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Non-biomedical perspectives on pain and its prevention and management
Full text linkOverreliance on the biomedical paradigm has contributed, in part, to illogical use of surgery and long-term opioid medication with harmful physical, psychological, social, and economic consequences. Pain literature is dominated by biomedical research at the expense of a holistic understanding of the lived experience of pain. Pain practice seems overly consumed with the burden of pain at an individual level (patient-centred pain management) and has neglected exploration of societal level (community-centred) or environmental level (ecologically-centred) solutions.
The biomedical paradigm, grounded in the cure of illness and disease, does not provide a complete understanding of the origin of health and the role of the environment in fashioning health. Research methodologies from non-biomedical disciplines can explore social, cultural, economic, political, and environmental conditions that influence the lived experience of pain in the modern era. Investigating the phenomenon of pain using socio-ecological frameworks provide opportunities to shift perspectives and open-up new avenues for exploration, including strategies to reduce the burden of pain on society. Areas of interest include painogenicity of modern urban living; pain and the environment; salutogenesis and pain; biomedical narrative and pain; resilience sources for pain management; and positive psychology and pain.
We seek to better understand the complex socio-ecological milieu in which individuals, communities and populations view and experience pain. We are particularly interested in whether modern urban environments (their physical, political, cultural, and environmental make-up) are painogenic; The purpose of this Topic Review is to broaden our understanding of the meaning and experience of pain in the modern era by showcasing contributions from non-biomedical disciplines. This includes exploration of the concept of painogenic lifestyles and environments, and non-medical strategies targeting living well with pain at individual, community, or population levels. Our desire is to catalyse scholarly conversation about the interplay between individuals, society, and ecosystems to gain a better understanding of the phenomenon of pain and to inform future healthcare research, practice, and policy.
The Research Topic is deliberately broad in scope, to encourage cross-fertilisation of scholarly disciplines from the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, formal sciences, and applied sciences. We welcome papers exploring pain from the perspective of Anthropology, Behavioural sciences, Ecology, Evolution, Health promotion, History, Politics, Philosophy, Sociology, Socio- economics, Spirituality, the Arts, and Theology. We encourage contributions that map gaps in knowledge, and contributions about salutogenesis, the impact of the urban or biomedical milieu on pain experience, and societal- and ecological-centred approaches to living-well with pain. We will accept theoretical, empirical, and ethnographic contributions utilizing conventional and non-conventional approaches to explore any aspect of pain. We hope that this Research Topic will broaden our understanding of the complex socio-ecological milieu in which pain exists and broaden the lens through which we view pain, its prevention, and its management
The genus lactobacillus—across the past and future
No full textIn recent years, there has been an expansion of the number of species belonging to the genus Lactobacillus as 261 species identified at the beginning of 2020, presenting scientific and technological challenges. This led to the need for a taxonomic update, which resulted in the subdivision of the genus Lactobacillus species into 25 genera. With the new taxonomic note (Zheng et al. 2020), the genus Lactobacillus is now restricted to only 44 species identified thus far, which are all phylogenetically closer to the L. delbrueckii species than any other species of the new genera. At the family level, all 25 genera arising from the new taxonomy still belong to the phylum Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes), the class Bacilli, the order Lactobacillales, and the family Lactobacillaceae. Indeed, this update did not come as a surprise since in the previous version of this chapter, it was noted that ideas for more radical subdivision were reported
Political organisational silence and the ethics of care: EU migrant restaurant workers in Brexit Britain
Full text linkIn this paper, we explore the experiences of EU migrants working in UK restaurants in the aftermath of the Brexit vote. We do so through a care ethics lens, which we bring together with the integrative approach to organisational silence to consider the ethical consequences of the organisational policies of political silence adopted by the restaurant chains in our qualitative empirical study. We develop the concept of political organisational silence and probe its ethical dimensions, showing how at the organisational level it falls short of constituting a practice of caring for migrant workers in politically divisive and hostile times. We argue that organisational policies of political silence emphasise the exploitative nature of the business of (im)migration, which prioritises concern for profits over care for the needs of others. Organisations refuse caring responsibility for migrant workers, leaving care to the migrants themselves and their co-workers and managers. Whilst peer-care practices partially fill this politically silent care-vacuum, this leaves individuals to negotiate difficult tensions without institutional support at a time of increased uncertainty, complexity, hostility, violence, and vulnerability. Drawing lessons from our study and its aftermath, we call for a care manifesto to inform the business of (im)migration, which would need to include caring political responsibility towards migrant workers exercised through caring political organisational voice as well as silence
Evaluating thermal comfort and overheating risks in a social housing prototype: as-built versus retrofit scenarios
Full text linkClimate change has highlighted the importance of thermal comfort and its health-related outcomes, particularly for the most vulnerable members of society living in social housing. Due to their vulnerable living conditions, low-income people are more exposed to negative outcomes of overheating and cold indoor temperatures in buildings. Previous studies suggest that there is a significant risk of overheating in retrofitted buildings both for the current and future weather scenarios. The UK government has introduced new building regulations to assess and limit the risk of overheating in new buildings; however, there is still a need to assess and improve conditions for existing and retrofitted properties. This study aims to evaluate the effect of retrofit strategies on thermal comfort and the risk of overheating in social housing under current and future climatic conditions. A typical case study building was simulated in Design Builder to assess thermal comfort conditions for upgraded building fabric to Part L of the UK building regulations and Passive House standards. The summer results were analyzed according to CIBSE TM59 while the Predicted Mean Vote index (PMV) was used for winter analysis. Findings revealed that the south-facing bedrooms are most exposed to overheating. Risk of overheating significantly increased for the future weather scenarios by up to 10 times while winter thermal comfort improved for the retrofitted scenarios
Transforming academic assessment: The metaverse-backed Web 3 secure exam system
Full text linkMetaverse—a three-dimensional computational environment—combines physical and virtual reality to enable social relationships and immersive experiences by mimicking real-world scenarios. Metaverse is considered the third wave of the internet revolution (exploiting Web 3.0), leveraging upcoming technologies such as extended reality and artificial intelligence shaping a new era of human–-machine interactions. In recent years, increased research and development on educational technologies (EduTech) based on blockchain technology has seen substantial growth of metaverse-based solutions within the higher education context. This research aims to synergize blockchain technology and metaverse environments to conduct online exams (metaExam) in a trustworthy, reliable, and secure way. The synergy between blockchain and the metaverse brings various benefits, such as improved security, cost effectiveness, and increased efficiency in the online examination process. One of the central features of the proposed solution metaExam is to leverage cryptographic protocols via blockchain to control data access, making verification faster and protecting against misuse. Exam scores and grades are stored on a blockchain ledger using a digital signature method to enhance security. We validated the proposed solution by testing a prototype on the Ethereum platform using the Sepolia Testnet network using Microsoft Windows environment. Evaluation results indicate (i) query response time (10–50 ms), (ii) and query execution performance (CPU utilization between 1%–5%) offering computationally feasible solution. This research contributes by integrating blockchain and metaverse technologies to offer a solution metaExam that can offer improved security and immersive user experience for exam management. The proposed solution and its validation can provide insights into transforming online exams, offering a fresh perspective on addressing concerns about exam grade authenticity and verifying academic credentials in EduTech
Chromosome architecture as a determinant for biosynthetic diversity in Micromonospora
Full text linkNatural products – small molecules generated by organisms to facilitate ecological interactions – are of great importance to society and are used as antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anticancer drugs. However, the role and evolution of these molecules and the fitness benefits they provide to their hosts in their natural habitat remain an outstanding question. In bacteria, the genes that encode the biosynthetic proteins that generate these molecules are organised into discrete loci termed biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). In this work, we asked the following question: How are biosynthetic gene clusters organised at the chromosomal level? We sought to answer this using publicly available high-quality assemblies of Micromonospora, an actinomycete genus with members responsible for biosynthesizing notable natural products, such as gentamicin and calicheamicin. By orienting the Micromonospora chromosome around the origin of replication, we demonstrated that Micromonospora has a conserved origin-proximal region, which becomes progressively more disordered towards the antipodes of the origin. We then demonstrated through genome mining of these organisms that the conserved origin-proximal region and the origin-distal region of Micromonospora have distinct populations of BGCs and, in this regard, parallel the organization of Streptomyces, which possesses linear chromosomes. Specifically, the origin-proximal region contains highly syntenous, conserved BGCs predicted to biosynthesize terpenes and a type III polyketide synthase. In contrast, the ori-distal region contains a highly diverse population of BGCs, with many BGCs belonging to unique gene cluster families. These data highlight that genomic plasticity in Micromonospora is locus-specific, and highlight the importance of using high-quality genome assemblies for natural product discovery and guide future natural product discovery by highlighting that biosynthetic novelty may be enriched in specific chromosomal neighbourhoods
The relationship between face-based first impressions and perceptions of purity and compared to other moral violations
Full text linkA trait labelled as “morality” has been argued to be perceived and prioritised during first impressions of faces; however, immorality is not a homogenous concept. Violations of purity are frequently distinguished from other violations via distinct behavioural and emotional patterns, arguably stemming from physical disgust, sexual content, or “weirdness” impure scenarios. In the current research, participants were asked to rate unfamiliar faces based on social traits and their likelihood of engaging in immoral or nonmoral behaviours. Across two studies, perceived engagement in most autonomy and purity moral violations but also the non-moral sexual and “weird” acts was predicted by lower facial morality. There was also a distinction wherein most purity violations and physical disgust were more associated with male gender, and most autonomy violations with ratings of high dominance. The scenarios also differed within categories, such as sexually impure scenarios and disgust associated with unattractive faces; while behaving “weirdly” and certain other purity violations were associated with low dominance. Taken together, our results suggest faces seemingly low on the trait labelled “morality” are perceived as more likely to engage in most immoral behaviours, but also in other socially relevant, nonmoral behaviours. Social judgements are also not homogenous within or between theory-based categories of moral violations
Long-term effectiveness of physical activity interventions for adults across income contexts: a systematic review of strategies and outcome
Full text linkAbstract Background
Physical activity (PA) interventions play a critical role in addressing obesity and its associated health risks. Understanding their long-term effectiveness, particularly across diverse economic contexts, is essential for designing sustainable and scalable strategies. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of PA interventions implemented in low, middle, and high income countries (LMICs and HICs), identify key components contributing to their success.
Methods
Studies were included if they assessed PA interventions with follow-up periods of at least 12 months. A total of 27 studies from diverse countries met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 33 distinct strategies. Data were extracted on intervention components, follow-up duration, PA outcomes, and obesity-related measures. The studies were categorised by economic context, with a focus on comparing effectiveness across income groups.
Results
PA interventions demonstrated significant long-term effectiveness across all economic settings. In HICs, multicomponent interventions, such as those involving physician-led counselling, tailored exercise regimens, and fitness testing, were highly effective, showing improvements in weekly energy expenditure and physical fitness of up to 15%. Studies from MICs, like Mexico, highlighted the effectiveness of culturally tailored approaches, such as integrated care for older adults, in enhancing PA adherence despite resource constraints. LMICs, particularly China, leveraged culturally embedded and community-driven practices, such as tai chi and baduanjin, achieving comparable outcomes to HIC interventions in terms of PA adherence and fitness improvements.
However, sustainability of intervention effects varied. Robust maintenance strategies, including booster sessions and ongoing support, contributed to stable long-term outcomes in studies from HICs. Conversely, LMIC interventions often lacked extended follow-up, limiting their ability to evaluate sustained effectiveness. The interventions were consistently associated with reductions in obesity-related risk factors, including BMI and metabolic health improvements.
Conclusion
This review highlights the effectiveness of culturally sensitive and resource-adapted PA interventions in sustaining long-term behaviour change and reducing obesity-related risks across economic contexts. Future research should prioritise consistent monitoring, extended follow-up, and the inclusion of underrepresented LMIC regions to enhance the global applicability and scalability of PA interventions. Addressing these gaps is crucial for combating obesity and promoting public health worldwide
Two untitled photographs
No full textTwo photographs published in a book exploring cities and urban environments that encourages readers to look at their everyday realities with 'curious eyes'. Featured alongside other artists and photographers whose work explores the contexts of urbanism and visual sociology
Return-To-Play criteria following a hamstring injury in professional football: a scoping review
Full text linkObjective: To describe the available criteria to determine Return-To-Play (RTP) following a hamstring strain injury (HSI) in professional male football.
Design: Scoping review.
Methods: The following electronic databases were searched: PubMed, MEDLINE, web of science, and SPORTDiscus using keywords related to HSI in elite football. All types of studies in English reporting at least one RTP criterion for professional football players who sustained an HSI were included.
Results: In total, 19 studies met the inclusion criteria. RTP criteria were divided into three categories: clinical, strength and performance criteria. Clinical criteria were also divided into sub-categories: absence of pain, hamstring flexibility, medical staff clearance, psychological readiness, surgeon’s opinion, and imaging. From the 19 included studies, absence of pain was reported in 7 studies (42%), hamstring flexibility in 5 studies (26%), medical staff clearance in 2 studies (11%), psychological readiness in 7 studies (42%), surgeon’s opinion in 1 study (5%), imaging in 3 studies (16%), strength criteria in 9 studies (47%), and performance criteria in 6 studies (32%).
Conclusions: Practitioners working in professional male football could benefit from using a combination of criteria in their RTP battery of tests. Because of the breadth of criteria identified, a multi-disciplinary approach including psychology, radiology, sports medicine, physiotherapy, and, as appropriate, surgical opinion could be warranted. The validity of the included RTP tests and their optimal application specific to the type of injury and stage of rehabilitation is still unknown. This scoping review described the available criteria to assess RTP following an HSI in professional football, proposed methodological considerations, new research questions, and new RTP criteria for future studies, and provided information to help practitioners in professional football making informed decisions regarding RTP following an HSI