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Implementing circular economy practices in Indian SMEs : analysis of challenges with case study
No full textThe adoption of circular economy (CE) and its practices is still in a nascent stage in Indian SMEs, irrespective of various initiatives, policies, and transnational strategic partnerships. Existing research has outlined the benefits of CE adoption in Indian SMEs to achieve sustainable business performance in emerging markets. This paper has identified the challenges of CE in Indian SMEs. The fuzzy DEMATEL approach is used to prioritise the challenges of the CE in Indian SMEs. The robustness of model and expert’s biases is checked by sensitivity analysis. The analysis shows that the lack of legislation and regulation, systemic nature of CE, multi and interdisciplinary nature of CE are the top causing challenges. Similarly, the lack of affordable waste management techniques, non-availability of reverse logistics facilities and lack of in-house technological capabilities on CE are top effect challenges. Based on classification and prioritisation from fuzzy DEMATEL techniques, the organisations can form strategies and make a transformation toward circular practices. Observations from the case study state that internal technological facilities and training can also help in the journey of implementing CE practices. To get a practical insight into CE implementation, we have conducted a case study on windshield manufacturing organisation. Copyright © 2025 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd
Leveraging educational clouds for empowering rural education
No full textThe integration of educational clouds into rural education systems presents a transformative opportunity to address longstanding challenges and empower rural communities. This chapter explores the multifaceted benefits, challenges, and policy implications associated with leveraging educational clouds for empowering rural education. Educational clouds offer centralized repositories of educational resources, providing students and educators in rural areas with equitable access to high-quality learning materials. Additionally, these platforms facilitate collaborative learning environments, transcending geographical barriers, and fostering shared educational experiences among rural learners. Despite their potential, the implementation of educational clouds in rural areas is not without challenges. Limited internet connectivity, technological constraints, and data security concerns pose significant hurdles that must be addressed through innovative solutions and supportive policy frameworks. Policymakers must allocate resources for digital infrastructure development, provide financial support and incentives, and establish regulations to ensure data security and privacy. Educational institutions should prioritize teacher training and curriculum integration, while technology stakeholders must collaborate with local communities to design inclusive and accessible cloud-based solutions. By embracing these strategies and working collaboratively, stakeholders can harness the transformative potential of educational clouds to empower rural education and bridge the digital divide. © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Urmila Shrawankar and Prerna Mishra; individual chapters, the contributors
Stability analysis of mine embankment against river at opencast coal mine
No full textThe present paper discusses the stability analysis of mine embankment and the effect of river river water. Structural stability of the embankment is calculated using the limit equilibrium method and analyse the effect of width on the structural stability of the embankment. Numerical simulations have been performed with the help of finite element based ‘PHASE2’ software, and the Factor of Safety has been calculated by strength reduction technique. The riverbed profile has been determined to simulate the water pressure with depth. Major geological discontinuity has also been included in the model. In the initial analysis, various models have been simulated only for embankment stability with and without water in the river. The Factor of Safety varies from 1.29 to 1.82, which indicates the embankment is stable without water. The effect of seepage due to river water within the embankment has been simulated. The seepage of water leads to a reduction of the Factor of Safety and it varies from 1.20 to 1.60. Complete structure i.e. embankment, fault, benches on the mining side and slope on the river side, have been simulated in the last set of analysis. The embankment slope and width been recommended based on the above study. Based on the analysis, the slope of the embankment on the river side as well as on the mining side should be flattened and it should not be more than 40°. The minimum base width of the embankment should not be less than 30 m. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025
Correlates of tobacco use among people with mental illness within Asia : a scoping review
Get PDFTobacco use among people with mental illness is one of the contributing risk factors for premature morbidity and mortality. Two in three people with mental illness are current smokers with deteriorating physical health and quality of life. This review outlines the prevalence and predictors of tobacco use among people with mental illness in Asia. Twenty-five cross-sectional studies were selected from the exhaustive search of databases. Ten countries emerged based on the number of studies conducted within Asia among people diagnosed with mental illness and tobacco use, namely, India (8), China (7), Pakistan (2), Singapore (2), Sri Lanka (01), Japan (01), Jordan (01), Malaysia (01), Korea (01), and Taiwan (01). The prevalence of tobacco use was in the range of 3.6% to 89.4%, with the measure of precision at 95% confidence. The highest and lowest prevalence was reported in China, followed by India. Being male, separated, lower education, unemployed, lack of family support, a psychotic diagnosis, lack of knowledge, motivation, and a coping mechanism were predictors of tobacco use. This review emphasized the extent and predictors of tobacco use among this vulnerable group that need to be reflected while initiating and implementing cessation strategies by healthcare providers. © The Author(s) 2024
Transforming growth factor-β in tumor microenvironment: Understanding its impact on monocytes and macrophages for its targeting
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A nationwide cross-sectional survey of the prevalence of and association of physical activity with suicidal, psychosocial and health-risk indicators among adolescents in Bangladesh
No full textPurpose: This study investigated the associations between physical activity (PA) and suicidal behaviours, psychosocial outcomes and indicators of health risks. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of data from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) database. A total of 2058 adolescents aged 11–17 years in Grades 7–10 completed a self-administered questionnaire. Sex-stratified logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between PA and suicidal behaviours, psychosocial outcomes and indicators of health risks. We used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression to test whether PA-related factors predicted suicidal, psychological and lifestyle-related behaviours. A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) examined the contributions of PA to these factors. Findings: Half of the adolescents (18.9% boys and 30.3% girls) indicated satisfactory PA per the World Health Organization guidelines. The most active group in terms of frequency of activity and walking or bicycling to school was positively associated with suicidal behaviour. Isolated adolescents reported anxiety despite frequent PA. Reduced frequency of PA was significantly associated with sexual activity, smoking, tobacco product use (girls), alcohol abuse (boys) and other drug use (boys and girls). The LASSO revealed that different PA-related factors predicted suicidal, psychological and lifestyle-related behaviour among girls and boys. The GLMM showed a significant contribution of PA to selected predictors. Conclusion: Increased PA may lower suicidal behaviour among adolescents. The most physically active groups were associated with predictors that varied by sex; boys were bullied, whereas girls experienced physical abuse. © 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Embedding cultural knowledge in social work education : reflections from master of social work students at a regional Australian university
No full textSocial work students (SWS) are increasingly demanding diverse curriculums and training in skills that will help them decentre whiteness as their default position of professional practice. This article reports on findings from a qualitative study exploring how Masters of SWS at a regional Australian university engaged with content delivered in a core unit with a strong focus on anti-racist, anti-oppressive practices. The unit's structure and delivery facilitated a dialogue that compelled students, especially those from dominant cultural groups, to 'think of and reflect on themselves as 'raced' rather than the invisible 'norm' to which all other cultural groups are compared' (Walter et al., 2011, p. 8).The unit raised complex questions about how social services and policies unwittingly reproduce discourses of rescue and saviourism towards racially and culturally marginalised communities and how students could challenge such practices. The article's emphasis on supporting SWS towards a triangulated trajectory reports on how experiences of cultural knowledge in the classroom are facilitated by (i) the experience (or lived expertise) of the educator, (ii) the willingness of the student to interrogate their intersectional social positioning in society and (iii) a practice framework that focuses on curiosity and humility rather than competence. © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact [email protected] for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site - for further information please contact [email protected]
What strategies do healthcare providers use to promote adolescents’ vaping cessation? A scoping review
No full textBackground: Healthcare providers (HCPs) can play a pivotal role in providing vaping cessation support to adolescents. They can screen adolescents for vaping, offer interventions to quit, and educate adolescents about the dangers of vaping, including nicotine addiction. This review aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of HCPs regarding vaping cessation promotion to adolescents. Methods: We conducted a scoping review following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and searched five databases, including MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus, to identify relevant articles. We created a comprehensive search strategy using keywords relevant to healthcare providers, adolescents, practices, and vaping. Results: A total of 1387 articles were identified from the initial search, and 14 were included. There was considerable variation regarding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of HCPs in supporting adolescents. Although 50–92% of HCPs reported some knowledge about vaping, significant gaps persisted, especially regarding health effects and cessation strategies. Many HCPs lacked confidence in discussing vaping with adolescent patients. While most of the HCPs, 86%, screened for cigarette smoking, only 14% routinely screened adolescents for vaping. They expressed concerns about vaping as a gateway to tobacco use and believed that it was less harmful than cigarettes. HCPs encountered barriers with a lack of time, knowledge, and screening tools in supporting adolescents to quit vaping, particularly related to counselling, treatment recommendations, and referral procedures. Conclusions: There is an urgent need for enhanced understanding, evidence-based guidelines, and clinical tools for HCPs to address the current vaping epidemic among adolescents
Students as multimodal designers and authors
No full textThis chapter discusses students as multimodal designers and authors, and describes and analyses the various knowledges, skills, and pedagogies associated with developing students’ multimodal authorship in regular classrooms. It begins by defining what is meant by multimodal literacy and examines arguments supporting its inclusion in curricula and why it should be considered an essential life competence. It then describes specific semiotic or communicative techniques that teachers may introduce to their students, and a range of digital tools for authoring multimodal artefacts. The chapter concludes by presenting two vignettes illustrating different approaches primary and middle school teachers have taken to implementing multimodal authoring tasks with their students, and details the attributes and characteristics of classroom environments supporting successful multimodal curriculum implementation
Transforming women's health, empowerment, and gender equality with digital health : evidence-based policy and practice
No full textWe evaluated the effects of digital health technologies (DHTs) on women's health, empowerment, and gender equality, using the scoping review method. Following a search across five databases and grey literature, we analysed 80 studies published up to Aug 18, 2023. The thematic appraisal and quantitative analysis found that DHTs positively affect women's access to health-care services, self-care, and tailored self-monitoring enabling the acquisition of health-related interventions. Use of these technologies is beneficial across various medical fields, including gynaecology, endocrinology, and psychiatry. DHTs also improve women's empowerment and gender equality by facilitating skills acquisition, health education, and social interaction, while allowing cost-effective health services. Overall, DHTs contribute to better health outcomes for women and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals by improving access to health care and financial literacy. © 2025 World Health Organizatio