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Talking About Race: The Experiences of Minoritised Ethnic and White Staff When Discussing Race, Ethnicity and Difference at an HEI
No full textThis study explored the experiences, perspectives and confidence of teaching and research staff of discussing race and ethnicity, and associated equalities matters, at a post-1992 university in North West England, UK. In particular, it studied whether colleagues, who were largely white, had the understanding and personal skills to deliver on race equity in teaching and learning in a Higher Education Institution (HEI). Further, it examined whether there was a disconnect between the intention of an HEI working towards the Race Equality Charter (REC) mark and the detrimental effects this may have on its minoritised ethnic staff. The study was based on focus groups and interviews of 43 academic staff as participants using Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Intersectionality as the theoretical lens. These address discrepancies between institutional declarations and realities within higher education, which is important, as HEIs are increasingly positioning themselves as committed to diversity and equity, while the practical implementation often remains inconsistent. The findings demonstrate that the white participants were not confident, competent or pro-active enough to effect any meaningful change in race equity. At the same time, the minoritised ethnic participants often felt the burden of having to relive the trauma and pain of racism and take the lead in any race equity initiatives. In sum, the study demonstrates that HEI initiatives that purport to tackle systemic racism through decolonisation and the REC mark have little chance of effecting institutional change if the staff do not have the confidence, competence and necessary skills to make it happen
Influence of transient nonlinear behaviour of lubricant stiffness and damping upon transmission gear rattle
No full textTransmission rattle occurs in light-to-medium loaded interactions of loose gear pairs when subjected to vibration. The paper provides solutions for iso-viscous and piezo-viscous hydrodynamic lubricant behaviour that are an underlying cause of gear rattle. The non-linear stiffness and damping characteristics are obtained and their variation under transient conditions under combined rolling and normal approach and separating contacts are discussed. Relationships for lubricant reaction under both lightly loaded iso-viscous and medium loaded piezo-viscous conditions are obtained, the latter for the first time for the case of line contact geometries. The underlying reason for idle rattle, as a significant concern in vehicular transmissions, is explained in a fundamental manner through unstable spectral content of lubricant film surface ripple oscillations. Rattle conditions are reduced under medium loads transmitted during vehicle launch from idle to drive rattle. This transition is known as creep rattle with lubricant behaviour pertaining to piezo-viscous hydrodynamics. In this manner the fundamental role of lubricant behaviour, influencing transmission rattle has been demonstrated, which has not hitherto been reported in the literature
Development and validation of a model for transient lubricant transport following start-up in a spray lubricated, motored marine diesel engine simulator
No full textThis paper presents a model of the development of lubricating film thickness and film extent in a cross-head engine operated from start-up under motoring, along with experimental validation using an engine simulator. Theoretical predictions and experimental measurements of oil film thickness, and axial and radial ring gap filling under lubricant transport are presented with crank angle resolution on an instantaneous basis over several engine strokes following start-up. The experimental equipment and simulation model permit delivery of lubricant in a range of quantities (0.01 ml and 0.04 ml per injector are discussed here), delivery interval, supply distribution the timing of injection during the cycle can also be varied although they remained constant (injecting once per cycle at bottom dead-centre) for the work presented here. The novel, multi-stroke theoretical model simulates this process.
On system start-up, it was found that axial distribution of the lubricant under Couette flow occurred more quickly than circumferential distribution under Poiseuille flow. It was also shown that lubricant distribution occurs in a number of distinct steps which the authors have linked to physical stages of the filling process. The aim of the study was to gain a quantitative understanding of the lubricant distribution mechanism, with the long-term aim of supporting steps to minimise the lubricant delivery rates for large, two-stroke marine engines, and thus reduce operating costs and engine emissions due to the combustion of lubricating oil
Inequalities in Gastrointestinal Care Provision in the United Kingdom
No full textBackground
Gastrointestinal (GI) and liver diseases impose a substantial burden on the United Kingdom’s health system, ranking among the leading causes of mortality, cancer-related deaths, and hospital admissions. Despite the universal framework of the National Health Service (NHS), profound inequalities persist across socioeconomic, geographic, and ethnic lines.
Objectives
This review focuses on colorectal cancer (CRC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as exemplar conditions, synthesising current evidence on disparities across the care continuum and exploring strategies to mitigate them.
Methods
Current national data and published evidence were reviewed to assess inequities in disease prevalence, access to care, and outcomes across socioeconomic strata, regions, and ethnic groups. The analysis also examined workforce distribution, policy frameworks, and emerging interventions aimed at addressing these disparities.
Results
Disease prevalence and outcomes are markedly worse in socioeconomically deprived regions; liver disease mortality is more than twice as high in the poorest deciles, and CRC survival is significantly lower among disadvantaged populations. Access to care remains uneven—deprived groups exhibit lower CRC screening uptake, delayed diagnoses, and higher emergency presentation rates. Routine HCC surveillance in at-risk patients is inconsistently delivered. Workforce shortages and maldistribution exacerbate these inequities, with under-resourced regions facing longer waiting times and limited specialist access. Systemic challenges, including social determinants, data deficits, and policy underprioritisation, further hinder progress.
Emerging Developments
Promising advances include the NHS’s expansion of community diagnostic centres, targeted workforce investment, national hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination programmes, and structural interventions such as minimum unit pricing for alcohol. Technological innovations—including non-invasive diagnostics and digital tools—offer additional opportunities to bridge care gaps.
Conclusions
Targeted actions, such as implementing primary care FibroScan services, CRC outreach initiatives with GP endorsement, and patient navigation for HCC surveillance, are critical to reducing inequalities and improving outcomes. By addressing upstream determinants and ensuring that innovations reach under-served populations, the UK can progress toward reducing GI health inequalities, improving outcomes, and achieving more uniform digestive health across all communities
Response to “Occult constipation in pediatric IBS and FAP‐NOS: Considerations on the recent ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN guidelines”
No full textBridging Governance and Integrity: The Consequence of CSR Committee and Audit Committee Characteristics on Anti‐Corruption Disclosure in Saudi Arabia
No full textThe current article tends to examine the effect of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) committee and audit committee characteristics on anti‐corruption disclosure quality (ACDQ) among listed firms in Saudi Arabia. Understanding corporate governance's impact on ACDQ becomes crucial with ongoing governance reforms like establishing the National Anti‐Corruption Commission (Nazaha). Our study uses a data consists of 117 non‐financial firms from 2016 to 2023, making it a total of 936 firms‐ observations. Our study showed that the existence of a CSR committee has a positive impact and significantly associated with ACDQ. Also, the findings show that audit committee characteristics (size, independence, and rotation) positively influence ACDQ. However, audit committee expertise does not exhibit a significant impact on ACDQ. Our outcomes assert that firms with well‐structured CSR and audit committees demonstrate greater transparency in their ACDQ. Our paper contributes to CSR and corporate governance literature by delivering empirical evidence from an emerging market context, where governance reforms are evolving rapidly. It extends prior literature by examining the influence of CSR and audit committee characteristics on ACDQ. The findings enhance the understanding of corporate governance mechanisms to endorse transparency and accountability within firms. This study offers invaluable insights for regulators, corporate leaders, and policymakers to strengthen governance mechanisms and anti‐corruption efforts in alignment with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. Our paper highlights the crucial role of corporate governance in fostering transparency and informs future policy development to enhance ethical business conduct
Laser-induced current transients in ultrafast all-optical switching of metallic spin valves
No full textAll-optical switching in a ferromagnetic spin valve is studied here using atomistic spin drift-diffusion dynamics, which includes contributions from spin pumping and superdiffusive transport. We find the switching is governed principally by spin-polarized currents due to non-equilibrium hot electrons excited by the laser pulse and re-equilibration currents. In particular, an initial superdiffusive forward flow of electrons, polarized by the free layer, is generated. This drives parallel to antiparallel switching of the free layer through accumulation of minority spins at the reference layer. A diffusive backward flow of electrons, repolarized by the reference layer, follows the initial superdiffusive flow as the charge distribution re-equilibrates. Due to the pulse width-dependent asymmetric amplitudes of the forward and backward transients, the latter can drive antiparallel to parallel switching, and create multi-domain structures at higher laser fluences and longer pulses. The results obtained here are in agreement with experimental observations, providing a framework for self-consistent modelling of all-optical switching in metallic heterostructures
Functional and Biochemical Inflammatory Responses to Low-Dose Intra-Articular Recombinant Equine IL-1β: A Pilot Study
No full textLow-dose intra-articular injection of recombinant equine interleukin-1β (reIL-1β) may offer a useful model for studying early onset or subclinical joint inflammation in horses. This pilot study aimed to determine the lowest intra-articular dose of reIL-1β required to produce biochemical evidence of synovitis, and to correlate synovitis biomarkers with functional, upper-body asymmetry parameters. Saline (control) and 50, and 75 ng reIL-1β were injected into the left or right intercarpal joint of three (n = 3) horses in a three-way crossover design. Synovial fluid was collected by aseptic arthrocentesis immediately prior to reIL-1β injection (0 hour), and at 6-, 12-and 24-hours after injection. Synovial fluid was analyzed for inflammatory [prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and nitric oxide (NO)) and cartilage turnover (glycosaminoglycan (GAG)] biomarkers. Prior to each arthrocentesis, subjective (AAEP score) and objective [inertial measurement unit (IMU)] gait analysis was performed. Asymmetry parameters (MinDiff and MaxDiff) were calculated using IMU data from the poll and pelvis. Mixed model analysis and Spearman correlation coefficient compared biomarker and gait biomechanics data between doses. PGE₂ concentrations increased significantly (p0.05). Injection of 75 ng reIL-1β significantly increased poll MinDiff at 6-and 12-hours, which was positively correlated with PGE₂ concentration (ρ = 0.35, p<0.05). Findings support the utility of this lower-dose reIL-1β model for inducing a mild, transient inflammatory response, without overt functional changes, which upholds principles of ethical animal research
Compassionate leadership in healthcare: creating a culture where every voice matters
No full textNurses and other healthcare professionals are required to provide care in an increasingly pressured and complex environment, placing greater demands on the workforce. Compassionate leadership offers a values-driven alternative to traditional hierarchical leadership. Rooted in empathy, active listening and meaningful action, compassionate leadership can help to establish psychological safety, whereby team members feel safe to speak up, raise concerns, share ideas and learn from mistakes without fear of blame or punishment. This article explores the critical relevance of this leadership approach for modern nursing and explains how it aligns with the evolving needs of the healthcare workforce. It also offers practical, evidence-based approaches for nurses to embed compassionate leadership into their daily practice, promoting inclusive, supportive and empowered teams where every voice is truly heard and valued
The undue burdens of clinical trial participation: implications for equity, diversity, and inclusion
No full textA wide range of factors has detrimental impacts upon equity, diversity, and inclusion in clinical trials, amongst which participant burden can be significant. In addition to the potential physical burdens associated with investigational interventions, participants may face onerous demands related to factors like travel, time commitments, psychological, or logistical challenges. Many of these factors have been shown to create barriers that disproportionately affect certain groups like minoritised ethnic groups, people with caring responsibilities, and older adults. One increasingly problematic aspect of participant burden is associated with an excessive volume of data collection, much of which may lack direct relevance to the study’s primary objectives and may never be analysed. Although pragmatic and participant-centred trial methodologies have risen in prominence over the past decade, quantitative evidence demonstrates that trial complexity and data volumes are continuing to rise. The widening gap between the notion of participant-centricity and the realities of current trial practice underscores the need for a shift in approach. Reducing unnecessary burden should be regarded as a moral obligation across all clinical trial designs to avoid the systematic exclusion of certain groups. With a focus on data-related aspects, this paper examines the ethical implications of undue burdens upon participants and proposes measures to help minimise and mitigate these burdens. In addressing this issue, researchers contribute to broader efforts to enhance inclusivity and representation in clinical studies