University of Westminster

This study develops a conceptual framework to theorise how digitally augmented Communities of Practice (CoPs), such as the Slow Food Movement, can support sustainable food systems transformation through advanced knowledge management. Although digital innovation is increasingly applied in agri-food systems, much of the literature remains technocentric, focusing on infrastructure and automation, while overlooking how digital tools mediate community-based knowledge flows and adaptive capabilities. Addressing this gap, we integrate Nonaka and Takeuchi's SECI model with Teece's dynamic capabilities framework to examine how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Metaverse technologies enable CoPs to create, share, and transform knowledge. The main contribution is the DEKA-CoPs model (Digitally Enabled Knowledge Architecture in Communities of Practice), which explains how digital mediation can enhance epistemic agility, collaborative innovation, and system adaptability. Methodologically, the paper uses a theory-building approach to develop four propositions that can guide future empirical work. This framework advances knowledge management and sustainability literature by shifting the focus from firm-based innovation to digitally enabled, community-led knowledge infrastructures. It offers practical implications for policymakers, technologists, and sustainability practitioners interested in designing inclusive, adaptive platforms that embed local knowledge in agri-food transitions. • Theorisation of digitally-enabled communities of practice by merging SECI and dynamic capabilities frameworks. • Unified model for innovation knowledge architecture for digital communities of practice in sustainable food systems. • AI and Metaverse as participatory epistemologies for sustainable food system innovation. • AI and Metaverse's role in inclusive, community-led agrifood system innovation. • Conceptualisation of digitally-enabled communities of practice as knowledge architectures.

Street space reallocation measures, such as Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), have attracted substantial controversy in the UK and elsewhere, for instance around reported poor engagement with residents and local actors. However, limited attention has been given to the political-economic context shaping scheme implementation, such as the impacts of reduced resources or the use of short-term, contingent funding. Based on 37 interviews with officers and councillors who implemented or sought to implement LTNs in 12 English local authorities, and part of a larger project investigating the impacts of LTNs in London, this paper addresses the gap. It shows how challenges to design, engagement and delivery are often linked to funding scarcity and processes of projectification, advancing the literature on transport governance and controversy. • Limited attention has been paid to the political-economic context shaping the implementation of Low Traffic Neighbourhood schemes • Existing approaches to funding active travel schemes, which in the context of austerity urbanism exacerbate the negative aspects of projectification, affect the success of schemes • Schemes require significant investment in terms of staff time and knowledge • They would also benefit from more funding to deliver greening aspects • The effects of austerity and projectification are exacerbated within uneven geographical areas • Local authorities with access to additional internal resources were able to implement and sustain schemes and learn from mistakes • Less resrouceful local authorities saw initial failures translate into increasing challenges for future schemes and an overall inability to implement successfully

Following the rise of the #MeToo movement, the social isolation that followed the Covid-19 pandemic and the global ascent of the Black Lives Matter movement, there has been an increase in discussions and initiatives on digital platforms. In Italy, the alignment of these various phenomena has created a new fertile ground that helped the proliferation of discussions on race related issues arguably for the first time. These have been mainly led by second generation/ racialised Italians (the terminology used to define this group is still being debated in Italy, within the community itself). This article considers the forms of digital activism that developed in Italy, specifically in the years between 2020-2023, and how these tried to disrupt forms of structural racism, epistemic violence, silencing and question the concept of allyship. It draws upon postcolonial feminist theory and the concept of intersectionality to explore how the #BLM movement provided an opportunity to address various forms of oppression in Italy.The research combines autoethnographic analysis of the sociological podcast ‘<i>Sulla Razza</i>' [On Race] with interviews to four prominent female activists in Milan

Social anxiety is prevalent amongst university students. Cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT), and graded exposure techniques in particular, is an effective intervention for social anxiety. However, there are a number of barriers preventing the delivery of CBT to students who are socially anxious. Delivering this intervention using virtual reality (VR) can address these implementation issues. We have co-developed with a group of students a VR-CBT intervention (UniVRse) specifically for members of this student group with social anxiety. The present study is a pilot randomised controlled trial conducted in the United Kingdom of the UniVRse intervention compared to a wait-list control group. The aim of the trial is to determine whether a definitive trial is justified by assessing study recruitment, retention, and acceptability, as well as establishing the effect size on the co-primary outcomes for the definitive trial sample size calculation. We aim to recruit 90 socially anxious students-45 in each trial arm. The trial will adopt a mixed-methods approach. We will collect quantitative data at baseline (T0) and post-intervention 6weeks later (T1). We will invite participants randomised to the intervention arm to complete a qualitative exit interview. The results of this pilot trial will be used to determine whether a definitive trial is justified, and to inform the refinement of the UniVRse programme and trial procedures. In the longer term, the UniVRse intervention has the potential to be an effective and accessible psychological intervention for students with social anxiety. Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05704868. Registered 30th January 2023.

Abstract Background Visceral adiposity is widely regarded as the pathogenic component of central obesity in cardiometabolic disease. However, emerging evidence suggests that abdominal subcutaneous adiposity may also confer metabolic risk in South Asian populations, although data in young, lean individuals are scarce. We investigated associations of MRI-measured abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) with cardiometabolic risk markers in young rural Indian adults. Methods We quantified ASAT and VAT using MRI in 590 participants (310 men) aged 18 years from the Pune Maternal Nutrition Study cohort. Sex-specific multiple regression models were used to examine associations with glucose–insulin indices, blood pressure, lipids, adipokines, and inflammatory markers. Results ASAT showed broad and consistent associations with adverse cardiometabolic profiles, including higher 120-min glucose, dyslipidaemia, elevated blood pressure, leptin, CRP and leukocyte count, and lower insulin sensitivity and adiponectin, particularly in men; in women, ASAT was associated with most cardiometabolic risk markers except HDL-cholesterol. In contrast, VAT was associated with fewer risk markers and exhibited weaker, sex-specific patterns of association. Across outcomes, associations with ASAT were generally stronger than those observed for VAT. Conclusions In young, lean Indians, abdominal subcutaneous adiposity exhibits stronger associations with insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and inflammation than visceral adiposity, challenging the prevailing VAT-centric paradigm derived largely from Western populations. These findings provide human evidence that the hierarchy of metabolic risk across abdominal fat depots is population-specific. This suggests genetic and early-life risk stratification, and supports early targeted preventive strategies. Research Insights What is currently known about this topic? (max. 3 highlights, each < 100 characters) Indians have higher central obesity-adiposity than Europeans at similar BMI. Western data links VAT with cardiometabolic risk, while ASAT is protective. VAT & ASAT risk patterns vary across native and migrant South Asians. What is the key research question? (formatted as a question, < 100 characters) How do VAT and ASAT associate with cardiometabolic risk in lean rural Indian youth? What is new? (max. 3 highlights, each < 100 characters) ASAT shows stronger links with cardiometabolic risk than VAT in rural Indian youth. ASAT may contribute to high diabetes and CVD risk at low BMI in young Indians. How might this study influence clinical practice? (max. 1 highlight, < 100 characters) Early-life ASAT accumulation may raise later cardiometabolic risk, supporting early prevention strategies.

BackgroundCardiovascular disease remains a major source of morbidity and mortality, and population imaging studies have yielded insights into disease etiology and risk.MethodsIn this study, we segment the heart, aorta, and vena cava from abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans using deep learning. We generate six image-derived phenotypes (IDP): heart volume, four aortic and one vena cava cross-sectional areas (CSA), from 44,541 UK Biobank participants, and explore their associations with disease outcomes, as well as genetic and environmental factors.ResultsHere we show concordance between our IDPs and related IDPs from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, the current gold standard, and replicate previous findings related to sex differences and age-related changes in heart and vessel dimensions. We identify a significant association between infrarenal descending aorta CSA and incident abdominal aortic aneurysm, and between heart volume and several cardiovascular disorders. In a genome-wide association study, we identify 72 associations at 59 loci (15 novel). We derive a polygenic risk score for each trait and demonstrated an association with thoracic aneurysm diagnosis, pointing to a potential screening opportunity. We demonstrate substantial genetic correlation with cardiovascular traits including aneurysms, varicose veins, dysrhythmia, and cardiac failure. Finally, heritability enrichment analysis implicates vascular tissue in the heritability of these traits.ConclusionsThis study illustrates the value of non-specific abdominal MRI for exploring cardiovascular disease risk in cohort studies, and identifies novel genetic associations with vascular dimensions.