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Demonstrating the values-based WeValue InSitu approach to capture hidden intangible benefits of ecosystem services in Nigeria
Get PDFThe valuation of the benefits to humans of ecosystem services (ESs) provided by nature has become increasingly important. A current challenge is the measurement of the range of benefits which are not traded in the marketplace and are generally considered intangible, with further challenges to even classify them formally, e.g., as cultural ecosystem services (CESs). Previous studies have emphasized a related challenge: the strong need for engagement of not just experts but ’ordinary people’. Approaches using participatory approaches and less formal communication pathways to draw out local CES values have been reported. However, critical reflections of those studies reported significant differences in understanding between ’outsider researchers’ and ’locals’, calling validity deeply into question. Even deliberative approaches backfired by significantly modifying local social constructs during elicitation. In this study, we demonstrate a fundamentally different kind of approach, developed from the bottom–up sustainability indicator development process called WeValue InSitu. It focuses not on improving deeper top–down ‘engagement’ of a specific topic, but instead on improving local articulation of existing envelopes of in situ human shared values, naturally integrated. The WeValue InSitu output is a framework of separate but interlinked concise Statements of local shared values. Some of these Statements may refer to values concerning ecosystems, but situated amongst others. Here, we analyze the outputs from 23 convenience groups in three sites in Nigeria and investigate the shared values found empirically against existing economics-based MEA classifications. The findings include hybrid values which span existing CES sub-categories and even across into market-based categories. This opens a discussion as to whether future ES valuation frameworks might evolve more usefully with foundations built on empirically derived typologies of human values, rather than bolt-on modifications to financially based economics concepts. It also raises questions about the validity of current valuations made which cannot capture empirically found human values
Editorial: Climate and environmental changes in circum-Mediterranean regions
Get PDFCircum-Mediterranean regions, consisting of South Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, are located at the crossroads of global environmental patterns. There is a convergence between various maritime conditions and different continental air masses from adjacent extensive lands marked by extreme differences in topographical features. At a spatial scale, the climate and environmental parameters vary considerably across circum-Mediterranean regions. At a temporal scale, significant climate and environmental changes have occurred over the past thousands of years. Currently, circum-Mediterranean regions are experiencing challenges ranging from drought and fire to intense floods and water quality concerns under the changing climate. Further warming will lead to an unbearable future for human beings and ecosystems
Exploring small-scale optimization coupling learning approaches for enterprises’ financial health forecasts
Get PDFThe financial health of leading enterprises has a significant impact on the sustainable development of the global economy. Most data-driven financial health forecasts are based on the direct use of small-scale machine learning. In this study, we proposed the idea of optimization coupling learning to improve these machine learning models in financial health forecasting. It not only revealed lagging, immediate, continuous impacts of various indicators in different fiscal year, but also had the same low computational cost and complexity as known small-scale machine learning models. We used our optimization coupling learning to investigate 3424 leading enterprises in China and revealed inner triggering mechanisms and differences of enterprises’ financial health status from individual behavior to macro level
An integrated system framework for preventing crime in retail supermarket
Get PDFRetail supermarkets have been investing billions of poundsto prevent and reduce crime in their stores, but the rate of crime keep increasing. Retail shrinkage monitoring as far back as 1995 showed that the retail stores were losing the equivalent of 0.3 per cent of their gross revenues which have taken up to 20 to 30 percent of their profit. Also recently, the British Retail Crime Report (2023)showed a significant increase from the 2019 report in retail crime and subsequent loss to retailers. In 2021/2022, the retail staff incidents of violence stood at 850 per day, and the cost of retail crime was £1.76b. There were eight million incidents of theft over the year and a total of £715 million was spent on crime prevention. As crime keeps increasing, examining the three security solutions (Cyber, Physical and System) that are used in retail supermarkets becomes paramount. This article will look into if the lack of interconnectedness is the cause of continuous porosity in criminality in stores using Aldi and Sainsbury in the United Kingdom as a case study. A combination of mix method approach has been used in this study which allows a combination of quantitative data gathering through questionnaires and qualitative data through interviews. Accessing the current effectiveness of the three security solution (Cyber, System and Physical), it becomes important to identify the strategic gap between actual and potential performance so that steps can be taken to identify the shortfall in the Security solutions. The Ishikawa fishbone model is used as a theoretical tool to examine the cause and effect of retail crime. This will identify other causes that affect the effectiveness of security solutions. From the findings, a Hierarchical Taxonomy of Crime Prevention Framework in line with the Ishikawa fishbone theoretical tool was developed to help supermarkets reduce and prevent crimes. For many years supermarkets have been investing lots of money on security solutions but the rate of crimes keep increasing
Using convolution neural network methods for the ultrasound characterization of porosity across carbon fiber reinforced polymer layers
Get PDFThis study investigates the use of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) with ultrasound imaging for the characterization of porosity across Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) layers using both simulated and experimental dataset. CFRPs are widely used in aerospace and other engineering fields due to their exceptional mechanical properties. However, porosity remains a critical defect that can significantly impair their performance. Traditional non-destructive testing (NDT) methods face some challenges in accurately detecting and characterizing porosity. The present work aims to overcome these challenges by developing a CNN-based approach to improve the detection and assessment of porosity across CFRP layers. The study relies on the development of a numerical model and the acquisition of real data from fabricated CFRP samples to successfully apply CNN techniques to evaluate porosity. The CNN model demonstrated fairly good accuracy and reliability, particularly with an increased number of dataset. The results suggest valuable opportunities for improving quality control in CFRP manufacturing processes. The study presents the potential of applying machine learning techniques for the non-destructive testing of CFRP, with a relative good amount of datasets. The present work contributes to the larger project of enhancing the reliability of CFRP structures and improving the composite materials' manufacturing processes
Association between total daily sedentary time and cardiometabolic biomarkers in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Get PDFBackground: Older adults engage in the highest levels of sedentary behaviour across all age groups. Yet, the extent to which sedentary time is associated with cardiometabolic health in older adults is unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined associations between daily sedentary time and cardiometabolic biomarkers in older adults. Methods: Peer-reviewed articles in participants aged ≥60 years that studied the association between daily sedentary time and ≥1 cardiometabolic biomarker were eligible. Five electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, Web of Science and PsycINFO) were searched. Screening, data extraction and study quality were undertaken independently by two reviewers. Meta-analyses were undertaken using random effects models based on correlation and regression coefficients. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Results: Twenty-eight articles were included with sample sizes ranging from 30 to 62,754 participants. Increasing daily sedentary time was adversely associated with body mass index (Hedge’s g: 0.32; P=0.001), waist circumference (Hedge’s g: 0.45; P<0.001), body fat percentage (Hedge’s g: 0.61; P=0.012) and fat mass (Hedge’s g: 0.30; P=0.018). There were also unfavourably associations with systolic blood pressure (Hedge’s g: 0.37; P=0.047), blood glucose (Hedge’s g: 0.30; P=0.044), triglycerides (Hedge’s g: 0.36; P=0.039) and HDL cholesterol (Hedge’s g: 0.34; P=0.034). Conclusions: Increased daily sedentary time is adversely associated with body composition, systolic blood pressure and blood biomarkers in older adults. Therefore, limiting sedentary behaviour should be considered an important target in this population group for improved cardiometabolic health
Government spending impacts on unpaid carers in England since 2010: a systematic review
No full textSince 2010, austerity-driven cuts in government expenditure have severely impacted unpaid carers in England. This systematic review examines evidence on caregivers’ financial security, service access and health. Despite the Care Act 2014’s goals, inadequate funding limits its effectiveness. Increased economic hardship, insufficient Carer’s Allowance and rising unmet care needs disproportionately affect disadvantaged groups, younger carers and women, worsening mental and physical health. Two recommendations emerge: first, immediate government investment and the establishment of a cross-party commission to set a minimum level of caregiver support; and, second, longer-term systemic change that recognises caregiving as a fundamental political right, protects caregivers’ social security and addresses broader social inequities
Virtual reality provides an eyewitness experience that is similar to real life
Get PDFTraditional methods used for presenting to-be-remembered events in eyewitness memory research are often criticized for lacking scientific rigor. Videos lack ecological validity, and though staged live events are realistic, they lack experimental control. Virtual reality (VR) has been proposed as a promising alternative, offering immersive realism in a controlled environment. In this study, 141 participants viewed an event either live, on video, or in VR. Presence, emotional experience, heart rate, and recall were compared across groups, and it was seen that the VR experience was highly similar to the live-event group. The video group reported significantly lower presence, ecological validity, and heart rate changes compared to the VR group. These findings suggest that VR can offer a highly realistic witness experience while maintaining experimental control, making it a valuable tool for eyewitness memory research
When corona infested everything: a qualitative interview study exploring the impact of COVID-19 mitigation measures on school life from the perspectives of English secondary school staff and students
Get PDFTo reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, transmission and illness during the pandemic, the Department for Education (DfE) issued guidance to schools. However, research on how the school community perceives the impact of the COVID-19 mitigation measures outlined remains limited. This qualitative study aims to explore the effects of school closures and in-school mitigation measures on daily school life, as well as their impact on mental health and wellbeing from the perspective of English secondary school staff and students. Participants were purposively sampled from English secondary schools serving diverse communities participating in the COVID-19 Mapping and Mitigation in Schools study (CoMMinS). Selection ensured representation of staff roles and student demographics. Semi-structured interviews were conducted remotely, and data analysed thematically. Interviews were between January and August 2021 with participants from five secondary schools (20 staff and 25 students). Both staff and students reported significant disruption to school life, with four themes identified: (1) teaching and learning impact, (2) social impact, (3) safeguarding impact, and (4) and mental health and wellbeing impact. Findings highlight widespread negative effects across every aspect of school life, for both staff and students. This study suggests that COVID-19 mitigation measures in UK secondary schools led to a sense of loss and uncertainty as well as increased self-reported stress among both staff and students
Micronutrient deficiencies and determinants among pregnant women and children in Nigeria: systematic review and meta-analysis
Get PDFBackground: Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly among pregnant women and children under five years old, remain a significant public health challenge in Nigeria. Despite existing policies and programmes, national data on prevalence and risk factors are fragmented. Objective: To synthesise the current evidence on the prevalence of key micronutrient deficiencies and associated risk factors among pregnant women and children under five years old in Nigeria. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using peer-reviewed studies that were published between 2008 and 2024. The databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, and African Journals Online. After screening 1207 studies, 37 studies were included: 27 were conducted among pregnant women and 10 were among children. A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the anaemia prevalence using a random-effects model. A narrative synthesis was conducted to synthesise evidence on other micronutrients (i.e., magnesium, copper, and vitamins C and E) due to the limited data and risk factors. Results: The pooled prevalence of anaemia was 56% among children and 54% among pregnant women. The prevalence of other micronutrient deficiencies varied widely, with a high prevalence of zinc (86.4%), magnesium (94%), and vitamin D (73.3%) deficiencies in certain regions. The identified risk factors included poor dietary diversity, lower socioeconomic status, low maternal education, infection burden, and early or high parity. Most studies were facility-based and sub-national, limiting the generalisability. Conclusions: This review highlights a high prevalence of anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies among pregnant women and children in Nigeria. Key risk factors included a poor diet, low maternal education, infections, and reproductive health challenges. Targeted, multisectoral policies are urgently needed to address these gaps and improve health outcomes
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