Towards a new seismic short-term prediction methodology for critical service operators and manufacturing companies against earthquake

This paper is concerned with the novel short-term and operational-term seismic hazard assessment approach within the critical service operators and the manufacturing industry. The Cosmetecor earthquake prediction methodology has been tested and validated in the recent two decades. A prototype, Kuznetsov method, for exploring the Earth's interior has been used to create global monitoring network, which automatically detects spatial-temporal clusters and identifies electric potential anomalies. Research team developed the mathematical modelling of proton migration in terms of the fundamental Vlasov-Maxwell equation to convert original time series into visualization of electromagnetic wave. A 2-layer neural network model is used to fine-grained classification. Further, the statistical and scaling laws of seismicity have been exploited to present case of earthquake seasonality, i.e., a dataset of abnormal seismic scenarios for machine learning task. Finally, authors evaluated results in terms of reliability and accuracy of earthquake warnings at M5.2 threshold in Kamchatka: 17% of all warning represent missed alerts, and 83% represent correct alerts where events occurred in a 10-year time horizon. Common outcome in almost every case is mean lead time (time horizon) of 11.62 days. The dispersion is 6.7 days. Further, a non-random sample of the Italian companies assessed new benefits of methodology during survey. The stakeholders confirmed that they will be able to activate business continuity plan to mitigate earthquake consequences in a specific time frame. It is anticipated the emergence of new risk management practices on the Cosmetecor-based high technology of the 21st century, and the replacement of the long-term, one-in-a-hundred-year return period, assessment with a short-term, seasonal, seismic risk assessment

Towards a circular economy for the plastic packaging sector: Insights from the Italian case

Achieving a circular economy (CE) has become a strategic priority for the plastic packaging industry to imple-ment long-term business sustainability while meeting legislative requirements. In this view, the evolution of cir-cularity practices in relation to technological, regulatory, and socio-economic factors and the implications for different value chain actors are open streams of research. This study aims to assess trends and meaningful changes in the adoption of circularity practices from the perspective of different value chain actors, under the ef-fects of leading CE barriers and enablers. A longitudinal analysis of the influence of these factors in relation to CE practices adopted by the Italian plastic packaging sector was conducted for the years 2011, 2015, and 2019. The involvement in plastic recovery became a predominant CE strategy over time, thanks to technological availability and a more mature regulatory framework. Our results suggest a gradual shift from scattered CE implementations to a more systemic approach to CE integrating upstream and downstream solutions. However, this transition oc-curred at different speeds and levels across the supply chain, as companies perceived factors differently and, con-sequently, implemented different types of CE practices. Therefore, increased collaboration and alignment across the supply chain are still required to overcome existing challenges. Based on our analysis, a focus group with stakeholders and experts of the plastic industry drew possible future avenues for the plastic packaging sector. Suggested priority actions include advancement of new and emerging recycling technologies, prioritization of economically viable and closed-loop alternatives to recover plastic waste, and alignment between national and international CE directives. These results extend our understanding of the CE transition and shed new light on the ways in which the industry can address existing barriers in different tiers for a system-wide impact. (c) 2022 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

What is value in the New Space Economy? The end-users’ perspective on satellite data and solutions

New industrial dynamics are disrupting the space sector. New stakeholders bringing in capital, technologies, and knowledge from other industries are developing next-generation space infrastructures and services. Both commercial and institutional space projects have to be valuable for a wider set of end-users, asking not only for economic returns but also social and environmental benefits. Space organizations urge understanding and fostering value in the New Space Economy ecosystem. Indeed, end-users are still struggling to enact the expected value of satellite data and solutions for their business. This paper aims to investigate the expected value and the level of adoption (enacted value) of satellite data and satellite-based solutions in the New Space Economy ecosystem from end-users’ perspective. We interviewed 21 managers from end-user organizations in different sectors (i.e., Insurance & Finance, Energy & Utility, Transportation & Logistics). Value is deeply discussed in general management literature, and we identify Value Theory as the theoretical lens with the most explanatory power for the phenomenon under examination. From the end-users’ perspective, we frame the expected value and the enacted value in taking strategic and tactical decisions regarding their activities, services and products, laying the foundations for further studies of value mechanisms in the New Space ecosystem. Our research set a theoretical and conceptual foundation on value in the New Space ecosystem. It also delineates the blurred boundaries of the New Space ecosystem, the main stakeholders involved, and their perception of value. Insights and implications for strategic and innovation management are also provided. Practitioners may exploit our research results and leverage the end-users-oriented framework to develop next-generation space projects in the New Space ecosystem. We also discuss the limitations and further developments of this research

Evidence for engraftment of human bone marrow cells in non-lethally irradiated baboons

Background. Prior to organ harvesting, an attempt was made to modulate the donor's immune responses against prospective xenogeneic recipients by infusion of 'recipient-type' bone marrow. Methods. For this purpose, baboons conditioned with total lymphoid irradiation were given 6x108 unmodified human bone marrow cells/kg body weight with no subsequent treatment. Results. Animals survived until they were euthanized at 18 months. Using primers specific for human chorionic gonadotrophin gene, the presence of human DNA was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction in the blood of one animal for up to 18 months after cell transplantation; in the other animal, xenogeneic chimerism became undetectable in the blood at 6 months after bone marrow infusion. However, tissue samples obtained from both animals at the time they were euthanized bad evidence of donor (human) DNA. Additionally, the presence of donor DNA in individually harvested colonies of erythroid and myeloid lineages suggested that infused human bone marrow cells had engrafted across the xenogeneic barrier in both baboons. Conclusions. Bone marrow transplantation from human to baboon leads to establishment of chimerism and modulation of donor-specific immune reactivity, which suggests that this strategy could be reproducibly employed to crease 'surrogate' tolerogenesis in prospective donors for subsequent organ transplantation across xenogeneic barriers

Yes, construction cost, time and scope are important, but there is more: a new action plan for infrastructure success

Purpose: During the planning and delivery, iron triangle criteria, are essential for internal stakeholders (e.g. owner, sponsors and delivery company), mostly ignoring external stakeholders such as local communities (often perceived as inconvenient) or end users. In the medium-long term, infrastructure cost and benefit are far more important for external stakeholders and the environment. Design/methodology/approach: The iron triangle criteria, i.e. delivering on time, budget and quality/scope, is the traditional perspective to assess the success of infrastructure projects. Delivering on cost and time is significant, but particularly for infrastructure, there are more relevant success criteria. The authors argue which criteria are important, and explain why. Findings: The authors challenge the traditional view of judging projects based on respecting time, budget and quality/scope. The authors explain that discussing the social value and contribution to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is extremely relevant. Crucially these metrics keep changing, even after the project is terminated. Originality/value: The authors provide a new seven-step action plan for decision-makers to improve infrastructure provision by reflecting on SDGs and engaging with external stakeholders, particularly minorities and the weaker members of their communities. Such an action plan is focused on the cost and value for different stakeholders on different timeframes and progress toward social value and achieving SDGs