Healthy Environment Research Articles

The Nature, Content and Realisation of the Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment

Abstract The right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is being increasingly adopted internationally and nationally. Nevertheless, there remains ambiguity regarding what the right and the correlative duty to protect the right entail. This article examines the nature, content and realisation of the right. The nature of the right is suggested to be a cluster of rights, including civil and political rights, economic, social and cultural rights and other rights. The content of the right has at least three components: substantive, procedural and intertemporal. Realisation of the right depends on the correlative duty to respect, protect and fulfil the right. The content of the duty includes specific obligations to achieve the inviolable element of the right, the minimum core obligations and the progressive realisation of that right using maximum available resources. In this way, the article suggests a conceptual framework that can guide states in better realising the right.

Critical Care Nurses’ Perceptions of Abuse and Its Impact on Healthy Work Environments in Five European Countries: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective:Workplace violence is a prevalent phenomenon in hospital settings which critical care nurses are particularly exposed to. The aim of this study was to research abuse against Critical Care Nurses in five European countries, and its association with and impact on Healthy Work Environments.Methods:This was a multinational cross-sectional study. The 1,183 participants were nurses working in intensive care units from five European countries: Croatia, Cyprus, Poland, Spain, and Romania. The participants were selected by the convenience sampling method from 1 January 2021 to April 2022.Results:Of 1,033 critical care nurses who answered questions about abuse, 646 reported at least one incident in the previous year. The highest number of incidents came from patients (2,050), followed by another nurse (1,453) and physicians (1,039).Conclusion:Although nurses in ICUs are aware that a healthy working environment benefits them in their daily work, most of them still face some form of abuse. Organizations must take a realistic approach to prevent abuse and to educate nurses and nurse managers by implementing standards for healthy work environments.

Impact of Antimicrobial Resistance in Health and Economic Outcomes: A Review

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) observed when microorganism adapt and multiply in the presence of drugs to which they are exposed. Antibiotic resistance is a global health problem, with the current trend of inappropriate and overuse of antibiotics predicted to cause 10 million deaths by 2050. However, resistant bacteria are multiplying worldwide, infecting healthy people, animals, and human environment, affecting countries with low- and middle-income countries. Although the discovery of antibiotics has saved many lives in recent years, increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics threatens clinical and agricultural progress, and even treatable bacterial infections can be life-threatening. Strategies: In the present review we discuss the global burden of social and economic impact of antibiotic resistance, common mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, microbiological health and treatment resistance, patient attitudes, hospital and cancer outcomes. Summarize the impact of AMR. Potential strategies to overcome AMR such as Targeting antimicrobial-resistant enzymes, Targeting antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, Drug delivery systems, Physiochemical methods, Unconventional strategies. Conclusion: The devastating effect of antibiotic resistance is clear by way of the sudden boom inside the quantity of cases in which microorganism are immune to typically prescribed antibiotics in clinical practice. Although the superiority of bacterial resistance is growing, there is limited statistics at the impact of this hassle on the fitness and economic consequences of the clinical network.

The practice of greenwashing in the context of sustainable development and corporate social responsibility

In the knowledge society, practically all organizational activities are carried out with the massive use of the internet. In this sense, information is shared at an ever-increasing speed. Depending on what is shared, the reputation of people and companies can be defamed, especially when what is shared is false. The study's general objective is to elucidate the practice of greenwashing in the context of sustainable development and corporate social responsibility. The term greenwashing refers to those companies that make a point of propagating to society that they value the preservation of the environment but whose practices demonstrate the opposite of this context. Thus, the risk of having the image of a socially and environmentally responsible organization can be undone at any time. The method used was the conceptual bibliography, a set of research techniques formed by four phases: a) definition of research questions, b) data collection, c) organization and analysis of data, and d) generation of responses. This method made it possible to verify that greenwashing is a risky strategy, to say the least, and not recommended for any company, as the price to pay when discovering the false identity of an environmentally friendly organization is greater than the effort made to maintain appearances, before society and other interested parties. The conclusion asserts that the most recommended thing is that companies seek to be sustainable in their daily lives, but in a planned way, incorporating this into their values, practices, and organizational culture.

أثر جودة بيئة العمل على نجاح مشاريع شركة الراشد للتجارة والمقاولات بمدينة الرياض

Since quality is one of the most important things in life, and it is one of the goals of Vision 2030 for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, therefore Al-Rashed Trading and Contracting Company in the city of Riyadh seeks to achieve sustainable success in its projects, by focusing on the factors that greatly influence the achievement of this goal, and among the most important The factors are the quality of the work environment within the organization. There are also several other factors that reflect on the quality of the work environment, such as effective communication, trust between teams, high morale, and interest in the personal and professional development of employees. The aim of this study was: to determine the impact of the quality of the work environment on the success of the projects of Al-Rashed Trading and Contracting Company, to discover the factors affecting the quality of the work environment and its impact on the performance of projects, to provide recommendations to improve the quality of the work environment in the company, and to enhance the success of the projects. This study relied on a descriptive and analytical research approach, as well as a field research approach, using the Google Forms statistical tool by distributing an electronic questionnaire to male and female employees. The questionnaire was distributed to (350) individuals, and (303) responses were received, as a group refused. From conducting the questionnaire, a survey sample of (31) individuals from Al-Rashed Trading and Contracting Company employees was distributed from outside the actual sample of the study (comprehensive survey), equivalent to 10% of the total sample, to verify the validity of the internal consistency of the questionnaire. The study concluded that the quality of the work environment is affected by the company's policies and organizational culture, and therefore managing these elements effectively can enhance the success of the company's projects. A healthy and encouraging work environment must also be provided, as this leads to increased employee satisfaction and productivity, which reflects positively on the quality of services and products provided by the company, and thus is reflected in the success of its projects. Accordingly, Al-Rashed Trading and Contracting Company should pay attention to improving the quality of the work environment, and ensuring that it is conducive to the well-being and productivity of its employees, and this in turn will contribute to achieving the sustainable success of its projects in the city of Riyadh.

Corrosion Behavior of Al2O3-40TiO2 Coating Deposited on 20MnNiMo Steel via Atmospheric Plasma Spraying in Hydrogen Sulfide Seawater Stress Environments

In this study, an Al2O3-40TiO2 coating was deposited on 20MnNiMo steel via atmospheric plasma spraying. The corrosion behavior of the coating was investigated in both artificial seawater and a simulated environment with hydrogen sulfide and high pressure. Additionally, ion dissolution experiments were conducted to evaluate the coating’s bio-friendliness. In artificial seawater, the corrosion rate (based on the corrosion current) of the Al2O3-40TiO2 coating initially decreased before increasing. It was speculated that the blocking of corrosion products in the defect channels was helpful in delaying the progress of corrosion in the early stage. The coating had a corrosion current on the order of 10−6 A/cm2 in artificial seawater, suggesting good protection in conventional seawater environments. In the simulated environment, the corrosion rate (based on the weight loss) of the Al2O3-40TiO2 coating showed a continuously declining trend. It was deduced that, unlike corrosion products in artificial seawater, the corrosion products in the simulated environment (e.g., metal sulfide) might be more chemically stable, leading to a longer blocking effect. Therefore, a minimal corrosion rate of 0.0030 mm/a was obtained after the coating was immersed for 30 days. The amount of dissolved coated elements was negligible and there were only small amounts of dissolved non-coated elements such as Ni and Mo. The developed coating can be considered to be highly biofriendly if the non-coated area of the specimen is well sealed.

Food Environment in Burkina Faso: Review of Public Policies and Government Actions Using the Food-EPI Tool.

Governments have a central role to play in creating a food environment that will enable people to have and maintain healthy eating practices. This study analyzes public policies and government actions related to creating healthy food environments in Burkina Faso. The Healthy Food Environment Policy Index tool used for this study has 2 components, 13 domains, and 56 indicators of good practice adapted to the Burkina Faso context. Official policy documents collected from data sources such as government and nongovernment websites, and through interviews with government and nongovernment resource persons, provided evidence of considerations of food environment in public policy documents in Burkina Faso. Policies documents show a lack of revision of old texts and administrative processes for new policies and government practices are very slow. Added to this is the absence of a regulatory document for some implemented actions. The analysis of the documents collected in relation to the indicators of Food-Epi tool shows that there is no evidence of consideration of food environments for the indicators concerning the regulation of nutrition and health claims, labeling, taxes on healthy and unhealthy foods, support systems for training for private structures on healthy diets, implementation of food guidelines, and food trade and investment. This study permits a review of public policies that take into account food environments through the various indicators and constitutes a starting point from which improvements can be made by the government.

Different paradigms for dealing with urban water issues, using new technological and governance solutions, learning from Chinese, Indian and European experiences

ABSTRACT Three paradigms to deal with urban water issues are compared. The analysis focuses on their definition and objectives, the role of different stakeholders, the issues they deal with, and the possible solutions suggested. The paradigms differ in scope (from the narrow focus of the sponge city paradigm to the broad goals of eco-city paradigm) and in terms of the governance structures used to coordinate different stakeholders. The smart and sponge paradigms mainly use existing government structures. In the eco-cities approach, the citizens want to be involved through newly created governance structures. Smart and eco-city initiatives emphasize the involvement of stakeholders, while in the sponge cities approach, the initiative is often taken by the local government. Finally, in terms of expected solutions, the paradigms want to create eco- or healthy cities or improve water management to create a more healthy urban environment. After identifying the issue, alternative water-related technologies are available, like generating energy from wastewater or separating grey and brown water. Cities require different governance structures, and managing information flows in an integrated way to solve water and other issues. The experience in Europe, China, and India may help other cities choose the right paradigm.

Counseling Protocol for a Transitional Intervention for Debilitating Hyperacusis.

This clinical focus article describes a structured counseling protocol for use with protected sound management and therapeutic sound in a transitional intervention for debilitating hyperacusis. The counseling protocol and its associated visual aids are crafted as a teaching tool to educate affected individuals about hyperacusis and encourage their acceptance of a transitional intervention. The counseling protocol includes five components. First, the patient's audiometric results are reviewed with the patient, and the transitional intervention is introduced. An overview of peripheral auditory structures and central neural pathways and the concept of central gain are covered in the second and third components. Maladaptive hyper-gain processes within the auditory neural pathways, which underlie the hyperacusis condition, and associated connections with nonauditory processes responsible for negative reactions to hyperacusis are covered in the fourth component. Detrimental effects from misused hearing protection devices (HPDs) and the necessity to wean the patient from overuse of HPDs are also discussed. In the fifth component, the importance of therapeutic sound is introduced as a tool to downregulate hyper-gain activity within the auditory pathways; its implementation in uncontrolled and controlled sound environments is described. It is explained that, over the course of the transitional intervention, recalibration of the hyper-gain processes will be ongoing, leading to restoration of normal homeostasis within the auditory pathways. In turn, associated activation of reactive nonauditory processes, which contribute to hyperacusis-related distress, will be reduced or eliminated. As recalibration progresses, there will be less need for protected sound management and sound therapy. Sound tolerance will improve, hyperacusis will subside, and daily activities in typical healthy sound environments will again become routine. The combination of counseling with protected sound management and therapeutic sound is highlighted in companion reports, including a summary of the outcomes of a successful trial of the transitional intervention.

The neighborhood food environment modifies the association between infant feeding and childhood obesity

BackgroundThe Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) issues infant formula to infants who are not fully breastfed, and prior research found elevated obesity risk among children receiving lactose-reduced infant formula with corn syrup solids (CSSF) issued by WIC. This study was conducted to evaluate associations between a broader set of specialty infant formulas issued by WIC and child obesity risk, whether neighborhood context (e.g. neighborhood food environment) modifies associations, and whether racial/ethnic disparities in obesity are partly explained by infant formula exposure and neighborhood context.MethodsWIC administrative data, collected from 2013–2020 on issued amount (categorical: fully formula fed, mostly formula fed, mostly breastfed, fully breastfed) and type of infant formula (standard cow’s milk formula, and three specialty formulas: any CSSF, any soy-based formula, and any cow's milk-based formula with added rice starch) and obesity at ages 2–4 years (defined as a Body Mass Index z-score ≥ 95th percentile according to World Health Organization growth standard) were used to construct a cohort (n = 59,132). Associations of infant formula exposures and race/ethnicity with obesity risk were assessed in Poisson regression models, and modification of infant feeding associations with obesity by neighborhood context was assessed with interaction terms.ResultsAny infant formula exposure was associated with significantly higher obesity risk relative to fully breastfeeding. Receipt of a CSSF was associated with 5% higher obesity risk relative to the standard and other specialty infant formulas (risk ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.02, 1.08) independent of breastfeeding duration and receipt of other specialty infant formulas. The association between CSSF and obesity risk was stronger in neighborhoods with healthier food environments (10% higher risk) compared to less healthy food environments (null). Racial/ethnic disparities in obesity risk were robust to adjustment for infant formula exposure and neighborhood environment.ConclusionsAmong specialty infant formulas issued by WIC, only CSSFs were associated with elevated obesity risk, and this association was stronger in healthier food environments. Future research is needed to isolate the mechanism underlying this association.

Socio-Eco-Religio-Cultural Approaches in Addressing Environmental Damage: An Interpretative Analysis Based on The Quran and Hadith

Purpose: This article discusses the ecological verses that have been interpreted in efforts to maintain the existence of environmental conservation. Ecology is a discipline that explores the symbiotic mutualism between nature and living organisms. The Quran uses several terms related to ecology, such as living environment (al-bi'ah), the entire universe (al-'alamīn), the sky or cosmos (al-samā'), earth (al-arḍ), human beings (al-insān), fauna (al-an'ām or dābbah), flora (al-nabāt or al-harth), water (mā'), air (al-rīḥ), sun (al-shams), moon (al-qamar), stars (al-burūj), and mountains (jabal). Methods: This research is essential due to recent environmental crises leading to various natural disasters. This is a qualitative study employing a literature review approach. This paper emphasises that maintaining the existence of environmental conservation is vital for the natural balance and future generations as it is part of Islamic teachings. Result and Discussion: Therefore, verses concerning the existence of environmental conservation need to be actualised. The results of this research can provide input for policymakers on the importance of consistently promoting the preservation of the environment as commanded by the Quran, such as maintaining a clean environment, keeping nature in balance, preserving ecological equilibrium, reforestation for greener nature, and making land productive. Research implications: The findings suggest potential opportunities for agrarian reform to aid in protecting and preserving ecosystems, ensuring that they remain viable and beneficial for future generations. Originality/value: This paper offers valuable perspectives on Islamic eco-culture as a potential solution to environmental degradation, drawing from the teachings of the Quran and Hadith. It explores the commendable efforts of Muslim communities to conserve the environment, guided by these two key sources of Islamic teachings. This narrative aims to offer constructive ideas and empower active participation, emphasizing the shared responsibility of both the community and government in ensuring that environmental issues receive the due attention they deserve.

Multifunctional wearable Spider-Silk Inspired fabric for personal protection in extreme environments

Personal protective equipment (PPE) plays a vital role in healthcare, industry, and military settings, offering essential protection against various environmental hazards. However, the growing environmental challenges and demand for multifunctional integration make developing PPE that outperforms traditional single-function equipment a significant challenge. Herein, we present a flexible and wearable sandwich-structured film, fabricated by integrating an MXene core layer with Gd(OH)3/TPU outer layers through electrospinning and vacuum filtration process, simultaneously offering neutron and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, energy harvesting, and thermal management. Mimicking spider silk's crystalline and amorphous regions, the outer layers integrate Gd(OH)3 nanorods into TPU nanofibers, thereby enhancing hydrogen bonding and achieving a high tensile strength of 22.94 MPa. Extensive hydrogen-bonding interactions firmly bind the MXene conductive core layer to the gadolinium-rich magnetic outer layers, providing excellent neutron (μ = 22.95 cm−1) and EMI shielding (SE = 35.1 dB). Additionally, the film also functions as a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), capturing kinetic energy to power low-voltage electronic devices, reducing reliance on external power in harsh settings. Remarkably, its superior Joule heating capability rapidly reaches various temperature (up to 78.5 ℃) by regulating external voltage to meet diverse user requirements. This study paves the way for future advancements in the realm of multifunctional PPE.

PSVI-6 Metabolic potential of three novel rumen bacterial species from sheep characterized by utilizing a metagenomic-based approach

Abstract The sheep rumen microbiome contains a vast wealth of known and unknown members, whose metabolic processes impact nutrient acquisition as well as gut and overall health of the animal. Based on previous research from our group on investigating the impact of a change in diet on the composition of the rumen microbiome in lambs, further insights into the metabolic functions of novel bacterial species represented by three Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) were pursued. The rumen fluid samples with the greatest abundance of OTUs RA1-01223, RA1-00032, and RA1-04216 were, respectively, used as representatives for metagenomic investigations to assemble the genomes of their corresponding bacterial species. Purified microbial genomic DNA was used as a template for ‘shotgun’ sequencing with an Illumina Miseq (2 x 250) platform. Raw datasets were filtered for quality then used for contig assembly with an in-house developed set of Perl scripts, generating 64 contigs for RA1-01223 [combined total length: 2,046,349 base pairs (bp)], 118 contigs for RA1-00032 (combined total length: 3,704,255 bp), and 119 contigs for RA1-04216 (combined total length: 8,884,743 bp). After building, coding sequences were identified and annotated using RAST, with metabolic pathways of predicted enzymes constructed for each OTU of interest using KEGG pathways as a model reference. Annotated coding sequences were also screened by blastp to assign contig sets to each OTU based on their respective taxonomic affiliation; both OTU RA1-01223 and OTU RA1-00032 were found to be most closely related to Ruminococcus bili (94.8% and 86.8%, respectively), while RA1-04216 was affiliated to Succinivibrio dextrinsolvens (96.9%). As RA1-01223 and RA1-00032 were found to possess enzymes responsible for lactate metabolism, they could potentially affect susceptibility to acidosis by acting as modulators of ruminal pH or by producing lactate from starch degradation. Distinguishing features between these two OTUS included the pathway for vitamin B5 synthesis, using uracil or L-aspartate as precursors (RA1-01223), and the ability to produce ethanol as an end product of ruminal fermentation (RA1-00032). Distinguishing metabolic activities of interest for RA1-04216 included synthesis of chorismate and prephenate, which are precursors for tryptophan and phenylalanine, respectively. Together, these results contribute to a better understanding of the metabolic roles of individual microorganisms in the rumen, providing information that is crucial for creating a healthy and proactive environment that benefits the host.

IoT ENBALED SMART AQUARIUM FOR MONITORING THROUGH SENSORS

The development of an IoT-enabled smart aquarium system offering real-time monitoring and automated control of crucial environmental parameters. The core of the system lies in the ESP8266 microcontroller, facilitating seamless internet connectivity and data processing. Water quality assessment is achieved through a turbidity sensor, detecting suspended particles indicative of potential pollution. Environmental conditions are monitored using a DHT11 sensor, providing data on both temperature and humidity – essential factors for maintaining a healthy habitat for specific fish species. For automated lighting control mimicking natural day/night cycles and preventing excessive algae growth, a Light-Dependent Resistor (LDR) is implemented. The LDR adjusts aquarium lighting based on ambient light levels. Finally, a relay module controls the operation of a water pump, ensuring optimal water circulation and distribution of nutrients throughout the aquarium. While an I2C LCD connected to an Arduino Nano provides local data visualization within the aquarium setup, the ESP8266 transmits sensor readings to a user-friendly platform accessible remotely through a mobile application or web interface. This allows for convenient real-time monitoring of water quality, temperature, humidity, and lighting conditions. The system can be further programmed to generate alerts when critical parameters deviate from the ideal range, enabling proactive user intervention to maintain a healthy environment. This project demonstrates the potential of IoT technology to create a more automated, efficient, and user-friendly system for maintaining a thriving aquatic ecosystem. KEYWORDS: IoT (Internet of Things), Smart Aquarium, ESP8266, Turbidity Sensor, DHT11 Sensor, LDR(Light-Dependent Resistor), Relay Module, Water Pump, I2C LCD, Arduino Nano, Real-Time Monitoring, Automated Control, Remote Access, Mobile Application, Web Interface, Water Quality, Temperature, Humidity, Light Control, Aquatic Environment.

Utilidad de los parásitos en el monitoreo ambiental

Air, water, and soil pollution represent a threat for the ecosystem and human health. To preserve a healthy environment, it is necessary to implement conservation strategies and carry out continuous ecosystem monitoring. Parasites, used as bioindi-cators, can help with this task. These organisms are key components of biodiversity, and their presence, absence, and diversity provide information about the health status of the ecosystems. Additionally, some of these organisms can be useful for detecting conta-minants in the environment, as they can accumulate high concentrations of chemical pollutants.

Addressing Environmental Factors for SDG 3-Health and Wellbeing: Perceived Stress, Sleep Quality, and Coping among Medical Students in Pakistan

The objective of this study was to investigate the interplay between perceived stress, sleep quality, and coping mechanisms among medical students, with a view to understand their implications for Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) - "Good Health and Well-being," and considering environmental factors. Conducted as a cross-sectional study and 300 medical university students (152 men, 148 women), aged 18 to 25 years (mean age = 22.73, SD = 1.78), were selected using stratified random sampling based on their academic year. The study employed the Perceived Stress Scale, General Sleep Scale, and Brief COPE to assess the study variables. The results revealed gender differences in coping strategies, with female students exhibiting higher scores in avoidant and emotion-focused coping, while male students leaned towards problem-focused coping. Notably, perceived stress and avoidant coping emerged as significant predictors of poor sleep quality (p<.05) among the participants. This study found significant relationship among use of green spaces, stress, sleep quality, and coping strategies among medical students, aligning with SDG 3's objective of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. Furthermore, while the study did not directly address environmental factors, it indirectly emphasizes the importance of creating conducive environments for health and well-being. Environmental considerations such as access to green spaces and a healthy physical environment can influence individuals' stress levels and sleep quality, contributing to holistic health outcomes. Given these findings, the study recommends that counseling centers in universities develop strategies for managing students' stress and sleep quality, while promoting healthy coping skills. By addressing these factors comprehensively, universities can contribute to enhancing students' psychological well-being and advancing progress towards SDG 3 and create sustainable and healthy environments, as outlined in SDG 13 (Climate Action), to complement initiatives focused on fostering sustainable environments conducive to health and well-being.

The SDGs Provide Limited Evidence That Environmental Policies Are Delivering Multiple Ecological and Social Benefits

AbstractThe Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming for global targets by 2030, are tracked by a monitoring framework comprising 231 environmental, social, and economic indicators. The framework provides data to assess whether, across countries, environmental policies are: (a) Addressing environmental pressures, (b) Linked to environmental improvements, and (c) Linked with social benefits delivered by healthy environments. While several studies have analyzed the implementation and impacts of the SDGs, there remains a critical research gap in assessing the linkage between environmental policies and their potential to deliver multiple ecological and social benefits. This study examines the efficacy of environmental policies and their implications for global environmental health and social wellbeing. We use a generalized linear modeling approach to test for correlations between SDG indicators. We show that some environmental policies, particularly protected areas and sustainable forest certification, are linked with environmental improvements, mainly in forest and water ecosystems. However, we find no evidence that environmental improvements are linked with positive social impacts. Finally, environmental pressures, including freshwater withdrawal, domestic material consumption, and tourism, are linked with environmental degradation. Environmental policy responses are generally increasing across countries. Despite this, the state of the environment globally continues to decline. Governments must focus on understanding why environmental policies have not been sufficient to reverse environmental decline, particularly concerning the pressures that continue to degrade the environment. To better track progress toward sustainable development, we recommend that the SDG monitoring framework is supplemented with additional indicators on the state of the environment.

Solar adsorption cooling system operating by activated–carbon–ethanol bed

One efficient way to convert small thermally energized into effective cooling is through adsorption cooling technology, which increases energy efficiency and reduces environmental pollution.  This study's primary goal is to hypothetically examine the thermal coefficient of performing the solar adsorptive refrigerator machine operated with an activating carbon/Ethanol operating dual. The impact of different operating situations and design factors on the machine's performance is inspected and evaluated. The present double-bed solar energy adsorptive-cooler unit is modeled by thermodynamic methodology.  Then, it was analyzed to evaluate its effectiveness work under Baghdad climate conditions. For the current study, the two-bed solar adsorption cooling unit with 0.5 kW capacity input heat 11893 that operates at 5 °C for the evaporator and 45 °C for the condenser is presented. The Engineering-Equation-Solver (EES) simulation program was created and used to solve the modeling equations that predict the optimal cycle performance and evaluate the optimum reasonable values of the operation parameters of the proposed system. The pressure range for the refrigeration cycle is 2.408 kPa for the evaporation state and 23.14 kPa for the condensation state. The findings demonstrate that an optimum coefficient of performance (COP) is 0.702 at 95 °C, a 20% performance increase, which generates 39.4 of cooling water. It produced 1 kg of chilled water for 2.463 kg of activated carbon at a temperature of 5°C. The improved solar-powered adsorption systems and refrigeration technologies are appealing substitutes that can satisfy energy demands in addition to meeting needs for cooling, ice production, air conditioning, and refrigeration preservation and safeguarding of the environment with Iraq's climate conditions.

Impact of Social Media Engagement on Perceptions of Social Capital

Purpose: The general objective of the study was to explore the impact of social media engagement on perceptions of social capital. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the impact of social media engagement on perceptions of social capital. Preliminary empirical review revealed that active participation on social media platforms positively influenced individuals' sense of trust, reciprocity, and belonging. However, the depth of online relationships varied, with some interactions fostering meaningful connections while others remained superficial. Individual factors such as age, socioeconomic status, and cultural background influenced the relationship between social media engagement and social capital perceptions. The study highlighted the need for further research to understand the underlying mechanisms and develop tailored interventions for maximizing the positive effects of social media on social capital perceptions. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Social Capital theory, Uses and Gratification theory and Social Identity theory may be used to anchor future studies on the impact of social media engagement on perceptions of social capital. The study provided valuable recommendations that contributed to theory, practice, and policy. It enhanced theoretical frameworks by elucidating the mechanisms through which social media engagement influences perceptions of social capital. Practical implications were identified, emphasizing the importance of strategic content creation and authentic engagement for individuals and organizations. Policy recommendations highlighted the need for regulations promoting digital literacy and online safety to foster a healthy online environment conducive to social capital formation. Future research avenues were also suggested, including longitudinal studies and comparative analyses across demographic groups and cultural contexts. Overall, the study's findings offered insights that could inform strategies for enhancing social capital in the digital age.

The influence of institutional quality, economic freedom, and technological development on Islamic financial development in OIC countries

This study investigates the relationship between Institutional quality, Economic freedom, technological advancement, and Islamic financial development in selected OIC countries. This study employs the panel estimation method to examine annual data pertaining to Islamic bank industries across 22 countries, sourced from the SESRIC database, from 2013 to 2021. The findings show that the overall quality of institutions and economic freedom influence Islamic finance development. Further, the contribution of technological development appears when institutional quality indicates higher performance. Despite the predominant correlation observed among institutional indicators, this study, focusing on a comprehensive index, reveals a consistent and significant contribution of institutional quality to the growth of Islamic finance. Furthermore, this study's findings show that institutional quality and economic freedom are related; yet, the methods by which the foundations of each indicator influence financial development differ. The findings of this research underscore the importance of urging policymakers, particularly governmental authorities, to prioritize the development of policies and initiatives aimed at fostering a healthy and conducive environment. Emphasizing practical and transparent institutional frameworks is essential for cultivating a well-regulated economic environment.