The persistent increase in atmospheric CO₂ levels presents a dual challenge of environmental mitigation and sustainable energy generation. This study introduces a unified nano-engineered platform combining nanostructured metals, plasmonic nanoparticles, quantum dots, and defect-rich TiO₂ to drive selective CO₂ conversion into CO, CH₄, and CH₃OH. By leveraging synergistic nano-interfaces, this work integrates catalytic activity with optoelectronic functionality, enabling simultaneous energy harvesting and chemical transformation. Nanostructured metals provide tailored surface states for CO₂ adsorption, while plasmonic nanoparticles induce hot-electron injection, and quantum dots facilitate directional charge transfer. Defective TiO₂ layers introduce oxygen vacancies that localize charges and modulate reaction pathways. Comprehensive material characterization using TEM, XRD, XPS, PL, and UV–Vis spectroscopy confirms controlled interface formation, defect density, and optical enhancement. CO₂ conversion experiments under gas-phase and photo-assisted modes demonstrate tunable product selectivity via defect engineering and electrical bias application. The hybrid platform achieves enhanced Faradaic efficiency, turnover number, and operational stability compared to conventional systems. Mechanistic insights reveal that defect-plasmon-quantum dot interactions govern charge localization and transfer, providing a predictive framework for reaction steering. Integration with photovoltaic and optoelectronic modules showcases the feasibility of combined chemical and energy conversion, offering a pathway toward scalable, smart CO₂-to-fuel system. These findings provide a transformative approach to CO₂ utilization, highlighting the potential for decentralized renewable energy generation and sustainable fuel production. The methodology and insights reported herein establish a foundation for designing multi-functional catalytic systems with controllable reaction pathways and integrated energy recovery.

Bulbar ulcer bleeding remains a frequent cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, although its incidence has decreased with the use of proton pump inhibitors and the eradication of Helicobacter pylori. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between bulbar ulcer topography and clinical severity. This was a prospective analytical study conducted over a 28-month period, from April 2020 to August 2022, including patients admitted on an emergency basis for upper gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to a bulbar ulcer. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and tobacco consumption were the main identified risk factors. A marked male predominance was observed, and anterior localization of the bulbar ulcer was significantly associated with an increased risk of hemodynamic instability.

This study aimed to examine the effects of open and closed kinetic chain exercise interventions and to determine how these structured training programs influence selected physiological variables, specifically breathe holding time and VO2 Max, among inter-collegiate cricketers. A total of 45 inter-collegiate male cricketers aged 18–25 years from AAA College of Engineering and Technology, Amathur, Sivakasi, Tamilnadu were selected for the study. The participants were randomly assigned into three groups: An Open Kinetic Chain Exercise Group (OKCEG), a Closed Kinetic Chain Exercise Group (CKCEG), and a Control Group (CG). The experimental groups underwent their respective structured kinetic chain training programs for six weeks, while the control group continued with their regular physical activities. Breathe holding time and VO2 Max was selected as the dependent physiological variable and were assessed using a standardized test. Pre- and post-intervention data were statistically analyzed using appropriate inferential statistical techniques to determine significant differences among the groups. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. The results revealed significant improvements in breathe holding time and VO2 Max in both the open and closed kinetic chain exercise groups when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The control group did not exhibit any significant change in breathe holding time and VO2 Max. The findings of the study indicate that structured open and closed kinetic chain exercise interventions are effective in enhancing breathe holding time and VO2 Max among inter-collegiate cricket players. Both training methods proved superior to regular activity alone, highlighting the importance of incorporating kinetic chain exercises into cricket training programs to improve physiological performance.

Purpose ‒ The aims to examine the factors influencing the adoption of Islamic Banking in Uganda, utilizing the theory of Diffusion of Innovation (DOI). The study investigates the effects of relative advantage, compatibility, and perceived risk on adoption, and evaluates the moderating role of customer awareness in the relationships. Design/Methodology/Approach ‒ A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 256 banking customers in Kampala Metropolitan Area. Data was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) through SmartPLS. Findings ‒ Findings indicate that relative advantage and compatibility have a significant and positive influence on adoption, whereas perceived risk has an adverse effect. Customer awareness significantly moderates these relationships, enhancing the effects of relative advantage and compatibility and reducing the negative impact of perceived risk Originality/Value ‒This research is among the first empirical investigation of Islamic Banking adoption in Uganda following the launch of the country’s first dedicated Islamic Bank back in 2023. It provides a timely and critical examination of adoption drivers, uniquely introducing and validating customer awareness as a significant moderator within the DOI framework in Ugandan novel context. Research Limitations/Implications ‒ The study's focus on the Kampala Metropolitan Area may limit the generalizability of the findings to other regions. Future research could expand the geographical scope. This study addresses a notable gap in the empirical literature on Islamic banking within Sub-Saharan Africa and contributes to understanding financial innovation diffusion in emerging Muslim communities. Practical Implications ‒ The insights provide strategic value to practitioners aiming to promote Islamic Banking in Uganda. Enhancing customer awareness initiatives can accelerate adoption by showcasing the benefits and alignment of Islamic Banking with customers’ financial values. Concurrently, marketing and educational campaigns should explicitly address and mitigate perceived risks to broaden acceptance.

Background: Immunization during pregnancy, specifically with Tdap and Influenza vaccines, is vital for reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Despite global recommendations, vaccination coverage remains suboptimal due to knowledge gaps, safety concerns, and negative attitudes among expectant mothers. Aim: This review evaluates the current state of knowledge and attitudes regarding Tdap and Influenza vaccination among pregnant women and assesses the impact of educational interventions on vaccine uptake. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2024. The search utilized keywords related to pregnancy vaccination, Tdap, influenza, and educational interventions. A total of 27 studies (24 quantitative, 1 qualitative, and 2 mixed-methods) were included in the final synthesis. Results: Findings reveal significant global variations in vaccine awareness. Studies from Saudi Arabia, India, and China reported low levels of knowledge regarding vaccine safety and the benefits of maternal immunization. In contrast, European studies generally showed higher awareness, though misconceptions regarding fetal risks persisted. Across all regions, the primary barriers to vaccination included fear of side effects, lack of healthcare provider (HCP) recommendations, and misinformation. Conversely, educational interventions—including tailored mobile applications and provider-led health education—demonstrated a marked increase in vaccine acceptance and uptake post-intervention. Conclusion: Knowledge gaps and lack of HCP encouragement are critical barriers to maternal immunization. Structured educational interventions and strong provider-patient communication are essential strategies to demystify vaccinations and improve uptake. Future research should focus on longitudinal, culturally tailored interventional studies to develop effective public health campaigns.

This study was conducted to investigate the concentration level of heavy metals in the water, sediment, and five fish species of the Argungu River and two surrounding lakes in Kebbi State, Nigeria. This was carried out using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The metal with the highest mean concentration in all fish species is Fe, followed by Cu, Pb, Cd, and Cr. The mean concentration of metals determined in the water samples ranged from 0.01 ± 0.00 mg/L to 52.52 ± 0.09 mg/L, and for sediment samples, it ranged from 0.25 ± 0.00 mg/kg to 97.70 ± 0.53 mg/kg. Hyperopisus bebe has the highest concentration of all the heavy metals analyzed. The metal concentrations in the fish samples were ranked in the following sequence: Malapterurus electricus > Alestes baremose > Clarias gariepinus > Hydrocunus brevis > Tilapia zilli. The overall concentrations of heavy metals detected in the fish, water, and sediment samples were in the following order: Fe > Pb > Cu > Cd > Cr. Fe and Pb accounted for over 90% of all the metals studied. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to reveal significant differences in the measured variables. Concentrations are often lower in water, followed by sediment and fish. The results obtained indicated that the heavy metal concentrations in the fish, sediment, and water were found to be above the permissible limits set by the World Health Organization. Thus, the study revealed that there is significantly high heavy metal pollution in these fish species sampled from Argungu River and the surrounding lakes, and the consumption of the available fish species in the river may cause harmful effects to human beings.

The global diffusion of algorithmic management—where data-driven systems allocate work, evaluate performance, and enforce organizational rules—has transformed labor relations across diverse economic and cultural contexts. From digital labor platforms and multinational supply chains to service and manufacturing sectors in both developed and developing economies, algorithmic systems increasingly mediate the relationship between workers and organizations. While these technologies promise efficiency, objectivity, and scalability, their implications for employee trust remain underexplored, particularly from a global perspective. This study investigates how employees across algorithmically managed work environments perceive control, fairness, and autonomy, and how these perceptions shape trust in organizational systems operating under algorithmic governance. Grounded in organizational trust theory and justice-based frameworks, the study adopts a mixed-methods research design combining survey data with semi-structured interviews conducted among employees working under algorithmic oversight in multiple organizational settings. Quantitative findings indicate that perceived procedural fairness, transparency of algorithmic decision-making, and opportunities for autonomy significantly enhance employee trust, regardless of sector or national context. In contrast, opaque algorithms, intensive digital surveillance, and limited avenues for worker voice consistently undermine trust. Qualitative evidence reveals that these challenges are particularly pronounced in contexts characterized by labor precarity, power asymmetries, and weak institutional protections—conditions prevalent in many developing and transitional economies. The findings suggest that algorithmic management often reproduces existing global inequalities by amplifying managerial control while reducing employee agency, especially where workers lack bargaining power or access to explanations and appeals. At the same time, when organizations integrate human oversight, contextual sensitivity, and transparent communication into algorithmic systems, employees are more likely to perceive such technologies as legitimate and trustworthy. This study contributes to the growing global literature on algorithmic management by centering employee perceptions across varied labor contexts and highlighting trust as a critical mediator between technology and organizational outcomes. The study offers practical implications for policymakers and organizations worldwide, emphasizing the need for human-centered, context-aware algorithmic governance to foster fair, autonomous, and trust-based workplaces in an increasingly digitized global economy.