Innovation Clusters Research Articles

The energy-critical metals: technologies with a human face

The importance of energy-transition issues was poignantly summarised in 1973, by economist Ernst Schumacher (Schumacher 1973, p. 99): ‘ energy is for the mechanical world what consciousness is for the human world. If energy fails, everything fails .’ Schumacher's words have ever greater societal relevance since his cautionary predictions are now manifested, after half a century of the Great Acceleration (Steffen et al. 2015) in energy use, population increase and global warming. Schumacher (1973) regarded natural resources as valuable Earth materials, pivotal to the transition from coal to natural gas and uranium fuel productions. The World Economic Forum promotes energy transitions and their associated technological innovation clusters as part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Prisecaru 2016; Philbeck and Davis 2018). But if we take Schumacher's approach of putting valuable Earth materials at the heart of debates about economy, there is scant evidence of revolution. Instead, we see graphs of exponential production of an increasing array of raw materials, whether they are described as bulk metals or critical raw materials, and geoscientists are repeatedly required to identify the geological capacity for raw materials production (Konnunaho et al. 2023; Moore et al. 2023; Savinova et al. 2023; Valenta et al. 2023; Gardiner et al. 2024).

ECONOMIC AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF PROVIDING INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMY IN THE CONDITIONS OF INCREASED INFLUENCE OF FACTORS OF A MILITARY NATURE: THE EXPERIENCE OF UKRAINE AND THE COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

The purpose of the article is to analyze the state of innovative development of the economy of Ukraine and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and to identify the problems of its provision in the conditions of martial law. The results of the study prove that factors of a military nature have an ambiguous effect on stimulating the innovative development of the country's economy. It has been established that economic evolution through innovation is a prerequisite for strengthening its competitiveness in countering modern challenges and threats. The results of the empirical study made it possible to find out that during the large-scale aggression of Russia on the territory of Ukraine in 2022, a decrease in the level of innovative economic development was also observed in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It was established that in 2023, the countries of the analyzed group managed to increase the indicators of innovative activity of business entities and the parameters of the innovative development of the economy. Important problems in ensuring economic progress through innovative activity have been identified: (1) shortcomings of the legislation regulating the innovation sphere; (2) lack of formation of a unified innovation infrastructure; (3) significant tax burden; (4) lack of an effective system of taxation and provision of tax benefits and preferences; (5) lack of effective investment mechanisms in the field of innovation; (6) low level of technological capacity of production facilities; (7) imperfection of the education system; (8) low level of financing of research activities; (9) focus on the export of raw materials and dependence on high-tech imports. In order to ensure sustainable innovative development of the country's economy, it is necessary to create appropriate conditions for the development of innovative potential, activate the creation of cross-border innovation clusters, and strengthen the country's investment attractiveness.

The role of cluster approach in the financial support for innovative development

Subject. The article addresses the system of financial support for innovative development based on the cluster approach. Objectives. The purpose is to develop methodological approaches to assessing the effectiveness of financial support for innovative development at the expense of public funds, using the cluster and correlation and regression analysis. Methods. The study applies the cluster and correlation and regression analysis, methods of horizontal and vertical analysis, method of grouping, and others. Results. I investigated the role and operating results of innovation clusters, the government programme aimed at innovative development, assessed the impact of program financing on indicators of economic and innovative development and the expediency of the cluster approach. I identified three clusters based on such factors as the proportion of organizations that carried out technological innovations and the proportion of innovative goods, works, and services in the total volume of shipped goods, performed works, and rendered services. I obtained a two-factor model of relationship between GRP and the volume of innovative products, and the number of researchers with an academic degree. Conclusions. The paper proved that using the cluster approach enables to approach positive results of State programmes and national projects implementation.

АНАЛИЗ И ОЦЕНКА ИННОВАЦИОННЫХ КЛАСТЕРОВ В ЛИПЕЦКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

Currently, the main goal of the country's economic policy is to increase the competitiveness of the state. One of the measures to ensure optimal competitiveness is the approval of innovation strategies at all levels - federal, regional, sectoral, corporate. At the same time, the competitiveness of modern economy - depends not only on technological achievements, inventions, knowledge production, but also on organisational changes that promote the commercialisation of scientific and technological research. In this regard, the advantages of the cluster approach are increasingly becoming one of the ways to improve the system of innovation diffusion and technology transfer. The chosen topic is important because innovation contributes to the development of regions, increasing competitiveness, strengthening economic growth points through high-tech innovation, such as innovation clusters, research centres and other forms of institutional support., The purpose of this study is to summarise the material studied, to identify opportunities for improving the territorial innovation cluster of the Lipetsk region.

Управління стійким розвитком підприємств агропродовольчої сфери в контексті інноватики персоналу та трансферу знань

The article is devoted to managing the sustainable development of agro-food enterprises in the context of personnel innovation and knowledge transfer. Based on the research, it was proposed that the factors influencing the sustainable development of agro-food enterprises be arranged. The purpose of the study was to study the management of sustainable development of agro-food enterprises in the context of personnel innovation and knowledge transfer. The transition to a modernization development model is possible because the state reduces funding (primarily from budget funds) to the full extent of its vulnerable sectors of the economy, especially the extractive industries and industrial production. The primary funding should be directed to the creation of innovative products that ensure the increase in the competitiveness of the Ukrainian economy and the development of high-tech production (ensuring the formation of innovative clusters of the economy thanks to the definition of “growth points” that allow for more effective dissemination of innovations); establishing the transparency of investment decision-making and budgetary financing of innovative projects, ensuring their reasonableness and expediency; active fight against corruption and the introduction of effective public control over the execution of state orders when conducting competitions (tenders) for investment projects. The characteristics of factors affecting socio-economic development should be considered in more detail within the following groups: international, environmental, financial and economic, demographic, socio-cultural and, political and legal factors. Factors of indirect influence have the same effect on all economic entities in the same strategic group. Therefore, their influence on the competitiveness of economic entities in the agro-food sector cannot be considered decisive. Management decisions made with the help of feedback may significantly reflect the factors of indirect influence on the management of the sustainable development of agro-food enterprises in the context of personnel innovation and knowledge transfer, which is the subject of further research. Keywords: management, sustainable development, enterprises, agro-food sector, innovation, personnel, knowledge transfer, innovation management, personnel management.

Structural Dynamics of Inter-city Innovation Networks in China: A Perspective From TERGM

Innovation networks play a key role in advancing knowledge transfer, collaboration, and technological progress across sectors and regions. Central to the understanding of the mechanisms driving such networks is their dynamic evolution and structure. Much of the literature explores spatial and socio-economic drivers of innovation networks, focusing on geographic, institutional, and cultural influences. However, many of these studies tend to overlook the intricate properties that govern the behavior and dynamics of these networks. This study seeks to address this research gap, delving deeper by investigating Chinese intercity innovation networks between 2007 and 2018. Specifically, we examine: (i) the preferential attachment dynamics within intercity innovation networks, (ii) transitivity effects that underscore the interconnectedness of these networks, and (iii) the persistence and recurrence of connections. We find that cities show indeed a remarkable tendency to form ties with others that already have numerous connections. Such transitivity effects are important in highlighting the formation of innovation clusters. Moreover, the influence of link memory suggests that past collaborations significantly determine future partnerships, similar to the persistent nature of relationships in agglomeration theories.

SOCIAL INNOVATIONS AND SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF POST-WAR RECOVERY OF UKRAINE: CONCEPTUALISATION AND LEGAL ASPECTS

Global experiences of post-war and post-conflict recovery and reconstruction show that preparations for the post-war period should begin even before the conflict ends. For Ukraine's post-war recovery, promoting social entrepreneurship and implementing social innovations is crucial. These efforts will foster practical cooperation between the state, businesses, and the public, addressing various challenges collectively, solving socio-economic problems, and implementing reforms. The purpose of this article is to study the essence and evolution of knowledge about constructs and concepts in the fields of social innovation and social entrepreneurship, to substantiate the opportunities for the dissemination of social innovations, and to create conditions for social entrepreneurship in addressing social needs in the context of Ukraine's post-war recovery. Given its fragmented conceptualisation and widespread use by scholars, policymakers, and practitioners, this study is driven by the need for a theoretical justification of social innovation and entrepreneurship. Methods: To achieve this goal and solve specific tasks, empirical and theoretical research methods were used: analysis, synthesis, and generalisation. These methods, applied at a dialectical level, provide a scientific basis for theoretical and methodological approaches to introducing social innovations in public life. With the help of multidisciplinary ontological analysis and the use of bibliometric indicators, such as citations, co-citations, bibliometric links and coincidences, the main research trends in the knowledge clusters of social innovation and social entrepreneurship were identified. This was accomplished through system mapping with the VOSviewer tool and the analysis and synthesis of publications on social innovation and social entrepreneurship for deep theoretical and practical understanding, as well as evaluation of current research at the interdisciplinary level. Results and Conclusions: Ukrainian legislation does not define the concepts of "social innovation" and "social entrepreneurship," which hinders the development and functioning of social entrepreneurship and the production of social innovations. The war and its aftermath have created new challenges that require new practical approaches and means of solving social problems. One of these approaches is to combine the measures of the current social policy in Ukraine, limited by the organisational and financial involvement of the state in solving social problems, with the possibilities of public participation and entrepreneurial activity. Introducing modern world practices of social innovation and social entrepreneurship, as well as regulatory regulation of social enterprises, will be an essential step towards developing the non-governmental sector of social development and social protection policy.

A Novel Clustering Algorithm Integrating Gershgorin Circle Theorem and Nonmaximum Suppression for Neural Spike Data Analysis

(1) Problem Statement: The development of clustering algorithms for neural recordings has significantly evolved, reaching a mature stage with predominant approaches including partitional, hierarchical, probabilistic, fuzzy logic, density-based, and learning-based clustering. Despite this evolution, there remains a need for innovative clustering algorithms that can efficiently analyze neural spike data, particularly in handling diverse and noise-contaminated neural recordings. (2) Methodology: This paper introduces a novel clustering algorithm named Gershgorin—nonmaximum suppression (G–NMS), which incorporates the principles of the Gershgorin circle theorem, and a deep learning post-processing method known as nonmaximum suppression. The performance of G–NMS was thoroughly evaluated through extensive testing on two publicly available, synthetic neural datasets. The evaluation involved five distinct groups of experiments, totaling eleven individual experiments, to compare G–NMS against six established clustering algorithms. (3) Results: The results highlight the superior performance of G–NMS in three out of five group experiments, achieving high average accuracy with minimal standard deviation (SD). Specifically, in Dataset 1, experiment S1 (various SNRs) recorded an accuracy of 99.94 ± 0.01, while Dataset 2 showed accuracies of 99.68 ± 0.15 in experiment E1 (Easy 1) and 99.27 ± 0.35 in experiment E2 (Easy 2). Despite a slight decrease in average accuracy in the remaining two experiments, D1 (Difficult 1) and D2 (Difficult 2) from Dataset 2, compared to the top-performing clustering algorithms in these categories, G–NMS maintained lower SD, indicating consistent performance. Additionally, G–NMS demonstrated robustness and efficiency across various noise-contaminated neural recordings, ranging from low to high signal-to-noise ratios. (4) Conclusions: G–NMS’s integration of deep learning techniques and eigenvalue inclusion theorems has proven highly effective, marking a significant advancement in the clustering domain. Its superior performance, characterized by high accuracy and low variability, opens new avenues for the development of high-performing clustering algorithms, contributing significantly to the body of research in this field.

Підходи до комерціалізації результатів інноваційної діяльності спільних підприємств

Various approaches to the commercialization of the results of innovative activities of joint enterprises are considered. According to the results of the review of the results of the evaluation of the innovative activity of the countries of the world, a ranking scheme of the leading countries in terms of the directions of innovative activity was generated. The process of commercialization of the results of innovative activities of enterprises is described. Systematized methods of evaluating the potential of commercialization of innovative activity, among which the method of technological audit, the method of fuzzy logic and the four-dimensional approach are highlighted. Approaches to evaluating its effectiveness are considered. Emphasis is placed on the main criteria in approaches to the commercialization of innovations, namely on the evaluation of the potential of commercialization and the assessment of its effectiveness. The list of indicators allowing to evaluate the financial result of the commercialization of the company’s innovations is highlighted. Methods of assessing the prospects and readiness for market commercialization of innovative developments, which are most adaptable for joint ventures, are described. The priority list includes the methodology for assessing the readiness for market commercialization of scientific developments, the TRL (Technology Readiness Level) methodology, developed by the US National Aerospace Agency NASA, and the TPRL (Technology Project Readiness Level) methodology. The main centers of transformation of innovative ideas or research results into marketable products or services are highlighted. The focus is on Technology Transfer Offices (TTO), startup accelerators and incubators, public-private partnerships, direct investment in research and development, open innovation, cluster innovation projects, and market-oriented innovation. The procedure for assessing the levels of suitability for commercialization of innovative development is illustrated. Based on the results of the conducted research, a general scheme for the commercialization of innovations was built.

Benchmarking of Management Excellence in The Agro-Industrial Sector in The Northwest Region of Romania

Industrial clusters nowadays represent a large part of the growth of SMEs (companies), jobs, and specialized regions. Regional growth is influenced by innovative clusters, which facilitate research, cost reduction, and new technical application. Clusters in the IT industry, renewable energy, furniture and agro-industry are popular in Romania's Northwest Region, with Cluj-Napoca being as the capital of gold clusters. The aim of the study was to examine the clustering strategy in Romania's northwestern region, Transylvanian Furniture Cluster, IT Transylvania Cluster, AgroTransilvania Cluster and TREC Transylvania Energy Cluster from the perspective of the Gold Label assessment. The study reveals that the four gold certified clusters share the following characteristics: a formal strategy, a specific strategy that addresses internationalization, innovation, research, development, and know-how, services primarily directed at members, international and transnational collaboration with multiple countries, and national and international funding support programs. The proposed recommendations and activities can contribute to improve each cluster's strategy.

Application of Regional Commodity Based Innovation Clusters to Improve SMEs Performance in Regional Superior Products

Application of Regional Commodity Based Innovation Clusters to Improve SMEs Performance in Regional Superior Products

Стратегическое значение инновационных кластеров Москвы в развитии прогрессивной транспортной инфраструктуры мегаполиса

The pace of metropolitan life is growing higher and higher. To keep up with it, Moscow residents have to abandon cars and public transport in favor of personal mobility devices, e.g., electric scooters. As a result, the state authorities are developing a unified strategy for urban public transport that would include personal mobility devices and their rent. An effective strategy should integrate all innovative public transport vehicles into a single urban transport system. Technopolis is a special economic zone of innovation clusters in Moscow that offers conditions for design and production of innovative electric individual mobility devices. New-generation vehicles that meet the needs of metropolitan residents will become a key strategic vector in the development of Moscow’s transport system. The key strategic goals are to improve the quality of urban life and to ensure the national technological sovereignty. Modernization and consistent implementation of production facilities can stimulate innovative technologies in the transport sector and its progressive transformation nationwide. Moscow’s innovation clusters produce innovative technologies, test them, and spread the most effective innovations onto all regions.

Architectural Peculiarities of the Structure of Technoparks and Technopolises

This research aims to explore the architectural features that define modern technoparks and technopolises as innovative hubs for knowledge-based industries worldwide. By analyzing various case studies from leading global centers, we seek to identify commonalities in design principles, spatial organization, and urban planning strategies that contribute to their success as catalysts for technological advancement and economic growth. Through a comprehensive analysis of diverse case studies, this study identifies recurring design principles, spatial arrangements, and urban planning methodologies that underpin their efficacy as drivers of technological progress and prosperity. The methodology involves an in-depth examination of case studies from prominent technoparks and technopolises worldwide. Analysis is conducted to identify recurring patterns in architectural design, spatial organization, and urban planning strategies. By synthesizing findings from these case studies, this research elucidates the critical factors shaping the architectural landscape of technoparks and technopolises. The results highlight the importance of functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability in architectural design to foster collaboration, creativity, and innovation within these complexes. Spatial organization prioritizes connectivity and accessibility, facilitating interaction among stakeholders and promoting a conducive environment for knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration. Furthermore, integration of amenities such as green spaces and mixed-use developments enhances the quality of life for occupants and contributes to the overall vibrancy of these innovation clusters. In conclusion, the architectural peculiarities of technoparks and technopolises play a significant role in shaping their identity as catalysts for technological advancement and economic prosperity. Understanding these architectural features provides valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and architectural practitioners to strategically plan and sustainably develop technologically-driven urban environments. Leveraging design innovation can cultivate vibrant innovation ecosystems, propelling societies towards a more sustainable and knowledge-driven future.

A Dependability Neural Network Approach for Short-Term Production Estimation of a Wind Power Plant

This paper presents a novel approach to estimating short-term production of wind farms, which are made up of numerous turbine generators. It harnesses the power of big data through a blend of data-driven and model-based methods. Specifically, it combines an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for immediate future predictions of wind turbine power output with a stochastic model for dependability, using Hybrid Reliability Block Diagrams. A thorough state-of-the-art review has been conducted in order to demonstrate the applicability of an ANN for non-linear stochastic problems of energy or power forecast estimation. The study leverages an innovative cluster analysis to group wind turbines and reduce the computational effort of the ANN, with a dependability model that improves the accuracy of the data-driven output estimation. Therefore, the main novelty is the employment of a hybrid model that combines an ANN with a dependability stochastic model that accounts for the realistic operational scenarios of wind turbines, including their susceptibility to random shutdowns This approach marks a significant advancement in the field, introducing a methodology which can aid the design and the power production forecast. The research has been applied to a case study of a 24 MW wind farm located in the south of Italy, characterized by 28 turbines. The findings demonstrate that the integrated model significantly enhances short-term wind-energy production estimation, achieving a 480% improvement in accuracy over the solo-clustering approach.

Possibilities of applying the cluster approach in the study of the stability of the regional territorial organisation of production areas


 
 
 Various assessment criteria are applied to ensure the sustainability of production sites. These evaluation criteria are based on quantitative indicators and reflect the corrected performance of production areas. Adequate assessment analyses the territorial organisation of production areas, efficient operation, process management, etc. more clearly in the future, and makes it possible to conduct their comparative analysis. One of the methods of such an approach is the cluster. A cluster is a group of objects with similar properties. In English, cluster means bunch, gathering, concentration, and group. From this point of view, the for- mation of the infrastructure organised in connection with the production, which contributes to the increase of competitiveness between the production areas, and the application of an innovative cluster approach are required in this research work. This approach allows the creation of a new product, increases production efficiency, and helps form a sustainable production network. This article presents the analysis of the GDP in Azerbaijan in the period of 1995-2021 carried out taking into account the ratio of the AZN to the US dollar, calculates the volume of GDP per capita, determines the regional trend of economic development, and provides the variability of the dynamics in the fields of the economy in a related manner. Later, all these indicators were summarised, clustering was carried out, coefficient values of quantitative indicators for production areas were determined, and indicators of clustering of production areas for economic regions of Azerbaijan were calculated. Consequentially, the article concludes that the application of the regional cluster approach indicates the potential power of production enterprises, the scale of their activities, economic-geographical relations, etc., which makes it possible to increase regional competitiveness between production areas. Thus, the cluster approach determines competitive advantages related to the organisation and operation of production, stimulates regional development, and can also lead to an increase in revenues to the local budget.
 
 

Assessing Oral Health in U.S. Children and Its Impact on Disparities of Overall Health and Health Expenditures: An Application Using Two-Stage Clustering

We assess children’s oral and overall health using an innovative clustering methodology. Prior studies have documented the link between oral health and overall health, such as dental caries, which could lead to infections and pain, or periodontal disease, which is associated with other conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Using the nationally representative Medical Expenditure Panel Study data, we link children’s dental care services and other control variables with various health outcomes using a two-stage clustering method. In the first stage, we cluster similar children using their social determinants of health, medical conditions, and dental care utilization as input variables. In the second stage, we identify groups of similar clusters using a metric called cosine similarity. External variables, rather than those used to create the clusters, are used to assess the effectiveness of the clusters. An outcome score is created based on children’s favorable overall and mental health statuses and absence of behavioral issues at home, school, and in general. We find that the first-stage clusters are separated into three main groups in the second stage, where one cluster from the first stage is very different from all of the other clusters, a second group has more favorable outcome scores, and the third group has lower outcome scores. Lower dental expenditures are associated with lower outcome scores. Clusters are useful for cost management purposes to identify subgroups for interventions to improve population health. Comparisons of access and outcomes of children between different insurance types can provide beneficial information for insurance design and public policy. Our approach can be applied to other areas of practice where there is an interest in grouping similar individuals and relating these groups to other quantities. The two-stage clustering method is a versatile method with a broader appeal to empirical research, especially when there are big data, a large number of clusters, and many input variables.

Formation of Economic Sovereignty of the Russian Federation: Regional Aspect

The relevance of the research topic is determined by the development and improvement of the state policy for the formation of economic sovereignty of the Russian Federation. The import substitution policy implemented in recent years has yielded positive economic solutions that make it possible not to experience a shortage of goods and production components. With the support of federal and regional authorities, the subjects of economic sovereignty formation (special economic zones, industrial parks, industrial and innovation clusters, etc.) are actively developing. Purpose. The main purpose of the study is to substantiate promising areas for ensuring the economic sovereignty of the Russian Federation in the context of the development of regional investment infrastructure. Objectives: of the study are as follows: substantiation of the directions for ensuring economic sovereignty, analysis and assessment of investments in fixed assets of the regions of the Central Federal District, study of the rating of the subjects of the Central Federal District in terms of investments in fixed assets. Methodology. The methodological basis of the study was the works of domestic scientists in the field of theory and practice of economic policy, economic regulation, and increasing the stability of the economy in the face of sanctions. The results of the study show that the most promising areas for ensuring economic sovereignty are the financing of infrastructure and high-tech industries, the development and support of industrial parks, industrial clusters, the development of investment activity, including through the support of large investment projects, and increasing the efficiency of investments in fixed assets. Conclusions. The results of the study show that the most promising areas for ensuring economic sovereignty are the financing of infrastructure and high-tech industries, the development and support of industrial parks, industrial clusters, the development of investment activity, including through the support of large investment projects, and increasing the efficiency of investments in fixed assets.

Setting S&T perspective priorities in an era of complexity and uncertainty: a case for megacities

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to create a methodological approach for identifying priority areas for science and technology (S&T) development and its empirical application within the city of Moscow. This research uncovers a wide range of multicultural and multidisciplinary global trends that will affect the development of major cities in an era of complexity and uncertainty, including the inherent complexity of urban contexts, demographic and socioeconomic trends, as well as scientific and ecological factors.Design/methodology/approachThe methodological approach is based on classic foresight instruments. Its novelty lays in the blending of qualitative and quantitative methods specially selected as the most appropriate for the identification of S&T areas in an era of complexity and uncertainty, including horizon scanning, bibliometric analysis, expert surveys and the construction of composite indexes with respect to the scope and resources of the research and the selected object for empirical application – Moscow, which is one of the world’s largest megacities. The analysis was performed for the period of 2009–2018 and expert procedures took place in 2019.FindingsAs a result, 25 global trends were identified, evaluated and discussed over the course of an expert survey and subsequent expert events. Ten priority areas of S&T development were determined, including 62 technological sub-areas within them and the most important market niches for all identified technological sub-areas, which could be useful for the world’s megacities. The results of this study are illustrated using the construction sector. Based on the conducted research and results, a list of recommendations on S&T policy measures and instruments were suggested, including the creation of the Moscow Innovation Cluster, which by the end of 2023 contained more than 6,000 projects and initiatives, selected using the findings of this investigation.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the existing literature and research agenda of setting priorities for S&T development and shows how it can be done for a megacity. The blended foresight methodology that was created within the study satisfies the criteria of scientific originality, is repeatable for any interested researcher, is applicable to any other city in the world and demonstrates its high efficiency in empirical application. It could be used for creating new agenda items in S&T policy, setting S&T priorities for a megacity and integrating the results into decision-making processes. This study provides recommendations on the further implementation of the designed methodology and results into a policymaking system. Moreover, the example of the Moscow Innovation Cluster, which was created based on the results of our research, demonstrates these recommendations’ practical significance in real life, which is quite valuable. The limitation of this study is that it is not devoted to urban planning issues directly or the promotion of R&D areas; it is about setting promising S&T priorities in an era of complexity and uncertainty for megacities.

TIC-driven sustainable land use mode in the Loess Plateau: A case study of gully land consolidation project in Yan'an City, China

The Loess Plateau is one of the most severely eroded areas in the world. The complexity of the multiple challenges facing the Loess Plateau entails the support of scientific and systematic innovations in land use. Based on technological innovation cluster (TIC) theory, this paper develops a self-circulation structure model for the TIC to analyze the hierarchical structure of the land-use innovations in the Loess Plateau. Then, employing the self-circulation structure model and taking the “Gully Land Consolidation Project” (GLCP) as a case study, this paper proposes one TIC-driven sustainable land use mode (TSLUM). A TIC has been developed among innovations in the TSLUM. The structure of TSLUM consists of three types of innovations: basic, related, and infrastructure innovations. Basic innovations are generally radical innovations that breed related, and infrastructure innovations. Diffusion-based and reversal-based mechanisms govern the evolution of the TSLUM. These two clustering mechanisms integrate with each other and jointly promote the development of the TSLUM in a self-circulation way. Furthermore, the TSLUM exhibits multiple functions, such as optimizing gully-slope interaction mechanism, providing continuous driving forces, consolidating the achievements of the “Grain for Green Project”, bolstering rural livelihoods, and fostering some feasible ways for food security. The results obtained will be useful for advancing sustainable land use and regional sustainable development in the Loess Plateau via TICs effectively and systematically.

Gut Microbiome Integration in Drug Discovery and Development of Small Molecules.

Human microbiomes, particularly in the gut, could have a major impact on the efficacy and toxicity of drugs. However, gut microbial metabolism is often neglected in the drug discovery and development process. Medicen, a Paris-based human health innovation cluster, has gathered more than 30 international leading experts from pharma, academia, biotech, clinical research organizations, and regulatory science to develop proposals to facilitate the integration of microbiome science into drug discovery and development. Seven subteams were formed to cover the complementary expertise areas of 1) pharma experience and case studies, 2) in silico microbiome-drug interaction, 3) in vitro microbial stability screening, 4) gut fermentation models, 5) animal models, 6) microbiome integration in clinical and regulatory aspects, and 7) microbiome ecosystems and models. Each expert team produced a state-of-the-art report of their respective field highlighting existing microbiome-related tools at every stage of drug discovery and development. The most critical limitations are the growing, but still limited, drug-microbiome interaction data to produce predictive models and the lack of agreed-upon standards despite recent progress. In this paper we will report on and share proposals covering 1) how microbiome tools can support moving a compound from drug discovery to clinical proof-of-concept studies and alert early on potential undesired properties stemming from microbiome-induced drug metabolism and 2) how microbiome data can be generated and integrated in pharmacokinetic models that are predictive of the human situation. Examples of drugs metabolized by the microbiome will be discussed in detail to support recommendations from the working group. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Gut microbial metabolism is often neglected in the drug discovery and development process despite growing evidence of drugs' efficacy and safety impacted by their interaction with the microbiome. This paper will detail existing microbiome-related tools covering every stage of drug discovery and development, current progress, and limitations, as well as recommendations to integrate them into the drug discovery and development process.