34028 research outputs found
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Development of Age-Adapted Modules for Standardized Clinical Data Collection in individuals with Klinefelter- Syndrome
No full textCreate a dataset to better understand the natural history and impact of clinical management and treatments in rare and heterogeneous conditions like KS, standardized assessment across countries and centers is essential. We aimed to develop a comprehensive diagnostic work-up both at diagnosis and throughout follow-up appointments for use in a registry.</p
Decarbonising Fashion at Scale Industry 4.0 Innovations and Digital Technologies for Sustainable Transformation
No full textThis study examines Industry 4.0 technologies for scaling up decarbonisation in the fashion sector. The study analyses AI-driven innovative manufacturing systems that optimise resources and reduce energy consumption in production. It explores virtual and augmented reality applications that diminish returns and prototype development while enhancing supply chain transparency. The research evaluates collaborative consumption frameworks extending product lifecycles. Findings demonstrate that digital innovations transform conventional production and consumption paradigms, providing viable carbon-reduction pathways while maintaining economic sustainability. This work contributes to understanding how data-driven methodologies address environmental imperatives and market demands in sustainable fashion ecosystems.</p
Wall shear model for mechanical annular polishing
No full text The applications and the functionalities required for polished glass are countless. Therefore, the polishing process must be designed with extreme care to eliminate surface defects. In this work, the variables affecting the pol?ishing processes for glass are analysed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to understand the detailed mechanics of the material removal rate process. The flow field induced by the rotation of the polishing tool, typically used in the annular polishing process, is simulated over a range of tool speeds at various offset (gap between the surface and bonnet) values. Furthermore, to elucidate the additional impact of the particles on the flow field, simulations are performed for both water and abrasive slurry flows. Findings show that reducing the offset distance between the tool and the glass surface significantly increased the shear stress, with the peak value obtained in the region that is in the closest proximity to the rotating tool. The shear stress profile from CFD simulations is compared against experimental profile data for material loss, which displayed good qualitative agreement, especially in the near bonnet region. From the analysis, a power law expression is developed for the estimation of the local shear stress on the workpiece for a given set of process parameters. An R2 value of 0.9385 was obtained, showing good correlation between the developed model and CFD results. As such, this equation can be used to estimate shear stress caused by the flowing slurry at various points on the glass surface with confidence during the polishing process </p
The reform of the institutions created by the 1998 Belfast-Good Friday Agreement and treaty amendment an example of the interplay between a treaty and a non-legally binding agreement
No full textThe article focuses on aspects of the reform of the institutions created by the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement which relate to the law of treaties. It will examine the relationship between the British-Irish Agreement (BIA) and the Multi-Party Agreement and the effect of this relationship a) on the question of whether a reform of the institutions established by the Multi-Party Agreement requires the amendment of the BIA and b) on the distinction between interpretation and amendment in subsequent agreements and subsequent practice related to the BIA. It argues that whether the BIA will need to be amended depends on whether the reform affects institutions under Strand One or also under Strands Two and Three and also on the extent and the nature of the reforms to the institutions, in view of the provisions of the BIA as interpreted in light of its object and purpose.</p
Patella height ratios diagnose the same healthy knees differently
No full textOur study aims to investigate if the ratios proposed by Insall-Salvati and Caton-Deschamps follow the theory of normal distribution levels in a healthy population. 434 skeletal mature, healthy knees were obtained from a CT-scan-based modelling system (SOMA). Patellae height ratios were measured using the Insall-Salvati ratio and the Caton-Deschamps index. The patella height ratios of the sample population were plotted on a quantile plot and diagnosed as patella alta, baja or normal using the original ratio definitions. The study population patella height values at the 95th, 98th and 5th centiles were identified and compared to those described as alta or baja by Insall-Salvati and Caton-Deschamps. This meant that if the patient had patella alta, this would be defined as a ratio of ≥ 1.2 and hypothesised that this would align at the 98th centile of the study population, whilst if diagnosed as patella baja (≤ 0.74), this should align at the 5th centile of the population. The inter-rater reliability of both ratios was calculated using kappa statistics. Two authors made all calculations and compared them for consistency using the intraclass correlation coefficient. For the Insall-Salvati ratio, the study population’s value at the 98th centile was equivalent to what Insall-Salvati describes as alta, a ratio of ≥ 1.2. In the study population, patients are overdiagnosed if using the Insall-Salvati ratio as patella baja ≤ 0.74, as the value at the 5th centile in the study population was 0.59. Using the Caton-Deschamps index, the 95th centile was 1.3, higher than the patella alta ratio determined by Caton as a ratio ≥ 1.2. Using Caton-Deschamps, patients are being underdiagnosed if utilising a patella baja ratio of ≤ 0.6. In our population, the 5th centile was 0.75. The two ratios had a kappa coefficient of 0.01, which indicates poor inter-rater reliability. Depending on the ratio used, caton-Deschamps and Insall-Salvati ratios diagnose patients as alta or baja differently. The current patella height ratios have originated from very small, select population samples. The future of patella height discussion should begin with data representing large populations. Then, we can discuss the upper and lower limits of abnormality.</p
Older adults looking at dog pictures - psychobiological effects
No full textDogs are often used therapeutically (e.g., Pets at Therapy - PAT dogs) to visit elderly residents and those in care
to promote social engagement and quality of life. Earlier studies reported that mutual gaze between dogs and
owners induces a mutual change in physiology, with the release of oxytocin being a crucial mediator. However, it
is not exactly known which types of cues trigger this mechanism, in particular whether these beneficial effects
necessarily derive from the direct eye contact when gazing at a real-life dog or if it can be caused by the visual
stimulus of a dog’s eyes only in a picture. Therefore, in this study we tested if looking at static dog images could
have physiological and/or psychological effects in older adults, by collecting salivary oxytocin, heart rate,
optimism scores, testing cooperativeness/competitiveness, and examining gaze patterns when looking at dog
pictures in three conditions: dogs facing the observer, dogs facing sideways, or control pixelated pictures.
Contrary to our main predictions, we did not find any significant changes in oxytocin, optimism scores, nor
cooperation levels associated with the pictures per se. However, older participants made less competitive decisions after looking at the dog’s face and men also experienced a reduction in heart rate when looking at these pictures. These results indicate that simply direct eye contact via a picture of a dog is sufficient for some significant effects, which may be gender dependent, but does not trigger the expected full psychobiological effects
reported in previous studies with real-life dogs.</p
Post-pandemic pedagogy: experiences of learning and teaching history before, during and after Covid-19
No full text This article presents and analyses the findings of a nationwide survey of history staff and students conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic. More than five hundred respondents from nearly fifty universities provided qualitative and quantitative responses which compared their experience of teaching and learning before and during the pandemic, and their preferences once the pandemic abated. In contrast to the upbeat assessments by regulatory bodies of the ‘emergency pivot’ to online learning, the most significant finding of this survey was that respondents adjudged the pandemic to have worsened teaching and learning in almost every respect. Much less uniform were respondents’ favoured teaching practices after the pandemic. While most missed face-to-face seminars, only half advocated reinstating traditional in-person lectures and supervisions and fewer still wished to return to pen-and-paper exams. Further differences emerged between respondents at different types of institution, between staff and students, and between male and female academics. The overwhelmingly negative experiences of online teaching during the pandemic, and the variegated attitudes towards its continuation afterwards, indicate that higher education institutions should develop a post-pandemic pedagogy that has been evaluated rigorously under non-emergency conditions, and which is sensitive to the needs of different groups of learners and teachers working in different disciplines. </p
Integrating cultural resources and heritage in climate action: A review of nine climate plans
No full text This study examines the integration of cultural resources into climate governance by identifying key entry points for their inclusion in policy. Analyzing nine national, regional, and municipal climate plans, we assess whether cultural resources function as passive elements or active contributors to sustainable climate action. Using a systematic coding process, we categorize references into three dimensions—conceptualization, policy context, and governance treatment— providing a structured framework for evaluating their role and transformative potential. Seventeen recurring entry points emerge from the analysis, representing key actions that facilitate cultural resource integration into climate planning. These entry points reveal opportunities within governance frameworks to enhance cultural resource management in adaptation, risk reduction, and mitigation strategies. Rather than serving as prescriptive measures, they reflect common policy themes and suggest context-specific pathways to accelerate transformative governance. Our findings confirm widespread recognition of cultural resources in climate action and underscore the importance of stakeholder dialogue and the inclusion of both tangible and intangible cultural elements. However, significant gaps persist, including insufficient monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, weak cross-sectoral integration, and narrow definitions that hinder operationalizing intangible attributes. We conclude that fully leveraging cultural resources for transformative climate governance requires relational, reflexive, and multi-level approaches. Such strategies must optimize cultural resource management within existing governance systems while critically addressing broader unsustainable patterns </p
Stiffness estimation of delicate objects using a soft haptic whisker
No full text Soft whiskers allow for haptic sensing without damaging or altering the object being tested, which is particularly advantageous in delicate environments. A novel method for stiffness estimation using a soft haptic whisker is proposed in this research. The whisker, fabricated from Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), deforms upon contact with objects, allowing for non-invasive stiffness measurement. Utilizing force and moment readings at the whisker’s base, the system calculates the object’s stiffness based on shape deformations modeled using the Cosserat rod theory. Experimental validation was conducted on both flexible tree saplings in a lab and delicate plant structures, such as strawberry stalks and leaves, in a polytunnel. Results demonstrate that the soft whisker can measure stiffness without damaging the objects, offering up to 30 times lower contact forces compared to a rigid probe. This method provides a safe, efficient solution for interacting with sensitive environments, opening possibilities for its application in robotic manipulation of delicate items. </p
Risk perception among pilgrims at natural disaster-prone non-western pilgrimage sites
No full textHistorically associated with religious/devotional movements, pilgrimage is one of the earliest types of travel not driven by economic exclusively need but is linked to culture and traditions. In search of knowledge and spiritual solace, hundreds of millions of people from all walks of life visit holy sites. Often, pilgrims encounter dangers, risks, and natural disasters when they visit these locations. Adopting the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology, this study investigated the risk perception of 21 pilgrims travelling to disaster-prone pilgrimage sites in the Western Himalayas. The results of the study indicate that while faith, spiritual rewards, norms, and traditions of the community help reduce risk perception, anthropomorphic characteristics of the natural landscape of the pilgrim environment enhance the sense of safety among pilgrims. The study also contributes to a deeper understanding of the factors associated with the risk perception of pilgrims travelling to natural disaster-prone pilgrimage centres, particularly in developing countries.</p