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Human-Centred Classification of Remote Operation Intervention Scenarios for Automated Vehicles
Get PDFThe deployment of automated vehicles (AVs) offers substantial societal benefits but faces significant challenges, particularly in complex urban environments. Remote operations (ROs) enabled safety interventions serve as a critical intermediary, allowing human operators to intervene when AVs encounter limitations. However, to inform RO workstation design and understand human intervention capabilities, real-world scenario data is critical. To address this gap, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 local safety experts at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre (NEC), UK, resulting in a catalogue of 105 functional scenarios. We identified prevalent scenario types, AV-related challenges, and scenario complexity. These findings inform RO workstation and human machine interface (HMI) design and highlight the need for realworld scenario generation to support RO capability assessment. This study contributes to a framework for enhancing human-AV interactions, understanding RO safety requirements, and advancing ROs.</p
The core clock transcription factor TOC1 binds directly to defence gene promoters regulating immunity in Arabidopsis
Get PDFThe plant circadian clock drives temporal differences in susceptibility to pathogens. We investigated the role of TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION 1 (TOC1) in the regulation of defence against Botrytis cinerea in Arabidopsis. The temporal variation in susceptibility to B. cinerea observed in wild-type Arabidopsis was abolished in TOC1-ox and toc1-2 plants under both diurnal and constant conditions. In addition, TOC1-ox plants were more susceptible than Col0 following inoculation at dawn, while inoculation at night lead to enhanced resistance in toc1-2 plants versus C24 plants, suggesting TOC1 is a negative regulator of immunity. RNA-seq analysis showed that the genes mis-regulated in toc1-2 plants had significant enrichment for terms related to biotic stress, an overrepresentation of G-box elements in their promoters and included genes encoding key transcription factors (TFs) involved in defence against necrotrophic pathogens. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-qPCR showed that TOC1 occupies G-box containing regions of the defence TFs ERF4, ORA47, ORA59 and WRKY33 in a pathogenresponsive and MYC2-dependent manner. We suggest that the phased TOC1 occupancy of defence gene promoters contributes to the gating of plant immunity against necrotrophic pathogens, while the MYC2-dependent release of TOC1 in response to pathogen detection allows plants to mount an acute immune response
Are Solar Mobile Lanterns Really Mobile?:What sensor data reveals about women's lantern use in refugee camps
Get PDFSolar mobile lanterns are among the most widely deployed energy interventions by humanitarian organisations in refugee camps. Recent UNHCR guidelines advocate multipurpose lanterns that provide both lighting and phone charging, reflecting ongoing design efforts by humanitarian actors and manufacturers to enhance night time mobility and safety. This study examines how solar lanterns are used for night-time mobility in a protracted refugee camp, using embedded sensor monitoring, alongside household survey data analysed through a gender lens. Distributed in Rwanda's Nyabiheke refugee camp, we find that lanterns are predominantly used as stationary household lights, with the median lantern journey involving only 17 steps and lasting 1.72 min. These findings show that night-time mobility in refugee camps is shaped less by individual movement than by household-level energy practices and constraints. This disconnect between how solar lanterns are justified in humanitarian energy policy and how they function in practice, highlights the value of sensor-based monitoring for policy design, procurement, and evaluation
Exploring factors that impact playground design decisions and the effect on children’s physical activity and health:a qualitative case study of stakeholder experiences in Rugby, UK
No full textThe design and structure of public playgrounds can influence opportunities for children to be physically active. Playground design can impact children’s movement. Decisions regarding playground design are made by playground design stakeholders, a population that is rarely examined in research. Seven design professionals involved in the creation of a large playground in Rugby, UK were interviewed to understand this gap. Findings showed six key factors (playground owner, personal experiences, user demographics, risk/safety, finance and aesthetics) that impact playground design. Children’s physical activity was not a contributing factor and therefore improvements could be made by considering previous research and user preferences
Are Solar Mobile Lanterns Really Mobile?:What sensor data reveals about women's lantern use in refugee camps
Get PDFSolar mobile lanterns are among the most widely deployed energy interventions by humanitarian organisations in refugee camps. Recent UNHCR guidelines advocate multipurpose lanterns that provide both lighting and phone charging, reflecting ongoing design efforts by humanitarian actors and manufacturers to enhance night time mobility and safety. This study examines how solar lanterns are used for night-time mobility in a protracted refugee camp, using embedded sensor monitoring, alongside household survey data analysed through a gender lens. Distributed in Rwanda's Nyabiheke refugee camp, we find that lanterns are predominantly used as stationary household lights, with the median lantern journey involving only 17 steps and lasting 1.72 min. These findings show that night-time mobility in refugee camps is shaped less by individual movement than by household-level energy practices and constraints. This disconnect between how solar lanterns are justified in humanitarian energy policy and how they function in practice, highlights the value of sensor-based monitoring for policy design, procurement, and evaluation
Simultaneous Removal of Microcystis aeruginosa and Sulfamethoxazole Triggered by Acoustic Cavitation Generated Near Nitrogen-Doped Nanodiamond/Cyanobacterial Cell Hybrids
No full textCyanobacterial algal blooms (cyanoHAB) are toxic, posing severe environmental and health risks. It is also common to find trace amounts of antibiotics in the water, thus posing a dual threat to public health. This study developed a sonosensitive nitrogen-doped nanodiamond (N-ND)/Microcystis aeruginosa hybrid system to simultaneously remove cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) and a typical antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX). Positively charged N-ND formed flocs with negatively charged M. aeruginosa, enhancing localized cavitation under 40 kHz ultrasound. After 30 min of treatment, the system achieved 81.8% algal removal and 60% degradation of 5 mg/L SMX. The localized cavitation near algal cells maximizes radical transfer efficiency, contributing to cell oxidation and SMX degradation. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of leveraging cyanoHABs as a biodegradation agent for high-concentration SMX in a sonochemical process. The results offer a dual-functional solution for mitigating cyanoHABs and antibiotic pollution in water, with potential for scalable applications. Life cycle assessment (LCA) showed that the integrated ultrasonic treatment and nitrogen-doped nanodiamond (N-ND) technology have advantages in environmental sustainability, particularly in water conservation. Future research should explore cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative sonosensitizers to optimize the environmental performance and engineering feasibility of integrated pollution control systems.</p
Exploring The Practical Application Of Leverage Points Framework For Transformative Interventions For Biodiversity:Case Study Leaders’ Perspectives On Integrating Diverse Viewpoints, Flexibility And Limitations
Get PDFThe leverage points framework identifies strategic points within complex systems where small shifts can lead to significant changes. This research paper explores the utilisation of the leverage points framework within the context of sustainability and transformative change research, specifically focusing on decision-making processes that aim to promote biodiversity-positive outcomes It seeks to provide insights into the practical application of the leverage points framework, examining the challenges in integrating diverse perspectives, the flexibility and limitations of this framework. This study primarily analyses survey data from case study leaders within the European Horizon project PLANET4B, capturing their experiences and reflections on applying the leverage points framework in their co-creative workshops with stakeholders. The findings emphasise the importance of translating academic concepts into accessible terms, creating inclusive environments for discussions, and adapting the framework to suit specific social-ecological contexts. This exploration enhances the applicability and relevance of the leverage points framework in real-world sustainability projects, thereby fostering changes in biodiversity and societal transformations.Keywords: biodiversity, transformative change, leverage points, systems thinking, diverse perspective<br/
Sedimentation fields as a method of saltmarsh restoration:continuity of human influence on natural processes
Get PDFSaltmarsh habitat provides important ecosystem services such as water quality regulation, carbon sequestration and flood defence, but is experiencing losses globally. Historically, this has been caused by land claim, and more recently by rising sea levels. Several methods have been implemented to compensate for saltmarsh habitat loss, including realigning defences, transplanting vegetation and building structures such as sedimentation fields to enclose areas of mudflat and encourage sediment deposition. It has been suggested that sedimentation fields may offer saltmarsh restoration without the limitations identified in other restoration approaches, such as poor drainage and anoxia caused by changes to the sediment structure due to prior human activity. In this article, we argue that restoration through sedimentation fields should be viewed as a continuation of human activity influencing natural processes,rather than as a method that overcomes the influence of prior human activity on saltmarsh ecosystem functioning. This opinion is evidenced by a critical review of the (pre-)historic human activity and saltmarsh restoration attempts at Rumney Great Wharf, Severn Estuary, Wales, where sedimentation fields were constructed between 1989 and 2005 and extended in 2024. We then evaluate the research requirements that need to be addressed to ensure the successful implementation of future schemes, including further understanding of the interactions between physical and biological processes, to enhance ecosystem functioning in sites restored using sedimentation fields
Gender in schools: noticing, discussing, and tackling gender-based discrimination in the school system in the UK and beyond
No full textThis literature review explores how gender operates as an analytical category within primary and secondary education and examines manifestations of gender-based discrimination in the UK school system, with comparative insights from other Global North contexts. Drawing on academic publications and reports from 2019–2023, the review identifies persistent stereotypes about teaching as a ‘feminised’ profession, gendered expectations in classroom practices, and systemic barriers to equality in leadership roles. It also highlights the prevalence of sexism, gender-based violence, and discriminatory language in curricula and school culture, alongside the marginalisation of nonbinary and transgender students. Intersectional dimensions—such as socioeconomic status and neurodiversity—are addressed, though research gaps remain. The review concludes by synthesising strategies for reducing gender inequality, including reflective teacher practices and whole-school approaches, and calls for systemic interventions supported by policy and governance
