Search Results (68)

In the essay we introduce present-day systems concepts, such as resilience, tipping points, and hysteresis effects, via the concept of fast–slow dynamical systems (whether explicit in the models or implicit through bifurcation and stability behaviours). These lead naturally to ideas first propagated within catastrophe theory, fifty years ago. We discuss the historical catastrophe (the backlash) that befell such an abstract yet mathematically grounded (and thus inescapable) theory within economics and also its subsequent re-appraisal and re-adoption. Finally, we discuss some of the challenges inherent in anticipating tipping points from live systems data (observations), within systems-theoretic interpretations, and whether methods from topological data analysis might respond to them. While it is fashionable for national, governmental and policy institutions to speak of “resilience” in all manner of national systems contexts, we aver that it is foolishly inadequate to do so without an understanding and consideration of tipping points and hysteresis (sometimes termed “path dependence”), giving rise to “lock-in”. Full article

The consumption of clothes creates paradoxes in which values, motives, and emotions interact to generate consumption experiences. To test some of these interactions, we conducted three correlational studies, studies 1, 2, and 3, one experiment, study 4, and one qualitative study, study 5. Study 1 found negative relationships between sustainability values and materialism and positive relationships between sustainable values and the preference for experiential purchases. Study 2 found positive relationships between two components of the slow-fashion movement, equity and exclusiveness, and guilt, and a negative relationship with functionality, another component of slow fashion. Study 3 found an indirect relationship between sustainable values and guilt through their positive and significant relationship with increased awareness of the environmental impact of the fast-fashion industry, supporting a mediation model. Study 4 found that participants were was more likely, regardless of whether the purchase of clothing was labeled as fast fashion or not, to experience pride than guilt when recalling recent past purchases. Last, in study 5, we found that consumers buy clothes to look good and pay attention to quality and value without significant concerns for environmental issues. The implications for consumer behavior were discussed. Full article

This study investigates how Australian Zennials (born 1993–1999) navigate slow fashion consumption in a market dominated by fast fashion and affordability challenges. Using semi-structured interviews with 20 participants, it explores their motivations, barriers, and adaptive strategies. Findings reveal that Zennials are driven by ethical values, environmental awareness, and a preference for quality design, yet face constraints such as cost, limited access to sustainable brands, and skepticism toward greenwashing. Rather than a simple value–action gap, participants demonstrate creative solutions, most notably, strategic engagement with the second-hand market. This enables them to practice slow fashion ideals of durability, longevity, and mindful consumption in a cost-effective way. The study reframes the attitude–behavior gap by identifying Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC) as a key enabler, supported by knowledge, repair skills, and peer norms. These insights offer practical implications for brands, designers, and policymakers, positioning the second-hand economy as the central mechanism that operationalizes Zennial engagement with sustainable fashion. Full article

Subsidence over abandoned goaves is a primary trigger for secondary geological hazards such as surface collapse, landslides, and cracking. This threatens safe mining operations, impairs regional economic progress, and endangers local inhabitants and their assets. At present, goaf areas are mainly treated through grouting. However, owing to the deficiencies of traditional deformation monitoring methods (e.g., leveling and GPS), including their slow speed, high cost, and limited data accuracy influenced by the number of monitoring points, the surface deformation features of goaf zones treated with grouting cannot be obtained in a timely fashion. Therefore, this study proposes a method to analyze the spatio-temporal patterns of surface deformation in grout-filled goaves based on the fusion of Multi-temporal InSAR technologies, leveraging the complementary advantages of D-InSAR, PS-InSAR, and SBAS-InSAR techniques. An investigation was conducted in a coal mine located in Shandong Province, China, utilizing an integrated suite of C-band satellite data. This dataset included 39 scenes from the RadarSAT-2 and 40 scenes from the Sentinel missions, acquired between September 2019 and September 2022. Key results reveal a significant reduction in surface deformation rates following grouting operations: pre-grouting deformation reached up to −98 mm/a (subsidence) and +134 mm/a (uplift), which decreased to −11.2 mm/a and +18.7 mm/a during grouting, and further stabilized to −10.0 mm/a and +16.0 mm/a post-grouting. Time-series analysis of cumulative deformation and typical coherent points confirmed that grouting effectively mitigated residual subsidence and induced localized uplift due to soil compaction and fracture expansion. The comparison with the leveling measurement data shows that the accuracy of this method meets the requirements, confirming the method’s efficacy in capturing the actual ground dynamics during grouting. It provides a scientific basis for the safe expansion of mining cities and the safe reuse of land resources. Full article

The fashion industry faces a critical sustainability crisis, contributing up to 10% of global carbon emissions and generating 92 million tons of textile waste annually. The study highlights the complex interplay of material flows, business models, power structures, and cultural mindsets, presenting a multi-scaled framework for advancing cleaner production and circularity in one of the world’s most resource-intensive sectors. This study proposes a transformative model for circular bioeconomy in fashion, integrating systems-change theory, degrowth economics, and emotional durability. Through case studies, including Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, and EU policy frameworks, the paper demonstrates how circular strategies can reduce waste, extend product lifecycles, and promote ethical labor practices. Notably, brands implementing take-back programs and recycled materials have diverted over 1.5 million garments from landfills and achieved up to 70% recycled content. The study critically addresses challenges such as technological solutionism, systemic greenwashing, and waste colonialism, concluding that incremental changes are insufficient. A paradigm shift in business models, consumer culture, and policy is essential for a regenerative and just fashion future. Full article

Cerebrovascular reactivity, cerebral autoregulation (CA), and oxygen delivery can be measured continuously and in a non-invasive fashion using cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Although the literature is limited surrounding the difference between signals acquired and derived from low (<100 Hz) and high sampling rates (≥100 Hz). As part of a prospective observational study, we preliminarily explored and assessed the difference in the information provided by two NIRS systems using regional cerebral oxygen saturation and cerebral oximetry index signals at low and high sampling rates. The raw data in two frequencies (down-sampled to 1 Hz using the mean and up-sampled to 250 Hz) were decimated to focus on slow-wave vasogenic fluctuations associated with CA. Then, the data were analyzed using various statistical methods such as the absolute signal difference, Pearson correlation, Bland–Altman agreement, Cross-correlation function, optimal time-series autocorrelative structure, time-series impulse response function, and Granger causality relationships. The results of the various statistical analyses indicated that the signals obtained using high-frequency NIRS were different from signals obtained from low-frequency NIRS of the same cerebral region. Hence, high-frequency NIRS systems may possibly contain better signal features compared to NIRS systems with low sampling rates, but further work is required to assess high-frequency NIRS in other healthy and cranial trauma populations. Full article

Accurate and precise monitoring of species abundance is essential for determining population trends and responses to environmental change. Species, such as bats, that have slow life histories, characterized by extended lifespans and low reproductive rates, are particularly vulnerable to environmental changes, stochastic events, and human activities. An accurate assessment of productivity can improve parameters for population modelling and provide insights into species’ capacity to recover from population perturbations, yet data on reproductive output are often lacking. Recently, advances in drone technology have allowed for the development of a drone-based thermal remote sensing technique to accurately and precisely count the numbers of flying-foxes (Pteropus spp.) in their tree roosts. Here, we extend that method and use a drone-borne thermal camera flown at night to count the number of flying-fox pups that are left alone in the roost whilst their mothers are out foraging. We show that this is an effective method of estimating flying-fox productivity on a per-colony basis, in a standardized fashion, and at a relatively low cost. When combined with a day-time drone flight used to estimate the number of adults in a colony, this can also provide an estimate of female reproductive performance, which is important for assessments of population health. These estimates can be related to changes in local food availability and weather conditions (including extreme heat events) and enable us to determine, for the first time, the impacts of disturbances from site-specific management actions on flying-fox population trajectories. Full article

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a global health threat and Fiji is not exempt. The appropriate prescribing and timely de-escalation of antibiotics as an integral component of antimicrobial stewardship has been recently introduced in Fiji to help curb antimicrobial resistance through de-escalation, leading to a reduced opportunity for the induction of resistance. Objectives: To assess whether empirical antibiotics are being adjusted in a timely fashion in patients admitted with a diagnosis of suspected infection in the Colonial War Memorial Hospital( CMWH) over three months. Method: The study was undertaken on patients admitted to the acute medical ward and intensive care unit of the CWMH in Suva (Fiji’s largest hospital). A total of 474 patients were prospectively enrolled at admission when prescribed empiric antibiotic therapy for suspected infections between February and April 2019. Results: A total of 356 patients admitted to the Acute Medical Ward and 118 admitted to the Intensive Care Unit were prescribed empiricalantibiotics. These 474 patients were prospectively observed to determine the factors influencing the extent and the timing of antibiotic de-escalation. Only 137 (29%) patients had their antibiotic regimen de-escalated in the first 72 h post-admission based on their microbiological results, whereas, 207 (42%) were de-escalated more than 72 h after admission (OR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.3–0.89; p < 0.016). Conclusions: At CWMH, antibiotic de-escalation is slow and may be improved by quicker laboratory reporting, greater access to laboratory results for prescribers, and the availability of a wider range of narrow-spectrum antibiotics to assist de-escalation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Charcot first described ALS in 1869, but the specific mechanisms that mediate the disease pathology are still not clear. Intense research efforts have provided insight into unique neuroanatomical regions, specific neuronal populations and genetic associations for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases; however, the experimental results also suggest a convergence of these events to common toxic pathways. We propose that common toxic pathways can be therapeutically targeted, and this intervention will be effective in slowing progression and improving patient quality of life. Here, we focus on understanding the role of IL6 trans-signaling in ALS disease processes. Methods: We leveraged unique mouse models of IL6 trans-signaling that we developed that recapitulate the production of active sIL6R in a genotypic and quantitative fashion observed in humans. Given that the SOD1 transgenic mouse is one of the most highly studied and characterized models of ALS, we bred SOD1^G93A mice with IL6R trans-signaling mice to determine how enhanced trans-signaling influenced symptom onset and pathological processes, including neuromuscular junction (NMJ) denervation, glial activation and motoneuron (MN) survival. Results: The results indicate that in animals with enhanced trans-signaling, symptom onset and pathological processes were accelerated, suggesting a role in disease modification. Administration of an IL6R functional blocking antibody failed to alter accelerated symptom onset and disease progression. Conclusions: Future work to investigate the site-specific influence of enhanced IL6 trans-signaling and the tissue-specific bioavailability of potential therapeutics will be necessary to identify targets for precise therapeutic interventions that may limit disease progression in the 60% of ALS patients who inherit the common Il6R Asp³⁵⁸Ala variant. Full article

Although the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has ended, there are still many important lessons we can learn, as the pandemic profoundly affected every area of laboratory practice. During the pandemic, extensive changes to laboratory staffing had to be implemented, as many healthcare institutions required regular screening of all healthcare staff. Several studies examined the effectiveness of different screening regimens and concluded that repeated testing, even with lower sensitivity tests, could rival the performance of gold-standard RT-PCR testing in the detection of new cases. Many assay evaluations were performed both in the earlier and later periods of the pandemic. They included both nucleocapsid/spike antibodies and automated antigen assays. Early in the pandemic, it was generally agreed that the initial nucleocapsid antibody assays had poor sensitivity when used before 14 days of disease onset, with total or IgG antibodies being preferred over the use of IgM. Spike antibody assays gradually replaced nucleocapsid antibody assays, as most people were vaccinated. Spike antibodies tracked the rise in antibodies after vaccination with mRNA vaccines and became invaluable in the assessment of vaccine response. Studies demonstrated robust antibody secretion with each vaccine dose and could last for several months post-vaccination. When antigen testing was introduced, they became effective tools to identify affected patients when used serially or in an orthogonal fashion with RT-PCR testing. Despite the numerous findings during the pandemic period, research in COVID-19 has slowed. To this day it is difficult to identify a true neutralizing antibody test for the virus. An appropriate antibody level that would confer protective immunity against the plethora of new variants remains elusive. We hope that a summary of events during the pandemic could provide important insights to consider in planning for the next viral pandemic. Full article

The kinetics and mechanism of drug binding to its target are critical to pharmacological efficacy. A high throughput (HTS) screen often results in hundreds of hits, of which usually only simple IC₅₀ values are determined during reconfirmation. However, kinetic parameters such as residence time for reversible inhibitors and the k_inact/K_I ratio, which is the critical measure for evaluating covalent inactivators, are early predictive measures to assess the chances of success of the hits in the clinic. Using the promising cancer target human histone deacetylase 8 as an example, we present a robust method that calculates concentration-dependent apparent rate constants for the inhibition or inactivation of HDAC8 from dose–response curves recorded after different pre-incubation times. With these data, hit compounds can be classified according to their mechanism of action, and the relevant kinetic parameters can be calculated in a highly parallel fashion. HDAC8 inhibitors with known modes of action were correctly assigned to their mechanism, and the binding mechanisms of some hits from an internal HDAC8 screening campaign were newly determined. The oxonitriles SVE04 and SVE27 were classified as fast reversible HDAC8 inhibitors with moderate time-constant IC₅₀ values of 4.2 and 2.6 µM, respectively. The hit compound TJ-19-24 and SAH03 behave like slow two-step inactivators or reversible inhibitors, with a very low reverse isomerization rate. Full article

The literature on sustainable clothing covers five key thematic areas: problems associated with fast fashion; sustainable fibre production; sustainable design protocols; corporate responsibility; sociological and social–psychological understandings; and pro-environmental behaviour changes. This article interweaves these approaches in a study that assesses the potential of experiential learning in clothes making, mending, and modifying workshops to help generate new social practices. The workshop design drew on the five key thematic areas and purposively provided participants with infrastructures and equipment, facilitators, and peer-to-peer support and dialogue as means to help them collaboratively generate new skills, new senses of meaning, and more sustainable ways of thinking, feeling, and acting in relation to clothes. This article reveals that our social practices approach encouraged research participants to positively uptake pro-environmental clothing choices. Thematic qualitative analysis of a small sample of participants’ wardrobe audit interviews, informal discussions, reflective videos, and reflective diaries illustrates nuanced and dynamic individual responses to the workshops and other project interventions. Nuances are contingent on factors including styles, creativity, habits, and budgets. We argue that, in order to mainstream the benefits of our approach, it is necessary to normalise approaches to clothing and style that sit outside of, or adjacent to, mainstream fashion, including clothes making, mending, and modifying practices. Full article

Geographic atrophy (GA) affects around 5 million individuals worldwide. Genome-wide, histopathologic, in vitro and animal studies have implicated the activation of the complement system and chronic local inflammation in the pathogenesis of GA. Recently, clinical trials have demonstrated that an intravitreal injection of pegcetacoplan, a C3 inhibitor, and avacincaptad pegol, a C5 inhibitor, both statistically significantly reduce the growth of GA up to 20% in a dose-dependent fashion. Furthermore, the protective effect of both pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad appear to increase with time. However, despite these anatomic outcomes, visual function has not improved as these drugs appear to only slow down the degenerative process. Unexpected adverse events included conversion to exudative NV-AMD with both drugs. Occlusive retinal vasculitis and anterior ischemic optic neuropathy have been reported in pegcetacoplan-treated eyes. Full article

Image classification is typically a research area that trains an algorithm for accurately identifying subjects in images that have never been seen before. Training a model to recognize images within a dataset is significant as image classification generally has several applications in medicine, face detection, image reconstruction, etc. In spite of such applications, the main difficulty in this area involves the computation in the classification process, which is vast, leading to slow speed of classification. Moreover, as conventional image classification approaches have fallen short in terms of attaining high accuracy, an optimal model is needed. To resolve this, quantum computing has been developed. Due to their parallel computing ability, quantum-based algorithms could accomplish the classification of vast amounts of image data. This has theoretically confirmed the feasibility and advantages of incorporating a quantum computing-based system with traditional image classification methodologies. Considering this, the present study quantizes the layers of the proposed parallel encoded Inception module to improvise the network performance. This study exposes the flexibility of DL (deep learning)-based quantum state computational methodologies for missing computations by creating a pipeline for denoising, state estimation, and imputation. Furthermore, controlled parameterized rotations are regarded for entanglement, a vital component in quantum perceptron structure. The proposed approach not only possesses the unique features of quantum mechanics, but it also maintains the weight sharing of the kernel. Finally, the MNIST (Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology) and Fashion MNIST image classification outcomes are attained by measuring the quantum state. Overall performance is assessed to prove its effectiveness in image classification. Full article

The need for safe pedestrian movement implies subtracting and modifying space dedicated to vehicles, especially in urban areas. Traffic control measures aim to reduce or modify the width of the carriageway and force the correct use of the space by pedestrians through two approaches: the former is hard and includes physical barriers and the latter is soft and induces psychological fashion effects on the drivers. This paper presents vertical and horizontal devices integrated by landscaping, planting, or other similar works to slow motor vehicle speed, narrow traffic lanes, and/or create smaller distances for pedestrian crossings. Mobility and boundary issues are considered to discuss their warrants and potential impacts. Indeed, the effects of speed or volume treatments should be investigated through a comprehensive multicriteria analysis without overlooking pedestrian level of service, access and connectivity to residents and emergency vehicles, drainage and snow issues, loss of on-street parking lots, and environmental goals in terms of noise and emissions to air reduction. Full article