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Content style decoupling for multi style image generation using latent diffusion architecture
No full textExisting multi-style image generation methods face critical challenges: insufficient content-style decoupling, high computational costs for high-resolution generation, and structural distortion during style transfer. To address these, we propose the Dual-Conditional Lightweight Style Diffusion Model (DCLSDM), a novel approach enhancing content-style decoupling via a dual-conditional control mechanism. This mechanism independently manages content structure and style expression, enabling better control in style transfer. Experimental results on WikiArt and Summer2Winter Yosemite datasets show DCLSDM outperforms comparative models in SSIM, LPIPS, and FID, with significant improvements in inference time, memory usage, and parameter scale–making it suitable for resource-constrained scenarios. It offers an efficient, controllable solution for multi-style image generation, with potential in content creation and digital art production
Exploring science with children from under-represented groups through shared interests : insights from a decade of practice
Get PDFThrough a series of projects dating back to 2015, the Science Hunters programme has delivered eight ‘Minecraft Clubs’ to engage children with Special Educational Needs, care-experienced children, and children in low socioeconomic status areas with science, technology, engineering, and maths. Science concepts are used as themes to build around, rather than the key focus of the activity, which is communal gameplay and having fun. Delivery has been developed through reflective practice, insights from which are drawn upon to extract key takeaways for engaging children with science outside of traditional settings through community-based activities and existing interests. These include drawing on the experiences of those with relevant backgrounds in design and delivery approaches, embedding STEM content rather than making it a primary feature of the activity, seeking and incorporating participants’ input, and having alternative approaches and resources available to facilitate accommodation of different needs and circumstances
Beyond Bitrate : Understanding the QoE Impact of Playback Rate and Seeking in Adaptive Video Streaming
Get PDFQuality of Experience (QoE) is a key component in adaptive bitrate (ABR) streaming. While the effects of delivery disruptions - such as changes in video quality or rebuffering - have been extensively studied, the impact of playback rate variations remains relatively unexplored. Existing work has examined the QoE impact of playback rate in isolation, without comparing it to other common ABR streaming artifacts such as video quality variations, rebuffering, or seeking. Moreover, the role of gradual playback rate transitions has not been explored. This paper addresses these gaps through four large-scale subjective studies that provide a systematic QoE evaluation of playback rate. We compare the acceptability of playback rate changes against quality degradations and rebuffering, and assess rate increases relative to seeking, both of which are strategies for maintaining the desired latency in low-latency streaming. We further investigate how gradual versus instantaneous playback rate transitions affect QoE. Through our subjective studies we identify levels of slowed-down playback that are imperceptible to users, and can be combined with video quality adaptation in ABR algorithms to reduce rebuffering. Moreover, we identify imperceptible rates of speeded-up video playback, which can be used as part of catch-up mechanisms to maintain a desired latency in live streaming, offering a less detrimental alternative to seeking events, which we found to significantly degrade QoE. This work presents the first systematic comparison of playback rate variations with video quality degradation, rebuffering, and seeking. The findings extend our understanding of QoE in adaptive video streaming and provide actionable design guidelines for video players to improve the user experience of streaming services
The effectiveness of JU:MP a whole system approach to improve physical activity of children aged 5 to 11 years living in multi-ethnic and socio-economically deprived communities : a non-randomised controlled trial
No full textBackground Whole system approaches to public health challenges such as low physical activity levels have the potential to create sustained behaviour change at a population level and tackle health inequalities. However, there is currently little evidence of the nature or effectiveness of adopting whole system approaches. This study evaluated whether a whole system physical activity intervention (JU:MP), was effective at improving accelerometry measured physical activity in five- to eleven-year-olds. Methods A non-randomised controlled trial with two-arms (JU:MP intervention and control), was conducted in multi-ethnic and socioeconomically deprived areas of Bradford, UK with data collected at baseline and 24-months follow-up. Habitual physical activity was measured via accelerometry. Mixed effects regression models identified group differences at 24 months. The primary outcome was moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA). Secondary outcomes included: accelerometery measured - sedentary time (ST), counts per minute (CPM); BMI z-score, waist circumference, and children’s social, emotional and behavioural health, and quality-of-life via parental and teacher completed questionnaires. An exploratory analysis compared intervention effects between sub-groups. Results 1,453 children were recruited. 330 children with valid wear-time at baseline and 24-months (JU:MP group n = 175, control group n = 155) were included in the final analysis of physical activity outcomes. The JU:MP group improved levels of MVPA (+ 4.99 min/day, (CI = 1.01, 8.96), standardised mean difference (SMD) = 0.29), ST ( -8.69 min/day, CI = -16.76, -0.61), SMD = -0.20) and CPM (+ 32.72, CI = 5.93, 59.53, SMD = 0.28) compared to controls. There were minor differences between groups in all secondary outcomes, favouring the JU:MP group. Exploratory sub-group analysis revealed that MVPA improved for boys (+ 7.34 min/days, CI = 0.70, 13.99, SMD = 0.36) and South Asian heritage children (+ 7.20 min/day, CI = 1.67, 12.72, SMD = 0.52) in the JU:MP group compared to the control group. Conclusion This study provides evidence that a whole system, community-based intervention can improve physical activity levels in primary school-aged children, particularly among boys and South Asian children, in deprived and ethnically diverse settings. The findings suggest that whole systems approaches may be effective in mitigating age-related declines in activity and addressing inequalities at scale
A Licence to Kill: Necroeconomic Suffocation by Stealth and the Fight for Life
Get PDFThree decades of austerity in the UK have seen the deterioration of the elemental infrastructures, those that provided a basic level of security for the population. In this article, we analyse the case of Awaab Ishak, who died (age two) when he suffocated from mould in his home in Rochdale, North‐West England. We investigate why and how this child was allowed to die in a rich Western European country with a welfare state, and how this case made visible the necroeconomic policies that have made our most intimate spaces for daily living and breathing dangerous. Exploring the relationship between capital and state, we reveal those who profit from slum housing and examine how premature death from indoor air pollution is symbolically legitimated. We argue that the state's invitation to asset managers to take over social housing has granted property owners and managers a licence to kill
Trump’s attacks on the Federal Reserve risk fuelling US inflation and ending dollar dominance
No full textQuantifying and addressing the uncertainties in tropospheric ozone and OH in a global chemistry transport model
No full textThe major physical and chemical processes governing the abundance of atmospheric oxidants such as ozone and hydroxyl radicals (OH) are largely understood, but quantitative assessment of their importance in different environments remains challenging. Atmospheric chemistry transport models allow exploration of these processes on a global scale, but weaknesses in process representation in these models introduces uncertainty, and model intercomparisons show considerable diversity even in representing current atmospheric composition. Formal constraint of models with atmospheric observations is needed to provide more critical insight into the causes of model weaknesses. In this study we perform a global sensitivity analysis on a chemistry transport model using Gaussian process emulation and identify the processes contributing most to uncertainty in tropospheric ozone and OH. We then explore the use of atmospheric measurements to calibrate the model and identify weaknesses in process representation and understanding. We find that the largest uncertainties are associated with photochemical kinetic data and with factors governing photolysis rates and surface deposition. Calibration constrains the uncertainty in key processes, improving comparisons with observations and informing model development, but we show that it is also valuable in identifying structural errors in models. We show that surface ozone measurements alone provide insufficient constraint, and we highlight the importance of applying a broad range of different observational metrics. While this study is exploratory in nature, focussing on a limited number of constraints, we clearly demonstrate the value of rigorous calibration for providing important new insight into key processes and their representation in atmospheric models
Listening to and learning from patients : A review of the results from the 2023 national radiotherapy patient experience survey in England
No full textEmphasised through the radiotherapy service specification alongside a range of policies, there is a need to ensure the patient voice is listened to and heard. Ensuring patients are 'cared about' throughout their radiotherapy treatment is essential. Reviewing the expectations of patients and capturing their experiences of radiotherapy, enables improvement to our radiotherapy services. An online survey including open and closed questions about patient experience was distributed to adult external beam radiotherapy patients (EBRT), attending radiotherapy within 10 Radiotherapy Operational Delivery Networks in England. Patients completing radiotherapy treatment 4th - 29th September 2023 were eligible to participate. A 30.6 % response rate was gained (calculated from RTDS data). Over 2500 responses were received, with 2486 suitable for analysis. Respondents stated 'complete understanding' of knowledge of late effects of radiotherapy was 58.6 %, with early effects at 73.7 %. Most patients (93.8 %) were happy or very happy with information received prior to EBRT starting. The vast majority (95 %) stated they were treated with dignity and respect, with a few describing examples where this had not been the case. The majority of patients responding to this survey indicated they experienced high quality care:'… the staff, from top to bottom, are quite exceptional. They represent the very best of the NHS and I am truly grateful.' From a service improvement perspective, also highlighted was the need to review delivery and content of information given both pre- and post-radiotherapy treatment. The need for a biennial National Radiotherapy Patient Experience Survey is required. This needs to be available in a range of alternative formats to ensure all voices can be heard
Ethnic Representation, Deprivation and Seizure Outcomes in a UK Tertiary Epilepsy Clinic
No full textBackground Ethnic disparities in healthcare access are well-documented, but their impact on epilepsy outcomes in the UK remains unclear. We examined ethnic representation and seizure outcomes in a tertiary epilepsy clinic. Methods Retrospective analysis of 1,609 adults attending Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences (2020–2024). Ethnic distribution was compared with census data. Logistic regression assessed associations between ethnicity and seizure freedom, adjusting for age, sex, and deprivation. Results Asian (6.4%), Black (1.4%), and Mixed (1.7%) patients were underrepresented compared to Greater Manchester demographics (13.6%, 4.0%, 3.0% respectively; all p Conclusions Ethnic minorities are underrepresented in this tertiary epilepsy clinic yet achieve comparable outcomes once engaged in care, indicating disparities in access rather than treatment quality. Culturally competent care delivery, community outreach, and systematic review of referral pathways are needed to ensure equitable access to specialist services