62463 research outputs found
Sort by
Beyond the lens: exploring the transformative power of artistic photographic self-portraiture on mental wellbeing among artists in the UK
No full textIn contemporary visual culture, photographic self-portraiture stands as a compelling medium for exploring self-identity and emotional expression. Existing research has established that photography, as an enriching and exploratory creative activity, positively impacts individual well-being and is applied in clinical and personal therapeutic contexts. This study will explore personal narratives and experiences, revealing how engaging in photographic self-portraiture transcends mere documentation, exploring its multifaceted dynamics and impact on individual well-being and societal discourse, focusing on how it fosters self-awareness, navigates identity, aids in emotional expression and enhances sense of agency. The research will highlight the therapeutic potential of photographic self-portraiture for self-exploration and emotional healing, offering an understanding of its role in both personal and broader societal contexts.</p
The effects of nitrate on brown fat fraction and activation in older adults with type 2 diabetes: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial
No full textBackground: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease characterised by chronic hyperglycaemia, whilst obesity is a major risk factor which increases morbidity and mortality. Treatments that alter white adipose tissue to express a metabolically active brown adipose phenotype in rats may offer adjunct treatment in people with T2DM. Aim: To investigate whether inorganic nitrate supplementation from beetroot juice (BJ) alters brown adipose tissue (BAT) fat fraction and activation in humans. Methods: Thirteen older adults with T2DM (glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c]: 58±13 mmol·mol-1; body mass index: 29.1±3.1 kg·m-2) completed a double-blind, randomised, balanced, placebo-controlled crossover study. Outcome measures (including BAT fat fraction; activation; plasma [nitrate] and [nitrite]) were assessed before and after 14-days of 140 mL·day-1 BJ containing inorganic nitrate (~12.4 mmol·L1) or a placebo (~0.1 mmol·L1). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and infrared thermography (IRT) were performed to image supraclavicular BAT following a rested cooling protocol, consisting of 60-minutes exposure via a cold water (8.1±1.2ºC) perfused jacket. Respiratory parameters including respiratory exchange ratio [RER] and mean skin temperature were measured during the cooling protocol to confirm participants were not shivering. Results: BJ significantly increased venous plasma [nitrate] and [nitrite] versus placebo (PConclusion: 14-days of nitrate supplementation did not increase BAT fat fraction or activation in older adults with T2DM.</p
Running wild: Forest running enhances performance, enjoyment, mood and future exercise intentions
No full textBackground and objectives: Physical inactivity remains widespread despite the well-established physical and mental health benefits of regular physical activity (PA). There is an urgent need for strategies that increase both uptake and long-term adherence. The Environmental Mismatch Hypothesis proposes that natural environments may increase both engagement and performance of PA. Methodology: Forty-seven healthy adults (16 females) completed a randomised, counterbalanced crossover trial. Participants undertook a 30-minute self-paced run in both a forest and an urban environment at a prescribed exertion level (rate of perceived exertion = 4/10). Performance (distance run, heart rate) and markers of intention to perform future PA (enjoyment, mood, short- and long-term intention) was assessed. Results: Participants covered significantly greater distance in the forest condition (p = 0.025, Cohen’s d = 0.2) with heart rate and RPE comparable to the urban setting. Forest-based exercise also elicited significantly greater enjoyment (p Conclusions and implications: Forest-based running was associated with improved performance, enjoyment, mood and motivation for future PA, relative to urban running, without an increase in physiological strain. These findings reveal that natural environments offer a promising and scalable approach to addressing physical inactivity and improving population health. Further research is required to determine the environmental drivers, the feasibility, accessibility and long-term effects across diverse and inactive populations.</p
The accelerated propagation of pulsed gravity currents
No full textPulsed gravity currents are generated by the sequential release of dense material into a lighter ambient. We investigate the dynamics of pulsed gravity currents using physical scale experiments, two-dimensional depth-averaged shallow water equation (SWE) based models and three-dimensional lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) simulations. Integrating these results we show for the first time that short duration pulsed releases generate intrusive layers, which accelerate front propagation relative to an instantaneously released current of the same total volume. Conversely, a long delay time between pulses produces a current that propagates slower than an equivalent instantaneous release. This finding is supported by physical experiments and depth-resolving LBM simulations. The depth-resolving simulations show that intrusions in pulsed flows experience less drag resistance than those generated by instantaneous releases. The depth-averaged model considered in the present study does not accurately capture the intrusive flow dynamics of pulsed currents. However, the limitations of the finite-depth SWE model may be mitigated by extensions to incorporate entrainment and density stratification. The results also motivate further research into the impact of buoyancy Reynolds number and channel slope on the propagation of pulsed currents.</p
Novel energy balance tracking to support personalised AI health coaching: a real-world evaluation of the ENHANCE Framework
No full textBackground: Energy balance (EB) is the key determinant of fat gain, yet accurate EB tracking is difficult outside laboratory settings. Traditional methods are burdensome (e.g. food-logs) or lack daily resolution (e.g. body weight monitoring), limiting suitability for integration with free-living AI-powered health-coaching.Objective: To introduce ENHANCE—a novel framework prioritising interpretability and temporal accuracy—and demonstrate its use as a low-burden, accurate method for tracking EB using smart devices and minimal self-report, suitable for AI coaching.Methods: This 4-week observational study spanned the Christmas to New Year 2024/25 festive period. Participants submitted daily blinded body weight measurements via Wi-Fi scales and EB-related questions via a mobile app, taking Results: Of 23 participants, 18 were analysed. Five were excluded due to illness (n = 4) or bereavement (n = 1). Participants completed 94% (5.1%) of body weight measurements and 100% of EB-related submissions. Questionnaire results showed low burden (1.8/5) and behavioural reactivity (1.5/5). Group-level predicted trends explained 90.4% of smoothed trend variance (R² = 0.904; mean absolute error [MAE]: 93 g). Corrected trends aligned more closely with piecewise segments than raw trends (MAE: 46 g vs 77 g). Individual-level mean EB corrections were +41 kcal/day—just 2% of reported intake. The corrected trend enhanced interpretability and plausibility while preserving real-world validity. Calculated mean net fat weight change during the monitoring phase was +0.8 kg (0.4 kg); mean net EB was +223 kcal/day (130 kcal/day).Conclusions: This scalable method delivers the accuracy and practicality needed for real-world EB tracking—laying the foundation for continuous personalised AI coaching.</p
Benchmarking intra-driver heterogeneity car-following models using a behavioural and numerical evaluation framework
No full textIntra-driver heterogeneity significantly impacts traffic dynamics yet remains poorly understood and insufficiently assessed in existing car-following models. Whilst various modelling approaches have been proposed, the lack of a unified benchmarking framework has obscured their limitations, particularly regarding behavioural soundness and intra-driver heterogeneity recovery. This study benchmarks four well-established car-following models (Intelligent Driver Model, Optimum Velocity Model, Full Velocity Difference Model, and Newell) using four methods for incorporating intra-driver heterogeneity. We propose a benchmarking methodological framework to comprehensively evaluate these models from both numerical and behavioural perspectives. Six experiments are performed: (i) evaluating traditional models without heterogeneity, (ii) testing heterogeneity models on heterogeneity-free data, (iii) analysing simplified scenarios excluding the standstill regime, (iv) assessing models’ ability to recover heterogeneity in controlled data, (v) evaluating traditional models with real-world data, and (vi) testing heterogeneity models with real-world data. Numerical evaluation (using Percentage Parameter Estimation Error, Root Mean Square Error, and Percentage of Intra-driver Heterogeneity Error) and behavioural consistency (e.g., unrealistic accelerations, oscillations, and concavity of oscillations growth) are used for comparison. Results indicate that some traditional models struggle with behavioural soundness, whereas incorporating intra-driver heterogeneity improves certain aspects but introduces new challenges. Among model-method combinations, combining the Langevin method with the Intelligent Driver Model is promising for capturing realistic intra-driver heterogeneity behaviour and fewer behavioural issues. Yet the variable parameter method is generally robust in reproducing the concave growth curve of oscillations when integrated with any model. The proposed benchmarking framework offers a comprehensive approach for rigorously evaluating intra-driver heterogeneity models.</p
4D printing for minimally invasive biomedical applications: programmable smart materials for deployable devices, drug delivery, and tissue regeneration
No full text4D printing extends additive manufacturing beyond static form by enabling structures that change shape or function over time in response to programmed stimuli. This capability is accelerating biomedical innovation in tissue regeneration, on-demand drug delivery, and minimally invasive deployable devices. This review focuses on recent advances in 4D printing for biomedical purposes, emphasizing key developments, challenges, and opportunities that define this emerging field. The review is divided into five main sections. It begins by introducing the concept of 4D printing and its specific relevance to biomedical applications. The second section focuses on applications of 4D printing, categorized into three main areas: drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, and biomedical devices. Following, the materials used in 4D printing for biomedical purposes, such as shape-memory polymers, hydrogels, shape-memory alloys, shape-memory ceramics, and composites, are discussed in detail. The techniques enabling the fabrication of adaptive structures tailored for medical use are then reviewed. Finally, the challenges associated with 4D printing in biomedical applications are critically analyzed, with a focus on material limitations, scalability in manufacturing, mechanical and functional stability, as well as environmental impact. This integrated perspective provides design guidelines and priority directions to accelerate clinically relevant 4D-printed biomedical systems.</p
Human-involved strategies for mitigating cyber-induced safety risks in CAVs
No full textCyberattacks represent a critical and emerging threat to connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs), with direct implications for passenger safety. This study explores the potential role of human involvement in managing safety-critical cyberattacks in CAVs, drawing on insights from domain experts. Twelve experts from both industry and academia were interviewed through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was applied to identify key challenges related to human involvement and possible strategies to address them. The findings reveal several interrelated themes, including variability in human capabilities and limitations, the time available for human intervention, the integration of cyber-physical defence mechanisms within vehicles, the importance of human-centric vehicle design, and the critical role of human preparedness. The findings highlight the need for further research on human-in-the-loop approaches that consider human strengths and constraints in managing cyberattacks. Moreover, the challenge of time-critical response requires deeper investigation to determine scenarios where human intervention is feasible. It is also essential for automotive developers to adopt mandatory cyber-physical defence mechanisms and embed human-centric design principles that empower passengers to effectively respond to cyber threats. Finally, structured user training should be considered a prerequisite for CAV safety certification.</p
Discursive psychology, ethnography, and social justice: remembering the Grenfell Tower tragedy
No full textThis chapter explores the importance of combining ethnographic and discursive frameworks in developing and advancing integrated approaches to researching social justice and activism. Ideas are illustrated with data collected for a project on remembering the Grenfell Tower tragedy. We examine project specific and general challenges of conducting focused ethnographic research that informs a discursive psychological approach to analysing conceptions of social justice in talk and text. We conclude with a discussion of known and unanticipated challenges that might hinder full cross-fertilization of ethnographic and discursive approaches, including considerations of access, reflexivity and data analysis.</p
A Society of Meta-Organizations (PDF)
No full textOur contemporary societies are made of meta-organizations — organizations composed of other organizations. These range from international bodies like the International Whaling Commission, to national industry or business associations like the crowdfunding association Finance Participative France, to local associations such as fisheries co-management committees in Catalunya. Meta-organizations have become a defining feature of how actors coordinate, govern and make collective decisions. But what exactly makes them distinct, and why do they matter — both in theory and in practice?
This book delves into the importance, characteristics and diversity of meta-organizations. It explores four interrelated perspectives: meta-organizations as a widespread, heterogeneous empirical phenomenon in contemporary society, as a conceptual framework that raises specific methodological challenges, as part of a broader theory of decision-based social orders, and ultimately as arenas where hegemonic and counter-hegemonic dynamics may unfold.
By bridging theory and practice, this work offers new insights into how meta-organizations operate, how they can be studied and understood, the problems they raise and what they can achieve under certain conditions — making it essential reading for practitioners, students, scholars, and policymakers alike