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Byron in Space
No full textThis essay considers Byron as a cosmological poet, as a writer, that is, who draws the ideas and images of astronomy into his work. The first part of the essay explores Byron’s continuation of the Miltonic tradition of cosmological poetry, primarily with reference to Cain . It discovers a double impulse. On one hand, Byron modernises Milton for a decided Copernican age and amplifies the existential threat implied by the realisation of unstructured and infinite outer space. On the other, he disrupts the narrative of scientific history by using (anachronistic) Ptolemaic imagery in order to create unique configurations of poetic thought and feeling. The second part of the essay seeks to understand these findings by placing Byron’s cosmological poetry more securely in the scientific and poetic contexts of his day
PrEP acceptability and self-efficacy in men who have sex with men: The roles of identity, trust and knowledge
No full textBackground: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective biomedical intervention for preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition. Despite its clinical efficacy, uptake remains suboptimal among key populations, particularly men who have sex with men (MSM). This study investigates psychosocial and structural predictors of PrEP acceptability and self-efficacy, addressing the need for targeted interventions to improve PrEP uptake in the UK. Methods: A cross-sectional, online survey was conducted among UK-based MSM not currently using PrEP (N = 246). Participants completed validated measures assessing identity resilience, LGBTQ+ connectedness, outness, medical mistrust, perceptions of the NHS, and HIV knowledge. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to examine relationships between these psychosocial factors and PrEP acceptability and self-efficacy, while controlling for age, previous sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis, and condomless sex. Results: The SEM demonstrated excellent model fit (χ² (7, 246) = 4.974, p = .663, CFI = 1.000, TLI = 1.047, SRMR = 0.013). PrEP acceptability was positively associated with LGBTQ+ connectedness and negatively associated with medical mistrust. Conversely, PrEP self-efficacy was positively associated with identity resilience, outness, NHS perceptions, and HIV knowledge. Discussion: Findings show that the predictors of PrEP acceptability and self-efficacy are different which should help inform interventions for promoting PrEP use in at-risk groups. Enhancing LGBTQ+ connectedness and reducing medical mistrust may increase PrEP acceptability, while fostering identity resilience, outness, and positive perceptions of the NHS could strengthen PrEP self-efficacy. Conclusions: This study identifies distinct yet complementary predictors of PrEP acceptability and self-efficacy, emphasising the necessity for tailored interventions
Availability of region-specific endometriosis care guidance: a global scoping review
No full textGuidance on standards of care, particularly incorporating region-specific needs, is foundational to high-quality health care. The availability of region-specific guidance on endometriosis care, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries, has not previously been documented. We conducted a scoping review of endometriosis care guidance in each of the 194 WHO member states to identify the highest organisational level of guidance by region. Nine sources were defined, ranging from national society and government documents to news and social media posts. There is geographical heterogeneity in the existence and sources of guidance, with the greatest availability in Europe. In regions where national societies or advocacy groups exist, many do not maintain or reference care guidelines—even when they exist locally. To ensure patients, providers, and policy makers have access to endometriosis care guidance, patient advocacy groups, professional societies, and governments need to create, maintain, and publicise their resources for patients and providers
Stress and Trading Behavior: Informativeness of Insider Trading Around COVID-19 Pandemic
No full textPrior literature shows that higher incomes lead to fewer financial worries, which improves one’s mental health. Therefore, higher investment returns can enhance investors’ mental health during a crisis. To test this hypothesis, this paper examines whether insiders involved in opportunistic trading during the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. improved their mental health by greater investment returns. We find evidence that opportunistic insiders earned greater investment returns from informed trading when their mental health was poor. Our statistically significant findings suggest that higher mental stress did not prevent opportunistic buyers from informed buying of shares which helped to generate greater returns when those stocks performed better. Our findings also suggest that opportunistic sellers in poor mental health sold shares to generate greater returns before the stock prices went down due to the pandemic. Our results are robust under different considerations such as event studies, robustness tests, placebo-event study and endogeneity concerns. Overall findings highlight the importance for policymakers to take greater initiatives to prevent informed trading by opportunistic insiders suffering from poor mental health during a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic
Two-stage microgrid resilience and battery life-aware planning and operation for cyclone prone areas in India
No full textMicrogrid (MG) resilience is crucial for modern power systems, due to the rising threats from High-Impact Low-Probability (HILP) events, such as natural disasters and cyberattacks. Effective management of microgrid resiliency has become a critical research area, yet operational resiliency studies often overlook microgrid sizing or rely on generic designs rather than actual resource and load data, and rarely incorporate real extreme weather events for performance validation. This paper proposes a two-stage approach for optimal design and resilient operation of the microgrid system. In the first stage, the microgrid’s photovoltaic (PV) arrays, wind turbines (WT), converters, and battery units are sized using HOMER Pro for a coastal village near Ongole, India, based on realistic solar and wind data. In the second stage, a model predictive control-based Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model with load shifting demand response optimizes real-time operation. An expected resiliency index enables smart control by dynamically adjusting objective function weights and battery state of charge limits, while a novel battery life cycle–depth of discharge formulation enhances battery life expectation. Resiliency is assessed using historical solar and wind data from Cyclone Laila. Simulation results indicate that a 140-kW PV, 80-kW WT, 52-kW converter, and 780 kWh lithium-ion battery system can meet the village’s load demand in both grid-connected and islanded modes during the HILP event. In grid-connected mode, excess energy sales reduce the Cost of Energy to 0.237/kWh in islanded mode. Under resilient operation with demand response, the system delivers an expected battery life of 15.5 years and approaches a resiliency index of close to 1.0. Grid connection doubles battery life while ensuring full load supply during HILP events. Even with reduced planned battery capacity scenarios, the proposed control maintains robust resiliency. These findings indicate that the proposed two-stage framework provides a scalable and sustainable strategy for enhancing MG resilience and battery longevity in regions prone to extreme weather events
“they evaluate us based on the questions meant for registrar”: Exploration of Transitional Opportunities Experienced by Intern Doctors
No full textIntroduction: The transition between being an intern doctor before moving into the medical work force is a crucial phase in the life of an intern doctor. The transitional experience is a phase of learning, exploration and adaptation for intern doctors. This study aimed to build insight into the opportunities experienced by intern doctors in Vanuatu during the internship transition. Methods: A qualitative study was carried out in two referral Hospitals in Vanuatu, Vila Central Hospital and Northern Provincial Hospital. A convenient sample of 27 intern doctors participated through face to face semi-structured in-depth interviews. The participants comprised of current intern doctors or those that had completed internship within the past two years and were currently working in the two referral hospitals in Vanuatu. To help direct in-depth interviews, a semi-structured open-ended questionnaire was employed. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the verbatim transcription of the interview material. Results: Six themes were described as opportunities which are; confidence gain in the work place, clinical competency, impact of supporting learning tools, impact of medical consultants, clinical learning environment, and developing interaction relationship. These opportunities have allowed the interns to become more efficient clinicians to make right decisions and when dealing with stressful and non- ideal situations. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that the transitional opportunities experienced by medical intern doctors will enable them to improve their proficiency level thus improving the clinical outcomes
Prevalence and Determinants of Diabetes among Adult Patients Attending Hargeisa Group Hospital of Somalia: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study
No full textThe main aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of diabetes and associated factors among adult patients attending at Hargeisa group hospital, Hargeisa, Somaliland. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Hargeisa Group Hospital (HGH). The sample size was 167 adult patients who visited Hargeisa Group Hospital during the study period. we collected data by following convenience sampling using semi-structured questionnaire. Data was collected from May 1, 2024, up to May 25, 2024. To conduct data analysis, SPSS version 20 software was used. The overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus among adult patients was 29.9%. Not taking exercise regularly was the significant factor of having diabetes. Less lifestyle modification was also the significant factor of having diabetes. In this study, most of the patients (70.0%) had type 2 diabetes. Besides, 54.0% of patients had a family history of diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus among the adult patients in this study was higher. Therefore, it is better to design strategies for diabetes clients to lower their blood sugar in addition to insulin and oral agent medication, and they should do lifestyle modifications and exercises
Authentic Leadership as Predictor of Innovative Work Behavior: The Mediating Role of Social Informal Learning Behaviors
No full textLeadership style is important in fostering a healthy work context and enhancing motivation of employees. Drawing on theories of positive leadership and workplace learning, this research investigated the role of authentic leadership (AL) as a facilitator of Innovative Work Behavior (IWB) and investigated the mediating role of social informal learning behaviors. A total of 303 useful questionnaires were obtained from leaders and employees of 201 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) located in Pakistan. The data was analyzed using SmartPLS 4. The result demonstrated that AL had a positive and significant association with IWB. Moreover, this relationship was mediated by two out of four social informal learning behaviors examined. The study has both theoretical and practical contributions. The limitation of this study and possible avenues for future research are discussed towards the end
Historical musicology in European universities, research organisations and scientific academies: a preliminary survey
No full textSurvey on the state of historical musicology in universities and research institutions in EU (2015-present), commissioned as part of the COST EarlyMuse Actio
The role of self-compassion in adults with dyslexia
No full textThe emotional aspect of dyslexia has recently received more attention. A growing body of literature highlights the links between dyslexia and self-perception (such as self-esteem and self-efficacy) and psychopathology (such as anxiety). However, there is no research on self-compassion in adults with dyslexia. The current study aimed to examine the role of self-compassion in relation to self-esteem, self-efficacy and anxiety in adults with dyslexia. We investigated whether facets of self-compassion have distinct roles within these relationships. We also aimed to identify whether self-compassion mediates the association of self-esteem and self-efficacy with dyslexia and anxiety. Findings are reported from 100 adults with dyslexia who took part in an online survey involving measures of self-compassion, self-esteem and self-efficacy, and anxiety. Self-compassion was related to the other measures and was found to mediate the association of anxiety with self-esteem and self-efficacy, which has not been reported before in adults with dyslexia