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Violence: Understanding the public health approach to violence prevention and implications for violence prevention work with children and young people
No full textOur understanding of the causes and impact of violence has developed over the years to the point where we recognize the profound and long-lasting impact that violence can have on children and young people. In this article we explore some of the impacts violence has on children and young people and how taking a public health approach can help us to develop opportunities for prevention at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels
Development and pilot testing of the ICIQ-S-UDS – a questionnaire for assessing and auditing the patient satisfaction and value of urodynamics
No full textBackground: Urodynamics (UDS) is an investigative procedure used to evaluate bladder symptoms. The International Consultation on Incontinence (ICIQ) Urodynamics-Satisfaction questionnaire, developed in 2004, measured patient satisfaction with UDS. Aim: To develop new items assessing the perceived ‘value’ of UDS to the patient and to refine and validate the existing questionnaire items on patient ‘satisfaction’.Methods: New items were developed, and the original questionnaire was updated using a modified Delphi process with clinical experts, followed by refinement through patient cognitive interviews. The resulting developmental questionnaire was pilot tested to assess its measurement properties.Results: The final 16-item ICIQ-S-UDS, comprising 11 ‘satisfaction’ items, 5 ‘value’ items and two free-text fields, was developed following feedback from an 11-member expert panel and four rounds of cognitive interviews with 12 patients. In the pilot phase, 98 completed the questionnaire and 57 completed the test-retest administration. Internal consistency was α = 0.69 for the ‘satisfaction’ items and α = 0.63 for the ‘value’ items. Exploratory factor analysis was not conducted due to low response variability and borderline Cronbach’s alpha values. Test-retest reliability for most items demonstrated moderate agreement or higher (kappa, κ≥0.41), although 95% confidence intervals were wide.Conclusion: The ICIQ-S-UDS can be recommended as a survey tool suitable for auditing and evaluating UDS clinical practice and patient care. However, further evidence from larger and more diverse patient samples are needed to support its use as a robust measurement scale
Students’ agency in campus greenspace: How guerrilla use informs the design of university greenspace
Full text linkUniversity students increasingly face pressures related to mental health, cognitive fatigue, and reduced nature connectedness, challenges intensified by global concerns such as climate change and biodiversity loss. Evidence shows that greenspaces can help mitigate these pressures by supporting restoration, social interaction, and everyday wellbeing. Although research highlights the importance of flexibility, sensory richness, and user agency in greenspace design, less is known about how these dynamics operate in university settings. This study addresses this gap by examining how students use campus greenspaces and introducing a new concept to explain these behaviours. This study synthesises existing literature into a three-part activity framework, necessary, individual, and social activities, and applies it to observations of greenspaces at two universities in Bristol, England. Findings show that students engage in all three activity types, shaped by spatial attributes such as location, vegetation, and the availability of flexible or movable seating. The study also introduces the term “guerrilla use,” describing students’ informal appropriation of edges, steps, lawns, and movable furniture to optimise comfort, privacy, shade, or sociability. By foregrounding guerrilla use as a distinct pattern and linking it to spatial conditions, the study expands understanding of how design features shape student engagement with campus environments. It offers an empirical contribution by showing how students adapt and personalise greenspaces, and a theoretical contribution through the introduction of guerrilla use as an interpretive concept. The findings provide practical insights for planners and designers seeking to create campus environments that encourage lingering, support wellbeing, and foster interaction with nature
Rethinking Ubuntu Philosophy in Nigeria's environmental law: A pathway to sustainable plastic pollution regulation
Full text linkThis Article examines the application of the “Ubuntu Philosophy” in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, highlighting the current legal framework and advocating for the integration of Ubuntu principles to address plastic pollution and promote sustainable waste management. Ubuntu emphasizes community, interconnectedness, and reciprocity. The Article explores how these principles can guide responsible environmental governance, drawing comparisons with similar situations in other countries. It aims to develop a culturally sensitive approach to tackling plastic pollution by incorporating Ubuntu principles into regulation. Using a sociolegal approach, it investigates the influence of Ubuntu on society and the environment. The findings are intended to contribute to a more effective, sustainable, and community-focused zhod of managing plastic pollution, ultimately fostering environmental justice and ecological well-being in Nigeria
Cascading effects of glacier retreat: Hydro-chemical shifts and macroinvertebrate responses in Andean glacier-fed streams
Full text linkThe retreat of tropical glaciers in the Peruvian Andes, particularly in the Cordillera Blanca, has significantly altered hydrogeological and geochemical processes in mountain water-sheds. This study investigates the influence of glacier change-driven acid rock drainage (ARD) upon benthic macroinvertebrate communities in 19 glacier-fed streams of the Santa River watershed over two consecutive dry and wet seasons (2019–2020). The findings reveal that ARD driven by glacier melt and sulphide oxidation has led to increased metal concentrations (e.g., Fe, Mn, Al, Pb) and pH reductions (of 2–3 in some sites), creating a “toxic or treat” scenario for aquatic biodiversity. Statistical analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA), principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), indicate significant correlations between physical and chemical changes and macroinvertebrate assemblages. Collector-gatherers (e.g., Chironomidae, Baetidae) were dominant in sites impacted by ARD, while sensitive functional feeding groups, such as scrapers and shredders, declined under high metal stress. Seasonal variations also affected taxonomic richness, with greater abundance observed during the dry season. These results highlight the cascading effects of climate-induced glacier loss on freshwater ecosystems and provide critical insights into the ecological consequences of ongoing environmental changes in high-altitude Andean rivers
Exploring regulatory capabilities for design for safety in construction: The case of Malaysia
Full text linkPurpose – Despite numerous efforts to examine the Design for Safety (DfS) capabilities of different duty holders, understanding regulatory capabilities has remained limited. This study aims to identify the regulatory DfS capabilities for regulatory organisations in Malaysia to enhance enforcement effectiveness.Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative research methodology was adopted using a structured questionnaire informed by literature and expert validation. Data were collected via face-to-face surveys with 91 stakeholders during 14 engagement sessions using purposive sampling. Responses were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, along with content analysis of open-ended responses to identify key capabilities for effective DfS regulatory implementation in Malaysia’s construction sector.Findings – Analysis of the survey data showed that the five most important DfS regulatory capabilities are competence-based capabilities (i.e., knowledge and skills), and strategy-based capabilities (i.e. resilience, top management commitment, and funding allocation). Furthermore, the findings suggest that the continuous improvement of DfS practices relies on six key drivers: leadership and commitment, capacity building and duty holder training, technological advancements and integration, regulatory framework and compliance, stakeholder engagement and collaboration, and financial and resource allocation.Practical implications – The identified regulatory capabilities will facilitate regulatory organisations to enforce the DfS legislation, e.g., Occupational Safety and Health (Construction Work) (Design and Management) Regulations 2024 effectively.Originality/value – This study contributes to the existing DfS literature by providing the first empirical evidence on regulatory DfS capabilities in construction, thereby facilitating the diffusion of DfS practices within enforcement and beyond, particularly in the context of developing countries
Comparative study of Gurney flap and straight upstream deflector as performance enhancement of lift-driven vertical axis wind turbines
No full textIn this study, computational fluid dynamics is used to compare the effectiveness of performance enhancement of lift-type vertical axis wind turbines (LVAWTs) across different tip speed ratio (TSR) regimes between a Gurney flap (GF), straight upstream deflector (SUD), and their combination. The study found that the GF is more effective in improving the power coefficient of LVAWTs at low and medium TSR regimes, where dynamic stall is dominant. While both GF and SUD lose effectiveness as TSR increases, SUD performs better at high TSR regimes with more stable flow. However, combining GF and SUD does not provide additional performance benefits compared to using each device individually
The Language Teaching Toolkit
No full textCovering all key language skills - reading, writing, speaking and listening - this accessible book brings together for teachers and trainees a wide range of techniques that will improve language learning and retention. Each activity is clearly explained, with suggested timings and language levels, so that teachers can incorporate them immediately into their pedagogical practices. The book draws on a variety of teaching approaches and activity types, and includes ice breakers, plenaries, group work, homework tasks, formative assessment ideas and more
Effectiveness and acceptance of assistive technologies for people with tetraplegia: A systematic review
No full textIndividuals with tetraplegia rely on assistive devices to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and enhance independence. This review evaluates their effectiveness and user acceptance for supporting independence. A systematic literature search was conducted across seven databases from September 2004-2024, (PROSPERO: CRD42022370351). Studies evaluating assistive devices in experimental or real-world settings with individuals with tetraplegia that reported performance (task achievement) and perception (user experience) outcomes were included. Risk of bias was assessed with the Downs and Black checklist modified for non-intervention studies. From 1,670 initial records, 34 articles met inclusion criteria, involving 366 participants. Robotic arms, wearable exoskeletons, computer interfaces, powered wheelchairs, and functional electrical stimulation systems demonstrated varying effectiveness. Performance outcomes were often task-specific, and perception depended on ease of use, comfort, and adaptability. Few studies measured impact on quality of life or long-term adoption. Invasive technologies showed promising results but faced adoption barriers related to complexity and aesthetics. Heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis. While some assistive technologies improve independence, better usability and customization are needed for wider adoption. Technologies must offer substantial improvements to justify adaptation efforts. Reporting should be clearer and more standardized to facilitate comparison. Demographic biases (over-representation of spinal cord injury, global north, and males) limited generalizability
Novel carvacrol or trans-cinnamaldehyde@ZnO/natural zeolite ternary nanohybrid for poly-L-lactide/tri-ethyl citrate based sustainable active packaging films
No full textThe shift toward sustainable packaging requires biodegradable, active alternatives. This study developed ternary nanohybrids by loading carvacrol (CV) or trans-cinnamaldehyde (tCN) onto zinc oxide/natural zeolite (ZnO/NZ) hybrids, which were incorporated into a poly-L-lactide/tri-ethyl citrate (PLA/TEC) matrix via melt extrusion to produce active films. A key finding was the distinct interaction mechanism: tCN underwent strong chemisorption with ZnO, creating a sustained-release reservoir, while CV was predominantly physisorbed, leading to rapid release. This interfacial divergence dictated functional performance. Antibacterial assessment of nanohybrids revealed that tCN@ZnO/NZ0.25 exhibited the highest inhibition zones against pathogens, correlating with its chemisorbed reservoir. In films, however, CV-based formulations (especially CV@ZnO/NZ0.25) showed superior immediate antioxidant activity (EC50, ~DPPH~ = 34.43 mg/mL) and an 82% reduction in oxygen permeability. In contrast, tCN-based films (especially tCN@ZnO/NZ1.0) demonstrated superior, sustained antibacterial efficacy. In a minced pork preservation study, both films delayed lipid oxidation and preserved heme iron, while the tCN-based film provided better long-term microbial control. This work demonstrates that engineering the nanocarrier–active compound interface enables precise tailoring of release kinetics, which can be optimized for either high immediate antioxidant power or long-term antimicrobial action, depending on specific food preservation requirements