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Predictive Beamforming in Integrated Sensing and Communication-Enabled Vehicular Networks
Get PDFIntegrated sensing and communication (ISAC) has recently attracted significant research attention. This paper develops the deep learning-based predictive beamforming method for the ISAC-enabled vehicular networks. Traditional deep learning (DL) is a data-driven approach, which means that numerous training samples are required to improve system performance. In addition, embedded devices are not able to provide sufficient computing power, which hinders the application of DL solutions. Motivated by this, the dynamic self-attention mechanism is proposed to reduce the dependence of DL on training samples. Aiming for the optimal trade-off between sensing performance and computational complexity, the efficient model design, Self-Attention Channel Shuffle Mobile Network (SACSMN), is formulated. Experimental results demonstrate that SACSMN achieves similar sensing performance to that based on the full training set under the condition of few samples, the dependence of SACSMN on training samples is significantly reduced. Furthermore, SACSMN significantly reduces the computational complexity while achieving the same level of sensing performance as the benchmarks, realizing the optimal trade-off between system sensing performance and computational complexity. Benefiting from the robust sensing performance of SACSMN, the system achieves the same level of communication performance as that based on full training samples in the case of few samples
Caring and working: developing insights into the world of the working carer
No full textThis paper reports on a study exploring the experiences of working carers in the South of England - part of a larger research project exploring carers needs, experiences and ideas about improving carer involvement in research. The purpose of this element of the project was to understand the experience of being in paid employment whilst providing unpaid care to someone, including adjustments made to employment, support provided by employers and support agencies, the impact on the carers perceived wellbeing and ideas for improving their involvement in carers research. An online survey was distributed across a range of employers in four counties located in the South of England and n=51 participants responded to share their experiences. The survey was coproduced with n=6 unpaid carers who attended a one and a half hour facilitated workshop where they contributed to the design and development of the questionnaire. Amendments to the questionnaire were then reviewed by n=2 of the workshop participants chosen at random who provided additional comments and revisions before it was distributed. Several themes emerged concerning the carers experience at work, the support mechanisms in place which were helpful to them, issues and challenges experienced and ranked suggestions for future research to develop further understanding of the world of the working carer. We discuss areas where changes in policy and practice might address working carer concerns in relation to their retention in the workforce and ability to juggle all aspects of their working life with their caring responsibilities. This research highlights the importance of developing more humanised ways of understanding working carer needs - including further training to support wider organisational culture - to meaningfully support them in meeting their full potential within the workforce
Increases in disadvantage and instability are associated with rising violence
No full textThis study explores the relationship between changes in neighbourhood characteristics and changes in violence rates across England and Wales from 2011 to 2021. Rising social disadvantage, particularly increased unemployment, poor health, lone-parent households, residential mobility, and social housing, was significantly associated with rising violence.
While overall ethnic heterogeneity was not linked to violence, increases in heterogeneity were more strongly associated with violence in areas where poor health and low qualifications also rose. Growth in transport infrastructure was linked to rising violence, suggesting that increased footfall may elevate risk. Findings highlight the need to address
structural inequalities through investment in housing, health, education, and community stability. Policy responses should extend beyond criminal justice to promote long-term violence reduction and community wellbeing
“It can be quite a dark place when you're juggling academia, your own health, somebody else's health”: Women’s experiences of navigating academia and adult caring responsibilities
No full textDespite the increasing presence of women in academia, there is limited understanding of the experiences of women academics with adult caring responsibilities. This photoproduction study examined nine women’s experiences of navigating academic work and adult caring responsibilities in the United Kingdom. Participants highlighted the challenges of fulfilling multiple roles, compounded by the patriarchal structure of academia, which hindered career advancement. Managing academic work and care created significant cognitive, physical, and emotional strain, leading to exhaustion, low mood, and stress. There was limited awareness and utilisation of formal work policies for carers, with reliance on informal agreements being common. Flexibility in academia was appreciated but led to unsociable working hours and blurred boundaries between work and personal life, with challenges also arising from unconventional workspaces. Despite the existence of carer support groups at institutions, their relevance and availability to carers of adults were questioned. Nevertheless, participants demonstrated resilience when facing adversity and shared self-care strategies, engaging with nature was a significant practice offering grounding experiences and detachment from both work and care responsibilities. Implementing feminist-driven structures and policies is crucial to support
carers and address systematic disadvantages faced by women in academic settings
Predicting climate change impacts on agriculture in the southwest United Kingdom
Get PDFClimate change will create significant challenges to agriculture. The effects on livestock productivity and crop production are highly dependent on weather conditions with consequences for food security. If agriculture is to remain a viable industry and to maintain future food security, the adaptations and the ideal timeframes for their implementation to mitigate against climate change impacts will be essential knowledge. This study aims to show how farms will be affected and will need to adapt to climate change, based on a holistic examination of the entire farming process. A modified Bayesian belief network (BBN) was used to investigate climate change impacts on livestock, crops, soil, water use, disease, and pesticide use through the use of 48 indicators (comprising climate, agricultural, and environmental). The seasonal impact of climate change on all aspects of farming was investigated for three different climate forcing scenarios (RCPs 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5) for four timeframes (2030, 2050, 2080, and 2099). The results suggest that heat stress and disease in both livestock and crops will require adaptations (e.g., shelter infrastructure being built, new crops, or cultivators grown). Pest intensity is expected to rise, leading to increased pesticide use and greater damage to crops and livestock. Higher temperatures will likely cause increased drought and irrigation needs, while increasing rain intensity might lead to winter flooding. Soil quality maintenance will rely increasingly on fertilisers, with significant decreases in quality if unsustainable. Crop yield will be dependent on new crops or cultivators that can cope with a changing climate being successful and market access; failure to do so could lead to substantial decrease, in food security. Impacts are more significant from 2080 onwards, with the severity of impacts dependent on season
Career Experiences of Support from Coaches: A Comparison Between Elite and Super-Elite Athletes
Get PDFAlthough we know that significant others play an important role in athlete development, the specific role of coaches’ support along the developmental pathway remains unclear. Using qualitative methods, we compared perceptions of coach support among 16 elite and 16 super elite Olympic athletes as they progressed through Fundamentals, Emerging Commitment, Commitment to Excellence, and Mastery stages of development. Thematic analysis with exemplar quotes highlighted the critical role of coach support. The results also revealed differences in the experience of coach support between elite and super-elite athletes—super-elite athletes perceived their support needs were met, whereas elite athletes did not. Complementary frequency counts indicated that super-elite athletes reported more support instances across all stages and fewer reports of lacking support at three of the four stages. A supplementary chi square test further revealed that these coach support differences were significant at the Mastery stage. This study provides the first evidence that coach support influences the super-elite athlete career pathway, perhaps most notably at the Mastery stage. The findings suggest that coaches should ensure athletes perceive consistent support from them throughout development and recognize the significant positive impact their support can have at the Mastery stage—that is, it is never too late to provide support
Effectiveness of client-centred counselling on weight management among Black African women with overweight and obesity in high-income countries: a systematic review
No full textObjective: Client-centred counselling, a collaborative approach, aims at reducing ambivalence and enhancing behavioural change for weight loss. This systematic review assessed the effectiveness of client-centred counselling for weight management in Black African women with overweight and obesity in high-income countries, identifying culturally tailored strategies and theoretical underpinnings. Methods and Measures: This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, with nine databases searched from 1970 to June 2022. Results: Twenty-two studies were included, 91% (n = 20) of which reported positive effects on weight loss. Face-to-face and a combination of in-person and telephone client-centred counselling were found effective. Although the optimal treatment duration was unclear, interventions lasting six to twelve months were most beneficial. Interventions were delivered by registered dietitians, physicians, nutritionists, and health coaches. Most interventions (n = 14) were informed by social cognitive theory, with 19 studies incorporating cultural adaptations such as language considerations, socio-cultural values, constituent involvement, and leveraging target group experiences. Studies using at least two cultural adaptation strategies were more likely to be effective. Conclusion: Client-centred counselling appears promising for weight management in Black African women with overweight or obesity. Long-term follow-up studies are needed to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of these interventions in this population over time
Three independent measures of sweet taste liking have weak and inconsistent associations with sugar and sweet food intake - insights from the sweet tooth study
Get PDFAuthoritative public health agencies, like the WHO, recommend reducing dietary sweetness to lower sweet liking, and thereby indirectly lowering sugar and energy intake. However, data on an association between sweetness liking and sugar/sweet food intake are inconsistent. Moreover, sweetness liking can be measured in various ways, and the agreement between methods is unclear. Baseline data from the Sweet Tooth study (n = 178) were used to evaluate the agreement between three different measures of sweetness liking and their association with sugar and sweet food intake. Sweetness liking was assed by: 1) psychohedonic sweetness functions, 2) sweet liker phenotype, and 3) self-reported sweet / fat-sweet preference. Sugar and sweet food intake were assessed via 24-h recall and a FFQ assessing the consumption of food groups based on taste (TasteFFQ). On a group level, the three sweetness liking measures showed similar results; sweet liker phenotype showed higher liking of high sweetness levels (F(2,175) = 27.9, p .05). These findings suggest that, while sweetness preferences can be measured using different approaches, high sweetness liking has only a limited relationship with actual sugar and sweet food intake. These findings challenge the assumption that preferences for sweet tastes drive high intakes of sweet foods and sugars. Ethical approval for the involvement of human subjects in this study was granted by METC-WU, ABR nr. NL72134, 10/05/20
Treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms and sensory issues in a 53-year-old autistic woman – a case report
Get PDFConsidered a taboo topic in many societies, menopause in autistic women is still under-recognised, and little research addresses its impact. Existing studies suggest that this often-difficult transition period is associated with numerous unmet health needs and a frustrating lack of knowledge and support from healthcare professionals. Menopausal vasomotor symptoms, the hallmark of menopause, can intensify and worsen sensory sensitivities in many autistic women. We present the case of a 53-year-old Caucasian autistic woman without intellectual disability or other current psychiatric comorbidities. The patient underwent gynaecologic and hormonal lab testing, and was introduced to hormone replacement therapy to ameliorate symptoms of oestradiol and progesterone deficiency. Menopausal vasomotor symptoms experienced by the patient were monitored over a period of seven months following the implementation of hormone replacement therapy and nonpharmacologic approaches. Hormone replacement therapy decreased menopausal vasomotor symptoms, but not all her initial complains. Strong sensory issues were linked to more severe menopausal vasomotor symptoms. This case highlights the need for further research and the development of the global Extension for Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) Autism® model to advance medical care offered to autistic women during menopause