ethicalabs/Research-Intent-Collab huggingface dataset:
Land-use conflicts between biodiversity conservation and extractive industries in the Peruvian Andes

The exceptional endemic species richness found in the Tropical Andes is being subjected to high rates of environmental degradation and natural resources exploitation. While many forms of land-cover change and other impacts on species are difficult to control through environmental regulations, governments usually determine how and where extractive industries can take place. This study examines potential conflict between the location of extractive industry activities and biodiversity conservation in the Peruvian Andes. Using geographic information systems, we carry out overlay analyses to determine the spatial congruence between mineral mining, hydrocarbon and logging concessions, on the one hand, and the distribution of protected areas and endemic vertebrate species on the other. The results show that regional protected areas extensively overlap with resource concessions. Furthermore, 16% of endemic species hotspots concur with current concessions, while the geographical distribution of 21 endemic vertebrate species overlap by more than 90% with concession areas. To reconcile conservation and economic development objectives in the future, the geographical distribution of biodiversity, and in particular of endemic species, needs to be considered in natural resources planning and land-use/management activities.
Accounting vs. Sustainability Reports in Mining Waste Management: Transparency with Corruption in Latin America

We study the role of accounting and sustainability disclosures in the transparency of mining waste management when there are negative social and environmental outcomes. We report on a longitudinal descriptive case built on two events from Brazil using mandated sustainability and accounting reports. The appearance of transparency, facilitated by corrupt practices and actors, and its links with environmental and social disasters, is explored through performativity theory. Saying something can produce a real outcome that changes reality; therefore, this study counts specific words and how they are used in sustainability and financial reports before and after each event. We ask if accounting reports resulting from professional practices and artifacts deter corruption in publicly traded companies as much as mandated environmental and social reports. Corruption is understood as the devastation of the poor and we explore the disclosures given to stakeholders as a form of transparency. We conclude that neither the apparent transparency nor the complete silence was able to avoid social catastrophes in Brazil affecting poor rural areas; however, accounting reports give the appearance of more transparency than sustainability reports. However, accounting practices and artifacts provide more disclosures increasing the visibility of suspected corruption, with the difference explained by the extensive accounting regulation that restricts management exclusionary practices for their reports. A description of transparency through the role of accounting and sustainability disclosures enhances our understanding of fertile grounds for corrupt practices in Latin America. The way transparency is enacted, predisposes government officers, managers and auditors to engage in corrupt practices.
Social Media Analytics and Business Intelligence: Leveraging Management Information System for Competitive Advantage

In today's ever-evolving business environment, the confluence of social media, analytics, and business intelligence has emerged as a powerful and transformative factor, fundamentally altering the way organizations function and compete. This summary provides an overview of the crucial function that Management Information Systems (MIS) serve in harnessing the potential of social media analytics and business intelligence to attain a competitive edge. The widespread adoption of social media platforms has led to an unprecedented influx of data, offering businesses profound insights into consumer behavior, preferences, and market dynamics. Nonetheless, the sheer scale of this data can be daunting in its raw state. MIS assumes a pivotal role in the collection, processing, and conversion of this data into actionable insights. This research delves into how organizations can effectively employ social media analytics, in synergy with business intelligence tools, to elevate their decision-making processes. Through the analysis of social media data, companies can gain a more profound comprehension of their target audience, keep a close watch on their brand's reputation, and pinpoint emerging trends and market opportunities. Business intelligence tools enable the visualization and interpretation of this data, providing stakeholders with the necessary information to make data-driven decisions. The competitive advantage derived from this approach is multifaceted. It allows organizations to respond proactively to market changes, align their products and services with customer demands, and allocate resources effectively. Furthermore, it enables organizations to optimize marketing campaigns, measure their ROI, and create personalized customer experiences, thereby improving customer satisfaction and loyalty. This study also examines the difficulties and moral factors linked to employing social media analytics and business intelligence. Matters of privacy, data security, and the ethical handling of customer data are pivotal elements that organizations need to confront in order to uphold public confidence and adhere to legal requirements. To sum it up, the amalgamation of social media analytics and business intelligence within the framework of Management Information Systems provides a potent set of tools for organizations striving to gain a competitive edge in the digital era. Leveraging the insights gained from social media data can lead to improved decision-making, enhanced customer experiences, and a sustainable edge in an ever-evolving market. This abstract outline the foundation for a comprehensive study that explores the practical implementation and strategies for harnessing these technologies effectively.
Science fiction and science futures: considering the role of fictions in public engagement and science communication work

The imagination of possible scientific futures has a colourful history of interaction with scientific research agendas and public expectations. The 2017 annual UK Science in Public conference included a panel discussing this. Emphasizing fiction as a method for engaging with and mapping the influence of possible futures, this panel discussed the role of science fiction historically, the role of science fiction in public attitudes to artificial intelligence, and its potential as a method for engagement between scientific researchers and publics. Science communication for creating mutually responsive dialogue between research communities and publics about setting scientific research agendas should consider the role of fictions in understanding how futures are imagined by all parties.
Use of patient-reported outcome measures in cost-effectiveness models informing health technology assessments of non-oncology treatments: a review

Including patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in cost-effectiveness models (CEMs) represents an important opportunity to reflect patients' perspectives in health technology assessments (HTAs). Beyond utility measures, little is known about how PROMs are used in CEMs and their acceptance by reviewers. We elucidated how PROMs were incorporated into CEMs submitted to the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for non-oncology treatments and identified feedback from NICE and external assessment groups (EAGs).NICE HTAs for non-oncology treatments from January 2016 to August 2022 which used a PROM (other than a generic utility measure) as a key element in the CEM were reviewed. Information on how PROMs were used, rationale for their use, and feedback from NICE and EAGs were summarized.Of 428 HTAs identified, 27 (6.3%) were included in our review. PROMs were included in the CEMs via treatment-effect parameters (n = 25/27, 92.6%), model structure (n = 25/27, 92.6%), treatment-stopping rules (n = 21/27, 77.8%), and/or condition-specific utility measures (n = 18/27, 66.7%). Of the 27 HTAs, 22 (81.5%) provided justification for using a PROM in the CEM, most frequently citing the PROM validation. NICE and/or the EAG raised concerns in 20 HTAs (74.1%) regarding the use of PROMs, most commonly regarding the data source, statistical methods, and implementation of the PROM in clinical practice.This review did not focus on ways the patient voice may be reflected in the NICE process beyond incorporation of PROMs in CEMs. Generalizability of the findings to other HTA settings may be limited.NICE accepted the use of PROMs in CEMs where high-quality data relevant to the target population and appropriate statistical methods were used. Few CEMs used PROMs other than utility measures. Further research is needed to understand the value of PROMs in CEMs for HTAs.
Hierarchical phylogenetics as a quantitative analytical framework for evolutionary developmental biology

AbstractPhylogenetics has inherent utility in evolutionary developmental biology (EDB) as it is an established methodology for estimating evolutionary relationships and for making comparisons between levels of biological organization. However, explicit phylogenetic methods generally have been limited to two levels of organization in EDB—the species and the gene. We demonstrate that phylogenetic methods can be applied broadly to other organizational levels, such as morphological structures or cell types, to identify evolutionary patterns. We present examples at and between different hierarchical levels of organization to address questions central to EDB. We argue that this application of “hierarchical phylogenetics” can be a unifying analytical approach to the field of EDB. BioEssays 27:1158–1166, 2005. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Use of the egg parasitoid, Trichogramma ostriniae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) as a biological control agent of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae): An approach to integrated pest management in bell pepper

Ph. D.
Privacy and security solutions for interoperable health information exchange

The encouragement of health information technology (HIT) to improve efficiency, reduce medical errors, improve quality of care, and provide better information for patients and physicians. At that time, the US President also called for widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) by 2014 so that health information will follow patients throughout their self-care in a flawless and secure mode. Reaching this determined goal requires cooperation among Federal agencies and departments that plays vital role in advancing and understanding the use of health IT, management across all Federal HIT programmes; and coordination with the private sector.
Sustainable mediterranean agriculture for food security? Challenges for the Euro-Mediterranean relationship

Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries (SEMCs) face daunting challenges in the field of agriculture and rural development because of a nexus of problems concerning rural poverty, import dependency, deterioration of natural resources, worrisome demographic trends, etc. The problems to be solved have been well identified and a broad consensus on their nature and magnitude has emerged in recent years. Yet, recent empirical evidence, while confirming this general diagnosis and showing that significant public policy efforts have led to major improvements in recent decades, suggests that a greater sense of urgency than generally perceived is warranted. First, a brief but comprehensive summary of the situation and trends in SEMCs will be presented. The rest of the paper will then be devoted to the implications of this serious situation in the SEMCs for the whole Euro-Mediterranean relationship. We first suggest that too much attention has been given in the past to trade liberalization, from the hope in Barcelona in 1994 to create a fully free trade Euro-Med area by 2010 to the current goal of negotiating bilateral “deep and comprehensive free trade agreements” with as many SEMCs as possible. We will argue that the 2010 goal of a free trade area was utopian, and that the focus on trade liberalization has been distractive both within individual SEMCs and in the construction of the Euro-Med relationship, particularly for agriculture and rural development.
A study of the heliospheric modulation of cosmic rays in the past solar cycles

Cosmic rays are high-energy particles originating from outside the solar system, and their flux is modulated by the heliosphere, the region of space influenced by the sun. This study investigates the heliospheric modulation of cosmic rays over five consecutive solar cycles (20-24), spanning from 1964 to 2019, focusing on the variations in cosmic ray intensity with solar activity. A long-term correlative study has been done using the values of the monthly mean of sunspot number (SSN) and cosmic ray data from ground-based Neutron Monitor Stations (Kiel, Moscow and Oulu). By analysing the cosmic ray intensity during these cycles, a significant variation in the cosmic ray flux and its modulation by the heliosphere is shown. The statistical analysis of the data depicts a very high anti-correlation association between solar activity and cosmic rays’ intensity for the period studied; which is consistent with earlier findings.  The results in this study demonstrate distinct differences in the cosmic ray intensity between solar cycles and the level of statistical association between sunspot number and cosmic rays varies from cycle to cycle. Solar cycle 21 was observed to have a slightly weaker anti-correlation value as compared to other cycles; this displays a solar cycle-dependent modulation effect necessitating further research. The cut-off rigidity, which ranges from 0.80 to 8.28 GV, and the influence of cut-off rigidity on the energy spectrum of the cosmic ray was observed as the station with the lowest cut-off rigidity generated the strongest anti-correlation value.  This research provides new insights into the long-term variability of cosmic rays and the heliospheric modulation processes, with important applications in space weather and radiation protection.
Simulating and Predicting Crop Yield and Soil Fertility under Climate Change with Fertilizer Management in Northeast China Based on the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer Model

The risks of climate change and soil degradation for the agricultural environment and crop production are increasingly prominent. Based on the limitations of land resources, it is important to explore a sustainable and effective fertilization strategy to reduce risks and ensure there is a high yield of grain and sustainable development of agriculture. Soil fertility underpins cultivated land, which is the most important resource of agricultural production, and is also the key for maintaining agricultural sustainability. The central elements of soil fertility are soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil nitrogen (SN). This study applied the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer-Cropping System Model (DSSAT-CSM) and the CENTURY-based soil module to simulate the trends of crop yields, SN storages and SOC storages until the end of this century under different climate change circumstances, based on a 36-year long-term experiment established at Shenyang site, China. Four fertilizer practices were applied: control (CK), combined chemical fertilizer of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), NPK with manure (MNPK), and NPK fertilizers plus a high application rate of manure (hMNPK). The outcomes indicated that the DSSAT model can fully simulate the yields of maize and soybean as well as the dynamic stocks of the SN and SOC. Three Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP 8.5) for future development were chosen from the fifth assessment report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Moreover, a baseline was installed. Crop yields, SN, and SOC storages from 2016 to 2100 were estimated under four climate scenarios (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP 8.5, and Baseline). The RCP scenarios in some treatments reduced SN and SOC stocks and maize yield, and had no effect on soybean yield. However, the application of NPK with manure could improve crop yields, while it increased SN and SOC storages substantially. To some extent, the negative effects of climate scenarios could be mitigated by applying manure. In the RCP 4.5, maize yields of NPK, MNPK, and hMNPK treatments declined by 14.8%, 7.7%, and 6.2%, respectively, compared with that of NPK under Baseline. The NPK fertilizers plus manure treatments could cut the reduction of maize yield caused by climate change in half. Additionally, the SOC storage and SN of chemical fertilizers plus manure treatments under RCP scenarios increased by 20.2%–33.5% and 13.7%–21.7% compared with that of NPK under baseline, respectively. It was concluded that a rational combination of organic and inorganic fertilizer applications is a sustainable and effective agricultural measure to maintain food security and relieve environmental stresses.
A One Health look into the emergence of zoonotic viruses at the human-animal-environment interface

Abstract                   Emerging zoonotic viruses are a major public health concern, and they have caused the majority of human infectious disease outbreaks in recent decades. It is known that the emergence of zoonotic diseases is facilitated by human-caused environmental changes such as deforestation and changes in global climatic conditions. However, the complex interactions between these environmental elements and the contribution of each factor to the emergence and spread of zoonotic viral pathogens are not sufficiently addressed. Therefore, this article presents an overview of the available scientific knowledge on the major anthropogenic and climatic drivers of emerging zoonotic viruses, and also discusses the interconnections among human health, animal health, and ecosystem health in the context of emerging zoonotic viruses, and how the One Health approach can be implemented in reducing the health risks of emerging zoonotic viral pathogens.                                        One Health impact statement                     The One Health approach has got more attention post-COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are multiple challenges in its real-world application. This paper presents a general One Health application framework that describes how a national One Health risk analysis (OHRA) system can be designed and implemented to predict, prevent, and control emerging zoonotic viral pathogens at the human-animal-environment interface.
TRIFFTERER O. - AMBOS K (eds), The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court: A Commentary, C.H Beck/Hart/Nomos, 2016, 2352 p.

info:eu-repo/semantics/published
Peace building and Transformation from below: Indigenous Approaches to Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation among the Pastoral Societies in the Borderlands of Eastern Africa

Violence among the pastoral communities in the borderlands of Eastern Africa has escalated to such an extent that governments seem to be unable to contain the  conflict. More is needed than efforts by states to restore law and order. If these  conflicts are to be dealt with effectively, more will also be needed than western methods of conflict resolution. Traditional customs and values have to be utilised. Marginalised indigenous ways of approaching and resolving conflict have to be explored and utilised. Taking theoretical considerations and the historical background into account, this  article focuses our attention on indigenous  approaches that may promote a more  peaceful coexistence. It shows how the application of such methods may result in a wider involvement of the communities concerned, which may contribute substantially to the actual resolution of conflicts and to real reconciliation.
Biophoton Therapy Enhances Endogenous Stem-Cell Production: A Non-Invasive Approach to Regenerative Medicine

Endogenous  stem-cell  mobilization  represents  a  promising  alternative  to  transplanted  stem-cell  therapies,  which are limited by poor survival, immune incompatibility, and procedural risks. Biophotons—ultra-weak, non-thermal  photons  generated  by  biological  systems—have  been  increasingly  implicated  in  mitochondrial  regulation, redox signaling, and cellular repair. Whether controlled biophoton exposure can safely stimulate endogenous stem-cell production in humans has not been previously tested in a randomized clinical setting.
Estimating required flexibility for secure distribution grid operation considering the uncertainties of EV and PV

Renewable energy productions and electrification of mobility are promising solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Their effective integration in a power grid encounters several challenges. The uncertain nature of renewable energy productions as well as stochastic consumptions of electric vehicles introduce remarkable intermittency to a distribution grid and results in bi-uncertain characteristics of both supply and demand sides. One way to verify the secure grid operation within acceptable voltage and loading levels is to assess its required flexibility considering possible boundaries of uncertain variables. In this paper, first a comprehensive linear model of distribution grid considering all pertaining constraints is presented. Then, a flexibility estimation technique is proposed based on the feasibility study of the uncertain space of photovoltaic power productions and load containing electric vehicles. The proposed methodology uses grid monitoring data to determine grid state and to model uncertain parameters. The model is applied on a real low voltage (LV) system equipped with grid monitoring devices.
Game Ranching: A Sustainable Land Use Option and Economic Incentive for Biodiversity Conservation in Zambia

The ten provinces of Zambia were surveyed to determine number and size of  game ranches situated in these areas up to the end of 2012/early 2013. Three  classes of game ranches were developed as; 1) ≥500 hectares as game ranch  proper, 2) ≥50 - per year for the period 1980-2012. The  largest number was ornamental 98 (49%); large game ranches were 75 (38%) and  the least was game farms 27 (14%). Thirty seven species of large mammals were  recorded, of which, 15 were the most abundant with impala topping the list with  21,000 individuals (34%). It was found that of the ten provinces, Luapula,  Western and Northern Provinces despite being largely rural with low population  densities except for Luapula did not have any game ranch. The province with the  largest number was Lusaka 71(36%), Southern 59 (30%), Central 31(16%),  Copperbelt 19 (10%), Eastern and Northwestern 9 (4.5% each) and Muchinga was  the least with 2 (1%). The rapid increase in the number of ornamental category  is mainly attributed to the rise in the development of tourist accommodation  facilities and high cost residential properties. This growth provides an  opportunity to convert to game ranching schemes abandoned farmlands which are  not currently useful to agriculture due to loss of fertility and other forms of  land degradation. Similarly, parcels of land with natural ecological  limitations should also be considered for such schemes. Rehabilitation of  degraded land through ranching could also enhance carbon sequestration, a  factor critical in minimizing carbon emissions and other green house gases.