Harnessing Digital Transformation: A Pathway to Achieving the 2030 UNSDGs and Ensuring Sustainable Corporate Performance

This chapter explores the essential intersection of digital transformation and sustainability within the context of contemporary business enterprises. It is based on the urgent need for the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) 2030, and it underscores the transformative potential of digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, and blockchain in reshaping sustainable business practices. This focuses on the switch from traditional, profit-driven models to models that prioritize people, profits, and the planet. The critical conclusion is the emancipation of stakeholders who have evolved from being passive receivers of CSR activities to become active collaborators in sustainability initiatives enabled by digital advances. In addition to that, the barriers that naturally occur because of the digital divide and ethical hurdles must be collectively resolved. Ultimately, it reverts back to the narrow, yet arduous path that leads to the shared value; cooperation and innovation as a way forward to a sustainable digital future

Urinary tract infections and antibiotic use in pregnancy - qualitative analysis of online forum content

Background Antibiotics are standard treatment for asymptomatic and symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTIs) in pregnancy. Their overuse, however, can contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and expose the foetus to drugs that might affect its development. Preventative behaviours are currently the best option to reduce incidences of UTIs and to avoid the use of antibiotics in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to explore women’s experiences of UTIs in pregnancy to develop an understanding of their concerns and to optimise and encourage behaviours that facilitate appropriate use of antibiotics. Methods An online pregnancy forum in the United Kingdom (UK) was used to collect data on women’s discussions of UTIs. A total of 202 individual threads generated by 675 different usernames were selected for analysis. The data was organised using NVivo 11® software and then analysed qualitatively using inductive thematic analysis. Results Women’s perceptions of UTIs and antibiotic use in pregnancy were driven by their pre-natal attachment to the foetus. UTIs were thought to be common and high risk in pregnancy, which meant that antibiotics were viewed as essential in the presence of suspected symptoms. The dominant view about antibiotics was that their use was safe and of little concern in pregnancy. Women reported an emotional reaction to developing a UTI. They coped by seeking information about behaviour change strategies to assist with recovery and through emotional support from the online forum. Conclusions Women face dual risks when they experience UTIs; the risk from the infection and the risk from antibiotic treatment. Pre-natal attachment to the foetus is highlighted in the decision making process. The focus is on the shorter term risk from UTIs while undermining the longer term risks from antibiotic use, especially the risk of AMR. A balanced view needs to be presented, and evidence-based infection prevention strategies should be promoted, to women to ensure appropriate antibiotic use in pregnancy, to address the global challenge of AMR

A systematic review of non-antibiotic measures for the prevention of urinary tract infections in pregnancy

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in pregnancy and account for the highest proportion of primary care antibiotic prescriptions issued to pregnant women in the UK. It is well known that antibiotic use is associated with increased antimicrobial resistance and therefore measures to minimise antibiotic use for UTI prevention have been studied. The efficacy and safety of these measures in pregnancy have not been addressed and therefore the aim of this study was to systematically review the literature to identify and evaluate potential measures to prevent UTIs in pregnant women. Methods: Ten databases (EMBASE, AMED, BNI, CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane Trials, Scopus and Science Direct) were systematically searched in July 2017 for studies reporting non-antibiotic measures to prevent UTIs in pregnancy. The terms (“urinary tract infection”or UTI or bacteriuria or cystitis) AND (prevention) AND (pregnan*) were used. The quality of the publications was appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists for cohort study, case-control study and randomised controlled trial. The results were synthesised using a textual narrative approach. Results: Search results yielded 3276 publications and after reviewing titles and removing duplicates, 57 full text articles were assessed for eligibility and eight were included in the review. Five different approaches (hygiene measures, cranberry juice, immunisation, ascorbic acid and Canephron® N) have been identified, all of which are reported to be safe in pregnancy. Conclusion: The quality of the evidence varied considerably and only hygiene measures were supported by evidence to be recommended in practice. Future work needs to concentrate on strengthening the evidence base through improved design and reporting of studies with a focus on immunisation, ascorbic acid and Canephron® N

Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics

In December 2016, a panel of experts in microbiology, nutrition and clinical research was convened by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics to review the definition and scope of prebiotics. Consistent with the original embodiment of prebiotics, but aware of the latest scientific and clinical developments, the panel updated the definition of a prebiotic: a substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit. This definition expands the concept of prebiotics to possibly include non-carbohydrate substances, applications to body sites other than the gastrointestinal tract, and diverse categories other than food. The requirement for selective microbiota-mediated mechanisms was retained. Beneficial health effects must be documented for a substance to be considered a prebiotic. The consensus definition applies also to prebiotics for use by animals, in which microbiota-focused strategies to maintain health and prevent disease is as relevant as for humans. Ultimately, the goal of this Consensus Statement is to engender appropriate use of the term ‘prebiotic’ by relevant stakeholders so that consistency and clarity can be achieved in research reports, product marketing and regulatory oversight of the category. To this end, we have reviewed several aspects of prebiotic science including its development, health benefits and legislation

Effects of fluoxetine on functional outcomes after acute stroke (FOCUS): a pragmatic, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial

Background Results of small trials indicate that fluoxetine might improve functional outcomes after stroke. The FOCUS trial aimed to provide a precise estimate of these effects. Methods FOCUS was a pragmatic, multicentre, parallel group, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial done at 103 hospitals in the UK. Patients were eligible if they were aged 18 years or older, had a clinical stroke diagnosis, were enrolled and randomly assigned between 2 days and 15 days after onset, and had focal neurological deficits. Patients were randomly allocated fluoxetine 20 mg or matching placebo orally once daily for 6 months via a web-based system by use of a minimisation algorithm. The primary outcome was functional status, measured with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), at 6 months. Patients, carers, health-care staff, and the trial team were masked to treatment allocation. Functional status was assessed at 6 months and 12 months after randomisation. Patients were analysed according to their treatment allocation. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN83290762. Findings Between Sept 10, 2012, and March 31, 2017, 3127 patients were recruited. 1564 patients were allocated fluoxetine and 1563 allocated placebo. mRS data at 6 months were available for 1553 (99·3%) patients in each treatment group. The distribution across mRS categories at 6 months was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (common odds ratio adjusted for minimisation variables 0·951 [95% CI 0·839–1·079]; p=0·439). Patients allocated fluoxetine were less likely than those allocated placebo to develop new depression by 6 months (210 [13·43%] patients vs 269 [17·21%]; difference 3·78% [95% CI 1·26–6·30]; p=0·0033), but they had more bone fractures (45 [2·88%] vs 23 [1·47%]; difference 1·41% [95% CI 0·38–2·43]; p=0·0070). There were no significant differences in any other event at 6 or 12 months. Interpretation Fluoxetine 20 mg given daily for 6 months after acute stroke does not seem to improve functional outcomes. Although the treatment reduced the occurrence of depression, it increased the frequency of bone fractures. These results do not support the routine use of fluoxetine either for the prevention of post-stroke depression or to promote recovery of function. Funding UK Stroke Association and NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme

Corporate Social Responsibility Practices of Multinational Companies and Sustainable Development: An Economic Perspective

Multinational Companies’ (MNCs) commitment toward Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices is gaining attention globally. While the thoughtfulness of MNCs on communal and ecological concerns is increasing since the world is observing environmental damage, decrease in greenhouse gases, exploitation of reserves, and are inclined in poverty. MNCs are considered the key stakeholders to establish policies and activities to deal with these challenges effectively and can play a significant role in the well-being of society where these MNCs are functioning. This connotes the perspective of MNCs as being part of the problem, where at the same time provides a measure of solution through CSR and its implications toward sustainable development. Therefore, the vision of CSR embedding broad objectives of sustainable development, which significantly impact economic progress and establishing communal and environmentally sustainable development concerns. The aim of this chapter is to understand the conception of CSR practices and their contribution to sustainable development through effective utilization of natural reserves by MNCs; it justifies the need of sustainability and environmental change in the society. Therefore, this chapter highlights the crucial connotations of CSR, sustainable development, and its alignment with the agendas of the triple bottom line to achieve the wider impact of CSR

Mechanistic issues in Fischer-Tropsch catalysis

Computational studies have recently generated important information regarding reaction intermediates and activation barriers of elementary reaction steps that are part of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. We use these results to analyze various mechanistic options that have been proposed for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The computational results do not support the Pichler-Schulz chain-growth mechanism, which postulates chain growth by CO insertion. Rather, the results are in agreement with the Sachtler-Biloen mechanism, which postulates chain growth via adsorbed " C1" species; furthermore, the Gaube chain-growth mechanism, which closely resembles that proposed by Maitlis, is found to be preferred over the initially assumed Brady-Pettit mechanism. The various elementary steps are discussed, and the values that their relative rates must assume for successful Fischer-Tropsch chain growth are outlined. Within the Sachtler-Biloen kinetics scheme, a high chain-growth probability is obtained when chain termination is rate limiting. Consequently, CO dissociation has to be facile. The " C1" species that is incorporated into the growing chain appears to be " CH" or " CH2" ; thus, these species must be present in high surface concentrations. Brønsted-Evans-Polanyi relationships are used to link activation energies to surface reactivity. The structure sensitivity of the elementary reaction steps, specifically, initiation, chain growth, and termination, is analyzed. On the basis of these considerations, one can understand why particular metals are suitable Fischer-Tropsch catalysts