Topic Review
An energy scheduling algorithm for low-carbon parks
With the rapid development of distributed energy, the uncertainty within the energy systems of low-carbon parks is becoming increasingly pronounced, making it difficult for the existing scheduling strategy to meet the requirements of EMS operation. The deep reinforcement learning scheduling algorithm which can meet the requirements of real-time dynamic scheduling provides an excellent solution to the issue at hand. This paper addresses the deficiencies of proximal policy optimization algorithm with a hybrid clipping mechanism, which is known for its rapid convergence in deep reinforcement learning. It proposes an enhanced version of PPO-MixClip, that incorporates a hybrid clipping mechanism with faster convergence rate and better rewards of the scheduling strategy. Furthermore, for the output action of the probability-based data-driven scheduling algorithm, which cannot meet 100% of the constraints of engineering system operation requirements, a backup safe control strategy based on mechanism rules is designed to dynamically modify the actions generated by the algorithm during training and real-time scheduling stages, to ensure safe operation of the system. Experimental results indicate that compared with the PPO algorithm, the proposed PPO-MixClip algorithm achieves an average daily electricity cost reduction of 3.52%, with a fast convergence rate, which verifies the algorithm's effectiveness.
  • 8
  • 07 May 2024
Topic Review
COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa
On 30 January 2020, WHO declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of global concern. COVID-19 became pandemic on 11 March 2020, and spread unprecedently. No country was prepared to face its impact. Major fears started to be expressed for Africa, where dramatic consequences were expected, due to the weakness of health systems. The limited resources, in terms of qualified physicians, medical equipment and hospital infrastructures marked an undeniable inequality and highlighted the need to empower local capacity, raising the level of preparedness of African nations against infection outbreaks.
  • 13
  • 07 May 2024
Topic Review
Redefining Vaccine Effectiveness through Lessons from SARS-CoV-2
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have played a pivotal role in reducing the risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19, thus helping end the COVID-19 global public health emergency.  Intriguingly, as SARS-CoV-2 variants emerged, individuals who were fully vaccinated did get infected in high numbers, and viral loads in vaccinated individuals were as high as those in the unvaccinated.  However, vaccines undoubtedly offered protection against severe illness even without conferring immunity in the classical sense.  The lessons learned from anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are a call to the medical community to revisit and redefine the concept of vaccine effectiveness.  This endeavor is likely to increase increase vaccine confidence, and thus bolster global health education efforts and preventive care. 
  • 10
  • 07 May 2024
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
COVID-19 and Participatory Music-Making
Participatory music-making is any music-making activity in which individuals engage for the sake of the activity itself. It can be contrasted with presentational music-making, which takes the production of a performance or recording for consumption by an audience as a principal objective. During the COVID-19 pandemic, participatory musicians adopted a variety of technological means by which to make music together online. While virtual activities allowed these individuals to sustain their communities and grow as musicians, they did not satisfy all the needs met by in-person music-making. Additionally, online music-making increased access for some but posed barriers to access for others. Virtual participatory music-making remains relevant following the relaxation of pandemic restrictions, and it will likely grow in significance as communications technologies and internet access improve.
  • 58
  • 07 May 2024
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Work-Related Flow in Career Sustainability
Originated during the 1970s by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the theory of work-related flow has the following features: (1) the goals pursued are clear; (2) each action taken results in instantaneous feedback; (3) the skills required are equal to the challenges presented; (4) awareness and action for how to proceed are integrated; (5) consciousness is focused while distractions are ignored; (6) failure is not considered an option; (7) self-consciousness is non-existent; (8) time awareness is distorted; and (9) the engaged activity is the end in itself. According to research findings, it is the optimal work-related experience to sustain careers.
  • 148
  • 07 May 2024
Topic Review
Serendipity as a strategic advantage
Serendipity is defined as an ability to notice, evaluate, and take advantage of unexpected information for survival purposes (both natural and social). Based on this definition, Nancy K. Napier and Vuong Quan Hoang propose a framework to develop the notion of serendipity as a strategic advantage (or competitive advantage), both in practice and in research.
  • 3.1K
  • 06 May 2024
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Nature Positive in Business
The concept of nature positive has recently emerged from the widespread recognition of the global scale at which nature is being lost and the threat this poses to the collective survival of the human race. Much of the interest in nature positive reflects the initial commitment to it by conservation organisations and by a number of international political initiatives. However, the pursuit of nature positive approaches by businesses has received little attention in the business and management literature. Building upon an analysis of secondary sources, this entry paper first examines how three international organisations suggest a nature positive strategy could be pursued. This paper then focuses on two multinational companies and how they plan to pursue a nature positive approach to their business activities. This article identifies a number of critical factors in developing a nature positive strategy: incorporating suppliers in this strategy, assessing corporate dependencies and impacts on nature, and reporting on nature positive initiatives and outcomes. At the same time, this article raises concerns that nature positive approaches could be driven more by business imperatives rather than fundamental corporate concerns about biodiversity and that many business commitments to nature positive could be seen as mainly aspirational.
  • 67
  • 06 May 2024
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Strategic Intelligence: A Semantic Leadership Perspective
This paper explores the notion of strategic intelligence, namely with respect to leadership and business-oriented areas. Strategic intelligence is a researched concept that primarily concerns the collection and analysis of intelligence for policy and military planning, mainly at national and international levels, whereas this study of management and organizational decision-making application is an extension of that. This article’s subject is the necessity for strategic intelligence, a crucial competence for leaders, managers, and companies striving to remain competitive, to be utilized and best leveraged in today’s volatile and dynamic business contexts. This study follows a research design that includes a thorough literature review and bibliometric research, executed via VoSViewer, illustrating the concept of strategic intelligence from a leadership point of view as a driver of competitive advantage, enhanced by knowledge dynamics. Furthermore, this article points out that the limitations are acknowledged because the literature on the matter is limited, as strategic intelligence is relatively new to the business sector; moreover, more research is required to fully understand and use the potential of strategic intelligence in business growth. Overcoming these limitations and continuing to study the strategic intelligence concept could, on the one hand, use multiple platforms, such as scholarly articles or encyclopedias, and, on the other hand, support businesses in gaining a competitive edge and making informed decisions that can fuel their success in an ever-evolving market.
  • 169
  • 06 May 2024
Topic Review
Markov Modeling of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
This project focuses on utilizing mathematical Markov chain modeling as a stochastic process to analyze the stages of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). ARDS, characterized by a spectrum of severity ranging from floors to death, presents a complex clinical challenge. By employing Markov chain modeling, we aim to provide a structured framework for understanding the dynamic progression of ARDS. Our approach involves constructing a Markov chain that represents the transition of patients through various stages of ARDS, including floors, mild, moderate, severe, and ultimately death. Each stage is associated with specific clinical characteristics and outcomes, forming the basis of our modeling framework. In addition to describing the natural progression of ARDS, our project involves reviewing current clinical guidelines for managing the condition. We propose to examine the impact of each guideline on patient outcomes and the transition through different ARDS stages. By systematically analyzing the effects of various interventions and treatment strategies, we aim to provide insights into optimizing patient care and improving outcomes in ARDS management. Ultimately, this project serves as a comprehensive exploration of ARDS progression, providing healthcare professionals with a valuable framework for thinking about the condition. By integrating mathematical modeling with clinical guidelines, we seek to enhance our understanding of ARDS and contribute to more effective treatment approaches tailored to individual patient needs.
  • 107
  • 06 May 2024
Topic Review
Sone Ki Chidiya
"Sone Ki Chidiya" which means "A golden bird" but have you wondered why India was known by this name? Let's find out in this article
  • 50
  • 06 May 2024
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