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Shoulder tendon adaptations: a four-year longitudinal study of elite wheelchair rugby players
Full text linkThe purpose of this study was to investigate chronic biceps and supraspinatus tendon changes in elite wheelchair rugby (WR) players over a four-year period.
Methods: Seven male elite wheelchair rugby players (Spinal cord injury SCI: n=5, NSCI: n=2) underwent ultrasound imaging of their shoulders in January 2020 and January 2024. Quantitative Ultrasound Protocols (QUS) were used to assess supraspinatus and biceps tendon thickness, echogenicity, and echogenicity ratio for the dominant (DOM) and non-dominant (N-DOM) shoulders. Symmetry indices were calculated between DOM and N-DOM sides. Paired sample t-tests were performed to compare data between time points.
Results: Biceps tendon thickness significantly increased for the N-DOM shoulder (2.6±0.5 mm vs. 3.1±0.8 mm, 2020–2024, P = 0.031), while supraspinatus tendon echogenicity significantly decreased for the N-DOM shoulder (103.5±7.0 vs. 78.6±23.3, 2020–2024, P = 0.010). No other measures showed significant differences. Individual changes over time varied widely: biceps tendon thickness ranged from -9.8% to 28.7%, and supraspinatus tendon thickness ranged from -62.8% to 30.7%. Echogenicity and echogenicity ratio changes in the supraspinatus tendon also varied (SCI: -74.4% to 5.5% and -14.4% to 33.3%; NSCI: -121.4% to 1.4% and -45.5% to 74.5%). Greater asymmetry, reflected by increased changes in the symmetry index of supraspinatus tendon echogenicity and echogenicity ratio, was observed progressively from 2020 to 2024.
Conclusion: This study reveals significant variability in chronic tendon adaptations among elite wheelchair rugby players. The N-DOM shoulder exhibited increased biceps tendon thickness, decreased supraspinatus echogenicity (indicating more fluid and tendinopathy), and considerable individual variation in tendon dimensions, echogenicity, and symmetry. These findings highlight the need for tailored assessments and interventions to address unique adaptations, enhance performance, and prevent injuries
Leading in place: The value of a holistic approach to driving social mobility and regional development
Full text linkThe University of Derby is the only higher education institution in Derbyshire, and the University’s Strategic Framework articulates the University’s role to ‘open doors’ and ‘be a force for positive impact’ on the economic, social, cultural, educational and environmental prosperity of the city and region. This chapter examines the ways in which the University delivers social mobility and regional development through its holistic approach to enabling student and graduate talent, delivering impactful innovation and research activity, and supporting wider partnership work across the region. In so doing, it demonstrates the valuable role of higher education in place-based interventions that link widening access, innovation and research, and partnership working to improve livelihoods and opportunities
Examining the exploitation of vulnerable migrant populations and interventions to combat human trafficking and modern-day slavery within the illegal UK cannabis cultivation industry
Full text linkThe illegal cultivation of cannabis in the UK is a serious problem that can involve the exploitation of vulnerable
migrant populations who are trafficked to work as cannabis growers under conditions of debt bondage and
modern slavery. Although there is much public interest in modern slavery and human trafficking (MSHT), the
prominent focus is on child criminal exploitation and sexual exploitation. The lived experiences and perspectives
of cannabis growers and the trauma these victims endure, as well as the methods of control and coercion used by
the perpetrators, is under-researched. By scoping the existing literature, the following issues are explored: The
vulnerability of migrants is shaped by multiple factors, such as poverty, inequality, and lack of legal status. The
perpetrators use various methods of control and coercion, such as deception, threats, violence, and debt manipulation. The victims suffer from physical and psychological trauma, such as injuries, illnesses, anxiety, depression, and fear. Finally, there is evidence that protective legislation and the actions of the criminal justice
system in some MSHT cases are inadequate, resulting in the criminalisation of cannabis growers, rather than on
their protection and support as victims of human rights violations. The findings suggest a significant need for
improving the identification, referral, and protection of cannabis growers who are victims of MSHT. This requires
addressing the research gaps identified in this review, enhancing the training and understanding of MSHT
and non-punishment provisions amongst criminal justice workers, and adopting a holistic approach to victim
support
UNIVERSITY AND EMPLOYER COLLABORATION TO IMPROVE GRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY
No full textThis research explores the relationship between universities and employers in the pursuit of improving graduate employability. The origins lie in the researcher’s experience across a variety of settings at the interface of education and the workplace. The primary aim is to explore university-employer relationships at a regional level, to inform practice and policy supporting graduates into high-skilled roles.
The study is underpinned by an interpretivist research philosophy and adopts a case study approach. The sample includes a range of academic, professional services, and senior leadership staff across three universities, with a focus on Business Schools. Employers are represented by a selection of multinational corporations, small/medium sized enterprises, and organisations from the public and third sectors.
Key findings to address the research questions around the ‘who’, ‘why’, ‘how’, and ‘what’ of graduate employability are presented. This is followed by a discussion framed by stakeholder theory which provides a fresh perspective for this topic.
It argues three key themes influence contemporary university-employer relationships: the productive role of stakeholder tension; use of common employability language by different stakeholders; and the strategic role of Careers and Employability Services leaders. A further contribution lies in the framework for practice designed to guide HE teams through the complex process of managing employer relationships to improve graduate employability. This integrates findings with relevant literature, specifically a model of university-employer relationships for higher skills provision, and a taxonomy of educator-employer links. It comprises a sequence of eight steps, with guidance for implementation.
The conclusions from this study show the application of stakeholder theory brings new insights to university-employer relationships. It offers six contributions to knowledge, and presents implications for practice and policy, whilst acknowledging limitations. It closes with suggestions for future research and a personal reflection on the doctoral experience
Domain-specific and domain-general predictors of math anxiety in adolescents and adults
Full text linkIt is well-established that a negative relation exists between math anxiety (MA) and math performance. However, because there has been no systematic quantitative research on the predictors of MA, we conducted three studies in adolescents and adults to address this gap. Focusing on the Polish population, we tested whether, and to what degree, domain-specific (mathematical resilience, intellectual helplessness in mathematics, math performance) and domain-general (sociodemographic: gender, age; affective: general anxiety, test anxiety; and cognitive: fluid intelligence, working memory, response inhibition) variables predict and explain variance in MA. We found that regardless of the sample and other variables included in the models, intellectual helplessness in math and mathematical resilience are consistent and independent predictors of MA. Moreover, math performance, rather than math grades, serves as a consistent predictor of MA. The findings highlight the relative importance of these variables in understanding MA and indicate a need to focus on domain-specific variables in targeting MA reduction
The shifting nature of insolvency theory: from liquidation to rescue and sustainability
No full textToday, there is an emphasis on sustainability and social impact connected to the insolvency of corporate entities that classic theoretical approaches to the aims and purposes of insolvency would simply not countenance. The purpose of this chapter is to answer the following question: how have the theoretical aims and purposes of insolvency shifted over time to account for parallel shifts in economic and social policy? This question will be answered by examining the rise and fall of the pure concept of ‘creditor wealth maximisation’ and the Law and Economics based insolvency theories that subscribe fully to this ideal (section 2). This will be followed by an examination of the more inclusive approaches introduced to mitigate the pure economic approach, extending the benefits of insolvency processes to other corporate stakeholders (section 3). The final substantive analyses theoretical insolvency and rescue approaches through the lens of feminist legal theory with a view to recognising a future adaptation of the traditional hierarchical and stratified perspective to a more nuanced and sustainability embracing approach that considers stakeholder dependence on the corporate entity along with practical, socially mindful solutions to corporate financial distress
The Petrogenesis of late Archaean anorthositic chromitites: New insights from Fiskenæsset, Greenland and Sittampundi, India
No full textWe present the trace element data for chromites from the anorthositic chromitites at Fiskenæsset, Greenland and Sittampundi, India, using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), along with new major element analyses. Anorthositic chromitites are a rare petrological association consisting of highly calcic plagioclase (>An90), calcic-amphibole, and iron-rich chromite, primarily restricted to the late Archaean (2900–2500 Ma). Unlike chromitites in komatiitic, oceanic, and layered intrusion settings, their formation remains poorly understood. Our study demonstrates that the Fiskenæsset and Sittampundi chromites have strikingly similar minor and trace element chemistry: although the Fiskenæsset chromites contain higher Mn, V and Ga and lower Ti, Ni, Zn, and Co than the Sittampundi chromites. UG2 Bushveld chromite normalized multi-element plot indicates that these chromites are depleted in Ti and Sc, consistent with crystallization from a melt undergoing amphibole fractionation. Cr#-Fe# variations further suggest that chromite composition was controlled by amphibole fractionation, reinforcing the role of magmatic amphibole in the genesis of anorthositic chromitites. We propose that the presence of water in the parent magma was critical for chromite crystallization, and as amphibole crystallized, reducing the water content of the melt, Cr solubility decreased, triggering chromite precipitation
THE MECHANISMS OF THE INFLUENCE OF VACILLATING LEADERSHIP ON EMPLOYEE CREATIVITY: THE MEDIATING ROLES OF VOICE BEHAVIOUR AND LMX, AND THEIR BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
No full textStudies on the effects had by leaders who exhibit varying (i.e., positive and negative) leadership behaviours—vacillating leadership—are limited, especially regarding their impact on proactive behaviours such as creativity. Given the associated stress and negative consequences of vacillating leadership on employees and the fact that the study of this topic is still in its infancy, further investigation is necessary to establish its impact in today’s
globalised and competitive business environment. How vacillating leadership influences employee creativity at the dyadic level and when such dyadic interaction shapes the
relationship remains unclear in both leadership and organisational research. Building on social exchange theory (SET), I hypothesise that vacillating leadership influences employee creativity, mediated by promotive voice behaviour and leader-member exchange (LMX). Specifically, SET is a well-known theoretical concept in dyadic relationships, and it plays a vital role in understanding leader-employee social behaviours and interactions. Drawing insights from cognitive appraisal theory, I examine the moderating roles of perceived
emotion regulation on the link between vacillating leadership-promotive voice behaviour and the effect of distraction thought control on the vacillating leadership-LMX relationship. Specifically, cognitive appraisals are crucial to managing employee stress stemming from the
negative emotions caused by vacillating leadership.
My proposed model was tested using a three-wave longitudinal survey of financial institutions; the sample consisted of 100 leaders and 334 team members. Using data from 334
leader-employee dyads, I tested my hypotheses using a linear mixed model analysis in IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0. The results supported my hypotheses and showed that vacillating
leadership is negatively related to promotive voice behaviour and creativity. Vacillating leadership was also shown to positively predict LMX, while promotive voice behaviour
positively predicted employee creativity. In addition, promotive voice behaviour fully mediated the relationship between vacillating leadership and creativity, while perceived emotion regulation moderated the relationship between vacillating leadership and promotive voice behaviour. Contrary to my expectations, the conditional effect of perceived emotion regulation was positive (vs negative) at low (vs high) levels. This unexpected result was
attributed to the Nigerian culture, characterised by a high power distance. In particular, certain employees may be drawn to vacillating leaders due to their influence, power, and
authority, depending on them for guidance and support. The high power distance culture also explained the positive relationship between vacillating leadership and LMX. A mediated moderation was also found, as promotive voice behaviour was shown to mediate the interaction between vacillating leadership and perceived emotion regulation on creativity. Similarly, LMX fully mediated the relationship between vacillating leadership and creativity, while distraction thought control positively moderated the relationship between vacillating leadership and LMX. A mediated moderation was observed, with LMX mediating the
interaction between vacillating leadership and distraction thought control on creativity.
This research provides a comprehensive understanding of vacillating leadership. It addresses the less explored aspect of negative leadership and its distinctive interplay with promotive voice behaviour, LMX, perceived emotion regulation, and distraction thought control in a societal context. The theoretical and practical implications of its findings and directions for future research are discussed
Digitalisation of the Regional High Street: Exploring Community Perceptions
Full text linkUK high streets and town centres have been facing a significant decline over the past decade, characterised by increasing vacancy rates, reduced footfall, and the closure of both chain and independent stores. This trend, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to detrimental impacts on local communities. However, the pandemic paradoxically sparked a renewed interest in localism and particularly independent retailers, as consumers sought to support local businesses during lockdowns. This shift in consumer behaviour, coupled with the accelerated adoption of digital technologies, presents a unique opportunity to reimagine the role of independent retailers in high street and town centre regeneration.
Previous research has emphasised that stemming retail decline requires value co-creation between local community stakeholders, with digitalisation emerging as a potential catalyst for this process. However, there remains a gap in understanding how independent retailers, often with limited resources, can effectively leverage digital tools to create value in their local context. This research therefore explores the extent to which local community retailers have used digital tools to create value and examines the complex dynamics of this process within the broader local community ecosystem.
Using a case study approach, this study examines three distinct local high streets in Derbyshire. Data was collected through documents and 37 semi-structured interviews with various stakeholders, including independent retailers, local council representatives, landlords, community champions, and town teams, providing a holistic perspective.
The study contributes to knowledge by identifying how independent retailers are co-creating value with each other, their customers and also with the wider local community stakeholders. It reveals the concept of 'coopetition' among small, independent retailers in local communities, where collaboration and competition coexist. This finding also exposes how independent retailers go beyond their traditional economic roles, becoming key actors in building resilient communities. Their authentic commitment to local areas manifests through collaborative community engagement, active participation in local initiatives, and partnerships with various stakeholders. This deep community embeddedness, coupled with their agility and autonomy, enables independent retailers to co-create 'hyper-local' value in ways that larger chains cannot replicate, and this is amplified by adopting digital tools. The research also uncovers the dual nature of digital technology for independent retailers, demonstrating both its value co-creation potential and the risk of value co-destruction if not managed effectively
On Thorns of Evil Ages
Full text linkExhibition for FORMAT25, March-April 2025, University of Derby.
On Thorns of Evil Ages*
Work by Ukrainian artists created in defiance and defence of their Country
Ukraine's geographical location has determined its difficult historical fate. For many centuries it has been defending Europe from attacks from the East. This has shaped the character of Ukrainians. They have not only learned to survive the constant raids of their crazy neighbours, but also to live as Ukrainians and defend their national identity through difficult times. So, if you think that Ukraine is in ruins, it is not. There are cities that are almost completely destroyed (e.g. Bakhmut, Izyum). However, in cities, towns, and villages throughout Ukraine there are volunteer groups that work together with special services to clear the rubble after the bombing. Cities are decorated with flowers in summer and New Year's decorations in winter. The soldiers on the front line ask their families to live as normal and as peaceful a life as possible. They say that this is why they have been living in the trenches for three years and defending their country in incredibly difficult conditions.
The work in this exhibition explores and cements Ukraine as a living country, not one that is beaten and overcome by aggressors. Whilst much of the work refers to the ongoing invasion of the country, what is of pivotal importance is the indomitable spirit of Ukrainians to ensure their country survives and thrives.
*Lina Kostenko, untitled poem, 1962.
Curators:
Nataliia Dniprenko (KNUNKiN Karpenko-Karyi, Ukraine) and Dr. Philip Harris (University of Derby