Transition Strategy Research Articles

Assessing and prioritizing drivers and strategies for transition to a green energy for sustainable development in China

This study addresses the critical global challenge of climate change, primarily caused by the overconsumption of fossil fuels. Recognizing the urgent need for a transition to green energy (GE) sources such as wind, solar, hydro, and biomass, this research focuses on identifying effective strategies for fostering a sustainable and low-carbon energy future in China. The study employs a combination of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and fuzzy Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), both well-established multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, to analyze various drivers, sub-drivers, and strategies crucial for this transition. Through an extensive literature review, we identified several key drivers and strategies aiding the shift towards GE for sustainable development. The AHP method was applied to evaluate and rank the major drivers and sub-drivers, such as policy, financing, and infrastructure and innovation, that are crucial for China's successful transition to GE. Simultaneously, fuzzy DEMATEL was utilized to prioritize vital strategies, including public awareness and education, financial incentives and support mechanisms, and policy and regulatory frameworks. The findings reveal that, in addition to strong policy and financial support, public awareness and education are critical for advancing GE development in China. This study underscores the importance of integrating various drivers and strategies for effective green energy development, aiming to mitigate the environmental impacts of fossil fuel use.

Abstract WP149: Duration of Lead-In Parenteral Therapy and Outcomes in Individuals Treated With DOAC for Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: The ACTION-CVT Study

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are suitable for some patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). The optimal transition strategy from parenteral anticoagulation (PA) to DOAC is not known. We examined duration of PA prior to DOAC initiation and outcomes in ACTION-CVT, an international retrospective study. Methods: We compared three groups: no lead-in PA, 1-4 days (d) of PA, and 5-21d of PA. The primary outcome at day 90 (D90) was a composite of CVT recurrence/extension and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Secondary outcomes (D90) were complete venous recanalization and mRS of 0-2. We evaluated outcomes using descriptive statistics and crude and adjusted logistic regression modeling. Results: Of 231 patients treated with DOAC, 11.7% had no lead-in PA, 64.5% 1-4d, 23.8% 5-21d. Compared to those with <5d, those with 5-21d had worse clinical-radiological presentations at baseline, including more focal deficits, encephalopathy, and ICH (Table 1). Primary outcome events were low overall; all 6 occurred in the <5d group. Odds of complete recanalization were lower in the <5d group, although this difference attenuated with adjustment for baseline characteristics. There were no differences in odds of mRS 0-2. (Table 2) Conclusions: Individuals treated with DOAC for CVT who received 5-21d of PA had more severe clinical and radiological presentations compared to those with <5d. Rates of CVT extension, recurrence and sICH were too low to reach conclusions regarding safety of one strategy over another. Odds of complete recanalization were higher in those with 5-21d PA, but these differences attenuated after adjustment for baseline patient characteristics.

Structural Equation Modelling of Learning Styles and Thought Management in The Covid-19 Era

The pandemic forced the transition from the face-to-face classroom to the virtual classroom. This process was an opportunity to observe the prevalence of immersive learning through findings related to augmented reality, gamification or the intensive use of social digital platforms and networks. Therefore, the objective of this work was to map the learning styles and types of thinking that prevailed in the period since the pandemic. A documentary, cross-sectional, exploratory and retrospective study was carried out with findings reported in the literature from 2019 to 2022. From an advanced search in institutional repositories, the axes of the research agenda were established and the records were compared with evaluations by expert judges through the Delphi technique. The results show the prevalence of four dimensions: non-immersive learning without or with critical thinking and immersive learning without or with critical thinking. When analyzing the relationships between the four components, it was found that non-immersive learning without critical thinking influenced the other elements. In relation to the confinement and deconfinement policies, as well as the transition strategies to the virtual classroom and return to the face-to-face classroom, the scope and limits of the study are discussed.

Sustainable energy transition strategies: A comparative review of CSR and corporate advising in the petroleum industry in the United States and Africa

This paper provides a concise overview of a comparative review focused on sustainable energy transition strategies within the petroleum industry in the United States and Africa, examining the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and corporate advising. As global concerns about climate change and environmental sustainability intensify, the petroleum industry faces increasing pressure to transition towards more sustainable energy practices. The study employs a comparative approach to analyze the distinct CSR initiatives and corporate advising strategies adopted by petroleum companies in the United States and Africa. By evaluating the effectiveness of these strategies, the research aims to identify best practices and potential areas for improvement in facilitating a sustainable energy transition. In the United States, where environmental regulations and societal expectations have been evolving rapidly, petroleum companies have increasingly embraced CSR initiatives to address environmental concerns. The study explores how these initiatives align with corporate advising strategies and whether they contribute significantly to the industry's sustainable transformation. Contrastingly, in Africa, where the petroleum industry plays a pivotal role in economic development, the study investigates the extent to which CSR initiatives and corporate advising are leveraged to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility. The research sheds light on unique challenges and opportunities faced by African petroleum companies in navigating the sustainable energy transition landscape. Through a comprehensive comparative review, this research aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders interested in fostering sustainable energy transitions in the petroleum sector. By highlighting successful approaches and identifying potential pitfalls, the study contributes to the global discourse on aligning corporate practices with environmental sustainability goals, ultimately promoting a more responsible and resilient energy industry.

Digital technologies in education

Relevance. In the modern world, the student is no longer attached to the teacher or to their environment. Digital communication technologies give the student an opportunity to choose where and what to learn, in what environment to develop, in what events to take part. The success of this new, increasingly digitalised education system will be determined not only by the extent the training adapts a person to the current socio-economic structure. Success increasingly depends on the ability to constantly adapt, change, rapidly master new activities and acquire new professional skills and abilities.Purpose. The purpose of this study is to analyse the prospects for the introduction of digital technologies that allow improving education and planning concrete steps to transform the work of universities and improve education and professional training.Methodology. The leading method of research was the method of analysis and synthesis, which allowed fully completing the tasks set and achieving the intended purposes.Results. As a result of the study, digital trends in education were studied, which allowed identifying the advantages and disadvantages of digitalisation of education. The study described the most currently used modern technologies that have already been successfully implemented in the Kazakh education system, and considered the tools of the virtual space that need to be used in the future for the full implementation of the strategy of transition to digital education. The authors determined that at the moment the education system of Kazakhstan needs to develop a more effective and comprehensive programme for the introduction of modern technologies in the educational process.Conclusions. The practical significance of the present paper is determined by the fact that the proposed tools of digitalisation of education can be used in pedagogical activity.

Sustaining essential health services inLao PDR inthe context ofdonor transition andCOVID-19.

Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) aims at graduating from least developed country status by 2026 and must increase the level of domestic financing for health. This paper examines how the government has prepared for the decline of external assistance and how donors have applied their transition approaches. Adapting a World Health Organization (WHO) framework, reflections and lessons were generated based on literature review, informal and formal consultations and focus group discussions with the Lao PDR government and development partners including budget impact discussion. The government has taken three approaches to transition from external to domestic funding: mobilizing domestic resources, increasing efficiency across programs and prioritization with a focus on strengthening primary health care (PHC). The government has increased gradually domestic government health expenditures as a share of the government expenditure from 2.6% in 2013 to 4.9% in 2019. The Ministry of Health has made efforts to design and roll out integrated service delivery of maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services, immunization and nutrition; integrated 13 information systems of key health programs into one single District Health Information Software 2; and prioritized PHC, which has led to shifting donors towards supporting PHC. Donors have revisited their aid policies designed to improve sustainability and ownership of the government. However, the government faces challenges in improving cross-programmatic efficiency at the operational level and in further increasing the health budget due to the economic crisis aggravated during Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Working to implement donor transition strategies under the current economic situation and country challenges, calls into question the criteria used to evaluate transition. This criterion needs to include more appropriate indicators other than gross national income per capita, which does not reflect a country's readiness and capacity of the health system. There should be a more country-tailored strategy and support for considering the context and system-wide readiness during donor transition.

Self-encapsulated ionic fibers based on stress-induced adaptive phase transition for non-contact depth-of-field camouflage sensing

Ionically conductive fibers have promising applications; however, complex processing techniques and poor stability limit their practicality. To overcome these challenges, we proposed a stress-induced adaptive phase transition strategy to conveniently fabricate self-encapsulated hydrogel-based ionically conductive fibers (se-HICFs). se-HICFs can be produced simply by directly stretching ionic hydrogels with ultra-stretchable networks (us-IHs) or by dip-drawing from molten us-IHs. During this process, stress facilitated the directional migration and evaporation of water molecules in us-IHs, causing a phase transition in the surface layer of ionic fibers to achieve self-encapsulation. The resulting sheath-core structure of se-HICFs enhanced mechanical strength and stability while endowing se-HICFs with powerful non-contact electrostatic induction capabilities. Mimicking nature, se-HICFs were woven into spider web structures and camouflaged in wild environments to achieve high spatiotemporal resolution 3D depth-of-field sensing for different moving media. This work opens up a convenient route to fabricate stable functionalized ionic fibers.

Transition Metal‐Based Catalysts for Urea Oxidation Reaction (UOR): Catalyst Design Strategies, Applications, and Future Perspectives

AbstractUrea oxidation reaction (UOR) has garnered significant attention in recent years as a promising and sustainable clean‐energy technology. Urea‐containing wastewater poses severe threats to the environment and human health. Numerous studies hence focus on developing UOR as a viable process for simultaneously remediating wastewater and converting it into energy. Moreover, UOR, which has a thermodynamic potential of 0.37 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE), shows great promise in replacing the energy‐intensive oxygen evolution reaction (OER; 1.23 V vs RHE). The versatility and stability of urea, particularly at ambient temperatures, make it an attractive alternative to hydrogen in fuel cells. Since UOR entails a complex intermediate adsorption/desorption process, many studies are devoted to designing cost‐effective and efficient catalysts. Notably, transition metal‐based materials with regulated d orbitals have demonstrated significant potential for the UOR process. However, comprehensive reviews focusing on transition metal‐based catalysts remain scarce. In light of this, the review aims to bridge the gap by offering an in‐depth and systematic overview of cutting‐edge design strategies for transition metal‐based catalysts and their diverse applications in UOR. Additionally, the review delves into the status quo and future directions, charting the course for further advancements in this exciting field.

Effects of extreme hydrostatic pressure on the molecular structure and properties of the elastomeric material for soft robots

The successful exploration of the Mariana Trench, Earth's deepest trench, by soft robots inspired by deep-sea organisms, showcasing the potential of soft robots for extreme deep-sea exploration. However, deep-sea extreme pressure significantly alters the structure and properties of robot materials, affecting their detectability. In this study, to ensure soft robots maintain excellent performance even in such extreme environments, meticulous attention is devoted to these pressure-induced changes before designing them. The results demonstrate that applying pressure (416.67 MPa) can induce the glass transition in silicone rubber (SR) even at room temperature. Unlike the traditional realization mechanism (cooling material to its glass transition temperature (Tg)), the realization mechanism through pressurizing is reported that adjusting the Tg of target material to approach a specific temperature. Furthermore, the different transition mechanisms under the two realizations are also revealed. Based the dynamic analysis of SR under extremely low temperature and high pressure, the glass transition pressure (Pg) is proposed, and the glass transition strategy by jointly regulating temperature and pressure to construct equivalent extreme pressure environment is also investigated. This study, taking SR as the case study, holds significant importance for the future development of extreme pressure-resistant soft robots for extreme environment exploration.

Reversible Phase Change‐Induced Hardening and Softening for Conditions‐Adaptive and Mechanics‐Reconfigurable Applications

AbstractThe mechanical soft–hard transition of hydrogels is desired in conditions‐adaptive deformation and mechanics reconfiguration applications. However, highly efficient, stimuli‐responsive, and reversible transition strategies are hard to achieve. Inspired by the supercooling of salt‐aqueous solutions, solid and supersaturated hydrogels are prepared based on a hydrophilic polymer network and salt‐aqueous solution. The inner crystallization‐ or melting‐induced reversible phase‐change realizes the switch between the soft hydrogel (modulus: 0.1 MPa) and rigid composite (modulus: 24.0 MPa). The soft and supersaturated hydrogels easily deform to achieve diverse new 3D models and the unfamiliar soft–hard transition makes temporary shapes be efficiently fixed (hardening). Interestingly, the initial hydrogel's shapes can be regenerated relying on the resilience of the polyacrylamide network when the crystal is melted (softening). Shape memory, complex surface morphology replication, rapid mold application, and self‐supporting laminated glass are accomplished by this unique crystallization‐melting introduced soft–hard transition. This phase change soft‐hard switching strategy will broaden the functionalities of hydrogels.

Ensuring Continuity of Care: Effective Strategies for the Post-hospitalization Transition of Psychiatric Patients in a Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic.

In healthcare, continuity of care is a crucial element, especially for patients in the field of psychiatry who have recently been discharged from a hospital. The shift from inpatient to outpatient care poses challenges for patients and healthcare providers, including openness to treatment, competing priorities, financial insecurity, concerns and dilemmas faced by patients regarding their post-hospitalization life after improvements in symptoms, lack of social support, poor patient-doctor relationships, lack of insight, and stigma associated with mental illness. Therefore, it is vital to employ effective strategies to ensure patients receive the required care and support during this transition. This review delves into the significance of continuity of care for psychiatric patients post-hospitalization, effective strategies for the transition, and the challenges and barriers to implementation from the perspective of a family medicine practice. To analyze physicians' role in managing psychiatric patients post-hospitalization, we developed a comprehensive search strategy. This involved extracting relevant data, updates, guidelines, and recommendations. Our search spanned various online repositories, such as PubMed and Google Scholar, specifically focusing on US-based guidelines aligned with our objectives. The search was conducted using medical subject headings (MeSH) and combinations of "OR," "AND," and "WITH." We crafted keywords to optimize our search strategy, including psychiatric illness, post-hospitalization, follow-up, follow-up care, primary care follow-up, and guidelines. Exploring online repositories yielded 132 articles, and we identified some guidelines that addressed our objectives. We established inclusion and exclusion criteria for our review and reviewed 21 papers. Post-hospitalization follow-up is a critical facet of psychiatric care, aligning with guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association and other relevant sources. Emphasizing continuity of care ensures a smooth transition from inpatient to outpatient settings, sustaining therapeutic momentum and minimizing the risk of relapse. This comprehensive approach involves careful medication management, regular mental health assessments, education on condition-specific coping strategies, and coordinated care between healthcare providers. It includes conducting risk assessments, safety planning, building social support and community integration, prompt post-hospitalization follow-up, and tailored treatment plans. Together, these measures enhance overall wellness for recently discharged patients. This holistic strategy tackles pressing short-term needs while facilitating long-term stability, promoting resilience and successful community reintegration, reducing readmission likelihood, and ultimately supporting sustained recovery.

Transition to battery-electric and fuel cell heavy-duty trucks: A multi-level, multi-dimensional approach

Battery electric (BE-HDT) and fuel cell heavy-duty trucks (FC-HDT) as niche products have the potential to decarbonize road freight transportation, but widespread introduction is challenging. Scientific research on this transition remains scarce, and studies including hydrogen are very limited. Successful changes in long-established regimes require multiple processes, and therefore, the multi-level perspective (MLP) is extended with the PESTLE analysis. Through this multi-level, multi-dimensional approach, the political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental dimensions underpin a systematic identification of factors in niches, socio-technical regimes, and exogenous landscapes. The research design draws on 40 high-level expert interviews, highlighting the complex change process through 27 indicators. Identified opportunities, barriers, and recommendations for action assist in formulating transition strategies. Conflicting expectations require a cooperative approach, as cost-neutrality to internal combustion engine heavy-duty trucks (ICE-HDT) is frequently debated and range extension a relative factor. Policymakers need to create optimal framework conditions for investing, profit-oriented companies.

Allocation of national renewable expansion and sectoral demand reduction targets to municipal level

Despite the ubiquitous term “climate neutral cities”, there is a distinct lack of quantifiable and meaningful municipal decarbonization goals in terms of the targeted energy balance and composition that collectively connect to national scenarios. In this paper we present a simple but useful allocation approach to derive municipal targets for energy demand reduction and renewable expansion based on national energy transition strategies in combination with local potential estimators. The allocation uses local and regional potential estimates for demand reduction and the expansion of renewables and differentiates resulting municipal needs of action accordingly. The resulting targets are visualized and opened as a decision support system (DSS) on a web-platform to facilitate the discussion on effort sharing and potential realization in the decarbonization of society. With the proposed framework, different national scenarios, and their implications for municipal needs for action can be compared and their implications made explicit.

A generation and transmission expansion planning model for the electricity market with decarbonization policies

Globally, the power sector must undergo a profound transition to achieve the decarbonization development targets. Various roadmaps are implemented, but only from a macro perspective, lacking the consideration of the electricity market rules. In this paper, we develop and present a market-driven generation and transmission expansion planning (MGTEP) model considering the effectiveness of the electricity market. Specifically, generation and transmission companies incorporate hourly market trading and annual capacity investment into strategic decisions to maximize their profits, with the supply function equilibrium model to analyze bidding behaviors. An equivalent quadratic programming formulation is deployed to solve the trilevel MGTEP model. Meanwhile, the MGTEP model is coupled with decarbonization policies to support the state and federal government in assessing energy transition strategies. We implement the MGTEP model with carbon emission allowance and carbon tax policies for the southern China electricity market to achieve carbon peaking by 2030. Carbon emission allowance adopts an intensity-based cap based on generation companies' historical output. The case study results show that 50 % carbon emission allowance or 400 CNY/t carbon tax is required but with several drawbacks, including unsatisfactory decarbonization effect, excessive economic sacrifice, etc. Finally, the case study is extended to dual-track policies with different combinations of policies. An optimal combination is 70 % carbon emission allowance and 160 CNY/t carbon tax. In this case, the power sector's carbon dioxide emissions and electricity prices in the southern China electricity market would increase to 554.6 Mt and 864.34 CNY/MWh in 2030, respectively, along with a carbon price of 850 CNY/t.

Factors of Energy Transition of Manufacturing Companies Regarding their Inclusion in Global Value Chains

Environmental problems, the results of structural changes in the world economy and technological progress set forth the task of finding factors that stimulate the transition from the continuous growth of energy consumption to decarbonization and energy transition. The aim of the article is to empirically analyze the factors of companies' energy transition policies in different countries of the world, considering the functioning of global value chains (GVCs). The database is sourced from a survey of representatives of more than 15,000 manufacturing companies conducted by the World Bank Group in 2018-20 in 40 countries. The novelty of the analytical research framework proposed in the paper lies in the integrated presentation of factors which are external and internal to firms that influence decisions on energy transition policies and strategies. Descriptive statistics and econometric modeling revealed the presence of energy efficiency and energy transition policy elements in more than 2/3 of the sampled companies with a focus on energy efficiency, reflecting a desire to reduce related costs. Firms' use of fossil fuels is a driver of energy transition. Two alternative energy transition strategies of firms are found: the first emphasizes energy efficiency plans and actions, while the second involves a shift to carbon neutrality. High country income levels deter firms from energy efficiency decisions but incentivize the implementation of carbon emission reduction strategies. The level of environmental efficiency of countries has a positive impact on the "immersion" of their companies in the energy transition agenda. Companies' participation in the GVCs is generally positively associated with the presence of energy efficiency and energy transition policy elements. Government tax regulation and consumer demand are important factors in companies' commitment to energy efficiency and energy transition policies. Signs of the diffusion of incentives to implement energy transition policies along production chains are also identified. The results can be used in the development of industrial policy.

Morphology-Tailored Dynamic State Transition in Active-Passive Colloidal Assemblies.

Mixtures of active self-propelled and passive colloidal particles promise rich assembly and dynamic states that are beyond reach via equilibrium routes. Yet, controllable transition between different dynamic states remains rare. Here, we reveal a plethora of dynamic behaviors emerging in assemblies of chemically propelled snowman-like active colloids and passive spherical particles as the particle shape, size, and composition are tuned. For example, assembles of one or more active colloids with one passive particle exhibit distinct translating or orbiting states while those composed of one active colloid with 2 passive particles display persistent "8"-like cyclic motion or hopping between circling states around one passive particle in the plane and around the waist of 2 passive ones out of the plane, controlled by the shape of the active colloid and the size of the passive particles, respectively. These morphology-tailored dynamic transitions are in excellent agreement with state diagrams predicted by mesoscale dynamics simulations. Our work discloses new dynamic states and corresponding transition strategies, which promise new applications of active systems such as micromachines with functions that are otherwise impossible.

Valorisation of the waste from photovoltaic panels and analysis of the business potential from recycling in Spain and Italy

Spain and Italy stand out as frontrunners in renewable energy adoption, particularly in photovoltaic (PV) technology, as part of the strategy for the Energetic Transition to clean sources. However, as Europe progresses towards clean energies, managing the end-of-life waste from solar panels emerges as a pressing challenge. In the coming years, the PV waste will grow exponentially, reaching 23 and 39 kt in 2030 in Italy and Spain, respectively. European regulations require that these wastes be properly managed using Circular Economy techniques to maximise the recovery of its components. Among these components, Si or Cu (CRM) are particularly important because of the supply risk and strategic importance to the EU. This study aims to forecast the magnitude of this waste stream in Spain and Italy from 2024 to 2030, both significant players in solar energy production, while also exploring the potential economic opportunities associated with its recycling.

Photoelectrochemical signal polarity transition mediated by quercetin for the detection of neuron-specific enolase.

A photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensor with a wide linear detection range was developed for the sensitive detection of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), which was achieved by applying a photocurrent polarity transition strategy mediated by quercetin. The coupling reaction between Cr(VI) and quercetin drives the signal polarity from anodic to cathodic. When only quercetin is present in the test solution, photogenerated electrons are transferred to the electrode to generate anodic photocurrent. However, in the presence of the target, the signal probe released Cr(VI), which interacted with quercetin, and the electron transfer direction was changed to achieve signal polarity conversion. Meanwhile, protoporphyrin-sensitized Bi:SrTiO3 nanocubes were used as matrix photoactive materials to provide basic photocurrent. The doping of Bi element would adjust the bandgap of SrTiO3, and the organic-inorganic composite material exhibits good photostability and chemical stability that can maintain stable photoelectric properties over a long period of time. Such a novel signal polarity transition strategy greatly broadened the sensor detection to the range of 0.00007-170 ng mL-1 and obtained a relatively low detection limit (25 fg mL-1), which greatly improved the detection sensitivity and accuracy of the biosensor.

Cladribine tablets after treatment with natalizumab (CLADRINA) - rationale and design.

Individual disease modifying therapies approved for multiple sclerosis (MS) have limited effectiveness and potentially serious side effects, especially when administered over long periods. Sequential combination therapy is a plausible alternative approach. Natalizumab is a monoclonal therapeutic antibody that reduces leukocyte access to the central nervous system that is associated with an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and disease reactivation after its discontinuation. Cladribine tablets act as a synthetic adenosine analog, disrupting DNA synthesis and repair, thereby reducing the number of lymphocytes. The generation of prospective, rigorous safety, and efficacy data in transitioning from natalizumab to cladribine is an unmet clinical need. To test the feasibility of transitioning patients with relapsing forms of MS natalizumab to cladribine tablets. Cladribine tablets after treatment with natalizumab (CLADRINA) is an open-label, single-arm, multicenter, collaborative phase IV, research study that will generate hypothesis regarding the safety, efficacy, and immunological impact of transition from natalizumab to cladribine tablets in patients with relapsing forms of MS. Participants will be recruited from three different sites. The primary endpoint is the absolute and percent change from baseline of lymphocytes and myeloid cell subsets, as well as blood neurofilament light levels. The secondary endpoint is the annualized relapse rate over the 12- and 24-month trial periods. Exploratory endpoints include the expanded disability status scale, and magnetic resonance imaging outcomes. The CLADRINA trial will generate data regarding the safety, efficacy, and immunological impact of the transition from natalizumab to cladribine. As the pace of immunological knowledge of MS continues, insight into disease modifying therapy transition strategies is needed.

Renewable Energies and Sustainable Development

Renewable energies are at the heart of global energy transition strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable development. This literature review explores the main aspects of renewables energies provide a solid basis for future developments in this crucial area.