Future Growth Research Articles

Quantitative research on China's virtual power plant policies: Effectiveness evaluation and frontier trends

Virtual power plants (VPP) aim to enhance the electricity system's stability, adaptability, and efficiency while promoting the scale-up of renewable energy. It is worth noting that VPP policy is crucial to promoting the development of VPP and providing solid guarantees. However, there is a lack of quantitative evaluation of the VPP policy to understand its advantages and potential value and identify policy deficiencies when amalgamated with the VPP's future growth. This study innovatively constructs a multidimensional quantitative evaluation framework for VPP policy based on the text mining (TM) method and the Policy Modelling Consistency Index (PMC-Index) model, filling a gap in the quantitative evaluation of VPP policy and providing new perspectives for subsequent research. It was found that among the ten representative VPP policies selected, one exhibits good consistency, eight exhibit acceptable consistency, and one exhibits low consistency. VPP policies with broad content and comprehensive coverage have higher PMC-Index scores, while with limited implementation, more targeted ones have lower PMC-Index scores. The primary reasons for the concave PMC-Surface of ten policies are the low policy level (X2) and policy timeliness (X4) scores. These results suggest that VPP policies still have significant room for improvement concerning the authority of policy-issuing agencies and the development of short--, medium---, and long-term plans. Accordingly, CiteSpace is used to analyze the research hotspots and cutting-edge trends of VPP and explore the direction of future policy formulation. Based on the research findings, specific and actionable suggestions are proposed for subsequent formulation and modification of VPP policies in terms of enhanced integration and interoperability, data management and information security, innovation and improvement of market mechanisms, policy support and incentives, and training and education.

Male allocation to ejaculation and mating effort imposes different life history trade-offs.

When males compete, sexual selection favors reproductive traits that increase their mating or fertilization success (pre- and postcopulatory sexual selection). It is assumed that males face a trade-off between these 2 types of sexual traits because they both draw from the same pool of resources. Consequently, allocation into mate acquisition or ejaculation should create similar trade-offs with other key life history traits. Tests of these assumptions are exceedingly rare. Males only ejaculate after they mate, and the costs of ejaculation are therefore highly confounded with those of mating effort. Consequently, little is known about how each component of reproductive allocation affects a male's future performance. Here, we ran an experiment using a novel technique to distinguish the life history costs of mating effort and ejaculation for mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki). We compared manipulated males (mate without ejaculation), control males (mate and ejaculate), and naïve males (neither mate nor ejaculate) continuously housed with a female and 2 rival males. We assessed their growth, somatic maintenance, mating and fighting behavior, and sperm traits after 8 and 16 weeks. Past mating effort significantly lowered a male's future mating effort and growth, but not his sperm production, while past sperm release significantly lowered a male's future ejaculate quantity, but not his mating effort. Immune response was the only trait impacted by both past mating effort and past ejaculation. These findings challenge the assumption that male reproductive allocation draws from a common pool of resources to generate similar life history costs later in life. Instead, we provide clear evidence that allocation into traits under pre- and postcopulatory sexual selection have different trait-specific effects on subsequent male reproductive performance.

Revitalizing the Economy: The Impact of Free Trade Areas on the Logistics Industry Agglomeration in Post-COVID China

This study examines the impact of free trade areas on China's logistics industry and its economy in the post-COVID era. The paper primarily focuses on key regions, utilizing the Location Quotient (LQ) method to analyze relevant trends. Notably, Hainan demonstrates substantial growth in the logistics sector, whereas Shanghai and Guangdong exhibit increased output despite declining LQ values, indicative of a shift towards services and innovation. Furthermore, logistics agglomeration promotes cross-industry collaboration, efficient value-added services, job creation, and career mobility, all of which address the economic challenges faced by China. This study emphasizes the crucial role played by free trade areas, such as Hainan, in stimulating logistics agglomeration and driving economic recovery, trade expansion, and employment opportunities in the post-pandemic landscape, thereby offering valuable insights for future growth.

Who Are the Hand-to-Mouth?

Abstract Many households hold little wealth. In standard precautionary savings models, these households should not only display higher marginal propensities to consume (MPCs) but also higher future consumption growth. In contrast, we see from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics that such “hand-to-mouth” households do not display higher growth in spending. They also exhibit greater volatility of spending and adjust their spending to a greater extent through the number of categories consumed. Consistent with a role for preference heterogeneity, the panel data show that it is persistent differences across households, not current assets, that predict low consumption growth and other spending differences for the hand-to-mouth households. To identify the extent of preference heterogeneity, we consider the model of Kaplan and Violante with both liquid and illiquid assets, but allow heterogeneity in preferences. To match the data, many poor hand-to-mouth must be relatively impatient and have a high inter-temporal elasticity of substitution. The model shows that preferences predominantly explain the higher MPCs for low-asset households. Preference heterogeneity notably increases the spending impact of fiscal transfers, but only if targeted, while reducing that from interest rate cuts.

Education and training of telemental health providers: a systematic review.

To conduct a systematic literature review of education and training (E&T) programs for telemental health (TMH) providers in the past 10 years to qualitatively clarify field offerings and methodologies, as well as identify areas for future growth. We searched five major electronic databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science for original publications on TMH E&T from January 2013 to May 2023. We extracted information from each publication and summarized key features of training programs including setting, target group, study aims, training modality, methods of assessing quality, and outcomes. A total of 20 articles were selected for the final review. Articles meeting inclusionary criteria were predominantly comprised of case studies and commentaries, focused on a TMH service/practice for a specific region/population, and were performed after 2020. All of the selected studies demonstrated a significant increase in the measured knowledge, skills, and abilities of the participants after TMH training. Nevertheless, there remains a lack of standardization of training methodologies, limited sample sizes and demographics, variability in study methodologies, and inconsistency of competency targets across studies. This systematic review highlighted the diversity of methods for TMH E&T. Future research on this topic could include more varied and larger-scale studies to further validate and extend current findings, as well as explore potential long-term effects of TMH training programs on both provider attitudes and patient outcomes.

Exploring future landscape changes for polycentric urbanization using cellular automata calibrated with radiation model

The use of cellular automata (CA) is essential for exploring future urban growth scenarios in spatial planning. However, modeling polycentric urbanization processes with CA is still challenging due to the presence of spatial spillover effects arising from spatial interactions between different regions. This study proposes a hybrid framework that addresses the spatial spillover effect that emerges from multi-centers by coupling a radiation model (RM) and Markov chain (MC) with CA to simulate polycentric urbanization processes. The simulation capabilities of the RM-MC-CA framework were evaluated and validated by simulating Guangzhou’s actual urban growth from 2000 to 2020, and the future urban growth scenarios of 2035 and 2050 were simulated with this coupled model. Results showed this framework provides a spatio-temporal diffusion process consistent with the cooperative mechanism of urbanization from monocentric to polycentric. In terms of simulation accuracy, the proposed RM-MC-CA framework demonstrated the most promising performance compared to MC-CA, GM-MC-CA, and PLUS. Compared to classical MC-CA, the framework improved the Kappa, FOM, and Precision metrics by 0.54%, 3.93%, and 2.38%, respectively. These results indicated that incorporating spatial spillover processes into a CA model can enhance its ability to simulate polycentric patterns that promote high-quality urban development.

Effects of rapid maxillary expansion on upper airway parameters in OSA children with maxillary restriction: A CBCT study.

Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) has been proposed as an effective treatment for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and maxillary restriction in children. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of RME appliances on the nasomaxillary complex dimensions in children with OSA and maxillary constriction. This prospective longitudinal study included 34 children aged 8-12 years with maxillary restriction and OSA confirmed by polysomnography who had completed RME therapy. The nasomaxillary complex is segmented into the nasal cavity, maxillary sinuses, and nasopharynx. The effect of RME on nasomaxillary complex dimensions was assessed pre and posttreatment using cone-beam computed tomography, analysis, while a second standard overnight polysomnography (PSG) was performed to assess changes in respiratory parameters. Significant improvements were observed, including inferior maxillary dislocation (S-S1 distance and N-ANS), increased anterior and posterior facial height, and a 5.43 events/h reduction in Apnea-Hypopnea Index (p < .001). The nasal cavity volume increased by 2439 (±584) mm3 (p < .001), nasopharynx size increased by 883 (±479) mm3 (p = .008), mid cross-sectional area increased by 31.74 (±14.50) mm2 (p < .001), and the distance between the right and left maxillary sinuses increased by 8.37 (±3.67) mm (p < .001) all exhibited positive changes, with some insignificant variations in volume change (p = .254). RME treatment was found to be effective in improving nasal cavity and nasopharyngeal dimensions, leading to improved respiratory parameters in children with OSA and maxillary constriction. While these results are promising, considerations about the potential long-term benefits of RME on future growth are important. The study provides valuable insights into the efficacy of RME as a treatment option for this pediatric population.

Co-benefits of the liquid hydrogen economy and LNG economy: Advances in LNG integrating LH2 production processes

Against the global energy transition towards decarbonization and zero-carbon targets, hydrogen (H2) has emerged as a promising medium for energy storage and transportation in large-scale systems. Simultaneously, liquefied natural gas (LNG), serves as a transitional resource in moving towards cleaner energy sources. Consequently, the integration of LNG into liquid hydrogen (LH2) has garnered significant attention in recent years. This paper comprehensively reviews current research on LH2 production processes by integrating the energy mass of LNG. These processes, which include pre-cooling H2 utilizing the cold energy released from LNG regasification, producing blue H2 from natural gas (NG) derived from LNG regasification, synergistic liquefaction of NG and H2, and simultaneous production of LNG and LH2 from industrial by-products, can markedly increase the thermodynamic efficiency. Furthermore, this study explores potential future developments that could benefit both aspects of the LH2-LNG economy, thereby expanding the scope of related research. The integration of LNG into the LH2 production process through an energy mass approach, aimed at creating a mutually beneficial LH2-LNG economy, is an effective strategy for fostering energy transition. Finally, a brief discussion is presented on the constraints and challenges that may affect the future growth of the global LH2-LNG economy.

Tourism cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative from economic and spatial insights.

This study examines the potential benefits of cooperation among Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries in achieving common goals within the international tourism cooperation network. Despite its significance, limited research has been conducted on this topic in terms of economic and spatial insights. To address this gap, we utilized the gravity model, social network, and quadratic regression. The revealed findings suggest that while the intermediary function among BRI countries is declining, the tourism cooperation network is gradually strengthening. Furthermore, reducing the gap between the governance and consumption levels of BRI countries can improve the network. The study offers new insights into the BRI tourism cooperation network, which could be critical for the future growth of regional tourism.

Study of magnetic, thermoelectric, and mechanical properties of double perovskites Be2XH6 (X = Cr and Mn) for spintronic and hydrogen-storage applications

Metal hydrides are highly significant for hydrogen storage because of high gravimetric and kinetic factors. Therefore, the double perovskites hydrides Be2XH6 (X = Cr and Mn) have outstanding hydrogen storage capability with gravimetric hydrogen densities of 7.9 wt% and 7.6 wt%, respectively. Moreover, the DFT-based PBE-GGA and TB-mBJ potential have been implemented to systematically analyze the electronic, Curie temperature, and magnetic characteristics of Be2XH6 (X = Cr and Mn). The tolerance factor and formation energy analysis indicate the structural and thermodynamic stabilities. The band structures, density of states and Curie Weiss law ensure the above room temperature half metallic ferromagnetism with complete spin polarization. The ultralow lattice thermal conductivity and high thermoelectric performance also significantly increase their importance. Finally, the mechanical and thermodynamic behavior have also been addressed in detail. These conclusions are significant for future hydrogen storage growth increases in metal hydrates.

Coordinated lunar time (LTC): Implications of a lunar-centric time zone on astronaut health and space medicine

Lunar exploration offers an exciting opportunity for humanity to advance scientific knowledge and future potential economic growth and possibly allow humans to become a multi-planetary species. On April 2, 2024 the US Office of Science and Technology Policy released a memorandum outlining the current Biden-Harris Administration's policy on the need to establish time standards at celestial bodies other than Earth. This memorandum also introduced the need for Coordinated Lunar Time (CLT), the concept of having a reference time for the moon. The establishment of CLT would provide a multitude of benefits for astronaut health, from expedition planning, to maintaining a sense of order in an austere environment. International agreements and collaboration will be required prior to the recognition of CLT.

Opinion: A research roadmap for exploring atmospheric methane removal via iron salt aerosol

Abstract. The escalating climate crisis requires rapid action to reduce the concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases and lower global surface temperatures. Methane will play a critical role in near-term warming due to its high radiative forcing and short atmospheric lifetime. Methane emissions have accelerated in recent years, and there is significant risk and uncertainty associated with the future growth in natural emissions. The largest natural sink of methane occurs through oxidation reactions with atmospheric hydroxyl and chlorine radicals. Enhanced atmospheric oxidation could be a potential approach to remove atmospheric methane. One method proposes the addition of iron salt aerosol (ISA) to the atmosphere, mimicking a natural process proposed to occur when mineral dust mixes with chloride from sea spray to form iron chlorides, which are photolyzed by sunlight to produce chlorine radicals. Under the right conditions, lofting ISA into the atmosphere could potentially reduce atmospheric methane concentrations and lower global surface temperatures. Recognizing that potential atmospheric methane removal must only be considered an additive measure – in addition to, not replacing, crucial anthropogenic greenhouse gas emission reductions and carbon dioxide removal – roadmaps can be a valuable tool to organize and streamline interdisciplinary and multifaceted research to efficiently move towards understanding whether an approach may be viable and socially acceptable or if it is nonviable and further research should be deprioritized. Here we present a 5-year research roadmap to explore whether ISA enhancement of the chlorine radical sink could be a viable and socially acceptable atmospheric methane removal approach.

Analysis and Design of Water Distribution Network for Jabalpur Cantonment Board Area

In this research paper focuses on studying and improving the water distribution network in the Jabalpur Cantonment Board Area. Water distribution networks are crucial infrastructures for ensuring reliable water supply to communities. However, many areas, including Jabalpur Cantonment, face challenges related to water distribution efficiency, reliability, and equitable access. The study begins with a comprehensive analysis of the existing water distribution network in the Jabalpur Cantonment Board Area. Factors such as network layout, pipe material, age of infrastructure, and water demand patterns are thoroughly examined to identify existing inefficiencies and areas for improvement. Using advanced engineering tools such as WaterGems and methodologies, an optimized design for the water distribution network is proposed. This design considers factors such as hydraulic efficiency, pressure management, and resilience to minimize water losses and ensure consistent water supply to consumers. Furthermore, the study incorporates considerations for future growth and development in the Jabalpur Cantonment Board Area. By employing sustainable design practices and incorporating modern technologies, the proposed water distribution network aims to meet the present and future water needs of the community while minimizing environmental impact. By implementing the proposed design improvements, the Jabalpur Cantonment Board can achieve a more sustainable, efficient, and reliable water supply network, ultimately improving the quality of life for its residents.

Nurturing the Human Dimension in Digital and Medical Spaces Through Pedagogy of Care - a Case of Creative Enquiry.

The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in digital learning experiences to front and centre of medical education in disruptive ways. As the pandemic subsides students and educators sigh in relief, longing to move away from the loneliness and disconnection and back to the norms of face-to-face learning and consulting. In the field of medical education however, the need for digital education has exponentially increased over the decade with strong evidence for future growth. We face the pressure of increasing student numbers on clinical placement and some students now desire or even need hybrid options for the flexibility of time, place, and pace. There is persistent criticism that digital education lacks human connection. This paper argues, however, that it is possible and vital to humanise the virtual learning experience, though particular attention needs to be given to digital pedagogy and relational aspects of learning and teaching. Drawing on Noddings' pedagogies of care and her theoretical model, we unpack one case-study of a medical education elective course that transitioned online during the pandemic. The aim of this paper is to engage medical educators with the pedagogy of care and relational pedagogy literature, which are currently almost absent from the medical education literature, as applied to the digital education realm. Core themes include modelling care and connection, enabling dialogue, inviting student engagement and practice in caring for each other and supporting the deeper work of being present themselves and confirming each other. Limitations and implications for future research will also be explored.

Point-of-care testing: a critical analysis of the market and future trends

Point-of-care testing (POCT) involves conducting diagnostic tests outside the laboratory. These tests are utilized for their quick and reliable results in detecting chronic diseases and acute infections. We examined the historical market value trends of the POCT industry and projected its future growth. POCT devices offer several advantages, such as portability, no specific storage requirements, and simplicity of use. However, issues such as inaccurate results can reduce demand for POCT compared to traditional laboratory testing alternatives. While the benefits of POCT are clear, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges. The accuracy of POCT devices can be compromised due to factors such as user error, environmental conditions, and limitations in technology. Furthermore, the cost-effectiveness of these devices is often a concern, particularly in resource-limited settings. The regulatory landscape for POCT is also complex and varies by region, which can pose challenges for manufacturers and end-users. Improvements in POCT devices’ sensitivity, specificity, cost, and turnaround time for test results could enhance their utility. Enhancements to a POCT device should be considered if they are economically viable and lead to a significant increase in demand. Our financial analysis of the POCT market revealed a positive growth trend. We identified potential areas for growth that could help the industry progress and expand in line with its projected growth in the coming years. The industry could focus on integrating intelligent technologies into POCT devices and collaborating with the innovative technology sector to increase revenue. It could also develop more sensitive and accurate POCT devices for non-communicable diseases. Another potential area of growth is in diseases that require continuous patient monitoring but where conventional clinical testing is time-consuming. Enhancing the POCT devices used in these areas could revolutionize medical diagnosis and potentially save many lives, provided they meet clinical standards.

Simulating Future Exposure to Coastal Urban Flooding Using a Neural Network–Markov Model

Urbanization and climate change are two major challenges of the 21st century, and the effects of climate change, combined with the urbanization of coastal areas, increase the frequency of coastal flooding and the area exposed to it, resulting in increased risk of flooding and larger numbers of people and properties being vulnerable. An urban growth modeling system was used to simulate future growth scenarios along the coast of the Vendée region in western France, and the potential exposure to flooding with each scenario was evaluated. The model used was an Artificial Neural Network combined with a Markov Chain, using data obtained by the remote sensing and geographic information system techniques to predict three future urban growth scenarios: business as usual, environmental protection, and strategic urban planning. High-risk flood areas and future sea level projections from the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change were then used to assess future flood risk under each growth scenario in the study area. According to the results, the different growth scenarios are associated with different development patterns, and the strategic urban planning scenario significantly reduces the risk of flooding compared to the other two scenarios. However, the rise in sea level considerably expands the areas vulnerable to flooding. Finally, the methodology adopted can be used to prepare for the impact of climate change and develop strategies to mitigate the risk of flooding in the future.

The emerging and legacy persistent organic contaminants in corals of the South China Sea

Seawater warming, ocean acidification and chemical pollution are the main threats to coral growth and even survival. The legacy persistent organic contaminants (POCs), such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and the emerging contaminants, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), dechlorane plus (DPs) and novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) were studied in corals from Luhuitou fringing reef in Sanya Bay and Yongle atoll in Xisha Islands, the South China Sea (SCS). Total average concentrations of ∑16PAHs, ∑23OCPs, ∑34PCBs, ∑8PBDEs, ∑2DPs and ∑5NBFRs in 20 coral species (43 samples) from the SCS were 40.7 ± 34.6, 5.20 ± 5.10, 0.197 ± 0.159, 3.30 ± 3.70, 0.041 ± 0.042 and 36.4 ± 112 ng g−1 dw, respectively. PAHs and NBFRs were the most abundant compounds and they are likely to be dangerous pollutants for future coral growth. Compared to those found in other coral reef regions, these pollutants concentrations in corals were at low to median levels. Except for PBDEs, POCs in massive Porites were significantly higher than those in branch Acropora and Pocillopora (p < 0.01), as large, closely packed corals may be beneficial for retaining more pollutant. The current study contributes valuable data on POCs, particularly for halogenated flame retardants (HFRs, including PBDEs, DPs and NBFRs), in corals from the SCS, and will improve our knowledge of the occurrence and fate of these pollutants in coral reef ecosystems.

Social, economic, and demographic factors drive the emergence of Hinglish code-mixing on social media

The advent of globalization and adaptation to multiple cultures has emanated a fusion of Hindi and English, casually known as Hinglish. The phenomenon of mixing multiple languages (such as Hindi and English) within a single utterance is often called code-mixing. Lately, code-mixed Hinglish has emerged as a dominant conversational language for Hindi-speaking citizens both online (on social media platforms) and offline. Although previous studies investigated such linguistic traits of Hinglish over the past few years, some pertinent questions still need to be answered: How did Hinglish evolve? And, what are the factors behind the evolution of Hinglish? Does the fusion of English impact all Hindi words similarly? To this end, we explore the empirical and statistical shreds of evidence behind the rise of Hinglish on social media such as Twitter. We show that adopting Hinglish depends on several socio-economic and demographic factors. We further formulate dynamic models to explore the socio-economic factors driving the growth of Hinglish, derive the future growth of Hinglish in the upcoming years, and estimate the propensity of users to change their linguistic preferences. Our study highlights that the Hinglish population has evolved steadily between 2014 and 2022, with an annualized growth rate of 1.2%, and the usage of Hinglish on Twitter has increased annually by 2%. Further, we find that the impact of Hinglish evolution is not uniform across different word groups and affects the contextual meaning of different words differently. Although our findings are specific to the Indian Hinglish community, our study can be generalized to understand the evolution and dynamics of other code-mixed languages, such as Spanish-English or Chinese-English.

Pediatric Facial Fractures: Demographics, Injury Patterns, and Associated Injuries in 3334 Patients.

Pediatric craniofacial fractures are fundamentally distinct from their adult counterparts because of unique injury patterns and effects on future growth. Understanding patterns and injury context informs management and risk mitigation. Previous studies include only inpatients, operative patients, or are specialty-specific. In contrast, our study presents a comprehensive assessment of all pediatric facial fracture patients seen at a single institution. Patients under 18 years old who were evaluated for facial fractures at a level I pediatric trauma center between 2006 and 2021 were reviewed. Subanalysis was performed for groups defined by age. Variables studied included demographics, etiology, fracture pattern, associated injuries, management, and outcomes. Three thousand thirty-four patients were included. Mean age at presentation was 11.5 to 4.9 years. The majority were Caucasian (82.6%) and male (68.4%). Sports were the leading cause of injury in older patients (42.2% of patients over 12y), compared with activities of daily living in patients under 6 years (45.5%). Thirty-two percent of patients were hospitalized, 6.0% required ICU care, and 48.4% required surgery. Frequency of ICU admission decreased with age (P<0.001), whereas operative intervention increased with age (P<0.001). Zygomaticomaxillary complex (P=0.002) and nasal fractures (P<0.001) were common in older patients, whereas younger patients experienced more skull (P<0.001) and orbital fractures (P<0.001). The most associated injuries were soft tissue (55.7%) and neurologic (23.6%). This large-scale study provides updated characterization of craniofacial fractures in the pediatric population, providing a necessary framework for future studies on outcomes assessments and preventative care.

Histone modifications affecting plant dormancy and dormancy release: common regulatory effects on hormone metabolism.

As sessile organisms, plants enter periods of dormancy in response to environmental stresses to ensure continued growth and reproduction in future. During dormancy, plant growth is suppressed, adaptive/survival mechanisms are exerted, and stress tolerance increases over a prolonged period until the plants resume their development or reproduction under favorable conditions. In this review, we focus on seed dormancy and bud dormancy, which are critical for adaptations to fluctuating environmental conditions. We provide an overview of the physiological characteristics of both types of dormancy as well as the importance of the phytohormones abscissic acid and gibberellin for establishing and releasing dormancy, respectively. Additionally, recent epigenetic analyses have revealed that dormancy establishment and release are associated with the removal and deposition of histone modifications at the loci of key regulatory genes influencing phytohormone metabolism and signaling, including DELAY OF GERMINATION 1 and DORMANCY-ASSOCIATED MADS-box genes. We discuss our current understanding of the physiological and molecular mechanisms required to establish and release seed dormancy and bud dormancy, while also describing how environmental conditions control dormancy depth, with a focus on the effects of histone modifications.