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Technology for Environmental Policy: Exploring Perceptions, Values, and Trust in a Citizen Carbon Budget App
Get PDFPersonal Carbon Allowances (PCAs) are a policy idea for reducing individual carbon emissions, originally proposed in the UK in the 1990s, but promptly discarded due to concerns about low public acceptability and technological limitations. Decades later, we face the global challenge of a worsened climate crisis, thus proponents of PCAs argue that they should be reconsidered. We conducted an online survey with 300 UK based participants, investigating the viability, trustworthiness, and public acceptance of a Citizen Carbon Budget (CCB) app to monitor and encourage carbon emission reduction from personal activities and the relation of responses to Schwartz’s Portrait Values Questionnaire. Our findings indicate that trust in using this kind of applications should not only be focused on their technical aspects but on the preconditions of trusting the implementation of this policy. Further, we found that holding stronger social values relate to a greater willingness to contribute to minimising individual carbon emissions and consequently to use the app across the board, including greater acceptance of automated features, and willingness to trust the app and stakeholders involved; these were not the case when holding stronger personal values. Various solutions may be needed to appeal to people with different values and leanings for mitigating climate change
The influence of age and exercise training status on left ven-tricular systolic twist mechanics in healthy males - an exploratory study
Get PDFAge-related differences in twist may be mitigated with exercise training, although this remains inconclusive. Moreover, temporal left ventricular (LV) systolic twist mechanics, including early-systolic (twistearly), and beyond peak twist (twistpeak) alone, have not been considered. Therefore, further insights are required to ascertain the influence of age and training status on twist mechanics across systole. Forty males were included and allocated into 1 of 4 groups based on age and training status: young recreationally active (YRA, n = 9; 28 ± 5 years), old recreationally active (ORA, n = 10; 68 ± 6 years), young trained (YT, n = 10; 27 ± 6 years), and old trained (OT, n = 11, 64 ± 4 years) groups. Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography was performed to determine LV twist mechanics, including twistearly, twistpeak, and total twist (twisttotal), by considering the nadir on the twist time-curve during early systole. Twisttotal was calculated by subtracting twistearly from their peak values. LV twistpeak was higher in older than younger men (p = 0.036), while twistpeak was lower in the trained than recreationally-active (p = 0.004). Twistpeak is underestimated compared with twisttotal (p < 0.001), and when early-systolic mechanics were considered, to calculate twisttotal, the age effect (p = 0.186) was dampened. LV twist was higher in older than younger age, with lower twist in exercise-trained than recreationally-active males. Twistpeak is underestimated when twistearly is not considered, with novel observations demonstrating that the age effect was dampened when considering twistearly. These findings elucidated a smaller age effect when early phases of systole are considered, while lower LV systolic mechanics were observed in older aged trained than recreationally-active males.
Keywords: left ventricle; ageing; exercise; cardiac mechanics; echocardiograph
Real-time sports venue availability-based booking management system
No full textA real-time sports venue availability-based booking management system, comprising a user-interface installed on computing units accessed by a player for booking stadium, a processing unit to create a profile of the player on the interface, database maintains records of the registered players, a team building module accessed by the player for raising a proposal to form a team for a match of the particular sports, an first imaging unit 101 for capturing images in vicinity of the entrance 102 to determine facial features of the players entering inside the stadium for authentication purpose, platform 103 for monitoring weight of the player, a speaker 104 notifies the player regarding ineligibility of the player to participate in the match, a motorized gate 105 allowing the user to enter inside the stadium and multiple second imaging unit 106 coupled with multiple radar guns 107 tracks movements and stances of the players performing
Effective components of services for recurrent care experienced parents: A literature review of what works
Get PDFRecurrent care services aim to reduce the number of repeat removals amongst birth parents who have already ‘lost’ a child through care proceedings. This literature review aimed to identify published evidence about effective components of services to support parents who have experienced repeat removals of their children to care.
Searches identified 19 studies that included content relating to the components of service provision within recurrent care services. Across all studies, a range of perspectives were included: birth parents (n = 425); practitioners (n ≥ 151); other professionals (n = 109).
The evidence reviewed indicates the importance of relationship-based practice, building a trusted relationship between parents and practitioners, continuity and tenacity in engaging with mothers and a non-judgemental approach. Services should be flexible, holistic and client led, with a long duration of support and a flexible end date. Services should: have a trauma-informed approach; recognise unresolved loss, complex grief and trauma experienced by mothers who have ‘lost’ their children through care proceedings; and provide emotional support, therapeutic support, practical support and advocacy. Services need to have a skilled and multi-disciplinary workforce with robust supervision and ongoing training
Understanding in the canine classroom: learning to ‘lean’
Get PDFUsing an ethnomethodological approach, we examine a particular case of a dog and its handler learning the ‘lean’ command. In this scene of instruction, we come upon a place where the uses of a word are taught to both dog and human. Revisiting Vicki Hearne’s influential book on animal training, we reflect on animals in conversation with their trainers, and the interconnected problems of understanding and of a dog’s specific rights. We describe the establishing of a new command as a body position, location and duration. The opening and closing of a door, as part of learning the new command, poses a puzzle of both instruction and rights for the dog as pupil. Our findings begin to contribute to the ‘missing what’ of dog training and question the limits of animal geographies in relation to the ethics in, and of, training and education with animals. In addition, we show how animal geographers can learn from and describe the public availability of intersubjective practices. Specifically, we describe the witnessable organisation of learning new commands, as part of which, we acknowledge and are attentive to the dog’s work, thereby contributing to studies of animal training, cross-species communication and classrooms
Research Priorities and Needs in Global Migrant Health: A Systematic Review of Reviews
Get PDFAim: Worldwide, the number of migrants is still increasing. Most research is focused on refugees and irregular migrants to high-income countries, with less focus on migrants moving between low and middle-income countries. As migrant health is a public health priority, there is a need for conducting quality research and gathering information on the health needs of migrants. This review of reviews was undertaken to find research priorities, needs, and identify gaps in the literature on migrant health.
Methods: A systematic search of several databases using various combinations of search terms found 1,769 articles (after removing duplicates). Twenty-two studies were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted and synthesised and presented in a narrative analysis of common themes.
Results: Most of the included articles were systematic reviews conducted in high-income countries and among heterogenous groups of migrants. The major health themes explored in these reviews were: health service use and accessibility; mental health; perinatal health; sexual and reproductive health; and occupational health. In our systematic review, we explored challenges to and limitations of existing migrant health research and offered suggestions for future research.
Conclusion: Migration and health are both complex phenomena, and so is the relationship between them. Most studies were cross-sectional; hence, there is a gap that should be filled with mixed-methods and longitudinal studies to further our knowledge of migrant health, and more research is needed on unexplored health issues. Priority should be given to conducting research in the countries of origin and in low-income countries
The influence of information and communication technology on trade in developing countries and partners
Get PDFThe widespread use of information and communication technologies (ICT) is evidenced by various devices, systems, and applications that enable organizations and individuals to interact with one another and the digital world. In this study, a comparative analysis framework was employed to evaluate different panel data techniques for the period 1990–2020. The aim is to ensure the robustness of the results and effectively assess ICT modeling in an economic context. The panel techniques found to be relevant and utilized in this study include pooled ordinary least squares (OLS), the fixed effects model (FEM), the random effects model (REM), two-stage least squares (2SLS), fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS), dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), and robust least squares (ROBUSTLS). The sample comprises 12 trading partners in Pakistan, including both developed and developing economies. The results were consistent and robust across all the techniques employed. Based on these findings, various policy implications can be derived, such as the need for Pakistan to form strategic partnerships with both developed and developing nations to increase the trade component of ICT for rapid growth, because enhancing the ICT-based domestic industry will provide more employment and production opportunities
Canzone Sospesa (for cello and piano)
No full textCanzone Sospesa (for cello and piano), composed in 2023, was performed in Washington DC under the auspices of the Art Music Society of America, as part of their 2024-25 Chamber Music Season. It was performed by cellist Syneva Colle and pianist Alfonso Hernandez on 28 September 2024 at 7:00 pm at the Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum
Promoting sustainability activities in clinical radiography practice and education in resource-limited countries: A discussion paper
Get PDFObjective
Urgent global action is required to combat climate change, with radiographers poised to play a significant role in reducing healthcare's environmental impact. This paper explores radiography-related activities and factors in resource-limited departments contributing to the carbon footprint and proposes strategies for mitigation. The rationale is to discuss the literature regarding these contributing factors and to raise awareness about how to promote sustainability activities in clinical radiography practice and education in resource-limited countries.
Key findings
The radiography-related activities and factors contributing to the carbon footprint in resource-limited countries include the use of old equipment and energy inefficiency, insufficient clean energy to power equipment, long-distance commuting for radiological examinations, high film usage and waste, inadequate training and research on sustainable practices, as well as limited policies to drive support for sustainability. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, financial assistance and partnerships are needed to adopt eco-friendly technologies and clean energy sources to power equipment, thus tackling issues related to old equipment and energy inefficiency. Transitioning to digital radiography can mitigate the environmental impact of high film usage and waste, while collaboration between governments, healthcare organisations, and international stakeholders can improve access to radiological services, reducing long-distance commuting. Additionally, promoting education programmes and research efforts in sustainability will empower radiographers with the knowledge to practice sustainably, complemented by clear policies such as green imaging practices to guide and incentivise the adoption of sustainable practices. These integrated solutions can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of radiography activities in resource-limited settings while enhancing healthcare delivery.
Conclusion
Radiography-related activities and factors in resource-limited departments contributing to the carbon footprint are multifaceted but can be addressed through concerted efforts.
Implications for practice
Addressing the challenges posed by old equipment, energy inefficiency, high film usage, and inadequate training through collaborative efforts and robust policy implementation is essential for promoting sustainable radiography practices in resource-limited countries. Radiographers in these countries need to be aware of these factors contributing to the carbon footprint and begin to work with the relevant stakeholders to mitigate them. Furthermore, there is a need for them to engage in education programmes and research efforts in sustainability to empower them with the right knowledge and understanding to practice sustainably