scholarly journals Microplastics in Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments

2021 ◽  
pp. 87-130
Author(s):  
Emilie M. F. Kallenbach ◽  
Elisabeth S. Rødland ◽  
Nina T. Buenaventura ◽  
Rachel Hurley
Keyword(s):  
The State ◽  
Data Handling ◽  
Critical Research ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Freshwater Systems ◽  
Environmental Systems ◽  
Ultimate Fate ◽  
Freshwater Environments ◽  
Environmental Compartments

AbstractIn recent years, the focus of microplastic research has begun to observe a shift from the marine towards terrestrial and freshwater environments. This is in response to a greater awareness of the predominance of land-based sources in marine microplastic contamination. In this regard, terrestrial and freshwater environments are often perceived as conduits for microplastic particles to the oceans, but this overlooks substantial and important complexities associated with these systems, as well as the need to protect these ecosystems in their own right. This chapter focuses on several critical sources and pathways deemed to be highly important for the release of microplastics to the environment. These include road-associated microplastic particles (RAMP) and emissions related to agriculture that are, thus far, under-researched. Transfers and accumulations of particles within terrestrial and freshwater systems are also reviewed, including the state of knowledge on the occurrence of microplastics in different environmental compartments (air, water, sediments, biota). Methodological constraints are addressed, with particular focus on the need for greater harmonisation along all stages of sampling, analysis, and data handling. Finally, the chapter discusses the ultimate fate of particles released to terrestrial and freshwater environments and highlights critical research gaps that should be addressed to evolve our understanding of microplastic contamination in complex and dynamic environmental systems.

scholarly journals What influences PhD graduate trajectories during the degree: a research-based policy agenda

2020 ◽  
Vol 80 (6) ◽  
pp. 1011-1043
Author(s):  
Lynn McAlpine ◽  
Montserrat Castello ◽  
Kirsi Pyhaltö
Keyword(s):  
Research Evidence ◽  
Doctoral Programs ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Critical Research ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
The Past ◽  
Timely Completion ◽  
Systematized Review ◽  
Institutional Contexts ◽  
Doctoral Experience

AbstractDuring the past two decades, PhD graduate numbers have increased dramatically with graduates viewed by governments as a means to advance the knowledge economy and international competitiveness. Concurrently, universities have also invested in policies to monitor satisfaction, retention, and timely completion—and researchers have expanded the study of PhD experience. We, as such researchers, have increasingly received invitations from university decision-makers to present research evidence which might guide their doctoral programs. Their interest provoked us to do a qualitative systematized review of research on doctoral experience—seeking evidence of practices that influenced retention, satisfaction, and completion. The result contributes a synthesis of the critical research evidence that could be used to inform doctoral education policy. We also demonstrate the possibilities of such evidence by suggesting some potential recommendations, while recognizing that there is no direct relationship between research results and their transformation into particular institutional contexts in ways that enhance doctoral experience. We hope our initiative will be taken up and extended by other researchers, particularly the research gaps we note, so we can collectively support the use of research evidence to influence both doctoral policies and practices—with the goal to better prepare PhD researchers for their futures and better support their supervisors.

scholarly journals Critical research gaps and recommendations to inform research prioritisation for more effective prevention and improved outcomes in colorectal cancer

Gut ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Lawler ◽  
Deborah Alsina ◽  
Richard A Adams ◽  
Annie S Anderson ◽  
Gina Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Digital Pathology ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Optimal Strategies ◽  
Critical Research ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Residual Symptom ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Novel Technologies

ObjectiveColorectal cancer (CRC) leads to significant morbidity/mortality worldwide. Defining critical research gaps (RG), their prioritisation and resolution, could improve patient outcomes.DesignRG analysis was conducted by a multidisciplinary panel of patients, clinicians and researchers (n=71). Eight working groups (WG) were constituted: discovery science; risk; prevention; early diagnosis and screening; pathology; curative treatment; stage IV disease; and living with and beyond CRC. A series of discussions led to development of draft papers by each WG, which were evaluated by a 20-strong patient panel. A final list of RGs and research recommendations (RR) was endorsed by all participants.ResultsFifteen critical RGs are summarised below:RG1: Lack of realistic models that recapitulate tumour/tumour micro/macroenvironment;RG2: Insufficient evidence on precise contributions of genetic/environmental/lifestyle factors to CRC risk;RG3: Pressing need for prevention trials;RG4: Lack of integration of different prevention approaches;RG5: Lack of optimal strategies for CRC screening;RG6: Lack of effective triage systems for invasive investigations;RG7: Imprecise pathological assessment of CRC;RG8: Lack of qualified personnel in genomics, data sciences and digital pathology;RG9: Inadequate assessment/communication of risk, benefit and uncertainty of treatment choices;RG10: Need for novel technologies/interventions to improve curative outcomes;RG11: Lack of approaches that recognise molecular interplay between metastasising tumours and their microenvironment;RG12: Lack of reliable biomarkers to guide stage IV treatment;RG13: Need to increase understanding of health related quality of life (HRQOL) and promote residual symptom resolution;RG14: Lack of coordination of CRC research/funding;RG15: Lack of effective communication between relevant stakeholders.ConclusionPrioritising research activity and funding could have a significant impact on reducing CRC disease burden over the next 5 years.

scholarly journals Measuring benefits of protected area management: trends across realms and research gaps for freshwater systems

2015 ◽  
Vol 370 (1681) ◽  
pp. 20140274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa M. Adams ◽  
Samantha A. Setterfield ◽  
Michael M. Douglas ◽  
Mark J. Kennard ◽  
Keith Ferdinands
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Impact Evaluation ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
National Park ◽  
Protected Area Management ◽  
Time Lags ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Freshwater Systems ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Area Management

Protected areas remain a cornerstone for global conservation. However, their effectiveness at halting biodiversity decline is not fully understood. Studies of protected area benefits have largely focused on measuring their impact on halting deforestation and have neglected to measure the impacts of protected areas on other threats. Evaluations that measure the impact of protected area management require more complex evaluation designs and datasets. This is the case across realms (terrestrial, freshwater, marine), but measuring the impact of protected area management in freshwater systems may be even more difficult owing to the high level of connectivity and potential for threat propagation within systems (e.g. downstream flow of pollution). We review the potential barriers to conducting impact evaluation for protected area management in freshwater systems. We contrast the barriers identified for freshwater systems to terrestrial systems and discuss potential measurable outcomes and confounders associated with protected area management across the two realms. We identify key research gaps in conducting impact evaluation in freshwater systems that relate to three of their major characteristics: variability, connectivity and time lags in outcomes. Lastly, we use Kakadu National Park world heritage area, the largest national park in Australia, as a case study to illustrate the challenges of measuring impacts of protected area management programmes for environmental outcomes in freshwater systems.

What does it Mean to be ‘Critical’ in is Research?

2002 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole Brooke
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Power Relations ◽  
Specific Area ◽  
The State ◽  
Preliminary Review ◽  
Organizational Analysis ◽  
Critical Research ◽  
Is Research ◽  
Over Time

This paper undertakes a preliminary review of the state of critical thinking in the fields of information systems and organizational analysis. It begins by addressing the question ‘what is critical research?’ showing how the definition has changed and broadened over time. Two key themes emerge from this discussion: our understanding of emancipation and the nature of unequal power relations in the workplace. The paper then goes on to identify a recent emerging tendency towards the use of Habermas in the specific area of critical IS inquiry. It considers some of the reasons for this apparent trend and warns against becoming locked into a particular discourse. The paper concludes with some thoughts on how we can continue to broaden our frameworks of thinking, illustrating this with reference to the work of Foucault.

Cold chains, interrupted

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Comes ◽  
Kristin Bergtora Sandvik ◽  
Bartel Van de Walle
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Basic Structure ◽  
Cold Chain ◽  
Critical Research ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns ◽  
Uncertainty Information ◽  
Chain Problem

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze how far technology and information enable, facilitate or support the planning and implementation decisions in humanitarian vaccine cold chains for vaccination campaigns. The authors specifically focus on three emerging technologies that have the potential to create more flexible conditions in the field, and identify the need to further explore the link between uncertainty, information and irreversibility. Design/methodology/approach The authors present a basic structure for the analysis of cold chain disruptions in terms of three distinct yet connected layers of deficient infrastructure and capacity, information gaps and failures in decision making. The authors then review three humanitarian technologies and their impact on vaccine campaigns along these layers. From there, a research agenda is developed to address research gaps this review brought forward. Findings Three critical research gaps in the areas of technology innovation for humanitarian vaccine cold chain management are presented. The authors argue that technology to improve capacity, information and decisions need to be aligned, and that the areas of uncertainty, information and irreversibility require further investigation to achieve this alignment. In this way, the paper contributes to setting the research agenda on vaccine cold chains and connects humanitarian logistics to technology, information management and decision making. Originality/value This paper presents the humanitarian vaccine cold chain problem from an original angle by illuminating the implications of technology and information on the decisions made during the planning and implementation phases of a vaccine campaign. The authors develop an agenda to provide researchers and humanitarians with a perspective to improve cold chain planning and implementation at the intersection of technology, information and decisions.

scholarly journals Spam Review Detection:A Systematic Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Shoaib Farooq
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
The State ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Art Research ◽  
Fake Reviews ◽  
Research Studies

In this era of technology, people rely on online posted reviews before buying any product. These reviews are very important for both the consumers and people. Consumers and people use this information for decision making while buying products or investing money in any product. This has inclined the spammers to generate spam or fake reviews so that they can recommend their products and beat the competitors. Spammers have developed many systems to generate the bulk of spam reviews within hours. Many techniques, strategies have been designed and recommended to resolve the issue of spam reviews. In this paper, a complete review of existing techniques and strategies for detecting spam review is discussed. Apart from reviewing the state-of-the-art research studies on spam review detection, a taxonomy on techniques of machine learning for spam review detection has been proposed. Moreover, its focus on research gaps and future recommendations for spam review identification.

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