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A complex systems view on physical activity with actionable insights for behaviour changePhysical inactivity and its associated health and economic burdens continue to rise despite decades of interdisciplinary research aimed at promoting physical activity. This Perspective takes a complex systems view on physical activity, proposing that at least two layers of complexity should be considered: (1) interactions between various physiological, psychological, social and environmental systems; and (2) their dynamic interactions across time. To address this complexity, all stages of the research process—from theory and measurement to study design, analysis and interventions—must be aligned with a complex systems perspective. This alignment requires intensive interdisciplinary collaboration and an integration of basic and applied research beyond current research practices to create transdisciplinary solutions. We offer actionable insights that bridge the gap between abstract theoretical approaches (for example, complex systems and attractor landscape frameworks of behaviour change) and practical research on physical activity, thereby laying a foundation for more effective behaviour change interventions.
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Promoting China’s green economy – policies and actionsChina, like the rest of the world, is at yet another pivotal point in its history. While pursuing a number of laudable policies to develop green economy, it is nevertheless subject to much uncertainty and many geopolitical risks. China has accumulated some experience in practice, not just for the rest of Asia but for the world as a whole.
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Policing responses to child neglect: it’s not just about crime investigationChild neglect is a serious and pervasive form of child maltreatment with far-reaching developmental, health and social consequences for children across the life span. Whilst neglect may reach a criminal threshold, the nature of neglect often means it does not. Identifying and responding to neglect are especially difficult for police because of the complexities associated with it. This chapter addresses the knowledge officers need to discharge their duties relating to the criminal and safeguarding aspects of neglect (HM Government, 2023). The first half of the chapter defines neglect, framed by wider debates in research, policy and practice; highlighting the contested nature of the term. It also examines the evidence about neglected children, who neglects them, risk factors and indicators for neglect, and its impact. The second half examines practice challenges and approaches in identifying and responding to neglect, and, where it reaches criminal thresholds, investigating it. The terminology of ‘victimology’ and ‘perpetrators’ is generally avoided, to acknowledge criminal thresholds are not always met. Moreover, neglect is often determined by multiple risk factors and underlying systemic problems, such as inequality and poverty, which can make it difficult to disentangle parental or carer ‘intent’.
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Beyond movement alone: re-thinking health implications of physical activity and restPhysical inactivity has become associated with a range of poor health outcomes. Major policy documents have urged actions to decrease physical inactivity at a population level and health promotion campaigns have urged individuals to change their behaviour at a personal level. In this Viewpoint, we challenge the orthodox view, which frames physical activity as solely good and healthy, and inactivity as solely bad and unhealthy. Labelling inactivity as only unhealthy ignores underlying politics and contexts, neglecting the vital role that rest plays in sustaining both wellbeing and the capacity to care for others. To resist, we call for a holistic appreciation of stillness and rest as part of a Dynamic Continuum of Human Movement. A shift in thinking would consider the potential health benefits of stillness as being socially active, mentally active and restorative. We offer policy and practice implications, and encourage the public health community to incorporate an empathetic, inclusive and holistic appreciation of stillness into health promotion messaging.
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Detecting and classifying the mechanics of cancer and non-cancer cells by machine learning algorithmThe global burden of cancer has increased in recent years, posing a major public health challenge. Generally, cancer cells are mutate from normal cells and have distinctive mechanical specifications. Despite significant progress in precision medicine, accurately distinguishing cancer cells remains challenging due to the inherent complexities in characterizing single-cell surface properties. In this study, we utilized atomic force microscopy (AFM) to obtain the mechanical properties of hepatic cells, hepatoma cells, gastric cells, and gastric cancer cells. Then, machine learning techniques were used to identify and classify the cancer and non-cancer cells through AFM-based mechanical characteristics. After computational training, the accuracy of classification and screening of four kinds of cells reached 98%, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value of 97.98%. Consequently, we successfully identified digestive system cancer cells and highlighted the valuable role of digital pathology in tumor cell diagnosis. This study provides an objective basis and a new research method for the diagnosis of hepatic cancer and gastric cancer, enriching the tumor cell detection scheme. IOP Publishing Threads page