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Bio-based organic shape-stabilised phase change materials using agricultural waste-derived matrices: A review
Full text linkThe transition to sustainable materials and technologies is vital for meeting global environmental and economic targets. Shape-stabilised phase change materials (SSPCMs) offer a promising solution for efficient thermal energy management, addressing key limitations of conventional phase change materials (PCMs) such as leakage, low thermal conductivity, and volume instability. This review critically examines bio-based organic SSPCMs derived from agricultural biomass, with a particular focus on porous carbon scaffolds as eco-friendly and cost-effective alternatives to conventional carbon-support matrices. A bibliometric analysis highlights a marked increase in SSPCM-related research since 2015, particularly in the development of bio-based materials. However, despite this growing interest, the systematic studies of SSPCMs into real-world applications remain largely unexplored, and their environmental impact is insufficiently assessed. The review explores how pore structure, material composition, and activation processes influence PCM encapsulation and composite performance. Key research gaps have been identified, including the absence of standardised biomass classification, limited progress in enhancing energy storage capacity, a lack of system-level validation, and the need for comprehensive environmental impact analysis. Addressing these gaps through the development of advanced materials and sustainable activation techniques will be essential for enabling scalable, high-performance SSPCMs with broader applicability and reduced ecological footprint
Midwife continuity of care: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies
No full textBackground: Randomised controlled trials demonstrated the effectiveness of midwife continuity of care. Further assessment can be achieved by extending causal inference to non-randomised data and study designs for comparative research. Aim: To evaluate the association of midwife continuity of care compared with other models of maternity care during the perinatal period (pregnancy, birth, postpartum) on labour/birth, maternal and neonatal outcomes, and the relationship between midwife continuity of care moderators and outcomes. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of non-randomised cohort studies with a comparison group and case-control studies. Methods: Literature was searched across five databases, and additional hand-searching was conducted using institutional catalogues and Google Scholar. Study details and absolute numbers were extracted, and relative risks (RR) with 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) were calculated. Meta-analyses were conducted using a random-effects model when five or more studies reported the same outcome. Additional sensitivity and publication bias analyses, and moderator tests were performed. Results: Thirteen studies were included in 17 meta-analyses. Midwife continuity of care was associated with a higher likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth (RR 1.16, 95 % CI 1.07 to 1.26) and a lower risk of caesarean birth (RR 0.72, 95 % CI 0.62 to 0.84), elective caesarean section (RR 0.54, 95 % CI 0.35 to 0.82), labour induction (RR 0.78, 95 % CI 0.64 to 0.96), regional analgesia (RR 0.71, 95 % CI 0.57 to 0.90), and episiotomy (RR 0.62, 95 % CI 0.52 to 0.75). Women who received midwife continuity of care were less likely to give birth before 37 weeks (RR 0.60, 95 % CI 0.49 to 0.74), and less likely to have neonates with an Apgar score below 7 at 5 min (RR 0.69, 95 % CI 0.53 to 0.90), a birthweight under 2500 g (RR 0.63, 95 % CI 0.50 to 0.79), or neonates being admitted (RR 0.51, 95 % CI 0.48 to 0.78). The overall risk of bias across studies was low. Influential studies and outliers were detected, affecting the outcomes of amniotomy, induction of labour, and elective caesarean section. Medical, obstetric, or psychosocial complexity, the continuity of care continuum, team size, and the midwife's workload moderate labour and birth outcomes. Conclusions: Midwife continuity of care is associated with significant labour and birth, maternal, and neonatal outcomes. Addressing the moderators could further optimise the benefits of midwife continuity of care. PROSPERO: CRD42024495200
The psychological burden of bereavement in the general population of UK and Ireland
Full text linkThis study examined the experiences of loss among bereaved adults, and the association between loss-related factors and mental health outcomes. Participants were 2023 bereaved adults from the United Kingdom and Ireland who completed measures of their bereavement experiences and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatization. The highest proportion of participants and those at greatest risk of meeting criteria for all disorders were those with less time since loss, who were in contact with the deceased every day or not at all in the year prior to their death, experienced sudden unnatural death, and those who lost a partner/spouse or a child. Age of the deceased was negatively correlated with meeting criteria for depression, anxiety, and somatization. Overall, depression, anxiety, and somatization were common in the bereaved population. Identifying key loss-related variables—such as time since bereavement and nature of death—will help target those needing urgent psychological support
GenAI in Scottish Higher Education: Staff and Student Attitudes and Perceptions
Full text linkThe role of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technologies in Higher Education (HE) continues to be a subject of active debate. As the integration of these technologies into everyday academic and administrative practices accelerates, there remains a notable gap in research exploring the shifts, if any, in the perceptions of both students and staff to GenAI tools in HE over time. Research to date has also largely focused on students and academic staff, with little attention given to professional services staff perspectives.This report presents findings from a survey and focus groups examining the attitudes and perceptions of students and staff in Scottish Universities to the use of GenAI tools in HE, conducted between March and July 2025. The survey, referred to as the ScAITEN 2025 survey, was developed by revising and extending a baseline survey conducted between May and July 2024 as part of a separate AdvanceHE (AHE) funded study which explored the attitudes and perceptions of students and staff to GenAI tools in HE (Kiezebrink et al. 2024). The baseline survey, referred to as the AHE 2024 baseline survey in this report, was UK-wide and received 774 responses predominantly from Scottish universities. It is used in this report only as a point of comparison to explore differences across two time points. For the present study, focus groups were conducted within the creative disciplines as these disciplines have been identified as being uniquely impacted by GenAI technologies (Attewell, 2024).Preliminary analysis of the ScAITEN 2025 survey suggests increasing polarisation in attitudes toward GenAI, with individuals tending to fall into either strongly supportive or strongly resistant positions, rather than occupying the middle ground. This divide appears to be shaped by a combination of personal values, disciplinary norms, and institutional factors, though further analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data gathered is necessary.Initial findings from focus groups in the creative disciplines highlighted concerns around critical thinking and the potential for GenAI to have a negative impact on cognitive development, alongside concerns around the inaccuracy of GenAI outputs and limited creative depth. They emphasised the unacceptability of staff using GenAI for assisting with marking and providing feedback to students, which aligned with the outcomes from the AHE 2024 baseline survey and ScAITEN 2025 survey. GenAI introduced tensions around professional identity and employability, though the ability to use GenAI efficiently was seen as an industry expectation.Based on these preliminary findings, institutional strategies for GenAI integration must account for this divergence, balancing innovation with sensitivity to the concerns of those who remain sceptical
Agrivoltaics in India: A promising nexus of solar energy and agriculture for sustainable development
Full text linkThis study synthesizes the potential of agrivoltaics (APV) in India, integrating solar energy and agriculture. Our review indicates APV can be a net-positive intervention, enhancing land productivity (Land Equivalent Ratio often > 1.5) and farmer incomes, but benefits are highly condition-dependent. Net gains are maximized with (i) shade-tolerant crops (e.g., leafy greens, turmeric), (ii) moderate panel density (Ground Coverage Ratio ∼25–35%), (iii) supportive policies like revised feed-in tariffs (∼₹4/kWh), and (iv) in contexts where water conservation or heat stress mitigation adds agricultural value. For instance, APV on grape farms can increase economic value over 15-fold, while a 50 MWp system in Maharashtra shows a competitive levelized cost of ₹2.02/kWh. However, a high LER can mask crop losses offset by energy revenue, and unsuitable designs or tariffs may cause up to 20% losses for generators. Success requires tailored system design, crop selection, and policy refinements to the national PM-KUSUM scheme, underscoring APV’s role in sustainable development while highlighting its context-sensitive nature
The Delphic ambiguity in academic integrity breaches of international students
Full text linkRecent media and literature have focused on the high incidence of academic integrity breaches among international students. However, the studies that reached this conclusion primarily took place in the Americas, Oceania, or the Far East. Most of these studies also rely on students’ voluntary self-reporting of academic dishonesty and generally have small sample sizes. Our study examines the UK context and investigates the occurrence of academic integrity violations within the international student group as compared to domestic students. The research examines a large sample of 12,066 student submissions, with 1406 individual breaches of academic integrity over a period of 3 years (2021–2023). These breaches are classified based on the intensity of the breach as negligence, malpractice, or misconduct. The findings indicate that international students are more likely to engage in malpractice as compared to negligence and misconduct. These findings provide the necessary data-backed information and insights for the co-construction of policies to uphold academic integrity in UK universities
Simulation of Environmental Flow Assessment (EFA) Using XPSWMM for Enhancing River Ecosystem Sustainability in Kenyir Lake Basin
No full textThe study on Environmental Flow Values (E-Flow) found that existing river management practices could harm ecosystem health due to insufficient river flow rates. The main objectives of this study are to develop a hydrological model for hydrodynamics that determines E-Flow and to manage restoration and rehabilitation. Sampling activities commenced during both the dry and normal seasons, involving the collection of hydrology components, hydrodynamic data, and ecological samples. The giant snakehead fish species, Sebarau, and Belida were selected as bioindicator species out of the total 20 species of native fish sampled. Based on simulation, the 7Q20 low flow analysis for both study rivers determined that minimum river discharge values with the frequency probability over a 20-year period must be maintained in the Terengganu River. The optimal discharge is 42.78 m3/s, depth is 3.94 m, and water velocity is 0.54 m/s, all of which are anticipated to satisfy fish species development needs. Based on the simulation in the Petuang River, with an optimum discharge of 0.08 m3/s, a depth of 0.4 m, and a water velocity of 0.04 m/s, the river can only accommodate a few individuals of small-sized fish species. Both the lowest values obtained later were used as the input in low flow analysis, with an output error of less than 20% from the real situation. The uses and implications of the E-Flow are highlighted through the green physical structure proposed in assessing river health based on the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) concept as a basis for maintaining optimum environmental flow level
WABAD: A world annotated bird acoustic dataset for passive acoustic monitoring
No full textUnder the current global biodiversity crisis, there is a need for automated and noninvasive monitoring techniques that can gather large amounts of data cost‐effectively at various ecological scales, from local to large spatial scales. These data can then be analyzed to inform stakeholders and decision‐makers. One such technique is passive acoustic monitoring, which is commonly coupled with automatic identification of animal species based on their sound. Automated sound analyses usually require the training of sound detection and identification algorithms. These algorithms are based on annotated acoustic datasets which mark the occurrence of sounds of species inside sound recordings. However, compiling large annotated acoustic datasets is time‐consuming and requires experts, and therefore, they normally cover reduced spatial, temporal, and taxonomic scales. This data paper presents WABAD, the World Annotated Bird Acoustic Dataset for passive acoustic monitoring. WABAD is designed to provide the public, the research community, and conservation managers with a novel and globally representative annotated acoustic dataset. This database includes 5047 min of audio files annotated to species‐level by local experts with the start and end time and the upper and lower frequencies of each identified bird vocalization in the recordings. The database has a wide taxonomic and spatial coverage, including information on 91,931 vocalizations from 1192 bird species recorded at 72 recording sites in 29 recording locations (mainly countries) and distributed across 13 biomes. WABAD can be used, for example, for developing and/or validating automatic species detection algorithms, answering ecological questions, such as assessing geographical variations on bird vocalizations, or comparing acoustic diversity indices with species‐based diversity indices. The dataset is published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license that permits redistribution and reuse on the condition that the original work is properly credited
Olive Growing in Palestine: Stories of Everyday Forms of Resistance
No full textGrounded in ethnographic research over five years in Palestinian villages near Bethlehem, Olive Growing in Palestine follows the lives of four families and fifty other individuals involved with olive growing as a form of resistance. Providing a counterpoint to Eurocentric studies of daily lives and labor, Simaan shares perspectives from Global South scholarship, which offers alternate analysis of why people do what they do and how they respond to adversity. The book focuses on two questions. First, how has Israeli settler colonialism affected olive farmers’ daily lives? And second, how do olive farmers respond to the restrictions on their daily activities imposed by structures and policies that aim to divorce them from their land and trees?Olive Growing in Palestine explores a collection of values and action that shape, and are shaped by, the daily lives of these farmers: Sutra (doing for being), ‘Awna (doing for belonging), and Sumud (doing for belonging and becoming). These values recalibrate and expand our understanding of Global South knowledge and practice. That recalibration gives communities, activists, and scholars new tools to counter global forces of ethnic-based discrimination, imperialism, colonialism, white supremacy, and the human-made climate crisis
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