Search Results (2,647)

Design Thinking (DT) has emerged as a relevant methodology for addressing global challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study presents a systematic literature review, conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, which analyzes 42 peer-reviewed publications from 2013 to 2023. Through inductive content analysis, 10 core DT principles—such as empathy, iteration, user-centeredness, and systems thinking—I identified and thematically mapped to specific SDGs, including goals related to health, education, innovation, and climate action. The study also presents five real-world cases from diverse sectors such as technology, healthcare, and urban planning, illustrating how DT has been applied to address practical challenges aligned with the SDGs. However, the review identifies persistent gaps in the field: the lack of standardized evaluation frameworks, limited integration across SDG domains, and weak adaptation of ethical and contextual considerations, particularly in vulnerable communities. As a response, this paper recommends the adoption of structured impact assessment tools (e.g., Cities2030, Responsible Design Thinking), integration of design justice principles, and the development of participatory, iterative ecosystems for innovation. By offering both conceptual synthesis and applied insights, this article positions Design Thinking as a strategic and systemic approach for driving sustainable transformation aligned with the 2030 Agenda. Full article

The food consumption stage, the final step in the food supply chain (FSC), where food has already undergone resource-intensive processes, plays a central role in the transition to a sustainable food system. Consumers’ food choices and consumption practices directly influence food demand, production methods, and resource use across the FSC. These factors affect global challenges such as overconsumption, malnutrition, hunger, and food waste (FW)—issues integral to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Therefore, this study aims to identify key aspects of the food consumption stage that influence the shift toward sustainability and to develop a conceptual framework to guide this transition. To achieve this, an integrative literature review (ILR), supported by bibliometric analysis and narrative review elements, was conducted to strengthen the conceptual foundation. The results reveal four central aspects: FW and its reduction, the need for dietary shifts, changes in consumer behaviour, and policy reform, highlighting the consumer and their behaviour as the central connecting element. Based on the findings, a framework was developed linking the identified problems with targeted solutions, which can be implemented through various tools that also act as drivers of change, enhancing sustainable food consumption, food system sustainability, and the achievement of global SDGs. Full article

This article provides a critical review of the current design and research challenges in contemporary timber architecture. Conducted from the perspective of a designer-researcher, the review focuses on the role of wood as a material at the intersection of environmental performance, cultural meaning, and spatial practice. The study adopts a conceptual, problem-oriented approach, eschewing the conventional systematic aggregation of existing data. The objective of this study is to identify, interpret and categorise the key issues that are shaping the evolving discourse on timber architecture. The analysis is based on peer-reviewed literature published between 2020 and 2025, sourced from the Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection databases. Fifteen thematic challenges have been identified and classified according to their recognition level in academic and design contexts. The subjects under discussion include well-established topics, such as life cycle assessment and carbon storage, as well as less commonly explored areas, such as symbolic durability, social acceptance, traceability, and the upcycling of low-grade wood. The review under consideration places significant emphasis on the importance of integrating technical, cultural, and perceptual dimensions when evaluating timber architecture. The article proposes an interpretive framework combining design thinking and transdisciplinary insights. This framework aims to bridge disciplinary gaps and provide a coherent structure for understanding the complexity of timber-related challenges. The framework under discussion here encourages a broader understanding of wood as not only a sustainable building material but also a vehicle for systemic transformation in architectural culture and practice. The study’s insights may support designers, educators, and policymakers in identifying strategic priorities for the development of future-proof timber-based design practices. Full article

Pediatric palliative care (PPC) aims to enhance the quality of life of children with life-limiting conditions and their families through individualized, interdisciplinary support. Among this population, children with neurological diseases represent a substantial and growing group, often facing prolonged disease courses, cognitive impairment, and high prognostic uncertainty. Effective communication is central to PPC; however, it remains deeply influenced by cultural, religious, and spiritual frameworks that shape family perceptions of illness, suffering, and decision-making. This narrative review explores communication strategies in PPC, with a specific focus on children with neurological conditions, highlighting conceptual foundations, cross-cultural variations, and emerging best practices. Key findings highlight the importance of culturally humble approaches, family-centered communication models, and structured tools, such as co-designed advance care planning and dignity therapy, to enhance communication. Additionally, the review highlights the presence of ethical and interdisciplinary challenges, particularly in neonatal and neurology settings, where misaligned team messaging and institutional hesitancy may compromise trust and timely referral to palliative care. Future research, policy, and clinical education priorities should advocate for models that are inclusive, ethically grounded, and tailored to the unique trajectories of neurologically ill children. Integrating cultural competence, team alignment, and family voices is essential for delivering equitable and compassionate PPC across diverse care settings. Full article

The relationship between metabolic dysfunction and mental health disorders is complex and has received increasing attention. This review integrates current research to explore how stress-related growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) signaling, ceramides derived from gut microbiota, and mitochondrial dysfunction in the brain interact to influence both metabolic and psychiatric conditions. Evidence suggests that these pathways converge to regulate brain energy homeostasis through feedback mechanisms involving the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. GDF15 emerges as a key stress-responsive biomarker that links peripheral metabolism with brainstem GDNF family receptor alpha-like (GFRAL)-mediated anxiety circuits. Meanwhile, ceramides impair hippocampal mitochondrial function via membrane incorporation and disruption of the respiratory chain. These disruptions may contribute to sustained pathological states such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive dysfunction. Although direct mechanistic data are limited, integrating these pathways provides a conceptual framework for understanding metabolic–psychiatric comorbidities. Furthermore, differences in age, sex, and genetics may influence these systems, highlighting the need for personalized interventions. Targeting mitochondrial function, GDF15-GFRAL signaling, and gut microbiota composition may offer new therapeutic strategies. This integrative perspective helps conceptualize how metabolic and psychiatric mechanisms interact for understanding the pathophysiology of metabolic and psychiatric comorbidities and highlights therapeutic targets for precision medicine. Full article

Under the global context of climate governance and sustainable development, low-carbon energy transition has become a strategic imperative. As a critical force in resource allocation, the financial system’s impact on energy transition has attracted extensive academic attention. This paper presents the first comprehensive literature review on energy transition research in the context of financial development. We develop a “Financial Functions-Energy Transition Dynamics” analytical framework to comprehensively examine the theoretical and empirical evidence regarding the relationship between financial development (covering both traditional finance and emerging finance) and energy transition. The understanding of financial development’s impact on energy transition has progressed from linear to nonlinear perspectives. Early research identified a simple linear promoting effect, whereas current studies reveal distinctly nonlinear and multidimensional effects, dynamically driven by three fundamental factors: economy, technology, and resources. Emerging finance has become a crucial driver of transition through technological innovation, risk diversification, and improved capital allocation efficiency. Notable disagreements persist in the existing literature on conceptual frameworks, measurement approaches, and empirical findings. By synthesizing cutting-edge empirical evidence, we identify three critical future research directions: (1) dynamic coupling mechanisms, (2) heterogeneity of financial instruments, and (3) stage-dependent evolutionary pathways. Our study provides a theoretical foundation for understanding the complex finance-energy transition relationship and informs policy-making and interdisciplinary research. Full article

Urban sustainability challenges demand integrated frameworks capable of addressing the dynamic, non-linear nature of cities. This study explores how the principles of the circular economy and complexity theory intersect to support systemic transformation in sustainable urban planning. Through a systematic literature review of 71 peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025, we analyze conceptual, methodological, and practical articulations across multiple thematic axes, including circular governance, urban metabolism, regenerative design, adaptive planning, digital integration, and environmental justice. Bibliometric and content analyses were conducted using Scopus metadata, VOSviewer for thematic clustering, and the StArt software (Version 3.4) to structure article selection. The findings reveal that circular economy provides practical tools for resource efficiency and regeneration, while complexity theory offers an adaptive framework to navigate uncertainty, emergent behaviors, and feedback dynamics. The synthesis suggests that their integration enables a more holistic and resilient approach to urban transformation. However, gaps remain in social inclusivity, long-term assessment, and the operationalization of complexity-informed planning. This study contributes to advancing a transdisciplinary agenda for circular and adaptive urban futures, offering insights for scholars, planners, and policymakers aiming to reconfigure cities within planetary boundaries. Full article

Electric motors play a decisive role in electric vehicles by converting electrical energy into mechanical motion across various drivetrain components. However, failures in these motors can interrupt the motor function, with approximately 40% of these failures stemming from bearing issues. Key contributors to bearing degradation include shaft voltage, bearing current, and electric discharge material spalling current, especially in motors powered by inverters or variable frequency drives. This review explores the tribological and vibrational aspects of bearing currents, analyzing their mechanisms and influence on electric motor performance. It addresses the challenges faced by electric vehicles, such as high-speed operation, elevated temperatures, electrical conductivity, and energy efficiency. This study investigates the origins of bearing currents, damage linked to shaft voltage and electric discharge material spalling current, and the effects of lubricant properties on bearing functionality. Moreover, it covers various methods for measuring shaft voltage and bearing current, as well as strategies to alleviate the adverse impacts of bearing currents. This comprehensive analysis aims to shed light on the detrimental effects of bearing currents on the performance and lifespan of electric motors in electric vehicles, emphasizing the importance of tribological considerations for reliable operation and durability. The aim of this study is to address the engineering problem of bearing failure in inverter-fed EV motors by integrating electrical, tribological, and lubrication perspectives. The novelty lies in proposing a conceptual link between lubricant breakdown and damage morphology to guide mitigation strategies. The study tasks include literature review, analysis of bearing current mechanisms and diagnostics, and identification of technological trends. The findings provide insights into lubricant properties and diagnostic approaches that can support industrial solutions. Full article

This literature review explores the role of symmetry in thermal sciences, fluid dynamics, and energy applications, emphasizing the theoretical and practical implications. Symmetry is a fundamental tool for simplifying complex problems, enhancing computational efficiency, and improving system design across multiple engineering and physics domains. Thermal and fluid processes are applied in several modern energy use technologies, essentially involving the complex, multidimensional interaction of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, such as renewable energy applications, combustion diagnostics, or Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-based optimization, where symmetry is highly considered to simplify geometric parameters. Indeed, the interconnection between experimental analysis and the numerical simulation of processes is an important field. Symmetry operates as a unifying principle, its presence determining everything from the stability of turbulent flows to the efficiency of nuclear reactors, revealing hidden patterns that transcend scales and disciplines. Rotational invariance in pipelines; rotors of hydraulic, thermal, and wind turbines, and in many other cases, for instance, not only lowers computational cost but also guarantees that solutions validated in the laboratory can be effectively scaled up to industrial applications, demonstrating its crucial role in bridging theoretical concepts and real-world implementation. Thus, a wide range of symmetry solutions is exhibited in this research area, the results of which contribute to the development of science and fast information for decision making in industry. In this review, essential findings from prominent research were synthesized, highlighting how symmetry has been conceptualized and applied in these contexts. Full article

This conceptual position is based on the diagnosis that artificial intelligence (AI) accentuates existing economic and geopolitical divides in communities in the Global South, which provide data without receiving rewards. Based on bioethical precedents of fair distribution of genetic resources, it is proposed to transfer the principle of benefit-sharing to the emerging algorithmic governance in the context of AI. From this discussion, the study reveals an algorithmic concentration in the Global North. This dynamic generates political, cultural, and labor asymmetries. Regarding the methodological design, the research was qualitative, with an interpretive paradigm and an inductive method, applying documentary review and content analysis techniques. In addition, two theoretical and two analytical categories were used. As a result, six emerging categories were identified that serve as pillars of the studied principle and are capable of reversing the gaps: equity, accessibility, transparency, sustainability, participation, and cooperation. At the end of the research, it was confirmed that AI, without a solid ethical framework, concentrates benefits in dominant economies. Therefore, if this trend does not change, the Global South will become dependent, and its data will lack equitable returns. Therefore, benefit-sharing is proposed as a normative basis for fair, transparent, and participatory international governance. Full article

Climate change poses an escalating threat to cultural heritage (CH), driven by intensifying climate-related hazards and systemic vulnerabilities. In response, risk assessment frameworks and methodologies (RAFMs) have emerged to evaluate and guide adaptation strategies for safeguarding heritage assets. This study conducts a state-of-the-art (SotA) review of 86 unique RAFMs using a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-guided systematic approach to assess their scope, methodological rigor, alignment with global climate and disaster risk reduction (DRR) frameworks, and consistency in conceptual definitions of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. Results reveal a growing integration of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)-based climate projections and alignment with international policy instruments such as the Sendai Framework and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). However, notable gaps persist, including definitional inconsistencies, particularly in the misapplication of vulnerability concepts; fragmented and case-specific methodologies that challenge comparability; and limited integration of intangible heritage. Best practices include participatory stakeholder engagement, scenario-based modeling, and incorporation of multi-scale risk typologies. This review advocates for more standardized, interdisciplinary, and policy-aligned frameworks that enable scalable, culturally sensitive, and action-oriented risk assessments, ultimately strengthening the resilience of cultural heritage in a changing climate. Full article

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of death in Bangladesh, disproportionately affecting low socio-economic status (SES) populations. This review, guided by the WHO Social Determinants of Health framework and Rockefeller-Lancet Planetary Health Report, examined how social, economic, and ecological factors link SES to TB burden. The first literature search identified 28 articles focused on SES-TB relationships in Bangladesh. A second search through snowballing and conceptual mapping yielded 55 more papers of diverse source types and disciplines. Low-SES groups face elevated TB risk due to smoking, biomass fuel use, malnutrition, limited education, stigma, financial barriers, and hazardous housing or workplaces. These factors delay care-seeking, worsen outcomes, and fuel transmission, especially among women. High-SES groups more often face comorbidities like diabetes, which increase TB risk. Broader contextual drivers include urbanisation, weak labour protections, cultural norms, and poor governance. Recommendations include housing and labour reform, gender parity in education, and integrating private providers into TB programmes. These align with the WHO End TB Strategy, UN SDGs and Planetary Health Quadruple Aims, which expand the traditional Triple Aim for health system design by integrating environmental sustainability alongside improved patient outcomes, population health, and cost efficiency. Future research should explore trust in frontline workers, reasons for consulting informal carers, links between makeshift housing and TB, and integrating ecological determinants into existing frameworks. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have propelled biomedical sensors beyond measuring physiological markers to interpreting subjective states like stress, pain, or emotions. Despite these technological advances, user trust is not guaranteed and is inadequately addressed in extant research. This review proposes the Cognition–Context–Contrast (CCC) conceptual framework to explain the trust and acceptance of AI-enabled sensors. First, we map cognition, comprising the expectations and stereotypes that humans have about machines. Second, we integrate task context by situating sensor applications along an intellective-to-judgmental continuum and showing how demonstrability predicts tolerance for sensor uncertainty and/or errors. Third, we analyze contrast effects that arise when automated sensing displaces familiar human routines, heightening scrutiny and accelerating rejection if roll-out is abrupt. We then derive practical implications such as enhancing interpretability, tailoring data presentations to task demonstrability, and implementing transitional introduction phases. The framework offers researchers, engineers, and clinicians a structured conceptual framework for designing and implementing the next generation of AI biosensors. Full article

This systematic literature review explores the socio-ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in contemporary media content generation. Drawing from 44 peer-reviewed sources, policy documents, and industry reports, the study synthesizes findings across three core domains: bias detection, storytelling transformation, and ethical governance frameworks. Through thematic coding and structured analysis, the review identifies recurring tensions between automation and authenticity, efficiency and editorial integrity, and innovation and institutional oversight. It introduces the Human–AI Co-Creation Continuum as a conceptual model for understanding hybrid narrative production and proposes practical recommendations for ethical AI adoption in journalism. The review concludes with a future research agenda emphasizing empirical studies, cross-cultural governance models, and audience perceptions of AI-generated content. This aligns with prior studies on algorithmic journalism. Full article

Prescriptive Maintenance (PsM) transforms industrial asset management by enabling autonomous decisions through simultaneous failure anticipation and optimal maintenance recommendations. Yet, despite increasing research interest, the conceptual clarity, technological maturity, and practical deployment of PsM remains fragmented. Here, we conduct a comprehensive and application-oriented Systematic Literature Review of studies published between 2013–2024. We identify key enablers—artificial intelligence and machine learning, horizontal and vertical integration, and deep reinforcement learning—that map the functional space of PsM across industrial sectors. The results from our multivariate meta-synthesis uncover three main thematic research clusters, ranging from decision-automation of technical (multi)component-level systems to strategic and organisational-support strategies. Notably, while predictive models are widely adopted, the translation of these capabilities to PsM remains limited. Primary reasons include semantic interoperability, real-time optimisation, and deployment scalability. As a response, a structured research agenda is proposed to emphasise hybrid architectures, context-aware prescription mechanisms, and alignment with Industry 5.0 principles of human-centricity, resilience, and sustainability. The review establishes a critical foundation for future advances in intelligent, explainable, and action-oriented maintenance systems. Full article