50716 research outputs found
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Domino Effect: An Exposition of Systemic Risk for Financing Infrastructure through Real Estate Investment Trusts
No full textDelivering infrastructure assets capitalized by real estate investment trusts (REITs) is emerging and challenging due to the complexities and uncertainties that characterize the project lifecycle. Having effective management of risks in place is key to project success. However, there remains limited knowledge about the dynamic mechanism of the infrastructure-REIT-related risks. The result has hindered the delivery process and investors' benefits. Acknowledging this void, we identify a set of risk factors with a reference to the five categories identified from a case study of China's infrastructure REITs, and then examine them using the directed-weighted-network risk assessment model followed by the dynamic propagation paradigm. The results reveal the front-end attribute of those risks including the principal agent, macroenvironment, and policies, and indicate that identifying the anomalies early can minimize the scale of risk propagation. The contribution of this study is twofold: (1) we originally develop the risk network for explaining the interactive mechanism of the infrastructure-REIT risks; and (2) we identify the relevant risk dynamic propagation pattern.</p
Nurses' learning about professional interpersonal communication:Findings from an integrative review
No full textBackground: Effective communication, a cognitive and social skill, is pivotal in quality care delivery. It is important to explore how nurses learn about communication during their program of study, and more importantly the substance of what they have learnt regarding communicating with patients. This is of value given the changing context of health care, society and contemporary nursing. Aim: To explore learning and teaching practices of professional, interpersonal communication and the associated outcomes for student learning during pre-registration education. Design: Integrative review. Data sources: Four databases, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medline, Proquest and Scopus, were searched January 2000 through to December 2020. A subsequent rapid review of literature 2020 to 2023 was guided by Dobbin's method. Review method: Whittemore and Knafl's framework guided this review. It included 1. problem identification, 2. literature search, 3. data evaluation, 4. data analysis, and 5. presentation. The PRISMA protocol informed screening of literature. The quality of included articles was assessed using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Results: Of the initial eligible 46 articles critiqued, 26 remained; A rapid review found one further article. Twenty-seven articles were included in the final analysis. We derived a comprehensive understanding of curricula that included conceptual approaches, teaching techniques, student outcomes, and novel innovations. Conceptional approaches described self-efficacy based on Bandura's social learning theory. Teaching techniques to advance social and active learning though varied, were dominantly active experiential learning. Student outcomes were forthcoming across all described modes of learning and teaching that involved good education practices that actively engaged learners. Finally, we specifically identified novel practices that included immersion, repetition of deliberate practice, scaffolding and coaching. The specific unique contribution of these practices was the capacity to acknowledge and embrace existing innate student capacities. Conclusion: Current literature advocates students learning of professional communication is forthcoming from appropriately designed courses. Research and evaluation of student learning remains rudimentary. The contribution of factors such as students' life skills and innate communication ability to their learning of professional interpersonal communication is largely absent. Further research is needed regarding the best focus for learning and teaching of professional interpersonal communication.</p
Impact of Psychosocial Intervention on Performance Determinants in Competitive Swimmers:Roles of Coach, Family, Environment, and Athlete Characteristics
No full text(1) Background: This study analyzed the effects of intervention programs conducted between 2021 and 2025 as part of the “Aula UCLM-FNCLM” initiative—a partnership between a regional swimming federation and the university—on psychosocial factors in trained swimmers. This program presents interventions for swimmers, their coaches, their families, and their sports environment. (2) Methods: The effects of a 4-year intervention program on the Castilla-La Mancha swimming team, classified as Tier 3 (Tier 3: Highly Trained/National Level), according to the McKay classification framework (2021 team with 55 swimmers, 25 men, and 30 women; 17.3 ± 5.3 years), and the same sample in 2025 (42 swimmers, 19 men, 23 women—17 ± 2.8 years—and 11 dropouts). A self-perception questionnaire on performance in sport (CAED) was used. (3) Results: The results showed higher ratings (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.30) from the swimmers of the 2025 CLM team in the coach factor, and moderate changes in the roles played by family (p < 0.05, η2 = 0.12) and environment (p < 0.05, η2 = 0.11). The only factor that did not improve was personal characteristics. (4) Conclusions: The UCLM-FNCLM program has contributed to improving the role of factors related to performance in sport (coach, family, and sports environment) in a cohort of regional-based swimmers.<p/
Influence of Trail Running Footwear Foam on Running Economy and Perceptual Metrics
No full textAdvanced footwear technologies (AFT) improve road running performance. AFT have been incorporated into trail running footwear despite little evidence of their benefits in this context. In this study, we compared the effect of traditional (TRADI-f) and AFT foam (AFT-f) on running economy and perceptual measures across different gradients. Fourteen well-trained athletes completed assessments on a treadmill at gradients of FLAT (0% gradient, 14 km.h -1), UP (+10%, 8 km.h -1) and DOWN (-10%, 14 km.h -1). Two shoes were randomly allocated in a counterbalanced order. The shoes were matched in construction but differed in midsole foam performance, where the AFT-f shoe included a more compliant and resilient foam than the TRADI-f shoe. Oxygen consumption and heart rate were collected for 6 min, twice with each shoe at each gradient, alongside perceived effort and affective measures. Across the three gradients, oxygen consumption was 1.2% lower (p = 0.008) when participants were wearing the AFT foam compared to the TRADI foam. The effect of the AFT-f shoes on oxygen consumption appeared to be more pronounced in the FLAT (+2.1%) and UP (+1.0%) conditions compared to DOWN (+0.2%). This interaction effect was, however, not statistically significant (p = 0.050). RPE was lower (p = 0.008) and affective valence more positive (p = 0.027) in AFT-f compared to TRADI-f. No differences in arousal were reported between TRADI-f and AFT-f (p = 0.728). The findings of this study suggest that an AFT foam in trail running shoes can improve running economy, reduce perceived effort and increase pleasure while running in a trained athlete population. </p
Understanding consumer trust and distrust in a public service ecosystem
No full textPurpose – Despite consumer trust being a key construct within the services marketing domain, there is a lack of consensus on the conceptualisation – specifically the relationship with distrust, and variations across different actors in the services ecosystem. The purpose of this study is to explore the conceptualisations of trust and distrust across different levels of a public service ecosystem in a transformative context of energy services. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic literature review of 70 academic papers that explore trust and distrust in the energy service sector was undertaken. Findings – The results revealed two potential models of the relationship between trust and distrust in a public service ecosystem. Furthermore, the results identified that trust and distrust appear to vary for different actors in the energy service ecosystem and have different antecedent factors. Originality/value – To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to directly compare and explore the differences between trust and distrust in a public service context and identified little consensus in the conceptualisation of trust and distrust. Furthermore, this study is the first to adopt an ecosystem perspective for trust or distrust with trust resulting from interactions with individuals at all levels of the ecosystem whereas distrust was derived from structures and processes at the meso and macro-level.</p
Gender, remittances and household entrepreneurship:new perspectives from Malawi
No full textPurpose – Although remittances are acknowledged as foreign capital for African nations, their potential to foster entrepreneurship is underestimated. This is particularly the case when accounting for gender dynamics in entrepreneurship, which are intricate, as evidenced by the varied challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in funding, ownership, and business scale. This paper examines the overlooked potential of remittances as a catalyst for entrepreneurship in an African context, specifically addressing gender-related gaps in entrepreneurial development by linking access to remittances to entrepreneurial activity. Design/methodology/approach – This paper employs the bivariate probit estimation technique on the fifth Malawi Integrated Household Survey 2019–2020 to examine the effect of gender and its interaction with remittances on entrepreneurial activity. Findings – The gendered analysis reveals that while female-headed households are less likely to engage in entrepreneurship, access to remittances enhances their likelihood of doing so compared with male-headed households. Practical implications – This finding highlights a pathway to better understand the dynamics of female entrepreneurship within the context of a developing economy and how remittances can support female entrepreneurs with additional capital to help foster their entrepreneurial pursuits. Originality/value – By providing empirical evidence on the beneficial effect of access to remittances, this study makes an important contribution in understanding the extent to which remittances aid in removing the social and economic barriers that restrict women's economic participation.</p
ReVault 2.0
No full textReVault 2.0 explores the realisation of complex masonry vault and shell structures through the development of innovative computational form-finding strategies coupled to advanced robotic fabrication techniques
Developing a socio-ecological model of risk for vicarious trauma and occupational stress that guides primary prevention strategies in the forensic sciences
No full textWhile the forensic sciences offer versatile and rewarding careers, practitioners and administrative staff within the field report high levels of occupational stress (OS). OS stems from job tasks and requirements, workplace culture, and the broader legal system, ranging from job strain to more severe vicarious trauma and secondary traumatic stress (VT/STS). Despite recognition of the consequences of OS in forensic sciences, most research focuses on individual risk factors without considering the broader context. The aim of this study was to develop a socio-ecological model specifically for use within the forensic sciences that holistically overviews the sources and risk factors for OS and VT/STS. To underpin and develop this model, a three-step mixed studies critical review was conducted, comprising a literature search, in-depth analysis of empirical literature using robust methods, and a thematic content analysis. The identified themes were subsequently grouped within five identified OS domains: individual, interpersonal, job content, job context, and sociopolitical. The findings indicated that the risk for developing OS and VT/STS in the forensic sciences can be understood through the factors across the five domains. The risk factors and the five domains are explored in detail within the present article. Recommendations for addressing OS and VT/STS include interventions to identify, remove, and manage risks for OS across all five domains, recognizing the impact that the job content, job context, and sociopolitical factors have on an individual's resilience to workplace demands. We conclude by providing future research directions that will enhance the model specifically developed for this paper
UCI Sports Nutrition Project:The Role of Nutrition in the Prevention and Management of Illnesses and Injuries in Elite Cycling
No full textElite/professional cyclists often experience injuries and illnesses that lead to loss of training time/quality and reduced performance. Consequently, mitigating these problems is a high priority for multiple stakeholders, including athletes, coaches, sports medicine and allied health practitioners, and race organizers. This Union Cycliste Internationale-endorsed paper reviews the evidence for nutritional interventions in preventing and managing common injuries and illnesses in elite cycling, including skin injuries, upper respiratory tract infections, gastrointestinal disturbances, and sports-related concussions. Ensuring adequate protein (1.5-2.0 g·kg-1·day-1) and consumption of key micronutrients involved in wound healing (e.g., vitamin C and zinc) may optimize skin healing, albeit with no direct evidence in cyclists. Nutritional management strategies for upper respiratory tract infection include ingesting appropriate amounts of carbohydrate and protein to support training loads, optimizing vitamin D status, and possibly probiotic and polyphenol supplementation. Supplementation with other nutrients (omega-3 fats, glutamine, and vitamin C) also has come with some supportive, albeit mixed, evidence. Short-term low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols diets; gut training; and use of mixed saccharide (glucose/maltodextrin-fructose) foods/supplements are evidence-supported strategies for reducing gastrointestinal symptoms, while probiotic supplementation, carbohydrate hydrogels, and cool/cold beverages currently have equivocal evidence. Promoting personal hygiene and food safety principles are important factors in avoiding gastrointestinal infections. Long-chain omega-3 fats and creatine monohydrate may reduce the severity of traumatic brain injuries, though supportive evidence is largely from animal models or based on head injury biomarkers in humans. Nutritional needs will ultimately vary depending on cycling discipline (road, track, cyclocross, mountain, and BMX), training and competitions loads, lifestyle, and environmental factors.</p