Search Results (692)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, migrant workers in Singapore endured one of the longest and most stringent periods of confinement globally. Segregationist policies were intensified as the state imposed strict disciplinary regimes over workers’ mobility and everyday lives, framed as public health interventions but functioning also as labor discipline and social control. This study asks: how did migrant workers experience, narrate, and endure life under such conditions of confinement? Drawing on sixteen in-depth interviews with South Asian male construction workers, conducted in dormitories and makeshift worksites, we adopt a grounded theory approach to elicit contextually grounded accounts of life under lockdown. The analysis highlights three interrelated themes: emotional regulation, migrant masculinity and the gendered politics of endurance, and digital connectivity as an affective infrastructure. These practices enabled workers to carve out agentic spaces within structures designed to render them passive. Our findings reveal that even amid fear, surveillance, overcrowding, and economic precarity, workers combined stoicism, transnational kinship ties, religious routines, and solidarity to sustain resilience. While initially guided by Foucauldian notions of surveillance and biopower, the study advances a counter-Foucauldian insight: that institutional control is never total, and migrant narratives of resilience offer nuanced understandings of agency under constrain. Full article

This review examines the vast opportunities and key challenges in renewable waste management across the Gulf region, with a particular emphasis on Saudi Arabia. As global demand for sustainable energy intensifies, driven by technological advancements and environmental concerns, the Gulf Cooperation Council nations, notably Saudi Arabia, are beginning to acknowledge the urgency of transitioning from fossil fuel reliance to renewable waste management. This review identifies the abundant renewable resources in the region and highlights progress in policy development while emphasizing the need for comprehensive frameworks and financial incentives to drive further investment and innovation. Waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies offer a promising avenue for reducing environmental degradation and bolstering energy security. With Saudi Arabia targeting the development of 3 Gigawatts of WTE capacity by 2030 as part of national sustainability initiatives, barriers such as regulatory complexities, financial constraints, and public misconceptions persist. Ultimately, this review concludes that advancing renewable waste management in the Gulf, particularly through stronger policies, stakeholders’ collaboration, investment in WTE and an enhancement in public awareness and education, is critical for achieving sustainability goals. By harnessing these opportunities, the region can take decisive steps toward achieving sustainability, positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in the global fight against climate change and resource depletion. Full article

Public educational buildings, particularly schools, are often overlooked in energy efficiency initiatives, despite their potential for substantial energy and cost savings. This study presents an integrative, measurement-informed, calibrated model-based approach for assessing and enhancing energy performance in elementary schools located in Israel’s hot-arid climate. By combining multiscale environmental monitoring with a rigorously calibrated Energy Plus simulation model, the study evaluates the impact of three demand-side management (DSM) strategies: night ventilation, external envelope insulation, and a combination of the two. Quantitative results show that night ventilation reduced average indoor temperatures by up to 3.3 °C during peak occupancy hours and led to daily energy savings of 10–15%, equating to approximately 1500–2200 kWh annually per classroom. Envelope insulation further reduced diurnal temperature fluctuations from 7.75 °C to 1.0 °C and achieved an additional 9% energy savings. When combined, the two strategies yielded up to 20% energy savings and improved thermal comfort. The findings provide a transferable framework for evaluating retrofitting options in public buildings, offering actionable insights for policymakers and facility managers aiming to implement scalable, cost-effective energy interventions in educational environments. Full article

In the contemporary structure of political economy, one of the leading actors is Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Some of these organisations, to promote their goals, often engage in public disputes with enterprises that have publicly traded shares on the stock market. Consequently, they serve as channels for negative information relevant to these enterprises that falls within their discourse. In this paper, we examine the impact on the share price volatility of these enterprises due to the public debate initiated by an NGO aiming to change the enterprise’s behaviour on a particular matter (e.g., using more eco-friendly materials). Data from Greenpeace’s Detox Campaign are used to examine its influence on several enterprises. Using GARCH, OLS, and Difference-in-Differences models, we find that volatility increased significantly during the campaign for firms like Burberry (13.71%), Adidas (5.40%), and VFC Group (3.96%). After companies complied, volatility declined, notably in Burberry (−16.84%), Marks & Spencer (−3.24%), and VFC Group (−4.88%). These results highlight how NGO activism can heighten investor uncertainty in the short term but stabilise markets once companies respond, offering key insights for policymakers on the financial impact of civil Society’s engagement. Full article

The transition toward sustainable production requires engineering and science education to adopt active, interdisciplinary, and practice-oriented teaching strategies. This article presents a comparative analysis of two educational initiatives implemented in Panama aimed at fostering sustainability competencies at the university and secondary school levels. The first initiative, developed at the Technological University of Panama, integrates project-based learning and circular economy principles into an extracurricular module focused on production planning, sustainable design, and quality management. Students created prototypes using recycled HDPE and additive manufacturing technologies within a simulated startup environment. The second initiative, carried out in two public secondary schools, applied project- and challenge-based learning through the Design Thinking framework, supporting teachers and students in addressing real-world sustainability challenges. Both programs emphasize hands-on learning, creativity, and iterative development, embedding environmental awareness and innovation in both formal and informal educational settings. The article identifies key opportunities and challenges in implementing active methodologies for sustainability education. Challenges such as limited infrastructure and rigid schedules were identified, along with lessons learned for future implementation. Students connected local issues to global goals like the SDGs and saw themselves as agents of change. These initiatives offer practical models for advancing sustainability education through innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. Full article

This review consolidates recent advancements in microbial biotechnology for sustainable food systems. It focuses on the fermentation processes used in this sector, emphasizing precision fermentation as a source of innovation for alternative proteins, fermented foods, and applications of microorganisms and microbial bioproducts in the food industry. Additionally, it explores food preservation strategies and methods for controlling microbial contamination. These biotechnological approaches are increasingly replacing synthetic additives, contributing to enhanced food safety, nutritional functionality, and product shelf stability. Examples include bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria, biodegradable microbial pigments, and exopolysaccharide-based biopolymers, such as pullulan and xanthan gum, which are used in edible coatings and films. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, covering publications from 2014 to 2025. A structured Boolean search strategy was applied, targeting core concepts in microbial fermentation, bio-based food additives, and contamination control. The initial search retrieved 5677 articles, from which 370 studies were ultimately selected after applying criteria such as duplication removal, relevance to food systems, full-text accessibility, and scientific quality. This review highlights microbial biotransformation as a route to minimize reliance on synthetic inputs, valorize agri-food byproducts, and support circular bioeconomy principles. It also discusses emerging antimicrobial delivery systems and regulatory challenges. Overall, microbial innovations offer viable and scalable pathways for enhancing food system resilience, functionality, and environmental stewardship. Full article

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) offers a broad portfolio of global and regional atmospheric products that support environmental monitoring, air quality assessment, health applications and climate policy. Under the CAMS National Collaboration Programme (NCP), the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence (ECoE) serves as the national coordinator for Cyprus, working to bridge the gap between CAMS outputs and local end-user needs. This paper presents the strategy and implementation framework adopted by ECoE to facilitate CAMS uptake in Cyprus. Efforts focus on integrating CAMS data into national systems, developing tailored applications (e.g., UV forecasting, dust event alerts), building stakeholder capacity, and supporting regulatory reporting. Outcomes also include the deployment of the AirData Hub platform and initial steps toward institutionalizing CAMS-derived workflows in public health and environmental planning. The work highlights both the opportunities and technical challenges of customizing CAMS products for small-island contexts. Full article

Medical doctors are at risk of poor mental health, linked to their working conditions. However, little distinction is made between private and public practice where working conditions differ. This review examines the relationship between perceived working conditions, psychological health, and patient care among doctors in private practice, considering how differences between private and public practice impact these outcomes and the implications of working across sectors. We conducted a systematic literature review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The search encompassed Academic Search Premier, Business Source Premier, PsycInfo, PsycArticles, and Medline. Included studies were coded in line with the Job Demands–Resources model. The initial search identified 309 papers, with 14 being selected for final full-text review. Higher job demands were associated with higher levels of burnout, while social resources, job crafting, and healthy coping mechanisms were linked with lower levels of burnout. Working in private practice was associated with higher demands. Doctors in private practice had more negative perceptions of performance, less satisfactory leadership, and a lack of feedback. However, private practice also offered better work–life balance, more control, and greater reward. Notably, no study was found that examined the implications of dual roles where doctors worked across both sectors, which is common. A clear definition of private practice as well as a more granular understanding of work-related risks posed to private practice and dual roles should be the focus of future research. Full article

Climate change is currently the most significant threat to public health, and human activities are the major contributing factor. There is an urgent need to prioritize mitigation strategies at both personal and public policy levels. There is a general lack of belief that changes at a personal level would have a significant effect. However, it is vital to recognize the importance of food consumption on one’s personal footprint and how it can be used as a key feature in mitigation efforts. The Center for Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan projects that reducing meat consumption per individual by 50% reduces an individual’s carbon footprint by 35% per day and reducing by 90% cuts an individual’s carbon footprint by 51% per day. Additionally, high meat consumption has been associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and colorectal cancer. In contrast, plant-based diets are linked to better health outcomes and lower mortality rates. This article is a narrative review and reviews current evidence on the health and environmental impacts of meat-based diets and highlights the potential benefits of plant-forward dietary patterns. These findings support the integration of dietary recommendations into climate and public health strategies. Promoting plant-based diets through clinical guidance and policy initiatives may offer a cost-effective, scalable approach to advancing both population health and environmental sustainability. Full article

The shift from techno-centric to human-centric development is essential for smart cities to effectively leverage technological innovations and enhance the quality of life of citizens. Despite this recognition, there are limited studies that address the challenges and frame the conditions and impacts involved. This study employs a mixed-method approach, namely the combination of literature review, expert consultation, and case analysis, to investigate human-centered smart city development based on the example of Saudi Arabia. Drawing from the literature, it develops a conceptual framework that provides guidance for achieving human-centric smart cities. The findings indicate that while Saudi Arabia has achieved notable progress in smart city development, inclusivity, centralized planning, public engagement, capacity building, and data security hinder advancement. This study demonstrates that smart city initiatives must aim to go beyond mere buzzwords and integrate components in line with human values and societal expectations. The study’s findings may help in framing urban humanization policies aligned with of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and offer guidance for cities with similar contexts. Full article

This study aims to identify the key factors contributing to time and cost deviations in educational infrastructure projects in Colombia, using a data-driven approach based on open government datasets. By examining 175 procurement records from Colombia’s public data platform, the research seeks to uncover patterns and variables that influence project performance, offering a transparent alternative to traditional expert-based assessments. The results show an average time deviation of 77.73% and a cost deviation of 22.17%, with a significant correlation between both metrics. Project type, contract value, and process type were significant for both deviations. Additional cost-related factors included initial duration, award growth, and number of bidders, while time deviations were influenced by project intensity and time suspended. These findings highlight the need for integrated planning and procurement strategies to improve efficiency in public infrastructure delivery. Although the methodology ensures robustness, limitations include the focus on finalized educational projects and the exclusion of qualitative factors such as stakeholder behavior and site-specific challenges. The insights are valuable for policymakers, public sector managers, and researchers seeking to enhance infrastructure outcomes through evidence-based decision-making and better resource allocation. Full article

Citizen science is increasingly recognized as a potential catalyst for sustainability transitions, climate action, and behavioral change by fostering collaboration between scientists and the public. While it offers benefits such as mutual learning, awareness raising, and improved outcomes, sustaining long-term diverse engagement remains a challenge. Research to date has largely emphasized data outcomes and initial participation, often overlooking the relational, social, and practical dimensions crucial for continued involvement. A disconnect persists between researchers’ data-driven goals and participants’ personal motivations, compounded by insufficient training and institutional support for engagement. This paper presents a novel framework for enhancing citizen engagement, drawing on a state-of-the-art literature review and focus group insights from the H2020 I-CHANGE project. It identifies enablers for and barriers to participation, reframing the latter as opportunities for support. The findings are organized into four themes: (1) call for participation, focusing on intrinsic motivation and local relevance; (2) project design, highlighting inclusive tools and communication; (3) a collaborative process, emphasizing trust, clarity, and support; and (4) participation benefits, including meaning, recognition, and social connection. This study underscores the need to build trust, foster relationality, and align expectations. It proposes practical engagement criteria and calls for deeper exploration of the relational foundations of citizen science. Full article

This systematic literature review addresses the critical challenge of ensuring robustness and adaptability in AI-based machine health monitoring (MHM) systems. While the field has seen a surge in research, a significant gap exists in understanding how to effectively manage data scarcity, unknown fault types, and the integration of diverse data streams for real-world industrial applications. The problem is magnified by the rarity of failure events, which leads to imbalanced datasets and hampers the generalizability of predictive models. To synthesize the current state of research and identify key solutions, we followed a rigorous, modified PRISMA methodology. A comprehensive search across Scopus, IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, and Litmaps initially yielded 3235 records. After a multi-stage screening process, a final corpus of 85 peer-reviewed studies was selected. Data were extracted and synthesized based on a thematic framework of 13 core research questions. A bibliometric analysis was also conducted to quantify publication trends and research focus areas. The analysis reveals a rapid increase in research, with publications growing from 1 in 2018 to 35 in 2025. Key findings highlight the adoption of transfer learning and generative AI to combat data scarcity, with multimodal data fusion emerging as a crucial strategy for enhancing diagnostic accuracy. The most active research themes were found to be Predictive Maintenance and Edge Computing, with 12 and 10 references, respectively, while critical areas like standardization remain under-explored. Overall, this review shows that AI benefits machine health monitoring but still faces challenges in reproducibility, benchmarking, and large-scale validation. Its main limitation is the focus on English peer-reviewed studies, excluding industry reports and non-English work. Future research should develop standardized datasets, energy-efficient edge AI, and socio-technical frameworks for trust and transparency. The study offers a structured overview, a roadmap for future work, and underscores the importance of AI in Industry 4.0. Full article

Endometrial hyperplasia, presenting without atypia (EH) or as atypical hyperplasia (AH), is considered a precursor of endometrial cancer and affects women of reproductive or perimenopausal age, posing a major public health concern. The aim of this study was to review and compare the most recently published influential guidelines providing recommendations on the management of endometrial hyperplasia. Thus, a comparative review of guidelines from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists was conducted. There is a consensus regarding the optimal management strategies for EH, with observation and medical treatment being the first-line options and surgical treatment with total hysterectomy offering a second line in specific cases. Moreover, there is agreement regarding patients with AH, with surgical treatment being the recommended approach, while medical therapy is preferred for women who seek fertility preservation. Notably, close surveillance with endometrial biopsies every 3 or 6 months is suggested unanimously, as well as long-term follow-up in high-risk patients. Controversy exists regarding the initial diagnostic approach, with RCOG and SOGC suggesting outpatient endometrial biopsy, while ACOG recommends diagnostic hysteroscopy, as well as the therapeutic regimens for the oral treatment of EH. Surgical techniques such as endometrial ablation, intraoperative frozen section analysis, intraoperative visual inspection of the uterus, and morcellation constitute areas of controversy among the reviewed guidelines, and the surveillance protocols for women with EH are addressed differently between RCOG and SOGC. Notably, RCOG is the only medical society offering recommendations regarding women under HRT and those on therapy for breast cancer. The development of consistent international practice protocols for timely management strategies and surveillance protocols is of paramount importance to safely guide clinical practice and subsequently improve women’s health. Full article

The Blue Schools initiative integrates the ocean into classroom learning through project-based approaches, cultivating environmental awareness and a deeper sense of responsibility toward marine ecosystems and human–ocean interactions. Although the European Blue School initiative has grown steadily since its launch in 2020, its uneven uptake raises important questions about the territorial factors that influence certification. This study examines the spatial determinants of Blue School certification in Mallorca, Spain, where a bottom-up pilot initiative successfully certified 100 schools. Using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) modeling, we estimated the spatial probability of certification based on 16 geospatial variables, including proximity to Blue Economy actors, hydrological networks, transport accessibility, and socio-economic indicators. The model achieved strong predictive performance (AUC = 0.84) and revealed that features such as freshwater ecosystems, traditional economic structures, and sustainable public transport play a greater role in school engagement than coastal proximity alone. The resulting suitability map identifies over 30 high-potential, non-certified schools, offering actionable insights for targeted outreach and educational policy. This research highlights the potential of presence-only modeling to guide the strategic expansion of Blue Schools networks. Full article