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Development of optimised basalt FRP macrofibre-reinforced concrete with evaluation of fresh, mechanical and durability performance
No full textThis paper investigates the properties of an emerging fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC) incorporating basalt fibre-reinforced polymer macrofibres (BFRPmf), as dispersed, non-metallic reinforcement. The study aimed to develop BFRPmf-reinforced concrete (BFRPmfRC or BmfRC) with optimised fresh, mechanical, and durability performance by evaluating three BFRPmf types at four volume fractions (Vf = 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1%) in a self-compacting concrete (SCC) matrix, yielding 12 mixes. Fresh properties were assessed using slump flow, V-funnel, and J-ring tests. Hardened mechanical properties were measured through compressive strength, tensile splitting strength, and direct (uniaxial) tensile tests (DTT). Durability indicators included volume of permeable voids (VPV), electrical resistivity (ER), and chloride migration coefficient (CMC). To capture full-range tensile behaviour without premature fracture, a tapered dog-bone specimen was designed for DTT, with strain monitored by digital image correlation (DIC). The 12 BmfRSCC mixes were benchmarked against a plain SCC reference. Results showed that BFRPmfs with higher slenderness and effective count reduced workability beyond 0.5% Vf but enhanced direct tensile strength by up to 70%. With homogeneous fibre dispersion, post-cracking ductility also increased, allowing tensile strains of 20–22%. Compressive strength remained within ± 10% of the reference. The optimal dosage, determined through analysis of variance (ANOVA), was 0.5% Vf, balancing rheological and mechanical behaviour. Flexural residual strength testing guided the selection of the most effective fibre type for structural trials. Durability results from tests on slab cores confirmed that, at optimal dosage, BFRPmf improved both mechanical and durability properties, highlighting its potential as a sustainable, corrosion-resistant alternative to steel reinforcement.<br/
Digital approaches to pain assessment across older adults: a scoping review
No full textBackground: Effectively managing pain in adults remains challenging, particularly in individuals with cognitive impairment or communication difficulties. Digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled facial recognition and mobile applications, are emerging as innovative tools to improve the objectivity and consistency of pain evaluation. This scoping review aimed to map the current evidence on digital pain-assessment tools used with adult and older populations, focusing on validity, reliability, usability, and contributions to person-centred care. Methods: The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and Arksey and O’Malley framework and was reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL Complete, Medline (ALL), and PsycINFO for English-language studies published from 2010 onwards. Eligible studies included adults (≥18 years) using digital tools for pain assessment. Data extraction and synthesis were performed using Covidence, and findings were analyzed thematically.Results: Of 1160 records screened, ten studies met inclusion criteria. Most research was quantitative and conducted in high-income clinical settings. Five tools were identified: ePAT/PainChek®, Painimation, PainCAS, Pain Clinical Assessment System, and Active Appearance Model. Four key themes emerged: (1) Validity and Reliability of Digital Pain Assessment Tools; (2) Comprehensive Pain Evaluation Across Contexts (Rest vs. Movement); (3) Usability and Integration into Clinical Practice; (4) Enabling Person-Centred Pain Management and Future Directions. Conclusions: Emerging evidence suggests that facial-recognition-based digital pain-assessment tools may demonstrate acceptable psychometric performance and usability within dementia care settings in high-income countries. However, evidence relating to broader adult populations, diverse care contexts, and low-resource settings remains limited, highlighting important gaps for future research
Pancreatic cancer education: a scoping review of evidence across patients, professionals and the public
No full textBackground: Pancreatic cancer is the least survivable malignancy, with five-year survival below 10%. Its vague, non-specific symptoms contribute to late diagnosis and poor outcomes. Targeted education for healthcare professionals, students, patients, carers, and the public may improve awareness, confidence, and early help-seeking. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize peer-reviewed evidence on pancreatic cancer education, identifying intervention types, outcomes, and gaps in knowledge. Methods: A scoping review was undertaken using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework and the Arksey and O’Malley framework and reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The protocol was registered on the Open Science Framework. Four databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO) were searched for English-language, peer-reviewed studies evaluating educational interventions on pancreatic cancer for healthcare students, professionals, patients, carers, or the public. Grey literature was excluded to maintain a consistent methodological standard. Data were charted and synthesised narratively. Results: Nine studies (2018–2024) met inclusion criteria, predominantly from high-income countries. Interventions targeted students and professionals (n = 3), patients (n = 2), the public (n = 2), or mixed groups (n = 2), using modalities such as team-based learning, workshops, virtual reality, serious games, and digital animations. Four interrelated themes were identified, encompassing (1) Self-efficacy; (2) Knowledge; (3) Behavior; and (4) Acceptability. Digital and interactive approaches demonstrated particularly strong engagement and learning gains. Conclusions: Pancreatic cancer education shows clear potential to enhance knowledge, confidence, and engagement across diverse audiences. Digital platforms offer scalable opportunities but require quality assurance and long-term evaluation to sustain impact. The evidence base remains limited and fragmented, highlighting the need for validated outcome measures, longitudinal research, and greater international representation to support the integration of education into a global pancreatic cancer control strategy. Future studies should also evaluate how educational interventions influence clinical practice and real-world help-seeking behaviour
Expert perspectives on exposure-response functions for urban health policy: Lessons from a UBDPolicy workshop
No full textPolicy-makers require robust, quantitative evidence in order to better align urban and transport planning practices with public health goals. Epidemiologically derived exposure-response functions can quantify the association between urban health determinants and human health outcomes. They are therefore a crucial input in quantitative health risk assessments, providing to policy-makers actionable evidence on how healthier, more sustainable cities may be achieved.The Urban Burden of Disease Policy (UBDPolicy) project convened a two-day workshop to discuss recent developments, ongoing challenges, and future directions for exposure-response functions and their application to quantitative health risk assessment. The workshop discussions centred around air pollution, transport noise, non-optimal temperature, greenspace and physical activity as primary pathways through which urban and transport planning impact human health. Based on this workshop, we provide an expert-guided perspective on how to enhance both our conceptual understanding of exposure-response functions and their practical application in urban health risk assessment. We also identify pathway-specific as well as cross-cutting (e.g., quantifying multiple exposures, need for population sub-group evidence) research needs relevant to environmental health more broadly. We propose several future research directions as an agenda for advancing urban environmental health
The role of perceived school diversity climate in the school involvement of ethnically and racially minoritized parents in Germany and the United Kingdom
No full textThis cross‐sectional online survey considered how school diversity climate and parental involvement are related for ethnically or racially minoritized and majoritized parents of school‐aged children (N = 1074) in the United Kingdom and Germany. Cross‐group comparisons showed that parents in the United Kingdom reported more multicultural and assimilative, and less discriminatory school climates than parents in Germany. Across countries, minoritized parents reported less multiculturalism, more assimilationism, and more school discrimination than majoritized parents. As expected, multicultural school climate was positively related, and discriminatory school climate was negatively related to parental school involvement. Unexpectedly, assimilationism was positively related to school involvement for minoritized parents in Germany and not related to school involvement in the UK sample. Overall, our findings indicate that parental perceptions of school conditions matter for their school involvement. Consequently, schools may benefit from evaluating, refining, and communicating their diversity approaches to increase parental involvement, promote school adaptation, and reduce educational inequities
Quantifying inter- and intramolecular interactions in liquids with correlated vibrational spectroscopy: case study of CCl<sub>4</sub> and CH<sub>3</sub>CN
No full textCorrelated vibrational spectroscopy (CVS) is a hyper-Raman-based vibrational spectroscopy that retrieves separate spectra of individual (self-correlated, SC) and interacting (cross-correlated, CC) molecules. The spectra are recorded in the >40 cm–1 THz/mid-IR frequency range and contain modes that are IR and/or Raman active. Here, we further develop CVS and apply it to investigate intra- and intermolecular interactions using room temperature liquid carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a nonpolar liquid, and acetonitrile (CH3CN), a polar liquid, as case studies. CVS spectra of CCl4 display no intermolecular coupling, confirming the isotropy and short-range nature of the molecular interactions. Strong intramolecular coupling is observed on the Fermi resonance, and the relative phase between the participating modes is determined based on the intensities in the experimental spectra. CVS spectra of acetonitrile display intermolecular coupling of the C≡N mode vibrations, whose cross-correlated out-of-phase signature is evidence for near-perpendicular pair arrangements. Performing a theoretical analysis of the CVS response, an equation for the effective average orientational angle between C≡N groups of adjacent liquid molecules is developed and solved. The effective average orientational angle between adjacent acetonitrile dipoles is ∼102° ± 2°, which is close to a head-to-tail arrangement
Vulnerability of blue carbon stocks to disturbance in sediments with low burial efficiency
No full textContinental shelf sediments – particularly soft, muddy habitats - serve as significant reservoirs of organic carbon over glacial-interglacial timescales and are subject to disturbance, notably from mobile bottom fishing gear. The quantity and quality of accumulated organic carbon varies across shelf environments, with muds storing more organic carbon than other substrate types. For effective marine management, it has been recommended that the reactivity, or ‘quality’, of organic matter should be considered when assessing the vulnerability of sedimentary carbon to disturbance. If management interventions are to be made to protect vulnerable organic carbon reservoirs on the seafloor, then it is also important to consider the burial efficiency of carbon. In areas of rapid sediment accumulation, carbon will be moved from surface to geological reservoirs more quickly, thus facilitating carbon sequestration. In this study, we assess the quantity, quality, and accumulation rate of organic carbon in the muddy depocenter of the Fladen Ground, northern North Sea - an area of low active sediment accumulation, with both historic and ongoing bottom trawling. All sediment cores analysed in this study display upwards coarsening of surface sediments, consistent with sediment disturbance and winnowing. Southern Fladen Ground sediments are especially well sorted, depleted in total organic carbon, and enriched in calcium carbonate - patterns that align with intensified trawling. Our results show very low modern organic carbon accumulation rates (∼0.7 g C m−2 yr−1), low organic matter reactivity (18.5 % labile), and that modern trawl events can potentially disturb sediments and carbon accumulated over the last ∼2300 years. These results indicate that sediment and organic carbon accumulation rates are an important consideration when assessing the vulnerability of sedimentary carbon.</p