Search Results (161)

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat, driven in part by inappropriate antibiotic use. Vulnerable populations, such as individuals within the criminal justice system, potentially face heightened AMR risks due to infection control challenges and health inequalities. This study explored health and justice healthcare professionals’ views of AMR and antibiotic prescribing to identify challenges and opportunities for action. Methods: A quantitative survey among healthcare professionals in English correctional facilities assessed knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards AMR and prescribing, including acne prescribing. The survey was structured using COM-B and included 82 Likert-scale statements and 7 key AMR knowledge questions. Results: There were 24 respondents; 54.2% were pharmacy professionals. Both pharmacy and non-pharmacy professionals demonstrated strong AMR understanding, with 5/7 knowledge questions answered correctly by everyone. Motivation-related responses were generally positive, with the median response corresponding to strong agreement for five of six questions. Although opportunity and capability responses were generally positive, they indicated several areas where respondents reported lower levels of confidence and knowledge, such as having the opportunity to run searches on the clinical system to monitor antibiotic prescribing. Overall, 79% of respondents were able to answer all seven key AMR knowledge questions correctly. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary insights into prescribing behavior in health and justice settings, emphasizing the need for further research to understand health and justice healthcare workers and develop appropriate interventions to reduce AMR. Full article

To address the limitations of conventional temporary steel platforms, a novel lightweight temporary steel platform (LTSP) system was developed based on an inland river high-pile wharf project. The proposed system utilizes permanent rock-socketed steel tubular piles of the wharf structure as the primary load-bearing foundation and consists of welded corbels, twin I-beam main girders, secondary I-section distribution beams, and steel deck plates. A construction method integrating permanent and temporary structural components was proposed. Field measurements were conducted to investigate the vibration response characteristics of the LTSP. The results indicate that the platform exhibits relatively high natural frequencies, with all identified fundamental frequencies exceeding 14 Hz, suggesting a low risk of resonance under human-induced excitations. The lateral stiffness of the platform was found to be greater than its vertical stiffness. Pedestrian-induced vibrations were mainly concentrated near excitation locations, whereas vehicle-induced vibrations were more uniformly distributed across the platform. The permanent steel tubular piles provided effective local restraint and enhanced structural stiffness, thereby reducing vibration transmission to adjacent areas. Construction machinery generated the most significant vibration responses, particularly during simultaneous multi-equipment operations. Therefore, to ensure the safety and operational performance of the temporary steel platform, it is recommended to avoid the simultaneous operation of heavy equipment, such as rotary drilling rigs, fully loaded tanker trucks, and truck cranes. Furthermore, as the current findings are based on a single field application case, future studies should incorporate long-term monitoring and numerical modeling to further evaluate the platform’s applicability to other practical engineering projects. Full article

The accurate prediction of hydrodynamic characteristics and structural responses in underwater fishing gear is critical for optimizing design, ensuring operational safety, and minimizing environmental impact. To overcome the computational costs and scalability limitations of traditional physical modeling, this study evaluates three machine learning algorithms such as Random Forest (RF), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), and Support Vector Machine with a Radial Basis Function kernel (SVM-RBF) to predict the hydrodynamic coefficients and structural responses of tuna longline components, including mainlines and branch lines. Models were trained and validated using a comprehensive flume tank dataset encompassing six gear configurations tested across varying flow velocities and lead-line weights. Results demonstrate that optimal model selection is inherently task dependent. For hydrodynamic coefficients, LightGBM achieved superior predictive accuracy for branch-line drag (whole-dataset R² = 0.8315), while both LightGBM and SVM-RBF excelled in lift prediction. Conversely, structural responses (sinking depth and x-displacement) proved inherently more difficult to model deterministically due to high-frequency transient dynamics and stochastic variability. While LightGBM provided balanced generalization for sinking depth, SVM-RBF exhibited severe overfitting for x-displacement. In contrast, RF maintained the most conservative and consistent performance across structural targets, effectively mitigating the memorization of dynamic noise observed in the more complex algorithms. Beyond predictive modeling, feature importance analysis identified flow velocity, lead-line weight, material stiffness, and geometric parameters as dominant physical drivers, validating the physical plausibility of the models. Crucially, the integration of experimental and ML analyses revealed that a polylactic acid (PLA)-integrated midsection configuration consistently yielded the lowest and most stable drag force (0.004–0.13 N at 0.49 m/s), representing a 30–60% reduction compared to conventional nylon lines. Furthermore, the study uncovered novel physical phenomena, including velocity-independent deformation stability, progressive transient sinking kinetics, and tension-induced load redistribution. These findings establish machine learning as a reliable, scalable surrogate for longline gear design, advocating for thin-diameter, biodegradable PLA-integrated lines to enhance hydrodynamic efficiency and mitigate marine plastic pollution, while underscoring the necessity of task-specific algorithm selection for robust engineering applications. Full article

The FELIX trial is an ongoing, single-arm, open-label study without an internal control, in which adults with relapsed/refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia receive Aucatzyl (a CAR-T cell therapy) and are followed for overall survival. Here, we combine the Toulmin form of argument with a structural causal model to assess the causal effect of Aucatzyl in the FELIX trial. Full article

Firefighters experience elevated suicide risk; however, factors influencing this risk remain understudied among this frontline population. Distress overtolerance (DO), or enduring high emotional distress, may represent a novel risk factor in the fire service, where occupational norms reinforce persistence under stress. The present study examined whether DO subfactors (Capacity for Harm [CH]: persisting through distress despite harm to one’s well-being; Fear of Negative Evaluation [FNE]: persisting through distress to avoid negative judgment) predicted variance in suicidal ideation and suicide risk. Firefighters (N = 79) were recruited from a U.S.-based national first responder service agency and completed self-report measures at baseline and follow-up as part of a larger study of mental health among first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hierarchical regression models using baseline data indicated that CH accounted for significant variance in suicidal ideation (ΔR² = 0.13) and suicide risk (ΔR² = 0.16), while FNE accounted for variance only in suicide risk (ΔR² = 0.07). Longitudinal models indicated that both CH and FNE were significantly and preliminarily associated with suicide risk, but only CH was significantly associated with suicidal ideation. Findings suggest that DO may represent a clinically meaningful suicide risk factor in firefighters, with implications for assessment and prevention efforts. Full article

Hydrogen-propelled aircraft can enable net-zero CO₂ emissions in aviation, which is the goal of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for 2050. One drawback of onboard hydrogen storage in aircraft is the necessity for relatively large, pressurised storage volumes. To maximise H₂ volumetric efficiency, the COmposite COnformal LIquid H₂ Tank (COCOLIH₂T) project attempts to design, build and test a vacuum-insulated liner-less cryogenic conformal thermoplastic composite tank with conditioning subsystems for safe operation. The tank must be compatible with the design envelope in the empennage, specifically towards the aft of the pressure bulkhead of an ATR 72-like aircraft. The tank design, analysis, optimisation and demonstrator manufacturing are presented in this paper. Full article

Meeting the growing demand for renewable energy production requires tapping into a variety of natural resources. Wave energy, while abundant, remains a challenging and often non-economic field. To address this, the present paper proposes and examines an innovative concept for a wave energy converter (WEC). Alongside survivability capabilities, the novel device enables simultaneous extraction of wave energy in two degrees of freedom and, with additional tuning for a range of sea states, achieves higher efficiency compared to existing technologies. As it does not require a link to the seabed or a wharf for production, the concept is suitable for deep water, hence offering higher potential relative to nearshore WECs. In this study, we present the proposed concept and its engineering simplicity, together with mathematical analysis and preliminary results that evaluate the device’s performance under regular and irregular sea conditions. Full article

This project focuses on the development of a 2U CubeSat intended for potential integration into an LEO constellation. The CubeSat is designed to deliver space-based CNS services, supporting the evolving needs of next-generation airspace and global communication networks. The primary objective is to enhance global connectivity and demonstrate how compact satellite platforms can contribute to modern ICNS systems. By leveraging the flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency of CubeSat technology, the mission aims to validate the role of small satellites in delivering reliable and responsive CNS capabilities. This approach provides a foundation for future advancements in satellite constellations tailored for airspace management and communication services. Full article

Corporate governance reforms in emerging and frontier markets frequently assume that strengthening board oversight, audit committees, and ownership monitoring will improve audit quality and enhance firm value. Yet, in weak institutional environments, these mechanisms often function symbolically rather than substantively. This study rethinks the governance–audit–value nexus by integrating Agency Theory, Institutional Theory, and the concept of symbolic governance to explain why governance may appear structurally robust while failing to constrain managerial discretion. Using panel data from Ghanaian listed firms between 2015 and 2023, the analysis shows that audit committee independence and board independence are negatively associated with both audit quality and firm value, indicating that formal independence without expertise, authority, or enforcement capacity does not translate into meaningful oversight. By contrast, institutional and managerial ownership positively influence both outcomes, suggesting that incentive alignment and informed monitoring can substitute for weak formal governance. Foreign ownership improves firm value but does not consistently enhance audit quality, while macroeconomic conditions such as inflation and GDP growth further shape firm performance. The study advances the literature by reconceptualising governance effectiveness in weak institutional environments, demonstrating that governance mechanisms may exist in form without functioning in substance. The findings underscore the need for governance reforms that prioritise enforcement capacity, board expertise, and audit committee competence rather than structural compliance alone. Full article

Preeclampsia is a double-hit vascular disorder centred on the VEGF-HO-1-CSE axis. First, excess placental soluble Flt-1 (sFlt-1) neutralises vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF), producing an angiogenic deficit that drives endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, proteinuria and end organ injury. Second, the failure of endogenous vascular brakes, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1/CO) and cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE)/hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) removes physiological restraint on anti-angiogenic factor release (sFlt-1; soluble endoglin) and amplifies oxidative–inflammatory stress, lowering the threshold at which VEGF loss precipitates severe disease. We synthesise human, animal and translational data that (i) establish placental sFlt-1 source and release, (ii) demonstrate human mechanistic causality via sFlt-1 removal, (iii) show prospective clinical validation that sFlt-1 rises and free PlGF falls before disease onset, and (iv) identify HO-1 and CSE/H₂S as protective pathways that restrain anti-angiogenic drive. Finally, we summarise preclinical evidence that the orally administered H₂S-donor prodrug MZe786 restores the HO-1/CSE axis, lowers sFlt-1 and soluble endoglin (sEng), and improves maternal haemodynamics and foetal outcomes across complementary pregnancy models, and we outline the role of sFlt-1/PlGF and M-PREG-based triage in clinical decision making. While valuable for short-term triage, current sFlt-1/PlGF-based approaches cannot sub-stratify among positive cases. Framing severe preeclampsia as a double-hit vascular disorder provides a biologically grounded framework that can inform risk stratification strategies like M-PREG^®, a clinical decision support system informed by the double hit framework, and prevention strategies, pairing early risk stratification with mechanism-informed interventions. Full article

Unconfined coastal karst aquifers are highly susceptible to contamination from anthropogenic activities, particularly in regions lacking adequate wastewater treatment. Their open hydrological structure facilitates the input and dispersion of contaminants from both point and non-point sources. Furthermore, groundwater exerts a significant influence on coastal water quality through submarine discharge that could impact vulnerable ecosystems like seagrasses, mangroves, and coral reefs. Seasonal hydrological variability—especially between dry and rainy periods—affects contaminant transport, with increased groundwater flux potentially enhancing spatial dispersion. Additionally, the balance between the contributions from the coastal karst aquifer and the hydrodynamics of the coastal zone determines the extent and degree of salinization occurring at the interface between these two systems, which in turn influences aquifer water quality. This study presents a five-year dataset of metal and nutrient concentrations measured during dry and rainy seasons in surface waters (0.5 m depth) from 24 cenotes within the Ring of Cenotes (RC), Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. The RC functions as a preferential groundwater flow path from inland to the coast via underwater conduits and submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), transporting contaminants present in groundwater into highly vulnerable coastal ecosystems. While most parameters remained below regulatory thresholds, concentrations of total Al, Cr, Pb, and N-NH₃ exceeded limits established by NOM-127-SSA1-2021 at several sites measured within the RC. Spatial heterogeneity was observed across seasons and years, driven by groundwater flux dynamics, land use, and individual sinkhole characteristics. Notably, N-NH₃ concentrations were higher during the dry season, particularly near agricultural and peri-urban zones. These findings underscore the need for mandatory wastewater treatment and integrated coastal karstic aquifer management to protect the region’s sole freshwater resource and the vulnerable ecosystems in the coastal area. Full article

Crust Ash Triad Clay (CATC) is a traditional construction material commonly used for jointing coastal stone masonry in Southeast China. Its surface is prone to blackening in coastal environments. This study focused on traditional stone masonry residences within the protection area of Quanzhou Shihu Ancient Wharf. A systematic detection and analysis were conducted using combined technologies: XRD, Raman, SEM-EDS, and 16S rRNA sequencing. The results revealed that the CATC substrate is mainly composed of quartz and feldspar minerals, with calcite and other substances as binding components. The black coating on the surface is a loose material attached to the substrate, retaining some of the original minerals. The core mechanism of blackening lies in the coastal environment’s abundance of salt spray and humidity. The sulfate substances carried by rainwater react synergistically with metal ions such as Cu, Fe, and Mn in the substrate under the metabolic action of anaerobic bacteria, producing metal sulfide minerals. Photoautotrophic bacteria generate oxygen through photosynthesis, promoting the oxidation and acidification of metal sulfide. This process directly triggers the chain deterioration of the CATC substrate. Based on the principle of “minimal intervention”, physical waterproofing or laser stain removal can be implemented. This study provides scientific support for optimizing the durability and achieving precise protection of traditional building materials in coastal stone structure heritage. Full article

This study empirically examines the joint effects of innovation strategy intensity and gender diversity in boardrooms on firms’ environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. Drawing on the Resource-Based View and Upper Echelons Theory, we analyse a panel of financial and non-financial firms listed in the FTSE 350 on the London Stock Exchange over the period 2012–2023. Using panel regression models, we find that innovation intensity is positively associated with ESG performance across both sectors. Board gender diversity also exhibits a positive relationship with ESG performance; however, the effect is economically weaker and statistically insignificant for non-financial firms. The proportion of women employees shows sector-specific effects, being negatively related to ESG performance in financial firms but positively related in non-financial firms. While women in management positions are positively associated with ESG performance in nested models, this relationship weakens in full specifications, suggesting the influence of competing organisational factors. Notably, the presence of female executives consistently enhances ESG performance across models. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of gender diversity in senior leadership for advancing ESG outcomes and raise questions about whether conventional innovation metrics adequately capture sustainability-oriented innovation. The study offers important theoretical and managerial implications. Full article

The Planting Oysters to Strengthen the Foundation (POSF) method, as a construction technique for coastal stone structures in the Northern Song Dynasty of China (1059), has been preserved to this day. Exploring its long-term reinforcement mechanism can provide theoretical support and practical guidance for the protection and sustainable development of world marine cultural heritage. This article uses Crustacean Ash Triad Clay (CATC) from Shihu Ancient Wharf in Quanzhou as a case study and conducts a systematic investigation using XRD, Raman, SEM-EDS, FTIR, and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. The results show that CATC has a core skeleton of 94.6% quartz, with potassium feldspar, dolomite, and metal compounds as auxiliary components; that its 19.04% porosity provides enrichment space for positively charged ions and tide-borne microorganisms; that electrostatic adsorption between barnacle adhesive and the material achieves physical reinforcement; and that microbial metabolism promotes dolomite formation, producing chemical reinforcement. Thus, the ternary coupling of Biology–Environment–Materials forms a BEM long-term reinforcement mechanism suitable for low-carbon construction in the ocean. Full article

GNSS buoys are essential for real-time elevation monitoring in coastal waterways, yet the vertical coordinate time series are frequently contaminated by complex non-stationary noise, and existing denoising methods often rely on empirical parameter settings that compromise reliability. This paper proposes GVMD-NLM, a hybrid denoising framework optimized by an improved Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO). The method introduces an adaptive convergence factor decay function derived from the Sigmoid function to automatically determine the optimal parameters (K and $\alpha$) for Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD). Sample Entropy (SE) is then employed to identify low-frequency effective signals, while the remaining high-frequency noise components are processed via Non-Local Means (NLM) filtering to recover residual information while suppressing stochastic disturbances. Experimental results from two datasets at the Dongguan Waterway Wharf demonstrate that GVMD-NLM consistently outperforms SSA, CEEMDAN, VMD, and GWO-VMD. In Dataset One, GVMD-NLM reduced the RMSE by 26.04% (vs. SSA), 17.87% (vs. CEEMDAN), 24.28% (vs. VMD), and 13.47% (vs. GWO-VMD), with corresponding SNR improvements of 11.13%, 7.00%, 10.18%, and 5.05%. In Dataset Two, the method achieved RMSE reductions of 28.87% (vs. SSA), 17.12% (vs. CEEMDAN), 18.45% (vs. VMD), and 10.26% (vs. GWO-VMD), with SNR improvements of 10.48%, 5.52%, 6.02%, and 3.11%, respectively. The denoised signal maintains high fidelity, with correlation coefficients (R) reaching 0.9798. This approach provides an objective and automated solution for GNSS data denoising, offering a more accurate data foundation for waterway hydrodynamics research and water level monitoring. Full article