21649 research outputs found
Sort by
Experiences of a lived experience recovery organisation for those in abstinence-based substance use recovery: a thematic analysis
Full text linkBackground: Lived experience recovery organisations (LEROs) are social support services facilitated by those who have shared lived experience. Typically, they aim to build shared identity and reducing stigma in this area, although there is limited knowledge on the experiences of those using LEROs, with research rarely permitted into these groups. The current study aims to provide insight into these groups, examining the experiences of service users in a UK-based LERO focussed on substance use disorder recovery. Methods: Fifteen service users were interviewed about their experiences attending this LERO. Transcripts from these semi-structured interviews were thematically analysed by authors, with an inductive approach adopted. Results: Eight themes and 10 sub-themes were identified. Themes were; Feeling supported in recovery, Experiencing life outside of substance use disorder, Fun, Skills acquisition, Preventing relapse by filling time, Gaining a sense of community, Psychological impact, and Changes in public perception. Participants reported having a positive experience within this LERO, particularly in comparison to traditional treatment pathways. Specifically, participants highlighted feelings of self-worth, belongingness, and enjoyment from this LERO – experiences they felt made this treatment pathway unique. Conclusion: This paper highlighted the importance of peer support in substance use disorder recovery. Embedding those with lived experience into services was highly valued by participants and generated a unique culture of comfort, hope and opportunity. Although the scope of this study was limited to participants only currently attending this organisation, those interviewed significantly valued this LERO, highlighting their future potential to alleviate the lack of satisfaction reported by some around traditional treatment methods
The Critical Role of IoT for Enabling the UK’s Built Environment Transition to Net Zero
Full text linkThe built environment contributes approximately 25% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions, positioning it as a critical sector in the national net-zero strategy. This review investigates the enabling role of the domestic smart metering infrastructure combined with other IoT systems in accelerating the decarbonisation of residential buildings. Drawing from experience gained from governmental and commercially funded R&D projects, the article demonstrates how smart metering data can be leveraged to assess building energy performance, underpin cost-effective carbon reduction solutions, and enable energy flexibility services for maintaining grid stability. Unlike controlled laboratory studies, this review article focuses on real-world applications where data from publicly available infrastructure is accessed and utilised, enhancing scalability and policy relevance. The integration of smart meter data with complementary IoT data—such as indoor temperature, weather conditions, and occupancy—substantially improves built environment digital energy analytics. This capability was previously unattainable due to the absence of a nationwide digital energy infrastructure. The insights presented in this work highlight the untapped potential of the UK’s multibillion-pound investment in smart metering, offering a scalable pathway for low-carbon innovation for the built environment, thus supporting the broader transition to a net-zero future
Assessment of the role of nanotechnology in water sector: an expert opinion
Full text linkWater scarcity and pollution are significant global challenges impacting human health, the environment, and economic development. Addressing these issues is a priority under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Despite progress, research for sustainable approaches in water resource management continues to evolve. This study investigates the role of nanotechnology in the water sector, focusing on its applications in water purification and addressing challenges in adoption. Expert opinions from 29 participants across diverse regions, including Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East, were analysed to provide a global perspective. According to the results of experts, nano catalysts (34.48%) were the most encountered technology, followed by nanofiltration membranes (31.03%), nano-adsorbents (27.59%), and carbon nanotubes (6.9%). While 68.97% of experts are concerned about the potential toxicity of nanomaterials, 20.69% about high operational costs, and 10.34% about higher energy consumption. Over 80% of experts agreed that collaboration among scientists, engineers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders is crucial for achieving sustainable and scalable solutions. The study underscores the need for innovative research to reduce the cost of nanomaterials, improve energy efficiency of processes by developing low-energy nanofiltration membranes, and mitigate toxicity risks through the development of biodegradable or safer-by-design nanoparticles. Furthermore, the findings emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and regulatory frameworks to mitigate environmental risks and make nanotechnology more accessible and scalable for industrial and residential applications
Evaluation of Tripterygium wilfordii derived compounds as novel treatments for medulloblastoma
No full textMedulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumour diagnosed in children, accounting for 20-25% of paediatric brain tumours globally. Currently, available therapies are effective; however, prominent off-target effects can lead to long-term iatrogenic complications. Negatively impacting the quality of life for decades after treatment completion. Phytochemicals offer a potential solution to the need for safer treatments. Medicinal compounds derived from the plant Tripterygium wilfordii havebeen used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine, with recent studies showing potent anti-cancer effects. To date, the effects on medulloblastoma have not been explored. This study aims to rectify this and begin to elucidate the method by which triptolide causes medulloblastoma cells to die. The effects of five T. wilfordii derivatives on medulloblastoma (HD-MB-03 & DAOY) viability were determined using MTT assays, with additional long-term proliferation assays completed with the most potent derivative triptolide. Following this, the effects of triptolide on medulloblastoma cell morphology, cell fate profile, and migratory capacity were established through time-lapse live-cell microscopy. Through flow cytometry, the type of cell death (Annexin-V/Propidium iodide) and the mechanism behind it (Rhodamine 123) could start to be elucidated.All T. wilfordii derivatives exhibited concentration- and time-dependent effects on the viability of different medulloblastoma subtypes, with IC50 values ranging from 16 nM to 0.71 µM across the cell lines HD-MBO3 and DAOY after 72 hours. Decreases in viability of 95 % were seen in both cell lines after 72-hour triptolide treatments. Of the five compounds examined, triptolide was identified as the most potent and taken forward for further analysis. Cell fate profiling revealed significant concentration-dependent effects on the cell cycle of HD-MBO3 cells after triptolide treatment, with a significant increase (p < 0.0001) in interphase duration after 10 nM triptolide. Analysis by flow cytometry confirmed an induction of apoptosis after 20 nM triptolide treatment and a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential with 40 nM triptolide in HD-MBO3 cells. Migration was inhibited in DAOY cells at concentrations of 0.125 µM. In conclusion, T. wilfordii derivatives have potent cytotoxic effects on medulloblastoma cells. Triptolide also showed strong anti-migratory and anti-proliferative effects and induces the induction of apoptosis through decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential, indicating potential intrinsic apoptosis as a mechanism of action, and highlighting the diversity of anti-cancer effects exerted by triptolide
Physical Behaviour in postpartum Emirati women: associations with diet, sleep, quality of life and self-efficacy
No full textBackground: The United Arab Emirates has reported increasing rates of obesity over the previous two decades. This has been associated with a rise in non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes and cardiometabolic disorders. These factors have led to unhealthy habits such as physical inactivity, and excessive nutritional intake, which have further exacerbated obesity. Female obesity in the country stands at 39% as opposed to male obesity at 27%; with women being more at risk due to weight retention following multiple pregnancies, excessive nutritional intake, decreased physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle. This can have long-term health related consequences and create considerable burden on the healthcare system. There is limited literature in the UAE concerning the Emirati postpartum population, who are native to the region and culturally distinct while looking at these variables. Therefore, this thesis aims to examine physical behaviour in postnatal Emirati women and explore associations with diet, sleep, quality of life, and exercise self-efficacy. Furthermore, it also looks to gain insight into their postnatal experience during the pandemic.Methods: A concurrent embedded mixed methods design was used to collect data from 106 Emirati women ranging from six weeks postpartum until one year after birth. Participants were asked to provide sociodemographic information and complete questionnaires regarding physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire and personal fitness device/activity tracker for step count), dietary intake, sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), Health-related Quality of Life (RAND SF-36), and self-efficacy (Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale). In addition, they were asked to participate in a semi-structured interview about their physical activity during the pandemic and their postpartum experiences. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS and qualitative data using NVivo.Results: 106 participants completed the questionnaires, and eleven women completed the interviews. Quantitative data were reported as frequencies, percentages, and means/medians. Statistical tests were conducted to find significance/association between variables. Qualitative data were presented as common themes using thematic analysis. 32.1% of women demonstrated low PA, almost 50% of participants were at moderate to high risk of cardiometabolic disease due xixto increased sitting time, and almost 50% taking less than 7499 steps per day. Before the pandemic 45.3% identified as good sleepers as compared to 25.5% during the pandemic. Conversely, the percentage of poor sleepers increased to 74.5% during the pandemic as compared to 53.7% before the pandemic. Associations were also found between PA and different variables of sleep, QOL and ESE. Qualitative analysis revealed five key themes: physical activity (including barriers, motivations, and changes post-birth and during COVID), dietary habits (such as healthy eating and food as a coping strategy), sleep disturbances (and their emotional and physical impact), mental health challenges (notably postnatal depression and anxiety), and the role of social and family support.Conclusions:Associations can be seen between PA and different variables of sleep, QOL and ESE supported by the qualitative interviews as well. This suggests that the postpartum is a unique time for Emirati women with differing needs despite a common shared experience. Further research can be conducted to determine causative relationships between PA and all variables. Additionally, future research can also look at different populations in the UAE to be able to help policy makers inform clinical practice as well as provide frameworks for physical activity for postnatal populations in the countr
An exploration of the lived experiences of the ‘sense of self’ in codependency
No full textAim: The research conducted in the codependency field so far has provided little focus on the link between codependency and the sense of self. Although some has been completed, there is limited research about the lived experiences of the sense of self as expressed by people who have experienced codependency. The current study gained an in-depth understanding of the experience of self and codependency byusing a qualitative approach. The study focused on the experiences of adult participants, and explored the following: people’s understanding of codependency; how codependency impacted different areas of their lives; how people who have experienced codependency describe their ‘self’; coping mechanisms they have used to support or protect the way they perceived the ‘self’; support and interventions accessed and their impact on helping them change the way they perceived their ‘self’.Methodology: Using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 7 participants who self-identified as having experienced codependency. Participants were recruited using a purposive snowball and opportunistic sample. Using thematic analysis, verbatim transcripts of the interviews were analysed to identify emerging themes.Results: The findings of the study include three main themes. The first theme identifies the potential for a unified view of codependency and offers an updated definition of the phenomenon. This research also explores the processes and experiences of the Self in codependency (from the Hiding and Protective Selves in theme two, to the Aware and Authentic Selves in theme three), highlighting the journeyto the possibility of a unified Core Self.Keywords: sense of self, lived experiences, codependency
Telomere Tales: Exploring the Impact of Stress, Sociality, and Exercise on Dogs’ Cellular Aging
Full text linkAnimal welfare is influenced by the cumulative life experiences of an individual. Among these, exposure to chronic stressors has a significant impact on both physical and mental health, contributing to premature aging—a process linked to telomere shortening. Conversely, positive experiences have been shown to mitigate, delay, and sometimes reverse telomere attrition. This suggests that telomere length could be a reliable indicator for assessing animal welfare. This study explored the association between telomere length and characteristics such as life history, environment, and health in domestic dogs. Buccal swabs collected DNA samples from 250 dogs, and telomere length was quantified via qPCR. Our findings revealed that environmental factors significantly influenced telomere length. Dogs housed in kennels or subjected to low physical activity levels exhibited shorter telomeres. Similarly, dogs living in groups of more than five dogs had shorter telomeres, and male dogs were found to have longer telomeres than females. Overall, these results highlight the importance of environmental conditions in influencing telomere length in dogs and the potential to use this biological indicator to evaluate animal welfare
Recycling and valorisation of plastic waste for contribution to the circular economy
No full textWith global plastic waste generation projected to triple by 2050, alongside continued dependence on fossil fuels and growing demand for greener materials, the need for sustainable resource recovery and energy solutions is urgent. Conventional recycling methods struggle with mixed plastic waste streams, whereas pyrolysis—a thermochemical conversion process—offers a promising route to valorisation. However, research on mixed-plastic pyrolysis remains limited, particularly on strategies for utilising its byproduct, char, which is often at risk of disposal. This study explores the potential of pyrolysis-derived char and oil from mixed plastic waste as high-value materials for sustainable applications.Three controlled pyrolysis experiments were performed on mixed plastics (LDPE, HDPE, PP, PS) with additions of PET and zeolite catalysts to optimise char yield. The resulting oils were analysed (pH, viscosity, density, FTIR, GC-MS) and compared with commercial diesel, while chars were characterised by particle size analysis, XRF, XRD, FTIR, and SEM. Char sieved to <63 μm was incorporated into epoxy/E-glass fibre composites (0–10 wt%) via hand layup, and into polypropylene (PP) and recycled polypropylene (rPP) matrices (0–20 wt%) using injection moulding. The resulting composites were evaluated through mechanical, microstructural, electrical, and thermal testing (tensile, flexural, impact, hardness, interlaminar shear, fibre volume fraction, SEM-EDX, resistivity, TGA/DSC).The addition of PET and zeolite increased char yield from 2.5% to 18.53%. Oil properties were broadly comparable to diesel, with FTIR and GC-MS showing hydrocarbon-rich structures, though with differences in aromatic content and branching; one oil fraction (PO1) displayed particularly favourable fuel characteristics. Char analysis revealed mixed fine/coarse microparticles, primarily carbonates and aromatic compounds with crystalline phases and elements such as calcium and titanium. In GFRP composites, flexural strength, modulus, and impact resistance peaked at 2.5% filler, hardness at 5%, and interlaminar shear strength at 7.5%, while fibre volume fraction decreased by ~25% at 10%. TGA indicated neat GFRP had the greatest stability, though 2.5% filler improved resistance relative to higher loadings. Electrical testing confirmed strong insulating behaviour.For PP and rPP composites, tensile and impact strengths were highest at 5% filler, with hardness improving at 10%. Microstructural analysis showed good fibre–filler adhesion in GFRP at low levels, while PP and rPP exhibited voids and agglomeration at 20%. Thermal analysis revealed that although neat PP degraded most, char addition significantly improved stability, especially at higher loadings (20% for PP, 15% for rPP).Overall, these findings demonstrate that pyrolysis char is a viable reinforcement filler for polymer composites, while the oil shows potential as an alternative fuel. Together, they underscore the role of mixed-plastic pyrolysis in advancing circular economy pathways and sustainable plastic waste management
A mixed methods study to understand access to prosthetic and orthotic services in Tanzania
No full textBackgroundAccess to prosthetic and orthotic (P&O) services is crucial for individuals with physical disabilities, yet significant disparities persist in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Tanzania. This thesis aims to explore and understand access to P&O services and devices for people with physical disabilities in the Tanzanian context. MethodsA sequential mixed methods approach was used to investigate factors influencing the accessibility of these services using four key studies. The first, presented in Chapter 2, is a qualitative meta-synthesis that uses the three-delays model as a framework to analyse barriers and delays limiting P&O service access in LMICs. Chapter 5 builds on this by analysing hospital data to identify patterns and characteristics of individuals utilising P&O services at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) and Comprehensive Community-Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CCBRT). This secondary analysis employed non-parametric descriptive tests to assess data distribution across various variables. Finally, Chapters 7 and 8 explore patients' and P&O clinicians’ experiences, which were collected using in-depth interviews with data analysed using inductive reflexive thematic analysis. FindingsThe findings reveal several critical factors affecting access to P&O services in Tanzania. Cultural and religious beliefs, fragmented referral pathways, and reliance on alternative sources of care significantly impact access to P&O services. Although available, public financing schemes were limited, primarily benefiting the formally employed. Service quality was influenced by different models of care provision, shaping patient reintegration, expectations, and participation. The interplay of sex, gender roles, and disability resulted in notable disparities in access between men and women. ConclusionThese insights hold important clinical, training and policy implications, emphasising the necessity for designing patient-centered services that address these challenges in Tanzania and other LMICs facing similar issues
Struck-Out Handwritten Word Detection and Restoration for Automatic Descriptive Answer Evaluation
No full textUnlike objective type evaluation, descriptive answer evaluation is challenging due to unpredictable answers and free writing style of answers. Because of these, descriptive answer evaluation has received special attention from many researchers. Automatic answer evaluation is useful for the following situations. It can avoid human intervention for marking, eliminates bias marking and most important is that it can save huge manpower. To develop an efficient and accurate system, there are several open challenges. One such open challenge is cleaning the document, which includes struck-out words removal and restoring the struck-out words. In this paper, we have proposed a system for struck-out handwritten word detection and restoration for automatic descriptive answer evaluation. The work has two stages. In the first stage, we explore the combination of ResNet50 and the diagonal line (principal and secondary diagonal lines) segmentation module for detecting words and then classifying struck-out words using a classification network. In the second stage, we explore the combination of U-Net as a backbone and Bi-LSTM for predicting pixels that represent actual text information of the struck-out words based on the relationship between sequences of pixels for restoration. Experimental results on our dataset and standard datasets show that the proposed model is impressive for struck-out word detection and restoration. A comparative study with the state-of-the-art methods shows that the proposed approach outperforms the existing models in terms of struck-out word detection and restoration
Data sources:
Access Repository Dashboard
Do you manage University of Salford Institutional Repository? Access insider analytics, issue reports and manage access to outputs from your repository in the CORE Repository Dashboard!