Mechanical strength performance and development of water hyacinth particle reinforced thermoset polymer composites

The global initiative focused on the development of low-emission materials aims to achieve net-zero emissions. Unlike most plant-based natural fibers, water hyacinth plants are known to reproduce at a highly significant rate. However, research on incorporating water hyacinth and particle-based fillers is limited, particularly in thermoset matrices. In this study, the cellulosic and mineral content of petiole from water hyacinth plants were analyzed. The developed composites were subjected to a series of characterizations and mechanical tests. Petiole contained an average of 30.4 % cellulose, 38.7 % hemicellulose, and 3.4 % lignin. Analysis revealed the presence of both sylvite and whewellite, which are responsible for its bitter taste and have the potential of causing irritation, leading animals to avoid it. It is established that size and loading of the water hyacinth particles played a significant role in mechanical performance. The use of <212 µm particles resulted in a 10.1 % gain in tensile strength and a 38.1 % gain in impact strength compared to larger particle sizes. The incorporation of 2.5 wt% of these particles led to a slight improvement in the tensile performance, reaching 51.3 MPa. However, a notable reduction in the impact strength was observed, measuring 13.4 kJ/m². Further increases in content resulted in a decline in mechanical performance, with the exception of microhardness, which ranged between 12.6 and 13.7 HV. Furthermore, it was found that the addition of 10.0 wt% was the threshold to form composites without significant microvoids. These findings will be beneficial for particle-based composites research

Historical Inequalities and Just Transition in Former Colonised Nations

The concept of a "just transition" is central to addressing climate change while ensuring the shift towards sustainability remains equitable and inclusive. For a transition to be genuinely just, it must consider the histories, struggles, and vulnerabilities of affected communities, especially in regions with colonial exploitation legacies. Current environmental and socioeconomic challenges in these regions are deeply rooted in these historical legacies, making it crucial to address them in climate action efforts. A theoretical understanding of a just transition must align with the lived realities of marginalised populations.This report examines how just transition policies can protect the rights and inclusion of vulnerable groups, such as indigenous peoples, women, children, migrants, informal workers, and others. Using a historically informed and intersectional approach, it reviews cases from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Sahel, and India, each representing distinct vulnerabilities and resilience shaped by colonial exploitation. The report addresses gaps in existing literature, expanding the just transition discourse and aligning global norms with local realities to prevent the perpetuation of historical exclusion patterns

Diabetic foot ulcer photography study: a study within a trial to assess the reliability of two-dimensional (2D) photography for the assessment of ulcer healing in patients with diabetes-related foot ulcers-protocol paper

BACKGROUND: The primary endpoint in diabetes-related foot ulcer (DFU) trials is often time to healing, defined as complete re-epithelialisation with absence of drainage, requiring clinical expert assessment as the gold standard. Central blinded photograph review for confirmation of healing is increasingly being undertaken for internal validity. The Diabetic Foot Ulcer Photography study aims to determine the agreement between blinded independent review panel members for assessing ulcer healing status in patients with DFUs.METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Photographs of ulcers clinically assessed as healed or not healed across 300 participants recruited to one of two randomised controlled trials (MIDFUT and CODIFI2), will be independently reviewed by a central blinded panel consisting of four clinicians with expertise in ulcer healing assessment. Staff at recruiting sites will take photographs using a standardised camera and protocol. Photographs will be reviewed at three levels of magnification: raw image, image standardised to a measurement scale included in the photograph and standardised image with magnification permitted. Reviewers will assess the healing status and their confidence level in making a healing judgement, with reasons reported for a low confidence rating. Analysis at each level of magnification will estimate inter- and intra-rater reliability on the assessments of healing of photographs with the clinical assessment (primary) and confidence rating using multivariable logistic mixed models. Analysis of the learning curve for the assessment of healing and confidence rating will use exponential and two-phase models.ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval has been granted by the National Research Ethics Service Committees (MIDFUT 17/YH/0055; CODIFI2 18-WS-0235). All participants will provide a written informed consent for photography before recruited onto the respective study. Photographs will be transferred to the trials' coordinating centre via a secure file transfer service and saved in a restricted access folder on a secure server. Results will be disseminated via publications in scientific journals and conference presentations.TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: MIDFUT (ISRCTN64926597) and CODIFI2 (ISRCTN74929588).</p

Shape-change in keyboard interaction: exploring the future of input devices through prototyping

This full-day studio explores the intersection of shape-changing technology and keyboard interaction. We invite HCI researchers, interaction designers, and accessibility specialists to prototype and reflect on the future of input devices. Participants will be introduced to key concepts in shape-changing interfaces and methodologies before engaging in hands-on, sustainable prototyping activities, using ideation tools and quick-build materials to explore how shape-changing interfaces can reshape the way we interact with keyboards. The studio will foster a collaborative environment where participants from diverse disciplines can experiment with non-expert prototyping methods and reflect on the role of keyboards in tangible interaction design

Using a sober curious framework to explore barriers and facilitators to helping sexual minority women reduce alcohol-related harms: Protocol for a descriptive study

Background:Globally, women consume less alcohol than men, but alcohol consumption among women has declined less in recent years than among men. Drinking rates and alcohol-related harms vary substantially across population groups of women, and sexual minority women (eg, lesbian, bisexual, and queer) are at notably high risk. An emerging body of literature suggests that in addition to minority stress (eg, stigma, discrimination), drinking norms and drinking cultures likely influence sexual minority women’s drinking. Almost no research has explored these factors as possible targets of interventions. Sober curiosity is a rapidly growing wellness movement that may be particularly salient for sexual minority women. It encourages individuals to be “curious” about the reasons they choose to drink and alcohol’s effects on their life and health.Objective:The aims of this research are to (1) explore the perspectives of the drinking social worlds of sexual minority women, their awareness of the sober curious movement, perceptions of their own and their peers’ drinking and desire to drink less, and perceived barriers and facilitations to changing their drinking behaviors and (2) identify key elements of an alcohol reduction intervention tailored for sexual minority women.Methods:We conducted a comprehensive review of the literature on alcohol interventions with sexual minority women. The handful of studies we found paid scant attention to drinking cultures, normative beliefs, or other key elements of sober curiosity. To address the study aims, we are conducting 2 descriptive studies with adult (&gt;18 years) sexual minority women using mixed methods. One includes focus group interviews (n=24-36) and a national survey (n=100-120) with sexual minority women in Scotland. The other includes in-depth interviews (n=18-20) with sexual minority women in the United States. Data from the 2 countries and 3 sources will be analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods to identify patterns and relationships across data to validate or corroborate findings.Results:Each of the studies received ethics approval in August 2023 and is currently open for recruitment. We anticipate completing data collection in spring 2025. The results of qualitative analyses will be summarized as themes, and results of survey data analyses will be summarized in tables. Findings will be presented to 2 panels of international experts who will assist in identifying critical elements of an alcohol reduction intervention tailored to the unique needs of sexual minority women.Conclusions:With the assistance of the expert panels, we will use Acceptability, Practicability, Effectiveness, Affordability, Side-Effects, and Equity criteria to inform the development of a tailored intervention building on tenants of sober curiosity to assist sexual minority women in reducing harmful drinking

Exploring broadband adoption amongst rural businesses: a review of the literature

Broadband has revolutionized how businesses operate. Research has demonstrated the importance of broadband adoption by smaller businesses to ensure growth as they make up over 90% of all businesses worldwide. This is especially for rural-based smaller businesses as limited innovation for them may lead to social exclusion between rural and urban areas. Research has identified a lag in the take-up of broadband by rural businesses in comparison to other businesses. Investigating broadband adoption by rural businesses may inform solutions to improving the rural economy. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review literature related to investigating drivers and barriers to broadband adoption by rural businesses to identify solutions for improving broadband take-up amongst rural businesses. Through a systematic literature review (SLR), this paper reviews studies from 2000 to 2023. A thematic analysis identifies drivers and barriers to broadband adoption, however, size, sector, frequency of broadband adoption and level of rurality for the businesses are not clarified. The review identified limited primary research in regions like South America, the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia. Findings inform the development of a conceptual framework. Infrastructure highlighted as a barrier may inform policymakers. Findings may also inform the take-up of broadband by other businesses.</p

Green reverse logistics as a sustainable strategy towards circular economies in Africa

There is a significant knowledge gap on the role of green reverse logistics (GRL) practices in facilitating the transition to circular economies in Africa. This research seeks to address this gap by exploring the potential of GRL practices as a sustainable strategy for the creation and development of circular economies across Africa. The main research question guiding this chapter is: how does green reverse logistics practices contribute towards circular economies in Africa? A systematic literature review was conducted to gather and analyse existing scholarly work related to GRL and circular economies. The findings suggest that GRL practices, which include environmental management systems, product design for disassembly, recycling, and material recovery, are crucial for the advancement of circular economies. The chapter also highlights several challenges, such as limited infrastructure, inadequate policy support, and economic constraints that could hinder the effective implementation of GRL practices in Africa. The study underscores the need for comprehensive policies and collaboration among governments, businesses, and communities to foster the development of circular economies that can drive long-term socio-economic and environmental benefits.</p

Potentially inappropriate medication and its associated factors in older people living in nursing homes: a cross-sectional study

Abstract : Background. Institutionalized residents tend to use more drugs and in larger doses. Potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) use is highly prevalent among them. In addition, they are more likely to be prescribed multiple medications (polypharmacy). Moreover, many drugs considered PIM have increased anticholinergic burden (ACB), responsible for adverse drug events (ADE). Objective. Identifying PIM, polypharmacy and ACB among older people's prescriptions as well as their associated factors. Methods. Cross-sectional observational multicentre study. Drug information was collected from the nursing homes, medical registers. PIM exposure was assessed using Beers Criteria 2023. ACB was calculated using the Anticholinergic Risk Scale. Other sociodemographic, as well as health-related data were also collected. Results. 130 residents (83.8% women) mean age 85.1 (±7.4). Over 80% (111) of residents have prescriptions including at least one PIM. Polypharmacy (≥5 drugs) occurred in 69.1% (94), while extensive polypharmacy (≥10 drugs) occurred in 18.4% (25). The most prevalent PIMs were benzodiazepines (57.3%; 73), antipsychotics (48.5%; 66) and proton pump inhibitors (39.7%; 54). Regarding ACB, 63.1% (82) of the residents have prescriptions including at least one anticholinergic drug. In the multivariate analysis, ACB (pD0:018; OR 3.52) and polypharmacy (p=0.015; OR 3.58) were associated with PIM. Conclusions. The prevalence of PIM, polypharmacy and ACB was very high (84%, 69%, and 63% respectively) in this sample of nursing home residents. ACB and polypharmacy were significantly associated with PIM. Anticholinergic drugs should be carefully assessed and gradually withdrawn when not needed. Balancing treatment with other biopsychosocial interventions may contribute to reducing polypharmacy.</p