Hydrogen technologies and policies for sustainable future: a review

Hydrogen has recently attracted considerable attention as a promising alternative for addressing energy and environmental issues. Hydrogen is a flexible and clean energy carrier that can be used in various industries, including transportation, manufacturing, and power generation, without emitting harmful emissions. This study provides a detailed review of hydrogen technologies and policies in the context of a hydrogen economy. Hydrogen production is examined with its cost analysis and current technological challenges, in addition to the key aspects of hydrogen storage, transportation and applications. This review also provides a critical discussion of global policies and roadmaps that have been proposed or implemented to achieve a hydrogen-based future economy. These policies include funding for R&D, financial incentives, tax credits, and frameworks. Finally, two key areas that can be exploited to expedite global hydrogen adoption are proposed. First, technological challenges can be addressed by employing an integrated system approach to produce hydrogen for various applications, along with vigorous investment in research on material development in handling/storing hydrogen. Second, policies to accelerate hydrogen adoption should focus on public–private partnerships, media awareness campaigns, and the introduction of green credit scores

Android Malware Classification and Optimisation Based on BM25 Score of Android API

With the growth of Android devices, there is a rise in malware applications affecting these networked devices. Android malware classification is an important task in ensuring the security and privacy of Android devices. One promising approach to this problem is to capture the difference in the usage of API in benign and malware applications through the BM25 (Best Matching 25) scoring function by calculating the BM25 score of each API (Application Program Interface). A linear regression model is fitted using the BM25 score to select the 1000 most important APIs using the feature importance weight of the linear regression model. The selected API's BM25 score and the Permission and Intents of an application are used to train Naive Bayes, Random Forest, Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine, and CNN (Convolutional Neural Network) for classification. To illustrate the effectiveness of using the BM25 score of APIs for malware classification, we train the optimised Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) based Machine learning and Deep Learning algorithms using Permission and Intents features with and without the BM25 score. Experiments show that the BM25 score improves the result. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of using the BM25 score of API calls, in combination with Permissions and Intents, as a valuable tool for Android malware classification.</p

Effectiveness of interventions for psychological distress following traumatic injury:A systematic review

BackgroundTraumatic injury poses significant physical and psychological challenges, often resulting in psychological distress, encompassing symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress. Despite the recognised need for psychological care in trauma rehabilitation, there is limited empirical evidence of effective interventions tailored specifically for individuals with traumatic injuries, leading to a practice-evidence gap.ObjectivesThis review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of psychological and behavioural interventions for reducing psychological distress in adults following traumatic injury.MethodsThis systematic review followed a published protocol (CRD4202342946) and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist and the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) in systematic reviews reporting items. Peer-reviewed studies were identified through searches of MEDLINE, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL and Embase databases. Eligible studies involved adults aged 18 and older who had experienced physical trauma requiring immediate medical attention. Studies involving participants with neurological injuries and/or military personnel were not included. Both English- and non-English-language articles were considered. Effect direction was employed as the method of synthesis and risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC 9) nine-item assessment tool.ResultsA total of six studies met the review eligibility criteria. There was considerable heterogeneity across the interventions in terms of their nature, timing and duration, however all interventions were delivered within 3-months post-injury. Most studies reported positive intervention effects, with no adverse effects reported. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) was the most reported intervention across the studies.ConclusionsThe review findings highlight the preliminary evidence supporting CBT as a viable option for reducing psychological distress following traumatic injury. However, this may be explained by the dominance of CBT in the literature due to its structured nature, availability and suitability for research, potentially limiting the visibility of alternative therapeutic approaches. Further, these findings are constrained by study limitations, including small sample sizes, heterogeneity of injury types and severity, reliance on self-reported outcomes, and limited follow-up data. Future research should aim to include longitudinal follow-up assessments and explore alternative therapeutic approaches to contribute to our understanding of meaningful trauma rehabilitation methods

Developing and implementing whole systems approaches to reduce inequalities in childhood obesity:A mixed methods study in Dundee, Scotland

Background: UK local authorities are developing and implementing Whole Systems Approaches to childhood obesity to tackle persistent and complex health inequalities. However, there is a lack of research on the practical application of these approaches. This paper reports on findings of a study into the initial implementation of this approach in Dundee, Scotland. Study design/methods: We applied a mixed methods research design: 1) semi-structured interviews (n = 9) with partnership members; 2) training members as peer researchers to interview their wider networks; n = 17); 3) an online survey among wider stakeholders (n = 27); and 4) two action learning sets with decision makers. Interview data was analysed using thematic framework analysis and survey data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: Dundee stakeholders stated that they had good knowledge of childhood obesity prevention efforts, but their engagement with working groups around identified priority themes was still limited, due to a lack of awareness about existing structures and knowledge about sustainable, impactful strategies, which were not always well-aligned between key organisations. Conclusions: Our findings extend current literature on facilitators for Whole Systems Approaches in public health by highlighting that understanding of strategies and wider structures are crucial to build capacity and maintain engagement to address inequalities. We identified an ongoing need for targeted communication and diverse involvement opportunities for different stakeholder groups.</p

Prevalence of Being Obese, Overweight, and Underweight Among Jordanian Children and Adolescents Based on International Growth Standards

Objectives: The rise of obesity and other nutrition-related conditions among children and adolescents is a global challenge, particularly in the Middle East. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of being underweight, overweight, and obese among Jordanian children and adolescents using the body mass index (BMI) percentiles of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) standards. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional/longitudinal study analyzed 58,474 (42.6% males; 57.4% females) height, weight, and BMI-for-age records from 31508 healthy Jordanian children and adolescents aged 2–19 years. The data were retrieved from the Ministry of Health’s nationwide electronic database (2017–2023) and assessed using the CDC and WHO growth standards. Logistic regression was performed to assess the variables associated with overweight/obese status. Results: The prevalence of being underweight, overweight, and obese varied by the reference used, as more cases of being obese and underweight were reported when applying the CDC standards. The regression models showed the males had significantly lower odds of being overweight and obese than the females. Increased age was associated with higher odds of being overweight and obese, with annual increases observed across all age groups. Conclusions: Using the WHO and CDC standards, the prevalence of being underweight was higher in the males aged 6 years and older, while being overweight and obese was more prevalent in the females. The observed annual increase in the prevalence of being overweight and obese underscores the need for targeted strategies. Growth references tailored to regional profiles may improve national nutrition policies for Jordanian children and adolescents

Elucidating the impact of laser shock peening on the biocompatibility and corrosion behaviour of wire arc additive manufactured SS316L bone staples

This study investigates the impact of Laser Shock Peening (LSP) on the biocompatibility and corrosion resistance of SS316L bone staples built using Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM). Corrosion tests reveal substantial improvements, with a decrease in corrosion current density from 32.137 × 10− 4 mA/cm² to 3.50864 × 10− 4 mA/cm², a reduction in corrosion rate from 3.66754 × 10− 2 mm/year to 0.400415 × 10− 2 mm/year. Surface hydrophobicity evaluated through contact angle measurements, demonstrates an increase to 98.85° at the highest LSP intensity of 15.0 GW/cm², indicating improved surface properties critical for biomedical applications. The cytotoxicity analysis and surface morphology indicate that the survival, morphology, and adherence of L929 fibroblast cells improve with increasing LSP intensity

The Power of the Micro-Connection

In the hectic world of universities, we sometimes overlook or take for granted the human need for connection and the value of connections in shaping and moulding our experiences, relationships, and our wellbeing. Interactions with those around us can have a lasting impact, it can make your day, open lines of communication and create lasting bonds. For staff,onnections can enhance our communities of practice which has been shown to be a powerful tool for professional development (MacPhail, 2014), reveal surprising links across institutions and encourage us to work in different ways. For students connections can create a sense of belonging, noted as critical to student retention (O'Keeffe, 2013), support wellbeing and make the learning experience more valuable and memorable.One of the most powerful but rarely discussed ways that we connect with our students is through the everyday micro-connections we have with them. Micro-connections are small interactions that result in the receiver having a feeling of wellbeing or being considered. Take a moment and think about the times that someone paused to compliment you, or to strike up a conversation in a queue or in passing or offered of small helping hand? These little interactions can improve our wellbeing and affect our mood positively – they can put a smile on face. In practice micro-connections have the potential to be low resource and high impact relational links that can have a lasting impact on students and on staff. It is already known how important relational links are to feelings of connection and mattering within Higher Education (Gravett, 2022)Imagine the following scenario:Two international students from warmer countries bump into their lecturer who asks them how they are and how they are getting on. They reply that they are looking forward to the snow and does the lecturer know when it will arrive – what follows is a common place, very British, conversation about the weather. The next day the lecturer notices that unusually snow is forecast for the following week, she emails the two students to let them know, receiving excited emails back almost immediately. This is a micro-connection which leaves the students feeling considered and supported. This context has no relation to their academic studies, their immediate wellbeing, or their future career pursuits but it has established a rapport and connection. When one of these students later needs support, they seek it early using this established route and the friendly face behind it. It also allows the staff member an insight their students, this potentially makes it easier to spot any difficulties at a later date.In a landscape where personal tutoring and academic advising are crucial to the progress and experiences of our students but the allocated time for these activities is often limited, micro-connections can become an integral part of our student care. Ensuring our students feel valued, seen and considered not only results in a feeling of wellbeing but it establishes connections which may become vital when real issues arise. Kahu and Picton (2019) demonstrate that students note that the characteristics of a good personal tutor are helpful, caring, likeable, and hands-on; all characterises that can be captured in the micro-connection. These connections can provide a student with a route through which they can actively face challenges rather than hiding from or avoiding them and possibly fading away from their academic study.We should perhaps recognise though that creating these micro-connections is a skill. For some people initiating these interactions can come naturally, others may be less confident or less naturally pre-disposed to engaging and some may find these interactions hugely challenging. This variation needs to be accommodated and understood. Likewise, our personal circumstances, our familiarity with our context or our mood may impact how effectively we interact with others at any given time. That said by taking some time to consciously observe and enhance our own interactions and by helping our students and colleagues to develop these skills we can actively impact the educational landscape that we work and learn in for the better.So, what approaches can we use to help achieve this?Strategy 1We can actively set the target for ourselves and our students of engaging in three micro-interactions a day. These should be small, they don’t need to be planned and we shouldn’t judge ourselves. Make a little time to discuss the impact of these interactions and how they make you feel.Strategy 2Model connections for your students. Our students will emulate our behaviour and mirror our engagement with them. Maintaining appropriate boundaries is important but taking an interest and learning a little about their experiences are good foundations to build.Strategy 3Taking a leading role can help. Encourage more established students to take a role in initiating conversations with newer students. Give them responsibility to help make those around them feel comfortable particularly in new situations, e.g. student events, inductions, key transitional points.Strategy 4Actively teach the art of peer feedback – encourage positivity and a focus on appreciating work.Strategy 5Meet and greet students at the door of the classroom and when you see them in the corridor acknowledge them and pause to chat

Reimagining Higher Education Learning Spaces:Assembling Theory, Methods, and Practice

The Higher Education (HE) sector faces an increasingly challenging environment with key themes identified as: the economic and social fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic,shifting politics, changing expectations around education, and technological advances(Marshall et al., 2024). There are particular concerns about aspects including: a mismatch between tuition fee caps and inflation, reduced government grants (Atherton et al., 2024),decreasing numbers of international students (Bolton et al., 2024), concerns over pensions, pay, and working conditions (University and College Union, 2022), new thresholds for student outcomes (Office for Students, 2022), and gaps around research funding(Butland, 2022)

Molecular Insights into α-Synuclein Fibrillation:A Raman Spectroscopy and Machine Learning Approach

The aggregation of α-synuclein is crucial to the development of Lewy body diseases, including Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. The aggregation pathway of α-synuclein typically involves a defined sequence of nucleation, elongation, and secondary nucleation, exhibiting prion-like spreading. This study employed Raman spectroscopy and machine learning analysis, alongside complementary techniques, to characterize the biomolecular changes during the fibrillation of purified recombinant wild-type α-synuclein protein. Monomeric α-synuclein was produced, purified, and subjected to a 7-day fibrillation assay to generate preformed fibrils. Stages of α-synuclein fibrillation were analyzed using Raman spectroscopy, with aggregation confirmed through negative staining transmission electron microscopy, mass spectrometry, and light scattering analyses. A machine learning pipeline incorporating principal component analysis and uniform manifold approximation and projection was used to analyze the Raman spectral data and identify significant peaks, resulting in differentiation between sample groups. Notable spectral shifts in α-synuclein were found in various stages of aggregation. Early changes (D1) included increases in α-helical structures (1303, 1330 cm-1) and β-sheet formation (1045 cm-1), with reductions in COO- and CH2 bond regions (1406, 1445 cm-1). By D4, these structural shifts persist with additional β-sheet features. At D7, a decrease in β-sheet H-bonding (1625 cm-1) and tyrosine ring breathing (830 cm-1) indicates further structural stabilization, suggesting a shift from initial helical structures to stabilized β-sheets and aggregated fibrils. Additionally, alterations in peaks related to tyrosine, alanine, proline, and glutamic acid were identified, emphasizing the role of these amino acids in intramolecular interactions during the transition from α-helical to β-sheet conformational states in α-synuclein fibrillation. This approach offers insight into α-synuclein aggregation, enhancing the understanding of its role in Lewy body disease pathophysiology and potential diagnostic relevance.</p

From fear to empowerment: the impact of employees AI awareness on workplace well-being – a new insight from the JD–R model

PurposeThe primary purpose of the study was to explore the impact of health workers’ awareness of artificial intelligence (AI) on their workplace well-being, addressing a critical gap in the literature. By examining this relationship through the lens of the Job demands-resources (JD–R) model, the study aimed to provide insights into how health workers’ perceptions of AI integration in their jobs and careers could influence their informal learning behaviour and, consequently, their overall well-being in the workplace. The study’s findings could inform strategies for supporting healthcare workers during technological transformations.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed a quantitative research design using a survey methodology to collect data from 420 health workers across 10 hospitals in Ghana that have adopted AI technologies. The study was analysed using OLS and structural equation modelling.FindingsThe study findings revealed that health workers’ AI awareness positively impacts their informal learning behaviour at the workplace. Again, informal learning behaviour positively impacts health workers’ workplace well-being. Moreover, informal learning behaviour mediates the relationship between health workers’ AI awareness and workplace wellbeing. Furthermore, employee learning orientation was found to strengthen the effect of AI awareness on informal learning behaviour.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the study provides valuable insights, it is important to acknowledge its limitations. The study was conducted in a specific context (Ghanaian hospitals adopting AI), which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other healthcare settings or industries. Self-reported data from the questionnaires may be subject to response biases, and the study did not account for potential confounding factors that could influence the relationships between the variables.Practical implicationsThe study offers practical implications for healthcare organizations navigating the digital transformation era. By understanding the positive impact of health workers’ AI awareness on their informal learning behaviour and well-being, organizations can prioritize initiatives that foster a learning-oriented culture and provide opportunities for informal learning. This could include implementing mentorship programs, encouraging knowledge-sharing among employees and offering training and development resources to help workers adapt to AI-driven changes. Additionally, the findings highlight the importance of promoting employee learning orientation, which can enhance the effectiveness of such initiatives.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the existing literature by addressing a relatively unexplored area – the impact of AI awareness on healthcare workers’ well-being. While previous research has focused on the potential job displacement effects of AI, this study takes a unique perspective by examining how health workers’ perceptions of AI integration can shape their informal learning behaviour and, subsequently, their workplace well-being. By drawing on the JD–R model and incorporating employee learning orientation as a moderator, the study offers a novel theoretical framework for understanding the implications of AI adoption in healthcare organizations