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Prompting for justice : generative AI, translanguaging, and the equity imperative in bilingual education
(Cogent Education, 2026-10-06) Kidega, Charles
Generative AI (GenAI) is entering bilingual and dual language classrooms faster than theoretical and pedagogical frameworks can respond. Trained predominately on English-dominant data, large language models encode linguistic hierarchies that contradict equity-oriented bilingual education stands for. Drawing on translanguaging theory, critical AI literacy research, and empirical studies of language bias, this paper proposes Equity-Centered Prompting Framework (ECPF). ECPF comprises five principles spanning prompt design, output evaluation, student participation, instructional function, and epistemic authority. Unlike existing critical AI literacy frameworks that address technology broadly, or culturally sustaining pedagogies that do not engage AI specifically, ECPF targets the linguistic structure of GenAI and its consequences for bilingual learners, positioning AI interaction itself as an act of equity-oriented pedagogy. The framework was developed through a four-stage systematic theoretical synthesis: construct identification, literature search and selection, thematic synthesis, and principle formulation and validation based on 20 core sources. The contribution is threefold: a translanguaging-based critique of how GenAI architectures. five actionable principles for equity-centered prompting in actual bilingual classrooms, and a research and policy agenda for linguistically just AI integration.
Water-absorption behavior of hybrid biocomposites based on Syagrus romanzoffiana Palm waste and short Sisal \fibers : application of ANN, RSM optimization, and Fick’s Diffusion Model
(Journal of Natural Fibers, 2026-09-29) Ghernaout, Djamel; Boumaaza, Messaouda; Belaadi, Ahmed; Elboughdiri, Noureddine; Benaissa, Mhamed; Bourchak, Mostefa; Mukalazi, Herbert; Salih, Alsamani Ahmed
This research advances sustainable production methods by focusing on the reuse of agricultural waste. The absorption behavior of hybrid biocomposites reinforced with biochar derived from Syagrus romanzoffiana palm waste (SrPW) and Agave sisalana fiber (AsF) in an epoxy matrix was examined. The primary objective was to assess how varying
AsF content (10, 15, 20, and 30%) affects the dynamic behavior of hybrid biocomposites incorporating a fixed 2% of biochar. Response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial
neural networks (ANN), optimized using a genetic algorithm, were employed to evaluate and simulate absorption characteristics. The ANN approach demonstrated superior
accuracy and robustness compared to RSM, as indicated by high correlation coefficients (0.9999 in training, 0.9702 in testing, and 0.9970 in validation) between model predictions and experimental results. This predictive method minimizes the need for extensive experimental trials, thereby saving time and resources. The resulting green composite, based on epoxy, palm waste, and sisal, presents an environmentally friendly alternative for potential sustainable applications.
Collaborative dynamics in multisectoral nutrition governance of Uganda’s second nutrition action plan : a qualitative case study
(BMC Public Health, 2026-09-17) Kansabe, Shirley; Lubogo, David; Ssennyonjo, Aloysius
Background Malnutrition has various causal pathways that necessitate participatory design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of interventions, culminating in the current multisectoral collaborations for nutrition. In addition to the growing interest and investment in multisectoral collaboration, there is demand for knowledge on the processes of delivering collaborative nutrition plans and endeavours. These processes remain less studied and undocumented.
Objective The study examined dynamics during national level implementation of Uganda’s second Nutrition Action Plan (UNAP) II, inspired by the reduction in stunting in Uganda alongside multisectoral nutrition governance under the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement.
Methods 20 key informant interviews and 28 documents provided information for this case study. The interviews were conducted among representatives of key ministries, departments and agencies implementing UNAP II and representatives of the SUN Networks. The Integrative Framework for Collaborative Governance structured a primarily deductive thematic analysis of principled engagement, shared motivation and capacity for joint action. NVivo 12 was used to manage coding and analysis.
Results Multisectoral coordination meetings supported accountability and joint planning. A recurrent cross-cutting pattern was mandate competition, described by participants as mandates being ‘hijacked’ when resources were attached to particular activities. Accounts linked these disputes to political pressure and role encroachment resulting in exclusion of some actors regarded as controversial. Trust, transparency and commitment varied across sectors and were closely tied to financial resources and individual actors. Capacity for joint action was constrained by weak knowledge management as well as limited financial, technical and human resources, much of which relied on donors. Formal allocation of roles did not by itself prevent mandate disputes or power imbalances.
Conclusion Improving UNAP implementation requires stronger procedures for coordination, resolving disputes, knowledge management, continuity beyond individual focal persons and deliberate trust-building across participating organisations.
Spatially explicit agricultural vulnerability assessment to climate change and variability in agroecological zones of Uganda
(Elsevier, 2026-09-07) Mazimwe, Allan; Adongo, Betty Linda; Gidudu, Anthony; Bamweyana, Ivan; Muwanguzi, Paul; Owundo, Steven; Ekwacu, Samuel
Climate vulnerability assessments in Uganda are constrained by administrative-scale analyses and the limited availability of long-term agroecological climate assessments, restricting the identification of localised agricultural vulnerability hotspots and the development of targeted adaptation strategies. This study presents a geospatial assessment of agricultural vulnerability to climate change and variability across Uganda’s Agroecological Zones (AEZs). Climate variability and trends were analysed using CHIRPS rainfall and ERA5 temperature data for 1981–2024, employing anomaly analysis, the Mann–Kendall test, and Sen’s slope estimator. Agricultural vulnerability was evaluated by integrating biophysical and socioeconomic indicators using a multi-criteria approach. Results show that climate exposure is characterised by substantial hydroclimatic variability, marked by alternating drought and exceptionally wet conditions, alongside persistent warming. Droughts were most frequent in northern Uganda and West Nile, while exceptionally
wet conditions occurred in 2012, 2018, and 2019. Rainfall trends increased across eastern AEZs, although substantial interannual and spatial variability was evident across the study period. Significant warming occurred across all AEZs, with the highest rates observed in the cattle corridor. Agricultural vulnerability was highest in northeastern, northwestern, and northern Uganda, as well as in parts of the cattle corridor. The Northeastern Semi-Arid Short Grass-Plains (Karamoja) exhibited the greatest vulnerability, driven by low adaptive capacity, high sensitivity, prolonged dry spells, and erratic rainfall. Additional vulnerability hotspots were identified in the West Nile Farmlands. These findings highlight the need for geographically targeted adaptation strategies to address continued warming, climate variability, and extreme events, thereby strengthening long-term agricultural resilience.
Ramp rate-controlled mineralogical evolution and multi-scale structure–property framework for arsenate removal in nanohematite-bearing clay ceramic water filters
(Elsevier, 2026-07-09) Kabagambe, Musa; Ahuura, Isa; Opua, Raymond; Obwoya, Sam Kinyera; Mukhokosi, Emma Panzi
Sintering kinetics govern phase evolution and structure–property relationships in clay-based ceramics, yet the influence of heating rate on mineralogical evolution and filtration performance remains poorly understood. Here, ferruginous clay ceramic water filters were used to develop a multi-scale process–structure–property framework linking sintering ramp rate to mineralogical restructuring, hematite crystallographic evolution, transport behaviour, and arsenate removal. The raw clay contained high Fe₂O₃ (28.22wt.%) and an intrinsic nanohematite phase (RHPA = 18.26%, D = 12.43nm), providing an in-situ iron oxide phase relevant to arsenate adsorption. Ramp rate regulated hematite abundance and crystallographic characteristics, while multi-criteria optimisation integrating porosity, transport performance, densification, structural integrity, and hematite reactivity identified an optimum ramp rate of 4 ◦Cmin⁻¹. Under these conditions, arsenate concentrations were reduced from 22.70 ± 1.50to9.91 ± 0.34µg L⁻¹ (56.3% removal), achieving compliance with WHO guidelines. Zeta potential measurements revealed a transition from a strongly negative surface charge in the raw clay ( − 32.1 ± 1.4mV) to a near-neutral charge in the optimised filter ( + 1.3 ± 0.2mV), consistent with arsenate adsorption occurring predominantly through inner-sphere interactions on hematite-bearing surfaces. The optimised filter retained 92.9 ± 2.6% of its flexural strength after prolonged aqueous exposure, indicating good structural stability. These findings establish sintering ramp rate as a key design parameter governing the evolution and performance of ferruginous ceramic filtration materials.