Performing hardness classification using diffusive memristor based artificial neurons

Artificial neurons and synapses are the building blocks for constructing a neuromorphic system such as Spiking Neural Network (SNN) or Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Recently, there has been tremendous interest in using memristors to develop neuromorphic technologies that can be used in advanced SNNs and ANNs. Memristors, because of their simple device structure, easy and high-density fabrication, and integration with other semiconductor electronics are suitable candidates for the construction of neuromorphic concepts. However, not much has been discussed about using memristors for the development of sensors that can be utilized for object- classification especially their rigidity, shape and structure. In this article, we propose the application of memristors, specifically silver nanoparticle based diffusive memristor, in conjunction with a piezoelectric sensor within a robotics gripper, serving as one receptor (a tactile sensor) that triggers neuron circuitry with memristors to generate spikes. Furthermore, to perform hardness classification, we utilized various objects to collect data and generated multiple spikes corresponding to each object. This data was then utilized with a machine learning algorithm. The outcomes were compared with the accuracy of commercial FSR tactile sensors. Our approach demonstrated the capability of diffusive memristors in generating neuron spikes from tactile stimuli for hardness classification, achieving accuracy ranging from 82% to 100% during the validation of 20% test data across various algorithms, while the FSR sensors achieved an accuracy range of 95% to 98%.</p

The Meaning of Home Podcast - Episode Four: Belonging

The Meaning of Home Podcast: Episode FourDate of recording: Tuesday 23 August 2022Episode theme: BelongingTopics: sense of belonging; identity; multicultural home; making-home; homeland; place; symbolic home.Guest(s) Hannah Kumari, a performer, writer, director and producer; and Shaniece Martin, a poet and PhD student at Coventry University.</p

The Meaning of Home Podcast - Episode Three: Visibility

The Meaning of Home Podcast: Episode ThreeDate of recording: Wednesday 10 August 2022Episode theme: VisibilityTopics: assumptions about homelessness; hiddenness of women’s experiences; gender-informed services.Guest(s)Lucy Campbell, Head of Multiple Disadvantage - Service Transformation at Single Homeless Project; and Kate John, Women’s Recovery Co-ordinator at St Mungo’s</p

Power, precarity and diversity in the field of publicly funded arts and culture: an analysis of arts council England national portfolio organisations

Issues around diversity in the arts have been widely examined, revealing significant inequalities in public funding and the concentration of resources. However, studies on cultural production logics and their impact on programming diversity are limited. This paper uses Bourdieusian field analysis to provide an organisational overview of cultural production, examining how the dis?tribution of key economic, material, and symbolic resources within cultural organisations shapes the diversity of their programming. Using survey data from publicly funded Arts Council Eng?land’s (ACE) National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs), we construct a field of NPO cultural pro?duction. Through multiple correspondence analysis, we investigate two key questions: (1) How are NPOs distributed in terms of resources, disciplines, and their organisational structure within the field of NPO production? (2) How strong is the association, or homology, between positions in the field of NPO cultural production and the programming of activities for diverse audiences? The resulting field is primarily shaped by economic resilience and precarity, as well as by disciplinary and organisational differences. Our analysis reveals that larger, more economically resilient organisations show a lower commitment to diversity, while these efforts are concentrated among smaller and less resilient organisations. Despite strategic calls for diversity from funding bodies, the diversity of cultural offerings is predominantly structured around economic principles. Except for programming oriented to LGBTQ+, small organisations appear to bear a heavier burden than legacy institutions in catering to groups traditionally excluded and underrepresented in the arts.</p

Effects of perceived scarcity on mental health, time and risk preferences, and decision-making during and after COVID-19 lockdown: Quasi-natural experimental study

Background: The COVID-19 lockdowns led to significant resource constraints, potentially impacting mental health and decision-making behaviors. Understanding the psychological and behavioral consequences could inform designing interventions to mitigate the negative impacts of episodic scarcity during crises like pandemics. Objective: To investigate the effects of perceived scarcity on mental health (stress and fear), cognitive functioning, time and risk preferences (present bias and risk aversion), and trade-offs between groceries, health, and temptation goods during and after the COVID-19 lockdown in Shanghai. Methods: A quasi-natural experiment was conducted in Shanghai during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. Web-based surveys were administered in May 2022 (during lockdown) and September 2022 (post-lockdown). Propensity score matching was used to balance demographic factors between the groups (During: n=332; After: n=339). Data were analyzed using regression analyses, controlling for potential confounders and applying propensity score matching weights. Results: Perceived scarcity was significantly higher during the lockdown (mean 7.97 (SD 2.1)) than after (mean 4.35 (SD 2.27); PConclusions: The study highlights that perceived scarcity during lockdown intensified stress and altered decision-making behaviors, including increased monetary risk aversion and shifts in spending priorities. Theoretically, this study advances the understanding of perceived scarcity by exploring its domain-specific effects on mental health and decision-making. Practically, these findings emphasize the need for public health strategies that mitigate the psychological impact of scarcity during crises, ensure access to essential goods, and support adaptive decision-making behaviors.</p

Supplementary information files for "Compulsive exercise and changes in physical activity among females: a longitudinal analysis during the first 12months of the COVID-19 pandemic"

Supplementary files for article "Compulsive exercise and changes in physical activity among females: a longitudinal analysis during the first 12months of the COVID-19 pandemic"This study had two aims; first to explore changes in compulsive exercise among adult females across the first year of theCOVID-19 pandemic, and second to explore how changes to physical activity early in the pandemic impacted compulsiveexercise. Participants were 174 adult females who completed online surveys four times (T1-T4) during the first 12months of the pandemic. Participants reported changes in physical activity (T1) and completed the Compulsive ExerciseTest (CET) at each timepoint (T1-T4). Mixed ANOVAs with time (T1-T4) and group (did vs did not report changes inphysical activity) as factors revealed that compulsive exercise significantly differed across timepoints for the whole sample. Furthermore, females who reported that their physical activity levels had changed early in the pandemic reported higher levels of CET Weight Control Exercise compared to those who reported no change. No significant interactions were found. Among this sample of adult females, attitudes towards exercise changed during the first year of thepandemic, which may reflect the impact of varying lockdown restrictions. Additionally changes to physical activity early inthe pandemic were linked with exercising to control body weight. This suggests that externally-influenced changes inphysical activity may be an influential factor in the development of compulsive exercise. This may have implications for understanding and managing risk in a range of transition situations that impact upon physical activity.© The Author(s), CC BY 4.0</p

Time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) model for performance optimization of offsite manufacturing methods housebuilding

Offsite manufacturing (OSM) for construction is increasingly recognised as a strategy to enhance productivity and performance of the industry through innovative methods, techniques, and best practices. However, many offsite manufacturers struggle to remaining competitive, partly due to the absence of an analytical tool for evaluating performance at the activity level. This study addresses this gap by developing a tailored Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC) model for assessing and comparing OSM production processes. A case study approach was adopted, involving mixed-method data collection through observations, document analysis, interviews, and focus groups. The data were systematized using Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) protocols, and tailored time equations were developed to estimate the cost and duration of two different OSM methods. The TDABC model developed in this study offers two key contributions: (i) it enables OSM manufacturers to identify and apply appropriate time drivers to assess the cost implications of different production designs, and (ii) it supports decision-making by highlighting areas for cost reduction and process improvement. The model improves competitiveness by offering granular insights into production performance, which enables inefficiencies to be designed out. Its adaptability also makes it applicable to various OSM scenarios, providing a practical framework for economic evaluation, process optimisation and strategic planning in offsite construction.</p

Sustainability and leadership: navigating the human factor in advancing sustainability within the construction industry

Sustainability presents one of the most pressing challenges for the construction sector, which remains a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. As the industry seeks pathways toward more sustainable practices, leadership is increasingly recognised as a critical driver of organisational change. However, the relationship between leadership styles and sustainability implementation remains underexplored, particularly in the context of the UK construction industry. This study investigates how different leadership practices influence the adoption and success of sustainability initiatives. A critical review of existing literature was conducted to identify key leadership styles and their attributes, followed by a quantitative survey of leading construction professionals in the UK. The findings reveal that leadership styles, particularly transformational and strategic types, play a pivotal role in shaping sustainability outcomes, with each style tending to prioritise different aspects of the sustainability agenda (economic, environmental, or social). This study makes a valuable contribution to both theory and practice by illuminating the nuanced influence of leadership on sustainability efforts in construction. It highlights the need for consistent, proactive leadership and offers practical insight into aligning leadership approaches with the demands of sustainable development.</p

Predicting physical inactivity risk in middle-aged and older adults: a machine learning approach using longitudinal data

Physical inactivity risk (PIR) in middle-aged and older adults arises from a complex mix of individual, interpersonal, household, and societal factors, yet integrated analyses remain limited. This study employs a two-step machine learning approach grounded in a social-ecological framework. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) reduces 64 candidate predictors across individual, interpersonal, and family domains to 38 key variables, minimizing bias from prior assumptions. Subsequently, a rolling Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) classifier identifies the top 20 factors most strongly associated with PIR, with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) used to interpret predictor contributions. Findings reveal PIR is influenced by various demographic, socioeconomic, health, behavioral factors across individual, interpersonal, and family levels; nonetheless, the decline in social interaction associated with reduced working hours stands out as a significant contributor. This study demonstrates that recent advances in ML can uncover complex, non-linear predictors of PIR that conventional variable selection methods may overlook. The integration of Lasso and rolling XGBoost provides a robust data-driven framework for identifying key risk factors, offering valuable insights for targeted interventions in aging and urbanizing populations</p

Sociocultural perceptions of physical activity and dietary habits for hypertension control: voices from adults in a rural sub-district of South Africa

Background: Over half of adults from rural South Africa are hypertensive. Apart from pharmaceutical treatment, lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity and reducing dietary salt have been strongly advocated for the control of hypertension. However, the control rates of hypertension for adults in rural South Africa are low. In this paper we explore whether this is due to the recommended lifestyle intervention not aligning with the individual’s socio-cultural determinants of behaviour change.Aim: To explore the social and cultural beliefs, perceptions and practices regarding physical activity and diet as a hypertension control intervention on hypertensive adults living in a rural sub-district in South Africa.Methods: Nine focus group discussions were conducted with hypertensive adults aged 40 years and above from Bushbuckridge sub-district in Mpumalanga Province of South Africa using a semi-structured interview guide. Each session began with introductions of the discussion theme followed by a short discussion on what the participants know about hypertension and the normal blood pressure readings. Physical activity and dietary habits were then introduced as the main subject of discussion. Probing questions were used to get more insight on a specific topic. A thematic analysis approach was used to generate codes, categories, and themes. A manual approach to data analysis was chosen and data obtained through transcripts were analysed inductively.Findings: Participants had a lack of knowledge about blood pressure normal values. Perceived causes of hypertension were alluded to psychosocial factors such as family and emotional-related issues. Physical activity practices were influenced by family and community members’ attitudes and gender roles. Factors which influenced dietary practices mainly involved affordability and availability of food. To control their hypertension, participants recommend eating certain foods, emotional control, taking medication, exercising, praying, correct food preparation, and performing house chores.Conclusion: Lifestyle interventions to control hypertension for adults in a rural South African setting using physical activity promotion and dietary control must consider the beliefs related to hypertension control of this population.</p