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An ontological framework for organising and describing behaviours: The Human Behaviour Ontology [version 2; peer review: 3 approved with reservations]
Get PDFBackground
Human behaviours have been classified in domains such as health, occupation and sustainability. We aimed to develop a broadly applicable behavioural framework to facilitate integrating evidence across domains.
Methods
The Human Behaviour Ontology (HBO), a part of the Behaviour Change Intervention Ontology (BCIO), was developed by: (1) specifying its scope, (2) identifying candidate classes from existing classifications, (3) refining it by annotating behaviours in relevant literature, (4) a stakeholder review with behavioural and ontology experts, (5) testing the inter-rater reliability of its use in annotating research reports, (6) refining classes and their relations, (7) reviewing its coverage of behaviours in theories and (8) publishing its computer-readable version.
Results
The initial ontology contained 128 classes (Steps 1–4), achieving an inter-rater reliability of 0.63 for familiar researchers and 0.74 after minor adjustments (to the ontology and guidance) for unfamiliar researchers. Following Steps 6–7, the published ontology included 230 classes, with six upper-level behavioural classes: human behaviour, individual human behaviour, individual human behaviour pattern, individual human behaviour change, population behaviour and population behaviour pattern. ‘Individual human behaviour’ was defined as “a bodily process of a human that involves co-ordinated contraction of striated muscles controlled by the brain”, with its 159 subclasses organised across high-level classes relating to: experiences (e.g., playing); expression (e.g., laughing); reflectiveness; harm (e.g., self-injury behaviour); harm prevention; coping; domestic activities; goals; habits; health (e.g., undergoing vaccination); life-function (e.g., breathing behaviour); interactions with materials (e.g., consumption); bodily care (e.g., washing); position (e.g., postural behaviour); social environments (e.g., communication); and behavioural substitution. Additional classes needed for characterising behaviours (e.g., frequency and duration), their attributes and behavioural abstinence were included. Relations were defined for timings, locations, participants, mental processes, functions, goals and outcomes.
Conclusions
The HBO provides an extensive and detailed framework for describing human behaviours
Enhancing autophagy by redox regulation extends lifespan in Drosophila
Get PDFDysregulation of redox homeostasis is implicated in the ageing process and the pathology of age-related diseases. To study redox signalling by H2O2 in vivo, we established a redox-shifted model by manipulating levels of the H2O2-degrading enzyme catalase in Drosophila. Here we report that ubiquitous over-expression of catalase robustly extends lifespan in females. As anticipated, these flies are strongly resistant to a range of oxidative stress challenges, but interestingly are sensitive to starvation, which could not be explained by differences in levels of energy reserves. This led us to explore the contribution of autophagy, which is an important mechanism for organismal survival in response to starvation. We show that autophagy is essential for the increased lifespan by catalase upregulation, as the survival benefits are completely abolished upon global autophagy knock-down. Furthermore, using a specific redox-inactive knock-in mutant, we highlight the in vivo role of a key regulatory cysteine residue in Atg4a, which is required for the lifespan extension in our catalase model. Altogether, these findings confirm the redox regulation of autophagy in vivo as an important modulator of longevity
Can we ever have evidence-based decision making in orthopaedics?:A qualitative evidence synthesis and conceptual framework
Get PDFBackground The perception and use of scientific evidence in orthopaedic surgical decision-making is variable, and there is considerable variation in practice. A previous conceptual framework described eight different drivers of orthopaedic surgical decision-making: formal codified and managerial knowledge, medical socialisation, cultural, normative and political influence, training and formal education, experiential factors, and individual patient and surgeon factors. This Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES) aims to refine the conceptual framework to understand how these drivers of decision-making are applied to orthopaedic surgical work in a dynamic and fluid way. Methods A QES explored how different types of knowledge and evidence inform decision-making to explore why there is so much variation in orthopaedic surgical work. Nine databases were systematically searched from 2014 to 2023. Screening was undertaken independently by two researchers. Data extraction and quality assessment were undertaken by one researcher and accuracy checked by another. Findings were mapped to the conceptual framework and expanded through thematic synthesis. Results Twenty-five studies were included. Our re-conceptualised framework of evidence-based orthopaedics portrays how surgeons undergo a constant process of medical brokering to make decisions. Routinely standardising, implementing and regulating surgical decision making presents a challenge when the decision-making process is in a constant state of flux. We found that surgeons constantly prioritise drivers of decision-making in a flexible and context-specific manner. We introduce the concept of socialisation in decision making, which describes “the socialisation of factors affecting decision-making. Socialisation is additive to surgeon identity and organisational capacity, which as explanatory linchpins act to mediate our understanding of how and why surgical decision-making varies. Our conceptual framework allows us to rationalise why formal codified knowledge, typically endorsed through clinical guidelines, consistently plays a limited role in orthopaedic decision-making. Conclusions We present a re-conceptualised framework for understanding what drives real world decision-making in orthopaedics. This framework highlights the dynamic and fluid way these drivers of decision-making are applied in orthopaedic surgical work. A shift in orthopaedics is required away from prioritising informal, experiential knowledge first to incorporating evidence-based sources of evidence as essential for decision-making. This paradigm shift, views decision-making as a complex intervention, that requires alternative approaches underpinned by multi-faceted, evidence-based implementation strategies to encourage evidence-based practice. Registration PROSPERO CRD42022311442 Clinical Trial Number Not applicable
Workshop Facilitation Guide: Ecolabel Recognition & Trust in Textile Fashion
Get PDFEcolabels play an increasingly central role in guiding sustainability efforts within the textile and fashion industry. They aim to influence consumer behaviour, support responsible production, and build trust through environmental and social claims. Yet research shows that ecolabels often fall short, their meanings are unclear, their criteria lack transparency, and their visual design can overshadow the actual substance they are meant to communicate. As a result, ecolabels risk becoming more about marketing than meaningful sustainability.
This interactive, research-informed workshop invites participants from diverse disciplines to explore how visual design influences perception and trust in ecolabels. Through hands-on activities and critical reflection, we will examine how scientific evidence can be better communicated through simple, recognisable labels, and why this matters for both consumer understanding and regulatory credibility. Together, we’ll explore the challenges and opportunities of ecolabels as tools for more effective sustainability communication and governance
Remote Caries Assessment with CariesCare International: Accuracy of Smartphone and Professional Camera Images
No full textA sclerochronology defined 600-year baseline of marine dynamics in the North Sea
Get PDFArctica islandica is a long-lived marine bivalve mollusc that inhabits the continental shelf seas of the North Atlantic Ocean at subpolar and temperate latitudes. Growth increments formed within A. islandica shells can be analysed to form annually resolved and absolutely dated sclerochronologies that are considered the marine counterpart to dendrochronologies. Here, we present an updated A. islandica chronology from the Fladen Ground (North Sea) that spans between CE 1410 and 2021. The A. islandica chronology significantly (p < 0.05) covaries with observational local sea surface productivity, subsurface seawater temperature and sea surface salinity. These analyses highlight the potential sensitivity of the chronology to the variability in the regional seawater temperature and salinity, and atmospheric circulation patterns (wind stress and the summer North Atlantic Oscillation). The connection between the atmospheric circulation patterns and A. islandica shell growth is likely due to fluctuations in the strength of the Atlantic inflows into the North Sea and local mixing. This highlights the significant potential in using A. islandica records to provide long-term baselines of North Sea marine dynamics. These baselines are critical for understanding the impact future changes in regional oceanic and atmospheric variability may have on North Sea ecosystems and fisheries. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Shifting seas: understanding deep-time human impacts on marine ecosystems’
A bootstrapped automated pipeline for developing model predictive controllers for non-domestic buildings
Get PDFIn this paper, we motivate and investigate an alternative approach to the development of predictive models for the practical implementation of model predictive control in non-domestic buildings. We describe how the process can be ‘bootstrapped’ with a very simple model, the crude nature of which illustrates the robustness of our approach. A predictive model for the controller is refined/adapted to the building in operation while maintaining climate control throughout at all times using closed-loop system identification. To remove the necessity for human intervention, we have used genetic programming to learn the predictive models since this combines a number of what are traditionally sequential search operations into a single step. We report preliminary results of a series of simulation experiments that validate the basic approach, and identify further research needed to develop the proposed methodology. Our approach facilitates the adoption of model predictive control by using commissioning data and refinement of models with data from the occupied building, while maintaining thermal comfort
Adapting an Osteoarthritis Peer Mentorship Intervention for Remote Delivery to People Experiencing Socioeconomic Disadvantage: A Multi-Method Approach.
Get PDFBackground
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common musculoskeletal condition which can cause debilitating pain and other symptoms. OA is more prevalent, and the impact is greater, among people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage. While peer support is a recommended strategy for addressing these health inequalities, evidence in this area is limited. We previously developed and feasibility tested an in-person OA peer mentorship intervention in a group with limited diversity. This study adapted the intervention for remote delivery to people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage.
Methods
This multi-method study was informed by the ADAPT guidance. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 20 adults with hip/knee OA experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage to explore barriers and enablers to engagement with remote OA peer mentorship. The findings and project team members' suggestions informed provisional adaptations. The intervention was further adapted and finalised through two participatory workshops conducted with five people with relevant lived experience, four community organisation representatives, and six Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) representatives; and four intervention delivery practice runs undertaken by four PPI representatives.
Findings
A wide range of barriers and enablers were identified to two target behaviours – using self-management strategies and attending remote OA peer mentorship sessions. The identified barriers/enablers and additional study activities led to various adaptations. These spanned the delivery and content of the peer mentor training, mentorship sessions, and supporting resources. The adapted intervention consists of six 1-h self-management support sessions delivered remotely by a trained peer mentor. The remote format is flexible, with support available for addressing barriers related to making videoconferencing calls.
Conclusions
This study rigorously and systematically adapted an in-person OA peer mentorship intervention for remote delivery to people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage. Employing a multi-method approach with diverse partners was key to identifying what adaptations were required.
Patient or Public Contribution
PPI representatives played a central role in this study as project team members (two individuals), Project Advisory Group members (three individuals), and wider PPI group members (six additional individuals). This extensive PPI aimed to ensure the adapted OA peer mentorship intervention is useful, acceptable, and accessible to the people it aims to benefit.
Trial Registration
ISRCTN registration of the overall project was obtained on 18 May 2023 (ISRCTN78088278)
A multispecific checkpoint inhibitor nanofitin with a fast tumor accumulation property and anti-tumor activity in immune competent mice
Get PDFImmune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer treatment but remain limited by on-target/off-tumor effects that narrow their therapeutic window. Although PD-L1 is mainly expressed by tumor cells, these effects could reduce bloodstream availability and tumor accumulation of PD-L1 inhibitors. Enhancing tumor specificity through bispecific proteins targeting two tumor-associated antigens offers a promising strategy. This study evaluated a bispecific Nanofitin, B10–B11, targeting PD-L1 and EGFR. In vitro, B10–B11 efficiently bound to human A431 and murine CT26 cell lines, validating these models for in vivo studies. Nanofitins’ accumulation in tumors and their anti-tumor efficacy were assessed, respectively, in A431 xenograft and CT26 immunocompetent mouse models. In both experiments, B10–B11 was compared with its albumin binding fused counterpart (B10–B11-ABNF). This study showed that the dual-targeting approach with the bispecific Nanofitin enhanced in vitro PD-L1 neutralization compared to the monomeric form and led to in vivo anti-tumor activity evidenced by reduced tumor growth and increased CD3+ T cells and F4/80+ macrophages in tumors. This activity was further correlated with Nanofitin’s tumor accumulation at 7 h post-injection, which was highest for the B10–B11-ABNF. This study highlights the potential of bispecific Nanofitins, particularly with albumin binding to enable rapid and uniform tumor accumulation of effective PD-L1 immunotherapy
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