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Numerical simulation of the effect of solar chimneys on NOx-O3 photochemical reaction and ventilation in urban street canyon
No full textThe complex interaction between pollutants and insufficient ventilation in urban street canyon presents significant challenges to the creation of a healthy urban environment. This study proposed the innovative application of solar chimneys (SCs) to improve airflow structure and air quality in the confined space considering NOx-O3 photochemical reaction mechanism. The influences of ambient wind, solar radiation at three local solar times (LSTs), and the SCs on NOx diffusion and ventilation performance in street canyon were revealed by developing a mathematical model. The results demonstrated that the uneven temperature distribution induced by solar radiation at the LSTs significantly influences both the NOx-O3 photochemical reaction and the airflow structure within the street canyon. The deleterious effects of thermal buoyancy on the airflow structure were mitigated by the integration of the SCs. The reaction shifted toward the conversion of NO2 to NO as the temperature decreased. The integration of SCs resulted in a maximum temperature reduction of 6.01 K in the pedestrian respiratory zone and demonstrated maximum removal efficiencies of 66.12 % for NO and 70.65 % for NO2. The NOx levels on the leeward side initially increased and then decreased as the ambient wind strengthened, whereas the NOx levels on the windward side consistently decreased. This research verifies the feasibility of utilizing the SCs to enhance the street canyon environments and offers a viable strategy for promoting healthy and sustainable urban
Knot‐Patterned Treble‐Weaving Smart Electronic Textiles With Advanced Thermal and Moisture Regulation for Seamless Motion Monitoring
No full textSmart e‐textiles have shown unique advantages in mediating this interactions with the world. Despite substantial progress, the practical application of e‐textiles in wearable technologies remains limited by challenging tasks of integrating both optimal electrical performance and thermal‐moisture comfort into a single fabric, particularly at industrial scales. Herein, leveraging a meta‐textile structural design, a smart treble‐weaving electronic textile (TWET) that combines highly sensitive sensing capabilities with radiative cooling is developed and enhanced sweat management through meta‐yarn junction blocks forming hierarchical fabric architectures. Unlike conventional layered fabrics by simply compositing different functional layers, the TWET fabric integrates multimodal sensing, optical and moisture management into an all‐in‐one construction and leverages its interlacing structures as conduits for heat and moisture transmission, which contributes to outstanding thermal‐moisture comfort. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the TWET performs robust monitoring and perception of human motion signals against heat stress. It is also shown that frequency‐domain signals resulting from Fourier transformation can interpret and distinguish temporal‐spatial features of regulating walking and stepping in place. This meta‐textile hierarchical‐assembly concept enables integrated thermal and moisture management in next‐generation e‐textiles, offering great potential for scalable production and multifunctionality through the precise engineering of meta‐structures
From prediction to explanation: A transparent AI framework for bank exit risk
Get PDFBank exits pose important challenges for financial stability, particularly in banking systems characterised by limited failure events and strong regulatory intervention. This paper proposes a structured and transparent artificial intelligence (AI) framework for assessing bank exit risk under data scarcity. Using supervisory and financial indicators for Swiss banks, we evaluate several machine learning models—including random forests, extreme gradient boosting, and deep neural networks—and compare them with traditional financial approaches.The analysis reports both in-sample and out-of-sample results in a highly imbalanced and small-sample setting. While tree-based ensemble models exhibit strong in-sample performance, deep neural networks achieve superior out-of-sample predictive accuracy, highlighting the trade-off between model complexity and data limitations. Rather than advancing new algorithms, the contribution lies in integrating prediction, validation, and explainable AI (XAI) within a coherent assessment framework tailored to data-constrained banking environments.XAI methods are employed to provide model-consistent predictive attribution, supporting transparency and interpretability without making causal claims about the underlying data-generating process. The results illustrate both the feasibility and the limitations of AI-based bank exit risk assessment under severe data constraints and offer practical insights for regulators and policymakers concerned with monitoring bank vulnerability and market exits
Prevalence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in elite Chinese summer sport athletes
Get PDFABSTRACTBackground: Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a prevalent respiratory condition among summer sport elite athletes, yet epidemiological data from Asian populations remain scarce. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence, sport-specific patterns, and physiological characteristics of EIB in Chinese summer sport elite athletes.Methods: A cross-sectional study of 500 summer sport elite athletes across 17 sports was conducted. Participants underwent standardized exercise challenge testing, spirometry, and serum biomarker assessments (eosinophils, interleukin-5 (IL-5), interleukin-8 (IL-8), Clara Cell protein 16 (CC16), immunoglobulin E (IgE), and uric acid (UA)).Results: EIB prevalence was 27.6% (138/500), with significant variation across sports: highest in swimming (51.52%) and lowest in wrestling (6.45%). Female athletes were more prevalent than males (31.1% vs. 23.7%, p = 0.030). Outdoor sports demonstrated higher rates than indoor disciplines (37.4% vs. 19.3%, p = 0.002). EIB-positive athletes showed pronounced post-exercise declines in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) at 5 min (p < 0.001) and elevated inflammatory biomarkers: eosinophils (p < 0.001), neutrophils (p = 0.019), IL-5 (p < 0.001), IL-8 (p < 0.001), CC16 (p < 0.001), IgE (p < 0.001), and UA (p < 0.001) vs. EIB-negative counterparts. Conclusion: This is the first large-scale study of Chinese athletes to reveal EIB prevalence exceeding global averages. Distinct risk profiles emerge, associated with gender, athletic level, sport type, and environmental factors. The findings outline the need for targeted screening programs and biomarker-guided management to mitigate respiratory health risks in athletic populations.<br/
Real-world evaluation of at-home cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) for the management of sleep, anxiety, depression, stress, quality of life, and self-efficacy
Get PDFBackground Direct-to-consumer neuromodulation technologies are transforming how sleep and mood disorders are self-managed outside clinical settings. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) is a low-intensity, portable intervention with growing accessibility but limited evidence in non-clinical populations and real-life contexts. This naturalistic cohort study investigated the effects of CES on sleep, anxiety, depression, stress, quality of life, and self-efficacy in a real-world, community-based setting. Methods Sixty adults agreed to use the Alpha-Stim AID CES device daily for 21 days (40–60 min/day). Validated self-report measures were completed at baseline, day 21 (end-of-treatment), and day 42 (follow-up). A subsample ( n = 27) wore actigraphy devices to monitor objective sleep changes. Results By day 21, sleep quality significantly improved, with 48 % achieving insomnia remission and 50 % a reduction in daytime sleepiness. Actigraphy data corroborated subjective sleep improvements. Anxiety and depression remission rates were 72.3 % and 71.2 %, with improvements maintained three weeks post-intervention. Stress levels decreased, while self-efficacy, wellbeing, and quality of life improved, with moderate to large effect sizes. CES was rated as safe, acceptable, and easy to use: 48 % of participants preferred it over psychotherapy or medication. Discussion CES is a safe, self-administered intervention that benefits sleep, mental health, and quality of life. This study presents the first actigraphy evidence of CES effects on sleep in a diverse, non-clinical population. Findings support a novel framework for accessible, non-pharmacological interventions for sleep and wellbeing with sustained impact at three-week follow-up. Results have significant implications for sleep quality and mental health, especially for populations underserved by traditional healthcare.</p
Physiotherapy Provision and Practice: A EuropeAn Intensive CarE Unit (ICU) Survey (PEAiCE) – A profile of ICU physiotherapy in Europe.
No full textAnalysis and Mitigation of Inductor Oscillation and Bridge Midpoint Voltage Imbalance in a GaN-Based Boost-HERIC Topology PV Inverter
No full textWith the rapid development of distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems, the boost-HERIC inverter topology has gained increasing adoption due to its superior voltage regulation and current control capability. In recent years, wide-bandgap devices such as GaN HEMTs have been extensively applied in PV inverters owing to their high switching speed and low conduction loss, thereby enabling higher power density and improved efficiency. However, in boost-HERIC systems, the fast switching operations of GaN HEMTs also introduce new challenges, including inductor current oscillation and bridge midpoint voltage imbalance. This paper investigates the underlying mechanisms of these issues and proposes corresponding mitigation strategies. A simulation model is developed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods, thereby providing theoretical guidance for the optimization of GaN-based PV grid-connected systems
GILL Policy Briefing: Promoting Gender Equality in UK Schools
No full textThis policy briefing outlines key recommendations derived from the literature review titled Gender in schools: noticing, discussing, and tackling gender-based discrimination in the school system in the UK and beyond. The review synthesizes recent academic research and reports to identify persistent gender inequalities and propose actionable strategies for policymakers, educators, and school leaders.<br/
A parent-led gamified stability skills intervention enhances stability skill but not general motor competence in children aged 4-5 years
No full textThis study examined the effect of a parent-led, gamified stability skills intervention on stability skill and motor competence in 4-5 year olds. Eighty-four children were allocated to intervention (n=49 (17 boys)), or control (n=35 (22 boys)) groups. The intervention group undertook a 12-week parent or caregiver (P/G) led, gamified stability skills programme designed to be performed in a home environment. The control group participated in their usual activities. Stability skill and motor competence were assessed pre and post intervention. A sub sample of P/G’s (n=7) participated in post intervention interviews. A series of ANCOVAs controlling for baseline values demonstrated significantly higher stability skills (P<.001) and higher ball kicking velocity (P=.025) post intervention for the intervention group compared to controls. There were no significant differences in other motor competence tests (all P >.05). There was a significant positive relationship (P<.001) between intervention dose and change in stability skills. Thematic analysis from P/G interviews identified the following as facilitators for intervention engagement: 1) Intervention Format, 2) Autonomy, and 3) Social Support and the following as barriers to uptake: 1) Intervention Format, 2) Logistics & Life Constraints, 3) Parental Perceived Competence, and 4) Links to School
Global minds, global funds:International top management and ICO fundraising in developing economies
Get PDFDrawing on the Resource-Based View (RBV), our study examines how C-level management team composition influences fundraising through Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) in the context of developing countries. Using a dataset of 458 ICOs and Probit regression analyses, we find that born-digital ventures led by internationally diverse management teams attract more capital, as investors associate diversity with superior entrepreneurial skills and valuable tacit knowledge. Moreover, having a foreign CEO with strong entrepreneurial experience further increases investor confidence by helping investors to distinguish credible, competent teams. Our findings contribute to the RBV by showing that managerial diversity and skillsets stand out during an investor's screening process. We discuss implications for policymakers, investors and local entrepreneurs in developing countries.</p