27968 research outputs found
Sort by
Weight of evidence evaluation of the metabolism disrupting effects of triphenyl phosphate using an expert knowledge elicitation approach
Get PDFData availability:
Data will be made available on request.Supplementary data are available online at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0041008X24001935#s0160 .Identification of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) in a regulatory context requires a high level of evidence. However, lines of evidence (e.g. human, in vivo, in vitro or in silico) are heterogeneous and incomplete for quantifying evidence of the adverse effects and mechanisms involved. To date, for the regulatory appraisal of metabolism-disrupting chemicals (MDCs), no harmonised guidance to assess the weight of evidence has been developed at the EU or international level. To explore how to develop this, we applied a formal Expert Knowledge Elicitation (EKE) approach within the European GOLIATH project. EKE captures expert judgment in a quantitative manner and provides an estimate of uncertainty of the final opinion. As a proof of principle, we selected one suspected MDC -triphenyl phosphate (TPP) - based on its related adverse endpoints (obesity/adipogenicity) relevant to metabolic disruption and a putative Molecular Initiating Event (MIE): activation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). We conducted a systematic literature review and assessed the quality of the lines of evidence with two independent groups of experts within GOLIATH, with the objective of categorising the metabolic disruption properties of TPP, by applying an EKE approach. Having followed the entire process separately, both groups arrived at the same conclusion, designating TPP as a “suspected MDC” with an overall quantitative agreement exceeding 85%, indicating robust reproducibility. The EKE method provides to be an important way to bring together scientists with diverse expertise and is recommended for future work in this area.European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 825489 (“GOLIATH”)
Reliable uncertainties of tests and surveys – a data-driven approach
Get PDFMSC Classification 60J10, 91Exx, 91E45, 05A18.Supplementary material are available online at: https://www.metrology-journal.org/10.1051/ijmqe/2023018/olm . The article is accompanied by supplementary information that includes proofs to the theorems that are stated within the text of the article; linking our advanced methods to extant congeneric methods in the literature; comparison of the methods discussed herein, for partitioning a set of integers into 2 subsets and presentation of results on simulated data.Policy decisions are often motivated by results attained by a cohort of responders to a survey or a test. However, erroneous identification of the reliability or the complimentary uncertainty of the test/survey instrument, will distort the data that such policy decisions are based upon. Thus, robust learning of the uncertainty of such an instrument is sought. This uncertainty is parametrised by the departure from reproducibility of the data comprising responses to questions of this instrument, given the responders. Such departure is best modelled using the distance between the data on responses to questions that comprise the two similar subtests that the given test/survey can be split into. The paper presents three fast and robust ways for learning the optimal-subtests that a given test/survey instrument can be spilt into, to allow for reliable uncertainty of the given instrument, where the response to a question is either binary, or categorical − taking values at multiple levels − and the test/survey instrument is realistically heterogeneous in the correlation structure of the questions (or items); prone to measuring multiple traits; and built of small to a very large number of items. Our methods work in the presence of such messiness of real tests and surveys that typically violate applicability of conventional methods. We illustrate our new methods, by computing uncertainty of three real tests and surveys that are large to very-large in size, subsequent to learning the optimal subtests.There is no funding to be reported
The tools of external migration policy in EU member states
Get PDFNote: This article gives the views of the authors, not the position of EUROPP – European Politics and Policy or the London School of Economics. Featured image credit: Alessia Pierdomenico / Shutterstock.com .LSE European Politics and Policy Blog. External migration policies, in which states cooperate with third countries to help manage migration, are now increasingly common. Drawing on new research, Matilde Rosina and Iole Fontana identify the key tools used by EU member states to implement these policies. For more information, see the authors’ accompanying paper in the Journal of Common Market Studies (Fontana, I. and Rosina, M. (2024) ‘ The Tools of External Migration Policy in the EU Member States: The Case of Italy’. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcms.13581
Geospatial analysis of unconventional geothermal resources and their potential role in decarbonising heat in Great Britain
No full textData availability: The data underpinning this publication can be accessed from Brunel University London's data repository, Brunelfigshare here under a CCBY licence: 10.17633/rd.brunel.25965187.This paper presents a geospatial analysis of Great Britain’s unconventional geothermal resources considering their type, quality, and distribution with respect to heat demand. The investigation builds upon past assessments of geothermal heat in the study area by analysing the available resources alongside heat demand in an integrated and quantified manner on a 10 km2 grid. By linking theoretical supply with practical demand, this work facilitates informed decision making towards increased uptake of decarbonised heat networks, which is a strategic priority for reducing emissions from UK residential buildings to net zero by 2050. To meet this goal, the market share of low or zero carbon heat networks is projected to need to rise to 20% from under 3% currently, with the present work directed at establishing the potential role of unconventional deep geothermal resources in delivering this growth. Practical resources are identified on the adopted 10 km2 grid using a multi-criteria analysis of three types of map, namely, a geological map of suitable sedimentary aquifers and granite formations, a heat flow map, and a demand map. Verification of each map is pursued by comparisons with benchmarks from the literature. It is found that 9.8% of the study area has sufficient heating demand aligned with potentially exploitable unconventional geothermal resources, comprised of 83% hot sedimentary aquifers and 17% granite formations. Implementing geothermal heat networks in this 9.8% area could decarbonise up to 27% of Great Britain’s overall heat demand, representing a considerable contribution towards the net zero target. By identifying specific areas where concentrated demand aligns with available deep geothermal resources, this work further underpins decision making towards technical and economic feasibility studies at a local level
The Effect of Pedagogical Approach on Physical Activity of Girls During Physical Education
No full textSupplemental data for this article can be accessed online at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/figure/10.1080/02701367.2024.2329165?scroll=top&needAccess=true .Purpose: Technical approaches (TAs) such as Direct Instruction are commonly utilized when teaching games in Physical Education (PE) classes, but game-based approaches (GBAs) such as Game Sense (GS) have gained greater interest over the past 30 years. However, little is known about which approach promotes more physical activity (PA). The aim of this study was to compare the PA of girls during single-gender PE classes in an invasion games unit utilizing either a GS approach or a TA. Methods: Two upper primary school PE classes were taught invasion games using a GS approach and two classes were taught using a TA. During each of the 7 lessons students wore a wearable GPS sensor (SPT2, Sport Performance Tracking, Australia) which measured total distance, distance in each speed zone, top speed and 3D load. Results: The GS group traveled a greater distance than the TA group (+203 m, p < .001). This result was explained mostly by a greater distance covered in zone 2 speeds (0.6–1.7 m/s). The 3D load was also significantly higher in the GS group, but there were no group differences in top speed. Conclusions: Findings suggested that a GS thematic invasion unit was more effective in promoting PA levels in all-girl primary PE classes than a traditional sport-based invasion unit
Journeying through in-between times and spaces: commuter students’ everyday practices of and strategies for university access and engagement.
No full text...Brunel University London Access and Participation Fun
Dwells in museum: The restorative potential of augmented reality
Get PDFData availability: The data that has been used is confidential.Augmented Reality (AR) is increasingly recognized as a transformative tool for creating restorative environments within museums. It has the potential to provide psychological benefits for visitors, including attention restoration, stress reduction, and anxiety alleviation. This study explores how AR can foster these benefits within museum spaces. By adopting AR technology, museums can go beyond their traditional roles of knowledge dissemination. The immersive, adaptive, and interactive features of AR can enhance the museum experience, transforming it into an innovative therapeutic space. By combining real exhibits with virtual elements, AR can restore visitors’ psychological energy within museum settings. This integration of digital innovation into restorative contexts surpasses the traditional functions of visual service. Through empirical investigation of multiple dimensions of restorative environments, AR museum experiences offer comprehensive attention restoration. In this study, a survey was conducted with 279 participants to assess the impact of AR museum experiences on visitors’ psychology. The results revealed that such experiences contribute to heightened attention restoration levels, stress reduction, and anxiety relief. With the latest advancements in generative artificial intelligence, AR technology is empowered to integrate within museums. This integration will merge individuals with customized technology, expanding human perceptual experiences and highlighting AR's significant influence within the museum environment.This study is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. This project is the result of a collaboration of academic investigators from Brunel University London and Shanghai Jiao Tong University and practitioners from the museum and gallery sectors in the UK and China, namely Natural History Museums in the UK, the Shanghai Astronomy Museum, Modern Art Museum Shanghai, Link-Stars Design and Jo-Z Design in China
Adapting the Nominal Group Technique to a virtual version: an experience report
Get PDFRESUMO
Objetivo:
Relatar as adaptações realizadas na Técnica de Grupo Nominal (TGN) original, permitindo sua aplicação ao formato virtual, preservando todos os seus elementos-chave.
Método:
Relato de experiência sobre as adaptações e adequações realizadas na TGN original ao formato virtual aplicando as Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação (TIC), por meio de ferramentas digitais disponibilizadas gratuitamente ou de baixo custo e de fácil manejo.
Resultados:
A TGN foi realizada integralmente de forma virtual e sofreu adaptações em cada uma das suas quatro etapas através da incorporação de recursos digitais específicos. Foi possível apresentar as ideias mais votadas e obter a aprovação final dos participantes. Os participantes não apresentaram dificuldade para utilizar os recursos virtuais disponibilizados, e, partir da avaliação de reação, mostram-se satisfeitos com as ferramentas disponibilizadas.
Conclusão:
A TGN adaptada mostrou-se um método efetivo quando utilizada em cenário virtual, sendo capaz de produzir um significativo número de ideias e desenvolver consenso. A ferramenta adaptada pode ser usada por outros pesquisadores em países com recursos ou dimensões semelhantes ao Brasil.Objective:
To report on the adaptations made to the original Nominal Group Technique (NGT), allowing it to be applied to the virtual format, preserving all its key elements.
Method:
An experience report on the adaptations and adjustments made to the original NGT to the virtual format using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), using digital tools that are available free of charge or are low cost and easy to use.
Results:
The NGT was carried out entirely virtually and underwent adaptations in each of its four stages through the incorporation of specific digital resources. It was possible to present the most voted ideas and obtain final approval from the participants. The participants had no difficulty in using the virtual resources provided and, based on the reaction evaluation, they were satisfied with the tools provided.
Conclusion:
The adapted NGT proved to be an effective method when used in a virtual setting, capable of producing a significant number of ideas and developing consensus. The adapted tool can be used by other researchers in countries with similar resources or dimensions to Brazil.RESUMEN
Objetivo:
Informar sobre las adaptaciones realizadas a la Técnica de Grupo Nominal (TGN) original, permitiendo su aplicación al formato virtual, preservando todos sus elementos clave.
Método:
Se trata de un informe de experiencia sobre las adaptaciones y ajustes realizados a la TGN original para el formato virtual mediante el uso de las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC), utilizando herramientas digitales disponibles de forma gratuita o de bajo coste y fácil uso.
Resultados:
El TGN se realizó íntegramente de manera virtual y sufrió adaptaciones en cada una de sus cuatro etapas mediante la incorporación de recursos digitales específicos. Fue posible presentar las ideas más votadas y obtener la aprobación final de los participantes. Los participantes no tuvieron dificultades para utilizar los recursos virtuales proporcionados y, según los comentarios recibidos, se mostraron satisfechos con las herramientas facilitadas.
Conclusión:
El TGN adaptado demostró ser un método eficaz cuando se utiliza en un entorno virtual, capaz de producir un número significativo de ideas y desarrollar el consenso. La herramienta adaptada puede ser utilizada por otros investigadores en países con recursos o dimensiones similares a las de Brasil.Apoio financeiro O presente trabalho foi realizado com apoio da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Código de Financiamento 001. [This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001]
Inhuman Music and the Monstrous-Feminine
No full textIn video games, female characters have traditionally been meant to be seen and not heard, mirroring the history of women under patriarchy. Those female characters who reject their secondary and primarily visual role often become monstrous, and like Barbara Creed argues, this monstrosity is itself profoundly gendered. This paper focuses on two such female characters whose monstrosity, and also revolt, are indisputably feminine, as well as musical. Both the 2007 classic Portal and the 2017 cult hit Doki Doki Literature Club! feature central antagonists who are sentient artificial female monsters who both start off as the players’ guides through their respective games, their roles similar to those of gendered digital assistants in everyday life. While GLaDOS is voiced throughout Portal, Monika remains silent until the final credits of DDLC!, but the comparison between the two is never as evident as when they sing. Both games end with songs performed by these antagonists, after they have technically been defeated. This paper draws on feminist literary and film theory, as well as musicology and ludomusicology, to deliver both a comparative analysis of the two songs, and a broader formulation of the sonic representation of the monstrous-feminine in video games
Black Metal Rainbows, Daniel Lukes and Stanimir Panayotov (eds) (2022), Designed by Jaci Raia
No full textReview of: Black Metal Rainbows, Daniel Lukes and Stanimir Panayotov (eds) (2022), Designed by Jaci Raia, Binghamton, NY: PM Press, 439 pp., ISBN 978-1-62963-881-2, p/bk, £28.99. ISBN 978-1-62963-882-9, h/bk, £56.99.Leverhulme Trust Early Career Research Fellowshi