Good Research Practice Research Articles

Dysphagia therapy in adults with a tracheostomy: A scoping review protocol.

Swallowing impairment (dysphagia) and tracheostomy coexist. Research in this area has often provided an overview of dysphagia management as a whole, but there is limited information pertaining to specific dysphagia therapy in the tracheostomy population. The aim of this scoping review is to provide a detailed exploration of the literature with regard to dysphagia therapeutic interventions in adults with a tracheostomy. The scoping review will describe current evidence and thus facilitate future discussions to guide clinical practice. A scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Institute and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guideline will be used. Ten electronic databases from inception to December 2023 and grey literature will be searched. From identified texts forward and backward citation chasing will be completed. Data extraction will compose of population demographics, aetiology and dysphagia therapy (type, design, dose and intensity). A number of citations and papers included in the scoping review will be presented visually. The scoping review aims to expand upon the existing literature in this field. A detailed description of the evidence is required to facilitate clinical discussions and develop therapeutic protocols in a tracheostomised population. The results of this scoping review will support future research in dysphagia therapy and provide the basis for the development of best practice guidelines. What is already known on this subject There is an abundance of evidence available regarding dysphagia therapy targeting impairments of the swallowing sequence in a variety of populations including stroke, head and neck cancer, progressive neurological conditions and critical illness. However, there is a paucity in the literature with regard to identifying dysphagia therapy for adults with a tracheostomy. What this study adds The study protocol aims to describe the methodological features that need to be extracted from existing studies to outline dysphagia therapy for adults with a tracheostomy. To the researchers' knowledge, this is the first study protocol to describe the methodological features of dysphagia therapy for people with a tracheostomy from the literature using a standardised approach (Joanna Briggs Institute and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses [PRISMA] guideline). This will ensure that the protocol is replicable for other researchers to use and demonstrates transparency in research methods. What are the clinical implications of this work? The development of a robust protocol is necessary in order to facilitate the scoping review to describe the current evidence and thus facilitate future discussions to guide clinical practice for speech and language therapists working with adults who have a tracheostomy and dysphagia. The publication of the scoping review protocol allows future clinical researchers in the area of tracheostomy and dysphagia management a blueprint with which to narrow their own research questions and it also enables replicability as the principles of good research practice dictate.

Methods for Including Adverse Events in Economic Evaluations: Suggestions for Improvement

ObjectiveInclusion of relevant effectiveness and safety outcomes in economic evaluation of health technologies is required to aid efficient healthcare decisions. Our objective was to identify the key issues related to the inclusion of adverse events (AEs) in economic evaluation and explore perspectives for good practice recommendations to handle these issues. MethodsWe focused on the frequently encountered methodological issues related to the integration of AEs in economic evaluations of health technologies. We distinguished the following elements: the incorporation of AEs in decision models, the terminology of AEs, the estimation of AEs consequences in terms of quality of life (QoL) and costs, and the exploration of the uncertainty related to the impact of AEs on the economic results. ResultsWe illustrated and discussed each of the identified issues by giving health technology assessment examples. We focused on the extent to which the integration of AEs in decision models can be improved by dealing with the lack of relevant real-world safety data, estimating the consequences of AEs (eg, for costs and QoL loss), exploring the impacts of AEs that are not adequately captured in current measurement of health-related QoL, and identifying the need for development of a good terminology of relevant types of AEs to be incorporated in economic evaluation. ConclusionBased on a reflection the key methodological issues related to the incorporation of adverse drug events in economic evaluations, we suggested several recommendations to serve a starting point for health technology assessment agencies and researchers to develop good research practices in this field.

The role of budget impact and its relationship with cost-effectiveness in reimbursement decisions on health technologies in the Netherlands

Health authorities using cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) for informing reimbursement decisions on health technologies increasingly require economic evaluations encompassing both CEA and budget impact analysis (BIA). Good Research Practices advocate that the economic and clinical assumptions underlying these analyses are aligned and consistently applied. Nonetheless, CEAs and BIAs often are stand-alone analyses used in different stages of the decision-making process. This article used policy reports and Ministerial correspondence to discuss and elucidate the role of budget impact and its relationship with cost-effectiveness in reimbursement decisions in the Netherlands. The results indicate that CEAs and BIAs are both considered important for informing these decisions. While the requirements regarding CEAs—and application of the associated decision rule—are consistent across the different stages, the same does not hold for BIAs. Importantly, the definition of and evidence on budget impact differs between stages. Some important aspects (e.g. substitution and saving effects) typically are considered in the assessment and appraisal stages but are seemingly not considered in price negotiations and the final reimbursement decision. Further research is warranted to better understand why BIAs are not aligned with CEAs (e.g. in terms of underlying assumptions), vary in form and importance between stages, and do not have a clear relationship with the results of CEAs in the decision-making framework. Improving the understanding of the circumstances under which decision-makers attach a relatively larger or smaller weight to (different aspects of) budget impact may contribute to increasing the transparency, consistency, and optimality of reimbursement decisions in the Netherlands.

Implementation of the EQIPD Quality System

The EQIPD Quality System (QS) was conceptualized and established by an international consortium consisting of academic and industrial partners to ensure that non-regulated biomedical research will be conducted according to Good Research Practice expectations. The QS supports researchers to reflect on and improve internal practices by providing a systematic framework and guidance for implementing the EQIPD QS in a time and cost effective manner. This report describes the content of the EQIPD QS with its key features and 18 Core Requirements (CR) in more detail. It gives a short background on each CR and hands on examples on how they were addressed by two different research labs in their respective laboratory environments. Thereby, this article provides examples and direction for other research labs who aim to implement the QS as well. The final paragraphs discuss the potential benefits of the QS in respect to different user groups and stakeholders within the scientific community and summarize the overall governance structure of the EQIPD framework.

Bounded research ethicality: researchers rate themselves and their field as better than others at following good research practice

Bounded ethicality refers to people’s limited capacity to consistently behave in line with their ethical standards. Here, we present results from a pre-registered, large-scale (N = 11,050) survey of researchers in Sweden, suggesting that researchers too are boundedly ethical. Specifically, researchers on average rated themselves as better than other researchers in their field at following good research practice, and rated researchers in their own field as better than researchers in other fields at following good research practice. These effects were stable across all academic fields, but strongest among researchers in the medical sciences. Taken together, our findings illustrate inflated self-righteous beliefs among researchers and research disciplines when it comes to research ethics, which may contribute to academic polarization and moral blindspots regarding one’s own and one’s colleagues’ use of questionable research practices.

Current Status of the Zebrafish Euthanasia and Humane Endpoint in the Republic of Korea and Guideline Suggestion from Nationwide Expert Elicitation: A Model for Other Countries.

Since its introduction as a model organism in the 1980s, the use of zebrafish (Danio rerio) in research has expanded worldwide. Despite its now widespread use in research, guidelines to safeguard the ethical treatment of zebrafish, particularly with regard to euthanasia and humane endpoint practices, remain inadequate. One well-recognized example is the use of excess tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) as a means to euthanize zebrafish, regardless of life stage. In this study, through nationwide expert elicitation, we provide a detailed account of zebrafish research practices within the Republic of Korea and the challenges of implementing appropriate methods for euthanasia as a humane endpoint, with many opting for hypothermic shock. We report a local expert consensus for establishing national guidelines to improve zebrafish welfare and good research practice. Suggestions and recommendations for national guidelines were offered. Taken together, our findings raise awareness broadly among zebrafish research practitioners in the field, offer an accurate account of the welfare and treatment of zebrafish in research within the Republic of Korea, and advocate for the development and implementation of national guidelines. As such, our study is useful as a model to adopt the expert elicitation approach to investigate, quantify, and address welfare concerns in zebrafish research, and to establish best practice guidelines.

Four best-practice recommendations for improving the conceptualization and operationalization of motivational intensity: Reply to Kaczmarek and Harmon-Jones.

Replies to the comments made by Kaczmarek and Harmon-Jones (see record 2024-44184-002) on the current authors original article (see record 2021-21096-001). Kaczmarek and Harmon-Jones (2023) provide a commentary on our original empirical piece, does motivational intensity exist distinct from valence and arousal? (Campbell et al., 2021). In this response, we articulate the motivation behind our work, including the major issues with the conceptualization and operationalization of motivational intensity in prior literature. For example, while motivational intensity was proposed to replace valence as the determinant of cognitive scope more than a decade and a half ago, in both this original work and ongoing work since then, motivational intensity has been operationalized in a variety of questionable ways, including via participants' ratings of valence, rather than motivational intensity. That is, in multiple studies, differences in cognitive processes measured in two conditions have been attributed to motivational intensity which was not explicitly measured, while the conditions do demonstrably differ in the valence participants experienced. We explain exactly what we found in Campbell et al. (2021) and our subsequent follow-up work (Campbell et al., 2023), and what aspects of our interpretation converge versus diverge with the views offered in Kaczmarek and Harmon-Jones' commentary. We also identify four important recommendations for best-practice research going forward. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Good Practices in Animal Research: A Web-Based Platform for Training in Laboratory Rodent Experimental Procedures.

The advancement of technology has revolutionized education, particularly through video-based learning. In response, the Good Practices in Animal Research (BPEA, "Boas Práticas em Experimentação Animal" in Portuguese) platform was established as a contemporary educational tool for training in laboratory rodent experimental techniques. Designed to replace traditional animal-centered teaching methods, BPEA provided scientifically accurate video content tailored for veterinary medicine students. Mastering animal handling skills is crucial for veterinary students, and BPEA addressed this by offering video demonstrations of experimental procedures, allowing visualization and confidence-building before live animal interaction. The platform's video library covered diverse procedures, such as substance administration and blood collection, accompanied by protocols, images, and diagrams for enhanced learning. The intuitive menu facilitated easy navigation, enabling students to access content aligned with their needs. Website traffic analysis demonstrated widespread usage, with users from Portuguese-speaking countries being prominent. Integration of BPEA into the Laboratory Animal Science course at the University of São Paulo garnered positive student feedback, highlighting its value as a supplementary resource for bridging theoretical and practical learning. While BPEA showed promise in promoting ethical teaching practices and reducing animal stress, it could not entirely replace hands-on training. A balanced approach between video-based learning and live demonstrations is necessary for a comprehensive learning experience. In conclusion, BPEA was a valuable resource contributing to Laboratory Animal Science education, aligning with ethical standards, and benefiting students, researchers, and animal care professionals. Continuous improvements based on feedback make the platform a dynamic tool for future advancements in laboratory animal science education.

Effect of tetanic stimulation prior to train-of-four monitoring on the time to muscle response stabilization with neuromuscular blockade with rocuronium in patients aged 60 to 80 years: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

To determine the effect of tetanic stimulation on the time to achieve stabilization of the T1 height, by acceleromyography train-of-four (TOF) ratio monitoring, in patients aged 60 to 80 years. Randomized, prospective, single-blind, controlled trial in patients aged 60 to 80 years undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia in two university hospitals in Brazil between December 2019 and March 2022. This trial was performed in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration and the guidelines for good clinical research practice in pharmacodynamic studies of neuromuscular blocking agents II. Participants were randomly allocated by computer-generated numbers to receive tetanic stimulation (intervention group, n = 25) or not receive tetanic stimulation (control group, n = 25) to achieve T1 height stabilization on TOF ratio monitoring. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the effect of tetanic stimulation on the time to achieve stabilization of the T1 height. We also evaluated the effect on the onset time of rocuronium and time to recover from neuromuscular blockade with a single dose of rocuronium 0.6 mg.kg-1 with spontaneous recovery. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the time to T1 height stabilization (intervention: 4.3 [2.0-8.0] min; control: 5.8 [2.0-10.5] min; p = 0.202), onset time of the neuromuscular blocking agent (intervention: 1.9 [±0.7] min; control: 2.2 [±1.0] min; p = 0.219), or neuromuscular blockade recovery times to normalized TOF values of 0.7 (intervention: 106.1 [±37.2] min; control: 91.7 [±27.5] min; p = 0.295), 0.8 (intervention: 114.3 [±40.1] min; control: 97.8 [±28.9] min; p = 0.225), 0.9 (intervention: 126.5 [±44.0] min; control: 106.9 [±30.6] min; p = 0.153), and 1.0 (intervention: 138.3 [±43.4] min; control: 123.8 [±43.5] min; p = 0.425). The results of this study suggest that the recommendation to use tetanic stimulation to shorten the time to T1 height stabilization in neuromuscular monitoring did not alter the stabilization time of the T1 twitch or the pharmacodynamics of neuromuscular blockade with rocuronium in patients aged 60 to 80 years.

Methodology for conducting linguistic research into visual impairment: Challenges and recommendations

Despite great value of research into visual impairment (VI), there is a dearth of empirical studies in linguistics investigating the extent to which the sense of seeing impacts language development, processing and production. The lack of methodological rigour in previous studies as well as large diversity of the population, small incidence of visual impairment and little awareness of blind people’s needs make this field of study challenging for researchers. This article presents and discusses the most challenging aspects of performing experimental studies in the field of VI. The overarching aim of this paper is to guide good research practice which ensures robust and unbiased experimental design and at the same time respects individuality of people with VI.

Developing Research and Academic Competencies of Students through Three Cycles of Studies

One of the primary goals of university education is to develop research and academic competencies of students as key factor for their academic success and further professional career. European strategic documents on education also stress the importance of these skills as an immanent part of generic skills of students. The aim of this paper is to present how research and academic skills of students are acquired through the three cycles of studies starting from the undergraduate to the doctoral level of studies. For this purpose, we first review the definitions of the research competencies in relevant papers and documents, so that we are able to identify which skills, values and knowledge university student should possess to be considered as competent to do research. Then we analyze to what extent courses for developing of research competencies are incorporated in the university education for pedagogues, educators and teachers, as well as how global research trends and tendencies affect the content of curricula and training. We can conclude that reforming of curricula in the past decades continuously enhanced the research skills of students through the university education at all three levels. Yet there is much more that has to be done in terms of better organized programs, gaining good research practice with introducing of peer mentoring, taking advantage of information technology which will include virtual classroom strategies for research, and strong cooperation with research institutions.

A Guide to an Iterative Approach to Model-Based Decision Making in Health and Medicine: An Iterative Decision-Making Framework.

Decision makers frequently face decisions about optimal resource allocation. A model-based economic evaluation can be used to guide decision makers in their choices by systematically evaluating the magnitude of expected health effects and costs of decision options and by making trade-offs explicit. We provide a guide to an iterative approach to the medical decision-making process by following a coherent framework, and outline the overarching iterative steps of model-based decision making. We systematized the framework by performing three steps. First, we compiled the existing guidelines provided by the ISPOR-SMDM Modeling Good Research Practices Task Force, and the ISPOR ValueofInformation Task Force. Second, we identified other previous work related to frameworks and guidelines for model-based decision analyses through a literature search in PubMed. Third, we assessed the role of the evidence and iterative process in decision making and formalized key steps in a model-based decision-making framework. We provide guidance on an iterative approach to medical decision making by applying the compiled iterative model-based decision-making framework. The framework formally combines the decision problem conceptualization (Part I), the model conceptualization and development (Part II), and the process of model-based decision analysis (Part III). Following the overarching steps of the framework ensures compliance to the principles of evidence-based medicine and regular updates of the evidence, given that valueofinformation analysis represents an essential component of model-based decision analysis in the framework. Following the provided guide and the steps outlined in the framework can help inform various health care decisions, and therefore it has the potential to improve decision making.

International clinical assessment of smell: An international, cross-sectional survey of current practice in the assessment of olfaction.

Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is common and carries significant personal and societal burden. Accurate assessment is necessary for good clinical and research practice but is highly dependent on the assessment technique used. Current practice with regards to UK/international clinical assessment is unknown. We aimed to capture current clinical practice, with reference to contemporaneously available guidelines. We further aimed to compare UK to international practice. Anonymous online questionnaire with cross-sectional non-probability sampling. Subgroup analysis according to subspeciality training in rhinology ('rhinologists' and 'non-rhinologists') was performed, with geographical comparisons only made according to subgroup. ENT surgeons who assess olfaction. Responses were received from 465 clinicians (217 from UK and 17 countries total). Country-specific response rate varied, with the lowest rate being obtained from Japan (1.4%) and highest from Greece (72.5%). Most UK clinicians do not perform psychophysical smell testing during any of the presented clinical scenarios-though rhinologists did so more often than non-rhinologists. The most frequent barriers to testing related to service provision (e.g., time/funding limitations). Whilst there was variability in practice, in general, international respondents performed psychophysical testing more frequently than those from the UK. Approximately 3/4 of all respondents said they would like to receive training in psychophysical smell testing. Patient reported outcome measures were infrequently used in the UK/internationally. More UK respondents performed diagnostic MRI scanning than international respondents. To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive UK-based, and only international survey of clinical practice in the assessment of OD. We present recommendations to improve practice, including increased education and funding for psychophysical smell testing. We hope this will promote accurate and reliable olfactory assessment, as is the accepted standard in other sensory systems.

Involving patients in research funding schemes for more relevant patients’ outcomes

While the involvement of patients in research is gaining momentum through participatory and community research projects, few experiences report on the involvement of patients ahead of these projects, i.e. in the development of research funding mechanisms and the co-design of research questions. This phase is however of primary importance, since it is within it that the disciplines, themes, or even type of research (fundamental research, translational research, interventional research, etc.) eligible for funding are defined. Patients, caregivers and their loved ones are essential partners in research as "patients ask new scientific questions, reflect on the organization of research and the interpretation of results" (Towards good research practices participatory research, note from GRAM, INSERM, March 2022). It is then necessary to reflect on their involvement at all levels of the ""research system"" as we try to do in the healthcare system.
 Our oral paper aims precisely at sharing the experience of collaboration of the Cancéropôle Lyon Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (CLARA) with patients grouped together within a dedicated working group named ÉCLAIR (lightning). Established in 2001 through a regional initiative, the Cancéropôle CLARA is a public regional institutions that brings together academic researchers, clinicians and industrialists from the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region in France. As part of the French 2003 national cancer plan, CLARA serves the regional, national and international strategy in the fight against cancer.
 The patient-led working group met for the first time in December 2020, its main objective was to design and co-manage a call for research projects named "Themed OncoStarter 2021", i.e. to write the specifications, develop the expertise grid, select the winning projects, award the money and monitor the progress of the selected projects during their year of funding.
 In our presentation we will highlight two main dimensions: on the one hand, we will present the organisational methods of the group, that is to say explaining concretely how the group was formed and how its members work together and with the Cancéropole. On the other hand, the communication will outline the choices made by the group in the design of the call for projects and will offer feedback by comparing the work carried out for the 2021 OncoStarter call and for the 2022 call.
 We will complete our discussion by taking a step back from this process, which is still in progress, and describe the context in which it was initiated. The involvement of patients at CLARA started back in 2017, when a patient, Raymond Merle joined its Scientific Steering Committee. Since then Mr Merle obtained his doctorate in Educational Sciences and created the Patients department within the school of Medicine & Pharmacy at University Grenoble Alpes. Today, CLARA is developing a partnership with that same Patients department. Finally, we will detail how and why the working group decided to reflect on how it operates and to adopt a charter that was validated by CLARA’s baord of Directors in September 2022

Diverse pharmacovigilance jurisdiction-The right way for global drug safety?

The purpose of this narrative review is to provide a comparison of several countries with different legislation and approaches to pharmacovigilance and to point out how these impact the number of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) that are reported to national competent authorities. Legislative and statistical data regarding ADR reporting from various national competent authorities' websites, databases, and pharmacovigilance centers were used. In combination with the WHO pharmacovigilance quantitative indicator that was applied to evaluate the effectiveness of particular national pharmacovigilance systems in our scope. The study compared pharmacovigilance systems in six countries, focusing on ADR reporting from 2010 onwards. All countries required MAHs to report ADRs, while healthcare professionals' obligations varied. Per-capita ADR reports increased in all countries with available data, with the United States having a significantly higher reporting rate, possibly due to FDA campaigns. Despite starting later, China's per-capita reporting rate surpassed that of the Czech Republic and Japan. The study highlighted various measures taken by countries to enhance ADR reporting systems since the inception of their programs, contributing to the overall increase in reporting rates. ADR reporting is a global priority, with efforts made by different countries to strengthen their pharmacovigilance systems. Some success can be seen in gradually improving per-capita ADR reporting rates. The varying reporting rates and measures taken by each country may serve as a basis for further research and exchange of best practices to improve drug safety monitoring worldwide.

Challenges with embedding an integrated sex and gender perspective into pain research: Recommendations and opportunities

The focus of this article, within this BBI horizons special issue, is on sex, gender, and pain. We summarise what is currently known about sex- and gender-related variations in pain, exploring intersectional biological and psychosocial mechanisms, and highlight gaps in knowledge and understanding. Five key challenges with the exploration of sex and gender in pain research are presented, relating to: conceptual imprecision, research bias, limitations with binary descriptions, integrating sex and gender, and timely adoption/implementation of good research practice. Guidance on how to overcome such challenges is provided. Despite clear evidence for sex and gender differences in pain, there are conceptual and methodological barriers to overcome. Innovation in methods and approach can help develop more effective and tailored treatment approaches for men, women, boys, girls, and gender-diverse people.

Best Practices for Research in Virtual and Augmented Reality in Dermatology

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies have advanced rapidly in recent years. These cutting-edge technologies provide dermatology researchers, educators, proceduralists, and patients with opportunities in new scientific horizons. VR is a technology that facilitates immersive human experiences by allowing users to connect with various simulated environments through natural head and hand movements, whereas AR supplements a user's perception of their real environment with virtual elements. Despite technological advancements, there is limited literature on the methodological steps for conducting rigorous VR and AR research in dermatology. Effective storyboarding, user-driven design, and interdisciplinary teamwork play a central role in ensuring that VR/AR applications meet the specific needs of dermatology clinical and research teams. We present a step-by-step approach for their design, team composition, and evaluation in dermatology research, medical education, procedures, and habit formation strategies. We also discuss current VR and AR dermatology applications and the importance of ethical and safety considerations in deploying this new technology.

Exploring the conditions for youth representation: a qualitative comparative analysis of party parliamentary groups

Research on the underrepresentation of youth in parliaments has rarely focused on political parties. This is surprising as parties are central in the selection of candidates and therefore should play an important role in determining the demographic composition of elected politicians. We created a data set of party parliamentary groups between 2017 and 2020 and conducted a linear regression as well as a fuzzy set QCA. Building upon previous literature, we expected the share of young Members of Parliament (MPs) to be higher under the following conditions: a low/high GDP per capita, a proportional representation electoral system, decentralized nomination processes, strong party youth organizations, an inclusive party ideology and young party structures. Our research support previous findings that electoral systems matter. Furthermore, our results indicate that whilst ideology might be a significant factor by itself, it becomes influential especially in combination with PR systems. The role of strong youth organizations, decentralized selectorates and party age seem to be highly context-dependent and more ambivalent. In summary, there is no singular condition under which we observe adequate youth representation, but rather different configurations of conditions. By applying the newest guidelines on good practices in QCA research, we present one of the first applications of these techniques in party and representation research.

Biobanking best practices for research, Banner Sun Health Research Institute Brain and Body Donation Program standards and journey

AbstractThe Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disease (AZSAND)/Brain and Body Donation Program (BBDP) is a unique clinicopathological study of aging and neurodegenerative disease based in Sun City, AZ since 1987. The BBDP has made rapid autopsy a priority, with a constitutive 24‐7 rapid autopsy team and a 3.0‐hour median postmortem interval for the entire collection. Tissue quality is correspondingly high, with a median RNA Integrity Number (RIN) for frozen brain tissue of 8.9. The current holdings include fixed and frozen brain and body tissue, as well as biofluids from more than 850 Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) cases, 250 Parkinson’s Disease (PD) cases and more than 350 elderly control subjects. The program supports and leads national and international research focused on AD, AD related dementias and other debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. It provides basic scientists with de‐identified annual comprehensive standardized cognitive, motor, and non‐motor assessments data and neuropathologically characterized human samples that are suitable for the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of disease and novel therapeutic targets. The BBDP is committed to distributing human samples and accompanying clinicopathological data to as many researchers as possible. All collected data are available to researchers through the program’s website https://www.brainandbodydonationregistration.org/ and personalized consultations.

Assessing the technical aspects of ocean-alkalinity-enhancement approaches

Abstract. Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is an emerging strategy that aims to mitigate climate change by increasing the alkalinity of seawater. This approach involves increasing the alkalinity of the ocean to enhance its capacity to absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. This chapter presents an overview of the technical aspects associated with the full range of OAE methods being pursued and discusses implications for undertaking research on these approaches. Various methods have been developed to implement OAE, including the direct injection of alkaline liquid into the surface ocean; dispersal of alkaline particles from ships, platforms, or pipes; the addition of minerals to coastal environments; and the electrochemical removal of acid from seawater. Each method has its advantages and challenges, such as scalability, cost effectiveness, and potential environmental impacts. The choice of technique may depend on factors such as regional oceanographic conditions, alkalinity source availability, and engineering feasibility. This chapter considers electrochemical methods, the accelerated weathering of limestone, ocean liming, the creation of hydrated carbonates, and the addition of minerals to coastal environments. In each case, the technical aspects of the technologies are considered, and implications for best-practice research are drawn. The environmental and social impacts of OAE will likely depend on the specific technology and the local context in which it is deployed. Therefore, it is essential that the technical feasibility of OAE is undertaken in parallel with, and informed by, wider impact assessments. While OAE shows promise as a potential climate change mitigation strategy, it is essential to acknowledge its limitations and uncertainties. Further research and development are needed to understand the long-term effects, optimize techniques, and address potential unintended consequences. OAE should be viewed as complementary to extensive emission reductions, and its feasibility may be improved if it is operated using energy and supply chains with minimal CO2 emissions.