Arctic and sub-Arctic marine diatom responses to PFAS exposure: Understanding physiological changes and resilience.

3D-printed multiplex system for electrochemical determination of yellow fever antigens and antibodies.

Experimental 3E analysis of a biomass gasification plant for off-grid electrification in rural Ghana.

Optimal sizing of stand-alone hybrid energy system for development of rural and remote areas in Saudi Arabia

Feasibility assessment of an efficient hydrogen-freshwater cogeneration system for remote mining area based on solid oxide electrolysis cell

Persistent and emerging brominated flame retardants in indoor dust and human hair from remote agro-pastoral areas of Inner Mongolia: Pollution characteristics, source apportionment, and human exposure

The IoT and GSM Enabled Sanitation Management System is designed to automate and enhance sanitation monitoring using modern embedded technology. The system utilizes an ESP32 microcontroller as its central control unit, interfaced with multiple sensors such as gas, IR, and ultrasonic sensors. These sensors continuously monitor environmental conditions such as gas leakage, human detection, and waste bin level. When abnormal conditions are detected, the system activates appropriate actuators like buzzers or pumps and sends alerts via GSM and IoT modules. The system operates on solar power, ensuring sustainability and continuous functionality even in remote areas. Real-time data visualization is provided through an LCD display and cloud connectivity, enabling remote monitoring and management of sanitation conditions

Cyclospora is an emerging intestinal pathogenic protozoan transmitted through foodborne and waterborne routes. At least 19 countries in the world have recorded outbreaks of cyclosporiasis, mainly associated with the consumption of contaminated fresh agricultural products. The lack of a sensitive immediate test is one of the major obstacles to the rapid diagnosis of cyclosporiasis. The target interference mechanisms of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) protein systems have been adapted into versatile and efficient genome manipulation and disease-curing technologies, while also being promising for point-of-care testing (POCT) applications. It can serve as an excellent rapid and specific detection tool. The recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and the CRISPR/Cas12a system were combined to develop a detection method for C. cayetanensis (termed RECCT-Cay) via visual observation of fluorescent readings under blue light and field diagnosis using lateral flow strip (LFS) biosensors. The detection limit of the established RECCT-Cay was 7 copies/μL. Under simulated clinical conditions, the detection limit was 30 oocysts per gram of stool. At the same time, the established detection platform can distinguish C. cayetanensis from the closely related Eimeria spp. The results of our constructed assay were compared with nested PCR, and the detection results of 30 clinical stool samples were consistent, with three samples positive for C. cayetanensis. Based on the RECCT-Cay detection principle, a portable suitcase-sized device has been designed, which can conduct rapid on-site detection of clinical samples. The RECCT-Cay platform features rapid speed, high sensitivity, and the capability for field detection, making it a promising tool for use in remote areas.

This study aimed to identify how telehealth supports access to Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) globally and explore potential risks and benefits of telehealth for VAD consultations. A systematic review of peer-reviewed articles on telehealth and VAD examining global use of telehealth to support access to VAD, global restrictions to telehealth-enabled VAD, and practical and clinical implications of using telehealth in supporting VAD was performed. PubMed, Embase (Excerpta Medica Database), CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Web of Science, and Scopus were searched and supplemented by handsearching relevant articles. Study quality was assessed using the SQUIRE (The Standard for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence) guidelines. Two hundred and thirty articles were identified and then screened by two reviewers. Data were extracted from 26 included articles. Guided by Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis methodology, manual open coding was undertaken, and peer debriefing meetings resulted in the final key themes. Overall, findings indicate that telehealth can facilitate VAD services, enhance patient and provider experiences, and mitigate access inequities. The analysis highlighted that telehealth could further improve VAD access, especially in rural and remote areas. Until then, there are ongoing legal ambiguities for providers in Australia. Telehealth can improve access to VAD, particularly in remote areas, reducing travel burdens for terminally ill patients. Global evidence from VAD and other sensitive medical fields supports the conclusion that telehealth's benefits outweigh its risks. Legislative clarity in Australia is necessary to resolve conflicts between federal and state laws and to provide clarity for healthcare providers and improve access for eligible patients. Future research should include more robust measures of the efficacy of telehealth.

Indonesia, located in a highly seismic region due to the convergence of the Indo-Australian, Eurasian, and Pacific plates, requires affordable earthquake early warning systems. This research aims to develop an easy-to-use, portable tectonic earthquake detection system based on the Arduino Uno platform. The methodology encompassed the design of hardware and software, the installation of accelerometer sensors, and the programming of the Arduino to detect ground vibration intensity. Test results demonstrate that the system is sensitive to changes in vibration and can provide an audible warning via a buzzer when a predefined vibration threshold is exceeded. Although its accuracy is lower than that of professional seismographs, the system presents an economical solution for deployment in remote areas. Future development could incorporate GPS sensors and artificial intelligence to enhance its accuracy and expand its applicability across various disaster scenarios.

Australia's diverse geography and climate conditions may influence the substantial burden of kidney failure. Understanding current climate impacts on kidney health is critical amid ongoing climate change. This study examines geographical variations and associations with climate conditions in kidney failure incidence among patients initiating kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Data were sourced from the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry, the Bureau of Meteorology, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Climate conditions, remoteness, socioeconomic index, age, BMI, ethnicity, and state of residence were analysed using a spatial Bayesian regression model to estimate their effects on kidney failure incidence among patients initiating KRT. Among 49,363 patients, 61.5% were male, 74.3% were Caucasian, and 40.5% were former smokers. Kidney failure patients receiving KRT are clustered across Australia (Moran's I = 0.38). The incidence rate of kidney failure patients receiving KRT was high in the "hot dry summer, warm winter" (714.2 per 100,000) and "hot humid summer, warm winter" (607.1 per 100,000) climate zones. The risk was high in "hot humid summer, warm winter" (relative risk [RR] = 1.70, 95% credible interval [CI]: 1.30-2.21) compared to "mild to warm summer, cold winter" zone. The risk was attenuated after adjusting for geographical and demographic covariates. Very remote areas had a threefold risk compared to major cities (RR = 3.00, 95% CI: 2.43-3.71). This study revealed substantial regional variations in kidney failure incidence among patients initiating KRT, related to differences in climate conditions, notably hot, humid environments. These incidence patterns also accounted for factors including remoteness, socioeconomic status, and state of residence, highlighting the need to address climate-related health disparities in the context of ongoing climate change.

Immunization programs in armed conflict areas face complex challenges related to logistics, security, and socio-cultural barriers. In Papua, Indonesia, the coverage of basic childhood immunization remains below the national average due to geographical isolation, limited infrastructure, and recurring security disruptions. This study aims to develop a contextual immunization program model for conflict-affected regions through a systematic literature review. The review was conducted using PRISMA 2020 guidelines and included peer-reviewed articles from Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect published between 2020 and 2024. Fourteen eligible studies were analyzed thematically to identify key components influencing immunization effectiveness in conflict settings. The findings reveal that vaccine cold-chain management, health worker capacity, community engagement, and intersectoral collaboration are the most critical determinants of program success. Technological innovations such as solar-powered cold chains and digital monitoring systems enhance vaccine integrity in remote areas. In addition, the involvement of community health workers and local leaders increases public trust and vaccine acceptance. Integrating safety protocols and performance-based financing mechanisms also contributes to sustainability and staff motivation. The proposed model emphasizes adaptive logistics, multi-sector coordination, and culturally sensitive strategies to ensure equitable access to immunization in high-risk settings. This review highlights the importance of conflict-responsive health policies and resilient immunization systems that align with the Immunization Agenda 2030. The implementation of this model in Papua could serve as a framework for similar regions facing instability and limited access to healthcare.

BUMDes (Village-Owned Enterprises) are an important instrument in local economic development because they utilize the potential of resources and human resources in the village to improve community welfare. BUMDes play a role in driving the village economy, increasing community income, and supporting sustainable village development. This study aims to understand the reality of the existence of BUMDes and its impact on the sustainability of the village economy. This study focuses on understanding the perspective of village business entities and asking whether these business entities are able to improve the village economy by increasing the capacity of BUMDes that support village sustainability and are analyzed using the dynamic capability theory approach. This study uses a qualitative approach with informants from village-owned business entity administrators and villagers who run small businesses in rural Berau Regency. The results of the analysis of the four components of dynamic capabilities found that BUMDes in rural areas of Berau Regency have not been able to recognize the potential of the village environment that can be developed due to their inability to capture opportunities to develop the market; BUMDes in Berau Regency often operate with limited resources, both in terms of capital, skills, or support from the local government; Limited digital infrastructure and low digital literacy in remote rural areas of Berau Regency; and weak managerial capabilities of BUMdes administrators. Dynamic BUMdes that follows developments in the business world is the key to build rural economic sustainability.

Abstract The holy cave shrine of Amarnath is thronged annually by over three lakh devotees. However, the cryogenic-sensitive region is increasingly becoming vulnerable to anomalies in precipitation events and rising anthropogenic footprints. On the evening of 8 July 2022, a highly localized extreme rainfall event took place leading to a short-lived flash flood along with unsorted debris flow in the Amarnath valley, surmounting heavy loss of lives and local livelihoods. This article uses Earth Observation (EO) datasets to capture and understand the implications of using such data applications in mitigating disasters for remote and inaccessible areas. Despite the valuable insights provided by EO data, their applicability is often restricted by the temporal limitations, particularly those derived from open-source radar and optical satellite imagery, which are frequently incapable of capturing ephemeral or rapidly evolving phenomena. Some meaningful information about the present study was captured with the use of GPM (IMERG) satellite-based rainfall data, while others failed to gauge the situation. Eight topographical parameters have been examined to understand the local factors contributing to flash flood conditions in the Amarnath watershed. An AHP-based flash flood susceptibility zonation (FFSZ) was derived using Google Earth Engine (GEE) along with an interactive user interface was developed for visualization of the computed parameters. The FFSZ contains five classes with their areal percentages: Very Low (20.03%), Low (19.69%), Moderate (20.43%), High (20.14%) and Very High (19.71%) respectively. Our findings suggest the need for more ground-based automated weather stations (AWS) complementing satellite-based EO systems' limitations for providing high-precision regular interval observation. Finally, we propose a new ‘4S’ framework, namely, ‘source’, ‘setting’, ‘susceptibility’ and ‘solution’ for flash flood risk assessment. This framework has also been discussed in complementary to a cross-sectoral interface containing ‘science-governance-disaster risk reduction (DRR)-society’ aspects alongside major targets based on Global Goals (UN SDGs) and India’s national DRR agenda points.

This study explores how two leading national online media, detikcom and Kompas.com, construct news frames around the issue of isolation on Enggano Island through the analytical lens of Robert Entman’s framing model. Enggano, a frontier island in Bengkulu Province, has long been characterized by poor transport connectivity, limited infrastructure, and minimal state attention. Each media outlet offers a different interpretive stance, revealing how developmental inequality and the dynamics between Indonesia’s center and periphery are discursively shaped. This study adopts a qualitative framing analysis by applying Entman’s four analytical dimensions: defining the problem, diagnosing causes, making moral evaluations, and suggesting remedies. The data comprise ten online articles published in June 2025, all addressing isolation and development on Enggano. The findings indicate that detikcom constructs the issue primarily through geographical and factual perspectives, portraying Enggano as a remote area requiring infrastructure improvement. Conversely, Kompas.com situates the story within the broader context of policy disparity and governmental accountability, using a tone that is both critical and empathetic toward local communities. In terms of moral evaluation, detikcom maintains descriptive neutrality, while Kompas.com underscores unequal national development and advocates for implicit moral concern. Despite these differences, both outlets stop short of offering concrete policy recommendations. Overall, this study demonstrates that media framing serves as a pivotal mechanism for shaping how isolation and developmental inequality are perceived in Indonesia’s peripheral regions. The findings extend theoretical discussions in development communication and media studies, particularly regarding how the national media reproduces or challenges spatial inequalities within the discourse of public policy and national development.

Using advanced communication and information technologies, teleconsultation can provide high-quality healthcare services to remote areas. To enhance service efficiency, this study develops a two-level dynamic scheduling model for teleconsultation, which prioritizes optimizing service frequency and incorporates downstream room utilization and overtime risk as considerations. The first-level model is a data-driven framework that optimizes the frequency by adjusting service start times. Based on the solutions of the first-level model, a second-level model is built to assign teleconsultation rooms to departments with demands and reduce the total overtime risk and and room opening cost. For solving, an integer programming (IP) solver is embedded in a deep reinforcement learning (DRL) approach. A presorting mechanism of interval constraints is proposed to improve the quality of solutions. For verification, actual teleconsultation data are used as samples. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed two-level model, the embedded solving algorithm, and the interval constraint presorting mechanism. Compared with real schedules, the two-level model can reduce four service scheduling performance criteria, including demand average waiting time, number of services, risk of overtime, and number of rooms used. As a result, the efficiency of teleconsultation is improved to promote its development.

BackgroundSpinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to persistent pain and significant challenges in personal, social, and occupational life, requiring interdisciplinary rehabilitation. Despite advances in pain understanding, effective treatment for the impact of pain on daily living remains sparse. This study addresses the need for effective interventions with the aim of developing and testing an interdisciplinary values-based cognitive behavioral therapy (V-CBT) program for individuals with SCI and persistent pain, also with an objective to apply fine-grained data collection to explore effects and change processes.MethodsThis study is a replicated multiple baselines single-case experimental design (SCED). Nine participants with SCI and persistent pain will be block-randomized to 1, 2, or 3-week baseline phases, thus serving as their own controls. The intervention comprises a manualized V-CBT program with 10 sessions, delivered online or face-to-face based on participant preference, by an interdisciplinary team (psychologist and physiotherapist). The main aim of the intervention is to promote value-based behaviors. Data collection includes daily online self-reports as well as measurements at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and three-month follow-up. Structured visual analysis and statistical methods assess treatment effects, emphasizing within-case changes and individual responses.DiscussionThis study possesses several strengths and limitations. A key strength is the interdisciplinary team, consisting of experienced physiotherapists and a psychologist, ensuring a high standard of care. The SCED methodology enables detailed tracking of individual treatment responses, allowing for a nuanced analysis of efficacy and change processes. The integration of a pre-post design with a three-month follow-up enhances the study’s robustness, while the relatively large sample size for a SCED study strengthens its reliability. Additionally, the optional online format improves accessibility for individuals with mobility challenges or those in remote areas, potentially increasing participation and adherence. However, limitations include the absence of professionals such as occupational therapists or physicians, which could provide a more holistic rehabilitation approach. The online format, while increasing reach, may introduce technical barriers and limit therapeutic engagement. SCED designs also require frequent data collection, which may lead to participant fatigue and dropout, impacting data completeness. Despite these challenges, the study offers valuable insights into SCI pain management.Trial registrationNCT06599632 (Clinicaltrials.gov; registered 13 September 2024).Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-025-03637-5.

In the last decade, offshore wind has become a flourishing source of energy with many countries investing and deploying this technology. Hydrogen can be used as a transmission and storage medium allowing remote areas with high offshore wind energy to be connected with energy-demanding sectors. Solid oxide electrolysis (SOE) may also play a vital role in hydrogen production and decarbonization due to its advantageous thermodynamic and kinetic operating conditions that lead to higher efficiencies. While any source of electricity can be used to power SOE systems, green hydrogen made from a renewable power source represents the most sustainable pathway to achieving net zero emissions. The goal of this work is to explore and assess how offshore wind and hydrogen from high-temperature electrolysis can support a 100% renewable future in California. To achieve this, this work is divided into three main sections: First, the benefits and challenges of offshore wind are analyzed in California using generation duration curves, correlation analyses, demand-based metrics, and the discrete Fourier transform to assess the feasibility of integrating this energy with the electrical grid. Second, an SOE system coupled with offshore wind is designed and proposed, focusing on modeling the thermodynamics of such a system, including a heat transfer model, electrochemical efficiencies, and dynamics of an offshore platform. Finally, this work presents preliminary experimental results that assess the potential impacts of seawater on a high-temperature SOE cell. Using a variety of electrochemical analysis methods and tools, including polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, distribution of relaxation times, and Scanning Electron Microscopy, this study finds strong evidence of salt precipitation on the cell, which did not appear to negatively impact the cell’s performance.

Background: The application of integrated crop management with the Hazton planting method can increase rice production, but the adoption rate of this technology still needs to be higher. So, there is a gap in the effectiveness of cultivation innovation that hinders the achievement of rice production targets. This study aims to identify socioeconomic factors that affect the integration of crop management with the Hazton method on rice paddy crops. Methods: The analysis method used is multiple linear regression analysis. All statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS 21 software. Result: The study’s results showed that age, formal education, farming experience, land area, income and the role of extension and financing institutions significantly influenced 67% of the implementation of integrated crop management with the Hazton planting method on rice paddy crops. Meanwhile, age, family labor and institutional support for production input had no significant effect. These findings imply that increased adoption requires targeted education and training programs, especially in areas with extensive rice cultivation activities. Easily accessible financing schemes and strong institutional support are also important to support the sustainable adoption of the technology. This research contributes to the understanding of the influence of socioeconomic factors on the adoption of agricultural technology in remote areas and provides insights for the development of policies to support rice self-sufficiency in Indonesia.

This paper explores how existing, potentially autonomous applications for crisis management and emergency response can be extended with replication and where nodes are mobile or working in remote areas where they can be offline or weakly connected for extended periods. Tradeoffs between consistency, availability and partitioning tolerance must be made. The approach investigated provides replication with strong eventual consistency, using operation-based CRDTs, specifically the Last-Writer-Wins (LWW-Element-Set) CRDT. Nodes subscribing to datasets form hierarchical overlay networks. This approach is implemented and tested as an extension to an existing application used in voluntary search and rescue operations. The implementation is backed by an RDBMS and REST APIs. Results are discussed in terms of the LWW strategy, which relies on timestamps. The discussion includes challenges related to delete semantics as well as ways to leverage causality information to enhance the basic LWW strategy.