From energy performance indicators to institutional strategies: a multi-cluster benchmarking study of Fijian schools

The set of protective arrangements implemented in response to uncontrolled radiological releases at nuclear installations greatly benefit from pre-existing provisions taken before the onset of the event during the so-called preparedness phase. Traditionally, emergency preparedness dispositions are implemented based on a single event occurrence at a specific location, i.e. event-oriented preparedness. However, such plans might prove inadequate in scenarios with an increase of accident risk affecting multiple nuclear installations. In these situations, the risk does not arise from an actual ongoing event at a specific installation, but rather from a degradation of the operational context conditions affecting wide areas of a territory hosting several nuclear facilities. In this case, there is no increase in sensitive risk due to an ongoing event but on the perceived, latent risk due a higher likelihood of accident arising from local conflicts or war scenario. Under such circumstances, event-oriented preparedness provisions might be insufficient to address the evolving of the new situation. This paper presents a methodology for the calculation of Emergency Planning Zone distances under conflict situation, based on the quantification of a novel risk figure of merit that integrates the different risk sources from different events and locations across a territory experiencing an overall degradation of the operational context conditions required for the safe functioning of nuclear and / radiological installations. The resulting conflict-situation related Emergency Planning Zones are not intended to replace the site-level existing zones, but rather to serve as an additional layer of defence built from an overall picture of the heightened latent risk affecting multiple nuclear installations. Aside from increasing the understanding of the risk distribution under the new challenging context conditions, the aggregated and quantitative nature of the new metrics provides a scientifically grounded basis criterion for decision-making regarding the allocation and extent of the protective provisions over the affected territory. This paper details the mathematical foundations of the new proposed risk-informed metrics. • Introduces a new framework to quantify latent radiological risk in conflict zones. • Defines risk-informed metrics integrating accident frequency and exposure likelihood. • Distinguishes sensitive vs latent risks for improved emergency preparedness. • Proposes conflict-specific EPZ distances based on aggregated territorial risk. • Establishes a top-down deterministic approach for bounding wartime scenarios.

Strategic adoption of model-informed drug development (MIDD) as an overarching business model in biotechnology and life science industry.

Bottom-up and top-down modelling of building material flows: a case study from Austria

This study addresses the lack of an operational framework that systematically integrates local wisdom, empirical evidence, and governance mechanisms in coastal community empowerment. While previous studies have examined these elements separately, limited attention has been paid to their interaction within an integrated and context-sensitive model. This study aims to analyze the factors contributing to the ineffectiveness of empowerment programs and to develop a contextual empowerment model in Seribu Regency, DKI Jakarta. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used, involving 26 purposively selected informants, supported by observation and document analysis. The findings indicate that ineffective empowerment is driven by top-down policy design, weak institutional coordination, limited infrastructure, and dependency-oriented program implementation. At the same time, local wisdom such as cooperation, deliberation, and ecological knowledge emerge as important supporting factors when integrated into the empowerment process. This study proposes an integrative and adaptive empowerment model based on three pillars: local wisdom, evidence-based policy, and participatory governance, operationalized through a cyclical learning mechanism. This study provides a contextual and operational framework that strengthens the linkages between cultural values, empirical data, and policy practices in coastal development.

Abstract. Wetlands are a major natural source of atmospheric CH4, however, accurately estimating their emissions is difficult due to the complex biogeochemical interactions and spatial heterogeneity of wetland environments. This study explores how a combination of atmospheric inverse and process-based modelling can reduce the discrepancy in Arctic wetland estimates between bottom-up and top-down approaches. We employed the Jena CarboScope global inversion system, incorporating prior wetland fluxes simulated by the JSBACH land surface model, which is part of the Max Planck Institute Earth System Model (MPI-ESM). We conducted a series of inversion experiments, each incorporating JSBACH-generated CH4 fluxes based on different CH4 production Q10 values, which represents the temperature dependence of CH4 production. Additionally, we examined the impact of changing the baseline fCH4 fraction value, which defines the fraction of anaerobically mineralized carbon converted to CH4, while keeping all other JSBACH and inversion settings constant. Our findings show that, at a pan-Arctic scale, using a CH4 Q10 value of 1.8 produces the best agreement between the two approaches. However, no single Q10 value yielded optimal agreement between the simulated fluxes and the fluxes inferred from atmospheric observations across all subregions. Instead, the best performance varied spatially, with different CH4 production Q10 values and baseline fCH4 fraction leading to a better flux agreement in specific areas. These results highlight the importance of using regionally specific parameters to more accurately estimate wetland CH4 emissions, and the potential of employing atmospheric inversions to guide bottom-up process models towards regionally representative parameter settings.

Abstract. Accurate simulation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) remains a persistent challenge in chemical transport models (CTMs), limiting their ability to diagnose species-specific emissions and their role in ozone (O3) formation. Most models rely on lumped surrogate species, which limits their ability to represent speciated VOCs and directly compare with observations. In this study, we develop an enhanced version of the Community Multiscale Air Quality model, termed CMAQ-PAMS, which explicitly incorporates 54 VOC species targeted by the Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) network in Taiwan. We evaluate model performance during a representative high-ozone event in fall 2021 and apply a top-down calibration approach using hourly VOC data from 12 PAMS sites. The original simulation (OrigSIM) significantly misrepresents key species, largely due to reliance on U.S.-based speciation profiles. After adjustment, the modified simulation (ModSIM) shows substantial improvements in both individual species concentrations and group-level composition (e.g., alkanes, aromatics). Notably, acetylene, a key tracer of incomplete combustion, was underestimated in OrigSIM but successfully recovered in ModSIM. Despite accounting for only ∼ 32 % of total VOC emissions, PAMS species contribute up to 52 % of modeled domestic O3 formation, highlighting their disproportionate impact in VOC-limited regimes. Additionally, the CMAQ-PAMS framework enables the use of diagnostic ratios (e.g., propylene / acetylene) to identify emission sources and assess air mass aging. These findings underscore the importance of localized VOC profiling and demonstrate that the PAMS-constrained CMAQ-PAMS model provides a more chemically detailed and observationally anchored platform for ozone modeling and regulatory applications.

Food-grade calcium carbonate nanoparticles were synthesized using a simple top-down ball-milling approach that produced a 90% yield in 3h. Dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) were employed to characterize the nanoparticles. The size of nano-calcium carbonate was 17.4-38.8nm and observed zeta potential of -33.1mV revealed good colloidal stability. The cytotoxicity study was performed using the African monkey kidney cell line (Vero) after 24, 48, and 72h of incubation. The t-test of cell viability revealed highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences between nano and micro-calcium carbonate across concentrations at 24, 48, and 72h intervals. After analyzing the nanoparticles, goat meat spread was treated with three levels of nano calcium carbonate (0.75, 1.5 and 2.25 g). As the concentration increased, the pH increased non-significantly, and resulted in a highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) increase in its lightness (L*). The addition of nano calcium carbonate negatively affected sensory scores at higher concentration. An in vitro digestion study showed that soluble calcium was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater in the treatment involving nano calcium carbonate than in the control and micro calcium carbonate. Overall, the study demonstrates improved calcium solubility and bioavailability, supporting the potential of nano-calcium carbonate as a functional calcium delivery ingredient in meat-based products.

Purpose The purpose of this community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM) framework is to enhance community resilience in Johor by empowering residents as self-reliant first responders. It aims to provide locals with the necessary knowledge and resources for self-sufficiency during initial disaster phases, while establishing robust communication and coordination protocols with multiple agencies. By synchronizing local action with formal emergency services, the framework intends to create a seamless, multilevel response system that minimizes vulnerability during the critical onset of a crisis. Design/methodology/approach This study employed a Participatory Action Research design within a CBDRM framework in four local communities in Johor Bahru, Malaysia from 2019 to 2023. By synthesizing administrative records with qualitative experiential insights, the methodology facilitated “bottom-up” knowledge production through participant observation and group discussions. The process followed four iterative cycles – preparation, risk assessment, planning and validation. Finally, a SWOT analysis evaluated implementation, addressing systemic barriers to ensure the framework’s replicability and transferability for future initiatives. Findings Findings indicate that Johor’s CBDRM framework successfully institutionalized community participation within public health preparedness. Collaborative risk mapping and simulation drills improved operational readiness and cross-sector trust. A SWOT analysis revealed that while bottom-up design fostered significant self-reliance, funding constraints and infrastructure gaps remain critical barriers. Overall, the study demonstrates that aligning local knowledge with formal agency protocols creates a scalable, resilient model capable of bridging the coordination gap during the initial phases of a disaster. Originality/value This study offers a novel contribution by institutionalizing a CBDRM framework specifically within a public health system to manage complex chemical and technological hazards. Unlike traditional models focused solely on natural disasters, this research demonstrates the feasibility of codesigning localized response protocols for industrial risks. By integrating a structured SWOT analysis with participatory digital mapping, the study provides a unique, scalable methodology for bridging the coordination gap between grassroots residents and formal emergency agencies, establishing a replicable blueprint for multi-hazard resilience in rapidly industrializing regions.

Abstract Ports play a vital role in global trade yet pose significant environmental threats to marine and coastal ecosystems from which pollution and habitat alienation are of prime concern. This report investigates the multi-faceted challenges of environmental sustainability within port operations, highlighting the urgent necessity for the removal of pollution sources, including ballast water discharge, antifouling applications, and metal and hydrocarbon contamination. A definitive overview of International and European regulatory frameworks [e.g., Water Framework Directive (WFD), Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)] is presented in this context, to assess their effectiveness in promoting sustainable port management and marine environmental protection. Additionally, the paper explores the crucial role of bioindicators, particularly invertebrate bivalves and mollusks, for monitoring marine environment health and assessing the impact of anthropogenic pollution The evolution of port planning toward a more inclusive, stakeholder-driven approach is assessed, marking the transition from traditional top-down models toward a participatory strategy, which involves local communities, environmental organizations, and port authorities. The findings suggest that an integrated approach to management, stakeholder integration, and rigorous environmental regulation are all cornerstones of the successful attainment of sustainable development goals. This paper supports the dialogue on sustainable port management which calls for a harmonious blend between economic growth and environmental stewardship, advocating a framework, which will elevate environmental quality standards, thereby promoting joint port planning and management strategies.

Cubosomes (QBS) are self-assembled, nanostructured lipid carriers characterized by a bicontinuous cubic liquid crystalline architecture with a three-dimensional honeycomb-like morphology. Their unique internal structure allows simultaneous encapsulation of hydrophilic, lipophilic, and amphiphilic compounds, enabling sustained, site-specific, and targeted drug delivery through various routes, including oral, ocular, nasal, transdermal, and vaginal administration. Composed primarily of amphiphilic lipids such as Glyceryl Monooleate (GMO) and stabilized with surfactants like Pluronic F-127, QBS exhibits superior biocompatibility, structural integrity, and long-term colloidal stability. QBS are typically fabricated using either top-down or bottom-up strategies. Top-down approaches such as high-pressure homogenization, probe sonication, and spray drying fragment bulk cubic phases into nanosized dispersions, ensuring scalability and uniformity. Conversely, bottom-up methods, including the hydrotrope technique, vortex dispersion, and solvent evaporation, enable spontaneous QBS formation under mild conditions ideal for thermolabile actives. Physicochemical properties depend on lipid-to-stabilizer ratios, solvent composition, and processing parameters. Characterization techniques such as Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) confirm particle size, morphology, and internal nanostructure. Zeta potential and MTT assays evaluate stability and cytocompatibility, while in vitro and ex vivo studies assess drug entrapment, release, and permeation behaviour. QBS represent an advanced class of lyotropic liquid-crystalline nanocarriers with high drug-loading potential, excellent biocompatibility, and controlled-release performance. Their multifunctional versatility underscores their promise as next-generation platforms for targeted and sustained drug delivery applications.

An analytical framework to assess green transition jobs in South Africa

The 2018 Lombok earthquake caused extensive housing and infrastructure damage in North Lombok Regency, triggering large-scale reconstruction efforts. Post-disaster housing reconstruction (PDHR) is crucial not only for rebuilding damaged physical structures but also for enhancing the resilience of affected communities. However, many reconstruction programmes continue to rely on top-down approaches that neglect sustainability principles and disregard the cultural values inherent in local wisdom (LW). Therefore, this study aimed to develop and test an integrated model that links PDHR, sustainable construction (SC), LW and disaster-resilient cities (DRC). This study adopted a quantitative methodology, with data gathered via a questionnaire survey of 125 disaster-affected residents and analysed by using Structural Equation Modelling–Partial Least Squares in SmartPLS 4.0. The results indicate that PDHR exerts a strong direct effect on DRC (β = 1.202, p < 0.001) and an indirect effect mediated by SC (β = 0.49, p < 0.05), confirming the partial mediation mechanism. The results show that reconstruction achieves optimal resilience when sustainability principles are integrated. Conversely, the moderating role of LW was not statistically significant, indicating that LW functions more symbolically than structurally within current reconstruction governance. Contribution: Theoretically, this study differentiates the structural contribution of SC, evident statistically, from the symbolic contribution of LW, thereby refining existing resilience theory for post-disaster contexts. Practically, the findings underscore the need to redesign institutional mechanisms so that sustainability and LW are not only acknowledged but also formally embedded into reconstruction planning.

As the world faces the challenge of mitigating climate change, energy- and emissions-intensive industrial processes must be addressed urgently worldwide. The cement production industry accounts for over 8% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from calcination and fuel use. Mexico, a middle-income economy, has rising cement demand for infrastructure and commercial growth. Thus, this study analysed national cement production, the primary emitting manufacturing industry in the country, under a business-as-usual (BAU) and two alternative scenarios, using a top-down approach to model energy consumption and GHG emissions by 2050. These scenarios follow the projection of national cement production, estimated using socio-economic indicators, which are considered the main drivers of cement demand, reaching 97.3 Mt. A qualitative analysis evaluates the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of implementing emission-reduction strategies. The analysis showed that the BAU scenario might reach 66.5 Mt CO2e by 2050, while the most ambitious scenario reduced direct emissions by 80.1% through carbon capture, clinker-to-cement reduction, thermal energy intensity reduction, and the use of municipal solid waste as an alternative fuel. However, incorporating these strategies in Mexico requires a more active role and investment support from key stakeholders.

Modern healthcare is increasingly emphasizing maternal satisfaction as the most important qualitative outcome of the childbirth experience. This narrative review aimed to categorize and evaluate the conceptual frameworks used to define and measure maternal satisfaction. A comprehensive search was conducted across electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, supplemented by Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar. The AI tool Elicit was utilized to assist in screening scientific papers for thematic relevance. Search terms included satisfaction, conceptual frameworks, birthing experience, and postnatal mothers. This narrative review identifies a spectrum of frameworks varying in scope, focus, and theoretical origin. The Donabedian framework remains the foundational model for quality, while the WHO quality of care framework for maternal and neonatal health provides a holistic policy perspective by elevating respectful maternity care to a core dimension. The Hulton framework emphasizes institutional assessment. In contrast, the Hollins Martin and Dencker models are patient-driven, prioritizing internal, subjective experiences and patient-reported factors. The findings suggest a divide between the top-down quality assurance models (Donabedian, Hulton, WHO) and bottom-up, experience-based models (Hollins Martin, Dencker). No single framework provides a comprehensive multidimensional understanding of maternal satisfaction. This review suggests that researchers should consider integrating structural quality indicators with subjective patient-reported dimensions to fully capture the complexity of the birthing experience.

A top-down approach to ecclesial reform inhibits reception at the local level. This is evident from pastoral realities in dealing with changes in the church. To ignore the dynamics of a local or rural church community is a recipe for failed reforms, which may negatively impact the community. Where ecclesial authorities have the good intention of building a healthy, vibrant faith community, then the process must involve a co-constructive model that takes into account the obligations of the Magisterium and the dynamics of the rural community, both of which are operating fields of the Holy Spirit that vivifies the church. This article argues that to arrive at such a co-constructive approach, there is need to propose an ecclesiological model of the rural church, one that could be found in the African kinship ecclesiology. The article, therefore, explores the concept of African kinship ecclesiology, with its tripartite dimensions of comprehensiveness, compassion, and celebration. It further demonstrates how this ecclesiology could foster a multi-dimensional reform of the rural church.

In order to address significant issues in cutaneous and transdermal drug administration, the goal of this study is to offer thorough insights into the procedures, formulation strategies, preparation techniques, and therapeutic uses of nanocrystals (NCs). A comprehensive examination of the literature was carried out, gathering and examining information from clinical trials, peer-reviewed publications, and pharmaceutical patents. Data about the synthesis, characterisation, and therapeutic use of NCs in transdermal and cutaneous drug delivery were assessed. Drug loading, saturation solubility, and passive diffusion across the stratum corneum were all shown to be much improved by nanocrystals. Their larger surface area and nanoscale size boosted retention at the absorption site, promoted deeper skin penetration, and improved pharmacokinetics. The creation of stable, bioavailable NC formulations was accomplished by both top-down (such as milling and high-pressure homogenisation) and bottom-up (such as precipitation) approaches. Their therapeutic efficacy in treating ailments, including psoriasis, acne, and fungal infections, was backed by clinical and commercial data. Notwithstanding compelling preclinical data, regulatory obstacles, formulation stability issues, scale-up constraints, and a dearth of standardised testing methods continue to restrict the clinical translation of NC-based skin formulations. The development of NC-based treatments might be greatly advanced by addressing these problems. A potent next-generation method for transdermal and cutaneous medication delivery is nanocrystal technology. Although further study is needed to address translational limitations, NCs have tremendous promise in treating a variety of skin ailments due to their capacity to improve solubility, penetration, and bioavailability.

Abstract Transforming energy systems is a whole-of-society challenge. To mobilize the resources and political will to meet their Paris Climate Agreement obligations, the governments of Europe increasingly recognize the need for participation by their populations. Local governments are particularly involved in this shift from a centralized and top-down model towards a decentralized and co-created one. Diverse forms of engagement in multiple transitions, such as energy communities, participatory planning groups, shared mobility initiatives, and new approaches to self-consumption are emerging throughout Europe. This review studies co-creation of sustainable energy transitions between local public actors and their populations through the lens of opportunity spaces composed of structural factors and acted on by agency. Taking a pragmatic approach, we search the literature for key factors, assisted in screening by an open-source AI tool. We synthesize these pieces of actionable information into a set of 7 issues of interest for anyone engaged in participatory planning or energy initiatives, with lessons for policymakers and practitioners. These issues are: legitimacy; diversity and representativeness; social networks/social capital; local knowledge; territorial values, discourses, and identity; and the physical resources of the territory and how to access them. We rank these issues in terms of their relative malleability to change agency and discuss what it means to navigate the evolving opportunity space. By focusing on cross-border and cross-type analysis, we hope to deliver broadly applicable insights that can serve as a starting point for further study and implementation.

This study discusses the diachronic changes in the meanings of words in the Malay language. This historical study uses a top-down approach in its analysis. The data was traced in several stories. The archaic words used in these stories were analyzed for changes in meaning and form in the current Malay/Indonesian language. The findings of this study indicate that there are several changes in meaning in the Malay language, including expansion of meaning, narrowing of meaning, deviation of meaning, replacement, reduction, and metaphor. Changes due to expansion are found in the words balairung, melanggar, masyhur, and segan; changes due to narrowing are found in the word sahaja; changes due to replacement are found in the word malaka; changes due to metaphor are found in the words rawan, menyabung, meminang, and cembul. In addition, Proto-Austronesian lexical changes that have altered meaning include the word "hulu," which originally meant "head," and has evolved into the word "hulu sungai," retaining a similar meaning. Changes in meaning in the Malay language are closely related to the social and cultural factors of Malay speakers. The social and cultural factors affecting Malay speakers are factors that encourage them to bring about lexical and semantic changes in the Malay language.

Rapid environmental change, social inequities, and colonial legacies are all factors that drive a pressing need for more meaningful and collaborative education in the Arctic that supports community resilience and self-determination. Meaningful and inclusive education strategies in the circumpolar context are challenging due to both the colonial history and top-down approaches often used in practice. While each Arctic region has its own cultural context, general themes have emerged to support the transformation of education in the North, specifically as it relates to environmental change and resilience. This short paper focuses on environmental education and hones in on three interrelated themes: 1) circumpolar education research and policy priorities, 2) co-creation and participatory approaches in education, and 3) decolonization of Western education. By exploring these themes, we aim to identify next steps for co-creating a collaborative and inclusive framework for future Arctic education programs on environmental change and resilience.