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Joint factor and latent class ordered probit analysis of intent to use unstaffed automated buses
Get PDFBy adopting a more environmentally friendly driving style and promoting sustainable transportation options, automated buses (ABs) could play a role in achieving long-term sustainability goals. This study explores the factors influencing the willingness to use ABs, based on survey data from 451 bus users in Scotland. Using latent class ordered probit analysis, distinct user groups were identified based on their intentions to use unstaffed ABs, along with the key factors influencing their class membership. Concerns about driving capabilities and the implementation of technology emerged as the strongest negative predictors for urban residents without health issues. For rural residents and those with health issues, use intentions were primarily influenced by expectations of the benefits associated with ABs. These insights are valuable for bus manufacturers, service operators, and transport authorities, informing the development of policies and strategies for the future deployment of SAE level 5 ABs
Educational interventions promoting modifiable lifestyle behaviours for cardiovascular disease in pre-registration nursing students: a scoping review
Get PDFAims: Modifiable lifestyle behaviours, such as smoking and high alcohol consumption are more prevalent among pre-registration nursing students, than the general population. Embedding education on the impact of these risk factors for cardiovascular disease and motivating behaviour change is essential. This scoping review aims to investigate educational interventions promoting healthier lifestyle behaviours for cardiovascular disease prevention within the curriculum for pre-registration nursing students. Methods and results: The methodological framework for scoping reviews was used to identify literature on educational interventions for pre-registration nursing students, focusing on smoking, nutrition, physical activity, and alcohol consumption as key modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Following the PRISMA-ScR Checklist, 1631 records were screened using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in 29 records for data extraction and analysis. Interventions varied by region: North America (N = 7), Europe (N = 11), Asia (N = 8), and the Middle East (N = 3). Most studies targeted smoking cessation (N = 11), followed by nutrition (N = 6), alcohol (N = 3), or a combination of these (N = 9). Findings indicate that educational interventions improved knowledge, self-efficacy, and led to behaviour changes, particularly in smoking cessation. Conclusion: There are numerous educational interventions that aim to educate pre-registration nursing students about knowledge of modifiable lifestyle behaviours or supporting detrimental behaviour change in the clinical setting however, most interventions individually address a single behaviour such as smoking. This scoping review identifies that there is a paucity of educational interventions directly focused on cardiovascular disease prevention that encompass all four of the modifiable lifestyle behaviours of smoking, nutrition, physical activity and alcohol consumption in combination for pre-registration nursing students
An innovation of two established methods for monitoring water colour and clarity: participatory science using the mini- and midi- secchi disks
Get PDFMeasurements of water colour and clarity are used to track the environmental status of lakes, estuaries and oceans. The oldest standardised methods for measuring water clarity and colour are the Secchi disk and Forel-Ule colour scale. Both techniques were developed in the 19th century and require use of the human eye. Despite the advent of optoelectronic-based sensing, these visual methods are still used today, owing to their sensitivity, affordability, simplicity and long history of use. Recently, a hand-held device was developed for measuring the Secchi depth and Forel-Ule colour (presented in two formats, named the mini- and midi-Secchi disk). Designed to be small, light and convenient-to-use, it is well suited for participatory science projects that involve monitoring water colour and clarity. To date, over 900 mini- and midi-Secchi disks have been distributed to citizens and scientists, primarily through six projects, with data mostly transferred via mobile phone applications to data servers and dashboards. In this paper, we describe the methods used in the projects and show some characteristics of the datasets collected so far. We showcase how the device can be used for scientific applications, such as verifying satellite data products, gaining new scientific insights, and supporting public engagement and education. Finally, we provide suggestions for methodological improvements and future developments
Beyond the Usual Species: Cultivating Diversity in Biology Award Nominations
No full textImproving diversity among award recipients is a key focus in the scientific community. The Society of Experimental Biology, which historically awarded over 65% of its prizes to men, established the Awards Nomination Taskforce in 2023 to proactively improve representation amongst its nominations and awardees in terms of both gender balance and underrepresented groups. The taskforce identifies and nominates scientists from diverse backgrounds, with nominations reviewed by an independent panel of judges. Here, we discuss the motivations and significance of forming such task forces alongside the outcomes of the first nominations in 2023-2024. From our first-year results, we conclude the activity of the task force was successful in recognising marginalised individuals and improving diversity among award recipients. We also highlight future goals for the task force and how its activities expand to the wider scientific community
Interviews in the Recruitment of Student Midwives and Nurses: Safeguard or Artefact of Unconscious Bias? A Brief Commentary
Get PDFMidwives and nurses are integral to the quality and safety of patient care. However, there is a limited amount of critical discussion and debate about the use of interviews to recruit people to study for these professions. There are some reports of people who are marginalised, minoritised, or racialised, being denied the opportunity to study for a degree in these professions, despite meeting the requisite entry requirements. Therefore, this commentary analyses the contemporary narrative and discussion relating to the role of interviews in recruiting student midwives and nurses. This critical analysis uses the UK as a case study and promulgates an alternative approach that could result in a more diverse workforce and enhance patient safety. It is hoped that the critical analytical approach taken in this paper will inspire those involved in recruitment to midwifery and nursing to consider the efficacy, utility, and equity of recruitment interviews and their impact on who is or is not afforded the opportunity to pursue a career in these professions
How do college coaches in the United States identify youth female and male soccer players?
Get PDFTalent identification (TI) in soccer is a complex and multifactorial process within the context of collegiate sport in the United States, where coaches must assess performance-ready athletes often under strict regulatory and resource constraints. Despite the critical role college coaches play in bridging youth to professional soccer, little is known about their evaluative priorities during recruitment. This study examined how soccer coaches from female and male NCAA Division I and II programs perceived the importance of various player attributes and scouting methods in the TI process. A total of 178 college soccer coaches completed a survey assessing perceptions across seven attribute categories (technical, physical, psychological, game intelligence, social, other, and coach-specific) and common scouting methods. Bootstrapped trimmed means, effect sizes, and inter-rater agreement (rwg) were used to analyse the coaches’ ratings of importance across attributes and to assess for differences in coach perceptions within the female and male programs. Results showed coaches across female and male programs rated technical proficiency, coachability, decision-making, and work rate as critically important. College-specific soccer knowledge was the most highly valued coach attribute, while live match observation was the most preferred scouting method. Sex-based differences were generally minimal, although emerged in perceptions of physical and social attributes, with coaches of female players placing greater emphasis on communication and agility. Results highlighted a shared prioritisation of technical and psychological qualities in college TI, with contextual differences influenced by sex and program structure. These insights support the development of more aligned and evidence-informed TI strategies in collegiate soccer environments
An Incremental, Thermally Optimised, and Low-Carbon Shelter Model for Refugee Housing in Diverse Climates
Get PDFTemporary shelters for refugees often fall short of providing adequate living conditions, leading to significant discomfort and health issues, particularly in regions with extreme climates fluctuations. This paper addresses this critical humanitarian challenge with the 'Makazi' prototype, an innovative, incremental shelter designed to be adaptable, easy to build in short time, affordable with durable structure, and thermally efficient for diverse climatic zones, with a case study focusing on South Africa. The research methodologically draws on existing thermal assessment studies in refugee shelters and analyses successful designs from Jordan, Afghanistan, and South Sudan to identify effective thermal comfort strategies. A key contribution is the use of parametric thermal analysis to optimize the Makazi design based on the specific climate conditions of Cape Town and readily available materials, demonstrating the potential for creating a comfortable building envelope, that can be adaptable for different climates. Furthermore, the paper investigates a whole Life Cycle Assessment to ensure durable and sustainable construction. The novelty of this work lies in its integrated approach, combining an incremental design with rapid building and deployment by unskilled labour, parametric thermal optimization, durable structure, and user-based flexibility. This is further substantiated by a holistic comparison with other shelter types against a range of criteria, offering a novel and more resource-efficient framework for sustainable, climate-resilient refugee housing that addresses critical gaps in current shelter solutions
Spindle‐Shaped Ni‐Fe‐Layered Double Hydroxide: Effect of Etching Time on Flexible Energy Storage
Get PDFThe rising demand for efficient energy storage in flexible electronics is driving the search for materials that are well‐suited for the fabrication of these devices. Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) stand out as a remarkable material with a layered structure that embodies exceptional electrochemical properties. In this study, both double‐shelled and single‐shelled NiFe‐Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) particles are prepared using spindle‐shaped MIL‐101(Fe) as the template. These NiFe‐LDH particles are then utilized to develop a flexible energy storage device. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) analysis revealed that the as‐synthesized NiFe‐LDH particles transformed into hollow single‐shells from a double‐shelled structure as the aging time increased, which significantly influenced the electrochemical performances. Despite the decreasing specific capacitance and energy density with longer etching times, the sample etched for 2 h (NiFe‐LDH 2h) demonstrated the highest capacitance of 9.24 mF·cm⁻2 and an energy density of 0.46 µW·h·cm⁻2, highlighting its promising performance for energy storage applications. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed the highest Ni2+: Ni3+ ratio, and Fe: Ni ratio for NiFe‐ LDH 2h samples, which further influences the energy storage properties. The ability to maintain the high performance of these materials across different bending angles further emphasizes its versatility and relevance in emerging flexible electronics markets
2D metal-organic framework Cu3(HHTP)2 composite electrode for flexible energy storage applications
Get PDFHydrothermally synthesized 2D metal-organic framework (MOF) Cu3(HHTP)2 was modified with carbon black (CB) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) to develop a flexible energy storage device. The efficiency of electron transfer and ionic diffusion within the pristine MOF was enhanced in the composites of MOFs. The MOF/CB/PEDOT: PSS (20 %) composite demonstrated more than 110 times higher capacitance compared with pristine MOF-based devices, reaching 336.93 mF cm−2 (146.51 F g−1) at 0.1 mA cm−2. The developed device exhibited energy and power densities of 29.31 μW h cm−2 (12.86 Wh.kg−1) and 39.38 μW cm−2 (17.28 W kg−1), respectively. The addition of CB and PEDOT: PSS into the Cu3(HHTP)2 MOF decreased the pore structure due to the incorporation of solid materials in the pores and an excellent conductive channel for ion transfer. The study reveals that modifying the electrical, mechanical, and electrochemical properties of a 2D MOF can lead to the design of a high-performance flexible energy storage device for portable and wearable electronics
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