Abstract

Abstract Biogas is an environmentally friendly energy source produced from the anaerobic digestion of biodegradable biomass. In response to Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), a biogas programme and a biogas scale-up project were implemented in Ethiopia. In this study, a multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select well-functioning bio-digesters that supply cooking energy and bio-slurry from bio-digesters constructed in April 2017 to April 2020 in the National Biogas Scale-Up Project (NBPE+) of Ethiopia. Then qualitative and quantitative data were collected through interviews with 59 households, 10 focus groups, and 20 key informants in 22 woredas in the Gambella, Oromia, SNNP, and Somalia regions. The type of digester was a dome-type one constructed underground. Qualitative data were narrated and summarized, and quantitative data were analysed for means of variance. Utilization of biogas energy reduced the wood fuel collection and consumption time by 38% in Gambella, by 50% in Oromia, SNNP, and by 55% in the Somalia region. The use of biogas reduced the amount of carbon emissions from woodfuel combustion by 7.28 tCO 2 e in Oromia to 2.78 tCO 2 e in Gambella. Although the households were highly interested in biogas technology, the cost of biodigester construction became unaffordable, and only 15% of the households requested credit. About 69.49% of the households constructed a 6-m 3 biodigester. Overall, 16.95% of the households had four cattle, and 10.17% of them had nine cattle. In Gambella, the available feedstock was sufficient to feed only a 3.7 m 3 bio-digester, while the mean size of the installed bio-digester was 6 m 3 and as a result, only 61.7% of the size of the bio-digesters was filled by the available feedstock. The dung’s total solids and volatile solids were different among the regions that affected the amount of biogas production. The biogas production ranged from 0.01 to 1.75 m 3 , which was sufficient for cooking for 0.03 to 4.38 h. The highest mean amount of biogas and corresponding cooking hours were obtained in Somalia, about 0.51 ± 0.11 m 3 and 1.27 ± 0.27 h based on the number of available cattle; however, there was a lack of water. Therefore, zero grazing, home feeding, and watering of cattle should be practiced for the sustainability of biogas production.

Abstract Ethics, human behavior, and stress management are concepts that accompany each person’s private and professional life. As thoughtful beings, we encounter unpleasant or stressful situations every day. In the comfort of home, behind closed doors, people resort to various ways of coping with stress, but when they are in common work areas, close to clients or colleagues, the inability to escape from stress often provokes inappropriate reactions and behavior. The obligation to behave ethically is all the higher, the closer contact with clients the employee has with clients. The purpose of the paper is to analyze the state of ethical coping and solutions to stressful situations among social workers in the Office of Labor, Social Affairs, and Family in the selected city in Slovakia and then propose recommendations that could improve the situation.

Abstract Energy organizations are undergoing gender transformations due to globalization, environmental changes, and sustainability. The Ghanaian energy organizations are dominated by male and masculine cultures. Women are few in the sector and active in the lower-paid, non-technical fields. Due to their minority status, collective frustration with expectations and aspirations motivated gender transformations in the energy sector of Ghana. Deploying a multiple case study design coupled with a qualitative approach, the paper found collective effort in promoting women in the energy sector of Ghana. A regime of expert platforms made up of ‘sisters in energy solidarity’ was also found, adopting gender strategic measures such as networking, mentorship, coaching programme, advocacy, and gender equity-driven energy initiatives aimed at re-engineering a shift in gender dynamics in the energy jobs of Ghana. This gender transformative regime among the energy work organizations implies inclusivity, diversity, alleviating women’s energy poverty, and a move towards achieving modern organizational status among the energy organizations in Ghana.

Abstract This paper describes the task-related apparel design features involved in developing prototypes for nannies. Clothes that are presently used in childcare tasks do not meet the users’ needs for carrying out activities and tasks in families. This makes their tasks more cumbersome to perform, while comfort, health, and safety are not well guaranteed. Therefore, this work aims at identifying task-related design features and developing prototype nannies’ work apparel that would facilitate babysitting tasks and minimize work hazards while ensuring the comfort, protection, and safety of children and users. A purposeful sampling technique was used to select 293 respondents. Questionnaires and body measurements were used to collect data and were analyzed with means, percentages, and Chi-square. Users were involved in the process of prototype development. The design was tested to assess its appropriateness and modified for final fitting.

Abstract Environmental concerns have garnered increasing global attention, prompting discussions on how to integrate these issues into business operations and strategies. While lean supply chain strategy (LSC) and agile supply chain strategy (ASC) are recognized for their environmental benefits to organizations, the impact of LSC and ASC on the environmental performance of firms remains relatively unexplored. This study aims to analyze the influence of LSC and ASC within various functional areas of manufacturing firms on their environmental performance. To gather data, a quantitative survey methodology was employed, involving 299 manufacturing firms in Malaysia. Out of the collected responses, 231 were deemed usable for analysis. The survey results reveal that lean supply chain strategy and agile supply chain strategy positively affect environmental performance. Moreover, supply chain responsiveness (SCR) partially mediates the relationship between LSC and ASC on environmental performance. This study contributes to the existing literature and practices in supply chain management strategy and sustainable performance in manufacturing industries.

Abstract As a result of the current social, cultural, and political social change of the last decades of the 20th century and the beginning of the new century, it is necessary to guarantee the acquisition and development of specific life skills. In this regard, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduces the so-called life skills and LifeComp, that is, the set of social, cognitive, and personal skills. Through motor and sports education, it is possible to structure paths of personal and social growth, considering the development of life skills. This paper analyzes the link between the development of life skills and LifeComp and the motor and sports activities planned in a structured manner, with a particular focus on the teaching methods of field hockey and team sport, which are particularly suited to the development of the psychosocial skills of younger people.

Abstract Sustainable development, or sustainability, refers to meeting the needs of the present generation while not compromising on the needs of the future generation. Cyberspace has increasingly become a tool for actualizing sustainable development, given the increased volume of online transactions. However, cyberspace has equally been used to perpetuate crime and criminality, culminating in high levels of corruption in society. Corruption thrives in secrecy in governance, weakens state institutions, and promotes injustices in society, making the actualization of Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) a mirage. Since SDG 16 is the cornerstone for the actualization of the remaining 16 SDGs, this vision paper proposes a blockchain-based cybersecurity system for engendering transparency and accountability in governance, using Nigerian politics as a case study. We used use case diagrams and n-tier component diagrams to explain how the functionalities of blockchain technology can be used to address trust deficits occasioned by crime and criminality. We also harped on how the implementation of the proposed system can impact the attainment of the SDGs by the target year of 2030.

Abstract In the face of mounting geotechnical challenges within urban centers worldwide, the significance of engineering solutions extends beyond the immediate resolution of these issues to act as catalysts for socio-economic development. This paper examines specific geotechnical problems, such as soil instability and the underutilization of urban green spaces, and their direct impact on community health, safety, and the quality of urban life. With a focus on diverse international case studies, the research clarifies the reciprocal influence between geotechnical innovation and socio-economic advancements. It advocates for the integration of geotechnical practices into the broader scope of urban planning, detailing how cities can leverage these practices for sustainable growth and enhanced community well-being.

Abstract In the present study, the underrated fruits of Spondias dulcis frost were utilized for the development of unconventional sauces. Two distinct sauces were prepared: one using the pulp of semi-ripened Amra fruit, and the other using its peels. The homogenized ingredients were cooked in an open vessel. Both sauces exhibited dose-dependent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) reduction. The R -values of the DPPH free radical scavenging activity of Amra peels and pulp sauces were found to be 0.9873 and 0.9759, respectively. The sauce made with the pulp of fruit showed a significantly stable emulsion and lower syneresis values, whereas the sauce prepared with fruit peels was more astringent with a significantly higher titratable acidity ( p < 0.05). The mineral content and brix of sauce made with fruit pulp were found to be significantly higher. The sensory characteristics of both sauces were found acceptable by sensory assessors. However, the taste of pulp sauce was found to be significantly better than that of fruit peel sauce. The findings suggest that the pulp and peels of Amra fruits could be employed for the development of antioxidant-rich sauces; however, the application of Amra peels for the formulation of potential value-added sauces, jams, and other condiments would reduce manufacturing waste and cost.

Abstract This communication aims to explain the origin, objectives, and format of educational materials developed by the authors for use in the classroom, specifically in geography or any subject dealing with knowledge and analysis, with students aged 14–18. It focuses on the depopulation process that has occurred in rural areas of Spain since the beginning of the 20th century (exemplified in the autonomous community of Aragon). This process has shaped their territory, population distribution, aging demographics, and the social issues that arise from it. To achieve this, its stages, characteristics, causes, consequences, and potential policies to halt depopulation are identified and analysed. To implement efficient teaching and learning processes aimed at students acquiring not only relevant and useful concepts but also skills or competencies in geographical knowledge techniques, an intensive use of Geographic Information Technologies (GIT) is proposed. Moreover, when GIT is integrated into educational strategies focused on competency-based didactic formulations (“know-how”). This transformation shifts geographical knowledge from rote memorization to a tool enabling the understanding of the environment in which students develop their lives and education. Thus, the educational materials presented here does not solely aim for an understanding of the depopulation process affecting the Spanish territory. Alongside this knowledge, the materials aim to facilitate competency acquisition in GIS (geographic information systems) and, consequently, in artificial intelligence.

Abstract This review paper highlights the importance of environment, social and governance (ESG) in sustainable agricultural practices in developing countries. The importance of incorporating an environmental perspective has been discussed. The enhanced sustainable crop farming practices under ESG are precision agriculture technology, controlled environment agriculture, improving crop breeding, agricultural biotechnology, packaging innovation and coatings, reducing food waste, and regenerative agricultural practices. The green-minded leadership model should stem from this concept of ESG in sustainable agricultural practices in developing countries.