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Industrial Symbiosis and Circular Economy in Zero-Waste Management Approaches
No full textIndustry-based solid waste is a huge burden to the environment. Dumping or the burning industrial waste is considered outdated which flitters away resources and demanding virgin materials from the ecosystems to continue the production. A circular economy (CE) seeks to keep resources in use for as long as possible, minimizing waste and dependency on raw materials which is the key factor in growing global emphasis on achieving sustainability. In achieving CE targets in industrial level, integration with Industrial Symbiosis (IS) is considered a critical solution to address waste management challenges. CE focuses on reducing waste, reusing resources, and promoting sustainable production and consumption patterns, while IS emphasizes collaboration between industries to optimize resource use and minimize environmental impact. This book chapter aims to examine how circular economy principles and industrial symbiosis can be jointly applied to improve industrial waste management, highlighting the potential for creating closed-loop processes that enhance resource efficiency. It highlights the importance of technological innovation, supportive policy frameworks, and cultural transformation in realizing this vision. Key challenges include outdated policies, insufficient infrastructure, and public resistance to behavioral change. Howver, the incorporation of advanced technologies, such as AI-powered sorting systems and pneumatic waste pipes, exemplifies the significant strides that can be made toward a waste-free industrial future. Ultimately, this book chapter advocates for the synergistic implementation of CE and IS, proposing a collaborative, integrated approach to waste management that could lead to significant environmental, economic, and social benefits
Micro Human Efforts in Disaster Resiliency: Introduction
No full textIn 2021, a thought-provoking special issue of the I nternational Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters (IJMED) ignited an important conversation about Micro Human Efforts (MHE). Titled “Multidisciplinary Perspectives of Micro Human Efforts in Post-Disaster Recovery”, this issue opened the door to exploring the vital, yet often overlooked, role of small-scale human efforts during extreme climatic events. Recognizing the emerging significance of MHE, the special issue's editors teamed up with IJMED to establish some preliminary definitions. As the official dissemination platform of the International Sociological Association's (ISA) Research Committee on Sociology of Disasters (RC39), IJMED stood out as a credible platform for addressing these multifaceted themes tied to climate-induced disasters
Sustainability tactics in consumer finance: Exploring moderation of behavior, desire and service
No full textThis study examines how consumer buying behavior (CBB) shapes desire to buy (DB) and whether service impact on purchase (SIP) conditionally moderates these relationships, with implications for sustainable consumer finance. Using survey data from consumers across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, the study applies a rigorous sequential analytical approach, including reliability assessment, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and interaction-based moderation modeling. The findings show that unconventional price preferences, promotional sensitivity, and value-oriented buying significantly influence both impulsive and borrowing-driven purchase desires, while financial consciousness alone does not exert a direct effect. SIP emerges as a selective moderator: it strengthens the relationship between financial consciousness and impulsive buying and attenuates impulsive tendencies among value-oriented consumers. Most other moderation effects are context-specific rather than universal, indicating that service conditions amplify or constrain consumer desires only under particular behavioral configurations. Overall, the study demonstrates that sustainable consumer finance outcomes arise from the joint alignment of behavioral traits and service environments rather than from isolated consumer characteristics, offering theoretically grounded insights for sustainability-oriented financial strategies
First systematic evaluation of anthropogenic debris dynamics in Sri Lankan fishery harbors: Spatial and temporal trends of macroplastic accumulation in the Western Province
No full textDespite being identified as key pollution hot spots, debris dynamics in fishery harbors (FH) are poorly characterized. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of macroplastic accumulation patterns in five FH of the Western Province of Sri Lanka through one complete annual cycle. Plastic was the major pollutant type (~85%), with single-use plastics (60.92%), considerably exceeding fishery-related plastic debris (9.67%), even though the study was conducted in fishery-specific settings. Spatial variation was substantial across FH with infrastructure design proving to be the key controlling factor in debris retention rather than environmental factors such as rainfall and tide level. Breakwater-enclosed FH designs recorded considerably higher dynamics compared to open designs and localized zones of high accumulation of the plastic debris were recognized in particular infrastructure geometries. Seasonal patterns were present at some FH, with peak accumulation during the second inter-monsoon and northeast monsoon period, which was driven by intensity variation in the operations and not directly by environmental forcing. Debris originated mainly from local sources with negligible contribution of transboundary debris. The accumulation is governed by hierarchical controls, with infrastructure design as the primary, operation intensity as the secondary, and environmental setting as the tertiary determinant. These findings provide evidence that effective management requires infrastructure-based solutions and local waste management interventions, rather than strategies suggested for environmentally driven coastal systems. The infrastructure-based classification framework and evidence-based prioritization methodology are replicable tools to support policy development and an increase in the optimization of limited available resources for sustainable FH operations worldwide
Outcomes of transcatheter vs. surgical aortic valve replacement in bicuspid aortic valve stenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textThis meta-analysis compared peri-procedural and short-term outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) versus surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in severe bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) stenosis, addressing TAVR’s debated efficacy in this context. A systematic search of PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Embase up to January 2025. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed with the I2 statistic, with p < 0.05 as significant. 9 observational studies and 1 randomized controlled trial with 148,771 patients (TAVR: 16,584; SAVR: 132,187) were included. TAVR showed lower odds of acute kidney injury (OR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.35–0.97; p = 0.04), major bleeding (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.12–0.69; p = 0.005), and pulmonary complications (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.34–0.57; p < 0.00001) versus SAVR. However, TAVR increased risks of paravalvular leak (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.20–3.88; p = 0.01) and permanent pacemaker implantation (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.39–3.10; p = 0.0004). No significant differences were noted in in-hospital mortality (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.56–1.94; p = 0.89), stroke (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.86–1.28; p = 0.65), or vascular complications (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.18–2.52; p = 0.55). TAVR reduces risks of acute kidney injury, major bleeding, and pulmonary complications in BAV stenosis but raises paravalvular leak and pacemaker implantation risks compared to SAVR. Mortality and stroke rates are similar. TAVR may suit selected patients, but long-term data is needed
Editorial: Advances in understanding and managing dentine hypersensitivity and tooth wear
No full textTeachers' Personal and Teaching Epistemic Practices: A Four-Country Survey and Interview Exploration of Argumentation Implementation
No full textThree hundred and eighteen in-service teachers from Greece, Cyprus, Romania and Hungary participated in a professional training program aimed at promoting their metacognitive and epistemic thinking and practices, with argumentation as a prominent teaching practice. Pre-program survey results revealed that teachers' personal and teaching epistemic practices were underdeveloped, with particularly low engagement in the latter. Personal epistemic practices predicted teaching ones. Cultural differences emerged, with Greek and Cypriot teachers reporting higher engagement in both epistemic practices than Romanian and Hungarian teachers. In-depth interviews with six Greek and Cypriot teachers who implemented argumentation post-program indicated that argument-based practices improved students' epistemic understanding, particularly in appreciating multiple perspectives, evaluating sources and using evidence. Teachers acknowledged receiving limited preparation for promoting students' epistemic understanding and argumentation skills. These findings highlight the need for higher education programs to develop pre- and in-service teachers' epistemic practices. Implications for higher education and policymakers are discussed
Plant-Based-Medicinal Micronutrients Can be Used Beneficially and Cost-Effectively to Treat Metabolic and Other Diseases
No full textMicronutrients are mainly vitamins, minerals and other related phytochemical molecules which are needed by the body in very small quantities. They are found in a variety of plant and animal foods and supplements which are consumed daily to maintain a healthy body. However, a deficiency in any of them can cause severe and even life-threatening health conditions. Micronutrients perform several physiological and biochemical functions enabling the body to produce enzymes, hormones and other regulatory substances needed for normal growth, development and good health. Deficiencies in some micronutrients, including iron, magnesium, several essential vitamins (A, C, D, E and B1), iodine and others, are the most common in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) globally, especially among children and pregnant women. In addition to abnormal health conditions and diseases, micronutrient deficiency results in reduced energy level in the body, severe mental health conditions and inability to think leading to reduced education outcomes and to perform efficiently resulting in reduced work productivity. The economic cost globally for deficiency in micronutrients is enormous. This study investigated the beneficial effects of the plant Momordica charantia or bitter melon (BM), both as food and plant-based phytomedicines in health and diseases. The results reveal that BM is rich in several essential micronutrients and phytochemical compounds which exert numerous cellular regulation processes in the body and maintaining normal growth, development and good health. The micronutrients and phytochemical compounds of BM can prevent and treat diseases as diabetes, obesity, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, cancer, dementia, skin disorders and many others. It is concluded that BM should be consumed in physiological amounts daily to enjoy a better quality of healthy life
Understanding and managing harmful sexual interests through the lens of traumatic sexuality, loss of intimacy and acceptance of solitude
No full textThis chapter explores human sexuality through a biopsychosocial lens, emphasising its biological, psychological and social determinants. It argues for trauma-informed, formulation-led interventions for individuals with harmful sexual interests, particularly towards children. Drawing on research and clinical practice, the chapter distinguishes between biologically rooted sexual orientations and environmentally acquired sexual interests. It introduces a four-stage intervention framework – grief, acceptance, containment and desistance – designed to address the trauma, shame and isolation often experienced by this population. Incorporating models such as the Motivational-Facilitation Model (MFM) and the Compositional Explanatory Theory of Paedophilia (CEToP), the approach acknowledges the unchosen nature of sexual orientation while promoting responsibility for behaviour. The chapter underscores the importance of psychoeducation, compassion-focused therapy and the development of safe, meaningful lives that reduce risk. Early feedback from a specialist prison setting suggests increased self-awareness and emotional regulation, indicating the potential value of this integrated therapeutic approach