An ecological study of moorland enchytraeidae

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Using argumentation to manage users' preferences

Argumentation has provided a means to deal with inconsistent knowledge. We explore the potential of argumentation to handle conflicting user preferences. Classical preference handling methods in Artificial Intelligence (AI) lack the ability to handle ambiguity and the evolution of preferences over time. Previous experiments conducted by the authors indicate the usefulness of argumentation systems to handle Ambient Intelligence (AmI) examples with the aforementioned characteristics. This paper explores a generalized framework that can be applied to handle user preferences in AmI. The paper provides an overall preference handling architecture which can be used to extend current argumentation systems. We show how the proposed system can handle multiple users with the introduction of personalised preference functions. We illustrate how user preferences can be handled in realistic ways in AmI environments (such as smart homes), by showing how the system can make decisions based on inhabitants’ preferences on lighting, healthy eating and leisure

A survey on managing users' preferences in ambient intelligence

Understanding the importance of preference management in ambient intelligent environments is key to providing systems that are better prepared to meet users' expectations. This survey provides an account of the various ways that preferences have been handled in Artificial Intelligence. Our analysis indicates that most of those techniques lack the ability to handle ambiguity and the evolution of preferences over time. Further exploration shows that argumentation can provide a feasible solution to complement existing work. We illustrate our claim by using an intelligent environment case study

Using knowledge brokering to produce community-generated evidence

Background: Devolution and integration of health and social care have placed increasing pressure on local statutory services, with a corresponding shift of health and social care to community organisations. The voluntary and charitable sector (VCS) is expected to make the case for increased funding by providing evidence of value and impact. Aims and objectives: This paper explores the challenges of compiling evidence on health outcomes which do not reflect the holistic nature of VCS support. We document how knowledge brokering can be used to enable the VCS to generate evidence. Key conclusions: Knowledge brokering (KB) may be an effective approach for developing community-generated evidence. Brokering is also needed to change perspectives on what counts as good evidence Key messages Health outcome measures are not seen to be appropriate by the voluntary sector for social prescribing services. A new evidence base is needed that reflects the social determinants of health. Knowledge brokering may be an effective approach for developing community-generated evidence. Brokering is also needed to change perspectives on what counts as good evidence

A survey on managing users' preferences in ambient intelligence

Understanding the importance of preference management in ambient intelligent environments is key to providing systems that are better prepared to meet users' expectations. This survey provides an account of the various ways that preferences have been handled in Artificial Intelligence. Our analysis indicates that most of those techniques lack the ability to handle ambiguity and the evolution of preferences over time. Further exploration shows that argumentation can provide a feasible solution to complement existing work. We illustrate our claim by using an intelligent environment case study

High Temperature Electron Localization in dense He Gas

We report new accurate mesasurements of the mobility of excess electrons in high density Helium gas in extended ranges of temperature $[(26\leq T\leq 77) K ]$ and density $[ (0.05\leq N\leq 12.0) {atoms} \cdot {nm}^{-3}]$ to ascertain the effect of temperature on the formation and dynamics of localized electron states. The main result of the experiment is that the formation of localized states essentially depends on the relative balance of fluid dilation energy, repulsive electron-atom interaction energy, and thermal energy. As a consequence, the onset of localization depends on the medium disorder through gas temperature and density. It appears that the transition from delocalized to localized states shifts to larger densities as the temperature is increased. This behavior can be understood in terms of a simple model of electron self-trapping in a spherically symmetric square well.Comment: 23 pages, 13 figure

A Policy-Ready Public Health Guidebook of Strategies and Indicators to Promote Financial Well-Being and Address Financial Strain in Response to COVID-19

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the financial well-being of populations globally, escalating concerns about links with health care and overall well-being. Governments and organizations need to act quickly to protect population health relative to exacerbated financial strain. However, limited practice and policy-relevant resources are available to guide action, particularly from a public health perspective, that is, targeting equity, social determinants of health, and health-in-all policies. Our study aimed to create a public health guidebook of strategies and indicators for multisectoral action on financial well-being and financial strain by decision makers in high-income contexts. Methods We used a multimethod approach to create the guidebook. We conducted a targeted review of existing theoretical and conceptual work on financial well-being and strain. By using rapid review methodology informed by principles of realist review, we collected data from academic and practice-based sources evaluating financial well-being or financial strain initiatives. We performed a critical review of these sources. We engaged our research–practice team and government and nongovernment partners and participants in Canada and Australia for guidance to strengthen the tool for policy and practice. Results The guidebook presents 62 targets, 140 evidence-informed strategies, and a sample of process and outcome indicators. Conclusion The guidebook supports action on the root causes of poor financial well-being and financial strain. It addresses a gap in the academic literature around relevant public health strategies to promote financial well-being and reduce financial strain. Community organizations, nonprofit organizations, and governments in highincome countries can use the guidebook to direct initiative design, implementation, and assessmen

Can community-based peer support promote health literacy and reduce inequalities? A realist review.

Background Community-based peer support (CBPS) has been proposed as a potentially promising approach to improve health literacy (HL) and reduce health inequalities. Peer support, however, is described as a public health intervention in search of a theory, and as yet there are no systematic reviews exploring why or how peer support works to improve HL. Objective To undertake a participatory realist synthesis to develop a better understanding of the potential for CBPS to promote better HL and reduce health inequalities. Data sources Qualitative evidence syntheses, conceptual reviews and primary studies evaluating peer-support programmes; related studies that informed theoretical or contextual elements of the studies of interest were included. We conducted searches covering 1975 to October 2011 across Scopus, Global Health (including MEDLINE), ProQuest Dissertations & Theses database (PQDT) [including the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) and Social Work Abstracts], The King’s Fund Database and Web of Knowledge, and the Institute of Development Studies supplementary strategies were used for the identification of grey literature. We developed a new approach to searching called ‘cluster searching’, which uses a variety of search techniques to identify papers or other research outputs that relate to a single study. Study eligibility criteria Studies written in English describing CBPS research/evaluation, and related papers describing theory, were included. Study appraisal and synthesis methods Studies were selected on the basis of relevance in the first instance. We first analysed within-programme articulation of theory and appraised for coherence. Cross-programme analysis was used to configure relationships among context, mechanisms and outcomes. Patterns were then identified and compared with theories relevant to HL and health inequalities to produce a middle-range theory. Results The synthesis indicated that organisations, researchers and health professionals that adopt an authoritarian design for peer-support programmes risk limiting the ability of peer supporters (PSs) to exercise autonomy and use their experiential knowledge to deliver culturally tailored support. Conversely, when organisations take a negotiated approach to codesigning programmes, PSs are enabled to establish meaningful relationships with people in socially vulnerable groups. CBPS is facilitated when organisations prioritise the importance of assessing community needs; investigate root causes of poor health and well-being; allow adequate time for development of relationships and connections; value experiential cultural knowledge; and share power and control during all stages of design and implementation. The theory now needs to be empirically tested via further primary research. Limitations Analysis and synthesis were challenged by a lack of explicit links between peer support for marginalised groups and health inequalities; explicitly stated programme theory; inconsistent reporting of context and mechanism; poor reporting of intermediate process outcomes; and the use of theories aimed at individual-level behaviour change for community-based interventions. Conclusions Peer-support programmes have the potential to improve HL and reduce health inequalities but potential is dependent upon the surrounding equity context. More explicit empirical research is needed, which establishes clearer links between peer-supported HL and health inequalities