The challenges of applying planetary boundaries as a basis for strategic decision-making in companies with global supply chains

YesThe Planetary Boundaries (PB) framework represents a significant advance in specifying the ecological constraints on human development. However, to enable decision-makers in business and public policy to respect these constraints in strategic planning, the PB framework needs to be developed to generate practical tools. With this objective in mind, we analyse the recent literature and highlight three major scientific and technical challenges in operationalizing the PB approach in decision-making: first, identification of thresholds or boundaries with associated metrics for different geographical scales; second, the need to frame approaches to allocate fair shares in the 'safe operating space' bounded by the PBs across the value chain and; third, the need for international bodies to co-ordinate the implementation of the measures needed to respect the Planetary Boundaries. For the first two of these challenges, we consider how they might be addressed for four PBs: climate change, freshwater use, biosphere integrity and chemical pollution and other novel entities. Four key opportunities are identified: (1) development of a common system of metrics that can be applied consistently at and across different scales; (2) setting 'distance from boundary' measures that can be applied at different scales; (3) development of global, preferably open-source, databases and models; and (4) advancing understanding of the interactions between the different PBs. Addressing the scientific and technical challenges in operationalizing the planetary boundaries needs be complemented with progress in addressing the equity and ethical issues in allocating the safe operating space between companies and sectors

FT-IR characterization and hydrolysis of PLA-PEG-PLA based copolyester hydrogels with short PLA segments and a cytocompatibility study

ABSTRACT\ud \ud A series of the biodegradable copolyester hydrogels was prepared using a redox-initiated polymerization with a constant 1:9 mole ratio of the Boltorn-based acrylate and diacrylate triblock comacromonomers. The Boltorn® macromonomer was derived from the hyperbranched polyester Boltorn H20, which was functionalized at each terminus with poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate, and the diacrylate triblock macromonomer was poly (lactide-b-ethylene glycol-b-lactide) diacrylate. The hydrolysis of the copolyesters at pH 7.4 in a phosphate buffered saline solution at 37 °C was studied using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. It was found that the presence of the Boltorn, the PEG, and lactide block lengths both play vital roles in determining the structure-property relationships in these materials. The ATR-FTIR studies showed that with increasing lactide segment length, the rate of ester hydrolysis increased due to the increased concentration of the hydrolytically sensitive poly(lactic acid) (PLA) ester groups in the network. However, incorporation of Boltorn into the PLA-PEG-PLA copolymer did not significantly change the kinetic rate constant for hydrolysis of the PLA segments. The cytocompatibility of a typical one of these materials in the presence of its degradation by-products was assessed using cultured osteoblasts from the rat. The hydrogel was degraded for 28 days and found to be cytocompatible with osteoblasts over days 23 to 28 of the hydrolysis period

Reflection : alignment of practice as a strategy for building capacity for learning

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Reflection for learning : a holistic approach to disrupting the text

Reflective practice can support a mindful and focussed approach to deep learning, enabling the bridging between theory and the students’ learning experience. This practice can range from creative pursuits to heeding felt knowing, integrated into the curricula to support praxis. Indeed, the embedding of reflective mechanism(s) is a requirement of learning through participation known as PACE (Professional and Community Engagement), a pillar of the undergraduate curriculum, and core to the university’s new vision. Through this curriculum requirement and a number of fora extending beyond PACE, Australia’s Macquarie University engages with diverse reflective practices including digital storytelling and art. This chapter presents the holistic approach adopted to integrate reflective practice mechanisms across PACE curricula and practice. Firstly, the role of reflection for learning through participation (LTP) is established. The approach taken to achieve a holistic approach to practice is then unpacked. This holistic approach recognises the need to scaffold and embed reflective practice at, and across, many levels.14 page(s

Data_Sheet_1_Connectome-based predictive modeling shows sex differences in brain-based predictors of memory performance.DOCX

Alzheimer's disease (AD) takes a more aggressive course in women than men, with higher prevalence and faster progression. Amnestic AD specifically targets the default mode network (DMN), which subserves short-term memory; past research shows relative hyperconnectivity in the posterior DMN in aging women. Higher reliance on this network during memory tasks may contribute to women's elevated AD risk. Here, we applied connectome-based predictive modeling (CPM), a robust linear machine-learning approach, to the Lifespan Human Connectome Project-Aging (HCP-A) dataset (n = 579). We sought to characterize sex-based predictors of memory performance in aging, with particular attention to the DMN. Models were evaluated using cross-validation both across the whole group and for each sex separately. Whole-group models predicted short-term memory performance with accuracies ranging from ρ = 0.21–0.45. The best-performing models were derived from an associative memory task-based scan. Sex-specific models revealed significant differences in connectome-based predictors for men and women. DMN activity contributed more to predicted memory scores in women, while within- and between- visual network activity contributed more to predicted memory scores in men. While men showed more segregation of visual networks, women showed more segregation of the DMN. We demonstrate that women and men recruit different circuitry when performing memory tasks, with women relying more on intra-DMN activity and men relying more on visual circuitry. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that women draw more heavily upon the DMN for recollective memory, potentially contributing to women's elevated risk of AD.</p