Conceptual Framework For Assessment Research Articles

Advancement in ice-jam flood risk management: Integrating dynamic adaptive behavior by an agent-based modeling in Fort McMurray, Canada

Ice-jam flooding is a prevalent extreme event that impacts flood hazard and vulnerability. We introduce a conceptual model framework for Dynamic Ice-jam Flood Risk Assessment (DIFRA). DIFRA integrates ice-jam flood hazard, ice-jam flood risk, and human adaptation. Using agent-based modeling, we captured top-down (artificial breakup) and bottom-up (flood-proofing) adaptive behavior. Our study in Fort McMurray, Canada, shows the complex interaction between micro-level behaviors and macro-level phenomena over time. Our variance-based global sensitivity analysis shows the role of dynamic adaptive behavior in ice-jam flood risk, where the artificial breakage by the government can lead to a regime shift and a decrease in the ice-jam flood risk. However, it can also decrease the number of newly adapted residents to flood-proofing and the role of residents in ice-jam flood risk. DIFRA offers a comprehensive approach to understanding and managing ice-jam flood risk, with potential applications to similar riverine communities in cold regions.

Evaluating a conceptual framework for quality assessment of medical interpretation

ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate a proposed conceptual framework for quality assessment of medical interpretation using actual data from clinical settings. MethodsA mixed methods approach was used. Routine outpatient encounters involving Portuguese-speaking Brazilian patients, Japanese physicians, and hospital-provided and ad hoc interpreters were digitally recorded and transcribed. A questionnaire survey examining participants’ satisfaction was conducted; 111 and 13 encounters by hospital-provided and ad hoc interpreters, respectively, were recorded. Segments of consecutively interpreted utterances were coded as “altered,” whereby the interpreter changed the meaning of the source utterance, or “unaltered (accurate).” Frequency and type of alteration were analyzed. The effect of positive interpretation alterations on physician-patient interactions was qualitatively described. ResultsInterpretation accuracy was significantly higher for hospital-provided interpreters, but was not associated with overall patient satisfaction. Overall physician satisfaction was associated with accurate interpretation, clinically negative altered interpretations, and positive voluntary interventions (p < 0.05). Positive alterations promoted patient, physician, and interpreter interactions, which helped to achieve clinical outcomes. ConclusionA new conceptual framework for quality assessment of medical interpretation was developed for clinical settings. Healthcare provider satisfaction can provide a measure of interpretation alterations. Practice implicationsHealthcare providers can effectively use the conceptual framework to improve medical interpretation and collaboration with healthcare interpreters.

An assessment framework for landscape sustainability based on ecosystem service supply-flow-demand

ContextThe study of landscape sustainability plays an important role in the development of sustainability science. Landscape sustainability assessment is crucial for landscape planning and governance, serving as a fundamental basis for achieving regional and global sustainable development.ObjectivesThe goal is to propose an assessment framework for landscape sustainability based on ecosystem services (ESs) supply-flow-demand, and select a case study area to test it.MethodsWe started from the connotation of landscape sustainability and theoretically explained the relationship between landscape patterns, ESs, and human well-being. We proposed a conceptual framework for landscape sustainability assessment based on the supply-flow-demand of ESs. Yixing City was selected as a case study area for empirical research.ResultsWe constructed a conceptual framework and assessment steps for landscape sustainability assessment based on the supply-flow-demand of ESs and applied it to assess the landscape sustainability of towns in Yixing City. The framework focuses on the concept of landscape sustainability and can be applied at various temporal and spatial scales, with high operability and replicability. However, there are still certain limitations that need to be further considered, including the determination of landscape boundaries, multi-scale assessment, the trade-offs/synergies between different ESs.ConclusionsThe landscape sustainability assessment framework based on the supply-flow-demand of ESs can expand the perspectives and methods of landscape sustainability assessment. It is also practical and replicable, aiming to provide support for landscape planning and governance.

Designing a Sustainability Assessment Framework for Peruvian Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises Applying the Stakeholder Theory Approach

Among the main obstacles affecting the competitiveness of Peruvian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are poor strategic planning and incipient use of management control systems that support the integration of sustainable practices for the growth of the organization. Not considering sustainability in the strategy and management control systems of Peruvian SMEs can jeopardize their stability and growth, as they are part of the supply chain of large companies that look for suppliers that comply with sustainability standards. Since manufacturing SMEs play a vital role in the economies and social welfare of countries, providing them with appropriate management tools to evaluate the sustainable performance of their activities is urgent to assure their survival. Thus, the aim of this study is to design a holistic sustainability assessment framework that enables Peruvian manufacturing SMEs to evaluate the full integration of sustainability into their business strategy and the creation of value for each stakeholder. Based on the gaps found in the literature review, a conceptual assessment framework was designed, then a multiple-case study was conducted in three Peruvian manufacturing SMEs in the plastic sector, and the data obtained were used to deploy the proposed conceptual assessment framework.

The safety climate, hierarchical levels and resilience assessment in transport and mining companies

ABSTRACT Transport and mining companies are vulnerable to a variety of hazards, and this paper offers a novel conceptual framework for organisational resilience assessment at different organisational levels. It is based on a safety climate and performances assessment in companies in the transport and mining sector. The framework contains factor and reliability analysis and continues by applying the SMART method from the perspective of resilience corners: anticipate, monitor, react and learn. The highest resilience coefficients at all organisational levels are obtained regarding safety awareness, safety training and safety communication areas, while the lowest values are observed for risk assessment and the organisational environment. The obtained results indicate that the ‘monitor’ resilience corner must be improved at all organisational levels, employees trained and procedures changed, since employees do not sufficiently use experience from previous events. The very high values at all organisational levels of the coefficients regarding the ‘anticipate’ and ‘learn’ resilience corners indicate organisational adaptation to changes through corrective activities, rather than planned preventive ones. All hierarchical levels have good resilience indicators, except for middle management, which expressed an adequate resilience index, due to the lower ratings of the safety training, organisational commitment, risk assessment and management support areas.

Machine learning-assisted high-content imaging analysis of 3D MCF7 microtissues for estrogenic effect prediction

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) pose a significant threat to human well-being and the ecosystem. However, in managing the many thousands of uncharacterized chemical entities, the high-throughput screening of EDCs using relevant biological endpoints remains challenging. Three-dimensional (3D) culture technology enables the development of more physiologically relevant systems in more realistic biochemical microenvironments. The high-content and quantitative imaging techniques enable quantifying endpoints associated with cell morphology, cell–cell interaction, and microtissue organization. In the present study, 3D microtissues formed by MCF-7 breast cancer cells were exposed to the model EDCs estradiol (E2) and propyl pyrazole triol (PPT). A 3D imaging and image analysis pipeline was established to extract quantitative image features from estrogen-exposed microtissues. Moreover, a machine-learning classification model was built using estrogenic-associated differential imaging features. Based on 140 common differential image features found between the E2 and PPT group, the classification model predicted E2 and PPT exposure with AUC-ROC at 0.9528 and 0.9513, respectively. Deep learning-assisted analysis software was developed to characterize microtissue gland lumen formation. The fully automated tool can accurately characterize the number of identified lumens and the total luminal volume of each microtissue. Overall, the current study established an integrated approach by combining non-supervised image feature profiling and supervised luminal volume characterization, which reflected the complexity of functional ER signaling and highlighted a promising conceptual framework for estrogenic EDC risk assessment.

Protecting Rural Large Old Trees with Multi-Scale Strategies: Integrating Spatial Analysis and the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) for Socio-Cultural Value Assessment

Governments are faced with the unique challenge of implementing large-scale and targeted protection against the global decline of large old trees. Incorporating socio-cultural values and encouraging public involvement are important parts of conservation policy. However, current studies on the socio-cultural valuation of large old trees are still limited, and how rural residents perceive the human-related value of large old trees remains largely unknown. Using a quantitative, spatial analysis and the contingent valuation method (CVM), we tried to explore a multi-scale socio-cultural valuation and protection framework based on a case study of Baoding City and Xiongan New Area in North China. The results showed that (1) the scattered large old trees in the study area were generally at a relatively younger stage, showing normal growth performance but having poor living environments. Some 96.99% of the trees resided in the countryside. Their distribution showed an agglomerative pattern with several clusters. (2) The species richness was relatively lower than that reported in urban areas. The species diversity had an obvious high–low gradient from the mountain to plain areas. Most endemic species were found in habitats of the village fringe (VF) and government/community/institutional ground (GC). (3) The mean willingness to pay (WTP) for the socio-cultural value of scattered large old trees was CNY 132.48 per year per person (1 US dollar equals about 7.2 CNY) of all the respondents, and CNY 84.30 per year per person with regard to farmers, which is relatively higher than that reported in large cities. (4) Economic income, gender, age, education level, place of residence, diameter at breast height, and tree habitat were factors that significantly influenced the WTP, among which economic income was the most significant. (5) The importance ranking of socio-cultural value connotations perceived by rural residents was as follows: spiritual attachment and homesickness &gt; fengshui &gt; social bond &gt; witnessing history &gt; education &gt; creative inspiration. (6) The annual gross value was estimated to be CNY 349 million in the study area, and CNY 169,500 for a single tree on average. Based on the case study, a conceptual framework for socio-cultural value assessment and multi-scale protection of large old trees was proposed, which can provide references for the improvement of current conservation policies from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives, and give insights into rural revitalization strategies in China.

The Methodologies and Main Challenges of Assessment the Multi-Hazard Interaction and Risk Management Associated with Roads Infrastructures and Dam Safety: A Review

The idea of multi-hazard interactions and risk assessment, particularly in relation to both natural hazards and hazards triggered by anthropogenic processes, has been widely used, especially in recent decades. Numerous areas worldwide, as well as various sectors, face exposure to multiple hazards. These hazards encompass natural phenomena like floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and more. In comparison, the human-induced or anthropogenic processes associated with infrastructure development, along with other potential human activities such as, land and cover use change, contribute to the overall hazard landscape. Both natural hazards and anthropogenic-induced directly led to infrastructure collapse and loss of functionality with other consequences for human lives, economy, beside the environment impacts. Limited studies have been conducted on the implementation of the comprehensive multi-hazard interaction approach, which is globally or regionally required, along with detailed studies on the interaction between different multi-hazard sources and their interrelationships in short-term or long-term scenarios. The current research aims to review previous literature and studies on the multi-hazard interaction approach, methodologies of visualization and classification, as well as explores the potential of multi-hazard associated with road networks, infrastructures, and dams. The research utilizes simulation various models and tools such as, Geographic Information System (GIS) beside Remote Sensing (Rs) techniques. The current study concludes that using multi-hazard maps, hazard matrix, and fragility curves represents highly valuable and very useful and flexible tools for implementing and visualization hot spot areas exposure by multi-hazard consequences and vulnerability analysis for short and long-term scenarios. In addition, the current review highlighted for development a holistic conceptual framework for multi-hazard and risk assessment associated with hydraulic structures such as dams, road networks and infrastructures with hazard exposure analysis to be used as tools for a decision support system (DSS) in order to develop urban resilience, risk management and hazard mitigations.

A Conceptual Framework for Assessment of Moderating Role of Organizational Culture in the Relationship Between Workplace Bullying and Organizational Performance

Workplace bullying has a significant impact on employee and organizational performance. Organizational culture also plays a crucial role in influencing employee performance and can help mitigate workplace bullying. This study aims to propose a conceptual framework to assess the relationship between workplace bullying and organizational performance, taking into account the moderating role of organizational culture. Data for this study will be collected using stratified random sampling from academic staff at 20 public sector universities in Malaysia. The Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique through SmartPLS will be employed to test the hypotheses. The study will analyze the significance of the interrelation between workplace bullying, organizational performance, and organizational culture using SEM with SmartPLS. The moderating role of organizational culture in the relationship between workplace bullying and organizational performance will also be examined. It is worth noting that the framework in this paper does not include specific dimensions of organizational culture. To enhance the scope of future research, additional dimensions should be added. Furthermore, this study is limited to exploring the moderating role of organizational culture; including the mediating role could further enrich the research. The findings of this research will be valuable for university and organizational management in creating a bullying-free work environment. Eliminating workplace bullying can lead to improved organizational performance and foster a progressive culture within the organization. By investigating the moderating role of organizational culture, this paper offers a comprehensive approach to understanding the impact of workplace bullying on organizational performance. The unique focus on organizational culture as a moderating factor makes this study a valuable addition to the existing body of knowledge in this area.&#x0D; Keywords: workplace bullying, organizational performance, organizational culture, organizational behavior, conceptual framework

Assessing the fidelity of a behavioural intervention involving academic detailing in general practice: a sub-study of the ‘Implementing work-related Mental health guidelines in general PRacticE’ (IMPRovE) trial

BackgroundAssessing the fidelity of intervention components enables researchers to make informed judgements about the influence of those components on the observed outcome. The ‘Implementing work-related Mental health guidelines in general PRacticE’ (IMPRovE) trial is a hybrid III trial aiming to increase adherence to the ‘Clinical Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of work-related mental health conditions in general practice’. IMPRovE is a multifaceted intervention, with one of the central components being academic detailing (AD). This study describes the fidelity to the protocol for the AD component of the IMPRovE intervention.MethodAll AD sessions for the trial were audio-recorded and a sample of 22% were randomly selected for fidelity assessment. Fidelity was assessed using a tailored proforma based on the Modified Conceptual Framework for fidelity assessment, measuring duration, coverage, frequency and content. A descriptive analysis was used to quantify fidelity to the protocol and a content analysis was used to elucidate qualitative aspects of fidelity.ResultsA total of eight AD sessions were included in the fidelity assessment. The average fidelity score was 89.2%, ranging from 80 to 100% across the eight sessions. The sessions were on average 47 min long and addressed all of the ten chapters in the guideline. Of the guideline chapters, 9 were frequently discussed. The least frequently discussed chapter related to management of comorbid conditions. Most general practitioner (GP) participants used the AD sessions to discuss challenges with managing secondary mental conditions. In line with the protocol, opinion leaders who delivered the AD sessions largely offered evidence-based strategies aligning with the clinical guideline recommendations.Conclusions/implicationsThe IMPRovE AD intervention component was delivered to high fidelity. The sessions adhered to the intended duration, coverage, frequency, and content allowing participating GPs to comprehend the implementation of the guideline in their own practice. This study also demonstrates that the Modified Conceptual Fidelity Framework with a mixed methods approach can support the assessment of implementation fidelity of a behavioural intervention in general practice. The findings enhance the trustworthiness of reported outcomes from IMPRovE and show that assessing fidelity is amenable for AD and should be incorporated in other studies using AD.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN 12620001163998, November 2020.

Evaluation of a participatory citizen approach to monitor microbial water quality of self-supply in urban Indonesia

ABSTRACT A participatory citizen approach was established to monitor microbial water quality in household self-supply in Bekasi, Indonesia, and evaluated using a conceptual framework for context analysis, process evaluation and impact assessment (CPI). Households tested their self-supplied water for Escherichia coli presence every two weeks for six months, accompanied by pre- and post-monitoring surveys. The approach provided reliable water quality results, and increased awareness of water quality; however, nearly half of the households dropped out of the monitoring and increased awareness did not translate into actions that improved water quality within the study period. Contamination rates ranged from 11% to 70% at source and from 15% to 44% at point-of-use. Household-led testing could fulfil an important monitoring role in self-supply contexts, however it may have little impact on the drinking water safety unless accompanied by support to improve source protection and strengthen household water treatment and storage practices.

A conceptual framework for holistic assessment of decision support systems for sustainable livestock farming

The livestock sector has complex relationships with the three fundamental pillars of sustainability, i.e., environmental, economic, and social. Devising a livestock farming strategy by considering the different sustainability pillars is essential. Although several decision support systems (DSSs) are available for the livestock sector, these DSSs differ in the way they address sustainability. This work emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to sustainable livestock management rather than only targeting individual sustainability dimensions. We, therefore, propose an initial assessment framework to evaluate the capacity of livestock DSSs in targeting the different sustainability pillars. In line with this, we present a conceptual basis for deriving assessment criteria and indicators. We then use the proposed assessment framework to assess existing openly available livestock DSSs. We observe that the main focus of the existing and openly available livestock-related DSSs is on the indicators from environmental pillars, and only a few of them accommodate economic aspects. No openly available DSS includes social and governance-related points. More importantly, none of these DSSs can handle data streams from Internet of Things (IoT) devices and, hence, they miss on the superiority that advanced modelling techniques can provide. With these observations, we draft an extensive set of guidelines for future livestock-related DSSs to holistically target sustainability.

Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane affects estradiol production in female rats but not H295R cells.

Sex hormones, such as androgens and estrogens, are predominantly produced in the gonads (ovaries and testes) and adrenal cortex. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are substances that mimic, block, or interfere with hormones in the endocrine systems of humans and organisms. EDCs mainly act via nuclear receptors and steroidogenesis-related enzymes. In the OECD conceptual framework for testing and assessment of EDCs, several well-known assays are used to identify the potential disruption of nuclear receptors both in vivo and in vitro, whereas the H295R steroidogenesis assay is the only assay that detects the disruption of steroidogenesis. Forskolin and prochloraz are often used as positive controls in the H295R steroidogenesis assay. Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) was suspected one of EDCs, but the effects of D5 on steroidogenesis remain unclear. To establish a short-term in vivo screening method that detects the disruption of steroidogenesis, rats in the present study were fed a diet containing forskolin, prochloraz, or D5 for 14 days. Forskolin increased plasma levels of 17β-estradiol (E2) and testosterone as well as the mRNA level of Cyp19 in both the adrenal glands and ovaries. Prochloraz induced the loss of cyclicity in the sexual cycle and decreased plasma levels of E2 and testosterone. D5 increased E2 levels and shortened the estrous cycle in a dose-dependent manner; however, potential endocrine disruption was not detected in the H295R steroidogenesis assay. These results demonstrate the importance of comprehensively assessing the endocrine-disrupting effects of chemicals on steroidogenesis in vivo.

Conceptual Approaches to Robustness Assessment of Building Structures, Buildings and Facilities

Some examples of failures of structures, buildings, where the lack of robustness was recognized, are analyzed. Several author’s definitions for robustness are presented and discussed. Special emphasis is given to the fact that define robustness as an intrinsic structural property and the other hand it as a property of the structure and its environment. Some related concepts are presented and discussed.The most important proposed measures for robustness are also present-ed including some illustration examples. Finally, a comparison between them is made and the respective shortcomings are identified. After anal-ysis of the robustness nature, a new structural oriented definition is pro-posed. Based on the highlighted shortcomings of the existing measures, in particular those related with the application to deteriorated structures, a conceptual framework for robustness assessment is proposed.

A conceptual framework for sustainability impact assessment in machining bohler tool steel under hBN-enriched nano cutting fluids environment

The term “sustainability assessment” refers to a set of practices that “guide the planning and decision-making process to realize sustainable development.” Sustainability is becoming an increasingly central notion for many businesses. However, the current sustainability assessment techniques are being heavily criticized for a number of reasons, including a lack of interdependence and consistency, the predominance of subjectivity, and financial biases. Therefore, the present study applies the fundamental conceptual framework for sustainability evaluation to enhance the process performance of machining Bohler K490 steel using minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) and hBN-enriched nano-MQL cooling/lubrication. Power consumption and machining parameters such as tool wear, surface roughness, and chip morphology were taken into account while developing the sustainability assessment model. Then, the sustainability performance indicator (SPI) was determined. This global SPI supports the claim that using nano-MQL improves both sustainability and machining performance. The findings of tool wear clearly illustrated that applying hBN-enriched nano fluids from both the rake and flank surface reduced the tool wear values by up to 26.9%.

Rare Diseases in Hospital Information Systems-An Interoperable Methodology for Distributed Data Quality Assessments.

Multisite research networks such as the project "Collaboration on Rare Diseases" connect various hospitals to obtain sufficient data for clinical research. However, data quality (DQ) remains a challenge for the secondary use of data recorded in different health information systems. High levels of DQ as well as appropriate quality assessment methods are needed to support the reuse of such distributed data. The aim of this work is the development of an interoperable methodology for assessing the quality of data recorded in heterogeneous sources to improve the quality of rare disease (RD) documentation and support clinical research. We first developed a conceptual framework for DQ assessment. Using this theoretical guidance, we implemented a software framework that provides appropriate tools for calculating DQ metrics and for generating local as well as cross-institutional reports. We further applied our methodology on synthetic data distributed across multiple hospitals using Personal Health Train. Finally, we used precision and recall as metrics to validate our implementation. Four DQ dimensions were defined and represented as disjunct ontological categories. Based on these top dimensions, 9 DQ concepts, 10 DQ indicators, and 25 DQ parameters were developed and applied to different data sets. Randomly introduced DQ issues were all identified and reported automatically. The generated reports show the resulting DQ indicators and detected DQ issues. We have shown that our approach yields promising results, which can be used for local and cross-institutional DQ assessments. The developed frameworks provide useful methods for interoperable and privacy-preserving assessments of DQ that meet the specified requirements. This study has demonstrated that our methodology is capable of detecting DQ issues such as ambiguity or implausibility of coded diagnoses. It can be used for DQ benchmarking to improve the quality of RD documentation and to support clinical research on distributed data.

An evaluation of the impact framework for product stewardship on end-of-life solar photovoltaic modules: An environmental lifecycle assessment

The growth of solar photovoltaic (PV) waste in the coming years requires implementation of effective management options. Australia, with one of the highest rates of rooftop solar PV, is still developing policy options to manage these panels when they reach their end-of-life. This study evaluates the environmental impacts of three options for mono and multi crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar panel waste modules. The impact of transport distance from transfer stations to the recycling centre is also assessed. The life cycle assessment revealed that, -1 E+06 kgCO2eq and -2 E+06 kgCO2eq are associated with the mandatory product stewardship scenarios under global warming potential for mono and multi c-Si solar modules, respectively. However, the non-existence of a product stewardship will produce a global warming impact of 1 E+05 kgCO2eq for both modules. The global warming effects revealed that, collecting and recycling most of the multi c-Si panels were not effective (−365.00 kg CO2-eq, −698.40 kg CO2-eq, −1032.00 kg CO2-eq) compared to keeping them away from the landfills and fully recycling (-2 E+06 kg CO2-eq) them. It was also highlighted that, the highest environmental impact regarding the transport distances was the scenario of one recycling centre serving over 107 transfer stations with a global warming potential of 1 E+06 kgCO2eq. This research model serves as the first conceptual and methodological framework for life cycle assessment (LCA) in policy and transport related analysis. Since transport is incredibly significant in PV recycling processes, it is recommended that, to further reduce these impacts, other forms of low-impact modes of transportation should be explored.

MinK: A conceptual framework for individual knowledge assessment in organizational context

AbstractEffectual knowledge management (KM) entails knowledge assessment capability which enables organizations to identify knowledge holders and hence optimize human capital allocation and retention. The purpose of this paper is to present a new framework, referred to as MinK, that empowers organizations in appraising individual knowledge by providing an inclusive assessment platform. Following a comprehensive literature review, an exploratory study was conducted to explore the underlying constructs of individual knowledge from a practitioner's perspective. Semi‐structured interviews were held with 20 senior executives from diverse industries. Managers provided valuable insights about their conceptualization of individual knowledge and the characteristics of knowledge holders. Findings from the interviews complemented the literature in informing the design of the framework. The MinK framework evaluates individuals' knowledge from a number of perspectives using a multi‐dimensional scorecard of theoretically grounded measures. The assessment process adopts the 360‐degree approach to collate multi‐source appraisals from different echelons of the organization, ultimately producing an Individual Knowledge Index for each employee. The index is computed using a unique mathematical formula that combines multi‐criteria decision analysis techniques to consolidate results into a single reflective numeral. The incorporation of technology allows the complete automation of the assessment process and helps to address parametric multiplicity and arithmetic complexity. This paper contributes to KM theory by unveiling the underlying constructs of individual knowledge in organizational context and proposing a comprehensive theoretical framework that signifies the pivotal role of individuals in firm knowledge dynamics. It also provides managers with an innovative and integrated individual knowledge assessment framework.

Representing Cattle Farming around the World: A Conceptual and Holistic Framework for Environmental and Economic Impact Assessment

Around the world, cattle farming systems are diverse and lead to diverse environmental and socio-economic consequences. To assess these consequences, the diversity of cattle farming needs to be represented. A conceptual framework based on three inter-linked concepts (management types, animal profiles and lineage groups) is proposed resulting in two typologies, and tested on cattle systems in Kenya. The management type typology provides an understanding of the cattle farming practices across the world. Animal profiles, defined by the animal’s age and sex, and used together with management types, serve as a convenient unit for the analysis of feed use, environmental impacts, animal functions, and costs. Lineage groups bring together cattle and their progeny, making it possible to account for movements across management types and for all co-productions in impact assessments. The illustration on Kenya showed the completeness of the framework, the availability of management-type characteristics, and also the lack of precise data on shares of lineage groups and management types. The conceptual framework developed here should render it possible to capture and compare the multiple characteristics and functions of cattle farming around the world, including their environmental impact, which currently is a major issue for the global livestock sector.

A conceptual framework for assessing social and environmental impacts of belt and road initiative and just energy transition

To address the social and environmental impacts of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and just energy transition, this research provides a conceptual framework to assess social and environmental impacts by selecting socioeconomic and environmental indicators through a literature review. The framework highlights that assessment indicators should include quantitative and qualitative dimensions. We also discussed the similarities and differences in foreign aid between developed countries and China's BRI, the relationship between the BRI, just energy transition and globalization, sustainable development goals (SDGs), and social-environmental resilience. This conceptual assessment framework and discussion provides stakeholders with an approach to contribute to mitigating the socio and environmental impacts of project development.