This article presents an extensive exploration of design education in Africa, with a focus on Ghana, employing storied-ethnography to critically contrast it with conventional western methodologies. It draws upon the narratives of prominent Ghanaian design educators – Sela, Isaac and Patrique – whose experiences and insights emphasize the need to integrate cultural, historical and social realities into the design curriculum. This study uncovers a significant divergence from western educational paradigms, which often prioritize technical proficiency and a universal design approach, potentially neglecting the rich cultural specificities integral to the African context. The research highlights the necessity for a design education system in Africa, particularly in Ghana, that balances technical skill with a deep-rooted connection to local culture and social nuances. It advocates for a model that honours and preserves African cultural heritage while preparing students to make impactful contributions in both local and global design spheres. The findings shed light on the complex nature of design education in Africa, calling for a decolonized, inclusive and culturally sensitive educational model, with profound implications for policy-makers and educators across the continent. Relevance to design practice: This research offers practical insights and strategies for integrating Indigenous knowledge and contemporary methodologies, shaping a more culturally nuanced and globally relevant design practice.

Reconciling the reactivity-biocompatibility trade-off in nanoscale zero-valent iron with an amorphous core and pseudocapacitive biointerface for enhanced anaerobic methanogenesis.

Developmental biology is one of the fundamental sciences for understanding the basics of life and often intersects with social justice challenges facing society. This article describes an inclusive teaching activity for students and instructors to explore the interface between developmental biology, genetic diversity, and social justice. The instructor and students will choose a recent publication and use it as the basis for exploring the roles of specific genes characterized in autism from educational, emulative, and ethical perspectives. The assignment for students will include a discussion and demonstration of developmental neurobiology and principles of gene function within the nervous system, as well as ethical considerations for how individuals, as well as society as a whole, should consider genetic variations. Two frameworks are introduced for instructors to create an inclusive learning environment, including universal design for learning and multipartiality. Resources and examples are given throughout the article for instructors to use, and a suggested rubric is also provided. A post-activity self-reflection performed by the students will facilitate their own assessment of how the teaching activity has impacted their philosophical and social perspectives on genetic diversity. The short-term goal of the activity is to promote an immediate appreciation of neurodiversity among the participating students, and the long-term goal is to demonstrate the importance of neurodiversity for developing a just society.

Abstract In this study, the role of extraction barriers in transport layer (TL) optimization, a longterm misunderstanding has been clarified. It is generally believed that high extraction barriers (>0.026 eV) result in low power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, present research revealed that efficient charge separation could be achievable even with barriers as high as 0.3 eV. Then a comprehensive computational analysis of over 10,000 simulated solar cells was conducted, and a universal design principle: minimizing the voltage drop across the TL is the key for maintaining high PCE, regardless of the extraction barrier was identified. Experimental validation of this principle was followed in perovskite solar cells, and exceptional efficiency was achieved for 0.3 eV barrier, which was widely considered impossible before. To make these results practical, an evaluation factor (θ) was developed, which integrates various TL parameters including extraction barrier, thickness, carrier mobility, and dielectric constant into a single, easyto-calculate metric. This tool enables rapid and overall assessment of TL effectiveness, significantly accelerating the design and optimization process.

Strain engineering serves as a pivotal strategy to optimize catalytic activity in electrocatalysis. However, the catalyst sizes under industrial conditions are usually large and even beyond nanometer regime. The critical methodological limitations on strain imaging of such catalysts with both large field of view and high spatial resolution obscure the mechanistic understanding of strain-performance correlations. Here, we present an optimized four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) method to acquire strain mapping of both bulk and surface across particles up to 500 nm with 0.6 nm spatial resolution and 0.55% precision. We observe the ripple-like periodic strain coupled with elemental fluctuations inside a perovskite-type hydroxide CuCoSn(OH)6 and find it correlated to electrocatalytic nitrate reduction (NO3-RR) absorption energy to achieve the 92.6% Faradaic efficiency and long-term test over 1000 h at membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for ammonia electrosynthesis. This universal framework design offers a practical method that not only develops an advanced measurement combining multi-modal characterization techniques but also reveals the intrinsic structure-property constitutive law of industry-level catalysts.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) represents one of the most significant challenges for contemporary inclusive education, with a global prevalence ranging from 5% to 8% among school-age children. The objective of this systematic review was to analyze the available scientific evidence on effective inclusive pedagogical strategies to improve learning outcomes for students with ADHD in regular elementary education classrooms. The methodology followed the PRISMA protocol, consulting specialized databases including Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, and PsycINFO, with inclusion criteria prioritizing empirical studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published between 2019 and 2024. Forty-seven studies meeting the established criteria were selected. Results demonstrate that the most effective interventions combine curricular adaptations with self-regulation techniques, positive behavioral management, and socioemotional support within a Universal Design for Learning framework. Key determinants identified include family-school collaboration, specialized teacher training, and appropriate use of educational technologies. Conclusions emphasize the need to implement contextualized multimodal approaches that recognize each student's individual strengths, thereby promoting authentic educational inclusion that transcends traditional learning barriers.

This study presents a systematic review on the integration of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in mathematics education to advance inclusive and equitable Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in South African higher education. Guided by the PRISMA 2020 framework, 126 records published between 2010 and 2025 were identified across Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, Sabinet, and Google Scholar, with 42 studies meeting the inclusion criteria after quality appraisal. The review synthesises empirical and conceptual evidence on how UDL principles—multiple means of engagement, representation, and action/expression—are applied to promote participation, accessibility, and epistemic justice in mathematics education. Findings highlight persistent barriers, including curricular rigidity, inequitable assessment practices, resource limitations, and linguistic exclusion. However, enabling conditions such as culturally responsive pedagogy, multilingual instruction, and reflective professional communities demonstrate promise for inclusive transformation. The review concludes that integrating UDL within SoTL offers a rigorous and contextually responsive pathway to institutionalise inclusive pedagogical practices, particularly within the policy landscape shaped by the Language Policy Framework for Public Higher Education Institutions (2020). Recommendations emphasise curriculum redesign, flexible assessment, sustained professional development, and alignment of institutional policy with inclusive design principles. By situating UDL within SoTL, this study reframes inclusive mathematics education as both pedagogically robust and socially just, contributing to a more equitable higher education landscape.

Sub-nanocatalysts still face the challenge of spatially inconsistent catalytic centers in suppressing lithium polysulfide (LiPS) shuttling and accelerating redox kinetics. To address this, we developed a carbon-confined thermal evolution strategy that converts vanadium clusters (V Cs) into high-density isolated single atoms (V SAs). This work is the first to demonstrate a top-down charge redistribution through atomic escape that dynamically eliminates low-charge-density regions, constructing highly efficient and uniform catalytic centers. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the resulting high-charge-density V SAs exhibit superior LiPS adsorption (-0.82eV toward Li2S6) and reduced Li2S nucleation barriers (-0.54eV), drastically outperforming V Cs (-2.80eV; 5.66eV). Furthermore, in-situ characterization analysis directly validates the enhanced polysulfide anchoring capability and accelerated reaction kinetics. When incorporated into battery separators, the V SAs enable a high initial capacity (1527 mAh g-1) and ultralong stability (0.047% decay/cycle over 1000 cycles). Notably, under practical conditions, the system maintains 96% capacity retention after 100 cycles (5.2mg cm-2 sulfur loading) and the high output capacity of 1071.9 mAh g-1 (pouch-cell configuration), demonstrating exceptional commercialization potential. This work establishes an atomic-level structure-charge density relationship and provides a universal design principle for advanced catalytic materials in energy storage.

ABSTRACT Currently, most superhydrophobic materials suffer from problems such as complex preparation, reliance on fluorine‐containing reagents, poor mechanical durability, and unclear photothermal anti‐icing mechanism. To address these bottlenecks, we proposed and implemented an innovative integrated strategy. Through an environmentally friendly one‐step spraying process, we combined the high adhesion of epoxy resin, the low surface energy of polydimethylsiloxane, and the photothermal and structural functions of micro‐nano SiO 2 /NiO, successfully constructing a composite coating that possesses excellent mechanical stability, long‐lasting superhydrophobicity, and efficient photothermal response. The contact angle of the coating reached 161.3°, and the sliding angle was 2°. It maintains superhydrophobicity even after 100 sandpaper abrasion cycles and 20 icing/deicing cycles, along with a highly efficient photothermal response. Anti‐icing and de‐icing tests show that at −5°C, −10°C, and −15°C, the coating delays icing by 20.5, 19.9, and 23.9 times compared to the substrate, respectively. Under 1.0 sun illumination, it melts a −15°C ice layer completely within 103 s and retains stable performance after rigorous environmental testing. This work not only provides a high‐performance anti‐icing coating but also demonstrates a universal design strategy that can synergistically enhance mechanical durability, surface superhydrophobicity, and photothermal conversion performance. It offers an indispensable solution for the surface protection of critical equipment in extreme environments.

Smart home technologies are increasingly integrated into residential environments jointly inhabited by older adults and young children. However, existing research remains largely ageing-centered and insufficiently addresses the governance challenges arising from generational asymmetries in vulnerability, spatial agency, and authority within shared domestic space. Rather than merely complicating design, these asymmetries fundamentally reshape how safety, autonomy, access, and surveillance are structured in everyday residential practice. This study reconceptualizes senior–child intergenerational co-living as a governance-oriented socio-technical system in which generational asymmetry functions as a structuring principle of design prioritization. An expert-based decision framework integrating interdisciplinary focus groups and the Analytic Hierarchy Process was developed to evaluate five design dimensions and thirty indicators. The findings reveal a differentiated priority structure in which intelligent safety, accessibility, and risk governance together with spatial integration and technological accessibility constitute the foundational architecture of inclusive intergenerational housing, while interaction-oriented functions receive comparatively lower weights. By embedding generational asymmetry within a formal hierarchical evaluation model, this study extends smart housing scholarship beyond ageing-centered optimization and provides a structured decision-support logic for inclusive multi-generational residential design aligned with the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those promoting inclusive communities and health equity.

ABSTRACT Piezoelectric actuators exhibit advantages such as high precision, no electromagnetic interference, and compact structure, so they have great application potential in fields such as aerospace, biomedicine, and micro‐robotics. With the rapid advancement of high‐end precision equipment and intelligent systems, piezoelectric actuators need both miniaturization and high thrust density. This work innovatively proposes a universal digital logic deformation design criterion for linear piezoelectric microactuator (LPMA) based on XNOR logic operation. The influence of key structural parameters on the actuator's mode frequency and amplitude is systematically investigated. Furthermore, a MEMS‐based process technology route has been developed to achieve the array fabrication of LPMA, with each actuator possessing a thickness of 0.6 mm. The actuator produces a maximum no‐load speed of 76.2 mm s −1 and a peak thrust force of 58 mN when the driving voltage is 80 Vpp. Notably, the thrust density (ratio of thrust to actuator volume) reaches an impressive value of 12.08 mN mm − 3 . The design and fabrication method of piezoelectric microactuator with high thrust density proposed in this paper will promote technological innovation and open new avenues for precision actuation in advanced manufacturing, medical equipment, optical system and aerospace technology.

ABSTRACT The spin‐dependent recombination behavior of photogenerated charges has long been overlooked in the study of photocatalytic hydrogen (H 2 ) evolution over covalent organic frameworks (COFs). Moreover, correlating the structure of COFs with the spin states of photogenerated charges to enhance photocatalytic H 2 evolution performance remains a significant challenge. Herein, we present a chiral amino acid functionalization strategy to engineer chiral TpPa‐1 COF for boosted photocatalytic H 2 evolution. Following systematic optimization, the chiral TpPa‐1 COFs showcased a ∼5‐fold enhancement in photocatalytic performance, achieving a record TOF of 9867 h −1 , alongside the second‐highest reported AQY of 66% at 475 nm and HER of 2.54 mmol h −1 among the reported state‐of‐the‐art COF‐based photocatalysts for H 2 evolution. Mechanism studies revealed that the synergistic effect between the chirality and the directional charge transfer allows efficient photo‐generated charge separation. Furthermore, Chiral TpPa‐1 assembled with polymeric carbon nitride (g‐C 3 N 4 ) in an S‐scheme heterojunction can overcome the bottleneck in photocatalytic overall water splitting on g‐C 3 N 4 without oxygen evolution co‐catalysts. In this work, we present a universal design strategy from a charge spin perspective to synthesize chiral photocatalysts for efficient photocatalytic performance.

The spin-dependent recombination behavior of photogenerated charges has long been overlooked in the study of photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) evolution over covalent organic frameworks (COFs). Moreover, correlating the structure of COFs with the spin states of photogenerated charges to enhance photocatalytic H2 evolution performance remains a significant challenge. Herein, we present a chiral amino acid functionalization strategy to engineer chiral TpPa-1 COF for boosted photocatalytic H2 evolution. Following systematic optimization, the chiral TpPa-1 COFs showcased a ∼5-fold enhancement in photocatalytic performance, achieving a record TOF of 9867 h-1, alongside the second-highest reported AQY of 66% at 475nm and HER of 2.54mmol h-1 among the reported state-of-the-art COF-based photocatalysts for H2 evolution. Mechanism studies revealed that the synergistic effect between the chirality and the directional charge transfer allows efficient photo-generated charge separation. Furthermore, Chiral TpPa-1 assembled with polymeric carbon nitride (g-C3N4) in an S-scheme heterojunction can overcome the bottleneck in photocatalytic overall water splitting on g-C3N4 without oxygen evolution co-catalysts. In this work, we present a universal design strategy from a charge spin perspective to synthesize chiral photocatalysts for efficient photocatalytic performance.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is increasingly recognised as an essential tool for supporting people with communication access needs, including within music therapy. AAC includes a variety of methods that enhance or serve as spoken communication, functioning as either a supplementary (augmentative) tool or a primary (alternative) communication approach. Integrating AAC into music therapy practice fosters disability-affirming practice by reducing communication barriers and creating accessible, inclusive spaces for self-expression and autonomy. This position paper explores the theoretical and practical intersections of AAC and music therapy through the lens of the biopsychosocial model, the social model of disability and the principles of Universal Design for Learning, illustrating how music therapists can actively contribute to dismantling systemic barriers through disability-affirming practice. We advocate for embedding AAC into music therapy higher degree education, further professional development opportunities, increased interdisciplinary collaboration, and the adoption of disability-affirming practices in order to further the integration of AAC into music therapy praxis. Our perspective is informed by our positioning as music therapy academics and practitioners with sustained engagement in AAC across practice, education and collaborative contexts.

The globalization of video consultation platforms has exposed critical gaps in cross-cultural technology adaptation, with linguistic and cultural barriers significantly impeding equitable access to healthcare. This study investigated how cultural and linguistic factors influence user experience with video consultation platforms across diverse global contexts. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed, utilizing purposive sampling to recruit 45 participants from six countries (Indonesia, Japan, Lebanon, India, Germany, Brazil) representing distinct cultural dimensions. Data collection occurred through semi-structured interviews (45-60 minutes) and think-aloud protocol sessions (n=18) between March and September 2024. Reflexive thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke's framework, was conducted, achieving intercoder reliability (κ = 0.87), with data saturation confirmed at 38 participants. Five primary themes emerged: linguistic accessibility barriers affected 82.2% of non-English-speaking participants, and medical terminology translation difficulties ranged from 57.1% to 87.5% across countries. Collectivist culture participants (82.6%) preferred family-inclusive features, whereas individualist culture participants (80%) preferred individual-focused interfaces. Participants from a high-context communication culture required 47% longer to complete the task. Privacy priorities varied substantially, reflecting cultural specificity in trust-formation mechanisms. Visual design preferences varied markedly in color symbolism, information density (42%-78% preferred screen coverage), and icon recognition rates (37.5%-87.5%). Cultural and linguistic factors fundamentally shape the usability of video consultation platforms across multiple dimensions. Findings challenge universal design paradigms, establishing cultural responsiveness as essential to the equitable deployment of telemedicine. Platform developers must integrate comprehensive cultural adaptation, encompassing linguistic localization, accommodation of communication patterns, culturally appropriate privacy frameworks, and customization of visual design.

The progressive rollout of integrated STEM education and robotics in primary education in Spain make it necessary to reflect on issues affecting consistency of delivery and areas for improvement. This paper presents a systematic review of practices in Spain using the PRISMA 2020 protocol, analyses their theoretical and practical coherence in light of international scientific literature, and identifies what improvements may be needed. The results confirm the need to combine cooperative and collaborative learning with project-based learning and scientific inquiry, and to integrate the areas of mathematics and natural sciences through robot design, construction, and programming. In addition, more focus should be placed on the use of low-cost robotic resources, such as programming boards, and the development of educational inclusion through Universal Design for Learning.

Multifunctional nanoparticles with diverse cargos have been extensively developed for efficient cancer theranostics. However, the requirement of additional components would result in stochastic functionalization, interfering with the precise structure and desired characteristics. Thus, it is requisite and challenging to develop multifunctional nanoparticles with a single component. Herein, we report a universal, modular and scalable design approach for constructing a type of single-molecule all-in-one (SMALL) dendritic dots (DDs) with well-defined functional architectures for customizable theranostics. These SMALL DDs are prepared through dendrimer-based divergent synthesis by orthogonal protection, selective deprotection, and precise conjugation. To demonstrate the feasibility of the strategy, we synthesized a type of perylenediimide (PDI)-cored and camptothecin-loaded polylysine dendrimer-based SMALL DDs. These DDs possess precise structure, tunable drug loading, well-defined particle size, and bright and stable fluorescence. The SMALL DDs exhibit long blood circulation, superior tumor accumulation, and tumor-associated enzyme-responsive drug release and generate potent antitumor activity in mice bearing hepatocellular carcinoma. The SMALL DDs integrate imaging probes, drug molecules, and targeting and responsive ligands into a single molecule, which provides a strategy to solve the dilemma of multifunctionality and structural precision and is promising for cancer theranostics.

A universal design and benchmarking framework for indoor photovoltaics

Multiscale molecular engineering co-modulated dual-mode ratiometric probe for monitoring tumor-associated macrophage repolarization.

Integrating multiple radiotherapy modalities, including photon and proton therapy, within a single clinical facility requires universal fiducial markers that perform reliably across all imaging and treatment systems. For computed tomography (CT) andimage-guided radiotherapy(IGRT), fiducials should be large enough to ensure visibility without introducing significant image artifacts. In CyberKnifetreatments, a fiducial diameter of at least 0.75mm is necessary to maintain accurate tracking, particularly in the abdominal and pelvic regions. However, fiducials of this size are unsuitable for proton therapy due to the considerable beam perturbation they cause. This study investigates the design and implementation of customized fiducials that balance imaging visibility, tracking reliability, and proton beam perturbation, enabling their use across multiple radiotherapy modalities. Customized coil-shaped platinum fiducials with a 0.75mm diameter and variable coil gaps were developed to reduce the amount of metal in the proton beam path. For image visibility and trackability assessments, both standard fiducials (0.5and 0.75mm diameters with nominally zero coil gaps) and customized versions were inserted in an anthropomorphic phantom. Visibility was evaluated using cone-beam CT (CBCT) and kilovoltage (kV) imaging on both photon and proton treatment systems. Trackability was assessed in the CyberKnifesystem using an anthropomorphic phantom and a respiratory motion platform. Proton beam perturbation was measured using radiochromic films that were placed downstream of the fiducials and irradiated with a broad spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) field. A triple-channel film dosimetry method was employed for analysis. Customized fiducials with increased coil gaps demonstrated visibility comparable to standard fiducials in IGRT for both photon and proton systems. In the CyberKnifesystem, these customized fiducials also provided reliable tracking performance under both static conditions and simulated respiratory motion. The film measurements revealed that the customized fiducials with coil gaps larger than 0.5mm/coil could significantly reduce proton beam perturbation compared to both the standard 0.75and 0.5mm diameter fiducials. This study demonstrates the feasibility of redesigning fiducial markers to maintain a large diameter for reliable imaging visibility and trackability while minimizing proton beam perturbation by increasing the coil gap. Adopting a universal fiducial marker design has the potential to streamline clinical workflows and support seamless integration across various radiotherapy modalities.