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Examining colorism, body image, and self-esteem in UK Black and South Asian adolescents
Get PDFColorism, a form of appearance-based prejudice in which people are penalized or privileged according to skin shade, hair and facial features, is a pervasive yet underexplored form of bias that affects minoritized ethnic populations. This study examined associations between experiences of colorism and body image and self-esteem among 552 Black and South Asian adolescents (Mage = 16.1 years) in the United Kingdom. Methods: Participants completed an online survey that included measures of ingroup and outgroup colorism, internalized colorism, self-reported skin shade, skin shade satisfaction, body image (body esteem), and self-esteem. Results: On average, Black and South Asian adolescents were not regularly subjected to colorism in their everyday lives. However, both ingroup and outgroup colorism were significantly associated with higher internalized colorism and lower skin shade satisfaction, lower body esteem, and lower self-esteem (all p < 0.001). Linear models showed that colorism predicted lower body esteem and lower self-esteem, even after controlling for demographics (e.g., gender, age), self-reported skin shade, and internalized colorism. Ingroup colorism was a stronger predictor of low self-esteem than outgroup colorism though there were no differences between ingroup and outgroup colorism and the relationship with body image. Additionally, analyses showed that internalized colorism mediated the relationship between ingroup colorism and both body image and self-esteem. This mediation pathway was neither observed between outgroup colorism and body image nor self-esteem. Discussion: Experiencing colourism was associated with worse wellbeing. The relationship between colorism and wellbeing may be explained by different mechanisms based on whether colorism is experienced by one’s own racialized group or not. There is a need for carefully designed culturally responsive interventions
To what extent do children’s expressions of time actually refer to time? An investigation into the temporal and discursive usages of temporal adverbs in family interaction
Get PDFMany studies have explored children’s acquisition of temporal adverbs. However, the extent to which children’s early temporal language has discursive instead of solely temporal meanings has been largely ignored. We report two corpus-based studies that investigated temporal adverbs in Finnish child-parent interaction between the children’s ages of 1;7 and 4;11. Study 1 shows that the two corpus children used temporal adverbs to construe both temporal and discursive meanings from their early adverb production and that the children’s usage syntactically broadly reflected the input received. Study 2 shows that the discursive uses of adverbs appeared to be learned from contextually anchored caregiver constructions that convey discourse functions like urging and reassuring, and that the usage is related to the children’s and caregivers’ interactional roles. Our study adds to the literature on the acquisition of temporal adverbs by demonstrating that these items are learned also with additional discursive meanings in family interaction
Reviewing course design to support pre-service teachers’ learning around inclusivity and intersectionality
Get PDFIn this paper, we outline how we reviewed and evaluated the content of an undergraduate module on a teacher training degree and demonstrate how critical evaluation of practice informed new understanding, strategies and approaches in teacher education and development. The national and local context for this change is significant. Alongside the responsibilities under the Equality Act (2010), the Political Impartiality in Schools document (2022) forbids the promotion of partisan political views but fails to recognise the nuances when discussing sensitive issues. When this work took place, the city of Bristol, in which the university is situated, was in crisis; it was a time of social and political change in Bristol that drew global attention. This paper will highlight the complexities of supporting and equipping trainee teachers to train and work in a city where Colston’s statue was toppled; the aftermath of Kill the Bill riots and the rise in hate crimes towards the LGBTQ+ community in the city
Total least squares algorithm for errors-in-variables systems: Iterative algorithm or two-step algorithm
Get PDFThe total least squares (TLS) algorithm is a superior identification tool for low-order errors-in-variables (EIV) systems, where the estimate can be obtained by solving an eigenvector of the minimum eigenvalue of an augmented matrix. However, the TLS algorithm demonstrates inefficiency when applied to high-order EIV systems. This study introduces two innovative TLS algorithms: an iterative TLS algorithm, offering superior performance for low-order EIV models, and a two-step TLS algorithm, designed to effectively handle high-order EIV models. In comparison to the conventional TLS algorithm, these proposed methodologies present noteworthy advantages, including: (1) reduced computational costs, (2) the utilization of an iterative technique to calculate the inverse, and (3) the diversification of EIV identification methods. Simulation bench test examples are selected to show the efficacy of the proposed algorithms and transparent procedure for applications
"One team member doesn't make a Pride parade": An international study of people's experiences of being lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer in motorsport
Get PDFIn this paper we report our qualitative survey research that explored lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ+) people’s experiences of motorsport. Fifty-nine participants were recruited with support from Motorsport UK and Racing Pride, who posted invitations to participate on their social media channels. Reflexive thematic analysis resulted in two themes. In the first theme, “The first rule of the race team is no chicks or fags”: A lack of inclusivity for those of diverse genders and sexualities, we discuss how motorsport was sometimes reported to be a somewhat unwelcome space for LGBTQ+ people. In the second theme, “I don’t necessarily publicise or promote it”: Safely navigating sexuality in motorsport, we show how participants navigated a set of complex contexts and were strategically selective in being out and open about their sexuality. Our research indicates that heterosexism, sexism, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia in motorsport can result in a hostile environment for people of diverse genders and sexualities that has to be carefully negotiated by LGBTQ+ people. However, our participants were passionate about motorsport and reported pockets of inclusion as well as optimism about a more fully inclusive future
Mechanical anchorage system in retrofitting of RC slabs using CFRP rods and concrete jacket
Get PDFOver the past few decades, the demand for retrofitting reinforced concrete members has risen dramatically. Retrofitting reinforced concrete slabs with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) rods and ultra-high-performance-fiber-reinforced-concrete (UHPFRC) jackets is the one of significantly effective techniques. However, the main challenge of employing CFRP rods and UHPFRC jackets technique to strengthen existing reinforced concrete members is the efficiency of using CFRP rods and the debonding issue between old and fresh new concrete jacketing. Debonding mostly occurs between CFRP rods and old concrete, as well as the surfaces of old and new concrete, and is especially prevalent when the slab is subjected to daily repetitive loads such as cyclic loads. In this study, a new retrofitting system utilizing a mechanical anchor system was proposed to improve the bond between the UHPFRC layer and existing slab. This mechanical system incorporates an expandable anchorage bolt and steel plates. Therefore, a benchmark RC slab and two retrofitted RC slabs were experimentally tested under a five-point incremental repeated load (cyclic load) employing the dynamic actuator. The influence of embedded CFRP rods into the jacket of UHPFRC on the performance of system were studied. The experimental results showed that the newly proposed approach was significantly effective in preventing early debonding. In addition, the mechanical system played an essential role by improving the attachment between the jacket and the slab, ensuring better load transfer. A new proposed retrofitting technique improved the capacity of slabs from 164 to 298kN, illustrating an improvement of over 82%. On the other hand, the FE models have been developed to provide both practical validation and deeper analytical insights, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of the proposed retrofitting system. Experimental data were used to validate the results of the finite-element models, which showed good agreement and high accuracy. Finally, a parametric study was executed to evaluate the impact of various parameters on the performance and efficacy of the new suggested strengthening technique, and to optimize the proposed system parameters, including the diameter of bolts, a normal strength concrete (NSC) jacket with various grades rather than the UHPFRC, applying the proposed retrofitting technique on a compressive side instead of a tension zone, and rebar steel of varying diameters in the jacket instead of CFRP rods. Findings indicated (parametric study) that using anchor bolts with a diameter greater than 12 mm improved the slabs’ ultimate load capacity
Point-of-care tests in the emergency medical services: A scoping review
Get PDFBackgroundThis scoping review aimed to summarize existing research on point-of-care tests (POCTs) within emergency medical services (EMS). There is a lack of comprehensive reviews covering the breadth and scope of application of POCTs in EMS despite growing interest and potential benefits in this setting. A review of the research will inform how we target future research efforts to support effective implementation and avoid duplication. MethodsWe searched three databases to April 2023 using comprehensive terms for POCTs. One author screened titles and abstracts, full-text papers and extracted data with a second author checking the data. A scoping review framework was used to categorise studies according to demographics, study design, medical conditions, biomarkers and test devices.ResultsWe found 141 papers that included 158 reports of 9 study designs, 155 reports of 40 combinations of biomarker and condition and 161 reports of 41 test-devices. The majority of research was done in the UK (19%), US (17%), and the Netherlands (16%), mostly in land-based EMS (82%). Most frequently assessed were troponin for acute coronary syndromes (26%), lactate for sepsis (14%) or lactate for trauma/critical illness (13%). The majority of research designs investigated the accuracy of the tests (43%). Few studies were of a design to inform guidelines to change patient pathways and the associated outcomes, including, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (4%), non-randomised studies able to assess causality (6%), economic analyses (1%) or qualitative work on acceptability (3%). In those few cases where RCTs were done there were long delays between initial test-accuracy research and publication of the first RCT, for example 11 years delay for troponin for acute coronary syndromes. ConclusionsWe identified a thriving base of research on POCT in the EMS, however most studies established the diagnostic accuracy of the tests with few RCTs, economic analyses or qualitative research on acceptability. The time-lag from diagnostic accuracy to developing an RCT is considerable. Investment in funding and infrastructure is needed to support the research pathway for potential POCTs beyond diagnostic accuracy to designs able to assess clinical effectiveness, acceptability and economic effectiveness
Assessing barriers and opportunities for the improvement of laboratory performance and robust surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria– a quantitative study
No full textBackground: Good quality data is essential in optimising containment strategies for antimicrobial resistance, a global public health threat estimated to cause around 10 million deaths yearly and up-to 5% loss in GDP by 2050 if left unaddressed. The laboratory system plays an important role in the collection of high-quality data as well as ensuring validity, reliability and timeliness of data. However, in many low-medium income countries including Nigeria, the technical capacity of the laboratory for fulfilling these responsibilities is unknown. This paucity of information limits piloting of strategies to complement existing surveillance and planning improvement of subsequent laboratory iterations into the surveillance system. The focus of this study was to assess the gaps, vulnerabilities and enablers of laboratory strengthening processes in the scope of technical capacity for clinical and public health functions and to provide a roadmap for improved surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study design utilising structured questionnaire administered online via Qualtrics and reported in accordance with strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics as well as bivariate and multivariate logistics to test predictive analysis of relationship between variables. Results: A total of 302 laboratories completed the questionnaire, 107 (53.4%) government laboratories and 195 (64.6%) private sector laboratories. 18.2% reported excellent knowledge, 25.5% has excellent capacity, 7.3% are fully ready for surveillance, 12.3% are participating in some surveillance, and 1.0% record important microbiological data that correlates with epidemiological information. Conclusion: Tertiary laboratories reported highest performance across all surveillance quality indicators (SQIs). AMR surveillance is skewed toward government and tertiary laboratories, leaving lower-level and rural facilities underutilized despite their potential. This results in missing community-level data and undermines the representativeness of surveillance. The study identifies gaps in recruitment, assessment, and oversight but also offers strategies to address these issues
Factors influencing paramedic conveyance decisions when attending children with minor head injury: A qualitative study
Get PDFIntroduction Children with head injury are commonly transported to the ED by ambulance. However, most of those conveyed are deemed non-serious and are discharged at triage. Research is needed to explore the factors that influence paramedics when deciding to convey children with minor head injury to the ED, and to establish whether a clinical decision tool designed to support them would be beneficial.Methods A generic qualitative approach, comprising semistructured interviews with front-line ambulance paramedics working in the UK. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Interviews aimed to explore the factors that influence paramedics when deciding to convey children with minor head injury to the ED.Results A total of 20 paramedics from several ambulance services participated in interviews. Three overarching themes were identified: ‘we just take them in’; ‘there are too many hurdles’; ‘creating the right tool’. These were further categorised into subthemes. Paramedics do not feel confident when assessing and managing children with head injury, and convey children to hospital due to fear of consequences, despite knowing there will be no intervention in the ED. Further education, a prehospital paediatric clinical decision tool and greater support from Ambulance Trusts would be welcomed by paramedics. Criteria such as: parental anxiety; time; wound closure; policy and non-accidental injury need to be considered in a clinical decision tool designed to support paramedics’ management of children with head injury.Conclusion Paramedics generally feel a lack of confidence in assessing and managing children with head injury. A decision tool, coupled with training and useful feedback from EDs following conveyance, would be useful to help improve decision-making
Language testing in awake craniotomy for brain tumor resection: A survey of current perioperative practice in the United Kingdom
No full textBackground Language testing and mapping procedures are considered the gold standard for safe tumor resection and preservation of language and communication in patients with tumors located in an area eloquent for language, especially in the presence of low grade gliomas. However, the current status of language testing in awake craniotomy in the United Kingdom is unknown. The main aim of this study was to describe the language testing practices in awake brain surgery across the UK. Methods An online survey was addressed to medical practitioners working with brain tumor patients during the phases of language testing. Questions inquired about the tests and approaches for language testing before, during and after the surgery. The survey also explored the management of bilingual brain tumor patients and gathered personal perspectives from clinicians. Results Responses were obtained from 37 clinicians. Speech and language therapists and neuropsychologists administered language tests to patients, and those with sufficient language skills for completing intraoperative tests were eligible for awake mapping. A combination of standardized language batteries and home-made tasks were used for language testing, leading to variability in testing practices across institutions. For language mapping, the most popular tasks were picture naming, sentence completion and repetition. Object and action naming were used across both the monolingual and bilingual patient groups. The timing of postoperative assessments varied according to patient needs and clinician availability. Bilingual patients were evaluated with interpreters and limited materials, compared to monolinguals. Conclusions The provision of awake craniotomy language testing presents differences across UK-based institutions. Responders advocate for more comprehensive, updated and inclusive materials to facilitate language testing in modern patient cohorts spanning a wide range of linguistic skills and foreign languages