Research Opportunities Research Articles

Recent Progress in Non-Noble Metal Catalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction: A Focus on Transition and Rare-Earth Elements.

The demand for renewable energy sources has become more urgent due to climate change and environmental pollution. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) plays a crucial role in green energy sources. This article primarily explores the potential of using non-noble metals, such as transition and rare earth metals, to enhance the efficiency of the OER process. Due to their cost-effectiveness and unique electronic structure, these non-noble metals could be a game-changer in the field. 'Doping,' which is the process of adding a small amount of impurity to a material to alter its properties, and 'synergistic effects,' which refer to the combined effect of two or more elements that is greater than the sum of their individual effects, are two key concepts in this field. Transition and rare earth metals can reduce the overpotential, a measure of the excess potential required to drive a reaction, thus enhancing the OER process by engineering the electronic and surface molecular structure. This article summarizes the roles of various non-noble metals in the OER process and highlights opportunities for researchers to propose innovative ways to optimize the OER process.

Effectiveness of robotic metabolic and bariatric surgery in patients with BMI ≥ 50-59.9 and BMI ≥ 60 for the treatment of severe obesity in a national medical center in Mexico.

Obesity is a global health issue that significantly increases morbidity and mortality when the Body Mass Index (BMI) reaches values ≥ 50. While metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is the most effective treatment for severe obesity, it carries risks. Robotic surgery is promising but not extensively studied in Mexico, which presents an opportunity for research at a National Hospital with an academic program. This retrospective study reviewed 44 patients who underwent robotic MBS using the da Vinci surgical system from January 2018 to August 2023 at Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre, ISSSTE. Data collected included surgery type, duration, complications, and weight loss metrics over 54months post-operatively. The study involved 44 patients with severe obesity including BMI ≥ 50-59.9kg/m2 for group 1 and BMI ≥ 60kg/m2 for group 2. The average initial BMI was 54.7kg/m2 for group 1 and 68kg/m2 for group 2. The average operative times for group 1 were 10.09min for docking, 86.23min for robotic console time, and 95.73min for total intraoperative time. Group 2 had average times of 9.80min for docking, 82.4min for robotic console time, and 92.2min for total intraoperative time. Follow-up showed significant weight loss initially, with weight recurrence after 24months due to different factors. No serious complications or mortality were observed. Robotic MBS at a national academic medical center in Mexico shows promising outcomes for patients with BMI ≥ 50-59.9 and BMI ≥ 60, with significant weight and BMI improvements at 54month follow-up. Further studies with larger cohorts and longer follow-up are needed to strengthen these findings.

Empowering Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Towards Sustainable Transportation: An Analytical Assessment, Emerging Energy Management, Key Issues, and Future Research Opportunities

Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) have received significant attention in recent times due to various advantageous features, such as high energy efficiency, zero emissions, and extended driving range. However, FCEVs have some drawbacks, including high production costs; limited hydrogen refueling infrastructure; and the complexity of converters, controllers, and method execution. To address these challenges, smart energy management involving appropriate converters, controllers, intelligent algorithms, and optimizations is essential for enhancing the effectiveness of FCEVs towards sustainable transportation. Therefore, this paper presents emerging energy management strategies for FCEVs to improve energy efficiency, system reliability, and overall performance. In this context, a comprehensive analytical assessment is conducted to examine several factors, including research trends, types of publications, citation analysis, keyword occurrences, collaborations, influential authors, and the countries conducting research in this area. Moreover, emerging energy management schemes are investigated, with a focus on intelligent algorithms, optimization techniques, and control strategies, highlighting contributions, key findings, issues, and research gaps. Furthermore, the state-of-the-art research domains of FCEVs are thoroughly discussed in order to explore various research domains, relevant outcomes, and existing challenges. Additionally, this paper addresses open issues and challenges and offers valuable future research opportunities for advancing FCEVs, emphasizing the importance of suitable algorithms, controllers, and optimization techniques to enhance their performance. The outcomes and key findings of this review will be helpful for researchers and automotive engineers in developing advanced methods, control schemes, and optimization strategies for FCEVs towards greener transportation.

A New Corpus of Roman Coins from England and Wales. An Overview of the Evidence and Analysis of the Data

Abstract This paper considers a new corpus of 490,154 Roman coins (site finds) which have been recorded from England and Wales. The corpus provides British and regional means to aid in the preparation of coin reports in line with Historic England guidelines, along with spatial data providing new opportunities for research. The methods of data collection will be detailed and some of the possibilities this dataset can provide presented through a number of case studies. Through the consideration of applied numismatic analyses, the social distribution of the material and, crucially, the spatial distribution of Roman coinage, we can identify new trends and patterns. Case studies evaluating the fourth century will emphasise the changing importance of settlements in Roman Britain and identify those linked with the late Roman state. Furthermore, the retraction of coinage distributions in the second half of the fourth century will be explored. Building on the national and site type means explored within the paper, the full dataset has been made available in a range of forms on the Archaeology Data Service and in an interactive map developed by Maploom.

What Military Applicants Value When Choosing a Residency in Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics.

Military medical students participate in a separate residency match program, distinct from their civilian counterparts. There is limited information regarding factors that applicants find important when selecting a residency program in Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics (GSO). We aimed to identify factors that influence applicant program selection. A voluntary, anonymous, 45-question survey was distributed to military candidates pursuing GSO residency training in the fall of 2023. Participants were asked to rate the factors they considered most important when ranking residency programs. Thirty-seven of the sixty (61.7%) applicants completed the survey. The culture of the residency program was deemed "important" by most participants (94.6%), followed by surgical volume (70.3%) and obstetric volume (70.3%). When asked to rank selection factors, the culture of the residency program, geographic location, and surgical volume were among the top 5 influential factors for the majority of applicants. Participants considered the following factors "not important": Salary (military pay versus civilian salary) (43.2%), research opportunities (32.4%), and availability of abortion training (21.6%). Most military applicants (62.2%) stated that abortion restrictions would not affect program selection, while 37.8% reported that this would affect their rankings. Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics military applicants deemed the residency program's culture, surgical volume, and obstetrical volume to be the most important factors impacting residency program selection. Residency programs can use these findings to promote program strengths, improve program shortfalls, and guide applicant recruitment.

Systematic Review on Sustainable Intensification Strategies in Brazilian Beef Production

Objective: To analyze studies on sustainable intensification strategies in beef production in Brazil, focusing on carbon neutralization and sustainable practices. Theoretical Framework: Addresses the relationship between livestock and environmental impacts such as deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. It explores alternatives for pasture recovery and optimized management. Method: The Web of Science and Scopus databases were used to identify and select studies. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to choose 31 relevant articles, which were used to systematize current knowledge. The PRISMA Protocol (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) was used for the systematic literature review. The PRISMA 2020 Flow Diagram serves as a support tool for researchers in organizing the essential steps to conduct the systematic review. Results and Discussion: The studies highlight the importance of strategies such as sustainable intensification and crop-livestock-forest integration to mitigate environmental impacts. They reveal the evolution of the terms used and the importance of public policies and technologies to mitigate emissions and promote more sustainable practices. Research Implications: Contributes to the formulation of sustainable policies and practices, reinforcing the need for integrated approaches that consider economic and environmental factors in beef production. Originality/Value: Provides an updated and critical synthesis on the topic of sustainable beef and carbon neutralization, indicating gaps and opportunities for future research and policy interventions.

The Catalytic Mechanisms and Design Strategies of Noble Metal Catalysts for Selective Reduction of NOx with CO

AbstractThe selective catalytic reduction of NOx by CO (CO‐SCR) is a viable method for simultaneously mitigating NOx and CO emissions in motor vehicle exhaust and industrial flue gases. Extensive research has been conducted on noble metal catalysts because of their superior catalytic activity and stability compared to non‐noble metals. Noble metal catalysts demonstrate efficient NOx conversion and high selectivity for N2. However, achieving high conversion, selectivity, and stability over a wide temperature range in the presence of excess O2, H2O, and SO2 remains a significant challenge. This review summarizes recent advancements in CO‐SCR over noble metal catalysts, providing insights for the development of CO‐SCR catalysts. This paper first examines the reaction mechanisms of CO‐SCR, followed by a discussion on the design and optimization strategies of noble metal catalysts, with a focus on composition and structural effects. This includes creating active metal sites, selecting appropriate supports, integrating catalytic additives, choosing monometallic nanoparticles, alloying, and using single‐atom catalysts. Finally, remaining challenges and potential avenues for future research have been suggested. The discovery of negatively charged noble metal single‐atom‐site catalysts presents new research opportunities.

The plant ecology of nature‐based solutions for people, biodiversity and climate

Abstract Integrated solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises—together with other global sustainability challenges—include the identification, design and implementation of nature‐based solutions (NbS). Living organisms mediate biogeochemical cycles and greenhouse gas fluxes from land and sea, and provide NbS to both climate change mitigation and adaptation. Plants, as the primary producers in ecosystems, lie at the heart of NbS. Plant ecology provides the foundation for developing and evaluating NbS based on an understanding of the ecological processes that underlie ecosystem service flow to people. In this Special Feature, we provide a collection of mini‐reviews that presents concise and focused analysis of the plant ecology of NbS. The mini‐reviews highlight key insights, challenges and opportunities for future research. The development of NbS that target specific ecosystem functions (e.g. carbon storage), or aim at increasing ecosystem resilience against perturbations (e.g. those associated with climate change), requires unification of ecological theory from areas such as biodiversity‐ecosystem function, plant–animal interactions, resilience and functional traits of organisms. Synthesis. Plant ecology and nature‐based solutions (NbS) research are complementary. Plant ecology can inform the design and management of effective NbS, and provide insights for the creation of novel ecosystems that provide NbS; while learning from the implementation of NbS can progress theory. To deploy NbS at the speed and scale needed to mitigate and adapt to climate change, we must rapidly integrate ecological concepts into the design of NbS. At the same time, the design and deployment of NbS in different ecological contexts provides an unprecedented opportunity to learn how performances of individual NbS sites can be explained in an integrated way, leading to the development of general concepts. Ultimately, a mechanistic understanding of how plants and their functional traits contribute to ecosystem function and service provision is critical for the design, verification of benefits from and avoidance of adverse effects of NbS.

How and Why Top Executives Influence Innovation: A Review of Mechanisms and a Research Agenda

Scholars have shown increasing interest in the relationship between top executives and firm innovation. However, no systematic effort has been made to integrate or synthesize the theoretical mechanisms in this literature. Without such an integrative framework, this field remains fragmented, offering limited guidance for future research. In this study, we integrate and synthesize findings from over 100 articles on the effects of top executives on innovation. Our review identifies four major categories of theoretical mechanisms (Motivations, Cognitions, Leadership Behaviors, and Influences), eleven sub-categories of mechanisms, and three prominent causal chains in the literature. Our review also examines how these mechanisms align with those in the broader innovation literature, highlighting numerous opportunities for future research. These include deeper integration within and across four categories of mechanisms in strategic leadership literature, drawing insights from strategic leadership research to better inform future research on organizational motivations for innovation, examining top executives’ economic motivations for innovation, and elucidating how strategic leaders shape absorptive and economic capacities to innovate.

Discourse-related expletives: Challenges and opportunities

Abstract Recent research has highlighted the existence of expletive(-like) elements in various languages that are related to discourse, serving as fillers for designated topic/focus positions and/or contributing specific discourse–pragmatic effects. Such elements pose a number of challenges and opportunities, both for our overall conception of expletives and for our understanding of the syntax–discourse interface, although work in this area to date has mainly focused on the phenomenon in individual varieties. In this study, we critically survey the current state-of-the art on this topic and discuss four main areas where we see particular challenges and opportunities for research: (i) categories and definitions, (ii) typological correlations, (iii) theoretical modelling and (iv) language change. Overall, this article brings together a broad array of empirical findings and theoretical approaches on the phenomenon of discourse-related expletives and highlights the many avenues for future work in this area.

Recent Advances (2018–2023) and Research Opportunities in the Study of Groundwater in Cold Regions

ABSTRACTIncreasing greenhouse gas levels drive extensive changes in Arctic and cold‐dominated environments, leading to a warmer, more humid, and variable climate. Associated permafrost thaw creates new groundwater flow paths in cold regions that are causing unprecedented environmental changes. This review of recent advances in groundwater research in cold environments has revealed that a new paradigm is emerging where groundwater is at the center of these changes. Groundwater flow and associated heat and solute transport are now used as a basis to understand hydrological changes, permafrost dynamics, water quality, integrity of infrastructure along with ecological impacts. Although major advances have been achieved in cold regions' cryohydrogeological research, the remaining knowledge gaps are numerous. For example, groundwater as a drinking water source is poorly documented despite its social importance. Lateral transport processes for carbon and contaminants are still inadequately understood. Numerical models are improving, but the highly complex physical‐ecological changes occurring in the arctic involve coupled thermal, hydrological, hydrogeological, mechanical, and geochemical processes that are difficult to represent and hamper quantitative analysis and limit predictive capacity. Systematic long‐term observatories where measurements involving groundwater are considered central are needed to help resolve these research gaps. Innovative transdisciplinary research will be critical to comprehend and predict these complex transformations.

Recent Advances in the Utilization of Chiral Covalent Organic Frameworks for Asymmetric Photocatalysis

The use of light energy to drive asymmetric organic transformations to produce high-value-added organic compounds is attracting increasing interest as a sustainable strategy for solving environmental problems and addressing the energy crisis. Chiral covalent organic frameworks (COFs), as porous crystalline chiral materials, have become an important platform on which to explore new chiral photocatalytic materials due to their precise tunability, chiral structure, and function. This review highlights recent research progress on chiral COFs and their crystalline composites, evaluating their application as catalysts in asymmetric photocatalytic organic transformations in terms of their structure. Finally, the limitations and challenges of chiral COFs in asymmetric photocatalysis are discussed, with future opportunities for research being identified.

Perspectives of osteopathic medical students on preclinical urology exposure: a single institution cross-sectional survey.

There is an increasing number of medical school graduates opting for surgical specialties, and the osteopathic applicant match rate for urology is lower than that of allopathic applicants. Factors influencing this may include alack of interest, perceived challenges in matching into urology, insufficient urology mentorship, limited research opportunities, and inadequate osteopathic representation in urology. The objective of this survey is to assess osteopathic medical students' perspectives on pursuing urology and enhancing preclinical exposure to and knowledge of urology. A 20-question survey addressing experiences andthe factors influencing osteopathic medical students' specialty selection and their interest in and perception of urology was designed by the investigators on Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) software. This survey was distributed via email listserv to all current osteopathic medical students attending Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine over 2months. Responses were collected and analyzed utilizing Fisher's exact test. Among 150 respondents, 91 % found mentors crucial in selecting a medical specialty, 95 % emphasized the importance of early exposure, and 68 % lacked familiarity with urology, with more M1 students unfamiliar with urology compared to M2 (70.4 % vs. 59 %). A larger proportion of combined M1 and M2 (preclinical) students are considering urology as a specialty compared to M3 and M4 (clinical) students who are actively on rotations (56.5 % vs. 28.6 %; p=0.0064). Also, a greater percentage of males are considering urology compared to females (64.2 % vs. 42.7 %; p=0.0164). Among those considering urology (n=75), 57.3 % lack awareness of urology's scope, and 84 % report no preclinical discussions with urologists. Those students who report that they are considering urology value early exposure significantly more than others (98.7 % vs. 78.7 %; p=0.0001). They also express greater interest in having acore urology course (73.3 % vs. 38.7 %; p<0.0001). More urology-considering students are interested in extracurricular urology-related workshops, seminars, or conferences (61.3 % vs. 17.3 %; p<0.0001). Students who are considering urology as a specialty show greater interest in having a mentorship program (85.3 % vs. 28 %; p<0.0001). Results suggested that increased urology exposure during the preclinical years is important. Urology elective offerings and urology mentorship are of high interest among those considering urology. However, additional investigation is needed to determine the impact ofpreclinical urology curricula implementation on urology match outcomes.

Effect of government's environmental attention on corporate philanthropy based on the institutional theory: Evidence from China's heavily polluting companies.

The underlying motivation behind corporate philanthropy (CP) is subject to multiple interpretations. For emerging markets, traditional interpretations based on a perspective of interest exchange often fall short. The institutional environment in China is characterized by uncertainty, particularly in the field of environmental protection, where the government's attention, a scarce institutional resource, can influence the behaviors of heavily polluting companies. The government's environmental attention (GEA) may be subject to campaign-style investment, which provides an opportunity for research. This study attempts to use institutional theory to construct a difference-in-differences model using the Central Inspection of Environmental Protection as an exogenous shock. It examines the causal impact of GEA on CP, observing that GEA has a positive effect on CP, especially for large companies, companies in less competitive industries, companies located in high-pollution areas, and companies with high environmental expenditure. The results indicate that campaign-style institutional changes provide a non-transactional political motivation for CP. In addition, we discuss the mechanism, which is the expectation change. Campaign-style institutional changes work by altering corporations' expectations of the future institutional environment. We verify this mechanism from two perspectives, namely, the intensity of changes caused by uncertainty and corporate sensitivity to changes. Our results remain robust when subject to several tests based on different identification hypotheses and alternative measures. Unlike the existing literature on the political connections driving CP in China, this study, based on the institutional theory framework, reveals that campaign-style institutional changes constitute a non-transactional, unidirectional political motivation, which is a significant driving factor for CP in a Chinese context. This study evaluates the importance of GEA and reveals the non-transactional political motivations from the institutional theory perspective. This not only enriches existing discussions on the political motivations of CP but also broadens our understanding of the relationship between institutional uncertainty and CP in emerging markets.

Exploring a fuzzy relationships among criteria for the development of community-based tourism in Malaysia: a multi-stakeholder perspective

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to identify and analyze the fuzzy relationships among criteria for the development of community-based tourism (CBT) in Malaysia through a multi-stakeholder lens. By exploring these relationships, the study aimed to provide valuable insights for stakeholders and policymakers to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of CBT initiatives in Malaysia. The focus was on understanding the interplay between environmental, economic and socio-cultural criteria to guide decision-making and planning processes for sustainable tourism development.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilized a quantitative approach, specifically employing a fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model known as decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL). This methodology allowed for the integration of diverse perspectives from multiple stakeholders involved in CBT in Malaysia. By using DEMATEL, the researchers were able to analyze the complex relationships among sustainable criteria, identify causal factors and assess the interdependencies among environmental, economic and socio-cultural dimensions. The approach aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the criteria influencing the sustainability of CBT development in Malaysia.FindingsThe findings of the study revealed that environmental and economic factors emerged as pivotal causal criteria influencing socio-cultural outcomes in the development of CBT in Malaysia. The research highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in building sustainability in CBT, emphasizing the need for regular meetings, shared decision-making processes and clear communication channels among all involved parties. These insights empower stakeholders to make informed decisions and prioritize criteria for sustainable CBT development, ultimately contributing to the well-being of communities, preservation of natural and cultural heritage, and long-term environmental sustainability.Research limitations/implicationsThe study's limitations include the focus on CBT in Malaysia, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other contexts. Additionally, the research relied on a quantitative approach, potentially overlooking qualitative nuances in stakeholder perspectives. Future studies could address these limitations by exploring diverse geographical locations and incorporating qualitative methods to capture a more comprehensive understanding of sustainable criteria in CBT development. These implications suggest opportunities for further research to validate and extend the findings in different contexts and with a broader range of stakeholder perspectives.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of the study include providing guidance for tourism policymakers and key stakeholders in developing effective policy interventions for CBT in Malaysia. By understanding the complex relationships among sustainable criteria, stakeholders can make informed decisions to foster environmental, economic and socio-cultural growth in CBT initiatives. The findings offer insights for creating economic opportunities, promoting fair trade practices and enhancing linkages between CBT and local businesses. These practical implications aim to support sustainable decision-making, planning processes and implementation strategies to ensure the long-term success and positive impact of CBT in Malaysia.Social implicationsThe social implications of the study underscore the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in CBT development in Malaysia. By engaging various stakeholders, including host communities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and tourists, the research promotes social cohesion, cultural exchange and community empowerment. Enhancing social interactions and mutual understanding among stakeholders can lead to inclusive decision-making processes, equitable distribution of benefits and the preservation of local heritage and traditions. These social implications emphasize the potential for CBT to contribute to social well-being, cultural preservation and sustainable development, fostering positive social impacts and strengthening community resilience.Originality/valueThe originality and value of the study lie in its exploration of the complex relationships among sustainable criteria for CBT development in Malaysia from a multi-stakeholder perspective. By utilizing the DEMATEL method and quantitative analysis, the research offers a novel approach to understanding the causal factors influencing environmental, economic and socio-cultural outcomes in CBT initiatives. The study's findings provide valuable insights for stakeholders and policymakers to make informed decisions, prioritize criteria and develop effective strategies for sustainable CBT development. This original contribution enhances the understanding of sustainable criteria relationships and empowers stakeholders to drive positive change in the tourism sector.

The use of dance to improve the health and wellbeing of older adults: A global scoping review of research trials.

Dance is a promising health resource for older adults, but empirical evidence remains inconsistent. The lack of synthesised evidence regarding program design, dose, and delivery limits understanding of factors influencing participation and health outcomes. This scoping review aimed to map the scope, range, and effectiveness of dance programs for older people, and identify gaps and opportunities for future research and practice. Searches across five databases (September 2023) identified 148 studies evaluating 116 dance programs (≥4 weeks) for older adults (≥55 years, N = 8060), Dance interventions delivered to clinical groups were excluded. Intervention design and delivery were charted against the TIDieR reporting checklist. Program outcomes including adherence, safety, and positive tests were charted into established taxonomies. Demographic information, program details, and implementation were often insufficiently reported. Participant groups differed by age range, with underserved communities underrepresented. Programs varied extensively in key factors including dose, prospective 'active ingredients', delivery approach, facilitator expertise, and class size. While dance was physically safe, adherence rates in older adults are comparable to other community exercise programs. Less than 40% of health assessments showed positive change, with more consistent benefits to physical endurance, strength, and function, moderate impacts on psychosocial health, and limited benefits to cognitive and brain health, and falls and falls risk. Dance is a meaningful, safe, adaptable, and low-cost health resource for older adults. Key opportunities for advancing research include improved access for underserved groups, program suitability assessments, strategies to support adherence and engagement including theory-informed approaches, and incorporation of participant and practitioner insights. Identification of key 'active ingredients' and dance program factors may improve understanding of causal pathways and mechanisms to optimise engagement and health impacts. Stronger reporting practices will facilitate comparisons across studies and more robust evidence synthesis. This review provides a critical knowledge foundation to guide future approaches in dance for health and offers reporting recommendations.

2D Embedded Ultrawide Bandgap Devices for Extreme Environment Applications.

Ultrawide bandgap semiconductors such as AlGaN, AlN, diamond, and β-Ga2O3 have significantly enhanced the functionality of electronic and optoelectronic devices, particularly in harsh environment conditions. However, some of these materials face challenges such as low thermal conductivity, limited P-type conductivity, and scalability issues, which can hinder device performance under extreme conditions like high temperature and irradiation. In this review paper, we explore the integration of various two-dimensional materials (2DMs) to address these challenges. These materials offer excellent properties such as high thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, and electrical properties. Notably, graphene, hexagonal boron nitride, transition metal dichalcogenides, 2D and quasi-2D Ga2O3, TeO2, and others are investigated for their potential in improving ultrawide bandgap semiconductor-based devices. We highlight the significant improvement observed in the device performance after the incorporation of 2D materials. By leveraging the properties of these materials, ultrawide bandgap semiconductor devices demonstrate enhanced functionality and resilience in harsh environmental conditions. This review provides valuable insights into the role of 2D materials in advancing the field of ultrawide bandgap semiconductors and highlights opportunities for further research and development in this area.

Genetic and immunological features of immune deficiency and dysregulation-associated lymphoproliferations and lymphomas as a basis for classification.

Immune deficiency and dysregulation-associated lymphoproliferative disorders and lymphomas (IDD-LPDs) encompass a heterogeneous clinical and pathological spectrum of disorders that range from indolent lymphoproliferations to aggressive lymphomas. They arise in a variety of clinical settings and are associated with oncogenic viruses such as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus/human herpes virus (KSHV/HHV8) in some, but not all, cases. The recognition of IDD-LPDs as distinct from LPDs in immune competent patients is essential to tailor clinical management options for affected patients. The 5th edition of the World Health Organisation classification has introduced an integrated classification of IDD-LPDs with the goal of standardising diagnoses among different settings to enhance clinical decision support. In parallel, new knowledge in the field, particularly surrounding the role of oncogenic viruses and the tumour microenvironment, has led to clearer understanding of the complex pathogenesis of IDD-LPDs and how these features can be precisely harnessed for therapeutic purposes. In this perspective, we highlight the need for multidisciplinary decision-making to augment patient care as well as key areas where evolving concepts offer challenges and opportunities for clinical management, research and future iterations of the classification.

Leveraging Machine Learning for Advancing Circular Supply Chains: A Systematic Literature Review

Background: Circular supply chains (CSCs) aim to minimize waste, extend product lifecycles, and optimize resource efficiency, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable practices. Machine learning (ML) can potentially enhance CSCs by improving resource management, optimizing processes, and addressing complexities inherent in CSCs. ML can be a powerful tool to support CSC operations by offering data-driven insights and enhancing decision-making capabilities. Methods: This paper conducts a systematic literature review, analyzing 66 relevant studies to examine the role of ML across various stages of CSCs, from supply and manufacturing to waste management. Results: The findings reveal that ML contributes significantly to CSC performance, improving supplier selection, operational optimization, and waste reduction. ML-driven approaches in manufacturing, consumer behavior forecasting, logistics, and waste management enable companies to optimize resources and minimize waste. Integrating ML with emerging technologies such as IoT, blockchain, and computer vision further enhances CSC operations, fostering transparency and automation. Conclusions: ML applications in CSCs align with broader sustainability goals, contributing to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The review identifies opportunities for future research, such as the development of real-world case studies further to enhance the effects of ML on CSC efficiency.

A Systematic Review of Features Forecasting Patient Arrival Numbers.

Adequate nurse staffing is crucial for quality healthcare, necessitating accurate predictions of patient arrival rates. These forecasts can be determined using supervised machine learning methods. Optimization of machine learning methods is largely about minimizing the prediction error. Existing models primarily utilize data such as historical patient visits, seasonal trends, holidays, and calendars. However, it is unclear what other features reduce the prediction error. Our systematic literature review identifies studies that use supervised machine learning to predict patient arrival numbers using nontemporal features, which are features not based on time or dates. We scrutinized 26 284 studies, eventually focusing on 27 relevant ones. These studies highlight three main feature groups: weather data, internet search and usage data, and data on (social) interaction of groups. Internet data and social interaction data appear particularly promising, with some studies reporting reduced errors by up to 33%. Although weather data are frequently used, its utility is less clear. Other potential data sources, including smartphone and social media data, remain largely unexplored. One reason for this might be potential data privacy challenges. In summary, although patient arrival prediction has become more important in recent years, there are still many questions and opportunities for future research on the features used in this area.