Critical Gaps Research Articles

Exploring the origin and fate of surface and sub-surface marine microplastics in the Canary Islands region

The presence of different types of microplastics (MPs) in the Atlantic Ocean has been well-documented, with data collected from the Canary Islands indicating high concentrations of MPs at four different beaches (hot spots). However, critical gaps persist regarding the abundance of MPs in diverse open ocean regions, at varying depths, and their transport behavior and origin. This study aims to evaluate, for the first time, the large-scale (>100 km) and mesoscale (10-100 km) ocean dynamic processes and the resulting transport of MPs in the region. On the one hand, this study investigates the surface velocity of currents between 27-32°N latitude range, establishing correlation with the accumulation of MPs on diverse beaches across several islands of the archipelago. This analysis goes beyond studying the predominant current by integrating data at a smaller geographical scale over a two-year period. Concurrently, previous and ongoing research suggests the presence of small MPs (SMPs,<1 mm) at high concentration at a depth of 1100 meters in this region. By integrating these vertical profiles of MPs with a deep understanding of the physical processes of the Canary region accumulated over decades of research, our study introduces an innovative model that outlines how SMPs are sink and transported in open oceans by water mases. This comprehensive approach not only enhances our understanding of the complex dynamics influencing the distribution of MPs but also provides crucial insights to address the widespread problem of MP pollution in the Atlantic.

Multi-Chemical Omics Analysis of the Symbiodiniaceae Durusdinium trenchii under Heat Stress.

The urgency of responding to climate change for corals necessitates the exploration of innovative methods to swiftly enhance our understanding of crucial processes. In this study, we employ an integrated chemical omics approach, combining elementomics, metabolomics, and volatilomics methodologies to unravel the biochemical pathways associated with the thermal response of the coral symbiont, Symbiodiniaceae Durusdinium trenchii. We outline the complimentary sampling approaches and discuss the standardised data corrections used to allow data integration and comparability. Our findings highlight the efficacy of individual methods in discerning differences in the biochemical response of D. trenchii under both control and stress-inducing temperatures. However, a deeper insight emerges when these methods are integrated, offering a more comprehensive understanding, particularly regarding oxidative stress pathways. Employing correlation network analysis enhanced the interpretation of volatile data, shedding light on the potential metabolic origins of volatiles with undescribed functions and presenting promising candidates for further exploration. Elementomics proves to be less straightforward to integrate, likely due to no net change in elements but rather elements being repurposed across compounds. The independent and integrated data from this study informs future omic profiling studies and recommends candidates for targeted research beyond Symbiodiniaceae biology. This study highlights the pivotal role of omic integration in advancing our knowledge, addressing critical gaps, and guiding future research directions in the context of climate change and coral reef preservation.

Fungal-Mediated Biotransformation of the Plant Growth Regulator Forchlorfenuron by Cunninghamella elegans.

The synthetic cytokinin forchlorfenuron (FCF), while seemingly presenting relatively low toxicity for mammalian organisms, has been the subject of renewed scrutiny in the past few years due to its increasing use in fruit crops and potential for bioaccumulation. Despite many toxicological properties of FCF being known, little research has been conducted on the toxicological effects of its secondary metabolites. Given this critical gap in the existing literature, understanding the formation of relevant FCF secondary metabolites and their association with mammalian metabolism is essential. To investigate the formation of FCF metabolites in sufficient quantities for toxicological studies, a panel of four fungi were screened for their ability to catalyze the biotransformation of FCF. Of the organisms screened, Cunninghamella elegans (ATCC 9245), a filamentous fungus, was found to convert FCF to 4-hydroxyphenyl-forchlorfenuron, the major FCF secondary metabolite identified in mammals, after 26 days. Following the optimization of biotransformation conditions using a solid support system, media screening, and inoculation with a solid pre-formed fungal mass of C. elegans, this conversion time was significantly reduced to 7 days-representing a 73% reduction in total reaction time as deduced from the biotransformation products and confirmed by LC-MS, NMR spectroscopic data, as well as a comparison with synthetically prepared metabolites. Our study provides the first report of the metabolism of FCF by C. elegans. These findings suggest that C. elegans can produce FCF secondary metabolites consistent with those produced via mammalian metabolism and could be used as a more efficient, cost-effective, and ethical alternative for producing those metabolites in useful quantities for toxicological studies.

Rising minimum temperatures contribute to 50 years of occupancy decline among cold-adapted Arctic and boreal butterflies in North America.

Global climate change has been identified as a potential driver of observed insect declines, yet in many regions, there are critical data gaps that make it difficult to assess how communities are responding to climate change. Poleward regions are of particular interest because warming is most rapid while biodiversity data are most sparse. Building on recent advances in occupancy modeling of presence-only data, we reconstructed 50 years (1970-2019) of butterfly occupancy trends in response to rising minimum temperatures in one of the most under-sampled regions of North America. Among 90 modeled species, we found that cold-adapted species are far more often in decline compared with their warm-adapted, more southernly distributed counterparts. Furthermore, in a post hoc analysis using species' traits, we find that species' range-wide average annual temperature is the only consistent predictor of occupancy changes. Species with warmer ranges were most likely to be increasing in occupancy. This trend results in the majority of butterflies increasing in occupancy probability over the last 50 years. Our results provide the first look at macroscale butterfly biodiversity shifts in high-latitude North America. These results highlight the potential of leveraging the wealth of presence-only data, the most abundant source of biodiversity data, for inferring changes in species distributions.

Analysis of ICESat‐2 Data Acquisition Algorithm Parameter Enhancements to Improve Worldwide Bathymetric Coverage

AbstractA major advance in global bathymetric observation occurred in 2018 with the launch of NASA’s ICESat‐2 satellite, carrying a green‐wavelength, photon‐counting lidar, the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS). Although bathymetric measurement was not initially a design goal for the mission, pre‐ and post‐launch studies revealed ATLAS’s notable bathymetric mapping capability. ICESat‐2 bathymetry has been used to support a wide range of coastal and nearshore science objectives. However, analysis of ICESat‐2 bathymetry in numerous locations around the world revealed instances of missing or clipped bathymetry in areas where bathymetric measurement should be feasible. These missing data were due to the ATLAS receiver algorithms not being optimized for bathymetry capture. To address this, two updates have been made to ICESat‐2’s receiver algorithm parameters with the goal of increasing the area for which ICESat‐2 can provide bathymetry. This paper details the parameter changes and presents the results of a two‐phased study designed to investigate ICESat‐2’s bathymetry enhancements at both local and global scales. The results of both phases confirm that the new parameters achieved the intended goal of increasing the amount of bathymetry provided by ICESat‐2. The site‐specific phase demonstrates the ability to fill critical bathymetric data gaps in open ocean and coastal settings. The global analysis shows that the area of potential bathymetry approximately doubled, with 6.1 million km2 of new area in which bathymetric measurements may be feasible. These enhancements are anticipated to facilitate a range of science objectives and close the gap between ICESat‐2 bathymetry and offshore sonar data.

Carbon Emissions From Chinese Inland Waters: Current Progress and Future Challenges

AbstractInland waters are significant emitters of greenhouse gases for the atmosphere and play an important role in the global carbon cycle. With a vast land area in East Asia spanning a broad range of climatic conditions, China has a large number of natural and human‐made water bodies. These inland water systems are of global importance because of their high carbon emission fluxes. Over the past decades, China has experienced unprecedented environmental changes driven by rapid economic development, which have profoundly modified its inland water carbon biogeochemistry and associated emissions. This review focuses on carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emission dynamics from China's inland waters in response to global change. Major drivers of CO2 and CH4 emissions, including aquatic metabolism, hydrological and climatic factors, and prevailing human impacts, are examined. To advance our understanding of carbon emissions from China's inland waters, we further identify several critical knowledge gaps, such as inadequate research in headwater streams and the climate‐sensitive Tibetan Plateau aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, insufficient understanding of carbon emissions from inland waters undergoing extensive human interventions (e.g., damming, flow regulation, pollution, and farming practices in aquaculture ponds) is highlighted. We suggest that future efforts should be made to better capture the spatiotemporal heterogeneity in dissolved CO2 and CH4 concentrations and fluxes across China as well as their long‐term trends. To overcome uncertainties in carbon sources and current flux estimates, future research to mechanistically understand carbon transport and transformation in Chinese inland waters and their underlying processes is particularly needed.

Microbial ensemble in the hives: deciphering the intricate gut ecosystem of hive and forager bees of Apis mellifera.

The gut microbiome of honey bees significantly influences vital traits and metabolic processes, including digestion, detoxification, nutrient provision, development, and immunity. However, there is a limited information is available on the gut bacterial diversity of western honey bee populations in India. This study addresses the critical knowledge gap and outcome of which would benefit the beekeepers in India. This study investigates the gut bacterial diversity in forager and hive bees of Indian Apis mellifera, employing both culture-based and culture-independent methods. In the culturable study, a distinct difference in gut bacterial alpha and beta diversity between forager and hive bees emerges. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria dominate, with hive bees exhibiting a Firmicutes-rich gut (65%), while foragers showcase a higher proportion of Proteobacteria (37%). Lactobacillus in the hive bee foregut aligns with the findings by other researchers. Bacterial amplicon sequencing analysisreveals a more intricate bacterial composition with 18 identified phyla, expanding our understanding compared to culturable methods. Hive bees exhibit higher community richness and diversity, likely due to diverse diets and increased social interactions. The core microbiota includes Snodgrassella alvi, Gilliamella apicola, and Bombilactobacillus mellis and Lactobacillus helsingborgensis, crucial for digestion, metabolism, and pathogen resistance. The study emphasises bacteria's role in pollen and nectar digestion, with specific groups like Lactobacillus and Bifidobobacterium spp. associated with carbohydrate metabolism and polysaccharide breakdown. These microbes aid in starch and sucrose digestion, releasing beneficial short-chain fatty acids. This research highlights the intricate relationship between honey bees and their gut microbiota, showcasing how the diverse and complex microbiome helps bees overcome dietary challenges and enhances overall host health. Understanding these interactions contributes to bee ecology knowledge and has implications for honey bee health management, emphasising the need for further exploration and conservation efforts.

The emergence of urban heat traps and human mobility in 20 US cities

Understanding the relationship between spatial structures of cities and environmental hazard exposures is essential for urban health and sustainability planning. However, a critical knowledge gap exists in terms of the extent to which socio-spatial networks shaped by human mobility exacerbate or alleviate urban heat exposures of populations in cities. In this study, we utilize location-based data to construct human mobility networks in twenty metropolitan areas in the U.S. The human mobility networks are analyzed in conjunction with the urban heat characteristics of spatial areas. We identify areas with high and low urban heat exposure and evaluate visitation patterns of populations residing in high and low urban heat areas to other spatial areas with similar and dissimilar urban heat exposure. The results reveal the presence of urban heat traps in the majority of the studied metropolitan areas, wherein populations residing in high-heat exposure areas primarily visited other high-heat exposure zones. Specifically, cities such as Los Angeles, Boston, and Chicago were particularly pronounced as urban heat traps. The results also show a small percentage of human mobility to produce urban heat escalation and heat escapes. The findings from this study provide a better understanding of urban heat exposure in cities based on patterns of human mobility. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of the intersection of human network dynamics and environmental hazard exposures in cities to inform more integrated urban design and planning to promote health and sustainability.

Organized abandonment under racial capitalism: Measuring accountable actors of structural racism for public health research and action

Understanding the shifting nature of structural racism historically and across institutions is vital for effective action towards racial health equity. While public health research on structural racism is rapidly increasing, most studies are missing the interdependence of policies and institutional practices over time that shape power imbalances and lead to entrenched health inequities. Here, we discuss Ruth Wilson Gilmore's concept of organized abandonment — the intentional disinvestment in communities which, in turn, creates opportunities for extraction, revenue generation, and carceral enforcement to fill the cracks of a compromised social infrastructure — to encourage action-oriented public health research that is grounded in history and an understanding of racial capitalism. We present a case example using publicly-available data on redlining, gentrification and policing in Seattle, Washington. We mapped the intersections of redlining and gentrification and estimated their neighborhood-level association with police activity using Bayesian spatial Poisson regression models. We found that histories of racist housing policies like redlining and processes of gentrification are interdependent and shape contemporary neighborhood racial and economic segregation and police activity. Compared to structurally advantaged neighborhoods, police stops were higher in neighborhoods that were 1) historically disinvested (i.e. redlined) and remain low-income and structurally disadvantaged and 2) formerly industrial and business districts that were not redlined and are now gentrified. Notably, we found that policing practices were significantly more intensive in neighborhoods that were both high redlined and gentrified. Together, these findings illustrate how the place-based racialized processes of dispossession, displacement and policing are deeply intertwined to maintain racial capitalism. Our findings also highlight the importance of examining multiple racialized processes simultaneously to fill critical gaps in the existing literature that are necessary for sustainable solutions to address structural racism.

Gaps in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Drug-resistant Tuberculosis in Mexico

Objective: The study aimed to determine the critical gaps in the care of drug-resistant tuberculosis to implement strategies for its elimination. Material and Methods: Cases with various resistance profiles that were presented to the National Advisory Group for Drug Resistance during the years 2019-2022 have been described. Results and Discussion: 104 cases were included in this study. 41% of the patients had diabetes (41%) as a comorbidity. There have been observed delays in the reporting of rapid molecular tests; with the Xpert MTB/RIF, delays of 6.33 days have been reported. There have also been observed delays in the request for phenotypic drug susceptibility tests; from the time of initial diagnosis, patients have been found to receive their first drug susceptibility test, on average, after 20 months. The bacteriological follow-up during the treatment with monthly culture has been found to only be carried out in 8% of the cases. In the contact investigation, only 16% of the listed contacts had been studied for infection or active disease. Conclusion: The elimination of these gaps requires the decentralization of susceptibility tests for fluoroquinolones, shortening the times between the diagnosis of drug resistance and the start of treatment, a close clinical and bacteriological follow-up, and an exhaustive investigation of contacts.

Abstract PR005: Tracing the clonal dynamic of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer over immunotherapy using circulating tumor DNA

Abstract Human cancer tissues are known to release their own DNA into body fluids such as plasma. These DNA molecules derived from tumors, collectively known as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), contain genetic information about disease progression at the time of sampling. Importantly, ctDNA has recently been utilized for capturing the whole-body disease profile and when sampled at various time points over the treatment, can inform the dynamic of clonal heterogeneity and its contribution to therapy failures. Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is a class of cancerous diseases with a high degree of clonal heterogeneity and high mortality which is largely due to the frequent emergence of therapy resistance. Therefore, reconstructing the clonal history for mCRPC diseases using ctDNA has great potential in identification of novel and targetable molecular mechanisms that drive mCRPC progression. To assess this possibility, we hypothesize that tumor clones that are responsible for therapy resistance carry distinct genomic profiles, which are captured in plasma ctDNA and could be computationally resolved through genomic sequencing and clonal reconstruction. To address this question, we obtained plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA), a mixture of ctDNA and other tissue-derived DNA, from 38 individuals treated with combination PD-L1 and PARP inhibition involved in a recent clinical trial (NCT02484404). Whole-genome sequencing was performed using cfDNA and fragmented buffy coat DNA as germline control. cfDNA samples with a tumor fraction of lower than 10% were excluded. Various computational strategies were used to model the clonal structures of diseases and estimate the temporal order in which small and large structural variants emerged. Through this approach, we observed a negative association between cfDNA tumor fraction and therapy response. Multiple clonal evolutionary patterns leading to therapy failures were observed. For example, both gain and loss of activating androgen receptor mutations were detected in different cases following the treatment, which represents two distinct mechanisms of evading immunotherapy targeting. As a result, changes in the relevant transcriptional activities were also detected through ctDNA fragment-based computational inference. Additionally, clonal persistence was detected in multiple cases that exhibited stable diseases upon the treatment, which involves loss-of-function mutations in p53, ATM, and CDK12. To estimate the potential contribution to plasma ctDNA by metastatic diseases, multi-region whole genome and exome sequencing data of the tumors that are available for some cases prior to the treatment were also analyzed. Clones resolved from analyzing ctDNA were computationally mapped to the primary disease or metastatic tissue with a shared set of mutations in a subset of cases and may explain the patterns of treatment response. Our novel findings from this study will fill in a critical gap of knowledge about the complex genetic mechanisms driving mCRPC immunotherapy resistance. Citation Format: Chennan Li, Anna Baj, Clara C. Y. Seo, Nicholas T. Terrigino, John R. Bright, S. Thomas Hennigan, Isaiah M. King, Scott Wilkinson, Shana Y. Trostel, William D. Figg, William L. Dahut, Jung Min Lee, David Y. Takeda, Fatima Karzai, Adam G. Sowalsky. Tracing the clonal dynamic of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer over immunotherapy using circulating tumor DNA [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Translating Cancer Evolution and Data Science: The Next Frontier; 2023 Dec 3-6; Boston, Massachusetts. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(3 Suppl_2):Abstract nr PR005.

Multimodality Cardiac Imaging and the Imaging Workforce in the United States: Diversity, Disparities, and Future Directions.

Innovations in cardiac imaging have fundamentally advanced the understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disease. These advances in noninvasive cardiac imaging have also expanded the role of the cardiac imager and dramatically increased the demand for imagers who are cross-trained in multiple modalities. However, we hypothesize that there is significant variation in the availability of cardiac imaging expertise and a disparity in the adoption of advanced imaging technologies across the United States. To evaluate this, we have brought together the leaders of cardiovascular imaging societies, imaging trainees, as well as collaborated with national imaging accreditation commissions and imaging certification boards to assess the state of cardiac imaging and the diversity of the imaging workforce in the United States. Aggregate data confirm the presence of critical gaps, such as limited access to imaging and imaging expertise in rural communities, as well as disparities in the imaging workforce, notably among women and underrepresented minorities. Based on these results, we have proposed solutions to promote and maintain a robust and diverse community of cardiac imagers and improve equity and accessibility for cardiac imaging technologies.

BIM-driven energy simulation and optimization for net-zero tall buildings: sustainable construction management

The growing demand for sustainable and energy-efficient buildings, particularly in the context of tall structures, has prompted increased attention to innovative solutions. Despite advancements in Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology, there exists a critical gap in understanding its comprehensive application for achieving net-zero energy consumption in tall buildings, particularly in the Malaysian construction industry. This research addresses this gap by presenting a novel strategy that integrates BIM technology with energy analysis tools for net-zero tall buildings in Malaysia. The aim of the study is to contribute valuable insights to the construction industry, policymakers, and researchers by conducting empirical research, utilizing case studies, validating the proposed framework, advancing sustainable design practices, and supporting the transition towards net-zero energy tall buildings in Malaysia. The methodology involves a three-phase approach, including qualitative analysis, a pilot survey, and a main questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) validates the categorization derived from qualitative interviews, while Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) assesses the convergent and discriminant validity of the measurement model. Hypotheses testing using bootstrapping establishes the significance of correlations between BIM deployment and key factors such as early design integration, enhanced energy efficiency, optimized system integration, predictive performance analysis, and validation of sustainable design. The research findings support the positive associations between BIM deployment and the mentioned factors, providing statistical significance through T-statistics and p-values. The implications of this research extend beyond the Malaysian context, offering valuable insights for architects, engineers, and stakeholders involved in designing and managing sustainable tall buildings. By addressing the identified gaps and leveraging BIM technology effectively, stakeholders can contribute to the construction of net-zero energy structures, aligning with global efforts towards sustainable and energy-efficient building practices.

Ambivalence of Female Power and Prostitution in Nawal El Saadawi’s Woman at Point Zero

Several factors in contemporary society have made diverse demands of women. The demands have necessitated the search of options so as to lope with the challenges and pressures of modern life. This study identifies that most studies of the status of women usually focus on the oppression, stereotyping, and dehumanisation of women in patriarchal society only. However, this paper examined how the female in Nawal El Saadawi’s Woman at Point Zero transcended the limit, exhibiting qualities that are perceived to be those of the male and in addition recognises that many women identify prostitution as a survival strategy; the reality of using what they have to obtain what they need. This creates ambivalence in their nature. This study on one hand projects the weakness of women in prostitution and on the other fills the critical gap by showing how the stereotype of the weaker sex is broken by women in the novel. The paper adopts feminism as a theoretical framework to explore the ambivalence of the female power and prostitution. Deploying the qualitative method of analysis and the eco-critical method, the study explains the ambivalence of womanhood in the novel. The women’s strength is visualised by their becoming a voice, sexually active, economically and independently successful, fearless, defending themselves from their oppressors, and consequently asserting their womanhood. The woman’s weakness is viewed in their indulgence in prostitution for economic empowerment. The paper concludes that patriarchal forces push the women into prostitution but when the oppressed (women) are pushed to the wall, they have no other option but to revolt. Consequently, the radicalism in the novels is not only aimed at challenging patriarchal agents but to also raise the consciousness that women should be treated fairly and given equal opportunities.

Abstract PR02: Modeling breast cancer through somatic precision gene editing with high flexibility and efficiency

Abstract CRISPR/Cas9 has been used successfully to introduce indels in somatic cells of rodents; however, precise editing of single nucleotides has been hampered by limitations of flexibility and efficiency. Here, we report technological modifications to the CRISPR/Cas9 vector system that now allows homology-directed repair-mediated precise editing of any proto-oncogene in murine somatic tissues to generate tumor models with high flexibility and efficiency. Somatic editing of either Kras or Pik3ca in both normal and hyperplastic mammary glands led to swift tumorigenesis. The resulting tumors shared some histological, transcriptome, and proteome features with tumors induced by lentivirus-mediated expression of the respective oncogenes, but they also exhibited some distinct characteristics, particularly showing less inter-tumor variation, thus potentially offering more consistent models for cancer studies and therapeutic development. Therefore, this technological advance fills a critical gap between the power of CRISPR technology and high-fidelity mouse models for studying human tumor evolution and preclinical drug testing. Citation Format: Wen Bu, Yi Li, Chad J Creighton, Kelsey S Heavener, Carolina Gutierrez, Yongchao Dou, Weiyu Jiang, Bing Zhang, Amy T Ku, Shixia Huang. Modeling breast cancer through somatic precision gene editing with high flexibility and efficiency [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Advances in Breast Cancer Research; 2023 Oct 19-22; San Diego, California. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(3 Suppl_1):Abstract nr PR02.

Entamoeba histolytica Infection in the Philippines: A Review

Entamoeba histolytica, an intestinal protozoan parasite, is the primary causative agent of both intestinal and extraintestinal amoebiasis. While six species of Entamoeba have been identified in the human gut, only E. histolytica is well recognized as a pathogenic amoeba associated with intestinal and extraintestinal infections. In many cases of E. histolytica infection, symptoms are either absent or mild, whereas the most frequent clinical manifestations are colitis and liver abscess due to amoebic infection. Diagnosis typically relies on microscopic and serological methods. Metronidazole is the standard therapy for treating children and adults with invasive amoebiasis. However, the absence of an effective vaccine poses a significant challenge to controlling the transmission and progression of the parasite into an active, invasive disease. Notably, in developing tropical countries like the Philippines, significant cases of E. histolytica infections have been documented in communities with inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices. The development of pragmatic and cost-effective diagnostic methods is therefore crucial for the clinical care of amoebiasis patients. Drawing from a limited pool of published articles (2010 to date) on cases of E. histolytica infections and parasitological surveys in the Philippines, the current review underscores the critical knowledge gap on the prevalence of amoebiasis as well as the disease pathology and treatment of this zoonotic parasitic disease.

Environmental impacts of potential mining-replacing-import alternative for China in response to the China-Australia coal ban

Australia is a long-term key partner of China in coal trading, which is famous for high-quality coal and its price advantage. However, affected by the evolution of international political and economic situation, China has issued a coal ban on Australian coal since the end of 2020. The potential environmental consequences of this coal ban remain unclear. So, this paper quantifies the ban's impact on air pollution, human health and climate change by simulating the emission difference between the port scenario (simulating the emissions due to Australian coal import under business as usual) and the mine scenario (simulating the emissions due to domestic coal mining that converted from import share of Australian coal), and monetizes the losses into economic costs for direct comparison. The results illustrate the emission of SO2, VOCs and GHG in mine scenario grows up to 102, 12 and 6 times the amount of that in port scenario, mainly deriving from coal mining process in the North China Plain and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. It shows that the potential alternative of replacing import with mining leads to PM2.5 pollution exacerbation and O3 pollution abatement, which causes 148 (95 % CI: 101–183) non-communicable diseases and respiratory disease-related deaths in total. As for GHG, the emission of BC in transportation process and fugitive methane in coal mining process contribute to an impressive effect on warming potential with few quantities, which is worth noting in control process. In total, the environmental deterioration resulted in an economic loss of approximately 934 million yuan. The undiminished demand for high-quality industrial coal as well as growing carbon tax could make the economic value of the coal ban's environmental consequences more considerable in the near future. This research emphasizes the contradiction between economic development and environmental improvement caused by excessive dependence on coal and addresses a critical knowledge gap in assessing the ban's environmental impact by economic value. The result directly demonstrates the environmental consequences of the potential mining-replacing-import alternative and helps better understand environmental influences on the Chinese government's decision.

Does Anyone Care? —The Prevalence of Forced Labor Among Kenyan Migrant Workers and the Glaring Need for Better Labor Conditions in GCC Countries

ABSTRACT Much media coverage in recent years has identified the abuses of migrant workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (e.g. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates [UAE], and Saudi Arabia), an increasingly popular migrant destination for Kenyan workers. Due to their unique geo-political and economic profiles, these countries with widespread human rights violations have remained non-responsive primarily to pressure from the international community. Importantly, these factors mask another critical gap in human trafficking research: the lack of reliable data and how best to collect it threatens the effectiveness of existing and proposed interventions in the GCC. To address this gap, this team sought to measure the prevalence of forced labor among recently returned Kenyan migrant workers from GCC countries currently residing in the Nairobi Metro area. Using rigorous estimation strategies in our data collection and analysis, we found that forced labor was pervasive among this population. Practically every Kenyan migrant worker who worked in GCC countries during the studied period could be considered a victim of forced labor. Most striking was the consistency in the high rates of violations across all measures, regardless of which set of indicators we applied in our analysis. Although abuses among migrant workers are not uncommon in wealthy nations, such high rates of forced labor violations in GCC countries are truly rare, if not unprecedented in current prevalence estimation research, and call for massive systemic efforts to address the situation.

The Impact of Technology Adoption on Efficiency and Transparency in Public Procurement Processes in Kenya

In recent years, global public procurement has witnessed a paradigm shift with the integration of technology, a phenomenon embraced by countries like Kenya. The Kenyan government has actively modernized its procurement system through the adoption of e-procurement systems, blockchain, and artificial intelligence, aiming to bolster efficiency and transparency. The purpose of this research work was to assess the impact of technology adoption on efficiency and transparency in public procurement processes in Kenya. This research addressed a critical gap in understanding the nuanced impacts of these technological advancements on the intricate dynamics of public procurement in Kenya. Investigating the adoption's influence on efficiency and transparency, the study explored experiences, challenges, successes, and overall implications. The findings are of significance to public governance, offering insights to policymakers, practitioners, and technology developers. Aligned with global sustainable development initiatives, the study advocated for digital literacy training, cybersecurity measures, infrastructure improvement, policy incentives, a national digital procurement strategy, private sector collaboration, policy reviews, and data-sharing initiatives. By embracing the recommendations, Kenya can navigate challenges and capitalize on technology for an efficient, transparent, and resilient future in public procurement, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

BioProtIS: Streamlining protein-ligand interaction pipeline for analysis in genomic and transcriptomic exploration

The identification of protein-ligand interactions plays a pivotal role in elucidating biological processes and discovering potential bioproducts. Harnessing the capabilities of computational methods in drug discovery, we introduce an innovative Inverted Virtual Screening (IVS) pipeline. This pipeline Integrated molecular dynamics and docking analyses to ensure that protein structures are not only energetically favorable but also representative of stable conformations. The primary objective of this pipeline is to automate and streamline the analysis of protein-ligand interactions at both genomic and transcriptomic scales. In the contemporary post-genomic era, high-throughput computational screening for bioproducts, biological systems, and therapeutic drugs has become a cornerstone practice. This approach offers the promise of cost-effectiveness, time efficiency, and optimization of laboratory work. Nevertheless, a notable deficiency persists in the availability of efficient pipelines capable of automating the virtual screening process, seamlessly integrating input and output, and leveraging the full potential of open-source tools. To bridge this critical gap, we have developed a versatile pipeline known as BioProtIS. This tool seamlessly integrates a suite of state-of-the-art tools, including Modeller, AlphaFold, Gromacs, FPOCKET, and AutoDock Vina, thus facilitating the streamlined docking of ligands with an expansive repertoire of proteins sourced from genomes and transcriptomes, and substrates. To assess the pipeline's performance, we employed the transcriptomes of Cereus jamacaru (a cactus species) and Aspisoma lineatum (firefly), along with the genome of Homo sapiens. This integration not only improves the accuracy of ligand-protein interactions by minimizing replicability deviations but also optimizes the discovery process by enabling the simultaneous evaluation of multiple substrates. Furthermore, our pipeline accommodates distinct testing scenarios, such as blind docking or site-specific targeting, which are invaluable in applications ranging from drug repositioning to the exploration of new allosteric binding sites and toxicity assessments. BioProtIS has been designed with modularity at its core. This inherent flexibility empowers users to make custom modifications directly within the source code, tailoring the pipeline to their specific research needs. Moreover, it lays the foundation for seamless integration of diverse docking algorithms in future iterations, promising ongoing advancements in the field of computational biology. This pipeline is available for free distribution and can be download at: https://github.com/BBMDO/BioProtIS.