Operations & supply chain management: principles and practice

Operations and Supply Chain Management (OSCM) has continually evolved, incorporating a broad array of strategies, frameworks, and technologies to address complex challenges across industries. This encyclopedic article provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary strategies, tools, methods, principles, and best practices that define the field’s cutting-edge advancements. It also explores the diverse environments where OSCM principles have been effectively implemented. The article is meant to be read in a nonlinear fashion. It should be used as a point of reference or first-port-of-call for a diverse pool of readers: academics, researchers, students, and practitioners

Metabolic bariatric surgery is associated with reduced adverse hepatic and extrahepatic outcomes, and lower all-cause mortality, in patients with steatotic liver disease.

AimMetabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) improves histological endpoints in steatotic liver disease (SLD), but data on longer-term clinical outcomes in this population are scarce. Here, we assessed the impact of MBS on hepatic and extrahepatic morbidity and mortality in individuals with SLD.MethodsPatients with SLD, with/without a history of MBS (MBS/no-MBS cohorts, respectively) between 01/01/2004 and 31/10/2019, were identified using the TriNetX platform. Cohorts were balanced with propensity score matching (PSM). Maximum follow-up was set to 5 years. The primary outcome was a composite of major adverse liver outcomes (MALO): cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplant. Secondary outcomes included major cardiovascular (MACE) and kidney (MAKE) adverse events, obesity-associated cancers, and all-cause mortality (ACM). We performed sub-group analyses according to sex, MBS type, and risk factors (BMI ≥50 kg/m2 and type 2 diabetes (T2D)).ResultsWe identified 15,262 and 540,031 patients (for the MBS and no-MBS cohorts, respectively); 14,970 patients/cohort after PSM (mean age: 46.7 vs. 47.4; female: 74.3% vs. 75.7%; mean follow-up, 4.1 years). MBS was associated with reduced HR of MALO (0.84, 95% CI 0.75-0.95), MACE (0.52, CI 0.47-0.57), MAKE (0.54, CI 0.41-0.72), obesity-related cancers (0.58, CI 0.50-0.67), and ACM (0.49, 0.43-0.56). In subgroup analyses, MBS was associated with reduced HR of MALO, MACE, MAKE, obesity-related cancers, and ACM in females, patients with T2D, BMI > 50 kg/m2 and irrespective of surgery type.ConclusionIn patients with SLD, MBS is associated with significant reductions in the rates of adverse hepatic and extrahepatic outcomes and all-cause mortality over 4 years' follow-up

Modelling magma flow within dyke-fed sill geometries: A coupled thermal and fluid dynamics approach

Sill geometry and magma flow indicators preserved within fossil sills are used to determine magma source locations, understand economic potential of magmatic ore deposits, and forecast potential volcanic eruption sites. However, existing models struggle to incorporate complex flow dynamics and quantify flow variability, thus inhibiting their potential to explain spatially variable magma flow within sills spanning up to hundreds of kilometres. We present results of new 2D finite element numerical simulations coupling fluid and thermal dynamics within a dyke-fed sill using a multiphysics approach. As magma enters the model sill from below via one (or several) feeding dyke(s), magma jets of variable height develop within the sill depending on dyke thickness and inlet velocity. Low-velocity zones occur near the feeding dyke(s), with recirculation present between multiple feeding dyke(s) when they are present. These findings demonstrate the significant impact that intrusion geometry has on the magma flow dynamics within the sill, and we postulate that the presence of magma jets at the dyke-to-sill transition may be one source of sill lobes. They suggest random crystal orientations could be expected close to feeder dykes (low-velocity recirculating flow and rapid solidification), but where strain rates are high crystal alignment may still occur. These results potentially explain complex magma flow as interpreted from field observations and petrographic analysis of sill. Our results show that incorporating intrusion geometries, flow dynamics and thermal processes into models is crucial for bridging the gap between field observations and the underlying processes that govern natural systems

Seismic risk assessment of an existing oil refinery subjected to earthquake swarms

Steel oil refineries are subject to ageing due to corrosive chemicals and harsh atmospheric conditions, leading to the degradation of their structural integrity. This deterioration affects the resilience of process units against seismic events, particularly during strong aftershocks. Leaks in pipelines or damage to tanks containing hazardous materials pose health risks and can necessitate shutdowns for essential repairs. Hence, maintaining the integrity and safety of both structural and non-structural components and adopting a proper maintenance plan is essential. This paper investigates the performance of a petrochemical unit in a seismic area, estimating damage risks from earthquake swarms considering soil-structure interactions and damage accumulation. Fragility curves, based on defined damage states, were developed to create a customized risk assessment model for oil refineries. A life cycle cost analysis was also conducted, considering an effective corrosion maintenance plan over the lifetime of the structure. The results showed that aftershocks increase life cycle costs by 2% for uncorroded structures and 4% for corroded structures. The combined effects of aging and aftershocks significantly increase annual failure rate and reduce structural resilience. Corroded structures under sequence motions face the highest failure risk, with a 1000-year return period at low damage level. Aftershocks further decrease resilience by 2% and double the annual slight damage rate under sequence motions. The results also reveal that structural components are more prone to damage than non-structural ones. The proposed framework systematically evaluates seismic risk and resilience in refinery units under harsh atmospheric conditions

Social and emotional cognition in Pleistocene hominin evolution: The role of biocultural processes

Patterns and processes of social cognition underlie much of the behavioral and ecological flexibility and adaptive capacity that characterizes the primate order. The hominin lineage emerged from a branch of primates, hominoids, particularly reliant on the navigation of complex intra and inter-group social relations as a central dynamic of their niche. Over the past few decades much research on hominin evolution has resituated focus from explaining the uniqueness of the big-brain, hyper-social, cognitively distinct Homo sapiens, to a broader inquiry into the potential process, pathways, and dynamics of the evolution of a hominin niche, or niches, rooted in increasingly complex social cognition. In this essay we review key aspects of this current paradigm and argue for the expanded inclusion of the possibilities of socio-emotional cognition in a biocultural approach as advantageous in developing a more robust descriptive framework for theory and method in the study of human evolution. We combine several sources and examples to highlight specific theoretical approaches to assist in developing a common and more integrative framework for investigating social and emotional cognition as a key component of the biocultural niche in Pleistocene hominins

Effectiveness of the RTS,S/AS01<sub>E</sub> malaria vaccine in a real-world setting over 1 year of follow-up after the three-dose primary schedule: an interim analysis of a phase 4 study in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi.

BackgroundRTS,S/AS01E was first introduced within the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme in selected areas in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. A series of post-introduction observational studies were initiated in these areas to assess RTS,S/AS01E safety and effectiveness in real-world settings. Here, we report the results of the interim analysis of the EPI-MAL-003 study secondary objectives related to vaccine effectiveness.MethodsEPI-MAL-003 was a phase 4, disease surveillance study with prospective cohort event monitoring. The study was performed in routine medical practice settings at 12 sites (four per country) in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. Children younger than 18 months were enrolled in exposed clusters (sites where RTS,S/AS01E was introduced) and unexposed clusters; data were collected via active surveillance. In an interim analysis, we estimated the effect of vaccination on the incidence of malaria, all-cause hospitalisations, and malaria-related hospitalisations, the prevalence of anaemia among hospitalised children, and mortality over 1 year of follow-up after primary vaccination with three RTS,S/AS01E doses. These endpoints were analysed in the effectiveness analysis set. The primary endpoints are reported elsewhere, together with secondary safety endpoints. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03855995, and is completed.FindingsThe first child was enrolled on March 21, 2019, and the cutoff date for the current analysis was Nov 2, 2023. 45 000 children were enrolled (22 426 [49·8%] were female and 22 574 [50·25%] were male). 39 463 children were included in the analyses. When comparing vaccinated children from exposed clusters with unvaccinated children from unexposed clusters, country-adjusted incidence rate ratios were 0·70 (95% CI 0·67-0·73; pE introduction.InterpretationOver 1 year of follow-up after the third vaccine dose, vaccination with RTS,S/AS01E in real-world settings showed significant reductions in malaria burden. These findings reinforce the continued use of RTS,S/AS01E vaccination in children as an effective public health measure to reduce malaria-related illness and mortality in endemic regions, and highlight its relevance for future malaria control strategies.FundingGSK

The role of consumer involvement in cue use during food purchasing Decisions: The moderating effect of consumer familiarity

An extensive body of literature underscores the pivotal role of consumer involvement as a primary antecedent that influences the depth of information processing, including product cue utilisation. Food purchasing is typically characterised by low consumer involvement, with consumers relying on just a few product cues. This tendency is particularly pronounced for habitual food choices, which is a challenge for manufacturers that want to differentiate products by optimising cues. This pattern can be altered during times of significant disruption. For example, when a food scandal occurs, it can lead to low consumer trust in the industry. This study uses Chinese dairy products as a case context to explore how the salience of product cues is shaped by consumer involvement and familiarity within a low-trust market. Leveraging survey data collected from 1073 dairy consumers in Shanghai, we employ partial least squares structural equation modelling to scrutinise the path coefficients between various component variables of consumer involvement and diverse cue types. Multi-group analysis is used to uncover the moderating influence of consumer familiarity. Our findings reveal a significant shift in consumer behaviour within a low-trust context; consumers demonstrate varying levels of attention to food product cues. Four sub-components of involvement emerge as unique drivers that influence cue utilisation for dairy products. Importantly, the moderating impact of familiarity is found to be contingent upon consumers’ motivational objectives. This research offers a novel lens through which to explore the evolving relationships among consumer involvement, product familiarity and the use of informational cues. Its implications are substantially important for food enterprises seeking successful labelling strategies within low-trust markets

MOF-derived nanomaterials: Transformative innovations for renewable energy and environmental sustainability

Metal-organic framework-derived nanomaterials (MOF-NMs) have revolutionized material science, offering unprecedented tunability in composition, porosity, and functionality. As versatile precursors, MOFs enable the synthesis of high-performance MOF-NMs, including metal oxides, metal nitrides, layered double hydroxides (LDHs), and carbon-based materials. By leveraging thermal treatments such as pyrolysis and calcination, along with chemical modifications of nitridation, phosphorylation, and sulfidation, these materials exhibit enhanced surface area, porosity, and catalytic activity. While extensive reviews have explored the synthesis and applications of MOF-NMs, a critical gap remains in systematically addressing the challenges that limit their large-scale deployment. This review highlights key synthesis routes of MOF-NM and the impact of critical parameters on their physicochemical properties. Despite their broad potential in catalytic applications such as HER, ORR, OER, and CO₂RR, the practical deployment of MOF-NM remains limited by issues of structural instability, poor scalability, and high production costs. This review discusses recent advancements aimed at addressing these challenges through innovative precursor design, material hybridization, and process optimization. By integrating insights into the transformative potential and challenges of MOF-NMs, this review serves as a roadmap for advancing these materials from laboratory research to real-world applications in sustainable energy and environmental technologies