Rare earth metal oxide nanoparticles possess unique physicochemical properties that enable diverse technological applications. Among these, europium oxide (Eu2O3), characterized by a wide band gap energy (~ 4.4 eV) and advantageous dielectric properties, has attracted significant research interest. This review comprehensively covers recent progress in the synthesis of Eu2O3 and Eu2O3-functionalized heterostructures via diverse chemical routes, including precipitation, hydrothermal, solvothermal, sonochemical, sol-gel, and reflux methods. Particular emphasis is placed on the influence of key operational parameters, such as reaction temperature, time, and capping agents, on particle morphology and structural evolution. Furthermore, the functional performance and underlying mechanisms of these heterostructures across photocatalysis, luminescence, chemical sensing, and biological domain applications are critically evaluated, highlighting current challenges and prospects for sustainable utilization.
This chapter examines the political economy of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) financing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), arguing that fiscal inequality and weak governance, rather than resource scarcity, are the primary barriers to equitable health systems. Using a comparative analysis of Ghana, Kenya, India, and Cambodia, this study reveals how political commitment, tax progressivity, and institutional integrity shape health equity outcomes. While progressive taxation and transparent governance expand fiscal space, corruption, donor dependence, and elite capture erode sustainability. The study proposes a Fiscal Justice for Health framework, positioning UHC as both an economic reform and a moral imperative grounded in distributive justice, accountability, and inclusive governance.
The primary production of aluminum generates hazardous solid residues, which collectively present a critical challenge involving both environmental toxicity and strategic resource depletion. Current industry reliance on secure landfilling fails to mitigate long-term risks posed by leaching of fluorides, heavy metals, and cyanide. This approach results in significant economic loss by preventing the recovery of essential aluminum and fluorine feedstocks. The high Na/Al impurity ratio and complex chemical composition of this waste severely limit recovery, making the reclaimed compounds unsuitable for purity-sensitive electrolytic reduction. Overcoming these chemical barriers requires a paradigm shift from simple waste stabilization to targeted, high-purity resource recovery to meet both economic and environmental objectives. This paper proposes an integrated upcycling strategy that combines a hydrometallurgical process with separation techniques (e.g., pyro-hydrometallurgy, solvent extraction, nanofiltration membrane) to achieve high-purity material recovery and minimize secondary hazardous wastewater. We critically evaluate the primary waste streams of aluminum production, detailing their transformation from hazardous byproducts into strategic resources. Ultimately, this integrated approach provides a circular economy roadmap that offsets the ecological risks of landfilling while restoring essential feedstocks to the primary production cycle.
Microplastic contamination and associated polymer toxicity in mollusks are emerging concerns for ecosystem health and seafood safety in coastal environments. This study compares microplastic abundance, polymer composition, and exposure risks in wild and cultured populations of Crassostrea madrasensis, Perna viridis, and Telescopium telescopium from coastal Bangladesh. Microplastics were detected in all species, with mean abundances ranging from 0.68 ± 0.22 to 1.12 ± 0.10 items g−1. Fibres dominated, accounting for 77 to 94% of particles, with most measuring less than 500 μm. Transparent and violet particles were most common, indicating sources from textiles, ropes, and aquaculture materials. Polymer composition was determined using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) with PE, PET, PS, EVA, Nylon, and PVA identified among the detected polymers. Polymer hazard index values were similar across groups (PHI 15.7–18.7, level II), whereas MPERI was higher in cultured than wild Crassostrea madrasensis (18.6 vs 16.1) but lower in cultured than wild Perna viridis (7.1 vs 17.7). Estimated human intake through mollusk consumption ranged from 0.28 to 0.47 items kg−1 day−1, corresponding to 6.2 × 103 to 1.0 × 104 items per person per year. The dominance of fine fibres and the presence of higher hazard polymers indicate potential chronic ecological stress and food safety concerns. These findings emphasize the need for improved aquaculture practices and targeted monitoring in coastal Bangladesh.
China-to-Malaysia international student mobility (ISM) has surged since 2020. Drawing from interviews conducted in 2023–2024 with 23 Chinese international students (current and recently graduated) and 7 university staff in Malaysia, this article examines why and how an emergent education brokerage market develops and operates in the China-Malaysia migration corridor. Three factors contribute to the making of this migration corridor: (1) Malaysia’s internationalization of higher education efforts, including bilateral educational collaborations with China; (2) China’s rising domestic competition in higher education enrolment and graduate employment; and (3) Malaysia’s appeal to Chinese students (relative affordability; ethnocultural, linguistic, and geographical proximity). These broader educational, economic and policy contexts within the China-Malaysia migration corridor set up the contextual conditions for the emergence of an education brokerage market. Chinese students sought education agent services – which are often enfolded into students’ personal social networks – due to the presence of information gap in ISM to Malaysia, and to procure reassurance and convenience in navigating unfamiliar university admissions processes. Market demand in China-to-Malaysia ISM saw the emergence of student-turned education agents who utilize entrepreneurial and collaborative brokerage tactics tailored to the Chinese market such as presence on Chinese social media platforms and experiential study tours in Malaysia. A migration corridor perspective sheds light on the contextual dynamics of ISM flows and education brokerage, further contributing to critical and nuanced understandings of agents’ roles as constitutive members of the migration industry/infrastructure in the neoliberalization and marketization of higher education.
