Search Results (5,778)

This article presents a sociohistorical analysis of Assamese popular science writing (bigyan sahitya) over nearly two centuries (1846–2018), arguing that what has often been described as a regional literary tradition is more usefully understood as a durable vernacular knowledge ecosystem—a sustained institutional, periodical, and discursive infrastructure through which scientific modernity has been linguistically mediated, socially circulated, and culturally embedded in Assamese-speaking publics. Drawing on Assamese-language archival sources and engaging international scholarship on the public understanding of science, vernacular modernity, and postcolonial knowledge circulation, the article reconstructs three interlocking structures through which the ecosystem has operated: the print public sphere consolidated by the missionary newspaper Arunodoy from 1846; the civic-scientific institutional architecture of Pashupalan (1925), the Asom Bigyan Samiti and Bigyan Jeuti (launched in 1961), and the Asom Bigyan Lekhak Sangstha (1999); and the literary-scientific mediation that produced the science-fiction tradition (kalpabijnan). The ecosystem has reproduced itself through workshops, handbooks, and terminology projects, navigating four political–economic ruptures without institutional collapse. The case offers a productive empirical basis for theorising how societies vernacularise scientific knowledge over the long term. Full article

Higher education is increasingly asked to prepare learners for societies shaped by artificial intelligence, ecological destabilization, labour-market reconfiguration, and declining institutional trust. Yet many universities remain governed by a scarcity model: knowledge transmission, durable credentials, and economic productivity. This article argues that the model is structurally misaligned with emerging conditions because the central educational challenge is shifting from knowledge scarcity to power abundance. The deeper crisis is not a deficit of knowledge production but a deficit of formation: higher education has underdeveloped the human capacities required to use technologically amplified power wisely, meaningfully and responsibly. The article develops this argument through a conceptual design with an embedded systematized scoping review and thematic synthesis across higher education studies, AI governance, futures and foresight, sustainability transitions, human flourishing, wisdom science, and research metrics. It proposes flourishing stewardship as a new first principle for higher education: the cultivation of persons and institutions capable of pursuing meaningful lives while preserving and advancing the conditions for shared human and planetary flourishing. The article contributes the Flourishing Stewardship Transformation Model, linking external transition conditions, scarcity-model misalignment, the power–wisdom gap, six formation capacities, and five institutional transformation levers. The model is operationalized through design questions, researchable indicators, and propositions for future empirical testing. The paper contributes to technological forecasting and social change by positioning higher education as a socio-technical transition infrastructure whose purpose is not merely to adapt learners to technological change, but to form the human agency needed to govern it. Full article

This study examines all 48 members of the Japanese Geoparks Network to explore how human societies live with the Active Earth in one of the world’s most tectonically active regions. Rather than treating geoparks as separate sites, the study analyzes them collectively in terms of geoheritage, geohazards, hydrological environments, and community-based activities. The study is organized around four interconnected perspectives: (1) local geoheritage and Deep Time, (2) geohazards linking Human Time and Deep Time, (3) human life within Earth-system circulation, and (4) people and local communities connected through geopark participation. The results show that Japanese geoparks collectively preserve records of plate subduction, magmatism, accretion, crustal deformation, uplift, erosion, and hydrological processes that have shaped the Japanese active margin over hundreds of millions of years. These same processes continue to influence contemporary society through earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, water resources, ecosystems, agriculture, fisheries, and regional livelihoods. This nationwide analysis suggests that Japanese geoparks can be understood not only as sites for geoheritage conservation or tourism, but also as places where people recognize and sustain relationships among Earth-system processes, everyday life, and local communities. Full article

The rapid expansion of oil palm cultivation in the Colombian Orinoquia has generated economic benefits but also environmental and social pressures associated with biomass residue management. In this context, residue valorization through bioproduct production has gained relevance as a strategy linked to circular bioeconomy and regional sustainability. This article analyzes the prioritization of socioeconomic impacts associated with the reuse of oil palm residues in the department of Meta, Colombia, using a participatory multicriteria approach. The method combined the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), the Ratings technique, and the DEMATEL method to evaluate social, economic, and environmental dimensions identified together with territorial stakeholders. The assessment process involved 31 participants representing academia, public institutions, productive sectors, financial entities, and civil society organizations. The results showed greater prioritization of impacts associated with employment generation and local economic development. The DEMATEL analysis revealed that economic and employment-related criteria exerted stronger influence within the evaluated system. Environmental sustainability also reached high relevance, whereas gender equity and post-pandemic regional resilience obtained lower relative weights in the prioritization process. Full article

Wetlands sustained some of the most exceptionally dynamic human–environment relationships in past societies. Tracing their presence and ecological characteristics in antiquity requires integrated recovery strategies that link excavation, systematic sampling, and laboratory analysis. This paper presents new zooarchaeological evidence from Middle and Late Bronze Age Kaymakçı in the Marmara Lake Basin of western Türkiye to present evidence of an ancient wetland. Situated in the middle Gediz Valley within a pulse-lake landscape shaped by seasonal flooding, spring discharge, and ecological verticality extending from the basin floor to approximately 2150 m at the peak of Bozdağ, Kaymakçı is currently the largest-known second-millennium BCE settlement not only in this niche zone, but also in wider western Anatolia. The Kaymakçı Archeological Project (KAP) results show that recovery methods, especially heavy fraction, may significantly affect the resulting data and, therefore, the interpretations. The identified fish remains from KAP, dominated by carp and catfish, confirm a large, shallow, vegetated wetland with fluctuating littoral and flood-zone habitats. Bird remains also evidence a taxonomically diverse bird community typical of large wetland zones with nearby mountain ranges, including waterfowl, marsh-edge, and terrestrial taxa. Compared with contemporaneous Anatolian assemblages from central and southeastern regions of Anatolia, the KAP data extend our understanding of seasonally dynamic wetlands in western Anatolia and further confirm the value of integrated faunal analysis. Full article

The rapid transformation of rural societies and the progressive decline of traditional livelihoods have placed numerous expressions of intangible cultural heritage at risk of disappearance. In the Saraguro territory of southern Ecuador, muleteering (arriería) historically functioned as a means of transportation, trade, and cultural exchange, facilitating the transmission of knowledge, values, and practices among generations and diverse social groups. This study examines muleteering as a form of living heritage and explores its revitalization through intercultural dialogue and the recovery of ancestral knowledge. A qualitative ethnographic approach was employed, integrating documentary analysis, participant observation, and semi-structured interviews with former muleteers, community elders, cultural leaders, and local residents. The findings indicate that muleteering contributed significantly to territorial connectivity, economic exchange, collective memory, and the preservation of traditional ecological knowledge related to mobility, animal management, and community cooperation. Participants recognized muleteering as a central element of Saraguro’s cultural identity and emphasized its role in fostering intercultural interaction and inter-generational learning. The study concludes that the revitalization of muleteering through dialogue of knowledge can contribute to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, strengthening cultural continuity, and supporting culturally sustainable development in indigenous territories. Full article

The increasing generation of wood ash (WA) from biomass combustion presents both an environmental challenge and an opportunity for sustainable resource utilization. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of recent advances in the valorization of WA for the development of sustainable engineering materials within a circular economy framework. Unlike previous studies that primarily focus on isolated applications of WA, this work integrates multiple technical dimensions, including material characterization, advanced manufacturing technologies, mechanical performance evaluation, computational modelling, and industrial commercialization pathways. Wood ash typically exhibits alkaline characteristics (pH 9–13.5) and particle sizes ranging from 1 to 1000 µm, enabling its application in a wide range of material systems. In cementitious materials, partial replacement of cement with WA (0.10–20%) generally improves mechanical performance, whereas excessive incorporation may reduce structural integrity. The high silica content (>62%) in certain WA types also enables its utilization in lightweight glass systems and radiation-shielding materials. Furthermore, WA has emerged as a promising functional filler in polymeric and ceramic composites, where additions above 0.5% can enhance dynamic mechanical properties and thermal stability. The review also examines standardized inspection and testing procedures, including quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) frameworks based on American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Canadian Standards Association (CSA), and European standards, to ensure the reliability of WA-derived materials. Recent developments in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computational modelling are highlighted for predicting mechanical behavior, optimizing processing parameters, and enabling digitalized manufacturing systems. In addition, circular manufacturing strategies and economic evaluation models, including break-even analysis, are discussed to assess the industrial feasibility of WA-based products. By integrating circular economy principles with materials engineering, digital technologies, and economic assessment, this review establishes a holistic framework for transforming wood ash from an industrial residue into value-added sustainable materials for construction, energy, and advanced composite applications. Full article

Iceland has often been perceived as a society isolated from the rest of Europe owing to its location on an island in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean. This article challenges such interpretations by arguing that Iceland was neither inaccessible nor culturally remote. Rather than functioning solely as barriers, oceans can facilitate mobility and sustain interaction between societies across open seas. Material and literary sources demonstrate that Icelandic society, from the time of its earliest settlement, was embedded within wider European cultural and social networks. The settlement of Iceland during the Viking Age, by processes of both voluntary and forced migration, further underscores the significance of maritime connectivity in shaping the North Atlantic world. These connections were reinforced through religious networks and later the establishment of ecclesiastical institutions that integrated Iceland into broader European political structures. Drawing on evidence from archaeological excavations, in addition to written sources, this article demonstrates the persistence of cultural interaction across the North Atlantic, even during periods of profound social and religious transformation. The material evidence examined here reveals forms of cultural communication and exchange shaped by religious beliefs and practices. Taken together, the evidence encounters enduring narratives of Icelandic isolation and instead advances an understanding of islandness as fundamentally relational—from island to island—constituted through dynamic connections among people, objects, institutions, and maritime spaces. Full article

In the context of the platform economy, this study preliminarily examines how smart device possession affects the sustainability of app usage behavior. This research analyzes app usage as a core component of value creation within a sustainable digital ecosystem. As an exploratory pilot study serving as a proof of concept, we focus on how different ownership patterns influence digital consumption performance, categorizing users based on three dimensions: the number of devices owned, screen size (portability), and inter-device compatibility. Furthermore, the study elucidates how device relationships affect engagement across app categories, investigating whether devices function as primary, complementary, or independent tools. By analyzing these exploratory behaviors, the research offers insights into multi-device usage patterns for a more efficient digital experience while reducing resource redundancy. Ultimately, these findings provide practical guidance for fostering a more balanced and resource-efficient digital society. Full article

Sustainable development helps countries grow by giving importance to environmental, social, and governance factors. Therefore, sustainable development is essential for improving the well-being of societies and protecting our natural resources for the long term. This study focuses on the improvement of policy recommendations for achieving sustainable development. To this end, this research examines the impact of globalization, financial development, and capital formation on sustainable development in Türkiye for the period 1972–2022. The study employs the unit root, cointegration, and causality tests. The findings reveal that globalization, banking sector development, and fixed capital formation are cointegrated with environmental sustainability, namely the load capacity factor. In the short term, load capacity factor and globalization are the cause of each other. Also, an asymmetric relationship is determined between globalization and fixed capital formation and load capacity factor. However, the impact of globalization and fixed capital formation on environmental sustainability is distorting. The outcomes of this study implied that the policymaker should make appropriate policies regarding the improved about Türkiye’s environmental quality and sustainable development. Full article

Perioperative myocardial ischemia and myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) remain prevalent contributors to postoperative morbidity and mortality. Recent advances, including high-sensitivity biomarkers and updated 2024 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) guidelines, have modified the clinical approach to preoperative ischemic evaluation. This review intends to synthesize contemporary evidence and provide a framework for perioperative ischemic workup. A narrative review of the current literature and major society guidelines was conducted, focusing on perioperative risk stratification, functional capacity assessment, biomarker utilization, noninvasive and invasive diagnostic modalities, and perioperative medical optimization strategies. Contemporary perioperative evaluation favors a stepwise, risk-based approach that uses clinical risk indices, functional capacity, and selective diagnostic testing. Biomarkers such as natriuretic peptides and cardiac troponins enhance risk prediction and enable the detection of MINS, which is strongly associated with increased mortality. Evidence does not support routine preoperative stress testing or prophylactic coronary revascularization in stable patients. Guideline-directed medical therapy, including sustained statin use and attentive management of antiplatelet and beta-blocker therapy, remains central to risk mitigation. Modern perioperative ischemic workup prioritizes individualized, evidence-based evaluation over routine testing. Integration of biomarkers, structured risk assessment, and multidisciplinary management may improve outcomes, though additional research is needed to define optimal strategies for detecting and treating MINS. Full article

The electrification of the industrial sector is an important pathway to decarbonizing the industry and achieving a sustainable society. High-temperature heat pumps (HTHPs) are critical devices for providing industrial heat and consuming green electricity. The goal of the present work is the theoretical thermodynamic analysis of a reverse Brayton HTHP that operates with novel working fluids. Specifically, the idea of using mixtures of working fluids with CO₂ is studied for the first time with the aim of suggesting new candidates to increase the performance of industrial HTHPs. A model of an HTHP with an internal heat exchanger is developed and verified in the MATLAB programming language. Nine different mixtures are studied: CO₂/R152a, CO₂/R1234ze(E), CO₂/Propane, CO₂/Butane, CO₂/Isobutane, CO₂/Pentane, CO₂/Isopentane, CO₂/Hexane and CO₂/Heptane. The examined industrial heat production temperatures are 150 °C, 200 °C and 250 °C, while the waste heat stream temperatures that drive the heat pump are considered to be 80 °C and 100 °C. The results prove that the application of the mixtures can enhance the COP, especially in the case of lower temperature lifts. CO₂/R152a seems to be a promising choice compared to pure CO₂, presenting performance enhancements ranging from 4.12% to 64.02% among the studied scenarios. Full article

Background/Objectives: Neuroprognostication after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains clinically challenging, particularly when withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment (WLST) is considered. International guidelines recommend delayed, multimodal assessment, but real-world descriptions of how this is operationalised within multidisciplinary pathways remain limited. Methods: We conducted a single-centre retrospective observational cohort study of adults admitted to a tertiary cardiac arrest centre intensive care unit following OHCA between June 2022 and December 2025. Patients were conveyed according to the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society OHCA pathway; therefore, this was a selected cardiac arrest centre cohort enriched for shockable rhythms and suspected reversible cardiac causes, rather than an unselected OHCA population. Patients who remained unconscious at ≥72 h following a sedation hold entered a structured multidisciplinary team (MDT) neuroprognostication pathway. Outcomes included survival to hospital discharge, Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) at discharge, neuroprognostication investigation use, and timing of WLST. Results: Of 406 patients admitted following OHCA, 310 were admitted to ICU and included in the analysis. The cohort was predominantly male (82.3%), with a mean age of 63.8 years; 82.9% had ventricular fibrillation as the initial rhythm. Overall, 182 patients (58.7%) survived to hospital discharge, of whom 160 (87.9%) had a favourable neurological outcome (CPC 1–2). A total of 119 patients entered the neuroprognostication pathway. Of these, 72 underwent WLST after completed MDT review, 10 died before MDT decision-making, and 37 survived to hospital discharge. Among patients undergoing WLST, investigation use was high: CT brain 100%, NSE 91.7%, EEG 90.3%, SSEP 88.9%, and MRI brain 27.8%. Median time to WLST was 5.5 days. Conclusions: In this selected tertiary CAC cohort, enriched for shockable rhythms through BCIS pathway-based conveyance, survival to hospital discharge was high and neurological outcomes among survivors were predominantly favourable. Within this setting, delayed, multimodal neuroprognostication and WLST decision-making were operationalised through a structured MDT pathway aligned with contemporary guideline recommendations. These findings provide contemporary real-world benchmark data on pathway implementation for comparable centres seeking to evaluate or develop structured neuroprognostication services. Full article

In order to investigate possible ionospheric anomalies before a magnitude 7.6 earthquake (EQ) in the Japanese Noto Peninsula on 1 January 2024, we used oblique ionosonde data sounding at Wakkanai and Yamagawa with an assumed one-hop reflection point (ORP) only 169 km away from the EQ epicenter, which was not covered by vertical ionosonde observation. The NmF2 at ORP was analyzed. We found a long-lasting negative anomaly from the preceding day to the EQ occurrence, which was 3.37 standard deviations below the previous 30-day mean. We also found a positive anomaly 2 days before the EQ. In addition, we observed a new type of NmF2 anomaly around midday, which has not yet been reported in the literature. The midday NmF2 was anomalous for 10, 8 days, and a few hours before the EQ, implying possible pre-seismic modifications of the mesospheric meridional neutral wind. On the other hand, we also found NmF2 anomalies 3 and 4 days before a major aftershock on 9 January, revealing that the lithosphere–atmosphere–ionosphere coupling (LAIC) remained active, as seismic activity continued some days after the EQ mainshock. Since both positive and negative anomalies were observed before the EQ, pre-seismic atmospheric gravity wave (AGW) activity is the main agent driving LAIC processes. The present study not only reports pre-seismic anomalies before the 2024 Noto Peninsula EQ but also demonstrates the utility of oblique ionosondes on the ionospheric monitoring over Japan, especially for pre-seismic studies. Full article

Environmental knowledge encoded in Bahnar, an Indigenous language of Vietnam, is vital to the Bahnar community and contributes to broader understandings of biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable lifeways. We describe a collaborative approach to documenting Bahnar that integrates computational methods with ethnographic, lexicographic, and linguistic fieldwork. Because Bahnar knowledge is transmitted almost entirely through oral tradition rather than writing, effective documentation cannot rely solely on extractive corpus-based or NLP tools. Although three legacy bilingual Bahnar dictionaries exist, they are partially obsolete, uneven in coverage, and largely inaccessible to the community itself. Our corpus analysis of the Bahnar environmental vocabulary, complemented by intensive community-based fieldwork, reveals semantic patterns that closely link environmental knowledge with Bahnar lifeways, subsistence practices, and material culture. These patterns, we argue, are language-specific and may not emerge from analyses of environmental lexicons in languages such as English or Vietnamese. Bahnar semantic categories attribute aesthetic, medicinal, mythological, and spiritual agency to animals, plants, and landscapes, contrasting with classificatory frameworks common in post-industrial societies that emphasize biophysical, scientific, or economic properties. We propose that community-centered digital lexicography can strengthen Bahnar language vitality, enhance local access to cultural knowledge, and simultaneously advance comparative linguistic and environmental research. Full article