Search Results (43)

Around the world, many post-conflict societies face the pressing challenge of reintegrating former combatants, especially women, into community life in ways that promote peace and sustainable development. Educational strategies that foster Social Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Complex Thinking are increasingly recognized as essential tools in this process, helping to rebuild social cohesion and empower local leadership. This study evaluates the impact of the SEL4C methodology on strengthening key competencies in Social Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Complex Thinking among 49 women signatories of the Peace Agreement in Colombia, who currently live in the Mariana Páez Territorial Training and Reincorporation Space (ETCR). Through a pre- and post-intervention design using validated instruments and statistical analyses (paired t-tests and effect size calculations), the study found significant improvements in areas such as Social Awareness, Social Innovation, and Scientific Thinking. Although the gains in Complex Thinking were moderate, the results show that the methodology effectively enhanced leadership skills and the ability to address systemic challenges—both crucial for successful reintegration. In practical terms, the findings support the use of SEL4C by organizations working in peacebuilding, educational institutions, and public programs that seek to empower women in vulnerable contexts. The methodology’s adaptability and evidence-based structure make it a valuable resource for designing participatory training processes focused on innovation, sustainability, and community transformation. Full article

Earlier, it has been shown that carotenoid-dependent singlet oxygen photogeneration in LH2 of Ectothiorhodospira haloalkaliphila leads to damage to pigments and protein. Present work continues this investigation using LH2 complexes with altered carotenoid composition: carotenoid-less LH2, and LH2 complexes with incorporated neurosporene, spheroidene, or rhodopin (LH2-Neu, LH2-Sph, or LH2-Rho, respectively). This work provides the first data on the products (hydroperoxides of organic molecules, most likely components of the protein matrix of the complexes) of the interaction of singlet oxygen with LH2 components with a modified carotenoid composition; the ability of various carotenoids to both influence the stability of LH2 and participate in oxidative damage to the complexes is assessed. It was shown that inhibition of carotenoid synthesis led to a decrease in LH2 thermal stability and reduced the light-induced oxidative damage to bacteriochlorophyll and protein. Re-incorporation of exogenous carotenoids did not return stability of the complexes but reduced the tendency of complexes to aggregate, and (in the case of LH2-Rho) reactivated both photooxidation of bacteriochlorophyll and photoproduction of organic hydroperoxides. It was concluded that carotenoids play an important role in comple x stability and are capable of inducing oxidative damage to LH2 components through singlet oxygen photogeneration. Full article

A composite material comprising expanded polystyrene (EPS), granulated tyre rubber (GTR), and a compatibilizer is demonstrated as a possible replacement for fine and coarse agglomerates in mortar and concrete systems, respectively. Two different polymer blending processes (solvent/low shear blending and melt/high shear blending) are used, and the resulting composite material utilized as aggregate to replace sand and cement for mortar and concrete block development. Critical properties such as workability, compressive and flexural strengths, water absorption, bulk density, and porosity are measured before and after aggregate replacement. The novel composite material led to significant improvements, boosting compressive strength by 7.6% and flexural strength by 18% when sand was replaced and further increasing compressive strength by 22.2% and flexural strength by 5.26% with cement replacement. However, a decrease in compressive and flexural strength was observed when plain EPS and plain GTR were used separately as aggregate replacements. This work proposes a pathway for the successful reincorporation of difficult-to-recycle materials such as EPS and GTR, otherwise destined for landfill, back into the supply chain for the construction industry. Moreover, this research represents the first reported work where the overall properties of mortar have surpassed those of standard mortar when substituted with recycled EPS or GTR. Full article

Currently, the agri-food industry faces a significant challenge in reducing food waste in line with circular economy principles. In this context, the frozen vegetables industry rejects products that do not meet consumers’ appearance standards, leading to a waste of vegetables that could be reincorporated into the food chain. Thus, waste generated from broccoli, cauliflower, and peas in the last selection stages of a frozen vegetable industry manufacturer were collected, dehydrated, and transformed into flour. These flours were used to replace 50% of the wheat flour in a basic bakery product, using a baked dough made only with flour and water, and analyzed from physical, nutritional, and sensory perspectives. The doughs showed slight changes in texture, with increased hardness values and reduced cohesiveness, making them more difficult to handle, as well as changes in color due to the incorporation of vegetable pigments. However, from a nutritional perspective, these products were enriched in protein, with values that reached up to 20.88% in the sample made with broccoli flour, and dietary fiber, with an increase from 0.67% obtained in the control sample to 6.00% in the sample made with pea flour and to over 8 in the samples made with broccoli and cauliflower. This was accompanied by a reduction in total carbohydrates, leading to similar energy values (around 380 kcal/100 g dm). Furthermore, the content in total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity were increased, especially when flours from the Brassica species were used. From the sensory point of view, all the samples made with vegetable flours received positive evaluations, even higher than the control sample when smell or taste was evaluated. In this regard, the samples made with cauliflower flour stood out when the taste was evaluated, reaching values above three on a scale where the maximum value was four. All of these results demonstrate that using these wasted vegetables can be a good alternative for improving the nutritional properties of basic bakery products. Full article

Binary As_xSe_100−x alloys from the border of a glass-forming region (65 < x < 70) subjected to nanomilling in dry and dry–wet modes are characterized by the XRPD, micro-Raman scattering (micro-RS) and revised positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) methods complemented by a disproportionality analysis using the quantum–chemical cluster modeling approach. These alloys are examined with respect to tetra-arsenic biselenide As₄Se₂ stoichiometry, realized in glassy g-As₆₅Se₃₅, glassy–crystalline g/c-As₆₇Se₃₃ and glassy–crystalline g/c-As₇₀Se₃₀. From the XRPD results, the number of rhombohedral As and cubic arsenolite As₂O₃ phases in As-Se alloys increases after nanomilling, especially in the wet mode realized in a PVP water solution. Nanomilling-driven amorphization and reamorphization transformations in these alloys are identified by an analysis of diffuse peak halos in their XRPD patterning, showing the interplay between the levels of a medium-range structure (disruption of the intermediate-range ordering at the cost of an extended-range one). From the micro-RS spectroscopy results, these alloys are stabilized by molecular thioarsenides As₄Se_n (n = 3, 4), regardless of their phase composition, remnants of thioarsenide molecules destructed under nanomilling being reincorporated into a glass network undergoing a polyamorphic transition. From the PAL spectroscopy results, volumetric changes in the wet-milled alloys with respect to the dry-milled ones are identified as resulting from a direct conversion of the bound positron–electron (Ps, positronium) states in the positron traps. Ps-hosting holes in the PVP medium appear instead of positron traps, with ~0.36–0.38 ns lifetimes ascribed to multivacancies in the As-Se matrix. The superposition of PAL spectrum peaks and tails for pelletized PVP, unmilled, dry-milled, and dry–wet-milled As-Se samples shows a spectacular smoothly decaying trend. The microstructure scenarios of the spontaneous (under quenching) and activated (under nanomilling) decomposition of principal network clusters in As₄Se₂-bearing arsenoselenides are recognized. Over-constrained As_6·(2/3) ring-like network clusters acting as pre-cursors of the rhombohedral As phase are the main products of this decomposition. Two spontaneous processes for creating thioarsenides with crystalline counterparts explain the location of the glass-forming border in an As-Se system near the As₄Se₂ composition, while an activated decomposition process for creating layered As₂Se₃ structures is responsible for the nanomilling-driven molecular-to-network transition. Full article

The European Green Deal establishes the efficient management of construction resources as one of its main lines of action. In this sense, the recovery of construction and demolition waste for its reincorporation into the manufacturing process of new sustainable materials has become necessary for the industry. This work deals with the physical and mechanical characterization of cement mortars made with recycled concrete aggregates and reinforced with natural fibers. The reinforcement fibers used (abaca, coconut, and toquilla) are more environmentally friendly compared to traditional synthetic reinforcements. The aim of this research is to analyze the main physico-mechanical properties of these sustainable cement mortars. The results show that mortars made with recycled sand have a lower density and better thermal performance than traditional mortars. In addition, with the incorporation of these natural fibers, the flexural strength of the mortars with recycled aggregate increased by up to 37.6%. Another advantage obtained from the incorporation of these natural fibers is the reduction in shrinkage in the masonry mortars during the drying process, giving them greater dimensional stability and making their behavior similar to that of traditional mortars. Thus, this work shows the potential application of masonry mortars produced under circular economy criteria and their application in the building sector. Full article

The increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases of anthropogenic origin, especially carbon dioxide, concerns different spheres of society. In light of this, efforts, such as carbon capture and utilization, are being made to ensure the temperature addition limit of 1.5 °C is not exceeded by 2100. Within this scenario, the construction sector presents itself critically, especially due to cement, which accounts for between 7% and 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions. It is known that during the life cycle of cementitious materials, a natural carbonation process occurs, where CO₂ is reincorporated into the cementitious matrix. Thus, this study sought to investigate the biological processes related to carbon capture and utilization for structural consolidation in order to assimilate the strategies applied in nature. It also sought to assess the viability of replication in artificial processes as a mechanism for enhancing the carbonation that occurs in the life cycle of cementitious materials, incorporating environmental intelligence to address environmental and urban challenges. A literature review confirmed the potential benefit of carbon capture, utilization, and storage inspired by the biomineralization process, and this can be observed in the marine ecosystem. Additionally, the relevance of oceans as a source of knowledge for the development of new solutions is highlighted. As an additional contribution of the study, the detailed process of biomimetic thinking presented throughout the discussion is highlighted, emphasizing the multidisciplinary scope necessary to ensure the understanding of design strategies. Full article

The reuse and reincorporation of waste are the principles of circular economies. Compost, biofuels, animal feed, dyes, and bioactive compounds can be obtained from the revaluation of organic waste. Research on this subject is scarce and limited to specific sectors, such as agriculture and agroindustry, leaving aside others that generate large quantities of organic waste, such as floriculture. The remains of these sectors have a low decomposition rate compared to other organic wastes. They are a source of bioactive compounds (e.g., essential oils, pigments, phenols) that can be reincorporated into the production chain of various industries. This review describes the composition of waste from agroindustry, agriculture, and floriculture, analyzing their potential revalorization as a source of bioactive compounds and an alternative supply source. Full article

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic imposed lockdown measures that affected caregiving. Understanding caregivers’ context provides reveals their adaptive strategies to continue caring in this situation of uncertainty and isolation. Objective: To better understand the caregiving experiences of caregivers looking after dependent individuals living in the community during the pandemic. Design: Qualitative research, phenomenological approach. Setting: Primary healthcare centers in Madrid region (Spain). Participants: 21 family caregivers. Methods: Purposive and theoretical sampling was used to recruit caregivers across nurses from primary healthcare centers. Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide to explore the caring experience. Interview transcripts were evaluated using thematic analysis. Results: The findings were categorized into two themes: “Caregivers during lockdown—providing care in a time of adversity” and “Caregiving toward normality”. The sub-themes identified were the re-structuring of before-care services and the introduction of new care approaches, managing the dependent person’s health problems, looking after oneself, and dealing with adversity. To adapt to the new normal, strategies were put in place designed to recover confidence and trust, reincorporate assistance, and reconnect with others. Conclusions: Care intensified during the pandemic. Caregivers took on the task without assistance, focusing on preventing contagion and protecting themselves to be able to continue giving care. Full article

Initial public offerings and mergers and acquisitions represent important opportunities for investors to exit and harvest their entrepreneurial success. Some firms are acquired shortly after their initial public offerings. This exit strategy is known as a double exit. In addition, issuing firms may choose to reincorporate in Delaware during their IPOs. In this study, we use hand-collected data from 1993 to 2020 to investigate whether and to what extent Delaware reincorporation may affect the M&As in the post-IPO stage. We use a Cox proportional hazard model to test the relation between Delaware reincorporation and the likelihood of being acquired for our sample IPOs. Recognizing that Delaware reincorporation is not a random decision, we adopt a Heckman switching regression method to estimate the relation between Delaware reincorporation and takeover premiums and announcement returns. We report that IPO firms choosing to reincorporate in Delaware experience a higher likelihood of being acquired compared to those IPO firms choosing to remain incorporated in their home states. We further document that IPO firms choosing to reincorporate in Delaware receive lower premiums in acquisitions, and experience lower abnormal returns on announcements. Full article

The textile industry generates large volumes of water characterized mainly by an intense color coming from dyes that are difficult to process due to their synthetic base and the presence of aromatic components. Due to the stricter regulation on the discharge of these effluents, in order to reduce dye waste before discharge into natural channels, alternatives are being sought to manage this wastewater. In this work, the concentration of dyes in simulated wastewater from the textile industry was studied by forward osmosis (with a cellulose triacetate CTA membrane), with the aim of concentrating the dye for its future recovery and reincorporation into the production process. Two dyes of different nature were evaluated to study the efficiency of the proposed process, using NaCl and reverse osmosis brine from a model seawater desalination solution as extraction solutions. It was observed that dye type (reactive or direct) and their charge influence the color rejection with the forward osmosis membrane used. It was able to concentrate the dyes in the feed solution up to approximately 55% with the reverse osmosis brine from the model seawater desalination solution. Finally, the results demonstrate that the FO process is a promising option for concentrating dyes present in wastewater from the textile industry in order to reuse them in the dyeing process. Full article

This study was conducted to evaluate fertilization management based on fruit nutrient removal, soil nutrient-supplying capacity and tree nutritional status with standard nutrient values as a reference and the effects on fruit size and yield in Hass avocado trees. The soil chemical characteristics, foliar nutrient content interpreted with the Kenworthy balance index (KBI) method and fruit nutrient removal for a planned yield of 20 ton/ha were used to determine the fertilization management plan for the crop. The experimental area had soils with Andic characteristics and sandy loam texture, low cation exchange capacity and acidic pH. The farmer’s standard fertilization plan was based on excessive fertilizer doses for N, P, K and Ca, and an imbalance of P, Ca and micronutrients was observed with the diagnosis of plant nutrient status. The fertilizer plan based on the KBI method had an effect on yield variables in the second crop year, with an increase in production of 20 kg/tree as well as an increase in the percentage of fruits with a size higher than 22 (165–196 g/fruit) according to the Codex Alimentarius standards. These findings indicate that the reincorporation of minerals extracted by the harvest into the soil and the plant nutrient status are useful tools to guide crop fertilization management when fine-tuned to local soil chemical conditions and crop requirements to minimize nutrient losses. Full article

The building sector is currently undergoing a process of change due to concerns about the sustainability of the construction industry. The application of circular economy criteria to develop new, more sustainable construction products has become one of the major challenges for the society of the future. This research advances towards the development of new lightened gypsum composites that incorporate waste from end-of-life tyres and recycled fibres from mineral wool thermal insulation in their composition. The results show how it is possible to reduce the consumption of the original raw materials by replacing them with recycled rubber granular particles, developing new construction products that are lighter, with better water resistance and greater thermal resistance. Additionally, it is shown that the incorporation of recycled fibres from rock wool and glass wool insulation is a good solution to improve the mechanical resistance of lightened gypsum composites, giving these construction and demolition wastes a second useful life by reincorporating them in the process of manufacturing new prefabricated housing products. Full article

The Sateré-Mawé Brazilian indigenous people cultivate the guarana liana in biodiverse agroforests that incorporate many species, mainly trees, and produce food, medicines, fuel and income. The objective of this study was to evaluate the soil fertility in nineteen indigenous guarana agroforestry systems (AFSs) compared with areas of adjacent forests in the Andirá–Marau Indigenous Land—an ancestral territory of the Sateré-Mawé people. Soils in both locations showed low natural fertility, with levels of most macronutrients below the minimum agronomic reference levels. Higher C and soil organic matter (SOM) content was observed in the forest soils and may be related to greater vegetation cover and higher litter production. However, the maintenance of the average levels of most nutrients in the soil of the AFSs, at the same level as under the forests, suggests that efficient nutrient cycling is taking place. In these conditions, the management of organic matter seems to be essential to maintain the productivity of guarana AFSs since levels of C, SOM and organic N were not considered as low as those of most of the other soil attributes that were evaluated. The high tree diversity in the guarana agroforests, including N-fixing species, may also contribute to efficient nutrient cycling and maintenance of the soil food web. The results suggest that the addition of limestone, green manure practices and the reincorporation of organic residues from guarana processing, among other sources, can be a low-cost alternative to improve soil fertility and increase guarana production in the AFS under study. Full article

Food waste is a serious problem with negative environmental and economic consequences. Unused food (either as waste or by-products and referred to as food residues in the present work) is a source of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds that could be used in an alternate or secondary life cycle to avoid discarding it. The present work reviews the potential use of food residues for the bioengineering of single-cell protein (SCP), addressing aspects of production, nutrition and safety, as well as the main challenges and perspectives. SCP is obtained from various microorganisms, including fungi, bacteria, yeasts and algae, in pure or mixed form. SCP generally contains a higher percentage of protein (30–80%) compared to soy (38.6%), fish (17.8%), meat (21.2%) and whole milk (3.28%). SCP is a source of essential amino acids, including methionine, threonine and lysine. The use of food residues as substrates for the production of SCP would reduce production costs (35–75%); however, optimization and industrial scaling are some of the main challenges to its sustainable production. The use food waste and agro by-products from the food industry could be a promising alternative to obtain protein according to a circular production scheme. Full article