Risks in circular business models innovation: A cross-industrial case study for composite materials

Circular business models (CBMs) are key enablers to implement circular economy (CE), yet they entail risks, which often discourage organisations. This work aims to explore the main risk factors perceived by the manufacturing industry in transitioning to CBMs to enable the development of appropriate risk management strategies. A cross- industrial multiple-case study research design was used to explore risk factors across seven organisations planning the transition to CBMs for composite-based products and involving three different CBM types—‘Circular Supplies’, ‘Product Life Extension’ and ‘Hybrid’. Results evidenced that risks are multi-disciplinary but are not equally per- ceived across different CBM types. Customers' perceptions of CE products, economic cycle and take-back systems were prevalent across all CBMs. Supply and technological risks were prioritised for ‘Circular Supplies’ CBM, whereas political and regulatory risks for ‘Product Life Extension’ CBM. This research contributes to the CE field by evaluating and prioritising the perceived risk factors in transitioning to CBMs and first disaggregating such risk factors according to CBM types. Critical risk patterns identified across different industries and CBM types enable mitigating actions to be prioritised

Sedimentary context and palaeoecology of Gigantoproductus shell beds in the Mississippian Eyam Limestone Formation, Derbyshire carbonate platform, central England

A sedimentological study was conducted at two localities exposing the Mississippian Eyam Limestone Formation of the Derbyshire carbonate platform, UK. Ricklow Quarry comprises seven facies with diverse skeletal assemblages, representing deposition on the inner to middle ramp within open marine waters. Once-a-Week Quarry comprises four facies, dominated by crinoidal debris representing deposition on the inner ramp. Both localities expose Gigantoproductus shell beds. Palaeoecological analysis of a single shell bed from each locality enabled investigation of the rapid colonization and success of this taxon on the platform. At Ricklow Quarry, on the eastern side of a localized mud mound, both life (>72% of thin and thick-shelled brachiopods in life position) and neighbourhood assemblages are present. A low-moderate diversity community (<1.37 and <0.8 Shannon diversity index) rapidly established over relict Brigantian mud mounds. Shell beds are preluded by intervals of decreased energy that allowed larvae to settle. Once established, the dominance of thick-shelled individuals enabled baffling, potentially providing localized shelter for larvae and nearby individuals. At Once-a-Week Quarry, where no mud mound is present, only thick-shelled Gigantoproductus species and a low diversity community (<1.07 Shannon diversity index) exclusively comprising neighbourhood assemblages (37% in life position) is present. The presence of inactive mud mounds at Ricklow Quarry appears to have been the key to the success of Gigantoproductus species enabling the onset of stable communities in the shelter provided by the relict mound. Once the first palaeocommunities were established, larvae dispersed and colonized higher energy settings, such as at Once-a-Week Quarry

Risks in circular business models innovation : a cross‐industrial case study for composite materials

AbstractCircular business models (CBMs) are key enablers to implement circular economy (CE), yet they entail risks, which often discourage organisations. This work aims to explore the main risk factors perceived by the manufacturing industry in transitioning to CBMs to enable the development of appropriate risk management strategies. A cross‐industrial multiple‐case study research design was used to explore risk factors across seven organisations planning the transition to CBMs for composite‐based products and involving three different CBM types—‘Circular Supplies’, ‘Product Life Extension’ and ‘Hybrid’. Results evidenced that risks are multi‐disciplinary but are not equally perceived across different CBM types. Customers' perceptions of CE products, economic cycle and take‐back systems were prevalent across all CBMs. Supply and technological risks were prioritised for ‘Circular Supplies’ CBM, whereas political and regulatory risks for ‘Product Life Extension’ CBM. This research contributes to the CE field by evaluating and prioritising the perceived risk factors in transitioning to CBMs and first disaggregating such risk factors according to CBM types. Critical risk patterns identified across different industries and CBM types enable mitigating actions to be prioritised

Acoustic localisation of wildlife with low-cost equipment: Lower sensitivity, but no loss of precision

Abstract Context Synchronised acoustic recorders can be used as a non-invasive tool to detect and localise sounds of interest, including vocal wildlife and anthropogenic sounds. Due to the high cost of commercial synchronised recorders, acoustic localisation has typically been restricted to small or well funded surveys. Recently, low-cost acoustic recorders have been developed, but until now their efficacy has not been compared with higher specification recorders. Aims The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of a newly developed low-cost recorder, the Conservation at Range through Audio Classification and Localisation (CARACAL), with an established, high-end recorder, the Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter (SM). Methods Four recorders of each type were deployed in a paired set-up across five nights in Wisconsin, USA. The recordings allowed for manual identification of domestic dog (Canis familiaris), grey wolf (Canis lupus), coyote (Canis latrans) and barred owl (Strix varia) calls, and then the ability of each recorder type to detect and localise the vocalising animals was compared. Key results The CARACALs were less sensitive, detecting only 47.5% of wolf, 55% of coyote, 65% of barred owl and 82.5% of dog vocalisations detected by the paired SMs. However, when the same vocalisations were detected on both recorders, localisation was comparable, with no significant difference in the precision or maximum detection ranges. Conclusions Low-cost recording equipment can be used effectively for acoustic localisation of both wild and domestic animals. However, the lower sensitivity of the CARACALs means that a denser network of these recorders would be needed to achieve the same efficacy as the SMs. Deploying a greater number of cheaper recorders increases the labour time in the field and the quantity of data to process and store. Thus, there is a trade-off between cost and time to be considered. Implications The ability to use low-cost recorders for acoustic localisation provides new avenues for tracking, managing and researching a wide range of wildlife species. Presently, CARACALs are more suited to monitoring species that have small home ranges and high amplitude vocalisations, and for when a large time investment for in situ equipment checks and data processing is feasible.Christine Stevens Wildlife Award from the Animal Welfare Institut

Ward based feeding and swallowing training.

Conference posterTITLE OF PAPER: WARD BASED FEEDING AND SWALLOWING TRAINING KEYWORDS: DYSPHAGIA, EVIDENCE BASE WHY THE STUDY WAS UNDERTAKEN This paper summarises the findings of the Northamptonshire Healthcare (NH) Feeding and Swallowing Training programme initiative. The results of the pilot study for this programme were presented at the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Conference in 2012. Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) in the acute setting spend half of their time involved in providing feeding and swallowing care (Bixley, Blagdon, Dean, Langley & Stanton, 2011). As part of the multidisciplinary team, the overall aim of feeding and swallowing intervention is to help clients to meet their nutritional need. A recent Care Quality Commission (2011) report suggested that 51% of hospital trusts were not achieving this standard. Hospital based policies such as protected mealtimes highlight the importance of feeding within the acute sector. Inter professional guidelines (Boaden, 2006) and the evidence base for dysphagia management (Magnus, 2001) also support the use of specific feeding and swallowing training. However delivering comprehensive training within large hospitals is difficult using classroom based packages. Especially in environments where ward teams are large, staff teams change regularly and releasing staff for off ward training is difficult. The Northamptonshire feeding and swallowing programme was introduced to provide a sustainable swallowing training package that could overcome some of these difficulties, by providing training to nursing staff on the ward HOW THE STUDY WAS DONE The NHSLT team evaluated the impact of their innovative feeding and swallowing project by comparing the results of three ward based measures: B1, B2 and B3. The research was carried out on four acute wards, one after another. It was conducted during the hospital wide, one hour protected lunchtime slot. In each of the wards observational and questionnaire measurements (B1) were taken before implementation of a two week, eight day, training package. After the ward based training had occurred two further evaluations were conducted, one immediately after the training package had been delivered (B2) and one two weeks after the programme had been completed (B3). Observational measures were qualitative and recorded general impressions of the feeding practise on the ward. Questionnaire measurements were both quantitative and qualitative and were designed to identify what ward staff understood about feeding and swallowing difficulties. WHAT WAS FOUND Over the course of the ten month research project, twenty four hours of training was provided for fifty four people, on four different wards. Training was provided to 31 health care assistants, 17 nurses, 3 student nurses and 2 assistants and 2 others .Statistical analysis of the ward based knowledge questionnaires suggested that there was a significant difference between the scores obtained in B1 and B2 and B3 (Kruskal Wallis H (2) = 15.537, p=0.014 with a mean rank of 18.64 for B1, 34.83 for B2 and 37.78 for B3). These findings suggest that the feeding training programme had resulted in a measurable difference in ward staff knowledge and this difference was evident after the training programme had been completed. IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE POLICY AND PRACTICE The results of this study suggest that ward based feeding programmes are an effective way to deliver training. This type of training targets people who do not normally attend swallowing training courses because they cannot be released from their work. It also means that training can be individualised to the needs of different wards and staff members. This type of training delivery may be a valuable supplement or alternative to classroom based teaching programmes. • REFERENCES Blagdon, B., Bixley, M., Levis, N., Bird, L., Hood, G. & Murphy, K. (2012). Taking dysphagia management out of the classroom: A ward based feeding and swallowing project. Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Conference, Driving transformation Using Evidence Based Practice, 52. Bixley, M., Blagdon, B., Dean, M., Langley, J. & Stanton, D. (2011). In search of consensus on aphasia management. Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Bulletin, October, 18-20. Boaden, E. & Davies, S., Storey, L., & Watkins, C. (2006). Interprofessional Dysphagia Framework. www.uclan.aca.uk/facs/health/nursing/research/groups/stroke Care Quality Commission (2011). Dignity and Nutrition Inspection Programme. Newcastle upon Tyne: Care Quality Commission. Magnus, V. (2001). Dysphagia training for nurses in an acute hospital setting – a pragmatic approach. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 36, 375-378

Single-cell RNAseq reveals seven classes of colonic sensory neuron.

OBJECTIVE: Integration of nutritional, microbial and inflammatory events along the gut-brain axis can alter bowel physiology and organism behaviour. Colonic sensory neurons activate reflex pathways and give rise to conscious sensation, but the diversity and division of function within these neurons is poorly understood. The identification of signalling pathways contributing to visceral sensation is constrained by a paucity of molecular markers. Here we address this by comprehensive transcriptomic profiling and unsupervised clustering of individual mouse colonic sensory neurons. DESIGN: Unbiased single-cell RNA-sequencing was performed on retrogradely traced mouse colonic sensory neurons isolated from both thoracolumbar (TL) and lumbosacral (LS) dorsal root ganglia associated with lumbar splanchnic and pelvic spinal pathways, respectively. Identified neuronal subtypes were validated by single-cell qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Ca2+-imaging. RESULTS: Transcriptomic profiling and unsupervised clustering of 314 colonic sensory neurons revealed seven neuronal subtypes. Of these, five neuronal subtypes accounted for 99% of TL neurons, with LS neurons almost exclusively populating the remaining two subtypes. We identify and classify neurons based on novel subtype-specific marker genes using single-cell qRT-PCR and IHC to validate subtypes derived from RNA-sequencing. Lastly, functional Ca2+-imaging was conducted on colonic sensory neurons to demonstrate subtype-selective differential agonist activation. CONCLUSIONS: We identify seven subtypes of colonic sensory neurons using unbiased single-cell RNA-sequencing and confirm translation of patterning to protein expression, describing sensory diversity encompassing all modalities of colonic neuronal sensitivity. These results provide a pathway to molecular interrogation of colonic sensory innervation in health and disease, together with identifying novel targets for drug development

Risk assessment for circular business models : a fuzzy Delphi study application for composite materials

Circular economy (CE) implementation requires the transition from linear business models (BMs) to circular ones, with related uncertainties and multi-disciplinary risks, which often discourage organisations. However, there is still a lack of understanding of risks associated with this process. This work thus aims to identify, classify and prioritise key risk factors for innovative circular BMs in order to enable the development of appropriate risk management strategies. A fuzzy Delphi method was tailored to assess the risk factors obtained from the literature and was applied to the industrial case of composite materials. 24 major risk factors for innovative circular BMs were identified and classified into six categories. The probability and impact of the risk factors were evaluated by experts and the risk factors were then ranked by calculating their risk scores. The resultant major risks appeared to be related to the external context in which organisations operate. Among those risks, the greatest were those generated by take-back systems and low customers’ acceptance of CE products. This research is the first to address risks for circularity in a structured way and contributes to the field of CE by providing an extensive list and classification of risk factors for innovative circular BMs as they are perceived by industry, acting as a reference for academics and practitioners. Furthermore, it provides the first evaluation and prioritisation of risk factors within the CE domain, highlighting critical risks within the specific industrial context of composite materials and suggesting action priorities for the establishment of circular BMs

Enhancing the early student experience

This paper is concerned with identifying how the early student experience can be enhanced in order to improve levels of student retention and achievement. The early student experience is the focus of this project as the literature has consistently declared the first year to be the most critical in shaping persistence decisions. Programme managers of courses with high and low retention rates have been interviewed to identify activities that appear to be associated with good retention rates. The results show that there are similarities in the way programmes with high retention are run, with these features not being prevalent on programmes with low retention. Recommendations of activities that appear likely to enhance the early student experience are provided

8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, a major mutagenic oxidative DNA lesion, and DNA strand breaks in nasal respiratory epithelium of children exposed to urban pollution.

Southwest metropolitan Mexico City children are repeatedly exposed to high levels of a complex mixture of air pollutants, including ozone, particulate matter, aldehydes, metals, and nitrogen oxides. We explored nasal cell 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a major mutagenic lesion producing G-->T transversion mutations, using an immunohistochemical method, and DNA single strand breaks (ssb) using the single cell gel electrophoresis assay as biomarkers of oxidant exposure. Nasal biopsies from the posterior inferior turbinate were examined in children in grades one through five, including 12 controls from a low-polluted coastal town and 87 Mexico City children. Each biopsy was divided for the 8-OHdG and DNA ssb assays. There was an age-dependent increase in the percentage of nasal cells with DNA tails > 10 microm in Mexico City children: 19 +/- 9% for control cells, and 43 +/- 4, 50 +/- 16, 56 +/- 17, 60 +/- 17 and 73 +/- 14%, respectively, for first through fifth graders (p < 0.05). Nasal ssb were significantly higher in fifth graders than in first graders (p < 0.05). Higher levels (2.3- to 3-fold) of specific nuclear staining for 8-OHdG were observed in exposed children as compared to controls (p < 0.05). These results suggest that DNA damage is present in nasal epithelial cells in Mexico City children. Persistent oxidative DNA damage may ultimately result in a selective growth of pr eneoplastic nasal initiated cells in this population and the potential for nasal neoplasms may increase with age. The combination of 8-OHdG and DNA ssb should be useful for monitoring oxidative damage in people exposed to polluted atmospheres