Long-term Planning Research Articles

Landscape of Nuclear Medicine in China and Its Progress on Theranostics.

Nuclear medicine in China started in 1956 and, with the rapid development of the economy and continuous breakthroughs in precision medicine, has made significant progress in recent years. Almost 13,000 staff members in nearly 1,200 hospitals serve more than 3.9 million patients each year. Over the past decade, the radiopharmaceutical industry has developed rapidly, with the initial formation of a complete industrial chain of production of various radiopharmaceuticals for both clinical use and basic research. Advanced equipment such as PET/CT scanners is being manufactured domestically and even installed abroad. Recently, research into screening and synthesizing new target probes and their translation into the clinic has gained more attention, with various new tracers with potential clinical value being thoroughly studied. Simultaneously, 68Ga- and 177Lu-labeled tumor-targeted probes and others have been implemented for theranostics in an increasing number of hospitals and would be helped by approval from the National Medical Products Administration. Over the next 10-20 y, with the launch of the Mid- and Long-Term Development Plan for Medical Isotopes (2021-2035) by the Chinese government, there is great potential for nuclear medicine in China. With the rise in independent innovation in manufacturing, the shortage of radiopharmaceuticals will be effectively curtailed. We anticipate that the scale of nuclear medicine will at least double by 2035, covering all high-grade hospitals and leading to the aim of "one county, one department" in China.

INTEGRATING PSYCHOEDUCATION INTO MOTIVATIONAL THERAPY: A PROTOCOL FOR POSITIVE CHANGE IN DEPRESSIVE SUBJECTS

The combination of psychoeducation and motivational therapy is proved to be a powerful approach to help individuals making positive changes in their lives.(Miller & Rollnick, 2013) This scientific paper provides practitioners with information on a draft protocol for psychoeducation in motivational therapy,which is combining the two approaches to optimize the change process. This protocol emphasizes the importance of tailoring treatment to the patient's individual needs, and reinforcing the motivation induced to promote lasting change. The protocol begins with the establishment of a trusting relationship between therapist and patient, followed by in-depth information on the problem to be treated. Next, sessions are organized to explore motivation, identify the advantages and disadvantages of change, set goals for change and, finally, reinforce the skills needed to achieve these goals. In addition, relapse prevention strategies are discussed with the patient, and a long-term support plan is drawn up involving his collaboration. This protocol offers a holistic and personalized approach to guide practitioners in the application of psychoeducation in motivational therapy, promoting positive and lasting results for people seeking change. The scientific paper concludes by highlighting the interest of this integrated approach for a variety of issues in Depressive Subjects, while emphasizing the need for follow-up sessions to maintain progress and ongoing support

Pathway to Approval of Innovative Radiopharmaceuticals in China

Pathway to Approval of Innovative Radiopharmaceuticals in China

Factors in Community Adaptation for Climate Change Mitigation in Thailand

This study reflects the experiences of communities who have adapted to climate change in three different geological locations in the country of Thailand: by the riverside, coast, and in the mountains. The communities presented the lessons learned and identified key adaptation factors. The study used in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, with results showing that the community’s learning and adaptation to climate change were at a high level. The results broaden understanding of climate change in these locations and provide information for resource management approaches. Among the seven factors, five factors illustrated that they were highly adapted, including: (1) applying knowledge about nature, ecosystems, and traditional wisdom; (2) management that allowed the use of adaptations; (3) a shared vision of success; (4) collaboration; and (5) having a variety of options and approaches. Two factors that illustated that the community was only moderately adapted included: (1) learning about violent events and disasters; and (2) following government guidelines. It was found that a lack of information about the ecosystems and environmental resources they required for large-scale infrastructure construction caused issues. This is a problem, and the government must consult with local communities when setting long-term plans and assessing needs, because communities have diverse livelihoods and depend on natural resources. Hence, future studies should include climate change awareness and understanding of what is required by adding community needs linked to climate change adaptation into state development plans as well as utilizing the wisdom and traditional knowledge involving ecology held by these communities into sustainability plans.

Evolution of an arid social-ecosystem with different water utilization spanning 12,000 years

Understanding the regime shifts of social-ecological systems (SES) and their local and spillover effects over time is crucial for ensuring future sustainability. However, limited research has focused on regime changes in SES under different modes of water resource utilization. In this study, we employ a concise theoretical framework to analyze regime shifts in the arid Tarim River Basin, considering changes in SES components. Additionally, we explore the drivers and local and regional effects of these shifts. The regime shifts in SES are categorized into four evolutionary phases: "Low productivity," "Slow population expansion," "Rapid environmental destruction," and "Ecological restoration and improvement" over the past 12,000 years. The reciprocal coupling of SES components plays a vital role in determining the regime of SES, which is heavily influenced by the utilization of water resources and the degradation of the environment. While increasing water consumption is a core factor leading to environmental destruction, it also drives socioeconomic growth. During the process of SES shift, the rational allocation and use of water resources can shape an ideal regime that promotes regional ecosystem restoration. The empirical connections between the different phases of SES in the regime shift, their drivers, and their adverse or beneficial impacts provide valuable insights for sustainable SES management. Lessons from basin management that solely pursues single goals and focuses on local aspects, without considering these connections, have significant implications for long-term planning and policy formulation in arid basins worldwide.

EXPLORING ASPIRATIONS AND REALITIES: A COMPREHENSIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL QUESTIONNAIRE-BASED SURVEY ON THE CAREER OUTLOOK AND EXPECTATIONS OF DENTAL STUDENTS

This study aims to assess the career expectations of dental students across various dental colleges in India through a comprehensive questionnaire.A structured questionnaire, encompassing factors related to career perceptions and expectations, was distributed among dental students in different regions of India. The study received responses from 403 participants, and subsequent data analysis was conducted to derive meaningful results.Among the 403 respondents, 170 (42.2%) expressed a preference for establishing themselves as self-employed dentists, while 140 (34.7%) indicated that family influences played a significant role in their career decision-making. The findings suggest a prevalent interest among dental students in establishing independent practices or working in established clinics, driven by aspirations for financial stability and a harmonious work-life balance. Family considerations emerged as a crucial factor influencing both short-term and long-term career plans. Respondents highlighted factors such as reduced bureaucracy, increased part-time job opportunities, and improved work-life balance as motivations for eventually establishing their own dental practices.The study reveals a notable inclination among dental students towards entrepreneurship and a desire to strike a balance between professional and personal life. Family dynamics play a pivotal role in shaping the career decisions of these students. Factors such as reduced bureaucratic hurdles and enhanced work-life balance were identified as significant contributors to the preference for establishing independent dental practices.

Impact of Marketing Strategies of Retailers on Consumers with Specific Reference to Ramki Bandi and Local Tiffin Centres

Entrepreneurs and small business management go hand in hand in making a successful business. The study is taken up on retailers in the street food industry. The study’s objective is to analyze the impact of the marketing strategies of Ram ki Bandi , a famous street food corner in Hyderabad, India, and a comparative study between the marketing strategies of Ram ki Bandi and local street tiffin centers. Tiffin centers are small eateries put up on the street. A marketing strategy is a long-term plan for achieving a company’s goals by understanding customers’ needs and creating a distinct and sustainable competitive advantage. For the study, the data was collected through primary data sources, such as survey methods, questionnaires, and secondary data sources. The primary data was collected from a sample of 100 respondents using questionnaires and interviews. Marketing strategies are essential in the growth of a retailer’s business. Some of them are as follows: attracting more customers, analyzing competitors, understanding customers, and making optimal pricing decisions, amongst others. The findings of the study state that marking strategies impact consumer behavior when purchasing a given product.

Sustainable And Bioengineered Concrete For Armor Units Of Low-Crested Structures

In the last two decades, Eco-engineering has emerged to mitigate and compensate the environmental impacts of man-made structures while integrates benefits to society, being concrete the most widely alternative material used to natural rocks for construction of artificial coastal structures. Over the past three decades, an extensive literature has documented different supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to reduce CO2 emissions from Portland cement, with common SCMs used in marine and coastal structures such as fly ashes, ground granulated blast furnace slags, pozzolanas and limestones. However, there is a need to further investigate the suitability of SCMs for the construction of Low-Crested Structures (LCS) to decrease carbon footprint from concrete production and improve the bioreceptivity of concrete armor units during the breakwater lifetime. A literature review conducted in this study shows several advantages of slag cements compared to other SCMs to reduce carbon emissions and enhance biological colonization and durability of concrete submerged in seawater, identifying surface roughness as the most effective factor in design of bioreceptive concrete. This study also highlights the importance of the type and quantity of cement used in concrete mixes to reduce carbon footprint of the manufacture of concrete armor units of LCS and the implementation of long-term monitoring plans to fully understand the functioning of local communities that develop on concrete surfaces of artificial structures, and thus, to improve the integration of environmental parameters in the field of coastal engineering.

Myopie-Management vom Kind zum Erwachsenen anhand eines Fallberichts

Purpose: The case report describes the successes and lessons learned from optical therapeutic management of progressive myopia, based on long-term treatment plan and the resulting development of the correction and axial lengths of a female patient from age 8 to 22 years. Material and Methods: Using a risk analysis and adaptive care plan, with age-appropriate contact optic care, an attempt was made to positively inhibit, the progression of myopia in a young female patient from 2009 to 2023. The scientific facts and contact lens techniques available at the time of treatment, were applied such as analysis of environmental factors, use of bifocal silicone hydrogel contact lenses and orthokeratology. Results: By using orthokeratology contact lenses, the increase in myopia and axial length growth could be clinically inhibited over several years. Early setbacks during the treatment period due to ineffective measures or early treatment cessation (partial rebound effect) could be stopped or stabilized due to the increasing age of the patient. Conclusion: By means of targeted and controlled contact lens treatment, it is possible to successfully inhibit the progression and thus mitigate the subsequent, secondary health risk.

Evaluation of the barriers to and drivers of the incorporation of unmanned aerial vehicles into dam asset management

ABSTRACT Dam asset management entails the consistent evaluation of the state and usefulness of dams as tangible assets in terms of their expected lifespan, criticality, operational history, maintenance history, and long-term financing plan. This research aims to identify and evaluate the critical drivers and barriers associated with the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in dam asset management. This study uses rough decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory and interpretive structure modelling to analyze the interactions that take place between the barriers to and the drivers of unmanned aerial vehicles incorporation. To overcome the problem of vagueness, it develops rough set theory to determine the driving and dependence power of the drivers and the barriers, respectively. According to the findings, the most significant barrier to the incorporation of unmanned aerial vehicles into dam asset management is a lack of skilled operators, while the most significant driver of their incorporation is their cost-effectiveness. The findings of this study will be highly valuable to practitioners and government agencies working on the implementation of unmanned aerial vehicles in dam asset management, as they will enable them to correctly assess the different aspects of unmanned aerial vehicles incorporation.

Next-Gen Weather Resilience: A Holistic Approach to Disaster Mitigation Through Interactive Maps, Flood Detection, and Drought Forecasting

Next-Gen Weather Resilience presents a transformative framework for disaster mitigation by utilizing interactive maps, flood detection technologies, and advanced drought forecasting methods. This holistic approach combines innovative strategies to enhance preparedness and response measures in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and climate change impacts. Through the integration of real-time data and analytics, interactive maps offer situational awareness and decision support for stakeholders at all levels. Flood detection systems enable early warning mechanisms, improving response times and reducing damages caused by flooding events. Furthermore, cutting-edge drought forecasting techniques provide valuable insights into water availability and resource management, aiding in long-term planning and adaptation strategies. By leveraging these tools in a coordinated manner, Next-Gen Weather Resilience empowers communities to build greater resilience against natural disasters while fostering sustainable development initiatives. Key Words: Weather Resilience, Disaster Mitigation, Interactive Maps, Flood Detection, Drought Forecasting.

U.S. military installations and extreme weather: an Oklahoma case study on preparation

ABSTRACT The readiness and execution of national security missions by The United States Department of Defense (DoD) hinges on military installations being equipped with infrastructure that can support the actions needed to protect the U.S., including extreme weather responses. Extreme weather threatens human lives, property, and military operations nationally. Thus, it is paramount to mitigate these impacts and improve preparedness. Oklahoma is home to five federal military installations, all of which are susceptible to hazardous weather, such as severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flooding. At a local level, hazardous weather events can be quite costly in a variety of ways, including disrupting operations, causing economic losses, and leading to injuries. This case study examines the preparedness and impacts of extreme weather events as well as climate change considerations at two Oklahoma military installations (Tinker Air Force Base and Fort Sill). Interviews and a focus group revealed weather-related decisions at these installations were unit-specific and dependent on the weather event. These installations have both short- and long-term preparedness plans for different weather scenarios. The impacts of these weather events ranged from delays/cancellations of training to installation closures. Lastly, climate considerations from DoD have been, and continue to be, included in planning. This study highlights the nuances across different military installations as a function of their differing roles; there is not a ‘one size fits all’ preparedness plan that will work across the board. Further, there is much room to improve military-civilian collaboration to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events and climate change on military installations and their operations.

Подготовка и развитие стратегических талантов в Кузбассе

Talent development is a strategic priority of talent management. It engages youth in the implementation of various strategies at different levels. The Kemerovo Region (Kuzbass) has created an entire ecosystem that raises young strategists. Kuzbass Governor Sergei Tsivilev set up the Department or Regional and Industrial Strategizing. Its goal is to promote the strategic guidelines stipulated in long-term plans of regional development, as well as to provide the region with strategic human resources. The Department is a joint project between the Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Kemerovo State University. The cooperation agreement was signed on November 7, 2019. In 2020, the Kemerovo State University launched a Master’s Degree program in Economic and Financial Strategy. Along with the Moscow State University and The National University of Science and Technology (MISiS), the Kemerovo State University became one of the three domestic institutions that were the first to start training specialists in strategizing. Professor Vladimir Kvint’s School of Young Strategists is an international academic project that identifies strategically gifted children and develops their strategic thinking. The Kemerovo Region is the current leader in the number of schools that participate in Vladimir Kvint’s School of Young Strategists.

Strategy for Implementing the Tiatiki Concept in Conservation Resource

Strategy is a plan that is intended to achieve the desired goal, or in other words, Strategy is a long-term plan that is prepared to lead to the achievement of certain goals and targets, while the Coastal area is a transition area between land and sea ecosystems which is influenced by changes on land and sea. Research on strategies for implementing the Tiatiki concept in coastal resource conservation in Tabla Supa Depapre village, Jayapura Regency was carried out in August-October 2023 using survey and interview methods. Next, data analysis can be carried out using SWOT analysis. The results of data analysis show that there are 5 strategies for conserving coastal resources in Tabla Supa Village, Depapre District, Jayapura Regency: Developing tourism by involving the community and local wisdom, Increasing community capacity in managing coastal and marine resources in a sustainable manner based on local wisdom, Utilizing local wisdom through the Tabla Supa village community institution in minimizing the negative impacts of using coastal resources that are not environmentally friendly, managing coastal area resources with an integrated system based on community-based management and involving the community and increasing community understanding, especially the younger generation, about the values of local wisdom including Tiatiki by Village community organizations.

An Efficient Methodology to Identify Relevant Multiple Contingencies and Their Probability for Long-Term Resilience Studies

The selection of multiple contingency scenarios is a key task to perform resilience-oriented long-term planning analyses. However, the identification of relevant multiple contingencies may easily lead to combinatorial explosion issues, even for relatively small systems. This paper proposes an effective methodology for the identification of relevant multiple contingencies and their probabilities, suitable for the long-term resilience analysis of large power systems. The methodology is composed of two main pillars: (1) the clustering of lines that are more likely to fail together, to reduce the computational complexity of the analysis exploiting historical weather data and (2) the probability-based identification of multiple contingencies within each cluster, where the contingency probability is computed applying the copula theory. Tests performed on a portion of the Italian EHV transmission system confirm the validity of the clustering results compared against historical failure events. Moreover, the copula-based algorithm for contingency probability estimation passes the tests carried out on relatively large clusters with very low error tolerance. The method successfully pinpoints critical multiple contingency scenarios and their likelihoods, making it valuable for assessing power system resilience over long-term horizons in support of resilience-oriented planning activities.

Climbing the ivory tower: agency, reflexivity and the career pathways of care-experienced academics in higher education

AbstractThere has been increasing interest in understanding the higher education experiences of students who spent time ‘in care’ as children, who tend to have to overcome strong barriers to educational success. Care-experienced students often thrive in higher education, although little is currently known about those who build on this success to pursue their own academic career. This study sought to explore the educational trajectories and working lives of care-experienced academics in the UK for the first time. We used an online survey to identify potential interview participants, leading to 21 semi-structured online interviews. This article reports the findings from five of the eight themes developed through thematic analysis, focusing primarily on the diverse pathways into and through academic careers. We used Archer’s concepts of reflexivity and the ‘internal conversation’ to explore agency, enablements and constraints. Most participants highlighted the disrupted nature of their schooling, although school was a place of safety and success for some. Pathways into higher education were heterogeneous, including a group who had used their ‘expertise through experience’ to forge academic careers in disciplines like social work and psychology. Career precarity was common and particularly challenging without family ‘safety nets’. Our participants tended to show high levels of self-reliance and/or willingness to seek help, coupled with a scepticism around long-term planning. We argue that these factors are shaped by early lives and lead to specific forms of reflexivity, concluding that universities need to recognise care experience as a status deserving of additional career support.

Occurrence, antibiotic resistance profiles and associated risk factors of Klebsiella pneumoniae in poultry farms in selected districts of Somalia Reginal State, Ethiopia

BackgroundKlebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic infection that causes production losses and death in the chicken industry. A cross-sectional study was conducted on exotic chicken breeds reared at the Jigjiga poultry farm from November 2022 to May 2023 to estimate the occurrence, associated risk factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Klebsiella pneumoniae. The chickens were selected using systematic random sampling techniques. A total of 384 cloacal swabs were collected aseptically and transported to the laboratory for analysis. For statistical analysis, STATA® version 14.0 statistical software was used.ResultsFrom 384 examined faecal samples, 258 (67.2%) prevalences of Klebsiella pneumoniae were found. Furthermore, the association of the study’s risk factors with the prevalence of Klebsiella pneumoniae was explored, and no statistically significant association was identified between sex and age. Nonetheless, relative prevalence at the age level was higher in chickens aged 12 months (67.6%) and Sasso breeds (90.0%). Similarly, male chickens and those raised for meat and egg production had a high prevalence rate of 72.5 and 75.8%, respectively. A total of 30 isolated Klebsiella pneumoniae colonies were tested in vitro for antibiotic sensitivity for six drugs, and it was shown that Klebsiella pneumoniae is moderately sensitive to Penicillin G (43.3%) while having higher resistance to Oxytetracycline (80.0%).ConclusionsThe current findings revealed that the research area had the highest prevalence of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and the isolates were resistant to commonly used drugs in the study area. Thus, a long-term intervention plan, thorough research to determine a nationwide status, as well as further multi-drug resistance patterns and molecular characterization, were urged.

Plant cultural indicators of forest resources from the Himalayan high mountains: implications for improving agricultural resilience, subsistence, and forest restoration

AimBiocultural legacy practices are intricately tied to forestry resources, ethnic identity, and social cohesiveness. This study aims to determine the plant cultural values of forest resources and identify plant cultural indicators in each ethnic group, which can aid in long-term natural resource management plans in the current debate on socio-environmental and ecological transitions.MethodsSemi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations were employed to collect data for a comprehensive and systematic ethnobotanical survey from February 2018 to October 2022.ResultsA total of 330 informants reported 154 plant species from 65 families. Asteraceae was the most prominent botanical family, with herbaceous plant groups outnumbering trees and shrubs. The Gujjar and Pahari groups exhibited the highest level of overlap, followed by significant overlaps between the Gujjar and Kashmiri communities. The close affinity observed between the Gujjar and Pahari groups suggests the horizontal pattern of local plant knowledge between these communities, influenced by their sociocultural interactions and intermarriages. Notably, the Pahari community displayed a rich understanding of medicinal plants and shared unique uses for the reported taxa. This study affirms that both ecological factors and sociocultural influences have played significant roles in shaping local plant knowledge. A total of 31 plant species have been identified as plant cultural markers among all four ethnic groups. We observed a positive correlation between plant cultural values and plant use with the Gujjar and Kashmiri ethnic groups. Artemisia absinthium reported the highest use value of (0.57) with use reports of (189). Adonis aestivalis, Cynoglossum nervosum, Geum elatum, Geranium himalayense, Juncus inflexus, Oxalis acetosella, Polygonatum biflorum, and Salvia hians from the Himalayan region are among the plant taxa whose ethnomedicinal applications are described here for the first time.ConclusionOur data show that local and indigenous forest knowledge and practices could significantly contribute to forest conservation and ecological transition. This may happen if stakeholders generate clear frameworks and biocultural conservation strategies aimed at both dynamically preserve natural habitats and ways of traditional management of local natural resources.

Assessing unsafe behaviors and their relationship with work-related factors among EMS staff in Iran: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundEmergency Medical Services (EMS) staff often encounter various safety incidents. Work-related factors can lead to unsafe behaviors and safety incidents. This study assessed unsafe behaviors and their relationship with work-related factors among EMS staff.MethodsThis descriptive-correlational study used census sampling method to select 284 EMS staff in Ardabil Province, northwest of Iran, from April to June 2023. The data collection tools were demographic and occupational information form, Mearns Unsafe Behavior Scale, Cohen Perceived Stress Scale, Michielsen Fatigue Scale, and Patterson Teamwork Scale. The data were analyzed using the SPSSv-16, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression.ResultsThe mean of unsafe behavior, fatigue, perceived stress, non-conflict of teamwork, and conflict of teamwork were 15.80 (± 4.77), 20.57 (± 6.20), 16.10 (± 6.13), 117.89 (± 17.24), and 40.60 (± 9.59), respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that “partner trust and shared mental models (PTSMM),” “physical fatigue,” “age,” “type of shift,” “employment status,” and “overtime hours per month” were predictors of general unsafe behavior (P < 0.001) and “mild task conflict (MTC),” “employment status,” “partner trust and shared mental models (PTSMM)” were predictors of unsafe behavior under incentives EMS staff (P < 0.001).ConclusionThe present study showed that some work-related factors were predictors of unsafe behaviors. The negative consequences of unsafe behaviors should be considered, and long-term planning should be done to reduce them. Developing specific guidelines for addressing unsafe behaviors, implementing measures to reduce fatigue, managing overtime hours in the workplace, and Establishing a system where novice staff work with experienced staff during their first year can be beneficial in reducing these behaviors among EMS staff.

A Survey and Analysis of Intelligent Forecasting and Decision-Making Evaluation of Urban Growth using Artificial Intelligence

A dense concentration of human-made features such as residences, businesses, highways, bridges, and trains characterize urban areas, which are developed regions that encircle cities and are home to most of the population's non-agricultural labourers. Monitoring and modeling urban development have become critical for long-term urban planning and decision-making. Urban growth prediction models are crucial for understanding the causes and implications of urban land use patterns and predicting upcoming growth of city based on the current scenario, ensuring sustainable city development. The Cellular Automata (CA) approach has been used to simulate the urban growth in a hypothetical region, based on principles governing cell spatial interaction and parameters for exploring alternative urban shapes. However, CA faces numerous uncertainties and more research is requited to enhance its adaptability to urban environments. In recent times, Artificial Intelligence models like Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) are being utilized for urban growth prediction, enhancing decision-making and overcoming uncertainty. In order to help with future urban development planning, these models are essential for accurate management and control of urban expansion. This article presents a comprehensive review of ML and DL models for urban prediction. The first step is a quick review of the many urban prediction models developed by various academics using ML and DL models. The next step is to provide a new way for reliably projecting where cities will expand in the future by comparing current frameworks and determining their shortcomings.