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How can health psychologists contribute to care for people receiving kidney dialysis?
Full text linkThis article considers ways that health psychologists can help improve coping, adjustment and treatment outcomes for people receiving kidney dialysis in the UK, with extracts from interviews with people receiving dialysis to illustrate potential health psychology contributions. These include preventing and reducing depression, promoting positive adjustment and adherence, helping with end-of-life issues, providing support during crisis periods, training and supporting other dialysis unit staff, and conducting research
Molluscan isotope sclerochronology in marine palaeoclimatology: Taxa, technique and timespan issues
Full text linkStudy of the accretionary biomineralised hardparts of organisms (sclerochronology) can make a useful contribution
to palaeoclimatology. Ontogenetic sequences of isotopic data (δ18O and Δ47 values) from the shells of
marine molluscs are a source of information on seasonal sea-surface temperatures that can be used for detailed
and rigorous evaluation of the outputs of numerical climate models. In situations where there is significant
seasonality, and where shell preservation is adequate, accurate information about winter and summer surface
temperature can be obtained from shallow-water benthic forms (bivalves and gastropods), in particular the early
ontogeny of fast-growing species. Accurate information about winter surface temperature can also be obtained
from individuals that lived at mid-shelf depths (20–40 m), but summer seafloor values from these need upward
adjustment to derive a plausible surface temperature if thermal stratification of the water column occurs in this
season. Ontogenetic δ18O profiles from planktonic pteropod gastropods are a potential source of insight into
seasonal surface temperatures in the ocean basins; these organisms merit investigation for provision of information
to complement shelf data.
Temperature profiles constructed from shell δ18O require an estimate of the δ18O value of ambient seawater,
which can be derived by back-calculation from the Δ47-temperature supplied by the same shell material.
Alternatively, through appropriate sampling and data processing, seasonal temperatures can be obtained directly
from Δ47 profiles. Climate parameters are defined in terms of the mean state over a period of 30 consecutive
years, a statistic (e.g., for seasonal temperatures) which can be derived from the long isotopic temperature records
obtainable from bivalve species that live for many tens or hundreds of years. Efforts should be made to
acquire such records, especially averaged data from crossdated shells, to specify climate parameters for precise
times in the past. Information for precise times would be of particular value for icehouse intervals like the late
Cenozoic, characterised by high frequency (high amplitude) climate fluctuation. Short records from noncrossdated
shells can nevertheless provide useful insights into climate, particularly if a large dataset is obtained,
supplying a reliable picture of the mean state and range of variation in climate parameters over the
interval represented by the shells
Kinetic investigations on the fading reaction between MX and SDS at concentrations below and above the critical micellar concentration
Full text linkMurexide (MX), the ammonium salt of purpuric acid, was found to significantly fade in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) within 2 hours. Herein, the fading reaction kinetics data between MX and SDS at concentrations below and above the critical micellar concentration were studied using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer equipped with a temperature control system. By establishing a kinetic model and analysing the data, the influences of micelle and temperature on reaction orders and rate constants were determined. These results indicate that micelle formation can influence the reaction mechanism, lead to a decrease in reaction rate constants (k) and a shift in the partial order (β) from positive to negative. These results demonstrate that the formation of micelles have a substantial impact on the rate of the MX fading reaction, providing a new approach for studying the role of micelles in dye fading mechanisms
A sculptured journey: A photovoice study about information sharing among unpaid carers in England
Full text linkThis article explores the critical and often overwhelming task faced by unpaid carers: gathering and interpreting complex information so that health and social care systems can be accessed and understood. Based on a qualitative study centering the views and voices of unpaid carers, it provides a rich analysis of how carers share and interpret information within carer-centered group activities, offering practical insights for both practitioners and carers. In England, the Care Act 2014 places legal duties on local governments to provide information; however, this is often reduced to “signposting,” leaving carers with unresolved questions and significant frustration. Consequently, carers frequently rely on one another to fill these gaps and support those they care for. Adopting a critical realist ontology and a social constructionist epistemology, this study balances the external realities of the Care Act with the subjective experiences of unpaid carers. Using photovoice, a method combining visual and narrative techniques, the study enabled carers to convey their approaches to information sharing. Reflexive thematic analysis identified the key theme of “an information highway: a sculptured journey” along with its subtheme, “an information bridge.” This analysis deepens understanding of how and when carers share information effectively, addressing an underexplored area within the literature on carer-centered group activities. It illustrates how carer-led information sharing enhances carers’ knowledge of rights and resources while fostering a sense of connection and support
Ficar ou partir? A experiência dos mentores de atividades desportivas artísticas com crianças excluídas na China rural
Full text linkPrevious studies have demonstrated the impacts of artistic sports on children’s mental health and academic performance. Our project focuses on the experiences of artistic sports mentors with Excluded Children (EC) in rural China. Data were collected through interviews with 32 volunteer mentors, exploring three key areas: reasons for participation, factors influencing continued or discontinued participation, and challenges encountered by mentors. The results revealed that mentors were primarily motivated by their passion for dance and their desire to positively influence the lives of EC. However, they faced numerous challenges, such as difficulties arising from EC, resistance from teachers and parents, financial constraints, as well as personal difficulties in adapting to the local environment. The insights gathered in this study provide a useful basis for guiding future initiatives aimed at improving the lives of EC in rural China through artistic sports activities.
Estudos anteriores demonstraram os impactos dos esportes artísticos na saúde mental e no desempenho acadêmico das crianças. Nosso projeto se concentra em experiências de mentores de esportes artísticos com Crianças Excluídas (CE) na China rural. Os dados foram coletados através de entrevistas com 32 mentores voluntários, explorando três áreas-chave: razões para a participação, fatores que influenciam a continuação da participação ou a interrupção, e desafios encontrados pelos mentores. Os resultados revelaram que os mentores foram motivados principalmente pela sua paixão pela dança e pelo seu desejo de influenciar positivamente as vidas de CE. No entanto, enfrentaram numerosos desafios, tais como dificuldades decorrentes das CE, resistência dos professores e dos pais, restrições financeiras, bem como dificuldades pessoais de adaptação ao ambiente local. Os insights coletados neste estudo fornecem uma base útil para orientar futuras iniciativas destinadas a melhorar a vida das CE na China rural através de atividades desportivas artísticas
Technology enabled competitiveness and experiences in hospitality: strategic change in a digitally transformed service landscape
Full text linkThis special issue of Strategic Change delves into the dynamic interplay between technology and hospitality strategy, offering diverse empirical and theoretical contributions that illuminate the multifaceted ways in which technology is redefining the industry. From digital transformation and sustainability to AI-driven HR, gamification, and service robotics, the contributions presented here reflect a sector in flux—rapidly adapting to complexity, embracing innovation, and reimagining the guest experience.
As the hospitality industry continues to respond to a landscape shaped by global disruption, shifting consumer behaviour, and increasing environmental pressures, technology is no longer merely an operational asset—it is a strategic cornerstone. The articles in this issue reflect this paradigm shift, exploring how technological tools are enabling competitiveness, resilience, and a more sustainable, personalised form of service delivery
Co-creating value in the independent pop-up retail ecosystem
Full text linkPurpose: This paper explores through an ecosystem lens how value can be co-created in independent pop-up retail thus enhancing the community-based retail offer. It considers value co-creation between pop-up owners, supply side stakeholders and customers operating in a challenging retail environment, offering useful insights for those involved in researching and managing high streets and temporary retail space.
Design: Adopting a qualitative approach, the study draws upon interviews with 87 participants involved in pop-up initiatives in the UK. This includes 28 interviews with supply-side stakeholders such as landlords and community representatives, 23 with pop-up owners and 36 with pop-up customers.
Findings: The study finds that pop-up business models are heterogenous. Value is co-created through the multiple symbiotic relationships the pop-up has with stakeholders in the community ecosystem in which they are embedded. Further value is co-created through the customer/pop-up owner interactions and the unique, temporary retail experience.
Originality: This is the first study to explore qualitatively, value co-creation in a novel temporary retail setting which considers both the supply-side and demand-side perspective within a retail ecosystem. Previous studies have focused on customer experiences of pop-ups rather than considering how the pop-up offer can be managed and enhanced through the relationships pop-up owners have with wider community stakeholders, as well as customers. Adopting a holistic perspective to value creation is key given the challenging retail environment many communities are experiencing
Mood, gait biomechanics, and cognitive load: investigating the influence of cognitive demands on the mood-motor relationship in young adults
Full text linkINTRODUCTION
Major depression affects approximately 13% of the global population and is a leading cause of disability [1]. Yet its impact extends beyond mood disturbances to include subtle motor impairments such as altered gait, slumped posture, and balance deficits [2]. Although these motor symptoms are often overlooked, emerging evidence suggests that affective processing and motor control are intricately linked, particularly under conditions of increased cognitive demand. This study aims to identify key biomechanical variables correlated with emotional processing and mood under both single-task and dual-task walking conditions in a non-clinical sample. This work is intended to inform future interventions that target both mood and motor function in individuals with major depression.
METHODS
Twenty-two young adults (age 19.6 ± 0.6 years) provided written informed consent and underwent baseline psychological assessments. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), anxiety with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale, and affective processing was evaluated using the CANTAB emotional bias task (recording the mean and standard deviation of reaction times for selecting “Sad”). Biomechanical data were collected using a dual-system approach. A Kistler force plate embedded in a 10-meter walkway recorded high-resolution (1000 Hz) force data to capture gait events—such as initial contact and toe-off—and extract variables including walking velocity, anterior-posterior and mediolateral forces, impulse, and force variability. In parallel, six Vicon Blue Trident IMUs were attached to the participants to record kinematic data throughout the six 10-meter walks; although these data will be processed and analysed at a later date, they are expected to provide valuable insights into segmental kinematics, and overall gait kinematics.
Participants completed six continuous 10-meter walks at a self-selected pace under two distinct conditions (Figure 1). In the single-task condition, participants walked without any additional cognitive challenge, thereby providing a baseline measure of natural gait mechanics. In the dual-task condition, participants performed the same walking task while simultaneously counting backwards by 3’s, thereby imposing an ecologically valid cognitive load. Key gait events were identified from the force plate's vertical force curve, and corresponding biomechanical variables were extracted. Subsequent correlation analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationships between the psychological measures and the biomechanical outputs across both walking conditions, allowing for a nuanced understanding of how affective processing interacts with motor control under varying cognitive demands.
Figure 1. Experimental set up
RESULTS & DISCUSSION
Under dual-task conditions, slower emotional processing of sad faces (longer reaction times) was significantly correlated with reduced mean walking velocity (r = –0.749, p < 0.001) and lower anterior-posterior force production (r = –0.516, p = 0.017), indicative of a cautious gait strategy when cognitive load increased. Moreover, mediolateral force variability was significantly negatively correlated with reaction time variability for both sad (r = –0.621, p = 0.003) and happy faces (r = –0.576, p = 0.006), suggesting that more consistent affective responses were associated with greater lateral force modulation. In contrast, during single-task walking, slower reaction times to sad faces were positively correlated with higher anterior-posterior (r = 0.45, p = 0.035) and mediolateral forces (r = 0.48, p = 0.023), while stance time variability showed significant negative correlations with both reaction time (r = –0.55, p = 0.008) and its variability (r = –0.45, p = 0.038). Minimal depressive symptoms were observed (PHQ-8 scores), which likely accounts for the absence of significant correlations between depressive symptom severity and biomechanical measures. These findings underscore the complex interplay between affective processing and gait biomechanics, suggesting that dual-task conditions may amplify latent motor control deficits. The contrasting results between single-task and dual-task conditions also imply that compensatory mechanisms may be at play when cognitive demands are minimal. These baseline findings provide valuable insights into the potential of gait measures as early indicators of mood disturbances, supporting further work to develop targeted biomechanical interventions for major depression.
CONCLUSION
Our findings reveal that cognitive load profoundly alters the relationship between affective processing and gait biomechanics. Under dual-task conditions, slower processing of emotional cues is linked to a cautious gait—manifested by reduced speed and force—while single-task walking suggests a compensatory increase in force production. These insights underscore the value of integrating cognitive and motor assessments to detect subtle mood disturbances. Ultimately, this study lays a robust foundation for developing targeted biomechanical interventions that could not only serve as early markers of depression but also improve mood and quality of life in affected individuals
The ‘Peelian Principles’: their historical and contemporary veracity
Full text linkBoth popular and ‘official’ sources posit that a set of nine definitive principles were authored to shape the working practices of the new Metropolitan Police (and all subsequent British forces) on its foundation in 1829 by Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel. These are colloquially referred to as the ‘Peelian Principles’ or ‘Peel’s Principles’. Today they are taught to all new police officers on the Police Entry Qualifications Framework (PEQF); as well as venerated by senior officers and policing inspectorates. Revisionist history, however, demonstrates that these nine commandments are, in all likelihood, an invention of the mid-twentieth century, apparently based on a summary of ideas extrapolated from Peel’s (alongside joint Commissioners Charles Rowan and Richard Mayne’s) early writings regarding police functions. This article intends to build on this insight into their origins through an examination of their relevance and veracity of whether they could have existed as codified in the first century of British policing at all; alongside whether they could or do hold true today. It seeks to do this by examining the historical context of policing in the Victorian era in relation to the Principles; whilst concurrently examining contemporary policing in the same manner. It concludes that whilst some of the principles can be examined in both eras, there are significant questions around their validity during both timeframes, thus raising questions of whether they should be placed on the pedestal they currently are
Perspectives of patients, family caregivers and healthcare providers on end-of-life communication in Chinese acute care settings: a qualitative study
No full textAims
To explore key stakeholders' experiences and perceptions of end-of-life communication in acute care settings.
Design
A qualitative descriptive study.
Methods
Data were collected from 4 May to 31 October 2023. Patients with terminal illness, family caregivers and healthcare providers were recruited from two Chinese hospitals via purposive sampling. Individual interviews were conducted with patients and family caregivers, whereas healthcare providers participated in focus group discussions. Thematic analysis was conducted.
Results
Nineteen patients, 22 family caregivers and 25 healthcare providers participated. Five themes emerged: (1) protective end-of-life communication, characterised by dominant family involvement, truth concealment and restricted end-of-life topics; (2) open end-of-life communication, characterised by dominant patient involvement, truth disclosure and diverse end-of-life topics; (3) patient-related factors, including comfort level in talking about end-of-life, burden and treatment engagement; (4) family-related factors, including comfort, burden, expectations, values and trust in healthcare providers and (5) healthcare provider-related factors, including comfort, time availability and clinical priorities, end-of-life communication awareness and skills and end-of-life care knowledge.
Conclusion
End-of-life communication in Chinese acute care settings oscillates between protective and open approaches, influenced by several individual factors.
Implications for the Profession and Patient Care
Healthcare providers must overcome stereotypes rooted in cultural values and adopt a proactive approach to end-of-life communication. Enhanced training and institutional procedures are needed to improve end-of-life communication in acute care settings.
Impact
The study provides nuanced insights into end-of-life communication dynamics in Chinese acute care settings, complementing global evidence. Coexisting protective and open communication approaches highlight the need for context-sensitive approaches to end-of-life communication. Multifocal interventions addressing patient-, family- and healthcare provider-related factors are warranted.
Reporting Method
Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research.
Patient or Public Contribution
No patient or public contribution was involved in the design or conduct of the study