1,496 research outputs found
Assessing the Impact of Infrastructure Projects on Global Sustainable Development Goals
While sustainability of civil infrastructure is critical to professionals, project owners, regulators, funding agencies and the public, little is done to link individual project sustainability to the United Nationās 17 global sustainable development goals for 2030. This paper provides some answers but also exposes many questions that need resolution by the infrastructure sector. Using empirical evidence, the authors have identified a āgolden threadā between best-practice sustainability-reporting frameworks at project level with those at organisational level. In doing so, they find there is sufficient linkage to embed sustainable-development-goal impact targets into the design stage of an infrastructure project. This would provide a more robust investment appraisal at the project design phase, helping to define project success more widely across the triple bottom line of economic, social and environmental outcomes and associated impact
Development of a New Business Model to Measure Organizational and Project-Level SDG ImpactāCase Study of a Water Utility Company
Achievement of the United Nationsā 2030 Global Goals for Sustainability is of paramount importance. However, for engineers and project managers to take meaningful action, they need the practical tools, processes and leadership to turn grand rhetoric into viable engineering solutions. Linking infrastructure project sustainability performance to sustainable development goals (SDG) targets is problematic. This article builds on the previous development of an innovative infrastructure business model, called the āInfrastructure SDG Impact-Value Chainā (IVC) to link local-level project delivery with global-level SDG impacts. It uses a case study of a water utility company to demonstrate how the IVC business model can integrate the ātriple bottom lineā to ensure the balanced definition of success across economic, environmental and social thematic areas. The results led to a proposed methodology for business leaders to align stakeholders on a common definition of project success during the design phase. The study includes the selection of longer-term outcomes and strategic SDG impacts, which, it is suggested, are improved definitions of project success. Although the findings that are from a single case study cannot automatically be extended to the entire water industry, the studyās methodology has potential to be used to evaluate multiple projects across different sectors. The practical application is significant since it offers the flexibility to be used at both project and portfolio levels, thereby linking tactical delivery to organisational SDG impacts and leading to improved investment decisions with increased likelihood of success in achieving the SDG 2030 targets
Assessing the impact of infrastructure projects on global sustainable development goals
While the sustainability of civil infrastructure is critical to professionals, project owners, regulators, funding agencies and the public, little is done to link individual project sustainability to the UNās 17 global sustainable development goals for 2030. This paper not only provides some answers, but also exposes many questions that need resolution by the infrastructure sector. Using empirical evidence, the authors have identified a āgolden threadā between best-practice sustainability-reporting frameworks at the project level and those at the organisational level. In doing so, they have found that there is sufficient linkage to embed sustainable-development-goal impact targets into the design stage of an infrastructure project. This would provide a more robust investment appraisal at the project design phase, helping define project success more widely across the triple bottom line of economic, social and environmental outcomes and associated impact
The Cognitive Behavioural Processes Questionnaire: A Preliminary Analysis within Student, Mixed Clinical and Community Samples and the Identification of a Core Transdiagnostic Process
Theorists have highlighted the commonalities in cognitive and behavioural processes
across multiple disorders i.e. transdiagnostic approach. We report two studies that
tested the psychometric properties of a new scale to assess these processes. The
Cognitive and Behavioural Processes Questionnaire (CBP-Q) was developed as a 15-
item measure. In Study 1, the CBP-Q was administered to a student (n = 172) sample
with a range of standardised measures of the processes and symptom measures. Study 2
repeated the evaluation in a mixed clinical group (n = 161) and a community control
group (n = 57). An exploratory factor analysis resulted in a 12-item version of the CBPQ,
consisting of a single factor. The measure demonstrated good internal consistency,
test-retest stability and satisfactory convergent and divergent validity in both studies.
Correlations with symptom-based measures showed increased engagement in these
cognitive and behavioural processes to be associated with higher levels of
symptomatology. The scale was elevated in the clinical relative to the community group
and there were no differences in scores between broad diagnostic groupings (anxiety vs.
mood vs. other).
The CBP-Q has good psychometric properties. The findings are consistent with the
transdiagnostic approach and indicate that a single, as yet unspecified factor may
account for the shared variance across cognitive and behavioural maintenance
processes
The role of practice leadership in active support: impact of practice leadersā presence in supported accommodation services
Objectives: Research shows practice leadership to be a factor in the successful implementation of active support. The aim of the study was to explore differences in staff practice, associated with the presence of a practice leader in a shared supported accommodation service.
Methods: Quality of support and engagement for 189 service users with intellectual disability from 58 services were collected during a 2Ā h observation using the EMAC-R and ASM. The practice leader was present in 19 services (nĀ =Ā 59) and absent in 39 (nĀ =Ā 111). An Observed Measure of Practice Leadership was administered during a second visit to each service.
Results: When the practice leader was present, levels of engagement and active support were statistically higher (pĀ <Ā 0.01). Although measured at a different time, observed practice leadership was also higher in services where the practice leader was present during the first observation.
Conclusion: The level of observed practice leadership and presence of the practice leader appear to be associated with better quality of support. This finding provides further evidence of the importance of systems for supporting, monitoring, modelling, and improving staff practice for effective implementation of active support
Integrated diagnostic pathway for patients referred with suspected OSA: a model for collaboration across the primary-secondary care interface
BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) presents a major healthcare challenge with current UK data suggesting that only 22% of individuals have been diagnosed and treated. Promoting awareness and improving access to diagnostics are fundamental in addressing these missing cases and the recognised complications associated with untreated OSA. Diagnosis usually occurs in secondary care with data from our trust revealing long wait times to undertake tests, reach a diagnosis and start treatment. This places a considerable time and emotional burden on the patient and a financial and logistical burden on the hospital. METHODS: We introduced an integrated community-based pathway for the diagnosis of OSA. This comprised a monthly clinic run from within a local general practice (GP) supported by a 'virtual multidisciplinary team' run by the hospital specialist team. Prospective collection of process, outcome and patient satisfaction data was compared with traditional hospital-based pathway data collected retrospectively. SETTING: A central London teaching hospital and GPs within a local commissioning neighbourhood. RESULTS: Between January 2018 and February 2019, 70 were patients referred and managed along the community pathway. Compared with the hospital pathway, data demonstrated a significant reduction in the time taken: from referral to perform a sleep test (29 vs 181 days, p<0.0001), to make a diagnosis (40 vs 230 days, p<0.0001) and commence treatment (127 vs 267, p<0.0001). Patient satisfaction in the community pathway was higher across all domains (p<0.05), fewer hospital outpatient appointments were required and cost estimates suggested an overall saving of up to Ā£290 could be achieved for each patient. CONCLUSION: An integrated community-based pathway results in more timely diagnosis of OSA within a local setting while maintaining specialist input from the hospital team. It is favoured by patients and can reduce unnecessary appointments in secondary care
MyD88 adapter-like (Mal)/TIRAP interaction with TRAF6 is critical for TLR2- and TLR4-mediated NF-kappaB proinflammatory responses
Toll/interleukin-1 (TIR)receptor-containing adapters are critical in orchestrating the different signal transduction pathways following Toll-like receptor (TLR) activation. MyD88 adapter-like (Mal), also termed TIRAP, is involved in bridging MyD88 to the receptor complex for TLR-2 and TLR4 signaling in response to bacterial infection. We have previously reported an interaction between Mal and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) via a TRAF6-binding motif, the disruption of which inhibited TLR-mediated NF-kappaB-luciferase reporter activity. Given the recent report of intracellular TRAM localization promoting sequential signaling in TLR4 responses, we further characterized Mal interaction with TRAF6, the cellular localization, and the outcomes of disrupting this association on TLR inflammatory responses. We found that Mal and TRAF6 directly interact in response to TLR2 and TLR4 stimulation, although membrane localization is not necessary to facilitate interaction. Critically, reconstitution of murine Mal-deficient macrophages with MalE190A, containing a mutation within the TRAF6-binding motif, fails to reconstitute the proinflammatory response to TLR2 and TLR4 ligands compared with wild type Mal. Furthermore, Mal interaction with TRAF6 mediates Ser phosphorylation of the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB and thus controls transcriptional activation but not nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB. This study characterizes the novel role for Mal in facilitating the direct recruitment of TRAF6 to the plasma membrane, which is necessary for TLR2- and TLR4-induced transactivation of NF-kappaB and regulation of the subsequent pro-inflammatory response
Uranium(III) coordination chemistry and oxidation in a flexible small-cavity macrocycle
U(III) complexes of the conformationally flexible, small-cavity macrocycle trans-calix[2]benzene[2]pyrrolide (L)2ā, [U(L)X] (X = O-2,6-tBu2C6H3, N(SiMe3)2), have been synthesized from [U(L)BH4] and structurally characterized. These complexes show binding of the U(III) center in the bis(arene) pocket of the macrocycle, which flexes to accommodate the increase in the steric bulk of X, resulting in long UāX bonds to the ancillary ligands. Oxidation to the cationic U(IV) complex [U(L)X][B(C6F5)4] (X = BH4) results in ligand rearrangement to bind the smaller, harder cation in the bis(pyrrolide) pocket, in a conformation that has not been previously observed for (L)2ā, with X located between the two ligand arene rings
Generations in Families Talking Safe Sleep (GIFTSS)
Background: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and suffocation account for more than half of all Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID) and are leading causes of post-neonatal deaths. Risk reduction strategies, including supine sleep position and safe sleep environment, are critical for prevention. Teen mothers, especially those in rural, poor, southern states, are at higher risk due to low compliance with recommendations.
Methods: We will conduct a randomized trial to test a tailored educational intervention on the sleep-related safety behaviors of teen mothers. In one study arm, the intervention will include not only the teen mothers but also senior caregivers (SCGs) to assess the influence they have in the decision-making of young mothers regarding infant health and safety. Our hypotheses are H1) teen mothers exposed to intervention will be more likely than controls to adopt safe sleep practices, and H2) teen mothers will be more likely to use those practices when they and their mothers or other significant female senior caregivers also participate in safe sleep education.
Discussion: Better understanding of the mediating role of female SCGs in the health decision of young mothers for their children may have implications for interventions addressing important health problems
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Topological states and phase transitions in SbāTeā-GeTe multilayers
Topological insulators (TIs) are bulk insulators with exotic 'topologically protected' surface conducting modes. It has recently been pointed out that when stacked together, interactions between surface modes can induce diverse phases including the TI, Dirac semimetal, and Weyl semimetal. However, currently a full experimental understanding of the conditions under which topological modes interact is lacking. Here, working with multilayers of the TI SbāTeā and the band insulator GeTe, we provide experimental evidence of multiple topological modes in a single SbāTeā-GeTe-SbāTeā structure. Furthermore, we show that reducing the thickness of the GeTe layer induces a phase transition from a Dirac-like phase to a gapped phase. By comparing different multilayer structures we demonstrate that this transition occurs due to the hybridisation of states associated with different TI films. Our results demonstrate that the SbāTeā-GeTe system offers strong potential towards manipulating topological states as well as towards controlledly inducing various topological phases.T.-A.N., D.B., D.A.R. and V.N. acknowledge funding from the Leverhulme Trust, UK, T.-A.N., D.B., A.S., R.M., C.B., D.A.R. and V.N. acknowledge funding from EPSRC (UK). G.M., M.L. and D.G. acknowledge financial support from the DFG-funded priority programme SPP1666
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