Search Results (1,835)

The growing global demand for clean energy and sustainability has increased interest in lignocellulosic biomass as a viable alternative to conventional fossil fuels. Among the various biomass resources, sugarcane bagasse, an abundant agro-industrial by-product, has emerged as a promising feedstock to produce renewable fuels and value-added chemicals. Its high carbohydrate content offers significant potential for bioconversion. However, its complex and recalcitrant lignocellulosic matrix presents significant challenges that necessitate advanced pretreatment techniques to improve enzymatic digestibility and fermentation efficiency. This review consolidates recent developments in the valorization of sugarcane bagasse focusing on innovative pretreatment and fermentation strategies for sustainable bioethanol production. It emphasizes the synergistic benefits of integrating various pretreatment and fermentation methods to improve bioethanol yields, reduce processing costs and enhance overall process sustainability. This review further explores recent technological advancements, the impact of fermentation inhibitor, and emerging strategies to overcome these challenges through microbial strains and innovative fermentation methods. Additionally, it highlights the multi-faceted advantages of bagasse valorization, including waste minimization, renewable energy production and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. By evaluating the current state of research and outlining future perspectives, this paper serves as a comprehensive guide to advancing the valorization of sugarcane bagasse in the transition towards a low-carbon economy. The novelty of this review lies in its holistic integration of technological, economic, and policy perspectives, uniquely addressing the scalability of integrated pretreatment and fermentation processes for sugarcane bagasse, and outlining practical pathways for their translation from laboratory to sustainable industrial biorefineries within the circular bioeconomy framework. Full article

The emergence of STEAM education, which integrates the Arts into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), reflects a growing recognition of the need to develop both technical proficiency and creative capacity in learners. This shift emphasizes the importance of preparing students to tackle complex, real-world problems through innovative and interdisciplinary thinking. Drawing on an integrative review of 108 scholarly articles, from Scopus, ERIC, and Web of Science, we included peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2024; this paper traces the conceptual evolution of STEAM education and examines its pedagogical implications for the psychomotor domain. It critically explores how incorporating the Arts reshapes traditional understandings of skill acquisition by highlighting hands-on, embodied, and creative approaches to problem-solving. The article, therefore, explores the concept of psycho-productive competency to capture the interplay between psychomotor skills and cognitive–emotional dimensions of learning. Findings underscore the need for teaching strategies and learning environments that move beyond technical demonstration to foster creativity, innovation, and holistic development. This re-examination of the psychomotor domain positions educational practice in line with the demands of a rapidly changing, knowledge-driven world. Full article

ToM (ToM) and empathy, integral components of children’s social cognitive development, are shaped by multifaceted factors. The developmental trajectories of ToM and empathy in kindergarten children have long been focal points of inquiry for researchers and educators. Among these determinants, environmental factors emerge as significant predictors of children’s ToM and empathetic abilities. In contemporary society, digital screens have transformed into a ubiquitous medium for kindergarten children, deeply embedded in their daily life, learning, and recreational activities. Consequently, screen exposure has become a novel and distinctive environmental context for childhood development, diverging from traditional settings. This shift raises critical questions that have become focal in recent developmental media research: Does screen exposure correlate with children’s ToM and empathy? And how do key dimensions of screen use (e.g., duration, content) influence the development of these social cognitive skills? To address these queries, this study employed a two-phase experimental approach. Initially, a total of 642 parental questionnaires were collected to comprehensively investigate the current status of digital screen usage among Chinese kindergarten children. Subsequently, the ToM and empathy levels of 126 children were systematically evaluated. The findings revealed that the average daily duration of children’s screen time exhibited a significant negative predictive effect on their ToM level, consistent with prior longitudinal studies that linked early excessive screen exposure to poorer later ToM performance. Conversely, engagement with child-friendly content (e.g., prosocial narratives) and parent–child discussions regarding character emotions during screen exposure (e.g., dialogic questioning while co-viewing) emerged as positive predictors of ToM. Notably, no significant predictive relationships were identified between various dimensions of screen exposure and children’s empathy. This research elucidates the impact of screen exposure on crucial aspects of children’s social cognition, offering practical implications for optimizing screen device utilization to foster children’s holistic development. Full article

Technology is causing unprecedented disruption that requires organisations to implement digital transformation processes. These processes are aimed at integrating technologies, redesigning their business models and, at the same time, adapting the skills of their employees and incorporating sustainability into their processes. This research aims to conceptualise a methodology for implementing Sustainable Digital Transformation (SDT) processes based on the “Working with People” (WWP) model. The model integrates three key dimensions and aligns with project management and organisational change approaches. For the purpose of this article, empirical experiences of technology adoption implemented in five large Spanish companies with an international presence are analysed. The companies were selected because they were undergoing a strategic digital transformation process aimed at implementing a digital and sustainable culture. The results show that the WWP model, aligned with IPMA project management and ADKAR organisational change approaches, is a useful tool for articulating the implementation of a Sustainable Digital Transformation, highlighting the importance of people. The model is replicable for other companies, facilitating sustainable success in digital transformation from a practical perspective of holistic and sustainable digital transformation based on the WWP model. This study addresses a key research gap in the field of digital transformation: the lack of integrative methodologies that combine technological innovation, human development, and sustainability. The proposed Working with People-based Sustainable Digital Transformation (WWP–SDT) model provides companies with a practical framework to align digital adoption with cultural change and long-term sustainable impact. Full article

Sustainable aquaculture is increasingly vital to meet global protein demands while ensuring fish product safety and environmental stewardship from a One Health perspective. This review addresses fish hygiene as a comprehensive, multi-stage challenge encompassing water quality management, pathogen control, antimicrobial stewardship, feeding practices, humane slaughter, post-harvest handling, and monitoring systems. We examined current practices and technologies that promote hygienic standards and reduce contamination risks across production cycles. The integration of biosecurity measures and alternative health-promoting agents contributes to disease prevention and reduces reliance on antimicrobials. Responsible drug administration aligned with regulatory frameworks minimizes residues and antimicrobial resistance. Feeding strategies incorporating sustainable and safe ingredients further support fish health and product quality. Critical control points during slaughter and post-harvest processing ensure microbial safety and prolong shelf life. Advanced monitoring and traceability systems enable real-time oversight and enhance food safety assurance. Finally, certification programs and robust regulatory policies are essential to standardize practices and facilitate access to international markets. Collectively, these strategies foster sustainable aquaculture that safeguards public health, maintains ecological integrity, and supports economic viability. This holistic approach positions fish hygiene not as a final quality check, but as an integral, continuously managed component of responsible aquaculture production. Full article

Business process management (BPM) emerges as a methodology for enhancing an enterprise’s processes by identifying, supporting, and governing them to achieve continuous improvement and sustainable competitive advantage. This study conducted a semi-structured systematic literature review of 92 articles published between 2000 and 2024, following the methodology outlined by Tranfield and Denyer. The main objectives of the review were to systematize the field and propose a comprehensive framework for a sustainable adoption of BPM. This framework resulted from the analysis and integration of relevant notions associated with BPM, and from the evolution of process management, shaped by the approaches and tools examined across key stages of its development. From a theory-building approach, six stages for adopting BPM were defined, from initial levels of documentation to more mature phases characterized by integrating advanced technologies. Furthermore, the proposed framework bridges theory and practice by outlining the phases a firm should consider improving its process management. This research has also identified critical gaps in this field, including the limited number of studies on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and sustainability from a holistic perspective. Furthermore, the results also reveal a limited number of studies in developed countries. These gaps emphasize the need to further study BPM from an integrative approach in resource-limited contexts, such as developing countries or SMEs, to support sustainable development. Full article

This study investigates how Built Environment (BE) education in Australian universities can better support student well-being and academic success. Using a mixed-methods design, survey data from 253 students across multiple institutions were analysed by integrating quantitative measures of stress, performance, and mental health with qualitative accounts of student-driven solutions. The diversity of the sample enhances the representativeness of the findings across the BE student cohort. Results confirm significant work–study pressures but, more importantly, identify novel pathways for reform, including curriculum flexibility, stronger industry–academic integration, and accessible support services. To address these gaps, the study introduces the INSPIRE Framework—a holistic, student-centred model that embeds flexibility, resilience, and institutional empathy into BE pedagogy. By filling a critical gap in the literature on student well-being in professional disciplines, the framework offers practical guidance for universities seeking to design more inclusive and sustainable learning environments. Full article

The increasing adoption of smart home technologies introduces significant cybersecurity and forensic challenges. This necessitates a shift from traditional reactive digital forensics to a more proactive approach to safeguarding these environments. This research is situated within Saudi Arabia’s ambitious digital transformation, as outlined in Vision 2030, which promotes the development of smart cities and homes. The unique technological landscape and national initiatives in Saudi Arabia require tailored cybersecurity solutions. Existing models are often too theoretical, generic, or overly specialized, lacking practical validation and comprehensive integration for modern IoT ecosystems. There is a pronounced lack of a scalable, validated framework designed explicitly for proactive digital forensic readiness in smart homes. The study employs a mixed-methodology approach, combining a PRISMA systematic literature review with Design Science Research (DSR) to develop and validate the Smart Proactive Forensic Metamodel for Smart Homes (SPFMSH). The developed SPFMSH was tested against realistic cyberattack scenarios, including unauthorized access and intrusion, data exfiltration, and device hijacking by ransomware. In each scenario, the model demonstrated its capability to proactively detect threats, automatically preserve forensic evidence, and provide structured investigative timelines. This validation proved its effectiveness in transforming security incidents into forensically sound investigations within the Saudi smart home context. SPFMSH delivers a practical, holistic framework that addresses the limitations of previous models, moving beyond theory to offer an implementable solution. Its development is a significant step towards enhancing national cybersecurity resilience and supporting the secure adoption of smart home technologies in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. Full article

In a global context marked by an increase in acts of aggression in schools, it is essential to focus on discovering new theoretical benchmarks and practical strategies for prevention and intervention in such situations. This article, evidence of this concern, aims to identify (1) how common school anti-bullying programs are that integrate creativity and metacognition processes, (2) what the theoretical background is that justifies the application of these tools in anti-bullying programs, and (3) what the elements of methodology and the evaluation criteria and methods are that have been applied in these programs. We conducted a rigorous analysis, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), of articles identified in the Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed, PsychoNet, and Eric Gov. Out of the total 203 articles identified that met the inclusion criteria, only 11 were finally selected. Analyzing the training/teaching, learning, and evaluation methods proposed in the programs in the 11 articles, we synthesized and developed a theoretical model that highlights how creative and metacognitive processes contribute to cognitive and behavioral dynamics when addressing bullying. This holistic approach could provide policymakers, researchers, administrators, principals, and teachers with a theoretical framework for developing and implementing practical and effective interventions against bullying in schools. Full article

Theatre-based methodologies are increasingly recognized as complementary approaches that can enhance nurses’ empathy, communication, critical thinking, and person-centred care, all essential for managing chronic illnesses. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize evidence on the application of theatre in continuing nursing education. A systematic literature search was conducted across five databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Education Source) for publications in English and Italian up to 30 December 2024, supplemented by grey literature from ProQuest and reference screening via Google Scholar. Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria, identifying two main theatre methodologies, Forum Theatre and Drama, with four variations. These interactive methods were reported to foster reflective practice, enhance person-centred care, and improve interprofessional collaboration. Positive outcomes included improved nurse–patient relationships, quality of care, emotional engagement, cultural competence, teamwork, conflict management, and acceptance of diversity. Key facilitators were institutional support and active participation, while barriers included resistance to change and limited resources. These findings indicate that theatre-based education can serve as an effective complementary strategy to cultivate empathy, creativity, and reflective skills in continuing nursing education, supporting the development of holistic and patient-centred care practices. Further research is needed to explore the sustainability of acquired competencies in clinical practice. Full article

Background/Objectives: The prevailing paradigm in ophthalmic AI involves siloed, single-disease models, which fails to address the complexity of differential diagnosis in clinical practice. This study aimed to develop and validate a unified deep learning framework for the automated multi-class classification of a wide spectrum of retinal pathologies from fundus photographs, moving beyond the single-disease paradigm to create a comprehensive screening tool. Methods: A publicly available dataset was manually curated by an ophthalmologist, resulting in 1841 images across nine classes, including Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, and Healthy retinas. After extensive data augmentation to mitigate class imbalance, three pre-trained CNN architectures (ResNet-152, EfficientNetV2, and a YOLOv11-based classifier) were comparatively evaluated. The models were trained using transfer learning and their performance was assessed on an independent test set using accuracy, macro-averaged F1-score, and Area Under the Curve (AUC). Results: The YOLOv11-based classifier demonstrated superior performance over the other architectures on the validation set. On the final independent test set, it achieved a robust overall accuracy of 0.861 and a macro-averaged F1-score of 0.861. The model yielded a validation set AUC of 0.961, which was statistically superior to both ResNet-152 (p < 0.001) and EfficientNetV2 (p < 0.01) as confirmed by the DeLong test. Conclusions: A unified deep learning framework, leveraging a YOLOv11 backbone, can accurately classify nine distinct retinal conditions from a single fundus photograph. This holistic approach moves beyond the limitations of single-disease algorithms, offering considerable promise as a comprehensive AI-driven screening tool to augment clinical decision-making and enhance diagnostic efficiency in ophthalmology. Full article

Heritage cities confront persistent tensions between safeguarding cultural authenticity and facilitating sustainable heritage tourism within rapidly modernizing urban contexts. This study examines these dynamics through Pingyao Ancient City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site exemplifying both conservation achievements and tourism challenges. Employing a mixed-methods framework, the research synthesizes GIS-based spatial analysis, multi-scalar policy assessment, media discourse analysis, and stakeholder interviews with residents, tourists, and heritage managers. Findings reveal substantial land use transformations characterized by internal functional restructuring with 212% and 300% expansion of service and commercial land use, respectively. While regulatory frameworks demonstrate efficacy in preserving architectural integrity, they simultaneously constrain adaptive reuse and experiential engagement. Media narratives and interviews illuminate pervasive authenticity concerns (86% among stakeholders) despite acknowledged infrastructural improvements. The analysis validates that static preservation paradigms, while achieving technical objectives, potentially undermine destination competitiveness by privileging physical conservation over cultural vitality and holistic visitor experiences. This study posits that sustainable heritage tourism necessitates integrated policy frameworks reconciling conservation imperatives with adaptive spatial strategies, dynamic community engagement, and authentic cultural interpretation. These findings contribute to heritage management theory while offering practical implications for policy formulation in comparable contexts. Full article

In order to offer holistic, patient-centred care, attention needs to be paid to spiritual needs. For long-term paediatric patients, this need can be crucial as they may be facing a range of challenges, including life-limiting or life-changing illnesses. This article is based on two pieces of case study research. The first developed a phenomenological definition of spirituality drawing on both the literature and thirty-six case studies of oncology patients where interpretive spiritual encounters (ISEs) were used to identify spiritual needs. The spiritual needs identified were meaning-making, transcendence, connectedness, security, hope, and significance. A challenge for chaplains is then to identify interventions which can respond to the spiritual needs assessed; examples are offered demonstrating this. The second piece of case study research draws on existing taxonomy research in which thirteen paediatric case studies were analysed for practice-based methods of responding to spiritual needs. This offers the possibility of a common language to describe the chaplain’s response to identified spiritual needs, which informs the interventions chosen. Full article

The Australian health care system continues to struggle to meet the needs of people experiencing multiple complex chronic conditions. Australians who report poorer health continue to report poorer access to health care. Inequities in access are attributed to a “mistmatch” between the health care system and individuals’ clinical and social needs. To address this misalignment at the interface of access, innovative approaches that consider both individual and system-level barriers to care need to be examined. Nurse navigation models designed to support people negotiating complex care and bridge systems and service gaps have been touted as a method to enhance access, but how nurse navigators work at the interface of access in practice is unclear. This qualitative study examined the mechanisms by which nurse navigators facilitate access to care for people experiencing complex care needs through an exploration of key stakeholder perspectives: nurse navigators, nurse navigator patients, and care professionals. Data collection involved in-depth semi-structured interviews, and analysis included reflexive thematic analysis and data triangulation processes. A conceptual framework of access to health care was used to explore nurse navigators’ roles at both system and patient levels. Nurse navigators supported both patients and care professionals by building relationships across the interface of access, challenging norms of care, and facilitating empowerment. Nurse navigators acted as intermediaries to negotiate access, work made possible through their knowledge of systems and capacity to identify and respond to multidimensional care needs and systems challenges. This research highlights the importance of holistic and relational approaches to overcome issues of access for all involved. Full article

The escalating challenges of climate change, soil degradation, and the need to ensure global food security are driving the transition towards more sustainable agricultural practices. Biostimulants, a diverse category of substances and microorganisms, have emerged as promising tools to enhance crop resilience, improve nutrient use efficiency (NUE), and support sustainable intensification. However, their widespread adoption is hampered by significant variability in efficacy and a lack of consensus on their optimal use. This comprehensive review synthesizes current scientific knowledge to critically evaluate the performance of biostimulants within sustainable agricultural systems. It aims to move beyond isolated case studies to provide a holistic analysis of their modes of action, efficacy under stress, and interactions with the environment. The analysis confirms that biostimulant efficacy is inherently context-dependent, governed by a complex interplay of biological, environmental, and management factors. Performance variability is explained by four core principles: the Limiting Factor Principle, the Biological Competition Axiom, the Stress Gradient Hypothesis, and the Formulation and Viability Imperative. A significant disconnect exists between promising controlled-environment studies and variable field results, highlighting the danger of extrapolating data without accounting for real-world agroecosystem complexity. Biostimulants are not universal solutions but are sophisticated tools whose value is realized through context-specific application. Their successful integration requires a precision-based approach aligned with specific agronomic challenges. We recommend that growers adopt diagnostic tools and on-farm trials, while producers must provide transparent multi-location field data and invest in advanced formulations. Future research must prioritize field validation, mechanistic studies using omics tools, and the development of crop-specific protocols and industry-wide standards to fully unlock the potential of biostimulants for building resilient and productive agricultural systems. Full article