206 research outputs found
Review of macroeconomic approaches to modelling Wellbeing, Inclusion, and Sustainability
In response to the urgent global challenges of climate change and rising inequality, the need to re-evaluate our traditional economic models and adopt new approaches focused on sustainability, wellbeing, and inclusion has become evident. The current economic paradigms, based on equilibrium thinking and GDP-centric measurements, have proven inadequate in addressing the intricate interplay between economic, social, and environmental dimensions. As we embark on a transformative journey towards a sustainable and equitable future, it is crucial to adopt diverse modelling approaches to provide policymakers and stakeholders with
informed decision-making tools.
This report delves into the analysis of five different macroeconomic model types (general equilibrium models, macro-econometric & input-output models, stockflow-consistent models, integrated assessment models, and system dynamics models), evaluating their respective strengths and weaknesses to propose an integrated framework that encompasses the multifaceted nature of our world. A
key recommendation is to improve existing models by enhancing their dynamics and feedback loops between dimensions and systems, thus better reflecting the interactions and effects of different social and economic policies. Striking a balance between complexity and transparency is essential, ensuring that models remain flexible and capable of linking with models with greater detail but narrower focus.
The report emphasizes the incorporation of WISE accounts (detailed data on Wellbeing, Inclusion, Sustainability, and Economy that will be collected and harmonized during the project) into macroeconomic models as an opportunity to overcome the challenge of data availability, which poses a significant obstacle in modelling endeavours. Robust and reliable data sources are crucial to the success of any model and require continual improvement in data collection processes.
To broaden our understanding of the dynamics of WISE dimensions and the potential impacts of policies, integrating alternative perspectives, such as heterodox economics, can offer valuable insights. Co-creating quantitative analysis with stakeholders enhances ownership and uptake of the models and may help with bridging the gap between research and policy implementation.
Furthermore, an integrated modelling framework that accounts for the non-linear interactions between human and earth systems is necessary to properly assess policies tackling 21st century challenges in the context of WISE dimensions. This integrated model should draw upon the data of WISE accounts and synergize elements of Input-Output models, System-Dynamics, and Stock-Flow consistent models to provide a structured tool for policymakers and researchers in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future
Four Pages Are Indeed Necessary for Planar Graphs
An embedding of a graph in a book consists of a linear order of its vertices
along the spine of the book and of an assignment of its edges to the pages of
the book, so that no two edges on the same page cross. The book thickness of a
graph is the minimum number of pages over all its book embeddings. Accordingly,
the book thickness of a class of graphs is the maximum book thickness over all
its members. In this paper, we address a long-standing open problem regarding
the exact book thickness of the class of planar graphs, which previously was
known to be either three or four. We settle this problem by demonstrating
planar graphs that require four pages in any of their book embeddings, thus
establishing that the book thickness of the class of planar graphs is four
Thermal Instability in Gravitationally-Stratified Plasmas: Implications for Multi-Phase Structure in Clusters and Galaxy Halos
We study the interplay among cooling, heating, conduction, and magnetic
fields in gravitationally stratified plasmas using simplified, plane-parallel
numerical simulations. Since the physical heating mechanism remains uncertain
in massive halos such as groups or clusters, we adopt a simple,
observationally-motivated prescription which enforces global thermal
equilibrium when averaged over large scales. The plasma remains susceptible to
local thermal instability, however, and cooling drives an inward flow of
material. In contrast to previous results, we argue that the thermal stability
of the plasma is independent of its convective stability. We find that the
ratio of the cooling timescale to the dynamical timescale t_cool/t_ff controls
the saturation of the thermal instability: when t_cool/t_ff < 1, the plasma
develops extended multi-phase structure, whereas when t_cool / t_ff > 1 it does
not. (In a companion paper, we show that the criterion for thermal instability
in a spherical potential is somewhat less stringent, t_cool / t_ff < 10.) When
thermal conduction is anisotropic with respect to the magnetic field, the
criterion for multi-phase structure is essentially independent of the thermal
conductivity of the plasma. Our criterion for local thermal instability to
produce multi-phase structure is an extension of the cold vs. hot accretion
modes in galaxy formation that applies at all radii in hot halos, not just to
the virial shock. We show that this criterion is consistent with data on
multi-phase gas in the ACCEPT sample of clusters; in addition, when t_cool /
t_ff > 1, the net cooling rate to low temperatures and the mass flux to small
radii are suppressed enough relative to models without heating to be
qualitatively consistent with star formation rates and x-ray line emission in
groups and clusters.Comment: This is an electronic version of an article published in Monthly
Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 419, Issue 4, pp. 3319-333
Determinants of vessel contrast in BMI-adapted low dose CT coronary angiography with prospective ECG-triggering
We evaluated the determinants of vessel contrast in prospectively ECG-triggered CT coronary angiography (CTCA). Seventy patients underwent low-dose CTCA using Body Mass Index (BMI)-adapted tube parameters and a fixed contrast material bolus. Contrast to noise ratio (CNR) was calculated from contrast (between coronaries and perivascular tissue) and image noise (standard deviation of aortic attenuation). Cardiac output (CO) was calculated from gated 99mTc-tetrofosmin-SPECT. Mean radiation dose was 2.13±0.69mSv. Image noise was not affected by BMI (r=0.1, P=0.36), while CNR was inversely related to body surface area (BSA) (r=−0.5, P<0.001) and CO (r=−0.45, P<0.001). After successfully overcoming the impact of BMI on image noise by adapting tube parameters, CNR mainly depends on coronary vessel contrast. The latter reflects the dilution of the contrast material by blood volume and CO, which are both correlated to BSA. Therefore, BSA adapted contrast administration may help to compensate for this effec
Temporal trends in mortality and provision of intensive care in younger women and men with acute myocardial infarction or stroke
BACKGROUND
Timely management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute stroke has undergone impressive progress during the last decade. However, it is currently unknown whether both sexes have profited equally from improved strategies. We sought to analyze sex-specific temporal trends in intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality in younger patients presenting with AMI or stroke in Switzerland.
METHODS
Retrospective analysis of temporal trends in 16,954 younger patients aged 18 to ≤ 52 years with AMI or acute stroke admitted to Swiss ICUs between 01/2008 and 12/2019.
RESULTS
Over a period of 12 years, ICU admissions for AMI decreased more in women than in men (- 6.4% in women versus - 4.5% in men, p < 0.001), while ICU mortality for AMI significantly increased in women (OR 1.2 [1.10-1.30], p = 0.032), but remained unchanged in men (OR 0.99 [0.94-1.03], p = 0.71). In stroke patients, ICU admission rates increased between 3.6 and 4.1% per year in both sexes, while ICU mortality tended to decrease only in women (OR 0.91 [0.85-0.95, p = 0.057], but remained essentially unaltered in men (OR 0.99 [0.94-1.03], p = 0.75). Interventions aimed at restoring tissue perfusion were more often performed in men with AMI, while no sex difference was noted in neurovascular interventions.
CONCLUSION
Sex and gender disparities in disease management and outcomes persist in the era of modern interventional neurology and cardiology with opposite trends observed in younger stroke and AMI patients admitted to intensive care. Although our study has several limitations, our data suggest that management and selection criteria for ICU admission, particularly in younger women with AMI, should be carefully reassessed
Graph model for multiple scattering in lithium niobate on insulator integrated photonic networks
We present a graph-based model for multiple scattering of light in integrated
lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) networks, which describes an open network
of single-mode integrated waveguides with tunable scattering at the network
nodes. We first validate the model at small scale with experimental LNOI
resonator devices and show consistent agreement between simulated and measured
spectral data. Then, the model is used to demonstrate a novel platform for
on-chip multiple scattering in large-scale optical networks up to few hundred
nodes, with tunable scattering behaviour and tailored disorder. Combining our
simple graph-based model with material properties of LNOI, this platform
creates new opportunities to control randomness in large optical networks
Gravitational Quenching by Clumpy Accretion in Cool Core Clusters: Convective Dynamical Response to Overheating
Many galaxy clusters pose a "cooling-flow problem", where the observed X-ray
emission from their cores is not accompanied by enough cold gas or star
formation. A continuous energy source is required to balance the cooling rate
over the whole core volume. We address the feasibility of a gravitational
heating mechanism, utilizing the gravitational energy released by the gas that
streams into the potential well of the cluster dark-matter halo. We focus here
on a specific form of gravitational heating in which the energy is transferred
to the medium thorough the drag exerted on inflowing gas clumps. Using
spheri-symmetric hydro simulations with a subgrid representation of these
clumps, we confirm our earlier estimates that in haloes >=10^13 solar masses
the gravitational heating is more efficient than the cooling everywhere. The
worry was that this could overheat the core and generate an instability that
might push it away from equilibrium. However, we find that the overheating does
not change the global halo properties, and that convection can stabilize the
cluster by carrying energy away from the overheated core. In a typical rich
cluster of 10^{14-15}solar masses, with ~5% of the accreted baryons in gas
clumps of ~10^8 solar masses, we derive upper and lower limits for the
temperature and entropy profiles and show that they are consistent with those
observed in cool-core clusters. We predict the density and mass of cold gas and
the level of turbulence driven by the clump accretion. We conclude that
gravitational heating is a feasible mechanism for preventing cooling flows in
clusters.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures, accepted by MNRA
The Corona Immunitas Digital Follow-Up eCohort to Monitor Impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Switzerland: Study Protocol and First Results
Objectives: To describe the rationale, organization, and procedures of the Corona Immunitas Digital Follow-Up (CI-DFU) eCohort and to characterize participants at baseline. Methods: Participants of Corona Immunitas, a population-based nationwide SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence study in Switzerland, were invited to join the CI-DFU eCohort in 11 study centres. Weekly online questonnaires cover health status changes, prevention measures adherence, and social impacts. Monthly questionnaires cover additional prevention adherence, contact tracing apps use, vaccination and vaccine hesitancy, and socio-economic changes. Results: We report data from the 5 centres that enrolled in the CI-DFU between June and October 2020 (covering Basel City/Land, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Ticino, Zurich). As of February 2021, 4636 participants were enrolled and 85,693 weekly and 27,817 monthly questionnaires were collected. Design-based oversampling led to overrepresentation of individuals aged 65+ years. People with higher education and income were more likely to enroll and be retained. Conclusion: Broad enrolment and robust retention of participants enables scientifically sound monitoring of pandemic impacts, prevention, and vaccination progress. The CI-DFU eCohort demonstrates proof-of-principle for large-scale, federated eCohort study designs based on jointly agreed principles and transparent governance.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; digital follow-up; eCohort; population-based study; prevention; public health surveillanc
The Severity of Human Peri-Implantitis Lesions Correlates with the Level of Submucosal Microbial Dysbiosis
AIM
To cross-sectionally analyse the submucosal microbiome of peri-implantitis (PI) lesions at different severity levels.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Microbial signatures of 45 submucosal plaque samples from untreated PI lesions obtained from 30 non-smoking, systemically healthy subjects were assessed by 16s sequencing. Linear mixed models were used to identify taxa with differential abundance by probing depth, after correction for age, gender, and multiple samples per subject. Network analyses were performed to identify groups of taxa with mutual occurrence or exclusion. Subsequently, the effects of peri-implant probing depth on submucosal microbial dysbiosis were calculated using the microbial dysbiosis index.
RESULTS
In total, we identified 337 different taxa in the submucosal microbiome of PI. Total abundance of 12 taxa correlated significantly with increasing probing depth; a significant relationship with lower probing depth was found for 16 taxa. Network analysis identified two mutually exclusive complexes associated with shallow pockets and deeper pockets, respectively. Deeper peri-implant pockets were associated with significantly increased dysbiosis.
CONCLUSION
Increases in peri-implant pocket depth are associated with substantial changes in the submucosal microbiome and increasing levels of dysbiosis
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