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A systematic review of agent-based modelling of residential low-carbon energy technology uptake and its integration of place-based approach
Full text linkThe residential uptake of low-carbon energy technologies (LCETs) is crucial for energy transition. Emerging literature employs agent-based modelling (ABM) as an effective computational approach to study this topic. ABM is particularly valuable because it can address the multi-level dynamics, complexity and emergent phenomena in socio-technical energy transitions, simulate innovation diffusion and inform decision-making in policy and planning. However, no systematic review has yet been conducted on the growing ABM literature on residential LCET uptake. Residential LCET uptake, as a key part of the notably place-based energy transition, can benefit from a place-based approach (PBA) which explicitly considers local actors and socio-spatial contexts. The integration of PBA in this literature remains underexplored. This paper systematically analyses 22 articles from the Scopus database, focusing specifically on evaluating the application of ABM in researching residential LCET uptake and examining how PBA is embedded or reflected. We analyse key modelling aspects including model purposes, theoretical and empirical background, agent-decision making, interactions, heterogeneity, stochasticity, observation and emergence. Our findings highlight the significant potential of ABM in elucidating underlying mechanisms and emerging trends in residential LCET uptake, supporting decision-making for policymakers and stakeholders and informing policy design and evaluation. We identify a research gap concerning qualitative inputs and a research challenge of empirical validation. A common place-based focus, demonstrated through the incorporation of socio-spatial contexts and engagement with local actors and stakeholders, is also identified among the reviewed models. We further discuss potential pathways of integrating PBA to advance ABM research on residential LCET uptake
Microtia is a ‘part of me’: A Qualitative Investigation Into The Family And Child’s Experience Of Microtia And Hearing Loss
Full text linkObjective This study aimed to investigate the experiences of children/young people and families living with microtia and hearing loss. Design Interviews and focus groups were conducted with children and young people (n = 11) with microtia and parents (n = 12). A constant comparative approach consistent with Grounded Theory was used. Study sample Participants included children and young people with microtia aged 7 to 20, recruited from across England, UK. They engaged in individual semi-structured interviews, whilst parents participated across five online Focus Groups. All participants spoke English and received care from the National Health Service (NHS). Results Children, young people and parents actively assess the child’s hearing needs. Other microtia considerations change over time, and ongoing information-seeking is important. This information is drawn from multiple sources, contributing to an understanding of microtia as an integral aspect of the individual’s identity. Conclusions This study highlights the evolving information needs of children and young people with microtia, including hearing support, ear reconstruction options, managing daily challenges such as school and social situations, and learning about the experiences of peers with similar conditions. The findings show how these needs change over time, emphasising the value of accessible, age-appropriate information to support children as they grow and navigate these experiences
Functionalised mesoporous silica with stearic acid: A novel approach to improve octreotide delivery
Full text linkHead Nurse's Ethical Leadership, Work Environment and Patients' Outcomes:A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Multilevel Study
No full textAIM: To investigate the relationship between nursing ethical leadership style, work environment (workload, interpersonal conflicts) and patients' objective nursing-sensitive outcomes (accidental falls, pressure ulcers, nosocomial infections, restraints and deaths). DESIGN: Nationwide multicentre cross-sectional multilevel survey. METHODS: Validated self-report scales were used to assess nurses' perceptions of ethical leadership, workload and interpersonal conflict. Nursing staffing and objective patient' nursing-sensitive outcomes were measured at the ward level. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted. Structural equation modelling examined the relationships among these variables based on Donabedian's conceptual framework. RESULTS: Data from 2349 nurses across 158 wards in 25 Italian acute care hospitals were analysed. The multilevel model showed an excellent fit. Ethical leadership was negatively associated with both workload and interpersonal conflict. Workload was significantly linked to higher rates of pressure ulcers, falls and deaths in patients. Ethical leadership was indirectly associated with improved patient outcomes through reduced workload. CONCLUSION: Head nurses' ethical leadership has a pivotal role in shaping the work environment and enhancing nursing-sensitive outcomes by reducing workload and fostering positive interpersonal dynamics. These findings emphasise the need for healthcare organisations to invest in ethical leadership development as a critical strategy for improving care quality and promoting better patient outcomes. IMPACT: These findings emphasise the need for healthcare organisations to invest in ethical leadership development as a critical strategy for improving care quality and promoting safer, more effective patient outcomes. REPORTING METHOD: The study adhered to The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study did not include patient or public involvement. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER CONTRIBUTE TO THE WIDER GLOBAL CLINICAL COMMUNITY?: Cultivating moral values and principles in leadership enables leaders to effectively communicate these values to their staff. Addressing unethical behaviours, fostering open dialogue about organisational ethics, and supporting leaders in the ethical decision-making process contribute to a healthier nurses' work environment. Healthcare organisations investing in the development and promotion of ethical leaders improve care quality. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: The study was registered in the research registry (www.researchregistry.com) under the record number (researchregistry7418), following a published protocol
Evaluating the Impact of Putative Metformin Targets on Cancer Outcomes: A Drug-Target Mendelian Randomization Study
Full text linkABSTRACT Aims Observational studies show metformin use associated with lower cancer risk, although experimental evidence is inconsistent. To provide genetic validation for repositioning of metformin in cancer prevention, we assessed genetically proxied effects of putative metformin targets on cancer outcomes using a drug-target Mendelian randomization (MR) design. Materials and Methods We identified genetic proxies of 11 metformin targets (PRKAA1, PRKAA2, PRKAB1, PRKAB2, PRKAG1, PRKAG2, PRKAG3, ETFDH, GPD1, SLC47A1 and ACACB) based on their associations with tissue-specific gene expression, overall/sex-specific HbA1c and type 2 diabetes. We then evaluated genetically proxied effects of these targets on five major cancers using MR. We also employed a conventional MR design to assess the relationship of HbA1c with cancer using the inverse variance method, with sensitivity analyses. Associations were corrected for multiple comparisons using false discovery rates. Results We identified two genetic proxies of putative metformin targets (PRKAG1 and GPD1) as valid instrumental variables (F statistics > 10). PRKAG1 was associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer (OR: 0.74 per mmol/mol reduction in overall HbA1c, 95 0.63–0.87; p = 0.001), with consistent findings in sex-specific analysis. This effect was unlikely mediated by HbA1c reduction, as indicated by conventional MR analyses (OR: 1.01 per mmol/mol, 95 0.99–1.02). No significant association was observed for GPD1 (OR: 1.00, 95 0.74–1.36; p = 0.98). Conclusions Metformin may prevent colorectal cancer via the AMPKγ1 (PRKAG1) target based on genetic evidence, supporting the evaluation of metformin use in colorectal cancer prevention using randomised controlled trials
A systematic review of design thinking implementations in higher engineering education
Full text linkDesign thinking is widely adopted in engineering education to develop human-centred design capabilities, yet practices remain fragmented due to varied implementations, organisational barriers, and persistent gaps between theory and application. This literature review examines how design thinking has been conceptualised, implemented, and evaluated in higher engineering education from 2003 to 2023, analysing 76 empirical studies through a HOW (implementation strategies)–WHAT (core elements)–WHY (adoption rationales) framework. Findings reveal rapid growth after 2018, consolidation around three primary definitional sources, and widespread adoption of Stanford's five-stage model. Integration remains predominantly course-based rather than programme-wide. Four core competencies emerge across studies: creativity, collaboration, empathy, and problem-solving. Such consistency across institutional contexts and engineering disciplines underscores design thinking's potential to address persistent gaps in traditional curricula. Assessment approaches demonstrate methodological pluralism, though direct observation remains rare. This review offers evidence-based guidance for implementing design thinking in engineering education’
Production of syringic acid by direct CO 2 insertion into syringol via a Kolbe–Schmitt type reaction
Full text linkSyringic acid (4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid) is a valuable hydroxybenzoic acid with applications in pharmaceuticals, food additives, and polymeric materials such as poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO). Despite its industrial relevance, current synthesis methods are reported only in patents, relying on expensive precursors such as syringaldehyde and multi-step chemical reactions, leading to high production costs and chemical waste. In contrast, syringol, a biomass-derived phenolic compound, is commercially available at half the cost of syringaldehyde, making it a more economical alternative. This study presents, for the first time, a one-pot method for the direct carboxylation of syringol to produce syringic acid. Initial experiments using sodium syringolate (SyONa) and the conventional Kolbe–Schmitt reaction yielded only 0.53% syringic acid. However, at 225 °C and pCO2 between 5 and 50 bar over 2–6 hours, the addition of guaiacol or potassium carbonate (K2CO3) significantly promoted the yield of syringic acid. Guaiacol enhanced conversion but led to substantial by-product formation, whereas K2CO3 improved selectivity to syringic acid (up to 90%) and increased the yield to 39.2% after 6 h. A mechanistic analysis indicates that K2CO3 activates the para-C–H bond of syringolate more effectively than guaiacol, enabling a previously inaccessible carboxylation pathway. By leveraging CO2 as a reactant and biomass-derived feedstock, this work aligns with Green Chemistry principles, reducing reliance on costly reagents and minimising chemical waste. These findings not only offer a sustainable route for syringic acid synthesis but also open new possibilities for the large-scale production of green PPO, advancing the development of bio-based polymers for a sustainable future
Thermal valorisation of sewage sludge into artificial aggregates: A critical review of processes, environmental performance, and circular bioeconomy implications
Full text linkThe continuous generation of Sewage Sludge (SS) from wastewater treatment plants poses major environmental and management challenges while offering significant opportunities for bioresource valorisation. This review critically analyses the transformation of SS into Artificial Aggregates (AAs) through thermal processes such as sintering, highlighting its potential as a sustainable route for resource recovery and circular bioeconomy integration. The unique physicochemical composition of SS rich in SiO₂, Al₂O₃, CaO, Fe₂O₃, and organic matter enables granulation, bloating, and vitrification during sintering, producing lightweight aggregates with densities below 1200 kg m−3 and compressive strengths above 6 MPa. Incorporating supplementary binders such as fly ash, rice husk ash, and Na₂SiO₃ optimises sintering behaviour, enhances densification, and reduces water absorption. High-temperature sintering (>1050 °C) effectively immobilises toxic metals including Cd, Cr, and Pb, ensuring leachate concentrations remain within European Waste Acceptance Criteria limits. Beyond technical performance, SS-derived AAs contribute to climate change mitigation by offsetting the extraction of natural aggregates, lowering carbon emissions, and enabling waste to resource pathways consistent with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 6, 12, and 13). This review consolidates more than 180 studies, providing a state-of-the-art synthesis of process optimisation, binder synergy, environmental safety, and techno-economic perspectives. Key research gaps related to energy efficiency, scalability, and long-term durability are identified to guide future innovations in integrating SS derived aggregates into sustainable water resource recovery and bioengineering systems
Parental use of distraction and portioning to reduce snack intake by children with avid eating behaviour: An experimental laboratory study
Full text linkIntroduction Children's avid eating behaviour is characterised by frequent snacking and food responsiveness. Parents need evidence-based advice on specific feeding practices, such as distraction techniques and portioning, that can be used to reduce children's intake of high energy-dense snacks. This experimental laboratory study tested the effectiveness of these feeding practices. Methods Parents and children (3–5 years; N = 129) who were identified as having an avid or typical eating profile were recruited and randomly allocated to one of three conditions. Following a standardised meal, children's energy intake (kcal) in the absence of hunger was assessed. While children had access to a snack buffet, parents were asked to use one of the following feeding practices: (1) Distract – using distraction techniques to delay children's snack intake; (2) Portion – allowing children to have snacks from pre-portioned pots; or (3) Control – allowing children to eat the type and number of snacks that their child wanted to. Results Children in the distraction condition consumed significantly less energy from snacks (M = 54.44 kcal, SD = 73.30) compared to children in the portion (M = 103.89 kcal, SD = 91.33, p .05). Children with avid versus typical eating profiles did not differ significantly in energy intake (p > .05). Conclusion Parental use of distraction techniques may be effective for reducing children's intake of high energy-dense snacks and could be recommended for use to support the development of children's healthy eating. Research to examine the effectiveness of distraction in real-world settings is now needed
Online Graph Based Transforms for Intra-Predicted Imaging Data
Full text linkOrthogonal transforms are key components of several image and video compression systems and standards, as they provide a de-correlated representation of signals to enhance compressibility. However, the most commonly used transforms for compression, such as the Discrete Cosine transforms (DCT) and Discrete Sine transforms (DST), are fixed and non-adaptive, limiting their ability to capture complex or varying signal characteristics. Graph-based transforms (GBTs) have shown improved energy compaction and reconstruction performance, but face two major limitations: the need to signal graph information in the compressed bitstream, which increases overhead and may complicates decoder synchronization, and a dependency on offline training process, which is highly dependent on the quality and completeness of the training data. To address these issues, this paper introduces a novel framework, GBT-ONL, which learns GBTs online in the context of block-based predictive transform coding. The proposed GBT-ONL framework uses a shallow fully connected neural network to predict the graph Laplacian needed for both the forward and inverse GBT. By relying only on information available during encoding, GBT-ONL eliminates the need to signal additional information in the compressed bitstream, and removes the requirement for any prior offline training. Evaluations on several video sequences show that GBT-ONL outperforms both traditional (non-learnable) transforms and existing learnable transforms in terms of energy compaction, reconstruction error, and compression efficiency, as measured by BD-PSNR and BD-Rate metrics
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