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A Global Mutirão in the Classroom: A National Curriculum Policy for Bangladesh to Build Youth Capacity for Green Jobs in Alignment with the SAA and ACE
No full textAs one of the world\u27s most climate-vulnerable nations, Bangladesh faces a serious threat that widely impacts its large youth population. This policy paper points out a main gap: the country\u27s national curriculum does not properly teach students about climate change. This makes young people unprepared for the future and for new jobs in the green economy. This paper looks at successful climate education programs in other developing countries, like Kenya and the Philippines, and suggests a new policy for Bangladesh based on those examples. The paper recommends a strategy that combines a national law with local, hands-on learning. The main goal is to build the skills of young people so that they can find green jobs and help their communities become more resilient. This policy is designed to meet the goals of Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) framework and the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda (SAA). This national plan is presented as a Mutirão model; that means a collective effort that other vulnerable nations can follow, which is a collective effort that can begin in every classroom
The Mediterreanean We Share: Enhancing the EU-Mediterranean Cooperation in Education and Capacity Building for a Resilient Climate Action
No full textThe Euro-Mediterranean region is facing growing inequalities, and regional resilience is being put to the test as we deal with escalating climate challenges. Although the significance of education and capacity building is emphasized by frameworks like SDG 4 and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, regional efforts are still dispersed, short-term, and frequently not monitored and evaluated. Through inclusive education, the development of green skills, and regional cross-border collaboration, this policy paper highlights that people, especially youth, must be at the center of climate strategies. Strong monitoring and evaluation systems are necessary, though, to guarantee the long-term viability of these initiatives. The study highlights a prevalent deficiency in follow up data, transparency, and impact assessment in ongoing initiatives by referencing case studies like Erasmus+, Clima-Med, and Med-EcoSuRe. In response, it proposes the Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation on Education, Capacity Building, and Climate Action (EU-MEDECCA), a strategic framework designed to operationalize Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) through eight recommendations. One of the most important recommendations is the establishment of a Regional Observatory to follow up on the implementation of initiatives. EU-MEDECCA integrates M&E systems within all programs to ensure that building capacities, particularly among youth, result in sustainable climate resilience across the Mediterranean
Smart dressings accelerating wound healing with tranexamic acid-infused aligned electrospun nanofibers: In vitro and In vivo assessments
No full textThe development of advanced wound dressings capable of accelerating healing and achieving effective hemostasis remains a critical challenge in managing traumatic and surgical wounds. This study reports the fabrication and comprehensive evaluation of a novel multilayered, sandwich-structured nanofiber scaffold composed of Tranexamic acid (TXA), chitosan (CS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), L-arginine, and polylactic acid (PLA) for biodegradable wound dressing applications. Using sequential electrospinning, a four-layered scaffold was developed as a smart wound dressing, comprising an immediate-release TXA-CS-PVA layer for rapid clotting, a hydrophobic PLA barrier layer for protection, a sustained-release L-arginine-PVA layer to promote tissue regeneration, and a final PLA protective layer to enhance durability. The morphology and fiber alignment were optimized by employing both flat plate and rotating disc collectors to achieve random and aligned nanofiber structures, respectively. Characterization studies confirmed successful Tranexamic acid (TXA) encapsulation and structural integrity of the scaffolds. In vitro cytotoxicity tests showed excellent biocompatibility, while in vivo full-thickness wound models demonstrated superior wound closure rates, enhanced collagen deposition, and elevated TGF-β1 expression with minimal skin irritation. Notably, scaffolds with aligned fibers and thinner PLA barriers significantly accelerated healing compared to random fibers and marketed formulations. These findings highlight the promising potential of the fabricated multilayered electrospun nanofiber scaffold as an effective biodegradable wound dressing that not only accelerates hemostasis but also promotes enhanced wound healing
The Expression Profile of the RANK/RANKL/OPG Pathway in Breast Cancer Stem Cells Isolated From Breast Cancer Cell Lines
No full textThe RANK/RANKL/OPG signaling pathway plays a crucial role in breast cancer progression and metastasis. However, its expression patterns and potential implications in breast cancer stem cells remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize the expression profile of this pathway in breast cancer stem cells isolated from two distinct breast cancer cell lines: MDA‐MB‐231 and MCF‐7. Mammospheres (MS), representing breast cancer stem cells, were generated using agar‐coated 6 well tissue culture plates in suitable mammospheres culture conditions. Flow cytometric analysis showed enrichment of the CD44+/ CD24− subpopulations in the mammospheres cultures, with MDA‐MB‐231 exhibiting a higher percentage compared to MCF‐7. The isolated MS from both cell lines showed upregulation of stemness markers OCT4 and SOX2, with MS. MDA‐MB‐231 demonstrating higher expression levels. Analysis of the RANK/RANKL/OPG axis revealed differential expression patterns between the two cell lines. RANK expression was significantly upregulated in MS. MDA‐MB‐231 but not in MS. MCF‐7. Interestingly, while OPG mRNA levels were elevated in mammospheres from both cell lines, secreted OPG protein levels were paradoxically reduced in the mammospheres conditioned media. Additionally, RUNX2, an osteoblastic marker, and a downstream target of RANK signaling, showed a decreased expression in both mammospheres compared to adherent cells. These findings suggest a complex, context‐dependent regulation of the RANK/RANKL/OPG pathway in breast cancer stem cells, potentially contributing to the aggressive nature and metastatic propensity of triple‐negative breast cancer. This study provides novel insights into the molecular characteristics of breast cancer stem cells and underscores the complexity of OPG/RANK/ RANKL axis expression in them; a role yet to be fully elucidated
Spirulina platensis: Unveiling phenotypic plasticity impact on its metabolic profile and bioactivity via chemometric analysis
No full textSpirulina platensis, a blue-green microalgae, is commonly cultivated for its nutritional benefits. it exhibits remarkable phenotypic plasticity. This study investigated the impact of environmental factors on the morphological features, phytochemical constituents, and bioactivity of two spirulina strains, SP1 and SPM2, cultivated under different climates in Egypt: Bilbeis (Nile Delta) and Alexandria (North Coast), respectively. Despite sharing 95% similarity in genetic profile using ISSR-PCR, these strains manifested distinct microscopic variations. Their phytochemical profiles, analyzed using HPLC-PDA, revealed high amino acids and carotenoid content. Moreover, comprehensive metabolic profiling for both strains via UPLC-ESI-MS/MS exhibited substantial similarities and differences in their chemical profiles. The in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities characterized this functional biochemical variation, where SP1 was superior to SPM2. Further, a positive correlation exists between the detected bioactive metabolites and the observed biological activities. Such findings underscore the substantial impact of environmental determinants on spirulina bioactivity, regardless of its genotype. Also, it highlights the selection strategies to optimize the health-promoting potential of spirulina for functional food applications. Notably, it is the first approach to compare metabolic profiling for both strains cultivated in different climates correlated to their biological activity via chemometric analysis
Structural, Optical, and Gamma Shielding Performance of Arsenic-Doped Borate Glasses
No full textArsenic-doped borate glasses [xAs₂O₃ – (60−x)B₂O₃ – 20BaO – 20K₂O; x = 0–10 mol%] were synthesized by melt-quenching and investigated for structural, optical, and gamma shielding properties. XRD and FTIR confirmed amorphous networks with BO₃/BO₄ and AsO₄ units, while increasing As₂O₃ raised density (2.94–3.20 g/cm³) and reduced the optical band gap (3.32–1.49 eV). Gamma attenuation analysis showed improved shielding with higher As content, reflected in greater mass attenuation coefficients, effective atomic numbers, and reduced HVL and MFP. Distinct EBF peaks near arsenic and barium K-edges confirmed enhanced low-energy photon interactions. Compared with concretes, the glasses exhibited superior shielding while retaining optical transparency, demonstrating their potential as multifunctional radiation-protective materials
Exploring the building information modelling benefits for sustainable construction using PLS-SEM
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Autonomous sampling of α-Fe2O3 hollow microspheres with carbon-stabilized defects: calcination-tuned humidity sensor performance
No full textDefect control and surface chemistry remain critical bottlenecks in advancing metal-oxide humidity sensors. We report a scalable mechano-thermal strategy for fabricating carbon-doped α-Fe2O3 hollow microspheres, whose intrinsic voids act as autonomous sampling chambers. Systematic calcination (500–900 °C) enables precise tuning of crystallite size (38.2–87.6 nm), lattice strain (0.10–0.77 %), dislocation density (1.4 × 10−4–3.07 × 10−3 nm−2), and carbon content (21 → 14 wt%), thereby modulating carbon–oxygen moieties that govern water adsorption and proton-hopping conduction. Spectroscopic analyses reveal a stable Fe2+/Fe3+ surface ratio and C–Fe–O interactions, generating hydrophilic adsorption sites and activating a dual-regime mechanism: ionic conduction dominates up to 75 % RH, while Grotthuss proton transport prevails at higher humidity. Non-monotonic phase evolution with transient Fe3O4 nucleation at 800 °C highlights the role of dynamic defect activation. The Fe-500 device delivers superior performance, with a sensitivity of 0.75 kΩ/% RH, response time of 40 s, and recovery time of 85 s, surpassing benchmark hematite-based sensor
Decency and responsibility: preserving Egyptian Tally cloth cultural heritage and protecting the intellectual property of Egyptian artisans.
No full textTally is an exquisite Egyptian netting fabric, cotton or linen with nickel silver, copper or brass strip embroidery, a powerful symbol of Egypt\u27s opulent textile and artisanal culture. Traditionally handmade, it originated in Upper Egypt’s Asyut region where ancient Egyptian makers pioneered embellishment of translucent cloth with metallic threads. Its iconography - geometric flora, fauna, humans and camels – in black, white or ecru. With beautiful drape and fluidity, it is a highly valued part of Egypt’s rich cultural heritage.
Preserving Tally and protecting the intellectual property rights of its artisans is urgent to ensure sustainable livelihoods, safeguard this unique cultural heritage and generate economic growth. Through trademarking and copyrighting, legal protection can prevent its unauthorised use and imitation, benefitting the local craft communities who sustained it through generations. These initiatives align with the SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production.
The British University in Egypt’s fashion students used Tally cloth to create innovative contemporary apparel designs, exploring the complex powerlines and paradox of change and constancy in the designer-craftsperson relationship. As young Egyptian creatives they were aware of the interdependency and collaboration necessary to contextualise this distinctive cloth, acknowledge its history, identity and symbolic impact, and conceptualise and create a meaningful and effective contribution to Egypt’s contemporary visual and design culture.
In her Design History Society blog, Craft as Power, Chaturvedi describes designers as “authoritative figures…[equipped] to use their skills to improve lives, create opportunities, make cultural changes”[1], while identifying artisans as “assimilators of centuries of traditions, [their work] highly prized”. Students drew on their implicit and developed knowledge of Egypt’s craft traditions to develop designs connected to Tally’s history and identity while carefully curating a socially-sensitive project that combined social advocacy, cultural alignment, innovation and impact, and – importatly – with decency and responsibility.
[1] https://www.designhistorysociety.org/blog/category/crafting-a-national-identity-in-an-international-marke