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Overcoming barriers that limit the impact of ecological research
Get PDFEcology and conservation researchers have diverse goals that often include both personal career aspirations and desires to enhance the well-being of the natural world and its inhabitants. Perception of ecological research by ecologists typically involves a triad—linking goals, research, and impact. Yet the realities of scientific practice are substantially more complicated due to numerous constraints that limit the ability of researchers to conduct ecological research and to have a genuine impact. Many of these barriers can be mitigated, leading to more effective contributions to society and biodiversity conservation. Here, we outline frequently encountered constraints in ecological research institutions and, by drawing upon many practices used internationally, we identify feasible mitigations and highlight examples of negative consequences that can occur in the absence of effective mitigation strategies. Finally, we propose changes to aspects of the culture and reward systems that would allow ecological research as a discipline to more effectively achieve societal, environmental, and personal goals
Influence of sleeper geometry on the lateral resistance of bamboo sleepers
No full textThis study investigates the effects of bamboo sleeper geometry on lateral track resistance in ballasted railway systems using the Discrete Element Method (DEM), where ballast is modeled as clumped spherical particles with Hertz-Mindlin contact model for non-linear stiffness. Four sleeper geometries, including traditional rectangular, dumbbell, rectangular-winged, and wedge-winged, were analyzed to evaluate their interaction with ballast under lateral loading. The Single Tie Push Test (STPT) procedure was used to measure lateral resistance, with lateral forces applied via a hydraulic jack. The results highlight that sleeper geometry significantly affects lateral resistance, with optimized designs (rectangular- and wedge-winged) achieving the highest resistance values. For the rectangular-winged sleeper, lateral resistance peaked at 6.85 kN, representing a 54% improvement over the traditional rectangular shape. The study also examines the contributions of ballast components (base, crib, and shoulder) to the overall lateral resistance. Base resistance dominated for all geometries but decreases as the crib and shoulder contributions increase with the non-traditional designs. Normal and tangential force distributions within the ballast were also analyzed, showing enhanced interparticle contact for the winged designs. Overall, the rectangular-winged sleeper was found to provide higher performance compared to the traditional prototype sleeper with respect to meeting track requirements for lateral stability
The attack-and-defense conflict with the gun-and-butter dilemma
No full textWe analyze a general equilibrium model of attack and defense with production. One attacker and one defender allocate fixed endowments between producing butter and guns. We characterize the unique interior and unique corner equilibrium, and find that (i) the defenders may spend more resources on conflict than the attacker even without loss aversion or other preferential bias, (ii) the attackers may expend all their resources only in conflict, and (iii) the interior and the corner equilibria cannot coexist. These results may help explain Ukraine's sustained high defense effort and Russia's militarized economy, or the excessive conflict expenditure by Hamas etc
From twin transition to twice the burden? Digitalisation, energy demand, and economic growth
Get PDFThis paper evaluates the potential of digitalisation to drive structural transformations towards a sustainable economy. We apply an index decomposition analysis (IDA) to understand the factors influencing energy demand in a panel of 31 high-income countries (1971–2019). The IDA framework includes four factors related to the scale and sectoral composition of the economy and technical improvements, accounting for the quality of energy flows and actual work potential through useful exergy measures. We apply the model at the sector level across 16 productive industries to explore cross-sector heterogeneity in energy demand, and then compare results across digitial intensity categories. We find that value added growth is the primary driver of energy use. While digitalisation alone does not fully explain trends in energy demand, it is strongly associated with value added growth in high digital intensity sectors and amplifies the use of energy. Left ungoverned, digitalisation risks intensifying economic–ecological tensions, but if steered towards socio-ecological priorities—while addressing the environmental costs of growth—it holds potential to deliver real benefits. We discuss these findings in the context of recent policy actions promoting the “twin” green and digital transition
Patient‐reported outcome measures used to assess surgical interventions for pelvic organ prolapse, stress urinary incontinence and mesh complications: a scoping review for the development of the APPRAISE PROM
Get PDFBackground
This scoping review was undertaken as part of an NIHR-commissioned study, APPRAISE, to develop a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) and experience measure (PREM) to assess outcomes relevant to surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP), stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic mesh complications surgery, with cross-cultural applicability.
Objectives
To identify PROMs and PREMs used to assess POP, SUI and mesh complication surgery; to compare the length, recall periods, response options of these tools and the outcomes/experiences assessed.
Search Strategy
Three databases searched from inception to September 2023 were screened by two independent reviewers.
Selection Criteria
Primary studies using subjective measures to assess POP, SUI and mesh complication surgery for women aged 16+ years were eligible for inclusion. Related systematic reviews were also reviewed.
Data Collection and Analysis
Data were extracted into a piloted electronic form by one reviewer and checked by a second. A narrative synthesis of the data was performed.
Main Results
Of the 2079 included primary studies, 1607 (77%) used a PROM with evidence of psychometric testing. Five hundred and twenty-two (25%) studies used one PROM; 1082 studies (52%) used two or more PROMs. One hundred and fifty-one measures were extracted; of these, condition-specific measures were the most highly cited. There was limited use of PROMs specific to surgery, mental health, body image and PREMs. Some outcomes (e.g., urinary symptoms, emotional wellbeing) are measured in a significantly higher proportion of PROMs than other outcomes.
Conclusions
Currently, no existing validated PROM evaluates all patient-reported outcomes relevant to surgery for POP, SUI or mesh complications
Saturation in random hypergraphs
Get PDFLet Krn be the complete r -uniform hypergraph on n vertices, that is, the hypergraph whose vertex set is [n]:={1,2,…,n} and whose edge set is ([n]r) . We form Gr(n,p) by retaining each edge of Krn independently with probability p . An r -uniform hypergraph H⊆G is F -saturated if H does not contain any copy of F , but any missing edge of H in G creates a copy of F . Furthermore, we say that H is weakly F -saturated in G if H does not contain any copy of F , but the missing edges of H in G can be added back one-by-one, in some order, such that every edge creates a new copy of F . The smallest number of edges in an F -saturated hypergraph in G is denoted by sat(G,F) , and in a weakly F -saturated hypergraph in G by w-sat(G,F) . In 2017, Korándi and Sudakov initiated the study of saturation in random graphs, showing that for constant p , with high probability sat(G(n,p),Ks)=(1+o(1))nlog11−pn , and w-sat(G(n,p),Ks)=w-sat(Kn,Ks) . Generalising their results, in this paper, we solve the saturation problem for random hypergraphs Gr(n,p) for cliques Krs , for every 2≤r<s and constant p
Advances in understanding the mechanisms of particle dispersion and performance of superplasticisers in alkali-activated materials – a systematic literature review
No full textChemical admixtures, such as superplasticisers, are urgently needed to support the widespread adoption of low-carbon cements for a net-zero future. This study presents a critical, systematic literature review of 100 publications, focusing on the mechanisms of dispersion, particle-surface interactions, and performance of superplasticisers in alkali-activated materials (AAMs). Key gaps remain in understanding the interactions between metakaolin particles and superplasticisers. Most research centres on alkali-activated slag systems and their interaction with polycarboxylate ethers (PCEs), recommending high-molecular-weight, highly anionic PCEs with short side chains. The high pH and ionic strength of AAM pore solutions, along with shifts in surface particle zeta potential, impair superplasticiser performance due to solubility issues, partial degradation and polymer agglomeration. Future progress will focus on advances in molecular design, the development of novel or modified PCEs, and a deeper understanding of nanoscale and atomic-level interactions. This review outlines existing knowledge and the critical challenges ahead in engineering next-generation admixtures for sustainable cement technologies
Transferability of Real World Evidence to Support HTA Recommendations in Lower Income European Countries
Get PDFBackground and aims: Lower income European countries (LIECs) have more limited financial resources to cover high-cost technologies in rare diseases than higher income European countries (HIECs). Our study explores how treatment recommendations in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) can be supported in LIECS by transferring real-world evidence (RWE) generated by target trial emulation (TTE) method in HIECs. Method: In the HTx project transferability aspects of the MDS case study were considered upfront. HTA agency consortium partners set expectations for the MDS case study team on how to integrate the new TTE methodology into the routine work of HTA bodies. In consecutive workshops consortium members and external HTA experts identified the main challenges of transferring evidence generated by TTE method to LIECs and made conclusions on how to overcome these challenges. Results: The lack of local real-world data before making reimbursement decisions is an important challenge to apply the TTE method to LIECs. Differences in patient pathways and comparator technologies, limited expertise and resources for adapting international HTA methods are significant barriers of transferring RWE from other countries. Still, transferring RWE to LIECs from other countries based on the TTE methodology represents an improvement to the current standard HTA methods, especially if joint clinical assessment provides the unbiased judgement on the relative effectiveness of orphan medicines. The TTE approach also provides an opportunity to LIECs to judge the value of high-cost technologies for different patient subgroups. However, HTA professionals in LIECs need training about advanced methodologies. Conclusion: This is the first study to explore how RWE generated by the TTE method can be transferred to optimize treatment decisions of patients with a rare disease in countries with limited HTA capacities. Five general concluding statements were made on the novelty of the TTE method and on how to overcome main challenges of transferring TTE results to HTA systems in LIECs
Developing pharmaceutical supply chain resilient capabilities: the role of Industry 4.0 technologies
No full textPurpose
The purpose of this study is to advance understanding of how PSCs can re-imagined, re-designed and strengthened by leveraging industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies. Building resilience in Pharmaceutical Supply Chains (PSCs) has become imperative in the wake of COVID-19 and other global disruptions.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted a qualitative approach using thematic analysis and the Gioia method on a corpus of data from 114 articles published in 84 peer-reviewed academic journals. The authors conducted a problematising review to critically analyse the contributions of I4.0 technologies to PSCs and demonstrate the distinctiveness of PSC resilience.
Findings
The thematic analysis revealed the advantages and barriers to I4.0 implementation in PSCs, emphasising on how these technologies support sensing, seizing and reconfiguring capabilities. Drawing on dynamic capability theory, this study proposes the pharmaceutical supply chain resilient capabilities (PSCRC) model, which conceptualises the capability building required to withstand and adapt to disruption.
Originality/value
The authors argue that the PSCRC model provides i) a theoretical contribution by clarifying the micro foundations of resilience, and ii) a practical roadmap for supply chain leaders seeking to deploy I4.0 technologies to coordinate processes, secure materials and build sustainable and adaptive PSCs. The paper also outlines future research avenues to advance scholarly and managerial understanding of PSC resilience
Agent-based modeling of electric vehicle diffusion under the phase-out of charging infrastructure subsidies in China
Get PDFGovernment subsidies for electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVCI) in China have accelerated the deployment of charging stations and promoted the diffusion of electric vehicles (EVs). However, these subsidies have also imposed a substantial fiscal burden on public finances. While much of the existing literature compares different types of EVCI subsidies, few studies explore the implications of phasing out EVCI-related subsidies for government spending and EV diffusion. This paper develops an agent-based model (ABM) incorporating EVCI operator, heterogeneous EV consumers, and the government to analyze how EVCI subsidies influence EV diffusion and proposes tailored phase-out policy combinations. A key innovation of this study is the integration of private charging pile-related factors into the consumer decision-making process through a discrete choice experiment. Additionally, regional disparities in EV diffusion between urban and suburban areas under EVCI subsidies are explored, and we find that by 2030, the EV penetration rate could reach 79.78 %, with suburban EV ownership surpassing that of urban areas. While EVCI subsidies significantly influence early and mid-stage EV adoption, their effectiveness diminishes in the later stages. Implementing phase-out subsidies under current standards can reduce cumulative government spending by approximately 91 % compared to a no-phase-out scenario, with only a marginal decline of 0.05 % in EV ownership. A comparative analysis of 50 subsidy phase-out policy combinations reveals that those featuring high initial operating subsidies with low initial construction subsidies under a rapid phase-out mode are the most cost-effective. The policy recommendations proposed alleviate fiscal burdens and promote more balanced EV development between urban and suburban areas
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