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“They kind of found different ways of being together without being together” – family approaches to meeting children’s social needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Full text linkBefore the COVID-19 pandemic, there was already considerable concern for the mental health and wellbeing of UK children, including those of primary school age. Friendship and resilience are two factors which can help children to cope in times of adversity. The pandemic and measures such as lockdown and school closures made it difficult for children to maintain their friendships in the usual ways and moreover were themselves an enormous source of stress and worry, which is likely to have further impacted the mental wellbeing of the nation’s children. This study sought to explore how families experienced the pandemic in terms of their children’s lack of access to their habitual routines and contact with their friends, by interviewing fifteen mothers of primary school-aged children during the summer and early Autumn of 2020. Interviewees revealed how they and their children attempted to meet children’s social needs during the first national lockdown and its subsequent easing, aware, through attunement, that isolation and loneliness was detrimental to their children’s wellbeing. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse and interpret the interview transcripts, and three main themes were constructed which explored the resilience and adaptation that parents and children exhibited in order to meet the children’s social needs. The implications and contribution of this research, as well as its limitations, are discussed. Children’s wellbeing, healthy development and their ability to cope in adversity are reliant on time and space to be with their friends (Graber et al., 2016). Caregivers can offer support and facilitation of this (online and offline) contact when children’s normal means of socialising become unavailable
Deep Learning Based Fault Prediction in Wireless Sensor Network Embedded Cyber-Physical Systems for Industrial Processes
No full textThis paper investigates the challenging fault prediction problem in process industries that adopt autonomous and intelligent cyber-physical systems (CPS), which is in line with the emerging developments of industrial internet of things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0. Particularly, we developed an end-to-end deep learning approach based on a large volume of real-time sensory data collected from a chemical plant equipped with wireless sensors. Firstly, a novel recursive architecture with multi-lookback inputs is proposed to perform autoregression on imbalanced time-series data as a preliminary prediction. In this process, a novel learning algorithm named recursive gradient descent (RGD) is developed for the proposed architecture to reduce cumulative prediction uncertainties. Subsequently, a classification model based on temporal convolutions over multiple channels with decay effect is proposed to perform multi-class classification for fault root cause identification and localization. The overall network is named the cumulative uncertainty reduction network (CURNet), for its superior capacity in reducing prediction uncertainties accumulated over multiple prediction steps. Performance evaluations show that CURNet is able to achieve superior performance especially in terms of fault prediction recall and fault type classification accuracy, compared to the existing techniques
Digital technologies can enhance climate resilience of critical infrastructure
No full textDelivering infrastructure, resilient to multiple natural hazards and climate change, is fundamental to continued economic prosperity and social coherence. This is a strategic priority of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), public policies and global initiatives. The operability and functionality of critical infrastructure are continuously challenged by multiple stressors, increasing demands and ageing, whilst their interconnectedness and dependencies pose additional challenges. Emerging and disruptive digital technologies have the potential to enhance climate resilience of critical infrastructure, by providing rapid and accurate assessment of asset condition and support decision-making and adaptation. In this pursuit, it is imperative to adopt multidisciplinary roadmaps and deploy computational, communication and other digital technologies, tools and monitoring systems. Nevertheless, the potential of these emerging technologies remains largely unexploited, as there is a lack of consensus, integrated approaches and legislation in support of their use. In this perspective paper, we discuss the main challenges and enablers of climate-resilient infrastructure and we identify how available roadmaps, tools and emerging digital technologies, e.g. Internet of Things, digital twins, point clouds, Artificial Intelligence, Building Information Modelling, can be placed at the service of a safer world. We show how digital technologies will lead to infrastructure of enhanced resilience, by delivering efficient and reliable decision-making, in a proactive and/or reactive manner, prior, during and after hazard occurrences. In this respect, we discuss how emerging technologies significantly reduce the uncertainties in all phases of infrastructure resilience evaluations. Thus, building climate-resilient infrastructure, aided by digital technologies, will underpin critical activities globally, contribute to Net Zero target and hence safeguard our societies and economies. To achieve this we set an agenda, which is aligned with the relevant SDGs and highlights the urgent need to deliver holistic and inclusive standards and legislation, supported by coordinated alliances, to fully utilise emerging digital technologies
Increased admissions to paediatric wards with a primary mental health diagnosis: results of a survey of a network of eating disorder paediatricians in England
No full textOptimising Audio Reproduction in the Domestic Environment Incorporating Ad-Hoc Devices
Full text linkTo experience loudspeaker-based immersive audio at home, listeners are currentlyrequired to own surround-sound systems, otherwise they are relegated to receivinga compromised experience. A study was undertaken, revealing low ownership byhouseholds of surround-sound systems (11.5%) and soundbars (16.9%). Ownershipwas higher for portable audio-capable devices, including wireless loudspeakers (17.5%),tablets (66.3%) and mobile phones (82.5%). This motivated development of techniquesto optimise reproduction for the unique listener and loudspeaker arrangements whichexist in homes, using those portable, ad-hoc devices.First, we examined a range of approaches through which ad-hoc devices could be usedto improve listening experiences. This was achieved through an exploratory listeningexperiment, performed via creation of a representative playback environment, a highqualityand format-agnostic dataset of programme items, and a broad set of novelrendering approaches validated by industry experts. The experiment revealed thatrepositioning non-dialogue elements of the programmes, whilst restricting dialogue tothe main loudspeakers, had the most consistent positive effect. This was observed mostprominently for attributes related to spatial extent, such as envelopment.Next, a system to automatically optimise listener experience for arbitrary arrangementsof installed and ad-hoc loudspeakers was developed. Requiring minimal producer input,the system operates by repositioning objects to maximise perceived envelopment acrossmultiple listening positions. Whilst validation of the envelopment model demonstratedonly moderate correlation, when compared to VBAP, stereo and 5.0, using stereo plusone to eight ad-hoc devices, the envelopment-system outputs were typically significantlypreferred to VBAP and in 75% of cases to stereo — when rendering to stereo plustwo, or more, ad-hoc devices. The outputs were only ever less preferred to 5.0 in themost challenging scenarios and when using few ad-hoc devices. This demonstratesthat perceptually motivated reproduction approaches can facilitate improved listeningexperiences, using devices which home users often already own
Guidance, Navigation and Control of Retrograde Relative Orbits around Phobos
Full text linkDespite the advantages of very-low altitude retrograde orbits around Phobos, questions remain about the efficacy of conventional station-keeping strategies in preventing spacecraft such as the Martian Moons eXploration from escaping or impacting against the surface of the small irregular moon. This paper introduces new high-fidelity simulations in which the output of a sequential Square-Root Information Filter is combined with recently developed orbit maintenance strategies based on differential algebra and convex optimization methods. The position and velocity vector of the spacecraft are first estimated using range, range-rate, and additional onboard data types such as LIDAR and camera images. This information is later processed to assess the necessity of an orbit maintenance maneuver based on the estimated relative altitude of MMX about Phobos. If a maneuver is deemed necessary, the state of the spacecraft is fed to either a successive convex optimization procedure or a high-order target phase approach capable of providing sub-optimal station-keeping maneuvers. The performance of the two orbit maintenance approaches is assessed via Monte Carlo simulations and compared against work in the literature so as to identify points of strength and weaknesses
What are the demographic and clinical differences between those older adults with traumatic brain injury who receive a neurosurgical intervention to those that do not? A systematic literature review with narrative synthesis
No full textObjectivesThis review aimed to identify the demographic and clinical differences between those older adults admitted directly under neurosurgical care and those that were not, and whether EMS clinicians could use these differences to improve patient triage.MethodsThe authors searched for papers that included older adults who had suffered a TBI and were either admitted directly under neurosurgical care or were not. Titles and abstracts were screened, shortlisting potentially eligible papers before performing a full-text review. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias.ResultsA total of nine studies were eligible for inclusion. A high abbreviated injury score head, Marshall score or subdural hematoma greater than 10 mm were associated with neurosurgical care. There were few differences between those patients who did and did not receive neurosurgical intervention.ConclusionsAbsence of guidelines and clinician bias means that differences between those treated aggressively and conservatively observed in the literature are fraught with bias. Further work is required to understand which patients would benefit from an escalation of care and whether EMS can identify these patients so they are transported directly to a hospital with the appropriate services on-site.<br
Evaluation of Air Pollutants Exposure and Control in the Transport Sector of Greater Cairo
Full text link"Air pollution causes 65,000 premature deaths across the Middle East and North Africa every year, where 99% of the population is exposed to pollution that exceeds World Health Organization standards. Nevertheless, studies on the issue are limited. Greater Cairo is the largest megacity in the region where commuters are exposed to excessive pollution. Based on reviewing the literature, conducting field campaigns and emission modelling, this thesis focuses on Greater Cairo on-road transport with the aim to (i) understand car users’ exposure to particulate matter (PM10 with aerodynamic diameter ≤10 µm and PM2.5 ≤2.5 µm) and gaseous pollutants under different car settings, (ii) compare PM2.5 exposure in car, microbus, cycling and walking commutes, (iii) assess five transport emission control scenarios against a ‘do nothing’ scenario for 2030, and finally (iv) estimate the corresponding health burden and economic losses associated with exposure to PM2.5 during commutes.This thesis includes two field campaigns where personal exposure air quality data were collected using portable monitors during daily commutes. Emission modelling was also carried out to evaluate mitigation measures. Collected data were analysed to understand concentration variations, spatial variability and hot spots, PM2.5/PM10 ratios, exposure doses, commuting costs, assess control scenarios and estimate health burden and economic losses. Several significant findings were noted from the analysis: (i) the choice of car setting affects exposure levels where windows-open resulted in 48% higher PM2.5 concentrations compared to recirculation and AC, (ii) pedestrians and cyclists were exposed to 3.1-times PM2.5 levels of car users with recirculation and AC, (iii) in terms of emission control measures, inspection and maintenance programs proved most effective in reducing health-damaging pollutants while public transport reduced overall emissions and improved the quality of life, (iv) deaths in the microbus population contributed to 57% of the economic losses due to PM2.5 amongst the four modes.
Observational study of mental health presentations across healthcare setting during the first 9 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in England
Full text linkBackground:The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented impact on the day to day lives of people, with several features potentially adversely affecting mental health. There is growing evidence of the size of the impact of COVID-19 on mental health, but much of this is from ongoing population surveys using validated mental health scores.Objective:This study investigated the impact of the pandemic and control measures on mental health conditions presenting to a spectrum of national healthcare services monitored using real-time syndromic surveillance in England.Methods:We conducted a retrospective observational descriptive study of mental health presentations (those calling the national medical helpline, NHS 111, consulting general practitioners in and out-of-hours, calling ambulance services and attending emergency departments) between 1 January 2019 to 30 September 2020. Estimates for the impact of lockdown measures were provided using an interrupted time series analysis.Results:Mental health presentations showed a marked decrease during the early stages of the pandemic. Post-lockdown, attendances for mental health conditions reached higher than pre-pandemic levels across most systems; a rise of 10% compared to expected for NHS 111 and 21% for GP out-of-hours whilst the number of consultations to in-hours GPs was 13% lower compared to the same time last year. Increases were observed in calls to NHS 111 for sleep problems.Conclusions:These analyses showed marked changes in the healthcare attendances and prescribing for common mental health issues, across a spectrum of healthcare provision, with some of these changes persisting. The reasons for such changes are likely to be complex and multifactorial. The impact of the pandemic on mental health may not be fully understood for some time, and therefore these syndromic indicators should continue to be monitored.<br
Last chance for wildlife: making tourism count for conservation
No full textNature-based tourism offers the opportunity for tourists to see first-hand both wildlife and the conservation efforts of organisations and individuals to protect habitats and species. Whilst recent studies hint that tourism can prompt visitors to provide philanthropic support for conservation, studies to-date have focused on behavioural intentions within specific case studies rather than actual behaviour, thereby limiting generalisability and explanatory scope. Consequently, little is known if and why individuals donate more after nature-based tourism. An online questionnaire, which included both quantitative and qualitive measures, explored key predictors of what triggers tourists to engage in philanthropic behaviour. Through a collaboration with two leading UK adventure travel companies, 924 participants' travel patterns and donation histories were examined to assess the role tourism plays in prompting new donations. Findings confirm, first, that travel to last chance destinations prompts higher instances of new philanthropy compared to other international and domestic trips; second, that other key factors, including the importance of stronger identity with nature and/or first-time visitation, influence new philanthropic support. Alongside the scholarly contributions, this study provides actionable guidance on how to encourage philanthropic behaviour working with both tour-operators and non-profit organisations
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