179566 research outputs found
Sort by
Public and professional stakeholders’ perceptions of alcohol advertising and availability policies: A qualitative study
No full textIntroductionReducing alcohol availability and restricting alcohol advertising are effective ways to reduce harm from alcohol. Implementation of public health policies involves collaboration between different stakeholders, and is influenced by public opinion. This paper explores public and professional stakeholders' perceptions of alcohol advertising and availability policies. It is the first to capture consensus and divergence in narratives of these stakeholders.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 stakeholders from third sector organisations, government, public health and alcohol licensing in Scotland. We conducted 11 online focus groups with 45 participants, living in neighbourhoods in Scotland characterised by varying levels of urbanity, deprivation and retail density change. We gave participants a list of policies and discussed their views on acceptability, feasibility and likely success.ResultsDespite general consensus that regulation of alcohol advertising is an important priority, public stakeholders were concerned about the feasibility of advertising interventions and potential unintended consequences. While professional stakeholders were in favour of regulating alcohol availability, public stakeholders had misgivings about feasibility and effectiveness. When prompted to discuss specific interventions, similar views about protecting children and achieving cultural change emerged.Discussion and ConclusionsThis study highlights the importance of policy makers and other stakeholders to consider public stakeholders' opinions on alcohol policy and understanding that their views may be influenced by competing framings of alcohol problems. Attempts to increase support for alcohol control policies need to consider people's concerns about the effectiveness and potential unintended consequences of these policies, and the wider social context of alcohol consumption
An adoption model of cryptocurrencies
Get PDFThe network effect, measured by users’ adoption, is considered an important driver of cryptocurrency market dynamics. This study examines the role of adoption timing in cryptocurrency markets by decomposing total adoption into two components: innovators (early adopters) and imitators (late adopters). We find that the innovators’ component is the primary driver of the association between user adoption and cryptocurrency returns, both in-sample and out-of-sample. Next, we show that innovators’ adoption improves price efficiency, while imitators’ adoption contributes to noisier prices. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the adoption model captures significant cryptocurrency market phenomena, such as herding behaviour, more effectively, making it better suited for forecasting models in cryptocurrency pricing. These results suggest that our methodology for linking early and late adopters to market dynamics can be applied to various domains, offering a framework for future research at the intersection of operational research and financial markets
Invariant Manifolds in a Class-Structured Model From Adaptive Dynamics
No full textWe consider a family of structured population models from adaptive dynamics in which cells transition through a number of growth states, or classes, before division. We prove the existence and global asymptotic stability of invariant (‘resident') manifolds in that family; furthermore, we re-derive conditions under which scarce mutants can invade established resident populations, and we show the existence of corresponding ‘invasion’ manifolds that are obtained as critical manifolds under the additional assumption that resident has attained quasi-steady state, which induces a separation of scales. Our analysis is based on standard phase space techniques for ordinary differential equations, in combination with the geometric singular perturbation theory due to Fenichel
Body composition, vascular health, cardiorespiratory fitness, lung function, muscle architecture, and physical activity in people with young onset dementia:A case-control study
No full textBackground: Body composition, blood pressure, estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), lung function, physical activity, muscle architecture, and endothelial function had not previously been examined in people with young onset dementia. Therefore, the study measured these variables in a young onset dementia group, compared them to age-matched controls. Methods: Estimated VO2max (via the Astrand-Rhyming test), body composition, blood pressure, lung function (via spirometry), muscle architecture (via ultrasonography), and endothelial function (via flow-mediated dilation) were assessed. Physical activity was measured using ActiGraph accelerometers for 7 days. Results: We recruited 33 participants (16 young onset dementia, 17 controls). The young onset dementia group had shorter fascicle lengths of the vastus lateralis, were sedentary for longer over a 7-day period, and completed less moderate-vigorous physical activity than controls (P = .028, d = 0.81; large effect, P = .029, d = 0.54; moderate effect, and P = .014, d = 0.97; large effect, respectively for pairwise comparisons). Pairwise comparisons suggest no differences at the P < .05 level between young onset dementia and controls for estimated VO2max (despite a moderate effect size [d = 0.66]), height, body mass, BMI, blood pressure, light physical activity, lung function, muscle thickness, pennation angle, or endothelial function. Conclusions: This study highlights differences between people with young onset dementia and controls, underscoring the need for multicomponent exercise interventions. Future interventions should target muscle architecture, increase moderate-vigorous physical activity, and reduce sedentariness, with the goal of improving quality of life and promoting functional independence.</p
Enhanced mechanical performance of 3D printed continuous carbon fibre reinforced polyphenylene sulphide composites through dopamine treatment and post-processing compression
Get PDFThis study investigates the impact of dopamine-treated carbon fibre reinforcement and post-processing techniques in polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) composites, with a focus on improving interfacial and interlayer properties. The synergistic effects of continuous carbon fibre (CCF) treatment with polydopamine/silica nanoparticles (PDA/NPs) and post-processing on the mechanical performance of 3D printed composites are explored. The findings demonstrate that treated composites exhibit significant improvements in interlaminar properties, with increases in flexural strength by 27% and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) by 172%, compared to untreated specimens. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and nano-indentation tests reveal the mechanisms behind the improved fibre/matrix interfacial adhesion attributing to PDA/NPs network on the fibre. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and microscopic analyses are utilised to assess enhancements in crystallinity, void content, and fibre orientation after post-processing. Furthermore, we introduce a novel post-processing method involving a salt bath, which aligns with the unique advantages offered by 3D-printed complex composites. This approach is validated with two complex demonstrative geometries, confirming its effectiveness in maintaining structural integrity while enhancing interlayer properties. The integration of pre-processing with the PDA/NPs network and post-processing techniques with a salt bath offers particular benefits for additively manufactured high-performance materials
On the printability and inter-layer adhesion in 3D printing of continuous carbon fibre reinforced PEEK composite using tape and filament
Get PDFThis study, for the first time, investigates using a 3D printing nozzle instead of a compression roller to print sliced width of continuous carbon fibre-reinforced PEEK composite tape. Pultrusion of sliced tape was performed to further enhance the printability and inter-layer adhesion of curved raster, highlighting the significance of this approach towards 3D printing of complex parts. Peel and shear delamination tests of curved and straight rasters, printed using tape and filament was performed. The delamination tests were conducted at room temperature, 150 °C and 300 °C to elaborate the influence of 3D printing feedstock geometry on the printed part performance. It was found that pultruded filaments can delaminate at up to 40 % higher force as compared to tape for curved paths and vice-versa, as delamination strength corresponds to fibre alignment in the rasters. This study proves the applicability of using ATP graded small tapes (with a width of 1 mm) for 3D printing, and instead of introducing expensive additives to the composites, the feedstock geometry could significantly impact the inter-layer adhesion and facilitate complex part manufacturing
Do foster youth face harsher juvenile justice outcomes? Reinvestigating child welfare bias in juvenile justice processing
Get PDFResearch summary: For decades, child welfare scholars and policy makers have been concerned with the strong association between foster care and juvenile justice involvement. Foster care placement may lead to differences in justice system outcomes if youth in foster care face “processing bias”—differentially harsh treatment by agents of the juvenile court. Previous research found that youth in foster care at the time of juvenile justice contact were treated more harshly by the court, resulting in higher rates of punitive case outcomes. We revisit the question of processing bias using detailed administrative data on more than 10,000 adolescents in Pennsylvania in 2015–2019 and a selection-on-observables design. We find no evidence of processing bias against youth in foster care. Compared to observationally equivalent cases, those that involve youth in foster care do not experience more punitive outcomes. If anything, our estimates suggest the opposite—youth in foster care are less likely to have a charge adjudicated, be placed under court-ordered supervision, or enter into juvenile detention. The precision of our estimates and bounding exercises allow us to rule out even modest evidence of punitive processing bias. Policy implications: This paper highlights the importance of revisiting the evidence of processing bias within juvenile justice and child welfare agencies. Given the decentralized and continuously evolving nature of these systems, local jurisdictions should investigate their own case outcomes and contexts before implementing reforms to address bias. Yet, many lack the resources for such research and federal support is essential to enhance local data analysis capabilities, promoting more tailored and effective policy reforms. Initiatives that aim to integrate data from multiple systems can better understand and address the needs of overlapping populations, ultimately improving the quality of services and outcomes.</p
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men’s experiences of intimate partner violence in four Celtic nations:A mixed-method study
Get PDFThis study investigates the prevalence, forms, and unique cultural manifestations of intimate partner violence (IPV) among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in four Celtic nations (Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Wales) while recognizing differences due to gendered heteronormativity. The research involved a cross-sectional survey of 1,389 participants and in-depth narrative interviews with 10 individuals, with recruitment conducted via GBMSM social and sociosexual media platforms. The study employed descriptive statistics to estimate IPV prevalence and types, while logistic regression was used to identify socio-behavioral predictors of IPV. Findings suggest that the 1-year IPV prevalence among GBMSM was 33% (n = 546), with emotional abuse (13%) and belittlement (13%) as the most common forms. Notably, all qualitative participants reported experiencing coercive control. The narratives indicated that IPV predominantly occurred in longer-term relationships, with no instances identified in singular intimate encounters. The study found that while the prevalence of IPV among GBMSM is similar to that observed among heterosexual women, the nature of IPV and the recognition of certain forms of nonconsensual sex as IPV differ between these populations. These differences can be better understood through the lens of masculinities discourses and the heteronormative framework of Western societies. The study underscores the importance of building a dedicated body of evidence on IPV within sexual minority communities to inform policy and provide appropriate support through health and social care initiatives. Addressing IPV in GBMSM relationships is crucial for safeguarding this community and contributing to the broader societal goal of eradicating violence
Mi amigo Giovanni's Death, a digital performance of a friendship that keeps on living
Get PDFMi amigo Giovanni's Death is a digital autoethnographic performance that explores the themes of friendship, love and grief in a Zoom environment that presents a paradox of physical absence while experiencing psychological presence. The play follows Elliot's journey as he grapples with the loss of his friend and former lover, Giovanni. Through a series of episodes of their lives together represented in dialogues and musical numbers, the play explores the use of digital live theatre to create a personalised memorial. The play challenges traditional notions of time and space, as well as societal expectations around grief and mourning. Ultimately, it celebrates the enduring power of friendship and the ways in which relationships can transcend death
T cell memory response to MPXV infection exhibits greater effector function and migratory potential compared to MVA-BN vaccination
Get PDFIn 2022, a global mpox outbreak occurred, and remains a concern today. The T cell memory response to MPXV (monkeypox virus) infection has not been fully investigated. In this study, we evaluate this response in convalescent and MVA-BN (Modified Vaccinia Ankara - Bavarian Nordic) vaccinated individuals using VACV-infected cells. Strong CD8+ and CD4+ T cell responses are observed, and T cell responses are biased towards viral early expressed proteins. We identify seven immunodominant HLA-A*02:01 restricted MPXV-specific epitopes and focus our detailed phenotypic and scRNAseq analysis on the immunodominant HLA-A*02:01-G5R18-26-specific CD8+ T cell response. While tetramer+CD8+ T cells share similar differentiation and activation phenotypes, T cells from convalescent individuals show greater cytotoxicity, migratory potential to site of infection and TCR clonal expansion. Our data suggest that effective functional profiles of MPXV-specific memory T cells induced by Mpox infection may have an implication on the long-term protective responses to future infection.</p
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!