An integrated system framework for preventing crime in retail supermarket

Retail supermarkets have been investing billions of poundsto prevent and reduce crime in their stores, but the rate of crime keep increasing. Retail shrinkage monitoring as far back as 1995 showed that the retail stores were losing the equivalent of 0.3 per cent of their gross revenues which have taken up to 20 to 30 percent of their profit. Also recently, the British Retail Crime Report (2023)showed a significant increase from the 2019 report in retail crime and subsequent loss to retailers. In 2021/2022, the retail staff incidents of violence stood at 850 per day, and the cost of retail crime was £1.76b. There were eight million incidents of theft over the year and a total of £715 million was spent on crime prevention. As crime keeps increasing, examining the three security solutions (Cyber, Physical and System) that are used in retail supermarkets becomes paramount. This article will look into if the lack of interconnectedness is the cause of continuous porosity in criminality in stores using Aldi and Sainsbury in the United Kingdom as a case study. A combination of mix method approach has been used in this study which allows a combination of quantitative data gathering through questionnaires and qualitative data through interviews. Accessing the current effectiveness of the three security solution (Cyber, System and Physical), it becomes important to identify the strategic gap between actual and potential performance so that steps can be taken to identify the shortfall in the Security solutions. The Ishikawa fishbone model is used as a theoretical tool to examine the cause and effect of retail crime. This will identify other causes that affect the effectiveness of security solutions. From the findings, a Hierarchical Taxonomy of Crime Prevention Framework in line with the Ishikawa fishbone theoretical tool was developed to help supermarkets reduce and prevent crimes. For many years supermarkets have been investing lots of money on security solutions but the rate of crimes keep increasing

Cohort profile: the Children's Health in London and Luton (CHILL) cohort

The Children’s Health in London and Luton (CHILL) cohort was established to investigate the impact of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) on children’s health. Key strengths of CHILL include: the parallel prospective cohort, natural experimental design in which children living in London (exposed to the ULEZ) and children living in Luton (not exposed to a ULEZ or other major air-pollution control measure) are followed over time and compared; its large size (compared with similar studies) and ethnic diversity; high-resolution air pollution exposure data; and objective physiological measurements of lung function

Demonstrating the values-based WeValue InSitu approach to capture hidden intangible benefits of ecosystem services in Nigeria

The valuation of the benefits to humans of ecosystem services (ESs) provided by nature has become increasingly important. A current challenge is the measurement of the range of benefits which are not traded in the marketplace and are generally considered intangible, with further challenges to even classify them formally, e.g., as cultural ecosystem services (CESs). Previous studies have emphasized a related challenge: the strong need for engagement of not just experts but ’ordinary people’. Approaches using participatory approaches and less formal communication pathways to draw out local CES values have been reported. However, critical reflections of those studies reported significant differences in understanding between ’outsider researchers’ and ’locals’, calling validity deeply into question. Even deliberative approaches backfired by significantly modifying local social constructs during elicitation. In this study, we demonstrate a fundamentally different kind of approach, developed from the bottom–up sustainability indicator development process called WeValue InSitu. It focuses not on improving deeper top–down ‘engagement’ of a specific topic, but instead on improving local articulation of existing envelopes of in situ human shared values, naturally integrated. The WeValue InSitu output is a framework of separate but interlinked concise Statements of local shared values. Some of these Statements may refer to values concerning ecosystems, but situated amongst others. Here, we analyze the outputs from 23 convenience groups in three sites in Nigeria and investigate the shared values found empirically against existing economics-based MEA classifications. The findings include hybrid values which span existing CES sub-categories and even across into market-based categories. This opens a discussion as to whether future ES valuation frameworks might evolve more usefully with foundations built on empirically derived typologies of human values, rather than bolt-on modifications to financially based economics concepts. It also raises questions about the validity of current valuations made which cannot capture empirically found human values

Advanced MMC-based hydrostatic bearings for enhanced linear motion in ultraprecision and micromachining applications

This study investigates the impact of material selection on the performance of linear slideways in ultraprecision machines used for freeform surface machining. The primary objective is to address challenges related to load-bearing capacity and limited bandwidth in slow tool servo (STS) techniques. Multi-body dynamic (MBD) simulations are conducted to evaluate the performance of two materials, alloy steel and metal matrix composite (MMC), within the linear slideway system. Key performance parameters, including acceleration, velocity, and displacement, are analyzed to compare the two materials. The findings reveal that MMC outperforms alloy steel in acceleration, velocity, and displacement, demonstrating faster response times and greater linear displacement, which enhances the capabilities of STS-based ultraprecision machining. This study highlights the potential of utilizing lightweight materials, such as MMC, to optimize the performance and efficiency of linear slideways in precision engineering applications

Theoretical mapping of the barriers and enablers to having blood pressure checked among adults without a hypertension diagnosis: a systematic review and theoretical synthesis using behaviour change frameworks

Identifying influences on engagement with blood pressure (BP) checks can assist with intervention design for hypertension detection. This systematic review searched four databases (Embase, Emcare, MEDLINE and Web of Science) for papers published from 2015 to 2023 (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023398002). Eligible studies reported influences on BP checks in community or primary care settings. Data were coded and mapped using the Action, Actor, Context, Target, Time framework and Behaviour Change Wheel. Analysis of 18 studies generated eight themes: (1) ‘Difficult-to-use devices with no accessible information on how to use them' (2) ‘Lack of awareness about hypertension and BP checks', (3) ‘Stigma and disconnect with identity' (4) ‘Beliefs about the value of BP checks', (5) ‘Fear and uncertainty', (6) ‘Lack of appropriate and comfortable local services' (7) ‘Financial cost of engaging with BP check services' and (8) ‘Social contacts or health professional recommended a check'. Knowledge, identity, emotions, social contacts and environmental factors are key behavioural influences on adults’ engagement with BP checks. Potential intervention strategies include education on hypertension, addressing misconceptions about BP checks, increasing access to BP check services and harnessing the influence of social norms, social connections and trusted sources to improve engagement.</p

A critical review of the 2025 RSHE guidance and alternative approach framed in safe uncertainty

This policy review critically examines the English government's 2025 statutory guidance on Relationships Education, Relationship and Sex Education and Health Education (RSHE), analysing its educational assumptions, strengths and limitations through the lens of safe uncertainty. While the updated guidance somewhat reinstates key inclusive elements and promotes social and emotional literacy, it continues to position RSHE as a risk domain requiring tight control and cautious delivery. This review highlights areas of concern including contradictions in the guidance's treatment of digital image sharing, the approach to gender and the conditional framing of children's rights and participation. Drawing on the concept of safe uncertainty, we advocate a more coherent rights-based framework, clearer policy direction and sustained investment in teacher support and infrastructure. We call for RSHE policy and practice to move beyond compliance and certainty, and instead build relational, reflective and dialogic spaces where students can engage meaningfully with the ethical and social dimensions of their lives. In doing so, RSHE can fulfil its broader educational promise in preventing harm and supporting the flourishing of students as relational and sexual citizens

Micronutrient deficiencies and determinants among pregnant women and children in Nigeria: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly among pregnant women and children under five years old, remain a significant public health challenge in Nigeria. Despite existing policies and programmes, national data on prevalence and risk factors are fragmented. Objective: To synthesise the current evidence on the prevalence of key micronutrient deficiencies and associated risk factors among pregnant women and children under five years old in Nigeria. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using peer-reviewed studies that were published between 2008 and 2024. The databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, and African Journals Online. After screening 1207 studies, 37 studies were included: 27 were conducted among pregnant women and 10 were among children. A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the anaemia prevalence using a random-effects model. A narrative synthesis was conducted to synthesise evidence on other micronutrients (i.e., magnesium, copper, and vitamins C and E) due to the limited data and risk factors. Results: The pooled prevalence of anaemia was 56% among children and 54% among pregnant women. The prevalence of other micronutrient deficiencies varied widely, with a high prevalence of zinc (86.4%), magnesium (94%), and vitamin D (73.3%) deficiencies in certain regions. The identified risk factors included poor dietary diversity, lower socioeconomic status, low maternal education, infection burden, and early or high parity. Most studies were facility-based and sub-national, limiting the generalisability. Conclusions: This review highlights a high prevalence of anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies among pregnant women and children in Nigeria. Key risk factors included a poor diet, low maternal education, infections, and reproductive health challenges. Targeted, multisectoral policies are urgently needed to address these gaps and improve health outcomes

Splitting frequency behavior of wireless power transfer for eddy current testing applications

This paper presents a novel approach for Non-destructive Testing and Evaluation (NDT&amp;E) of cracks in metallic structures using Eddy Current Testing (ECT) integrated with the resonance Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) concept. The proposed method enhances ECT for efficient power transfer between transmitter-receiver (Tx-Rx) coils and employs Gaussian Random Projection (GRP) for feature reduction, enabling real-time data processing. Experimental results on two aluminium material samples demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in localising and characterising slots, with an R2-value/RMSE of 99.86%/0.06 mm for width and 99.38%/0.25 mm for depth slot parameters. The findings highlight the potential of this method for improving NDT&amp;E of metallic structures