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E2i Security R&I Toolbox – Preview
No full textThe E2i Security R&I Toolbox is a structured framework that guides users through the R&I process using a suite of tailored tools. It includes the Compass, Event, Core, Plus, and ELSA tools, each designed to support the different phases of security-focused research and innovation projects
Integration of methods for sustainability assessment of potentially circular processes – An innovative matrix framework for businesses and policymakers
Get PDFIn recent years, Circular Economy (CE) has become a popular topic on policy agendas as a promising, innovative avenue to enhance resource efficiency and economic prosperity. Thanks to a determined encouragement by the European Union, the measurement and assessment of circularity performances are starting to catch up at various levels. However, there is not yet any suitable method or assessment tool that allows one to properly address the sustainability of circularity for decision-making at an organisation and government/regional levels. To find a solution to this problem, the idea of integration of methods, indicators, and assessment tools became popular to abate the shortcomings of single-method applications. In such a rapidly changing research environment where new attempts are being made to better assess the sustainability of circular processes, the misplaced use of assessment methods and tools has become quite an issue amongst practitioners. To address such a risk, this paper attempts to detect, through a critical literature review, which are the existing CE-based sustainability assessment method combinations proposed in the literature. Through a rigorous analysis based on the key findings from the review, we devise a set of matrices that could serve as a positioning framework to help practitioners (stakeholders, policymakers, businesses) in their selection of the right tools and methods for measuring their sustainable transition towards a CE pattern
Macroeconomic models for assessing the transition towards a circular economy: A systematic review
No full textThe Circular Economy (CE) paradigm has gained traction in both academic discourse and industrial practice. While a transition towards a CE is generally associated with more sustainable futures, less is known about its socio-economic feasibility. This article provides a systematic literature review of contributions to macroeconomic modelling which evaluate environmental and socio-economic impacts of CE interventions (classified in terms of closing supply chains, resource efficiency, residual waste management, and product lifetime extension). Differences in modelling approaches (Leontief input-output, macroeconometric input-output, and computable general equilibrium), and underlying assumptions relating to changes in final demand and technology, are found to be significant drivers of differences in the modelled outcomes of CE interventions. Through this review, various research gaps are identified, including addressing the challenges to sectoral and regional disaggregation (allowing for the modelling of international trade-offs), broader consideration of societal issues beyond GDP and employment (such as environmental, gender or transnational justice), and consideration of broader modelling dynamics (such as rebound effects, the interplay between demand and distribution, and real-financial interactions)
Scoping review of lacrosse: match demands, physical performance and injury surveillance
Get PDFBackground: Lacrosse has seen an uptake in participation in the last two decades. Moreover, with small-sided variants (box lacrosse [BL] and sixes lacrosse [SL]), with the latter being considered by the international Olympic committee. However, for athletes to perform at the highest level across the variations of lacrosse (field lacrosse [FL], BL and SL), sports coaches, practitioners and national governing bodies need to understand the demands, physical performance characteristics and injury incidence. Objective: The objective of this scoping review is to explore the current state of the literature around lacrosse in key areas (match and training demands, physical performance and injury incidence). We additionally aimed to identify knowledge gaps in the literature. Methods: The latest methodological guidance Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews for scoping reviews was followed. A systematic literature search was conducted in several electronic databases (ProQuest, PubMed, SCOPUS and institutional library), using relevant key terms. The present study is largely descriptive and quantifies proportions (%) of studies. Results: Of the 4223 studies identified using the systematic search strategy, 120 studies were included within the final synthesis. 14 studies identified match or training demands across competitive levels and variations. 30 studies identified physical performance: 28 studies on FL athletes and two studies on BL. 75 studies identified injury incidence from lacrosse, all studies observed FL. Conclusions: According to the results of this scoping review, there are large gaps within the literature that should be addressed. As international SL will be included in Olympic events this should be a focus of future research, attempting to identify match and training demands, physical performance characteristics and injury incidence. Moreover, as SL players are likely to be also participating in FL and BL, it could rapidly increase the demands placed upon players, both physically and psychologically
Automatic Classification, Detection and Segmentation of Breast Arterial Calcification on Digital Mammography Images Using Deep Learning
Get PDFCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of premature death in the United Kingdom with one type, coronary artery disease, killing more than twice as many women as breast cancer. Conventional CVD risk factors have been shown to have less accuracy for females who are considered low-risk. Recently, researchers have noted that breast arterial calcification (BAC), which is regularly observed as an incidental finding on mammograms, could be used to risk-stratify women for CVD.In 2023, almost 2 million women attended breast screening clinics in England. Automatic BAC detection on mammograms could provide vital additional cardiovascular information, without the need for further invasive tests or radiation exposure, and could direct patients to relevant clinical pathways or therapies.As a first step in automating the BAC grading process, I developed deep learning models for BAC classification, object detection and segmentation using an anonymised dataset which was annotated for the presence and location of BAC under the guidance of two consultant radiologists. Data augmentation was used in both the classification and object detection networks, increasing the training data size.My modified ResNet22 network showed promise in classifying the presence or absence of BAC at image level, attaining a test accuracy of 80%, indicating that this method could be used as a simple flag for this purpose. I also used this network for feature extraction in Faster R-CNN and YOLO BAC object detection models. Despite improving on a recent similar study, these latter networks performed poorly with very low average precision scores at several thresholds. As an improvement, this study developed a DeepLabv3+-based BAC segmentation network which doubled the IoU obtained by another study using a similar model and achieved a BFScore of over 70% specifically for BAC.Based on the findings of this research, a two-step pipeline is recommended with our classifier triaging mammographic images for BAC and our segmentation model providing an indication of the extent of its presence. This could provide the basis for further research in order to realise the potential of concurrent, automatic BAC grading for women undergoing mammographic imaging
Employers’ and employees’ perceptions regarding promotion of health and well-being in the workplace
Get PDFBackground : The workplace has been identified as a suitable setting where adult populations can be reached for health promotion and prevention of disease. However, little is known about the workplace health and well-being environment in Kenya. The country is currently suffering from a high burden of non-communicable disease burden and has identified prevention as a key action to reduce incidence. This study aimed to explore employees' and employers’ perceptions of health and well-being in the workplace to understand what health and well-being mean to them, how employers and employees influence health and well-being in the workplace and perceptions regarding the role of organisations in enhancing health and well-being for employees.Methodology: This was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Participants were drawn from two urban organisations in Nairobi-Kenya. A total of eight employers and nine employees participated in the study. Findings: Three themes and seven subthemes were generated. The first theme dealt with meanings of health and well-being, where participants revealed that being free from disease, maintaining a healthy dietary lifestyle and being active was important to them. The second theme was about perceived Influences in the workplace that impacted employee health and well-being, including peer support, role models, and access to health information. The third theme dealt with enhanced workplace well-being, which included the perceived role of organisational support for employee health and well-being.Conclusions: Perceptions of health and well-being are multidimensional and contextual, where interplay and interconnectedness between individual, inter-personal and organisational levels exists. Employers recognise the risks of non-communicable diseases and the impact on employee productivity, absenteeism and presenteeism. Employers attempt to offer resources like subsidised gym memberships and health talks in a bid to enhance health and well-being at work, but the capacity to establish sustainable workplace health and well-being programmes is lacking. Peer support and role models are important in encouraging employees to participate in health and well-being activities. There is also no integration of the healthcare sector with workplaces to facilitate sustainable outcome-based health and well-being enhancement in the workplace. However, the study shows that workplaces have great potential and are suitable sites for health promotion and disease prevention. In this regard, a model for the integration of community health nursing practice with workplaces for health and well-being enhancement is proposed to guide future workplace health promotion design and implementation
Evaluating and Developing Force Plate Practice for Monitoring Lower-Body Neuromuscular Function in Soccer
Get PDFThe aim of this thesis was to evaluate and identify a best practice for force plate assessments for monitoring lower body NMF in soccer. It was evident following a literature review and scoping review that there is a variety of options for force plate testing application, but no general consensus on a best practice approach for the purpose of monitoring acute changes in NMF. The scoping review highlighted the CMJ and DJ tests as the most utilised in studies monitoring acute changes in NMF using force plates. From study 1, the HD Inc. wireless dual force plate system can be considered valid for collecting CMJ and DJ force-time data, because no fixed or proportional bias was present for any CMJ variable (N = 17) and was present for only 2 out of 18 DJ variables, where percentage differences were considered small when compared to a laboratory grade “gold standard” system. The mean effective fall height recorded during the DJ test was approximately 5 cm less than the prescribed 40 cm box height, which renders the DJ unsuitable as an assessment in physical profiling (i.e., for objective benchmarking) unless fall height can be established during trials. The utility of the CMRJ test (i.e., alternative RJ test where fall height is determined by a preceding CMJ) was investigated in study 2 following this determination. Acceptable test-retest reliability was demonstrated for 13 CMJ metrics for professional soccer players in the pre-season period in study 2 (a). Acceptable test-retest reliability was demonstrated for a limited number of CMJ (N = 5), DJ (i.e., only body weight and net braking impulse), CMRJ (i.e., only body weight and RJ portion net braking impulse) metrics and no IMTP metrics for youth soccer players in the pre-season period in study 2 (b). Acceptable test-retest reliability was demonstrated for 15 CMJ metrics for youth soccer players in the in-season period in study 2 (c). In study 3, a targeted sampling approach led to 7 professional EFL clubs with a total of 139 professional (age: 24 ± 5 years; height: 184 ± 7 cm; mass: 81 ± 9 kg) and 137 youth (age: 17 ± 1 years; height: 178 ± 17 cm; mass: 72 ± 8 kg) soccer players being recruited, where acceptable within-session reliability was demonstrated for 32 CMJ metrics, and 25 of these metrics discriminated between professional and youth soccer players in the pre-season period. Acceptable within-session reliability was demonstrated for all CMRJ CMJ portion (N = 5) and RJ portion (N = 25) metrics, and CMJ portion body weight and 20 RJ portion metrics discriminated between professional and youth soccer players in the pre-season period. Peak force and relative peak force derived from the IMTP test demonstrated acceptable within-session reliability and discriminated between professional and youth soccer players in the pre-season period. Out of the 15 CMJ metrics which demonstrated acceptable test-retest reliability in study 2 (c), 14 of these metrics demonstrated sensitivity to change and thus utility for monitoring acute changes in NMF following a competitive, in-season, youth soccer match in study 4. Based on the body of work produced within this thesis, the author proposes the use of a combination of 10 (out of an applicable 28) CMJ metrics for different purposes. Specifically, jump momentum, mean propulsive power, and mean propulsive force may be applied concurrently for objective benchmarking and monitoring acute changes in NMF. Additionally, metrics such as mRSI, JH, relative mean propulsive power, and relative mean propulsive force may be utilised as objective benchmarks for professional and youth soccer players in the pre-season period, and metrics such as propulsive phase time, countermovement depth, and body weight may be utilised for monitoring youth soccer players’ acute changes in NMF in the in-season period. From the key findings in study 3, practitioners may also utilise CMRJ RJ portion RSI, JH, jump momentum, mean propulsive force, relative mean propulsive force, mean propulsive power, and relative mean propulsive power, and IMTP peak force and relative peak force, for objective benchmarking for professional and youth soccer players in the pre-season period. A physical practitioner working in soccer can utilise the information presented within this thesis including test and metric selection, appropriate data collection and analysis procedures, statistical processes for determining objective benchmarks and observing meaningful change, and information regarding the practical application of these processes into real-world environments when utilising the wireless dual force plate systems
Resistance mechanisms to immune checkpoint inhibitors: updated insights
Get PDFThe last decade has witnessed unprecedented succusses with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in treating cancer. Nevertheless, the proportion of patients who respond favorably to the treatment remained rather modest, partially due to treatment resistance. This has fueled a wave of research into potential mechanisms of resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors which can be classified into primary resistance or acquired resistance after an initial response. In the current review, we summarize what is known so far about the mechanisms of resistance in terms of being tumor-intrinsic or tumor-extrinsic taking into account the multimodal crosstalk between the tumor, immune system compartment and other host-related factors
Mobilising Cross-Sectoral Collaboration in Creating Age-Friendly Cities: Case Studies from Akita and Manchester
Get PDFDeveloping Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (AFCCs) is an increasingly popular policy response to supporting ageing populations. AFCC programmes rely on cross-sectoral collaboration, involving partnerships among diverse stakeholders working across sectors to address shared goals. However, there remains a limited understanding of what mechanisms and strategies drive collaboration among diverse actors within age-friendly cities. To address this gap, this empirical paper draws on examples from a comparative case study across Akita (Japan) and Manchester (UK), two cities with distinct demographic profiles but both with a longstanding commitment to the age-friendly approach. Case studies were created through a range of data collection methods, namely, a review of secondary data sources, semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, and fieldwork in each city. Key insights from the case studies relating to the mobilisation of cross-sectoral collaboration were categorised into three themes: leadership and influencing, co-production, and place-based working. These mechanisms are not mutually exclusive; collaboration building through co-production and place-based working is essential to deliver age-friendly programmes, but these mechanisms rely on leadership and influence. Therefore, it is recommended that all three mechanisms be used to effectively mobilise cross-sectoral collaborations to collectively create AFCC and support healthy ageing
Treatment Utilisation and Satisfaction With Management in Individuals With Osteoarthritis and Metabolic Multimorbidity: A Cross‐Sectional Multi‐Country Study
Get PDFPurpose: To compare treatment utilisation for osteoarthritis (OA) and satisfaction with OA management between individuals with and without comorbid metabolic conditions (e.g., diabetes, obesity, dyslipidaemia, hypertension). Methods: Secondary analysis of a cross‐sectional international survey study (Italy, Russia, Sweden) on people ≥ 40 years old with knee/hip OA. Metabolic comorbidity was self‐reported. We used direct standardisation with prevalence ratios and mixed‐effect models to estimate the associations between comorbidity with treatment utilisation and satisfaction (score 0–100). Results: We analysed 401 individuals (48% Sweden, 28% Italy, 24% Russia; 53% with ≥ 1 metabolic condition). Those with and without comorbid metabolic conditions showed similar prevalence for first‐line interventions (exercise, education, and weight management). Metabolically unhealthy individuals showed higher use of opioids (prevalence ratio [95% CI] 1.9 [1.3–2.4]), antidepressants (1.8 [1.1–2.5]), corticosteroid injections (1.4 [1.0−1.8]), and homoeopathic products (2.1 [1.2–3.0]). Satisfaction with care (adjusted difference: −3.9 [95% CI: −8.5 to 2.4]) and information received about treatments (−4.0 [−9.7 to 1.7]) were similar. Conclusions: While first‐line OA interventions were similarly used, those with metabolic conditions relied more on second‐line and non‐recommended treatments, showing comparable satisfaction. More effort is needed to increase the adoption of lifestyle‐focused treatments in OA and to minimise the use of less recommended options among individuals with metabolic comorbidities
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