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A comparison of time-dependent Cloudy astrophysical code simulations with experimental X-ray spectra from keV laser-generated argon plasmas
No full textWe have generated strongly photoionized Ar plasmas in experiments designed to use primarily X-ray l-shell line emission generated from Ag foils irradiated by the VULCAN high-power laser at the UK Central Laser Facility. The principle of the experiment is that use of line emission rather than the usual sub-keV quasi-blackbody source allows keV radiation to play a more dominant role compared to softer X-rays and thus mimic the effect of a blackbody with a higher effective spectral temperature. Our aim is to reproduce in the laboratory the extreme photoionization conditions found in accretion-powered astrophysical sources. In this paper, we compare the experimental results on K-β X-ray Ar spectra with modelling using the time-dependent version of the Cloudy astrophysical code. The results indicate that photoionized laboratory plasmas can be successfully modelled with codes such as Cloudy that have been developed for application to astrophysical sources. Our comparison of simulation and experiment shows that the flux of sub-keV photons that photoionize the outer-shell electrons can have a significant effect, and that detailed measurements of the X-ray drive spectrum across all photon energy ranges are crucial for accurate modelling of experiments.<br/
The challenges of managing the third sector: an exploration of emerging themes
No full textThe third sector plays a critical role in addressing societal challenges, supporting vulnerable communities, and bridging gaps in public service provision. Managing third-sector organizations (TSOs) has become increasingly complex due to financial constraints, evolving governance structures, and heightened accountability demands, particularly during crises. Excluding this front-end, scene-setting paper, this Special Issue brings together five papers that apply innovative frameworks to examine participatory governance, public/third-sector partnerships, performance reporting, resilience, and membership dynamics within TSOs. The papers emphasize the importance of inclusive governance, strategic collaboration, and adaptability in enhancing social inclusion, sustainability, and organizational resilience. It also provides practical recommendations for policymakers and practitioners and identifies opportunities for future research to address unresolved questions in the field
Modelling of interfacial morphology formation driven by thermal and hydrodynamic instabilities in injection overmoulding of fibre reinforced polymer composites
No full textComposite injection overmoulding offers a cost-effective and repeatable method for manufacturing complex composite structures. However, accurately predicting the strength of the interface between subcomponents remains a significant challenge, particularly for load-bearing applications. This difficulty mainly arises from the multiscale nature of interface formation. This study presents a combined numerical and experimental investigation into the formation of a complex interface morphology at the microscale. A multiscale CFD framework was developed to simulate transient heat and momentum transfer in a two-component composite system, composed of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) overmoulded onto a carbon fabric reinforced polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) laminate. Two interface configurations, differentiated by surface resin depth, are examined. The simulations reproduce key morphological patterns observed at the microscale, which are shown to arise from hydrodynamic instabilities, including Kelvin–Helmholtz and Richtmyer–Meshkov. The numerical results are validated against scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations, providing a link between interfacial transport phenomena and the resulting structural morphology. The study demonstrates how local thermal gradients and shear-induced effects contribute to resin penetration and surface patterning at the interface in addition to local temperature. As interface temperature is a critical factor in healing-based models of interface strength, these findings underscore the potential of microscale simulations to predict temperature profiles and explain the formation of weld-line features. These predictions ultimately inform the design of stronger, more reliable overmoulded composites and are also of interest for researchers working on thermal–fluid transport, multiphase polymer flows, and interface dynamics in advanced manufacturing contexts.<br/
A systematic review of horticultural therapy and urban agriculture interventions targeting depression, anxiety, and acute stress disorder
No full textMental ill-health is a major concern in urban settings, particularly in relation to conditions such as depression, anxiety and acute stress disorder. Research has demonstrated the potential for horticultural therapy (HT) interventions that draw on urban agriculture practices and methods to address this issue. However, there is a paucity of evidence to support the potential for these interventions for individuals with pre-existing diagnoses. The aim of this systematic review was to address this gap in the literature by evaluating the efficacy of HT interventions as well as the methodologies employed in each study. We searched four bibliographic databases, and identified eleven studies for inclusion in the review, and reported generally favourable results: six studies reported improvements for depressive symptoms; three found that HT interventions mitigated stress; and two studies reported a positive influence on anxiety. Over two thirds of the included studies had either moderate (n = 6) or high (n = 2) risk of bias, and there was a high degree of methodological heterogeneity. In addition, the number of studies was small, therefore the generalisability of the findings is limited. Further research is needed to establish a robust causal link between HT interventions and improved mental health outcomes among populations with pre-existing diagnoses.<br/
Parental attitudes and digital parenting in the early years: development and validation of the PADTS Scale
No full textBackgroundThis paper reports on the development and validation of the 15-item Parental Attitudes to Digital Technology Scale (PADTS), a brief, psychometrically validated measure assessing parents' beliefs confidence, and concerns about their very young children's use of digital technologies.MethodDeveloped as part of the UK-wide Toddlers, Tech and Talk (TTT) study, PADTS addresses a gap in existing research by focusing on children from birth to 3 years, a stage often overlooked in digital parenting literature. Co-developed with parents and early years experts, the scale was tested with a nationally balanced UK sample (N = 934).ResultsExploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a four-factor structure: perceived risks, perceived learning benefits, parental confidence and technology-related anxiety. The PADTS showed strong model fit and measurement invariance across parent gender, ethnicity and region, with some variation by child age. Correlational analyses indicated that benefits, perceptions and confidence were associated with supportive digital parenting, while anxiety was more weakly linked.ConclusionPADTS shows potential as a practical tool for researchers, practitioners and policy-makers and may support a more nuanced understanding of how parental attitudes shape early digital experiences.<br/
A systematic review of horticultural therapy and urban agriculture interventions targeting depression, anxiety, and acute stress disorder
No full textMental ill-health is a major concern in urban settings, particularly in relation to conditions such as depression, anxiety and acute stress disorder. Research has demonstrated the potential for horticultural therapy (HT) interventions that draw on urban agriculture practices and methods to address this issue. However, there is a paucity of evidence to support the potential for these interventions for individuals with pre-existing diagnoses. The aim of this systematic review was to address this gap in the literature by evaluating the efficacy of HT interventions as well as the methodologies employed in each study. We searched four bibliographic databases, and identified eleven studies for inclusion in the review, and reported generally favourable results: six studies reported improvements for depressive symptoms; three found that HT interventions mitigated stress; and two studies reported a positive influence on anxiety. Over two thirds of the included studies had either moderate (n = 6) or high (n = 2) risk of bias, and there was a high degree of methodological heterogeneity. In addition, the number of studies was small, therefore the generalisability of the findings is limited. Further research is needed to establish a robust causal link between HT interventions and improved mental health outcomes among populations with pre-existing diagnoses.<br/
Annual reporting in voluntary organisations: opportunities for content analysis research
No full textAcross the world, charities and voluntary organisations face increased public expectations of transparency and, perhaps relatedly, increased requirements to file annual reports with regulators. This reporting includes not only financial data, illuminating the financial position and sustainability of these organisations, but also, critically for this sector, a range of (non-financial and narrative) performance information that can help us to evaluate these organisations’ progress towards their missions. In many countries this data has also become more accessible: often publicly available at no cost from regulators and/or other intermediaries
Postdigital epistemic violence
No full textPostdigital epistemic violence encompasses a large variety of harms that occur through speech acts about the lived experiences of knowers from marginalised or minoritised groups in online environments using digital and smart technology. Knowers may be silenced, gaslit, trolled or doxed because of structural prejudicial stereotypes about their sex, gender, ethnicity, and so on. These epistemic practices result in the deflation of their testimony, and the inflation of the credibility of other speakers to produce dysfunctions in the knowledge economy. The knowledge of the powerful and advantaged prevail over other kinds of knowing, resulting in epistemic violence
