Informed by methods in Black and Indigenous studies, this article attends to interspecies relations in the Black outdoors of informal settlements in the south of Johannesburg, South Africa. We decentre anthropocentric perspectives and lean into planetary understandings of the interactions between humans, plants, animals, and the cosmos as forms of relation in interspecies life. We suggest that like humans, the natural elements within these contexts express agency, survival, and resistance in ruderal ecologies. Photographs of the natural and material environment, along with verbal accounts of space were collected and analysed using an Afro-ecofeminism framework and a Black studies and Indigenous studies reading to explore interspecies relations. We concluded that interspecies relations are characterised by co-dependence that sustains precarious environmental and spiritual ecologies. In these zones of state abandonment, relations between plant and animal life, Indigenous cosmologies and humans, offer us ways to disrupt hierarchies of being in favour of a planetary consciousness.

Speciation of inorganic and organometallic arsenic in various matrices with a novel SPME fiber functionalized with iron nanoparticles prior to LC-ICP-MS determination.

ABSTRACT Recent studies emphasize the role of indoor environmental factors in improving cognitive performance, with indoor greenery playing a crucial part. This research examines the impact of physical exposure to natural elements and photographic viewing of greenery on creativity, specifically divergent thinking, through the lens of Attention Restoration Theory (ART). Seventy-eight undergraduate architecture students were randomly assigned to one of three groups: exposure to a green atrium, viewing photographs of the atrium, or sitting in a standard classroom. Creativity was measured using the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT), which assesses fluency, originality, elaboration, and resistance to premature closure. The results revealed that both physical contact with greenery and image-based exposure significantly enhanced creativity. Participants exposed to physical greenery achieved the highest scores in originality and fluency, while those viewing photographs of greenery excelled in elaboration. These findings suggest that natural elements, whether physically present or visually represented through images, provide cognitive and psychological benefits that foster creative performance among future architects. This study highlights the value of integrating greenery into educational and professional design environments to promote creativity in educational and professional design environments. Future research should investigate the long-term impact of continuous exposure to natural elements and explore optimal virtual nature stimuli for enhancing creativity-related cognitive functions in architectural practice and education.

As consumer preferences increasingly emphasize emotional connection and cultural identity, jewelry design has placed greater focus on cultural symbolism and expressive qualities. This study sought to advance wooden jewelry design within a sustainability assessment framework, using natural and cultural element symbols as the core foundation, and to construct a systematic research process from element extraction to design verification through interdisciplinary approaches. First, natural and cultural element symbols were systematically classified, and users’ Kansei vocabulary related to wooden jewelry was collected and structured via the Affinity Diagram Method to identify emotional requirements. The Priority Ranking Method was then applied to quantify these requirements, followed by the use of Quality Function Deployment to map Kansei vocabulary to element symbols, enabling the selection of core elements and the development of three design proposals. An evaluation model was subsequently established using the Entropy Weight Method, while Grey Relational Analysis was employed to determine the optimal design, which was further validated through user testing. These findings demonstrate that this framework effectively translates natural and cultural elements into a design language for sustainable wooden jewelry, offering methodological insights into integrating traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design practice.

Background Rapid urbanization has intensified psychological stress among urban residents. As highly accessible forms of urban green space, small urban parks play a vital role in fostering psychological resilience and restorative experiences. However, in high-density cities such as Fuzhou, the underlying restorative mechanisms of different types of small parks—along with the moderating effects of gender and specific landscape elements—remain insufficiently understood. Methods This study adopted a multi-method approach, incorporating psychological assessment via the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS), eye-tracking techniques, and physiological measurements including skin conductance level (SCL) and the low-frequency/high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio of heart rate variability. A total of 55 participants from Fuzhou were exposed to four distinct types of small urban parks—pocket parks, linear waterfront parks, community parks, and small comprehensive parks—to evaluate their restorative outcomes. Results Both park type and gender exerted significant effects on restorative perceptions and physiological responses ( p < 0.001). Small comprehensive parks achieved the highest PRS scores in the dimensions of being away, fascination, and compatibility, while presenting the lowest SCL and LF/HF ratios, indicative of the strongest overall restorative effects. Female participants reported higher perceived restorativeness and exhibited lower SCL values compared with male participants. The proportion of gaze fixation on vegetation was identified as the most salient positive predictor of both restorative experience and physiological relaxation. Conversely, fixation on artificial facilities and the sky showed negative predictive relationships in certain park types, while water features and traditional architectural elements displayed context-dependent positive influences. Conclusion The restorative effects of small urban parks are jointly influenced by park type, gender, and landscape elements. Small comprehensive parks demonstrated superior performance—primarily due to their diverse and integrated natural landscapes—whereas linear waterfront parks were particularly effective in physiological regulation. Pocket parks and community parks provided comparatively weaker restorative effects, likely constrained by limited amenities and spatial configurations. Females were more sensitive to psychological perceptions (e.g., “being away,” “fascination”) and physiological responses. Natural elements (e.g., multi-layered vegetation, water bodies) served as core drivers of stable restoration, whereas the role of artificial facilities was context-dependent: traditional architecture enhanced cultural identity, while dense modern facilities potentially increased cognitive load.

Amid continuous urban population growth and urbanization’s environmental and social challenges, livable cities have become a key priority for governments. Among the various factors influencing urban livability, architectural design integrating natural elements plays a critical role. Melbourne consistently ranks as one of the world’s most livable cities, with its Central Business District (CBD) serving as its core. Since a previous study has highlighted a research gap concerning the role of architecture in livable cities and indicated that the characteristics of biophilic architecture remain unclear, this study addresses the following question: What are the attributes of biophilic architecture in the CBD of the livable city of Melbourne? Subsequently, buildings exhibiting characteristics of Biophilic architecture were surveyed, and photographs capturing the most representative aspects of each building were documented. These characteristics were then coded and analyzed using statistics. The study found that Biophilic architecture is extremely rare in Melbourne’s CBD, with only four of 6375 properties (0.06%) identified as such. The most prominent attributes include connection to nature, natural color tones, and light modulation shaped by the city’s grid layout and strong sunlight. However, the dominance of concrete structures and heritage regulations constrains formal diversity. While Melbourne may not provide abundant examples, its context offers valuable insight into how urban form and policy shape biophilic expression. Future studies should extend this comparative approach to other cities to better understand context-specific adaptations of biophilic design.

Purpose This study aims to investigate how urban forests serve as value-laden spaces that foster visitor satisfaction, loyalty and Islamic consumer responsibility in Muslim-majority societies. It examines the role of holistic faith-aligned experience (HFAE) in shaping satisfaction and how satisfaction mediates the relationship between experience and pro-environmental behavioural outcomes. Design/methodology/approach A multidimensional construct of HFAE – comprising sensory nature, enrichment and faith-aligned elements identified through exploratory factor analysis – was developed and validated. Grounded in experience-economy and value–belief–norm theory, the study analysed survey data from 424 young Muslim visitors using partial least-squares structural-equation modelling. Findings All three experience dimensions significantly enhance visitor satisfaction; sensory and enrichment elements show the strongest effects. Satisfaction then mediates the relationship between each experience dimension and both loyalty and responsible consumption, confirming its pivotal role in translating park visits into pro-environmental commitment. Practical implications Managers should prioritise multi-sensory design (e.g. shaded trails, soundscapes), clear environmental signage and community programs that highlight practical stewardship. Such interventions elevate satisfaction and, consequently, loyalty and responsible on-site behaviour. Originality/value The study empirically links a validated HFAE scale to satisfaction, loyalty and responsibility in an urban–forest context. It offers a concise model for enhancing pro-environmental outcomes through measured visitor experiences in Muslim-majority cities.

This study advocates for the emergence of children’s participation as stakeholders in home and neighbourhood design, emphasizing the need for architects to recognize their voices in shaping inclusive and adaptive environments. Despite being primary users of these spaces, children are often overlooked as active participants in the design process. While architects play a critical role in redefining residential spaces, children’s perspectives are often excluded, resulting in environments that inadequately address their needs. Through a participatory workshop, this research engaged eight children aged 4–11 from a single neighbourhood in Dunedin, New Zealand, to explore their spatial preferences and assess whether current homes and neighbourhoods accommodate to their envisioned ideal spaces. Using creative tools like drawing and conversation, the study revealed key insights. Children’s favourite spaces highlighted the importance of action affordances, material culture, sensory engagement with nature, and the balance between safety and autonomy. Participants emphasized spaces that combine functionality, play, and emotional comfort, moving beyond the structured, adult-centric designs prevalent in architectural practice. Notably, their preferences shifted towards natural elements in the absence of material objects, underscoring the importance of sensory and exploratory environments. The findings challenge traditional design paradigms, advocating for participatory approaches where children’s perspectives inform housing and neighbourhood design. By integrating children’s insights, architects can develop environments that are adaptable, interactive, and supportive of their growth and well-being. This research underscores the potential of child-inclusive design in promoting inclusive, sustainable, and child-friendly homes and neighbourhoods, aligning with broader goals of participatory and equitable development in urban planning.

The punitive damages framework for environmental torts is vital for addressing the global ecological crisis and the challenges of environmental governance in China. This system compensates for shortcomings in traditional compensatory damages, intensifies penalties for egregious violators, and fosters ecological sustainability. Current research in China predominantly focuses on theoretical aspects, including the institutional nature, claimant eligibility, and constituent elements, yet there is a notable lack of comprehensive studies on the specific rules governing punitive damages. This study employs various methodologies, including literature analysis, comparative legal text review, case studies, and insights from comparative law, to systematically explore pathways for reforming these principles. The findings underscore that defining the private law nature of the issue clarifies its application scope and facilitates the coordination with criminal and administrative liabilities. A calculation method based on multiples of actual losses can standardize judicial discretion. Furthermore, distinguishing between the management of damages in private environmental interest litigation and civil public interest litigation can both incentivize rights protection and ensure funds are available for remediation efforts. The establishment of a scientifically driven offset mechanism effectively prevents overlapping penalties and improves enforcement coordination.

This study examinеs synesthetic metaphors in the Kyrgyz epic "Manas" аs аculturally conditioned poetic phenomenon. Through analysis of 247 synesthetic constructions identified in canonical variants by Sagymbai Orоzbakov and Sayakbai Karalaev, the research reveals four primary types of synesthesia: visual-auditory (the most frequent), tactile-visual, visual-gustatory, and metaphors based on natural phenomena. The study demonstrates that synesthetic metaphors in the epic perfоrm multiple functions including imaginative, emotional, cultural, and aesthetic roles, while encоding specific cultural values of the Kyrgyz nomadic worldview. Cоlor symbolism (blue/kok associated with divinity and eternity, white/ak with purity and blessing, red/kyzyl with vitality and energy) forms a systematic code for expressing abstract concepts through concrete sensоry experiences. Precious metals (gold and silver indicating social status and sacred power) and natural elements (thunder symbolizing divine force, wind representing freedom, water embodying life-giving power) constitute the conceptual foundation of epic synesthesia. The analysis reveals that these metaphorical constructions are deeply rооted in Kyrgyz cultural codes and reflect the nomadic lifestyle, spiritual connection with nature, and traditional value system. The predominance of visuаl-auditory synesthesia is explained by the performative nature of the oral epic traditiоn, where manaschi (epic storytellers) transform auditory narrative into vivid visual imagery. This research cоntributes to Manas Studies by providing the first systematic typоlogy and cultural-semantic analysis of synesthetic constructions, filling a significant gap in existing scholarship on the epic's poetic devices.

This study examines the integration of landscape architecture in the therapeutic recovery processes within psychiatric healthcare expectations. Acknowledging the growing demand for healing-centered design in mental health facilities, it further employs a mixed-methods framework that comprises of comprehensive literature review, expected principles and design evaluations to assess the influence of natural and biophilic elements on patient outcomes. Reckoning with sustainable and patient-centered design principles that enhance safety, privacy, and overall well-being for all in and out patient users. The findings demonstrate that thoughtfully designed therapeutic landscapes contribute significantly to stress reduction, emotional stability, and improved recovery trajectories for psychiatric patients. The study extensively offers evidence-based design insights to guide architects and other allied professionas, healthcare proponents and planners, and policy stakeholders in fostering rehabilitative environments through landscape architecture. It further argues for a redefined approach to psychiatric hospital design that integrates ecological sustainability with therapeutic efficacy.

We have determined the bound coherent neutron scattering lengths b_c of nuclides 141Pr, isoNd (iso = 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 148, 150), isoSm (iso = 147, 148, 150, 152, 154), 153Eu, 170Yb and 174Yb as well as the natural elements natEu and natNd by using Bragg powder diffraction and analysing relative Bragg peak intensities with the Rietveld procedure. Some of these scattering lengths had never been determined before, to the best of our knowledge. Our investigations were carried out using different neutron diffractometers and different incident neutron energies (i.e. wavelengths) on chemically pure, crystalline, highly-enriched isotopic powder samples having different crystalline structures in order to ensure the consistency and robustness of the results and to reveal potential systematic errors. Our study led to final well-determined values of b_c(141Pr) = 4.44(4) fm, b_c(142Nd) = 7.24(4) fm, b_c(143Nd) = 17.51(6) fm, b_c(144Nd) = 3.06(7) fm, b_c(145Nd) = 10.40(12) fm, b_c(146Nd) = 8.56(9) fm, b_c(148Nd) = 4.44(13) fm, b_c(150Nd) = 6.87(5) fm. b_c(147Sm) = 6.68(5) fm, b_c(148Sm) = 6.67(7) fm, b_c(150Sm) = 10.05(10) fm, b_c(152Sm) = 6.14(12) fm, b_c(154Sm) = 9.34(9) fm, b_c(153Eu) = 8.33(11) fm, b_c(170Yb) = 4.83(3) fm, b_c(170Yb) = 22.02(7) fm, b_c(natNd) = 7.87(11) fm for thermal neutrons, and also b_c(natSm) = 5.29(5) fm for an incident neutron energy of 330.3(9) meV and b_c(natEu) = 5.84(5) fm for an incident neutron energy of 168.10(5) meV. Based on the good precision and self-consistency of our b_c results over so many isotopes, we advocate neutron Bragg powder diffraction as a method of choice for future studies to determine bound coherent neutron scattering lengths.

Naturally evolved materials and structures inspire next-generation sustainable manufacturing workflows and the development of intelligent, multifunctional, high-performance materials. However, integrating compositional and structural elements from diverse natural sources into a unified, high-performance platform remains a significant challenge. Here, we present a scalable strategy for creating robust, tunable, multifunctional surfaces by seamlessly integrating sunflower (Helianthus annuus) pollen structures onto regenerated silk fibroin films from Bombyx mori. Through a dry process, pollen grains are transformed into continuous, homogeneous patterns over wafer-scale areas, which can be reconfigured via thermally induced capillary action. These geometrically controlled pollen textures are precisely transferred onto one or both sides of the silk films, producing biotextured biopolymer platforms. The hierarchical pollen architecture imparts exceptional surface properties that surpass those of existing natural or synthetic analogs, while preserving the intrinsic advantages of silk fibroin, including recyclability and biodegradability. This approach, decoupling and reintegrating fundamental natural elements at both compositional and structural levels, opens pathways for combining diverse bioresources to realize sustainable materials with enhanced versatility.

Greening cities is a nature-based strategy for sustainable urban development that integrates natural elements like plants or water bodies, to mitigate climate change impacts and enhance human well-being. However, urban green infrastructures (UGIs) can influence the distribution of disease vectors, potentially affecting vector-borne diseases (VBDs). UGIs may provide new suitable environments for urban vectors, while also creating opportunities to mitigate VBD risks through predation, competition, and dilution effects. This article examined the relationships between UGIs, vectors, and associated pathogens, impacting both human and animal health, highlighting knowledge gaps and identifying research priorities to support VBD risk mitigation measures and to guide smart urban planning and design. A systematic literature search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines in three databases (Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science). Selected articles involved (i) any aspect of a urban vector system, (ii) in UGIs, and (iii) statistical analysis of the effects of UGIs on VBD risk. Methods employed to characterize UGIs and VBDs were described and the identified impacts were summarized by vector group. Among the 98 articles reviewed, most addressed mosquito-pathogen systems (66), tick-pathogen systems (29), and few other vector-borne pathogen systems (3), with studies often confined to a single city or several cities within the same country and focused on one vector group. Urban vegetation generally appeared to heighten the risk of tick-borne diseases. In contrast, the influence of UGIs on the risk of mosquito-borne diseases varied depending on the vector system and on the environmental and climatic context. The diversity of indicators used to assess UGIs and VBD risks may affect the observed impact on VBD risk. Given the increasing popularity of urban greening, it is crucial to investigate its potential implications for public health, and thereby urban planning decisions. However, the lack of standardized protocols complicates the accurate assessment of the effects of UGIs on the risk for VBD emergence and transmission and consequently, on potential mitigation measures.

Historic urban landscapes, despite their cultural significance, often face neglect, limiting their potential to increase the value of historical centers. Defined as a complex sociotechnical network that involves a variety of agencies incorporating material, immaterial, natural, and artificial elements, these landscapes present significant challenges for architects because of their layered and diverse components. Actor–network theory (ANT) is used as a methodological and ontological framework to address this complexity. However, a notable research gap exists on the basis of the lack of clear representation and practical application of ANT to address the complexity of these historic urban landscapes. To bridge this gap, this study uses Bey’s palace as a case study to develop a comprehensive framework based on a digital mapping approach rooted in ANT. This framework traces, visualizes, and analyzes historic urban landscapes as intricate systems of agencies, leveraging graph theoretical algorithms and computational analysis tasks from network analysis tools to increase their effectiveness. This investigation is based on two key concepts: the actor/actant and the actor network. The research employed Bruno Latour’s concepts of translation, agency, and the mapping controversies technique grounded in graph-theoretic algorithm tasks to decipher the complexities of Bey’s palace system. The results identify seven clusters as actor networks and highlight the roles of key actors/actants, such as Ahmed Bey, decorative elements, courtyard gardens, and Moorish architecture. This methodological approach provides architects and urban planners with practical tools to better understand, analyze and preserve historic urban landscapes, enriching their cultural and historical value. By transforming contested discourses into measurable networks indicators, this interdisciplinary framework directly supports SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), especially Target 11.4, in safeguarding cultural heritage by enabling the prioritization, monitoring and governance of cultural, social and infrastructural assets in historic urban landscapes.

This essay explores how seventeenth-century Flemish still life painting transformed natural objects into artificial, collectible forms, reflecting changing human attitudes toward ecology, science, and material culture. Focusing on Jan Davidsz. de Heems Still Life (c.1664), it argues that the artists meticulous depiction of fruits, flowers, and animals, arranged in temporally impossible combinations, reveals a process similar to specimen-making. Through hyperrealism and Baroque lighting, natural elements are isolated, polished, and aestheticized, losing their organic temporality to become preserved artifacts. This transformation aligns with early modern practices of collecting and classifying nature, where artistic representation intersected with the rise of scientific observation and the commodification of natural objects. Painters such as Jan van Kessel further emphasized this taxonomic impulse, depicting insects and plants against neutral backgrounds as visual specimens. By framing nature within a controlled pictorial space, Flemish still life painting mirrors Enlightenment efforts to catalogue and possess the natural world. The essay concludes that these works function as ecological portraits, encapsulating both fascination and control, transforming nature into an object of study, consumption, and display. In this sense, seventeenth-century still life reveals the convergence of art, science, and capitalism, shaping the way nature was represented and understood in early modern Europe.

Prespa National Park, located in southeastern Albania, is part of the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve extending into Greece and North Macedonia. It offers a unique landscape where natural and cultural heritage elements coexist with high potential for sustainable tourism and local development. This study integrates climate data, satellite imagery, and geospatial datasets to evaluate the challenges of sustainable management of Prespa National Park under the conditions of climate change and growing tourism pressures. Data were obtained from Copernicus reanalysis (ERA5) and Earth Explorer satellite sources, and analyzed using GIS and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques in QGIS, combined with a multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) framework to map ecological sensitivity based on slope, forest density, and land-cover indicators. The analyses have revealed warming trends, variability in precipitation, and spatial changes in the forest cover and tree density, identifying areas of high ecological sensitivity requiring targeted conservation strategies. Results highlight both the urgency of climate adaptation measures and the strong potential of Prespa National Park for ecotourism and community-based conservation. The study demonstrates that GIS/RS-based approaches provide transferable and evidence-driven tools for managing protected areas and integrating climate resilience into spatial planning.

The concentrations of natural radioactive elements in the groundwater environment are regulated by several factors, including aquifer geology, groundwater hydrochemical properties, and changes in environmental conditions. Many studies have explored these factors, but few have systematically elucidated the mechanisms underlying the dissolution of radioactive elements from their host minerals into groundwater. This study investigated the petrological, mineralogical, and weathering properties of aquifer materials and their effects on the leaching of uranium (U) and thorium (Th) into groundwater. The time required for the U concentration to reach the drinking water standard (30 μg/L) was estimated through artificial weathering experiments performed under diverse environmental conditions. Rock core samples were obtained from three sites differing in their geology and groundwater U concentrations. Mineralogical analyses revealed that thorite, a representative radioactive mineral that contains large amounts of U and Th, was present in samples from all collection sites. Thorite minerals differed in terms of their sizes, shapes, cracks, and chemical compositions between samples from different sites, indicating that geological features, mineral alteration characteristics, and environmental conditions controlled the behavior of U and Th. These factors appear to play crucial roles in regulating the mobility and potential long-term leachability of U and Th. Artificial weathering experiments confirmed that a neutral pH with surplus bicarbonate ions favored U leaching. Under these environmental conditions, aquifer U concentrations were estimated to require 8.7–226 years to reach the drinking water standard, depending on the groundwater dissolved oxygen content. Our results provide scientific evidence that may be used for managing radioactive elements in the groundwater environment, and are likely to inform new environmental policies and regulatory standards.

This study aims to advance knowledge in the concept of therapeutic milieus by connecting nature, spirituality, and health to develop sustainable destinations. It combines the advantages of a conceptual paper and a multi-case study, offering a range of solutions demonstrated with three types of settlements: a county capital, a middle-sized town, and a small town. The GIS analysis identified several areas where the co-existence of thermal water, sacred sites, and verdant landscapes is in abundance, and five potential study areas were selected. Additional selection criteria included the GDP of the counties, visitation data, and synergy potential. Field work using field notes and photographs reconfirmed the results of the mapping and found unique value propositions that could enhance the value of health tourism. The theoretical research suggested three areas with synergy potential: culture, gastronomy, and sports. Based on the findings, a framework for therapeutic milieus showing three different scenarios was prepared. As for the economic and social implications, the research highlighted that adopting a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating insights from geography, cultural studies, and psychology, could make destinations more resilient, thus benefiting both tourists and locals. This study represents a substantial contribution to the milieu theories by incorporating natural, cultural, and spiritual elements into a flexible framework for therapeutic milieus. Future research may explore therapeutic milieus outside the Christian context or investigate the demand side.

TPS and Natural Composites Elements, Techniques, Challenges, and applications