scholarly journals What Does the Sustainability-Risk Interaction Look Like? Exploring Nuanced Relationships in Emerging Economy Sustainability Initiatives

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 2716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aysu Göçer ◽  
Stanley Fawcett ◽  
Okan Tuna
Keyword(s):  
Food Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Risk Category ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Sustainability Initiatives ◽  
Risk Categories

To be viable long-term, sustainability programs must be profitable. Unfortunately, current sustainability practices increase risk, increasing costs and threatening revenues. Higher costs and lower revenues negatively impact profitability and, thus, the viability of sustainability. To understand how sustainability-induced risks affect food production systems, sustainability-induced risks in food production systems are identified and classified. It is also explored how sustainability risks interact, making it especially costly and difficult to eradicate them. An inductive, interview-based method was employed, which relies on 41 semi-structured interviews, with managers at 32 companies. The study documents the interaction between sustainability and risk in five risk categories—behavioral, opportunism, organizational routines, safety and traceability routines and systems design. The negative impact of intensive interactions among these risk categories threatens food production systems’ sustainability initiatives. Behavioral risks are particularly pervasive and harmful as they either induce or exacerbate other risk clusters. Elaborating the interaction between sustainability and risk, as well as documenting risk types and interactions, provides a more holistic view of sustainability implementation. This nuanced view will lead to a more accurate and insightful costing of sustainability programs. Lamentably, the most pervasive risk category—i.e., behavioral risks—are often overlooked in the supply chain management literature. However, this research shows a clear need to delve more deeply into the behavioral dimension to improve risk management and to increase the viability of sustainability. This study identifies and categorizes sustainability-induced risk factors in food production systems, and shows how they interrelate, providing the foundation for better planning and execution of viable sustainability programs.

scholarly journals Cardiac TdP risk stratification modelling of anti-infective compounds including chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic G. Whittaker ◽  
Rebecca A. Capel ◽  
Maurice Hendrix ◽  
Xin Hui S. Chan ◽  
Neil Herring ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Torsade De Pointes ◽  
Risk Category ◽  
Intermediate Risk ◽  
Simulation Approach ◽  
Net Charge ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Risk Categories

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), the hydroxyl derivative of chloroquine (CQ), is widely used in the treatment of rheumatological conditions (systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis) and is being studied for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Here, we investigate through mathematical modelling the safety profile of HCQ, CQ and other QT-prolonging anti-infective agents to determine their risk categories for Torsade de Pointes (TdP) arrhythmia. We performed safety modelling with uncertainty quantification using a risk classifier based on the qNet torsade metric score , a measure of the net charge carried by major currents during the action potential under inhibition of multiple ion channels by a compound. Modelling results for HCQ at a maximum free therapeutic plasma concentration (free C max ) of approximately 1.2 µM (malaria dosing) indicated it is most likely to be in the high-intermediate-risk category for TdP, whereas CQ at a free C max of approximately 0.7 µM was predicted to most likely lie in the intermediate-risk category. Combining HCQ with the antibacterial moxifloxacin or the anti-malarial halofantrine (HAL) increased the degree of human ventricular action potential duration prolongation at some or all concentrations investigated, and was predicted to increase risk compared to HCQ alone. The combination of HCQ/HAL was predicted to be the riskiest for the free C max values investigated, whereas azithromycin administered individually was predicted to pose the lowest risk. Our simulation approach highlights that the torsadogenic potentials of HCQ, CQ and other QT-prolonging anti-infectives used in COVID-19 prevention and treatment increase with concentration and in combination with other QT-prolonging drugs.

scholarly journals Biofloc Systems for Sustainable Production of Economically Important Aquatic Species: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7255
Author(s):  
Muziri Mugwanya ◽  
Mahmoud A. O. Dawood ◽  
Fahad Kimera ◽  
Hani Sewilam
Keyword(s):  
Food Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Sustainable Production ◽  
Aquatic Species ◽  
Sustainable Aquaculture ◽  
High Productivity ◽  
Biomass Activity ◽  
Biofloc Technology ◽  
Global Population

The increasing global population has led to an increase in food demand; consequently, aquaculture is one of the food production sectors that has offered opportunities to alleviate hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. However, the development of a sustainable aquaculture industry has been hindered by the limited availability of natural resources as well as its negative impact on the surrounding environment. Hence, there is an urgent need to search for better aquacultural production systems that, despite their high productivity and profitability, utilize fewer resources such as water, energy, land, and capital in conjunction with a negligible impact on the environment. Biofloc technology (BFT) is one of the most exciting and promising sustainable aquaculture systems; it takes into account the intensive culture of aquatic species, zero water exchange, and improved water quality as a result of beneficial microbial biomass activity, which, at the same time, can be utilized as a nutritious aquaculture feed, thus lowering the costs of production. Furthermore, BFT permits the installation of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems in which the wastes of one organism are utilized as feed by another organism, without a detrimental effect on co-cultured species. This review, therefore, highlights the basics of BFT, factors associated with BFT for the successful production of aquatic species, the significance of this food production system for the sustainable production of economically important aquatic species, its economic aspects, drawbacks, limitations, and recommended management aspects for sustainable aquaculture.

scholarly journals Food scares: a comprehensive categorisation

2017 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Whitworth ◽  
Angela Druckman ◽  
Amy Woodward
Keyword(s):  
Food Production ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Venn Diagram ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Scare ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Social And Environmental Impacts

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a comprehensive categorisation of food scares. Design/methodology/approach Following an initial desktop study, the categorisation was developed collaboratively with industry experts through a workshop and series of semi-structured interviews. Findings The new categorisation developed is in Venn diagram format allowing overlapping categories. It is organised around the two major types of contamination (biological, and chemical/physical contaminants) and the two major causes of contamination (wilful deception, and transparency and awareness issues). Practical implications The long and complex supply chains characteristic of current food production systems have resulted in a rising number of food scares. There is thus an increased emphasis on developing strategies to reduce both the number of incidents of food scares, and their associated economic, social and environmental impacts. The new categorisation developed in this study enables experts to address categories of food scares. Inclusion of the cause of contamination is particularly important as the method through which contamination occurs is key in devising food scare prevention strategies. Originality/value The new categorisation, unlike previous categorisations, enables food scares to fall into multiple categories, as appropriate. Also, again in contrast to previous categorisations, it takes into account not only the physical problem of a food scare but also the mechanism through which it arises.

scholarly journals Development and implementation processes of digitalization in engineer-to-order manufacturing: enablers and barriers

AI & Society ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvi Thun ◽  
Ottar Bakås ◽  
Tore Christian Bjørsvik Storholmen
Keyword(s):  
Systems Design ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Implementation Processes ◽  
Design Concepts ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Visual Understanding ◽  
Engineer To Order

AbstractThis study seeks to gain knowledge about key conditions in the process of digitalization using a socio-technical systems design as a theoretical framework and a case-study approach. Semi-structured interviews with 15 relevant stakeholders are conducted to learn about barriers to and enablers of the development and implementation process in a manufacturing company. After conducting a thematic analysis, eight higher-ranked themes relevant to the digitalization process are identified. These are grouped to describe the overarching phenomena, resulting in four enablers (shared trust, shared visual understanding, shared user perspective, and shared learning) and four barriers (trusting the system, understanding benefits, perspective of economics, and learning to manage scope). The study takes a holistic view of digitalization in its investigation of the development and subsequent implementation processes. The findings contribute to the literature via three key takeaways for stakeholders of a digitalization process in manufacturing. First, it is vital to understand and strengthen the role of the key enablers identified in this paper. Second, managers should observe and identify barriers in their own organizations, related both to technical and social aspects. Third, some of the enablers described in this paper can serve managers as helpful tools to approach the expected barriers to digitalization. This paper also challenges the research literature by arguing that research conducted on digitalization that sets new standards and premises for the working life in industry needs to use up-to-date socio-technical design concepts and theories.

Phosphorus: Past History and Contributions to the Global Food Supply

2019 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Past History ◽  
Phosphate Fertilizer ◽  
Global Food ◽  
Global Food Supply

Since its early rudimentary forms, phosphate fertilizer has developed in step with our understanding of successful food production systems. Recognized as essential to life, the responsible use P in agriculture remains key to food security.

Model for assigning security objects to a specific risk category in the field of fire safety

2020 ◽  
Vol 90 ◽  
pp. 19-31
Author(s):  
D. V. Zobkov ◽  
◽  
A. A. Poroshin ◽  
A. A. Kondashov ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Fire Safety ◽  
Economic Activity ◽  
Fire Hazard ◽  
Risk Category ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Acceptable Risk ◽  
Individual Object ◽  
Safety Requirements ◽  
Risk Categories

Introduction. A mathematical model is presented for assigning protection objects to certain risk categories in the field of fire safety. The model is based on the concepts of the probability of adverse effects of fires causing harm (damage) of various extent and severity to the life or health of citizens, and the acceptable risk of harm (damage) from fires. Goals and objectives. The purpose of the study is to develop the procedure for assigning protection objects to a certain category of risk of harm (damage) based on estimates of the probability of fires with the corresponding severity consequences, to determine the acceptable level of risk of harm (damage) due to the fires, to calculate and develop numerical values of criteria for assigning objects of protection to the appropriate risk categories. Methods. The boundaries of the intervals corresponding to certain risk categories are determined by dividing the logarithmic scale of severity of adverse effects of fires into equal segments. Classification methods are used to assign objects of protection to a specific risk category. Results and discussion. Based on the level of severity of potential negative consequences of a fire, risk categories were determined for groups of protection objects that are homogeneous by type of economic activity and by functional fire hazard classes. The risk category for each individual object of protection is proposed to be determined using the so-called index of "identification of a controlled person" within a group of objects that are homogeneous by type of economic activity and class of functional fire hazard. Depending on the risk category, the periodicity of planned control and supervision measures in relation to the specific object of protection under consideration is determined, taking into account its socio-economic characteristics and the state of compliance with fire safety requirements by the controlled person. Conclusions. To develop criteria for classifying protection objects that are homogeneous in terms of economic activity and functional fire hazard classes, the probability of negative consequences of fires, that are causing harm (damage) of various extent and severity to the life or health of citizens, and the acceptable risk of causing harm (damage) as a result of fires, is used. The risk category for each individual object of protection is determined taking into account socio-economic characteristics of the object that affect the level of ensuring its fire safety, as well as the criteriaof integrity of the subordinate person that characterize the probability of non-compliance with mandatory fire safety requirements at the object of protection. Calculations are made and numerical values of criteria for assigning protection objects that are homogeneous in terms of economic activity and functional fire hazard classes to a certain category of risk are proposed. Key words: object of protection, probability of fire, acceptable level of risk, risk category, dangerous factor of fire, death and injury of people.

Comparison of two recent ceramide-based coronary risk prediction scores: CERT and CERT-2

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Leiherer ◽  
A Muendlein ◽  
C.H Saely ◽  
R Laaksonen ◽  
M Laaperi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Mortality ◽  
Coronary Event ◽  
Cardiovascular Death ◽  
Survival Models ◽  
Risk Category ◽  
Net Reclassification Improvement ◽  
Event Risk ◽  
Risk Predictor ◽  
Risk Categories

Abstract   The Coronary Event Risk Test (CERT) is a validated cardiovascular risk predictor that uses circulating ceramide concentrations to allocate patients into one of four risk categories. This test has recently been updated (CERT-2), now additionally including phosphatidylcholine concentrations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the power of CERT and CERT-2 to predict cardiovascular mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). We investigated a cohort of 999 patients with established CVD. Overall, comparing survival curves (figure) for over 12 years of follow up and the predictive power of survival models using net reclassification improvement (NRI), CERT-2 was the best predictor of cardiovascular mortality, surpassing CERT (NRI=0.456; p=0.01) and also the 2019 ESC-SCORE (NRI=0.163; p=0.04). Patients in the highest risk category of CERT as compared to the lowest category had a HR of 3.63 [2.09–6.30] for cardiovascular death; for CERT-2 the corresponding HR was 6.02 [2.47–14.64]. Among patients with T2DM (n=322), the HR for cardiovascular death was 3.00 [1.44–6.23] using CERT and 7.06 [1.64–30.50] using CERT-2; the corresponding HRs among non-diabetic subjects were 2.99 [1.20–7.46] and 3.43 [1.03–11.43], respectively. We conclude that both, CERT and CERT-2 scores are powerful predictors of cardiovascular mortality in CVD patients, especially in those patients with T2D. Performance is even higher with CERT-2. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

scholarly journals Sustainability Analysis of Interconnected Food Production Systems via Theory of Barriers

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 15765-15770
Author(s):  
Tim Aschenbruck ◽  
Willem Esterhuizen ◽  
Murali Padmanabha ◽  
Stefan Streif
Keyword(s):  
Food Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Sustainability Analysis

scholarly journals Towards Implementation of Big Data Concepts in a Pharmaceutical Company

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 343-356
Author(s):  
Snezana Savoska ◽  
Blagoj Ristevski
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Big Data ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Pharmaceutical Company ◽  
Big Data Analytics ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Analysis Methodology ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Research Demands

AbstractNowadays, big data is a widely utilized concept that has been spreading quickly in almost every domain. For pharmaceutical companies, using this concept is a challenging task because of the permanent pressure and business demands created through the legal requirements, research demands and standardization that have to be adopted. These legal and standards’ demands are associated with human healthcare safety and drug control that demands continuous and deep data analysis. Companies update their procedures to the particular laws, standards, market demands and regulations all the time by using contemporary information technology. This paper highlights some important aspects of the experience and change methodology used in one Macedonian pharmaceutical company, which has employed information technology solutions that successfully tackle legal and business pressures when dealing with a large amount of data. We used a holistic view and deliverables analysis methodology to gain top-down insights into the possibilities of big data analytics. Also, structured interviews with the company’s managers were used for information collection and proactive methodology with workshops was used in data integration toward the implementation of big data concepts. The paper emphasizes the information and knowledge used in this domain to improve awareness for the needs of big data analysis to achieve a competitive advantage. The main results are focused on systematizing the whole company’s data, information and knowledge and propose a solution that integrates big data to support managers’ decision-making processes.

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