Knowledge Base Of Futures Studies Research Articles

Quantitative chemical proteomics reveals anti-cancer targets of Celastrol in HCT116 human colon cancer cells

BackgroundCelastrol (Cel) is a naturally-derived compound with anti-cancer properties and exerts beneficial effects against various diseases. Although an extensive body of research already exists for Cel, the vast majority are inductive studies with limited validation of specific pathways and functions. The cellular targets that bind to Cel remain poorly characterized, which limits attempts to uncover its mechanism of action. PurposeThe present study aims to comprehensively identify the protein targets of Cel in HCT116 cells in an unbiased manner, and elucidate the mechanism of the anti-cancer activity of Cel based on target information. MethodsA comprehensive analysis of protein targets that bind to Cel was performed in HCT116 colon cancer cells using a quantitative chemical biology method. A Cel probe (Cel-P) was synthesized to allow in situ monitoring of treatment in living HCT116 cells, and specific targets were identified with a quantitative chemical biology method (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation) using mass spectrometry. ResultsIn total, 100 protein targets were identified as specific targets of Cel. Pathways associated with the targets were investigated. Multiple pathways were demonstrated to be potential effectors of Cel. These pathways included the suppression of protein synthesis, deregulation of cellular reactive oxygen species, and suppression of fatty acid metabolism, and they were validated with in vitro experiments. ConclusionThe extensive information on the protein targets of Cel and their functions uncovered by this study will enhance the current understanding of the mechanism of action of Cel and serve as a valuable knowledge base for future studies.

The multiplex network structure of global cobalt industry chain

During the transition of energy system to clean energy, energy security challenges shift from crude oil to critical minerals such as cobalt. Understanding the global cobalt industry chain thus has become a new challenge in the coming era of clean energy. In this study, we construct a multiplex network model and analyze the multiplex structure features of the global cobalt industry chain, which are our main innovations. Results show that (1) trade complexity in upstream network is the lowest compared with middle-stream network and downstream network; (2) most economies only participate in one or two stages of cobalt industry chain, while a few economies participate in the whole chain and own the global influences; (3) Mainland of China, USA, Germany, United Kingdom, and Spain are the systemic importance nodes for the global cobalt industry chain. These results provide a knowledge base for future studies on the cascading failure of supply crisis in the multiplex network of the global cobalt industry chain.

The Multiplex Network Structure of Global Cobalt Industry Chain

During the transition of energy system to clean energy, energy security challenges shift from crude oil to critical minerals such as cobalt. Understanding the global cobalt industry chain thus become a new challenge in the coming era of clean energy. In this study, we construct a multiplex network model and analyze the multiplex structure features of the global cobalt industry chain, which are our main innovations. Results show that (1) trade complexity in downstream network is higher than that in middle-stream network and downstream; (2) most economies only participate one or two stages of cobalt industry chain, while few economies participate the whole chain and own the global influences; (3) Mainland of China, Germany, USA, South Korea, and Poland are the active nodes in the whole cobalt industry chain. These results provide a knowledge base for future studies on the cascading failure of supply crisis in the multiplex network of global cobalt industry chain.

What brings contracting back in-house? A synthesis of international evidence

Contracting back-in has received growing scholarly attention, but there is little empirical consensus in the literature as to what drives governments to bring previously contracted work back in-house and to what extent. This study performs a meta-analysis to synthesize 332 effect sizes from 16 existing studies concerning the antecedents of contracting back-in across different countries. The analysis indicates that contracting back-in is a market management strategy driven by low levels of market competition, high proportions of for-profit contractors, insufficient cost savings, and inadequate contract management. Meanwhile, contracting back-in is a political move shaped by left-wing political ideology and employee opposition to outsourcing. Environmental factors including unemployment rate, population size, and population density also play a role. This study provides empirical generalizations of previous results and contributes a more coherent knowledge base for future studies.Points for practitionersOur analysis indicates that contracting back-in is driven by a mix of both pragmatic and political factors, but pragmatic factors related to contracting management complexity shape contracting back-in in a more forceful way. Our findings also suggest that factors pushing governments to contract out do not necessarily have an impact on contracting back-in. Government decisions to contract out and contract back-in may be based on different considerations.

Richard Slaughter: Critical Futures and the Knowledge Base of Futures Studies; Evaluation of a selection of Slaughter’s published work

Richard Slaughter is one of a handful of people to whom we all owe undying gratitude for his role in sustaining and nurturing futures studies. He did so in many ways—by teaching and research, and as serving as President of the World Futures Studies Federation from 2001–2005. But I here wish to acknowledge his role in helping many of us understand what critical futures studies is, and in formulating first the idea and then the reality of a “knowledge base for futures studies.”

Heterogeneous origins and functions of mouse skeletal muscle-resident macrophages

Tissue-resident macrophages can originate from embryonic or adult hematopoiesis. They play important roles in a wide range of biological processes including tissue remodeling during organogenesis, organ homeostasis, repair following injury, and immune response to pathogens. Although the origins and tissue-specific functions of resident macrophages have been extensively studied in many other tissues, they are not well characterized in skeletal muscle. In the present study, we have characterized the ontogeny of skeletal muscle-resident macrophages by lineage tracing and bone marrow transplant experiments. We demonstrate that skeletal muscle-resident macrophages originate from both embryonic hematopoietic progenitors located within the yolk sac and fetal liver as well as definitive hematopoietic stem cells located within the bone marrow of adult mice. Single-cell-based transcriptome analyses revealed that skeletal muscle-resident macrophages are distinctive from resident macrophages in other tissues as they express a distinct complement of transcription factors and are composed of functionally diverse subsets correlating to their origins. Functionally, skeletal muscle-resident macrophages appear to maintain tissue homeostasis and promote muscle growth and regeneration.

Meta-Analysis of Wetland Classification Using Remote Sensing: A Systematic Review of a 40-Year Trend in North America

North America is covered in 2.5 million km2 of wetlands, which is the remainder of an estimated 56% of wetlands lost since the 1700s. This loss has resulted in a decrease in important habitat and services of great ecological, economic, and recreational benefits to humankind. To better manage these ecosystems, since the 1970s, wetlands in North America have been classified with increasing regularity using remote sensing technology. Since then, optimal methods for wetland classification by numerous researchers have been examined, assessed, modified, and established. Over the past several decades, a large number of studies have investigated the effects of different remote sensing factors, such as data type, spatial resolution, feature selection, classification methods, and other parameters of interest on wetland classification in North America. However, the results of these studies have not yet been synthesized to determine best practices and to establish avenues for future research. This paper reviews the last 40 years of research and development on North American wetland classification through remote sensing methods. A meta-analysis of 157 relevant articles published since 1980 summarizes trends in 23 parameters, including publication, year, study location, application of specific sensors, and classification methods. This paper also examines is the relationship between several remote sensing parameters (e.g., spatial resolution and type of data) and resulting overall accuracies. Finally, this paper discusses the future of remote sensing of wetlands in North America with regard to upcoming technologies and sensors. Given the increasing importance and vulnerability of wetland ecosystems under the climate change influences, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive review in support of the continued, improved, and novel applications of remote sensing for wetland mapping across North America and to provide a fundamental knowledge base for future studies in this field.

Over-tourism and sustainable consumption of resources through sharing: the role of government

PurposeOver-tourism signifies the dilemma of managing tourism growth in cities. With growing media sensationalism and an oversimplification of the phenomenon of over-tourism, its academic theorization has become extremely important. Using Macau, a Special Administrative Region of China as a case in point, the purpose of this paper is to theoretically explore the nexus between over-tourism and sustainable consumption in cities, highlighting governments’ inevitable role in this successful convergence.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a selective systematic literature review (SLR) of existing studies in the form of both news material and academic journals. It investigates the growing concern of over-tourism and the contribution of sustainable consumption grounded in strong political support. It also adopts a case study approach with specific reference to Macau.FindingsThe general overview of the literature provides evidence of an age-old concept that has re-emerged to make local residents’ voice more pronounced. Generally, the studies concentrate on understanding residents’ attitudes, the perceived impact of over-tourism, community resilience and sustainable strategies to tackle the problem. Most popular studies are recent (i.e. 2018 and beyond) and empirically set in developed cities of Europe.Research limitations/implicationsThe SLR used in the current study requires further empirical testing to validate some of the proposed concepts in the literature.Practical implicationsThe study highlights the role of government in ensuring that sustainable consumption is sustainably implemented in the context of over-tourism.Originality/valueGiven the re-emergence of over-tourism, yet with few theoretical discussions on the concept, this study serves as a knowledge-base for future studies both empirically and theoretically.

Introduction and Welcome

We intend World Future Review ( WFR) to be the source for information about futures studies as an academic and applied discipline. What distinguishes WFR from other futures journals is that (as a rule) it will not have articles about “the future” or “the futures of x,” but rather about futures studies as an academic and applied discipline—the roots of futures studies; the basic concepts, theories, and methods; how it has changed over time; its present state; alternative and preferred futures for futures studies itself. Modern futures studies began simultaneously at various places around the world after the Second World War. It has a rich history that needs to be known and utilized to advance the field both academically and professionally. To illustrate this, we have begun here a list of early and more recent sources, and commented on the content of some of them. We challenge you to improve our list of sources, and to use them to help deepen and strengthen the knowledge base of futures studies by contributing articles on this subject to WFR.

The knowledge base of futures studies as an evolving process

The knowledge base of futures studies (FS) is a new development in the field. It emerged in response to a need for greater clarity about what might constitute the core concerns and features of FS. The article considers a rationale for the development of a knowledge base, the evolution of the present model and some ways in which the model will be further altered through critique, innovation, synthesis and the emergence of new voices. It is suggested that far from being a monolithic entity driven by ‘Western’ interests, the knowledge base is a dynamic process that will evolve over time. In so doing it will become less ‘Western’ and more truly global.