Technical University of Liberec

The rapid growth of synthetic textile production has intensified the release of micro- and nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) into aquatic environments, primarily through industrial effluents and domestic laundering. Textile-derived microplastics, especially polyester fibers and polymeric coating fragments, constitute a significant fraction of plastic contamination in wastewater systems. Although wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can remove a large proportion of MPs, substantial quantities accumulate in sewage sludge, raising concerns about long-term environmental persistence and secondary release pathways. This review critically examines the sources, classification, and release mechanisms of textile-based micro- and nanoplastics, including fibrous debris and coating-derived fragments. Then it focuses on current identification and removal technologies, such as sedimentation, coagulation/flocculation, electrocoagulation, flotation, membrane filtration, adsorption, and biodegradation, and on the emerging strategy of converting recovered microplastics into value-added porous carbon materials via hydrothermal treatment and pyrolysis. Carbonized microplastics exhibit high surface area and adsorption capacity for dyes, heavy metals, and organic pollutants, offering a circular approach that simultaneously mitigates plastic pollution and enhances wastewater treatment efficiency. By integrating source control, optimized removal technologies, and carbonization-based valorization, this review proposes a dual-benefit framework that transforms textile-derived microplastic waste from an environmental liability into a functional resource for sustainable water purification.

This study critically examines the transformation of Agile methodologies when scaled within large organizations, focusing on frameworks such as SAFe® and LeSS. Originally intended to foster flexibility, autonomy, and collaboration, Agile in its scaled form often reintroduces hierarchical controls, creating what is termed a paradox of “discipline in disguise.” While these frameworks claim to enhance empowerment and adaptability, they frequently institutionalize mechanisms of surveillance and normalization through rituals, metrics, and digital tools. Drawing on Michel Foucault’s concepts of disciplinary power, panopticism, and governmentality, this research analyzes how practices such as daily stand-ups, Agile boards, and coaching roles serve as instruments of subtle control. Findings suggest that transparency mechanisms—such as dashboards and progress metrics—promote self-monitoring and conformity, reducing psychological safety and innovation. Agile coaches further reinforce organizational norms under the guise of facilitation, creating decentralized yet pervasive governance. This paper contributes to critical management studies by reframing scaled Agile as both enabling and constraining. It argues for reflexive implementations that maintain Agile’s core values while mitigating disciplinary tendencies embedded in its structures. The analysis highlights the tension between autonomy and control, urging organizations to preserve adaptability without reinforcing bureaucratic practices.

Thermo-physiological comfort of automotive seating is governed by the complex interaction between seat-cover materials, their structural configuration, and the heat and moisture exchange occurring at the seat–body interface during prolonged sitting. While numerous studies have examined individual textile constructions or isolated comfort parameters, integrated evaluations combining objective material testing with dynamic microclimate measurements under realistic loading conditions remain limited. This study thoroughly examined six commercially important vehicle seat-cover materials that represent laminated, warp-knitted, and woven polyester architectures. Standardized laboratory techniques were used to quantify objective comfort qualities, such as air permeability, water vapor permeability, thermal resistance (Rct), and evaporative resistance (Ret) and transient heat flux test (H-test). Simultaneously, a multi-sensor system was used to constantly monitor temperature and relative humidity at the seat–body interface during sitting loading in a controlled subjective microclimate experiment at room temperature. The findings show that lamination technique and textile structure have a major impact on both transient microclimate behavior and steady-state material properties. Increased air and moisture transmission in warp-knitted and more open structures resulted in reduced evaporative resistance and more stable microclimate conditions. Denser laminated structures, on the other hand, exhibited more resistance to heat and evaporation, which led to a greater buildup of moisture when they were seated. Different temporal responses in temperature and humidity were also shown by the multi-sensor microclimate studies, underscoring the significance of assessing comfort beyond static material metrics. This study demonstrates that static thermos-physiological parameters alone are not sufficient to predict real stated comfort behavior. By integrating time-resolved microclimate analysis under realistic seated loading with standardized testing, a more reliable evaluation framework for automotive seat-cover comfort is proposed.

Understanding the dynamic changes in land use and land cover (LULC) and the forces behind them is crucial for developing effective and sustainable land management strategies. However, the limited availability of high-resolution, socio-economic LULC assessments constrains a comprehensive understanding of the human-environment interactions driving these changes. This study analyzes and quantifies the extent and nature of LULC changes and their driving factors in the Gacheb watershed, Southwestern Ethiopia, spanning from 1984 to 2020. The maximum likelihood classifier (MLC) in the earth resource data analysis system (ERDAS) was used to conduct LULC change classification for Landsat imagery from 1984, 2002, and 2020. The study uses in-depth interviews with key informants to understand the factors driving LULC changes. The study identified five primary LULC categories: agroforestry, cultivated land, forest, settlement, and shrubland, with an overall kappa classification accuracy of 88.6% to 93%. The findings show a decrease in shrubland by 10.2% and forest land by 6.6%, while cultivated land and settlements expanded by 9.5% and 7.9%, respectively over the study period. During the entire evaluation period, LULC underwent a substantial transformation, with 7105 ha (48.5%) experiencing change. Meanwhile, 7540 ha (51.5%) remained unchanged. The major identified driving forces of LULC change were population growth, wood extraction for fuel and charcoal, cultivated land expansion, and urban and infrastructure development. Therefore, it is crucial to develop land-use policies and management strategies to control the uncontrolled expansion of cultivated land and settlements.