Business model innovation for green urban infrastructure

Ph. D. ThesisIncreasing population density, air pollution, and climate change put pressure on urban areas. Green infrastructure (GI) is increasingly recognised as a means to address these issues. However, piecemeal and asset-focused delivery, can limit the realisation of potential benefits. The vision for a comprehensive GI network which functions as a true interconnected infrastructure system, is one delivered at city-scale with an overarching strategic plan. Existing approaches are inadequate to deliver this, due to the lack of effective business models to join up stakeholders and value streams. Using a case study of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, this thesis shows that new and innovative business models (plans for how a GI system is delivered, who uses it and how it is financed and managed) are needed to enable the delivery of a city-scale GI vision. Effective business models for collaborative GI delivery will be where values (derived from benefit evaluation), stakeholders, and policy context intersect. The value of GI is its environmental, financial and social benefits to humans. Testing evaluation approaches finds that values should be weighted according to relevance, and that functionality across the whole system should be considered. The policy context informs the power and governance structures that underpin GI delivery. A power relationship analysis is used to identify key enablers, opportunities and barriers. In particular, local plans and policies have the greatest potential to support GI delivery demonstrating the need to create a GI strategy at city-scale. Stakeholders may supply or benefit from the GI, or both, and this circular relationship is a key opportunity for GI delivery. Where stakeholder interests intersect with GI values, the value proposition can be found; where they intersect with the policy context will be the power-holders and governance bodies needed to support GI delivery. Where the policy and values overlap are the key drivers for the project. This research found that working in the value-stakeholder-policy intersection, developing business models that use collaborative co-production approaches, provides the best opportunity to achieve the vision for an effective, interconnected and strategically delivered GI system

Factors associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in older people in Europe: the EUREYE study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations in older Europeans and to investigate associations between 25OHD and lifestyle factors, including dietary intake and supplement use. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Men and women aged ≥ 65 years were recruited from seven centres across north to south Europe. Serum 25OHD2 and 25OHD3 concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in 4495 samples and total 25OHD (25OHD2 + 25OHD3) was adjusted for season of blood collection. RESULTS: The mean (25th, 75th quartile) of seasonally adjusted 25OHD was 46 (34, 65) nmol/L, with the highest concentration of 25OHD in Bergen [61 (49, 79) nmol/L], and the lowest in Paris [36 (24, 57) nmol/L)]. Vitamin D deficiency (25-50 nmol/L) and vitamin D insufficiency (50-75 nmol/L) were found in 41 and 33% of the population, respectively. In multivariable analysis controlled for confounders, seasonally adjusted 25OHD concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in smokers and participants with self-reported diabetes and higher with increasing dietary vitamin D, and supplement use with fish liver oil, omega-3, and vitamin D. Additionally, in further analysis excluding Bergen, 25OHD was associated with higher intakes of oily fish and increasing UVB exposure. We observed low concentrations of 25OHD in older people in Europe. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings of the higher 25OHD concentrations in supplement users (omega-3 fish oil, fish liver oil, vitamin D) add to current recommendations to reduce vitamin D deficiency. We were unable to fully assess the role of dietary vitamin D as we lacked information on vitamin D-fortified foods

Animal behavior is central in shaping the realized diel light niche

Animal behavior in space and time is structured by the perceived day/night cycle. However, this is modified by the animals' own movement within its habitat, creating a realized diel light niche (RDLN). To understand the RDLN, we investigated the light as experienced by zooplankton undergoing synchronized diel vertical migration (DVM) in an Arctic fjord around the spring equinox. We reveal a highly dampened light cycle with diel changes being about two orders of magnitude smaller compared to the surface or a static depth. The RDLN is further characterized by unique wavelength-specific irradiance cycles. We discuss the relevance of RDLNs for animal adaptations and interactions, as well as implications for circadian clock entrainment in the wild and laboratory

Estimated age of first exposure to American football and outcome from concussion

To examine the association between estimated age at first exposure (eAFE) to American football and clinical measures throughout recovery following concussion. Participants were recruited across 30 colleges and universities as part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)-Department of Defense Concussion Assessment, Research and Education Consortium. There were 294 NCAA American football players (age 19 ± 1 years) evaluated 24-48 hours following concussion with valid baseline data and 327 (age 19 ± 1 years) evaluated at the time they were asymptomatic with valid baseline data. Participants sustained a medically diagnosed concussion between baseline testing and postconcussion assessments. Outcome measures included the number of days until asymptomatic, Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) composite scores, Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) total score, and Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI-18) subscores. The eAFE was defined as participant's age at the time of assessment minus self-reported number of years playing football. In unadjusted regression models, younger eAFE was associated with lower (worse) ImPACT Visual Motor Speed ( = 0.031, = 0.012) at 24-48 hours following injury and lower (better) BSI-18 Somatization subscores ( = 0.014, = 0.038) when the athletes were asymptomatic. The effect sizes were very small. The eAFE was not associated with the number of days until asymptomatic, other ImPACT composite scores, BESS total score, or other BSI-18 subscores. Earlier eAFE to American football was not associated with longer symptom recovery, worse balance, worse cognitive performance, or greater psychological distress following concussion. In these NCAA football players, longer duration of exposure to football during childhood and adolescence appears to be unrelated to clinical recovery following concussion

Estimated age of first exposure to American football and outcome from concussion

ObjectiveTo examine the association between estimated age at first exposure (eAFE) to American football and clinical measures throughout recovery following concussion.MethodsParticipants were recruited across 30 colleges and universities as part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)-Department of Defense Concussion Assessment, Research and Education Consortium. There were 294 NCAA American football players (age 19 ± 1 years) evaluated 24-48 hours following concussion with valid baseline data and 327 (age 19 ± 1 years) evaluated at the time they were asymptomatic with valid baseline data. Participants sustained a medically diagnosed concussion between baseline testing and postconcussion assessments. Outcome measures included the number of days until asymptomatic, Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) composite scores, Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) total score, and Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI-18) subscores. The eAFE was defined as participant's age at the time of assessment minus self-reported number of years playing football.ResultsIn unadjusted regression models, younger eAFE was associated with lower (worse) ImPACT Visual Motor Speed (R 2 = 0.031, p = 0.012) at 24-48 hours following injury and lower (better) BSI-18 Somatization subscores (R 2 = 0.014, p = 0.038) when the athletes were asymptomatic. The effect sizes were very small. The eAFE was not associated with the number of days until asymptomatic, other ImPACT composite scores, BESS total score, or other BSI-18 subscores.ConclusionEarlier eAFE to American football was not associated with longer symptom recovery, worse balance, worse cognitive performance, or greater psychological distress following concussion. In these NCAA football players, longer duration of exposure to football during childhood and adolescence appears to be unrelated to clinical recovery following concussion