Complex-valued Research Articles

Deep Learning-Based Multi-Feature Fusion for Communication and Radar Signal Sensing

Recent years witness the rapid development of communication and radar technologies, and many transmitters are equipped with both communication and radar functionalities. To keep track of the working state of a target dual-functional transmitter, it is crucial to sense the modulation mode of the emitted signals. In this paper, we propose a deep learning-based intelligent modulation sensing technique for dual-functional transmitters. Different from existing modulation sensing methods, which usually focus on communication signals, we take both communication and radar signals into consideration. Typically, the dominant features of communication signals lie in the time domain, while those of radar signals lie in both time and frequency domains. To enhance the sensing accuracy, we first exploit real and complex value convolution operations to extract both time-domain and frequency-domain features of emitted signals from the target transmitter. Then, we fuse the extracted features by assigning proper weights with the attention mechanism. Simulation results reveal that the proposed technique can improve the sensing accuracy by up to 4% on average compared with benchmarks.

Design-Based Solutions for Water Challenges: The Value Case Approach

Design-Based Solutions for Water Challenges: The Value Case Approach

State school catering in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

The complex value of school meals for children and families is well documented. In Italy, school cafeterias have been an instrument of social policy since the end of the Second World War. Thereafter, school cafeterias have acquired several functions in the areas of children's health and wellbeing, education, social inclusion, support to local and quality agriculture, and environmental sustainability. In particular, the goal of a nutritious and balanced diet has been emphasized in recent decades, since malnutrition and food insecurity have been increasing in Italian society. During the pandemic, Italy was the first European country to implement a nationwide lockdown and one of the high-income countries where schools closed for the longest period. In this work, we use in-depth interviews with representatives of the school catering service, both from the major catering companies and the biggest municipalities, to analyze what happened in the management of the Italian school catering service during the pandemic crisis. In addition, a review of public recommendations issued during the pandemic has made it possible to analyze their compliance with the state guidelines for school catering and food education. The results highlight how the system reacted extremely slowly to the crisis and how the measures taken led to a deterioration of the value that has always been attributed to state school cafeterias, especially in terms of children's food security and environmental sustainability.

NDC80 Kinetochore Complex Serves as a Potential Prognostic Predictor and Correlates with Immune Infiltrates in Epithelial OvarianCancer Patients.

This study focuses on evaluating the prognostic value of the NDC80 kinetochore complex in ovarian cancer (OC) using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and reveals the relationship between the NDC80 complex and immune infiltrates in OC. We collected data on NDC80 complex expression levels in both OC tissues and non-OC ovarian tissues from the University of California Santa Cruz Xena and GEO databases. The clinicopathological characteristics correlated with overall survival were analyzed using Cox regression and the Kaplan-Meier method. Gene Ontology analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis, gene set enrichment analysis and CIBERSORT were performed using data from TCGA database. Immunohistochemical staining was used to verify the higher expression level of NUF2 protein in OC in vitro. Meanwhile, we utilized the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource to analyze the correlation between the NDC80 complex and immunocyte infiltration. The NDC80 complex expression level was prominently higher in OC tissues than in non-OC ovarian tissues and correlated with advanced histologic grade characteristics. Gene expression profiling interactive analysis and the Kaplan-Meier survival curve uncovered a close relationship between high expression of the NDC80 complex and poor overall survival in OC patients. The univariate Cox regression hazard model produced age, pathologic stage, tumor status, primary therapy outcome, SPC24 expression level, and Karnofsky performance score as prognostic factors for OC patients. NDC80 complex expression levels were highly associated with immune cell infiltration, showing NK CD56 bright cells and NK cells with a negative correlation and T helper 2 cells with a positive correlation (P<0.05). These findings provide evidence that an increased expression level of the NDC80 complex is closely associated with the progression of OC and could also serve as a novel target of immunotherapy in OC.

Molecular Properties of Carboxymethyl Chitosan and Its Complexes with Curcumin and Nicotinamide in Drug Delivery Applications: Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamic Study

Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCs) is a chitosan-derived compound usually used as a carrier matrix in drug delivery systems. There are three types of CMCs based on the location of carboxyl group substitution: N-CMCs, O-CMCs, and N,O-CMCs. The ability of CMCs as a carrier is related to the ability of CMCs to interact with drug molecules. In this work, curcumin and nicotinamide were used as drug models. The ability of CMCs to interact with drug models can be observed by the amount of interaction energy generated when CMCs interact with curcumin and nicotinamide. The purpose of this study is to determine the interaction energy generated when CMCs interact with curcumin and nicotinamide using molecular docking and molecular dynamic methods. The results showed the interaction energy between O-CMCs, N-CMCs, and N,O-CMCs (2 and 3 monomers) with curcumin and nicotinamide, respectively, ranged from -17.08 to -13.37 and -12.05 to -11.00 Kj/mol. Conformational changes in molecular dynamic simulations affect bond-free energy, RMSD, and potential energy complex values.

High Electronic Coupling between Cu Complexes and Oxidized Dyes Confirmed by Measurements of Driving Force Dependent Regeneration Kinetics in Minimal Electrolyte System.

We confirm fast regeneration kinetics between copper complexes and oxidized organic dyes and the major contribution of electronic coupling (HDA). The highest efficiency of dye-sensitized TiO2 solar cells has been shown by employing Cu complex redox couples. Various groups have reported a fast regeneration rate of oxidized dyes by Cu complexes giving a low driving force attributed to low reorganization energy (λ), but the effect of HDA has not been evaluated. The values of HDA and λ can be derived from driving force dependent transient absorption (TA) measurements. However, analyzing TA decay using Cu complexes is not trivial because accelerated recombination by the presence of Cu2+ complexes and biphasic TA decay often complicates the analysis. Here we employ 16 Cu1+ and Co2+ complexes and two dyes. To simplify the system, i.e., making a minimal electrolyte system, Cu2+ and Co3+ complexes and a common additive of 4-tert-butylpyridine are not used. From the driving force dependent TA decays of oxidized dyes by both Cu1+ and Co2+ complexes, λ for the combination of the Cu complexes and dyes is found to be about 0.15 eV lower than that of Co complexes. Approximately 3 to 5 times higher HDA values of Cu complexes than those of Co complexes are obtained, which is the dominant factor for faster rates. The values vary with the structure of the molecules, showing the possibility of increasing the HDA values further. The higher HDA values of a Cu complex than that of a Co complex are also reproduced by quantum chemical calculations.

INTERFACES OF VIRTUAL DATA STORAGE IN THE CONDITIONS OF A FAST-CHANGING INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT

The article analyzes data storage architectures, explores the main approaches to cloud technologies, and highlights the features of virtual data storage architecture formation. In the process of analysis, positive and negative features of individual data storage architectures were highlighted. Cloud information technologies are considered from the point of view of their use for data storage and distribution. When considering cloud data storage, attention is focused on their architectural features from the point of view of efficiency and availability for users. Storage efficiency is an important characteristic of cloud storage infrastructure, especially given its emphasis on overall cost savings. Performance has many aspects, but the main task of a cloud storage system is to move data between the user and the remote cloud service provider. The system architecture was designed based on the proposed and modeled methods of organizing access to the cloud storage. According to the designed architecture, the data flows in the system were analyzed and investigated. The developed algorithm for the collection and integration of disparate data based on virtual data warehouses, in contrast to the Inmon and Kimball models, makes it possible to process NoSQL temporal (InfluxDB), graph (Neo4j) and document-oriented (MongoDB) data with a significantly lower value of capacity complexity and the possibility execution of recursive queries. The developed interface should be able to work with relational, temporal, graph and document-oriented data sources. To do this, it must provide the ability to perform SQL-like queries against relational databases, as well as specialized queries for each type of non-relational data. It allows to increase the efficiency of process0ng both relational and non-relational data, which makes it a powerful tool for analyzing and processing information from various sources. The development of virtual data warehouses may be associated with the introduction of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, quantum computing, etc. In addition, further improvements in metadata management and data security are expected.

Investigation of Cytotoxic and Antileishmanial Activity of Hybrid Silver Nanoparticle Complexes: Potential Drug Candidates against Leishmania Species

In recent years, isolation of resistant Leishmania species to drugs in use has made it necessary to search alternative molecules that may be drug candidates. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the cytotoxic and in vitro antileishmanial activity of hybrid silver nanoparticle (AgNP) complexes. In this study, three types of nanoparticles (NPs), oxidized amylose-silver (OA-Ag) NPs, oxidized amylose-curcumin (OA-Cur) NPs and oxidized amylose-curcumin-silver (OA-CurAgNP) nanoparticles were synthesized. The cytotoxic activity of the synthesized nanoparticles was determined against L929 mouse fibroblasts and the in vitro antileishmanial activity was determined against Leishmania tropica, Leishmania infantum and Leishmania donovani isolates by the broth microdilution method. It was observed that the hybrid OA-CurAgNP complex obtained by combining curcumin and silver nanoparticles showed cytotoxic effects against L929 mouse fibroblasts at concentrations of 1074 µg/mL and above. IC50 values expressing the antileishmanial activity of the hybrid OA-CurAgNP complex against L.tropica, L.infantum and L.donovani isolates, were found to vary between 95-121 µg/mL, 202-330 µg/mL and 210-254 µg/mL, respectively. Resistance development has emerged as a major challenge in the treatment of leishmaniasis in recent times. Metallic nanoparticles are considered excellent candidates for medical applications due to their chemical and physical properties, as well as their prolonged circulation in the body. The current drugs used for leishmaniasis treatment are highly toxic, while nanoparticles offer advantages such as low toxicity and easy cellular uptake due to their nanoscale dimensions. The identification of strong efficacy in these particles may contribute scientific evidence for their potential use in leishmaniasis treatment. Therefore, the therapeutical value of OA-CurAgNP complex alone in combination with existing drugs should be examined.

L-functions and meromorphic functions satisfying the same Riemann-type functional equation and sharing sets

In 2023, Li–Du–Yi [Complex Var. Elliptic Equ., 68(10)2023, 1653–1677] proved that if two L-functions L 1 and L 2 in the extended Selberg class S # have positive degrees, satisfy the same functional equation with a ( 1 ) = 1 and E L 1 ( S ) = E L 2 ( S ) for a finite set S = { c 1 , c 2 , c 3 } , where c 1 , c 2 and c 3 are three distinct finite complex values, then L 1 = L 2 . We prove that if two L-functions L 1 and L 2 in the extended Selberg class S # have positive degrees, satisfy the same functional equation with a ( 1 ) = 1 and share a set { α 1 , α 2 , … , α t } CM, where t ≥ 1 is a positive integer, and α 1 , α 2 , ··· , α t are t distinct finite complex numbers, then L 1 = L 2 . The result also improves the corresponding results from Khoai–An [The Ramanujan J., 58(1)(2022),253-267]. We also prove that if a non-constant meromorphic function f with finitely many poles in the complex plane shares a set { α 1 , α 2 , … , α t } CM and some finite value c IM with a non-constant L-function L having a positive degree, then f = L. Some examples are provided to show that the main results obtained in this paper, in a sense, are best possible.

Determination of stress intensity coefficients using PC LIRA CAD

Today, the issue of involving fracture mechanics approaches to the calculation of structures with cracks is becoming more and more relevant. For the most part, the implementation of such approaches is carried out using software complexes in which the finite element method is implemented. Among them, such software complexes as Abaqus, Ansys, Nastran stand out, where the implementation of fracture mechanics approaches is constantly being improved. However, the cost of licenses for the use of such complexes, especially in the conditions of Ukraine, does not allow most researchers to fully use such programs. Therefore, it is relevant to study the possibility of applying fracture mechanics approaches in software complexes, the use of which is free. In construction, a significant number of structures are isotropic bodies. Operation of most of them is accompanied by elastic deformations. If there are cracks in them, the load-bearing capacity is assessed using stress intensity factors (SIF). This article examines the possibility of determining the TIN based on the results of the specified stress-strain state obtained with the help of the free software package "PC LIRA-SAPR 2016 R5 (non-commercial)". The calculation of SIF is performed by a direct method based on the determined distribution of displacements and stresses around the crack tip. The crack is modeled by setting appropriate boundary conditions. Implementation of the direct method is performed in 2 ways. According to the 1st method, the SIF calculation is performed in the apical area according to the values of stresses and displacements. According to the 2nd method, the SIF is calculated by moving the node closest to the top of the crack. Approbation of the approaches was carried out on the test problem of tension of a plate with a central crack. A study of the influence of the dimensionality of the discrete model and the types of finite elements both outside the apex region and in the apex region itself was conducted. The obtained results showed the possibility of obtaining reliable SIF values in this software complex in two ways, subject to compliance with certain rules for building a discrete model.

Poles and residues of lossy and dispersive electromagnetic metamaterials

This paper proposes a system-based pole-residue approach to describe loss and dispersion in double-positive (DPS), epsilon-negative (ENG), and epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) isotropic metamaterials. The matrix pencil (MP) method extracts the poles and residues from the damped sinusoids of the singular expansion (SEM) of the impulse responses of the transmitted and reflected waves. The complex values of poles and residues serve as a basis for a computational tool to discriminate between lossless, lossy, and dispersive materials. The extracted poles and residues can also be used to classify the material under test as a DPS, an ENG, or an ENZ metamaterial. The proposed method delivers reliable results even with noisy transmission and reflection data.

The profitability-sustainability trade-off in complex chemical value chains

The profitability-sustainability trade-off in complex chemical value chains

Unravelling the Highest Magnetic Anisotropy Among all the nd-Shells in [WCp2]0 Metallocene.

Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) with a large magnetization reversal barrier are predominated by the lanthanide systems due to their strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC). However, the transition metals have also emerged as potential contenders and the largest magnetic anisotropy has been identified for a cobalt system among any d-series-based SMMs (Bunting et al. Science 2018, 362, eaat7319). In this work, we have explored the magnetic anisotropy in highly axial ligand field systems of metallocene, having different d-subshell (3d4, 4d4, and 5d4). The wave function-based multireference methods including static and dynamic electron correlations have been employed to investigate the zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters. Here, we report exceptionally large magnetic anisotropy for a 5d complex of [WCp2]0 with the highest energy barrier that is nearly twice as high as the previous record value for the Co complex. We have also observed that the axial ZFS parameter (D) is increasing down the group in the order of 3d < 4d < 5d, pertaining to a large SOC.

Design of three-dimensional encryption algorithm for image based on improved 6th-order cellular neural network

The chaotic trajectory of the traditional natural chaotic system and the single chaotic system is relatively simple, and the keyspace is small, resulting in low security, low complexity, and poor resistance to attacks based on traditional chaotic design encryption algorithms. This article first constructed a 6th-order cellular neural network hyperchaotic system based on the theory of a 6th-order cellular neural network. Then the Chaotic Sequence Enhancer (CSE) is constructed by using infinite folding mapping. We use CSE to improve our cellular neural network. Compared with the old system, the new system has a larger Lyapunov exponent, higher PE complexity values, and 0–1 test results. Then based on the new chaotic system, a three-dimensional encryption algorithm was designed. The algorithm rearranges the pixels of the image into cubes and performs scrambling and diffusion operations based on the cubes. While making the encryption effect better, the information entropy of the ciphertext image is also above 7.99, and the correlation between adjacent pixels is less than 0.1. At the same time, the encryption algorithm can better resist various corrosion attacks, and the original image can still be better decrypted even when the ciphertext image has received a 25% loss. The result of the NPCR and UACI test is close to the expected values of 99.61% and 33.46%. The ciphertext image produced by the algorithm can pass the NIST SP800-22 statistical tests. The results of various tests and experiments show that our proposed encryption algorithm has high initial value sensitivity, resistance to differential attacks, and resistance to cropping attacks, and has good application prospects in the field of image security.

Sign language choice and policy among the signing community in Kuwait

AbstractSign language is significant in its linguistic complexity and sociocultural values to its users. The linguistic situation of sign languages in the Middle East is controversial. For Arab deaf communities, each country has a rich and complex national sign language without the need for a superior, more standard unifying Arabic sign language (ArSL). There have been attempts to unify sign languages by creating ArSL. This initiative has been mostly taken by nondeaf persons and has been met with opposition and resistance. This paper investigates sign languages in Kuwait and the attitudes towards both Kuwaiti Sign Language (KSL) and ArSL from both deaf individuals and sign language translators/teachers using surveys, informal interviews, and fieldwork visits. The research question is: What sign language would the deaf community and sign language interpreters/teachers in Kuwait choose (KSL, ArSL, or both) to better serve the deaf community. This paper is designed to uncover the impact of language policies on communities' representations of self and explore the richness and complexity of national sign languages that can be underestimated by language policymakers. The findings of this study indicate a preference for KSL or the use of both KSL and ArSL, but not ArSL alone.

Normative measurements of orbital structures on magnetic resonance images; a cross-sectional study with mini review of the literature.

Awareness of normative values of extra orbital structures would provide useful information to interpret the radiological images better and use them for diagnostic purposes. This study aimed to reveal the average values of major extraocular structures measured on magnetic resonance images. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, magnetic resonance (MR) images of 256 orbits of 128 patients were re-interpreted regarding the measurements of major orbital structures. Extraocular muscles, superior ophthalmic vein, and optic nerve-sheath complex were measured on orbital MR images of these patients. The data distributions were presented by box-plot analyses for each parameter, and the measurement results were analyzed regarding gender and age groups. Lateral rectus muscle thickness (LR), inferior rectus muscle thickness (IR), globe position (GP), and interzygomatic line (IZL) values were higher in the male group than in the female group (p values were < 0.001, 0.003, 0.020, and < 0.001 respectively). LR, the thickness of the superior group muscles (SUP GR), IR, superior oblique muscle thickness (SOBL), and the thickness of optic nerve-sheath complex (ON) values indicated a significant relationship between age groups. There was a significant, positive, and low-level correlation between age and LR, SUP GR, and IR values (p values were < 0.001, 0.001, and < 0.001, respectively). This study provides quantitative data on normative values of orbital structures with gender and age group comparisons. Clinicians or surgeons can easily use the measured values to gather diagnostic information from the orbital region.

Internalization of Character Education Values in Arabic Language Learning for Tsanawiyah Students Dayah Al Muslimun Lhoksukon North Aceh

This study aims to describe the implementation of character education values and their internalization in Arabic language learning for tsnawiyah students of Dayah Al Muslimun Lhoksukon North Aceh. This research uses descriptive qualitative methods, and the data collected are the results of observations, interviews and documentation. Data analysis in this study used Miles Huberman's interactive analysis theory. The data analysis technique in this study begins with collecting data, presenting, reducing and concluding. The results of this study indicate that the value of character education values contained in Arabic learning materials in the book Arabiyah Baina Yadaik for Tsanawiyah students, namely: religious values, ethical values, tolerance values, disciplinary values, complex work values, independent values, democratic values, curiosity values, national spirit values, recognizing excellence, communicative values, reading values, environmental care values and responsibility values and the value of character education values are internalized into the process of Arabic learning stages through teaching materials, learning models and evaluation (authentic assessment).

Comparative Analysis of Learning Curve, Complexity, Psychological Stress, and Work Relative Value Units for CPT 62380 Endoscopic Lumbar Spinal Decompression vs Traditional Lumbar Spine Surgeries: A Paired Rasch Survey Study.

Effective 1 January 2017, single-level endoscopic lumbar discectomy received a Category I Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 62380. However, no work relative value units (RVUs) are currently assigned to the procedure. An international team of endoscopic spine surgeons conducted a study, endorsed by several spine societies, analyzing the learning curve, difficulty, psychological intensity, and estimated work RVUs of endoscopic lumbar spinal decompression compared with other common lumbar spine surgeries. A survey comparing CPT 62380 to 10 other comparator CPT codes reflective of common spine surgeries was developed to assess the work RVUs in terms of learning curve, difficulty, psychological intensity, and work effort using a paired Rasch method. The survey was sent to 542 spine specialists. Of 322 respondents, 150 completed the survey for a 43.1% completion rate. Rasch analysis of the submitted responses statistically corroborated common knowledge that the learning curve with lumbar endoscopic spinal surgery is steeper and more complex than with traditional translaminar lumbar decompression surgeries. It also showed that the psychological stress and mental and work effort with the lumbar endoscopic decompression surgery were perceived to be higher by responding spine surgeons compared with posterior comparator decompression and fusion surgeries and even posterior interbody and posterolateral fusion surgeries. The regression analysis of work effort vs procedural difficulty showed the real-world evaluation of the lumbar endoscopic decompression surgery described in CPT code 62380 with a calculated work RVU of 18.2464. The Rasch analysis suggested the valuation for the endoscopic lumbar decompression surgery should be higher than for standard lumbar surgeries: 111.1% of the laminectomy with exploration and/or decompression of spinal cord and/or cauda equina (CPT 63005), 118.71% of the laminectomy code (CPT 63047), which includes foraminotomy and facetectomy, 152.1% of the hemilaminectomy code (CPT 63030), and 259.55% of the interlaminar or interspinous process stabilization/distraction without decompression code (CPT 22869). This research methodology was endorsed by the Interamerican Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SICCMI), the Mexican Society of Spinal Surgeons (AMCICO), the International Society For Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (ISMISS), the Brazilian Spine Society (SBC), the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS), the Korean Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (KOMISS), and the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS). This study provides an updated reimbursement recommendation for endoscopic spine surgery. Level 3.

Colorimetric detection of Pd2+ and Ni2+ ions using a probe having benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole and pyrene rings: Application in detection of Pd2+ ion in anti-hypertensive drugs

Pd-complexes are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry to synthesize APIs and drug molecules. It is imperative to detect even trace amounts of Pd impurities in them. A probe (E/Z)-N'-(pyren-1-ylmethylene)benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole-2-carbohydrazide (LH) having benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole and pyrene rings has been synthesized. LH was found to exhibit a change from colourless to yellowish green in presence of Pd2+ and Ni2+ ions. This colorimetric “turn on” response has also been observed with Pd2+ ions in the presence of “sartan” drugs, namely telmisartan, valsartan, irbesartan, olmesartan medoxomil and losartan potassium. The limit of detection ranged from 46.1 to 93.9 nM (4.9 to 6.0 ppb) for PdCl2 and 10.6 to 19.6 nM (1.1 to 2.1 ppb) for Pd(PPh3)2Cl2 and these are lower than the limit suggested by the EMA. The LOD values of Ni2+ ion was 9.301 nM which is also lower than the WHO guideline value. This probe showed a remarkable ability to recover Pd2+ ions from the spiked solution of drug samples. The probe formed stable 1:1 complexes with both the metal ions with binding constant values 3.72 × 103 L mol−1 (for Pd2+) and 8.26 × 104 L mol−1 (for Ni2+). Binding constant values of Pd-L complex increased in the presence of drug molecules, thereby indicating the absence of interference. The pH tolerance of the probe was found to be in the range of 3–11 (for Ni2+) and 2–11 (for Pd2+). DFT/TDDFT studies performed on LH, [Pd(L)(CH3CN)Cl] and [Ni(LH)(H2O)(CH3CN)Cl2] in CPCM continuum solvation model in CH3CN, showed good correlation between calculated UV–Vis and experimental spectra.

Blending Behavioural Theory and Narrative Analysis to Explore the Lived Experience of Obesity and Assess Potential Engagement in a UK Weight Management Service: Theory and Narrative Approaches in Weight Management.

Current treatments for people with obesity emphasise the need for person-centred approaches that consider complex biopsychosocial factors and value the lived experience of people when attempting to lose weight. Narrative interviews (n = 20) were conducted with people living with obesity to explore the causes of their weight gain and their expectations and engagement with treatment at a Weight Management Clinic. A mixed inductive and deductive qualitative analysis identified utterances that represented psychological constructs used to understand self-appraisal and health behaviour. A narrative analysis was used to situate these findings in the context of a participant's life story. Locus of control was a dominant construct evidenced through a person's attributional style and self-efficacy. Transcripts represented a heightened sense of self-understanding and shifts in control, and styles of attribution and efficacy resulted in either stasis or self-actualisation. The Stages of Change model could be applied to narratives to ascertain a patient's motivation to access treatment. Importantly, narrative interviews also allowed for the consideration of how a person's systemic context influenced their weight. Narrative interaction supports both self- and shared understandings of the causes and consequences of obesity for individuals, in a non-blaming or shaming manner. It provides an opportunity to enhance engagement through tailored, person-centred treatments.