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962 Unveiling the Journey: Motivations and Challenges of Oncoplastic Breast Surgeons
No full textAim
This study examines the motivations and challenges of oncoplastic breast surgeons in the UK. It identifies key rewards and challenges in the specialty and evaluates available support systems to provide insights for medical students and surgical trainees considering this field.
Method
A cross-sectional design was used with an anonymous questionnaire distributed to 58 oncoplastic breast surgeons across the UK. Topics included demographics, motivations for pursuing oncoplastic surgery, influences during training, systemic and personal challenges (e.g., resource availability, workload, burnout), rewarding aspects, and overall career satisfaction. Both quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed.
Results
The survey included 58 respondents (60% female; 53% consultants). Motivations included making a direct patient impact (75%), combining oncology with aesthetics (81%), and lifestyle benefits (60%). Most (60%) chose the specialty during core or higher training, with 90% having early exposure. Challenges involved balancing oncology with aesthetics (53%) and the emotional toll of cancer care (45%). Despite this, 88% found the specialty rewarding due to its positive patient impact, and 69% valued the dual focus on oncological and aesthetic outcomes. Burnout was reported by 45%, but 74% indicated adequate support systems. Career satisfaction was high, with 85% rating their choice ≥8/10.
Conclusions
Oncoplastic breast surgeons find balancing oncology and aesthetics both rewarding and challenging. Early exposure and mentorship are critical in career decisions, with most surgeons reporting high satisfaction despite challenges
The Epitome of Antioxidants Against UV Photodamage: Vitamin E Use in Skin Protection
Get PDFSince its discovery, there has been ongoing discourse regarding the physiological significance and therapeutic potential of vitamin E, particularly in combating cell damage caused by free radicals. As a prominent antioxidant in the body, vitamin E plays a crucial role in reducing lipid peroxidation within cell membranes, making it a focal point for researchers in dermatology. The unique cellular functions of vitamin E have been linked to its antitumorigenic and photoprotective properties, garnering attention for its potential efficacy in addressing UV-related skin conditions. This literature review aims to illuminate the efficacy of vitamin E, spanning its topical applications to oral supplementation for the protection against photodamage, through an examination of past research in dermatology. A comprehensive analysis of 44 studies from the PubMed database and ScienceDirect, spanning from 1990 to 2022 and references up to 2024, was conducted to gather insights from clinical trials and investigations focusing on potential therapeutic uses of vitamin E in managing UV-induced skin disorders. This review article includes a diverse range of studies-such as experimental research, randomized controlled trials, clinical studies, and double-blind trials-to comprehensively examine the wide-ranging effects of Vitamin E in protecting against UV-induced photodamage. This includes photodamage, nonmelanoma skin cancer, radiodermatitis, and age-related skin changes
The Future of Virtual Conversations: ChatGPT and The Metaverse
No full textArtificial Intelligence (AI) systems such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT have been transforming into remarkable tools when combined with Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) over the last few years. Together, these technologies are changing communication in Metaverse, creating real-time, dynamic, personalized conversations. In this research, the combined potential of these technologies is investigated and shown to have the potential to improve user engagement in the fields of education, business, and social interaction. Most importantly, AR lets context-aware overlays, and VR gives immersive fields, giving a life-like experience.
All these have advanced; however, there remain several challenges: data privacy risk, the algo biases, and the opacity of the AI decision-making processes. This study shows key findings on what measures can be taken in this regard, using fairness-aware algorithms, privacy-preserving technologies, and explainable AI (XAI). This research, through peer-reviewed literature, expert interviews, and case studies, presents actionable recommendations for the ethical and inclusive deployment of AI-driven virtual interactions. This study brings forth the transformative potential of responsibly integrating AI, AR and VR to create an impact and equitable digital experience by addressing these challenges
Insights on Education in Mid-Victorian Lancashire: An Analysis of Exercise Books from 1868 and 1870
No full textThis article analyses two exercise books from the mid-Victorian period that once belonged to a pupil teacher named Joseph Prescott, who taught at St Mary’s School, a Catholic educational institution in Chorley, England. The exercise books act as a case study for curriculum structure and educational practice in Lancashire by highlighting several themes, including the role of religion in the Victorian school day. After addressing the deficiencies in accessing education in the Victorian period, the article contextualises the analysis of the exercise books by recounting the development of the pupil-teacher system in Britain. Key pages of the exercise books reflect the Catholic nature of the curriculum at St Mary’s School and show that educators of the period taught a range of subjects. The article addresses the role of the pupil-teacher system in mid-Victorian schooling, leading to a clearer understanding of the responsibilities and prospects of pupil teachers during the period
Automated Penetration Testing for Industrial IoT Systems: Enhancing Efficiency and Reducing Reliance on Human Expertise
No full textPenetration testing is an important aspect when building or deploying Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) systems. This involves using specialised hacking tools that would help identify exploitable vulnerabilities in an industrial systems, device, and/or network. Conventionally, security experts rely on penetration testing performed by expert individuals where these individuals are expected to have considerable experience and knowledge in the specified domain. This dependence on skill evaluation makes the process unreliable as failure in a penetration test does not guarantee system security. Therefore, this paper proposes the use of automated penetration testing using script files. Tools such as Nessus are employed for vulnerability scanning, PostgreSQL serves as the database management system to store test results and configurations, and Metasploit is utilised for automating the exploitation of identified vulnerabilities. The research shows a considerable improvement in task efficiency in terms of time consumed to find a suitable exploit and execute it in comparison to manual penetration testing
Striking a Balance: Stakeholder Perceptions of Risk in Horse Racing
Get PDFBackground: Thoroughbred racing is a major industry, and in recent years, public concerns about equine safety have become more prominent, particularly in relation to on‐track injuries and fatalities. This has challenged the industry's social licence to operate (SLO). Objectives: To investigate and elucidate how UK and Irish racing stakeholders perceive risks to racehorses on race day and how those risks should be managed. Study Design: Qualitative analysis of stakeholder perspectives using a constructionist approach. Methods: Twelve stakeholders from veterinary, communication and regulatory sectors within racing in the UK and Ireland were interviewed. Semi‐structured interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Three key themes were developed ‘Managing Risk, or Managing the Message?’, ‘The Balance between Tradition and Progress on Reducing Risks’, and ‘Attributing Responsibility and the Public Disconnect’. Participants framed risk according to public misunderstanding and effective communication, while others placed increased emphasis on welfare risks and proactive mitigation measures. Some participants viewed ‘accidents’ as unavoidable, others believed that more could be done to minimise avoidable risk. Attribution of responsibility was directed towards various industry stakeholders including trainers, jockeys, regulators and the public. Interviewees noted the industry to be rooted in tradition and slow to adapt to changing expectations. Main Limitations: Familiarity between the interviewing researcher and some participants may have encouraged open discussion but could have influenced how responses were framed. Conclusions: Stakeholders framed risk in ways shaped by public expectations, culture, tradition and lived experience. There is shared concern for equine welfare and a desire for improved safety measures in conjunction with management of public perceptions. For a sustainable future, internal divisions must be resolved, shared goals established, and proactive engagement with science pursued to safeguard equine welfare and sustain public support
'Big-5' Personality Traits and Revisit Intentions: The Mediating Effect of Memorable Tourism Experiences
Get PDFPurpose: This study aims to investigate the influence of the 'Big Five' personality traits on memorable tourism experiences (MTE) and revisit intentions. It explores the interrelationships among these three constructs.
Methods: A sample of 239 outbound tourists at Larnaca and Paphos international airports in Cyprus was utilized. The research employed a combination of exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and mediation analysis to assess the mediating role of MTE dimensions between personality traits and revisit intentions.
Results: The results indicate that most associations between the Big Five personality traits and the seven MTE dimensions were not statistically significant, with the exception of two relationships: neuroticism with novelty, and openness with refreshment. All seven MTE dimensions were found to have a positive and significant impact on revisit intentions. However, the direct effects of personality traits on revisit intentions were not significant. Mediation analysis showed partial mediation for all seven MTE dimensions in the relationship between agreeableness and revisit intentions.
Implications: Given the limited predictive power of the Big Five personality traits and the seven-dimensional MTE scale in this context, future research should consider employing alternative or expanded measures for both personality and MTE. Researchers are encouraged to refine and broaden these constructs to better capture their potential influence on tourist behavior
An Exploration of the Psycho-Social Factors that Impact the Mental Wellbeing of Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children in UK: A Narrative Review
Get PDFUnaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) are amongst the most vulnerable populations worldwide, facing significant psycho-social and mental health challenges influenced by pre-migration, migration, and post-migration experiences. This narrative review examines the structural, legal, and practical factors affecting UASC, focusing on their lived experiences within the UK’s asylum system. Key areas explored include trauma caused by forced migration (pre-, during and post-migration), ethical dilemmas surrounding age assessment, the barriers to education and social integration, and the impact of restrictive immigration policies. The review highlights the inadequacies in systemic responses to UASC and underscores the necessity of trauma-informed care, equitable education, and culturally sensitive support frameworks. By critically evaluating current practices and proposing actionable recommendations, this review aims to advocate for the holistic care and protection of UASC, ensuring that their rights and needs are upheld in accordance with international conventions and domestic policies
EL CMi: confirmation of triaxial pulsation theory
No full textTriaxial pulsators are a recently discovered group of oscillating stars in close binary systems that show pulsations around three axes at the same time. It has recently been theoretically shown that new types of pulsation modes, the Tidally Tilted Standing (TTS) modes, can arise in such stars. Here, we report the first detection of a quadrupole TTS oscillation mode in the pulsating component of the binary system EL CMi following an analysis of TESS space photometry. Two dipole oscillations around different axes in the orbital plane are present as well. In addition, the binary system is characterized using new radial velocity measurements, phoebe as well as simultaneous spectral energy distribution and light curve modeling. The pulsating primary component has properties typical of a Delta Scuti star but has accreted and is still accreting mass from its Roche Lobe filling companion. The donor star is predicted to evolve into a low-mass helium white dwarf. EL CMi demonstrates the potential of asteroseismic inferences of the structure of stars in close binaries before and after mass transfer and in three spatial dimensions
Resetting time: The role of exercise timing in circadian reprogramming for metabolic health.
Get PDFCircadian rhythms are intrinsic 24 h cycles that regulate metabolic processes across multiple tissues, with skeletal muscle emerging as a central node in this temporal network. Muscle clocks govern gene expression, fuel utilisation, mitochondrial function, and insulin sensitivity, thereby maintaining systemic energy homeostasis. However, circadian misalignment, whether due to behavioural disruption, nutrient excess, or metabolic disease, impairs these rhythms and contributes to insulin resistance, and the development of obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Notably, the muscle clock remains responsive to non-photic cues, particularly exercise, which can reset and amplify circadian rhythms even in metabolically impaired states. This work synthesises multi-level evidence from rodent models, human trials, and in vitro studies to elucidate the role of skeletal muscle clocks in circadian metabolic health. It explores how exercise entrains the muscle clock via molecular pathways involving AMPK, SIRT1, and PGC-1α, and highlights the time-of-day dependency of these effects. Emerging data demonstrate that optimally timed exercise enhances glucose uptake, mitochondrial biogenesis, and circadian gene expression more effectively than time-agnostic training, especially in individuals with metabolic dysfunction. Finally, findings are integrated from multi-omic approaches that have uncovered dynamic, time-dependent molecular signatures that underpin circadian regulation and its disruption in obesity. These technologies are uncovering biomarkers and signalling nodes that may inform personalised, temporally targeted interventions. By combining mechanistic insights with translational implications, this review positions skeletal muscle clocks as both regulators and therapeutic targets in metabolic disease. It offers a conceptual framework for chrono-exercise strategies and highlights the promise of multi-omics in developing precision chrono-medicine approaches aimed at restoring circadian alignment and improving metabolic health outcomes