Pool Of Resources Research Articles

Interventions to enhance corporate sector engagement in tuberculosis response in Africa: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionTuberculosis (TB) is a significant public health crisis in Africa. TB control programmes implemented by various state and non-state actors in different African countries over the years have recorded significant...

Evolutionary dynamics in spatial public goods games with environmental feedbacks.

Collective actions aimed at achieving goals such as resource sustainability and environmental protection often face conflicting interests between individuals and groups. These social dilemmas can be modeled using public goods games and collective risk dilemmas. However, in reality, multiple generations share a common pool of resources, leading to high costs for today's overexploitation that impacts future generations' welfare. This delayed effect creates a multigenerational conflict. To address this, we develop a coupled social-ecological coevolutionary model by establishing a relationship between individual payoffs and regional environmental quality. Our goal is to study how cooperative behaviors spread in a public goods game with environmental feedback and to identify the factors influencing this spread. We achieve this by examining the mechanisms behind certain phases and phase transitions, monitoring the spatial distribution of strategies, and assessing the environmental quality of all regions. Our findings reveal some counterintuitive results. For instance, despite cooperators' ability to enhance the environment, the overall level of cooperation in the system sometimes decreases. This is linked to cooperative clusters being invaded by defectors within the clusters' cracks. Additionally, the destructive power of defection and the cost of cooperation have more complex effects on the system.

Microbial diversity analysis and isolation of thermoresistant lactic acid bacteria in pasteurized milk

Pasteurization is a common method for dairy products, typically heating at 72 °C for 15 s or 63 °C for 30 min. The 17 samples of commercial pasteurized milk were divided into three groups according to the shelf life: group A (1–5 days), group B (6–10 days) and group C (11–15 days), and the diversity composition of microbial communities in the samples was analyzed. Among all groups, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were the dominant bacterial phyla. The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were mostly Streptococcus, Weissella and Lactobacillus, and there were high proportions of Streptococcus thermophilus in group A, Weissella paramesenteroides in group B, and Lactobacillus plantarum in group C. Furthermore, a strain of Enterococcus faecium SFM2 was isolated from the A2 sample, which showed better temperature tolerance compared to the E. faecium SFM1 of oral origin. After treatment at 50 °C for 2 h, the survival rates of E. faecium SFM1 and SFM2 were 28.20 ± 0.04% and 82.58 ± 0.01%, respectively. This study investigated the diversity of microorganisms in pasteurized milk, providing effective information for analyzing the potential microbiota of commercial pasteurized milk. Meanwhile, it provided new ideas for expanding the resource pool of thermoresistant LAB.

Rabies control program in Colombia: A One Health assessment

Introduction: In Colombia, despite the notable decrease in rabies cases, the primary prevention of the disease remains a challenge, particularly in rural areas where non-vaccinated infected cats are the main transmitters to humans. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of implementation of One Health in the rabies program in Colombia, through a validated methodology of thirteen criteria. Methods: Structured surveys directed at stakeholders from official sectors such as agriculture, health, environment, private sector and academia were carried out. The results were categorized into high (66%-100%), moderate (34%-65%), and low (0%-33%) scores. Results: The findings highlight the need for more integrated management plans, improved training and workforce awareness on ´One Health´soft skills and enhanced wildlife epidemiological surveillance. Discussion: Overall, these results underscore the importance of greater transdisciplinary and multidisciplinary planning and collaboration, as well as better pooling of resources (human, financial, technical platforms and knowledge) in the rabies program.

Relative Resources in Couples and Their Childbearing Behavior in the United States

A growing body of research indicates significant variation in the fertility-education relationship by partner education across high income countries. However, little is known on the education-fertility-couple nexus in the US context. The present study fills this gap. It investigates linkages between married couples’ relative socio-economic resources and their first and second birth transitions in the United States, using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79) and a competing risk approach to model birth transitions and union dissolutions competing with first and second births independently. The study presents four findings. First, homogamous tertiary educated couples have the highest first and second birth rate, net of fertility preferences, indicating the relevance of resource pooling for family formation. Second, low-resource hypogamous and hypergamous couples have lower birth rates than most other pairings, underscoring that linkages between heterogamy and family formation may vary by the absolute level of the partners’ resources. Third, family income mediates first birth rate differences between homogamous highly educated couples and most other pairings. Lower first birth rates of hypogamous large distance couples, compared with homogamous tertiary educated couples, however, appear in part rooted in higher union dissolution rates. Fourth and finally, the higher second birth rate of homogamous highly educated couples was not mediated by any of the tested socio-economic mechanisms. More research is needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying this birth rate pattern found throughout high income societies. * This article belongs to a special issue on “Changes in Educational Homogamy and Its Consequences”.

Ohio's Regional Manufacturing Workforce Partnerships: Governing a Common Pool Resource

Ohio's manufacturing industry sector partnerships (ISP) are economic development and workforce development efforts that rely on community development inputs. The authors posit that graduates of regional, sector-led, industry-specific workforce training programs constitute a common pool resource, as described by Elinor Ostrom, because while hiring graduates is rival, it is not excludable. This creates a workforce version of the tragedy of the commons because these programs often have experiential learning components in workplaces and require funding support, mentoring, and the long-term commitment of company leaders to a partnership. The training programs will flounder if participating employers do not earn a return on their resource expenditures. The output of the partnership program is trained workers, while its primary outcome is the production of goods and services. The economic mobility of the recipients of ISP training is a by-product, or secondary outcome, of the partnership's activities

Punching above their weight? Examining player development pathways in Belgian football: a retrospective analysis

PurposeBelgium has consistently produced world-class footballers, outperforming many larger football associations despite having a smaller talent pool and fewer resources. This paper aims to (1) examine the development pathways of Belgian professional players over the past decade and (2) quantify the role of opportunities in European leagues outside the “Big 5” for a comparative analysis of different player development systems. By exploring how Belgian players progress through various leagues and systems, this study seeks to identify strategic insights that can inform the development practices of both Belgian football and other European nations with similar constraints.Design/methodology/approachData on player performance were collected over ten seasons (2013/14 to 2022/23) from 15 European leagues, including the “Big 5” (England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain) and ten other prominent leagues (Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Switzerland and Turkey). The variables collected included player name, nationality, team, league, season, appearances, minutes played, age and position. For Belgian players in the sample, the youth academies they attended were also noted.FindingsBelgian players have achieved significant success, particularly in terms of transitioning into the “Big 5” leagues. However, the number of “home-grown” players making appearances and gaining minutes in the Belgian league is relatively low (ranking 13th of the 15 leagues studied). In contrast, Belgian players rank third in terms of total minutes played in the “Big 5” leagues, behind Portuguese and Dutch players. Anderlecht was the most successful Belgian club in developing professional players, and other key contributors were clubs with consistent Champions League participation.Originality/valueWhile substantial research exists on player development in the “Big 5” European leagues, comparatively little attention has been given to other significant European leagues. This paper addresses that gap by examining the role of smaller leagues in developing young talent, despite their limited resources and reduced access to Europe's elite competitions. The findings highlight the need for policy reforms and strategic improvements at both the national and European levels to enhance player development pathways.

LBTMA: An integrated P4-enabled framework for optimized traffic management in SD-IoT networks

This research introduces LBTMA, a novel framework for effective traffic management in Internet of Things (IoT) networks employing software-defined networking (SDN). LBTMA comprises three modules: P4-enabled Stateful Traffic Monitoring (P4-STM), P4-enabled Distributed Load Balancing (P4-DLBS), and P4-enabled Distributed Packet Aggregation and Disaggregation (P4-DPADS). Operating entirely within the data plane, the three modules collaboratively address the challenges of managing high communication traffic from IoT devices. P4-STM utilizes state tables for flow monitoring and anonymization, while introducing a novel multi-controller communication scheme (MCCS) that separates routine data from critical alerts through two dedicated channels. MCCS demonstrated a 25% improvement in throughput and a 51% decrease in latency compared to single controller architecture. P4-DLBS features Enhanced Weighted Round Robin (P4-EWRR) load balancing algorithm, which leverages P4′s distributed decision-making capabilities and inter-switch coordination for enhanced scalability and reduced controller burden. P4-EWRR continuously adjusts server weights based on real-time factors (e.g., queue length, server resource pool, CPU utilization) to ensure efficient resource allocation. In testing, P4-EWRR achieved an average response time of 15 ms and an average packet drop rate of 2%. P4-DPADS employs a hierarchical data plane to efficiently handle high volumes of small IoT packets. It demonstrated an average disaggregation accuracy of 98%, communication overhead reduction rate of 70%, and an impressive average aggregation ratio of 95%. Additionally, P4-DPADS contributes to a 25% reduction in latency and a 40% increase in throughput. The LBTMA framework's modularity and P4 programmability provide flexible, scalable, and efficient traffic management in IoT networks.

Benzylic C−H Radical Sulfation by Persulfates

AbstractSulfation is a highly valuable pathological and physiological process, yet it is often underappreciated considering the rather difficult accessibility of organosulfates. O‐sulfonation (O−SO3), a conventional and still common way to make organosulfates, restricts its applicability to hydroxyl compounds and therein lies a major challenge of library construction. Here, we describe a benzylic C−H radical sulfation with persulfates via C−O bond formation. This strategy leverages modular control over the reactivity of persulfates and the stability of sulfate radicals by coutercations. K+/NH4+ stabilized sulfate radicals act as the oxidant to generate carbon‐centered radicals from substrates, and activation of persulfates by n‐NBu4+ provides O−O resource pool to facilitate C−OSO3− bond formation via a bimolecular homolytic substitution (SH2) process.

Benzylic C-H Radical Sulfation by Persulfates.

Sulfation is a highly valuable pathological and physiological process, yet it is often underappreciated considering the rather difficult accessibility of organosulfates. O-sulfonation (O-SO3), a conventional and still common way to make organosulfates, restricts its applicability to hydroxyl compounds and therein lies a major challenge of library construction. Here, we describe a benzylic C-H radical sulfation with persulfates via C-O bond formation. This strategy leverages modular control over the reactivity of persulfates and the stability of sulfate radicals by coutercations. K+/NH4 + stabilized sulfate radicals act as the oxidant to generate carbon-centered radicals from substrates, and activation of persulfates by n-NBu4 + provides O-O resource pool to facilitate C-OSO3 - bond formation via a bimolecular homolytic substitution (SH2) process.

Navigating the Challenges and Seizing Opportunities in Implementing Closed-Loop Supply Chains

Closed-Loop Supply Chains (CLSCs) present a transformative solution for industries seeking sustainability by reintegrating returned products through recycling, refurbishment, and remanufacturing, reducing waste and dependency on added resources. While offering substantial benefits, CLSC adoption faces challenges, including high infrastructure costs, complex reverse coordination, and inconsistent regulatory support, which hinder widespread application. Through a mixed-method approach using surveys and case studies, this study reveals barriers such as financial constraints and operational restructuring needs, while highlighting enablers like digital tools (e.g., blockchain, IoT) that enhance efficiency and transparency. Furthermore, it emphasizes the critical role of regulatory incentives (subsidies, tax breaks, and extended producer responsibility mandates) and strategic partnerships that pool resources and share risks, essential for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) aiming to implement CLSCs effectively. By proposing a practical CLSC framework, informed by empirical data, this research provides actionable insights for businesses to embrace circular economy principles, aligning environmental responsibility with corporate resilience, profitability, and consumer expectations. CLSCs, therefore, are not only an environmental solution but also a strategic opportunity that addresses sustainability imperatives while meeting regulatory requirements and advancing competitive advantage.

Exploring the Impact of Resource Management Strategies on Simulated Edge Cloud Performance: An Experimental Study

Edge computing has emerged as a critical technology for meeting the needs of latency-sensitive applications and reducing network congestion. This goal is achieved mainly by distributing computational resources closer to end users and away from traditional data centers. Optimizing the utilization of limited edge cloud resources and improving the performance of edge computing systems requires efficient resource-management techniques. In this paper, we primarily discuss the use of simulation tools—EdgeSimPy in particular—to assess edge cloud resource management methods. We give a summary of the main difficulties in managing a limited pool of resources in edge cloud computing, and we go over how simulation programs like EdgeSimPy work and evaluate resource management algorithms. The scenarios we consider for this evaluation involve edge computing while taking into account variables like user location, resource availability, and network structure. We evaluate four resource management algorithms in a fixed, simulated edge computing environment to determine their performance regarding their CPU usage, memory usage, disk usage, power consumption, and latency performance metrics to determine which method performs better in a fixed scenario. This allows us to determine the optimal algorithm for tasks that prioritize minimal resource use, low latency, or a combination of the two. Furthermore, we outline areas of unfilled research needs and potential paths forward for improving the reliability and realism of edge cloud simulation tools.

Aviation business growth; Does ground movement capacity and air space capacity matter?

Growth in any firm’s business is critical as a long-term objective of such a firm. The study thus focused on the influence of ground movement capacity and air space capacity on the growth of aviation businesses at Wilson Airport. The guiding objectives of this study were: to establish the effect of ground movement capacity on aviation business growth in Kenya and to assess the effects of airspace capacity on in Kenya. The study was guided by theory of constraints. The study employed an explanatory research design. The study targeted 117 respondents based at Wilson Airport. A Census survey was used in this study to collect information from all participants in the population. The study collected primary data using questionnaires. In testing for reliability, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was applied. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. Inferential data were analyzed using correlation and multiple regressions. The study findings revealed that ground movement capacity has a positive and significant effect on aviation business and airspace capacity has a positive and significant effect on aviation business growth. Ground movement capacity was an important determinant of aviation business growth. Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and Kenya Airports Authority should pool resources and increase the ground movement equipment and facilities. The study recommends that future researcher’s study on the influence of public, private partnership to increase the ground movement capacity on aviation growth can also be conducted.

Examining Collaborative Initiatives to Enhance Financial Literacy for Inclusive Growth with respect to Bangalore City

This study examines the complex relationship between financial literacy, economic empowerment, and saving and investing behaviors. Findings reveal that financial knowledge significantly fosters cooperative partnerships and economic resilience but highlight an unexpected negative correlation between economic empowerment and conventional savings. This suggests that empowered individuals often prioritize alternative financial avenues over traditional savings. To address these dynamics, the study advocates for tailored financial literacy programs emphasizing collaboration, community engagement, and resilience. These include modules on group investment, resource pooling, and diversified financial planning. It also underscores the importance of empowering community leaders, leveraging technology for outreach, and integrating microfinance opportunities. Moreover, enhancing education through customized digital resources and collaborations with institutions is proposed to bridge gaps in financial knowledge. The study further recommends promoting balanced savings and investment behaviors by incorporating behavioral finance insights, scenario-based training, and personalized financial planning. Policymakers are urged to use these insights to design inclusive financial literacy programs that align with diverse economic preferences and goals, ultimately fostering long-term wealth building and economic stability. Future research should explore the motivations behind empowered individuals’ financial decisions to refine strategies for enhancing financial well-being.

Married and cohabiting women's financial empowerment: A study on women's bank account ownership in Spain

AbstractObjectiveThe goal was to examine the conditions under which young adult women (aged 25–50) in heterosexual couples maintain their economic independence through a personal bank account.BackgroundResearch has shown that in Spain, the pooling of economic resources is seen as an important aspect of being a couple and as a symbol of togetherness. However, in practice, joint management can be characterized by inequalities on several levels, such as access to money, control over money, and personal spending. Few studies have focused on household financial organization in Spain, and studies of women's financial autonomy are lacking.MethodWe conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of couples aged 25–50 in Spain (N = 1,281) using data from the 2020 National Survey on Family Life.ResultsThe findings reveal that women are significantly less likely to have a personal bank account if either partner does not endorse values of economic autonomy, the couple is married with children, or, if the male partner earns significantly more.ConclusionThe results suggest that there is still a long way to go for Spain to reach the levels of women's account ownership seen in countries such as those in Northern Europe. It is important to incorporate women's account ownership into the investigation of financial organization, given its substantial implications for women within couples and those navigating relationship dissolution.ImplicationsGovernment programs should promote women's account ownership. Also, policies targeting financial literacy can incorporate dimensions such as basic budgeting, saving, and debt management so that women can gain further financial skills.

Unveiling Relationships: Enhancing Sustainability of Golpata (Nipa Palm) Through Socio‐Ecological Systems Management in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest

ABSTRACTThis study explores the social‐ecological dynamics of common pool resource (CPR) management in the Sundarbans mangrove forest in Bangladesh. We focus on golpata (Nypa fruticans), a vital CPR for local communities. A social‐ecological systems (SESs) framework was employed to assess the relationships between social (actors and governance) and ecological (resource system and resource unit) dimensions and their influence on the sustainability of golpata management. Data on 12 variables and 24 indicators were collected within the Chadpai range of the Sundarbans. Results revealed both positive and negative relationships between the SES dimensions. Positive correlations were found between the resource system and resource unit, and between governance and both resource system and unit (albeit weaker). Conversely, negative correlations emerged between actors and both resource systems and units, suggesting a potential disconnect between community user practices and resource sustainability. Based on these findings, the study recommends four distinct management scenarios tailored to specific SES regions within the Sundarbans. These scenarios emphasize strengthening governance frameworks, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and implementing targeted ecological interventions to improve the sustainability of golpata resources. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the social‐ecological complexities of golpata management in the Sundarbans. The findings can inform policymakers in developing effective strategies for sustainable resource use and community livelihoods within this critical ecosystem.

Is Clonal Integration a Buffer for the Stress of Resource Acquisition Depletion in Eichhornia crassipes (Pontederiaceae) Ramets?

Natural selection favors the allocation of finite resources to different functions maximizing fitness. In this sense, some functions may decrease whereas others increase when resources are limited in a process called a trade-off. However, a great variety of situations may obscure trade-off detection in clonal plants, such as the ability to generate offspring by clonal growth that represents opportunities for resource uptake. The aim of this work was to evaluate if clonal integration and resource availability mediate biomass allocation patterns in E. crassipes through a greenhouse experiment. We set ramets in clonal and isolated conditions, and with and without leaf blades, and compared the relationship of biomass proportion allocated to each vegetative organ. We found that biomass allocation to vegetative structures in E. crassipes is primarily shaped by resource pools and is enhanced by clonal integration as attached ramets invest more in growth and vegetative structures. In this sense, regarding trade-off patterns in biomass allocation among vegetative organs and under resource depletion, clonal integration may represent a way to stabilize biomass allocation patterns and may decrease trade-off importance. We discuss trade-offs and clonal integration as evolutionary strategies that allow plant persistence and improve plants fitness. These findings may support aquatic plant management and control efforts while highlighting the evolutionary significance of clonal integration for plant life strategies.

Science diplomacy in the European and Latin American and Caribbean research infrastructure collaboration

Abstract Research infrastructures (RIs) are crucial for scientific progress, innovation, and global development, necessitating international collaboration due to their complexity and cost. Science diplomacy (SD) plays a vital role in facilitating policy design, resource pooling, and governance for effective collaboration in RIs. Multinational cooperation in RIs provides financial relief and access to advanced technology and promotes cutting-edge research, benefiting scientific development and socioeconomic growth. This article explores the role of SD in European-Latin American and Caribbean (EU-LAC) RI collaboration, underscoring the importance of diverse and equitable inter-RI collaboration. The study addresses challenges in EU-LAC collaboration, emphasizing the unequal development of RIs and the need for political support. Through interpretive policy studies and stakeholder interviews, the research contributes to formulating an ideal type and a feasible scenario for sustainable collaboration, discussing policy implications and highlighting the pivotal role of SD in successful international RI partnerships.

Digital Economy and the Development of Rural Speciality Industries

Integration of digital economic (technological) development is an inevitable choice for the growth of industries in China's urban and rural areas. Industrial prosperity in the countryside requires the development of speciality industries according to the reality of the countryside. The integration of characteristic industries and digital economy helps rural industries to flourish and accelerates the realisation of the goal of rural revitalisation. Due to different natural endowments, villages in the categories of agglomeration and upgrading, suburban integration, characteristic protection and relocation and annexation focus on the development of different characteristic industries. According to the actual situation of each type of villages, the development of characteristic industries and the digital transformation and upgrading of characteristic industries are the basic paths for the optimisation and development of rural industries in China. The development of special industries in different types of villages requires a sound digital foundation, the pooling of financial resources in various aspects, and the support and promotion of the construction of digital talents.

Leaf herbivory causes abortion of selfed seeds in Rhododendron kaempferi var. kaempferi

AbstractPlant reproduction is often inhibited by herbivorous leaf damage, which affects the resource pool allocated for reproduction. Rhododendron kaempferi var. kaempferi is a semi‐evergreen shrub widely distributed in Japan, and its leaves are occasionally damaged by sawfly larvae (Arge similis). This species is partially self‐compatible, but its selfed seedlings suffer from inbreeding depression. Our study aimed to clarify (1) the magnitude of herbivorous damage under natural conditions, (2) the effects of foliage damage on seed number and mass, and (3) the possibility of selective abortion of selfed seeds to maintain outcrossed seed production under resource limitation. In the 2022 survey, 2 of the 20 ramets observed were collectively parasitized by sawfly larvae, and the most damaged ramet had a 59.6% foliage loss. In contrast, the herbivorous damage in 2023 was consistently low throughout the growing season, averaging a 3.2% loss. Leaf excision reduced the seed number per fruit (i.e., low seed‐set rate) but did not affect the individual seed mass. The outcrossing rate of the excision treatment (81.7%) was significantly higher than that of the control (72.0%). The values of seed‐set rate × outcrossing rate were 0.172 for the excision treatment and 0.171 for the control, nearly equal. Our results indicated that (1) sawfly larvae damage was concentrated on a few specific plants, (2) intense foliage damage reduced seed number but not seed mass, and (3) R. kaempferi mitigated the decline in outcrossed seed production by the abortion of selfed seeds when leaves were intensively damaged.