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In most project portfolio selection (PPS) situations, the presence of multiple attributes and decision-maker preference is inevitable. As Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods provide a framework well-suited to deal with these challenges in PPS problems, the use of MCDA methods in real-life PPS problems has increased in recent years. This paper provides a comprehensive literature review of the use of different MCDA methods and their individual or combined utilization with other modeling techniques to support PPS problems. First, we summarize how MCDA methods are used in different modeling approaches. Second, we examine the mathematical models that are generally used to combine MCDA with mathematical programming techniques to solve PPS problems with resource constraints. Third, we present the drawbacks of combined utilization and discuss recent advances. Finally, we visualize the summary of the reviewed papers as a decision tree to assist researchers and practitioners in the use of MCDA methods in a specific PPS context and propose some future research directions.

Heparan sulfate (HS) is a cell surface polysaccharide recently identified as a coreceptor with the ACE2 protein for the S1 spike protein on SARS-CoV-2 virus, providing a tractable new therapeutic target. Clinically used heparins demonstrate an inhibitory activity but have an anticoagulant activity and are supply-limited, necessitating alternative solutions. Here, we show that synthetic HS mimetic pixatimod (PG545), a cancer drug candidate, binds and destabilizes the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain and directly inhibits its binding to ACE2, consistent with molecular modeling identification of multiple molecular contacts and overlapping pixatimod and ACE2 binding sites. Assays with multiple clinical isolates of SARS-CoV-2 virus show that pixatimod potently inhibits the infection of monkey Vero E6 cells and physiologically relevant human bronchial epithelial cells at safe therapeutic concentrations. Pixatimod also retained broad potency against variants of concern (VOC) including B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), B.1.617.2 (Delta), and B.1.1.529 (Omicron). Furthermore, in a K18-hACE2 mouse model, pixatimod significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2 viral titers in the upper respiratory tract and virus-induced weight loss. This demonstration of potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity tolerant to emerging mutations establishes proof-of-concept for targeting the HS–Spike protein–ACE2 axis with synthetic HS mimetics and provides a strong rationale for clinical investigation of pixatimod as a potential multimodal therapeutic for COVID-19.

The “Too Perfect Theory” states that if a trick is too perfect, it might paradoxically become less impressive, or give away its secret method. This theory suggests that an increased impossibility results in a less magical effect. The Too Perfect Theory is often applied to magic effects, but it conflicts with recent scientific investigations showing that participants’ level of enjoyment of a magic performance is positively related to their perceived impossibility of the trick. The current article investigated whether an imperfect magic performance is more impressive than a perfect one. Across two experiments, we studied whether participants enjoy a performance more if the effect is not perfect. We also examined the different types of explanations people give to these two types of performances. The results showed that participants enjoyed a perfect performance more than an imperfect one. However, consistently with the Too Perfect Theory, participants watching the perfect performance also discovered the correct method behind the magic trick more frequently and believed the performance was staged more often. Moreover, participants’ method explanation significantly impacted their reports about the performance.

One problem in incremental product development is that geometric models are limited in their ability to explore radical alternative design variants. In this publication, a function modeling approach is suggested to increase the amount and variety of explored alternatives, since function models (FM) provide greater model flexibility. An enhanced function-means (EF-M) model capable of representing the constraints of the design space as well as alternative designs is created through a reverse engineering process. This model is then used as a basis for the development of a new product variant. This work describes the EF-M model's capabilities for representing the design space and integrating novel solutions into the existing product structure and explains how these capabilities support the exploration of alternative design variants. First-order analyses are executed, and the EF-M model is used to capture and represent already existing design information for further analyses. Based on these findings, a design space exploration approach is developed. It positions the FM as a connection between legacy and novel designs and, through this, allows for the exploration of more diverse product concepts. This approach is based on three steps – decomposition, design, and embodiment – and builds on the capabilities of EF-M to model alternative solutions for different requirements. While the embodiment step of creating the novel product's geometry is still a topic for future research, the design space exploration concept can be used to enable wider, more methodological, and potentially automated design space exploration.

The sustainable approach to logistics is emerging as a necessity in both the economic and military domains. This study aims to explore the current state of knowledge in the field of sustainable logistics within these spheres of activity, in order to identify gaps that should be addressed by future research. Based on a literature review methodology, the study brings to the forefront five thematic areas that have been addressed so far in the economic field, highlighting the need to extend them into the military domain as well. The analysis shows that the digitisation of logistics and the implementation of environmentally friendly technologies, which also reduce the negative impact on the health of end users, are two essential conditions for the transition toward sustainability. At the same time, the study emphasises the importance of an interdisciplinary approach and of researching the social impact of sustainable logistics, including the dimension related to humanitarian actions involving military forces. The main conclusion points to the need for clearly defining the concept of sustainable military logistics, taking into account developments in the economic environment and operational requirements.

The Arctic is a specific geographical region with extreme climate conditions, vulnerable environment, but rather intensive ongoing industrialization. The Arctic requires alternative solutions to provide energy supply to the energy consumers due to the growing energy demand and small-scale decentralized character of energy supply. At the moment, the largest part of energy consumption in the region is covered by hydrocarbon energy resources delivered from the mainland. Renewable energy technologies may be efficiently implemented to cover the needs of small scale decentralized energy consumers in the Russian Arctic, but at the moment they are applied on a very modest scale. The current study analyses and discusses the main challenges and risks related to renewable energy resources use in the Russian Arctic. Further, the study elaborates on the issues related to the environmental challenges and climate change-related threats, their relationship and influence on the technological choices of the future energy supply in the region, addressing the perspectives of sustainable development of the Russian Arctic.

Black power represents the main difficulty faced by the oil flow in pipelines. The negative effect of this powder reaches to stop the oil flow due to clogging the pipelines, in addition to the damaging of the crude oil pumps. Many solutions have been proposed in literature based on chemical or physical processes. On the other side, applying the fixed magnetic field has been presented in separation and extraction process of metal impurities in water pipelines applications. From these facts, this paper proposes an alternative solution (idea, design, and methodology for future implementation) for the black power removing from oil pipelines. The proposed system works on firstly sensing the resistivity parameter in the crude oil as an indication about the oil status with respect to the quantity of the black powder particles, then works on monitoring and controlling the level, location, and polarity of the required magnetic field that to work on cracking particles cracking function that in order to facilitate the crude oil motion in the pipelines. In addition, the proposed solution presents a new design of electrical resistivity sensor as an important indication in terms of evaluating the proposed system performance

Lawns, introduced in Australia through English colonial heritage, dominate public spaces in cities, serving various ecosystem functions. Australian lawns consist of non-native grasses that differ from native original vegetation and require intensive management and maintenance. This study explores public perspectives on urban lawns in Perth, Western Australia, an area largely overlooked in ecological and social research in the context of Australia compared to Europe and North America. This paper presents empirical research on public perceptions of urban lawns and alternatives in Perth, Western Australia. The study explores social values and preferences regarding traditional lawns and new options, considering visual appearance, uses, and maintenance. Findings from an online questionnaire, involving 171 respondents, identified seven categories based on a content analysis of lawn definitions: flat area; ground covered by grass; maintained; non-native vegetation; open space; recreational space; and turf grass. The results revealed that respondents most value lawns for aesthetics, cooling and recreation (exercises, walking pets, as a transit area, passive recreation, and social gatherings). At the same time, participants demonstrated an environmental awareness of lawns and the necessity of revisiting the existing planning and maintenance routine based on irrigation and intensive mowing by considering several alternative solutions. While valuing new solutions such as Scaevola patches in dedicated areas and “weedy lawns”, participants still preferred alternatives closest in appearance to a conventional lawn (e.g., lawn grass with Dichondra and lawn grass with clover). The study emphasizes the need for a ‘blended model’ of urban lawns, combining durability with heat-resistant, biodiverse vegetation to address social values and environmental concerns.

Teacher training and teacher professional development are two interrelated concepts. In order to have professional teachers, teacher training is a necessity. This can be done during one’s college years, which is commonly known as a teaching practicum. Senior students as pre-service teachers are trained and taught to enter the real world of teaching. During this teaching practicum, they can gain a lot of experience, learn from the mentor teachers, do administrative tasks that a teacher normally does, learn from the school environment, and face real students as well. Seeing the importance of a teaching practicum and its implications on the students’ careers later on as teachers, the researcher then conducted this study. Forty-one student respondents who were doing or had done their teaching practicums were the respondents of this study. Data was collected through reflections that they had to submit by the end of their internship programs. They were pre-service teachers of primary and secondary levels. During their teaching practicums, they faced various problems, most of which were related with classroom management. This study revealed that these student teachers tried alternative solutions to deal with their problems.

Due to the increasing trend in aquaculture and fisheries production, conventional feed resources, especially protein ingredients, are overburdened, and sometimes their price fluctuations limit quality feed formulations for farmers, thus leading to the exploration of alternative protein feed resources. Antarctic krill meal (AKM) has emerged as a potential candidate ingredient for sustainable and suitable partial replacement of conventional fish meal. A 10-week feeding trial was designed to investigate the effects of different concentrations of AKM on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and serum biochemical indices of coho salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch ) post-smolts. In total, 150 post-smolt fish with an average initial weight of 178.17 ± 0.73 g were divided into five groups with three replicates in each group and 10 fish in each replicate. Five experimental diets were formulated by substituting 0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12% fish meal (protein source) with AKM (protein source), which were designated AKM0 (the control), AKM3, AKM6, AKM9, and AKM12, respectively. The results showed that the addition of AKM to the salmon diet increased (P < 0.05) the weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER). There was no effect (P > 0.05) on body composition and essential amino acid profile of the meat except for methionine, isoleucine, lysine, and threonine. The liver concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly decreased while the concentration of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased in the AKM supplemented groups compared to the control group. The serum concentrations of ALT and AST decreased (P < 0.05) while total cholesterol, triglyceride, and total protein content increased (P < 0.05) in the AKM treatment groups compared to the control. Based on the results of this study, supported by polynomial quadratic regression analyses of WG, SGR, FCR, and PER, we conclude that 6.73%–7.08% AKM is the best possible suitable inclusion level range to partially replace conventional fish meal in the diet of coho salmon post-smolt.