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Failsafe: a choreography
No full textFailsafe: A Choreography by Scott Thurston offers an entrancing fusion of movement and language, inviting readers into a kinetic journey where poetry and dance entwine. Each phrase pulses with energy, unraveling the body in motion, while the rhythm of words mimics the fluidity of limbs in flight. Thurston's exploration of kinepoetics--his distinctive practice marrying dance with poetry--guides readers to experience the very act of becoming, where the body's gestures craft meaning as dynamic as any dance. This work beckons both dancers and readers to lose themselves in the perpetual transitions of space, time, and self
Lignocellulosic biomass conversion to levulinic acid via acid catalysis: Current methods, opportunities and challenges for self-sustaining biorefineries
Full text linkIn recent years, integrated biorefineries have received growing interest as to maximise the extractable value from biomass in the form of green platform chemicals in order to support the establishment of a low carbon economy. Research and development in this area has focused on the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass, regarded as second-generation feedstocks, into a multitude of biochemicals from numerous different plant-based feedstocks with a wide range of catalytic systems, particularly the production of levulinic acid. This work critically reviews the most significant and pertinent literature of the methods and challenges of second-generation feedstock for levulinic acid production, identifying heterogeneous/homogeneous catalyst synergies can improve yields between 28-58% depending on mineral catalyst promoter used. In addition, areas of particular focus of this review regards solid residues potential applications in a circular biorefinery context, revealing the novel role of hydrochar as booster additive in anaerobic digestion, which results in increased methane yields and, potentially, better soil amending digestate. The review also highlights the gaps in knowledge and synthesise new concepts to bridge these gaps in research, most pertinently applied to the solid residue formation and properties, with key links between multiple fields defined for the first time
Prototyping the Power Hall: a decision-making process
Full text linkArticle Short Description: Investigating an audience-driven strategy for interactive interpretation prototyping in a science museum setting at the discovery phase of exhibition development. Abstract Interactive gallery interpretation is seen as a valuable tool for engaging families with the subject of science and engineering. It can offer many opportunities for creating active learning experiences and can help stimulate visitor interest and motivation (Falk et al., 2004). However, with such an abundance of technologies and techniques to choose from, it can be challenging for exhibition teams to decipher which interactive interpretation approach will deliver the most impactful results for their future visitors. The practice research outlined in this study identified that there was currently no defined method to compare the success of one proposed interactive interpretation approach to another from the perspective of both family and science engagement, despite these two elements being essential components in the design thinking process. This paper presents an innovative approach to interactive interpretation decision-making at the discovery stage of exhibition planning. It trials a process of evaluating and comparing multiple high-fidelity prototypes developed to answer the same interpretation problem through family discourse and a science capital-informed coding method. Science capital is a concept that describes a person's science-related knowledge, attitudes, contacts and experiences, which can be accumulated over time (Archer et al., 2015). The author labels the investigated evaluation phase as 'prot
Respectful bereavement care practices that promotes parents’ emotional wellbeing affected by stillbirth
No full textThe death of a baby in childbirth is a devastating experience for parents, caregivers, and health care professionals across the globe. High-quality, respectful bereavement care is crucial to enable parents to cope with the experience and mitigate long- and short-term adverse psychological outcomes (Siassakos et al 2018). This paper reviews best practices and core principles that underpin respectful bereavement care for parents experiencing an unexpected stillbirth, from a national and global perspective
Mental health, medical incapacity, and political leadership in the United Kingdom: A multidisciplinary analysis of the intersections between psychiatry and constitutional law.
Full text linkMental ill-health and medical incapacity in governmental leadership could affect democratic accountability, possibly necessitating complex psychiatric, judicial, and political interactions. Notably, as a prominent democratic jurisdiction, governmental structures in the United Kingdom and the role of its Prime Minister are generally underpinned by constitutional conventions, rather than enforceable legal frameworks. Political continuity and stability thereby rely on the actions and integrity of constitutional agents, which could engender dilemmas if medical incapacity due to mental ill-health becomes evident. Accordingly, based on a critical analysis of relevant legal documents, this paper examines this largely overlooked topic in relation to the office of the United Kingdom's Prime Minister. In doing so, it does not speculate on the mental health of any individual (past or present) and instead explores hypothetical circumstances and constitutional precedents, including the potential for voluntary resignation and involuntary removal, to promote wider knowledge synthesis. Interdisciplinary interpretations are offered for such situations, where constitutional decisions would likely require informal exchanges with mental health specialists and invoke challenges in conducting psychiatric assessments in politically-charged contexts. Finally, to pre-emptively respond to conceivable scenarios and address existing ambiguities, the paper concludes with some interprofessional recommendations aligned with the democratic values of the United Kingdom
A Comparative Analysis of the Performance of Parallel Ensemble and Sequential Ensemble Machine Learning Methods in the Detection of Diabetes Miletus
Full text linkDiabetes Mellitus still forms a major cause of death rates soaring around the globe, heightening scares regarding shooting up diabetic population in the world; and hence straining health attendants to seek for rapid diagnostic tools specific to an incurable disease as described. Many models have been presented for machine learning as base learners, or else combined ensemble techniques. The performance of parallel and sequential ensemble machine learning approaches in the detection of diabetes mellitus: A comparative study, the parallel ensemble methods include Random Forest, J48, CART and Decision Stump (DS) classifiers and the sequential ensemble method includes XGBoost AdaBoostM1 Gradient Boosting. The data set was 70% training and 30 % testing using the dataset on UCI machine repository site. Python analysis using Jupyter Notebook of this model confirmed that sequential ensemble has a classification accuracy about 6% more than parallel method using the same dataset by applying the 5-fold Cross Validation (CV) technique. XGBoost was also 4% better than 10-fold CV. Sequential machine learning models perform better in predicting diabetes mellitus as per the results. Therefore, the study concludes that sequential ensemble approaches are robust and effective in enhancing early diagnosis of patients. Thus, these models can be employed to develop prospective diabetes mellitus detection systems which in turn contributes to better health outcomes and decreasing the load on healthcare
Comparison of Demographics and Oxford Knee Score in Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients Between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia: A Cohort Study
Full text linkBackground/Objectives: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is considered as important final line of treatment for several conditions such as knee osteoarthritis. Interestingly, culture, demographics, and health care systems may differ between countries, leading to different outcomes. Understanding this variation can help in enhancing patient care and rehabilitation therapy. This study aimed to compare primary TKA patients from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Kingdom (UK) pre- and post-surgery, representing two different populations and cultural backgrounds. Methods: A retrospective cohort sample was collected from the UK and one prospective cohort sample was collected in the KSA. Demographic characteristics and the Oxford knee score (OKS) were compared preoperatively and 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Results: A total of 259 patients were included in the study. Significant differences were observed in demographic characteristics. Patients in the UK cohort were five years older and 7 kg/m2 lower in body mass index (BMI) than those in the KSA cohort. The proportion of male patients was higher in the UK cohort (37%) compared to the KSA cohort (17%). Preoperatively, the OKS was significantly (p = 0.001) worse in the Saudi cohort (15 ± 4) compared to the UK cohort (19 ± 6). After 6 months postoperatively, both groups improved; however, there was a significant difference, with a higher value for the KSA cohort compared to the UK cohort. By 12 months post-TKA, the difference in OKS between the populations no longer existed. Conclusions: Although there are notable differences in demographics and preoperative OKS, the functional outcomes at 12 months post-TKA were comparable between the two populations. These findings suggest that while cultural and demographic factors may influence early postoperative recovery, 12-month outcomes tend to converge across different populations
Two-Dimensional Modeling of the Interaction Between Electromagnetic Waves and Plasma–Metamaterial Composite Structures Using the Particle-in-Cell Method
Full text linkIn this work we (i) extend previous 1D studies of electromagnetic (EM) wave propagation in an over-dense plasma-metamaterial composite into two spatial dimensions and (ii) study blocking of EM waves by the composite 2D structures (barriers). Such barriers are formed when metamaterial spatially co-exists with a plasma density depletion in a form of a slab or two-dimensional density rectangular depletions (DRDs). This is analogous to EM wave trapping by preformed density cavities in near-critical density plasmas, studied before. We find that plasma-metamaterial composite allows to block EM waves by both slab and DRD configurations, thus forming a standing wave at the edge of an opaque region. The standing wave subsequently damps which offers applications such as heat deposition or substrate materials (micro)machining depending on EM wave intensity. The established results may find future applications such as: more efficient plasma vapour deposition, controlling EM wave propagation (EM wave blocking) in invisibility cloaks and alike. The EM wave blocking conditions are elucidated by a set of particle-in-cell (PIC) numerical simulations
You don’t know what you don’t know; using high school outreach to improve awareness of bioscience-based careers and higher education
Full text linkWhen considering the diversity of students in higher education, an important but frequently overlooked characteristic is socioeconomic background. It is well known that those from socially disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to progress to higher education, and accounts for an associated lack of diversity in the STEM workplace. The reasons for this are many and complex, though a lack of awareness of STEM-based education thence career pathways among secondary school learners remains a key contributor. To address this, we designed an adaptable and scalable high school outreach programme that sought to raise STEM (with a focus on bioscience) awareness through events that could be readily adapted to meet high school needs and resource constraints. Learner perceptions were recorded using a pre- and post-event questionnaire. Following the event, awareness of bioscience-based careers and the required prerequisite skills and qualifications were increased by 58 and 53 % respectively. The degree to which learners were considering a bioscience-based career was increased by 43 %. Though interest in attending university to study STEM was unaltered, awareness of the qualifications required to progress to university was increased by 58 %. These findings suggest that outreach events are an effective way to raise general awareness of STEM-based higher education learning thence careers and highlight the importance of tailoring outreach events to meet school and learner needs
Bridging the Digital Skills Gap with a Focused Student Initiative
Full text linkThe rapid evolution of technology has created a significantgap between the skills taught in higher education and those required byemployers. Digital Skills Week at Salford Business School (SBS) aimed to bridgethis gap by equipping students with essential digital competencies, focusing ontechnologies such as AI and Microsoft Office. The initiative was developed inresponse to the increasing demand for digitally skilled graduates and thegrowing challenges employers face in recruiting for digital roles. During adedicated week, students engaged with platforms like LinkedIn Learning,completed Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exams, and participated in sessionsdesigned to enhance digital capabilities, their adaptability, employability,and creativity. This article explores the development and delivery of DigitalSkills Week, its rationale based on employer expectations and technologicaladvancements, and the impact of the initiative on student engagement and skilldevelopment. Evidence from student participation, feedback, and futurerecommendations demonstrates the transformative potential of integratingdigital skills into the academic curriculum and the potential long-term impacton employability and curriculum development
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