Presently, there exists a burgeoning trend of female entrepreneurs worldwide, notably within the realm of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), many of which manifest as family-run enterprises. The systematic literature review endeavors to construct an integrative framework concerning the practical ramifications of female involvement in family businesses by amalgamating extant global studies. The findings elucidate the practical implications inherent in female participation across global family businesses, concurrently furnishing a reservoir of prospects for prospective investigations. The deduction posits the imperative eradication of gender disparities, cognizant that gender parity underpins economic and financial advancement and is contingent upon female involvement. Furthermore, familial enterprises are urged to acknowledge and integrate women’s contributions in entrepreneurial decision-making processes.

Conversion of the ocean’s vertical thermal energy gradient to electricity via OTEC has been demonstrated at small scales over the past century. It represents one of the planet’s most significant (and growing) potential energy sources. As described here, all living organisms need to derive energy from their environment, which heretofore has been given scant serious consideration. A 7th Law of Thermodynamics would complete the suite of thermodynamic laws, unifying them into a universal solution for climate change. 90% of the warming heat going into the oceans is a reasonably recoverable reserve accessible with existing technology and existing economic circumstances. The stratified heat of the ocean’s tropical surface invites work production in accordance with the second law of thermodynamics with minimal environmental disruption. TG is the OTEC improvement that allows for producing two and a half times more energy. It is an endothermic energy reserve that obtains energy from the environment, thereby negating the production of waste heat. This likewise reduces the cost of energy and everything that relies on its consumption. The oceans have a wealth of dissolved minerals and metals that can be sourced for a renewable energy transition and for energy carriers that can deliver ocean-derived power to the land. At scale, 31,000 one-gigawatt (1-GW) TG plants are estimated to displace about 0.9 W/m² of average global surface heat into deep water, from where, at a depth of 1000 m, unconverted heat diffuses back to the surface and is available for recycling.

Naturally occurring radionuclides can be categorized into two main groups: primordial and cosmogenic, based on their origin. Primordial radionuclides stem from the Earth’s crust, occurring either individually or as part of decay chains. Conversely, cosmogenic radionuclides originate from extraterrestrial sources such as space, the sun, and nuclear reactions involving cosmic radiation and the Earth’s atmosphere. Gamma-ray spectrometry is a widely employed method in Earth sciences for detecting naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). Its applications vary from environmental radiation monitoring to mining exploration, with a predominant focus on quantifying the content of uranium (U), thorium (Th), and potassium (K) in rocks and soils. These elements also serve as tracers in non-radioactive processes linked to NORM paragenesis. Furthermore, the heat generated by radioactive decay within rocks plays a pivotal role in deciphering the Earth’s thermal history and interpreting data concerning continental heat flux in geophysical investigations. This paper provides a concise overview of current analytical and measuring techniques, with an emphasis on state-of-the-art mass spectrometric procedures and decay measurements. Earth scientists constantly seek information on the chemical composition of rocks, sediments, minerals, and fluids to comprehend the vast array of geological and geochemical processes. The historical precedence of geochemists in pioneering novel analytical techniques, often preceding their commercial availability, underscores the significance of such advancements. Geochemical analysis has long relied on atomic spectrometric techniques, such as X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRFS), renowned for its precision in analyzing solid materials, particularly major and trace elements in geological samples. XRFS proves invaluable in determining the major constituents of silicate and other rock types. This review elucidates the historical development and methodology of these techniques while showcasing their common applications in various geoscience research endeavors. Ultimately, this review aims to furnish readers with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental concepts and potential applications of XRF, HPGes, and related technologies in geosciences. Lastly, future research directions and challenges confronting these technologies are briefly discussed.

This study delves into the dynamic landscape of pension funds in Colombia, examining both its current research status and practical implications. Understanding the state of pension systems is crucial for individuals' financial security and a country's overall economic stability, especially given factors such as an aging population and evolving socio-economic dynamics. By comprehensively analyzing scholarly publications on Colombian pension funds using the Scopus database, this research sheds light on key trends and contributors shaping policy formulation and financial planning. The analysis covers a period from 1987 to 2023, identifying 71 relevant articles through keyword searches and filters. Various metrics, including publication trends, citations, international collaboration, and authorship dynamics, were quantitatively assessed. The results reveal an annual growth rate of 5.37%, with research articles comprising 81.69%, review articles 7.04%, and other formats like books, book chapters, and conference papers making up 11.27% of the total documents. Notably, countries such as the UK, the USA, Spain, and Colombia emerge as key contributors to the literature. Among authors, Mesa-Lago, L., stands out as a significant figure, with one of the earliest publications on the topic. The findings underscore the growing importance of pension funds in Colombia, particularly in the context of fund performance research amid financial crises. The prevalence of international collaboration suggests a global interest in understanding and contributing to the development of Colombian pension systems. Furthermore, the study identifies research gaps, particularly in areas concerning the socio-economic impact of pension policies, providing a roadmap for future investigations. Policymakers, financial practitioners, and researchers can leverage these insights to inform strategic decision-making and address critical challenges in optimizing pension fund management in Colombia.

The US Infrastructure Investment and Job Act (IIJA), also commonly referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, passed in 2021, has drawn international attention. It aims to help to rebuild US infrastructure, including transportation networks, broadband, water, power and energy, environmental protection and public works projects. An estimated $1.2 trillion in total funding over ten years will be allocated. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill is the largest funding bill for US infrastructure in the recent history of the United States. This review article will specifically discuss funding allocations for roads and bridges, power and grids, broadband, water infrastructure, airports, environmental protection, ports, Western water infrastructure, electric vehicle charging stations and electric school buses in the new spending of the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act and why these investments are urgently necessary. This article will also briefly discuss the views of think tank experts, the public policy perspectives, the impact on domestic and global arenas of the new spending in the IIJA, and the public policy implications.