Abstract:Brands claim recycled content with uneven third-party verification, leaving buyers unsure which labels merit price premiums. We present choice sets varying recycled share, certification body, and price to apparel shoppers recruited from mid-market retailers. Traceability QR codes raise willingness to pay only when paired with independent auditors rather than brand-only declarations.
Abstract:Harbor turbidity spikes after ferry passages can recontaminate recently dredged berths if bed shear exceeds critical thresholds. We recreate scaled wakes in a shallow flume and resolve near-bed velocity fields with particle image velocimetry across draft and speed combinations. Resuspension events concentrate in trailing secondary vortices rather than at the primary bow wave crest.
Abstract:Formal advising hours rarely capture how students learn laboratory norms or scholarship timing from peers. We map informal mentors through interviews and ego-network diaries spanning two academic years. Students with cross-cohort ties into research groups show higher persistence into second-year laboratories even when high-school preparation scores are matched.
Abstract:Refrigerator failures during evening outages remain a leading cause of vaccine wastage at clinics far from reliable feeders. We size photovoltaic and battery hybrids against measured load profiles and monsoon irradiance dips, then simulate autonomy under generator-backup policies. Configurations that prioritize compressor cycling logic over peak panel capacity cut outage-driven temperature excursions more cost-effectively.
Abstract:Open comment portals mix technical critiques with identity-based grievances that standard bag-of-words models blur. We couple dynamic topic models with aspect-level sentiment on proposals linking toll revenue to transit vouchers for peripheral districts. Clusters that emphasize procedural fairness predict later petition volume better than clusters focused solely on travel-time savings.
Abstract:Laboratory ELISA kits remain costly for small trader cooperatives that must decide whether to accept or reject incoming grain. We optimize solvent extraction times and calibration curves for a portable spectrophotometer and validate against HPLC reference concentrations. Screening thresholds tuned for regional moisture profiles improve sensitivity without increasing false rejection rates that discourage participation.
Abstract:Canal siltation costs fall unevenly when upstream users benefit from cleaner intakes while downstream plots absorb sediment loads. We apply Shapley-value allocations calibrated with seasonal dredging invoices and plot-level water delivery records. Associations that adopt the proposed shares report fewer free-rider disputes during dry-season rationing relative to equal-split baselines.
Abstract:Citizen surveys can expand shoreline monitoring if phone photographs yield reliable particle counts without laboratory microscopy. We fine-tune convolutional backbones on annotated trays of sieved sand photographed under field lighting and test domain shift across wet versus dry sediment. Confidence-calibrated detectors reduce false positives from shell grit while remaining deployable on mid-range devices used by volunteer teams.
Abstract:Although the discourse on the blue economy promises to reconcile economic growth with the conservation of ocean ecosystems, in practice short-term commercial gains, ecological destruction, displacement, and "bluewashing" are prevalent. This article argues that these failures stem fundamentally from ethical shortcomings rather than technical or managerial issues. A comprehensive literature review and critical conceptual synthesis identify four key problems in current ocean governance: the neglect of environmental ethics in favour of neoliberal growth targets, the inadequate implementation of social equality, the exclusion of the social sciences from technocratic decision-making, and the absence of a holistic ethical model. To address these shortcomings, the Ethical Blue Economy Framework (EBEF) is proposed, synthesising principles from Deep Ecology, the Land Ethic, Social Ecology, and Blue Justice. EBEF comprises three intertwined pillars—Ecological Ethics, Social Justice, and Ethical Governance—built on a social science methodology that emphasises participatory research and the co-production of knowledge. The framework positions ecological integrity as a non-negotiable boundary, social justice as a mandatory condition, and transparent governance as an institutional necessity. Using Türkiye as an illustrative example, the model offers a multi-scale assessment guide for policymakers and stakeholders.
Abstract:Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is widely regarded as a critical sector for addressing skills shortages, unemployment, and economic inequality in developing economies. In South Africa, substantial public resources are allocated to support TVET students through government funding schemes. However, limited empirical evidence exists on the extent to which these investments yield measurable economic and social returns. This study provides an empirical assessment of the return on investment (ROI) in government-funded TVET education in South Africa. Using a qualitative research methodology, the study analyses graduate tracer data, labour market outcomes, and administrative records to estimate the economic returns associated with TVET participation. Key indicators examined include employment probability, income differentials, and labour market absorption rates among funded graduates. A cost–benefit framework is applied to compare public expenditure on TVET education with the resulting individual and societal gains. The findings indicate that government-funded TVET education yields positive but variable returns, with outcomes differing across fields of study, levels of qualification, and demographic characteristics. While TVET participation generally improves employability and earnings potential, structural challenges such as labour market mismatches and varying programme quality moderate the overall returns. The study will contribute to the policy debate on the effectiveness and efficiency of public investment in post-school education and provides evidence-based recommendations for improving the alignment between TVET programmes and labour market demands. The results have implications for policymakers, education planners, and stakeholders seeking to optimise the socioeconomic impact of government-funded TVET initiatives in South Africa.