26199 research outputs found
Sort by
Assessment of the role of nanotechnology in water sector: an expert opinion
No full textWater scarcity and pollution are significant global challenges impacting human health, the environment, and economic development. Addressing these issues is a priority under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Despite progress, research for sustainable approaches in water resource management continues to evolve. This study investigates the role of nanotechnology in the water sector, focusing on its applications in water purification and addressing challenges in adoption. Expert opinions from 29 participants across diverse regions, including Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East, were analysed to provide a global perspective. According to the results of experts, nano catalysts (34.48%) were the most encountered technology, followed by nanofiltration membranes (31.03%), nano-adsorbents (27.59%), and carbon nanotubes (6.9%). While 68.97% of experts are concerned about the potential toxicity of nanomaterials, 20.69% about high operational costs, and 10.34% about higher energy consumption. Over 80% of experts agreed that collaboration among scientists, engineers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders is crucial for achieving sustainable and scalable solutions. The study underscores the need for innovative research to reduce the cost of nanomaterials, improve energy efficiency of processes by developing low-energy nanofiltration membranes, and mitigate toxicity risks through the development of biodegradable or safer-by-design nanoparticles. Furthermore, the findings emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and regulatory frameworks to mitigate environmental risks and make nanotechnology more accessible and scalable for industrial and residential applications
The conversational revolution in health promotion: Investigating chatbot impact on healthcare marketing, patient engagement, and service reach
Get PDFThe healthcare landscape is undergoing a significant digital transformation, with conversational artificial intelligence, particularly chatbots, emerging as a pivotal technology to redefine health promotion strategies. This paper explores the profound influence of chatbots on healthcare marketing, patient engagement, and the expansion of service accessibility. It synthesizes current applications and anticipated developments, analyzing how these intelligent agents contribute to a more personalized and accessible healthcare ecosystem. Chatbots provide tailored communication for marketing initiatives, driving patient acquisition through immediate, interactive information They enhance patient engagement by offering personalized support, answering queries, and delivering health recommendations, thereby empowering individuals in managing their health Furthermore, these digital tools significantly extend healthcare service reach, enabling access to information and support regardless of geographical location or time constraints The integration of chatbots represents a fundamental shift in health promotion, promising improved efficiency, enhanced user experience, and a more equitable distribution of health resources. This conversational revolution stands to reshape the future of healthcare interaction and public health outcomes
Induced Treg-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Suppress CD4+T-Cell-Mediated Inflammation and Ameliorate Bone Loss During Periodontitis Partly Through CD73/Adenosine Dependent Immunomodulatory Mechanisms
Get PDFRegulatory T cell (Treg)‐derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent a contact‐independent mechanism by which Tregs suppress dysregulated immune responses. These EVs carry diverse immunomodulatory molecules, including CD73, an ectoenzyme that hydrolyses AMP into adenosine. Adenosine subsequently acts as a potent immunosuppressive mediator that inhibits effector CD4⁺ T cell activation and controls pathological inflammation. Periodontitis is a highly prevalent inflammatory disease characterised by the accumulation of IL‐17A‐expressing CD4⁺ T cells in response to dysbiotic oral bacterial biofilms, ultimately leading to RANKL‐mediated alveolar bone resorption and tooth loss. We tested the hypothesis that CD73⁺ Treg‐derived EVs, isolated from Tregs induced with polarising cytokines in the presence of retinoic acid, could limit inflammation and prevent alveolar bone loss in periodontitis. Our findings demonstrate that Tregs induced with polarising cytokines in the presence of retinoic acid express high levels of CD73 and secrete adenosine‐producing suppressive CD73+ EVs. Furthermore, local administration of these CD73⁺ Treg‐derived EVs in a murine periodontitis model reduced activated CD4⁺ T cell infiltration, decreased IL‐17A and RANKL expression, and attenuated osteoclast‐mediated alveolar bone loss. In conclusion, retinoic acid‐induced Treg‐derived EVs suppress CD4⁺ T cell‐driven inflammation and ameliorate periodontitis, at least in part through CD73/adenosine‐dependent immunomodulatory mechanisms
How do clinical staff understand the role of trauma in psychosis and how they integrate information about trauma into treatment?
No full textDesigning Usability/User Experience Heuristics to Evaluate E-Assessments Administered to Children
No full textThe application of electronic assessments (e-assessments) has increased, particularly among elementary-school-aged children. Paper-based assessments are frequently converted into digital formats for efficiency gains, with little thought given to their user experience (UX) and usability. Individual differences, particularly among young children, can inhibit test-takers from completing the assessment tasks that are not designed to match their needs and abilities. Consequently, studies have raised concerns about the generalizability and fairness of e-assessments. Whereas heuristic evaluation is a standard method for evaluating and enhancing the efficacy of a product with respect to a set of guidelines, more information is needed about its added value when designing e-assessments for children. This paper synthesizes heuristics on the basis of the literature and expert judgments to accommodate children’s abilities for interacting with e-assessment platforms. We present a final set of 10 heuristics, validated and refined by applying a heuristic evaluation workshop and collecting 24 expert surveys. The results indicate that the derived heuristics can help evaluate the UX and usability-related aspects of e-assessments with 6- to 12-year-old children. Moreover, the present paper proposes recommendations for a framework for developing usability heuristics that can be used to help researchers develop domain-specific heuristics in the future
Enhancing Safety and Inclusivity in High-Rise Building Evacuation Strategies: A Comparative Study of Building Safety Manager and Occupant Perspectives
Get PDFPurpose
Understanding the egress considerations of fire evacuation strategies is fundamental to establishing the most effective methods for evacuation of people with and without vulnerabilities in High-Rise Residential Buildings (HRRB). The main aim of this study is to identify the main considerations to enable the assessment and improvement of operational procedures and processes from a Building Safety Manager (BSM) and occupant
perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
Primary data was collected through group interviews and questionnaires with occupants and BSM of HRRB to achieve the aforementioned aim. Exploratory data from interviews from both groups was used to devise practical and effective operational strategies. The qualitative data was analysed using a systematic coding process with the use of QSR NVivo. Questionnaires data was collected via Qualtrics was analysed using SPSS.
Findings
Analysis reveals a substantial gap in evacuation strategy awareness between stakeholders, with occupants remaining significantly unaware of the current evacuation protocols in their buildings exacerbated by reluctance among private companies to invest in evacuation alert systems without mandatory legislation.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the disaster preparedness and response in urban settings literature, expanding the understanding of how HRRB evacuation strategies can be optimised for inclusivity and effectiveness. Practically, the findings of this research have the potential to influence policy decisions and building management practices that directly affect the safety and well-being of HRRB occupants. Overall, this study provides actionable insights for policymakers, building managers, and emergency responders to enhance the preparedness and responsiveness of evacuation procedures in high-rise environments while considering the specific needs of vulnerable populations
A mixed methods study to explore the lived experiences of support offered to LGBTQ+ students in higher education.
Get PDFSince 2016, United Kingdom Higher Education Institutions (UKHEI’s) have seen an increase of 40% of applications from individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or other (LGBTQ+) and an 85% increase of transgender declarations. Despite recent positive reports around LGBTQ+ students in Higher Education, the academic literature paints a more negative picture. Much of the existing literature comes from interviews with staff and therefore this study, as part of a staff research internship, aimed to explore the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ students. Following co-production and design with LGBTQ+ students an online survey with 26 respondents was conducted with 6 semi-structured interviews analysed using thematic analysis. Three themes exploring the lived experiences were constructed: educational impact, belonging and institutional trust. Sub themes within highlighted that campaigns designed to demonstrate support for LGBTQ+ students did not go far enough in terms of educating people about contemporary issues and were often seen as tokenistic. Support services were not specific enough for this population of the student body. Alongside this, the discourse between the individual facets of the LGBTQ+ community highlighted a lack of belonging leading to self-isolation. Overall, this displayed a lack of trust and representation from the institution, leading to disengagement from academic studies. Recommendations include increased education around LGBTQ+ issues from management, support services and teaching staff alike with meaningful co-production with LGBTQ+ students to facilitate academic success and personal growth
Recent advances in 3D printing applications for CNS tumours
Get PDFThree-dimensional printing (3DP) has emerged as a transformative technology in the field of central nervous system (CNS) tumours, offering innovative advancements in various aspects of diagnosis, treatment and education. By precisely replicating the microenvironment of CNS tumours, modelling tumour vascularisation, and capturing genetic heterogeneity, 3DP enables the development of targeted therapies and personalised treatment strategies. The technology has markedly enhanced preoperative planning and intraoperative guidance, providing highly accurate, patient-specific models that improve tumour localisation, facilitate tailored surgical planning, and offer superior visualisation of complex anatomical structures. Furthermore, 3DP has revolutionised education and training for neurosurgeons, trainees, and patients by delivering realistic simulations that enhance surgical skills and decision-making. Despite its transformative potential, the widespread adoption of 3DP faces challenges, including material biocompatibility issues, high costs, and technical limitations. Furthermore, the ethical and regulatory landscape for 3DP in clinical practice requires further development. This review concludes that while 3DP offers significant promise for advancing CNS tumour treatment, ongoing research is essential to address these challenges and optimising its clinical impact
The effect of different materials under the fencing piste on impact shock of the tibia during the fencing lunge on a concrete surface
Get PDFFencing has gained global popularity, with athletes often competing on hard surfaces, especially at United States national tournaments in convention centrr with concrete floors. These surfaces may contribute to overuse injuries from high-impact movements like the fencing lunge. This study aimed to investigate tibial accelerations, a measure of impact shock, experienced by fencers during lunges on various surface materials placed beneath standard aluminium fencing pistes. The aim was to identify a material that could reduce injury risk by mitigating impact shock. Sixty-nine fencers (35 female) performed five lunges on six different surfaces (A–F: A–E composed of various materials placed between the aluminium piste and the concrete floor; F was only the concrete floor), during the 2024 US Senior National Championships. A triaxial accelerometer mounted on the tibia was used to measure tibial accelerations as a marker of impact shock. The accelerometer was aligned to measure acceleration along the longitudinal axis of the tibia and set to record at 1000 Hz with a sensitivity range of ±100 g. Data acquisition was carried out via a logging system (Biometrics DL1001, Gwent, UK), which was attached to the participant using a tightly fitted backpack. The peak positive axial tibial acceleration was extracted for each lunge and the average was calculated from three lunges after discarding the highest and lowest values from each surface. Statistical analysis revealed that Surface E (a non-absorbent vinyl loop material; 12.7 ±7.6g), significantly reduced tibial accelerations compared to the standard concrete setup (Surface F; 13.6 ±8.4g). These findings suggest that modifying competition surfaces by incorporating cushioning materials may help reduce the impact shock of the fencing lunge, potentially lowering the risk of overuse injuries, such as tendonitis and tenosynovitis, commonly reported by fencers. Future research should investigate optimal material properties, including thickness and softness, for maximizing injury prevention while maintaining performance standards in competitive fencing environments
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Inhibition: The Advent of Biologics in Rosacea
Get PDFPersistent facial erythema and flushing in rosacea remain challenging to treat with current therapies. A recent noteworthy open-label trial found that erenumab, a CGRP receptor inhibitor, significantly reduced moderate to extreme flushing and erythema in treatment-resistant patients, highlighting a novel neurovascular-targeted therapeutic approach