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Sustainable supply chain strategies in the post-COVID-19 era
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic profoundly disrupted global supply chains, revealing the weaknesses of single-source supplier models and just-in-time inventory systems. This extraordinary situation emphasized the need for more resilient and sustainable supply chain frameworks. In this chapter, we examine how supply chains were frequently optimized for cost-effectiveness before the pandemic, sometimes neglecting sustainability and resilience. However, the disruptions triggered by the pandemic compelled companies to reevaluate and modify their supply chain strategies. Key approaches for creating sustainable supply chains include maintaining smooth replenishment of essential goods, diversifying supplier networks, and utilizing advanced technologies to boost visibility and flexibility. These technologies increase supply chain transparency, traceability, and responsiveness by allowing real-time monitoring, confirming product authenticity, and optimizing operations. Additionally, the push for sustainability is driven by the need to tackle environmental challenges, comply with regulations, and satisfy investor and consumer demands for greater accountability and openness. This chapter discusses how companies adopt circular economy principles to uphold ethical and sustainable practices, invest in renewable energy, and improve labor conditions. Implementing these strategies reduces risks and generates long-term value for all stakeholders. The insights gained from the pandemic are anticipated to influence the future of supply chain management, promoting innovation and the shift toward more resilient, adaptable, and sustainable supply networks. This transition underscores the importance of merging sustainability with resilience to navigate future disruptions and support a sustainable global economy
Incentivizing participation with full completion: The Power of self-selected rewards
Get PDFThe attrition problem is a common challenge in longitudinal studies. We explore payment mechanisms aimed at increasing the number of participants who complete all tasks. Specifically, we investigate the impact of empowering participants with the option to self-select between a piece rate payment method, rewarding each task completed, and an all-or-nothing payment method, which grants full payment only if all assigned tasks are finished. Data from two longitudinal studies shows that the self-select payment mechanism attracts more participants to sign up. Importantly, participants are willing to choose the all-or-nothing incentive when given a choice and subsequently achieve a higher rate of completing all tasks compared to those who are randomly assigned to a payment method. Nonetheless, the higher completion rate is accompanied by a trade-off: the quality of task completion diminishes when participants select the all-or-nothing scheme. Our findings suggest that offering the all-or-nothing incentive as an option can effectively achieve a higher rate of full completion provided that adequate quality control measures are in place
The social dynamics of ethical decision-making in a corporate entity: espoused versus enacted practices
No full textPurpose The research explores the impact of socio-political dynamics upon espoused ethical decision-making within a defined corporate context. Design/methodology/approach Adopting an ethnographic research methodology, with data gained from participant observation and interviews by the principal author (as an “insider researcher”) over an 18-month period, the research explores the relationship between espoused and enacted corporate policy regarding ethical decision-making. Findings The study shows that ethical decision-making in an organisation requires an environment beyond enterprise structures, practices and procedures. In addition to being embedded in a supportive cultural context, ethical decision-making needs to be viewed as an indispensable value proposition. Research limitations/implications The capacity to generalise from this research is limited by its defined context: that is, a single global corporation. However, by using an interpretative research methodology, the research shows how socio-political dynamics impacted the execution of espoused policy regarding ethical decision-making within this corporation. Practical implications This research should prompt enterprises to rethink the organisational factors, which include values and political interests, that impact ethical decision-making and the responsible/ethical use of data. Originality/value Much of the extant research on this topic has adopted a positivist methodology, with few studies exploring the topic in a defined corporate setting by an embedded researcher. This ethnographic study, conducted by an insider-researcher, contributes findings that highlight the role of socio-political practices in the enactment of an espoused policy of ethical decision-making within a global corporation
Monitoring training loads in an elite sprint swimmer: a case report
No full textAbstract This study explored the relationship between weekly internal training loads (ITL) and the perceived recovery and performance of an elite sprint swimmer over a 10-week periodized training plan, integrating hormonal and immune responses. ITL, perceived recovery, salivary cortisol, salivary testosterone, and SIgA concentrations were quantified. Repeated-sprint ability swim tests were conducted in weeks 1 and 5. The results revealed that as ITL increased, perceived recovery scores decreased (r = -0.61). Higher ITL in the initial weeks (1, 2, and 3; ~4000 AU) correlated with elevated salivary cortisol concentrations (∆% = baseline to week 3 = +65%) and a decreased Testosterone:Cortisol ratio (∆%=baseline-to-week 3=-46.3%). A decline in SIgA concentration (164.6 mg·L-1, ∆% baseline-to-week 7=-34.5%) following a preparatory competition preceded the onset of an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). Repeated sprint ability increased by 6.2% (week 1 to 5), and the 10-week training plan resulted in a faster 50-m freestyle time (week 1 = 22.52 s vs. target competition = 21.84 s, ∆% = -3.0%). In conclusion, the study found that performance improvement occurred after the 10-week periodized training plan, with weekly ITL correlating with recovery status and immuno-endocrine responses. Detection of decreased SIgA post-competition preceded URTI occurrence.
Resumo Este estudo explorou a relação entre as cargas internas de treinamento semanais (ITL) e a percepção de recuperação e desempenho de um nadador de velocidade de elite ao longo de um plano de treinamento periodizado de 10 semanas, integrando respostas hormonais e imunológicas. Foram quantificados ITL, percepção de recuperação, cortisol salivar, testosterona salivar e concentrações de SIgA. Testes de habilidade de natação em sprints repetidos foram realizados nas semanas 1 e 5. Os resultados revelaram que, à medida que o ITL aumentava, os escores de recuperação percebida diminuíam (r = -0,61). Maior ITL nas semanas iniciais (1, 2 e 3; ~4000 UA) correlacionou-se com concentrações elevadas de cortisol salivar (∆% = linha de base até a semana 3 = +65%) e uma diminuição da relação Testosterona:Cortisol (∆% = linha de base até a semana 3 = -46,3%). Um declínio na concentração de SIgA (164,6 mg·L-1, ∆% linha de base até a semana 7 = -34,5%) após uma competição preparatória precedeu o início de uma infecção do trato respiratório superior (ITRS). A capacidade de sprints repetidos aumentou 6,2% (semana 1 a 5), e o plano de treinamento de 10 semanas resultou em um tempo de estilo livre de 50 metros mais rápido (semana 1 = 22,52 s vs. competição-alvo = 21,84 s, ∆% = -3,0%). Em conclusão, o estudo demonstrou que houve melhora do desempenho após o plano de treinamento de 10 semanas, com ITL semanal correlacionando-se com o estado de recuperação e respostas imunoendócrinas. A detecção de diminuição de SIgA pós-competição antecedeu a ocorrência de ITRS
Towards Usability of Data with Privacy: A Unified Framework for Privacy-Preserving Data Sharing with High Utility
No full textTabular data sharing serves as a common method for data exchange. However, sharing sensitive information without adequate privacy protection can compromise individual privacy. Thus, ensuring privacy-preserving data sharing is crucial. Differential privacy (DP) is regarded as the gold standard in data privacy. Despite this, current DP methods tend to generate privacy-preserving tabular datasets that often suffer from limited practical utility due to heavy perturbation and disregard for the tables' utility dynamics. Besides, there has not been much research on selective attribute release, particularly in the context of controlled, partially perturbed data sharing. This has significant implications for scenarios such as cross-agency data sharing in real-world situations. We introduce OptimShare, a utility-focused, multi-criteria solution designed to selectively perturb input datasets, optimized for specific real-world applications. OptimShare combines the principles of DP, fuzzy logic, and probability theory to establish an integrated tool for privacy-preserving data sharing. Empirical assessments confirm that OptimShare successfully strikes a balance between better data utility and robust privacy, effectively serving various real-world use cases
Objectively Quantifying the Shrinking Worlds of People With Chronic Dyspnea: A National, Online Survey.
No full textCONTEXT: Chronic dyspnea is subjective but with objective (measurable) consequences. It is often poorly assessed because people have modified their lifestyles to avoid exertion that generates dyspnea. OBJECTIVES: This study sought any relationship between respondents' self-reported long-term breathlessness limiting exertion (hereafter chronic dyspnea) and distance travelled from the room in which they slept, frequency of mobilizing, and any assistance required. METHODS: This was a national, cross-sectional, online survey of 10,033 Australian adults conducted using the Qualtrics platform, reflecting the most recent national census. Demographic data were collected in addition to the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) breathlessness scale, duration of dyspnea in people with mMRC ≥ 1 and the Life-Space Assessment scores (0-120 with higher scores reflecting three factors combined: frequency with which a person moves from the room in which they sleep, the furthest distance they achieve and whether they need assistance to achieve this). A regression model adjusted for age, sex, rurality, socio-economic status, and smoking. RESULTS: A total of 8181 respondents had valid data: mean age 46.0 years (standard deviation ± 18.6); 29.3% mMRC ≥ 1, with more women reporting more intense dyspnea. Respiratory conditions were the most prevalent underlying cause. Using ANOVA, mean Life-Space Assessment scores reduced significantly as dyspnea increased (mMRC 0, 69.2; mMRC 1, 59.1; mMRC 2, 47.1; mMRC 3-4, 38.9; P < 0.0001). The regression model revealed an association (P < 0.001) between dyspnea and Life-Space Assessment scores decreasing from mMRC 0 by a mean of 9.3 (standard error [SE] 0.83) to mMRC 1; 20.3 (SE 1.2) to mMRC 2; and 27.9 (SE 1.8) to mMRC 3-4. DISCUSSION: Although potentially intuitive, this study quantified the association of people's reduced spatial footprints at each level of self-reported chronic dyspnea severity, reflecting their shrinking worlds
A qualitative exploration of the impact of healthcare pre- and post-death on bereavement experiences.
No full textOBJECTIVES: Many factors are known to influence experiences in bereavement. With a growing focus on public health approaches to bereavement support, it is important to further understand factors which healthcare workers (HCW) can influence regarding bereavement experiences for families. The study aim was to describe the experience of people bereaved following a death in Sydney Local Health District (SLHD), with particular focus on people's awareness and experience of available supports and the perceived impact of healthcare interactions on bereavement experiences. METHODS: The study used semi-structured qualitative interviews (n = 15) to explore the experiences of bereaved people. These were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a Reflexive Thematic Analysis approach. RESULTS: Themes were generated showing the ways in which healthcare and bereavement experiences are mediated by personal interactions; that information and its delivery are central to shaping experiences; and the impacts of healthcare and government system issues on experiences of care and access to support. Attention to these factors may positively impact end-of-life care and subsequent bereavement experiences. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: It is illuminating to consider the results in light of proposed public health approaches to bereavement. Our findings assist in understanding the role that HCWs have in supporting preparation for death, providing care with the potential to prevent negative bereavement outcomes, and offering short-term bereavement support. This is key in planning models that acknowledge the essential role HCWs play within public health approaches to bereavement support. Findings can inform education and training in healthcare, with a focus on approaches that affirm dignity and positive relationships, ensure sensitive and timely information provision, and enhance skilled communication. Recommendations can support policy and system improvements to enhance bereavement outcomes
Domestic violence and work
No full textDomestic violence is a significant social and economic issue predominantly affecting women and girls. Typically considered a ‘private' issue confined to home settings, there is growing public, policy and scholarly awareness of the need to reconceptualize domestic violence as a public issue impacting work and employment. This entry lays out the impact of domestic violence on women's work and employment experiences, the costs of domestic violence to organizations and national economies, and the significant and ongoing work undertaken by activists, unionists and feminists to position domestic violence as a workplace issue. While policy developments and legislative provisions have delivered important protections for victims of violence, there is more that organizational leaders, workplace managers and policymakers can do to create safe work environments and address the drivers of workplace gender inequality
Enabling Efficient Cross-Shard Smart Contract Calling via Overlapping
No full textAs blockchain networks grow, sharding offers a promising solution to scalability challenges by dividing the network into smaller segments. However, managing cross-shard transactions, especially those involving smart contract calling, introduces significant complexities due to the extensive coordination required between shards. This paper introduces a novel framework for blockchain architectures with overlapping shards to address these challenges in cross-shard smart contract calling. The framework introduces overlapping shards and an optimized PBFT consensus mechanism, xPBFT. This framework simplifies cross-shard transaction management by treating them as intra-shard activities, reducing latency and improving security by enabling nodes to operate across multiple shards. Through experimental results, it is demonstrate that this framework decreases latency by up to 40% compared to traditional PBFT methods while effectively maintaining transaction security
Exploring the causal relationship between telomere regulation, aging and neurological disorders.
No full textTelomere biology is important for aging and is the cause of the pathogenesis of many neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, and brain tumors. Telomere shortening is considered to play a role in neurodegeneration, immune senescence, and cerebrovascular dysfunction. Shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is associated with increased risk and severity of stroke, poorer cognitive outcomes in AD, and increased neuroinflammation in MS, highlighting a possible biomarker for disease progression. Glioblastoma and medulloblastoma are characterized as adult and childhoodd neoplasms,respectively; however they aree similarinn terms of telomere regulatio,nwhicht allows malignant growth. However, disease pathophysiology has been associated with telomere dynamics, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation, but the causal association between telomere attrition and neurological disorders is still unclear. In studies of Mendelian randomization, neurodegenerative diseases have been associated with telomere length regulation in addition to telomere attrition. Approaches to target telomeres include telomerase activators for neuroprotection, telomerase inhibitors, and ALT-directed therapies for brain tumors. These telomere-derived biomarkers should be further refined, and their mechanistic links to the acceleration of neurodegeneration should be determined. Telomere-modifying therapies should be balanced to optimize benefits with minimal oncogenic risks. This review explores the causal relationship between telomere biology, aging, and neurological disorders, indicating novel therapeutic strategies and future directions in telomere research
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