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Security, Privacy and Risks Within Smart Cities: Literature Review and Development of a Smart City Interaction Framework
Get PDFYesThe complex and interdependent nature of smart cities raises significant political, technical, and socioeconomic challenges for designers, integrators and organisations involved in administrating these new entities. An increasing number of studies focus on the security, privacy and risks within smart cities, highlighting the threats relating to information security and challenges for smart city infrastructure in the management and processing of personal data. This study analyses many of these challenges, offers a valuable synthesis of the relevant key literature, and develops a smart city interaction framework. The study is organised around a number of key themes within smart cities research: privacy and security of mobile devices and services; smart city infrastructure, power systems, healthcare, frameworks, algorithms and protocols to improve security and privacy, operational threats for smart cities, use and adoption of smart services by citizens, use of blockchain and use of social media. This comprehensive review provides a useful perspective on many of the key issues and offers key direction for future studies. The findings of this study can provide an informative research framework and reference point for academics and practitioners
Co-delivery of a RanGTP inhibitory peptide and doxorubicin using dual loaded liposomal carriers to combat chemotherapeutic resistance in breast cancer cells
No full textYesMultidrug resistance (MDR) limits the beneficial outcomes of conventional breast cancer chemotherapy. Ras-related nuclear protein (Ran-GTP) plays a key role in these resistance mechanisms, assisting cancer cells to repair damage to DNA. Herein, we investigate the co-delivery of Ran-RCC1 inhibitory peptide (RAN-IP) and doxorubicin (DOX) to breast cancer cells using liposomal nanocarriers.
A liposomal delivery system, co-encapsulating DOX, and RAN-IP, was prepared using a thin-film rehydration technique. Dual-loaded liposomes were optimized by systematic modification of formulation variables. Real-Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction was used to determine Ran-GTP mRNA expression. In vitro cell lines were used to evaluate the effect of loaded liposomes on the viability of breast and lung cancer cell lines. In vivo testing was performed on a murine Solid Ehrlich Carcinoma model.
RAN-IP reversed the Ran-expression-mediated MDR by inhibiting the Ran DNA damage repair function. Co-administration of RAN-IP enhanced sensitivity of DOX in breast cancer cell lines. Finally, liposome-mediated co-delivery with RAN-IP improved the anti-tumor effect of DOX in tumor-bearing mice when compared to single therapy.
This study is the first to show the simultaneous delivery of RAN-IP and DOX using liposomes can be synergistic with DOX and lead to tumor regression in vitro and in vivo
QualDash: Adaptable Generation of Visualisation Dashboards for Healthcare Quality Improvement
Get PDFYesAdapting dashboard design to different contexts of use is an open question in visualisation research. Dashboard designers often seek to strike a balance between dashboard adaptability and ease-of-use, and in hospitals challenges arise from the vast diversity of key metrics, data models and users involved at different organizational levels. In this design study, we present QualDash, a dashboard generation engine that allows for the dynamic configuration and deployment of visualisation dashboards for healthcare quality improvement (QI). We present a rigorous task analysis based on interviews with healthcare professionals, a co-design workshop and a series of one-on-one meetings with front line analysts. From these activities we define a metric card metaphor as a unit of visual analysis in healthcare QI, using this concept as a building block for generating highly adaptable dashboards, and leading to the design of a Metric Specification Structure (MSS). Each MSS is a JSON structure which enables dashboard authors to concisely configure unit-specific variants of a metric card, while offloading common patterns that are shared across cards to be preset by the engine. We reflect on deploying and iterating the design of QualDash in cardiology wards and pediatric intensive care units of five NHS hospitals. Finally, we report evaluation results that demonstrate the adaptability, ease-of-use and usefulness of QualDash in a real-world scenario
Functional linguistic based motivations for a conversational software agent
Get PDFYesThis chapter discusses a linguistically orientated model of a conversational software agent (CSA) (Panesar 2017) framework sensitive to natural language processing (NLP) concepts and the levels of adequacy of a functional linguistic theory (LT). We discuss the relationship between NLP and knowledge representation (KR), and connect this with the goals of a linguistic theory (Van Valin and LaPolla 1997), in particular Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) (Van Valin Jr 2005). We debate the advantages of RRG and consider its fitness and computational adequacy. We present a design of a computational model of the linking algorithm that utilises a speech act construction as a grammatical object (Nolan 2014a, Nolan 2014b) and the sub-model of belief, desire and intentions (BDI) (Rao and Georgeff 1995). This model has been successfully implemented in software, using the resource description framework (RDF), and we highlight some implementation issues that arose at the interface between language and knowledge representation (Panesar 2017)
The extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2): A systematic literature review and theory evaluation
Get PDFYesThe extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) is less than ten years old and has already garnered more than 6,000 citations with extensive usage in information systems and beyond. This research employed cited reference search to systematically review studies that cited UTAUT2 originating article. Based on UTAUT2 usage, the downloaded articles were classified into four categories such as: 1) General citation, 2) UTAUT2 application, 3) UTAUT2 integration, and 4) UTAUT2 extensions. Weber's (2012) theory evaluation framework revealed UTAUT2 as a robust theory on most dimensions except for parsimony arising from the complex model. UTAUT2 extensions emerged as popular UTAUT2 utilization category as researchers extended the model with context specific variables. Finally, UTAUT2 extensions were mapped to Johns' (2006) context dimensions to identify various limitations of the existing technology adoption research and to provide multi-level framework for future researchers with libraries of context dimensions
Self-assembled 0D/2D nano carbon materials enabled smart and multifunctional cement-based composites
Get PDFYesIn this paper, two types of nano carbon materials including 0D nano carbon black and 2D graphene are assembled through electrostatic adsorption to develop smart cement-based composites. Owing to their excellent mechanical, electrical properties and synergistic effect, self-assembled 0D/2D nano carbon materials can form toughening and conductive networks in cement-based materials at low content level and without changing the preparation process of conventional cement-based materials, thus endowing cement-based materials with smart and multifunctional properties including high toughness, self-sensing property to stress/strain and damage, shielding/absorbing property to electromagnetic wave. The developed smart cement-based composites with self-assembled 0D/2D nano carbon materials have promising application in the fields of oil well cementing, structural health monitoring, and electromagnetic protection and anti-electromagnetic pollution. It can therefore conclude that electrostatic self-assembled 0D/2D nano carbon materials provide a simple preparation method and excellent composite effect for developing nano cement-based materials, which can be applied in large-scale infrastructures.The National Science Foundation of China (51908103) and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2019M651116)
OpenLB-Open source lattice Boltzmann code
Get PDFYesWe present the OpenLB package, a C++ library providing a flexible framework for lattice Boltzmann simulations. The code is publicly available and published under GNU GPLv2, which allows for adaption and implementation of additional models. The extensibility benefits from a modular code structure achieved e.g. by utilizing template meta-programming. The package covers various methodical approaches and is applicable to a wide range of transport problems (e.g. fluid, particulate and thermal flows). The built-in processing of the STL file format furthermore allows for the simple setup of simulations in complex geometries. The utilization of MPI as well as OpenMP parallelism enables the user to perform those simulations on large-scale computing clusters. It requires a minimal amount of dependencies and includes several benchmark cases and examples. The package presented here aims at providing an open access platform for both, applicants and developers, from academia as well as industry, which facilitates the extension of previous implementations and results to novel fields of application for lattice Boltzmann methods. OpenLB was tested and validated over several code reviews and publications. This paper summarizes the findings and gives a brief introduction to the underlying concepts as well as the design of the parallel data structure
I no longer feel alone': meeting the needs of bereaved grandparents through a children's hospice support group
Get PDFYesChildren's hospices provide a range of family-centred care services, including bereavement support. Not all hospices provide specific services for grandparents.
To explore how a hospice-based bereavement support group supported grandparents in their grief following the death of a grandchild.
Methods: Grandparents attending a group were invited to complete an anonymous
questionnaire. Questionnaires from eight groups, run between 2015 and 2019 were collated and interpreted to identify themes.
Findings: 121 grandparents attended the groups; 113 returned the questionnaires (93% response). Three central themes were identified: environment and space, being with people who understand, and the opportunity to hear the stories of others. Grandparents valued hearing the stories of others, providing an opportunity to reflect on the experience of others.
Conclusion: Grandparents felt supported and validated by the group. The facilitated sessions increased coping and resilience of participants, enabling grandparents to support their partner, adult children and surviving grandchildren more effectively
Living alone with mild-to-moderate dementia: findings from the IDEAL Cohort
Get PDFYesA significant proportion of people with dementia live alone, but little is known about their specific needs.
To understand the profile of people living alone with mild-to-moderate dementia in the UK and identify any systematic differences associated with living situation.
We analyzed cross-sectional data from 1,541 people with mild-to-moderate dementia and 1,277 caregivers participating in the IDEAL cohort at the first wave of assessment.
There were 1,256 (81.5%) people with dementia living with others and 285 (18.5%) living alone, of whom 51 (3% of whole sample) reported little or no informal support. There were relatively few differences associated with living situation and odds ratios were generally small. People living alone were older on average, and more likely to be female, than those living with others. Those living alone were more likely to have higher cognitive ability and self-reported functional ability, and more social contact with those from other households. They were also lonelier, expressed less satisfaction with life, and used home care services and equipment more. There were no differences in symptoms, mood, quality of life, or well-being.
The findings support the view that it is possible to 'live well' with mild-to-moderate dementia while living alone, given appropriate support, including home care and equipment. Nevertheless, it is important to consider how those living alone may be supported to have a more satisfactory experience, and how health and social care services can best respond to their needs.‘Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life: living well with dementia. The IDEAL study’ was funded jointly by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) through grant ES/L001853/2. ‘Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life: a longitudinal perspective on living well with dementia. The IDEAL-2 study’ is funded by Alzheimer’s Society, grant number 348, AS-PR2-16-001
Race, Taste, Class and Cars - 21st Century Standpoints
No full textNoLove them or hate them, most of us have an opinion about cars. If not the cars themselves, then it’s driver competence and behaviour that can offend us. And then there’s modification: alloy wheels, custom audio systems and bespoke paint jobs. For some, changing the look, feel and sound of a car says something about themselves, but for others, such enhancements signify a lack of taste, or even criminality.
In subtle and complex ways, cars transmit and modify our identities behind the wheel. As a symbol of independence and freedom, the car projects status, class, taste and, significantly, embeds racialisation. Using fascinating research from drivers, including first-person accounts as well as exploring hip-hop music and car-related TV shows, Alam unpicks the ways in which identity is rehearsed, enhanced, interpreted