Sustainable Change Research Articles

Employing Vernacular Urbanism and Traditional Practices in Enhancing Contemporary Cities: Insights from India

Vernacular urbanism, which encompasses traditional architectural and planning practices rooted in local culture and environmental conditions, presents valuable insights for modern urban design. As modern cities face increasing challenges such as environmental sustainability, cultural homogenization and climate change, the significance of these traditional practices becomes more apparent. In this context, it is argued that understanding and integrating vernacular practices can enhance contemporary urban design by merging historical knowledge with modern needs. This paper examines the integration of vernacular urbanism— traditional architectural and urban planning practices—into contemporary city design by employing a qualitative approach through case studies across various Indian cities such as Mumbai, Kochi, Jaipur and Jaisalmer, drawing on various data sources including historical texts, architectural treatises. By examining these, the study uncovers the evolution of vernacular urban practices and their applicability to contemporary urban design challenges. The paper concludes that integrating vernacular principles into the design of contemporary cities creates a harmonious balance between heritage preservation and advancing modern developments. This approach effectively bridges the gap between historical knowledge and contemporary urban planning, resulting in more livable, sustainable urban environments.

Understanding Constraints in Zero Budget Natural Farming: A Comparative Study of Two Districts in Northern Karnataka, India

The Green Revolution successfully achieved food security but also brought about new challenges, such as decreasing factor productivity and inefficient nutrient utilization. As concerns about food safety, environmental sustainability, and climate change continue to grow, Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) has emerged as an alternative and gained support from governments. This study aimed to identify the constraints of ZBNF in Northern Karnataka. Using an ex post facto research design, data were collected from 100 respondents in Belagavi and Haveri districts, categorized into planners and adopters. The Garrett Ranking Technique and Mann-Whitney U test were applied to analyze the constraints. Planners faced challenges, such as low initial yields (62.58) and a lack of confidence in using ZBNF inputs (59.54). However, adopters cited inadequate government support (53.96) as their top constraint. Both groups reported the labor-intensive nature of practicing ZBNF and issues with market access, highlighting systemic barriers to ZBNF adoption. Statistically significant differences were found between planners and adopters in terms of the non-availability of traditional seed varieties (p=0.012), low yields in the initial stages (p=0.030), lack of information on preparing asthras (p=0.024), and inadequate government support (p=0.015). Other constraints, such as purchasing indigenous cows (p=0.05) and intensive labor requirements (p=0.223), were identified but not statistically significant. These findings contribute to the sustainable agriculture discourse and offer insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to promote ZBNF as a viable alternative to conventional farming.

Walking the Walk: How Genuine Organizational Transformation Can Enhance DEI Initiatives

This article discusses how genuine organizational transformation can enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to deliver meaningful results. The article suggest that standalone DEI programs are generally insufficient for driving sustainable cultural change. Instead, DEI needs to be embedded throughout an organization through systemic shifts in mindsets, processes, policies, and practices. The article outlines recommendations for advancing DEI through reimagining strategic vision and leadership behaviors, restructuring human resources systems and resource allocation, cultivating an inclusive culture, and demonstrating continued commitment through action, progress measurement, and issue response. Case examples from various industries are provided. The article argues that holistic organizational transformation integrating DEI into the fabric of the organization is key to authentically advancing diversity and inclusion.

DETERMINATION OF THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF ANIMAL WASTE AND CLIMATE CHANGE; KARAMAN EXAMPLE

Climate change is a major concern around the world. In this context, the carbon footprint of animal waste is of critical importance for sustainability and climate change management. The aim of this study is to estimate the carbon footprint resulting from animal breeding and animal waste in the Karaman region. In the study, 2022 data was used and there are 1019277 sheep and 81368 cattle for Karaman. In the study, Tier 1 and Tier 2 approaches were used to estimate methane gas emissions related to both enteric fermentation resulting from animal digestive processes and manure management. According to the results of the study, the results obtained using Tier 1 and Tier 2 approaches are as follows: 0.4924-0.5014 kg CO2e per 1 liter of milk for Cattle. For sheep, it is 4.5167-6.5627 kg CO2e per 1 kg of meat. For goat, it is 5.0813-6.0231 kg CO2e per 1 kg of meat. These results can be taken into account when creating strategies to reduce methane gas emissions. It is recommended to add better quality and high energy content foods to the feed ration, especially to reduce enteric fermentation. In addition, this study is a resource for relevant researchers working in the field in calculating the carbon loads of animal waste and is thought to be a guide for decision makers and practitioners.

State Mandates On Naloxone Coprescribing Associated With Short-Term Increase In Naloxone Codispensing.

In the midst of the opioid crisis in the US, efforts to mitigate overdose risks have become paramount, leading some states to introduce mandates for coprescribing the life-saving overdose reversal drug naloxone. These mandates were designed to specifically address people receiving opioid analgesics who had an elevated risk for overdose. This included people receiving high opioid dosages, those concurrently using benzodiazepines, or those with a history of substance use disorder or overdose. Using a nationally representative, multipayer cohort of patients receiving prescription opioids, we investigated how naloxone codispensing rates changed at the state level from 2016 to 2021 among patients with an elevated risk for overdose. Then we used controlled interrupted time series analyses to assess mandates' longitudinal impact on naloxone codispensing in ten states that implemented mandates. We observed an immediate and significant increase in the naloxone codispensing rates in eight states after the implementation of mandates. Nevertheless, in five of these states, the codispensing rates exhibited a subsequent downward trend after the initial increase. State mandates show potential for improving naloxone codispensing; however, mandates alone might not be adequate for sustained change. Further research is needed to identify strategies complementing and enhancing the impact of mandates in combating the overdose crisis.

Navigating the Global Environmental Agenda: A Comprehensive Analysis of COP Conferences, with a Spotlight on COP28 and Key Environmental Challenges

The purpose of the research work is to explore the objective and competence of COP (Conference of Parties) in the context of environmental issues and climate change management and this is performed by evaluating respective articles published in the context of the subject. COP is found efficient in empowering global nations to be aligned with the objective of sustainable growth by making corrective negotiations and agreements as per the current and future environmental issues like the greenhouse effect and air pollution. COP helps ensure environmental issues are fixed by conducting benchmark index-based performance reviews and analyses. It has been observed that the agenda significantly contributes to the green economy, as it promotes sustainable change and development in the environment, society, and economy. A significant innovative strategy was developed at the conference to reduce global temperatures and emissions. In this context, the development of the EV sector plays a crucial role in mitigating environmental impact. The COP28 conference is addressing the climate and nature crisis, considering it a global health emergency. Methodology states that the literature search is conducted from peer-reviewed journal articles from authentic sources like Wiley’s Online Library and Science Direct Pages. Only the journals that were published after the year 2019 have been used in the study. Also, it is seen that COP28 (2023) conventions focused on global warming, climate change, and the production of a green economy, which is continuously being considered, and also, the implications and steps that are required to be taken are discussed.

Gi’iko Ce:mo’oidag: A proposal for urban-agrarian development in the Gila River Indian Community, Arizona

The urban fabric of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area (PMA) is becoming inhospitable. Contributing factors are: low population density, dependence on automobiles and air conditioning, Urban Heat Island effect, uncertain water supply, lack of sustainable policies, and low community connectivity. Failing to adapt could spell the end of the PMA’s life cycle. This paper highlights the Indigenous Akimel O’Otham as key agents of sustainable change in this region, on account of their espousal of sustainable values; and their water rights reclamation allocating resources for agricultural development, of which the tribe has already undertaken the Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project (P-MIP). The design presented offers a possible avenue for the tribe to complement P-MIP’s ambitions with urban-agrarian development, diversifying the uses of their water supply. The proposal is accompanied by a speculative financial plan to ensure their independence from external investment. This could contribute to fostering urban change and promoting a more resilient future.

Perpetual step-like restructuring of hippocampal circuit dynamics

Representation of the environment by hippocampal populations is known to drift even within a familiar environment, which could reflect gradual changes in single-cell activity or result from averaging across discrete switches of single neurons. Disambiguating these possibilities is crucial, as they each imply distinct mechanisms. Leveraging change point detection and model comparison, we find that CA1 population vectors decorrelate gradually within a session. In contrast, individual neurons exhibit predominantly step-like emergence and disappearance of place fields or sustained changes in within-field firing. The changes are not restricted to particular parts of the maze or trials and do not require apparent behavioral changes. The same place fields emerge, disappear, and reappear across days, suggesting that the hippocampus reuses pre-existing assemblies, rather than forming new fields de novo. Our results suggest an internally driven perpetual step-like reorganization of the neuronal assemblies.

Using an organizational change model to improve lung cancer surgery services over five years.

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the UK resulting in 21% of all cancer deaths. In 2016, local lung cancer surgery services required improvement due to under-representation in cancer resections and resource scarcity during the pandemic, which affected critical care bed availability and extended postoperative stays. The aim of this service improvement was to increase the number of lung cancer resection; develop minimally invasive techniques and reduce the use of Critical Care Unit beds by 35% (a subsequent goal). A five-year plan, guided by Kotter's 8-step change model, was initiated to address these issues. This model promotes sustainable change by setting clear goals, effective communication, and stakeholder involvement. Initial changes included hiring a thoracic surgeon experienced in uniportal video assisted thoracoscopy and enhanced recovery protocols. The team grew to three thoracic surgeons by 2020. The service increased operating theatre days and adopted new postoperative practices to reduce complications and hospital stays. Lung Cancer Multidisciplinary Team Meetings were consistently covered by thoracic surgeons, ensuring comprehensive care. Data on surgical activity were collected from departmental databases and national audits, with internal audits conducted regularly. Statistical significance was tested using chi-square tests with P values <0.05. The number of surgical procedures more than doubled, with primary lung cancer resections increasing nearly three-fold from 12.8% to 29.8% over six years. Postoperative complications and mortality rates remained low. Critical care bed usage dropped significantly during the pandemic, with new protocols enabling safe recovery in general surgical areas. The successful expansion of thoracic surgical services was attributed to the dedicated minimally invasive surgeons, enhanced recovery measures, and skilled staff. The change model facilitated efficient and dynamic progress. With the introduction of lung cancer screening programs, the demand for surgical services is expected to rise. The effective change model will be re-applied to meet this demand. The organizational change model, focused on patients and staff, achieved sustained quality improvement in lung cancer care despite challenging conditions like the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Legal Aspects of Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change: The Role of International and National Legislation

Legal Aspects of Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change: The Role of International and National Legislation

Ablation of Akt2 rescues chronic caloric restriction-provoked myocardial remodeling and dysfunction through a CDK1-mediated regulation of mitophagy

Chronic caloric restriction triggers unfavorable alterations in cardiac function albeit responsible scenarios remain unclear. This work evaluated the possible involvement of Akt2 in caloric restriction-evoked cardiac geometric and functional changes and responsible processes focusing on autophagy and mitophagy. Akt2 knockout and WT mice were subjected to caloric restriction for 30 weeks prior to assessment of myocardial homeostasis. Caloric restriction compromised echocardiographic parameters (decreased LV wall thickness, LVEDD, stroke volume, cardiac output, ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and LV mass), cardiomyocyte contractile and intracellular Ca2+ capacity, myocardial atrophy, interstitial fibrosis and mitochondrial injury associated with elevated blood glucocorticoids, autophagy (LC3B, p62, Atg7, Beclin-1), and mitophagy (Pink1, Parkin, TOM20), dampened cardiac ATP levels, mitochondrial protein PGC1α and UCP2, anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2, intracellular Ca2+ governing components Na+-Ca2+ exchanger, phosphorylation of SERCA2a, mTOR (Ser2481) and ULK1 (Ser757), and upregulated Bax, phospholamban, phosphorylation of Akt2, AMPK, and ULK1 (Ser555), the responses except autophagy markers (Beclin-1, Atg7), phosphorylation of AMPK, mTOR and ULK1 were negated by Akt2 ablation. Levels of CDK1 and DRP1 phosphorylation were overtly upregulated with caloric restriction, the response was reversed by Akt2 knockout. Caloric restriction-evoked changes in cardiac remodeling and cardiomyocyte function were alleviated by glucocorticoid receptor antagonism, Parkin ablation and Mdivi-1. In vitro experiment indicated that serum deprivation or glucocorticoids evoked GFP-LC3B accumulation and cardiomyocyte dysfunction, which was negated by inhibition of Akt2, CDK1 or DRP1, whereas mitophagy induction reversed Akt2 ablation-evoked cardioprotection. These observations favor a protective role of Akt2 ablation in sustained caloric restriction-evoked cardiac pathological changes via correction of glucocorticoid-induced mitophagy defect in a CDK1-DRP1-dependent manner.

Global Neurosurgery: A Path Forward Through Health System Strengthening.

The future of global neurosurgery should focus on addressing the unmet neurosurgical need from a health system approach should we hope to achieve sustainable and ethical change. In this article, we review the global building blocks, as defined by the World Health Organization, and use this framework to propose strategies to strengthen neurosurgical care on the global frontier. The targets for Universal Healthcare Coverage by 2030, as outlined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, are reviewed, and the role of neurosurgeons in addressing the global targets is discussed. Surgical indicators according to the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery are also reviewed, and neurosurgical indicators are proposed according to the 6 surgical indicators of the commission. The execution of these global targets and indicators within the context of health system strengthening will be a persistent challenge, given the complexity of health system and its components. The neurosurgical community must continue to support, promote, and diversify collaborations, especially among deserts of neurosurgical care across the world. Innovative technology and education are essential to this global dilemma.

"I know what I don't know": Metacognition in leadership learning.

Metacognition, or having an awareness of one's thought processes, is an integral part of learning. Fostering metacognitive abilities enhances self-awareness and the ability of learners to engage with complexity. Metacognition underscores all aspects of leadership learning, including knowledge, development, training, observation, and engagement. Educators develop metacognitive abilities through explicitly teaching metacognitive skills, scaffolding learning, and engaging critical perspectives. As leadership educators develop metacognitive abilities and incorporate learning about metacognition in curricular and co-curricular settings, the field of leadership education amplifies opportunities for learners to facilitate positive and sustainable change.

Sustainable Agriculture-Based Climate Change Training Models using Remote Hyperspectral Image with Machine Learning Model

Sustainable Agriculture-Based Climate Change Training Models using Remote Hyperspectral Image with Machine Learning Model

A cardiac-rehab behaviour intervention to reduce sedentary time in coronary artery disease patients: the SIT LESS randomized controlled trial

BackgroundHigh sedentary times (ST) is highly prevalent in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), highlighting the need for behavioural change interventions that effectively reduce ST. We examined the immediate and medium-term effect of the SIT LESS intervention on changes in ST among CAD patients enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation (CR).MethodsCAD patients participating in CR at 2 regional hospitals were included in this randomized controlled trial (1:1, stratified for gender and hospital). The control group received CR, whereas SIT LESS participants additionally received a 12-week hybrid behaviour change intervention. The primary outcome was the change in accelerometer-derived ST from pre-CR to post-CR and 3 months post-CR. Secondary outcomes included changes in ST and physical activity characteristics, subjective outcomes, and cardiovascular risk factors. A baseline constrained linear mixed-model was used.ResultsParticipants (23% female; SIT LESS: n = 108, control: n = 104) were 63 ± 10 years. Greater ST reductions were found for SIT LESS compared to control post-CR (-1.7 (95% confidence interval (CI): -2.0; -1.4) versus − 1.1 (95% CI: -1.4; -0.8) h/day, pinteraction=0.009), but not at 3 months post-CR (pinteraction=0.61). Besides, larger light-intensity physical activity (LIPA) increases were found for SIT LESS compared to control post-CR (+ 1.4 (95% CI: +1.2; +1.6) versus + 1.0 (95% CI: +0.8; +1.3) h/day, pinteraction=0.020). Changes in other secondary outcomes did not differ among groups.ConclusionSIT LESS transiently reduced ST and increased LIPA, but group differences were no longer significant 3 months post-CR. These findings highlight the challenge to induce sustainable behaviour changes in CAD patients without any continued support.Trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register: NL9263. Registration Date: 24 February 2021.

A study on the synthesis and performance evaluation of fly ash and alccofine as sustainable cementitious materials

Construction and global infrastructure depend on cement production. It is one of the biggest carbon emitters, making it an aspect of environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation. Each stage of cement production releases CO2 and other greenhouse gasses. About 8% of worldwide CO2 emissions come from the cement sector, making it a major contributor. Different supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF), and slag are used to partially replace traditional raw materials like limestone, reducing the environmental impact. This study investigated the use of supplementary cementitious materials, specifically FA and alccofine (AF), as partial replacements for cement in concrete to reduce environmental impact. The study first identified an optimal replacement percentage for FA (20%, 30%, and 40%) by weight of cement. Subsequently, using the optimal FA percentage, AF was added at varying percentages (5%, 10%, and 15%) by weight of cement. The study evaluated the mechanical properties of the concrete mixtures, including workability, compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength. Durability, measured by water sorptivity and rapid chloride penetrability tests, was also assessed. The microstructural properties of the concrete were analyzed to understand their influence on performance. As a result of the significant environmental implications of producing and using concrete for all activities, an in-depth life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted. Additionally, artificial neural networks were employed to predict the compressive strength of the concrete. The study concluded that incorporating FA and AF in concrete mixtures is a promising approach to producing more environmentally friendly concrete.

Promoting pro-environmental behaviour spillover through chatbots

Given proper facilitation, pro-environmental behaviour in tourist destinations may spill over to the daily lives of tourists. Recent advancements in conversational artificial intelligence (AI) may lead to the emergence of more effective technology that will encourage people to become more environmentally friendly. However, limited research has been devoted to understanding the complexity of using such technologies for pro-social nudging. This study applies rigorous scale development procedures to test how advanced conversational AI, like chatbots, can be effective in encouraging pro-environmental behaviour spillover. The conceptual model introduces seven factors that predict people’s intention to use the chatbot and three factors that predict their intention to embrace the target behaviour. Performance expectancy and timing were the most significant in predicting the intention of individuals to adopt the technology. Efficiency and government support were the chief drivers of the intention to adopt pro-environmental behaviour. The findings suggest that although introducing a technology-mediated nudging mechanism can trigger people’s intention to behave pro-environmentally, other factors must be fulfilled in order to ensure sustained behaviour change in society.

Meaningfulness, satisfaction and frustration: The importance of emotions for sustainability change agency

Meaningfulness, satisfaction and frustration: The importance of emotions for sustainability change agency

Climate change and cardiovascular health: Recent updates and actions for healthcare

Climate change is a public health crisis predominantly due to fossil fuel combustion, that challenges planetary and human health. Considerable evidence exists to demonstrate the impact climate change has on cardiovascular disease primarily through air pollution, and non-optimal temperature. Conversely, healthcare systems themselves contribute substantially to climate change. Many clinicians personally report a sense of responsibility to reduce the detrimental impact of parts of our healthcare system on the environment. Roadmaps exist to guide decarbonization and reduce pollution in the healthcare sector. The first step in minimizing the climate impact of the provision of cardiovascular care is to determine the carbon footprint of highly resource dependent sectors such as critical care cardiology as well as the cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology laboratories. This should be followed by sustainable changes to address healthcare waste and energy use. Engagement from healthcare leadership, governmental organizations and major cardiac societies will be necessary to impact meaningful change.

Non-digital educational games to support conceptual change in astronomy education

Research on astronomy education has primarily focused on investigating students' conceptual understanding through the lens of student cognition. However, learning involves more than just acquiring or reorganising ideas. Despite this, there have been very few studies that have examined the learning process through multiple perspectives within a naturalistic environment. Additionally, the lack of validated astronomy game resources aligned with curriculum learning outcomes has hindered the inclusion of Game-Based Learning (GBL) in astronomy education. To address this issue, this paper explores the use of non-digital games as a pedagogical approach to support multidimensional conceptual change in post-primary astronomy education. Two dimensions of learning were examined: affective and cognitive. A mixed-methods quasi-experimental research approach was employed on a cohort of 474 post-primary students, divided into intervention and control groups. The results demonstrate robust evidence of the efficacy of non-digital games in promoting sustained conceptual change for post-primary students. The sociocultural environment created by the games was observed to favour student motivation and prolonged cognitive conceptual change. The GBL pedagogical intervention created multiple opportunities for students to review and refine their knowledge and perception of astronomy.