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Caregiver perceptions of a psychosocially orientated resilience-themed multimedia burn intervention
(SAGE Publications Ltd, 2026) van Tonder, Wayne; Ahmed, Rashid; Basadien, Toughieda; Faroa, Brendon D
Pediatric burn injuries are a global health concern that significantly impacts children’s well-being. Few cost-effective psychosocial interventions currently exist that focus on bolstering resilience in pediatric burn survivors and their surrounding support systems, specifically in resource-constrained contexts. Therefore, this study sought to explore caregivers’ perceptions of an existing resilience-themed multimedia psychosocial intervention aimed at child burn survivors. This qualitative study’s design was exploratory and utilized face-to-face, semistructured interviews. The caregivers of 13 child burn survivors were recruited from the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, South Africa. Thematic analysis yielded four themes revealing some key caregiver perceptions of the burn recovery video: (1) acceptance of burn injury promotes psychological recovery; (2) hope matters; (3) emotional support matters in all contexts; and (4) resilience matters, but… The themes echoed the resilience literature and emphasized the importance of support from all systems, including professional, and peer and familial groups, in postburn recovery. They also identified areas not usually foregrounded, such as the social contexts which may mitigate against resilience. Caregivers distilled some key aspects of resilience from the multimedia intervention and through this felt encouraged about the recovery process. The findings highlight the importance and utility of resilience-orientated multimedia and complementary interventions in pediatric postburn care.
The fast hi 21 cm absorption blind survey. Iii. Oh absorption search in the 21 cm absorber sample and continued hi absorption search
(American Astronomical Society, 2026) Hu, Wenkai; Wang, Yougang; Darling, Jeremy
We present the first blind search for OH 18 cm absorption with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST), conducted alongside the H I 21 cm absorption search. Our previous FAST blind H I absorption search identified 34 systems. In this work, we extend the search using 2024 and part of the 2025 CRAFTS and FAST All Sky H I Survey data (394.4 hr and 1622.1 deg2) together with FATHOMER observations, yielding four known and three new H I absorbers, for a total of 41 H I absorption systems. We search for OH absorption in 19 H I absorption systems whose OH redshifted frequencies fall within the FAST band. The known OH absorber toward PKS 1413+135 was redetected, making our survey the first blind survey to detect OH absorption. No new OH absorbers were identified. We examine the relationship between NOH and NHI, applying survival analysis to account for upper limits. The analysis does not provide statistically significant evidence for either an NOH–NHI correlation or redshift evolution of NOH/NHI. Finally, spectral stacking sets 3σ OH column density upper limits of 4.93, 1.64, and 1.72 Tex/cf,OH × 1012 cm−2 K−1 for associated, intervening, and combined samples, corresponding to [OH]/[H I] ratios of <1.66 × 10−8, <1.42 × 10−8, and <0.90 × 10−8, assuming Tex = 10 K for OH and Ts = 100 K for H I. These results place the strongest constraints to date on the OH content in radioselected H I absorbers and establish a blind-survey benchmark for future studies of molecular gas in H I-selected systems. They also demonstrate that known H I 21 cm absorbers provide an effective parent sample for systematic OH absorption searches, paving the way for future larger surveys.
Enhancing business and human rights through corporate social responsibility provisions in investment agreements: contribution and limitations of article 38 of the protocol to the AfCFTA agreement on investment
(Cambridge University Press, 2026) Lenaghan, Patricia; Azapmo, Jean Bertrand
The private sector is the main engine of economic growth, with corporations contributing to the development of countries where they operate.1 However, concerns persist regarding the negative impacts of corporate activities, ranging from unethical and irresponsible business conduct to environmental deterioration, corruption, indigenous and local communities’ land rights violations, and human rights abuses.
Land-market drivers of peri-urban land transformation in Mpingu and Malingunde extension planning areas, Lilongwe District, Malawi
(Frontiers Media SA, 2026) Nyirenda, Clement; Nyengere, Jabulani; Tchuwa, Frank
Introduction – Peri-urban land use and land cover change is accelerating across Sub-Saharan Africa, reshaping agrarian landscapes where smallholder farming, settlement expansion, and common resources increasingly compete. This study investigated the drivers of land-use transitions in Mpingu and Malingunde Extension Planning Areas of Lilongwe District, Malawi, two rapidly transforming peri-urban agricultural landscapes. Methods – The study integrated spatial analysis with household-level econometric evidence. Land use and land cover maps for 2004, 2014, and 2024 were used to assess landscape transformation, while household survey data from 279 farming households captured land scarcity, fragmentation, tenure conditions, and market-related pressures. Land-use transitions were analysed using a multinomial logit model grounded in a land-market political economy framework. Results – The spatial analysis revealed substantial landscape transformation over the two-decade period, with natural woodland declining by approximately 66%, cropland expanding by approximately 459%, and built-up settlement areas increasing by approximately 127%. Household data showed severe land scarcity and fragmentation, with a mean farm size of 0.46 ha and more than 80% of households cultivating multiple spatially separated parcels. The multinomial logit model demonstrated strong explanatory power, with LR χ2 = 147.32, p < 0.001, and McFadden’s Pseudo R2 = 0.38. A one-unit increase in aggregate land demand pressure raised the probability of forest conversion to cropland by 18.4 percentage points, p < 0.01, while peri-urban land market intensity increased the probability of cropland conversion to settlement by 24.7 percentage points, p < 0.001. Competing land-use pressure significantly accelerated the conversion of communal grazing land to cropland, increasing transition probability by 16.3 percentage points, p < 0.01. Tenure security reduced the likelihood of settlement conversion by 11.2 percentage points, p < 0.01, indicating its moderating role in land-use change. Discussion – The findings show that peri-urban land transformation in Mpingu and Malingunde is driven primarily by land markets, spatial accessibility, and institutional conditions rather than demographic pressure alone.
A model for sustainable development of geoparks in Northeastern Nigeria and other underrepresented regions in Africa
(Springer Nature, 2026) Omosanya, Kamaldeen O. L.; Dada, Silas S.; Oha, Ifeanyi A.
Geoheritage-rich regions of Africa remain underrepresented in UNESCO Global Geopark planning despite their scientific, educational, and livelihood potential. To help address this gap, this study develops a reproducible geoheritage inventory and prioritization framework for Northeastern Nigeria. We present the first integrated, quantitative geoheritage inventory of 24 priority geosites in Northeastern Nigeria. Here, we combine (i) a 12-criterion numerical evaluation (1–5 scale) spanning scientific significance, educational and tourism potential, and conservation readiness, with (ii) SWOT analysis and (iii) the Abiotic–Biotic–Cultural (ABC) framework to capture governance and development constraints. Our ranking results identify four Tier-1, geopark-ready localities, which are Yankari Wikki Warm Springs, Mambilla Plateau, Kaltungo Horst, and the Lamurde geothermal system that jointly concentrate high geodiversity, interpretive value, and immediate conservation–tourism use. A further set of Tier-2 sites (e.g., Lake Chad, Biu Plateau/crater lakes, and the Gombe Inlier) show strong regional significance but require targeted upgrades in access, interpretation, and visitor management. Across the portfolio, the dominant limiting factors are weak geoheritage visibility, uneven protection status, and gaps in on-site interpretation, despite consistently high scientific value. We therefore propose a five-year phased geopark development roadmap anchored in policy alignment, community co-management, and inter-agency partnerships. Importantly, this study provides a transferable model for accelerating geopark planning in underrepresented regions of the Global South by translating geosite rankings into an actionable implementation pathway.