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Young people’s caring practices in transnational families in Sweden and the UK: care ethics and wellbeing
Get PDFChildren are often regarded as ‘dependents’ within migration studies, rendering their care work invisible. Drawing on the ethics of care, this paper analyses young people’s active roles in caring for family members in Sweden and the UK and for transnational kin, based on qualitative and participatory research with young people (aged 6-25). Many young people provided emotional support, language brokering and practical assistance to navigate care, welfare and immigration systems. Some young people engaged in higher levels of caregiving, often linked to inadequate formal care resources and the absence of a parent or extended kin who would usually be expected to provide care. Caregiving was often accompanied by gendered and inter- and intra-generational conflicts, which could impact on young people’s wellbeing and competence to provide ‘good care’. More awareness is needed of young people’s crucial roles in filling the gaps in care, welfare and migration regimes in transnational spaces
Analyzing state support to non-state actors - part II: response options and conflict classification
No full textContribution of pollinators to delivering fruit quality in commercial sweet cherry orchards
Get PDFBackground: Pollinators provide an essential ecosystem service to many crops, including sweet cherry ( Prunus avium ), which can be quantified in terms of fruit number and/or quality. Most studies in sweet cherry have explored the extent to which fruit set relies on pollinators but have neglected pollinators' contribution to fruit quality. We investigated the impact of pollinators on fruit set (2018–2019) and fruit quality (2017–2019). In 10 commercial sweet cherry orchards under polytunnels, we conducted insect‐exclusion experiments comparing insect‐excluded blossoms (mesh‐bagged blossoms) to blossoms exposed to floral visitors (open blossoms). We then investigated relationships between fruit set and fruit quality. Results: Pollinators were key to underpinning commercial fruit set (15.4% fruit set from open blossoms compared to 1.1% with bagged blossoms), equivalent to a contribution of 92.8%. Pollinators were also essential to achieving higher cherry fruit quality. With open blossoms, fresh mass, width, dry matter, and flesh/pit ratio of cherries increased by 19.8%, 7.9%, 19.8%, and 10.5%, respectively, compared to cherries from bagged blossoms. In contrast, firmness was similar between both pollination treatments. We did not find a significant relationship between fruit set and quality, suggesting trees did not carry an excessive fruit burden. Conclusion: Our results highlight the importance of pollinators, not only for underpinning commercial yields in terms of fruit set, but also for higher fruit quality. We recommend growers adopt effective pollinator management practices to help underpin commercially viable yields consisting of fruit with a higher marketable potential
Density-dependent effects on the reproductive ecology of trees in a temperate woodland
Get PDFThe reproductive success of plants often depends on their local conspecific densities. The degree of isolation from conspecific plants can mediate an individual's interactions with other organisms. For example, a high density of flowers can attract pollinators and improve seed set, and a high density of seeds can attract enemies such as seed predators. It is the joint outcome of positive and negative density-dependent effects that will determine the spatial distribution of a population, yet they are rarely studied simultaneously. We related two indicators of reproductive success (fruit set and fruit drop) to tree size and the density of neighbouring conspecifics for 32 Crataegus monogyna (Rosaceae) individuals in a temperate woodland. Overall, 26% of flowers set seed, but seed set was not density dependent. We found that 25% of fruits were dropped before reaching maturity, and 24% of mature fruits were dropped before the typical dispersal period. The drop of both immature and mature fruits increased with the density of reproductive conspecifics in this system, with potential implications for spatial patterns of seedling recruitment
Interaction between dietary fiber intake and MTNR1B rs10830963 polymorphism on glycemic profiles in young Brazilian adults
Get PDFBackground/Objective: The single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs10830963 in the melatonin receptor 1B (MTNR1B) gene influences insulin secretion and glucose metabolism and has been associated with an increased risk of type-2 diabetes. This study aimed to explore the interaction between dietary intake and the MTNR1B rs10830963 polymorphism on glycemic profiles in young Brazilian adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed 200 healthy young adults (19–24 years), evaluating the MTNR1B rs10830963 genotype, anthropometric parameters, glycemic markers (fasting insulin, glucose, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-β), and dietary intake via three 24 h dietary recalls. Genotype–diet interactions were tested using multivariate linear regression models adjusted for confounders. Results: The carriers of the G allele exhibited a positive association with fasting insulin levels (p = 0.003), insulin/glucose ratio (p = 0.004), HOMA-IR (p = 0.003), and HOMA-β (p = 0.018). Energy-adjusted fiber intake showed a significant genotype-specific interaction only in carriers of the G allele, where higher dietary fiber intake was significantly associated with lower fasting insulin (pinteraction = 0.034) and HOMA-IR (pinteraction = 0.028). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the MTNR1B rs10830963 polymorphism is associated with glycemic markers, and dietary fiber intake may attenuate the adverse effects of the MTNR1B rs10830963 G allele on glycemic profiles in young Brazilian adults. This highlights the potential role of fiber in improving health outcomes for individuals carrying this risk allele. To validate these results and assess the broader implications for the Brazilian population, further intervention studies and larger-scale research are essential
Effects of feeding dairy cows seaweed mixtures on feed intake, methane emission, milk production, and milk mineral and fatty acid composition
Get PDFThere has been much recent research interest in the potential of macroalgae (seaweed) as a methane suppressing feed supplement for ruminants, but there are numerous potential seaweed species available that have varying compositions of potentially beneficial or deleterious consequence. Therefore the objective of the present study was to determine the effects of feeding 3 mixtures of 3 seaweeds at levels within EU regulatory limits for ration iodine concentration on methane production and milk yield and composition of dairy cows. Forty lactating (204 ± 5.6 DIM) Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of 4 treatments (10 per treatment) in blocks based on DIM, parity, BW, and milk yield. Treatments were a control TMR and one of 3 seaweed mixtures replacing TMR grass silage: Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus vesiculosus, and Asparagopsis taxiformis (AN, FV, and AT, respectively; 5:45:50 and 1.5 g/kg DM), AN and FV (AN:FV at 90:10 and 6.5 g/kg DM), or FV and AN (FV:AN at 90:10 and 17.5 g/kg DM). Cows were individually fed for ad libitum DMI in free-stall housing and treatments continued for 7 wk, with daily measurements of milk yield and DMI and weekly measurements of milk composition. Methane emission was estimated using 2 GreenFeed head chambers in wks 5 to 7 of treatment, milk mineral concentrations were measured in wks 1 to 6, and milk FA composition was measured in wk 6. Feeding the AN:FV and FV:AN mixtures had no effect on methane emission (g/d) or yield (g/kg DMI), whilst cows fed AT (0.075% of DM) in combination with AN and FV tended to have a lower methane emission (9 %) and methane yield (12 %) than cows fed the control diet and lower (20 %) methane intensity (g/kg ECM) than cows fed the AN:FV mixture. Cows fed all 3 seaweed mixtures had 1.7 to 2.2 fold higher milk iodine concentrations, which showed a wk by treatment interaction in that cows fed the AN:FV mixture had higher milk iodine concentrations in wks 3 and 5 of the study. Cows fed the AN:FV also had lower milk urea concentration, suggesting effects of AN and/or FV bioactive components on rumen protein degradation. Cows fed the AT:AN:FV mixture had lower concentrations of C18:3n6, and higher concentrations of C15:1 and C17:0, but there were no other effects of feeding seaweed on milk yield or composition. In conclusion, feeding a relatively small amount of AT (0.75 g/kg diet DM) with AN and FV reduced methane emission and yield by 9 and 12 %, respectively, and there was no effect of feeding mixtures of AN and FV without AT. Feeding a higher level of AN with FV (5.85 g/kg DM) reduced milk urea concentration, suggesting inhibitory effects of phytotannins or other bioactive components on protein degradation
Implementation of green infrastructure in schools as a science and environmental learning tool – UK secondary school case study
No full textWhile the value of green infrastructure (GI) to mitigate urban environmental problems (poor air quality, urban heat island issues, etc.) is well established, its implementation in schools, in the UK context at least, is constrained. This is usually due to limited resources (expertise and funds) for GI maintenance, as well as a worry about the use of potentially harmful plant species near children. A contributing factor too is perceived insufficient relevance of GI for curricular activities, to warrant the time and financial investment into anything but rudimentary greening in school grounds. Here we present the learnings from a year-long science and GI implementation project, linked to the GCSE science curriculum and taking place in a state comprehensive secondary school in Surrey (UK). The project involved setting up two mixed evergreen hedges within the sections of the outside perimeter of the school grounds, near a busy road. Hedges were chosen as a relatable and effective model: cheap, widely present in the UK peri-urban landscape, and effective at delivering multiple environmental benefits. A program of science activities for pupils in Year 10 (15-year-olds), linking to and extending the science curriculum, and giving pupils an insight into ‘real life’ science, was devised and run during the Spring Term in 2023. It involved lectures by scientist, hands-on student involvement in plant and soil measurements, and data analysis. It also involved surveys (pre and post intervention) of pupils’ environmental attitudes, climate risk perceptions and their knowledge of green infrastructure. It was only through a significant cross-divisional project team effort (RHS science, learning and communities), high level support within the school and clear links to the GCSE curriculum that the project was made possible. We are feeding the learnings from the project into the currently ongoing RHS-coordinated England-wide program of schools’ green engagement (National Education Nature Park), with the key messages relating to the importance of linking GI implementation to the existing (or future) curriculum
Bring your whole self to work: boundary conditions of subjectivity in diversity and inclusion discourse on investment bank websites
Get PDFThis article critically examines the discourse of ‘bring your whole self to work’ within the diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) narratives of investment banks. While inclusion is often framed as essential for leveraging diversity, scholars argue that ‘whole self’ approaches risk individualising diversity and reinforcing systemic exclusions. Drawing on Foucault’s concepts of biopower, technologies of the self, and governance, this study explores how inclusion operates as a mechanism of organisational power, shaping subjectivities through corporate DEI statements. Using discourse analysis of investment banks’ websites, the article identifies three subjectivities constructed through ‘whole self’ discourse: the whole self as a driver of productivity, the whole self shaped by wellness and mindset, and the whole self oriented towards personal growth. By interrogating the boundary conditions of inclusion, the article highlights the ethical implications of DEI discourse, questioning how organisations define acceptable identities and reinforcing the need for structurally inclusive practices that move beyond surface-level commitments
Understanding complexity at the pre-construction stage of project planning for construction projects
Get PDFThe construction projects’ dynamic and interconnected nature requires a comprehensive understanding of complexity during pre-construction. Traditional tools such as Gantt charts, CPM, and PERT often overlook uncertainties. This study identifies 20 complexity factors through expert interviews and literature, categorising them into six groups. The Analytical Hierarchy Process evaluated the significance of different factors, establishing their corresponding weights to enhance adaptive project scheduling. A system dynamics (SD) model is developed and tested to evaluate the dynamic behaviour of identified complexity factors. The model simulates the impact of complexity on total project duration (TPD), revealing significant deviations from initial deterministic estimates. Data collection and analysis for reliability tests, including normality and Cronbach alpha, to validate the model’s components and expert feedback. Sensitivity analysis confirmed a positive relationship between complexity and project duration, with higher complexity levels resulting in increased TPD. This relationship highlights the inadequacy of static planning approaches and underscores the importance of addressing complexity dynamically. The study provides a framework for enhancing planning systems through system dynamics and recommends expanding the model to ensure broader applicability in diverse construction projects
The systemic procedural injustice faced by victim-survivors in police responses to rape and ‘serious’ sexual offences: a comprehensive study of four forces in England and Wales
Get PDFDrawing on a large multi-method study in England and Wales, this paper outlines key challenges to procedural justice faced by victim-survivors in contemporary police responses to rape and ‘serious’ sexual offences. It draws on an innovative dataset – involving ‘real-time’ police ethnographic observations and review of police video footage, combined with supporting stakeholder focus groups and interviews – to provide a multifaceted, holistic examination of police responses. We identify significant variation in the quality of police responses to victim-survivors, which include concerning practices such as insensitive and inconsiderate treatment, cynical attitudes, and investigations being influenced by rape myths. Without reform, we conclude the policing system provides limited opportunity for dignity, respect, equity, safety or voice; all known to be important for procedural justice and victim-survivor justice more broadly. Steps towards improving the experience and treatment of victim-survivors must address these systemic issues over focusing on the actions of individual officers