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Micro-Human Effort Perspectives: Misalignments in “Making a Home” after a Disaster
No full textPoverty, illiteracy, and rurality have been widely acknowledged as barriers and sometimes carriers of catastrophic failures for complex sociocultural production of space, such as making a home after disasters. While one basic theory surrounding this phenomenon highlights the “grievance for lost homes,” the other focuses on design dissonance. The latter focuses on compromised negotiations between rehousing providers and recipients, preventing people from making the “making a home” status quo. This chapter establishes a status core for forsaken know-how and consequent misalignments. It substantiates the ultimate materialization of barriers: substandard rehousing efforts that widen the gap, preventing effective negotiations. This discourse establishes the significance of a complex process that influences rebuilding the “self” that makes a house a home. Considering specific sociocultural causes associated with “self,” which we examined through the micro-human efforts (MHE) lens, this chapter necessitates a shift in the focus from disaster events to barriers and carriers. This chapter proposes a shift prioritizing MHE or small individual efforts that could make a new status quo for making a home. MHE may have the ability to evolve into essential criteria to minimize misalignments among stakeholders, thus avoiding parasitic growth of disaster damage on a multitude of pre-existing prejudices. In essence, the lessons learnt from global cases should not be considered as coerced circumstances to tackle problems – instead, an opportunity to unpack and address backward societal and institutional processes that come close vicinity through extreme natural events
Independent Female Directors and Green Innovation in China: The Moderating Roles of Ownership Structure and Market Competition
No full textThis study examines the impact of independent female directors (IFD) on green innovation (GI) among Chinese-listed firms from 2008 to 2023. Additionally, we investigate the moderating effects of ownership structure and market competition on the relationship between IFD and GI. Using a total of 22,091 firm-year observations and fixed-effects regressions, we find that IFD are significantly and positively associated with GI, suggesting that IFD promote environmentally friendly activities. Furthermore, the results show that ownership structure and market competition influence the relationship between IFD and GI, with the association being more pronounced in state-owned enterprises (SOES) and weakening when market competition is high. Moreover, we divided our sample and discovered that IFD foster GI activities in polluting industries more than in non-polluting ones. Our findings remain robust across various statistical procedures. The results highlight the vital role of IFD in advancing GI and indicate that its effectiveness depends on institutional and competitive factors. Unlike previous research, this paper moves beyond overall board gender diversity by focusing specifically on IFD, while identifying ownership structure and market competition as key contextual factors in an emerging economy. This study offers important implications for policymakers in China by demonstrating that board independence can be strengthened through the appointment of IFD and that it can effectively promote GI, especially in SOES and environmentally sensitive industries
A phenomenological approach to spastic movement disorders: an international expert panel consensus
No full textBackground and objectives: Hyperkinetic movement disorders, characterized by complex and overlapping motor patterns, present significant challenges in classification and treatment. The inconsistency in definitions and descriptors complicates both research and clinical communication. This study aims to provide an overview of current terminology and definitions related to spasticity and other hyperkinetic movement disorders associated with central nervous system lesions. We propose a unified terminology and classification system for spastic movement disorders (SMD). Methods: In this scoping review, definitions of spasticity, dystonia, tremor, chorea, hemiballismus, athetosis, myoclonus, and dyssynergia were reviewed, with emphasis on overlaps and diagnostic challenges among these disorders. The goal was to develop a consensus expert opinion on a phenomenological approach to SMD. Results: The proposed classification system for spasticity includes clinical characteristics (Axis 1) and etiology (Axis 2). Axis 1 includes: age at onset, body distribution, disease course, phenomenological description, and impact on body function, activity, and participation. The phenomenological description allows sub-classification of SMD into: phasic reflex overactivity, stimulus-induced muscle overactivity, constant muscle overactivity, and lack of muscle selectivity. These categories clarify disabling phenotypes such as clonus, dysregulated co-contraction, muscle spasms, activity-induced muscle hypertonia, associated reactions, and persistent muscle hypertonia. Discussion: This framework for classification of SMD aims to establish a common language for describing clinical phenotypes. By adopting a phenomenological approach, we underscore the importance of consistent descriptors and propose a systematic classification method for movement disorders, particularly spasticity. We hope this unified terminology will enhance clinical practice, research, and ultimately, patient care
Research Data Management Policy
No full textThe Research Data Management Policy sets out the University’s expectations for the responsible management, storage, retention and sharing of research data. The policy applies to staff and postgraduate researchers and aligns with funder requirements, journal data policies and FAIR principles. It includes expectations around the use of Data Management Plans (via DMPonline), secure data handling, and the preservation of research data in an appropriate repository where applicable
Evaluation of Plantar Pressure and Stability Parameters in a Forefoot Offloading Footwear: A Comparative Study
No full textForefoot offloading footwear is widely used in postoperative care, trauma management, and the prevention of diabetic foot ulceration, where redistribution of plantar load must be achieved without compromising gait stability. This study evaluated plantar pressure and centre of pressure characteristics of a new side-specific forefoot offloading footwear design in comparison with commonly used clinical and retail footwear. Twelve healthy adults completed treadmill walking trials at 4.0 km/h under five footwear conditions. Plantar pressure data were collected using an in-shoe pressure measurement system and analysed for peak pressure, average pressure, force–time impulse, centre of pressure velocity, and centre of pressure excursion index across seven anatomically defined plantar regions. Across all conditions, consistent left–right asymmetry in plantar loading was observed, although overall variability between footwear designs was modest. The experimental footwear demonstrated pressure and impulse distributions comparable to retail and universal offloading footwear, without increasing hallux loading. Centre of pressure measures were generally consistent between side variability, indicating controlled rollover and preserved gait stability. These findings suggest that side-specific sole geometry can support balanced forefoot load management without introducing instability in healthy walking and provide a foundation for future bilateral testing in clinical populations at risk
Prescribing Nature for People in Prison: A Handbook for Students, Trainees, and Practitioners
No full textThis chapter builds upon Chap. 10 by posing questions about the potential of prisons as a setting for health and wellbeing improvement. It gives an overview of health and wellbeing issues in prisons, before describing a whole-system (or “whole prison”) programme being facilitated in a number of prisons across England. Findings from a mixed-method evaluation using quantitative scales (the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale and the Connectedness to Nature Scale), and qualitative data in the form of thematically analysed verbatim quotes from people in prison and staff involved with the programme, are presented using a Model of Health Determinants framework. The chapter then presents an individual case study “pen portrait” of participation in the Greener on the Outside for Prisons programme, to demonstrate the health and wellbeing benefits of nature connection in prison settings. Finally, the potential of therapeutic horticulture for prisons and, by extension, wider society in the future is discussed
Ghana’s Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Industries: Exploring the Relationship Between Supply Chain Collaboration and Operational Performance
No full textThe global FMCG industries have been vital in supporting both workforce employment and business expansion around the world. The global FMCG industry output has contributed to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by working on poverty elimination and worldwide equality promotion. Efficient supply chain systems show positive effects across all business sectors and sizes while transcending cultural boundaries. Research on supply chain collaboration and its effects on business operational performance remains scarce, particularly in the FMCG sector in the West Africa region. This study aims to explore the connection between supply chain collaboration and operational performance in FMCG businesses operating in Ghana. This research selects Ghana as its geographic focus because it is West Africa’s second-largest population centre and holds a leading position as an exporter of gold and lumber which reveals its emerging economic potential. The survey questionnaire research with 300 FMCG industry participants in Ghana took place between 11th March and 30th March 2024. Purposive sampling was adopted to finalise the research participants and SPSS was adopted to analyse the data. The findings indicate an important link between knowledge management strategies and operational performance through resource sharing, information sharing, synchronous decision-making and collaborative knowledge generation. The paper concludes with implications and recommendations based on the key findings from this research
Eco-environmental high-strength concrete with shrimp shell waste: An experimental-environmental study and RSM-based optimization
No full textThis study evaluates shrimp shell waste as a sustainable partial cement replacement in high-strength concrete (HSC). Two types of shrimp shell powders, uncalcined (USP) and calcined (CSP), were produced and characterized for their physical and chemical properties. Twelve concrete mixtures were developed using Central Composite Design (CCD) within a Response Surface Methodology (RSM) framework, incorporating USP and CSP at 5–20 % replacement levels, individually and in blends. Fresh (slump and density), mechanical (compressive, tensile, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity), microstructural properties, and sustainability evaluation were examined. CSP mixtures outperformed USP, with the 15 % CSP mix achieving a 28-day compressive strength of 71.3 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of 44.7 GPa, attributed to matrix densification through carbonation. The 5 % USP and 10 % CSP blend exhibited the best overall performance. RSM analysis confirmed high model accuracy (R2 ≥ 0.98), and optimization using the desirability function identified this blend as the optimal mix (D = 1.000). Evaluation of sustainability showed that Hybrid mixtures 5 % USP +10 % CSP demonstrated about a 23 % reduction in cost/MPa with a reduction of 14.37 % CO2 and 11.6 % energy consumption compared to the control mix. The results demonstrate the viability of shrimp shell waste, particularly in calcined form, as an eco-efficient alternative for producing durable, high-performance concrete
The digital platform assessment matrix: developing a framework for evaluating digital platforms and systems for children and young people’s mental health support
No full textPurpose
Digital platforms and systems (DPS) are increasingly used as effective resources to help address the mental health needs of children and young people (CYP). However, appropriate assessment tools to evaluate the quality of DPS remain limited. This study aims to develop a comprehensive evaluation framework for DPS that provides access to mental health support for CYP, with the goal of identifying their strengths and weaknesses and promoting best practices.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used a four-step multi-method approach comprising: an extensive literature review and content analysis of existing guidelines; the identification of essential qualities and characteristics of effective DPS; consultation with over 50 stakeholders to ensure the applicability of the evaluation framework; and pilot testing on 53 DPS to refine its structure and functionality.
Findings
The resulting evaluation framework, referred to as the digital platform assessment matrix (DPAM), comprises 65 criteria for assessing the functional, technical and social features of DPS. The authors propose both a comprehensive version of the DPAM and a shortened version, allowing for flexible use across different contexts and stakeholder groups. Future testing and iterations are also explored.
Originality/value
The DPAM offers the first comprehensive and operational framework for evaluating DPS that facilitates access to mental health services and resources for CYP in the UK. Its multiple criteria ensure that digital platforms can best serve their users, be compatible with existing health systems and sustainable over time. The DPAM also underpins the development of the new digital platform, which aims to provide CYP with streamlined access to place-based arts initiatives that support their mental health