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EXPLORING LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN RECEPTOR (LDLR) FAMILY IN GLIOBLASTOMA
No full textAIMS Cancer and neurodegenerative disease are unlikely to co-exist in the same patient. As glioblastoma is the most prevalent primary brain cancer, our research group is exploring how GBM is affected by genes implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. SorL1 has been established to be an important risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and our group have shown it to be upregulated in patient derived GBM cells and it contributes to GBM cell migration and proliferation. SorL1 is part of a wider family of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) family and so my project was to explore the wider family as a potential target for investigation. METHOD The LDLR family were initially investigated using the bioinformatic data bases Xena browser and ivy Glioblastoma Atlas Project (ivyGAP). Xena browser reports RNA expression between healthy tissue samples (GTEX study) and from low grade glioma and glioblastoma and survival analysis while ivyGAP reports gene expression in the different anatomical regions of glioblastoma tumours. RESULTS Following bioinformatics and literature review: LRP1B, LRP5, LRP10 and Sortilin were chosen for further investigation. Western blot and immunocytochemistry were used to explore expression in cell lines SVGP12, U87MG and 1321N1. Sortilin and LRP10 were shown to be down regulated whilst LRP5 showed no significant differences between cell lines. CONCLUSION The next step in this project is to explore expression of the LRP family in patient derived cells and normal human astrocytes. As the expression of the LDLR family was region specific across the tumour (ivyGAP data) future work in the project will explore expression in 3D spheroids and organotypic brain slice cultures, to create a model that better recapitulates the tumour microenvironment to better understand these proteins and their roles in GB
Development of the ENIGMA fuel performance code for LWR applications with chromium-coated cladding
Get PDFZirconium-alloy cladding with a chromium coating is the most advanced of the near-term concepts amongst Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) materials for Light Water Reactor (LWR) applications. The ENIGMA fuel performance code has been updated to model the thermo-mechanical behaviour of such cladding in both normal and off-normal operating conditions. The focus was on accurately simulating the behaviour in Loss Of Coolant Accident (LOCA) conditions to evaluate the increase in coping time during design-basis accidents. New low-temperature and high-temperature models were incorporated for cladding oxidation and hydriding and cladding creep which take into account the impact of the chromium coating on the overall cladding behaviour. Furthermore, the consumption of the chromium coating due to high-temperature diffusion of chromium into the cladding base alloy’s β-Zr phase is simulated. The new models have been validated using measurements on chromium-coated cladding from irradiated rods, high-temperature annealing experiments and semi-integral LOCA tests. The validation showed good agreement between ENIGMA’s predictions and the experimental data; thereby demonstrating the applicability of the new models for simulating the performance of LWR fuel rods with chromium-coated cladding in both normal operation and accident conditions
The Artistry and Legacy of Queen
No full textOver a career spanning six decades, Queen have become one of the most successful music artists in the history of the recorded music industry.
Their consumption on digital platforms towers above other classic bands and artists of their generation and even many contemporary artists, attesting to the substantial and transgenerational appeal of Queen.
This collection offers insights into the Queen phenomenon through considering their artistry, influences, sound, singing style, use of instruments and technology, composition, live performance, as well as their impact on other music makers, and fandom. Bringing together academics from a range of disciplines in music studies, including musicology, composition, performance, as well as specialists in film and media studies, sociology, queer studies, and business studies, the book examines the many dimensions of Queen and lessons we can learn from them to inform future practice in popular music
Psychological interventions for weight reduction and sustained weight reduction in adults with overweight and obesity: a scoping review
Get PDFIntroduction: Overweight and obesity are growing public health problems worldwide. Both diet and physical activity have been the primary interventions for weight reduction over the past decade. With increasing rates of overweight and obesity, it is evident that a primary focus on diet and exercise has not resulted in sustained obesity reduction within the global population. There is now a case to explore other weight management strategies such as psychological therapies. However, there is a dearth of literature that has mapped the types of psychological interventions and the characteristics of these interventions as a means of achieving weight reduction.
Objectives: The key objectives focused on mapping the types and characteristics of psychological interventions versus usual care for weight reduction and sustained weight reduction in adults with overweight or obesity. The study followed the scoping review methodology by Arksey and O’Malley and was reported in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
Eligibility criteria: Intervention studies were included if participants were 18 years and over, classified as overweight or obese (≥BMI 25kg/m2), and had received a psychological therapy intervention. Studies were excluded if they included a comparison with other active lifestyle interventions (unless classified as usual care), were not available in English, not full text articles, or were non-peer reviewed articles.
Sources of evidence: Six electronic databases were searched from inception to April 2023 to identify relevant articles.
Charting methods: The study employed a systematic charting method and narrative synthesis to organise and synthesise the data.
Results: A total of 31 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Thirteen unique psychological interventions for weight reduction in adults with overweight or obesity were identified, with cognitive behaviour therapy and motivational interviewing being the most common. Eight types of usual care were identified, which largely included education and training on nutrition and physical activity. Gaps in the current research were also identified.
Conclusion: The findings highlighted several gaps within existing literature, largely due to a lack of evidence relating to adults with low socioeconomic status, non-white participants, individuals under 40 years of age, and the integration of digital health technologies
Vulnerability assessment of English and Welsh coastal areas
Get PDFThe escalating threat of climate change has placed global coastal communities at risk, with rising sea levels and intensified storm events presenting unprecedented challenges. Coastal vulnerability assessments, conducted every 3–5 years, are crucial. This empirical study assesses the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) for the distinct coastal contexts of Dawlish, Happisburgh (England), and Aberystwyth (Wales). The CVI method consists of the Physical Coastal Vulnerability Index (PCVI) and the Economic Coastal Vulnerability Index (ECVI), which provide a multidimensional assessment of vulnerability for coastal zones. This integrated index allows for a nuanced evaluation of vulnerability, distinguishing between sites based on various factors. Additionally, this study conducted a correlation analysis to understand the associations between the parameters. The findings demonstrate that physical features like beach and dune widths significantly impact a location’s natural defences, and economic factors such as property values and population density are equally crucial in determining societal risks and potential financial repercussions. The Combined Coastal Vulnerability Index (CCVI) results confirm the effectiveness of incorporating a diverse range of variables. Despite its substantial economic value, it reveals that Dawlish requires targeted protective measures, whereas Happisburgh needs an increased focus on its most vulnerable sectors. Aberystwyth emerges as the area with the highest overall vulnerability, underscoring the need for comprehensive coastal management practices. The study’s conclusions emphasize the essential role of adaptive, integrated management strategies in enhancing coastal resilience against the complex threats posed by climate dynamics. Moving forward, the indices established herein advocate for their use in strategic planning and policymaking to strengthen coastal regions in the face of sea-level rise and climatic variability. This investigation lays the groundwork for future research, aimed at refining and expanding these methodologies, aspiring to develop a detailed national coastal vulnerability atlas, a critical tool for informed decision-making and safeguarding at-risk communities
Examining refusal and acceptance sequences employing a data-driven binary rating approach
No full textThis paper presents the development and preliminary validation of a data-driven analytic binary rating rubric for assessing roleplay-elicited pragmatic performance of learners. The roleplay task consists of two items—one lunch invitation to elicit a refusal and one gift offer to elicit an acceptance in Chinese, both of which involve initiating proposals to return an earlier favor. Responses to return-to-favor invitations or offers in Chinese are challenging for L2 learners as they involve complicated discursive features. To create a practical, reliable tool for evaluating L2 performance, the researchers conducted a discourse analysis of L1 Chinese performance data (N = 22) to identify key discursive features in two domains— Intention (i.e., refusing the return-for-favor intention) and Decision (i.e., refusing/accepting the offer/invitation). A roleplay can receive up to 4 points in both domains, including one point each for orientation/directness, position, modification, and justification, for 8 total possible points. Scores assigned to both L1 and L2 performance according to the rubric reflected high inter-rater reliability. The effect of proficiency was significant on learner scores and interacted with rating domains and scenarios. Lower-level learners scored lower with addressing the interlocutor's return-for-favor intention than with the invitation or offer itself; they also scored lower with refusing than accepting an offer. By focusing on key discursive features rather than exhaustive interactional details, the rubric streamlines the evaluation process while maintaining accuracy and reliability. Future studies may extend the use of the rubric to other speech act sequences and languages and apply it to automated grading systems
SOCIAL WORK LEADERSHIP NARRATIVES IN FINLAND: PERCEPTIONS OF LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION
Get PDFThis thesis is about the experience of social work management and leadership in Finland, and the implications for pedagogy. Leadership and management in Social Work has been researched over the years, yet unanimous understanding of appropriate social work leadership and management has not been accomplished.
This research provides new perspectives into social work leadership by presenting the views of Finnish social work leaders and social work field employees as narratives on social work leadership and management. These narratives provide insight into experiences of good social work leadership practices and help reveal the phenomenon of leadership and management in a holistic light from the grassroots of everyday life in the social work profession. These narratives were revealed through interviews and a grounded theory research process and reviewed in the light of theoretical knowledge constructed through a literature review.
The theoretical findings generated through the literature review describe styles and approaches of leadership, both from the tradition of business management and social work. In addition, social work as a context, particularly in Finland, is discussed, as are themes of professional values and interdisciplinary work.
Empirical data for this research was collected through interviews with social work leaders and workers in the social care field. The findings reveal the relevance of much of the pre-existing research (Lawler & Bilson, 2010; Juuti, 2013; Pekkarinen, 2010; Peters, 2018), particularly the importance of values. In addition, three clear narratives generated the three roles of “caregiver”, “understander” and “designer”, which all contribute to well-functioning leadership and management in an organisation through different strengths. These empirical findings present “relational understandings” as capacities that are important for a leader to reflect to increase their self-awareness as a leader. These involve considering relationship to power; abilities to understand trust as a dynamic phenomenon influencing the atmosphere in a work setting; and dialogue as a tool to affect the stage of trust.
Knowledge from both empirical interview data and theoretical sources were combined and provide an example of how a social work management and leadership curriculum might be developed. The intended learning outcomes describe the recommended objectives for social work leadership and management training. Example narratives provide examples of experiences, which connect to the themes regarded as essential in social work leadership and management.
This research contributes to the professional body of knowledge by confirming the usability of the transformational, compassionate, servant and distributed leadership approaches alongside highlighting the importance of strategic objectives and evidence-based practice. For the already existing approaches, this research presents original initiatives for the further development of these approaches through connecting them to business management originated tools, such as lean management and multiple criteria decision making. This integration should be made through social work ethics and social work professional values. A step forward is made in highlighting that psychodynamic leadership should be better acknowledged, particularly through its relevance to understanding emotions regarding interaction in the community and connected to trust.
This research recognized four tensions which were later in the process combined into three tensions. All these deserve further attention in research. Tensions between social work ethical values and business management rooted financial tools, between individualism and distributed leadership, and between trust and mistrust in the community should be individually examined further
REDUCING WASTE WITHIN THE HIGH PRECISION MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY TO ACHIEVE UK NET ZERO AND SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS. A CASE STUDY: ELE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES.
Get PDFHigh precision manufacturing (HPM) generates large amounts of waste material due to relying on subtractive manufacturing (SM) processes, such as grinding and electrical discharge machining (EDM). Finding ways to optimise resource use and waste management for these processes is essential to improving the sustainability of the HPM sector. This research used the HPM company ELE Advanced Technologies as a case study. Grinding wheel use was monitored over a three-month period by measuring the remaining diameter of spent wheels. During this time, all grinding operators (n = 32) received a questionnaire designed to identify barriers to efficient resource use. Additionally, contaminants within waste dielectric fluid from the EDM process were removed using filtration and centrifugation. Fluid samples were classified as ‘untreated’, ‘filtered’, ‘centrifuged’, ‘filtered and centrifuged’ or ‘clean’. Sample absorption values and microparticle sizes were analysed using UV-Vis and DLS, while the elemental composition of the contaminants was determined using SEM-EDS. GC-MS identified the hydrocarbon structures that composed each sample. During wheel monitoring, very few wheels achieved their minimum diameter (11.11%), lack of appropriate training for grinding operators and insufficient provisions for wheel re-use were the main reasons for this. If grinding operators adopted sustainable behaviours, between 1.8 - 6.0 tCO2eq emissions could be saved annually. For EDM, the pollutants chromium VI and nickel II were identified at concentrations of 7.33 mg L-1 and 9.40 mg L-1 respectively. Centrifugation was the most effective contaminant removal method. ‘Centrifuged’ samples displayed a significantly lower absorption value at the wavelength maxima than ‘filtered’ (p<0.001). Hydrocarbon structures remained consistent between samples. Overall, the culture at HPM companies affects their carbon footprint and sustainability. Implementing appropriate training and providing opportunity for employees to display sustainable behaviour results in less material waste. For unavoidable waste, removing contaminants can lower the polluting risk and increase opportunity to re-use the waste. These steps improve HPM company’s sustainability and reduce their carbon footprint
Optimising Flowback Strategies in Unconventional Reservoirs: The Critical Role of Capillary Forces and Fracturing Fluid Dynamics
Get PDFThis study delves into the complexities of fluid cleanup processes post-hydraulic fracturing in unconventional gas deposits, focusing on the pivotal role of capillary pressure (Pc) correlations in tight and ultra-tight formations. Utilising the Geo2Flow software, the research evaluates the efficacy of existing Pc models, identifying the Brooks & Corey model as notably precise for these formations, albeit recommending an adjustment to the pore size distribution index for a more accurate representation of rock behaviours. Further investigation centres on the cleanup process in multiple fractured horizontal wells, examining the impact of Pc, matrix permeability, drawdown pressure, and fracturing fluid volume. A significant portion of the study addresses the influence of interfacial tension-reducing chemicals on post-fracturing production, highlighting their utility in ultra-tight formations but advising against their use in tight formations due to environmental concerns and limited efficacy. The findings underscore the nuanced interplay between geological parameters and fracturing fluid dynamics, advocating for tailored fluid cleanup strategies that enhance hydraulic fracturing efficiency while minimising environmental impact. This comprehensive
analysis offers valuable insights into optimising fracture cleanup and understanding the underlying physics, thereby contributing to more effective hydraulic fracturing practices
HPB SO52 - Ambulatory Management of Acute Pancreatitis (A-MAP) – Novel approach: A Pilot study
No full textBackground
Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a very common problem, and its incidence is increasing over time. NICE guidelines, describes incidence of AP in UK is around 56 cases / 100000 population. Majority of AP cases are self-limiting, whereas only 15% of patients develop serious complications, with an overall mortality of 5%.
Traditionally, Patients with AP managed as inpatients with much pressure on NHS resources. As we now have better understanding of AP, pain becomes the main concern in management of AP, as most of cases are self-limiting.
The aim is to set a protocol for outpatient management of patients with mild AP.
Method
All patient diagnosed with mild acute pancreatitis according to revised Atlanta criteria (2012), aged 18 – 85, living within 1 hour from the hospital, and being attended by a responsible adult at home are eligible to be included in the study.
The management plan includes; pain control, antiemetic, PPIs, oral intake (fluids & low fat diet). A phone call next day of presentation. Patient review on the second day and tenth day following the presentation. All patient provided with Information leaflet with all warning symptoms and contact details in case of worsening symptoms.
Results
Over the period between March 2023 and April 2024, 18 patients (8 Males) with median age 47.5 (IQR 19) included in this prospective study. Ten patients have gallstones/biliary sludge, seven patients known to have alcoholic pancreatitis, & one patient where no cause could identified. All patients managed as outpatients as the protocol, except one female patient who lost follow up on day 2, as she reported no symptoms. Out of the 10 patients who have gallstones/ sludge; six patients had laparoscopic cholecystectomy and one patient had laparoscopic cholecystectomy with bile duct exploration within two weeks from their index presentation (70%).
Conclusion
This pilot study shows the feasibility of this novel approach of ambulatory management of patients presented with mild acute pancreatitis, with compliance to NICE guidelines by offering patients laparoscopic cholecystectomy within two weeks from presentation in cases of biliary pancreatitis. There is a need for a wider study possibly multicentre with the option of subgroup analysis by the cause of pancreatitis, frequency of presentation, and presence of element of chronic pancreatitis