Knowledge Systems Research Articles

Secondary School Life Sciences Teachers’ Understanding of Indigenous Knowledge in Relation to their Views on its Integration into their Classroom Practice

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between life sciences teachers’ understanding of indigenous knowledge (IK) and their views of integrating Indigenous Knowledge in their teaching practice. A qualitative case study research approach was adopted, and purposive sampling strategy was used to select eight Grades 10–12 life sciences teachers in three peri-urban high schools. The Knowledge Synthesis model by Barnhardt and Kawagley is used as a framework for this study. Questionnaires and interviews were employed to collect qualitative data. Findings revealed that if teachers understand IK primarily as a body of inherited wisdom, they see the possibility of integration of IK as the use of local knowledge of the learners, as IK illustrations of life sciences curriculum constructs or as no integration in the science classroom at all. The latter group of teachers consider IK as an inherited body of knowledge in parallel with western science. If inclusion of IK is mandated, they suggest presenting IK separately, preferably by IK custodians. If teachers consider IK primarily as a holistic knowledge system including the physical and metaphysical world, they see integration opportunities at system level, for instance in teaching sustainability. Lastly, if IK is seen as a body of loosely connected science concepts, integration is possible where these concepts appear in the science curriculum documents. This study recommends that teachers should be involved in educational policy decision making since they have first-hand experience of learners in the classrooms and are involved with curricular and school matters. The implication of the findings from this study to science education is that the integration of both worldviews can be used as a tool to enhance science learning among high school learners taking life sciences by ensuring a culturally relevant science classroom.

A dataset on survey designs and quality of social and behavioral science surveys during the COVID-19 pandemic

In the social and behavioral sciences, surveys are frequently used to collect data. During the COVID-19 pandemic, surveys provided political actors and public health professionals with timely insights on the attitudes and behaviors of the general population. These insights were key in guiding actions to fight the pandemic. However, the data quality of these surveys remains unclear because systematic knowledge about how the survey data were collected during the COVID-19 pandemic is lacking. This is unfortunate, since decades of survey research have shown that survey design impacts data. Our Survey Data Collection and the COVID-19 Pandemic (SDCCP) project deals with this research gap. We collected rich metadata on survey design for 717 social and behavioral science surveys carried out in Germany during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this data descriptor, we present a unique resource for a systematic assessment of the survey data collection practices and quality of surveys conducted in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Women’s Ethnobeauty: Exploring Socio-Cultural Practices in Women’s Body Care

Objective: This research explores the ethnobeauty of Banjar women, particularly delving into their perceptions of beauty within the context of Banjar culture, and how these perceptions influence their practices of body care. Theoretical Framework: Study of ethnobeauty among Banjar women as part of ethnoscience is an exploration of Banjar women's knowledge about beauty concepts and beauty care, which includes various categories in beauty care, Banjar women’s classification systems in beauty care, and various factors that shape their knowledge about beauty such as beliefs, myths, beauty care behaviors, and the dynamics accompanying their knowledge about beauty. Method: The study adopts qualitative research methods with a feminist ethnographic approach. Informants for this study were selected purposively, focusing on individuals knowledgeable about beauty, history, and culture within the Banjar community. Results and Discussion: The findings of the research reveal that Banjar women's perspectives on beauty can be categorized into two main themes: physical or external beauty, and inner beauty. Physical beauty pertains to the outward appearance of women, emphasizing attributes such as cleanliness, fragrance, and radiance of the skin. In the Banjar language, beauty (bungas) is synonymous with a woman possessing immaculate, fragrant, and luminous skin. Hence, maintaining cleanliness and fragrance to achieve a radiant and fresh appearance is the primary objective of their body care practices. To attain physical beauty, Banjar women engage in various beauty treatments aligned with their beauty ideals. These treatments aim to achieve clean, smooth, and radiant skin. Research Implications: From the presentation of the research results above, several conclusions can be drawn as follows: First, Banjar women's views on beauty are generally divided into two meanings: physical or outer beauty and inner beauty. The first meaning, physical or outer beauty, refers to a woman’s beauty directed towards her physical form. Beauty (known as “bungas” in Banjar language) for Banjar women is interpreted as having clean, fragrant, and radiant skin. Cleanliness and fragrance of the body, making the body appear radiant and glowing, are their main goals in performing body beauty care to look beautiful and fresh. Second, to achieve physical (outer) beauty, Banjar women engage in beauty care with various forms of beauty treatments according to their conception of beauty, which is to obtain clean, smooth, and radiant skin. The practices performed by Banjar women are related to their beliefs or faith. Originality/Value: As part of ethnoscience, the study of ethnobeauty, which combines the words “ethno” and “beauty,” literally means the beauty of a particular society or ethnic group. Thus, ethnobeauty research can be defined as an effort to describe a society’s knowledge system regarding beauty and beauty care practices, including myths, beliefs, culture, and beauty care practices along with their dynamics. As an ethnobeauty study of the Banjar community, this research provides a comprehensive depiction of the Banjar society's knowledge of beauty and body beauty care practices. Generally, this ethnobeauty study delves deeply into the phenomenon of Banjar women's beauty, covering several aspects including beauty concepts, values embedded in beauty care, myths and beliefs associated with beauty care practices, various forms of beauty care along with their benefits for the body such as balulur, batimung, bapupur, and other beauty treatments commonly practiced by Banjar women.

Path Forward: Materials Data Modernization for ASME Codes and Standards in the Artificial Intelligence Era

Abstract Development of the ASME Materials Properties Database was initiated in the early 2010s to support the ASME Codes and Standards. As information technologies advance at an accelerated pace with the artificial intelligence era on the horizon, the ASME Materials Properties Database must be further modernized from a database to a knowledgebase to ride the wave of digital information revolution and effectively support the ASME Codes and Standards in the new era. This paper is intended to provide an overview of the ASME Materials Properties Database and discuss a roadmap for its future development to facilitate understanding of and participation from different sectors of the Codes and Standards community. It first reviews the basic concepts of data, information, knowledge, database, and database system as well as the pros and cons in different types of data management and then discusses the path forward for a desired evolution of the database into a self-explanatory and machine-readable knowledgebase that is consistent with human cognitive processes for the Codes and Standards development and, furthermore, provides resources for data processing and analysis to reach an eventual goal of streamlining the Codes and Standards development from the initial inquiry, throughout data submission, analysis, …, to Codes and Standards rule establishment for final publication.

Knowledge Management Model for Urban Flood Emergency Response Based on Multimodal Knowledge Graphs

Recently, frequent flood disasters in China have seriously threatened economic development and public safety. This paper addresses the need for a dynamic urban flood emergency knowledge management system in emergency management departments and the lack of systematic knowledge among emergency managers regarding urban flood control. A multimodal knowledge graph-based urban flood emergency knowledge management model was constructed to enhance the decision-making capabilities of emergency management departments, improve the efficiency of public emergency evacuation, and reduce losses from urban flood disasters by analyzing the shortcomings of the existing emergency management system. An intelligent and dynamic flood emergency knowledge management model was built. This paper integrates multimodal knowledge graph technology to establish a multimodal emergency knowledge management framework for urban flood control. It develops and simulates the proposed model’s application scenarios for urban flood emergency evacuation using the Flocking algorithm on the NetLogo platform. Through simulation experiments, the practicality and effectiveness of the model in real flood disaster situations were examined, particularly in simulating crowd evacuation behavior. The study found that the model significantly improves the accuracy of information and decision-making speed during emergency responses and supports emergency management departments in conducting targeted and personalized emergency decisions. This research provides a scientific basis for emergency management departments to optimize their emergency response strategies to flood disasters and serves as a reference and example for the application of multimodal knowledge graph technology in emergency management.

Immersive Technology and Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Sustainable Smart Cities

Research currently focuses on immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). However, there is limited exploration of their application in sustainable smart cities with Building Information Modeling (BIM), and there remains a lack of interdisciplinary integration within this domain aimed at fostering sustainable smart city development. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the development status of immersive technology and BIM in sustainable smart cities, identifying trends and research hotspots by employing a triangulation research method mixed with a quantitative method via bibliometric analysis and a qualitative method via content analysis to investigate the relationship between immersive technologies and BIM in sustainable smart cities. The results reveal a fragmented nature in the research on immersive technology and BIM in sustainable smart cities, with rapidly changing hotspots and new technologies following a cyclical pattern every 3 to 5 years. Two distinct cycles of growth were observed in the field over the last 10 years (2014–2023). The first cycle, from 2014 to 2017, represented modest growth, while the second cycle, from 2018 to 2022, showed rapid expansion, with the keywords AR, VR, MR, BIM, smart city, and smart city concept indicating the research hotspots. Immersive technologies and BIM, developed since 2017, have contributed to sustainable smart city construction. The emerging keywords AR, MR, and 360-degree VR have become research hotspots since 2021, particularly in collaborative construction. Future research trends include artificial intelligence, digitalization, AR, and MR, while building sustainability and intelligent construction have emerged as real-world applications. Additionally, this paper employs software tools to generate multidimensional knowledge maps to form a knowledge universe map at a “macro-knowledge” level followed by a “micro-knowledge” level comprising a standard knowledge system, such as lifecycle analysis, enhancing the objectivity and organization of the results and providing innovative references for future research.

Developing a Framework for Integrating IKS in Technology Education with Sustainable Development Principles

Education is critical in fostering sustainable development (SD) in a world that faces many environmental problems. The integration of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in technology education (TE) can enhance the realisation of SD goals. However, teachers’ views on the integration of IKS in teaching technology towards education on sustainable development (ESD) seem to show some gaps. In this article, we address this gap by developing a framework for reorientating the integration of IKS in teaching technology towards ESD. The theory-practice nature of TE makes it critical in instilling values that can contribute towards ESD. Also, the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement values IKS, which can help achieve this transformation in TE. Framed in the blended social constructivist and sociocultural theories, this qualitative single descriptive case study explored eight technology teachers’ views on teaching technology towards SD, who were selected from Grades 7–9 in Ehlanzeni district of Mpumalanga. We learned that teachers recognise the value of TE for SD, especially from an indigenous perspective; have mixed views about indigenous technological knowledge and its facilitation towards the recognition of ESD; and believe that collaboration and teamwork are critical methods that can be launched based on Ubuntu and IKS to facilitate ESD. The study contributes a framework for teaching technology for SD aiming to capacitate technology teachers in this regard.

Making Landscapes Negotiable: Q-methodology as a Boundary-Spanning and Empowering Diagnostic

Landscapes are conceptually fuzzy and rich, and subject to plural framings. They are places of inquiry and intervention for scientists and practitioners, but also concepts bound to peoples’ dynamic identities, knowledge systems, inspiration, and well-being. These varying interpretations change the way landscapes function and evolve. Developed in the 1930s, Q-methodology is increasingly recognized for being useful in documenting and interrogating environmental discourses. Yet its application in the context of how integrated landscape approaches better navigate land-use dilemmas is still in its infancy. Based on our experience and emerging literature, such as the papers in this special collection, this article discusses the value of Q-methodology in addressing landscape sustainability issues. Q-methodology helps unravel and communicate common and contradicting landscape imaginaries and narratives in translational and boundary-spanning ways, thus bridging actors’ different understandings of problems and solutions and revealing common or differentiated entry points for negotiating trade-offs between competing land uses. The methodology can be empowering for marginalized people by uncovering their views and aspirational values to decision-makers and policymakers. We argue that this potential can be further strengthened by using Q to identify counter-hegemonic discourses and alliances that combat injustices regarding whose knowledge and visions count. In this way, applying Q-methodology in integrated landscape approaches can become a key tool for transitioning toward just, inclusive, and sustainable landscapes.

NFTs for certified products: a heritage to protect on the “table” of the metaverse

ABSTRACT Certified products in agri-food are characterized by high quality and a strong territorial connection. This work explores the possible creation of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) for certified products in agri-food, due to the uniqueness and the artwork dimension attached to the product they identify. Questionnaires were submitted to explore the knowledge of NFTs and the propensity to purchase NFTs for certified agri-food products. We employ a proper Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and verify the predictive accuracy with the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach. The adequate receptivity of these technologies to the public is demonstrated and it is emphasized how Agriculture 4.0 can adapt NFT for certified products to enhance local development and increase the knowledge and blockchain system behind certified products. Direct implications include the potential for reinvestment in the activities of agri-food companies and consortia by positioning in the virtual space. Future research could focus on testing pilot projects and verifying the results of this preliminary study.

Knowledge sharing technologies for rice farmers: A perspective from the Eastern Region of Ghana

This article investigates technologies used for knowledge sharing among rice farmers in the Eastern Region of Ghana and suggests ways by which the use of technologies may be enhance rice farming. The research was underpinned by the pragmatic paradigm where a concurrent triangulation mixed method design was adopted. The data was drawn from 101 survey respondents and nine interview participants, consisting of rice farmers, farm managers and extension officers. The findings revealed elementary use of technologies, tools and systems for knowledge sharing among the rice farmers. The main social media platform used for knowledge sharing was WhatsApp. The platforms that were used the least were Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Imo and Instagram. Findings have implications for integrating various tools, technologies and systems into knowledge sharing among rice farmers. There is a need to address the challenges in structural-level technological infrastructures, architecture and functionalities, in order to build the technological competence of rice farmers. Farmers’ knowledge of technology is influenced by training, motivation, and personal experiences. Previous studies on use of technologies in knowledge sharing focused on organisation. This article examines technology within the context of rice farming.

Research as a Mangrove: Emancipatory Science and the Messy Reality of Transdisciplinarity

This study explores the challenges of realizing the emancipatory potential of transdisciplinary research and methodology through a case study involving researchers from the Federal University of Bahia and the community of Siribinha Brazil. The project aimed to prioritize community perspectives, critical reflexivity, and dialogue between diverse knowledge systems to address social-environmental challenges. However, three core challenges emerged: 1) Power inequities often persist despite calls for participation and collaboration; 2) critical theoretical reflections do not always translate into practical actions that challenge these inequities; and 3) bridging theory and practice necessitates developing interpersonal skills and fostering care. This research highlights the fragility of transdisciplinary methodologies and emphasizes the need to address power imbalances, bridge theory and practice, and cultivate interpersonal skills and care. It contributes to discussions on implementing transdisciplinary approaches that not only address epistemic challenges but also fulfill the political ambition of benefiting disenfranchised communities.

EUROPEAN POLICY OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE: CHALLENGES FOR UKRAINE

Ukraine, despite the damages and losses inflicted on agriculture by Russian large-scale aggression, actively participates in the implementation of the main tasks of the global goals defined by the European strategy for sustainable development. The purpose of the article is to analyze the relationship between the policy of sustainable rural development of the European Union and the possibilities of its implementation in various spheres of life, economic, social, ecological, and institutional to support sustainable rural development in Ukraine. Ukraine is an active participant in the implementation of the system of transfer of knowledge and innovations in the agricultural sector – Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems at the regional level, since the rural population needs to increase its own level of awareness of opportunities and potential risks in conducting economic activities and understanding of rational use of resources. The methodology includes analysis of the report on monitoring progress in achieving the goals of sustainable development in the context of the EU, which are directly related to agriculture or the development of rural areas, directives of the Commission of the European Union, statistical data of the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, primary and secondary sources. The originality of the article lies in the fact that in the article for the first time covers a detailed analysis of the indicators of the goals of sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas and their correspondence to the tasks of the strategy of the common European agricultural policy. The results of the analysis can be used in planning future projects for rural communities or agricultural enterprises to improve their social and economic situation

Comprehensive assessment of five near-real-time satellite precipitation products in the Lower Yangtze River Basin and the Lixiahe region, China: Dual perspectives from time series and extreme events

Near real-time satellite precipitation products (NSPPs) have significant potential in meteorological hydrological monitoring and forecasting due to their timeliness. Previous evaluation-oriented studies have either focused on the uncertainty of time series or on the monitoring capability of extreme events. There is limited research that comprehensively considers both aspects to provide a systematic knowledge. Moreover, there is still insufficient understanding of the accuracy of hourly precipitation estimates. This study conducts a comprehensive evaluation between five NSPPs (IMERG Early, IMERG Late, GSMaP NRT, GSMaP NRT Gauge and PERSIANN CCS) from two main perspectives at hourly scale: an assessment of time series spanning from 2018 to 2022 over the Lower Yangtze River Basin and the Lixiahe region and an examination of the four extreme events over the Tai Lake Basin and the Chao Lake Basin. HP-metrics are proposed to evaluate bias in the location of extreme rainfall, rainy area, and precipitation amount over time, comprehensively analyzing performance in terms of extreme events. The results show that, for general and seasonal assessment, IMERG Late generally performed best with good statistical metrics, with the highest CSI (0.343), CC (0.445), KGE ‘(0.295) in annual results, and the best agreement in capturing convective rain diurnal curves (summer CC = 0.820). GSMaP showed a better detection capability especially in spring and summer, and also performed better in capturing frequency curves, but always showed large estimation errors. IMERG and GSMaP detected worse CC region close to the water body. And the effect of high terrain on GSMaP NRT is more obvious in winter. For the evaluation in detecting the extreme events, IMERG and GSMaP overestimated the area and intensity and had a certain ability to discriminate the location of extreme precipitation, based on the temporal variation of HP-metrics. The rapid expansion or contraction of the extent of the extreme precipitation region could degrade the detection capability of HP-π. The comprehensive understanding of NSPPs provides valuable insights for upgrading satellite retrieval algorithms and making informed selection for precipitation products in meteorological hydrological applications.

Analysis of Teachers’ Perspectives Towards the Use of IKS to Improve STEM Education for Sustainable Development

This study focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education teachers’ perspectives on integrating indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) into a multidisciplinary STEM framework to promote sustainability. The aim is to understand how integrating the values, ethics and worldviews of the global community can contribute to a sustainable mindset. Through an examination of the research background and pedagogical foundations, as well as a review of existing literature, it becomes evident that teachers’ perspectives are pivotal in fostering a sustainable mindset among students. To encourage social dialogue that has the potential to evolve teachers’ perspectives, a 6 month workshop focused on dialogic argumentation was provided to a group of basic education and university STEM teachers. The workshop aimed to explore the evidence- and reasoning-based arguments that influenced their perspectives regarding the role of IKS in STEM education. Analysis of data collected through questionnaires and interviews yielded the following findings: (a) initially, most teachers had mixed feelings about the role of IKS in STEM education for sustainable development; (b) a significant number of teachers reported that the dialogic argumentation workshop helped them transition from a negative to a positive attitude towards acknowledging the complexity of the role of IKS in promoting various approaches to achieving sustainability goals; and (c) several others, particularly university teachers, attributed IKS with the potential to enhance reflective reasoning in order to solve complex sustainability problems. The implications of these findings for classroom practice, particularly in terms of utilising IKS to enhance STEM teacher education, are highlighted in the paper.

The Role of Local Knowledge in Natural Resources Conservation: An Environmental Anthropological Perspective in Traditional Agriculture

This article explores the pivotal role of local knowledge in the conservation of natural resources from the unique perspective of environmental anthropology within the context of traditional agriculture. Traditional agricultural practices have historically relied on indigenous knowledge systems, passed down through generations, to maintain a delicate balance between human livelihoods and the environment. This research endeavors to shed light on the invaluable insights offered by local communities and their practices in preserving ecological harmony. Through an interdisciplinary approach, combining anthropological fieldwork and environmental studies, we examine how local knowledge systems influence the sustainable use of natural resources, focusing on agricultural practices and their impact on ecosystems. We also analyze the transmission of this knowledge within communities and the adaptations made over time in response to changing environmental conditions. The findings of this study underscore the significance of local knowledge as a source of practical wisdom in addressing contemporary environmental challenges. Indigenous practices, such as agroforestry, crop rotation, and seed saving, have often proven to be more sustainable and resilient than modern agricultural methods. Moreover, these traditional practices reflect a deep understanding of the local environment and its ecological interdependencies. By understanding and respecting the indigenous knowledge held by traditional agricultural communities, policymakers, conservationists, and researchers can collaborate with local stakeholders to develop holistic and effective strategies for the conservation of natural resources. This research emphasizes the need for fostering partnerships that integrate scientific knowledge and local wisdom in order to achieve long-term sustainability and resilience in agriculture and environmental management. Ultimately, this article contributes to the growing body of literature highlighting the importance of acknowledging and incorporating local knowledge in efforts to address environmental issues and underscores the role of environmental anthropology as a bridge between traditional wisdom and contemporary conservation practices.

On the Efficacy of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Unsettling Coloniality.

Indigenous groups across Africa mobilized Indigenous Knowledge (IK) practices, albeit not without challenges, to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) continue to be sidelined in formal healthcare policies and programmes. This underscores the urgency to liberate Africa's epistemologies. Employing the decoloniality lens, this paper examined the colonial influences inherent in African responses to COVID-19 while also exploring the role of IKS in the uMkhanyakude District Municipality (UKDM). The argument is made that, in the case of the UKDM, the efficacy of IKS was demonstrated in the response to and fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the basis for the call to embrace and recognize that IKS is a legitimate body of knowledge comparable to Western science. Such recognition paves the way for more equitable, contextually relevant, and sustainable health strategies that can better address the complexities of current and future pandemics.

Ethnography of Science: A Literature Review

<p class="7Abstract"><em>The study of how certain communities or ethnic groups perceive and comprehend science is known as ethnoscience. This discipline investigates how various communities use, comprehend, and interpret science. While some communities could be more skeptics and hesitant to adopt new science and technology, others might be more receptive to both. Beliefs, culture, and religion may all have an impact on how society applies science.</em><em> </em><em>In addition, ethnoscience investigates the ways in which science affects society. An educational strategy called ethnoscience links the actual knowledge of a society to scientific understanding . It is a new type of ethnography that allows cultural researchers to develop grassroots ideas based on ethno and folk without necessarily accepting western cultural theories that may be irrelevant.Ethnoscience is an interdisciplinary field of study that combines the principles of ethnography and science. This field aims to understand the relationship between culture and science. This article discusses the origins of ethnoscience, the scope of the field of ethnoscience studies, and the future of ethnoscience. Ethnoscience encompasses a variety of scientific disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, history, and philosophy of science. One of the main research areas in ethnoscience is the study of indigenous knowledge systems. Ethnoscience also studies the relationship between science and religion. Ethnoscience can help us understand how scientific knowledge is produced and used in different cultural contexts.</em></p>

Design and application of virtual simulation teaching platform for intelligent manufacturing

Aiming at the practical teaching of intelligent manufacturing majors faced with lack of equipment, tense teachers and other problems such as high equipment investment, high material loss, high teaching risk, difficult to implement internship, difficult to observe production, difficult to reproduce the results, and so on, we take the electrical automation technology, mechatronics technology and industrial robotics technology majors of intelligent manufacturing majors as an example, and design and establish a virtual simulation teaching platform for intelligent manufacturing majors by using the cloud computing platform, edge computing technology, and terminal equipment synergy. The platform includes six major virtual simulation modules, including virtual simulation of electrician electronics and PLC control, virtual and real combination of typical production lines of intelligent manufacturing, dual-axis collaborative robotics workstation, digital twin simulation, virtual disassembly of industrial robots, virtual simulation of magnetic yoke axis flexible production line. The platform covers the virtual simulation teaching content of basic principle experiments, advanced application experiments, and advanced integration experiments in intelligent manufacturing majors. In order to test the effectiveness of this virtual simulation platform for practical teaching in engineering, this paper organizes a teaching practice activity involving 246 students from two parallel classes of three different majors. Through a one-year teaching application, we analyzed the data on the grades of 7 core courses involved in three majors in one academic year, the proportion of participation in competitions and innovative activities, the number of awards and certificates of professional qualifications, and the subjective questionnaires of the testers. The analysis shows that the learners who adopt the virtual simulation teaching platform proposed in this paper for practical teaching are better than the learners under the traditional teaching method in terms of academic performance, proportion of participation in competitions and innovative activities, and proportion of awards and certificates by more than 13%, 37%, 36%, 27% and 22%, respectively. Therefore, the virtual simulation teaching platform of intelligent manufacturing established in this paper has obvious superiority in solving the problem of "three highs and three difficulties" existing in the practical teaching of engineering, and according to the questionnaire feedback from the testers, the platform can effectively alleviate the shortage of practical training equipment, stimulate the interest in learning, and help to broaden and improve the knowledge system of the learners.

Integrating Indigenous Knowledge into Livestock Policy Formulation

Purpose: The general study sought to understand the integration of indigenous knowledge into livestock policy formulation. 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 integration of indigenous knowledge into livestock policy formulation. Preliminary empirical review revealed that indigenous knowledge systems offer significant value to sustainable and resilient livestock management. It found that participatory policy-making, which includes indigenous communities, leads to more effective and inclusive policies. The study identified gaps in current policy frameworks, particularly the lack of systematic documentation and integration of indigenous knowledge, and recommended measures to address these gaps. It emphasized that aligning national policies with international frameworks like UNDRIP can enhance global sustainability efforts, improve food security, and promote biodiversity conservation. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Social-Ecological Systems Theory, Traditional Ecological Knowledge Theory and Participatory Action Research Theory may be used to anchor future studies on integrating indigenous knowledge into livestock policy formulation. The study made several key recommendations, contributing to theory, practice, and policy. Theoretically, it suggested expanding the Social-Ecological Systems (SES) and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) frameworks to include indigenous livestock practices. Practically, it recommended documenting indigenous knowledge through community-based repositories and implementing training programs combining traditional and modern practices. Policy recommendations included involving indigenous representatives in policy-making processes, formally recognizing indigenous knowledge in policy documents, and aligning national policies with international frameworks like the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). These steps aimed to enhance sustainability, equity, and resilience in livestock management. Keywords: Indigenous Knowledge, Livestock Policy, Social-Ecological Systems (SES), Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), Sustainable Livestock Management, Resilience

Exploring Drivers of Historic Mercury Trends in Beluga Whales Using an Ecosystem Modeling Approach.

While mercury occurs naturally in the environment, human activity has significantly disturbed its biogeochemical cycle. Inorganic mercury entering aquatic systems can be transformed into methylmercury, a strong neurotoxicant that builds up in organisms and affects ecosystem and public health. In the Arctic, top predators such as beluga whales, an ecologically and culturally significant species for many Inuit communities, can contain high concentrations of methylmercury. Historical mercury concentrations in beluga in the western Canadian Arctic's Beaufort Sea cannot be explained by mercury emission trends alone; in addition, they could potentially be driven by climate change impacts, such as rising temperatures and sea ice melt. These changes can affect mercury bioaccumulation through different pathways, including ecological and mercury transport processes. In this study, we explore key drivers of mercury bioaccumulation in the Beaufort Sea beluga population using Ecopath with Ecosim, an ecosystem modeling approach, and scenarios of environmental change informed by Western Science and Inuvialuit Knowledge. Comparing the effect of historical sea ice cover, sea surface temperature, and freshwater discharge time series, modeling suggests that the timing of historical increases and decreases in beluga methylmercury concentrations can be better explained by the resulting changes to ecosystem productivity rather than by those to mercury inputs and that all three environmental drivers could partially explain the decrease in mercury concentrations in beluga after the mid-1990s. This work highlights the value of multiple knowledge systems and exploratory modeling methods in understanding environmental change and contaminant cycling. Future work building on this research could inform climate change adaptation efforts and inform management decisions in the region.