National Research Program Research Articles

Codevelopment and evaluation of a multicomponent intervention to improve HPV vaccination in France

Abstract Background HPV vaccine coverage (VC) in France has always been lower than in most high-income countries. The French authorities launched in 2018 the PrevHPV national research program aimed at codeveloping with stakeholders and evaluating the impact of a multicomponent intervention to improve HPV VC among French adolescents. Methods We identified three components to address main barriers to HPV vaccination in France: adolescents’ and parents’ education and motivation (component 1); general practitioners (GPs)’ training (component 2); and access to vaccination at school (component 3). We developed the intervention using the UK Medical Research Council framework for developing complex interventions as a guide. We used (i) findings from published evidence; (ii) primary data on knowledge, attitudes, behavior and preferences collected through a mixed methods approach (quantitative/qualitative studies, discrete choice experiment); (iii) the advice of stakeholders (e.g., adolescents, parents, school nurses, GPs) involved in working groups. We will evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency and implementation of the components (applied alone or in combination) through a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial. The primary endpoint is the HPV VC (≥ 1 dose) among adolescents aged 11-14 years, 2 months after the end of the intervention, at the municipality level. Results Primary data highlighted the need to improve adolescents, parents and school staff knowledge on HPV and to help GPs communicate with patients on this topic. They provided guidance on the most effective communication contents. For each component, we codeveloped tools with a participatory approach (e.g., eHealth tools for adolescents, a decision aid tool for GPs). The trial will end in June 2022; 90 middle schools (i.e., about 40,000 adolescents) and 46 GPs accepted to participate. Conclusions Should the intervention prove effective, results from the implementation evaluation will help us refine it before scaling it up. Key messages • The PrevHPV study is supported by the French health authorities and conducted by a multidisciplinary consortium to tackle a long-lasting public health concern in France. • It will add to the small number of studies that compared the effectiveness of various strategies to promote HPV vaccination and will provide key results on cost-effectiveness and implementation.

Benchmarking Transit Research in the United States

The national transit research program in the United States commands fewer resources than research on other surface transportation modes. In real dollars, expenditures on the national transit research program declined over the past six years. While the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005 reverses this trend by increasing transit research funding over the next five fiscal years, transit research funding still lags aviation, highways, and railroads. The low priority assigned transit research at the national level is also prevalent at the state, transit industry, and university levels.In an effort to focus resources on the transit industry’s most pressing needs, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has adopted a strategic transit research plan that sets forth five goals: provide leadership, increase ridership, improve operating and capital efficiency, improve safety and emergency preparedness, and protect the environment and promote energy independence. FTA charts strategies to achieve these goals but must do so with most of its research budget earmarked to specific projects. Technology issues dominate the national transit research program.

An evolutionary computing approach for reducing bias in the dynamic modulus predictive models of hot mix asphalt

Various published literature has indicated significant bias issues with dynamic modulus (E∗) predictive models for the hot mix asphalt. This study proposes Gene Expression Programming (GEP) based approach to reduce such bias. Bias analysis was carried out using database developed during national cooperative highway research program. GEP based predictive models for bias correction factors were developed and subsequently used in conjunction with E∗ predictive models to update E∗ values. Application of correction factors and subsequent statistical analysis showed improvement in the accuracy of predicted E∗ values. The extent of improvement (using sum of squared error) was dependent on model under consideration and ranged between 19 and 36%.

Determining the level of genotypic variability of upland rice genotypes using cluster analysis

Determining the extent and degree of germplasm diversity and genetic relationships among breeding materials is an important aid in crop improvement research strategies with an understanding that genetic variability is the base for crop improvement providing an opportunity for plant breeders to develop new and improved cultivars with desirable traits and it is a key to reliable and sustainable production of crops through breeding. It has been also confirmed that measuring the available genetic diversity of crops is important for effective evaluation and utilization of germplasms to explore their variability so as to identify necessary agronomic traits. For eradicating the problem of rice production, the national rice breeding and genetics research program of Ethiopia is introducing and evaluating different rice germplasms for their environmental adaptability and agronomic performance with increasing the crops’ genetic diversity. Likely, 100 upland rice genotypes were introduced and evaluated with 3 nationally released upland rice varieties as standard checks using an augmented-RCBD experimental design. Each genotype was planted on a plot area of 2.5 m2 involving 4 rows per plot with 0.25m spacing between each row. The seeds were drilled in rows with a seed rate of 60 kgha-1. Nitrogen-phosphorus-sulfur (NPS) and Urea fertilizers were applied in the amount of 124 kg ha-1 and 100 kgha-1 respectively. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the introduced upland rice genotypes’ environmental adaptability and agronomic performance (their yield and yield related traits performance, and their reaction to different pests) to be used for further breeding. To be used in the next rice breeding research program, the extent of their genetic diversity needs to be estimated. Thus, the extent and pattern of genetic diversity of the tested upland rice genotypes based on their quantitative traits has been determined using cluster analysis. The quantitative traits such as days to 50% heading, days to 85% maturity, plant height, panicle length, number of filled grains per a panicle and number of unfilled grains per a panicle, grain yield and 1000 seed weight were measured and were subjected to clustering analysis using XLSTAT 5.03 statistical software. During clustering analysis, the genotypes were grouped into five different clusters with different Euclidian distances confirming the presence of genetic variability among the genotypes. The genotype with the highest grain (6298 kgha-1) yield was obtained and included under cluster-III.

SYMPHONY consortium: Orchestrating personalized treatment for patients with bleeding disorders

BackgroundTreatment choices for individual patients with an inborn bleeding disorder are increasingly challenging due to increasing options and rising costs for society. We have initiated an integrated interdisciplinary national research program. ObjectivesThe SYMPHONY consortium strives to orchestrate personalized treatment in patients with an inborn bleeding disorder, by unraveling the mechanisms behind interindividual variations of bleeding phenotype. PatientsThe SYMPHONY consortium will investigate patients with an inborn bleeding disorder, both diagnosed and not yet diagnosed. ResultsResearch questions are categorized under the themes: (1) diagnosis, (2) treatment, and (3) fundamental research, and consist of work packages addressing specific domains. Importantly, collaborations between patients and talented researchers from different areas of expertise promise to augment the impact of the SYMPHONY consortium, leading to unique interactions and intellectual property. ConclusionsSYMPHONY will perform research on all aspects of care, treatment individualization in patients with inborn bleeding disorders, as well as diagnostic innovations and results of molecular genetics and cellular model technology with regard to the hemostatic process. We believe that these research investments will lead to health‐care innovations with long‐term clinical and societal impact.This consortium has been made possible by a governmental, competitive grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) within the framework of the NWA‐ORC Call grant agreement NWA.1160.18.038.

Innovation in Large-Scale Research Programs: Elevating Research Participants to Governance Roles Through the All of Us Research Program Engagement Core.

Despite the successes of community-engaged research in advancing research relevance and health equity for diverse communities, the impact of this research has been limited to local and regional programs. Engaging diverse community voices in large-scale, national research programs represents a paradigm shift in biomedical research. Still, disconnects remain between research decision makers and the communities they serve, impeding richer, bidirectional engagement. An engagement core team was established within National Institutes of Health All of Us Research Program (AoURP) in 2018 to synthesize community-engaged research practices and establish infrastructure that operationalizes diverse research participant engagement. The authors integrated research participants as "participant partners" within the AoURP governance, an approach that is embedded into the engagement core's 3 aims: (1) integrate a diverse pool of participants into the program, (2) identify and meaningfully engage a cadre of diverse participants into program governance, and (3) assess the impact of such engagement on research. Participant partners are compensated as consultants at approximately $50/hour. As of August 2022, more than 515,000 individuals consented to participate in the AoURP, with more than 49% representing racial/ethnic minorities. The authors invited participants to self-nominate if interested in engaging in research working groups, decision making, and governance. Also, consortium partners nominated individuals on AoURP community advisory and/or participant advisory boards to serve as participant ambassadors. Ten individuals were selected as participant partners for the 2022-2025 term. Eight serve on the steering committee; of those, 4 serve on the executive committee; 2 more serve on the advisory panel. An additional 23 serve as participant ambassadors. The authors continue to increase the number of research participants serving as engaged partners in the program. Engagement approaches will be systematically evaluated with the goal of adoption by other large-scale research programs.

Myctobase, a circumpolar database of mesopelagic fishes for new insights into deep pelagic prey fields

The global importance of mesopelagic fish is increasingly recognised, but they remain poorly studied. This is particularly true in the Southern Ocean, where mesopelagic fishes are both key predators and prey, but where the remote environment makes sampling challenging. Despite this, multiple national Antarctic research programs have undertaken regional sampling of mesopelagic fish over several decades. However, data are dispersed, and sampling methodologies often differ precluding comparisons and limiting synthetic analyses. We identified potential data holders by compiling a metadata catalogue of existing survey data for Southern Ocean mesopelagic fishes. Data holders contributed 17,491 occurrence and 11,190 abundance records from 4780 net hauls from 72 different research cruises. Data span across 37 years from 1991 to 2019 and include trait-based information (length, weight, maturity). The final dataset underwent quality control processes and detailed metadata was provided for each sampling event. This dataset can be accessed through Zenodo. Myctobase will enhance research capacity by providing the broadscale baseline data necessary for observing and modelling mesopelagic fishes.

Covid-19, and the climate change and biodiversity emergencies

This paper addresses the question, can lessons be learnt by studying the responses to COVID-19 and the human-induced climate change and loss of biodiversity emergencies? It is well recognized that to successfully address each of these issues requires sound scientific knowledge based on strong national and international research programs, cooperation between the research community and policy makers, national, regional and global evidence-based policies and coordinated actions, an informed and receptive public, and political will. A key question is how research and innovation can most effectively inform decision-making leading to cost-effective and socially acceptable action on pandemics, climate change and loss of biodiversity.This paper first describes how the COVID-19 pandemic has been addressed compared to the loss of biodiversity, and climate change, and then considers the use of scientific knowledge for policy-making and communication with the public. The paper then discusses human health and the natural environment as a global responsibility, and concludes on the need for an enhanced virtuous set of interactions between science, economy, politics and people.

Enoxaparin for primary thromboprophylaxis in symptomatic outpatients with COVID-19 (OVID): a randomised, open-label, parallel-group, multicentre, phase 3 trial

BackgroundCOVID-19 is a viral prothrombotic respiratory infection. Heparins exert antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory effects, and might have antiviral properties. We aimed to investigate whether thromboprophylaxis with enoxaparin would prevent untoward hospitalisation and death in symptomatic, but clinically stable outpatients with COVID-19.MethodsOVID was a randomised, open-label, parallel-group, investigator-initiated, phase 3 trial and was done at eight centres in Switzerland and Germany. Outpatients aged 50 years or older with acute COVID-19 were eligible if they presented with respiratory symptoms or body temperature higher than 37·5°C. Eligible participants underwent block-stratified randomisation (by age group 50–70 vs >70 years and by study centre) in a 1:1 ratio to receive either subcutaneous enoxaparin 40 mg once daily for 14 days versus standard of care (no thromboprophylaxis). The primary outcome was a composite of any untoward hospitalisation and all-cause death within 30 days of randomisation. Analysis of the efficacy outcomes was done in the intention-to-treat population. The primary safety outcome was major bleeding. The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04400799) and has been completed.FindingsAt the predefined formal interim analysis for efficacy (50% of total study population), the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board recommended early termination of the trial on the basis of predefined statistical criteria having considered the very low probability of showing superiority of thromboprophylaxis with enoxaparin for the primary outcome under the initial study design assumptions. Between Aug 15, 2020, and Jan 14, 2022, from 3319 participants prescreened, 472 were included in the intention-to-treat population and randomly assigned to receive enoxaparin (n=234) or standard of care (n=238). The median age was 57 years (IQR 53–62) and 217 (46%) were women. The 30-day risk of the primary outcome was similar in participants allocated to receive enoxaparin and in controls (8 [3%] of 234 vs 8 [3%] of 238; adjusted relative risk 0·98; 95% CI 0·37–2·56; p=0·96). All hospitalisations were related to COVID-19. No deaths were reported during the study. No major bleeding events were recorded. Eight serious adverse events were recorded in the enoxaparin group versus nine in the control group.InterpretationThese findings suggest thromboprophylaxis with enoxaparin does not reduce early hospitalisations and deaths among outpatients with symptomatic COVID-19. Futility of the treatment under the initial study design assumptions could not be conclusively assessed owing to under-representation of older patients and consequent low event rates.FundingSNSF (National Research Programme COVID-19 NRP78: 198352), University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Dr-Ing Georg Pollert (Berlin), Johanna Dürmüller-Bol Foundation.

Nonepithelial ovarian cancer – the current clinical practice in the Nordic countries. Survey from the surgical subcommittee of the Nordic society of gynecological oncology (NSGO)

Background Nonepithelial ovarian cancer (NEOC) represents a wide variety of rare tumors. They are often diagnosed at an early stage and have a good prognosis compared to epithelial ovarian cancer. In the Nordic countries, the total annual number of patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Fallopian tube cancer or primary peritoneal carcinoma (hereafter ovarian cancer) was 2281 in 2014–2018, of which 3–10% were NEOC. International guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up have been developed. We present the results of a survey, aiming at clarifying current clinical practice in the Nordic countries. Material and Methods Between 09.2020 and 02.2021 a 33-question electronic survey was distributed to 22 hospitals in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Denmark via the Nordic Society of Gynecological Oncology (NSGO) National Representatives. Data were collected in a secure web-based software platform. The questionnaire focused on demographics, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up programs. Results Twenty-one (95,4%) centers completed the survey. A total of 155 annual new NEOC cases treated in the Nordic countries were reported, corresponding to approximately 7% of all ovarian cancer cases. Most centers measured some or all of the recommended biomarkers routinely. Vaginal ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) were the preferred imaging modalities. The majority of centers conducted multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings. The primary reported treatment was surgery. In 65% of centers, lymph node dissection was only performed in cases with suspicious lymph nodes. Surveillance was usually offered > four years. Discussion Despite, the presence of clinical European guidelines, variation in the current clinical practice amongst participating centers adhering to national guidelines was observed. Prospective clinical national research programs are sparse, and an enhanced cooperation in the Nordic countries toward development of a Nordic guideline and database is highly warranted and a prerequisite for future research, preferably in cooperation with the larger international groups.

Concurrent 19. Presentation for: Mental health and the resources sector: findings from a research program to promote effective mental health solutions

Presented on Wednesday 18 May: Session 19 This paper outlines a multifaceted national workplace mental health research program that incorporated assessment of individual level, work characteristics and organisational factors on mental health among workers in the resources sector within Australia and internationally. This multistep program included: identification of level of mental health and substance use problems in an Australian national study; examination of risk and protective factors (work roles, social networks and location); attitudes to seeking mental health assistance; organisational policies regarding mental health within a workplace health and safety framework; piloting a resources-specific workplace mental health program for team leaders and supervisors and a workplace suicide prevention program; and application of digital mental health interventions to this sector. Additional linked studies in New South Wales and Queensland in the resources sector assessed personal factors influencing perception of workplace physical risks and hazards, risk behaviours and opportunities for risk mitigation; and links between mental and physical health factors. A summary of the key findings are presented within the context of a program of research addressing mental health within remote settings in the resources sector. Mental health-related problems are highly prevalent among workers in remote resource settings, which has significant implications for workplace health and safety. Strategies to address prevention and effective intervention need to be tailored to the industry and employee characteristics, and address models of mental health care that are feasible and accessible in often remote and challenging environments. To access the presentation click the link on the right. To read the full paper click here

The Impact of Soil Acidity in Soil and Water Conservation and the Current Practices of Soil and Water Conservation Response to Acid Affected Soils in Ethiopia: A Review

Land degradation is a global negative environmental process that causes the decline in the productivity of land resources’ capacity to perform their functions. Ethiopia has an experience long term in soil and water conservation efforts since1970s and it has established six national Ethiopian Soil Conservation Research Programs were initiated in 1981 and their focus over agro-ecology, land physiographic, climate and farming system but not considerable soil mechanics, hydraulic and geotechnical processes. Agronomic or biological measures are in helping to minimize the soil erosion by increasing soil surface cover, surface roughness, and surface depression storage, soil infiltration and decapitating potential and kinetic energy. In acid affected soil, before installed biological or agronomic soil and water conservation measures should be identified suitable technologies or recommendation either acid soil tolerant or reclaim the soils. Biological soil and water conservation and soil management measure more rehabilitee acid affected soils than physical soil and water conservation due to addition of bio mass, resulting decomposition improve soil structure, aeration, apparition infiltration ultimate reduction of soil erosion functions . Keywords: soil acidity, soil and water conservation DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/86-02 Publication date: June 30 th 2022

Collaborative Governance Dalam Program Riset Teknologi Kendaraan Listrik

The purpose of this study is to describe the empirical phenomenon of the research consortium of the National Research Program on Electric Vehicle Technology at the Research Organization of Engineering Sciences (OR-IPT), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) within the framework of governance theory. This study used descriptive qualitative method. Data collection techniques were carried out by interview and study policy documents. Sources of data include the Program Coordinator, document monitoring and evaluation reports on program implementation, minutes of technical meetings, and results of previous research. This study found that collaborative collaboration on the research consortium of the National Research Program on Electric Vehicle Technology at the Research Organization of Engineering Sciences (OR-IPT), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) can reduce research costs effectively and efficiently, as well as supporting the availability of human resources, expertise and infrastructure.

DEVELOPMENT AND INITIAL VALIDATION OF THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL SOCIAL CAPITAL SCALE (MSCS)

Social capital has been studied as one of the most important external resources that contribute to overcoming difficulties of individuals, the ability to adapt and show solidarity in times of crisis, preventive behavior. However, no specific assessment tool has been developed and validated for the measurement of social capital in Latvian. The present study aimed to develop and perform an initial validation of the Multidimensional Social Capital Scale (MSCS) in a Latvian adult sample. The developed theoretical concept based on rapid review covers such types of social capital as bonding, bridging and linking, and there are two dimensions in each of these types: cognitive and structural. Data were collected from a representative sample of Latvian inhabitants (N=1003), within a framework of the National research program “Life with COVID-19” in September 2020. As a result, a four-component structure was obtained. MSCS covers only the cognitive dimension of all three types. One type of bonding (Shared values and perceived social support for family members and close friends), one type of bridging (Perceived social support for friends and acquaintances), and two types of linking (Institutional trust and Attitude towards laws and norms). The items are internally consistent on all scales (Cronbach’s alpha ranged from .80 to .90). Discrimination indices generally meet the scientific requirements falling within the range (.20 – .80). Based on Exploratory (EFA) and Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) a four-factor structure of MSCS was confirmed (k = 16) in two samples. CFA results demonstrated that the MSCS was a valid and reliable multidimensional scale, which was invariant across both samples. The present findings indicate the validity and reliability of the MSCS for the Latvian population.

Mental health and the resources sector: findings from a research program to promote effective mental health solutions

This paper outlines a multifaceted national workplace mental health research program that incorporated assessment of individual level, work characteristics and organisational factors on mental health among workers in the resources sector within Australia and internationally. This multistep program included: identification of level of mental health and substance use problems in an Australian national study; examination of risk and protective factors (work roles, social networks and location); attitudes to seeking mental health assistance; organisational policies regarding mental health within a workplace health and safety framework; piloting a resources-specific workplace mental health program for team leaders and supervisors and a workplace suicide prevention program; and application of digital mental health interventions to this sector. Additional linked studies in New South Wales and Queensland in the resources sector assessed personal factors influencing perception of workplace physical risks and hazards, risk behaviours and opportunities for risk mitigation; and links between mental and physical health factors. A summary of the key findings are presented within the context of a program of research addressing mental health within remote settings in the resources sector. Mental health-related problems are highly prevalent among workers in remote resource settings, which has significant implications for workplace health and safety. Strategies to address prevention and effective intervention need to be tailored to the industry and employee characteristics, and address models of mental health care that are feasible and accessible in often remote and challenging environments.

Global demand for rice genetic resources

BackgroundThe International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) holds in trust the world's largest collection of rice diversity, with more than 130,000 accessions of cultivated rice and wild species. Between 2012 and 2018, a total of 2174 requests for rice germplasm were received from more than 1000 unique requestors. We documented and analyzed how genebank users made use of germplasm from IRRI. As we address food and nutrition security challenges in a changing context, we are motivated by the need to enhance the conservation, management, and use of rice genetic resources.MethodsWe examined the patterns of use of the IRRI genebank using distribution data and analyzed the results from a survey of germplasm recipients. The 2019 IRRI genebank user survey is the most recent attempt to obtain structured feedback from genebank end-users in multiple countries on their use of rice germplasm since 1995. We received 244 responses (a 35% response rate) out of the complete list of 694 respondents with valid email addresses. We also tested the relationship between the availability of germplasm information, proxied by the passport data completeness index (PDCI), and the demand for rice accessions, measured by the number of requests for each unique accession using a Negative Binomial regression model. We hypothesized that materials that are better documented are more frequently requested by users because they offer more useful information for targeted research and breeding.ResultsBetween 2012 and 2018, requests for germplasm from outside IRRI were received from 63 countries in all regions of the world, mostly from Asia. IRRI distributed germplasm externally to requestors from universities (32%), national research programs (14%), private companies (9%), and individuals, including farmers (24%) as well as other CGIAR centers (3%). The traits sought most often were tolerances to environmental stresses, followed by tolerance or resistance to biotic stresses. The majority of survey respondents confirmed the usefulness of IRRI germplasm for research, breeding, characterization, and evaluation. The analytical model confirmed the significant positive relationship between PDCI values and the demand for those accessions. The results indicated that improving the availability of information at the accession level will enhance the use of those materials. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to show the empirical link between documentation and use of germplasm.ConclusionsThe findings demonstrate the crucial role of IRRI's genebank as a key germplasm source for global rice research and development, with important implications for the conservation and use of rice genetic diversity in the future. Public sector organizations and the scientific community in general benefit from the conservation and availability of rice genetic resources. We also show the importance of the availability of data on conserved accession to enhance their use. To sustain the benefits, continuous investment in genebanks is needed to allow them to adapt to changes in technology and agricultural context.

Chemical Speciation of Antarctic Atmospheric Depositions

Both inorganic and organic complexation of metal cations in clouds or rainwater is essential to describe the global biogeochemical cycles of metals, because complexation can increase metal solubility and stabilize some of their oxidation states. Within a Project of the National Research Program in the Antarctica, atmospheric depositions were collected during the Antarctic summer 2017–2018 in eight sampling sites. The main ionic components occurring in water extracts of these atmospheric depositions were quantified, and a chemical model was applied, in order to identify the main species occurring in the samples. The speciation study showed that most cations were present as aquoions, except for Fe, which occurred predominantly in hydrolytic forms. The model allowed us to foresee the effect of an increase in the concentration levels of all the solution components, by simulating what could happen when the original particles act as cloud condensation nuclei. The role of inorganic anions as complexing agents becomes important when increasing total concentrations of all the solutes by a factor >100 compared to the water extracts, while the presence of organic acids acquires significance for samples having organic acid concentration higher than 10−5 mol L−1. Moreover, it was possible to pinpoint the formation constants that mostly affect the chemical system, and to gain insight into the behavior of metals in wet depositions, which is fundamental knowledge in atmospheric photochemistry studies and in the modeling of the biogeochemical cycles of metal cations.

The effects of combined digital and human advisory services on reducing nitrogen fertilizer use: lessons from China’s national research programs on low carbon agriculture

ABSTRACT In the context of emerging digital advisory services that can make a potential difference in sustainable farming practices, this article analyzes the connection between on-farm human interaction and digital advice. Based on an experimental case from China’s largest ever national research initiative on reducing agrochemical use in agricultural production, this study found that introducing university facilitators to promote ICT-based advisory services is conducive to site-specific fertilizer use. Through interactions with farmers, the facilitator complemented digital advisory services to achieve optimal N-fertilizer use in maize production. Digital service providers favoured large farms and usually would not service smallholder farmers, thus limiting the potential of digital advisory services. A main theoretical implication is that digital technology should not be completely relied upon because it may only give part of the answer. A human facilitator still plays an important role in integrating new technologies in interaction with farmers. Human advisory services can interpret or translate data to improve farmers’ decision-making, going beyond the advisory capacity of ICT technology. This is an important policy implication for China regarding its national research policies on agricultural sustainability and digital advisory services, and also calls for further research on interactions between digital and human advisory services.

Massive economic costs of biological invasions despite widespread knowledge gaps: a dual setback for India

Biological invasions are one of the top drivers of the ongoing biodiversity crisis. An underestimated consequence of invasions is the enormity of their economic impacts. Knowledge gaps regarding economic costs produced by invasive alien species (IAS) are pervasive, particularly for emerging economies such as India—the fastest growing economy worldwide. To investigate, highlight and bridge this gap, we synthesised data on the economic costs of IAS in India. Specifically, we examine how IAS costs are distributed spatially, environmentally, sectorally, taxonomically, temporally, and across introduction pathways; and discuss how Indian IAS costs vary with socioeconomic indicators. We found that IAS have cost the Indian economy between at least US$ 127.3 billion to 182.6 billion (Indian Rupees ₹ 8.3 trillion to 11.9 trillion) over 1960–2020, and these costs have increased with time. Despite these massive recorded costs, most were not assigned to specific regions, environments, sectors, cost types and causal IAS, and these knowledge gaps are more pronounced in India than in the rest of the world. When costs were specifically assigned, maximum costs were incurred in West, South and North India, by invasive alien insects in semi-aquatic ecosystems; they were incurred mainly by the public and social welfare sector, and were associated with damages and losses rather than management expenses. Our findings indicate that the reported economic costs grossly underestimate the actual costs, especially considering the expected costs given India’s population size, gross domestic product and high numbers of IAS without reported costs. This cost analysis improves our knowledge of the negative economic impacts of biological invasions in India and the burden they can represent for its development. We hope this study motivates policymakers to address socio-ecological issues in India and launch a national biological invasion research programme, especially since economic growth will be accompanied by greater impacts of global change.

Megatrends in Healthcare: Review for the Swiss National Science Foundation's National Research Programme 74 (NRP74) "Smarter Health Care".

Objectives: In this paper, we present a review of some relevant megatrends in healthcare conducted as part of the Swiss National Science Foundation’s National Research Programme 74 (NRP74) “Smarter Health Care.” Our aim is to stimulate discussions about long-term tendencies underlying the current and future development of the healthcare system. Methods: Our team—a multidisciplinary panel of researchers involved in the NRP74—went through an iterative process of internal consultations followed by a rapid literature review with the goal of reaching group consensus concerning the most relevant megatrends in healthcare. Results: Five megatrends were identified, namely: 1) Socio-demographic shifts. 2) Broadening meaning of “health.” 3) Empowered patients and service users. 4) Digitalization in healthcare. 5) Emergence of new models of care. The main features of each megatrend are presented, drawing often on the situation in Switzerland as a paradigmatic example and adding reflections on the potential influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on them. Conclusion: Considering the long-term megatrends affecting the evolution of healthcare is important—amongst other things–to understand and contextualise the relevance and implications of innovative health services research results.