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Green infrastructure as an operational tool in climate change education: A youth-informed framework for urban adaptation learning
No full textAs Green Infrastructure (GI) and related approaches inspired by natural systems have proven capacity in risk reduction and climate adaptation, this research explores how these approaches can encourage forms of Climate Change Education (CCE) for urban adaptation learning. In the framework of the Challenging the Climate Crisis: Children's Agency to Tackle Policy Underpinned by Learning for Transformation (CCC-CATAPULT) project, empirical data were collected through focus groups and narrative work with youth, and interviews with educators. A systematic analytical process based on a staged thematic analysis was developed and tested in the Genoa case study (Italy) aimed at organising and coding data through databases to identify themes. Whole dataset of the case study was collected in the period 2022–2023. While combined analysis of focus groups and narrative work highlights perspectives of involved young people (n = 39 in focus groups, of which n = 27 in subsequent narrative work), interview analysis shows multiple points of convergence with perspectives of involved educators (n=8). These perspectives, relating to climate change, climate change education, and educational transformation, informed the identification of three core areas for cooperation between GI and CCE: GI as an intergenerational participatory approach, place-based GI literacy, and youth voices in GI plans. These areas are intended as a contribution to operationalise emergent demands and needs in the practice of CCE as captured through this empirical work. Results open avenues to further investigation on the role of GI–CCE cooperation mechanisms in promoting urban adaptation learning to support youth adaptive capacity
A novel preparation and application of orange peel aerogel for removal of oil contaminants in soils
Full text linkExisting soil remediation approaches are lacking in cost-effectiveness, environmental impacts or societal acceptance. Environmental remediation techniques are often characterized by considerable time requirements and may leave residual effects on natural ecosystems, thereby potentially compromising net environmental benefits. This study investigated the oil adsorption capacity of aerogels produced from waste orange peels. Aerogels are highly porous three-dimensional materials made from organic and inorganic materials, with low density and high adjustable specific surface area. Orange peel aerogel was produced from waste orange peels using combined methods of physical, chemical, and thermal modification processes and was dried using the freeze-drying method. Adsorption and reusability tests were conducted after characterization of the aerogel. Surface characterization of the orange peel aerogel indicated it has an ultra-light density of 0.010417 g/cm3, high porosity of 99%, and a measured contact angle of 102°. An adsorption experiment was conducted with sandy and clay soils, and the maximum oil adsorption capacities of the orange peel aerogel were 13.55 mg/g and 9.60 mg/g for sandy and clay soils respectively. High oil adsorption capacity was shown by the produced aerogel and was attributed to its ultra-light density of 0.010417 g/cm3 and high porosity of 99%. In conclusion, the higher oil adsorption capacity of the orange peel aerogel in sandy soil compared with clay soil indicated that soil texture and aerogel properties influenced its oil remediation capacity. The reusability test in three adsorption trials indicated that orange peel aerogel is a sustainable material for the remediation of oil-contaminated soil
Editorial: Exploring economic inequality with critical qualitative approaches in psychology
No full textThis editorial introduces our special issue showcasing how qualitative research methods can be used in psychological research to explore economic inequality. Economic and class-based inequalities are global problems that have a negative impact on people’s wellbeing. The papers within the special issue demonstrate how differing methodological approaches such as Discursive Psychology, Thematic Analysis and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis can be utilised to offer insights into the complexity of economic inequality as a social justice issue. Qualitative methods allow researchers to examine the social and cultural nuances of inequality with a critical lens in differing contexts. Within the special issue, economic inequality can be viewed intersectionally as qualitative methods allow the researcher to provide an in-depth and nuanced analysis. Taking a critical qualitative approach, this special issue shows how individualistic, neoliberal and meritocratic arguments are used to justify and maintain harmful class-based inequalities and offer opportunities to better understand and challenge them
Should I stand up for my mistreated colleague? When and why high-status team members stand up for their coworkers
No full textSupervisory mistreatment has adverse consequences for its victims. Coworkers, as observers, can shape victims’ experiences by standing up for them. Yet doing so entails the risk of supervisory retaliation. High-status coworkers should be well-positioned to stand up for victims as they have greater social capital at work. However, such retaliation risks may loom large for them because they are highly motivated to protect what they have. Thus, prior research reports both positive and negative links between status markers and various forms of standing up. We suggest that these inconclusive findings stem from examining individuals’ status only within a single domain (e.g., work) while neglecting how their standing in other groups may shape their experiences in that focal domain. Building on status inconsistency theory (Lenski, 1954) and the concept of status portfolios (Fernandes et al., 2021), we argue that status variance (i.e., inconsistency of status across groups) shapes how high-status employees react to mistreatment. Specifically, we hypothesize that high-status employees with high (compared to low) status variance will experience greater fear of retaliation and reduced willingness to stand up. We argue that this occurs because they perceive their status portfolios as unstable and become more vigilant in protecting their elevated standing at work. Four complementary studies provided support for our hypotheses. We discuss implications for research on bystander intervention, supervisory mistreatment, and statu
Household driven and council managed street greening: Scoring cost, expertise, space, and cost-benefits of green infrastructure combinations
Full text linkWhile extensive research has documented the environmental benefits of green infrastructure (GI), do-it-yourself (DIY) approaches that empower individuals and communities to implement small-scale green solutions have received limited attention despite their potential to democratise urban greening and foster community engagement. This study aims to systematically characterise DIY GI implementation across UK cities and analyse the costs and benefits of GI establishment. We conducted mapping of GI configurations across major UK cities using Google street view imagery and field observations, identifying 30 street-scale and 50 household-scale GI scenarios, complemented by an extensive literature review examining small-scale GI interventions. This focus on household and streetside GI provides insights into small-scale interventions, although larger spaces such as urban forests, parks and grasslands also provide benefits, they are beyond the scope of this study. A five-level scoring framework was developed for costs, space requirements, expertise levels, maintenance demands, and cost-benefits to design DIY guidance cards for GI scenarios. Our findings reveal diversity in GI adoption, with street trees and basic grass combinations dominating street-scale implementations (20.8 % each), while household-scale approaches show remarkable variety ranging from simple grass-only configurations (18.5 %) to complex multi-feature systems. The analysis identified a linear relationship between higher GI establishment costs and increased maintenance costs, despite greater variation in the latter. The detailed DIY score reveals that household-scale combinations have greater variation in cost and higher potential benefits compared with street-scale interventions, which remain clustered at lower scores despite higher space demands. The DIY framework enables local authorities and households to make informed GI decisions, addressing key implementation barriers. Aligned with UK policies for GI, the current framework can be further enhanced through interactive platforms, planting schemes, and added metrics for biodiversity and climate adaptation
Mini 1959-2000
No full textWhen it was launched in 1959 the Mini stunned the world with its ingenious compact design. In this book Peter Barker tells the full story of the classic Mini through four decades from the 1950s to the millennium. Drawing on interviews with the original designers and engineers, he provides the inside story of how the Mini was developed. From the 1960s when the Mini became a cultural icon, through the 1970s and into the 1980s and 90s, the Mini was both a cool choice of car as well as an economical one. Featuring unique in-person interviews and accompanied by archive photography, this book is an essential and fitting tribute to one of Britain's best loved cars
Operations & supply chain management: Principles and practice
No full textOperations and Supply Chain Management (OSCM) has continually evolved, incorporating a broad array of strategies, frameworks, and technologies to address complex challenges across industries. This encyclopedic article provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary strategies, tools, methods, principles , and best practices that define the field's cutting-edge advancements. It also explores the diverse environments where OSCM principles have been effectively implemented. The article is meant to be read in a nonlinear fashion. It should be used as a point of reference or first-port-of-call for a diverse pool of readers: academics, researchers, students, and practitioners
Thank you to the reviewers of Rheumatology Advances in Practice 2025
Full text linkOn behalf of the Editorial Team, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all reviewers who generously contributed their time and expertise to Rheumatology Advances in Practice (RAP) over the past year. We are pleased to report the journal’s continued progress and growing impact, reflected in a 2024 Impact Factor of 2.1 (5-year Impact Factor 2.3) and a CiteScore of 3.5. These metrics speak to the quality, relevance and reach of the research we publish. They are a reflection of the rigour and care applied during peer review
The impact of ‘safe country’ concepts on women seeking asylum in the UK
Full text linkThe report considers the use of safe country concepts in the UK, the role of Country of Origin information, and the challenges and risks in applying safe country concepts from the perspective of women’s international protection