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Ecofeminism and food activism in transformative travel as a tool for change
Full text linkThis study investigates the influence of ecofeminism and food activism as agents of transformative change in the context of travel. Poststructuralist feminist theories guided the application of qualitative methodologies. The results demonstrate that incorporating ecofeminist principles into travel contexts disrupts conventional tourism frameworks and fosters significant social and environmental transformation through mindful consumption, support of local economies, and collaboration with women-led enterprises. Challenges such as societal prejudices, greenwashing, and financial constraints impede widespread adoption. This study presents a framework that connects ecofeminism and food activism in the context of regenerative and sustainable tourism, emphasising their joint ability to address issues of environmental conservation, social justice, and ethical consumption
Spectral Stabilisation: A Clinical Intervention Framework for Healthcare Systems Near Collapse
Full text linkPrior work established that institutional collapse is geometrically determined: the dominant eigenvalue of the system Jacobian drifts toward the unit circle under regime deformation, entropy accumulation , and non-Markovian memory, generating detectable precursor signatures in institutional time series (Scheffer et al., 2009; Dakos et al., 2023). That prior work answered the detection question. This paper answers what follows: once critical slowing down is confirmed and the spectral radius ρ(J) is estimated to be approaching unity, what interventions reduce it, and which standard management responses accelerate collapse rather than arrest it? A formal stabilisation theory is derived from the spectral architecture, producing four theorems at an elevated level of mathematical precision. The Stabilisation Condition is extended to non-normal systems via the ε-pseudospectral radius ρ ε (J), the appropriate object when the condition number κ(V) is large. The Entropy Reduction Requirement is grounded in the Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy rate and the non-equilibrium thermody-namics of dissipative systems. The Intervention Ordering Theorem is derived via the Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff expansion, making the non-commutativity of sequential operator application exact rather than approximate. The Authority Propagation Theorem is reformulated using the Perron-Frobenius theorem applied to the institutional legiti-mation graph, yielding a sharp and analytically grounded centrality threshold pinned to the spectral gap λ 1 − λ 2. Six standard NHS management responses are shown to be geometrically destabilising near ρ(J) = 1. A five-stage Spectral Stabilisation Protocol with explicit entry criteria, staged actions, and exit conditions is derived from the formal results and operationalised at ward, directorate, and trust level
Rediscovered megalithic engravings in Slovakia: 3D reconstruction and comparative analysis of a forgotten Neolithic site
Full text linkThe engraved stones uncovered in 1988 in Holíč, western Slovakia, represent a little-known megalithic site of probable prehistoric origin, situated in an underexplored region of Europe. This study presents detailed reconstructions of three engravings using high-resolution lasergrammetry, archival photography and full-scale hand tracing. The motifs consist of a human figure with a tool, a probable animal and concentric circles. Geometric analysis suggests alignment of the engravings with symbolically significant anatomical points. Archaeoastronomical mapping indicates a westward orientation consistent with the summer solstice sunset. While the site lacks stratigraphic context due to post-discovery disturbance, stylistic comparisons link the carvings to Neolithic traditions in France, Italy and Scotland. These findings raise new questions about the eastern extent of Neolithic monumental culture. We advocate for the preservation of the Holíč stones and recommend further interdisciplinary investigation
Feasibility of a school-based peer-led high-intensity interval training intervention: the Young Fitness Leaders project
Full text linkIntroduction: While school-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has demonstrated efficacy for improving adolescents’ physical and mental health, interventions have largely been researcher-led, which limits scalability. This could be resolved via peer-led programmes, whereby older pupils (i.e., peer-leaders) deliver HIIT to younger pupils (i.e., peer-recipients). We aimed to explore the feasibility of a school-based peer-led HIIT intervention. Methods: Using a non-randomised controlled trial design, 44 Year 7 pupils (aged 12.1 ± 0.3 years [mean ± SD]) were recruited from one school in North East England, with 21 (8 girls) allocated as peer-recipients to an 8-week HIIT intervention, and 23 (17 girls) as controls. Five Year 12–13 pupils (aged 17.3 ± 0.4 years) were recruited as peer-leaders and received training on school-based HIIT based on boxing and whole-body exercises. Peer-leaders then delivered twice weekly HIIT sessions during morning tutor time. Primary outcomes were recruitment, retention, attendance and acceptability (explored in post-intervention focus groups with peer-recipients, peer-leaders and teachers). Secondary outcomes included intervention fidelity (via researcher field note observations and heart rate monitoring), and preliminary impact on physical fitness and psychological outcomes. Results: Recruitment was 72% (21/29 eligible pupils), 74% (23/31) and 42% (5/12) for peer-recipients, controls and peer-leaders, respectively. All control participants completed the study; one peer-leader left the school, and two peer-recipients withdrew (94% overall retention). Intervention attendance (expressed as percentage of scheduled sessions) was 73 ± 31%. The intervention was generally well-received by peer-recipients, peer-leaders and teachers. The mean peak heart rate across all repetitions was 76% of age-predicted maximal, with a between- and within-participant variability of 6% points and 8% points, respectively. For the physical fitness and psychological outcomes, intervention effect directions were inconsistent and effect estimates imprecise. Conclusions: Peer-led HIIT may represent a scalable and feasible school-based physical activity model from a recruitment, retention, attendance and acceptability perspective. However, intervention heart rates and session observations suggest HIIT activities were not always delivered and performed as intended, which could limit intervention effectiveness in larger-scale trials. Future iterations of peer-led HIIT programmes should focus on refining intervention delivery by providing an enhanced training and support package for peer-leaders. Trial registration: The trial was registered on ISRCTN, the UK’s Clinical Study Registry on 6th March 2023 (https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN89390191). The trial registration number is ISRCTN89390191
Cellulose derivation and its application for sustainable lithium-ion and emerging energy-storage systems: An overview
No full textThe rapid growth of energy storage systems driven by technological advancement has intensified global energy demand. However, conventional storage technologies often depend on toxic and non-biodegradable materials, raising environmental concerns and compromising long-term sustainability. To address these challenges, researchers are increasingly turning to greener alternatives such as cellulose. As a renewable biopolymer, cellulose offers biodegradability, mechanical robustness, and chemical tunability. Recent advances have enabled its use in separators, binders, electrolytes, and conductive composites, improving electrolyte wettability, thermal stability, and mechanical integrity—thereby enhancing cycling stability and safety in batteries. Moreover, cellulose has been successfully applied in cathodes, gels, solid electrolytes, and membrane supports, demonstrating excellent ionic conductivity, water management, and catalytic functionality. Engineered modifications, including functionalization, nanostructuring, and composite integration, have further expanded its multifunctional roles across diverse battery chemistries. By combining high electrochemical performance with environmental sustainability and scalable processing, cellulose is emerging not only as an eco-friendly substitute for synthetic polymers but also as a versatile platform for next-generation, low-impact energy storage technologies. This review discusses recent progress in cellulose-based materials for batteries, emphasizing their multifunctionality, processing adaptability, and potential in sustainable energy storage
Comparing two methods for surveying nocturnal arboreal mammals in a tropical forest – thermal observations from an elevated platform and arboreal camera traps
No full textArboreal mammals, particularly nocturnal species, are one of the least studied mammalian groups but make up a significant percentage of mammalian species richness in the tropics. The challenging conditions involved in observing this group has led to a bias towards studying ground dwelling mammals. Yet nocturnal arboreal mammals, highly adapted to their environment, perform important ecological services such as seed dispersal and pollination. Reducing this bias is needed to develop holistic conservation plans for threatened tropical forests. We used thermal and night vision binoculars from a portable elevated platform in a tropical forest in Panama to conduct nocturnal mammalian surveys. We simultaneously conducted two camera trap surveys, one ground-based, one arboreal, in order to compare the methods with respect to species detection and cost/effort. All methods combined recorded 32 ground dwelling and arboreal species and elevated nocturnal observations recorded the most of any single method with 69% of recorded species compared to 66% for ground-based and 47% for arboreal camera traps. Importantly, elevated nocturnal observations detected more nocturnal arboreal species over 12 survey nights (13 species) compared with 806 arboreal camera trap nights (8 species). Cost/effort analysis showed the use of thermal optics from elevated platforms is not more resource heavy because less time is needed to inventory species. Whilst arboreal camera traps remain an important tool for studying species distributions over large spatiotemporal scales, our study demonstrates the use of thermal optics from an elevated platform is a complementary survey method for arboreal mammals in a tropical application, particularly for rapid inventory and behavioural studies
Secure coding with AI – from detection to repair
No full textWhile several studies have examined the security of code generated by GPT and other Large Language Models (LLMs), most have relied on controlled experiments rather than real developer interactions. This paper investigates the security of GPT-generated code extracted from the DevGPT dataset and evaluates the ability of current LLMs to detect and repair vulnerabilities in this real-world context. We analysed 2,315 C, C++, and C# code snippets using static scanners combined with manual inspection, identifying 56 vulnerabilities across 48 files. These files were then assessed using GPT-4.1, GPT-5, and Claude Opus 4.1 to determine whether these could identify the security issues and, where applicable, to specify the corresponding Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) numbers and propose fixes. Manual review and re-scanning of the modified code showed that GPT-4.1, GPT-5, and Claude Opus 4.1 correctly detected 46, 44, and 45 vulnerabilities, and successfully repaired 42, 44, and 43 respectively. A comparison of experiments conducted in October 2024 and September 2025 indicates substantial progress, with overall detection and remediation rates improving from roughly 50% to around 75–80%. We also observe that LLM-generated code is about as likely to contain vulnerabilities as developer-written code, and that LLMs may confidently provide incorrect information, posing risks for less experienced developers
The impact of a 12-day outdoor learning project on life skills development in adolescents in Scotland
Full text linkThis research investigated the effectiveness of a 12-day outdoor learning project on adolescents’ life skills development. In total, 180 participants with a mean age of 14.3 (±0.5) years took part in the outdoor learning project and completed the Life Skills Scale for Outdoor Learning (LSSOL) at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at six-months post-intervention. A control group of 39 students with a mean age of 14.3 (±0.5) years completed the LSSOL at the same pre- and post-intervention timepoints. MANOVA results indicated a statistically significant improvement in life skills in the intervention group from pre- to post-intervention, but not in the control group. With the exception of goal setting, all life skills showed significant improvements. At a six-months post-intervention, all life skills, except goal setting, remained above the pre-intervention levels. Overall, the small positive effect on adolescents’ life skills development from the project supports the inclusion of outdoor learning in the school curricula
Examining a Successful High-Performance Triathlon Environment From the Coaching Team Perspective
Full text linkThis research aims to investigate an environment designed by a head coach with a track record of both highly successful talent development and world-class performance outcomes in the sport of triathlon. A qualitative approach involving semistructured interviews with the head coach, the psychologist, and the nutritionist was used. Key considerations regarding the selection of athletes were discussed, providing evidence for the key role of psychology and prolonged trials that allowed thorough understanding of the athlete, and insight into development capacity, as well as their contribution to the wider squad. In addition, a coaching team was embedded utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, and significant others were actively incorporated in the development process. Furthermore, the complexities of managing long-term development were highlighted, and the use of challenge as a mechanism of development was evident
Numerical Simulation of Breakdown Threshold Voltage in Charging Coils of Wireless Power Transfer Systems
No full textWireless Power Transfer (WPT) systems have wide applicability in the electric transportation industry. However, the dielectric breakdown is a persistent threat affecting the reliability of insulated electrical components, including the charging coils of WPT systems. This paper presents simulation results of the breakdown threshold voltage the coil-ferrite gap in the ground assembly (GA) of a heavy-duty electric vehicle (HDEV) WPT system as a case study. To begin with, the standardized GA subsystem is modeled in COMSOL, and simulated under a 85kHz sinusoidal voltage in atmospheric air. The system configuration alongside the field model and breakdown theory are introduced. Based on this, the electric field distribution in the model is calculated and the influence of the coils’ coating materials on the breakdown related parameters is demonstrated. In addition to the critical field lines (CFL), the breakdown field strength and voltages across the gap lengths are also analyzed. The accuracy of the numerical approach in estimating the breakdown characteristics is established by the findings which reveals the significant impact of the coating material on gap voltage and field strength magnitude values. Also, the PDIV is seen to be highly influenced by the geometry of the coils’ coating as compared to the applied voltage magnitude and frequency. Furthermore, the magnitude of the breakdown electric field strength demonstrates a high potential for partial discharge (PD) activity in the gap, which can be prevented by utilizing the estimated values in selecting and designing the coils’ insulation system
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