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Seeing gusty winds: Optical tracking of tree motion captures peak 3-second gust velocities
No full textPeak 3-second gust speed (3) is a key meteorological metric for potentially impactful winds. It is widely used in meteorology and engineering, but traditional anemometry is limited by sparse measurements. This proof-of-concept study is the first to relate Optical Flow Tracking Velocimetry (OFTV) derived wind estimates explicitly to 3, by capturing fine-scale wind variability from video footage of trees. While calibration is required, this approach is simple, transparent and avoids the descriptor-based Beaufort scale. So, it is a potential improvement or a component of frameworks that use machine learning or physics-based structural approaches. Results from a pear tree in a domestic setting show correlations between OFTV-3 and cup-anemometer data (R2 = 0.65, p < 0.05), confirming that 3 can be extracted using only OFTV. Interestingly, OFTV-3 are consistent and strongly correlated (R2 ≥ 0.92) across a range of reference objects (i.e., a flag, parts of the tree crown, grass). This insight suggests that identifying specific objects is unnecessary in simple scenes, potentially simplifying future crowd-sourced visual anemometry, although it may still be required in cluttered urban environments. Furthermore, 3 occur across objects within ±1–5 s of each other, indicating a robustness of measurement. Collectively, these insights are a valuable step towards improved wind distribution mapping (e.g. with a nation’s road network CCTV cameras) and detailed site hazard assessments for the (re)insurance sector.</p
Multidisciplinary prediction of running-related injuries using machine learning
No full textThis paper presents a machine learning (ML)-ready running-related injury (RRI) weekly prediction dataset using evidence-based multidisciplinary risk factors. Risk factors in genetic single-nucleotide polymorphisms, history, muscular strength, biomechanics, body composition, nutrition, and training were collected from competitive endurance runners (n=142), who were prospectively monitored for 12 months for RRIs, accumulating 6,181 weekly samples. ML models were fitted using (i) risk factors with high-level supporting evidence, and (ii) a broader range of risk factors to establish a performance baseline. Model performance (AUC=0.784±0.014) showed moderate improvement compared to previous RRI prediction modelling. Comparisons among different ML methods revealed nuanced insights into the interaction between data structure and model suitability. This study introduces a reproducible methodological framework for future ML sports injury prediction research and a valuable dataset for pooling in larger-scale analytics.</p
The effectiveness and cost effectiveness of Snacktivity™ as an intervention to promote physical activity and health outcomes: a study protocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial
No full textBackground: A novel ‘whole day’ approach that could motivate the public to be more physically active is termed Snacktivity™. Consistent with guidance, the Snacktivity™ approach encourages the public to accumulate ≥ 150 min of physical activity in short 2–5-min ‘activity snacks’ of moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity throughout the day/week. Snacktivity™ also promotes muscle-strengthening activity twice per week. Following completion of research to co-design and develop the Snacktivity™ approach, the aim of this trial is to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a Snacktivity™ intervention to increase physical activity and reduce future risk of disease in the population, compared with usual care. Methods: A multi-centre, two-arm, individually randomised, parallel group, superiority trial, with an economic evaluation, will be conducted in 966 physically inactive adults. Participants will be recruited from National Health Service Trusts and organisations and non-National Health Service settings (e.g. community groups and social media). Participants will be individually randomized (1:1) to the Snacktivity™ intervention group or a usual care comparator group. The Snacktivity intervention involves two main components; a brief 5-min consultation about the principles and purpose of Snacktivity™; and access to technology support (mobile phone app called the SnackApp, linked to a Fitbit activity device (Versa 4)) that through behavioural change techniques promote self-monitoring of physical activity, habit formation, action planning and feedback on the number of activity snacks completed each day. The primary outcome is the difference in average minutes of moderate-vigorous physical activity between the groups at 12-months follow up, measured using a wrist worn accelerometer. Secondary outcomes include accelerometer-assessed average minutes per day of light, moderate, and vigorous intensity physical activity, time sedentary, weight and psychological health outcomes, at 12 month follow-up. Discussion: Innovative interventions such as Snacktivity™, that aim to support the public to increase their physical activity each day are required. Findings could inform future public health guidance and public health messaging that seeks to raise awareness in the population of the potential benefits of Snacktivity™ for health. Trial registration: ISRCTN: 12390945. Registered on 22 March, 2024.</p
Supplementary information files for "Context matters: how river typology shapes biotic responses to fine sediment pressure"
No full textSupplementary files for article "Context matters: how river typology shapes biotic responses to fine sediment pressure"Context: Excess fine sediment is a global stressor affecting freshwater biodiversity. However, little consideration has been given to how large-scale landscape controls and temporal variability may influence the effect of fine sediment deposition and storage on biological communities. Objectives: We assess if ecological responses to deposited fine sediment are spatially and temporally consistent through the application of the river typology approach.Methods: We used 2,940 records from 391 wadable streams across England and Wales to identify taxonomic and functional community composition change points, in addition to individual family responses along the fine sediment gradient. We also examined the association of taxonomic and functional community diversity metrics and biomonitoring metrics with deposited fine sediment coverage.Results: Mid-altitude rivers displayed a lower community threshold (~ Conclusions: Community and family level responses to deposited fine sediment are non-linear, which can be characterized effectively by river typologies and most notably altitude groupings. Low levels of deposited fine sediment may not act as a stressor in mid-altitude catchments as these may be resource limited. Our research underlines the need to consider context-specific effects of fine-grained sedimentation rather than seeking to generalise stressor effects.© The Author(s), CC BY 4.0</p
The dose-response effects of nitrate-rich beetroot ingestion on cardiovascular and endothelial function
No full textDietary nitrate (NO3 - ) supplementation has been reported to improve cardiovascular health, but beyond its effects on brachial artery blood pressure (BP), dose-response effects on other cardiovascular variables are unclear. This study assessed the effects of three acute NO3 - doses (200 mg, 400 mg, 800 mg NO-rich beetroot powder) on brachial and aortic BP, arterial stiffness and macrovascular endothelial function, in a double-blind, randomised, crossover design. Cardiovascular variables and venous blood samples were measured, prior to (control) and 2.5 h post supplement ingestion. Dietary NO3 - supplementation increased plasma [NO3 - ] and plasma [nitrite] but had no effect on cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) concentration. Arterial stiffness markers improved following all NO3 - doses, with no between-dose differences. However, endothelial function only improved following 400 mg (+3.07% compared to control) and aortic systolic BP only improved following 800 mg (-4 mmHg compared to control) dietary NO3 - supplementation. Acute NO3 - ingestion improved some cardiovascular risk factors, including arterial stiffness, macrovascular endothelial function and aortic systolic BP with different dose-response effects, but had no effect on brachial BP or plasma [cGMP]. These findings improve our understanding of NO3 - supplementation and cardiovascular function in healthy adults</p
Integrating physical activity into routine psychiatric care: a review
No full textIMPORTANCE Adults with severe mental illness (SMI) face a 10- to 20-year reduction in life expectancy, largely due to heightened cardiometabolic diseases. Low levels of physical activity (PA) and prolonged sedentary behavior (SB) are modifiable risk factors that contribute to this mortality gap. Although strong evidence demonstrates that PA is safe and effective in improving psychiatric and physical outcomes, systematic integration into clinical practice remains limited.OBSERVATIONS Individuals with SMI are among the most physically inactive groups in society, often spending more than 10 hours per day sedentary and rarely meeting recommended PA recommendations. Low PA and high SB exacerbate neuroinflammatory, neuroendocrine, and cardiometabolic pathways implicated in psychiatric morbidity. Recent meta-analyses show that structured PA, that is, exercise, produces moderate-to-large reductions in depressive and psychotic symptoms, as well as benefits for cognition, quality of life, and cardiometabolic health. Evidence also suggests that mentally passive SB, such as prolonged television viewing, are associated with poorer mental health outcomes. Physical activity should be individualized to each person’s capabilities and preferences, emphasizing forms they find enjoyable. Two sessions of strength training weekly are advised, and greater mental health benefits typically arise from leisure or active travel PA. To guide translation into care, the 5A framework (Ask, Assess, Advise, Assist, Arrange) provides a structured, pragmatic approach: clinicians can screen for PA and SB, assess readiness and safety, provide tailored advice, support motivation and goal setting, and arrange follow-up, referral, and community support.CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE PA should be considered a core component of psychiatric care. By systematically promoting PA and reducing prolonged SB through structured clinical frameworks, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals can improve symptoms, enhance physical and cognitive health, and help narrow the life expectancy gap experienced by people with SMI.</p
Data management plan for Crystalline Structure Reconstruction of Ginseng Insoluble Dietary Fibre for Enhanced Glucose Homeostasis Regulation
No full textThis is a brief data management plan for a successful funding bid to the Royal Society International Exchange programme.</p
Scaling techniques for extreme rainfall estimation at the local-to-global scale
No full textExtreme rainfall is one of the major causes of flooding disasters, threatening both human safety and economic security. Additionally, flood intensity and frequency are projected to increase globally under climate change, making accurate estimation of rainfall intensity across different return periods and durations essential for flood risk mitigation and infrastructure design. However, estimating rainfall intensity and return period remains challenging, particularly in data-sparse regions, due to unevenly distributed gauges and the limitations of current data and models. Regional models provide detailed results but are difficult to transfer across regions, while global models offer broad coverage but lack spatial-temporal resolution and durations/return periods flexibility. Scale invariance offers a promising tool to bridge these gaps, yet little research has explored its global distribution or effective application in extreme rainfall estimation. The overarching objective of this thesis is to enhance the capability to estimate extreme rainfall scaling at a global scale, thereby providing intensity'duration'frequency (IDF) relationships with high spatial and temporal resolution, especially in data-sparse regions. This thesis estimates sub-daily rainfall intensity from daily rainfall data using scale invariance. The scale invariant method works with globally available data by linking a scaling parameter to geographical factors like latitude, longitude, altitude, distance to coast, as well as climatic factors such as rainfall patterns and climate types. The analysis uses several machine learning methods, including Simple Linear Regression, Decision Tree, Random Forest, and Adaboost. This framework is first tested in a UK case study with rich data, where regional scaling distributions and IDF curves are reproduced. It is then extended to a global scale to produce worldwide scaling parameter maps, capable of estimating intensities under both present and future climate. Sensitivity analyses assess the impacts of data gaps, annual maximum series (AMS) window length, and climate variability, while comparisons with peer-reviewed IDF studies are used to validate model accuracy and practical applicability. Results reveal clear spatial patterns in the global scaling parameter, with less negative values in wetter, more rainfall-consistent regions and more negative values in drier, less frequent rainfall regions. In this context, more negative values indicate a steeper contrast in intensity between short- and long-duration rainfall extremes, whereas less negative values reflect more uniform scaling across durations. Climate types and geographic variables emerge as dominant controls of distribution. The model accurately reproduces IDF curves across diverse sites worldwide (e.g., UK, Chile, India, USA, Austria), demonstrates robustness to data gaps, and shows limited sensitivity to climate variability. Recommendations are also provided on AMS window lengths suited to different climate types to balance uncertainty and local rainfall representativeness. Between 2071 and 2100 (under Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5), intensities of 4-hour events with 30-year return periods are projected to increase by 20-62% according to results from 8 illustrative sites globally from this model. This thesis presents the first global model that combines scale-invariant theory with machine learning to estimate a local scaling parameter and rainfall intensities from geographical and climatic predictors. It extends the theory of scale invariance by linking it to large-scale environmental drivers and validating sub-daily and daily relationships worldwide. Practically, the model offers an innovative tool to generate IDF curves under both present and future climate conditions with improved spatial and temporal consistency. The results can reduce biases associated with region-specific models and provide intensity estimates for hydraulic models used in flood simulations and economic loss assessments. Estimates of extreme rainfall can inform the design of protective measures for critical infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, drainage systems, and reservoirs, while also supporting large-scale assessments of vulnerability to surface flooding to inform stakeholders.</p
Improving occupational safety, health and mental wellbeing of migrant and national workers in the construction industry in Saudi Arabia
No full textImproving occupational safety, health and mental wellbeing of migrant and national workers in the construction industry in Saudi Arabia</p
Synthesis of isobenzofuranones and isoindolinones via Claisen–Schmidt condensation and their antileishmanial activity
No full textIn this study, we describe the synthesis of isobenzofuranones and isoindolinones using the Claisen–Schmidt condensation via the formation of a chalcone intermediate, followed by a 5-exo-trig cyclization facilitated by the carboxylate group under basic conditions. The desired products were obtained in good yields. Subsequently, Michael-lactamization reaction of the isobenzofuranones was employed to synthesize isoindolinone derivatives. The three-component Mannich-lactamization reaction was also explored to synthesize isoindolinones from 2–hydroxyacetophenone, phthalaldehydic acid, and amine derivatives. Furthermore, the synthesized compound 5c exhibited low EC50 (μM) values against Leishmania donovani (L. donovani), with no significant cytotoxicity observed against L-6 cells.</p