179566 research outputs found
Sort by
Sunlight-driven azobenzene-based thin films for smart coating applications
Get PDFNature provides extensive inspiration for the design of materials which move in response to external stimuli. Among these, molecular photoswitches enable reversible external control of biological systems, nanomachines, and smart materials. However, to enhance the effectiveness of these smart materials, photoswitching under visible light (green, white, or red) is highly desirable, as it allows for non-invasive operation. Here, we present a novel thin-film coating achieved by synthesizing a copolymer that combines red-light-shifted tetra-ortho-chloroazobenzene with zwitterionic sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA). Following synthesis, we systematically determined photochemical conversion efficiency and photokinetic parameters using NMR stoichiometry analysis and UV–vis kinetics under various visible lights. Computational calculations and molecular orbital (MO) theories were applied to the newly synthesized tetra-ortho-chloroazobenzene monomer, confirming the key n → π* separation responsible for the observed red-light-shifted transition between its two isomers. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies of the thin film revealed excellent reversibility in surface morphology and mechanics under direct irradiation of green/blue light and a lab-scale solar simulator. The observed surface topography and transition kinetics suggest a reversible photoinduced elastic deformation of the thin film. Building on our previously reported UV/visible light-activated copolymer coatings, we now introduce a semi-crosslinked variant that achieves surface reversibility using only safe, visible light activation. These light-responsive materials hold significant potential for future development in photopharmacology and self-cleaning surfaces powered by low-energy visible lights or non-invasive sunlight.</p
Anthracycline Dose, Myocardial Injury, and Change in Left Ventricular Function in the Cardiac CARE Trial
Get PDFBackground Anthracycline-induced toxicity contributes to long-term cardiovascular morbidity in cancer survivors. Cardiac troponin is recommended for risk stratification and diagnosis, but the relationship between troponin concentrations—particularly those measured using high-sensitivity assays—and subsequent cardiac dysfunction remains unclear. Objectives The authors sought to examine associations between high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI), cumulative anthracycline dose, number of treatment cycles, and changes in left ventricular (LV) function. Methods The Cardiac CARE trial was a prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint study of cardioprotective therapy in patients with elevated baseline hs-cTnI undergoing high-dose anthracycline chemotherapy. Hs-cTnI was measured before each chemotherapy cycle and at 2, 4, and 6 months after treatment. LV function was assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance at baseline and 6 months post-chemotherapy. Results Of the 175 participants (mean age 52 ± 11 years; 86.5% women), 171 received ≥3 anthracycline cycles. The median cumulative epirubicin-equivalent dose was 600 mg/m 2 (Q1-Q3: 513-660 mg/m 2). Peak hs-cTnI concentrations were observed 2 months after chemotherapy (median 14.0 ng/L [Q1-Q3: 9.0-30.5 ng/L]) and statistically correlated with the number of treatment cycles, but not with cumulative dose. No participants developed an LV ejection fraction (LVEF) <50%, although 24 of 171 patients (14.0%) experienced a decline in LVEF >10%. Hs-cTnI showed a weak correlation with LVEF change and was not predictive of global longitudinal strain by cardiac magnetic resonance. Conclusions Hs-cTnI levels were not associated with cumulative anthracycline dose and were only weakly associated with LVEF decline at 6 months. These findings suggest that mild myocardial injury, as reflected by hs-cTnI elevation, may not reliably predict subsequent cardiac dysfunction following anthracycline chemotherapy.</p
Generating opposition to universal health care policies in the United States:An analysis of private health industry advertising on Meta platforms
Get PDFIn 2019, the Partnership for America’s Health Care Future (PAHCF), a private health industry lobby group, launched a campaign across Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram) to generate opposition to universal health care policies in the United States. This study investigates the content and themes prevalent in PAHCF’s campaign and how these might shape public discourse and perceptions around universal health care policies. Using qualitative content analysis, 1675 advertisements were examined on Meta platforms within PAHCF’s campaign. Inductive methodology was applied to develop a coding framework. Details of campaign spend and number of impressions advertisements received were also collected. The qualitative coding strategies identified three overarching campaign foci: policy targets, claims and themes, and targeted appeal groups. These elements were found to strategically and mutually reinforce one another to generate the narrative that proposed universal health care policies will be detrimental to public health, the economy, and society. Analysis identified that PAHCF engages in strategies common among unhealthy commodity industries. Social media in this instance powerfully perpetuated PAHCF messages that undermined universal health care efforts and contributed to the commercial determinants of health impacts of this industry. These findings indicate that the private health care industry is participating in wider commercial determinants of health activities, acting to protect their profits to the detriment of public health. Like other campaigns by unhealthy commodity industries, PAHCF’s campaign is designed to increase doubt in the benefits of health policies, undermine public trust in government and evidence, and promote public alignment with their own messaging and preferred solutions. To counter such tactics, public health professionals need to gain a better understanding of the strategies unhealthy commodity industries utilize to deflect attention from their underlying health-harming intentions, especially through more novel platforms like social media.</p
Sweden’s feminist foreign policy and digital diplomacy
Get PDFSweden’s feminist foreign policy (FFP), which was pursued between 2014 and 2022, involved a more strategic anchoring and communication of the country’s state feminist tradition and commitment to justice in world politics. The emphasis on gender equality as the basis for foreign policy resonated in Sweden’s longstanding support for the UN’s agenda for women, peace and security (WPS). Digital diplomacy and social media, which at the time of the launch of FFP were politically important communication channels, played an important role in conveying Sweden’s ambition to take on global leadership on issues of structural feminist change. Through digital diplomacy, Sweden’s feminist foreign policy became a high-profile ‘political brand’ among like-minded global actors, which was also embraced by others. This article analyses the relationship between Swedish feminist foreign policy and its close connection to UN Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. Particular emphasis is placed on Sweden’s strategic use of digital diplomacy to communicate FFP with a focus on leadership, nation branding and visual communication. The article contributes to highlighting Sweden’s relationship to the WPS agenda through FFP and deepens the analysis of how a foreign policy commitment to gender equality is influenced by cultural and technological conditions for political influence and global reach
Operational data collection and analysis for a smart 3D printed footbridge
Get PDFPurpose: This paper presents the structural monitoring results of the world’s first 3D printed steel footbridge, using a fixed sensor network built into the bridge, to be5er understand both the behaviour of this novel structure and the way it is used.Approach: The bridge was publicly exhibited and then installed for two years in central Amsterdam. The main features of the sensor network installed to monitor its behaviour are described. The bridge’s behaviour was studied using a combinaVon of labelled data collected in controlled conditions at the University of Twente and long-term monitoring during normal use in Amsterdam.Findings: The data collected show that thermal behaviour can be effectively decoupled from the response of the bridge due to pedestrian loading, and that the pedestrian movements captured by camera can be anonymised as coordinates, which can be correlated with the loads and strains produced by those pedestrians. The Pearson correlation condition is used to identify the type of movement on the bridge, effectively distinguishing between heel-drops, running and walking movements.Originality: The richness of such a dataset is demonstrated, measured using embedded sensors and internet of things technology. Analysis of these measurements gives insights into the behaviour of a unique large 3D printed steel structure, and the use of a busy piece of urban infrastructure more generally
Autism spectrum and disordered eating:The mediating roles of poor sleep quality and mood problems
Get PDFExisting literature on the relationship between core autistic traits and disordered eating (DE) in autistic people has limitations in relation to exploring the direction and mechanisms of this relationship. This study aimed to examine the extent to which the relationship between core autistic traits and DE is sequentially mediated through poor sleep quality and mood problems in a community sample of adolescents and adults while controlling for potential covariates. A total of 234 individuals between 16 and 67 years of age participated in the current online anonymous cross-sectional study. Participants were selected based on their response to the self-reported Autism spectrum diagnosis status and completed a battery of standardized scales, including the Abridged Version of the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ – Short), Shortened Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (sPSQI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), Inflexible Eating Questionnaire (IEQ) and Nine Item Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Questionnaire (NIAS). The results indicated a direct association between core autistic traits and all outcomes, and an indirect effect of core autistic traits on EAT-26 and NIAS outcomes rather than IEQ outcomes through poor sleep quality and anxious/depressive symptomology. Further exploration of the role of core autistic traits may facilitate the development of novel person-centred treatments for both Autism spectrum and DE, specifically rigid eating behaviours and ARFID symptomology
Leveraging the subgenus category to address monophyletic genus over-splitting: illustration with recently proposed Mycobacteriales genera
Get PDFThree related circumstances are affecting the stability of prokaryotic taxonomy andnomenclature, with significant implications in the field of pathogenic microorganisms: (i) the subjective application of genomics-based demarcation criteria to subdivide monophyletic genera, creating an increasing number of new genera; (ii) databases’ preference for the latest validly published names; and (iii) the practical irreversibility of new names in databases, even when later taxonomic opinion supports reverting to previous classifications. Due to understandable end-user reluctance to accept name changes affecting well-known pathogens, parallel nomenclatures coexist, causing confusion. To address this issue, here we propose using the subgenus category to mitigate the disruptive impact of genus name changes in databases. Specifically, we suggest lowering to subgenus rank those new genera arising from splits of monophyletic genera that have limited practical utility and may contribute to taxonomic instability. Under the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes, the species’ generic name would revert to its previous synonym, optionally followed in parentheses by the validly published subgenus name (corresponding to the latest genus synonym used in databases). Because the subgenus is an optional taxonomic category, it may be omitted; however, its use may facilitate the mapping of synonyms in databases and literature. We illustrate this strategy through its application to recent genus splits in the Mycobacteriales, specifically the genus Prescottella nested within the rhodococcal radiation, and the several genera into which Mycobacterium was subdivided
Privacy Bills of Materials (PriBOM):A transparent privacy information inventory for collaborative privacy notice generation in mobile app development
No full textPrivacy regulations mandate that developers must provide authentic and comprehensive privacy notices, e.g., privacy policies or labels, to inform users of their apps’ privacy practices. However, due to a lack of knowledge of privacy requirements, developers often struggle to create accurate privacy notices, especially for sophisticated mobile apps with complex features and in crowded development teams. To address these challenges, we introduce PriBOM (Privacy Bills of Materials), a systematic software engineering approach that leverages different development team roles to better capture and coordinate mobile app privacy information. PriBOM facilitates transparency-centric privacy documentation and specific privacy notice creation, enabling traceability and trackability of privacy practices. We present a pre-fill of PriBOM based on static analysis and privacy notice analysis techniques. We explore the perceived usefulness of PriBOM through a human evaluation with 150 diverse participants. The role of PriBOM in enhancing privacy-related communication is well received with 83.33% agreement, suggesting that PriBOM could serve as a significant solution for providing privacy support in DevOps for mobile apps
A method to identify positive tipping points to accelerate low-carbon transitions and actions to trigger them
No full textMeeting the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to “well below 2 °C” requires a radical acceleration of action, as the global economy is decarbonising at least five times too slowly. Tipping points, where low-carbon transitions become self-propelling, could be key to achieving the necessary acceleration. We deem these normatively ‘positive’, because they can limit considerable, inequitable harms from global warming and help achieve sustainability. Some positive tipping points, such as the UK’s elimination of coal power, have already been reached at national and sectoral scales. The challenge now is to credibly identify further potential positive tipping points, and the actions that can bring them forward, whilst avoiding wishful thinking about their existence, or oversimplification of their nature, drivers, and impacts. Hence, we propose a methodology for identifying potential positive tipping points, assessing their proximity, identifying the factors that can influence them, and the actions that can trigger them. Building on relevant research, this ‘identifying positive tipping points’ (IPTiP) methodology aims to establish a common framework that we invite fellow researchers to help refine, and practitioners to apply. To that end, we offer suggestions for further work to improve it and make it more applicable.</p
From research proposal to project management. A guide from the Transkribus community on planning and executing workflows for researchers and GLAM-professionals
No full textTransitioning from research proposal to project management in Automatic Text Recognition (ATR) for cultural heritage text collections demands meticulous planning, realistic budgeting, and efficient team coordination. Insights from the Transkribus User Conference 2024 offer a roadmap for success, emphasising clear objectives, ethical considerations, and practical outcomes. Effective budgeting should include digitization, software, staffing, and long-term storage, while a comprehensive Data Management Plan (DMP) ensures efficient data handling. Key project management tasks include team formation, workflow documentation, and document layout optimization. High-quality training and validation data in ATR require clear guidelines, iterative testing, and agreed licensing. Crowdsourcing can enhance ATR projects, and sharing models and datasets through platforms like Transkribus Sites promotes collaboration and visibility
Access Repository Dashboard
Do you manage Edinburgh Research Explorer? Access insider analytics, issue reports and manage access to outputs from your repository in the CORE Repository Dashboard!