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Building relationships of trust? The experiences of military veterans claiming ‘interface first’ Universal Credit
Get PDFTrust is a central consideration when understanding the administration of social security benefits and interactions between the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and claimants, which is increasingly digitalised. While this can have administrative advantages for the DWP and some claimants, less is known about how this digital shift impacts on the relationship between the DWP and claimants within the context of the DWP’s commitments to restore trust. This paper will draw on unique qualitative longitudinal data from interviews with military veterans to examine how they experience interactions with the DWP over time, with a particular focus on trust. We find that although interactions through the Universal Credit (UC) online journal have advantages for some, for those with more complex needs or complex benefits issues to resolve, online communication can create additional barriers to relationships of trust. Our research demonstrates how participants often required ‘analog’ support from friends, family, third sector organisations and DWP staff to navigate their claims. The existence of DWP Armed Forces Champions provides an example of how targeted support is needed alongside digital contact, and how the ‘interface first’ nature of UC must recognise the on-going importance of human interactions for rebuilding relationships of trust
The soul beneath my iron mask: ritual somatic movement practice and the racialised body
No full textThis article is a summary of my masters research inquiry into the ontological implications of race, whilst studying somatic movement education (SME). This solo heuristic practice-led research enquiry drew from the fields of phenomenology, critical race theory (CRT), black feminist thought, depth psychology and art therapy. The theory of double consciousness by W.E.B Du Bois was an important influence as I became drawn to explore somatically, a potential psychic liminal space between the stereotypical and the archetypal self. Part-theoretic and part-embodied narrative, I describe intuitive bodily processes of enquiry utilising expressive arts practices for reflection within a ritual container, grounded in the field of SME. Centring a qualitative subjective approach to knowledge formation, it asked the main question: how might an awareness of the emerging somatic experience of the racialised body bring new knowledge to the problem of race
Loss Evaluation and Performance Modelling of Power Electronics for Fault Management and Renewable Energy Integration
No full textThis work presents the performance and efficiency analysis of solid-state power electronic devices in two complementary applications: fault current limiting and renewable energy integration. A solid-state Fault Current Limiting and Interrupting Device (FCLID) based on a Switched Capacitor (SC) circuit is evaluated for its ability to perform power factor correction and voltage regulation during normal grid operation. Particular focus is given to switching losses in semiconductors, analysed using the PSIM Thermal Module. The 90° phase shift observed between current and voltage in SC circuits is contrasted with in-phase behaviour in DC-DC converters. IGBT losses are calculated and shown to closely align with simulation and literature-based estimates. The second part of the study investigates a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system with power smoothing capability, designed to mitigate output fluctuations due to environmental variability. A bidirectional DC-DC converter and a partially controlled lithium-ion battery are used to reduce voltage flicker and improve grid stability. PSIM simulations incorporate MPPT control, inverter modelling, and real-world component characteristics. Losses are primarily concentrated in switching transistors, diodes, and inductors. Across both systems, efficiency is critically evaluated as a primary determinant of performance and economic viability. The simulated and analytical loss results show agreement within 1%, thereby validating the modelling approach. The findings indicate that lower switching frequencies consistently yield overall system efficiencies above 96%, irrespective of whether MOSFETs or IGBTs are employed. However, the study also reveals that reverse recovery losses become negligible compared to conduction losses only at low switching frequencies (<10 kHz) and low current slew rates (di/dt < 100 A/µs). Finally, the analysis demonstrates that practical implementation factors can increase total power losses by up to 21%
Embedding diversity and inclusion within public engagement in stroke research: a case study
No full textIntroduction: Public engagement is integral to the research process, yet seeking diverse views and being inclusive is often seen as a challenge. Whilst public engagement is the bedrock of our research, the Stroke Research Team has relied on a small number of individuals, limiting diversity. This project, therefore, aims to build a public engagement group that is diverse and inclusive to inform our research and ensure relevance to all stakeholders.
Method: Informed by the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE) guidance, we sought opportunities to engage with our local community. These approaches included: 1) scoping local community resources; 2) developing governance processes; 3) building networks and establishing relationships with local stakeholders; 4) utilising advice from these discussions to create a strategic plan to enhance public engagement within the Stroke Research Team.
Results or details of the case: This work has resulted in improved links with under-served groups, a ‘Stroke Matters’ community event, the provision of ‘health-sharing’ sessions with community groups, involvement in a community-driven, co-creation project to address health inequalities.
Conclusion: The journey led us down many unexpected routes as we grasped opportunities whenever they arose. Our key learning was 1) spend more time listening than talking to those with whom you want to engage; 2) think about what you can offer, rather than what can be gained from the engagement; 3) be prepared for long-term commitment, which may require investment of time and energy; 4) follow-up any on offer to engage, because you cannot know where this may lead
Mitigating health inequalities in rural European communities through collaborative primary care research: A position paper of the WONCA Europe network EURIPA
No full textRural populations in Europe face health inequalities due to a multitude of factors, including the higher prevalence of multi-morbidity, inadequate access to primary and secondary health care services, and widespread health workforce shortages. Although some challenges are also present in other contexts, the multitude and interconnectedness of these factors induce significant health inequalities. Research is a prime tool to demonstrate these, examine potential rural-specific solutions and serve as an essential advocacy instrument for change. Rural primary care remains however significantly underrepresented in European research, contributing further to the health inequities as policies and interventions are often based on urban-centric data. Therefore, advancing evidence-based solutions for rural primary healthcare requires stronger research collaboration. In response, the Rural Health European Academic Network (RHEAN) was established in 2024 to expand academic partnerships beyond the WONCA Europe network EURIPA, the European Rural and Isolated Practitioners Association. This paper identifies rural-specific primary care challenges emerging from key literature and network discussions that shape RHEAN’s collaborative research agenda. The agenda will be refined through a mapping survey of rural primary healthcare research and education within the networks
ACMD Report – A review of the evidence on the use and harms of etomidate and related compounds
No full textEtomidate is a drug that has sedative effects and is used medically as an intravenous general anaesthetic. In recent years evidence of significant levels of misuse of etomidate and related compounds has emerged in Asia, particularly by administration from vaping devices
Does bridle type influence frequency of occurrence of conflict behaviours in high‐level dressage horses?
No full textBackground: It is not known whether bridle type influences the frequency of occurrence of conflict behaviours in high-level dressage horses.
Objectives: To compare the type and frequency of conflict behaviours in high-level dressage horses wearing a snaffle bridle (SB) and double bridle (DB).
Study design: Experimental.
Methods: Twelve high-level dressage horses (Intermediare II/Grand-Prix) were ridden by their regular riders in their own SB and DB in random order. A veterinary assessment was performed before the study. The noseband was adjusted to the horses’ usual setting of two finger-equivalents using an ISES taper gauge. A standardised exercise test was performed at a collected walk, trot and canter. Trials were recorded to video (iPhone). A trained researcher used a pre-determined ethogram to retrospectively analyse the frequency of (1) head nodding; (2) ear movements; (3) nasal planum >10° ahead of vertical; (4) nasal planum >10° behind the vertical; (5) visibility of the sclera; (6) tail swishing; (7) teeth grinding; (8) separation of the teeth; (9) protrusion of the tongue; and (10) salivation intensity. The frequency of observations was summed for each gait separately and across all gaits combined (TOTAL). Data were analysed using a Wilcoxon signed rank test (Adjusted alpha: p ≤ 0.02).
Results: TOTAL values differed significantly between bridle types for the following variables, all of which occurred more frequently in the SB: mouth opening (DB: 104; SB: 186, p ≤ 0.001), sclera visible (DB: 2; SB: 7, p ≤ 0.02) and tongue visible (DB: 1; SB: 13, p = 0.01). In walk, the frequency of mouth opening was greater for the SB (93) than the DB (49) (p = 0.008). No differences were found for the remaining observations in trot (p > 0.07) or canter (p ≥ 0.06).
Main limitations: Only high-level horses and riders were studied.
Conclusion: The majority of measured conflict behaviours showed no differences between bridle types in this group of high-level horses but, when differences occurred, conflict behaviours occurred more frequently with the SB than DB.
Ethical animal research: Approved by Hartpury University's ethics and welfare committee URN 2021-126.
Informed consent: Informed, written consent was obtained from riders and owners.
Competing interests: None.
Funding: Hartpury University Research and Knowledge Exchange Grant.
Acknowledgements: We thank owners, riders, and research assistants
Swiss young people’s experience of living with parental intimate partner violence and other adversities
Get PDFIn Switzerland, approximately one in five children experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in their parents’ relationship. The aim of this article is to discover what it means to grow up in a home with IPV, so that professionals understand this experience from children’s perspectives. In 2022, we conducted 20 individual semi-structured interviews with adolescents and young adults who had lived with parental IPV while minors and whose parent had attended a Swiss clinical forensic service as a consequence of IPV. Semi-structured interviews, supported by the use of life history calendars, covered all major areas of their life since birth. A thematic analysis was carried out on the interview transcripts. As well as physical violence, participants identified psychological, sexual and economic IPV. Their experience was usually measured in years. They described being very involved during and around acute IPV events, physically and emotionally and took an active role in protecting their victimized parents, siblings, and themselves. Multiple victimizations occurred for most of them, in and out of the home and included direct violence from the IPV perpetrator and school bullying. Other adverse childhood events (e.g., alcohol abuse, parental mental illness) were frequently reported. Children are not mere witnesses but victims who demonstrate agency in the context of IPV. Their situation is made more complex by other victimizations and adversities. Recommendations are made in terms of detection, screening and intervention
Fractional flow reserve from coronary CT angiography compared with quantitative flow ratio in complex CAD
No full textBackground Diagnostic concordance among Fractional Flow Reserve derived from computed tomography (FFRCT), and the Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) and Murray's Law-based QFR (μFR) derived from invasive coronary angiography (ICA) is implicitly assumed. Methods Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and ICA were analyzed in a central imaging core lab in this post-hoc imaging sub-study of the FASTTRACK CABG trial that enrolled 114 patients with de-novo three-vessel and/or left-main coronary artery disease. FFRCT, QFR, and μFR were analyzed at corresponding bifurcation points on CCTA and ICA, and virtual pullback pressure gradient index (PPGi) and FFR derivatives (dFFR/ds) were assessed to patho-physiologically categorize the lesion phenotype into diffuse or focal. Results In 199 vessels, mean distal estimates of FFRCT (0.70), QFR (0.71), and μFR (0.69) were similar (p = 0.127). QFR was significantly higher than FFRCT (p < 0.01) and μFR (p < 0.01) in the main branches of the two most proximal bifurcations. Concordance between FFRCT and QFR, and FFRCT and μFR was 76.3 % (kappa = 0.451) and 80.3 % (kappa = 0.544), respectively, when using a cut-off of ≤0.80. Concordance in the pathophysiological lesion phenotype (diffuse or focal) as derived from virtual PPGi was poor between FFRCT vs QFR (k = 0.04) and FFRCT vs μFR (k = 0.16). QFR (20.9 %) tended to identify focal lesions more frequently than FFRCT (13.4 %) and μFR (7.5 %). Conclusions In the two most proximal bifurcations, QFR values were higher than FFRCT and μFR, resulting in lesion severity being underestimated, which may impact revascularization decisions. The pathophysiological phenotype classification was poorly correlated among FFRCT, QFR, and μFR. Trial registration number NCT04142021
Research Ethics Challenges in Pandemic Korea and Their Implications for the Revised 2024 Declaration of Helsinki
Get PDFBackground
The pandemic significantly impacted research ethics, vastly magnifying existing challenges. This study examines challenged for research ethics in Korea during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and their implications for the 2024 revised Declaration of Helsinki.
Methods
As a literature search method, we applied the scoping review protocol using six databases, search keywords related to research ethics and COVID-19, then analyzed key themes against the revised Helsinki Declaration.
Results
We reviewed the literature on research ethics during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Korea, identifying ten key themes: 1) participant safety; 2) national governance; 3) community engagement; 4) global cooperation; 5) reliable research; 6) rapid Institutional Review Board reviews; 7) consent adaptation; 8) fair inclusion of vulnerable groups; 9) ethics of human challenge trials; and 10) use of human materials without consent. The revised Helsinki Declaration of 2024 newly introduces: 1) ethical principles in public health emergencies; 2) meaningful community engagement; 3) scientific rigor; and the Declaration reframes 4) addressing vulnerability; and 5) informed consent for biological materials.
Conclusion
By analyzing the relevance and implications of the challenges identified in this literature review in relation to the revisions made to the Declaration of Helsinki in 2024, we demonstrate that the updated Declaration addresses most of the ethical challenges posed by research in pandemic Korea. This paper highlights that the 2024 revision underscores the significance of research ethics during pandemic situations and proposes approaches to enhance the research environment and ecosystem in the 21st century post-pandemic