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A deep learning model to enhance lung cancer detection using ‘Dual-Branch’ model classification approach
Get PDFCancer remains a life-threatening global challenge, with lung cancer ranking among the most devastating forms, impacting millions annually. Early detection and accurate classification are essential for improving patient survival rates, and computed tomography (CT) has become a critical tool in lung cancer diagnosis. Despite advancements, previous studies have faced notable challenges, particularly a shortage of available samples and limitations in input modalities, both of which hinder model performance. Addressing these issues, this research introduces the Dual-Branch Model Classification Approach (DbMCA), a two-stage strategy that integrates image and mask data to enhance detection accuracy and scalability. Two comparative experiments were conducted using the LIDC-IDRI dataset with varying data sizes to evaluate the impact of sample size and dual-input modalities. The DbMCA achieved remarkable results, as it performed higher accuracy results a 91.21% accuracy and 91.18% F1-score in the smaller dataset and an exceptional 98.04% accuracy and 98.01% F1-score in the larger dataset. CNN performance on sparse mask data declines with scale, while DNN and SVM consistently outperform it, highlighting architecture sensitivity to sparsity. This demonstrates the model’s improved discriminative power and potential for detecting subtle lung cancer patterns, however, based on statistical evidence DbMCA significantly outperforms weaker baselines and successfully integrates multi-modal information. Nonetheless, certain limitations were observed, such as the high computational requirements stemming from large sample sizes, the constrained information provided by segmentation masks, and the presence of potential biases in the dataset. These challenges hinder the model’s ability to generalize effectively. Future research should aim to enhance image quality, broaden the scope of datasets, and overcome segmentation-related constraints to make further progress in lung cancer detection. The DbMCA represents a significant step forward in improving the performance and scalability of diagnostic tools, offering the potential for more effective and lifesaving interventions in lung cancer care
A metabolic comparison of GIPR agonism versus GIPR antagonism in male mice
Get PDFAims
Targeting the glucose dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) is of growing interest for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, though the optimal approach remains unclear. Both GIPR agonism and antagonism, respectively, incorporated into drugs like tirzepatide and maridebart cafraglutide, have paradoxically both shown significant weight loss effects in humans.
Materials and methods
In this study, the metabolic impacts of a GIPR agonist (GIP108) and antagonist (NN-GIPR-Ant) were evaluated in lean and high-fat diet (HFD)–induced obese male mice. We assessed the impacts on food intake, body weight, glucose and insulin tolerance, liver triglyceride levels, bone markers and adipose tissue lipolytic gene expression.
Results
In lean mice, neither peptide affected food intake or body weight, but GIP108 improved glucose tolerance. In obese mice, both agents reduced food intake and body weight, with NN-GIPR-Ant producing more sustained appetite suppression. Energy expenditure remained unchanged, as weight loss matched that of pair-fed controls. GIP108 improved glucose tolerance independently of weight loss, whereas NN-GIPR-Ant reduced insulin sensitivity compared to pair-fed controls. Both treatments slightly increased liver triglyceride content compared to their pair-fed controls, and no treatment significantly affected plasma bone marker levels. Finally, NN-GIPR-Ant reduced the expression of adipose tissue lipolytic genes.
Conclusions
Our data highlights the distinct metabolic effects of GIPR agonism and antagonism, offering insights for their future application in personalised metabolic disease treatments. Further human studies are needed to understand the long-term metabolic impacts of these therapies
Coach development as adventure and exploration: one coach’s account of their experiences in and the possibilities of a project-led approach to learning
No full textDespite the increasing volume and variety of published academic literature which takes a position on the quality and efficacy of learning opportunities for sport coaches, we suggest that there is a scarcity of coach voices. Therefore, in this chapter, Alice offers a first-person perspective on her lived experience as a learner participating in a coach development programme for full-time academy football coaches in England. Of particular interest in this story, is the way in which Alice engaged with and succeeded through – what we consider to be – a novel and unique learning opportunity. Exploring the potential within a project-led approach to learning and assessment, which affords coaches the chance to identify and examine their current most meaningful and important issues, Alice articulates how, why, and with whom she developed a body of work that has had profound professional/practical and personal impact. The chapter concludes with a discussion about Alice’s unique contribution to better understanding and supporting parents as an essential collaborator in an academy football environment, where all of her project work was anchored. Finally, we summarise with several key messages: 1) allowing coaches and their context to speak for themselves is essential in better understanding increasingly sophisticated development programmes, 2) there is value in organising development programmes in such a way that they lead with the coaches interests and issues, not with content and pre-defined curricula, 3) when we do this we create opportunities for both personal and professional shifts, and 4) practical knowledge and ‘engaged scholarship’ like this is important and could feature more frequently in the published literature
Festivals on the Edge: Bridging the Divide through Social Exchange Theory and Perceived Emotional Synchrony
Get PDFThis conceptual paper proposes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding how cultural festivals in border regions can create and sustain mutual understanding, belonging, and identity. Although the social impacts of festivals are well documented, there remains limited insight into the mechanisms through which these outcomes are produced. The paper suggests that combining sociological and psychological perspectives can illuminate these processes, focusing on the interaction between Social Exchange Theory (SET) and Perceived Emotional Synchrony (PES).
It is proposed that the perception of shared emotion enables and amplifies social exchange by fostering reciprocity, trust, and mutual recognition. Positive change arises through exchanges facilitated by affective alignment and intensified by the liminal and extraordinary atmosphere of the festival. This conceptual integration provides a framework not only for analysing how festivals influence border dynamics, but also for informing their planning and design in socially sensitive ways.
Ultimately, the paper argues that understanding the emotional and relational dimensions of festivals requires a holistic and interdisciplinary lens. By linking collective emotion to social reciprocity, it highlights the potential of festivals—and other forms of collective leisure, to contribute to social sustainability, resilience, and intercultural understanding in contested and divided contexts
Mechanisms of sustained mindfulness practice in stroke survivors: A critical realist secondary analysis of the HEADS: UP intervention
Get PDFBACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Post-stroke anxiety and depression symptoms are common after stroke and can persist long-term. Despite this, there is a lack of long-term psychological support for post-stroke anxiety and depression. Mindfulness-based interventions are emerging as feasible, acceptable and potentially effective interventions for post-stroke anxiety and depression. Sustained use of mindfulness practice can help stroke survivors to self-manage their anxiety and depression in the long-term. However, stroke survivors' experiences of continued practice following a mindfulness-based intervention have yet to be explored. This study aims to identify mechanisms underpinning sustained mindfulness practice by stroke survivors following completion of an adapted, stroke-specific mindfulness-based intervention called HEADS: UP (Helping Ease Anxiety and Depression After Stroke). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A secondary analysis of 6-month follow-up qualitative data from course participants (n = 12) in the HEADS: UP randomised controlled trial was analysed using critical realist thematic analysis. RESULTS: Seven mechanisms were identified as determining sustained mindfulness practice: 1) Believing continued practice brings benefits, 2) Personal preferences and accessibility, 3) Continued learning, 4) Attitudes of others and society, 5) Togetherness and connection, 6) Structuring and scaffolding practice, and 7) Competing priorities. CONCLUSION: The mechanisms provide explanations behind stroke survivors' experiences of sustained mindfulness practice following HEADS: UP. The findings highlighted the potential benefit of providing support following a mindfulness-based intervention to facilitate sustained practice. Awareness of the mechanisms could aid future intervention design and help clinical practitioners and stroke support professionals support continued mindfulness practice
Using Social Network Analysis to Study Hate Speech in English Football During the White Lives Matter Banner Controversy
No full textIn June 2020, a group of football supporters from Burnley FC arranged for a ‘White Lives Matter’ banner to be flown over Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium in protest against the English Premier League’s (EPL) decision to support the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. Utilizing a mixed-methods social network analysis (SNA) approach, we identified opinion leaders on X (formerly Twitter) to assess their influence in shaping the discussions and narrative. Systemic racism theory (SRT) was used to theoretically underpin the findings. In turn, we found that many users were critical of BLM and offered perspectives within a White supremacist frame; however, others supported football’s anti-racist endeavours. We found that some users hijacked the incident to help fuel far-right agendas, demonstrating that football fans are being targeted online. Our study highlights the differences between individual and organized racism and illustrates that far-right and White supremacist groups use football to fuel racist rhetoric and potentially radicalize fans. The study emphasizes the cruciality of understanding digital influence networks, information dissemination and the role of opinion leaders in shaping online narratives in contexts that intersect sports, politics and societal issues
Bridging legacy and innovation: mechanism-resolved reform of creep damage equations of high-Cr steels in long-term service
Get PDFHigh-chromium martensitic steels in power plants must endure decades of creep at 500–650 °C under moderate stress. Direct testing is impractical, making extrapolation essential–yet small modelling errors can lead to overdesign or premature maintenance. While Dyson’s multiplicative ordinary differential equation (ODE) model is a benchmark for creep damage modelling, its strain-driven cavitation lacks explicit calibration with a time-temperature-stress (TTS) framework. This study introduces a TTS-calibrated constitutive framework with three specific refinements: (1) micro-to-macro cavitation damage mapping via (Formula presented.) (Formula presented.), grounded in cavitation kinetics; (2) a modified Sinh law for minimum creep rate: εmin = Asinh(C (Formula presented.)); and (3) a stress-dependent amplification term for tertiary creep: 1⁄(1–Dn)^P(σ). P91 steel was chosen for its industrial relevance and synchrotron cavitation data at specific temperature. The refined model aligns well with experimental creep curves and cavitation data and enhances lifetime prediction, offering improved physical traceability and extrapolation fidelity
Co-production in youth justice
No full textIt is imperative that those who are involved in Youth Justice are given a voice. This includes stakeholders involved in the youth justice system and child services and the young people themselves. Not only is there a moral responsibility to include the voice of the child, but the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child provides for children to have their views heard and taken into account during decision-making. To reach underrepresented and vulnerable groups, such as those within the youth justice system, and stakeholders invested in their care, it is necessary to engage in interdisciplinary research, adopting novel methodologies which are bespoke to those at the heart of the research. Impact in these areas cannot be achieved without flexibility in methodological approach and continuous reflexivity.
The authors of this chapter are founders of the Children’s Residential Care Research Network (CRCRN), who conduct interdisciplinary research into Secure Children’s Homes (SCHs). Our research has focused on several aspects of SCHs, including design and build, workforce issues, health and well-being, education and stepdown provisions for transitions back to the community. Adopting the Methodology for Interdisciplinary Research (MIR) framework, we explore the roles and opinions of different stakeholders associated with SCHs. The multi-disciplinary research team have adopted methods from a variety of fields to collect and analyse data in this regard. This has been done through stakeholder events, involving those working in SCHs, policy-makers, third-sector organisations, education, youth justice, social care and academics.
The aim of the chapter is to illustrate the importance and practice of using innovative methodological approaches to engage with adult stakeholders of secure care which can then be adapted to enable co-creation with children. This chapter prompts consideration about what co-production means in youth justice and child welfare settings, which includes involving and empowering professionals in the research process to improve collaboration with children through a range of creative methodologies. The chapter demonstrates why the methods adopted were ideal for the research and how they successfully fostered the co-production of data
Uncovering Kay ‘Kaja’ Johnson’s Queer Network Through the Spectre of Louis Marbury
Get PDFEven the most reclusive writers do not exist in complete isolation. They operate within complex networks of family, friends, fellow writers, editors, publishers, and readers. Traces of these networks often survive in fragmented forms. They do so most obviously in archives, whether their own or those of their interlocutors.Footnote1 Such archives are invaluable for scholars seeking to reconstruct the intellectual worlds from which the writer emerged. However, as Collins states, “archives are always fragmentary, made up of what happens to have survived.”Footnote2 Accordingly, archives will never perfectly preserve a writer’s network. Much, perhaps most, of a writer’s network is inevitably lost. As a result, any scholarly biography or reconstruction of a writer’s social network remains partial, shaped as much by the absences that cannot be recovered as by what has survived.
As Derrida argues in Archive Fever (1996), the archive is not a neutral space but a contested one, governed by institutional power that decides what is remembered and what is erased.Footnote3 Accordingly, these archival gaps are not random but reflect systemic biases. Lapp has pointed out that one of the principal systemic biases which has been identified is the “heteropatriarchal” nature of most traditional archives.Footnote4 That is to say, traditional archives have generally prioritized the preservation of material relating to straight, white, middle and upper class men, over other members of society.Footnote5 As a result traditional archives have stifled many voices, particularly those of the Global South, women, and the LGBTQIA+ community.Footnote6 Writers from these communities have been overlooked, overshadowed, or marginalized. What is often lost is not merely an isolated letter or reference, but the entire web of relationships that shaped a writer’s intellectual life. For such writers, evidence of these connections may have been lost, never collated, or never recorded in the first place. The archival papers that do exist will likely not be concentrated in one archive but rather sparsely scattered throughout other more prominent people’s archives. As a result, uncovering these networks is extremely difficult. This has two main consequences. Firstly, it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to fully determine with whom lesser-known writers communicated and how those relationships may have shaped their work or career. Secondly, the lack of archival sources means that individuals who might connect two or more lesser-known writers are often rendered invisible, making it harder to identify shared communities, movements, or intellectual exchanges that fall outside dominant literary histories.
This article has two aims. First, it illustrates the challenges of reconstructing the networks that linked LGBTQIA+ writers, using the elusive figure of Louis Marbury, a near-invisible but crucial connection between Kay “Kaja” Johnson, Jack Spicer and Robert Duncan. Whilst Johnson was part of the vibrant Bohemian scene in New Orleans during the late 1950s, Spicer and Duncan were key figures in the San Francisco Renaissance during the same period. The meager evidence available of this connective figure is collated from a combination of sources: scant references in letters housed in traditional archives, within the primary texts of the writers in question, and fleeting mentions in the secondary literature. Second, this article serves as a call to action for the academic community, urging scholars to help uncover the identity of the elusive Louis Marbury, the enigmatic connective thread between these writers. Any assistance would be invaluable to my ongoing work on a biography of Johnson, from which this research stems
Soft skills - hard impact: “This coaching thing is all about people”
Get PDFThis article explores how successful sport coaching hinges on soft skills and a people-first focus beyond technical know-how. Interpersonal, emotional, cognitive and values-based skills like communication, empathy and integrity are key to effective, ethical highperformance coaching. It frames soft skills via UNESCO, OECD and World Economic Forum as broad socioemotional competencies, with Serial Winning Coaches research highlighting vision, people and environment for sustainable success and athlete wellbeing
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