Understanding the funding characteristics of research impact: A proof-of-concept study linking REF 2014 impact case studies with Researchfish grant agreements

Background: All parts of the research community have an interest in understanding research impact whether that is around the pathways to impact, processes around impact, methods for measurement, describing impact and so on. This proof of concept study explored the relationship between research funding and research impact using the case studies submitted to the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) exercise in 2014 as a proxy for impact. Methods: The paper describes an approach to link the REF impact case studies with the underpinning research grants present in the Researchfish dataset, primarily using the publications captured in both datasets. Where possible the methodology utilised unique identifiers such as Digital Object Identifiers and PubMed ID’s, and where this was not possible the funding information within each publication was used. Results: Through this automated approach 21% of the non-redacted case studies could be linked to a specific research grant. Additional qualitative analysis was then done for unlinked REF impact case studies, which involved reading the document to identify additional information to make the linkage. This approach was taken on 100 REF impact case studies selected at random and resulted in only seven having no identifiable research grants funding associated. The linked research grants were analysed to identify characteristics that are more frequently associated with these grants, than non-linked ones. Conclusions: This analysis did point to some interesting observations such as the grant funding linked to REF impact case studies are more likely to be longer, higher financial value, have more publications and be more collaborative (amongst other characteristics). These findings should be used with caution at present and not be over interpreted, this is due to the sample size for this proof of concept study and some potential limitations on the data which were not addressed at this stage.

Plasma shielding removes prior magnetization record from impacted rocks near Santa Fe, New Mexico

The shock exposure of the Santa Fe’s impact structure in New Mexico is evidenced by large human-size shatter cones. We discovered a new magnetic mechanism that allows a magnetic detection of plasma’s presence during the impact processes. Rock fragments from the impactites were once magnetized by a geomagnetic field. Our novel approach, based on Neel’s theory, revealed more than an order of magnitude lower magnetizations in the rocks that were exposed to the shockwave. Here we present a support for a newly proposed mechanism where the shock wave appearance can generate magnetic shielding that allow keeping the magnetic grains in a superparamagnetic-like state shortly after the shock’s exposure, and leaves the individual magnetized grains in random orientations, significantly lowering the overall magnetic intensity. Our data not only clarify how an impact process allows for a reduction of magnetic paleointensity but also inspire a new direction of effort to study impact sites, using paleointensity reduction as a new impact proxy.

Asteroids are young: global-scale reshaping and resurfacing by small-scale impacts

The fraction of the asteroid population that survived since the Solar System formation has experienced numerous collisional, dynamical and thermal events, which have shaped their structures and orbital properties. Small asteroids are often considered to be rubble-pile objects, aggregates held together only by self-gravity or small cohesive forces (1; 2). The artificial impact experiment of JAXA’s Hayabusa2 mission on the surface of asteroid Ryugu (3) created a surprisingly large crater (≈14 m). This unexpected result suggests that at least the near-surface of the asteroid is controlled to a large extent by its rather weak gravity rather than strength. Due to the inability to re-create these impact conditions in laboratory experiments, this observed regime of low-gravity, low-strength cratering remained largely unexplored so far. In addition, the very large times scales involved in the crater growth made it impossible to numerically simulate these impact processes up to now. Here we use a novel approach to model the entire cratering process resulting from impacts on small, weak asteroids, which uses shock physics code calculations directly. We found that small impacts can significantly deform weak asteroids, causing global resurfacing at the same time. We also show that even very low asteroid cohesions can drastically influence the outcome of an impact and that the collisional life-time of the overall asteroid shapes is significantly lower than the traditionally used life-time based on catastrophic disruption events. Consequently, we predict that NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) impact on Dimorhpos (4; 5) will not lead to a cratering event, as originally anticipated (i.e., 6; 7). Rather, the impact is going to change the global morphology of the asteroid, if the surface cohesion is less than ≈ 10 Pa. Our results, together with the future observations by the ESA’s Hera mission (8) will provide constraints regarding the evolution of the shapes and structures of small asteroids by sub-catastrophic impacts.

State selective fragmentation of doubly ionized sulphur dioxide

Using multi-electron–ion coincidence measurements combined with high level calculations, we show that double ionisation of SO2 at 40.81 eV can be state selective. It leads to high energy products, in good yield, via a newly identified mechanism, which is likely to apply widely to multiple ionisation by almost all impact processes.

State-selection by an Unconventional Mechanism in Dissociative Double Ionization of Sulphur Dioxide

Using multi-electron-ion coincidence measurements combined with high level calculations, we show that double ionization of SO2 at 40.81 eV can be state selective. It leads to high energy products, in good yield, via a newly identified mechanim, which is likely to apply widely to multiple ionization by almost all impact processes.

A GIS-Based Spatial Analysis Model Approach for Identification of Optimal Hydrotechnical Solutions for Gully Erosion Stabilization. Case Study

The accentuated degradation of agricultural lands as a result of deep erosion processes is the main problem identified in abandoned agricultural lands under the rainfall intensities, increasing number of hot days, indirectly under the impact processes derived from them (soil erosion, vegetation drying, etc.), as well as inadequate or poor management policies implemented by local authorities. The present study aims to develop and present a methodology based on GIS spatial analysis to choose the best hydro-amelioration solution for the arrangement of a complex ravine that negatively affects the entire agroecological area in its immediate vicinity. The proposed model is developed on spatial databases obtained based on UAV flights, the simulation of flow rate values and the establishment of three hydraulic analysis models through the HEC-RAS software with the main purpose of evaluating the results and databases, in order to identify the best implementing model for the stabilization and reduction in erosion within the analysed area. The comparative analysis of the three analysed scenarios highlighted the fact that a dam-type structure with overflow represents the best hydro-ameliorative solution to be implemented in the present study. The accuracy of the obtained results highlights the usefulness of developing GIS models of transdisciplinary spatial analysis to identify optimal solutions that can be implemented in territories with similar characteristics.

Cannabis Use among Older Persons with Arthritis, Cancer and Multiple Sclerosis: Are We Comparing Apples and Oranges?

Although researchers have identified medications that relieve symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), none are entirely effective and some persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) use alternatives. Our study compared cannabis use among PwMS (N = 135) and persons diagnosed with arthritis (N = 582) or cancer (N = 622) who were age 60 and older, enrolled in the State of Illinois Medical Cannabis Program, and invited to complete a survey fielded between June and September, 2019. We used logistic regression to identify significant differences in self-reported effects of cannabis on psychological wellbeing, quality of life, and three behavioral outcomes, and we also considered effects of past year opioid use relative to these outcomes. We found that the majority of individuals from all groups used cannabis to address pain and improve quality of sleep. While PwMS reported lower baseline levels across all five outcomes, we found that the reported effects of cannabis were largely comparable across the groups. We also found that cannabis benefitted persons with sleep and digestive issues regardless of condition, whereas persons who used opioids in addition to cannabis were less likely to experience an improvement in any of the outcomes. This comparative evaluation suggests that cannabis’ effects are not specific to MS, arthritis, or cancer as much as they impact processes common among these distinct conditions. We also found evidence that cannabis may be a viable alternative to opioids for those with these conditions and experiencing pain.

Organizational and economic mechanism for managing the innovative potential of integrated agroindustrial formations

The working hypothesis of the research is based on the assumption that the modernization of the organizational and economic mechanism for managing the innovative potential of an integrated agro-industrial formation allows the agroecosystem to adapt to the conditions of a competitive market environment as much as possible; modify applied technologies and develop new ones; build up innovative potential, which leads to an increase in the competitiveness of economic entities in the agro-industrial complex. On the basis of a systematic approach, the paper substantiates theoretical provisions and a set of recommendations for the formation of an organizational and economic mechanism for managing the innovative potential of integrated agro-industrial formations, in the development of which general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis were applied, as well as methods of scientific abstraction, functional and structural analysis, modeling method, theory and methodology of the systems approach and other methods of scientific knowledge. The paper substantiates the need for the formation of mechanisms tuned to maximize the implementation of the innovative potential of integrated agro-industrial formations, characterized by the predominance of the scientific and technological component with the inherent function of self-development and the ability to accelerate the development of the agro-industrial complex of meso-level economic systems. The organizational and economic mechanism for managing the innovative potential of integrated agro-industrial formations, presented as a system of tools and impact processes, can be applied in practice to obtain innovative results. The use of the proposed management tools will allow influencing innovative processes and ensuring the effectiveness of activities based on a synergistic effect. The scientific significance of the study lies in the development of theoretical and methodological provisions and scientific and practical recommendations aimed at forming an organizational and economic mechanism for managing the innovative potential of integrated agro-industrial formations.