143174 research outputs found
Sort by
A co-ordinated global initiative to enhance interview practice
No full textopen access articleInterviews with suspects, victims, and witnesses are among the most important and regular tasks undertaken by police/law enforcement agencies to progress criminal investigations. The present article addresses a critical gap both in the literature and practice of investigative interviewing namely, the
lack of a coordinated global action to establish and implement a universal standard. While countries like England and Wales, Norway, and Australia have successfully adopted rapport-based practices, these efforts remain largely confined to individual national contexts.
Broader collective efforts involving academics, activists, and practitioners worldwide focused on expanding the adoption of investigative interviewing are scarce. To address this gap, the article outlines developments in the last few years that have attempted to provide a more universal approach to
investigative interviewing and introduces a pioneering global action to support its implementation. The initiative and action are justified by their potential to improve global consistency, fairness, and effectiveness in investigative practices while fostering international collaboration. Its significance lies in
broadening the reach of investigative interviewing, improving justice outcomes globally, and establishing a framework for sustained cooperation and knowledge exchange
Synthesis and characterisation of fluorescent FITC-insulin glulisine conjugates for insulin delivery
No full textDrug development and its delivery have always been a pioneering area of research for the application and understanding of modern bioanalytical problems. The biodistribution of the drug, along with its stability and metabolism within biological systems, has been of prime importance in pharmaceutical drug development and research. The study carried out in this thesis aimed to evaluate novel fluorescent conjugates synthesised from commercially available rapid-acting insulin glulisine (Apidra®) and the fluorescent dye FITC (Fluorescein Isothiocyanate) for comparison with the biological activity of native insulin glulisine. The first objective of the study was to produce a single-labelled fluorescent-insulin conjugate (FITC-insulin glulisine), achieved without using any lengthy and expensive procedures involving protective groups for selective tagging and multi-step processes. The next objective was to study the stability of the insulin glulisine conjugate in several formulations at different temperatures (4oC, 20oC and 37oC) to assess appropriate storage temperature and shelf life without compromising its composition and biological activity. Thirdly, the biological activity of the FITC-insulin glulisine conjugate was studied and compared to that of native insulin glulisine. The formation of the desired mono-labelled conjugate was confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy, which identified the mass of the conjugate and the label position. Additional further conjugation analysis was conducted using Attenuated total reflectance Fourier Transform Infra-Red (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Further studies were conducted by assessing the lyophilic/hydrophilic nature of the synthesised FITC-insulin glulisine mono-labelled conjugate in octanol: water systems to ascertain its physical properties. A separate study examined the role of EDTA in chelating zinc from human insulin to assess what impact this has on producing FITC-human insulin conjugates labelled at B1.
Experiments involved several parameters being examined with changing molar ratio altered from 1:1 to 3:1 and reaction time spanning from 18 hours to 24 hours with a pH of 7 to achieve the desired B1 mono-labelled FITC-insulin glulisine conjugate and this was successfully achieved at a reaction time of 18 hours at pH 7 with a molar ratio of 2:1. The B1 mono species was confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis with a molecular weight of 6207.7 Da for the mono labelled insulin glulisine conjugate. Mass spectroscopy fragmentation studies determined FITC was attached with the b-ion peak for FITC-Phenylalanine (N-terminus of Chain B) at m/z = 537.11 (FITC- MW- 389 g/mol and phenylalanine -MW- 165 g/mol) which confirms the position of conjugation at the first amino acid of the β-chain at position B1 (phenylalanine). The stability of the B1 labelled FITC-insulin glulisine conjugate was studied at temperatures of 4oC, 20oC and 37oC and extended stability of the B1 labelled conjugate was found in the Diluting Fluid (DF) stored at 4°C over the 56-day study period, suggesting excipients support the integrity of the FITC-insulin glulisine conjugate. On the other hand, Distilled Water (DW) at 37°C showed the least stability over the same study period. The biological activity experiments conducted on the FITC-insulin glulisine conjugate using western blot analysis confirmed pAKT and IRS tyrosine activity and the confocal microscopy analysis showed the GLUT4 translocation comparable to the native insulin glulisine. This biological activity study proved that the mono B1 conjugate showed similar biological activity and successfully translocated GLUT4 in the insulin signalling pathway, identical to native insulin glulisine, making it potentially useful in many biological and pharmaceutical applications. Native insulin glulisine, FITC and synthesised FITC-insulin glulisine conjugate were subjected to various analytical procedures for the -ATR -FTIR measurements to prove the successful conjugation of the fluorescent FITC to the native insulin glulisine without compromising the secondary structure of the insulin and the disappearance of the original isothiocyanate peak present for FITC at 2050 cm-1 was not found in the conjugate and formation of an additional peak for thiourea at 1395 cm-1 affirmed the conjugation. In other experiments human insulin (Actrapid®) was fluorescent-labelled with FITC at various EDTA concentrations ranging from 0mM to 2.4mM, which resulted in different chromatograms, reflecting varying percentages of the mono-labelled conjugate (A1 or B1) and di-labelled conjugate (A1B1) formation. At lower concentrations of EDTA, only the B1 mono-labelled FITC-insulin conjugate was produced, but beyond a crucial threshold of 0.2 mM EDTA, the di-labelled A1B1 conjugate began to form, with a 40% decrease in the mono-labelled conjugate at an EDTA concentration of 0.8 mM. Therefore, this EDTA study demonstrates that up to 0.2 mM EDTA enables optimal monoB1 labelling. A partitioning study on FITC-insulin glulisine conjugate compared to native insulin glulisine in an Octanol: water system demonstrated that the slow stirring method of mixing of the reaction mixture was favourable for the experiment and the logP values obtained for commercial insulin glulisine was -1.95 while the pure FITC logP value was determined to be 5.25, while the conjugated FITC-insulin glulisine had the logP value of -0.197 confirming the lipophilic influence of the fluorescein conjugation.
This thesis demonstrates a streamlined and efficient protocol for FITC labelling of insulin glulisine established under mild conditions (pH 7, 2:1 FITC-to-insulin glulisine molar ratio, 18 h reaction time), achieving near complete yield without the need for protecting groups or multi-step synthesis. The resulting mono-labelled insulin glulisine (monoB1) retains full biological activity, including effective GLUT4 translocation via the insulin signalling pathway, comparable to native insulin. This approach offers a robust and simplified method for generating fluorescently conjugated insulin glulisine suitable for diverse biological and pharmaceutical applications, particularly in insulin delivery research
Measuring Sustainability Performance of Digital Supply Chains in the era of Industry 4.0
No full textThe Food and Beverage (F&B) industry plays a crucial role in the UK economy, contributing to economic growth, employment, and sustainability efforts. However, digital supply chains (DSCs) in the F&B sector face significant challenges in measuring and improving sustainability performance, particularly amid the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies. A critical gap exists in established performance measurement techniques capable of assessing the sustainability impacts of these advanced technologies. While digital transformation offers opportunities to enhance economic, social, and environmental sustainability, its impact remains complex and further complicated by the absence of robust measurement models and methods specifically tailored to Industry 4.0 applications in the F&B supply chain. This lack of clear measurement frameworks necessitates a structured analytical approach to develop and evaluate effective sustainability performance indicators in this evolving landscape. This study aims to measure sustainability performance in DSCs using input-output modelling, examine the role of digital technologies in enhancing sustainability, and identify key sustainability indicators for Industry 4.0-enabled DSCs in the UK F&B industry.
Drawing on Resource-Based View (RBV), Dynamic Capability Theory (DCT), and Organizational Information Processing Theory (OIPT), this study integrates digital resources, dynamic capabilities, and enhanced information processing into a holistic framework for sustainability evaluation. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models of Variable Returns to Scale (VRS) and Constant Returns to Scale (CRS) models, with qualitative insights from industry stakeholders. A Three-Stage Network DEA (TSN-DEA) model is applied to assess efficiency across economic, social, and environmental dimensions in five key sectors: Farming, Manufacturing, Distribution/Logistics, Retail, and Foodservice/Catering in the UK.
Empirical findings reveal that digitally advanced sectors such as Manufacturing and Distribution/Logistics demonstrate superior sustainability performance, while Farming and Foodservice/Catering exhibit inefficiencies, particularly in social and environmental dimensions. The study also identifies a critical feedback loop between environmental and economic performance, suggesting that sustainability investments can yield long-term economic benefits. Moreover, the analysis highlights specifically, technologies such as Big Data Analytics (BDA), Cloud Computing (CC), Internet of Things (IoT), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Cyber Security, Simulation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as key drivers of sustainability improvements. However, effective integration of digital technologies requires strong dynamic capabilities and improved information processing mechanisms.
Combinational analysis underscores the need for sector-specific digital strategies, demonstrating that collaborative networks, stakeholder engagement, and workforce upskilling amplify sustainability gains. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers. Policymakers should implement incentives for sustainable digital adoption, regulatory frameworks for emissions control, and workforce development programs. F&B businesses should invest in scalable digital solutions, optimize energy use, and foster knowledge-sharing networks to enhance sustainability. This study advances DSC and sustainability literature (DSSCM) by introducing an integrated TSN-DEA model, providing a replicable framework for measuring sustainability performance in digitally transforming industries. Suggesting that digitalisation has broader implications than previously explored, with the potential to impact inclusivity and employee welfare
A transformation method of non-cooperative to cooperative behavior by trust propagation in social network group decision making
No full textThe file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.In the consensus reaching process (CRP) of social network group decision making (SN-GDM), the non-cooperative behavior exhibited by experts will hinder the achievement of group consensus. This paper develops a non-cooperative behavior management framework based on trust propagation and dynamic cooperation index under bidirectional feedback context. On the one hand, a trust propagation operator with trust decay is established to enhance the trust relationship between non-cooperative experts; On the other hand, the fuzzy preference relations are utilized as preference expression structure, and the mutual reinforcing effect between consensus and trust is explored to achieve the dynamic enhancement of cooperation index, thereby facilitating the transformation of non-cooperative behavior. Specifically, a cooperation index is formulated to identify the non-cooperation behavior. Subsequently, a non-cooperative behavior transformation method by dynamic cooperation index is investigated. Finally, a bidirectional feedback mechanism is provided for group consensus reaching. This paper provides an innovative strategy for detecting and managing non-cooperative behavior, an illustrative example and some analyses are presented to verify the validity of proposed method
Investigating the effect of HRM Practices on Work Engagement Among SMEs in Malaysia
No full textopen access articleThe important of employees to any organisation cannot be overemphasised. Human resource management (HRM) practices can either positively or negatively impact the employee’ behaviour and motivation. This study investigates the effect of HRM practices among Malaysian SMEs on the work engagement of their employees. The study is based on two underlying theories - Job demands-resources theory and social exchange theory. The study’s conceptual framework developed using the theories was tested quantitatively. The main focus of the study is SMEs in Malaysia and the unit of analysis is at the level of individual employee working with the SMEs. There are five dimensions of HRM practices utilised in the study namely: Training & Development, Performance Appraisal, Compensation & Benefits, Career Development and Recruitment & Selection. The three constructs - Vigour, Absorption and Dedication were used to measure work engagement. The total number of questionnaires distributed were 755 and usable questionnaires were 481 representing 62% response rate. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) were used to analyse the data and both SPSS and SmartPLS software were used. The findings show that four variables of HRM practices significantly affect work engagement in a positive direction. This study advances the literature on work engagement HRM practices as well as expands the SET and JD- R theories
Reduced Affective Commitment of Employees in Organizations: Investigating the Role of Ostracism and Emotional Exhaustion
No full textThis chapter will explain the significant factors responsible for minimizing the affective commitment of the organizational workforce. Incivility in the workplace, especially ostracism is observed as an important phenomenon that produces negative behavior and reduces employee commitment. It has been associated with its potential effect on the reduced social affiliation of the people working within the organization along with psychological outcomes resulting in compromised organizational performance. The impact of all the negative outcomes of ostracism can be a potential threat to organizational sustainability. In this chapter, we will explain how the factor of ostracism lowers positive employee outcomes or increases emotional distress. We will discuss the strong impact of ostracism on the workforce as they become emotionally exhausted which ultimately decreases the affective commitment of the employees. The relationship investigated has been based on the survey conducted on employees where 171 usable questionnaires were received out of 250 total administered. The data were collected on the variables of interest using already developed scales in two waves to take care of the common method bias. As we hypothesized, the impact of ostracism on emotional exhaustion was significantly positive. Emotional exhaustion was found to have a significantly negative impact on the affective commitment of the employees. Moreover, the mediating role of emotional exhaustion was significant among ostracism and affective commitment. The results were based on the Hayes (2013) method of mediation, which confirms the negative relation between ostracism and the affective commitment of the employees. In the end, we will discuss how the established relationship can impact the organizations and what managers can do to mitigate such situations
Signature kernel conditional independence tests in causal discovery for stochastic processes
No full textSearch for the lepton-flavor violating decay of the Higgs boson and additional Higgs bosons in the eμ final state in proton-proton collisions at √s = 13 TeV
No full textA search for the lepton-flavor violating decay of the Higgs boson and potential additional Higgs bosons with a mass in the range 110–160 GeV to an ±∓ pair is presented. The search is performed with a proton-proton collision dataset at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb−1. No excess is observed for the Higgs boson. The observed (expected) upper limit on the ±∓ branching fraction for it is determined to be 4.4(4.7) ×10−5 at 95% confidence level, the most stringent limit set thus far from direct searches. The largest excess of events over the expected background in the full mass range of the search is observed at an ±∓ invariant mass of approximately 146 GeV with a local (global) significance of 3.8 (2.8) standard deviations
Representations of extensions of simple groups
No full textFeit and Tits (1978) proved that a nontrivial projective representation of minimal dimension of a finite extension of a finite nonabelian simple group G factors through a projective representation of G, except for some groups of Lie type in characteristic 2; the exact exceptions for G were determined by Kleidman and Liebeck (1989). We generalise this result in two ways. First we consider all low-dimensional projective representations, not just those of minimal dimension. Second we consider all characteristically simple groups, not just simple groups