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Rule-consequentialism's essence and rationale
No full textThis paper starts by explaining what rule-consequentialism holds. Then the paper identifies how rule-consequentialism differs from other consequentialist theories. Further clarification of rule-consequentialism is achieved by considering objections to this theory, such as objections concerning collapse, rule-worship, incoherence, and utopianism (excessive idealization). The final section considers arguments for rule-consequentialism, including arguments drawing on the divine command theory, consequentialism, contractualism, the search for reflective equilibrium, and the idea that morality is a social practice with a consequentialist purpose
The oral microbiome profile of Pakistani infants characterized by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing
No full textThe oral microbiome is the second most complex and diverse ecosystem in the human body. A number of longitudinal studies assessing oral microbiome development in diverse populations has been reported recently. However, oral microbiome development in vulnerable populations such as infants who are at risk of malnutrition is rarely explored. The current study aims to assess oral bacterial community development and associated factors in Pakistani infants residing in malnutrition endemic areas of Pakistan. Data and oral swab samples were collected from infants (n=71) at baseline (age <28 days) and 3-months follow-up (n=65) followed by DNA extraction, PCR amplification and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing on a DNBSEQ-G400 platform. Of the total 136 samples, 119 samples were successfully sequenced and analyzed further. Bioinformatics and statistical analyses were performed using Cutadapt, FLASH and R. Overall, the Bacillota (formerly known as Firmicutes) was the predominant bacterial phylum, accounting for 87.6% relative abundance at baseline and 84.3% at 3-months. The Streptococci and Veillonella were the predominant bacterial genera with 66.9% and 13.4% relative abundance at baseline and 55.4% and 26.1% at 3-months, respectively.
This study provides the first comprehensive insights into oral bacterial community development of vulnerable infants at risk of malnutrition. The data can be used to longitudinally assess oral microbiome develop during early infancy and associated maternal, infant and environmental factors. Sequencing data are deposited in the NCBI Sequence Read Archive as BioProject PRJNA1303979
Sulfur isotopes evidence spatial ecology of Late Pleistocene ungulates in southwestern France
Full text linkUnderstanding prey species spatial behaviour is key to unravelling contemporary hunter-gatherer subsistence
and movement patterns. Here, we use sulfur (δ34S), carbon (δ 13C) and nitrogen (δ 15N) isotope compositions of
bone collagen extracted from Rangifer, Equus, Bovinae, Capreolus, and Cervus (n = 244) to explore isotope spatial
and dietary niches of several key hunter-gatherer prey species from three Late Pleistocene sites in southwestern
France between MIS 5 and MIS 3. Alongside morphological identification, Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry
(ZooMS) was used to confirm deer taxa (n = 125) allowing for a better interpretation of the isotopic data. δ34S
analysis identifies differences in ranging sizes between ungulates with known large ranging sizes from those with
small to medium size ranges. Rangifer, who, today, have large home ranges, have the largest range of δ34S values
and lowest δ34S values with low to no overlap with other ungulate species through time. This indicates that
Rangifer had a larger range size with a distinct isotopic area that is different to other ungulates, potentially
farther inland and farther north. Bovines and Equus have largely overlapping δ34S values that are similar to the
modern local δ34S value of the sites, and Cervus and Capreolus have δ34S values that overlap but are slightly
higher than the modern δ34S values, potentially indicating a ranging area to the west of the sites. These results
reveal that Neanderthals hunted three different groups of game who occupied different areas of the landscape
Assessment of the causes and extent of damage to trees of Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata (Wall. and G.Don) Cif. (wild olive) in the mountains of Oman
No full textOlea europaea subsp. cuspidata (Wall. and G.Don) Cif. (wild olive) is one of the key woody species in the mountain habitats of Oman. Wild olive trees are scattered, isolated, and at risk from several threats including climate change, urbanization, browsing, human activity, and the introduction of non-native species. One hundred and eighty-four trees from eight locations in three mountain ranges (Eastern Hajar, Western Hajar, and Dhofar) in Oman were assessed. The extent of damage to trees caused by browsing, drought (dead branches), and human activity (cutting and burning) was scored between 10 June and 5 July 2020. Most olive trees in these mountain ranges exhibited moderate damage, ranging from 21% to 45%, while 29% of wild olive trees experienced high levels of damage, ranging from 45% to 64%.
Wild olive trees in the Western Hajar Mountains and Dhofar Mountains showed the greatest damage. Tree height differed significantly among these eight locations across Oman. There was a negative correlation between tree damage and tree height and a positive correlation between tree damage and site slope but no correlation between tree damage and site altitude. No natural regeneration of wild olive was detected in any of the eight locations. Urbanization and over-browsing are putting wild olive at high risk. Action to protect these mountain habitats will be essential to conserve this ecologically important subspecies in these mountains
The OLC Maduro memorandum: assisting in war sustaining activities is not direct participation in hostilities
No full textClimate change impact and adaptation among poultry farmers in Southwest Nigeria
No full textClimate change poses rising risks to livestock systems, yet the behavioural dimensions of
farmer adaptation, especially in monogastric systems, are insufficiently examined. This study
investigates poultry farmers’ perceptions of climate change in southwest Nigeria, their current
adaptation strategies, and the psychological and behavioural drivers of their intentions to adopt
adaptation strategies in future. The application of Protection Motivation Theory (PMT)
provides a novel behavioural framework for examining how poultry producers respond and
adapt to climate challenges.
This study used a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews with 25 industry
stakeholders and surveys of 540 poultry farmers from six states. Descriptive statistics and the
Kruskal–Wallis H test were used to assess perceptions of extreme weather and its effects on
poultry production. Thematic analysis was used with NVivo. A multivariate probit model
found determinants of current adaptation choices, while structural equation modelling (SEM)
examined behavioural drivers of future intentions within the PMT framework.
The study finds that higher temperatures, erratic rainfall, and flooding have significantly
disrupted poultry production, leading to increased mortality, reduced egg output, and greater
disease prevalence. Small- and medium-scale farmers have experienced greater losses
compared to large-scale producers. Additionally, findings indicate that large farms rely on
advanced technologies, such as exhaust fans, foggers, and climate-controlled housing, for
adaptation, while smaller farms use low-cost strategies, such as adjusting feed and stocking
density. The results show that integrating multiple adaptation strategies enhances effectiveness.
Farmers’ intentions to adapt are primarily driven by perceptions of climate risk, beliefs about
climate change, social norms, and established routines. However, the study clearly identifies
major barriers: adaptation costs, maladaptive responses, and institutional disincentives that
limit adoption.
This study offers policy recommendations: targeted financial support for small and medium
farmers, incentives for climate-smart technologies, improved access to climate information,
and behaviourally informed extension services that address risk perception, efficacy beliefs,
and maladaptive habits. By applying PMT and identifying neglected behavioural barriers in
livestock policy, this research contributes to climate adaptation literature and provides practical
insights to strengthen poultry sector resilience in Nigeria
Special purpose entities in the organisational structures of multinational enterprises: a systematic literature review and discussion of future research directions
No full textPurpose: This study synthesises fragmented research on Special Purpose Entities (SPEs), defined as entities that have minimal employment, physical presence, or operations in host economies yet provide critical services to parent firms. Typically owned by non-residents, SPEs influence firm-level financial flows and complicate foreign direct investment (FDI) statistics. Despite extensive studies across disciplines, the extent of their role and impact remain unclear. This review consolidates existing knowledge, develops an integrative framework based on the antecedents–phenomenon–outcomes structure, highlights research gaps, and proposes a future research agenda.
Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts a systematic literature review methodology to critically assess the theoretical, methodological, and empirical aspects of the literature on SPEs. An exhaustive search of scholarly articles, covering an open-ended period from the inception of relevant research up to August 2024, yields a total of 64 articles published in 37 multi-disciplinary journals for the review.
Findings: The SPE literature draws on diverse theoretical perspectives. Methodologically, studies utilise large-scale, firm- and country-level panel datasets analysed using statistical methods. Empirically, the extant research examines three core components of SPE use: antecedents, the phenomenon, and outcomes.
- Antecedents: Studies identify firm-level characteristics and country-level institutional factors as key determinants of SPE use.
- Phenomenon: SPEs serve critical functions, including holding strategic intangible assets, facilitating financing and securitisation, and enabling tax planning, risk isolation, and complex financial structuring.
- Outcomes: These SPE functions significantly influence the dynamics of global financial flows, often leading to pass-through and round-tripping FDI by MNEs, which can distort the accuracy of country-level FDI statistics.
Overall, the review highlights the significant implications of SPEs for international tax and FDI policies.
Originality/value: This review provides the first comprehensive and systematic synthesis of the theoretical, methodological, and empirical knowledge base of the extant SPE research, using an antecedents–phenomenon–outcomes framework. The study offers a nuanced understanding of a complex and cross-disciplinary topic and establishes a foundation for advancing future SPE research
Exploiting the benefits of convection-permitting ensembles
Full text linkThe development and use of convection-permitting ensembles (CPEs) within op
erational meteorological centres has improved the quality of guidance available for
decision making, especially for precipitation. The explicit representation of km
scale details provides better quantitative predictions of hazardous convection than
models that must rely on parametrizations. Despite these benefits, long-standing
spread deficiencies limit the usefulness of CPE outputs, restricting their full poten
tial. Therefore, efforts to elucidate CPE characteristics can be highly beneficial for
both operational and research purposes. Here, three studies are presented that link
the behaviour of CPEs run over the UK to the synoptic regime, which provides a
source of predictability, using the Met Office’s weather forecast models. These stud
ies focus on analysing precipitation forecasts, which we expect to benefit the most
from operating at convective scales.
It has long been understood that CPEs do not possess enough spread in the
placement of precipitation. In the first study, the effect of blending the more accurate
large-scale initial conditions of the global model into the CPE analysis is assessed,
demonstrating that the spatial spread-skill relationship is improved by a modest but
significant amount. Similarly, it is also well known that the synoptic-scale variability
introduced through the driving ensemble can have a large influence on the evolution
of nested CPE forecasts. The second study quantifies the driving-ensemble influence,
which is strongest under mobile regimes and weakest under conditionally unstable
regimes. To facilitate these studies, new spatial analysis methods, including the
parent-child Fractions Skill Score, have been developed that provide broader insights
into the behaviour of CPE forecasts. In the final study, an experimental post
processing system driven by spatial methods is applied to CPE forecasts to assess
the value of clustering members based on the co-location of precipitation features.
CPE clustering is shown to be a reliable tool, and provides the most value when
targeted over regions that will be impacted by hazardous convection
Understanding the East China Winter 10 m wind speed forecast skill in the Copernicus C3S multi‐model ensemble
No full textAccurate seasonal forecasting of wind energy resources is critical for optimising renewable energy integration. This study assesses the prediction skill of winter 10 m wind speed anomalies over East China using the Copernicus C3S Multi‐Model Ensemble forecasts, revealing that ECMWF and UK Met Office (UKMO) models demonstrate superior performance. We conduct comprehensive analyses of spatial anomaly correlations, temporal correlations, and empirical orthogonal function (EOF) decompositions by dividing the study area into northern (Zone 1), central (Zone 2) and southern (Zone 3) subregions. Results indicate strong forecast skill in Zone 1 and Zone 3, attributable to their tight correlation with well‐resolved large‐scale circulation patterns, whereas Zone 2 exhibited limited skill due to complex local influences. A hybrid dynamical‐statistical model is used to reconstruct EOF1, which is then combined with the original model outputs of EOF2 and EOF3. The result shows a substantial increase in temporal correlation coefficient in Zone 2. These findings establish that dynamical‐statistical integration effectively enhances regional wind predictions, offering actionable insights for grid operators and energy planners seeking to mitigate renewable integration challenges in evolving climate regimes
Co‑designing a research agenda for UK agroforestry using a multi‑actor approach
No full textThere is growing recognition of agroforestry’s potential to help mitigate and provide resilience to the climate and biodiversity crises. Beyond its environmental benefits, agroforestry can also enhance production and profits, making it a sustainable farming solution that is scalable. Despite this, uptake within Europe is low, and many knowledge gaps remain that need to be addressed to promote adoption and optimize the management and implementation of agroforestry systems. We co-developed a research agenda for agroforestry using a multi-actor approach and a modified Delphi method in 2023. 156 UK-based stakeholders contributed to this process, including farmers, advisors, policy makers, NGOs, and researchers. An initial list of 238 research priorities (high-priority research questions) was submitted via a survey and a workshop. This was shortened during a second workshop with 48 participants. The final list included 40 research priorities across the themes “environment and production,” “human livelihoods, knowledge, and perceptions,” and “policy, financing, and markets.” There was high agreement about which priorities to include, with questions on policy incentives, knowledge-exchange, agroforestry design (e.g., tree/crop selection), biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, well-being, markets, and food security. We identified a need for landscape-scale and longer-term research. Our agenda is a rare example of a research-prioritization process that includes farmers and other agricultural stakeholders throughout the research process. The value of this approach can be seen in the inclusion of research priorities that are grounded in the real world and relevant to different actors. Our agenda goes beyond existing evidence syntheses in scope, and should be used alongside them to identify stakeholder-relevant gaps for future primary research and evidence synthesis. By guiding researchers and funding bodies to impactful areas of enquiry, it can promote evidence-based agroforestry practice and policy. Addressing this research agenda requires better support for longterm, transdisciplinary, multi-stakeholder research, and funded demonstration sites or living labs