110830 research outputs found
Sort by
Understanding the Needs of Moderators in Online Mental Health Forums: Realist Synthesis and Recommendations for Support : Realist Synthesis and Recommendations for Support
No full textThere has been an increase in the use of online mental health forums to support mental health. These forums are often moderated by trained moderators to ensure a safe, therapeutic environment. While the moderator role is rewarding, it can also be challenging. There is a need to understand the impact of the role on moderators and how they can best be supported to maintain psychological well-being. This study aimed to understand how, why, and in what contexts moderator well-being is affected by the moderator role and produce actionable recommendations for how moderators can best be supported to maintain workplace psychological well-being. We conducted realist synthesis of (1) published and gray literature from 2019 to 2023, (2) stakeholder interviews with forum moderators and hosts, and (3) moderator training manuals developed by organizations that host online mental health forums. Self-determination theory was used as the theoretical basis for this synthesis. We developed 24 context-mechanism-outcome configurations from our realist analysis of 9 published papers, 18 interviews, and 5 training manuals. The findings highlight the specific ways in which moderator well-being can be supported through meeting the psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Forums that allow moderators to work in alignment with their personal motivations can increase moderator well-being. Forum organizations should support moderator competence through initial expectation setting, especially around moderator responsibility for user well-being, and ongoing support, such as meaningful supervision and peer support. Co-designed training, reflective practice, and experiential learning are all key to increasing moderator competence and satisfaction in the workplace. Working within a diverse team with access to innovative forum design can increase moderator psychological well-being. Organizational support for moderators' well-being through monitoring and encouraging self-care is vital to ensure moderators can effectively carry out their role. Making and supporting meaningful relationships in the forum can boost psychological well-being and the therapeutic value of the moderator role. Key challenges for moderators were dealing with conflicts between supporting open discussion and ensuring a safe community environment, sharing lived experiences in positive ways for both moderator and user, and supporting people within the limitations of an anonymous forum. This realist synthesis is the first to examine the impacts on well-being of being a moderator of an online mental health forum. Recommendations to support moderator psychological well-being are proposed, targeted at specific stakeholder groups to aid implementation. Organizational-level endorsement and facilitation of support are particularly important for the realization of recommendations and interventions to support moderator well-being. [Abstract copyright: ©Heather Robinson, Millissa Booth, Lauren Fothergill, Claire Friedrich, Zoe Glossop, Jade Haines, Andrew Harding, Rose Johnston, Steven Jones, Karen Machin, Rachel Meacock, Kristi Nielson, Paul Marshall, Jo-Anne Puddephatt, Tamara Rakić, Paul Rayson, Jo Rycroft-Malone, Nick Shryane, Zoe Swithenbank, Sara Wise, Fiona Lobban. Originally published in JMIR Mental Health (https://mental.jmir.org), 26.09.2025.
The legacy of epidemics : Influenza and smallpox in the early 20th century in Glasgow, UK
No full textThe P-graph approach in optimal synthesis and planning of waste management towards achieving sustainable development goals : A systematic review
No full textEffective waste management remains a challenge in global environmental sustainability, underlining the urgent necessity for innovative solutions. This review explored waste management strategies, focusing on the role of P-graph frameworks in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). P-graphs offer a systematic approach across domains including, chemical reaction routes, carbon management networks, economic systems and resource planning to waste management synthesis and planning. Through a systematic search and analysis of relevant P-graph approaches, 28 articles meeting the inclusion criteria were selected for review. The study reveals that P-graph approach is a systematic methodology that can streamline decision-making processes, which ultimately lead to more efficient and effective waste management strategies and solutions. This research also highlighted the absence of previous studies on the application of the P-graph approach to various types of waste, underscoring its significance and originality in the field. This study seeks to advance the achievement of SDGs and promote sustainable waste management practices through the integration of the P-graph framework with waste management solutions
A coupled extreme gradient boosting-MPA approach for estimating daily reference evapotranspiration
Get PDFReference evapotranspiration (ET0) modeling is pivotal for irrigation scheduling and water resources planning. This study presents a hybrid approach integrating Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) with Marine Predators Algorithm (MPA) for daily ET0 estimation in northern Algeria. The proposed XGB-MPA model was evaluated against traditional empirical models and assessed using statistical methods. Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) was employed to enhance model interpretability. Various combinations of meteorological variables were tested as inputs, including air temperature, relative humidity, sunshine hours, wind speed, and extraterrestrial solar radiation. The XGB-MPA hybrid model achieved superior prediction accuracy during testing (R2 = 0.9958, RMSE = 0.1713 mm/day) compared to traditional empirical models and the standard XGB model. The study demonstrated that ET0 prediction accuracy increased with the number of meteorological inputs used. Our findings highlight the XGB-MPA hybrid model's potential for accurate ET0 estimation in northern Algeria, which can be used for water resource management and irrigation planning
What laparoscopic skills are necessary for Certificate of Completion of Training? : A prospective nationwide cross-sectional survey of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and General Surgery trainees and consultants in the UK
Get PDFObjectives: To explore the views of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (O&G) and General Surgery (GS) trainees and consultants on the laparoscopic skills considered necessary to achieve the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and identify any mismatch between consultants and trainees in their expectations of these skills. Design: A prospective nationwide cross-sectional study in the UK. Setting: A national survey distributed through Health Education, England and national training bodies such as the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologist (RCOG), British society for gynaecological endoscopy (BSGE) and the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI). Participants: O&G and GS consultants and specialty trainees in O&G and GS. Specialty trainees below ST3 level and consultants performing open surgery or minor laparoscopic surgery only were excluded. Interventions: Trainees completed a 27-item questionnaire on their training characteristics, rated their confidence and perceived importance of 10 laparoscopic skills required for CCT using a 5-point Likert scale. Consultants answered a 36-item questionnaire on their demographic details, their views on the importance of the same 10 laparoscopic skills, their confidence and the standard of laparoscopic skills they observed amongst trainees approaching CCT. Results: 345 participants responded to the questionnaire: 117 O&G trainees, 95 O&G consultants, 57 GS trainees & 76 GS consultants. O&G trainees and consultants expected similar laparoscopic skills required for CCT for all ten skills (P> 0.050), whilst GS consultants had higher expectations of GS trainees for suturing (P=0.003), use of endovascular devices (P=0.020) and staplers (P=0.020). Consultants in both specialties observed that trainees were performing significantly below the expected standards; P< 0.010 (O&G) and P<0.001 (GS) for all 10 listed skills. O&G trainees reported lower confidence than GS trainees for all 10 laparoscopic skills (P<0.001). Conclusions: This nationwide study showed that UK O&G trainees and consultants both agree on the skills required for CCT, but GS consultants had higher expectations than their trainees. Trainees in GS were more confident in their surgical skills than those in O&G. However, consultants in both specialities believed that trainees were not achieving the requisite laparoscopic skills required for CCT
Evaluating multi-seasonal SAR and optical imagery for above-ground biomass estimation using the national forest inventory of Zambia
Get PDFMapping forest above-ground biomass (AGB) is crucial for monitoring forest ecosystems and assessing the success of conservation initiatives such as the REDD+ carbon projects. Traditional field-based approaches to measuring AGB, however, face significant challenges, due to high financial costs and logistical constraints. Remote sensing, including both active and passive sensors, presents a promising and cost-effective alternative, yet its practical utility and accuracy for capturing forest AGB in diverse and complex ecosystems remains largely unexplored. This research used an extensive national forest inventory (NFI) dataset to evaluate the ability to map the AGB of the Miombo woodlands in Zambia across four agro-ecological zones using both multi-seasonal SAR (Sentinel-1A) and optical (Landsat-8 OLI) imagery. A multi-level experiment was designed to (i) compare the accuracy of AGB estimation using SAR and optical data when used independently, and in combination, using a Random Forest regression model, (ii) assess the effect of seasonality on the accuracy of AGB estimation when using SAR and optical datasets, and (iii) evaluate the effect of variation in climatic and environmental conditions on AGB estimation. Experimental results show that multi-seasonal images (across the rainy, hot and dry seasons) outperformed single-season and annual images. Combining SAR backscatter in the hot season, optical bands in the dry season, and vegetation indices in the hot season produced the most accurate AGB model (R = 0.69, MAE = 14.01 Mg ha-1 and RMSE = 18.23 Mg ha-1). The models performed distinctly across different agro-ecological zones (R = 0.44 – 0.79), suggesting that fitting local models could be beneficial. These results based on the extensive NFI of Zambia demonstrate that seasonal effects and fitting local models can lead to more accurate AGB estimation within the Miombo woodlands, which is of significance for ongoing REDD+ carbon projects in Zambia and other African countries
Performance in a digital world : Navigating commercial drama in WeChat blogs
Get PDFDrawing upon performance theory, this study investigates the dynamics of commercially driven blogs created by WeChat influencers. It examines three of the most critical yet still unanswered questions in our understandings of influencer marketing: How WeChat influencers captivate both readers and advertisers, generating commercially driven digital performance that meet the expectations of both sides? How marketers analyse criteria when selecting influencers and assess their cooperation to acquire valuable information that may enhance their digital performance? What challenges and negative aspects of influencer marketing manifest as dark side of performance and what barriers and hazards to the sector? In this study, the WeChat official account platform is conceptualized as a stage, where influencers assume the roles of both playwrights and directors, while brands act as sponsors and readers as the audience. In addressing these important issues, I first explore the strategies used by WeChat influencers in their digital performances. Then, I investigate the processes used by marketers in their selection of WeChat influencers. Lastly, I examine the dark side of the process that may arise from the performance and the strategies used in sustaining commercial success. Moving beyond one-sided narratives, I focus on the intricate interplay of influencers, brands, and audiences on the WeChat official account platform. Employing a netnographic approach, this dissertation reveals that celebrity influencers enhance persuasiveness, excitement, and reader engagement through different techniques of digital performance. They adopt the strategies of role-playing, emotional expression, and interactions with audience to create successful digital performance with commercial purposes. They use digital impression management to sustain an audience as well as attract marketers. The findings have important implications for marketers when selecting influencers and highlight three evaluation criteria: engagement metrics (reading rate; conversion rate; fan growth rate); AISAS model (attention-interestsearch-action-sharing); and the subjective approach (such as anecdotal feedback, qualitative impressions, or subjective assessments). Lastly, it uncovers the negative repercussions of marketing on WeChat official accounts, shedding light on the dark side’s impact on influencers, brands, audiences, and broader society. The dark side of influencer marketing stems from the numerous pressures on influencers, including mental, physical, and financial strains. Negative impacts extend to brands, facing risks from setbacks and financial losses due to lack of transparency in fees and other detrimental practices. Heightened competition among brands may lead to increased marketing expenses, with brands essentially operating as conduits for influencers. Additionally, adverse effects on readers and society such as economic losses, misleading erroneous values, fostering negative social norms, and giving rise to unhealthy psychological issues which can lead to societal anxiety and conflicts. In addition, this research extends performance theory to the online realm and explores theoretical issues beyond self-presentation within a commercial context. It offers practical insights for researchers exploring marketing-related fields within the Chinese market, providing a comprehensive understanding of WeChat commercial blogs and the integration of performance theory
Psychometric Properties of the Nine‐Item Personal Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9) Seven‐Item Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD‐7), and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) With People With Intellectual Disabilities
No full textBackground: The nine‐item Physical Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9), the seven‐item Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD‐7) and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) are, respectively, self‐report measures of depression, generalised anxiety, and the impact of mental health on the person's personal functioning that are widely used in mainstream mental health services in England. The psychometric properties of these scales when used with people with intellectual disabilities have not been established. Method: Item level data for the PHQ‐9 (n = 128), GAD‐7 (n = 124) and WSAS (n = 133) for people with intellectual disabilities in an English NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression (NHSTT) service in the north of England were analysed using internal reliability statistics and confirmatory factor analysis. Results: In this study, the full PHQ‐9, GAD‐7 and WSAS have Cronbach's α of 0.81, 0.84 and 0.81, respectively, and have acceptable ranges of corrected item‐total correlations. The two‐factor structures for the PHQ‐9 and the GAD‐7 were a better fit than single‐factor structures, although the single‐factor fit and the correlation between the two factors within each scale suggest that their use as a single scale is justified. The single‐factor structure for the WSAS was a good fit. Conclusions: In this study, the widely used PHQ‐9, GAD‐7 and WSAS demonstrate internal consistency values and factor analysis structure similar to those for individuals without intellectual disabilities. The data support the use of these measures for people with intellectual disabilities attending routine primary care mental health services
Novel Frequency-Efficient Communication-Positioning Integrated Signal and Ranging Methodology for Future Aviation
Get PDFThe future of aviation is characterized by the fusion of digital technologies, data-driven decision-making, and seamless connectivity. Accurate and reliable positioning plays a pivotal role in the future aviation technologies such as autonomous flight, advanced air traffic management (ATM) systems, and augmented reality (AR) for pilot assistance. In case of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) failure, the alternative positioning, navigation, and timing (APNT) system is needed. Current methods for aviation positioning either lack the accuracy, reliability or the capacity for future air traffic development because their signal designs are outdated or not optimal for positioning. To tackle this problem, a novel communication-positioning integrated signal is designed. A continuous positioning signal is superposed onto the L-band digital aeronautical communication system (L-DACS) signal using non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) principle to fully utilize the frequency resources and minimize its interference to communication. A novel cross channel measuring (CCM) algorithm is proposed to measure pseudorange when the positioning signal is spread across multiple L-DACS1 channels for improved ranging accuracy. Simulation results show the novel communication-positioning integrated signal and its measuring method outperforms the existing L-DACS1 method, almost achieving meter-level ranging accuracy. And the positioning signal causes minimal interference to communication
Bridging the gap : how transport infrastructure reduces bilateral trade costs to fuel GDP growth
No full textAlthough scholars generally recognize infrastructure development as a pivotal pillar for economic progress, a gap remains in the current literature regarding how transport infrastructure affects GDP growth. This study examines how transport infrastructure impacts GDP growth by reducing trade costs. It confirms that improving the quality of transport infrastructure lowers these costs. Specifically, a 1% improvement in the average transport infrastructure quality between an emerging and a developed economy can reduce bilateral trade costs by up to 0.71%. To estimate the net effect of changes in infrastructure on GDP growth via trade costs, we used the Computational General Equilibrium framework. The results demonstrate significant potential for enhancing GDP growth across different groups of countries based on their level of economic development (i.e. developing countries, emerging countries, and developed countries). The broader implications of transport infrastructure development for the global economy are also examined