Future avenues for development in forecasting wine tourism

Purpose: the purpose of this paper is to analyse the developments in forecasting wine tourism. Design/methodology/approach: the study applies a systematic review of the literature between 2020 and 2024.Findings: the findings confirm unbalanced development where most publications are related to either forecasting tourism or wine tourism, separately. However, there are multiple possibilities for combining both areas to have active research in forecasting wine tourism.Research limitations/implications: limitations are related with the potential selection of articles in the systematic review. The field of wine tourism needs to link well-established descriptive analysis of wine tourists with predictive analysis through forecasting approaches, such as AI and simulation.Practical implications: the paper provides a framework to support further research in forecasting wine tourism, which can be critical information for wineries’ managers when they plan capacity and determine business investments related to wine tourism. Forecasting is a vibrant field with also many interesting insights in methodologies and data for academic researchers.Originality/value: the paper contributes to the body of knowledge of wine tourism in an area where there is limited research

The role of extraversion in AI-mediated communication: user personality and AI trait preferences in Chinese dyads

As AI chat assistants become integral to textual communication, understanding user preferences for conversational style is crucial. This user study of 28 people participating in AI-assisted icebreaking conversations in Chinese, explores the effects of AI extraversion levels (Extraverted, Average, Introverted) and linguistic styles (Humorous, Respectful) on user experience. The results reveal a general preference for Extraverted AI—especially among introverted users—and for natural style-personality pairings (Extraverted-Humorous, Introverted-Respectful). These findings highlight the importance of aligning AI personality and language style with user expectations to enhance interaction quality

Measuring reflective inquiry in professional learning networks: a conceptual framework

This study introduces a conceptual framework for measuring reflective inquiry within professional learning networks (PLNs). Reflective inquiry, characterized by collaborative, evidence-based, and dialogic practices, is crucial for fostering professional growth and improving student outcomes. However, current methods for evaluating reflective inquiry often rely on subjective self-reports or labour-intensive discourse analysis, limiting their scalability and objectivity. To address these challenges, this paper explores the potential of AI to identify and assess reflective inquiry in PLN dialogues. The proposed framework evaluates three dimensions: collective dialogue, use of multiple data sources, and depth of reflection. Each dimension is conceptualized along a continuum, allowing for nuanced measurement of interactions ranging from surface-level engagement to critical, evidence-based dialogue. The framework was validated through analysis of 78 hours of PLN sessions, encompassing 2,195 contributions across diverse educational contexts. Results reveal a predominance of surface-level interactions (C1: 64.42%), reliance on informal data (D1: 92.67%), and descriptive reflection (R1: 79.95%). True reflective inquiry, combining high levels of all dimensions (C3, D3, R3), was rare (0.18%), highlighting the need for targeted facilitation. The findings underscore the importance of skilled facilitators in promoting deeper engagement and reflective practices. This framework offers a scalable, objective tool for assessing and enhancing reflective inquiry in PLNs, with implications for professional development and educational improvement. Future research should explore the link between reflective inquiry and changes in teaching practice, as well as strategies to foster deeper reflection among educator

Macrofaunal contributions to benthic nutrient fluxes revealed by radium disequilibrium

The benthic flux of nutrients underpins marine food webs, influences conditions for life in the oceans, and contributes to climatic feedback. Estimates of these fluxes’ contributions to macro- and micronutrient cycles are, however, highly variable, generating significant uncertainty in biogeochemical models. Traditional benthic flux methodologies have potentially significant limitations, and in geochemically framed studies there is a notable omission of contributions from macrofaunal activity. 224Ra/228Th disequilibrium is a cutting-edge geochemical technique for quantifying benthic flux, however its capacity to incorporate the influence of benthic fauna has not been assessed. Here we present first results using 224Ra/228Th disequilibrium to examine the influence of four macrobenthic infaunal invertebrate species on the flux of macronutrients (NH4+, NO3-, NO2-, PO43-) between the sediment and water column. Overall, estimates from 224Ra/228Th disequilibrium were up to 15 times greater than those derived from commonly used methods, and both 224Ra and nutrient fluxes differed in the presence of different macrofauna. Greatest efflux (NH4+, PO43-) and influx (NO2-, NO3-) occurred in the presence of the burrowing actinarian Edwardsia claparedii, and 224Ra flux patterns suggested different mechanisms of influence between species. Notable variability in flux enhancement was also present between individuals of the same species, highlighting the complex relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. We conclude that 224Ra/228Th disequilibrium is a powerful tool for interdisciplinary biogeochemical and ecological studies, and if applied widely enough may more holistically represent benthic flux dynamics in the natural environment than standard approaches

Love in reshaping human-pig relationships: from livestock to companion

In an increasingly urbanized world where pigs are predominantly never seen alive, whose dead bodies are understood as pork, the practice of pig keeping for companionship rather than food production offers a novel way to rethink human-pig relationships. Drawing from interviews with current and former pet pig keepers, one pet pig breeder and animal rescue workers in the UK, as well as ethnography at a pig sanctuary and the home of a pet pig keeper, this paper examines the ethical potential and political challenges of love in human-pet pig relationships. It describes how pigs are transcending the boundaries of their identity as farmed animals and occupying new spaces as loved pets, in turn, shifting their political and ethical status. Whilst love is a transformative affective force that disrupts societal understandings that dictate which animals are deserving of love and companionship and disrupts the subject-object and edible-inedible dualisms that frequently dictate societal understandings of pigs, these relationships also carry ethical tensions surrounding the commodification of pet pigs and the challenges of navigating care within a societal framework that primarily places pigs as livestock.</p

Critical review and recommendations for strengthening health and safety and major accident prevention regulations for carbon capture and storage in UK ports

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is an essential component of the UK Government’s net-zero strategy. Policies emphasize the need for flexible and accessible CO₂ transport and storage networks, with shipping emerging as a key non-pipeline transport modality to connect industrial clusters to offshore storage. In this article, we assess whether current health and safety and major accident prevention regulations adequately govern the risks posed by expanding CO₂ handling and storage in UK ports to support CCS deployment.Our analysis identifies three regulatory gaps. First, while the Port Marine Safety Code addresses regulatory complexity in UK ports through establishing uniform national standards for marine safety, it cannot regulate the emerging risks of anticipated large-scale CO₂ shipping activities without clear performance standards in specific legislation. Second, duly appointed harbor masters must be well-informed to effectively exercise the powers granted under the Dangerous Goods in Harbour Areas Regulations (DGHAR) to reduce serious accident risks associated with increased CO₂ shipping. Third, the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH) currently exclude temporary CO₂ storage and do not include CO₂ within their scope, limiting their effectiveness for major accident prevention in port storage scenarios.To address these gaps, we recommend issuing tailored guidance under DGHAR to clarify risk management responsibilities for CO₂ shipping and amending COMAH to include CO₂ storage and recognize CO₂ as a dangerous substance. These reforms are essential to protect port communities, ensure robust risk management, and support the safe, sustainable expansion of CO₂ shipping as a critical enabler of CCS

Interoceptive ageing and the impact on psychophysiological processes: A systematic review

Interoception, the perception and response to internal bodily states, significantly influences physical and mental wellbeing. While ageing is associated with interoceptive decline, research has primarily examined selective dimensions of interoception. Understanding these changes is vital as the global population ages, addressing age-related health issues and sustaining psychological wellbeing. This systematic review synthesised findings from 22 studies on age-related interoceptive changes and their impact on psychophysiological processes. Results showed age-related declines (48.4 %), no age differences (32.3 %), an age-related increase (16.13 %), and an inverted U-shaped curvilinear relationship (3.23 %) in interoceptive sensitivity across age groups and interoceptive dimensions. Three patterns emerged regarding psychophysiological processes in older adults: altered mind-body connections with age were associated with reduced high-arousal and increased positive emotional experiences, cognitive protective effects, and improved body representation that correlated with better interoceptive sensitivity. These patterns indicate the complex relationships between interoceptive ageing and psychophysiological processes, showing both, aspects of decline and compensatory mechanisms. We propose future research avenues to elucidate the functional significance of different interoceptive dimensions across the lifespan for optimised psychological wellbeing and health behaviours in older adults

Priority topics for preconception care in general practice in the UK: a consensus study

Background: primary care practitioners are well-positioned to support patients of reproductive age in preparing for pregnancy. Preconception care is ideally integrated when opportunities arise during routine consultations. However, practical and realistic guidance is needed to overcome implementation barriers, such as limited consultation time. Aim: to achieve consensus among primary care practitioners and patients on topics that might be prioritised as part of opportunistic preconception care in general practice. Methods: a three-step consensus process was undertaken: (1) identifying initial candidate topics through literature and guideline reviews, workshops with patients, and interviews with primary care practitioners; (2) prioritising topics using a three-round Delphi survey; and (3) reaching agreement on final priority topics through an online workshop. Participants were UK-based patients and primary care practitioners recruited via a Public Advisory Group, charities, and professional organisations. Findings: the reviews and workshops/interviews with patients (n = 15) and practitioners (n = 14) identified 37 preconception care topics which were included in the Delphi survey. Eighty-five participants completed the first Delphi round, with 63 completing all three rounds. Based on the Delphi rounds, 11 topics were included and no topic met predefined criteria for exclusion. All topics were discussed at the final workshop (n = 21 participants) and six additional topics achieved consensus to be included. Workshop participants agreed that the 17 priority topics should be combined into four topic areas: (1) knowledge of preconception health and pregnancy, (2) ideas, concerns and expectations (e.g. pregnancy intention, timing, prior pregnancy experiences), (3) health conditions (e.g. medication use, mental and physical health, immunisation), and (4) health behaviours (e.g. folic acid supplement use, smoking, alcohol consumption). Implications: the agreed priority topic areas offer a structured foundation for opportunistic patient-centred preconception care in primary care. The findings support the need for further co-development of practical tools and support to enable implementation in routine practice

Machine learning-enhanced uncertainty quantification for renewable-powered hybrid green ammonia and refrigeration systems: technoeconomic and environmental effects

Renewable-powered ammonia production is a promising route for sustainable energy and hydrogen storage but is highly sensitive to operational uncertainty from variable power supply and component performance. This study presents a novel machine learning–enhanced uncertainty quantification (ML-UQ) framework that, for the first time, integrates a high-fidelity surrogate model—an artificial neural network with autoregressive feedback—into Aspen Plus simulations of a hybrid ammonia production system coupled with a vapour absorption refrigeration unit for heat recovery. The framework captures nonlinear interactions among six critical uncertain parameters, including renewable power variability, heat exchanger effectiveness, and compressor efficiency. It reduces the computational cost by three orders of magnitude while maintaining high predictive accuracy (R2 = 0.97, MAE = 8.57, RMSE = 11.3). The ANN surrogate enables scalable uncertainty propagation via polynomial chaos expansion. Results show that, across nominal power levels of 10–20 MW, uncertainties can cause up to 18 % variation in ammonia output, 30 % in refrigeration, and 40–50 % in CO2 emissions reduction. Heat exchanger effectiveness alone accounts for nearly 50 % of total variability. Economic analysis indicates a 5 % increase in the levelized cost of ammonia and 30–40 % variation in annual refrigeration revenue. This work delivers the first computationally feasible, ML-assisted surrogate-based UQ framework for hybrid green ammonia systems. More broadly, it offers a practical and readily scalable tool for designing resilient, economically viable, and low-carbon energy and chemical manufacturing systems