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Technical guidance to applicants for the authorisation of Precision Bred Organisms for food and feed: Draft (07.02.2025)
No full textThis draft guidance describes the scientific considerations required for evaluating the safety and nutritional aspects of Precision Bred Organisms (PBOs) when seeking marketing authorisation of PBOs for use in the production of food and feed
A glossary for social-to-biological research
Get PDFResearch has shown that our socially structured experiences elicit a biological response, leading to the observation that numerous biomarkers (objective biological measures that are representative of various biological processes) are socially patterned. This ‘social-to-biological’ research is of interest to researchers across multiple disciplines and topics and especially to those with an interest in understanding the biological embodiment of the ‘social environment’. Combining social and biomarker data is also of relevance to those examining the biological determinants of social behaviours (for example, the relationship between genetics and certain behaviours like smoking). However, as much of the research involving biomarkers and social data are multidisciplinary, researchers need to understand why and how to optimally use and combine such data. This article provides a resource for researchers by introducing a range of commonly available biomarkers across studies and countries. Because of the breadth of possible analyses, we do not aim to provide an exhaustive and detailed review of each. Instead, we have structured the glossary to include: an easy-to-understand definition; a description of how it is measured; key considerations when using; and an example of its use in a relevant social-to-biological study. We have limited this glossary to biomarkers that are available in large health and social surveys or population-based cohort studies and focused on biomarkers in adults. We have structured the glossary around the main physiological systems studied in research on social to biological transition and those that go across systems and highlight some basic terms and key theoretical concepts
Driving total factor productivity: The spillover effect of digitalization in the new energy supply chain
No full textDigitalization assumes a crucial role in augmenting productivity within the new energy sector. However, whether this impelling effect can permeate the entire supply chain remains to be discussed. This study delves into the spillover effect of customers’ digitalization on suppliers’ total factor productivity (TFP), endeavoring to explicate the sources of competitive advantage in China’s new energy industry from a supply chain perspective. Based on Chinese new energy enterprises from 2006 to 2022, we find that: (1) Customers’ digitalization significantly impels suppliers’ TFP, with variations depending on market influence. (2) Mechanism tests reveal that supply chain efficiency represents a pivotal channel, especially manifested in three successive aspects: consolidating, expanding, and deepening vertical connections in the supply chain. (3) Customers’ digitalization impels the growth of new energy suppliers’ TFP, while new energy enterprises do not display the spillover effect on their suppliers. This study provides targeted policy implications for policymakers to guide the growth of supply chain efficiency and TFP
English as a Lingua Franca: Intercultural Interaction in an Asian 'Third Space' Context
Get PDFIn many studies on English as a Lingua Franca (ELF), the prevailing perspective has primarily focused on ELF as the use of English for communication among speakers who do not share English as their first language. However, recent scholarship has emphasized the significance of intercultural communication within ELF interactions. Despite this development, the predominant focus in both ELF research and pedagogy has remained primarily linguistic in nature. This paper argues for a paradigm shift in our understanding, approach, and teaching of ELF, advocating for its recognition as a form of intercultural interaction.By drawing on vignettes extracted from ELF interactions in an English Conversation Club at a Thai University, we illustrate how participants from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds engage in intercultural communication while maintaining a commitment to English language accuracy. We delineate the advantages of reorienting our perception of ELF interactions in this manner, underscoring the implications for students, instructors, and researchers alike
Prolonged Hospital Stay in Hypertensive Patients: Retrospective Analysis of Risk Factors and Interactions
Get PDFBackground/Objectives: Arterial hypertension (HT) is a leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, often contributing to prolonged lengths of hospital stay (LOHS), which place significant strain on healthcare systems. This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with prolonged lengths of hospital stay in patients with HT, focusing on key biochemical and clinical predictors. Methods: This retrospective study included 356 adult patients hospitalized in the Cardiology Department of the University Hospital in Wroclaw, Poland, between January 2017 and June 2021. Data collected included demographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, and laboratory parameters. Logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of prolonged LOHS, defined as four or more days, and to evaluate interactions between variables. Results: Lower levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and elevated concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were identified as significant predictors of prolonged LOHS, with each 1 mg/dL decrease in LDL-c increasing the odds of prolonged LOHS by 1.21% (p < 0.001) and each 1 mg/L increase in hsCRP raising the odds by 3.80% (p = 0.004). An interaction between sex and heart failure (HF) was also observed. Female patients with HF had 3.995-fold higher odds of prolonged LOHS compared to females without HF (p < 0.001), while no significant difference was found among male patients with or without HF (p = 0.890). Conclusions: The predictors of prolonged LOHS in patients with HT include lower levels of LDL-c, elevated hsCRP, and the interaction between sex and heart failure (HF). Specifically, female patients with HF demonstrated significantly higher odds of prolonged LOHS compared to females without HF, while this relationship was not observed in male patient
Rheological Behavior of Bitumen Modified by Synthesized Polyurethane Based on MDI–PPG Reactive Prepolymers
No full textBitumen without modification is prone to suffer from damage under extreme temperature and traffic conditions, leading to distress such as rutting, fatigue cracking, and thermal cracking. Polyurethane-modified bitumen can effectively be prepared at lower temperatures and combine low-carbon and environmental-protection concepts. The resulted polyurethane can also improve the in-service performance of bitumen, such as rutting resistance. In this study, a polyurethane prepolymer (PU) based on polypropylene glycol (PPG) and diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) as the soft and hard segments and 3,3’-dichloro-4,4’-diaminodiphenylmethane (MOCA) as a chain extender was synthesized and used to modify the viscoelastic behavior of bitumen. The interaction between the PU prepolymer and unreacted MDI and the polar groups present on the base bitumen provides a route to enhancing the miscibility between the blend components. The rheological behavior of the bitumen, with varying PU content, was investigated from strain sweep and time sweep measurements, with particular attention given to the analysis of Lissajous-Bowditch (LB) curves and the normalized third relative intensities (3/1). Three different methods based on strain sweep tests were employed to determine the critical strain at which the viscoelastic behavior transitions from the linear to nonlinear regime. The distinct rheological behavior observed for bitumen with different PU content was supported from observations of the blend morphology and confirmation of interactions between blend components from Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. This study reveals that the rheological behavior of a PU-modified bitumen is closely related to the combined effects of interfacial interaction, phase morphology, and phase distribution of the blend components. Illustrating this relationship can enable the design of tailored bituminous materials with excellent in-service performance
Unleashing the Power of Generative AI in Agriculture 4.0 for Smart and Sustainable Farming
No full textGenerative artificial intelligence (GAI) represents a pioneering class of artificial intelligence systems renowned for producing diverse media, such as text and images. Agriculture 4.0 (AG-4.0) is a concept that integrates advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics, artificial intelligence, and precision agriculture into the agricultural sector. The integration of GAI and AG-4.0 can generate new and valuable agricultural insights and solutions through pattern recognition and data analysis. This integration enhances farming practices by generating predictive models, simulating optimal growth conditions, diagnosing plant diseases, and optimizing genetic traits. In spite of the tremendous scope of GAI in agriculture, there has been no detailed study concerning the applications and scope of GAI in AG-4.0. Addressing this research gap, we explore various applications, real-world products, and limitations of GAI in agriculture. We explore how GAI models such as ChatGPT and Dall-E can be personalized advisors for farmers, help increase awareness about farmer relief programs, design farm layouts, and many other such applications. Additionally, we cover four real-world GAI products deployed to assist farmers. Since GAI is a growing technology, it poses challenges such as scarcity of data, data privacy, and interpretability. We elaborately discuss these limitations and suggest multiple directions for future research in GAI for agriculture
Predictor Factors Associated With Hazardous Drug Safe Handling Precautions Across a UK Oncology Nurse Sample and Implications for Novel Treatments
Get PDFObjectivesThe development and use of novel systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) treatments are advancing rapidly. While cytotoxic drugs have traditionally been the cornerstone of treatment, they are increasingly used alongside novel agents. This study aims to assess factors affecting adherence to safe-handling precautions, enhance safety protocols, and minimize potential occupational exposure to hazards in clinical environments, increasing their capacity for novel treatments.MethodsCross-sectional, online survey of oncology nurses across the UK who handled SACT. Participants were asked to complete the Factors Predicting Use of Hazardous Drug Safe-Handling Precautions Questionnaire. Descriptive analysis, Spearman rank correlation coefficients, and regression analysis were performed to determine the predictors of precautionary use when handling HDs.FindingsAnalysis of (n = 675) participants revealed high knowledge of exposure, high self-efficacy, low perceived barriers, moderate perceived risks, high interpersonal influence, low conflict of interest and moderate safety climate in the workplace. The analysis of the data also indicated weak positive correlations between age and knowledge (rs = 0.093), self-efficacy (rs = 0.103) and safe-handling scores (rs = 0.082); the age of the participants has a weak negative correlation to perceived barriers (rs = –0.141), conflict of interest (rs = –0.116), and workplace safety climate(rs = –0.116). Notably, safe handling scores showed no significant correlation with other theoretical predictors. Comparison between government and private sector nurses (n = 76) demonstrated higher patient volumes F (15.807, 74), P < .001 and significantly lower safe handling scores in the government settings F (4.135, 74) P < .05.ConclusionsNurse-patient ratios between government and private sector settings predict global safe-handling precautions.Implications for practiceNovel treatments for nurse-patient ratios are essential, as new therapies and schedules further create additional workload pressures that may reduce safe handling practices
Evaluating the benefits of professional events and venues for academic scholars and institutions & their host cities
No full textThis study is response to a gap in knowledge regards higher education institutions – and their subject or discipline areas - and the motivations for hosting conferences in professional and purpose-built venues, as well any perceived barriers in doing so. Further, the research also seeks to gauge the importance given to the hosting of conferences within and for the host city . A Key Informant research method is applied, i.e., primary research was undertaken in 2024 with key research leaders in universities. Key informants are those whose social positions in a research setting give them specialist knowledge about other people, processes or happenings that is more extensive, detailed or privileged than ordinary people, and who are therefore particularly valuable sources of information to a researcher, not least in the early stages of a project (Payne & Payne, 2011)
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