Haluoleo University

Nut shell is a natural filler widely used across various industries, including furniture, insulation, lightweight products, construction, packaging, and automotive, due to its superior performance and its contribution to industry sustainability. Natural fillers possess hydrophilic characteristics and exhibit heterogeneous behavior upon interaction with other materials, necessitating chemical, mechanical, ultrasonic, and hydrothermal treatments to enhance their interlocking and compatibility. The primary objective of this investigation is to assess the performance of composites, modification processes, fabrication methods, and the performance of different nut shells, to offer more comprehensive recommendations for industrial applications. The findings of this study unequivocally indicate that the modification, shape, and size of fillers, together with manufacturing factors, significantly influence the characterization, physical, mechanical, thermal, and tribological features, and degradation processes of nut shell-reinforced composites. In addition, this study provides the latest advances in understanding the degradation mechanisms of composites, including thermal, biological, and chemical mechanisms. Moreover, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) indicates that using nut shells in composites significantly creates eco-friendly materials and innovative industries. Therefore, further studies must focus on improving compatibility with various matrix types and other materials, optimizing production parameters, and exploring the performance of nut shell-reinforced composites.

The application of plant-derived extracts in dermatological and cosmeceutical formulations is often limited by poor bioavailability, low skin permeability, and the instability of bioactive compounds. Fermentation has emerged as a promising biotechnological approach to enhance phytochemical composition and biological activity through microbial biotransformation. This review aims to critically evaluate the effects of fermentation on plant-derived phytoconstituents and their relevance in cosmeceutical dermatology. A structured literature search was conducted using Scopus and PubMed databases for studies published between 2015 and 2025. A total of 32 records were initially identified. After screening titles and abstracts, 19 articles were assessed for full-text eligibility. Following full-text evaluation, 5 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. The findings indicate that fermentation modifies phytochemical profiles, by converting glycosides into more bioactive aglycones resulting in improved skin permeability and biological activity. Fermented extracts demonstrate enhanced antioxidant capacity, increased tyrosinase inhibition, and improved photoprotective effects compared to non-fermented counterparts. Mechanistically, these effects were associated with modulation of oxidative stress pathways and inflammatory mediators, including upregulation of SOD and CAT and suppression of IL-6 and TNF-α. However, the available evidence is predominantly limited to in vitro studies, with variability in fermentation conditions and microbial systems. This review provides an integrated and critical perspective linking biochemical transformation, skin permeability, and dermatological relevance. Future research should prioritize standardization and clinical validation to support translational application.

This study aims to test the serial mediation pathway based on the expanded Affective–Behavioural–Cognitive (ABC) model to explain Reliance on ChatGPT (RC) and Critical Use of ChatGPT (CU) in an academic context. A cross-sectional quantitative survey study was conducted among multi-ethnic students in the coastal region of Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, in two stages: a pilot study (n = 72) to test the instruments and a main study (n = 287) to test the model. The analysis used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) based on CB-SEM to validate the measurement model, and partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to test the structural model through 5,000 bootstrap resamples (CI 95%). The results showed that the indirect serial effect from PCU to CU via EA/AIS-ST-RC was significant, whereas the direct path from ST to CU was not. These findings confirm that attachment to ChatGPT is not directly related to a decrease in CU. CU practices are primarily formed when User Stickiness (ST) has a positive and significant effect on RC, which is functional in completing academic tasks. Thus, RC acts as a proximal mediator in the relationship between ST and CU.

Climate governance in rural Zimbabwe confronts multifaceted challenges as communities grapple with intensifying climate impacts, namely irregular rainfall and extended droughts, each of which undermines livelihood security, agricultural output, and food availability. This paper examines the synergies between IKS and state climate policies in the Mutoko District, illuminating the transfer of indigenous wisdom across agricultural planning, ceremonial observances, and adaptive practices. The paper employed an exploratory qualitative framework anchored in participatory inquiry and grounded theory. Data was gathered through in-depth interviews, focus group dialogues, and key informant interviews with a diverse sample of farmers, elders, traditional leaders, and extension officers. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze data, and the findings established that traditions such as rainmaking ceremonies and the veneration of ancestors cultivate social unity and validate the authority of indigenous governance, while youth-led collectives increasingly intertwine traditional ecological wisdom with mobile and digital media, generating hybrid frameworks that elevate adaptive capacity. The analysis therefore articulates that an authentically inclusive climate governance framework in Zimbabwe necessitates the formal legitimization of Indigenous Knowledge Systems, the establishment of deliberative platforms that facilitate co-learning, and sustained, directed investments in educational initiatives that ensure cultural and technical continuity across generations. The research concludes that addressing epistemic divisiveness and integrating participatory, culturally relevant governance procedures in semi-arid rural areas is essential for enhancing resilience and supporting the communities impacted.

The Zingiberaceae family has long been used in traditional medicine due to its rich array of secondary metabolites. However, its low bioavailability, limited stability in its native form, degradation during digestion, and poor solubility in water all restrict its absorption in the human body. Fermentation represents an effective biotechnological method for modifying the phytochemical composition and potentially enhancing its pharmacological effects. This study aims to explore the impact of fermentation on Zingiberaceae, focusing on the alteration of phytochemical profiles and the enhancement of pharmacological activities. Articles were sourced from the Scopus and PubMed databases and filtered for publications between 2015 and 2025; there were 2 articles that were electronically removed before screening due to duplication, yielding 62 articles. These articles were then further screened based on titles, abstracts, and full texts, resulting in five relevant studies. Fermentation was found to improve the phytochemical profile, influenced by the microbial strains used and the physicochemical properties of the phytochemicals. The fermentation process enhanced the stability of compounds, such as converting 6-gingerol to 6-shogaol and transforming glycosides into aglycones, which are more easily absorbed by the body. Additionally, fermentation increased phenolic and flavonoid content, accompanied by enhanced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Pharmacologically, in vitro studies showed that fermented extracts modulate cytokine signaling pathways in immune cells while enhancing anti-aging properties and skin barrier protection. Meanwhile, in vivo studies demonstrated improvements in metabolic regulation and neuroprotective effects in cognitive disorders. Further mechanistic investigations are needed to clarify the pathways through which fermentation influences the behavior of phytoconstituents and their pharmacological performance. This review provides an overview of preclinical fermentation studies on Zingiberaceae plants, both in vitro and in vivo, with a focus on their phytochemical composition and effectiveness in enhancing pharmacological activity.