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Law’s capture of human rights focused open-source investigation
No full textWith new protocols emerging to regulate the field of open-source investigation, this article critiques their widespread deference to the requirements of legal processes that exclude alternative horizons of justice and accountability. We argue that OSI may still compile evidence to support advocacy against systemic and structural violence, but in professionalising OSI, legally centred frameworks give little allowance to speculative or creative forms of advocacy which seek to address forms of violence not yet accepted in law. We therefore propose tactics to counter such epistemic injustice aimed at fostering pluralistic, decentralised, and solidarity-based OSI practices beyond legal constraints
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training strategies to empower patients: a critical Incident qualitative study
Get PDFPurposehis study explored the perceived strategies adopted by physiotherapists to empower patients during Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT).Materials and methodsA semi-structured interview qualitative study following Flanagan’s Critical Incident Technique (CIT) was conducted. Interviews focused on significant clinical cases related to patient empowerment in PFMT (successful and non-successful cases). Data analysis followed Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA).ResultsEighteen Italian physiotherapists were interviewed (Women N = 16; Men N = 2), and 67 cases were collected and analysed. Five themes were generated, providing a novel, in-depth understanding of patient empowerment in PFMT expanding the focus on physiotherapists’ perspectives: (1) ‘Building a powerful therapeutic alliance’, as participants reported how the patient-physiotherapist relationship was fundamental to get early patients’ empowerment; (2) ‘Debunking myth and managing expectations through education’, crucial to start the empowerment process; (3) ‘Planning tailored and relevant PFMT’, emphasising personalised PFMT plans to empower and engage patients; (4) ‘Creating a caring network of professionals and significant others’, highlighting support from different healthcare professionals patients’ social network; and (5) ‘The importance of continuous remote support in self-management’.ConclusionsOur results highlighted that PFMT empowerment, from the perspective of this group of physiotherapists, requires a holistic, patient-centered approach that integrates communication, education, collaboration, and continuous support to achieve long-term success. These results provide a comprehensive framework that aligns with existing findings in PFMT patients and holds the potential for shaping future PFMT interventions and informing empowerment strategies for physiotherapists. Future studies should expand on other populations and test PFMT programmes
Flatness in Contemporary Art and Poetic Practice
No full textThis project develops a critical frame of flatness to understand how intermedial arts and poetic practices engage with and critique the media effects of digital technologies. Flatness is understood here as an aesthetic mode that emphasises mediative processes; rather than seeking to ‘immerse’ viewers in a profound encounter with novel media, these practices instead present technical deconstructions of image-making. Intermedial art moves across and between media, and the practices considered here refer to extant works of art or media artefacts to develop this critique. As such, this project reads ekphrasis, which conventionally denotes a poetic rendering of visual art, as a form of intermedial practice, and uses ekphrasis further as a theoretical tool to understand the algorithmic mode of the digital image that flatness draws attention to. In the context of a digital image culture, which allows new configurations across medial networks, I contend that flatness in creative works activates a criticality in viewers and readers towards contemporary conditions around the image. This has a reciprocal relationship to my own poetic practice, which both responds to issues raised by the critical material and proposes new areas for theoretical inquiry. Each chapter of this dissertation considers how artists and poets have elaborated these issues through their practice, with close readings framed by theoretical material developed from both literary and new media scholarship. This combination of literary and media studies outlines how flatness is a useful concept for practitioners and theorists of both disciplines. Following my introduction, which outlines a theoretical context for the thesis, I consider Abbas Akhavan’s juxtaposition of sculptural practice and greenscreens to critique digital memorialisation (Chapter 2), Sondra Perry’s digital animations in installation environments (Chapter 2), Elizabeth Price’s use of archival material to generate intermedial projections (Chapter 3), and Fred Moten and Ben Lerner’s expansion of literary ekphrasis in texts that moves between verse and prose, as well as both writers’ theorising of flatness in their critical writing (Chapter 4). This continuation of new analysis and theoretical framing—combined with my own creative practice that synthesises this research from artistic and poetic disciplines—offers a new, vital approach to considering digital conditions
DEVELOPING A PAVEMENT CONDITION ASSESSMENT METHOD FOR UNPAVED ROADS IN UGANDA
Get PDFApproximately 95% of Uganda's total road network consists of unpaved surfaces, a situation that is prevalent across most developing countries in the world. This heavy reliance on unpaved roads poses significant challenges, as these roads are highly susceptible to rapid deterioration due to the combined effects of traffic and environmental factors. Consistent monitoring and evaluation of the condition of these unpaved roads is, therefore, crucial to ensure the safety and reliability of the transportation infrastructure. However, the current methods employed for assessing the condition of unpaved roads are often subjective, labor-intensive, and time-consuming, frequently leading to inconsistent evaluations.This PhD study proposes an enhanced method for assessing the condition of unpaved roads in Uganda. The methodology used in this study consisted of five stages: research formulation, investigation, model development, model validation and recommendations. A questionnaire survey was conducted during the investigation stage, with a 51.4% response rate from road maintenance professionals spread across the country's six regions. The novel Gravel Road Condition Index (GRCI) utilized the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to convert the subjective questionnaire survey results into objective mathematical data. The AHP method provided a rigorous and quantitative approach for systematically weighting and ranking the nine key distresses affecting the surface conditions of unpaved roads in the country.The developed Gravel Road Condition Index was validated by applying the method on a case-study gravel road and verifying the results through comparison with the pre-existing condition assessment method in Uganda. The results demonstrated that the GRCI offered a rapid, efficient, and user-friendly procedure for assessing the condition of unpaved roads, underpinned by objective weightings that demonstrated consistency in its evaluations. This PhD study further established a relationship between the novel GRCI and the current gravel loss prediction model for unpaved roads in Uganda. This relationship can be used to improve maintenance planning and efficiently optimize the already scarce funding resources in the country
Migratory microbiomes: the role of the gut microbiome in bird migration eco‐physiology
Get PDFLong‐distance bird migration is one of the most metabolically and immunologically challenging feats in the animal kingdom, with birds often needing to double their weight in a matter of days and facing increased exposure to novel pathogens. The physiological and behavioural adaptations required to survive such journeys may be facilitated by the gut microbiome, a diverse community of symbiotic microbes that produce rare nutrients, fatty acids, and immune compounds that can confer rapid physiological adaptations to changing environmental conditions. However, the causal role of the gut microbiome in regulating migration physiology remains a mystery. In this review, we synthesize current knowledge of gut microbiome composition and function during migration, outline possible mechanisms by which changes in the gut microbiome could benefit migrants, and identify future research priorities. We find that active migration is usually associated with reduced diversity of the gut microbiome and with the expansion of several study‐specific taxa. Additionally, some microbial traits have been found to correlate with host condition and fat deposits during migration. However, there remains little understanding of how changes in the gut microbiome during migration relate to most physiological parameters, the molecular mechanisms linking the gut microbiome to host physiology during migration, or the underlying ecological, dietary, and intrinsic drivers of gut microbiome changes across the migratory cycle. Our review draws from examples across non‐migratory systems to explore how gut microbiomes could adaptively regulate physiological traits relevant to migration. We highlight the need for studies that connect gut and circulating metabolites and for experimental studies that test the underlying drivers of gut microbial and metabolite dynamics in controlled settings. Given its diverse physiological demands and ubiquity, bird migration presents an excellent model system to investigate the adaptive potential of the gut microbiome in natural populations
Field Assessment of Air Source Heat Pump Noise
No full textNet Zero targets in the UK require a shift to low or zero carbon emission technology, which is supported by the UK government funding to support the installation of Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) for domestic heating provision. ASHPs offer better thermal efficiency than traditional boiler systems and have no direct carbon emissions. Research is needed to understand the interaction and impact of multiple ASHPs operating in close proximity or in cases in which ASHPs are numerous within a small residential area. This study focuses on the noise from ASHPs rather than ground source heat pumps because the latter are not subject to the same noise testing as ASHPs due to their configuration. This report presents the key findings of two field studies: i) a measurement for the acoustic characterisation of a pair of ASHPs in close proximity; and ii) a further measurement of a single ASHP at noise sensitive locations at neighbouring properties. The ASHPs measured were located in the back gardens of dwellings at a new-build housing estate in Nottinghamshire. A subsequent study is planned and will focus on the case of multiple ASHP units operating in a small residential area.The analysis of the data gathered in these two studies suggests that:1.Simple power summing (i.e., logarithmic dB addition) of noise from two ASHPs, as is standard in environmental noise assessments, was seen to be adequate for the case studied. There were some microphone positions where the calculation underpredicted the SPL measured when both ASHPs were operating. These underpredictions could be explained through adverse conditions that affected the final measurement, however; they will be further investigated in future studies. For unaffected microphones the agreement between power summing calculations and measurements was very close.2.Low-frequency tones are more prominent and audible in the neighbouring property, with a wooden fence (with boards approximately 15mm thick) providing minimal sound attenuation for this frequency range. This emphasises the importance of selecting the appropriate placement and orientation of the ASHP, and potentially a need for fences with better acoustic performance at low frequencies.3.There is no confirmation of significant low frequency interaction between the closely spaced ASHPs measured under the specific operation conditions tested. However, further investigation is recommended to investigate human (psychoacoustic) perception of such low frequency tones.4.There is no change in compliance status between MCS 020 (2019) and MCS 020 a) (2025) calculation protocols for the specific case evaluated in this study. In addition, MCS calculations for ASHP noise limits were in good agreement with measured sound levels
Deleuze’s Oxygen Machine
Get PDFSince Deleuze’s suicide on Saturday, 4 November 1995, there have been a number of attempts to reconcile this event with the sense of vitalistic affirmation that pervaded his philosophy. This article questions the tendency to reterritorialise the event of Deleuze death in accordance with a Deleuzian orthodoxy, while taking particular issue with an all too ‘evidential’ account that was recently offered by Beaulieu and Ord. In contrast to this, our design fictional approach rallies images, anecdotes and constructive falsehoods in order to explore the intolerably sadomasochistic coupling of Deleuze to his oxygen machine, his umbilical attachment to Guattari, and his creative misuse of architecture (both philosophical and otherwise), in a bid to foreground the pluralistic, evential nature of Deleuze’s death – positioned, masochistically, as a beckoning for a people to come
Normative Single Joint Isometric Hamstring Strength Scores From Professional Soccer Players During Preseason.
No full textRipley, NJ, Fahey, JT, Comfort, P, McMahon, JJ, Jones, PA, and Bramah, C. Normative single joint isometric hamstring strength scores from professional soccer players during pre-season. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2025-Monitoring changes in isometric force production from the hamstrings has become increasingly common in team sports. With an increase in force plate availability in soccer, isometric hamstring assessments have become popular, yet normative benchmarks do not currently exist. The purpose of this study was to provide normative force production benchmarks for professional soccer players obtained during isometric hamstring assessments. One hundred forty-two senior professional men's soccer players (age, 24.56 ± 5.09 years; height, 183.63 ± 5.84 cm; mass, 82.12 ± 8.35 kg) performed 2 isometric assessments with 30° and 90° of hip flexion and similar knee joint angles. Mean and standard deviation were determined across 3 trials, differences between soccer positions (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and strikers) and differences between limbs were determined through one-way ANOVA. p value was set at <0.05, and effect size was calculated using Cohens d. Benchmarks were developed using T-scores. Trivial-moderate positional differences (d = 0.09-0.95) were observed for absolute peak force, whereas only trivial positional differences (d = 0.00-0.01) were observed for relative peak force (i.e., peak force/body mass). Trivial between limb differences (d = 0.12-0.13) were observed for assessment performed at 90°; however, small differences were observed in the 30° test (d = 0.27-0.29). Benchmark values are provided for relative peak force due to no meaningful difference between positions. Practitioners could use the normative benchmarks provided to determine training needs and establish specific goals. The isometric hamstring assessment positioned at 30° of knee and hip flexion may be more sensitive to determine interlimb differences. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2025 National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Development of a Command Words Learning Toolkit: Understanding the Disparities and Strategies for Enhancing Educational Equity
No full textThe attainment gap between students entering higher education (HE) with BTEC qualifications and those with A-levels has gained attention in pedagogical research (Finlayson, 2018; Nuffield Foundation, 2022). While BTECs provide practical, application-based learning and offer university access for disadvantaged students, data shows higher dropout rates and lower degree classifications among BTEC learners compared to A-level peers (Swinton, 2020). Differences in assessment styles may contribute to this disparity (Office for Students, 2022).A-levels emphasise “command words” like "analyse," "evaluate," and "discuss," teaching students how to respond through systematic practice, which prepares them for HE assessments (Taylor, 2023). In contrast, BTECs focus on task-based skills, where command words appear but are not explicitly taught or emphasised (Taylor, 2023). As a result, BTEC learners may struggle to interpret and respond to these terms, disadvantaging them in HE assessments that are often closer in style to A-level than BTEC assessments.This disparity may be addressed by creating a command word glossary for BTEC students that provides clear definitions, examples, and guidance. By making the meaning of these words explicit, we can help BTEC learners approach HE assessments more confidently, fostering educational equity
An Exploration of the Perceived Impact of Receiving Complementary Therapies on Service Users During the Palliative and End-of-Life Care Phase: A Qualitative Pilot Study
Get PDFThere is a growing recognition of the benefits of Complementary Therapies as reported by service users and informal carers supporting them. Individuals are drawn to Complementary Therapies due to their emphasis on personal well-being, which encourage a "self-care" model of health. Approximately 10% of the UK population has used Complementary Therapies.Aim: To explore and understand the narratives of service users in the palliative care setting regarding the value they place on Complementary Therapies and their perceived impact on overall well-being. Methods: This qualitative pilot study, employing a narrative inquiry method, used purposive sampling to recruit and interview eleven service users receiving Complementary Therapies in a hospice setting. Data were analysed using a two-cycle coding approach, through manual inductive recognition of patterns. Findings: Three themes were identified: Developing Trust in Complementary Therapy; Informal Psychological Support; and Applications to Everyday Life. The benefits derived from Complementary Therapy sessions include managing anxiety and stress, developing better sleep strategies, and devising coping techniques for personal situations and contexts through guided discussions and personal reflection. Implications: The study suggests a need for further inquiry and professional Complementary Therapist development to fully harness the therapeutic potential of Complementary Therapy in a palliative care context. There is potential for palliative settings that incorporate and provide Complementary Therapies to enhance the role that Complementary Therapy services play in facilitating coping abilities, reducing anxiety, and potentially improving sleep and pain management
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