Cardiff Council

Abstract This study introduces image‐based classification techniques to identify whether trash screens in urban rivers are blocked. The study obtained 755 images from a CCTV camera surveying a trash screen located on an urban river at Tongwynlais in Cardiff. Manual quality control reduced the dataset to 577 images, labelled as either blocked (80%) or unblocked (20%). The performance of a logistic regression for classification of images was investigated using three different subsets of the labelled images: (1) the original dataset, (2) a balanced but under‐sampled dataset with equal number of blocked and unblocked images, and (3) an augmented dataset with an equal number of blocked and unblocked images using Gaussian noise augmentation to increase the number of unblocked images. Results show that our data‐augmentation method enhanced model accuracy by 8%, successfully classifying images as blocked or unblocked with an accuracy of 88%; by overcoming the bias in the dataset these results also highlight potential solutions to overcome the challenges of operating this methodology across a network of cameras. This enables authorities in both data rich and data scarce regions the ability to take advantage of machine learning to open up the next generation of a distributed, data‐driven flood warning systems, protecting people, infrastructure and the environment.

Genetic studies implicate disruption to the DLG2 gene in copy number variants as increasing risk for schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability. To investigate psychiatric endophenotypes associated with DLG2 haploinsufficiency (and concomitant PSD‐93 protein reduction) a novel clinically relevant Dlg2 +/− rat was assessed for abnormalities in anxiety, sensorimotor gating, hedonic reactions, social behaviour, and locomotor response to the N‐Methyl‐D‐aspartic acid receptor antagonist phencyclidine. Dlg gene and protein expression were also investigated to assess model validity. Reductions in PSD‐93 messenger RNA and protein were observed in the absence of compensation by other related genes or proteins. Behaviourally Dlg2 +/− rats show a potentiated locomotor response to phencyclidine, as is typical of psychotic disorder models, in the absence of deficits in the other behavioural phenotypes assessed here. This shows that the behavioural effects of Dlg2 haploinsufficiency may specifically relate to psychosis vulnerability but are subtle, and partially dissimilar to behavioural deficits previously reported in Dlg2 +/− mouse models demonstrating issues surrounding the comparison of models with different aetiology and species. Intact performance on many of the behavioural domains assessed here, such as anxiety and reward processing, will remove these as confounds when continuing investigation into this model using more complex cognitive tasks.

BackgroundMany teenagers are insufficiently active despite the health benefits of physical activity (PA). There is strong evidence to show that inactivity and low fitness levels increase the risk of non-communicable diseases such as coronary heart disease (CHD), type 2 diabetes and breast and colon cancers (Lee et al. Lancet 380:219–29, 2012). A major barrier facing adolescents is accessibility (e.g. cost and lack of local facilities). The ACTIVE project aims to tackle this barrier through a multi-faceted intervention, giving teenagers vouchers to spend on activities of their choice and empowering young people to improve their fitness and PA levels.DesignACTIVE is a mixed methods randomised control trial in 7 secondary schools in Swansea, South Wales. Quantitative and qualitative measures including PA (cooper run test (CRT), accelerometery over 7 days), cardiovascular (CV) measures (blood pressure, pulse wave analysis) and focus groups will be undertaken at 4 separate time points (baseline, 6 months,12 months and follow-up at 18 months). Intervention schools will receive a multi-component intervention involving 12 months of £20 vouchers to spend on physical activities of their choice, a peer mentor scheme and opportunities to attend advocacy meetings. Control schools are encouraged to continue usual practice. The primary aim is to examine the effect of the intervention in improving cardiovascular fitness.DiscussionThis paper describes the protocol for the ACTIVE randomised control trial, which aims to increase fitness, physical activity and socialisation of teenagers in Swansea, UK via a voucher scheme combined with peer mentoring. Results can contribute to the evidence base on teenage physical activity and, if effective, the intervention has the potential to inform future physical activity interventions and policy.Trial registrationISRCTN75594310 (Assigned 06/03/2017).

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to inform readers about the Ageing Well in Wales Programme, including its background, purpose and key aims and objectives. Design/methodology/approach – The Programme is in its first year and works at several levels, from high-level national bodies to community/volunteer groups on the ground. The Programme’s success is largely dependent on the commitment of individuals and organisations. Findings – The Programme is on-going with no findings as such to date, however, the Programme is a response to research and evidence that suggests that the health and wellbeing of older people in Wales needs to be urgently addressed, particularly in the context of demographic change and the impact of austerity on front-line public services and the development of more preventative approaches. Practical implications – One of the outcomes will be an increasing understanding of what makes effective national learning and participative networks. Social implications – People in Wales will be more active and engaged and as a consequence experience greater health and wellbeing. Originality/value – Provides a state of play on the Programme up to Summer 2015, outlining what has been achieved to date and next steps.

The importance of calcium signaling in cell health and disease is the major driving force in current research of intracellular calcium homeostasis. Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and other calcium stores seems to be the crucial factor in the activation of many cellular functions. Significant changes in ER Ca2+ content and dynamics have been implicated in the activation of the ER stress response, abnormal autophagy, and cell death which leads to a variety of pathological conditions. For example, in acute pancreatitis, an inflammatory disease of the exocrine pancreas caused primarily by bile stones or alcohol, excessive intracellular calcium overload due to Ca2+ release from internal stores followed by store operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) leads to the premature activation of digestive proenzymes within pancreatic acinar cells. Recent data show that SOCE channel blockers are capable of substantially reducing the intracellular Ca2+ overload and subsequent cell necrosis without major alteration of ER Ca2+ content. We also demonstrate here that indirect ER measurements can be misleading and only direct intra‐ER Ca2+ monitoring offers reliable conclusions. In this respect, it is essential to summarize the methods available and provide examples of direct measurements of free Ca2+ concentration [Ca2+] in the ER lumen in pancreatic acinar cells. This article is aimed at highlighting the major techniques for monitoring ER Ca2+ with reference to their advantages, limitations, and views for future improvements. WIREs Membr Transp Signal 2014,3:63–71. doi: 10.1002/wmts.106For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.Conflict of interest: The authors have declared no conflicts of interest for this article.

This article examines the potential contribution of analytical philosophy to planning theory. In contrast to some recent discussions it takes as its starting point town planning as actually practised, and recognises the ideological framework within which, for the most part, twentieth century analytical philosophy has been conducted. It concludes that knowledge of philosophy may be of some limited use to the planning theorist. Keywords: IdeologyMulti‐DisciplinaryPhilosophyPlanning TheoryTown Planning