7564 research outputs found
Sort by
Integrated histopathology, spatial and single cell transcriptomics resolve cellular drivers of early and late alveolar damage in COVID-19
Get PDFThe most common cause of death due to COVID-19 remains respiratory failure. Yet, our understanding of the precise cellular and molecular changes underlying lung alveolar damage is limited. Here, we integrate single cell transcriptomic data of COVID-19 and donor lung tissue with spatial transcriptomic data stratifying histopathological stages of diffuse alveolar damage. We identify changes in cellular composition across progressive damage, including waves of molecularly distinct macrophages and depletion of epithelial and endothelial populations. Predicted markers of pathological states identify immunoregulatory signatures, including IFN-alpha and metallothionein signatures in early damage, and fibrosis-related collagens in late damage. Furthermore, we predict a fibrinolytic shutdown via endothelial upregulation of SERPINE1/PAI-1. Cell-cell interaction analysis revealed macrophage-derived SPP1/osteopontin signalling as a key regulator during early steps of alveolar damage. These results provide a comprehensive, spatially resolved atlas of alveolar damage progression in COVID-19, highlighting the cellular mechanisms underlying pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic pathways in severe disease
Development and evaluation of network utilities using Python for efficient management
Get PDFIn today's technology-driven world, the efficient management of digital networks has become crucial. To this end, automated tools have been developed to handle various networking tasks such as port scanning, WHOIS retrieval, traceroute operations, subnet calculations, speed evaluations, router configurations, DNS resolutions, and IP verifications. This paper presents a new set of utilities created using Python and integrated seamlessly into the PyQt5 framework. The graphical interfaces of these tools are user-friendly, making them accessible to individuals with varying levels of technical expertise. The utilities underwent a rigorous evaluation in a GNS3 simulated environment, utilising custom scripts to ensure adaptability and reliability in scenarios reflective of real-world network conditions. The research emphasises the importance of automation in contemporary network management, identifies gaps in existing solutions, and offers a fresh perspective on network utility development. The paper provides a comprehensive historical trajectory of network configuration tools, highlighting the evolution of automation while addressing ethical, legal, and professional considerations. The utilities presented in this paper have been meticulously developed, tested, and evaluated to provide reliable and efficient solutions to common networking challenges
The effect of green supply chain management practices on carbon neutral supply chain performance: the mediating role of logistics ecocentricity
Get PDFPurpose: Using the lens of the natural resource-based view (NRBV) theory, this study investigates the effect of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices such as green manufacturing (GM), eco-design (ED), green purchasing (GP), and investment recovery (IR) on the carbon-neutral supply chain (CNSC) performance of firms through the mediating influence of logistics ecocentricity (LE).
Design/methodology/approach: A conceptual framework that hypothesizes the relationship between GSCM practices, LE, and the CNSC performance of firms is developed. Key GSCM practices are then identified using experts’ opinions. Furthermore, we collected responses from logistics companies to validate the conceptual framework using the PLS-SEM method.
Findings: Through this study, we found that GSCM practices significantly improve a firm's CNSC performance, and the relationships between GSCM practices and CNSC performance are positively mediated by LE.
Originality: This research provides valuable perspectives for managers and supply chain practitioners in their quest for sustainable and environmentally responsible supply chain operations through an extensive and novel analysis of the connection between GSCM practices, LE, and CNSC performance.
Practical Implications: The implication of the study suggests that logistics managers can benefit from the findings of this study to comprehend the impact of various GSCM techniques on LE and CNSC from the viewpoint of the NRBV paradigm
Green energy innovation initiatives for environmental sustainability: current state and future research directions
No full textWorldwide, all countries have been facing the crisis of climate change problem. They have been addressing this issue by focusing on implementing green energy innovation initiatives and promoting a sustainable future through environmental sustainability. In this research study, we focus on examining the role of green finance through green energy innovations, which are taking place in several sectors across different regions to promote environmental sustainability. The study has analysed 152 articles on this research domain through a systematic literature review to understand the present state of existing knowledge. The current study examines the Scopus-indexed research articles from the time period 2002 to 2023. Six emerging themes have been examined to understand their development and the potential impact of green initiatives for environmental sustainability. Various institutional theories have been explored to understand their association with the investigated research area. The paper has discussed multiple challenges that need to be addressed for the speedy implementation of green innovations. Finally, future research questions have been proposed based on the findings from the extant literature and the existing research gaps
Race and ethics in the translation classroom: reflections on teaching the Amanda Gorman’s translators controversies as a white British lecturer
No full textThis chapter serves as a critical reflection on using the controversies and debates surrounding the Dutch translation of Amanda Gorman’s The Hill We Climb as a pedagogic case study on translation ethics. It argues that more discussions of race and translation ethics are required within British translation studies programs and reflects on my own approach to teaching the Gorman’s translators controversies in a practical translation class as an attempt to meet that need. In providing this critical reflection, the chapter raises four major questions that must be considered when using the controversies in the translation studies classroom. The first is the question of what we are seeking to teach when including the controversies in our curricula, arguing that a focus on discourses of who can/should translate who reframes the controversy through a white racial lens that fails to address the racial injustice and white privilege at the core of the initial controversy. The chapter than concludes with self-reflective discussions on how to present the controversies to students, the types of classes in which we teach ethics, and how to handle the Dutch-language primary sources in a British higher education context. In presenting this critical reflection on my own teaching practice, I seek to encourage reflexivity from others who use the controversies as a case study within their pedagogy and caution against the framing of the debate through a white racial lens, as to do so serves as a further injustice for the Black voices marginalised throughout the original controversy
Mapping the landscape: a systematic literature review on automated valuation models and strategic applications in real estate
Get PDFIn the rapidly evolving real estate industry, integrating automated valuation models (AVMs) has become critical for improving property assessment accuracy and transparency. Although there is some research on the subject, no thorough qualitative systematic review has been done in this field. This paper aims to provide an up-to-date and systematic understanding of the strategic applications of AVMs across various real estate subsectors (i.e., real estate development, real estate investment, land administration, and taxation), shedding light on their broad contributions to value enhancement, decision-making, and market insights. The systematic review is based on 97 papers selected out of 652 search results with an application of the PRISMA-based method. The findings highlight the transformative role of AVMs approaches in streamlining valuation processes, enhancing market efficiency, and supporting data-driven decision-making in the real estate industry, along with developing an original conceptual framework. Key areas of future research, including data integration, ethical implications, and the development of hybrid AVMs approaches are identified to advance the field and address emerging challenges. Ultimately, stakeholders can create new avenues for real estate valuation efficiency, accuracy, and transparency by judiciously utilizing AVMs approaches, leading to more educated real estate investment decisions
Futurism: performance and performativity of a movement
No full textThere is no question that performance played an important role in Futurism. Performance interventions span across the history of this movement (Goldberg, 2011): from the notorious 'serate' instigated by Marinetti, in which the audience would be purposefully scandalised, provoked and offended, to the futurist music concerts that provided an ancestral root for the aesthetics of synthesised sound in contemporary music (Rodney, 1976), not to mention the Russian counterpart of this movement, which embraced, on stage, such wide a field as to encompass theatre, opera, dance, music and scenic design. What is less talked about is the overall performativity (Van Hantelmann, 2014) of Futurism, beyond the confines of literal performances to a theatre-going audience: such performativity manifests itself in a wide range of futurist expressions, not least their notorious manifestos. In this contribution, originally developed to support the exhibition 'Futurismi Contemporanei' at Villa Valmarana and Palazzo Donà delle Rose in Venice curated by Michele Citro and Andrea Guastella (2024), Dr Jacek Ludwig Scarso draws on the performance and performative strategies employed by Futurism in subverting the cultural status quo and promoting the concept of a 'total artwork'.
(Translated to English by the author (Italian original)
A (biological) enemy of the people
No full textProfessor Lijun Shang, Director of Biological Security Research Center (BSRC) at London Metropolitan University (LMU) and Professor Malcolm Dando of Bradford University, also visiting Professor to BSRC LMU, talk to Gwyn Winfield about setting up their International Biosecurity Education Network (IBSEN
Facilitators and barriers of bystander intervention intent in image-based sexual abuse contexts: a focus group study with a university sample
Get PDFImage-based sexual abuse (IBSA) encompasses the taking, sharing, and/or threatening to share nude or sexual images of others without their consent. The prevalence of IBSA is growing rapidly due to technological advancements, such as access to smartphones, that have made engagement in such activities easier. Bystanders offer an important means of intervention, but little is known about what facilitates or inhibits bystander action in these contexts. To address this gap in the literature, seven focus groups (n = 35) were conducted to explore the factors that facilitate and inhibit bystander action in the context of three different IBSA scenarios (taking, sharing, and making threats to share nude or sexual images without consent). Using thematic analysis, eight themes were identified, suggesting that the perceived likelihood of intervention increased with greater feelings of responsibility, empathy with the victim, reduced feelings of audience inhibition, greater feelings of safety, greater anger towards the IBSA behaviour, closer relationships with the victim and perpetrator, the incident involving a female victim and male perpetrator, and perception of greater benefits of police involvement. These findings are considered alongside the physical sexual violence literature in highlighting the similarities and nuances across the different contexts. Implications for the development of policies and educational materials are discussed in relation to encouraging greater bystander intervention in IBSA contexts
Let's move with Leon: a qualitative evaluation of a UK digital intervention to improve physical activity in people with a musculoskeletal condition
Get PDFThis article presents a qualitative evaluation of a 13-week digital intervention, 'Let's Move with Leon', designed to improve physical activity in people with a musculoskeletal condition. A qualitative evaluation embedded within a randomised controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of the intervention at improving self-reported physical activity. A total of 184 participants received the intervention and were asked each week for 13 weeks to provide comment on their use and the usefulness of the digital physical activity behaviour change intervention. In addition, after 13 weeks, 12 participants took part in a semistructured interview to understand their use and the usefulness of the intervention. A thematic analysis was conducted on the combined qualitative data set. A total of 128 of the 184 intervention participants (70.11%) provided at least one qualitative comment over the course of the evaluation (mean number of comments per participant = 5); in total, 674 comments were received. The thematic analysis identified three themes: (1) dipping in and out, (2) one size does not fit all and (3) monitoring and feedback. The qualitative data suggest that participants used the intervention sporadically, dipping in and out due to other commitments, and competing programmes, their changing physical ability, confidence and motivation. Not getting off to a good start was detrimental to use; many wanted to come back to the programme at a more appropriate time. A 'one size fits' approach catered for some but not all participants. Whilst not a predetermined intervention component the act of monitoring levels of activity as a data collection method seemed to encourage physical activity but may also result in negative social comparisons. Digital physical activity behaviour change interventions are not one-size-fits-all; personalisation is key. Monitoring of activity by a named person can create commitment. Many dip in and out. Digital physical activity behaviour change interventions could complement physiotherapy exercises for people with musculoskeletal conditions. Signposting to local activities should be considered