Abstract
This study aims to map and compare the demand for green skills across four selected African countries by analyzing online job vacancies. Accordingly, the study addresses four research questions: (RQ1) how green skills demand has evolved over time; (RQ2) which sectors exhibit the highest demand for green skills; (RQ3) which occupations are most associated with green skills; and (RQ4) which green competencies are most frequently requested by employers. A Big Data and Labour Market Intelligence approach is employed based on secondary data provided by the online job vacancies (OJV). The results reveal a general upward trend in green skills demand, although with significant cross-country variation. Sectorally, sustainable energy dominates across all countries, followed by more context-specific areas such as agriculture, tourism, and production. At the occupational level, environmental engineers and other technical professions are most strongly associated with green skills. The thematic analysis highlights renewable energy, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability as the most prominent skill domains, alongside emerging competencies in sustainable mobility, circular economy, and green digital skills. The study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence from an underexplored African context and demonstrating the value of online job vacancy data for monitoring labour market transformations.

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Abstract
In the past years, the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases has increased, highlighting the urgent need to better understand and combat these diseases. Innovative ultrasound treatments have shown promising results but require further investigation, particularly regarding the penetration of acoustic waves into the brain. This work focus on developing a hydrophone to study acoustic wave penetration in biological tissue, combining computational simulations and experimental testing. The hydrophone design was optimized for accurate measurements of wave interactions with tissue, and experiments using gelatine and biological tissue samples validated its performance. The results show the hydrophone’s potential to measure acoustic wave interactions in heterogeneous tissues, providing a foundation for optimizing therapeutic ultrasound in neurodegenerative diseases. Further refinements are needed to improve accuracy in more complex conditions. © 2026, Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. All rights reserved.

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Abstract
Spectral analysis of cultural heritage materials offers valuable insights into the restoration and preservation of historical artifacts, revealing details about the materials used and the manufacturing techniques employed. However, given their historical and artistic significance, the extraction of elemental information from these fragile samples poses a unique challenge, as these objects must be examined using minimally invasive methods to prevent irreversible damage. Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is one such technique, providing a rapid and detailed elemental characterization. Yet, extensive LIBS analysis can still compromise the integrity of these delicate objects. In this work, a novel approach that integrates spectral and RGB data clustering to significantly reduce the number of LIBS measurements required is introduced. By segmenting the material into visually and chemically distinct clusters, this method enables targeted LIBS analysis using only a few representative shots per cluster, thus preserving the integrity of cultural heritage artifacts while still delivering reliable compositional insights. (c) 2026 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Abstract
Objective Clinical mentorship in nursing education is often constrained by insufficient communication, engagement, and structured interaction between students and mentors. This study aims to describe the development and evaluation of a gamified technological prototype, Support, Understanding, Professional Growth, Enhancing Skills, Reflective Practice, Validation, Improvement, Supportive Environment, and Evaluation (SUPERVISE), designed to enhance the mentorship process for nursing students.Methods A user-centered design approach was employed, involving phases of user requirements identification, iterative prototyping, and usability testing. Gamification elements were integrated to support engagement and interaction. Usability testing included 43 participants, comprising nursing students and professionals, who evaluated the prototype using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and open-ended feedback.Results The SUPERVISE application incorporates features such as quizzes, reflective logs, achievement systems, and role-based access to support communication and interaction among stakeholders. The prototype achieved a mean SUS score of 80.8, indicating excellent usability, although some areas for improvement were identified and subsequently refined in later stages.Conclusion The integration of gamification elements enhances the structure and dynamics of the mentorship process, promoting user engagement, feedback, and interaction. SUPERVISE demonstrates strong acceptability and potential as a supportive tool for mentorship in nursing education. Further research is needed to assess its long-term impact and scalability.