Renewable energy market in Africa: Opportunities, progress, challenges, and future prospects

The transition to renewable energy is crucial for addressing Africa's rising energy demand while fostering sustainable development. With abundant renewable resources such as solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass, Africa is uniquely positioned to play a key role in the global low carbon energy transition. This study investigates the role of renewable energy in supporting Africa's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and its alignment with the Paris Agreement's climate goals. Using a combination of empirical methodologies, including market analysis and cost-benefit evaluations, we assess the potential of renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, alleviate energy poverty, and promote economic growth. Our findings show that harnessing just 25 % of Africa's renewable energy potential could significantly reduce energy poverty, contributing to a sustainable, low-carbon future. Furthermore, we highlights the declining costs of renewable energy technologies, driven by innovation, economies of scale, and market dynamics, making renewable energy increasingly competitive with traditional energy sources. This has led to lower consumer energy prices, improved market attractiveness, and enhanced profitability for renewable energy investments. By examining the socio-economic impacts of renewable energy adoption, the study provides key insights into the market dynamics, investment potential, and policy implications for accelerating Africa's renewable energy transition. Our findings suggest that targeted investments in renewable energy could drive a just transition, improve energy access, and foster long-term socio-economic development across the continent

Visiting and Exploring Digital Transformation Management: A Bibliometric Analysis and Review Study

Purpose: This study aims to explore and understand the literature on digital transformation (DT) research that will lead to developing a conceptual and thematic structure of DT management. Design/methodology/approach: The research approach employed a hybrid approach of bibliometric analysis and a structured review of DT management research studies from 2017 to 2023. Although systematic reviews and bibliometric analysis are distinct methods, they complement one another in research by enabling the synthesis and analysis of existing literature. Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) were selected as the bibliographic databases for this study since they are generally accepted as the most comprehensive data sources for various purposes. Findings: Findings revealed 186 publications during these periods, with the top three publications being the Journal of Business Research, Business Horizons and California Business Review. Top-ranking researchers hailed from Germany, Japan and Spain. Keywords that appeared were innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and DT. In the management area, there are fewer studies conceptualising DT management that led to this study forming a conceptual framework using a qualitative, interpretative and thematic analysis approach. Originality/value: These findings are relevant for understanding the phenomenon of DT and DT management. The study contributes to the emerging body of knowledge in management and DT

Two-stepping: sol–gel–gel transitions in a mixed thermoresponsive polymer system †

Conventional thermoreversible gels exhibit a sol–gel transition upon modulation of temperature. These systems are typically comprised of block copolymers in which one block exhibits a lower critical solution temperature (LCST), triggering a solvophilic to relatively solvophobic switch of that moiety when heated. The systems, which include poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO)-b-poly(propylene oxide)(PPO)-b-PEO (“poloxamers”) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)-based block copolymers, thus exhibit a single step in their rheological profile upon heating, switching from a predominantly dissipative response to an elastic one. It has been found that a mixed tertiary system of PNIPAM–PEO–PNIPAM and poloxamer 407 displays an unconventional sol–gel–gel transition. The rheological behaviours of this system have been studied to demonstrate the rheological profiles of the sol, “Gel I” and “Gel II” phases, as well as the reversibility of the gelation. A mechanism is proposed for this process, learning from small-angle neutron-scattering experiments in dilute and concentrated regimes

The Surprising Long-Term Evolution of the ULXP NGC 7793 P13

The ultra-luminous x-ray pulsar (ULXP) NGC 7793 P13 has been regularly monitored with XMM-Newton, NuSTAR, and Swift for the last 8 years. Here, we present the latest results of this monitoring campaign with respect to the pulse period evolution and spectral variability. We find that since the source recovered from an x-ray low state in 2020–2022 the spin-up rate has increased significantly compared with before the off-state, even though the x-ray luminosity has not shown an equivalent increase. We find that the x-ray and optical/UV flux are anti-correlated, and speculate that this variability might be driven by a large accretion disk, precessing at a super-orbital period of 7–8 years. We study the spectral behavior in the XMM-Newton and NuSTAR data, and find very little changes in the spectral shape, despite the large flux variability. This spectral consistency provides further indication that the observed flux variability is a geometric effect and not due to intrinsic changes of the accretion rate

Understanding food insecurity in England: a systems-based approach

Food insecurity is a significant public health issue in England. National and local policies have not been able to adequately address its complex drivers, in part due to unintended consequences that arise from the way these policies interact with the system. Through an integrative review and group model building workshops with 17 subject matter experts, we developed four causal loop diagrams (CLDs) to map the interactions between food insecurity drivers and major policies such as Universal Credit, Healthy Start, and School Meal programs. The CLDs reveal that while these policies and interventions are intended to reduce food insecurity, specific implementation issues can unintentionally perpetuate food insecurity. These unintended consequences result in a shift in responsibility between governments and communities, with a subsequent erosion of public trust in governments and policies. This study highlights the need for redistributing responsibility back to governments, rebuilding trust and mitigating unintended consequences of current policies. By addressing the feedback mechanisms driving food insecurity, this research provides actionable insights and policy recommendations for creating equitable and effective policies

From Pandemic to Policy: Leveraging COVID-19 Lessons to Strengthen Antimicrobial Stewardship

This is a great example demonstrating how research conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic can inform global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) policy, support antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), and ultimately help save lives. This study assessed AMS practices before and during the pandemic using three integrated methods: a systematic review of 13 global studies, a retrospective analysis of antibiotic use in 640 NHS hospital patients, and a cross-sectional survey of 240 healthcare professionals. Despite bacterial co-infections being confirmed in less than 10% of patients, over 70% received antibiotics, highlighting urgent stewardship challenges. The research was complemented by a review of national and international policies, including guidance from WHO and the UK 5-Year AMR Action Plan. Key findings emphasised the importance of embedding AMS in emergency preparedness, improving diagnostics, and supporting interprofessional collaboration. These insights were translated into a policy brief by the South Centre, offering actionable recommendations for building resilient AMS systems and combating AMR globally

Exploring the Use of Diet and Support Needs of People Living with Psoriasis

Background Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated skin condition affecting approximately 60 million people globally. It is associated with substantial comorbidities, and while lifestyle factors may help manage psoriasis, research on the use and effectiveness of diet remains limited, particularly in the UK. With approximately 2% of adults living with psoriasis in the UK, this represents an important knowledge gap. This thesis aims to explore the role of diet in psoriasis management, to enhance our understanding of how to support people living with psoriasis (PLwP) in the UK. Methods A mixed-methods sequential design was used, and 4 studies were undertaken. Firstly, a scoping review was conducted to provide a comprehensive overview of the current evidence. To explore the dietary experiences of PLwP in the UK both qualitative and quantitative methods were utilised. Given the limited research thematic analysis of qualitative interviews was conducted to gain initial insights into the dietary modifications and experiences of PLwP in the UK. Based on these findings, a cross-sectional questionnaire was developed to quantitively explore the dietary modifications, skin responses, patient experiences, and information acquisition, among a larger population. The data from the first 3 studies informed the development of a dietary support guide for PLwP utilising a user-centered design (UCD) approach, incorporating think aloud methodology; its usability was evaluated using the System Usability Scale. Results The scoping review revealed that randomized control trials (RCTs) support low-calorie diets for those living with overweight or obesity and gluten-free diets for those with coeliac disease, to improve psoriasis. Further evidence is limited, and patient information rarely provides dietary support. Research on dietary use and experiences of PLwP has not been explored in the UK. Interviews with PLwP in the UK (n=9) revealed that most believed diet affected their psoriasis and tried restrictive diets, with limited success. Participants commonly sought dietary information online due to perceived lack of support from healthcare professionals (HCPs). The subsequent cross-sectional questionnaire (n=271) revealed that 47.2% of PLwP reported making a dietary modification to help their psoriasis. Common restrictions included high-sugar foods (64.1%) and dairy (63.3%). Participants with severe psoriasis (OR 2.268; p=0.027), aged 18-44 (OR 2.050; p=0.007), psoriatic arthritis (OR 2.754; p=0.003), or gluten sensitivity (OR 3.579; p=0.004) were more likely to have tried a dietary modification compared to those without these characteristics. Most (61.3%) changed their diet to also improve overall health, and (53.6%) wanted more dietary support. The dietary support guide was developed with an expert panel (n=7), and intended users (n=7). The final guide was evaluated as having good usability and was perceived to be useful and valuable by intended users (n=27). Conclusion Dietary modification is common among PLwP in the UK, primarily motivated by a desire to improve psoriasis and overall health. However, the majority of dietary modifications undertaken are unsubstantiated and restrictive. There is a need and desire for dietary support for PLwP. This thesis makes a notable contribution to patient-centred psoriasis care by directly addressing the identified dietary support gap, through the development of an evidence-based dietary support guide for PLwP. The involvement of PLwP and stakeholders in the development ensured it was usable and valuable to PLwP. Future research should assess the use and impact of the dietary support guide, and its value to HCPs. Additionally, larger, long-term studies to explore the impact of diet on psoriasis, and exploration of how nutritional support can be integrated into psoriasis care is needed

Principles in practice? A policy review of the IOC’s environmental sustainability agenda.

This paper is a policy review focused on the environmental sustainability (ES) agenda of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This incorporates exploration of IOC documents such as policies, strategies, guidelines, reports, codes, and conference outputs. The IOC's ES agenda is interpreted as both strategy around ES, as a plan of action to achieve desired outcomes, and policies around ES, as matters of practice and principle to be enacted. This review encompasses each of the IOC's three spheres of activity (as an organisation, as owner of the Olympic Games, and as leader of the Olympic Movement). The documentary analysis incorporates inductive thematic analysis and Critical Policy Discourse Analysis (CPDA). This allows for consideration of the role of the IOC as a driver of ES with the power and reach to influence pro-environmental behaviours on a global scale, as well as analysis of the extent to which documentary discourse demonstrates committed leadership in this sphere. Key themes arising from the data are networks and knowledge transfer, leadership and influence, governance and accountability, and opportunities and obstacles. Power relationships between stakeholders are important in terms of facilitating or inhibiting ES, and there are missed opportunities for the IOC both to better demonstrate positive ES outcomes from existing practices and to utilise its power in leveraging ES commitments from stakeholders across the Olympic Movement (OM). The application of CPDA highlights varying levels of commitment across these themes as well as a tendency toward ambiguity and contradiction that engenders the likelihood of unintended consequences including greenwashing. The IOC ES agenda needs to encompass clear and unambiguous policy and strategy with more explicit commitment and accountability across its three spheres of activity

A web-based intervention to support the mental well-being of sexual and gender minoritised adolescents: Formative evaluation of Oneself

Background: Sexual and gender minoritised adolescents are at an increased risk of mental health problems. However, few interventions have been specifically designed to support their mental well-being. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate Oneself; a prototype bespoke digital mental well-being intervention co-developed with and for sexual and gender minoritised adolescents. Methods: Think aloud testing of Oneself was conducted with sexual and gender minoritised adolescents. Adult experts appraised Oneself via semi-structured interviews. Additionally, participants completed questionnaires including the System Usability Scale (SUS). Qualitative data were analysed using a general inductive approach. Results: Participants included 11 sexual and gender minoritised adolescents (aged 14-19, mean 16.3 years) and 14 adult experts (78.6% 30 years or older). Usability, satisfaction and wellbeing results indicated that Oneself is a promising intervention. The mean SUS score was 78.8% (n=25), which corresponds to a B+ on the Sauro–Lewis Curved Grading Scale. Six themes were identified across the qualitative data: “Clarity and accessibility” (e.g., refine audio visual content as well as text), “Appeal and depictions” (e.g., enhance the perspectives and representation), “Functionality and development” (e.g., extend the choice and user options), “Safety and privacy” (e.g., harsh world warnings needed for LGBTQ+ youth), “Reaching the end users” (e.g., promoting Oneself in a youth-friendly way) and “Mechanisms of impact” (e.g., sharing lived experience). Conclusion: Oneself could be used to help support the mental well-being of users, but modifications are indicated prior to any further testing and consideration of a roll out