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Active Minds, Healthy Bodies: Investigating Physical Activity, Barriers, and Health Outcomes in Saudi Adolescent Females
Get PDFBackground: Physical inactivity among adolescents, particularly females in conservative societies like Saudi Arabia, poses significant risks to both physical and psychological health. Cultural norms, environmental constraints, and limited access to gender-appropriate sports facilities further exacerbate the problem. Understanding these factors is essential for developing effective, context-sensitive interventions. Aim: This study aimed to examine the relationship between daily physical activity behaviours and health outcomes, both physical and psychological, among adolescent females in Saudi Arabia. This paper also explores the impact of socio-environmental variables such as income, household size, and urban/rural residence on activity levels and wellbeing. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 636 adolescent females aged 13–21 was conducted using validated instruments. The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) measured physical activity levels, and the Self-Rated Health (SRH) assessed psychological wellbeing and health-related quality of life. The analysis employed an Ordinal Logistic Model (OLM) guided by the Social Ecological Model (SEM) to assess predictors of physical activity participation. Results: The OLM results indicated that higher income levels, smaller household size, urban residence, and older age categories were significantly associated with higher levels of physical activity (p < 0.05). Participants with higher PAQ-A scores reported better psychological health and quality of life. The model showed a good fit, with a pseudo-R2 of 0.36. Cultural and environmental barriers, particularly in rural areas, were identified as significant deterrents to participation. Conclusions: The findings highlight the urgent need for culturally adapted, gender-sensitive health promotion programs that target both individual and structural barriers to physical activity among adolescent girls in Saudi Arabia. Enhanced societal support and accessible sports infrastructure could significantly improve health outcomes and quality of life
Kerb heights - Phase 4
No full textThe Inclusive Kerbs Phase 4 research project gathered data using a representative example of standard kerbs within a controlled laboratory environment to understand how people with various impairments interacted with them. The study was conducted by Mott MacDonald and Edinburgh Napier University’s Transport Research Institute. It was commissioned by Transport Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Road Research Board (SRRB) and the Department for Transport (DfT). The Phase 4 research is part of the wider Inclusive Kerbs Study, made up of four phases of research.Phase 1 of the project looked at existing research and found that there are few studies on inclusive kerbs that consider both engineering and human factors.Phase 2 gathered data on in-situ kerbs and trialled online interview methods to learn more about how people use kerbs. The study considered how kerbs are used for navigating along a street and for crossing the street.Phase 3 collected data from eleven people with moderate to severe impairments using further online interviews and site visits with volunteer participants. The information gathered from the interviews and from recordings of the participants’ progress at the three visited kerb sites was compared against the online interviews and Phase 2 site surveys to identify patterns in experience.Phase 4, reported here, trialled in controlled conditions the interaction of fifteen volunteer participants against selected kerb types and upstand heights considered to be most representative of those found in standards.This study is intended to enhance comprehension regarding the impact of kerb design and usage on mobility, providing substantial evidence for robust kerb design; a domain that has been comparatively underexplored. The study does not seek to change current standards or guidance around the provision or design of dropped kerbs or crossing points (controlled or uncontrolled).The findings will contribute to evidence-backed standards development, not only in Scotland, but also in the broader UK and beyond relating to kerb upstands
Seasonal diet of the smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) in traditional brackish-water agroecosystems of Goa, India
Get PDFThe diet of the smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) was assessed in a representative agro-ecosystem complex called “Khazan Lands”, situated within the human-dominated estuarine landscape of the Zuari River of Goa, India. This was achieved by analyzing undigested prey remains from 815 fecal (spraint) samples. Overall, fish dominated otter diet (Percentage Biomass, BIO% = 59%; Relative Frequency of Occurrence, RFO% = 49%), followed by shrimp (BIO% = 37%; RFO% = 42%) and crabs (BIO% = 3%; RFO% = 8%). Other prey groups, including insects, molluscs, amphibians, birds, and mammals, were present in minor quantities (BIO% = 200 mm) were consumed less frequently (seasonal RFO% = 13–19%). The composition of economically significant prey (fish, shrimp, and crabs) was high (RFO% = 97%), whereas that of economically insignificant prey (molluscs, birds, amphibians, insects, and mammals) was low (RFO% = 3%). Furthermore, the occurrence of high-value fish families was marginally higher (seasonal RFO% = 50–62%) than low-value families (seasonal RFO% = 38–50%). Our observations suggest an opportunistic feeding habit by the species and a considerable overlap between resources exploited by fisherfolk and L. perspicillata. This study highlights the adaptability of this species, and the importance of Khazans for otter populations in the unprotected, human-dominated estuarine landscapes of Goa, India
“To Hear The Mermaids Sing”: Visual Figuration, Myth and Desire in the Case of The Waterwoman
Get PDFThe idea of a female spirit attached to a place of water has endured for millennia in literature, folklore and the visual arts. Supernatural aquatic women – mermaids, sirens, nymphs and nereids – attached to sea, shore, spring, river and cave, manifest at the interface between the natural world and the otherworld; they also serve as markers for that boundary. They have been visualised in a remarkable variety of forms, from ideal female nudes to monstrous hybrids. Central also to the mythos of the water-woman is the transformative power of desire; experienced by, or exerted on, either the entity herself or her beholder. Focussing on traditions involving the Homeric sirens and the aquatic transformations described in Ovid, with excursions into Celtic, Northern European and folkloric sources, I explore how issues of hybridity and desire are related in treatments of the water-woman from Classical antiquity through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance
Innovation in Music: Adjusting Perspectives
No full textInnovation in Music: Adjusting Perspectives brings together cutting-edge research on new innovations in the field of music production, technology, performance, and business. With contributions from a host of well-respected researchers and practitioners, this volume provides crucial coverage on the relationship between innovation and rebellion.Including chapters on generative AI, gender equality, live music, quantisation, and composition, this book is recommended reading for music industry researchers working in a range of fields, as well as professionals interested in industry innovations
Lanterns in the Fog
No full textAn ideal book for entrepreneurial and business courses, Lanterns in the Fog synthesises academic research and practical entrepreneurship into a comprehensive guide for navigating the complexities of modern venture creation. Structured across four thematic parts, this work bridges theoretical rigour with actionable strategies to cultivate innovation from ideation to scalable growth.Part 1 (The Entrepreneurial Foundation) establishes the psychological and cultural bedrock for innovation, emphasising self-assessment, psychological safety, and team readiness as prerequisites for creative ecosystems. Part 2 (Commercialising Ideas) transitions to practical execution, detailing ideation techniques, strategic prioritisation frameworks, and the legal-financial architecture essential for venture launch.Part 3 (Methodologies for Innovation) critically examines seven dominant innovation paradigms -including Design Thinking, Blue Ocean Strategy, and Lean-Agile hybrids -providing comparative analyses and context-specific implementation guidelines. Part 4 (Sustaining the Venture) addresses scaling challenges through ethical leadership, future-proofed sales ecosystems, and mental well-being strategies, concluding with macro-scale reflections on technology’s societal impact.Distinctive contributions include:The "Innovation Health Radar" (Chapter 2), a diagnostic tool for organisational innovation readiness.Ethical sales leadership frameworks (Chapters 16–22) reconciling revenue growth with psychological contracts and digital well-being.SOAR-SWOT comparative analysis (Appendix 1), advancing strengths-based strategic planning beyond traditional deficit models.Drawing on global case studies (Airbnb, Tesla, Netflix) and the author’s dual practitioner-academic expertise, this volume equips entrepreneurs, educators, and policymakers to transform ambiguity into opportunity. Its emphasis on sustainable innovation pipelines and interdisciplinary resilience offers a timely roadmap for ventures navigating volatile markets
A cross-sectional online survey of depression symptoms among New Zealand’s Asian community in the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic has elevated levels of distress and resulted in anti-Asian discrimination in many countries. We aimed to determine the 10-month prevalence of depression symptoms in Asian adults in New Zealand during the pandemic and to see if this was related to experience of racism. An online survey was conducted and a stratified sample of 402 respondents completed the brief Centre for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale. Analyses included: descriptive statistics, depression scores by age/gender, factor analysis of the 10 item CES-D and partial correlation network analysis of CES-D items together with questions about experience of racism. Results show that half of the sample reported clinically significant symptoms of depression. Depression was higher among younger participants but there was no gender difference. Internal consistency was high (α = 0.85) for the CES-D which revealed a clear two-factor structure. Network analysis suggested that sleeping problems might be the bridge between experiences of racism and depression. The prevalence of low mood was high with clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms. Depression was higher in younger people and had a modest positive correlation with personal experience of racism
Application of a hybrid fuzzy-based algorithm to investigate the environmental impact of sewer overflow
Get PDFPurposeThis study underscores the critical importance of well-functioning sewer systems in achieving smart and sustainable urban drainage within cities. It specifically targets the pressing issue of sewer overflows (SO), widely recognized for their detrimental impact on the environment and public health. The primary purpose of this research is to bridge significant research gaps by investigating the root causes of SO incidents and comprehending their broader ecological consequences.Design/methodology/approachTo fill research gaps, the study introduces the Multi-Phase Causal Inference Fuzzy-Based Framework (MCIF). MCIF integrates the fuzzy Delphi technique, fuzzy DEMATEL method, fuzzy TOPSIS technique and expert interviews. Drawing on expertise from developed countries, MCIF systematically identifies and prioritizes SO causes, explores causal interrelationships, prioritizes environmental impacts and compiles mitigation strategies.FindingsThe study's findings are multifaceted and substantially contribute to addressing SO challenges. Utilizing the MCIF, the research effectively identifies and prioritizes causal factors behind SO incidents, highlighting their relative significance. Additionally, it unravels intricate causal relationships among key factors such as blockages, flow velocity, infiltration and inflow, under-designed pipe diameter and pipe deformation, holes or collapse, providing a profound insight into the intricate web of influences leading to SO.Originality/valueThis study introduces originality by presenting the innovative MCIF tailored for SO mitigation. The combination of fuzzy techniques, expert input and holistic analysis enriches the existing knowledge. These findings pave the way for informed decision-making and proactive measures to achieve sustainable urban drainage systems
IoT Authentication Protocols: Challenges, and Comparative Analysis
Get PDFIn the ever-evolving information technology landscape, the Internet of Things (IoT) is a groundbreaking concept that bridges the physical and digital worlds. It is the backbone of an increasingly sophisticated interactive environment, yet it is a subject of intricate security challenges spawned by its multifaceted manifestations. Central to securing IoT infrastructures is the crucial aspect of authentication, necessitating a comprehensive examination of its nuances, including benefits, challenges, opportunities, trends, and societal implications. In this paper, we thoroughly review the IoT authentication protocols, addressing the main challenges such as privacy protection, scalability, and human factors that may impact security. Through exacting analysis, we evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing authentication protocols and conduct a comparative performance analysis to evaluate their effectiveness and scalability in securing IoT environments and devices. At the end of this study, we summarize the main findings and suggest ways to improve the security of IoT devices in the future
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