Conventional Wisdom Research Articles

Waste-to-Energy Generation: Complex World Project Analysis

Sustainable development and the circular economy mandate efficacious management of waste. The annually increasing volumes of municipal solid waste pose a formidable global challenge. Waste-to-energy conversion, utilizing thermochemical or biochemical technologies, presents a viable solution for mitigating waste disposal concerns. This study conducts a thorough analysis of extant projects to evaluate the economic viability and environmental benefits across various technologies. Employing a self-compiled, unique database, our examination spans enterprises operational from 1980 to 2022, including 37 of the most representative facilities across Europe, North America, and East and Southeast Asia. Economic efficiency is gauged through the levelized cost of electricity generated by these installations, while environmental impacts are assessed based on the statistics on prevented greenhouse gas emissions. The methodology encompasses correlation and techno–economic analyses and expert evaluation. Contrary to conventional wisdom, our findings challenge the ubiquity of scale effects among technologies and the presumed decline in electricity generation costs with newer technologies. However, they corroborate the enhanced environmental benefits of recent technological advancements. The insights derived from this research are poised to inform strategic municipal solid waste management planning in Russia and beyond, offering a foundation for the design of new facilities. The scientific novelty of this work lies in its holistic approach to analyzing the ecological and economic efficiencies of all extant technologies.

Polarizability matters in enantio-selection

The prevalence of chirality, or, handedness in biological world is a fundamental phenomenon and a characteristic hallmark of life. Thus, understanding the origin of enantio-selection, i.e., the sense and magnitude of asymmetric induction, has been a long-pursued goal in asymmetric catalysis. Herein, we demonstrated a polarizability-derived electronic effect that was shown to be capable of rationalizing a broad range of stereochemical observations made in the field of asymmetric catalysis. This effect provided a consistent enantio-control model for the prediction of major enantiomers formed in a ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenations of ketones. Direct and quantitative linear free energy relationships between substrates’ local polarizabilities and observed enantio-selectivity were also revealed in three widely known asymmetric catalytic systems covering both reductions and oxidations. This broadly applicable polarizability-based electronic effect, in conjunction with conventional wisdom mainly leveraging on steric effect considerations, should aid rational design of enantio-selective processes for better production of chiral substances.

Benefits realization in digital transformation: the translation from policy to practice in health care

PurposeWhile digital transformation holds immense promise, organizations often fail to realize its benefits. This study aims to address how policies for digital transformation benefits realization are translated into practice.Design/methodology/approachThe authors apply a qualitative, comparative case study of two large, public-sector health care organizations in Sweden. Through document and interview data, the authors analyze the process of translation.FindingsThe study finds that practice variation is primarily caused by two types of decoupling: policy-practice and means-ends. Contrary to previous studies, coercion in policy compliance is not found to decrease practice variation.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations primarily stem from the empirical selection of two large public health-care organizations in Sweden, affecting the study’s generalizability. Reducing practice variation is more effectively achieved through goal alignment than coercion, leading to implications for the design of governance and control.Practical implicationsPolicymakers should, instead of focusing on control-related compliance, work to align organizational objectives and policies to decrease practice variation for successful benefits realization.Social implicationsThe study contributes to better benefits realization of digital transformation initiatives in health care. As such, the authors contribute to a better functioning and more transformative health care in times of increased demand and decreased supply of health-care services.Originality/valueThe study challenges conventional wisdom by identifying that coercion is less effective than goal alignment in reducing practice variation, thereby enhancing the understanding of policy implementation dynamics in health-care settings.

Grain refinement induced unusually large shape memory effect in lightweight titanium alloy

High-performance and lightweight shape memory alloys (SMAs) play a pivotal role in a variety of cutting-edge fields like aerospace, which however, are still quite difficult to be obtained until now. In the present work, we meticulously develop a novel lightweight Ti-12.5V-3.5Al-1Hf-0.8Fe-0.01B (at.%) SMA, which has a low mass density of ∼4.73 g/cm3. Prominently, distinct from the conventional wisdom in previous studies that is mainly based on eliminating grain boundaries or developing desired texture, we utilize the grain refinement strategy introduced by elaborate thermal-mechanical training, which effectively enables us to achieve exceptional shape memory response and strength-ductility combination simultaneously. It was revealed that a dominant β phase structure is achieved in this newly designed fine-grain SMA, accompanied by some α″ variants penetrating the grain boundaries. Compared to the coarse-grained counterpart, the deformation process becomes more intricate, involving stress-induced martensitic transformation and additional reorientations, which ultimately results in an unusually large recoverable strain up to 9.3 %. Furthermore, the fine-grain structure also contributes to an enhanced specific yield strength up to ∼159 MPa·m³/kg, while maintaining a large tensile ductility of ∼30 %. In light of its impressive structure-function integration and cost efficiency, this new-type SMA would emerge as a promising candidate for various advanced lightweight applications in a broad spectrum of fields.

Selfish Grower Behavior Can Group-optimally Eradicate Plant Diseases Caused by Coinfection

Game-theoretic behavioral and epidemiological models suggest that it is impossible to eradicate a disease through voluntary control actions when individuals behave according to their own interests. The simple reason is that free-riding behavior, which is best for self-interest, leads to a control coverage on the group level that is insufficient to eradicate the disease. Here we show that, for diseases that are caused by coinfection, self-interest can actually result in the socially optimal outcome of disease eradication. Our result challenges the conventional wisdom that selfish behavior undermines the group interest; it resolves a social dilemma in the absence of any cooperation, institutional arrangements, or social norms. Our model is motivated by coinfecting plant viruses, common among agricultural crops and natural plants, and the behavioral dynamics of growers to adopt protective action (biological or chemical control). The epidemiological scenario, in which the disease is eradicated by self-interest, is characterized by a positive feedback process in which coinfection enhances infectivity. Similar feedback structures exist for a range of typical epidemiological processes that facilitate disease persistence if prevalence is sufficiently large. The underlying mechanism may therefore be applicable to other diseases.

Religion as a tool for authoritarian legitimation: The case of Bangladesh

AbstractIn recent decades, the relationships between religion and politics, particularly between religion and the state, have been widely discussed, yet relationships between authoritarian rulers and religion have not received their due attention. This fourth article in the 2024 World Affairs special issue addresses this lacuna and argues against the conventional wisdom that these two entities are always hostile to each other. The study contends that authoritarian rulers have used three strategies vis‐à‐vis religion as an ideology and religious actors as a political force. Autocrats have adopted repression and cooptation strategies to deal with religious actors and utilized religion as a tool of legitimation. The article offers a case study of Bangladesh which has witnessed the growing salience of religion in politics since 1976, although its 1972 constitution pledged secularism as a state principle. The article examines the strategies used during three phases of military and civilian authoritarianism—1976–1981, 1982–1990, and since 2011—and discusses the relationship between the authoritarian rulers and religion.

Public Approval of the Supreme Court and Its Implications for Legitimacy

In examining public evaluations of governing institutions, are job approval and legitimacy related? This question has dominated scholarship on Supreme Court legitimacy for decades. Conventional wisdom suggests that specific support (e.g., job approval) and diffuse support (e.g., legitimacy) are independent. Specific support captures short-term orientations based on policy alignment with the Court. Legitimacy is a long-term perspective reflecting more fundamental support for the Court as a governing institution. We challenge the paradigm that job approval and legitimacy are largely unrelated concepts. Specifically, we employ a variety of statistical techniques and panel data to show that changes in legitimacy are a direct effect of changes in public approval. Salient decisions and Court vacancies directly shape approval and indirectly shape legitimacy through their effects on approval. Longitudinal analysis confirms that changes in job approval precede and predict changes in legitimacy. These results suggest that the Court needs public approval, and its public approval is rooted in outcome-oriented perceptions of its decisions and membership. Further, sustained low levels of approval will eventually erode legitimacy and limit the Court's influence over policy. Thus, like the outwardly political executive and legislative branches, it is important for the Court to build political capital through job approval.

Dissonance in the face of Alzheimer's disease breakthroughs: clinician and lay stakeholder acceptance, concerns and willingness to pay for emerging disease-modifying therapies.

Introducing new disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for Alzheimer's disease demands a fundamental shift in diagnosis and care for most health systems around the world. Understanding the views of health professionals, potential patients, care partners and taxpayers is crucial for service planning and expectation management about these new therapies. To investigate the public's and professionals' perspectives regarding (1) acceptability of new DMTs for Alzheimer's disease; (2) perceptions of risk/benefits; (3) the public's willingness to pay (WTP). Informed by the 'theoretical framework of acceptability', we conducted two online surveys with 1000 members of the general public and 77 health professionals in Ireland. Descriptive and multivariate regression analyses examined factors associated with DMT acceptance and WTP. Healthcare professionals had a higher acceptance (65%) than the general public (48%). Professionals were more concerned about potential brain bleeds (70%) and efficacy (68%), while the public focused on accessibility and costs. Younger participants (18-24 years) displayed a higher WTP. Education and insurance affected WTP decisions. This study exposes complex attitudes toward emerging DMTs for Alzheimer's disease, challenging conventional wisdom in multiple dimensions. A surprising 25% of the public expressed aversion to these new treatments, despite society's deep-rooted fear of dementia in older age. Healthcare professionals displayed nuanced concerns, prioritising clinical effectiveness and potential brain complications. Intriguingly, younger, better-educated and privately insured individuals exhibited a greater WTP, foregrounding critical questions about healthcare equity. These multifaceted findings serve as a guidepost for healthcare strategists, policymakers and ethicists as we edge closer to integrating DMTs into Alzheimer's disease care.

Traditional lore on the healing effects of therapeutic plants used by the local communities around Simien Mountains National Park, northwestern Ethiopia.

Simien Mountain National Park is a world heritage site with spectacular landscapes and rich in floral diversity. Exploring the plethora of conventional wisdom regarding therapeutic flora for sustainable use and drug development is a timely endeavor. Thus, the present study was aimed at investigating therapeutic plant uses and conservation practices by the local communities dwelling in the vicinity of the Park. Eighty randomly selected general informants and 20 purposefully selected key informants were used to collect the traditional lore from 10 purposefully selected kebeles that border the Park. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews, guided field walks, group discussions and market surveys. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the basic information collected from the informants. An independent sample t test was computed to compare the knowledge variations among different informant groups. Clustering and ranking techniques were employed to validate traditional wisdom of informants. Significant differences in traditional wisdom (P < 0.05) were observed only between general and key informants. Hundred thirteen therapeutic plant species belonging to 56 families were recorded. Asteraceae was the most species-rich family (10%). The majority of therapeutic species were collected from the wild (77%). Herbs and roots were the most preferred habit (47%) and plant parts (37%) for remedy preparation, respectively. Pounding was the most common preparation method (50.1%). The most frequently practiced route of administration was the oral route (48.1%). The highest Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) value (84%) was recorded for respiratory and febrile illnesses. Rumex nepalensis was the most preferred for the treatment of wounds, and Olea europaea subsp cuspidata wasthe first-ranked multipurpose plant. The Park is rich in therapeutic species serving as a refuge for many endemic and endangered species associated with the local community rich medicinal traditional lore. Erosion of therapeutic plants, verbal transfer of the traditional wisdom and young generation negligence in acquiring traditional lore led to the deterioration of the long tradition of using therapeutic plants for health care. Endangered multipurpose therapeutic plants like Echinops kebericho should get conservation priority. Therapeutic plants with the highest ICF and fidelity level could be candidates for drug development.

Open Questions Self-Administered on the Web versus Interviewer-Administered in Person: The 2016 American National Election Study Mode Comparison

Abstract Relatively little is known about the performance of open questions in self-administered questionnaires compared to interviewer-administered ones. We examined this issue using the responses to the 2016 American National Election Study’s Web self-administered questionnaires and face-to-face computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI) from independently drawn samples that asked three sets of open questions: most important problem(s) facing the country; candidate for and against reasons; and political party likes and dislikes. Although Web respondents gave shorter answers with fewer codeable ideas than face-to-face respondents, the two modes produced similar distributions of substantive answers. Despite our expectation that open answers to interviewers would be more civil than those expressed on the Web, there was no difference in civility between the modes. However, the construct validity of the four candidate for and against items (predicting vote choice of Clinton vs. Trump) was higher on the Web than in the interviewer-administered CAPI. These findings call into question the conventional wisdom that open questions are not well suited for self-administration and suggest that researchers should consider more frequent use of open questions in Web surveys.

Dynamics of collective cooperation under personalised strategy updates

Collective cooperation is essential for many social and biological systems, yet understanding how it evolves remains a challenge. Previous investigations report that the ubiquitous heterogeneous individual connections hinder cooperation by assuming individuals update strategies at identical rates. Here we develop a general framework by allowing individuals to update strategies at personalised rates, and provide the precise mathematical condition under which universal cooperation is favoured. Combining analytical and numerical calculations on synthetic and empirical networks, we find that when individuals’ update rates vary inversely with their number of connections, heterogeneous connections actually outperform homogeneous ones in promoting cooperation. This surprising property undercuts the conventional wisdom that heterogeneous structure is generally antagonistic to cooperation and, further helps develop an efficient algorithm OptUpRat to optimise collective cooperation by designing individuals’ update rates in any population structure. Our findings provide a unifying framework to understand the interplay between structural heterogeneity, behavioural rhythms, and cooperation.

Effective fraud detection in e-commerce: Leveraging machine learning and big data analytics

Sophisticated cyber-infrastructure and information technology methods are necessary to exploit and analyse the massive amounts of data generated by online transactions. This study introduces a big data platform for online retailers to tackle various issues in the e-commerce industry. Both people and businesses are vulnerable to fraud, which is a worldwide problem. In today's tech-driven society, the battle against fraud has been greatly aided by machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI). This essay takes a look at the conventional wisdom about fraud prevention and shows how outdated it is when compared to modern fraud techniques. It delves further into the ways in which ML and AI are supporting fast digitization, which in turn revolutionises fraud prevention efforts. Machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms enable companies to comb through massive amounts of data for patterns and anomalies that could suggest fraudulent activity. In this article, we will explore how machine learning and artificial intelligence may greatly enhance fraud prevention efforts. These technologies can help with advanced data analytics, anomaly detection, and predictive modelling. The text highlights the ways in which these technologies empower organisations to proactively identify and reduce fraud risks, protecting both their operations and stakeholders.

Behavioral Finance: Loss Aversion, Market Anomalies, and Prospect Theory in Financial Decision-Making

This paper delves into the intricate world of investor psychology to shed light on the processes that underlie financial decision-making. It focuses on three critical aspects: loss aversion, market anomalies, and prospect theory. These dimensions form the foundation for understanding the psychological factors that influence investors and, in turn, shape their financial choices. Loss aversion, a central theme, underscores the human tendency to fear losses more than they value gains. It explores the emotional aspects that come into play when investors face potential losses and how this can skew their judgment. The essay also examines market anomalies, emphasizing how anomalies in stock and financial markets can lead to deviations from traditional investment strategies, thereby prompting investors to question conventional wisdom. Prospect theory, a fundamental framework for comprehending decision-making, is a key component of this essay. It elaborates on the cognitive biases and emotional responses that guide investors when assessing potential gains and losses. The essay further highlights how recognizing these psychological nuances can empower investors to make more informed, rational choices. In conclusion, the essay elucidates that investor psychology plays a pivotal role in shaping financial outcomes. By acknowledging the intricate interplay of emotions and rationality, investors can make nuanced decisions that align with their financial goals and objectives.

Modern Cyclopropanation via Non‐Traditional Building Blocks

AbstractSmall, strained carbocyclic systems have fascinated organic chemists from both a theoretical and synthetic standpoint. These systems often challenge conventional wisdom when it comes to molecular structure and tactics for chemical construction. The cyclopropyl motif is one such ring system that remains at the forefront of method development in the modern era. With the advent of an array of non‐traditional building blocks, a range of new cyclopropanation processes using one‐ and two‐electron strategies have been developed that not only overcome the synthetic shortcomings of classical approaches but also provide entry into a wide range of new classes of cyclopropanes. This review discusses recent advances in this area with an emphasis on their mechanistic underpinnings and potential applications. Additionally, a concise overview of the properties of and traditional approaches to cyclopropanes is provided.

Monetary policy in advanced and emerging economies

Abstract We are motivated by central bank responses to the rise in inflation in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic and investigate monetary policy behavior in advanced and emerging economies. We speak to the debate on whether the conduct of monetary policy in emerging economies is fundamentally different from that in advanced economies. We also address the issue of whether the common practice of using market rates (instead of policy rates) to proxy for the stance of monetary policy leads to different conclusions regarding the cyclicality of monetary policy in emerging economies. Using time series data for the G7 and EM7 countries, we show that the conventional wisdom that monetary policy in emerging economies is different from monetary policy in advanced economies still holds.

Political participation among deaf youth in Great Britain.

Variations in political participation are linked to demographic factors, socioeconomic disparities, and cultural-ethnic diversity. Existing research has primarily explored reduced political involvement among individuals with disabilities, particularly in electoral politics. However, little research has attended the involvement of deaf people specifically. This is of interest because deaf youth are at an intersection of disability, language and cultural identity with their language affiliations and rejection or acceptance of disability evolving through childhood. This study draws from original data collected via an online survey, comprising 163 deaf young respondents aged 16-19 in Great Britain. We compare their levels of political participation with those of general population peers to explore how sociodemographic factors, alongside variations in self-identification as deaf, and meaningful interactions with other deaf people contribute to explain their political engagement. The results challenge conventional wisdom by demonstrating that deaf youth participate more actively in politics than their hearing peers in various forms of political involvement, including collective, contact, and institutional activism. We also recognize differences among deaf youth and propose that social aspects of identity formation, particularly embracing a deaf identity and having deaf friends, can boost certain forms of political engagement. In summary, this study underscores the importance of acknowledging the diversity of deaf youth in terms of affiliation with various forms of deaf identity, rendering their experience different from both disabled and hearing youth. By identifying the factors driving heightened political participation, policymakers and advocates can develop strategies to enhance political engagement among all young people, regardless of their hearing status.

The paradox of research and development productivity and firm growth: Empirical evidence from publicly listed firms in the United Kingdom

AbstractThis research aims to investigate the intricate association between research and development (R&amp;D) productivity, specifically assessed through Total Factor Productivity (TFP), and various dimensions of firm growth. Our analysis provides a comprehensive examination of different aspects of growth, including sales, productivity, and employment growth. In addition, we investigate the role of R&amp;D investment in conjunction with R&amp;D productivity to provide clear insights into this multifaceted relationship. Although conventional wisdom suggests a positive relationship between R&amp;D and firm growth, our empirical exploration reveals a more intricate reality. Using 164 non‐financial firms listed on the FTSE 350, our findings indicate that while R&amp;D indeed contributes significantly to firm growth, the nature of this influence is contingent upon the specific dimension of growth under consideration and the adopted empirical models. For example, our baseline model shows a positive relationship between R&amp;D productivity and sales and productivity growth. However, this result does not hold for employment growth. This study makes a substantial contribution to the existing body of research on R&amp;D by illuminating the indirect intricacies of this relationship, offering practical insights for both scholars and industry professionals navigating the complex landscape of R&amp;D‐induced growth within the economic milieu.

Activity of light industry in Russia in the conditions of mobilization events in the field of economy

The purpose of the article is to establish the principles of organizing the light industry and adjacent sectors of the Russian economy in the context of mobilization activities in the economy, in order to ensure the uninterrupted supply of products to meet the needs of the troops within the framework of the state order. Methods. The industry analysis is carried out under two main assumptions: a) the industry should be reformed, on the terms of public-private mobilization partnership (PPMP); b) relations between the light industry and related economic sectors should be built on the terms of an inter-industry syndicate (cluster, strategic alliance). The assessment of the stability of companies in the light industry sector is carried out on the basis of a matrix aggregate calculator (MAC). The return on equity of companies is analyzed using the DuPont formula. Results. Based on the simulation results, it is shown that the industry maintains economic stability provided that three basic conditions are met: a) it maintains an irreducible net profitability at the level of 5–7 %; b) forms an irreducible turnover of its assets at the level of 1.5 times a year; c) is credited by the state under the supplier’s factoring scheme, which gives a level of financial leverage of about 1.6. All this together should lead to a return on industry equity (ROE) of about 20 % per annum, which guarantees a rapid attraction of private capital to the industry, with the issuance of additional state guarantees for capital protection (a real option for business). Discussion. A more detailed modeling of sectoral economic stability requires the correct selection of modeling factors by groups: Threats, Opportunities, BSC, Risks, Chances, Decisions. A special modeling of the industry corporate culture is needed, using the approaches of related specialties. Conclusion. The GFMP principle guarantees the sustainable functioning of the Russian economy in the conditions of a period of maximum and medium levels of response and high readiness. The conventional wisdom that it is possible to ensure the sovereignty of the country by keeping the peacetime economy in the rear is untenable.

A Veblenian View of Russian Folklore: Instrumental or Ceremonial Habits of Thought?

The Veblenian concept of various dispositions driving social behavior is applied in a discourse analysis of folkloric material. A sample of 935 proverbs and sayings represents the nineteenth century Russian popular discourse on housekeeping, work, consumption, spending, borrowing, lending, and debt. We compare the beliefs and messages conveyed in folklore with the ideas of Thorstein Veblen. The core values of the past and the traditional habits of thought turn out to be much less ceremonial than conventional wisdom might imply. In Veblenian parlance, they are “productive” and conducive to the well-being of the household. We conclude that the ceremonial character/nature of traditional institutions might be greatly exaggerated, whereas their instrumentality is understated.

Automatic Depth Shifting by Identifying and Matching Events on Well Logs Chicheng Xu

Depth matching or depth shifting between well logs acquired from different runs or between core scans and well logs is a critical data quality control task to ensure subsequent accurate petrophysical interpretation and modeling. Conventional depth-shifting workflow heavily relies on human expertise to manually match a series of peaks and troughs between log curves, which is often subjective, error-prone, and cumbersome. Therefore, it is necessary to establish an automatic depth-shifting workflow to perform this routine yet important task accurately in a consistent and efficient manner. We implemented an automatic workflow to emulate human expertise to identify important “events” such as peaks, troughs, and bed boundaries on log curves and then intelligently match the identified series of events between log curves with local maximum correlation criteria to generate a depth shift table. We applied the automatic workflow in a field case to shift the well log and core gamma ray and delivered a depth shift table comparable to manual depth matching. The final shifted log achieved a significantly enhanced correlation with the reference log. The events identifying and matching method presents a white-box solution that still follows the conventional petrophysical wisdom and allows more user interaction to fine-tune the results. The users have full control of the parameters for optimal results.