11237 research outputs found
Sort by
Early detection and classification of diabetic retinopathy by transfer learning of NASNet-large and ResNet-50 convolutional neural networks
No full textDiabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a progressive eye disease that affects those with long-term diabetes. It can lead to irreversible blindness if not detected and treated early. Early detection is challenging as changes to the retina are initially subtle. A number of computational models have been proposed to detect DR in fundus images, including in its early stages. Here, a novel transfer learning approach is proposed using the NASNet-Large and ResNet-50 convolutional neural networks. Image pre-processing steps are tested combinatorically. Class imbalance is addressed with oversampling and data augmentation to give trustworthy performance metrics. The models give impressive detection rates using a standard dataset containing expert-labelled DR fundus images (APTOS 2019), with the best performing models giving accuracy in classifying unseen images exceeding 0.96 (F1 score 0.97) for Early-stage DR detection (no DR vs mild and moderate), and over 0.91 accuracy (F1 score 0.91) for Multi-stage classification (no DR, mild, moderate, severe, and proliferative). This work highlights the potential of combining the transfer learning of state-of-the-art deep learning models with classical image processing for effective DR detection and classification.</p
Practicing Care through Art. A new Care Aesthetics, Cambridge Festival 2025
No full textCurator on the screening and online program of films. 'Art for the Sake of Care' is an edited collection of articles contributing to care aesthetics, art research and care studies. The launch event will provide a snapshot of the publication edited by Merel Visse (Drew University, U.S.A.) and Elena Cologni (Anglia Ruskin University), and will also be an opportunity to discuss some of the ideas with the authors.</p
Long-term trends in anemia prevalence before and after COVID-19 among non-pregnant adults in South Korea, 2010–2023
No full textNo description supplied</p
Sedentary time, light physical activity intensity, and pain severity: Findings from the Ghana Study on Aging
No full textNo description supplied</p
Cancer Prevention and Screening for People Experiencing Homelessness: Co-designing the Health Navigator Model
No full textNo description supplied</p
Fast fixed-time control for intra- and inter-layer synchronization of multi-layer networks
No full textThis study addresses the problem of fast fixed-time synchronization (FDTS) in multi-layer networks (MLNs), focusing on both intra-layer and inter-layer dynamic synchronization. First, we propose a more representative MLN framework in which each layer has a distinct topological structure, and node-to-node connections are established between corresponding nodes across layers. Second, we design a fast fixed-time controller to achieve synchronization of MLNs and estimate the synchronization time. Third, by applying the Lyapunov method and comparison theorem, we derive several novel synchronization conditions that are independent of initial states. Finally, numerical simulations are conducted to validate the theoretical findings.</p
Morphometric characteristics of the Barb horse in Algeria and associated variation factors
No full textThe aim of this study was to contribute to the morphometric characterization of Algerian’s Barb, to update its dimensional variables, to explore its specific traits and diversity, and to assess certain variation factors. For this purpose, a total of 52 Barb horses registered in the Algerian Studbook aged 3 years and older were subjected to 24 body measurements. Statistical analyses were conducted using a general linear model to assess the variation in these variables according to age, sex, head profile, and coat color. In addition, a principal component analysis was performed. The results were categorized into height, length, girth, weight, and body indices. The mean withers height and croup height were 150.8 ± 3.38 cm and 150.7 ± 3.50 cm, respectively, with an average body length of 150.0 ± 4.73 cm. These nearly equal values resulted in a profile body index of 1.01 ± 0.02, indicating a square shaped conformation. The mean chest girth and Fore cannon girth were 177.8 ± 8.73 cm and 19.63 ± 0.95 cm, respectively, resulting in a dactyl-thoracic index of 1.18 ± 0.05, reflecting a skeletal robustness consistent with the estimated body mass of 441.61 ± 50.85 kg. Analysis of the measurement variation revealed some significant differences (p </p
Beneficent disruptors: a qualitative descriptive study of professional advocacy in healthcare
No full textBackground: In England, the Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA) and Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA) role places nurses and midwives at the centre of workforce retention and transformation. The PNA/PMA role blends professional leadership and clinical supervision through the A-EQUIP model, which is grounded in directing change and steering service development. The overarching impetus for the PNA/PMA role is to improve care quality whilst developing and sustaining cultures of professional wellbeing and nurse/midwife retention. To date, however, little is known about what the impact the PNA/PMA role has on the day-to-day practice of nurses and midwives, nor if it improves quality in practice, professional wellbeing, and retention. This study examines the impact of the PNA/PMA role on nurse/midwife involvement in quality improvement, wellbeing, and retention within one public sector healthcare NHS Trust in England. Methods: During 2022, fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with PNA’s and PMA’s who had completed their training and are included on the NHS Trust PNA/PMA register. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed through qualitative descriptive analysis. Findings: The analysis detected 5 themes and 10 subthemes: (1) Transforming in Tandem (a) Role of Advocacy, (b) Restorative Focus, (2) Creating Safe Spaces, (c) Emotional Support, (d) Interpersonal Relationships, (3) Challenging the Status Quo (e) Counteracting Blame Culture, (f ) Empowering Change (4) Empowerment and Development (g) Building Resilience, (5) Types of Advocacy (h) Educational and Emotional Advocacy (i) Coaching and Conversations. Conclusions: The findings suggests that the most effective aspects of the PNA and PMA roles are those that directly empower individuals and create a supportive, reflective environment. However, while building resilience is vital, it is equally important to recognise its limits and ensure that healthcare professionals are not pushed to the point where their resilience becomes a barrier to their well-being and the overall improvement of their work environment.</p
Evaluating the integration of professional nurse and midwifery advocacy roles within a large healthcare organisation: assessing service utilisation and benefits– a cross-sectional survey
No full textAims: To assess nursing and midwifery staff's awareness, use, and perceived benefits of the Professional Advocate role in clinical practice. Background: Nursing and midwifery staff face growing challenges, including heavy workloads, burnout, and staff shortages. In response to rising attrition and dissatisfaction, the Professional Nurse Advocate and Professional Midwifery Advocate roles were introduced to provide professional support, improve working conditions, and enhance staff wellbeing. However, there is limited evidence on their effectiveness, particularly regarding staff retention and wellbeing. Study Design: This evaluation employed a mixed-methods approach across four phases. This paper focuses on Phase 2, which involved a cross-sectional, self-report survey of 407 nursing and midwifery staff. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire between October 2023 and January 2024. Findings: The study highlights significant gaps in awareness and access to Professional Advocate (PA) services, with 64.9% of participants unaware of the role and 80.6% reporting no prior engagement. However, 95.3% expressed interest in future use, indicating strong positive attitudes toward the role and its support. Midwives reported greater familiarity with and access to PA services, likely due to longer exposure to the role, while nurses showed higher interest in repeated use. Informal communication channels, such as word-of-mouth, were prevalent, highlighting the need for more formal communication strategies. Participants valued the PA role for its emotional support, advocacy for staff rights, and career development, with confidentiality and accessibility identified as key priorities. Barriers to access included time constraints, concerns about confidentiality, and the need for greater organisational support. The PA role was perceived as empowering, positively influencing staff wellbeing and job satisfaction. Conclusions: Effective integration of PA services has the potential to empower nursing and midwifery staff, improving wellbeing and retention. Addressing access barriers and enhancing service delivery are essential to maximising the impact of PA services in supporting staff wellbeing and professional growth. Relevance to Clinical Practice: The study identifies critical gaps in PA service awareness and uptake, particularly regarding confidentiality concerns. Strengthening formal communication, ensuring secure and accessible services, and fostering managerial support are key to optimising service use. The perceived benefits of PA services for staff wellbeing and professional development highlight their potential to create a more empowered and sustainable healthcare workforce. Investing in these services could enhance staff retention, morale, and the quality of care.</p
Investigating the critical factors that contribute to the success of sustainable consumer behaviour in smart cities: evidence from UAE
No full textThis study develops a conceptual framework to examine how sustainability principles are integrated into everyday behaviours within the context of smart cities, with Masdar City in the UAE serving as the empirical focus. Everyday behaviour here refers to the routine practices of residents, including energy use, waste management, mobility choices, and cultural habits, which both shape and are shaped by the technological and regulatory environment. The research adopts a qualitative design, using thematic analysis to identify patterns that explain how sustainability is enacted at the intersection of systemic structures and individual practices.The framework combines Ecological Modernization Theory (EMT) and Affordance Theory to anchor the analysis across macro and micro levels. EMT highlights the institutional, regulatory, and market mechanisms that drive sustainability transitions at the systemic level, while Affordance Theory explains how residents interpret and act upon the affordances of smart technologies and infrastructures in their daily lives. This dual perspective demonstrates how macro-level structures—such as policy enforcement, economic incentives, and technological infrastructures—translate into, and are reinforced by, micro-level behaviours like mindful consumption, compliance with sustainability norms, and community engagement.Data were drawn from 24 purposefully selected participants who either live or work in Masdar City and actively engage with its smart technologies and sustainability initiatives. The thematic analysis identified three major themes: technological enablement of sustainable practices; regulatory influence and compliance; and economic accessibility and incentives. These themes show how smart infrastructures such as smart grids, real-time data systems, and waste automation facilitate sustainable practices, while challenges such as affordability of eco-friendly products constrain broader uptake.By linking systemic structures with lived practices, the study provides theoretical contributions to understanding how sustainability transitions occur in smart cities. It demonstrates that sustainability cannot be explained by either structural drivers or individual agency alone but emerges through their dynamic interplay. The findings offer practical insights for policymakers and urban planners by highlighting the need for regulatory frameworks, economic incentives, and technological infrastructures that support everyday sustainable behaviours without imposing disproportionate burdens. The study concludes by noting the importance of expanding research beyond Masdar City to more conventional urban contexts, incorporating longitudinal approaches, and engaging with cultural processes and corporate actors to capture the full complexity of sustainability in everyday urban life.</p
Data sources:
Access Repository Dashboard
Do you manage Open Research Online? Become a CORE Member to access insider analytics, issue reports and manage access to outputs from your repository in the CORE Repository Dashboard! 👇