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The Practical Application of Scaling in Progressive Collapse Studies
No full textThe increasing prevalence of extreme events has heightened the vulnerability of structures to progressive collapse, a phenomenon where localised failure propagates, leading to disproportionate damage. Despite significant scientific interest, various gaps in knowledge remain, primarily due to the challenges of conducting full-scale dynamic testing, which is essential for an enhanced global understanding of the topic. Such testing is often impractical due to financial, spatial and logistical constraints, necessitating alternative approaches. In response, other testing methods, such as using sub-assemblies or geometrically scaled models, have been proposed in the literature. While these approaches provide practical benefits, they introduce unique challenges, often leading to inaccurate results or ones that cannot be extrapolated to full-scale structures. This research investigates practical methodologies for studying progressive collapse in reinforced concrete (RC) structures, with a focus on the application of scaling laws to address these challenges. To evaluate the suitability of this method and confirm its validity in this context, an approach combining experimental and numerical techniques is employed, considering beam-column sub-assemblies. Firstly, an initial numerical validation is performed to act as a proof of concept for the applicability of this method to column loss studies. This is followed by experimental investigations on scaled beam-column sub-assemblies subject to quasi-static column removal scenarios. The results are compared with full-scale models to evaluate their reliability in replicating collapse resistance mechanisms, such as compressive arch action and catenary action. Detailed numerical models using the Applied Element Method (AEM) are developed and validated against experimental data, enabling extensive parametric studies to explore the influence of different factors. These factors include different scales, sample properties and dynamic loading.Key findings demonstrate that scaling laws can provide a practical, efficient and cost-effective method for progressive collapse investigations, though some limitations are noted. Recommendations are provided to address these limitations and improve the applicability of scaling techniques for both quasi-static and dynamic scenarios. This work can help in advancing the understanding of progressive collapse and contributes to more accessible and reliable experimental methodologies, with potential for significant influence in future research and practical applications
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in Cancer Care
No full textCancer remains a growing global health burden, with many survivors experiencing significant psychological symptoms such as fatigue, pain, anxiety, and depression. Noninvasive brain stimulation techniques such as rTMS have gained attention for their potential to modulate neural circuits implicated in pain perception, mood regulation, and fatigue. This scoping review aims to explore the current application, safety, and effectiveness of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) as a potential intervention to alleviate cancer-related and treatment-induced psychological symptoms. This scoping review followed Arksey and O'Malley's 5-stage framework and adhered to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The review identified, selected, and charted data from eligible studies across 5 databases to explore the effects of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation on individuals living with cancer. Between 2010 and 2025, 17 studies investigated rTMS in cancer populations, including single-arm trials, sham-controlled RCTs, case studies, and retrospective observational studies, with sample sizes ranging from 1 to 66 participants (total n=406). Participants were predominantly female (65.9%) and had diverse cancer types, stages, and treatment statuses, including completed treatment, active therapy, and palliative care. rTMS protocols varied in duration (5d to 6wk), session frequency, intensity (70% to 120% RMT), and coil placement, targeting motor cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, or frontoparietal networks. Safety outcomes were favorable, with no serious adverse events reported and only mild, transient side effects, though one case of postoperative seizure was noted. rTMS was generally feasible and well-tolerated, with participants reporting positive experiences and high adherence. Key efficacy findings included improvements in depression, anxiety, pain, quality of life, motor function, and chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, although follow-up periods and outcome measures were heterogeneous across studies. rTMS appears safe and promising for managing cancer-related symptoms, but larger, standardized, sham-controlled trials with long-term follow-up are needed to confirm its clinical value. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
The forced sterilisation of Indigenous and racialised Peoples: Origins, nature of abuses, impacts and responses
Get PDFPurpose This paper aims to draw attention to the global infringement of reproductive rights of Indigenous and racialised Peoples. Design/methodology/approach Narrative literature review. Description and comparative analysis of examples of forced sterilisation. Findings Large-scale sterilisation campaigns were identified in three different regions of the world: North America, Latin America and Europe. Within these, hundreds of thousands of Indigenous and racialised Peoples have been forcibly sterilised as part of state-sponsored procedures, predominantly aimed at women and gestating people. These abuses are continuing in the 21st century and have origins in “racial science” theory. The exact nature of the abuses is identified alongside the long-term health and wellbeing implications. Professional attitudes and behaviours that condoned such practices within healthcare settings are identified. The psychological, social and cultural impact of such practices, including on Indigenous body sovereignty and self-determination, are demonstrated. Practical implications These are twofold: firstly to eradicate any future practice of forced sterilisation and secondly to provide reparations to those affected. Originality/value The analysis brings together scholarship from Indigenous studies alongside that of health and social sciences
Environmental changes in East-Central Europe from a Middle to Late Holocene Romanian cave sediment record
Get PDFCaves are sensitive to hydrological processes including sediment transport associated with changes in external climatic conditions. When located in the proximity of prehistoric settlements, cave sediments can provide details about human activities and help to elucidate the paleoenvironment. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of lithological, geochemical, magnetic, organic matter, non-pollen palynomorphs, and charcoal data from sediment in Ciur Izbuc Cave, revealing significant paleoenvironmental and hydrodynamic changes over the past 6500 years. The first phase (6500–3500 calibrated years BP; cal BP) depicts a dynamic system with constant surface-subsurface connections, moderate-to-high erosion, and low-to-moderate sediment accumulation rates. The low charcoal levels during this phase indicate limited human impact. The second phase (3500–1400 cal BP) features contrasting depositional environments; the initial interval shows low accumulation under reduced water flow, reflective of a stable late mid-Holocene climate, while the subsequent interval reveals an abrupt shift to wetter conditions, characterized by runoff-derived minerogenic sediments. This period coincides with increased human impacts, including fire activity and land-use changes since the late Bronze Age. The third phase (1400–100 cal BP) exhibits complex hydrological dynamics, with sporadic, intense erosion linked to short-term climatic shifts. Increased charcoal concentrations and the presence of fungi indicate persistent human activity, intensifying after 300 cal BP. Our findings underscore the complex relationship between climate events, humans, and sediment dynamics in the Ciur Izbuc Cave, highlighting the utility of a multi-proxy approach in reconstructing past environmental changes
An investigation into the effects of external factors on employee engagement in the Nigerian hotel sector (a study of selected hotels)
Get PDFThis study investigates the extent to which government policies and labour union activities affect employee engagement from the perspective of front-line employees in the Nigerian hotel sector. The research employed a qualitative case study methodology with a sample of 30 participants drawn from frontline service employees, including frontline service managers in three five-star hotels in Nigeria. Data collection involved a pilot study, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group discussion. A thematic approach was adopted for data analysis.The findings revealed that government policies, such as minimum wage regulations and tax policies, have a significant impact on employee engagement, with frontline employees expressing concerns about low salaries and limited benefits. While labour unions play a significant role in protecting employee rights and advocating for better working conditions, the adversarial nature of some union-management relationships often results in heightened workplace tensions, reduced trust, and decreased employee engagement. The study also identified various organisational factors, such as supervisory support, job design, and training opportunities, that mediate the relationship between government policies, labour union activities, and employee engagement.The Nigerian hotel sector currently faces a unique set of challenges due to the complex relationship between government policies, labour union activities, and employee engagement. This study contributes to the existing literature on employee engagement in the hotel sector as it highlights the current unique challenges faced by frontline hotel employees in Nigeria and emphasises the need for policymakers, labour unions, and hotel management to collaborate in developing strategies that foster an engaged and motivated workforce to deliver exceptional service to customers.The findings have practical implications for hotel managers and human resource professionals in the Nigerian hotel sector, as well as for policymakers responsible for labour and employment regulations. Based on the research findings, key recommendations include the need for more favourable government policies, effective collaboration between hotel management, labour unions, and government institutions, and the implementation of employee engagement strategies such as providing competitive compensation, offering career development opportunities, and promoting a positive work environment
ChatGPT in healthcare education: a double-edged sword of trends, challenges, and opportunities
Get PDFThe advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) tools has revolutionized teaching and learning, particularly in healthcare education, where they enhance pedagogy, foster immersive learning, and support healthcare provision. However, their use in healthcare education is contentious, warranting careful examination, especially regarding Generative AI (GenAI) tools like ChatGPT. This scoping review aims to explore the impact of ChatGPT on healthcare education and identify future research directions. The scoping review, conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, utilized search terms such as “ChatGPT,” “GPT,” “natural language processing,” “large language models,” and “health education”. The review followed the five-stage framework outlined for organization and analysis. The search encompassed Web of Science (WOS) (n = 100), PubMed (n = 100), CINAHL (n = 21), SCOPUS (n = 4), Science Direct (n = 25), and Google Scholar (n = 150). Initially, 400 papers were retrieved from these search engines, which were then reviewed and narrowed down to 33 papers for final analysis. This review investigated the trends, challenges, and opportunities of ChatGPT in healthcare education. The findings suggest that GenAI tools such as ChatGPT can significantly enhance teaching, learning, and research in healthcare education. Developed countries, particularly the United States and China, which are leaders in AI investment and research, lead research on ChatGPT's applications in healthcare education, with limited studies conducted in the African region. Additionally, barriers remain that could lead to ethical and legal issues, particularly exacerbating inequalities in developing countries. Further research is needed to promote better GenAI practices in healthcare educational settings, especially for individuals in these regions
The evolution of ageing: classic theories and emerging ideas
Get PDFAgeing is generally regarded as a non-adaptive by-product of evolution. Based on this premise three classic evolutionary theories of ageing have been proposed. These theories have dominated the literature for several decades. Despite their individual nuances, the common thread which unites them is that they posit that ageing results from a decline in the intensity of natural selection with chronological age. Empirical evidence has been identified which supports each theory. However, a consensus remains to be fully established as to which theory best accounts for the evolution of ageing. A consequence of this uncertainty are counter arguments which advocate for alternative theoretical frameworks, such as those which propose an adaptive origin for ageing, senescence, or death. Given this backdrop, this review has several aims. Firstly, to briefly discuss the classic evolutionary theories. Secondly, to evaluate how evolutionary forces beyond a monotonic decrease in natural selection can affect the evolution of ageing. Thirdly, to examine alternatives to the classic theories. Finally, to introduce a pluralistic interpretation of the evolution of ageing. The basis of this pluralistic theoretical framework is the recognition that certain evolutionary ideas will be more appropriate depending on the organism, its ecological context, and its life history
Service user perspectives on the value and effectiveness of occupational therapy following intervention for severe depression
Get PDFIntroduction: Depression is characterised by loss of interest in activities and difficulty carrying out everyday tasks. Occupational therapy supports people to participate in the activities they want or need to do; however, there is limited evidence on the perceived effectiveness of occupational therapy for people with depression. Methods: The study aims/objectives were to identify service user perspectives on (i) the effectiveness of individualised occupational therapy in enabling improvement in occupational functioning and participation, and (ii) the most effective components of occupational therapy. Semi-structured interviews with community-dwelling adults diagnosed with severe, and predominantly enduring, depression and an identified occupational need, who had received occupational therapy, were analysed thematically. Participants ( n = 7) were derived from a larger mixed-methods study. Findings: Three key themes were identified: Occupational therapy is about doing everyday activities which supports positive change; occupational therapy is client-centred which supports progress; the skills, attributes and characteristics of occupational therapists are important. Conclusions: Compelling narratives of how occupational therapy improves participation were evident, providing detailed information on the perceived effectiveness of occupational therapy. This research supports the evidence base for occupational therapy in mental health by mapping the perceived mechanisms of change, or aspects of occupational therapy participants found most helpful
PTSD Symptoms change in response to a brief intensive trauma-focused treatment programme in non-veterans and veterans with war-related PTSD.
Get PDFBackground: Evidence suggests that veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are less likely to benefit from trauma-focused treatment than are patients with PTSD who have not been exposed to war-related trauma. However, new developments in PTSD treatment that combine several evidence-based trauma-focused therapies within a short time frame may help veterans achieve outcomes similar to those of non-veterans.Objective: In this retrospective cohort study, we examined changes in PTSD symptoms and diagnostic status after treatment between veterans and non-veterans. The treatment consisted of a four- or eight-day intensive trauma-focused treatment programme that integrated prolonged exposure, EMDR therapy, psycho-education, and physical activities.Methods: The sample consisted of 43 veterans and 43 non-veterans, matched based on age, sex, starting date, and duration of treatment. Participants were assessed pre- and post-treatment using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale-5 (CAPS-5). The differences in CAPS-5 scores over time and between groups were modelled using Bayesian repeated-measures ANOVA. We performed Bayesian model averaging to quantify the differences in PTSD symptom changes between groups, based on treatment response, using the exclusion Bayes factor (BFEXCL).Results: PTSD symptoms in both veterans and non-veterans decreased between pre- and post-treatment (Cohen's d = 2.17 and 1.54, respectively). Furthermore, we found moderate evidence of no differences in CAPS-5 scores between the groups (BFEXCL = 4.8) or between the groups over time (BFEXCL = 4.9). Although a greater proportion of veterans showed improvement according to the reliable change index than non-veterans (83.7% and 74.4%, respectively), there was no difference between the groups in terms of loss of diagnostic status after treatment (74.4% for veterans and 76.7% for non-veterans).Conclusion: This study provides evidence that veterans with war-related PTSD can benefit from brief intensive, trauma-focused treatment and does not support the notion that veterans need a different treatment approach in such settings
Synthesis optimization, adsorption properties and spectroscopic investigation of an NH 2 -tagged Cu-based MOF with open metal sites †
Get PDFWe report the rapid microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis of a Cu-MOF (metal–organic framework) with open metal sites, focusing on understanding its CO2 capture properties in relation to phase purity and stability. A combined experimental and theoretical approach is used to identify the MOF's structural features involved in the adsorption process. Specifically, Cu(i) defects are found to play an important role in the CO2 adsorption process, with the Cu-1 sample, synthesized using an optimized ligand/Cu precursor ratio for the highest phase purity, exhibiting more abundant Cu(i) defects as well as the highest adsorption capacity. Grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations show that the Cu(i) sites exhibit a greater affinity for CO2 adsorption compared to the Cu(ii) sites. In situ soft and hard X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopic techniques confirm the conversion of Cu(i) to Cu(ii) upon CO2 chemisorption, with this conversion being more pronounced in the core of the particles. The simulations are used to estimate the fraction of Cu(i) defects and Cu(ii) sites present within the Cu-1 and to validate the experimental isotherm. Overall, this study provides insights into the CO2 capture properties of this type of Cu-MOF and highlights the importance of phase purity and the role of defects in achieving high adsorption performance
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