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Personal Comfort Systems (PCSs) in offices:efficient utilization threshold based on energy consumption
Get PDFPersonal Comfort Systems (PCSs) have emerged as a solution to customize thermal conditions at individual workstations, potentially reducing overall energy consumption. This study investigates the optimal utilization of PCSs in office environments extending beyond their thermal comfort provision to delve into their overall energy performance, considering various HVAC systems, building insulation levels, and occupancy patterns. Building dynamic Energy Simulations (BES) were conducted for an open-plan office in London, utilizing heating desks. The evaluation method involves comparing scenarios with and without PCSs across various indices, including energy cost and Primary Energy consumption. Results highlight the year-round adaptability of PCSs, offering insights into their efficacy, efficiency, and potential impacts in both new and existing buildings. The absolute savings vary between non-insulated and highly insulated buildings and the study suggests integrating PCSs into building design for optimized energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.<br/
Creating a Sustainability Toolkit for Restaurants
Get PDFWhen the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were proposed, they provided a reality check, questioning the ways in which organisations were addressing the needs of society and the planet, across all sectors worldwide. In response, this study contributes to SDG 12, Responsible Production and Consumption, more specifically considering support for restaurant owners as they transition into environmentally focused and sustainable operations, in particular with the proposal of a researched and informed sustainability toolkit. To understand the factors underpinning successful sustainability practices in restaurants, we utilise the motivation, opportunity, and ability (MOA) framework, applying a two-step focus group methodology. The first focus group included restaurant owners/managers who had effectively applied sustainable operational practices. For the second focus group, we utilised MOA factors uncovered in the first group as discussion points to engage with restaurant owners/managers who had yet to embrace environmentally sustainable practices in order to understand the reasons preventing them from applying sustainability practices. Continuous networking and dynamic support were highlighted as crucial elements needed by restaurant owners to enable them to adopt and fruitfully implement sustainable practices. Theoretical contributions include the value of the MOA framework for evaluating sustainability practices, informing the development of a sustainability toolkit, and its suitability as a framework to support non-chain tourism businesses in developing practices to support sustainability, inclusivity, and access
Environmental sustainability in intensive care:An international survey of intensive care professionals‘views, practices and proposals to the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine
Get PDFThe intensive care unit (ICU) is a high-resource area, generating more waste and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than standard hospital wards. Environmental sustainability is important for healthcare professionals worldwide, prompting scientific societies to call for urgent action. To respond to this global need, the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) conducted an international survey assessing intensive care professionals' attitudes and practices towards environmental sustainability. Intensive care professionals completed an online survey between 21 October 2023, and 5 January 2024. The survey, featuring 21 questions assessing attitudes and practices towards environmental sustainability and proposals for actions from ESICM, was disseminated during the 36th ESICM Congress via National Intensive Care Societies and ESICM's social media. We received 635 responses from 48 countries. Four hundred seventy (80 %) respondents acknowledged a responsibility to be aware of the environmental impact of intensive care practice, and 372 (63.5 %) disagreed or were uncertain about their knowledge level to guide practice. Four hundred thirty-seven (84 %) lacked formal training on making sustainable choices. Ninety-five per cent used non-sterile gloves in ICUs, and 63 % were willing to reduce use to support sustainable practices. Two proposed actions for ESICM to improve environmental sustainability were increasing knowledge on ecology (91/187, 49 %) and raising awareness in the field (36/187,20 %). This survey highlighted the need for scientific societies, notably ESICM, to provide robust support and structured education on environmental sustainability. Intensive care professionals acknowledged the environmental impact of intensive care and seemed eager to invest in their education on this topic. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Leveraging Ethical Narratives to Enhance LLM‐AutoML Generated Machine Learning Models
Get PDFThe growing popularity of generative AI and large language models (LLMs) has sparked innovation alongside debate, particularly around issues of plagiarism and intellectual property law. However, a less-discussed concern is the quality of code generated by these models, which often contains errors and encourages poor programming practices. This paper proposes a novel solution by integrating LLMs with automated machine learning (AutoML). By leveraging AutoML's strengths in hyperparameter tuning and model selection, we present a framework for generating robust and reliable machine learning (ML) algorithms. Our approach incorporates natural language processing (NLP) and natural language understanding (NLU) techniques to interpret chatbot prompts, enabling more accurate and customisable ML model generation through AutoML. To ensure ethical AI practices, we have also introduced a filtering mechanism to address potential biases and enhance accountability. The proposed methodology not only demonstrates practical implementation but also achieves high predictive accuracy, offering a viable solution to current challenges in LLM-based code generation. In summary, this paper introduces a new application of NLP and NLU to extract features from chatbot prompts, feeding them into an AutoML system to generate ML algorithms. This approach is framed within a rigorous ethical framework, addressing concerns of bias and accountability while enhancing the reliability of code generation
Wetlands and culture
No full textWetlands have shaped and inspired our cultural lives across the span of human history. Humans have also handled and shaped wetlands for good or ill through cultural practices across this span. In this chapter Gearey and Giblett invite the reader to consider the myriad ways in which these wetland cultures have occurred. These include the material culture of wetlands – the artefacts, tools, infrastructure and technologies which demonstrate human agency in these landscapes across time – and their non-tangible components – the ideas, social norms, moral and ethical codes which determine how wetlands are valued and used, expressed through art, rhetoric, law, religion, music, folklore and storytelling. This chapter aims to communicate humanity’s connected and complex relationship/s with these dynamic, banal, seductive, elusive ecosystems which are so fundamental to life on Earth
Science communication in the digital age:trends, gaps, and interdisciplinary opportunities
Get PDFThis manuscript reviews the evolution of science communication research over the past 2 decades, highlighting publication trends and citation patterns. Key areas include public engagement, media influence, and digital tools. The study shows a rise in both the volume and impact of literature, especially after global events like the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it identifies gaps in research on digital tools and outreach strategies, particularly in non-Western contexts. This work aims to improve public understanding and foster informed engagement with scientific issues.<br/
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No full text3 Person Show, painting/ceramics/collage/textile at Fishing Museum Gallery, Brighton, East Susse
Psychosocial profiles of men who have sex with men (MSM) influencing PrEP acceptability:a latent profile analysis
Get PDFDespite the availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the United Kingdom (UK), uptake among men who have sex with men (MSM) remains inconsistent, signalling a persistent ‘PrEP Gap’. Empirical studies show the important role of psychosocial factors (e.g., stigma, identity, trust in science, and sexual behaviours) in PrEP acceptability and uptake. This study aimed to identify subgroups of MSM in the UK based on psychosocial predictors of PrEP acceptability. A cross-sectional survey of MSM (N = 500) was conducted between June and September 2023. Participants completed validated measures assessing identity resilience, internalised homonegativity, LGBTQ+ connectedness, trust in science, NHS perceptions, HIV stigma, PrEP self-efficacy, condom self-efficacy, sociosexual orientation, perceived HIV risk, and PrEP acceptability. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was used to identify distinct subgroups based on these psychosocial dimensions. Four psychosocial profiles were defined: (1) PrEP Ambivalent (15%); (2) PrEP Accepting (36.2%); (3) PrEP Hesitant (37%); and (4) PrEP Rejecting (11.8%). These profiles provide evidence for varied combinations of personal and structural factors influencing PrEP acceptability. PrEP acceptability among MSM in the UK is shaped by distinct psychosocial configurations, influenced by identity, stigma, trust, and perceived risk. These findings highlight the need for differentiated and targeted interventions for enhancing PrEP acceptability based on psychosocial profile. Audience segmentation strategies offer a promising pathway to bridge the awareness-to-engagement gap and address the nuanced barriers facing diverse subgroups within the MSM community
