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Revealing privacy needs during life’s significant transitions
No full textPeople experience transitional events during their lives that are significant, disruptive, and potentially challenging to navigate. Emotions usually run high, and the central actor may seek personalized support from “others” who are often identified online. An increased online presence, however, can also exacerbate vulnerabilities, making it challenging for individuals to preserve their privacy. Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs) can support people undergoing transitions to have more control over their online identity and related disclosures. Nevertheless, available tools of this kind do not explicitly cater to the needs of such populations, leading to low uptake. To inform the future development of bespoke PETs, we carried out a survey to understand the population characteristics and online behaviors of four transition groups: (1) leaving the Armed Forces; (2) Relationship Breakdown (Romantic); (3) Serious Illness (Cancer); and (4) LGBTQ+ (“coming out” or gender transition). Our findings suggest that bespoke PETs should engender resilience and a sense of control over what is shared online via the identification, creation, and maintenance of “safe spaces” in which network members are restricted to trusted others who are deemed supportive of the actor’s transition
Ableist institutions and party selection processes : exploring the political recruitment of disabled candidates
Full text linkPolitical parties in the UK and elsewhere have, to varying degrees, tried to diversify the pool of candidates from which they can select. Attempts to eradicate the range of institutional and cultural barriers experienced by candidates from under-represented groups, such as women and racially minoritized communities, are beginning to bear fruit. However, less attention has been paid to the specific processes and norms which might make it harder for disabled people to get selected as candidates for elected office. Accordingly, this study takes the UK as its case study to address two inter related questions: 1) what are the political parties doing to make candidate selection more accessible for disabled people?; and 2) what are the experiences of disabled people who participate in the candidate selection process? Drawing upon qualitative analysis of formal party rules and processes, alongside interviews undertaken with over 80 disabled candidates, politicians, and party activists from across the political spectrum, we find a great deal of variation in party approaches. We also identify gaps between formal rules adopted to ensure accessibility and the experiences of disabled candidates. Along the way we also note some of the methodological and empirical challenges of studying candidate selection processes in relation to disability
Incorporating Focus on the UK Statutory Growth Duty in RIIO Business Planning and Price Control Process
Full text linkThe UK Statutory Growth Duty requires national regulators to promote sustainable economic growth under the Deregulation Act 2015. In 2024, the Duty was extended to include the energy regulator Ofgem, alongside Ofwat and Ofcom. The first test of how this requirement will impact the regulation of energy industry activity came with all electricity transmission network owners (TOs) having to explain how their December 2024 RIIO-T3 business plans could be expected to impact economic growth and jobs
On the representation number of grid graphs and cylindric grid graphs
No full textThe representation number of a graph is the minimum number of copies of each vertex required to represent the graph as a word, such that the letters corresponding to vertices x and y alternate if and only if xy is an edge in the graph. It is known that path graphs, circle graphs, and ladder graphs have representation number 2, while prism graphs have representation number 3. In this paper, we extend these results by showing that generalizations of the aforementioned graphs -- namely, the m×n grid graphs and m×n cylindrical grid graphs -- have representation number 3 for m≥3 and m≥2, respectively, and n≥3. Furthermore, we discuss toroidal grid graphs in the context of word-representability, which leads to an interesting conjecture
A proposed framework for ambiguous, conflicting and contradicting clause detection in construction regulations
No full textAutomated Compliance Checking (ACC) has traditionally focused on translating regulatory provisions into computable rules. However, a persistent and underexplored challenge is that regulatory texts themselves often contain ambiguity, internal conflict, and logical contradiction, which inhibit reliable digitisation at the outset. This paper addresses this foundational pre-processing gap by proposing DeCCAR (Detection of Conflict, Contradiction, and Ambiguity in Regulations), a hybrid interpretive framework that combines controlled Large Language Model (LLM) hypothesis probing, ontology-based semantic graph modelling, and expert adjudication to identify clauses that are unstable for automation prior to rule formalisation. Using the Scottish Building Standards Technical Handbooks (Domestic and Non-Domestic), with a focus on fire and life safety provisions, a controlled pilot study is conducted on a curated subset of clauses. LLM outputs are evaluated against reference labels using precision, recall, F1-score, and error tendency pattern analysis. Results demonstrate that while LLMs are unreliable as autonomous interpreters, their interpretive instability provides a robust diagnostic signal for identifying problematic regulatory constructs. The paper contributes a model-agnostic, ambiguity-aware interpretive framework that supports more reliable Compliance checking process by explicitly addressing regulatory instability before computational reasoning is applied
Towards child-centred justice as a system-level paradigm shift : conceptualising a new framework through the Scottish whole system approach
No full textIn recent years, child-centred justice has emerged as a recurring reference in international policy and academic discussions concerning justice for children. Invoked increasingly in connection with children's rights and child-friendly justice reforms, the concept nonetheless remains conceptually under-defined and unevenly operationalised, often used interchangeably with adjacent notions without sufficient clarity regarding its distinctive scope or practical implications. We examine this question in two ways. First, it examines the concept of child-centred justice, primarily drawing on the Global Declaration on Advancing Child-Centred Justice of the 2025 World Congress on Justice With Children. Second, it explores how child-centred justice can be operationalised at system level, using Scotland's Whole System Approach (WSA) as an example. Rather than presenting this model as a blueprint for replication, the analysis considers what the Scottish experience reveals about key design principles and implementation pathways that can inform child-centred justice globally
"The system is a bit broken…" a qualitative exploration of barriers in the pathway for diagnosing Developmental Coordination Disorder
Full text linkBackground Approximately 5% of children are affected by a neurodevelopmental disorder of their sensorimotor skills. DSM-V and ICD-10, the two most widely used diagnostic systems, define this diagnostically as ‘Developmental Coordination Disorder’ (DCD) or ‘Specific Developmental Disorder of Motor Function’ (SDDMF), respectively. A diagnosis of DCD has been found to have a detrimental impact on a range of outcomes (e.g., health and education). It is therefore crucial that these children receive timely intervention. This is reliant, however, on effective assessment and support pathways. Research has shown there is great parental dissatisfaction, but there has been limited research exploring a clinical and education perspective. This study therefore aimed to understand barriers and facilitators for clinical and education practitioners in the pathway in a diverse district in the UK (Bradford). Methods Semi-structured interviews were completed with stakeholders across the pathway to identify barriers and facilitators to assessing, diagnosing, and supporting children with sensorimotor skill difficulties. Theoretical thematic analysis aligned to the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation model of Behaviour change (COM-B) was used to analyse the qualitative data. Results Interviews revealed many barriers in the DCD pathway related to capability (confusing terminology, inconsistent knowledge, inappropriate referrals), opportunity (resource constraints, DCD being considered low priority, and disconnected services), and motivation (overlapping job roles, a desire to consider those with difficulties not eligible for a diagnosis). No facilitators were consistently identified across interviews. Conclusion Families face multiple barriers to obtaining a diagnosis for their child through existing clinical pathways for assessment and support. These findings are unlikely to be unique to Bradford, due to international research highlighting these issues via parental interviews. These findings therefore may reflect challenges both nationally and internationally within DCD pathways. There is an urgent need for: (i) clear communication across different services (with consistency in terminology), and (ii) a more collaborative and integrated approach to assessment, diagnosis, and support in order to help these children thrive
Crystallographic and computational investigation of a bent-core Schiff base Ni( ii ) complex with DNA and protein binding studies
Get PDFThe rational design and synthesis of a three-ring bent-core Schiff base ligand, (E)-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl-3-((4-butoxy-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)-2-methylbenzoate (HL), and its mononuclear Ni(ii) complex, [Ni(L)2] (1), are described. The presence of a polar –CF3 group and a flexible butoxy chain imparts amphiphilic character to HL and induces aggregation-induced emission (AIE) behavior. Coordination with NiCl2 yields a square-planar complex, as confirmed by spectroscopic methods, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and topological analysis. Fluorescence and SEM studies substantiate the aggregation propensity of HL. Density functional theory (DFT) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses reveal pronounced ligand-to-metal charge transfer in (1) and a moderate HOMO–LUMO gap of 4.00 eV, indicative of kinetic stability and optoelectronic relevance. Complex (1) exhibits strong binding affinity toward duplex DNA and serum proteins (BSA and HSA), evidenced by red-shifted fluorescence enhancement at 475 nm and low detection limits (0.075–0.188 µM). Molecular docking further supports stable BSA binding (−8.52 kcal mol−1), highlighting the potential of this Ni(ii) system for biomolecular recognition
Organisational readiness and preparedness for trauma-informed practice across UK frontline services : a mixed-methods study
Full text linkBackground: Frontline professionals in health, social care, and emergency response settings are routinely exposed to potentially traumatic events. Trauma-informed practice (TIP) frameworks highlight two key elements. Organisational readiness refers to the structural, cultural, and leadership conditions that support trauma-informed approaches. Organisational preparedness reflects the practical ability to recognise trauma exposure, respond effectively, and support staff. Despite growing policy attention, little empirical evidence describes how frontline workers experience these factors in organisations. Objective: This study explored frontline staff experiences of TIP across UK services. It focused on organisational readiness, including policies, leadership, systems, and cultural responsiveness, and preparedness, including psychological safety, confidence to seek support, clarity of support pathways, and stigma. The aim was to identify strengths, gaps, and priorities for improvement. Method: A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 325 frontline workers across NHS, social care, and emergency response sectors. The survey assessed organisational readiness and preparedness across four clusters: organisational structures and systems, workplace culture and psychological safety, leadership and workforce capability, and wellbeing and access to support. Quantitative data were summarised descriptively and integrated with qualitative themes derived from reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Participants reported partial organisational readiness, including access to Employee Assistance Programmes, informal peer support, and visible leadership endorsement of staff wellbeing. Preparedness to respond to trauma exposure was uneven. Psychological safety was often limited, with many participants unsure where to seek support or reporting concerns about confidentiality and professional consequences. Leadership training in TIP principles appeared limited, and communication about support pathways and organisational expectations was frequently unclear. Conclusions: Frontline services show some strengths in trauma-informed readiness, but important gaps remain in organisational preparedness. These relate particularly to psychological safety, managerial capability, stigma, and access to support. Strengthening leadership capability, improving communication, and creating safe and consistent help-seeking pathways are essential for sustainable trauma-informed workplaces
Trace and minor element concentrations in sulfide ore material from the Leadhills and Wanlockhead orefield, SW Scotland
No full textBuilding on a knowledge-based prospectivity analysis conducted by the BGS in 2023, this study assessed the potential for sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, and pyrite from the Leadhills and Wanlockhead orefield (LWO), Southwest Scotland to host critical minerals. Utilising SEM and LA-ICP-MS, sphalerite was found to be the primary host for Ga, Ge and Ag, while chalcopyrite was identified as the primary host for In, Se, and Sn, and galena the primary host for Sb. For sphalerite, the geometric mean concentration of Ge was 200 ppm with a maximum value of 860 ppm. These values indicate significant enrichment of Ge in sphalerite relative to crustal abundances and are comparable to significant Ge-producing deposits like Red Dog, Alaska, and the formerly productive Noailhac-Saint Salvy deposit in France. Cadmium, Se, and As were found to be hosted by sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite respectively. These elements are known to have detrimental effects on human health and ecological and environmental systems. A further orefield-wide assessment of mine waste material to fully document the occurrence of sphalerite in veins and mine waste is recommended
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