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Electric bus rapid transit supported by solar generation: A scalable economic model for zero-emission urban transit
Get PDFThe transition to zero-emission public transport, particularly through electrification, presents environmental and economic challenges, especially in emerging economies, where financial constraints and policy gaps restrict the deployment of large-scale solutions. This study develops a scalable economic model for implementing solar-powered electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, using the Brazilian city of Cuiabá as a case study. The selection of Cuiabá as the case study is based on its representativeness as a medium-sized Brazilian city characterized by rapid population growth, ongoing expansion of mass transit infrastructure, and a predominantly clean energy matrix. Technical and economic simulations indicate that integrating photovoltaic (PV) generation into the fleet’s charging infrastructure can reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by 19.17 % over 10 years. The proposed system supplies 64.12 % of the fleet’s energy demand from solar generation, resulting in monthly savings of USD 176,490.57 compared with a diesel-powered fleet. Despite higher initial capital costs, the model yields a payback period of 7 years and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 34.21 %, confirming financial feasibility. Under a distributed generation rental scheme, the IRR increases to 36.73 % and cumulative savings reach USD 231,000 per bus over 10 years. The results provide quantitative evidence that integrating renewable energy sources can enhance the financial viability of electric BRT systems, supporting policy and investment decisions for sustainable urban transport
Interpersonal Determinants of Suicide Risk Among Young Adults: A Cross-Cultural Study
Get PDF(1) Background: Understanding suicide risk across cultures requires examining both universal and culturally specific factors that inform assessment and intervention. This study explores the influence of interpersonal variables—such as interpersonal competence, perceived social support, and constructs from the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS)—on suicidal behaviour in two culturally distinct samples: young adults from Spain and Japan. (2) Methods: A total of [437] participants (Spanish sample: n = 260; Japanese sample: n = 177) completed validated measures assessing suicide risk, depression, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, acquired capability for suicide, interpersonal competence, and perceived social support. Moderated mediation and SEM comparative analyses were conducted to identify predictors of suicide risk in each cultural context. (3) Results: Social support was a consistent protective factor against depression and suicidal ideation, and interpersonal competence showed more contextual protective effects, significant only in the Japanese sample. Perceived burdensomeness stood out as a robust predictor of depression and suicidal ideation in both samples, and suicidal ideation was strongly associated with suicidal behaviour, while acquired capability for suicide and interpersonal competence did not show a direct association with it. (4) Conclusions: The findings highlight the protective role of interpersonal competence and perceived social support in the progression to suicidal behavior, suggesting cultural similarities and differences in how these factors operate
Two-Step Ligand-Directed Covalent Fluorescent Labeling of the Adenosine A1-Receptor That Maintains Its Orthosteric Binding Site’s Availability to Bind Ligands
Get PDFGenetic tagging of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with bioluminescent or fluorescent proteins is a well-established method for the study of ligand-binding and protein–protein interactions using resonance energy transfer approaches. Here we present a two-step, ligand-directed covalent labeling (LDCL) method that allows attachment of different fluorescent labels to an untagged adenosine A1 receptor using click chemistry. We also describe a range of biophysical approaches to confirm that the orthosteric binding site remains available to interact with endogenous ligands, agonists and antagonists, and access to the orthosteric binding site is not sterically hindered by the transferred cargo (fluorophore or click-reactive group)
Review of solar spectral irradiance modelling at ground level: Current methods and machine learning opportunities
Get PDFThe accurate acquisition of solar spectral irradiance is crucial for the efficient utilisation of solar energy and the strategic planning of solar energy harvesting systems. Due to the high costs associated with specialised measurement instruments, spectral irradiance modelling has become a popular alternative in various fields, including industrial electricity generation, agriculture, and building applications. This review provides a thorough evaluation of existing methods for modelling spectral irradiance at the Earth's surface, while also exploring the potential of machine learning (ML) in this domain. The review begins by examining the atmospheric parameters (e.g., components of gas, aerosol and cloud) that influence spectral irradiance, summarising their wavelength-specific effects and accessibility via different physical or numerical models. A systematic comparison of various mainstream physical models reveals that using more relevant atmospheric parameters as input and enhancing the spatial–temporal resolutions could improve the accuracy of spectral irradiance prediction. However, their accuracy still depends on the accurate parameter acquisition by either measurement or modelling. In contrast, statistical parameterisation approaches can reduce dependence on complex input data, which enhances computational efficiency and maintains high accuracy under certain conditions, such as clear-sky conditions. In addition, machine learning is a promising method that can further enhance the accuracy and efficiency of spectral irradiance modelling. By leveraging large datasets and advanced algorithms, ML models can capture complex patterns and relationships in the data that are difficult to represent with traditional physical models. This enables more accurate predictions of spectral irradiance under a wide range of atmospheric conditions. However, compared to the ML models for total irradiance predictions, ML approaches for spectral modelling are still in the development stage. The challenge is to establish reliable wavelength-dependent correlations between atmospheric parameters and spectral irradiance outputs. Through this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive foundation for researchers and practitioners to better understand the current state of spectral irradiance modelling and to identify key areas for future development
Chinese migrant children’s constructions of transnational childhood in Norway
Get PDFEngaging with the lens of ‘children as been, being and becoming’, this paper analyses Chinese migrant children’s constructions of transnational childhood in Norway, particularly in family context. The study conducted semi-structured interviews with five Chinese families, including children aged 7–14 years old (N = 5) and their parents (N = 9). Findings reveal that Chinese migrant children actively produce meanings of childhood in the migration process, resisting, subverting, and embracing dominant childhood ideals in both Chinese and Norwegian societies. They integrate their past, current, and future experiences and aspirations, constructing (transnational) childhood ideals that matter to them and that are beyond adult-centric
Introduction to Marketing: Concepts and Contexts
No full textThis concise introduction to marketing essentials provides a grounding in the key concepts of the subject and the contexts in which they operate. Considering how the organisation must deal clearly with the contrasting value needs of both consumer and customer, the text views marketing through three topical lenses: technology, responsibility and employability. This provides a unique contemporary approach for today's students.The structure enables students to work through topics in a logical order. Throughout, the author reflects on the differences between best practice and reality. Recognisable brand examples stimulate applied thinking and encourage situational awareness of the issues that shape marketing practices at local, national and global levels.A wealth of pedagogical features consolidates students' knowledge of key concepts. They include a running case study, real life cases, quizzes and discussion and reflection prompts. This digestible yet critical introduction to marketing will help undergraduate students to understand how value is transferred from organisations to the market, using a broad range of marketing mix techniques
Intestinal stem and progenitor cells exhibit distinct adaptive responses to inflammatory stress in IBD
Get PDFBackgroundIntestinal epithelial stem cells (SCs) and their transit-amplifying (TA) progeny are critical for mucosal repair and regeneration. However, their behaviour under chronic inflammatory conditions, such as those observed in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), remains incompletely understood.MethodsWe investigated the impact of chronic inflammation on intestinal stem/progenitor cells by integrating bulk RNA sequencing from the largest IBD biopsy cohort to date with single-cell transcriptomic analysis and experimental assays using patient-derived intestinal organoids.ResultsActive inflammation was associated with a reduction in canonical LGR5⁺ intestinal stem cells and a concurrent expansion of OLFM4⁺ populations, consistent with an inflammation-induced epithelial repair program. Notably, SC/TA cells from both inflamed and non-inflamed IBD tissues exhibited persistent transcriptional changes that were distinct from those in healthy controls. Single-cell analysis identified transcriptionally heterogeneous SC/TA subpopulations, including a previously uncharacterized inflammation-associated cluster enriched in immune signalling pathways. Pseudotime trajectory analysis demonstrated a shift in differentiation toward deep crypt secretory (Paneth-like) cell lineages under inflammatory conditions.ConclusionsChronic intestinal inflammation reshapes the epithelial stem and progenitor cell compartment, promoting altered differentiation and the emergence of immune-responsive epithelial states. These findings highlight the plasticity of the human intestinal epithelium in IBD and point to new avenues for therapeutic strategies aimed at maintaining epithelial integrity during chronic inflammation
Reducing the exceptional affordability of hand-rolling tobacco using tax escalators: a health and economic impact modelling study for England
Get PDFBackground Hand-rolling tobacco (HRT) remains more affordable than factory-made (FM) cigarettes in the UK, which could undermine the health benefits of tobacco tax increases. This study modelled health and economic impacts of raising HRT duty annually to reduce this affordability gap.Methods We used the Sheffield Tobacco and Alcohol Policy Model V.2.5.0, an individual-level microsimulation, to project tobacco consumption, spending and health outcomes for adults in England aged 18–89 from 2024 to 2030. Four duty policies were compared against a business-as-usual scenario of duty rising 2% above the Retail Price Index (RPI) annually: Policy A increased duty by RPI+12% in 2024 only (the UK Government’s October 2023 policy); Policy B applied RPI+10% annually to align with FM duty by 2030; Policy C applied RPI+12% annually; and Policy D applied RPI+18% annually to equalise average HRT and FM prices by 2030.Results Policy A was estimated to prevent 1770 deaths, add 36 947 life years and save the National Health Service £12 million, with greater gains in deprived areas. Policies B–D achieved larger health benefits and reduced inequalities, but increased spending by people who smoke. Policy D generated £3.19 billion additional tax revenue and reduced tobacco industry revenue by £400 million by 2030. Revenue effects depended on assumptions about how higher HRT prices affected FM consumption.Conclusions Sustained duty increases on the least expensive tobacco products could deliver substantial public health gains and reduce health inequalities. Such measures should coincide with strong enforcement against illicit tobacco and comprehensive smoking cessation support
Low-Profile Double-Sided Metal-Backed H-Slot Folded-Patch Tag with Resonance Tuning Capability for On-Metal UHF RFID
Get PDFThis research article presents a miniature, simple in construction, low-profile, two-sided metal-backed folded patch antenna with a resonance tuning capability for on-metal UHF tag. A flexible single-layer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate is wrapped around two pieces of polyethylene foam to support the fabrication of the designed tag. The top and bottom conductive layers are fully laminated with copper, enabling two sides of the tag to be placed against the metal surface without compromising its performance. An H-slot is etched in the middle patch, and the UCODE 8 flip chip is bonded across the center of the embedded patch. The middle patch and top conductive layers are shorted to the bottom conductive layer using inductive shorting stubs. The top conductive layer and the middle patch radiate effectively as a combined structure when the bottom conductive layer is mounted on a metal surface. Conversely, the bottom conductive layer and middle patch jointly radiate effectively when the top conductive layer is placed on the metal surface. Rigorous constrained optimization using the penalty function approach was employed to realize optimal performance with ideal impedance matching at the desired resonant frequency. Concurrent adjustment of all antenna parameters enabled the enhancement of operating parameters beyond what is possible using traditional means, especially in terms of miniaturization. The tag resonance can be tuned to the Lower European (LEu) band with minimal adjustment using single parameter tuning techniques: adjusting the horizontal parallel slots length (Tag-B) or adjusting the width of the shorting stubs (Tag-C). The tag’s volume and size are remarkably small (49.76 mm×18.14 mm×1.177 mm) while its high performance is sustained. The measured read performance on-metal surface is 9.5 m for 4 W EIRP in the NA spectra, whilst it is 7.36 m (Tag-B) and 6.79 m (Tag-C) for 3.24 W EIRP in the LEu spectra. The tag’s reading performance stays stable after being flipped on a metal surface
Vascular Disease as a Consequence of Impaired Endothelial Redox Adaptation
Get PDFEndothelial dysfunction plays a central role in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, but its portrayal as a simple imbalance associated with oxidative stress and nitric oxide (NO) deficiency has somewhat hindered therapeutic progress over the years. Accumulating evidence supports a conceptual shift towards endothelial redox plasticity, the capacity of vascular endothelium to dynamically regulate NO synthase activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during various physio-pathological processes, including growth, repair, and ageing. Experimental, genetic, and clinical data exhibit that ROS are required for physiological adaptation, and that pathology emerges from a regulatory imbalance rather than oxidative stress alone. Mechanistic studies have further exhibited that redox-sensitive signalling networks tightly coordinate endothelial survival, mitochondrial function, and inflammatory activation, reinforcing the concept that oxidative signalling is integral to vascular homeostasis rather than merely deleterious. Distinct vessel-specific redox profiles, microenvironmental factors, progenitor cell dysfunction, and cellular senescence further determine vascular resilience. Hence, restoration of redox adaptability offers a sound foundation for precision vascular therapies
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