Scaling Considerations Research Articles

Digital tool for driving circular economy outcomes in the Australian red meat industry

This study presents the development of a novel digital tool aimed at facilitating the preliminary sizing and economical evaluation of integrated resource management facilities for wastewater treatment in red meat processing plants. The tool is designed to transform conventional wastewater treatment facilities in these plants into resource recovery plants, with a strong emphasis on enhancing environmental compliance and reducing the overall carbon footprint. Key objectives include the reduction of nutrient emissions, wastewater recycling, waste minimisation, and biogas energy production. The framework for developing this digital tool incorporates considerations of scale, the urgency of wastewater issues outlined by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for Australian red meat processors, and adaptability for plants of varying sizes. By providing decision support for wastewater treatment and waste management, this model aims to assist the red meat processing industry in aligning with net-zero goals through resource recovery and the adoption of a circular economy.

Classic Ilé-Ifẹ̀: A Consideration of Scale in the Archaeology of Early Yorùbá Urbanism, ad 1000–1400

Scale is an essential conceptual tool for studying urban systems, but what categories of scale are relevant to understanding ancient Yorùbá urbanism? This article answers this question by identifying complexity, multiplexity, and referentiality as the most important categories of scale necessary for understanding the ontology, cultural processes, and historical foundations of Yorùbá towns and cities. Focusing on classic Ilé-Ifẹ̀ ad 1000-1400, the article examines (1) the emergent and self-organizing qualities of this early Yorùbá city as a system of community building (complexity); (2) the interrelationships among the different domains/nodes of material and social lives that shaped how this urban phenomenon was experienced and organized (multiplexity); and (3) the values that transformed the city into a reference point for a larger network of communities across the West African region (referentiality).

Awareness of meaning and quest for meaning: The mechanisms between future orientation and prosociality among youth during pandemic.

The positive relationship between future orientation and prosocial tendency has been consistently reported. However, the possible mechanism has not been examined yet. Previous research revealed the positive relationship between future orientation and meaning in life, as well as between meaning in life and prosocial tendency. Hence, it is hypothesized that the two components of meaning in life (presence of meaning and search for meaning) possibly mediate the relationship between future orientation and prosocial tendency. During the first half of 2020, 430 Hong Kong youths aged 15-35 (male: 30.5%; female: 69.5%) were recruited to participate an online cross-sectional survey. The survey included three scales: (1) The Scale for Measuring Adult's Prosocialness, (2) Consideration of Future Consequence Scale, and (3) Meaning in Life Questionnaire. The key findings showed that: (1) females had higher level of prosocial tendency than males, and (2) significant partial mediating effects of both presence of meaning and search for meaning on the relationship between future orientation and prosocial tendency. Nevertheless, the multi-group mediation model did not show significant gender difference. These findings implied that future-oriented and meaning-focused interventions could possibly enhance youth's sense of meaning in everyday life and foster their meaning searching tendency, which further strengthen the positive effect of their future orientation on prosocial tendency, even during life adversities.

Viral vector production guide part 2: considerations of scaling up GMP

Key topics:Early consideration on high yield cell lines and IPImportance of effective starting material strategy to de-risk viral vector scalability and commercializationAligning DOE effectively with unit operations and data insights to drive streamlined robust, high-yield scaling Optimizing scalability for low cost of goodsFollowing the acquisition of Cobra Biologics/Cognate BioServices by Charles River Laboratories (CRL) in April 2021, Professor Smith was appointed Executive Director, Global Cell & Gene Therapy Portfolio within the CRL Corporate Development & Strategy function. Prior to acquisition, Professor Smith was the Chief Scientific Officer across the Cognate/Cobra C> CDMO portfolio (2020–2021), and Cobra Biologics (2014–2020), driving CDMO innovations and partnerships across plasmid DNA, viral vectors, and latterly, (gene-modified) Cell Therapies, with respect to development and production. Previously he was Knowledge Transfer Manager and Senior Technologist for the BioProcessUK team. Daniel spent five years (2005–2010) at Cobra in roles including Senior Scientist, QC Team Leader, Head of Process Technology Transfer and Commercial Scientific Development Manager. He has over eight years academic research experience, 30+ research publications to his name and a PhD in Molecular Cell Biology, and a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry. Daniel holds Honorary Industry Professor positions at both the University of Kent, UK and at the University of Warwick, UK.

Can the Hartree-Fock kinetic energy exceed the exact kinetic energy?

The Hartree-Fock (HF) approximation has been an important tool for quantum-chemical calculations since its earliest appearance in the late 1920s and remains the starting point of most single-reference methods in use today. Intuition suggests that the HF kinetic energy should not exceed the exact kinetic energy; but no proof of this conjecture exists, despite a near century of development. Beginning from a generalized virial theorem derived from scaling considerations, we derive a general expression for the kinetic energy difference that applies to all systems. For any atom or ion, this trivially reduces to the well-known result that the total energy is the negative of the kinetic energy and, since correlation energies are never positive, proves the conjecture in this case. Similar considerations apply to molecules at their equilibrium bond lengths. We use highly precise calculations on Hooke's atom (two electrons in a parabolic well) to test the conjecture in a nontrivial case and to parameterize the difference between density functional and HF quantities, but find no violations of the conjecture.

(Invited) Advancing 3D Packaging for Heterogenous Systems Integration

Next generation computing architectures including those for machine learning and AI (Artificial Intelligence) have increasing demands on bandwidth, memory capacity and energy efficiency. All of which can be improved through the increased integration density offered by advanced packaging technologies. In this talk, we will provide an overview of the different 3D integration technologies and cover their scaling and application considerations. These include technologies for direct die to die connections such as advanced solder interconnects at 20 and 10 µm pitch and hybrid bonding or Foveros Direct to support increased interconnect density to below 10 µm pitch or more than 10,000 connections/mm2. The increased interconnect density can dramatically improve the bandwidth capability and energy efficiency. We will also cover some of the considerations for 3D die stacking such as thermal hot spots and power delivery constraints and how these can be addressed through design and packaging technology combinations. Finally, we will discuss some future directions to support continued performance improvement.

Spatial and temporal scale of analysis alter conclusions about the effects of urbanisation on plant–pollinator networks

Bipartite networks of flowering plants and their visitors (potential pollinators) are increasingly being used in studies of the structure and function of these ecological interactions. Whilst they hold much promise in understanding the ecology of plant–pollinator networks and how this may be altered by environmental perturbations, like land-use change and invasive species, there is no consensus about the scale at which such networks should be constructed and analysed. Ecologists, however, have emphasised that many processes are scale dependent. Here, we compare network- and species-level properties of ecological networks analysed at the level of a site, pooling across sites within a given habitat for each month of surveys, and pooling across all sites and months to create a single network per habitat type. We additionally considered how these three scales of resolution influenced conclusions regarding differences between networks according to two contrasting habitat types (urban bushland remnants and residential gardens) and the influence of honey bee abundance on network properties. We found that most network properties varied markedly depending on the scale of analysis, as did the significance, or lack thereof, of habitat type and honey bee abundance on network properties. We caution against pooling across sites and months as this can create unrealistic links, invalidating conclusions on network structure. In conclusion, consideration of scale of analysis is also important when conducting and interpreting plant–pollinator networks.

A diffuse interface model for low solubility binary flows in porous media

Dissolution-driven convection of low solubility fluids separated by a free interface in a porous medium is analyzed via two-dimensional numerical simulations and scaling considerations. Towards this end, we employ a low solubility Darcy-Cahn-Hilliard model with a Helmholtz free energy. The momentum equations are solved in the stream function-vorticity formulation with a pseudospectral method, so that continuity is automatically satisfied, while the diffusion equation is integrated in time by an explicit Runge-Kutta procedure, combined with high order compact finite differences. We validate the simulation approach by comparing the growth rate of the standard deviation of the surface location with experimental measurements for a CO2-water system in a Hele-Shaw cell. The numerical results for the evolving interfacial shape in density-driven convection flow of low solubility fluids agree significantly better with experimental observations than corresponding fully soluble results. The temporal evolution of the interfacial plumes is accurately captured, and distinct stages with different plume features are identified. The differences in plume features and solute flux of CO2 between low solubility and fully soluble fluids are discussed, and it is found that the low solubility simulation approach offers clear advantages for the investigation of CO2-dynamics in porous rock.

Hospital-at-Home: Multistakeholder Considerations for Program Dissemination and Scale.

Policy Points Hospital-at-Home (HaH) is a home-based alternative for acute care that has expanded significantly under COVID-19 regulatory flexibilities. The post-pandemic policy agenda for HaH will require consideration of multistakeholder perspectives, including patient, caregiver, provider, clinical operations, technology, equity, legal, quality, and payer. Key policy challenges include reaching a consensus on program standards, clarifying caregivers' issues, creating sustainable reimbursement mechanisms, and mitigating potential equity concerns. Key policy prescriptions include creating a national surveillance system for quality and safety, clarifying legal standards for care in the home, and deploying payment reforms through value-based models.

Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence: Polarity, Rigidity, and Disorder in Condensed Phases.

We present a detailed and comprehensive picture of the photophysics of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). The approach relies on a few-state model, parametrized ab initio on a prototypical TADF dye, that explicitly accounts for the nonadiabatic coupling between electrons and vibrational and conformational motion, crucial to properly address (reverse) intersystem crossing rates. The Onsager model is exploited to account for the medium polarity and polarizability, with careful consideration of the different time scales of relevant degrees of freedom. TADF photophysics is then quantitatively addressed in a coherent and exhaustive approach that accurately reproduces the complex temporal evolution of emission spectra in liquid solvents as well as in solid organic matrices. The different rigidity of the two environments is responsible for the appearance in matrices of important inhomogeneous broadening phenomena that are ascribed to the intertwined contribution from (quasi)static conformational and dielectric disorder.

Thermal remote sensing for plant ecology from leaf to globe

Abstract Surface temperatures are mechanistically linked to vegetation biophysical and physiological processes. Although remote sensing in the thermal infrared (TIR) domain can offer novel insights into the impacts of changing surface temperatures on vegetation, the transformative potential of remote sensing for plant ecology has not yet been realized. Remotely sensed surface temperatures can be used to derive stomatal behaviour and identify stressful environmental conditions in near‐real time. Plant species, traits and structural characteristics can be evaluated with high spectral resolution TIR emissivity. Beyond canopy scales, thermal remote sensing can enhance the inferences obtained from manipulative experiments and empirical evidence, providing unique insight into shifts in species ranges and phenology with changing climate conditions. Scaling leaf traits, canopy structure and regional patterns require an integrated understanding of both process and technology. Theory linking surface temperatures to vegetation dynamics is summarized from an energy balance perspective. We outline scaling considerations including the impacts of morphology on leaf energy balance, canopy structure influences on convective heat exchange and potential confounding impacts of non‐vegetated surfaces. Synthesis. We introduce a unifying framework to link leaf to globe through thermal remote sensing. Recent and emerging advances in sensors, data availability and analytics, together with synergies between TIR remote sensing and other data sources, present a timely opportunity for ecologists to advance our understanding of plant physiology, ecology and biogeography with thermal remote sensing.

The main trends in the development of the fitness services market and their managerial specifics

In recent years, changes have taken place in the life of Russian society that have affected the fitness services market. Innovations were introduced both in organizational and methodological approaches to the management of fitness clubs, and in the practice of their real management. The identified problems in the field of coverage of management objects of a large–scale consideration of all aspects of the organization’s work are considered both with the theory and methodology of management, and with practical aspects of management activities.The subject of the study is the methodology and principles of managing fitness organizations. The research results are to identify recommendations aimed at improving the management of sports facilities.

Shrimp up, fish down, and vice-versa: Fishers’ strategies and long-term changes in small-scale fisheries landings at two spatial levels in Southern Brazil

Fisheries are complex adaptive systems, requiring due consideration of temporal and spatial scales for their understanding and management. In this study, seemingly contrasting long-term fish and shrimp production trends at two spatial levels prompted us to analyze 50 years of small-scale fisheries landing data in Southern Brazil. We applied time-series analyses and mixed-effect models to identify interannual fishing trends at the regional and local levels. Results confirmed an overall decrease in fish landings and an increase in shrimp landings at the regional level. However, a contrasting trend was observed at the local level, with fish landings increasing while shrimp landings decreased. Such patterns suggest that fishers responded differently to the constant changes in the institutional environment. Therefore, in order to identify and discuss possible drivers of change, other than stock availability, we reviewed the literature and institutional documents (laws, government programs, etc.) as well as qualitative information from almost 30 years of research on the local and regional fisheries. The following drivers were found: technical change and innovation; changes in legal restrictions to fishing and resource protection; asymmetrical access and use of government incentives, particularly financial credit, to foster the fish supply chain; market conditions; and local culture and ecological knowledge. The analysis stresses the importance of a more comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to fisheries science and management. Fishing landings data integrated to human dimensions of fishing (e.g., social organization, laws, and institutions) provide a better means to understanding the complex dynamics of fishery systems.

Fabrication and Scale-up of Highly Durable Heavy Duty Fuel Cell MEAs

Medium and heavy-duty PEM fuel cells operate under much harsher conditions than light duty fuel cells and are expected to last 25,000 hours in the field. These systems must therefore operate successfully in the presence of impurities, starting and stopping, freezing and thawing, humidity and load cycling. Therefore, materials, components, and interfaces used in such systems need to be highly resistant to severe mechanical and chemical stress.Novel, highly active stable Pt and ordered PtCo intermetallic nanoparticles with well-controlled particle size and composition have been synthesized on a highly efficient PGM-free single metal active site rich carbon, to maximize their synergistic effects for enhanced performance and durability. These catalysts were integrated with a variety of ionomers (Aquivion, Nafion, HOPI and high O2 permeability ionomer (HOPI)) to further improve fuel cell performance and to achieve >600 mA/mgPt at 0.9 VIR-free with a mass activity loss less than 30% after 150k square wave accelerated durability cycles; and > 600 mA/cm2 (~65% efficiency) at 0.8 V, with a performance loss < 40 mV after 150K cycles (0.6 to 0.95 V).In a PEM fuel cell, the catalyst ink formulation and mixing processes control catalyst layer coating quality, electrode morphology, and the resulting fuel cell performance and durability. Catalyst ink properties are a result of complex solvent-catalyst-ionomer interactions that depend on the mixing method employed. Here, we will compare the performance and durability of electrodes made from bath sonicated inks for ultrasonic spray coating vs. ball milled inks for Meyer rod coating. Ink rheology and catalyst particle size will be used to correlate ink properties to electrode morphology and structure and ensure consistency from batch to batch, and from small lab scale to subsequent scale-up. We will evaluate and discuss the challenges that arise when transitioning from spray coating catalyst ink on a small scale, directly on a membrane, to coating more viscous inks on gas diffusion layers (GDLs), and finally developing a roll-to-roll (R2R) fabrication process. The MEA performance and durability of the novel catalyst will be evaluated under heavy duty operating conditions. Finally, the electrode performance and durability of R2R fabricated GDEs will be tested, and compared to small scale GDEs made at Giner.This work provides a comprehensive understanding of interactions between Pt, PtCo, carbon, ionomer, membrane, and GDLs and their impact on electrode structure, fuel cell performance and durability, as well as considerations for scale up to a R2R fabrication process. The attained information will be used to improve fuel cell electrode design, fabrication and scale-up.Acknowledgement: The project is financially supported by the Department of Energy’s Fuel Cell Technology Office under the Grant DE-FOA-0002360.

Efficient Simulation of Freezing of Water in Large Tanks Including Expansion of Ice

Abstract A liquid water-urea mixture is stored onboard diesel vehicles and used for exhaust aftertreatment. In cold weather conditions, the mixture may freeze and the freezing process may span over a day. In the first part of our study (Journal of Thermal Science and Engineering Applications—Transactions of the ASME, Vol. 13, p. 011008, 2021), it was shown that traditional computational methods are impractical for modeling such large-duration freezing processes because of restrictions in the time-step size posed by numerical stability and physical time scale considerations. A model, in which natural convection driven thermal transport is treated as a diffusive process, was developed and demonstrated. Since the flow field was not computed in this model, the computations were found to be orders of magnitude more efficient than traditional methods. This preliminary model did not account for the expansion of ice. Here, a new model that accounts for the expansion of ice, and the consequent rise of the initial air-water/ice interface (ice dome formation) is presented. An additional conservation equation for excess volume fraction is introduced to this end and is solved using the unstructured finite-volume procedure and sub-time-stepping. Since the flow field is not computed, the air-water/ice interface is tracked using a new algorithm similar to the traditional volume-of-fluid (VOF) method, but one that constructs fluxes using a diffusive formulation rather than an advective one. Validation studies in full-scale three-dimensional tanks show good agreement with measured temperature-time data. It is found that the air-water/ice interface first evolves to a concave shape before finally becoming a convex ice dome after full solidification.

The Evolution of Offspring Size: a Metabolic Scaling Perspective.

Size at the start of life reflects the initial per offspring parental investment - including both the embryo and the nutrients supplied to it. Initial offspring size can vary substantially both within and among species. Within species, increasing offspring size can enhance growth, reproduction, competitive ability, and reduce susceptibility to predation and starvation later in life, that can ultimately increase fitness. Previous work has suggested that the fitness benefits of larger offspring size may be driven by energy expenditure during development - or how offspring metabolic rate scales with offspring size. Despite the importance of early life energy expenditure in shaping later life fitness trajectories, consideration of among-species scaling of metabolic rate at the time of birth as a potential source of general metabolic scaling patterns has been overlooked by theory. Here we review the patterns and processes of energy expenditure at the start of life when mortality is often greatest. We compile existing data on metabolic rate and offspring size for 191 ectotherm species spanning eight phyla and use phylogenetically-controlled methods to quantify among-species scaling patterns. Across a 109-fold mass range, we find that offspring metabolic rate scales hypometrically with size, with an overall scaling exponent of 0.66. This exponent varies across ontogenetic stage and feeding activity, but is consistently hypometric, including across environmental temperatures. Despite differences in parental investment, life history and habitat, large-offspring species use relatively less energy as a proportion of size, compared with small-offspring species. Greater residual energy can be used to fuel the next stages of life, particularly in low resource environments. Based on available evidence, we conclude that, while large knowledge gaps remain, the evolution of offspring size is likely shaped by context-dependent selection acting on correlated traits, including metabolic rates maintaining hypometric scaling, that operates within broader physical constraints.

Special Section Overview: Effects of Ecosystem Change on North American Percid Populations

AbstractWalleye Sander vitreus, Sauger S. canadensis, and Yellow Perch Perca flavescens (referred to as percids herein) are collectively among the most culturally and ecologically important fish species in North America. As ecosystems change in response to environmental drivers, such as climate change, nutrient loading, and invasive species, there is a need to understand how percid populations respond to these changes. To address this need, a symposium was held during the 81st Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference to bring fishery scientists and managers together to describe and discuss percid population responses to ecosystem change. Prevailing symposium themes included the challenge of identifying mechanisms responsible for population‐level changes, developing strategies to adaptively manage for resilient fisheries, and consideration of scale, context, and methods when interpreting variable results. Given the uncertainty of how ecosystem changes affect percid populations, participants emphasized the importance of communicating uncertainties to stakeholders, implementing data‐driven management strategies, setting realistic goals, and revising management actions in an adaptive framework. There was universal agreement on both the challenge and necessity of facilitating constructive engagement among stakeholders in cooperative decision making. Symposium participants identified knowledge gaps and discussed future efforts to build on our current understanding of percid populations, including continuation of long‐term monitoring, improved standardization of evaluation metrics, implementing adaptive management experiments to identify causal relationships, development of more robust analytical methods, use of historical data sources, and refining techniques to realistically convey management options to stakeholders.

A Review on Bank Retreat: Mechanisms, Observations, and Modeling

AbstractBank retreat plays a fundamental role in fluvial and estuarine dynamics. It affects the cross‐sectional evolution of channels, provides a source of sediment, and modulates the diversity of habitats. Understanding and predicting the geomorphological response of fluvial/tidal channels to external driving forces underpins the robust management of water courses and the protection of wetlands. Here, we review bank retreat with respect to mechanisms, observations, and modeling, covering both rivers and (previously neglected) tidal channels. Our review encompasses both experimental and in situ observations of failure mechanisms and bank retreat rates, modeling approaches and numerical methods to simulate bank erosion. We identify that external forces, despite their distinct characteristics, may have similar effects on bank stability in both river and tidal channels, leading to the same failure mode. We review existing data and empirical functions for bank retreat rate across a range of spatial and temporal scales, and highlight the necessity to account for both hydraulic and geotechnical controls. Based on time scale considerations, we propose a new hierarchy of modeling styles that accounts for bank retreat, leading to clear recommendations for enhancing existing modeling approaches. Finally, we discuss systematically the feedbacks between bank retreat and morphodynamics, and suggest that to move this agenda forward will require a better understanding of multifactor‐driven bank retreat across a range of temporal scales, with particular attention to the differences (and similarities) between riverine and estuarine environments, and the role of feedbacks exerted by the collapsed bank soil.

Accelerating Virtual Health Implementation Following the COVID-19 Pandemic: Questionnaire Study.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic accelerated drivers for virtual health adoption and triggered the US federal government to implement regulatory changes to reduce barriers to virtual health implementation. Consequently, virtual health solutions have been increasingly adopted, and health systems in the United States have been reorganizing their care delivery process with unprecedented speed.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess and make recommendations on the strategy, business model, implementation, and future considerations for scaling and sustaining virtual health solutions based on the views of executives from the largest health systems in the United States.MethodsIn September 2020 and October 2020, the Health Management Academy conducted 29 quantitative surveys and 23 qualitative interviews involving 58 executives from 41 of the largest health systems in the United States. Participating health systems were approximately equally distributed across size categories (small, medium, and large, defined as annual total operating revenue US $2-3 billion, $3-6 billion, and >$6 billion, respectively) and US Census Bureau regions (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West).ResultsBased on the Health Management Academy’s assessment of approaches to governance, financing, data infrastructure, and clinical integration of virtual health, most participating health systems (13/24, 54%) had a mid-stage level of maturity in virtual health implementation. Executives reported the pandemic is forcing health systems to re-examine strategic priorities; the most commonly raised key impacts were increased access (15/21, 71%) and flexibility (10/21, 48%) as well as lower costs of care delivery (9/21, 43%). Most executives (16/28, 57%) reported their organization had a defined budget for virtual health, and many noted that virtual health is best supported through value-based payment models. Irrespective of health system maturity, reimbursement was consistently rated as a key challenge to virtual health scaling, along with patient access to and understanding of virtual health technology. The success of virtual health implementation was most commonly measured by patient satisfaction, health care provider engagement, and proportion of health care providers using virtual health solutions (reported by 7/8, 88%; 6/8, 75%; and 7/8, 75% of information technology executives, respectively). Almost all health systems (27/29, 93%) expect to continue growing their virtual health offerings for the foreseeable future, with user-friendliness and ease of integration into the electronic medical record as key factors in making go-forward decisions on virtual health solutions (each selected by 9/10, 90% executives).ConclusionsThe increased demand for virtual health solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to continue postpandemic. Consequently, health systems are re-evaluating their current platforms, processes, and strategy to develop a sustainable, long-term approach to virtual health. To ensure future success, health system leaders need to proactively build on their virtual health solutions; advocate for payment, site flexibility, and reimbursement parity for virtual health; and demonstrate continued engagement and boldness to evolve care beyond established models.

Arts of Healing: Cultural Narratives of Trauma

Arts of Healing: Cultural Narratives of Trauma