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Myokines, Measurement, and Technical Considerations
No full textNoSkeletal muscle has long been established as a highly multifunctional organ, playing a vital role in locomotion, whole-body metabolic and energy homeostasis, and thermoregulation. More recently, emergent evidence has highlighted a potent secretory role for muscle, producing and releasing “myokine” molecules that act in autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine fashion to govern muscle physiology and regulate whole-body homeostasis via multi-tissue cross talk mechanisms. Myokines represent promising therapeutic targets in health and disease, with their discovery, measurement, and functional importance being a hotbed of research across numerous physiological contexts. Here, we provide an overview of myokines and summarize current understanding of their biological role(s). We also outline primary approaches for myokine analysis, including detailed methodology for performing omics-driven myokine prediction, while further appraising both method-specific and general technical considerations to provide an evidence-based approach for designing and conducting myokine experiments
Design and implementation of an IIoT driven information system: A case study
Get PDFYesInformation systems are critical for companies since they offer quick and easy access to complex and significant data in a structured manner to make informed and effective business decisions. Hence, the objective of this study is to conceptualize and implement an innovative information system in the case study organization. The study identified the requirements for Organizing Vision Theory (OVT) and developed architecture based on Organizational Information Processing Theory (OIPT). This architecture is designed and developed using the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to support a self-organizing vision and enhanced information processing. The study’s contribution lies in developing and executing an integrative architecture of IIoT-driven information systems from the lenses of OVT and OIPT. Further, this study contributes by mapping OVT elements (such as transparency, continuity, and coherence) and OIPT elements (information processing needs and capabilities) to drive value and knowledge through a robust architecture of IIoT-driven information systems. The study also highlights the contribution of IIoT-based information systems to a new knowledge system, facilitating better decision-making by professionals
An overview of safety and security analysis frameworks for the Internet of Things
Get PDFYesThe rapid progress of the Internet of Things (IoT) has continued to offer humanity numerous benefits, including many security and safety-critical applications. However, unlocking the full potential of IoT applications, especially in high-consequence domains, requires the assurance that IoT devices will not constitute risk hazards to the users or the environment. To design safe, secure, and reliable IoT systems, numerous frameworks have been proposed to analyse the safety and security, among other properties. This paper reviews some of the prominent classical and model-based system engineering (MBSE) approaches for IoT systems' safety and security analysis. The review established that most analysis frameworks are based on classical manual approaches, which independently evaluate the two properties. The manual frameworks tend to inherit the natural limitations of informal system modelling, such as human error, a cumbersome processes, time consumption, and a lack of support for reusability. Model-based approaches have been incorporated into the safety and security analysis process to simplify the analysis process and improve the system design's efficiency and manageability. Conversely, the existing MBSE safety and security analysis approaches in the IoT environment are still in their infancy. The limited number of proposed MBSE approaches have only considered limited and simple scenarios, which are yet to adequately evaluate the complex interactions between the two properties in the IoT domain. The findings of this survey are that the existing methods have not adequately addressed the analysis of safety/security interdependencies, detailed cyber security quantification analysis, and the unified treatment of safety and security properties. The existing classical and MBSE frameworks' limitations obviously create gaps for a meaningful assessment of IoT dependability. To address some of the gaps, we proposed a possible research direction for developing a novel MBSE approach for the IoT domain's safety and security coanalysis framework
Optimal planning and operation of distribution systems using network reconfiguration and flexibility services
Get PDFYesThis paper proposes a novel approach for the reliability cost-based optimization of Distribution Systems (DS), considering tie line-based network reconfiguration method with integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER). An optimal Energy not Supplied (ENS) index is proposed, where the capacity is handled by curtailment devices in the network such as sectionalizers and the energy supplied by DERs which considers Flexibility Services (FS) within a market environment. The decision variables include the investment and operation of tie-lines and buying regulation services from DER such as Distributed Generation (DG) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The results validate the cost-effectiveness of the proposed method through implementation of these technologies to improve the reliability of the DS, within a comprehensive set of case-study scenarios for a 16-bus UK generic distribution system (UKGDS). The case study results indicate that significant savings can be achieved through the proposed method, ranging between 36%–71% depending on the level of automation in tie-line operations in combination with the settlement price for the power-balance of FS. This illustrates that the proposed DS reliability cost-based optimization method could have a significant impact for real world DG and BESS applications.This work was supported in-part by Innovate UK GCRF Energy Catalyst Pi-CREST project under Grant number 41358, and in-part by University of Bradford under the SURE Grant scheme (Grant Number 023000/66005)
The Capability Approach and the Sustainable Development Goals: Inter, Multi, and Trans Disciplinary Perspectives
No full textNoThis book demonstrates how the capability approach to human development can contribute to the realisation of the 2015 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The capability approach dictates that success should not be measured by economic indicators, but by people leading meaningful, free, fulfilled, happy or satisfied lives. Drawing from a range of disciplinary perspectives, this book argues that it is vital that the focus for the SDGs should shift to benefiting the most vulnerable. Case studies from across Asia, Africa, Latin America (global south), and the USA, UK, and Australia (global north) consider how the capability approach can contribute as a practical framework to achieving the SDGs’ ambitions for social, economic, political, and legal progress.
Drawing on insights from a range of disciplines, this book will be of interest to researchers and practitioners from law, politics, international relations, criminology, international development, sociology, public policy, area studies and others
The Neolithic Settlement of the Yorkshire Dales
No full textThe Neolithic archaeology of the Yorkshire Dales is widely acknowledged, but poorly understood. The research presented in thesis is the first time that all the archaeological evidence has been quantified and synthesised to provide an informed view of settlement in the Yorkshire Dales for period 4000-2500 cal. BC.
Rather than being an isolated, empty upland landscape during the Neolithic, the results of this study indicate that areas of Upper Wharfedale and the Ingleborough massif were settled on both an episodic and persistent basis from the earliest Neolithic. Indeed, a discussion of the timing of the Mesolithic to Neolithic transition finds many of the defining Neolithic cultural changes to be underway at the same time as the adjacent counties, with contact beyond the area maintained by a long tradition of moving flint resources across an east-west axis.
Within this work, the Yorkshire Dales is presented as a Neolithic ‘buffer zone’ for the earliest burial monument building styles, with architectural influences from both the megalithic and earthen barrow building traditions apparent. The accepted chronologies of several of the larger burial cairns are challenged, burial practices are reviewed, and regional-scale mobility is suggested. As a later Neolithic phenomenon, the henges of the Wharfe Valley are put forward as evidence of a growing population, increasing social complexity, and an associated wider world view
Bank crisis management and resolution after SVB and Credit Suisse: Perspectives from India and the European Union
Get PDFYesThe March 2023 bank failures of SVB, Signature and Credit Suisse, which caused turmoil in financial markets and led to regulatory and central bank intervention, revived the debate about the effectiveness of the bank crisis management, resolution and deposit insurance legal framework established after the Great Financial Crisis (GFC). Although the March 2023 events did not escalate into a full-blown financial crisis, they drew attention to certain areas of the current framework where improvements may be needed. These areas include the need of financial regulation and supervision to focus more on small and medium size banks as potential sources of systemic market events; to review the adequacy of the current deposit insurance regime and the treatment of uninsured deposits; and to provide more clarity about the order of creditor claims in case of bank resolution/insolvency. The article reviews the events of March 2023, the key lessons from these events and discusses how these lessons could shape the frameworks for Bank crisis management and resolution in India and the European Union. The two jurisdictions are in the process of updating their laws in this area and the March 2023 events could influence the relevant decisions
Fundus-DeepNet: Multi-Label Deep Learning Classification System for Enhanced Detection of Multiple Ocular Diseases through Data Fusion of Fundus Images
Get PDFYesDetecting multiple ocular diseases in fundus images is crucial in ophthalmic diagnosis. This study introduces the Fundus-DeepNet system, an automated multi-label deep learning classification system designed to identify multiple ocular diseases by integrating feature representations from pairs of fundus images (e.g., left and right eyes). The study initiates with a comprehensive image pre-processing procedure, including circular border cropping, image resizing, contrast enhancement, noise removal, and data augmentation. Subsequently, discriminative deep feature representations are extracted using multiple deep learning blocks, namely the High-Resolution Network (HRNet) and Attention Block, which serve as feature descriptors. The SENet Block is then applied to further enhance the quality and robustness of feature representations from a pair of fundus images, ultimately consolidating them into a single feature representation. Finally, a sophisticated classification model, known as a Discriminative Restricted Boltzmann Machine (DRBM), is employed. By incorporating a Softmax layer, this DRBM is adept at generating a probability distribution that specifically identifies eight different ocular diseases. Extensive experiments were conducted on the challenging Ophthalmic Image Analysis-Ocular Disease Intelligent Recognition (OIA-ODIR) dataset, comprising diverse fundus images depicting eight different ocular diseases. The Fundus-DeepNet system demonstrated F1-scores, Kappa scores, AUC, and final scores of 88.56%, 88.92%, 99.76%, and 92.41% in the off-site test set, and 89.13%, 88.98%, 99.86%, and 92.66% in the on-site test set.In summary, the Fundus-DeepNet system exhibits outstanding proficiency in accurately detecting multiple ocular diseases, offering a promising solution for early diagnosis and treatment in ophthalmology.European Union under the REFRESH – Research Excellence for Region Sustainability and High-tech Industries project number CZ.10.03.01/00/22_003/0000048 via the Operational Program Just Transition. The Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports of the Czech Republic - Technical University of Ostrava, Czechia under Grants SP2023/039 and SP2023/042
Co-Loading of Black Phosphorus Nanoflakes and Doxorubicin in Lysolipid Temperature-Sensitive Liposomes for Combination Therapy in Prostate Cancer.
Get PDFYesBlack phosphorus (BP) is one of the most promising nanomaterials for cancer therapy. This 2D material is biocompatible and has strong photocatalytic activity, making it a powerful photosensitiser for combined NIR photothermal and photodynamic therapies. However, the fast degradation of BP in oxic conditions (including biological environments) still limits its use in cancer therapy. This work proposes a facile strategy to produce stable and highly concentrated BP suspensions using lysolipid temperature-sensitive liposomes (LTSLs). This approach also allows for co-encapsulating BP nanoflakes and doxorubicin, a potent chemotherapeutic drug. Finally, we demonstrate that our BP/doxorubicin formulation shows per se high antiproliferative action against an in vitro prostate cancer model and that the anticancer activity can be enhanced through NIR irradiance
Codesign of a digital health tool for suicide prevention: protocol for a scoping review
Get PDFYesIntroduction The role of digital health in providing psychological treatment and support for the prevention of suicide is well documented. Particular emphasis has been placed on digital health technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing psychological support reduces the burden of mental health conditions. The challenge is to provide support in the context of patient isolation, which highlights the role of digital technology (video conferencing, smartphone apps and social media). There is, however, a dearth of literature where experts by experience have been involved in the end-to-end process of developing digital health tools for suicide prevention. Methods and analysis This study aims to codesign a digital health tool for suicide prevention focusing on the enablers and barriers. The scoping review protocol is phase I within a three-phase study. The protocol will inform the second phase of the study which is the scoping review. The results of the review will inform a funding application to National Institute for Health and Care Research to codesign a digital health tool for suicide prevention (the third phase). The search strategy will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewer’s Manual for Scoping Reviews and incorporates the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist to ensure reporting standards are maintained. The methodology will be supplemented by frameworks by Arksey and O’Malley and Levac et al. The search strategy dates for screening are from November 2022 to March 2023. Five databases will be searched: Medline, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycInfo and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Grey literature searches include government and non-government health websites, Google and Google Scholar. The data will be extracted and organised into relevant categories. The results will be synthesised into themes and inform phase II of the study. Ethics and dissemination Ethics granted by the University of Bradford on 15 August 2022, reference E995. The project team will design a digital health tool, results will be published in a peer-review journal and disseminated through conferences. Study registration number Safety (Mental Health) Innovation Challenge Fund 2022–2023 Protocol RM0223/42079 Ver 0.1.This research was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Yorkshire and Humber Patient Safety Translational Research Centre (NIHR Yorkshire and Humber PSTRC). Project Reference: SICF 2022-02