11237 research outputs found
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Circular economy and digital technology‐enabled innovation: advances, applications and prospects
No full textThere is a major promise in the fusion of the circular economy (CE) principles with digital technologies—such as internet‐of‐things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain—in transforming innovation, sustainability, and industrial practices. This editorial article discusses this intersection and introduces a special issue dedicated to exploring how digital technologies enable the business transition towards the CE in a variety of ways. We initially provide an overview of the context, scope, and perspectives of this special issue. The discussions in the papers illustrate a breadth of theoretical perspectives and practical approaches considered by the academic community in addressing real‐world phenomena related to CE and digital technology‐enabled innovation. Furthermore, we propose a single integrative conceptual framework of the CE and digital technologies, encompassing both the multi‐level insights from the special issue and future research opportunities. This unified framework is structured along macro (ecosystem/supply chain), meso (organisational), and micro (individual/product) levels, highlighting key findings as well as open research avenues.</p
Physical multimorbidity and dynapenic abdominal obesity among older adults from low- and middle-income countries
No full textBackgroundAs far as we are aware, to date, there are no studies on the association between dynapenic abdominal obesity (DAO) and physical multimorbidity (i.e., ≥2 chronic conditions). Thus, we aimed to examine this association among older adults from six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).MethodsCross-sectional, nationally representative data from the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health were analyzed. Data on 20,198 adults aged ≥60 years were analyzed [mean (SD) age 69.4 (13.1) years; 54.1% females]. Information on 11 chronic physical conditions was obtained. Dynapenia was defined as 88 cm for women and >102 cm for men. DAO was defined as having both dynapenia and abdominal obesity. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted.ResultsAfter adjustment for potential confounders, compared to no dynapenia and no abdominal obesity, dynapenia alone, abdominal obesity alone, and DAO are associated with 1.34 (95% CI = 1.16–1.55), 1.64 (95% CI = 1.36–1.98), and 2.49 (95% CI = 1.94–3.19) times higher odds for physical multimorbidity, respectively.ConclusionsDynapenic abdominal obesity is significantly associated with higher odds for physical multimorbidity among older adults in LMICs. Prevention and management of dynapenic abdominal obesity may aid in reducing the burden of physical multimorbidity, pending future longitudinal research.</p
‘You need to be built differently for a re-sit class’: further education English teachers’ views of the GCSE re-sit and its influence on their professionalism
No full textThis empirical study investigates teachers’ attitudes toward teaching the English GCSE re-sit qualification in post-compulsory education and its impact on their professionalism. It situates the work within the context of England’s 2011 English education reforms and ongoing concerns with the qualification. The study examines how 72 lecturers navigate challenges and develop professional agency. Findings reveal that institutions offering greater support tend to foster professional growth. Many educators experience frustration due to limited freedom to innovate, inadequate recognition, and lack of professional development. Yet, some practitioners report that teaching the re-sit enhances their professional skills. Open responses show that despite systemic constraints, further education teachers often demonstrate adaptability and retain some curriculum autonomy. The research highlights the value of their role, even when not fully supported by their institutions. It calls for systemic change to better support teacher agency, encourage collaboration, and redesign the qualification to meet contemporary literacy needs. The study contributes to debates on literacy education reform and teacher autonomy, recommending enhanced support and collective action among subject specialists to strengthen the effectiveness and satisfaction of teaching in this complex area.</p
Screen-based behaviours as moderators of the link between physical activity and internalizing and externalizing symptoms in adolescents: a population-based cohort study
No full textBackground: Increased engagement in screen-based behaviors may contribute to decreased physical activity (PA) participation and is associated with mental health among adolescents. Yet, there remain knowledge gaps in how types and duration of screen-based behaviors may moderate the associations between PA, psychological distress, internalizing, and externalizing symptoms. This population-based study aimed to examine this relationship. Methods: Longitudinal data were obtained from the Millennium Cohort Study and adolescents were followed up from the 14-year to 17-year waves. Data on device-based moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), screen-based behaviors (watching videos and playing videogames), internalizing (emotional and peer problems) and externalizing symptoms (hyperactivity and conduct problem), and psychological distress were analyzed using negative binomial regression (stratified by gender) with interaction terms of continuous device-based PA and categorical screen-based behaviors being applied. Results: The final sample included 3397 adolescents (mean age = 13.8, 54% girls). Device-based MVPA was associated with a lower incidence of emotional problems (boys [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.97], and girls [IRR = 0.98]), peer problems (IRR = 0.97), and psychological distress (girls only, IRR = 0.98). Video watching for ≥2 hours per day was associated with a higher incidence of conduct problem in boys (IRR = 1.20) and videogames playing ≥2 hours per day was associated with all internalizing and externalizing symptoms in girls (IRR range 1.10–1.21). A buffering effect of MVPA on various symptoms among those spent Conclusions: Reducing screen-based behaviors may help maximize the benefits of MVPA on mental health outcomes in adolescents therefore implementing interventions targeting screen-based behaviors reduction should be recognized as first-line priority.</p
A narrative inquiry into the sustainability education experiences of undergraduate business management students
No full textEducation about sustainability issues presents complex and multi-faceted challenges to both students and educators. There are few studies that explore university student responses to sustainability education and this study contributes to good practice in the design and delivery of sustainability education. It examines how a sustainability education module could be a tool for personal transformation for final year undergraduate university students studying business management. Using narrative inquiry as a methodological framework, seven students were interviewed after module completion to explore their engagement with a sustainability education module that highlighted the need for personal transformation as a response to sustainability challenges. Their experiences, as told through interviews, were developed as individual stories and narrative inquiry approaches employed to reveal insights into their thoughts and feelings before, during and after their learning experience. These stories were examined to identify topics and associated strands, facilitating analysis and discussion of common influences and indicators of personal transformation.The findings reveal that: a) Student background and context in terms of family, community and cultural factors can influence learner engagement with sustainability education; b) Different ways of learning, including integrated learning, experiential learning, and reflective practice, are common influences in promoting engagement with sustainability education; and c) The extent of personal transformation can be indicated by changes in participant attitudes and behaviours and it is possible to identify transitional steps towards personal transformation.Further research is recommended to investigate how understanding student background and context could be accommodated into module design and delivery, as well as how different pedagogical approaches could facilitate the integration of sustainability education across university curricula. University educators could also enhance their awareness of the processes and pedagogies of sustainability education that seek to foster transformation, thus making sustainability education more effective in empowering students to become change agents capable of influencing others to change their attitudes and behaviours.</p
Long-term fasting and its influence on inflammatory biomarkers: a comprehensive scoping review
No full textObjectives: Despite the rising popularity of prolonged fasting, its biological effects and potential risks remain unclear, with claims suggesting it reduces inflammation. This systematic scoping review examines the impact of prolonged fasting (≥48 h) on key inflammatory biomarkers: C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).Methods: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive search of PubMed, Medline (Ovid), Web of Science, Embase (Classic and Embase), and Scopus was conducted for studies published up to August 2024. Eligible studies were peer-reviewed human clinical trials that investigated prolonged fasting’s effects on inflammatory markers.Results: Following a systematic search across multiple databases, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Contrary to popular belief, the majority of studies reported either no change or an increase in inflammatory biomarkers during prolonged fasting. CRP levels frequently rose—often significantly—during fasting periods, particularly in individuals with overweight or obesity. Some studies also reported increases in TNF-α and IL-6, though results were less consistent. Importantly, several studies showed a reduction or normalization of CRP levels after refeeding, suggesting that the inflammatory response to fasting may be transient or adaptive. These discrepancies may be due to differences in fasting duration, participant characteristics, and study design.Conclusions: This review finds limited and inconsistent evidence on prolonged fasting's effects on inflammation, with varied study designs and lack of standard protocols. Overall, prolonged fasting appears to lead to an increase in inflammation that may represent an adaptive mechanism. Future research, particularly randomized controlled trials, is needed to assess the long-term impacts of fasting on inflammation and metabolic diseases across different populations.</p
Investigating the effect of capsular thickness and material properties on biomechanical and optical parameters in eye models
No full textThe mechanism of accommodation, which defines the shape change of the eye lens in order to provide clear focus over a range of distances, is still not fully understood. The uncertainties in understanding pose an obstacle to comprehending the causal factors in age-related loss of accommodation and in how to design effective accommodating implants to replace lenses with opacification caused by cataract. Finite element modelling has been widely used to study accommodation and can investigate parts of the lens, its capsule and anatomical entities involved in accommodation that are obscured by the iris in the living eye. This study investigated how the capsular thickness and the material properties of the lens affect the changes in the mechanical and optical properties of the lens during accommodation. Four lens models based on human lenses aged 16, 35, 40, and 48 years were constructed with capsules of different thicknesses and two types of material properties. The results show that the choice of material properties has a great influence on the lens shape change from both optical and biomechanical findings. The influence of the capsular thickness, and whether or not the capsule is modelled as having a constant or a variable thickness, also has an influence on the results of simulated shape change and this is most evident in the stress distributions. The significance of the findings are relevant to modelling studies that investigate accommodative function and to designers seeking to develop an accommodating implant.</p
Prevalence of chronic back pain and associated factors in children and adolescents: Analysis from the 2001–2019 HBSC cross-sectional study
No full textNo description supplied</p
Investigating the risk factors influencing households crypto assets investment
No full textThis thesis investigates the risk factors influencing households' particular crypto asset investments. The increasing popularity of crypto assets for households to potentially enhance their wealth is noted. This is alongside the inherent challenges associated with both traditional and non-traditional investments. While traditional investment risks such as interest rate changes, inflation, and liquidity exist, crypto assets present additional complexities due to their technological nature and less stringent regulation. Therefore, this thesis aims to revise the current framework by incorporating the risk factors of regulation, financial behaviours, and blockchain technologies in the context of household crypto asset investment. To achieve its objectives, the thesis employs a qualitative research methodology using an inductive research approach, collecting secondary data from an online database, systematically reviewing 289 relevant articles, and coding, analysing and documenting 138 articles that support the thesis proposal. This thesis contributes to the existing literature on crypto asset investment risk management. It provides practical guidance for investors and informs policymakers about effective regulatory measure.</p
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