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Critical analysis of Scottish local authorities bulky waste services:implications for leaks in the circular economy model
Full text linkFly-tipping is the illegal disposal of waste onto land and can range from a bin bag of household waste to copious quantities of domestic, commercial or construction waste. A decade after the Paris Agreement 2015 on climate change, there is increased urgency to implement inclusive policies that can contribute to sustainable waste management services and reduce the environmental impacts of fly-tipping. This study explores the characteristics of bulky waste kerbside collection services through analysis of website disclosures from local authorities across Scotland. A database was constructed to identify potential barriers to service uptake and provide insights for policy makers and waste managers. It is crucial to ensure that materials from this discrete waste stream do not leak out of the circular economy approach being pursued by the Scottish Government. The findings highlight underlying factors that may influence resident engagement with bulky uplift services and emphasise the importance of effective communication and inclusive policies for local authorities and waste managers. Our findings reveal critical gaps in accessibility, affordability, and operational design that may inhibit service uptake and contribute to fly-tipping. Recommendations include the adoption of inclusive booking and payment methods, progressive pricing policies, and coordinated digital solutions such as a unified smartphone app. These measures could support legitimate disposal behaviours, reduce environmental harm caused by fly-tipping, and strengthen Scotland’s circular economy outcomes. Mitigating fly-tipping and improving bulky item disposal routes can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfill and support Scotland’s climate targets by retaining products and materials in circulation
Processing–property relationships in 3D printed PLA/graphene composites for synergistic enhancement of mechanical strength and electrical conductivity
Full text linkThe integration of nanofillers such as graphene into polylactic acid (PLA) has attracted significant attention for enhancing the performance of fused filament fabricated (FFF) components. Despite these advances, the electromechanical properties of PLA–graphene composites remain insufficient for many functional applications, particularly in electronics and other industrial sectors. To address this limitation, the present study investigates how a broad range of fused filament fabrication (FFF) process parameters, including print orientation, raster angle, infill pattern, layer height, infill density, and printing speed, collectively influence the electromechanical performance of PLA-graphene composites. Using a Taguchi L18 orthogonal array, the study systematically evaluates and optimizes tensile, flexural, impact, and electrical conductance responses. The results demonstrate that a cubic infill pattern yields superior mechanical and conductive properties. At the same time, flat printing orientation enhances tensile and impact strength, and on-edge orientation improves impact strength and conductance. Optimal infill densities of 70 %, 80 %, and 90 % were identified for maximizing tensile, flexural, and impact strengths, respectively. The optimized specimen achieved a tensile strength of 51.91 MPa, flexural strength of 62.6 MPa, impact strength of 59.38 J/m, and conductance of 19.12 μS. Grey relational analysis further identified the most effective parameter combination for simultaneous multi-response optimization. Overall, this research provides a comprehensive understanding of process–property relationships in PLA–graphene composites and establishes a pathway for fabricating multifunctional FFF parts with improved electromechanical performance
The effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in transport water on the behaviour of ornamental fishes
Full text linkThe ornamental fish supply chain has multiple transportation phases which can induce stress in fishes. Previous studies have considered methods of improving welfare during transport, by adding water conditioners based on natural compounds known to have anxiolytic effects. Cannabidiol (CBD) has recently emerged as a compound of interest with beneficial immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic effects in mammals. In the first part of the present study, we identified whether addition of CBD to the transport water of ornamental fishes (at nominal concentrations of 3.9, 7.8 or 15.6 mg/l) had an effect on group behaviour post-transport. Variatus platys were transported for 30 min in bags containing one of five treatment groups (control, solvent control, 3.9, 7.8 or 15.6 mg/l CBD). They were then videoed as a group (15 min) immediately after introduction post-transport into an empty tank, with further videoing performed 30 min and 2 h after release. Behaviours analysed included biting, chasing, erratic movements and time spent immobile. The lowest concentration found to affect a range of behaviours was 7.8 mg/l (the middle concentration). Based on these findings, this concentration was used in a follow-on study to identify whether the use of CBD during transport affected individual behaviour and physiology post-transport. Fish were transported in the same way, and then fish were placed individually into open field arenas immediately after transport and videoed for 15 min. Behaviours analysed in the open field arenas included distance travelled, mean speed, time spent immobile, and time spent in the central zone. Water cortisol and skin mucus quantity were also analysed. CBD significantly affected behaviour post-transport, with those fish exposed to CBD exhibiting significantly reduced stress-related behaviours than those in the control and solvent control groups at both the group and individual level. No effects on mucus or water cortisol were seen. These findings highlight the potential for using CBD within commercial water conditioners to reduce the effects of transport stress for ornamental fishes
A systematic review investigating emerging trends between Extreme Weather Events (EWEs) and infectious disease outbreaks in South Africa
Full text linkExtreme weather events (EWEs) are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change, exacerbating health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations. Infectious diseases are climate-sensitive, yet microbial dynamics during and after EWEs remain poorly understood. This systematic review examines if there are emerging trends and associations in infectious disease outbreaks and health care following EWEs in South Africa. A comprehensive search across fifteen electronic databases was conducted using Cochrane systematic review principles, including double screening and double extraction. Studies describing outbreaks of infectious diseases related to EWEs in South Africa were included, considering all study designs. A PRISMA diagram details the screening process, and quality appraisal was conducted using JBI checklist tools or a mixed-methods assessment tool. The review did not identify any primary studies that explicitly examined the presence of specific pathogens contaminating the environment in relation to EWEs in South Africa. Instead, the available literature predominantly focused on clinical symptom patterns or broader syndromic descriptions, with limited attention to pathogen-specific detection or characterisation. This highlights a significant evidence gap in microbial-level assessments of how EWEs influence environmental contamination. However, findings indicate the presence of infectious diseases post-EWEs, with three key themes emerging: (1) climate variables, (2) population vulnerabilities, and (3) policy effects. The review highlights the need for longitudinal microbiological data to improve outbreak prediction and preparedness. This review underscores a significant research gap and calls for an integrated approach combining environmental monitoring with pathogen diagnostics. Large-scale longitudinal studies and enhanced collaboration public health, environmental surveillance, laboratory capacity, and disaster preparedness are needed. Early Warning Systems should incorporate climate variables to predict disease outbreaks, addressing the limited diagnostics, lack of environmental microbiology, fragmented surveillance data effectively
Peri-urban real estate, land-use changes, and sustainability challenges in Bangalore:lessons from the Global South
Full text linkPeri-urbanization in rapidly growing cities of the Global South is increasingly driven not only by demographic growth but by escalating inner-city land and housing prices that push households and developers toward peripheral zones. Bangalore exemplifies this transition, where housing affordability pressures, speculative real estate investment, and weak land governance interact to transform agricultural landscapes into fragmented built-up clusters. Using satellite imagery (1991–2024), census data, and GIS-based land-use classification, this study quantifies peri-urban expansion across eight clusters in the Bangalore Metropolitan Region. The results show rapid built-up growth, agricultural land decline, and increasing spatial fragmentation, reflecting processes of extended urbanization beyond formal city boundaries. These transformations produce environmental stress, infrastructure deficits, and socio-spatial inequalities. The paper situates Bangalore within planetary urbanization debates and argues that peri-urban sustainability depends on land market regulation, spatial planning capacity, and data-driven governance
Accounting students’ perceptions of learning Python:a technology acceptance model study using natural language processing
Full text linkThis paper aims to examine accounting students’ perceptions of learning Python through the lens of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Reflective survey data were collected from 25 accounting students enrolled in a Python module at a UK university. A structured scaffolding approach was adopted to support students without prior coding experience, progressing from conceptual introduction to guided practice and independent tasks. Natural language processing techniques were used to analyse the data, including topic modelling and sentiment analysis. The findings show that students perceived Python as useful for automating tasks, handling data, and supporting employability, while reporting moderate ease and varied technical challenges. Positive attitudes persisted despite challenges. The paper contributes to accounting education by showing how TAM can explain accounting students’ experiences of coding. From a teaching excellence perspective, the paper shows that a structured scaffolding approach could support teaching by building confidence among non-technical learners
Guest editorial:what if intellectual capital is the missing link in sustainable development?
Full text linkUnderstanding exposure of informal, displaced and migrant populations to e-waste processing residues in the context of Nigeria
Full text linkBackground: The increasing production and generation of electronic waste has globally seen increased levels of export from developed to developing countries. A range of policies, legislation or regulations have been introduced in many regions, and they are often not supported by strong implementation strategies and infrastructure. Global trade in e-waste has seen many African countries as the destination of e-waste , as well as significant internally generated sources as digital technology has become more accessible. This waste is predominately controlled by the informal sector where collection activities, repair shops and operations for disassembly and recovery of valuable metals release a range of hazardous substances. This study, focused on the informal e-waste sector in Nigeria. Using Ghana as a comparison, the socio-demographic characteristics of informal sector was reviewed and is shown to thrive and establish material handling hubs, as good income can be earned and waste continues to be readily available. Methods: Thirty-six peer reviewed studies were analysed, retrieved from a range of established sources including Web of Science and PubMed databases . Studies were identified using keywords that included e-waste or waste electrical and electronic equipments or informal waste sector or internally displaced persons or Nigeria. Results:The findings reveal the informal processing is hazardous for both workers and residents with limited understanding of personal protection, health risks and wider environmental harm. The processing of raw waste and releases of a cocktail of potentially harmful substances and uncontrolled disposal of residues drives the exposure of workers, and residents in processing locations. This affects the local environment including the food chain with accumulation in open dumpsites (local landfills) and by open burning, and acid leaching.Conclusion: The communities comprise of indigenous inhabitants, migrants seeking income and from internally displaced persons driven by conflict and climate extremes in other parts of the country and vulnerable groups are disproportionately impacted. If we are to identify critical groups most at risk, assessment processes need to be refined to consider the dynamic nature of these groups, including the social structures and behaviour. There is much to debate on the regulation of informal sector which provides a tangible and important service whilst being excluded from mainstream global society
Prescribing playing intensity in small-sided games using rating of perceived effort among youth soccer players:a randomized crossover trial
Full text linkIn this study, we examined whether the 0-10 rating of perceived effort (RPE) scale can serve as a method for prescribing playing intensity in small-sided games (SSGs). We conducted a randomized crossover trial involving 25 young male football players (age range 16-18 years). Participants completed a familiarization and three experimental sessions where game intensity was regulated using prescribed intensities equal to RPE of 6, 8, or 10. Each session involved six teams of three players playing in three SSGs, with 4 min of rest, in a playing area of 133 square meters per player. Outcomes included total distance, high-speed running distance (HSRD), intense acceleration and deceleration (IAD) counts, and average heart rate (HR). We fitted mixed models and estimated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to analyze the results. The CIs for all locomotive outcomes indicated an increase at RPE-8 and RPE-10 compared to RPE-6. Notably, the effects on HSRD and IAD were substantial, with differences between RPE-10 and 8 to RPE-6 ranging from 28% to 97%. Conversely, differences in the total distance the players covered per game between RPE-10 and 8 to 6 were minor (~5%). We could not identify clear differences between RPE-10 and 8 in the locomotive outcomes (differences range 0%-9.6%, CIs containing zero) nor in HR across all RPE conditions (differences range 1-3.5 bpm, CIs containing zero). We conclude that RPE can serve as a practical tool to prescribe medium or high intensity during SSGs, although its ability to differentiate between higher intensity levels or influence heart rate is limited
Data analytics practices and reporting strategies in senior football:insights into athlete health and performance from over 200 practitioners worldwide
Full text linkDespite the rise of data generation in football, the expertise of data analytics within the sport is relatively underdeveloped. To further understand the landscape, a cross-sectional, observational study design was used to survey practitioners in senior, professional or semi-professional football. Areas of interest included the personnel involved (the ‘who’), the data collected (the ‘what’) and the analytical techniques employed (the ‘how’). A total of 206 practitioners completed an online survey, with representation from all six FIFA confederations. Of the 206 respondents, 86% were male, 13% female, and 1% preferred not to disclose their gender. Respondents were categorised as working in either the performance (73%), data (18%), or medical (9%) department. Heterogeneity was observed in responses across all departments regarding training load metrics, outcome metrics, methodological attributes, and measurement properties. Evidence sources used prior to implementing a new metric varied between departments, with performance (63%) and medical (67%) staff relying on professional industry and/or community, while data staff (57%) utilised more in-house projects. The analytical approach used most frequently was exploratory data analysis (90%), with modelling, forecasting, and predicting the least frequent (54%). Respondents reported using a mix of solutions for data storage, aggregating and analysing, and reporting and visualising data. Spreadsheets were cited as a popular solution for data wrangling and reporting tasks. The findings provide an overview of current data ecosystems and information systems in modern football organisations. These results can be used to improve data analytics service provision in football by helping identify areas for development and progression