Evaluating complementaries among urban water, energy, infrastructure, and social Sustainable Development Goals in China.

Urban areas' performance in water, energy, infrastructure, and socio-economic sectors is intertwined and measurable through Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6-13. Effective synergy among these is critical for sustainability. This study constructs an indicator framework that reflects progress towards these urban SDGs in China. Findings indicate underperformance in SDGs 8-11, suggesting the need for transformative actions. Through network analysis, the research reveals complementarities among these SDGs. Notably, the SDG space divides into socio-economic and ecological clusters, with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) central to both. Additionally, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) act as bridges, while greater synergies exist between SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). An in-depth view at the indicator-level shows a core-periphery structure, emphasizing indicators like SDG 6.2 (Wastewater Treatment Rate) and SDG 6.6 (Recycled Water Production Capacity per capita) as pivotal. This study confirms the urban SDG space's stability and predictiveness, underscoring its value in steering well-aligned policy decisions for sustainable growth.

Optimizing Polyhydroxyalkanoate production using a novel Bacillus paranthracis isolate: A response surface methodology approach.

Microorganisms have emerged as promising resources for producing economical and sustainable bioproducts like Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a biodegradable polymer that can replace synthetic plastics. In this study, we screened a novel isolate, Bacillus paranthracis RSKS-3 strain, to produce PHA from sewage water, identifying it using Whole Genome Sequence. This study represents the first report on optimizing PHA production using B. paranthracis RSKS-3, employing Design Expert 12.0 software. Our findings reveal that four factors (temperature, inoculum size, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and magnesium sulfate) significantly affect PHA production in the Plackett-Burman design experiment. Through Response Surface Methodology, we optimized PHA production to 0.647 g/L with specific values for potassium dihydrogen phosphate (0.55 %), inoculum size (3 %), magnesium sulfate (0.055 %), and a temperature of 35 °C, in agreement with the predicted value of 0.630 g/L. This optimization resulted in a substantial 13.29-fold increase in PHA production from 0.34 g/L to 4.52 g/L, underscoring the promising role of B. paranthracis RSKS-3 in eco-friendly PHA production and advancing sustainable bioproduct development.

Reviving the forgotten legacy: Strategies for reviving qanats as sustainable solutions for agricultural water supply in arid and semi-arid regions.

In semi-arid and arid regions, qanats are a vital water source for agricultural needs. However, many communities are abandoning these traditional and sustainable water supply systems in favor of modern and more productive methods. Consequently, this research aimed to identify the most effective approaches for rejuvenating qanats in the dry and semi-arid areas of Razavi Khorasan province, Iran. To accomplish this goal, a comprehensive strategy was employed by merging the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT, Best-Worst Method (BWM), and the Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS).Based on interviews with experts in water resources and SWOT analysis, 27 factors affecting the restoration of qanats were identified and weighted with BWM. The results of BWM-WASPAS highlight the crucial role of a holistic approach in reviving qanats. The study findings reveal that the highest scores were obtained by the strategies reforming water governance policies to prioritize sustainable indigenous water resources (SO1) and establish an independent institution for qanat restoration (WT7). Conversely, educational (ST1), informational (SO3), and research (WO4) strategies concerning the revival of qanats were categorized as intermediate priorities. Lastly, strategies associated with farm-level support policies were assigned lower priorities. Accordingly, it is recommended that policymakers in Mashhad give priority to macro-level and institutional policies concerning qanat restoration, considering the current state of indigenous water resources. Additionally, a continued emphasis on research policies and farm-level initiatives is advised.

Planetary Health: A New Approach to Healing the Anthropocene.

The Anthropocene is a proposed geological epoch reflecting large-scale impact of human activity on the Earth's natural systems. This era is also characterized other significant threats to ecological wellbeing that are less evident in the sedimentary records. Extensive environmental changes with industrialization and urbanization have also contributed to declining biodiversity and microbial dysbiosis in essential ecosystems-the original and foundational lifeforms that continue to sustain virtually all ecosystems today, including our own. These changes, along with numerous other social and ecological disruptions at all scales are implicated in the rising rates of physical and mental ill-health, particularly the immune dysregulation and noncommunicable diseases that characterize the Anthropocene. This narrative review considers how urgent structural changes in how we live are essential for the future of human health and flourishing of all of life on Earth. It explores planetary health as a solutions-oriented, transdisciplinary field and social movement aimed at addressing these interconnected these global challenges through integrated ecological approaches. Planetary health considers not only the vital biophysical "planetary boundaries" required to support human flourishing, but also the upstream social, political, and economic ecosystems that support (or undermine) wellbeing at all scales. The value systems and the worldviews that have contributed to our global challenges are a central consideration in the planetary health agenda- emphasizing the imperative to address structural inequalities, injustices, and the social, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of unrealized human potential. Promoting these inner assets is essential for human flourishing and for fostering the cultural capacities necessary to ensure sustainable planetary health.

Women's empowerment as a determinant of neonatal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa: a narrative review focused on Nigeria.

Neonatal mortality remains a critical public health issue, with Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) experiencing disproportionately high rates compared to other global regions. Notably, SSA and South Asia are the regions most lagging behind the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.2, aiming for <12 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030. Within SSA, Nigeria, the most populous country, records the highest number of neonatal deaths annually. Given the structural similarities among SSA nations, this narrative review, focusing on Nigeria, explores effective strategies to reduce the neonatal mortality gap. Information about trends, risk factors, and prevalent lapses was obtained from literature from renowned databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, and grey literature consisting of reports from relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations. Critical risk factors commonly identified include inadequate antenatal care (less than three visits), lack of access to skilled and clean birth practices, limited healthcare accessibility, financial barriers, substandard environmental conditions, and nutritional shortfalls. This review highlights women's empowerment as an additional critical factor, often overlooked, in the efforts to decrease neonatal mortality rates. Improving women's empowerment indices, such as the Gender Inequality Index (GII), employment, and literacy, offers a promising avenue to curtail neonatal mortality rates in Nigeria and across SSA sustainably. While this is potentially a long-term solution, short and medium-term recommendations were also proffered. By integrating women's empowerment within a broader strategy to improve maternal and newborn health, Nigeria can advance towards securing a healthier future for its youngest population.

Main findings: Neonatal mortality remains a major public health crisis in SSA, even with sustained local and global efforts.Added knowledge: Sustainably resolving this crisis requires a holistic approach that includes women's empowerment, a factor that is often overlooked in current interventions to curb neonatal mortality.Global health impact for policy and action: Prioritizing women's empowerment will contribute to sustainably reducing neonatal mortality rates and will also help address other prevalent public health and economic challenges facing developing countries.

Assessing EFL (English as Foreign Language) Education for Sustainable Development: Exploring the Cultural Teaching Literature.

Cultural teaching is the underlying core component of English as Foreign Language (EFL) education. Although the previous literature has intensely studied this theme, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research characteristics and trends in this field is still lacking regarding cultural teaching in EFL education. This study aims to explore the research distribution, research hot topics, and research the trends of EFL cultural teaching by conducting a bibliometric analysis of 358 articles on Web of Science using CiteSpace. The analysis leads to the following three findings: (a) The countries that teach EFL prevail in terms of number of publications but lag behind in terms of research influence, and a global academic community has not taken shape. (b) Interculturality is the central theme, encompassing a range of related topics such as intercultural competence, intercultural communication, and cultural awareness, with key teachers, learners, and textbooks as research perspectives. (c) Multilingual turn has emerged as a prominent new trend, which emphasizes the importance of cultural diversity and pays more attention to source/native languages and cultures. Furthermore, possible measures of promoting interculturality were discussed on the basis of relevant literature studies. In addition, scholars are suggested to pay more academic attention to the research and practices of EFL countries.

A sustainable bioremediation of vanadium from marine environment and value-addition using potential thraustochytrids.

Rising concerns about global environmental degradation underscore the pressing need for effective solutions to combat heavy metal pollution. Industries such as semiconductor and steel production discharge vanadium into marine ecosystems, posing significant risks to both marine life and human health. The current study investigates efficacy of utilizing marine thraustochytrid for efficient vanadium removal outcompeting other microbial sources. By optimizing pH and temperature conditions during harvesting, achieved a remarkable 50.80 % enhancement in vanadium removal efficiency, from 19.31 to 29.12 mg/L. Furthermore, chelating agents EDTA and citric acid supplementation demonstrated promising enhancements, reaching up to 31.21 and 32.59 mg/L, respectively. Notably, vanadium-treated biomass supplemented with citric acid exhibited maximum enhancement in lipid content, from 58.47 to 75.34 %, indicating thraustochytrid's potential for biofuel production. This study presents a sustainable approach for industrial-scale vanadium bioremediation, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals focused on dual benefits of environmental protection and renewable energy.

Community Perceptions on Health Risks Associated With Toxic Chemical Pollutants in Kwekwe City, Zimbabwe: A Qualitative Study.

Globally, environmental pollution continues to be a significant public health problem, and according to the World Health Organisation, pollution-induced deaths account for 23% of deaths yearly, which could be prevented if people lived in healthier environments. Despite implementing multilateral agreements and international treaties such as the Bamako, Basel, Rotterdam, Minamata, and Stockholm conventions, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and national laws, toxic pollutants remain a serious environmental and public health problem in low-income countries. In the specific context of Kwekwe City, an industrial and mining area in Zimbabwe, where environmental and pollution-induced health problems associated with industries have been widely reported, this study was conducted in close collaboration with the local community. The study aimed to assess community members' perceptions regarding health risks associated with potentially toxic elements and cyanide pollution in Kwekwe City. An explorative cross-sectional study was conducted with key stakeholders and industrial settlements' residents. Face-to-face interviews with key informants and focus group discussions with residents and workers were used to gather data. A thematic approach was utilised in data analysis. Study participants, who played a crucial role in the research process, perceived that industrial pollution principally linked to cyanide, mercury and chromium posed significant environmental and health risks. This participatory approach in risk perception assessment is critical in providing insight into the scope of the problem and formulating intervention strategies. However, given that qualitative study results lack generalisability and replicability, quantitative studies need to be undertaken to determine environmental levels of toxic chemical pollutants as a complementary and validative measure.

Impact of Health Care Management Workshops on the Health-Seeking Behavior of Traffic Police in Bhubaneswar.

Background: Sustainable development goals (SDGs) 3.9.1 and 11.6.2 call for a reduction in deaths and illnesses from air pollution, improving the air quality of cities. The above goals motivate us to organize workshops to improve the health of traffic police, who bear the brunt of air pollution. The paper examines the effect of workshops on the health-seeking behavior of the traffic police in Bhubaneswar city. Methods: The study conducted two workshops as a quasi-experimental, single-group study at an academic institution in Bhubaneswar. It included 20 traffic police officers (11 male and 9 female). The Kirkpatrick 4-level model was used to assess the effectiveness of the workshops. A paired t-test was used to compare pre- and postworkshop scores. Results: Thirteen traffic police officers rated the workshop sessions as excellent. The score before the workshop ranged from zero to three, with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) of 2.81 (1.0). The postworkshop score had a minimum to maximum score of three to five with a mean (SD) of 4.41 (0.7) (P < 0.005). The effect size dcohen (confidence interval [CI]) was 1.87 (3.27-4.71). The mean (SD) of absolute and relative gain was 1.6 (1.0) and 0.93 (1.02), respectively. All 20 traffic police officers showed improvement in health-seeking behavior. The significant lifestyle changes after the workshops ranged between 5% and 75%. Conclusion: The test scores indicated statistically significant improvement as the P value recorded was smaller than 0.05. This concludes that the improvement in understanding of the session was statistically significant because of the training imparted.

Nourishment beyond grains: unveiling the multifaceted contributions of millets to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

United Nations General Assembly declared that 2023 will be celebrated as the International Year of Millets. Millets are a group of coarse grains from the Poaceae family that offer numerous benefits that align with various United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This review explores diverse contributions of millet cultivation, consumption, and value addition with UN SDGs. The millets help in combating hunger by providing economical sources of essential nutrients and diversifying diets, improving health through mitigating malnutrition and diet-related diseases. Millet's lower water demand and resilience to climatic stress help in sustainable water management. Millets reduce the risks associated with monoculture farming and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Similarly, millet plants need few chemical fertilizers, and the ecological damage associated with these plants is minimized. Millets can prevent soil degradation and conserve biodiversity. They can adapt to diverse cropping systems and support sustainable land practices. Millet cultivation reduces inequalities by empowering smallholder farmers and maintaining economic balance. The cultivation and trading of millets promote partnerships among governments, NGOs, and businesses for sustainable development. The ability of millet to contribute to poverty reduction, hunger alleviation, health improvement, environmental sustainability, and economic development makes millet a sustainable choice for a better world.

(Re)integrating radioactive materials and waste into a global sustainable development context.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, established in 2015, aim to achieve global sustainability by 2030 through the improvement of environmental, social, and economic parameters. However, unlike earlier concepts such as the Agenda 21 of 1992, the SDGs overlook radioactive waste management and related challenges of radiation itself. First, we investigate the historic consideration and unexplained disappearance of radioactive waste in earlier sustainability concepts. Then, we propose amending seven SDGs to address this gap. For SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 14 (Life Below Water), and 15 (Life on Land), new or revised indicators should monitor the release of hazardous materials. SDGs 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) require additional targets and indicators to integrate international cooperation and social implications of nuclear facilities' operation. Redefining "hazardous waste" in SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and "environmentally sound technologies" in SDG 17 is necessary to encompass radioactive waste. Implementing these changes demands statistical efforts, but the existing monitoring infrastructure, particularly in Europe and North America, can facilitate this. As 2030 approaches, it is crucial to reintroduce radioactive waste management into sustainability agendas, whether within the SDGs themselves or in a subsequent framework.

Time to Rethink Intended Learning Outcomes for Sustainable Development? A Qualitative Exploration and Reflection of Course Syllabuses in Swedish Undergraduate Physiotherapy Education.

OBJECTIVE: Several calls to action for the implementation of education for sustainable development in health profession education have been put forth during the last few years. The aim was therefore to explore and describe sustainability-focused intended learning outcomes (SD-ILOs) in curricula of undergraduate physiotherapy education in Sweden. METHODS: Using a deductive, descriptive, and qualitative approach, SD-ILOs in programs (n = 8) and course syllabuses (n = 143) from eight higher education institutions providing physiotherapy undergraduate education in Sweden were analyzed. SD-ILOs were described based on the subject content or condition, level of cognitive processes, sustainability learning dimensions, and key sustainability competencies. RESULTS: Six of the eight physiotherapy programs provided course syllabuses with SD-ILOs. However, only 3% (n = 36) of all ILOs were sustainability-focused. A larger part of the SD-ILOs, 78% (n = 28) was described within the cognitive dimension of learning, and 80% (n = 27) were linked to either the cognitive process 'understanding' or 'analyzing'. The most frequently identified key competency in the SD-ILOs was 'systems-thinking' n = 10 (28%), and 30% (n = 11) lacked key competency. CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need for rapid initiatives to enhance sustainable development education in Swedish undergraduate physiotherapy education. Pedagogical approaches that cover not only cognitive dimensions of learning for sustainable development but also socio-emotional and behavioral dimensions, as well as more complex cognitive learning processes must also be developed. The current lack of key sustainability competencies further emphasizes the necessity to enrich physiotherapy curricula with action-oriented learning to develop powerful future sustainability agency within healthcare and the public health arena.

A 25-year scoping review of the organ donation system in Malaysia: past, present, and future.

Organ donation and transplantation are integral components of modern medicine. This scoping review thoroughly explores the historical evolution, current status, and future prospects of organ donation and transplantation in Malaysia. Historically, Malaysia faced significant challenges in establishing a robust organ transplantation system, with various factors hindering organ donation efforts. Currently, Malaysia continues to struggle with stagnant donation rates despite collaborative efforts from various sectors. There is an urgent need to amend the 50-year-old Human Tissue Act to strengthen the legal framework for organ donation and address ethical concerns. Looking to the future, Malaysia could adopt a soft opt-out system and prioritize advancements in organ preservation techniques by exploring new sources of organs through the donation after circulatory death program. Continued efforts are necessary to enhance education programs for professionals and the public, dispelling myths about organ donation and effectively educating on the concepts of brain death. Malaysia strives to create a more accessible future for organ transplantation, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals to reduce the burden of organ failure and improve the population's health and well-being.

Examining the Contextual Factors Influencing Intersectoral Action for the SDGs: Insights From Canadian Federal Policy Leaders.

BACKGROUND: The interdependent and intersecting nature of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require collaboration across government sectors, and it is likely that departments with few past interactions will find themselves engaged in joint missions on SDG projects. Intersectoral action (IA) is becoming a common framework for different sectors to work together. Understanding the factors in the environment external to policy teams enacting IA is crucial for making progress on the SDGs. METHODS: Interviews [n=17] with senior public servants leading SDG work in nine departments in the federal government of Canada were conducted to elicit information about issues affecting how departments engage in IA for the SDGs. Transcripts were coded based on a set of factors identified in a background review of 20 documents related to Canada's progress on SDGs. Iterative group thematic analysis by the authors illuminated a set of domestic and global contextual factors affecting IA processes for the SDGs. RESULTS: The mechanisms for successful IA were identified as facilitative governance, leadership by a central coordinating office, supportive staff, flexible and clear reporting structures, adequate resources, and targeted skills development focused on collaboration and cross-sector learning. Factors that affect IA positively include alignment of the SDG agenda with domestic and global political priorities, and the co-occurrence of social issues such as Indigenous rights and gender equity that raise awareness of and support for related SDGs. Factors that affect IA negatively include competing conceptual frameworks for approaching shared priorities, lack of capacity for "big picture" thinking among bureaucratic staff, and global disruptions that shift national priorities away from the SDGs. CONCLUSION: IA is becoming a normal way of working on problems that cross otherwise separate government accountabilities. The success of these collaborations can be impacted by contextual factors beyond any one department's control.

Pharmaceuticals in the Environment: A hospital pharmacy's perspective. / El impacto ambiental de los medicamentos: una mirada desde la farmacia hospitalaria.

Drugs do not disappear once they have been excreted. In fact, 992 active principles have already been measured in the different environmental matrices. A recent study led by scientists from the University of York has studied the presence of drugs in the rivers of more than 100 different countries, showing that environmental contamination by pharmaceuticals is a global issue and that, concentrations found are frequently harmful to the environment. In this work, we have tried to briefly expose the problem of environmental contamination with medicines, but above all, we have tried to address the possible solutions, with a perspective from the field of hospital pharmacy. This is a very complex matter (a wicked problem), since it involves multiple stakeholders with different visions and interests regarding medicines. In order to find solutions, we will probably need to act at all steps of the drug's life cycle. Until now, health professionals have been part of the problem. It is time for us to be part of the solution.

1-10-100: Unifying goals to mobilize global action on antimicrobial resistance.

The Bellagio Group for Accelerating AMR Action met in April 2024 to develop the ambitious but achievable 1-10-100 unifying goals to galvanize global policy change and investments for antimicrobial resistance mitigation: 1 Health; 10 million lives saved; and 100% sustainable access to effective antimicrobials. High profile political goals such as the Paris Agreement's objective to keep global warming well below 2° Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, UNAIDS' 90-90-90 goal, and the Sustainable Development Goals challenge global norms, direct attention towards relevant activities, and serve an energizing function to motivate action over an extended period of time. The 1-10-100 unifying goals propose to unite the world through a One Health approach to safeguard human health, animal welfare, agrifood systems, and the environment from the emergence and spread of drug-resistant microbes and infections; save over 10 million lives by 2040 through concerted efforts to prevent and appropriately treat infections while preserving the vital systems and services that depend on sustained antimicrobial effectiveness; and commit to ensuring that antimicrobials are available and affordable for all, used prudently, and secured for the future through innovation. Compared to existing technical targets, these unifying goals offer advantages of focusing on prevention, encouraging multisectoral action and collaboration, promoting health equity, recognizing the need for innovation, and integrating with Sustainable Development Goals. By committing to 1 Health, 10 million lives saved, and 100% sustainable access to effective antimicrobials, we can protect lives and livelihoods today and safeguard options for tomorrow.

Dynamic linkages between human capital, natural resources, and economic growth - Impact on achieving sustainable development goals.

This study examines the impact of economic growth, trade dynamics, natural resources, human capital, and sustainable development from 1990 to 2022. To capture the complexity of these factors, we utilize a Novel Dynamic Semi-parametric Additive Panel model. Additionally, we employ a Dynamic panel thresholds model to explore the sensitivity of natural resources to economic development across various indices, addressing a gap in previous nonlinear technique studies. Our findings diverge from conventional financial development and economic growth theories. While increasing money may boost trade and development, it could hinder sustainable development. Interestingly, the relationship between financial market expansion, economic improvement, and natural resource use follows an inverse "U-shaped" non-linear pattern. Furthermore, the expansion of the financial sector significantly affects the interplay between human capital and natural resources. As thresholds of growth in financial markets rise, economic growth contributes more to sustainable development, mitigating its negative impact. Several implications emerge, particularly regarding minimizing energy deprivation through global economic and developmental strategies.

"HOW TO" . Incorporating education for sustainable development within a radiography curriculum: A narrative review.

OBJECTIVES: This narrative review aims to describe opportunities to embed sustainability as a core concept in radiography education by exploring teaching strategies to increase awareness about sustainability and its importance in radiography; encourage a culture of personal responsibility and investigate effective teaching methods to engage students in exploring sustainable radiography practices. Climate change can adversely affect the health of populations worldwide. Medical imaging and radiotherapy services are recognised as substantial contributors to the ecological impact of the healthcare industry. There is a need to address the inclusion of sustainability in radiography education due to its increasing relevance to complex cultural and environmental problems. KEY FINDINGS: Literature searches were conducted using CINAHL and Google Scholar, focusing on keywords such as "Sustainability," "Healthcare," and "Radiography Curriculum." A variety of teaching strategies are available to facilitate the instruction of sustainable healthcare practices. Many pedagogical methods promote emancipation and transformative learning, such as problem-based learning, case-study learning, debate, and participatory action research, contributing to a student-centred learning experience. Traditional lecturing and interprofessional teaching also enhance the learner experience by stimulating new ways of thinking. CONCLUSION: Communicating about climate change is important. The radiography curriculum should include education on sustainability for meaningful global health literacy, encourage active research involvement, and ensure that sustainable healthcare principles are incorporated into daily practice. IMPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE: Radiographers possess the ability to assess the various elements influencing a patient's health status and identify which aspects might affect their capacity for behaviour change. This empowers patients to effectively control their conditions within the framework of personalised care. Radiographers have the potential to motivate actions, shape policies, and drive transformation as advocates for environmental and health messengers.