This study investigates activism as a powerful force for social and environmental change in South Asian fashion industries, specifically those in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India. It defines the characteristics of fashion activism within regional contexts and explores the manifestation of fashion activism in a range of styles and practices. By combining a qualitative literature review with social media analysis, this study evaluates the role of activism in fashion and reveals that fashion serves as a vital medium for advocating social change while fostering a sense of community and identity among marginalized groups. The key findings indicate that social media is crucial for amplifying activist messages, encouraging stakeholder collaboration, and raising awareness regarding urgent social issues. In contrast to prior studies, which have primarily focused on a single topic, this research encompasses a comprehensive spectrum of activism within the fashion domain, examining critical themes such as cultural identity, gender equality, economic empowerment, and environmental justice. The findings suggest that fashion activism catalyzes significant transformations beyond conventional metrics, promoting a holistic framework for understanding social justice and sustainability. Furthermore, this study highlights the transformative potential of the fashion industry in driving social progress and emphasizes the need for further research to better understand these movements.

Background: Stroke often results in impaired postural control and asymmetric weight distribution, which negatively affect balance and functional mobility. Previous research has demonstrated that balance training interventions incorporating proprioceptive stimulation and visual feedback can enhance postural stability in stroke survivors. However, there remains debate regarding the relative effectiveness of these two approaches. While proprioception-based training emphasizes sensory input from mechanoreceptors to improve postural control, visual feedback-based training leverages external cues to facilitate balance adjustments. Objectives: To investigation the effects of proprioception-based trunk exercise and visual-auditory feedback-based trunk exercise on sitting balance in patients with chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 24 participants diagnosed with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to two groups: the proprioception-based trunk exercise group (PTG, n=10) and the visual-auditory feedback-based trunk exercise group (VTG, n=11). Both groups participated in a 6-week intervention program, five sessions per week, lasting 25 minutes per session. Outcome measures included the Limitation of Stability (LOS), the Korean version of the Trunk Impairment Scale (K-TIS), and the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS). Pre- and post-intervention assessments were analyzed using paired t-tests and independent t-tests to evaluate within-group and between-group differences. Results: Both PTG and VTG groups demonstrated significant improvements in LOS, K-TIS, and PASS scores following the intervention (P<.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the amount of change observed. Conclusion: The findings suggest that both proprioception-based and visualauditory feedback-based trunk exercises are effective in improving sitting balance in chronic stroke patients. The lack of a significant difference between the groups indicates that both approaches provide comparable benefits. Future research should explore long-term effects and investigate potential differences in various functional domains beyond sitting balance.

A new spider species of the genus Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805, Pholcus osaek sp. nov., in the family Pholcidae C.L. Koch, 1850, is described from Korea. This new species belongs to phungiformes-group in the genus. It can be distinguished from its congeners by the shape and structure of genital organs of both males and females. It is found on and between rock walls in mountainous mixed forests. Additionally, the taxonomic status of Pholcus uksuensis Kim & Ye, 2014 is revalidated, re-diagnosed, and redescribed based on specimens collected from the type locality. Considering differences mentioned in the diagnosis through revalidation, P. uksuensis is regarded as a distinct species. Therefore, it should be removed from the synonymy of P. woongil Huber, 2011.

Background: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is very common disease. Strength exercise, balance exercise, and proprioceptive exercise were used to improvement of function for CAI. Isokinetic strength and balance are related to functional movement of lower extremity. Objectives: The purpose was to analyze the effect of muscle strengthening exercise, balance exercise, and proprioceptive exercise on isokinetic strength and balance in young adults with CAI. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The subjects were 30 young adults with CAI. The subjects randomly divided into three groups: strengthening exercise, balance exercise, and proprioceptive exercise. They performed each exercise for 20 minutes, three times a week for four weeks. They measured isokinetic strength of dorsiflexor and plantar flexor of 60°/sec and 120°/sec, static and dynamic balance before and after exercise. Results: The isokinetic strengths of dorsiflexor and plantar flexor of 60°/sec and 120°/sec were significantly higher in the strengthening exercise group than in the balance exercise group. The static and dynamic balance was significantly higher in the balance exercise group than in other two groups. Conclusion: Strengthening exercise, balance exercise, proprioceptive exercise can improve the muscle strength for CAI. Strengthening exercise and balance exercise can more improve balance than proprioceptive exercise for CAI.

Two spider species of the genus Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805, Pholcus muju sp. nov. and Pholcus yeongheung sp. nov. in the family Pholcidae C. L. Koch, 1850 are newly described from Korea. These two new species belonging to phungiformes-group in the genus can be distinguished from their congeners by the shape and structure of genital organs of both males and females. They are found on rock walls in mountainous mixed forests. This work provides diagnoses, detailed descriptions, and taxonomic photographs for these new species.

Agriculture plays a critical role in Uganda’s economy, contributing to 24% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and serving as the primary source of livelihood for a large portion of the population. Organic horticulture presents a promising pathway for sustainable development, offering economic opportunities through access to niche markets both locally and internationally. However, effective management for pests and diseases remains a major challenge in organic horticulture. This review addresses pest and disease issues affecting non-traditional export crops in Uganda, such as pepper, bitter gourd, and aubergine. Additionally, it provides an overview of botanical pesticides currently used in Uganda, along with approved organic fungicides (e.g., lime sulfur, copper) and insecticides (e.g., paraffinic oils, pyrethrum). This review explores physical and chemical properties, target pests, benefits, drawbacks, and active ingredients of these substances. The ultimate aim is to offer Ugandan farmers expanded options for managing pests and diseases in organic horticulture.

Coffee is a major traded item worldwide. Uganda, where the coffee sector provides a livelihood to 1.8 million households, is Africa’s second-biggest coffee exporter. Pests and diseases are significant constraints affecting coffee production. Although the Ugandan government has implemented strategies to assist farmers in addressing these constraints, coffee pests and diseases continue to affect the yield and quality of coffee crops. This ongoing issue highlights the need for more effective and sustainable solutions to protect coffee production in Uganda. This review examined two prevalent diseases and two major pests known to significantly impact Uganda’s coffee systems. It explored strategies that pathogens and pests would utilize to invade and colonize coffee plants. Furthermore, this review evaluated current challenges and prospects for improving coffee pest and disease management. By offering valuable insights and recommendations, it aims to equip agricultural stakeholders with the knowledge needed to develop and implement more effective strategies for combating these persistent threats to coffee production in Uganda.

Electrochemical oxidation and reduction reactions are fundamental in various conversion and energy storage devices. Functional materials derived from MOFs have been considered promising as electrical catalysts for ORR, HER, and OER, which can be used in Zinc-air batteries and water electrolysis. Herein, we designed a novel approach to fabricating the ultrafine Co9S8 embedded nitrogen-doped hollow carbon nanocages ( Co9S8@N-HC). The method involved a process of sulfidation of cobalt-based metal–organic frameworks (ZIF67) and then coating them with polypyrrole (PPy). PPy has notable properties such as high electrical conductivity and abundant nitrogen content, rendering it highly promising for catalytic applications. The Co9S8@ N-HC catalyst was successfully synthesized via the carbonization of CoSx@ PPy. Remarkably, the Co9S8@ N-HC catalyst demonstrated exceptional electrocatalytic activity, requiring only low overpotentials of 285 mV and 201 mV at 10 mA cm‒ 2 for OER and HER, respectively, and exhibited high activity for ORR, with an onset potential ( Eonset) of 0.923 V and half-wave potential ( E1/2) of 0.879 V in alkaline media. The electrocatalytic efficiency displayed by Co9S8@ N-HC opens a new line of research on the synergistic effect of MOF-PPy materials on energy storage and conversion.

Kori Unit 1, the first commercial nuclear power plant (NPP) in Korea, was permanently shut down in 2017 and was scheduled for decommissioning. Various programs must be planned early in the decommissioning process to safely decommission NPPs. Radiological characterization is a key program in decommissioning and should be a high priority. Radiological characterization involves determining the decommissioning technology to be applied to a nuclear facility by identifying the radiation sources and radioactive contaminants present within the facility and assessing the extent and nature of the radioactive contaminants to be removed from the facility. This study introduces the regulatory requirements, procedures, and implementation methods for radiological characterization and proposes a methodology to link the results of radiological characterizations for each stage. To link radiological characteristics, this study proposes to conduct radiological characterization in the decommissioning phase to verify the results of radiological characterization in the transitional phase of decommissioning NPPs. This enables significantly reducing the scope and content of radiological characterization that must be performed in the decommissioning phase and maintaining the connection with the previous phase.

The present study describes Philodromus rufus Walckenaer, 1826 with detailed descriptions, taxonomic photographs, distribution map, and proposition of a new synonym. Due to morphological similarity between P. pseudoexilis Paik, 1979 and P. rufus, taxonomic identity of P. pseudoexilis has been doubtful to date. A detailed bibliographic study of types of P. pseudoexilis between P. rufus and examination of specimens from the type locality of P. pseudoexilis with specimens of P. rufus collected across the country showed that P. rufus has all diagnostic characters found in types of P. pseudoexilis. Therefore, P. pseudoexilis Paik, 1979 should be regarded as a new synonym of Philodromus rufus Walckenaer, 1826.