on how governance structures enable sustainability disclosure remains limited, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). This gap reflects heterogeneous institutional environments and uneven ESG data availability in emerging European markets. To address this limitation, this study develops and applies a Corporate Governance–Sustainability Index for Central and Eastern Europe (CGSI–CEE). The index integrates core governance mechanisms (such as board effectiveness, leadership structure and ownership discipline) with sustainability transparency indicators, namely ESG report publication and CO₂ emissions disclosure. The CGSI–CEE is constructed using publicly available firm-level data from CEE blue-chip companies over the 2018–2024 period and follows a transparent, theory-driven weighting scheme. The results reveal substantial heterogeneity in governance-enabled sustainability capacity across firms, sectors, and countries. Bivariate results indicate a negative association with short-term accounting profitability and a positive association with market valuation; however, these relationships weaken once firm-level characteristics are controlled for, reinforcing the interpretation of CGSI–CEE as a structural governance-capacity measure rather than a direct performance determinant. Full article

Low-temperature stress adversely impairs rice germination and seedling establishment. This study assessed a nano-bio-priming strategy using lecithin (L) and silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO₂ NPs) to enhance chilling tolerance. Two fragrant rice cultivars (Xiangyaxiangzhan and Meixiangzhan 2) were primed with six combinations of lecithin (0, 50, and 100 μmol·L⁻¹, denoted as L0, L1, and L2) and SiO₂ NPs (0 and 100 mg·L⁻¹, denoted as S0 and S1) and exposed to optimal temperature (25 °C) or low-temperature stress (15 °C). Low-temperature stress delayed germination onset by two days. Combined priming treatments L1S1 and L2S1 significantly alleviated this inhibitory effect. Crucially, cultivar-specific responses were evident in Meixiangzhan 2, where L1S1 increased the germination vigor index by 50.97%. Meanwhile, the effect was less pronounced or inhibitory at normal temperature in Xiangyaxiangzhan. Priming substantially enhanced seedling growth, and L2S1 maximally increased root and shoot length in Meixiangzhan 2 by 55.30% and 15.82%, respectively. Furthermore, biomass accumulation was strongly promoted. L1S1 increased total dry weight and total fresh weight in Meixiangzhan 2 by 19.64% and 23.48%, respectively. Physiologically, priming elevated chlorophyll and carotenoid contents upregulated the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), and increased levels of soluble protein and ascorbate (AsA), while maintaining nitrate reductase (NR) activity and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) homeostasis. These physiological improvements were positively correlated with enhanced growth. Our findings demonstrate that co-priming with lecithin and SiO₂ NPs is a potent strategy for enhancing low-temperature tolerance, with efficacy depending on both the treatment combination and rice genotype. Full article

Phthalates (PAEs) are ubiquitous endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), but their association with early pregnancy loss (gestational age ≤ 12 weeks) remains controversial. This study enrolled pregnant women aged 20–45 years in Zunyi City, China, and included 107 cases and 349 controls following propensity score matching. Logistic regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression were employed to investigate associations between urinary phthalate metabolites and early pregnancy loss. We found that monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), monooctyl phthalate (MOP), mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), and mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) were associated with spontaneous abortion in early pregnancy, with corresponding odds ratios (ORs; 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of 1.62 (1.26–2.09), 1.49 (1.07–2.09), 1.64 (1.26–2.12), 1.78 (1.27–2.50), 2.63 (1.90–3.64), 1.41 (1.11–1.79), and 5.39 (3.53–8.25). Non-linear dose–response relationships were observed between exposure to MMP, MEP, MEHP, MOP, monobenzyl phthalate (MBZP), MEOHP, MEHHP, and mono-(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MECPP) and early pregnancy loss (non-linear p < 0.05; overall p < 0.05). Co-exposure to multiple phthalate metabolites was also linked to a significantly non-linear elevation in the risk of early pregnancy loss (OR; 95% confidence interval [CI]) of 1.92 (1.76–2.15). Among these metabolites, MMP, MOP, MEOHP, and MECPP make the largest contribution to the correlation. In summary, our findings indicate that exposure to phthalate esters during early pregnancy is associated with early pregnancy loss, with MMP, MOP, MEOHP, and MECPP as the primary contributors. However, these results are based on a single urine sample, and caution is warranted when interpreting the findings. Full article

The high energy consumption of lead anodes in zinc production is caused by the slow oxygen evolution reaction (OER). We made a La-Mn co-doped β-PbO₂ anode using electrodeposition to solve this issue. The XRD and XPS results show that adding La shrinks the lattice and changes the electron structure. This helps Mn⁴⁺ change into active Mn³⁺ and creates more active oxygen on the surface, making the reaction easier. EIS tests show that the charge transfer resistance (R_ct) decreased by 4.2 times, decreasing from 147.6 Ω to 34.72 Ω at 1.0 V. The Bode phase peak also moved to a lower frequency (from 122 Hz to 0.215 Hz), proving that the electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) increased significantly. At the industrial current of 50 mA cm⁻², the anode shows a low overpotential of 840 mV and a Tafel slope of 265 mV dec⁻¹. This improved performance saves 187.10 kWh of energy per ton of zinc. Therefore, the LaMn-β-PbO₂ anode is a promising and energy-saving option for industrial zinc production. Full article

The trade-off between strength and ductility remains a pivotal challenge in the development of multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs) for structural applications. Here, we report a dual-scale ordering strategy to achieve triple strengthening in a Ni-26.6Co-18.4Cr-5.4Nb-4.1Mo-2.3Al-0.3Ti-0.05Y (wt.%) MPEA through the synergistic interplay of L1₂ nanoprecipitates and local chemical order (LCO). The alloy was processed via cold rolling followed by aging at 750 °C for 8 h, resulting in a high density of coherent L1₂ precipitates (average size 47 ± 1 nm, volume fraction ~27%) with an ultra-low lattice misfit of 0.5%. Additionally, sub-nanoscale LCO domains with an average diameter of 0.62 nm were identified within the face-centered cubic matrix. This hierarchical microstructure yields an exceptional combination of mechanical properties at room temperature: yield strength of 1480 ± 6 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 1678 ± 10 MPa, and a total elongation of 13.9 ± 0.2%. Quantitative strengthening analysis reveals that precipitation strengthening (697 MPa) is the dominant contributor, followed by dislocation strengthening (397 MPa). Transmission electron microscopy characterization of deformed samples reveals that the low stacking fault energy, promoted by LCO, facilitates the dissociation of perfect dislocations and the formation of extensive stacking faults. The intersection of stacking faults on different {111} planes generates a large number of Lomer–Cottrell locks, which significantly enhance work hardening and delay plastic instability. The findings demonstrate that engineering dual-scale ordered structures offers a promising pathway for developing MPEAs with a superior strength-ductility combination. Full article

Polymers are fundamental components of modern pharmaceutical manufacturing, serving critical roles as excipients, binders, coatings, and matrices for controlled drug delivery systems. However, the conventional production of pharmaceutical polymers relies heavily on petrochemical feedstocks, energy-intensive processes, and hazardous solvents, leading to significant environmental and economic burdens. In recent years, increasing regulatory pressure, environmental awareness, and sustainability goals have driven the pharmaceutical industry toward greener manufacturing strategies. This review critically examines sustainable green polymer production for pharmaceutical applications, with a focus on both environmental and economic impacts. The review discusses the role of polymers in pharmaceutical manufacturing, outlines the limitations of conventional polymer synthesis, and highlights the relevance of green chemistry principles in addressing these challenges. Key green polymer synthesis techniques, including biopolymer production, enzymatic polymerization, microwave-assisted synthesis, supercritical CO₂ processing, and the use of ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents, are systematically evaluated. Additionally, life-cycle assessment (LCA) approaches are explored to assess the environmental performance of green polymer processes in comparison with traditional methods. Beyond environmental sustainability, this review emphasizes the importance of pharmacoeconomic evaluation in determining the feasibility of adopting green polymers at an industrial scale. Cost–benefit analyses, manufacturing cost comparisons, long-term economic advantages, and health–economic outcomes are discussed in the context of pharmaceutical supply chains. Regulatory perspectives, industrial implementation challenges, and future directions are also addressed. Overall, this review highlights sustainable polymer innovation as a critical pathway toward environmentally responsible, economically viable, and future-ready pharmaceutical manufacturing. Full article

The presence of an unbalanced gut microbiome and the dysregulation of bile acid signalling are considered pivotal causes of various inflammation-based diseases. The Takeda G protein-coupled receptor (TGR5), TGR5 is a bile acid-responsive receptor that modulates inflammatory signalling pathways, making it an enticing molecular target for the discovery of novel anti-inflammatory agents. Herein, a comprehensive in silico approach was employed to identify potential TGR5 agonists from sterol-rich phytocompounds present in Triphala, a traditional polyherbal formulation. Using in silico computational methods, such as molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations (MDS), we screened the putative agonistic potential of 10 phytocompounds obtained from Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica, and Phyllanthus emblica against the crystal structure of human TGR5 (PDB ID: 7XTQ). Based on binding energy and molecular interactions, ergosterol (−12.34 ± 0.17 kcal/mol) and stigmasterol (−10.35 ± 0.04 kcal/mol) were predicted to be the top and best compounds. Furthermore, the stability of these two compounds in the docked complex was analysed using MDS for 200 ns. The mean Cα RMSD values were 0.22 ± 0.02 nm for both ergosterol- and stigmasterol-bound complexes, compared to 0.21 ± 0.02 nm for the unbound apo protein. Further, the molecular mechanics/Poisson–Boltzmann surface area (MMPBSA) analysis revealed that ergosterol exhibited binding free energy (−139.868 ± 12.318 kJ/mol) comparable to that of the co-crystallised ligand R399 −93.424 ± 8.919 kJ/mol. In silico ADMET predictions indicated acceptable drug-like properties and low toxicity for both compounds. Collectively, these computational findings suggest that ergosterol is a promising putative TGR5 agonist, warranting further experimental validation of its potential role in modulating inflammation-related pathways. Full article

Care home staff are routinely exposed to stressful and traumatic events, increasing risks of psychological distress, burnout, and reduced workforce resilience. Psychological First Aid (PFA), recommended by the World Health Organization, provides an evidence-based framework for delivering immediate emotional and practical support; however, its adaptation for care home contexts is limited. This study aimed to co-produce and adapt an existing PFA training resource for care home staff using a person-based approach (PBA) to enhance contextual relevance, acceptability, and feasibility. A two-phase qualitative design guided by PBA principles was used. Phase 1 integrated stakeholder workshops, semi-structured interviews, and literature review to generate guiding principles, a logic model, and preliminary training content. We adapted the WHO PFA “Look–Listen–Link” framework alongside existing open-access materials. Phase 2 used think aloud interviews to optimize usability and contextual fit. Thematic and sentiment analysis identified key needs: high exposure to traumatic events, inconsistent organisational support, desire for measurable skill development, the importance of transferable competencies, and motivational factors. Participants emphasized the need for flexibility, inclusivity, and realistic care-home-specific examples. Adaptations included bite-sized interactive modules, blended delivery options, and reflective exercises. The final co-produced intervention aligns with trauma-informed principles and organisational realities. Further work is needed to access feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity in real-world settings, offering a transferable model for adapting psychological interventions in other high-stress care environments internationally. Full article