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Advanced Electrochemical pH Sensing Technologies: Scientific fundamentals and applications
No full textVarious methods are used to measure pH, including electrochemical and non-electrochemical techniques like colorimetric, catalytic, and optical approaches. Electrochemical methods remain the most reliable and widely used, with applications in food processing, health monitoring, agriculture, nuclear industries, and water quality. This book explores materials-based electrode designs for pH sensors and evaluates their applications across different fields, highlighting their suitability for emerging and future technologies. It also offers a detailed overview of rigid, flexible, and stretchable pH sensors, examining their capabilities in various environments. Additionally, the book explores the impact of research and development on the creation of novel, miniaturized pH sensors designed for real-time monitoring in extreme conditions, such as high temperature, high pressure, and chemically aggressive environments, as well as for wearable applications
Characterisation of autophagy induction by the thiopurine drugs azathioprine, mercaptopurine and thioguanine in THP-1 macrophages
Get PDFActivating autophagy may be therapeutically beneficial, and we have previously shown that azathioprine (AZA), an immunomodulatory drug, induces autophagy. Here, we evaluated the induction of autophagy by the thiopurines AZA, mercaptopurine (6-MP) and thioguanine (6-TG) in THP-1 macrophages and investigated the mechanism of action in the context of this cellular process. The cytotoxicity of thiopurines was evaluated using an LDH assay. Induction of endogenous LC3 by thiopurines was evaluated using immunostaining. To confirm autophagy activation by thiopurines, a GFP-RFP-LC3 reporter plasmid was used to monitor the maturation of autophagosomes to autolysosomes. Induction of apoptosis by thiopurines was evaluated using Annexin V/PI staining, and ER stress was assessed via RT‒PCR analysis of XBP1 splicing. To gain insight into the mechanism of action of thiopurines, mTORC1 activity and eIF2α-S51 phosphorylation were evaluated by immunoblotting. Thiopurines were not cytotoxic to cells and induced strong time- and concentration-dependent autophagy. Thiopurines activate autophagy with complete progression through the pathway. Induction of autophagy by thiopurines occurred independently of apoptosis and ER stress. Immunoblotting revealed that AZA inhibited mTORC1 activity, and AZA and 6-TG increased eIF2α-S51 phosphorylation. In contrast, 6-MP had a minor effect on either signalling pathway. Thiopurines are strong inducers of autophagy, and autophagy induction should be considered among the mechanisms responsible for patient response to thiopurines
Reputation Gaming in Crowd Technical Knowledge Sharing
Get PDFStack Overrow incentive system awards users with reputation scores to ensure quality. The decentralized nature of the forum may make the incentive system prone to manipulation. This paper ooers, for the rst time, a comprehensive study of the reported types of reputation manipulation scenarios that might be exercised in Stack Overrow and the prevalence of such reputation gamers by a qualitative study of 1,697 posts from meta Stack Exchange sites. We found four diierent types of reputation fraud scenarios, such as voting rings where communities form to upvote each other repeatedly on similar posts. We developed algorithms that enable platform managers to automatically identify these suspicious reputation gaming scenarios for review. The rst algorithm identiies isolated/semi-isolated communities where probable reputation frauds may occur mostly by collaborating with each other. The second algorithm looks for sudden unusual big jumps in the reputation scores of users. We evaluated the performance of our algorithms by examining the reputation history dashboard of Stack Overrow users from the Stack Overrow website. We observed that around 60-80% of users agged as suspicious by our algorithms experienced reductions in their reputation scores by Stack Overrow
‘Now there you go, there’s my life. All my life is coming to prisons!’: persistent punishment in the lives of Scottish families affected by imprisonment
Get PDFInternationally, there has been increased attention by research, policy and practice to the experiences of the family members of prisoners. Scotland continues to experience a disproportionately high rate of imprisonment, and this often translates to those punished serving repeated sentences, sometimes over the course of their lives, so-called ‘persistent punishment’. Yet, so far under-explored is how this plays out in the lives of the family members ‘on the outside’. This article draws from ethnographic fieldwork and qualitative interviews. It seeks to foreground the experience of persistent punishment for affected families. In so doing, the article explores how family members respond and adapt to frequent, and often sustained, interactions with the prison. It explores how families maintain relationships, and how they (re) fit prison into their lives, albeit not without challenge or strain. The article calls for greater recognition to be paid into how imprisonment fits into the broader context of families’ lives
A glossary for social-to-biological research
Get PDFResearch has shown that our socially structured experiences elicit a biological response, leading to the observation that numerous biomarkers (objective biological measures that are representative of various biological processes) are socially patterned. This ‘social-to-biological’ research is of interest to researchers across multiple disciplines and topics and especially to those with an interest in understanding the biological embodiment of the ‘social environment’. Combining social and biomarker data is also of relevance to those examining the biological determinants of social behaviours (for example, the relationship between genetics and certain behaviours like smoking). However, as much of the research involving biomarkers and social data are multidisciplinary, researchers need to understand why and how to optimally use and combine such data. This article provides a resource for researchers by introducing a range of commonly available biomarkers across studies and countries. Because of the breadth of possible analyses, we do not aim to provide an exhaustive and detailed review of each. Instead, we have structured the glossary to include: an easy-to-understand definition; a description of how it is measured; key considerations when using; and an example of its use in a relevant social-to-biological study. We have limited this glossary to biomarkers that are available in large health and social surveys or population-based cohort studies and focused on biomarkers in adults. We have structured the glossary around the main physiological systems studied in research on social to biological transition and those that go across systems and highlight some basic terms and key theoretical concepts
Exploring safety at mass gathering events through the lens of three different stakeholders
Get PDFIntroduction: The work here reviews the role of those with responsibility in managing people and their safety at Mass Gathering Events (MGE); event managers, police, and medical personnel. This paper comes at a time when there is an acute need for appropriate application of psychosocial understanding and biophysical knowledge for the safe management of the social environment of MGE, and the broader community. Safety has become increasingly significant in the vocabulary of researchers, managers, funding agencies and public bodies involved in the provision of mass gathering events. Method: Focus groups were used to gain insight into MGE safety through the lens of three different groups. Through prioritising safety at mass gathering events, organisers enhance the quality of the event, protect individual and promote the long-term success of the event. Questions were centred on their understanding of safety at events, based on their experiences in MGEs. Results: Participants in this study identified many risks to event safety, including lack of risk assessment, communication, lack of ownership of risk and poor planning. Even though these risks were similar, each participant group identified their own perspective with their own ways of managing them. Discussion: The work proposes that all event stakeholders should focus on the interests of both the audience and the broader event community, with the goal of working together to foster a safe, supportive, and trusting environment. Building trust in the context of mass gathering events brings forward an opportunity for new orientation strategies. A framework for developing personal skills and community resilience for mass gathering events is shown
Linking manufacturing digitalization and technological Innovation: The mediating role of dynamic capabilities
Get PDFAmid the expanding digital economy and the progression of Industry 4.0 initiatives, both industry professionals and academic researchers are increasingly focused on unraveling the mechanisms by which manufacturing digitalization drives technological innovation. Build upon the resource-based view and dynamic capability theory, this study develops a theoretical framework and proposes research hypotheses to investigate how manufacturing digitalization and dynamic capabilities influence technological innovation, with particular attention to product and process innovation. Analyzing survey data from 276 manufacturing firms located in the first national-level pilot cities for digital transformation in China, structural equation modeling results reveal that: (1) digitalization within manufacturing firms can significantly promote both product and process innovation; (2) dynamic capabilities play a mediating role in linking manufacturing digitalization with technological innovation. Specifically, dynamic capabilities partially mediate the relationship between manufacturing digitalization and process innovation, and serve as a full mediator in its impact on product innovation. These findings provide theoretical insights and practical implications, helping manufacturing firms better recognize the strategic value of digitalization and dynamic capabilities in enhancing technological innovation through digital transformation
Factors influencing burnout, stress levels, and coping strategies among nursing staff in intensive care units
Get PDFIntroduction: Professional burnout among nurses, particularly in intensive care units, is a significant issue affecting both healthcare professionals and patient care quality. It contributes to increased medical errors and diminished care standards. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors influencing professional burnout in nursing staff working in intensive care units. Methodology: This quantitative study was conducted between March and November 2019 among nurses undergoing qualification and specialization training at the European Centre for Postgraduate Education in Wrocław. A total of 286 questionnaires were collected, with 282 valid responses after excluding incomplete questionnaires (1.4%). Standardized tools used included the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the Mini-COPE Stress Coping Inventory. Participation was anonymous and voluntary, with informed consent obtained from all respondents. Results: The study included 282 respondents, with women comprising 93.62% of the participants. The average burnout score based on the MBI was 39.78 out of 100 (SD = 20.7). According to the PSS-10, 43.26% of respondents experienced high stress, 36.88% medium stress, and 19.86% low stress. The Mini-COPE results indicated frequent use of Active Coping and Planning strategies, while strategies like Denial and Substance Use were used infrequently. Regarding life satisfaction (SWLS), 41.84% of participants had medium, 32.27% high, and 25.89% low life satisfaction. Conclusion: Professional burnout among nursing staff is a multifaceted issue closely related to stress levels, coping mechanisms, and overall life satisfaction. Addressing burnout requires comprehensive approaches that consider these interrelated factors. Practical implications: To reduce burnout among ICU nurses, healthcare institutions should integrate routine stress assessments and provide structured support systems, such as resilience training and peer support programs. These interventions can enhance nurses’ ability to manage stress, decrease emotional exhaustion, and ultimately improve the quality of care delivered to patients in high-stress environments like intensive care units
Multiprofessional Interventions for Frailty in Patients with Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Review
Get PDFPurpose of Review: Frailty is a prevalent and clinically significant condition affecting up to 45% of adults with heart failure (HF). Frailty reflects a state of reduced physiologic reserve and vulnerability to stressors, which profoundly influences health outcomes including health care utilization and survival. Frailty and HF interact through multiple overlapping pathophysiologic mechanisms, including chronic inflammation, neurohormonal abnormalities, and multiorgan dysfunction. This synergy, for the patient leads to poor physical performance, reduced independence, and a greater susceptibility to complications. Recent Findings: Evidence from recent clinical trials focused on frailty in HF underscores the potential benefits of multicomponent interventions combined with medication optimisation target physical dysfunction, poor nutrition, psychological disorders, and social isolation. Multidisciplinary care teams – including cardiologists, nurses, physical therapists, dieticians, occupational therapists, and social workers – can implement tailored strategies to reverse or slow the progression of frailty to improve health outcomes of patients with HF. Interventions such as resistance and balance training, individualised nutritional supplementation, medication review, cognitive and psychological support, and caregiver education have demonstrated a range of benefits in HF, from enhanced physical capacity and reduced hospital readmissions to improved health-related quality of life. Summary: Managing frailty in patients with HF requires a personalised, holistic and multicomponent approach. Successful intervention involves addressing not only physical dysfunction but also psychological, nutritional, and social factors that collectively undermine health and independence. Integrating multicomponent care into routine practice has the potential to improve clinical outcomes, reduce health care utilisation, and enhance the overall well-being of patients. Future research should aim to identify the most effective combinations of interventions, clarify mechanisms of action, and determine cost-efficiency in health care delivery
How Nature and Nurture is protecting its timber from Eurasian beaver damage
No full textRead how Nature and Nurture, a riparian woodland in Wiltshire, has used the Countryside Stewardship grant to protect valuable cricket bat willow from Eurasian beaver damage whilst adapting to seasonal flooding.Key factssite: Nature and Nurture, Wiltshiresize: 2 hectaresestablishment method: plantingtype: riparian woodland; established plantationgrant: Countryside Stewardship Protection and Infrastructure grant (BC4)key objective: cultivation of cricket bat willow (Salix alba var. caerulea) for timberTree protectionmain mammal causing damage or risk to trees: Eurasian beavermain tree protection method: Rural Payments Agency-specification welded-mesh tree guardsduration of main tree protection methods: 1 to 2 year
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