38332 research outputs found
Sort by
The relationship among climate policy uncertainty and energy markets : fossil versus renewable and low-carbon assets
No full textThis paper investigates the intricate relationship between climate policy uncertainty (CPU) and energy market dynamics, focusing on fossil- based and renewable/low- carbon energy assets. Utilising a comprehensive dataset spanning from April 1987 to December 2023, comprising monthly observations of CPU, stock market returns, spot oil prices and various energy commodity futures, we employ time series regressions to analyse the effects of CPU on market returns. Our findings reveal that fossil- based energy assets are significantly and negatively impacted by changes in CPU, while renewable and low- carbon energy assets exhibit minimal or negligible effects. Moreover, we identify a heightened negative impact of CPU during periods of increased uncertainty, underscoring investor sensitivity to abrupt spikes in climate policy uncertainty, particularly in fossil-based energy sectors. Robustness analysis confirms the efficacy of the CPU index as a reliable indicator, emphasising the importance of using comprehensive metrics to assess the influence of climate policy uncertainty on financial markets. Our study underscores the necessity for policymakers and industry stakeholders to recognise the implications of climate policy uncertainty on energy markets and prioritise efforts to establish clear and consistent policy frameworks to facilitate the transition to a more sustainable energy landscape
Effect of vitamin C supplementation on post-exercise recovery : A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized double-blind placebo trials
Full text linkIntroduction.
Exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation may impair recovery and performance. Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant, has been proposed to attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage and modulate inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers during recovery.
Methods.
A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024594742). Twelve randomized controlled trials involving adult participants exposed to different exercise protocols were included. Vitamin C supplementation, administered in various forms, was compared with placebo. Primary outcomes were inflammatory (CRP, IL-6) and oxidative stress (MDA) biomarkers. Risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2.0 tool, and certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE framework.
Results.
Pooled analyses showed no significant effects of vitamin C supplementation on IL-6 (MD = 0.00; 95 % CI: −0.25 to 0.25; p = 1.00; 2 trials, n = 31) or MDA (MD = −0.59; 95 % CI: −1.99 to 0.81; p = 0.41; 3 trials, n = 41). A significant reduction was observed for CRP (MD = −0.44; 95 % CI: −0.66 to −0.22; p = 0.0001; 2 trials, n = 52). Heterogeneity was substantial for MDA (I2 = 80 %) but negligible for IL-6 and CRP (I2 = 0 %). Risk of bias was predominantly rated as “some concerns” or “high.” According to GRADE, the certainty of evidence was low for IL-6 and CRP and very low for MDA due to risk of bias and imprecision.
Conclusion.
Based on a very limited number of small randomized trials, vitamin C supplementation does not appear to consistently modify post-exercise inflammatory or oxidative stress biomarkers. However, the available evidence is characterized by low to very low certainty, substantial methodological limitations, and imprecision. Therefore, these findings should be interpreted with caution and considered hypothesis-generating, underscoring the need for larger, high-quality, well-controlled trials
Psychedelics and sexual trauma : effects on communication and emotional connection
No full textPsychedelics are theorized to enhance emotional openness and interpersonal attunement, but their effects in sexual contexts—particularly among those with a history of sexual trauma—remain underexplored. This study investigated whether individuals who had used psychedelics to cope with or overcome sexual trauma (Psy-CST) reported different experiences of sexual communication and emotional connection compared to those who had not (No-Psy-CST). The Psy-CST label reflects participants’ self-classification based on a single survey item; the study did not assess whether psychedelics were intentionally used as a means of trauma recovery. Rather, it examined self-reported experiences within sexual contexts among these groups. Participants (N = 675; Mage = 32.8) were drawn from the 2022 Global Drug Survey and had engaged in sexual activity within four to six hours of a full psychedelic experience. Chi-square tests and regression analyses were used to compare outcomes between groups. Psy-CST participants were significantly less likely to report improved sexual communication (relative risk ratio [RRR] = 0.310, p < .01); no significant differences were observed for emotional connection (odds ratio [OR] = 1.160, p = .536). Within the Psy-CST group, women were significantly more likely than men to report improved communication (RRR = 1.83, p = .02) and emotional connection (OR = 1.85, p < .01). Findings suggest gender significantly moderates psychedelics’ effects on intimacy outcomes. Further research is needed to inform harm reduction and trauma-informed care frameworks for psychedelic use in sexual contexts
Where Are the Children in Tourism Empirical Research?
Full text linkThis research note offers an updated review of Poria and Timothy's (2014) call to better integrate children into tourism research. It critically examines the empirical literature on children in tourism, focusing on how children are represented, studied, and valued within the field. The review identifies two key dimensions: first, research addressing children's tourism experiences, especially those related to cultural and educational activities; second, studies exploring the economic, political, and social impacts of tourism on children. Based on these insights, the note proposes a future research agenda. More broadly, it argues that research on children in tourism contributes to a wider movement, positioning tourism as a space for justice, voice, and inclusion
Unjust by design? Problematising ‘good’ design and evaluating the justice impacts of urban design governance
No full textUrban Design is often promoted as a means of creating more inclusive built environments, but efforts by public authorities to raise design standards in new developments can produce outcomes that are exclusionary and unjust. Tools such as design controls and review panels have been found to discriminate against minority groups, to raise development costs, catalyse gentrification, and cause displacements and evictions. A key challenge for public authorities is thus to reconcile the pursuit of high-quality urban design with justice considerations. Addressing this challenge, this paper makes three contributions. First, it problematises the way that ‘good’ design is currently pursued through planning systems, exposing its exclusionary potential. Second, it introduces a tool for assessing public authority design interventions from a justice perspective. Third, it uses this tool as part of a critical analysis of design guides and codes in England in 2024. Through this analysis, the authors highlight numerous ways in which existing design guides and codes are failing to support urban design justice. These include promoting characteristics that can have exclusionary effects, failing to acknowledge the drawbacks of ‘good’ design, ignoring existing forms of injustice, enabling tokenistic public participation, and failing to recognise user needs and preferences. Our analysis shows, overall, that support for urban design justice in England is largely rhetorical, and that unjust outcomes are likely where new developments meet policy requirements. The paper finishes by calling for public authorities to recognise the justice implications of their design interventions, including through what we term ‘just good enough’ approaches
Collecting data from children in hospitality and tourism settings
Full text linkThis research note explores Minecraft as a methodological tool for collecting data from children in hospitality and tourism settings. While research involving children remains limited in these fields, Minecraft offers a playful, immersive, and participatory environment well suited to capturing their preferences and perceptions. The paper outlines a proposed methodological framework that details how Minecraft can be used to facilitate child-led exploration, construction, and interaction within virtual tourism spaces. Although promising, the method presents challenges related mainly to ethics and reliability, epitomised by the opposition covert and overt used of Minecraft
I hereby consent : leveraging consent management and chatbot anthropomorphism to influence information disclosure and usage intentions
No full textAs the use of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots becomes more prevalent, organizations face increasing pressure to adopt ethical and transparent data collection practices. This research investigated how variations in consent management (CM) design, guided by social contract theory, and different levels of chatbot anthropomorphism influenced users’ intentions to use chatbots and to disclose personal information, across three experimental studies. The findings demonstrate that transparent CM, especially when presented ‘just-in-time', significantly increases willingness to disclose information. Contrary to prior assumptions, we found that anthropomorphism does not significantly influence disclosure intentions. These findings suggest that CM transparency plays a critical role when interacting with chatbots. Our findings also provide actionable implications for organizations in designing ethical and effective chatbot systems.